I slaughtered my way through the border at the start, I am the Great Ming's Night Raider!

Chen Yuan's expression remained calm and composed. "I used to be a night watchman."

He paused, then emphasized, "Back in Xuanfu, we burned three Tatar grain piles."

The tent was quiet for a moment.

The sounds of wounded soldiers groaning came from outside, along with the distant sound of whistles from the walls and the mournful whistling of the night wind through the ruins.

Finally, Guo Deng took a deep breath: "Okay. How many people do you need?"

"One thousand cavalrymen, all lightly armed, carrying only swords and bows. In addition, prepare two hundred barrels of oil, packed in sheepskin bags and tied to the horses' backs."

"When are we leaving?"

"It's three-quarters past the hour of Chou (1-3 AM)." Chen Yuan looked outside the tent. "There's still an hour left. I'll go check on Minister Wang."

Wang Ji lay on the bed in the inner room, his face ashen and his breathing weak.

A military doctor was changing his dressing; the bandage was covered in blood.

"Minister Wang," Chen Yuan called softly.

Wang Ji opened his eyes, saw Chen Yuan, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes: "You...how did you get here..."

"His Highness sent me," Chen Yuan said, crouching down. "How are you feeling, Minister?"

"He won't die," Wang Ji said with a bitter smile, "but it's too late... Chen Yuan, listen to me, the pass can't be held. You take men and escort the Crown Prince south... to Nanjing..."

"Minister, the pass will not be breached." Chen Yuan grasped his hand. "Tonight I will burn the Tatars' provisions. As soon as the provisions are burned, they will surely retreat."

Wang Ji looked at him, his eyes filled with complex emotions: "You...you look a lot like someone."

"Who?"

"King Zhao," Wang Ji said softly, "back when he defended Beiping, he was just as reckless... What a pity, what a pity..."

He didn't finish speaking before closing his eyes, tears sliding down his cheeks.

Chen Yuan was startled.

Did Wang Ji know the King of Zhao? Back then...?

But now is not the time to ask.

He stood up and said to the army doctor, "Take good care of the Minister."

Stepping out of the tent, Uncle Zhao was waiting outside: "Young Master, are we really going to launch a night attack?"

Chen Yuan nodded, "Uncle Zhao, you don't need to go, stay inside the pass."

"How can that be?!"

"You have a more important task," Chen Yuan said, looking at him. "If I don't return, take my letter to the Grand Princess. Tell her... your son has done his best."

Uncle Zhao's eyes reddened: "Young Master..."

"Don't look like that." Chen Yuan patted his shoulder. "Maybe we can have breakfast together tomorrow morning."

At three-quarters past midnight, the north gate quietly opened.

A thousand cavalrymen filed out, their hooves wrapped in cloth, their mouths gagged, and they moved silently.

Chen Yuan took the lead, wearing leather armor stripped from Tatar corpses and with his face smeared with ash, looking like a true grassland man.

They bypassed the battlefield in front of the pass and took a detour via the mountain road on the west side.

This road was discovered by night scouts during their reconnaissance missions. It was narrow and difficult to navigate, but it was well-hidden.

After traveling for about half an hour, Tatar scouts appeared ahead.

Three cavalrymen, carrying torches, were on patrol.

Chen Yuan raised his hand to signal to stop.

He drew three arrows from his quiver, nocked them, and aimed.

The bow was a Tatar hard bow, and the arrows were whistling arrows.

During night watch, he could shoot a copper coin from a hundred paces away.

"Swish swish!!"

Three arrows fired in quick succession.

The three riders fell from their horses almost simultaneously, without even letting out a scream.

The procession continued forward.

After walking for another quarter of an hour, we finally saw the Tatar camp.

The camps were built against the mountainside, stretching endlessly.

The outer perimeter was patrolled by cavalry, the inner circle consisted of tents, and the very center, enclosed by a wooden fence, was the grain storage area—piles of hay and grain, as well as herds of cattle and sheep.

"Split into three teams," Chen Yuan ordered in a low voice. "One team will raid the supply rations with me, the second team will create chaos, and the third team will provide backup. Remember, don't linger in battle; burn everything and leave."

"yes!"

A thousand cavalrymen split into three groups, like three daggers, and thrust towards the Tatar camp.

Chen Yuan led three hundred men straight to the grain and fodder area. By the time the Tatar soldiers on night watch noticed, they had already reached the fence.

"Enemy attack!!!"

The warning horn sounded.

But it was too late.

Chen Yuan took the lead, smashed open the gate, and rushed inside.

The cavalrymen followed closely behind, lighting torches and throwing them at the haystacks.

When kerosene is poured on, it will ignite upon contact with fire.

In an instant, the grain and fodder area turned into a sea of ​​fire!

"Walk!"

Chen Yuan turned his horse around and rushed out.

But the Tatars reacted quickly.

Countless soldiers poured out of the tents, brandishing their swords to intercept them.

Arrows rained down, and several cavalrymen were hit and fell from their horses.

"Charge out!"

Chen Yuan swung his sword, the Embroidered Spring Blade flashing in the firelight, each swing bringing forth a spray of blood.

They were like a sharp knife, tearing a gash through the crowd.

But there were too many Tatars, and they surrounded us layer by layer.

Just then, the second team created chaos—they set fire to the other end of the camp and shouted, "The Ming army has raided the camp!"

The Tatars were thrown into a panic, not knowing where the enemy was.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Chen Yuan led his men to break through the encirclement and sped towards the pass.

Behind them, the Tatar camp was ablaze with fire, illuminating half the night sky.

The grain and fodder were burned, the livestock fled in terror, and the entire camp was in chaos.

But the Tatars also caught up with them.

At least two thousand cavalrymen pursued them relentlessly like a pack of wolves.

"accelerate!"

Chen Yuan shouted.

The pass is getting closer and closer.

On the city wall, Guo Deng saw the firelight and had already opened the city gate to receive them.

Three hundred steps, two hundred steps, one hundred steps...

Just as they were about to enter the city, a stray arrow shot from the side.

Hearing the whooshing sound, Chen Yuan dodged to the side, but the arrow still struck his left shoulder—not a vital spot, but the intense pain nearly caused him to fall off his horse.

"Young Master!"

Uncle Zhao exclaimed in surprise from the city wall.

Chen Yuan gritted his teeth, lay on his horse, and rushed into the city gate.

"Close the door! Close the door now!" Guo Deng shouted.

The city gates slowly closed, keeping the pursuers outside.

The Tatar cavalry shouted insults and fired arrows from below the city walls, but it was too late.

Chen Yuan dismounted, staggered a few steps, and was helped up by Uncle Zhao.

"Medical officer! Call a medical officer immediately!"

"No need," Chen Yuan pushed him away. "It's just a minor injury. Did the supplies...burn?"

"Burn it!" a cavalryman exclaimed excitedly. "Burn it all! The Tatars will have no food for at least three months!"

Chen Yuan breathed a sigh of relief, then everything went black and he fainted.

When I woke up again, it was already daylight.

He lay on the bed in the garrison's residence, his left shoulder bandaged and still throbbing slightly.

Uncle Zhao, who had been keeping watch by the bedside, was overjoyed to see him awake and wept with joy: "Young Master! You're awake!"

"How's it outside?"

"The Tatars have retreated!" Uncle Zhao exclaimed excitedly. "Their supplies were burned, their morale was thrown into chaos, and they broke camp and retreated north this morning! General Guo has already sent scouts to investigate, and they have indeed retreated!"

I cancelled it.

Chen Yuan closed his eyes, a huge weight lifted from his heart.

Juyong Pass was successfully defended.

The capital was saved.

The Ming Dynasty is safe for now.

"Where is Minister Wang?"

"The Minister..." Uncle Zhao's face darkened. "He left this morning..."

Chen Yuan felt a pang of pain in his heart.

That resolute veteran ultimately couldn't hold on.

"What did he say?"

Uncle Zhao took out a letter from his bosom. "This was written by him before he died. He asked me to give it to you, young master."

Chen Yuan took the letter and unfolded it.

The handwriting is messy, clearly indicating that it was written with great difficulty:

"My dear friend Chen Yuan: It is as if we are meeting in person. I am nearing my end, and there are some things I must say. I know about the matter concerning Prince Zhao. He was framed, and the masterminds were... Empress Sun's father, Sun Zhong, and Cao Jixiang. They feared Prince Zhao's succession to the throne, so they plotted to poison him. There are two jade pendants, one with Prince Zhao and one with Sun Zhong. The one in Empress Sun's possession belongs to her father. Be careful of Empress Sun; she is even more ruthless than her father. Also, regarding your background... the Grand Princess has always been afraid to acknowledge you, fearing you would be harmed. But now, she should. The Ming Dynasty needs you. Take care. Wang Ji's last words."