Damn it, I'm in the garbage book I wrote

Chapter 843 It's just tactics.
Zhuo Heng accepted the order and hurriedly returned to Shanshan City with his personal guards that evening.

Xia Lin led his main force to hide and encamp in the valley behind the Camel Ridge Pass, keeping quiet and waiting for the show to begin in Shanshan City.

Over the next two days, beneath the seemingly calm surface of Shanshan City, undercurrents were surging.

Upon returning to the city, Zhuo Heng immediately acted according to plan. He selected several trusted mid-level officers and a group of absolutely loyal veterans, and began making secret arrangements. Soon, some discordant voices began to emerge within Shanshan City. First, rumors quietly spread about Xia Lin mistreating his old subordinates and attempting to purge the veteran officials of the Western Regions Protectorate. Then, several minor conflicts occurred, with officers being publicly whipped for verbal altercations and soldiers being detained for disobeying orders.

The atmosphere throughout the city gradually became oppressive and tense.

On the third night, a meticulously planned mutiny finally unfolded. A group of rebels suddenly launched an attack, assaulting the armory west of Shanshan City and engaging in fierce fighting with the quelling troops who rushed to the scene. The firelight that night even illuminated half the sky. In the chaos, the rebel leader successfully seized control of a section of the city wall near the west gate and sent men down the wall under the cover of confusion, carrying a letter pleading for help, heading straight for He Lu's camp at Langshan.

Everything was done flawlessly, and many soldiers and civilians in the city, unaware of the truth, believed it to be true, causing widespread panic.

When the news reached Langshan, Ashina Helu was initially filled with suspicion and uncertainty. He was naturally cunning and suspicious, and worried that this was a scheme by Zhuo Heng or Xia Lin. However, several waves of scouts he sent out reported back that internal strife had indeed broken out in Shanshan City; flames were raging in the direction of the west gate, and shouts of battle had continued for half the night, with small groups of troops still fighting.

Moreover, the news circulating in the city coincided with the intelligence from several informants he had previously bribed—Xia Lin was eager to establish his authority after his arrival and did indeed have conflicts with former generals such as Wang Zhuoheng.

Just then, news came from Liu Min of the Northern Han, asking when he would make his move and indicating that the Northern Han army was ready to attack from the northeast once He Lu launched his attack, thus tying down the main force of the Wei army.

With multiple pieces of information corroborating his suspicions, He Lu's resolve began to shift. A tremendous temptation lay before him: capturing Shanshan and annexing its forces would allow him to truly become the overlord of the Western Regions, even gaining leverage to negotiate with the Northern Han and the Tang Dynasty. Even with the risks, he already had an inside agent within the city, and the Northern Han was providing support from the outside; the success rate seemed quite high.

After all, there is an old Chinese saying that "fortune and honor are found in danger," and another saying that "if Heaven gives something and you don't take it, you will suffer the consequences."

"Chief, it's time to make a move!" Several tribal leaders under Helu, eager to gain merit, volunteered for battle.

"Let me think it over." He Lu was still somewhat worried, and he did not agree immediately, but suppressed the excitement in his heart for the time being.

But his hesitation didn't last long. After a night of torment and deliberation, his ambition finally outweighed his caution, and He Lu decided to take a gamble!
At dawn on the fourth day, He Lu mobilized all 25,000 elite cavalry from Langshan, leaving only a small force to guard the old camp. With men gagged and horses' hooves wrapped in mud, they marched straight towards Shanshan City under the cover of darkness before dawn!

Meanwhile, Xia Lin received a secret message from Zhuo Heng via carrier pigeon at Camel Ridge: "The fish has taken the bait and is heading towards the chopping block."

Xia Lin put down the note, a flash of cold light passing through his eyes. He stood up and said in a deep voice to the messenger standing solemnly outside the tent:

"Order the entire army to proceed according to the pre-arranged plan!"

"Order the Divine Machine Battalion to advance to the pre-arranged position!"

"Order the cavalry to outflank the enemy on both flanks and cut off their retreat!"

The tranquil valley instantly erupted into chaos. Countless black figures, like awakened beasts, silently and swiftly pounced on their respective battle positions at the officer's deep command.

The gears of war began to turn with a roar at this moment.

West of Shanshan City, a writhing black line and billowing dust could already be seen on the horizon.

He Lu's men have arrived.

As he rode his tall Turkic horse, gazing at the city of Shanshan gradually becoming clearer in the morning light, especially the section of the western city wall that seemed to still be under the control of the "rebels," a savage grin of certainty spread across his face.

Little did he know that he was walking headlong into a large fishing net that had already been woven for him.

As the sun rose, golden sunlight shone on the mottled city walls of Shanshan, but it could not dispel the somber atmosphere that permeated the air.

Ashina Helu personally led 25,000 elite cavalrymen like a surging torrent to the city. He reined in his horse and gazed at the city that was within his grasp, especially the rebels who were fighting the government troops on the west city wall. His last doubts vanished.

"Warriors!" He Lu drew his scimitar and pointed it at Shanshan City, his voice hoarse with excitement: "Wealth, women, slaves—they're all inside the city! Charge in with me! I'll keep my swords drawn for seven days! Kill!"

"kill!!!"

The Turkic cavalrymen roared like wild beasts, spurring their horses forward like a flood bursting its banks, surging towards the open west gate and the section of the city wall controlled by the rebels. The deafening sound of hooves and the dust they kicked up blotted out the sky, their momentum suggesting they could engulf the isolated city at any moment.

On the city wall, Wang Zhuoheng, clad in heavy armor, stared expressionlessly at the enemy troops surging in like a tide. Beside him, the "rebels" who had just been fiercely resisting had already silently retreated into their hiding places, replaced by the elite troops of the Fuliang New Army, who gripped their muskets tightly.

"All battalions, listen up! No one is allowed to fire until a signal flare is fired!" Wang Zhuoheng began issuing orders: "Let them get closer and fire! Let them get even closer! Let them die knowing what's going on."

The Turkic wolf soldiers at the forefront had already reached the dry moat, and they could almost see the panicked expressions on the faces of the defenders on the city walls. Some cavalrymen even began throwing lassos to try and hook onto the battlements, creating conditions for subsequent ascents.

He Lu, overseeing the battle from the rear, couldn't help but smile smugly as he watched the vanguard advance so smoothly. He could almost see himself sitting on the throne of the Shanshan Prefectural Governor's Office, ruling over the entire Western Regions.

However, just as the first group of Turkic cavalrymen were about to step onto the drawbridge...

"Fire!"

Wang Zhuoheng's command was like a thunderclap.

In an instant, a dense barrage of gunfire erupted from the western city wall of Shanshan. The musketeers, who had been poised to fire, pulled their triggers in unison, and smoke filled the air as bullets rained down on the cavalry crowding below the city.

Almost simultaneously, dozens of rapid-fire cannons and mortars hidden behind the crenellations of the city wall and on both sides of the barbican roared, and grapeshot, high-explosive and incendiary bombs swept in like a storm of steel.

The Turkic cavalry at the forefront were like those who had crashed into a wall of spikes. A large number of them fell down without any warning. The mournful cries of warhorses and the screams of soldiers immediately replaced the shouts of the charge. The once imposing wave of attack seemed to have hit a reef and was instantly crushed by the overwhelming force of the offensive!
"An ambush!" the Turkic cavalrymen behind shouted in terror. They tried to rein in their horses, but the immense momentum propelled them forward, colliding with their fallen comrades, plunging the scene into utter chaos.

"Divine Machine Battalion! Extend firing range! Cover the enemy's follow-up echelons!"

Wang Zhuoheng calmly continued to issue orders. Hundreds of simulated attacks and defenses made it impossible for him to make any misjudgments about the timing of the battle. The wisdom of the Wang family had been extended and developed in him, even surpassing that of his father.

Heavy artillery, positioned on high ground and in pre-arranged positions within the city, roared with a deep rumble. Shells pierced the sky, striking precisely the Turkic cavalry who were struggling to adjust their formation. Explosions rang out one after another, flames soared into the sky, shrapnel flew in all directions, and shockwaves could even shatter internal organs several meters away. This continuous barrage once again inflicted heavy casualties and psychological shock on the enemy.

"Hold on! Don't panic! Archers, return fire! Set up ladders!" He Lu, watching from the rear, was furious. He brandished his scimitar and shouted hoarsely as he tried to steady the formation.

He realized he had fallen into a trap, but the die was cast. If he retreated now, morale would collapse and the consequences would be unimaginable.

He could only pin his hopes on their numerical advantage, and... the promises of the Northern Han.

Just as Helu's army was suffering heavy losses at the foot of Shanshan City, about thirty miles northeast of the battlefield, the personal guard cavalry led by Liu Min, a general of the Northern Han Dynasty, were stationed on a high slope, gazing at the smoke rising from the direction of Shanshan City.

"General, Helu has launched an attack! It looks like the fighting is fierce. Should we proceed with our plan to engage and contain the Wei army?" a lieutenant asked eagerly.

Liu Min, holding a telescope made of Fuliang, stared expressionlessly at the distant battlefield. He could hear the faint sounds of cannon fire, see the dense flames flickering on the walls of Shanshan, and watch the Turkic cavalry fall like harvested wheat.

"That stupid dog He Lu, he really fell for the trap." Liu Min put down his binoculars and sneered.

"General, then we..."

"Pass down the order: all units must remain stationary. No one is to act rashly without my command!" Liu Min decisively ordered.

"Huh? General, this is a great opportunity for us to reap the benefits! Let them both suffer heavy losses..." The lieutenant was somewhat puzzled.

"A lose-lose situation?" Liu Min glanced at him, his eyes sharp as knives: "Look at the firepower of those guys. Do they look like they're hastily responding to an unstable situation in the city? This is clearly a trap that was set long ago! Xia Lin's military tactics have always been cunning and ruthless. Since he dared to set this up, he must be absolutely confident that he can devour He Lu in one fell swoop! If we rush in now, we'll not be holding them back, we'll be sending ourselves to our deaths! We'll just become another piece of meat on his chopping block!"

Liu Min took a deep breath and continued, "Let He Lu wear down Xia Lin's forces and morale. Once he's crippled, Xia Lin will inevitably suffer losses as well. At that point, the initiative will be in our hands—whether to fight or retreat. Order the scouts to investigate further! I need to know exactly where Xia Lin's main force is lying in ambush!"

Liu Min's caution and wisdom prevented him from falling into another trap at this moment.

Because Xia Lin's main force, currently lying in ambush at Camel Ridge, was waiting for Liu Min's Northern Han army, which was attempting to seize the spoils. If Liu Min dared to make a move, he would face a devastating attack from the flank.

Unfortunately, Liu Min chose to remain on the sidelines and watch from the sidelines.

Meanwhile, the battle beneath Shanshan City had become one-sided.

The Turkic cavalry were utterly unable to approach the city walls under the completely unequal firepower. Their arrows were utterly ineffective against the range and power of the muskets and cannons. The charging formation was completely shattered, and the soldiers scattered in panic, trampling each other.

"Retreat! Retreat now!" Seeing the heavy casualties and the hopelessness of the siege, He Lu finally awoke from his dream of ambition and gave the order to retreat in a hoarse voice.

However, it was too late to leave at that point.

Just as the Turkic rear army frantically turned their horses around, attempting to flee this land of death, the earth trembled once more!
Suddenly, two well-equipped cavalry units emerged from the valleys on either side of Shanshan City, like two sharp daggers, fiercely plunging into the flanks and rear of the Turkic army! Above the commander's banner, a huge "Xia" character fluttered in the wind!

Under the banner bearing the character "Xia," Xia Lin stood at the forefront, his gaze coldly fixed on the chaotic enemy troops, his riding whip pointing forward:
"The whole army attacks!"

"kill!!!"

The newly trained cavalry, having rested and prepared for battle, charged into the panicked Turkic army like tigers descending a mountain. Swords flashed, blood splattered, and the already demoralized Turkic troops completely lost their will to resist, becoming lambs to the slaughter.

Under the desperate protection of his personal guards, He Lu attempted to fight his way back to Langshan. However, Wang Zhuoheng had anticipated this move and personally led an elite force out of the city to relentlessly entangle He Lu's central command flag.

With fortified cities and powerful cannons in front and a fierce army behind, their flanks were cut off, and their retreat was impossible.

Ashina Helu, this ambitious Turkic nobleman, was buried beneath the walls of Shanshan City along with his dream of dominating the Western Regions.

In the fierce battle, he was knocked off his horse by Wang Zhuoheng's shot, leaving a large hole in his chest. He died quietly before he could even catch his breath.

The sun was shining brightly, and the weather was fine; apart from being a bit hot, everything else was perfect.

But in the wilderness outside Shanshan City, corpses lay strewn everywhere, and the surrendered Turkic soldiers were led together dejectedly, like chunks of meat on barbecue skewers.

Surrounded by generals such as Wang Zhuoheng, Xia Lin began to inspect the battlefield.

He glanced at He Lu's almost unrecognizable corpse and clicked his tongue.

"Clean up the battlefield and take stock of the spoils. Keep a close watch on the surrendered soldiers; anyone who dares to make a move will be killed without exception." Xia Lin's voice was calm but carried an undeniable authority: "General She, the city's defenses are now under your command. Reassure the people and tally our casualties."

"Your subordinate obeys!" She Wen clasped his hands in acceptance, his gaze towards Xia Lin filled with admiration. This brilliant luring of the enemy deep into their territory and then trapping them inside had almost completely annihilated the biggest destabilizing factor within the Western Regions at minimal cost. Although it was a bit dirty-minded, which tactician among them doesn't resort to dirty tricks?

To be honest, although She Wen's commander was Zhuo Heng, and Zhuo Heng was already very outstanding, it wasn't until he met the commander's boss that he understood what it meant for a general to master the "Wind, Forest, Fire, and Mountain" techniques—it was truly magnificent. In this respect, General Wang couldn't compare; in fact, he was far inferior.

No wonder he was destined to be a great general...

At this moment, Xia Lin raised his head and turned his gaze to the northeast again, as if he could see through space to the Northern Han commander who was holding back his troops.

"Liu Min... he's quite composed." Xia Lin muttered to himself, while also uttering some vulgarities: "You son of a bitch, why don't you send troops to attack? Who the hell turned you grassland people into this? Where is your fucking courage?"

"Huh?" Upon hearing Xia Lin curse, She Wen turned around abruptly, looking at the commander-in-chief with a slightly bewildered expression.

At this moment, he needed to revise his evaluation of Xia Lin... at least in terms of character, General Wang was much better.

The first spark in the Western Regions ended with the complete annihilation of Ashina Helu. But everyone knew that an even greater storm was yet to come.

(End of this chapter)