Looking at Tai'an from the full moon

Chapter 307 Ambush

"The purpose of our coming here is to die!"

"To die? What do you mean? How come I don't know about this!?"

Hu Cheng was shocked by the news. He turned his head and looked at the soldiers behind him. He was shocked. Did everyone know that he was here to die? Was he the only one who didn't know?

Pang Hong spoke softly.

"Calm down first, I'll talk to you."

Hu Cheng suppressed his anger and waited for Pang Hong to speak.

"I was skeptical at first, but since the emperor sent his most capable eunuch to issue the decree, I naturally did not dare to question anything. Besides, those veterans were all over fifty years old, and the reasons given by the higher authorities were reasonable. In addition, the emperor gave us more soldiers, so everything seemed normal.

Until the night before yesterday, I woke up because I drank too much water and heard two soldiers talking in a low voice. I quietly leaned over to listen and heard that they were talking about the war between the two countries..."

"Hey~ You said, we have been on the road for so long, and General Hu and Military Advisor Pang haven't discovered anything?"

"What did you find? What do you want them to find? The emperor has issued an imperial decree. Even if they find something, can they still run away? Besides, why do you think the emperor sent us, the Ironclad Army, to follow them? Is it really to follow their orders and win this battle? Don't be ridiculous. The emperor wants us to supervise them and make sure they can enter the border canyon and fight against Tai'an's army. Winning or losing doesn't matter. As for us, the Ironclad Army will be behind them. If we see the situation is not good, we will just withdraw."

"Can we really withdraw? What if the emperor punishes us as deserters..."

"Don't worry~ The reason why there must be a battle in the Border Canyon is because it is the border between the two countries, but in fact the main battlefield is not there, it is just a cover~ I'm telling you secretly, don't tell anyone else! We Cangyan have already negotiated a price with Mu Si, and we will borrow the road from them, so that we can attack Tai'an by surprise! Then we can give Mu Si some benefits. So the battle in the Border Canyon is just a show to attract Tai'an's troops, and no one cares about winning or losing."

"...I only knew about this from what they were discussing behind their backs. But even if we knew, what could we do? The Ironclad Army is watching us from behind. We have no way to retreat, or we would become deserters. And for the sake of Cangyan Nation's grand plan, we can't retreat!"

"Then why didn't you tell me? Do you think I would run away? Or let me die in obscurity?"

Hu Cheng calmed down after listening to Pang Hong's description, but he still didn't understand why Pang Hong didn't tell him. Pang Hong sighed and said helplessly.

"Do you remember what you did after receiving the order?"

Hu Cheng nodded.

"I repeatedly confirmed with the eunuch whether the imperial edict was genuine."

"Yes, because you didn't expect to lead the armored army, nor did you expect to fight for the country. For you, or for us at that time, this was a battle of honor. But when I knew the truth, and even knew that I was just a tool used by the superiors to win, I felt extremely disappointed. I originally wanted to tell you about this, but I was afraid that you would be more disappointed than me, especially when I saw you practicing martial arts all day for this and reviewing the art of war, I really couldn't tell you the truth..."

Hu Cheng and Pang Hong were silent for a while. Seeing this, Xiao Zuochen continued to speak.

"Yes, he is right. So when I knew that the enemy general was General Hu, I sent people to investigate, and the results of the investigation were the same as what your military advisor said just now. On the surface, the Cangyan Kingdom sent General Hu Cheng to lead the armored army to the border canyon to fight with the Shura Army, but in fact, it was just to let you attract the Shura Army. They secretly sent General Li of Cangyan to lead 10 elite troops to take a detour from the Musi Kingdom, and then use the Miao territory to attack Tai'an. But the problem is that after they arrive in Miao territory, if they want to attack Tai'an, they can only take a boat to Wangyan City first, and it is not easy for these Jin soldiers, including people and horses, to cross the river by boat. Counting the days, today is the day they take the boat~"

Xiao Zuochen's calculations were correct. This morning, General Li of Cangyan State led 100,000 elite soldiers to cross the river by boat. However, for some reason, the originally clear river surface was covered with a thick fog when they began to cross the river.

"General, there's a sudden thick fog on the lake. Why don't we wait until the fog clears before crossing the river?"

The Teng family was naturally the main culprit in collusion with the Cangyan Kingdom. At this time, Teng Qiao was riding a horse side by side with General Li, looking at the situation on the lake and kindly reminding him.

"No! Today, the group of scapegoats should have reached the border canyon. Some people are going to die to attract firepower. As long as we can reach Wangyan City on time, we can catch the enemy by surprise. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! All troops, listen up, take a boat and cross the river immediately!"

"Yes!"

"It just so happens that there is fog on the river. Although it blocks Fang's sight, it also provides cover for us."

But even though the Miao border of Cangyan State had given advance notice and prepared extra boats, it was impossible to cross the river with 100,000 people. Moreover, Xiao Zuochen had already discovered the conspiracy of Cangyan State and sent people back to Wangyan City to guard in advance.

"General, I have received news that the enemy has boarded the ship! As you ordered, let them go ahead..."

A soldier walked up to the general and reported with a fist. The general stopped and looked at the river, his whole body was straight and full of confidence. This general was Chu Yao! After Xiao Zuochen received the news, he immediately asked him to lead the other guards and most of the Shura Army to retreat to Wangyan Town to defend it.

"Good! This thick fog on the river is a godsend for us! Notify the three armies to prepare for battle! Archers, start shooting when you see the first ship emerge from the fog!"

"Yes!"

So when the bow of the first ship appeared from the fog, the Shura soldiers set up their work and shot out all the arrows in their hands. The screams coming from the night could be heard through the fog.

The enemy troops on the boat were in a mess. They did not seem to have expected such a situation, and they did not take any protective measures at night. On the shore of Miaojiang, General Li, who had not yet boarded the boat, discovered the situation on the river, and the soldiers beside him asked him what to do.

"General, do you want to order a retreat?"

General Li hesitated for only two seconds before speaking decisively.

"We can't retreat! If we retreat now, Wangyan City will definitely increase its defenses, and it will be even more difficult for us to attack from here."

"But they are now ready. The soldiers in front have been ambushed by bows and arrows."

"Didn't I see it? Do I need you to tell me again? Even if we are ambushed now, we must stand firm. Their arrows will eventually run out! Even if we have to pile up corpses today, we must take down this city! Anyone who dares to take a step back will be killed on the spot!"

"..."