Allied Forces Camp.
Xiao Sa (Second Prince) looked at the dimly visible Yunzhou City, his expression grim.
Since the allied forces arrived under Yunzhou City, they had continuously attacked the city for five days, and today was the sixth day. Like the previous five days, from morning till night, the allied forces still could not breach Yunzhou City, which now stood like a copper wall and iron bastion before them.
In the beginning, he thought Xiao Ming’s army relied solely on the advantage of firearms, but facing these powerful, slow-loading weapons, he had believed they could mitigate the disadvantage with sheer numbers.
However, days of fierce fighting gradually made him realize that things were not as simple as he had thought. Compared to firearms, what was more frightening about the soldiers in Yunzhou City was their fearlessness and unyielding momentum.
When allied soldiers ascended the city walls, they faced cold bayonets even more terrifying than muskets. Every time the soldiers on the city walls brandished their bayonets, the soldiers who had ascended the city walls would fall back like a collapsing mountain.
These past few days, not only had he become somewhat agitated, but Cui Huai and Zhao Ang were also in a state of unease. In their common understanding, an allied army composed of the elites of the three princes would easily take Yunzhou City. But now, as time dragged on, morale in the grand camp was at an all-time low, and soldiers were constantly deserting.
Just as he was growing irritated, he suddenly saw a flash of fire light up to the west of the grand camp. Instantly, his heart turned cold.
Soon after, Zhao Ang rushed over, saying impatiently, “Our provisions transported here from Kaizhou have been raided! The Yunzhou City cavalry set the provisions ablaze!”
Cui Huai was also alarmed by this and rushed over. He angrily said, “Your Zhao Kingdom’s Black Armored Iron Cavalry are truly useless! Reputed as the Great Yu Empire’s top cavalry, they can’t even protect provisions!”
Zhao Ang’s face was grim. The provisions transported from Kaizhou had always been protected by their Black Armored Iron Cavalry. But from Kaizhou to the allied forces’ grand camp was sixty li. How could their 40,000 cavalry protect such a long supply line?
During the days of the siege, the Yunzhou City cavalry repeatedly launched surprise attacks on the provisions in small groups, carrying kerosene. They would burn the provisions and leave, never staying to fight. This made it impossible to find the enemy to engage. His soldiers had also been exhausted these past few days, and now being reprimanded by Cui Huai, he too became annoyed.
“This general’s Black Armored Iron Cavalry are useless, but your Yan army is even more useless! It’s been five days of siege, yet have you captured an inch of Yunzhou City’s wall? It was truly wise of Prince Zhao; he already foresaw that you would be incompetent. This time, he only acted for profit, with insincere hearts and wavering resolve.”
Cui Huai’s eyes were red, like those of a mad beast. The war was going badly, and the soldiers suffered heavy losses. The enthronement ceremony had been completed today, yet they had not set foot in Yunzhou City.
Now, even if he took Yunzhou City, he would have no way to account for it to Prince Yan.
Just as the two were arguing, a cavalryman suddenly arrived in front of the camp in the night, shouting, “Urgent order from Prince Liang! Urgent order from Prince Liang!”
Xiao Sa suddenly had a bad feeling. He hastily ordered the messenger to be let in.
Riding to the front of the camp, the messenger shouted urgently, “Prince Yong has sent a large army to attack Liang territory! They are now approaching Liang Capital! Prince Liang has ordered Your Royal Highness to immediately lead your troops to relieve the siege without delay!”
“Prince Yong!” The Second Prince’s face turned ashen, a hint of panic in his eyes. He immediately said to his deputy, “Now! Immediately return to Qingzhou!”
Cui Huai heard this and immediately blocked the Second Prince. He said, “Xiao Sa, are you going to betray the alliance?”
Xiao Sa was well aware of Liang’s current situation. If the Yong army attacked with full force, Liang would not be able to hold out, especially since the Yong army was equipped with a large number of firearms with Xiao Ming’s support.
He pushed Cui Huai aside and said, “If Liang perishes, what good is this alliance!”
With that, he walked out of the tent and ordered the Liang army to turn back.
“Outrageous, outrageous!” Cui Huai was both shocked and angry. With the Liang army gone, the allied forces had lost half their strength. Now that Yan’s elites were all gone, this battle could not be continued.
Zhao Ang had long intended to retreat. Seeing this, he said, “General Cui, the Liang army has left. This allied force is now only in name. Forgive me for not accompanying you.”
With that, he also left the large tent, gathered his cavalry, and prepared to flee back to Chang’an.
Cui Huai watched helplessly as the Second Prince and Zhao Ang departed. His heart was cold. With the failure of this allied force, Xiao Ming would surely attack Yan to vent his anger.
Slumping to the ground, Cui Huai was at a loss.
Yunzhou City.
Niu Ben also received news from Bingzhou City at the same time.
After reading Chen Xinran’s letter, Niu Ben said, “Everything is within His Highness’s plan. Now that Bingzhou City has fallen, the Second Prince, having received the news, will surely return to Qingzhou. In this way, the allied forces of the three princes will crumble. Seize this opportunity for the main army to sally forth and annihilate the invading enemy in one fell swoop, taking Kaizhou, Bianzhou, and other imperial cities occupied by Prince Yan.”
In the camp, the generals were all rubbing their fists, knowing it was time for them to show their prowess. Lu Fei was the most active, saying, “General, give the order.”
Niu Ben at this moment surveyed the generals with a solemn expression. He said, “You’ve been fighting fiercely all day, and I know you’re all exhausted. But if we don’t surround the allied forces of the three princes tonight, these armies will escape. Now, Lu Fei, you go from the front towards the allied forces’ grand camp. Luo Hong and Ye Qingyun, you will encircle the allied forces’ grand camp from the left and right flanks respectively. Smoke and fire will be the signal. Success or failure depends on this one move.”
“Yes, General!” The generals roared in unison.
The generals left the camp and immediately gathered their soldiers and charioteers from the three city gates, moving towards the allied forces’ grand camp under the cover of night.
At this time, Qi Guangyi and Bai Mu also returned from outside the city. Seeing such a large movement, the two immediately understood something.
They immediately found Niu Ben.
“General, are we preparing for a counterattack?” Qi Guangyi asked.
Niu Ben scanned the terrain on the sand table. He said to Bai Mu, “Bai Mu, you are to immediately lead 20,000 cavalry to outflank the allied forces’ grand camp and cut off the retreat of the Yan and Zhao armies. Qi Guangyi, you are to immediately lead 20,000 cavalry towards Bingzhou and, with Chen Xinran, ambush and annihilate the Liang army on the official road leading to Liang Capital.”
“Yes, General.” The two immediately summoned their cavalry upon hearing this.
On a hazy moonlit night, all the troops in Yunzhou City were mobilized. Niu Ben personally donned his armor for battle this time. If they succeeded in annihilating the allied forces of the three princes, Yan and Liang would be incorporated into the state’s territory in a matter of days.
After a brief thought, Niu Ben personally donned his armor. This night raid was too important; there could be no mishaps.
Riding out from the west gate, Niu Ben entered Lu Fei’s central army.
At this time, the soldiers of the central army all maintained silence; not a single soldier made a sound. What they wanted this time was surprise.
The twenty li journey was not long. In an hour, the allied forces’ grand camp appeared before everyone.
The hussars (light cavalry) in the army continuously relayed messages. After receiving confirmation that Bai Mu had outflanked the enemy and both the left and right armies were in position, Niu Ben drew his saber and roared, “Kill!”