Jiaohua

Luring the enemy into a trap, using bait to lure them in, is a tried-and-true tactic on the battlefield.

Meng Jinci and Xia Erwenqin took advantage of the conflict between Shang Taiyu and Yi Shurong to stage a play in order to lure Liu Zhaojiang into a trap and completely annihilate the main force of the Chimen Army.

Their plan was perfect, because Liu Zhaojiang did indeed fall for it.

However, their plan had a fatal oversight: the Chimen Army, which Liu Zhaojiang had taken over, had suffered heavy casualties over the years. As the original main force defending the northwest defense line, the Chimen Army now only had one-third of its peak strength.

Therefore, Liu Zhaojiang was not as reckless as he appeared; on the contrary, he was extremely cautious. He would not agree to fight a battle with only a 50% chance of winning.

The temptation was simply too great this time, with Meng Jinci and Xia Erwenqin, so Liu Zhaojiang couldn't resist the urge and decided to "scheme" against Xia Zhaoyi, tricking her Falcon Camp into joining the scheme.

Xia Zhaoyi not only brought the Falcon Battalion, but also a top-tier general who was rarely matched in the world.

Xia Zhaoyi and Shen Lie did not expect that the Baihe meeting was a scheme by Meng Jinci and Xia Erwenqin.

Meng Jinci and Xia Erwenqin never expected that their attempt to catch a fish would result in them catching two ferocious beasts.

Aside from Qingji Pass, which forced Xia Zhaoyi and Shen Lie to hold out for several hours, Meng Jinci also owed Xia Zhaoyi, who was disguised as Xia Zhaoxue, a debt from years ago when Meng Jinci kidnapped her at Shengliuyuan.

Therefore, when Shen Lie heard the name Meng Jinci, his heart itched even more than Liu Zhaojiang's.

Two days later, on the north bank of the Baihe River, Xia'er and Wenqin had just released their bait when it was bitten by Yan Jun, personally led by Shen Lie.

These baits were all elite cavalrymen who had fought countless battles. Their intention was to lure the enemy deep into their trap step by step.

As soon as he showed his face, he was completely devoured by Yan Jun.

Xia'er and Wenqin waited and waited in the mountain hollow where the ambush was located, but instead of receiving any news from the troops, they were met by the main force of the Chimen Army that appeared from behind.

Xia'er Wenqin immediately sent a fast horse to report to Meng Jinci. The scouts of the Falcon Camp quietly followed and, after figuring out Meng Jinci's location, the Falcon Camp and Yan Jun set off at the same time, splitting into two groups to encircle Meng Jinci's army.

Meng Jinci's forces totaled 40,000, far exceeding the combined strength of the Falcon Battalion and the Yan Army, but Meng Jinci was unaware of this.

Upon learning that it was not Liu Zhaojiang and the Chimen Army that had arrived, but rather the Falcon Battalion and Shen Lie, Meng Jinci and his subordinates were instantly gripped by a massive information gap and panic.

What Meng Jinci has been most resentful about these past two years is that two years ago, he led 30,000 troops but failed to capture Qingji Pass, which was defended by only 400 soldiers. Later, he was defeated and routed by tens of thousands of troops that appeared out of nowhere, and fled in a sorry state.

Now, Xia Zhaoyi and Shen Lie suddenly appeared one after the other. Meng Jinci had only one thought in his mind: he had fallen into their trap, just like Cong Mutu. They had come prepared.

Once fear takes hold, one's composure is instantly thrown into chaos.

Beyond their military strategies, Xia Zhaoyi and Shen Lie's individual abilities to lead troops in battle are also formidable.

Without hesitation, they charged into Meng Jinci's camp the moment they appeared, giving Meng Jinci and his men no time to think or react, forcing them to hastily deploy their troops to defend themselves.

After a fierce battle lasting three hours, Meng Jinci belatedly realized that Ali only had this Falcon Battalion under her command, while the main force of the Xia family army and the Leopard Battalion were absent.

Shen Lie's Yan army only numbered in the thousands, not the tens of thousands he had imagined.

But it was too late. Liu Zhaojiang had finished dealing with Xia'er and Wenqin and had already turned around to come and provide support.

After Meng Jinci's main force was wiped out by the Falcon Battalion and Yan Jun from both sides, Liu Zhaojiang's tens of thousands of Chimen troops seized the opportunity and surged in like a flood.

Just like before, the situation became increasingly unfavorable. Meng Jinci quickly cut ties, ordering his troops to retreat on their own. He led a force of about two hundred elite soldiers and fled northwest along a mountain path.

That night, it was late, and Shen Lie was troubled by the lack of troops around him, and Xia Zhaoyi was injured in both arms, so Shen Lie did not pursue her. Now it was different. Shen Lie's dark eyes were fixed on Meng Jinci, and almost as soon as Meng Jinci left, Shen Lie immediately led his men to chase after her.

Upon arriving at the Caiyue Ancient Ruins, Meng Jinci's men behind him cried out in alarm.

One of them shouted, "General! There are pursuers!"

Soon, another shrill voice roared, "General, it's Shen Lie!!"

Shen Lie's appearance and temperament are highly distinctive, making him extremely easy to recognize.

Before the man could finish speaking, his screams turned to agony as he fell from his horse.

As soon as he raised his head, he saw a glint of silver light piercing his throat. Then, dust filled the air, and he was trampled to pieces by the galloping hooves.

Meng Jinci, who was ahead, panicked completely.

Two years ago, his defeat at Qingji Pass was his greatest humiliation. He spent two years proving himself again and regained his army of 40,000 men. But this time, he was about to be defeated by the same opponent again.

Even this time, he himself might not be able to escape.

The moment the thought crossed my mind, a sharp sense of crisis washed over me.

A soldier was sent flying by Shen Lie's spear and crashed onto his horse's rump.

The galloping horse was startled, its front hooves buckled to the ground, and Meng Jinci's body lurched forward uncontrollably.

Several of his lieutenants and guards, who had served him for many years, either ran away from him without looking back, busy trying to escape, or a few stayed behind to help him.

But as soon as they dismounted, they were completely surrounded by the people chasing after them.

The dragon eagle strutted back and forth, full of pride and high spirits.

Its owner looked down at Meng Jinci, who was covered in dust and looked disheveled.

Meng Jinci finally faced Shen Lie face to face, his eyes filled with resentment and unwillingness, and he was full of dissatisfaction.

Shen Lie simply said, "Take him away."

"Yes!" The men stepped forward and grabbed the man.

Not only were Meng Jinci and several of his lieutenants captured alive, but Xia'er, Wenqin, and their close associates were also captured.

Upon returning, Shen Lie immediately ordered Yan Jun to assemble, and all survivors, except the wounded, were to be registered one by one.

Liu Zhaojiang was in a great mood and excitedly came to the tent to find him. Shen Lie was collecting maps, and as soon as he saw him, he kicked him hard.

Liu Zhaojiang slapped the sand off his buttocks and got up: "Zhiyan, what are you doing!"

Shen Lie grabbed his collar, and because he was so tall, he almost lifted him off the ground.

"Even including the Falcon Battalion and Yan Jun, our total forces are no match for Xia'er Wenqin and Meng Jinci! Are you determined to make the Falcon Battalion, the vanguard of the raid, lose at least half of its men here?"

Liu Zhaojiang broke free, feeling awkward, and said, "...You can't say that. Not every battle can be a complete victory. As long as you can take a big bite out of the enemy, you have to bear the appropriate costs! Didn't my Chimen Army also have to sacrifice a lot of troops to get that good piece of meat? Besides, hasn't Ali won many battles with small forces? And now you're here!"

Ye Zheng said quietly, "General Liu, one general's success is built on the bones of ten thousand soldiers. You got the spoils, but the other soldiers who died sacrificed their lives. Moreover, General Ali won a battle with fewer troops, a battle where victory was assured. You're taking a risk. Besides, is General Ali even one of your soldiers?"

Liu Zhaojiang frowned and looked at Shen Lie: "Zhiyan, fighting is tough for us all, don't blame me! I won't do it again next time, okay?"

Shen Lie thought for a moment and said, "Give me the Zhenwu Camp."

"...What?!"

"give or not?"

"you!"

Shen Lie hadn't thought of it at first, but when he heard the words "war is always tough," he suddenly thought of Xia Zhaoxue.

Xia Zhaoxue has been traveling around, and the Zhenwu Camp needs to be informed. So, we might as well take over the entire Zhenwu Camp, at least to elevate Ding Xue's official status so that he can act more easily in the future.

It was implied that promoting a garrison commander at Qingji Pass would be troublesome and involve too much work, so it would be better for Liu Zhaojiang to do it himself.

Liu Zhaojiang was so angry he felt like he was going to vomit blood, but Shen Lie's eyes were cold and menacing, and Liu Zhaojiang had never seen Shen Lie so angry before.

"Fine! I think you've developed a fondness for guarding Qingji Pass back then. You want it? Fine, take it! I'll give you the Zhenwu Battalion, okay?"

Shen Lie said, "Fine, get lost."

"You!" Seeing Shen Lie turn his back to continue packing his things, Liu Zhaojiang said sullenly, "Hmph, I'll leave if I want to."

There was nothing he could do; after Shen Lie brought it up, he really felt like he had done something wicked.

Shen Lie's anger did not dissipate after the Zhenwu Camp was captured. On the contrary, he felt more and more frightened as he thought about it. He was glad that he had arrived in Beiyuan at this critical moment and accompanied her to fight this battle.

That night, Xia Zhaoyi sent Sun Bichun with three hundred elite troops to escort Meng Jinci and others to Rongtang Gorge on the Buqu River, where Xia Zhaoxue was currently located.

By the way, also tell him the latest affiliation of Zhenwu Camp.

Because of the large number of wounded soldiers, they did not leave immediately and needed to stay for another two days, but they had already withdrawn from the Fengle River Valley with the main army.

Xia Zhaoyi was so busy she couldn't stop. The Falcon Battalion she led was both a vanguard cavalry unit and a team of marching medics skilled in medicine. Everyone was running around taking care of the entire army.

Some male soldiers were also loose-lipped and mischievous, trying to take advantage of others, and got a good beating for it. When the matter was reported to Liu Zhaojiang, Liu Zhaojiang was almost bald.

Three days later, Xia Zhaoyi and Shen Lie left. Liu Zhaojiang was both disappointed that the medical resources had been lost and relieved that the two formidable men were finally gone.

Half a month later, news that Meng Jinci had been utterly defeated by the Chimen Army spread throughout the Northern Yuan.

Just then, Emperor Shangtai Zhenli of the Northern Yuan Dynasty personally took the lead in trying to repair the conflict between Yi Shurong and Shangtai Yu.

The two led their troops to Fengge City. The news was brought by a flying bird. They had only been in Fengge City for less than two days when they heard the news. Shang Taiyu held his belly and laughed so hard that his mouth almost twisted out of shape.

The matter was leaked by someone, and the next day at Shangtai Zhenli's banquet, Yi Shurong angrily denounced Shangtai Yu for treason and applauded the enemy.

Shang Taiyu's personality has changed drastically. His youthful arrogance and conceit have transformed into an indescribable absurdity and unruliness after he grew older and his family was destroyed.

Yi Shurong's accusations did not deter Shang Taiyu; instead, he laughed even louder, sneering and mocking Yi Shurong for his incompetence. He said that Yi Shurong was incompetent, and the troops he led were also incompetent. What kind of battles had they fought? Two years ago, they failed to take Qingji Pass, and now they had been completely wiped out by the Chimen Army. How could Yi Shurong still have the face to sit in the position of the Allied Forces? He should step down as soon as possible.

Yi Shurong, unable to bear it any longer, retorted by asking Shang Taiyu what achievements he had made in the past few years. Not only were Qingquan Town and Yingxing Fort destroyed, but he had also paralyzed Ali's communication system, causing difficulties in information transmission, which only improved in the last six months.

The two argued more and more fiercely, refuting each other and deliberately picking at each other's sore spots.

Finally, family members are involved.

Yi Shurong's father and elder sister were indeed murdered by Ali. The murderer who killed hundreds of people in Shang Taiyu's mansion remains a mystery to this day.

However, now that he was in a fit of rage, Shang Taiyu insisted that Yi Shurong was the culprit: "Don't deny it! If it were Ali who did it, she would have already spread the word. Who doesn't know how arrogant she is? She ruined my family and caused my death. What's there for her to hide or be afraid to say? It must have been you, Yi Shurong!!"

Yi Shurong burst into laughter: "Why would I kill your family? Why would I bother with such a thankless task? Look at your heartless and ungrateful appearance. So what if your family is destroyed? How long will you feel sorry for them? It's only been less than half a year, and all the beauties around you are pregnant again. Is it so difficult for you to have children?"

Shang Taiyu sneered: "Isn't this exactly what you wanted? It doesn't affect my vital energy or damage my foundation, allowing me to continue fighting for the Imperial Court! If you were to completely destroy me, could you single-handedly support the war effort?"

"The battle situation?" Yi Shurong retorted angrily, "What do you have to rely on to maintain the battle situation? With you? Whether it was back then or now, my record is better than yours!"

Shang Taiyu slammed his fist on the table: "I'll wipe out the entire Zhi Tu!"

"And yet you couldn't even defend Qingquan Town!"

"And you! You couldn't win at the front, and you couldn't defend the rear. How many of those who followed you in Lanze City have had a good ending? Not only Lanze City, but He Yanpo of Mingfang City, who was known as your top strategist, had his wife broken into his mansion and taken away! Yi Shurong, you are a complete waste!! You even spent a lot of money to recruit mercenaries from Xiqiang and Xiyitang. No matter how many troops you have, you still can't win!"

Yi Shurong was furious and grabbed a plate of food, lunging at Shang Taiyu's face.

Shang Taiyu retaliated on the spot.

Since they were not carrying weapons to see the emperor, the tables, chairs, and benches on site became their weapons.

The guards of Shangtai Zhenli rushed in to stop them, but none of them dared to really pull the two important figures.

Finally, it was the sons of Shōtai Sense who pulled them apart.

These princes were furious, angry that Yi Shurong and Shang Taiyu didn't take their imperial court seriously, but on the surface they still had to appease them.

In this situation, reconciliation is out of the question, and even the subsequent military deployment negotiations have fallen apart.

After staying in Fengge City for three more days, on the day they set off to leave, countless birds descended carrying letters. The letters urgently reported that two mercenary groups from Xiyitang had been ambushed and suffered heavy casualties.

The letter emphasized that the marching routes of these two mercenary groups were extremely well-hidden, and they were at least a hundred miles away from the southernmost point of the Three Eastern Lu.

The last letter said that the people who ambushed them were Yan Jun, led by Shen Lie.

Yi Shurong was so angry that he couldn't speak, and immediately set off for Sandao Donglu.

Shang Taiyu also received news that nearly made him faint with anger.

The Mr. Shi who came to Lingdai City half a year ago with miraculous healing skills was actually a spy sent by Shen Lie.

It has just been determined that his claims over the past six months about dissecting living people and taking their internal organs for research were all false.

He took away one slave after another. Han Chinese slaves were sent away by him, and Northern Yuan slaves were freed from their slave status and kept in his backyard to do his bidding. They were brainwashed by him and became extremely loyal, willing to go through fire and water for him.

After reading the letter, Shang Taiyu felt like the sky had fallen.

In the past six months, he has relied on this Mr. Shi quite a bit, praising his medical skills more than once and regarding him as a confidant.

If it weren't for him, Mr. Shi wouldn't have been able to move the slaves away in batches so smoothly.

So this person was arranged by Shen Lie?!
Shang Taiyu couldn't sit still any longer and immediately arranged for his men to prepare to leave.

His limbs were weak and he couldn't climb onto the horse several times, so he finally left the city by carriage.

Fengge City and Lingdai City are not close; it takes at least seven days to reach them by horseback. However, the road between the two cities is very well-maintained and flat, so you can encounter many travelers or caravans on the way.

Shang Taiyu was in a deep depression, becoming more irritable and short-tempered, and remained silent the whole way.

Three days before they reached Lingdai City, a subordinate arrived on horseback with news that Princess Chiyu was also on her way back. Upon hearing of the prince's movements, she would arrive early the next morning to meet him and return to Lingdai City together.

Shang Taiyu's expression finally softened.

He loved this princess very much; she was not only beautiful and refined, but also intelligent, quick-witted, and understanding, and always shared his burdens and difficulties.

After all these changes, Princess Chiyu was still the only familiar and closest face left by his side.

To prevent Chi Yu from becoming tired from the journey, Shang Taiyu ordered the convoy to change course and head towards Princess Chi Yu's direction for an earlier meeting.

It was because of this decision that his life of wealth and luxury ended a day early.

The southwest direction where Princess Chiyu went was a newly opened trade route, and the area was unstable, with frequent bandits and outlaws.

These bandits and outlaws certainly wouldn't dare to attack nobles, but their identities as bandits and outlaws provided excellent cover.

After Shen Lie wiped out a mercenary group from Wan Rong, he did not return with the main army via Pan Yu and Jue Zhou. Instead, he took only six hundred Yan soldiers and went deep into the heart of the Wan Rong grasslands, heading north from Wan Rong.

There were too many bandits in this area, so their group of six hundred men traveled in three separate groups. They were spotted along the way, but because no civilians were harmed, they did not cause any disturbance.

When Shang Taiyu was about to meet his beloved princess half a day earlier than expected, Shen Lie intercepted him.

The royal guards and the army behind them never expected that anyone would dare to stop Prince Changyan's carriage. Even if they were bandits, they were courting death.

The guards of the Prince's Palace drew their swords one after another. The leading guard stepped forward, but before he could even speak, Shen Lie flashed his silver spear, and the guard fell from his horse and died a tragic death.

Shen Lie pointed his spear at Chang Yanwang's carriage: "Leave no one alive."

Shang Taiyu was brave and skilled in battle. In his youth, he rode his horse across the grasslands and was invincible.

However, because of his arrogance, he suffered a great setback after a series of unexpected events, including the incidents at Qingquan Town and Yingxing Fort, the destruction of military communications, and being scolded by Yi Shurong. His pride and sharpness were severely worn down in a short period of time.

Now, he huddled in the carriage in terror, clutching the gold-inlaid sword in his hand, his whole body trembling.

His guards all rushed to surround the carriage to protect him, and some even tried to whip the horses to urge him on and escort him away.

Chaos grew increasingly intense outside, with the sounds of fighting filling the air. Shang Taiyu heard a soldier shouting in fluent Mandarin, "Look! That carriage is leaving!"

Then, even more chaotic noises followed.

Pedestrians on both sides of the road had already moved away.

After receiving word that the King was going to return to Lingdai City, the bandits and outlaws in the vicinity also went to other places in advance to keep a low profile for a few days.

Now, there are only the two teams on this entire long road.

The battle did not last long. The royal guards and the troops that had marched for days and nights were no match for the well-equipped Yan army cavalry.

Half an hour later, Changyan Wang, who had spent his entire life immersed in the ultimate honor, was dragged out of the ruins of the magnificent carriage and thrown in front of Shen Lie.

Shang Taiyu felt like he was having a nightmare. He struggled to lift his head and looked up at the young man standing in front of him.

Shen Lie killed with extreme ferocity, and a few drops of blood splattered on his face, contrasting sharply with his cool, fair complexion.

The sharp spearhead, the weapon of countless killers, was pressed against Shang Taiyu's throat. Shen Lie said calmly, "You're quite a figure. Do you have any last words before you die?"

Shang Taiyu gritted his teeth: "Kill me if you want! My life has been worth it!"

Shen Lie sneered, turned his head and instructed Wu Shaoning and Ye Zheng: "This King Changyan is not afraid of death, so let's give him a grand death."

Wu Shaoning and Ye Zheng responded, "Yes!"

Half an hour later, Princess Chiyu's cavalry arrived at the scene.

His men saw a crowd gathered in the distance and reported from outside the carriage that a man was being hung high up.

Princess Chiyu said, "Who is causing such trouble? Send someone to investigate."

After saying that, she frowned for some reason and lifted the carriage curtain to look outside.

At first glance, she felt her heart skip a beat.

Others might not recognize the man, but she knew him better than anyone else. In addition, she had excellent eyesight and instantly knew that the man was Shang Taiyu!
"Your Highness!" Princess Chiyu cried out in a trembling voice.

She didn't bother to tell anyone to stop the carriage. She jumped off the still-moving carriage and ran forward, shouting for a horse. Then she shoved the person who had stopped to give her a horse and leaped onto it.

“Gee, gee!!”

Princess Chiyu shouted and ran wildly, rushing into the crowd.

The long road was covered in blood, a shocking sight.

The ground was littered with headless corpses, their heads discarded beneath Shang Taiyu's overpass.

Shang Taiyu was hanging there, covered in blood, his mouth stuffed with a dirty rag, and he was still half-breathing.

Upon seeing Chi Yu, Shang Taiyu's eyes widened, and tears streamed down his face, a testament to his lifelong pride.

"Your Highness...Your Highness!!" Chi Yu cried out in shock, "What are you doing? Put the prince down at once!!"

Upon hearing this, Shang Taiyu quickly mumbled "uh uh uh."

The men who had been running behind Chi Yu were all shocked to see this: "Your Highness!"

One of them drew his knife: "Come with me to save the prince!"

Chi Yu suddenly realized something was wrong and hissed, "Wait!"

But it was too late; the man's knife had already struck the rope, and the others reached out to catch Shang Taiyu from under the shelf.

Just then, a hidden blade suddenly flew out, and the sharp blade instantly swept across Shang Taiyu's neck.

Akagami screamed and covered her mouth with both hands.

Shang Taiyu's body was still bound to it, but his head fell and landed in the arms of the person below who reached out to catch him.

Chi Yu's eyes rolled back, and she collapsed unconscious. (End of Chapter)