The Empress Kneels in Her Palace to Admit Her Mistakes After Slaying Her Ways in the Female-Oriented

Zhang Shi's face turned pale.

After he descended from the ravine, found Wang Ming, and learned the situation, he was even more unsteady on his feet.

Have they taken Wusheng Pass?

Then what is all that hardship he endured, going to such great lengths to get around the back, suffering every day, and bearing the dangers of towering mountains?

Is he capable of enduring hardship?

"General Zhang Shi..." Wang Ming, still kind-hearted, said with great reluctance, "Now that the overall situation is settled, why don't we go back to see the Duke first?"

"This time, even if you didn't achieve anything, you still deserve credit for your hard work."

Zhang Shi turned and left in a huff.

He led his men straight back, without even waiting for Wang Ming.

He really didn't want to be in the same group as Wang Ming anymore, as it made him look like a clown.

Upon returning to Wusheng Pass, he saw that the entire pass was covered with banners bearing the character "Ren" (任), and his face grew even more gloomy, his eyes blazing with fury.

"General Zhang Shi?"

A surprised voice rang out behind Zhang Shi.

Zhang Shi turned around and realized it was Su Jin.

The Su Jin before me was dressed in the uniform of the Demon Suppression Division. Her heroic and dashing appearance, combined with her unique and unparalleled beauty, was so dazzling that it was hard to open one's eyes.

"I really didn't expect to see you here, General Zhang Shi," Su Jin said with a smile. "I thought you were still on the grasslands, or had returned to the northern frontier."

"Hmm!" Zhang Shi nodded sullenly and said, "The Duke transferred me back. You weren't in the capital, so you didn't know."

Su Jin arrived in Yunjing first and was completely unaware of the troop deployment in the capital. Moreover, even if she were in the capital, she wouldn't know much about military matters.

After all, their responsibilities are different.

She is also a smart and experienced woman who knows all too well what to ask and what not to ask.

He then laughed and said, "General Zhang Shi, it's wonderful that you're back. For the Duke, it's like adding wings to a tiger. With your achievements in the northern frontier, you're the only one qualified to lead the campaign against Yun Jing this time..."

Su Jin flattered him with a charming smile, but then added, "However, General Zhang Shi, you don't look too well. Are you a little tired?"

"However, now that Wusheng Pass has been taken, General Zhang Shi, the pressure on your shoulders should be relieved a bit."

Swish!

Zhang Shi's gloomy face grew even gloomier.

This startled Su Jin, who quickly added, "Oh, I forgot, General Zhang Shi, you seem to be naturally averse to smiling!"

Zhang Shi immediately snorted coldly and turned to leave.

This really confused Su Jin.

What's wrong?

Why does Zhang Shi still have that expression even though it's such a heartwarming statement?

After Su Jin inquired a little and fully understood the situation, her expression changed.

"Oh no, we've offended General Zhang Shi now."

"But, but I never expected that there would be such a contest between General Zhang Shi and General Wang Ming."

Su Jin felt like crying but had no tears left.

Fortunately, her status is now very different from before. She and Zhang Shi are now equal colleagues, and even if Zhang Shi is angry, he will not do anything to her.

This made Zhang Shizheng even more depressed.

Su Jin was no longer the same naive person she once was, so he could only swallow his teasing and entered the main tent with a heavy heart, where he met the long-lost Duke, Ren Tianye.

"Hey, isn't this our flanking general?"

"Finally back."

"I don't even know how many groups of people I've sent looking for you, but the grasslands are really good for honing skills, they just can't find you."

Zhang Shi: "..."

"Why the long face? We've taken Wusheng Pass, aren't you happy?"

Zhang Shi: "..."

"Is it because you're naturally averse to smiling?"

Zhang Shi: "..."

Immediately, he knelt down on one knee, looking miserable, and said, "Lord Duke, please stop making fun of me."

Ren Tianye then stopped smiling and said, "Get up."

After Zhang Shi stood up, Ren Tianye said earnestly, "Forming a battle formation before engaging in combat is a common principle of military strategy. The key to its effective application lies in one's own mind."

"The battlefield situation has changed, and a general should adjust accordingly. The Yun Jing we are facing now is different from the barbarians you fought on the grasslands in the past."

"In this matter, you should still humbly learn from Wang Ming."

Zhang Shi replied sullenly, "Yes, Your Excellency!"

Ren Tianye glanced at him and knew that Zhang Shi was only outwardly convinced but inwardly resentful. He didn't point it out, knowing that Zhang Shi needed some time to adjust.

After Wang Ming returned to camp and brought back the guard, Ren Tianye summoned his generals to carry out the next military operation.

Now that Wusheng Pass has been captured, the next step is to launch an attack on Huai'an City, a crucial water and land town that is essential for the southward advance.

However, before attacking Huai'an City, there were still three strongholds: Qingfeng Post Station, Luoyan Ferry, and Pinglingji.

The scale of these strongholds was not large, far smaller than that of Wusheng Pass, with only three to five thousand people stationed at each outpost.

However, they were an eyesore and could easily become obstacles on the march, so Ren Tianye was determined to remove them.

Then he looked at Zhang Shi: "Zhang Shi, you didn't achieve anything in the first battle. How about you try your hand at these three small strongholds?"

Zhang Shi stepped forward sullenly, about to agree, but suddenly his face hardened, and he said fiercely, "Lord Duke, let Wang Ming go. This humble general wants to see if Wang Ming can be obedient for a while, or for a lifetime?"

"This humble general will join the army and see how long it takes Wang Ming to capture those three strongholds."

Zhang Shi didn't say that Wang Ming couldn't take it down. After all, he trusted Wang Ming's abilities. Besides, it was just three roadside outposts. Even if it was difficult, it would only take a little time.

So, he wants to see how long it will take Wang Ming to win?

Even if Wang Ming gets into a tough fight, Zhang Shizai can still show off his honed skills when he steps in.

Ren Tianye smiled slightly and said, "Zhang Shi, are you sure?"

"Back in the Northern Frontier, I gave you the same choice. Don't regret it later!"

Zhang Shi snorted coldly: "Lord Duke, even if I jump off this cliff and starve to death, I will never regret it."

"Alright!" Ren Tianye readily agreed, then called out, "Wang Ming, do you dare to go?"

Wang Ming stepped forward: "Your Excellency, I will obey Your Excellency."

"Alright, then I will order you to muster 10,000 troops and take down the three strongholds along the way: Qingfeng Post Station, Luoyan Ferry, and Pinglingji. I will lead the main army and follow closely behind."

"yes!"

After receiving the order, Wang Ming dared not delay.

They immediately mustered their troops and set off.

Qingfeng Post Station is located 40 li south of Wusheng Pass, guarding the main road south and serving as the forward outpost fortress on the northern route of Huai'an City.

It was a rammed earth wall with watchtowers at the four corners and a shallow moat around the perimeter. There was no formal fortified city; it was merely a defensive position formed by relying on the official road.

Given this terrain and defensive strength, Wang Ming's first thought was to launch a whirlwind operation.

Although the method of rapid attack is old-fashioned, it is the old-fashioned but effective tactic that is used most of the time on the battlefield.

As a result, when they were not far from Qingfeng Post Station, Wang Ming ordered the infantry and musketeers to hold the line, while he led two thousand light cavalry to launch a fierce attack on Qingfeng Post Station!

According to the intelligence that was sent back, Qingfeng Post Station had a garrison of 3,000 men, of whom 2,000 were regular soldiers and the remaining 1,000 were local militia.

Wang Ming was very confident that as long as the light cavalry charged, these three thousand men would be as easy as cutting melons and vegetables.

And in fact, that's exactly the case!

When Wang Ming spotted the enemy, he gave the order and two thousand light cavalry charged forward like tigers among sheep. In an instant, the patrol of a hundred men was completely routed under the iron hooves of Wang Ming's two thousand light cavalry!

They immediately swarmed into the camp like locusts.

Wang Ming naturally wouldn't let this excellent opportunity slip by, and immediately led his troops to charge. However, the sound of cannons suddenly rang out from the rammed earth camp walls.

Amidst the rumbling sounds, Wang Ming's cavalry was halted.

Wang Ming knew that although Qingfeng Post Station did not have the large cannons, it was equipped with many small homemade cannons, which could also cause them considerable damage.

With the enemy's firepower tight, Wang Ming had no choice but to order a temporary retreat. Once they reached a safe distance, a look of helplessness appeared on Wang Ming's face.

"Sigh, Yun Jing's firearms are still too powerful!"

"If this were in the northern frontier, with such fortifications and defenses, I would have taken it long ago with my current charge."

"Having firearms would be extremely advantageous for the defending side."

"It seems..."

"We'll have to resort to firearms!"

Wang Ming wasn't too frustrated, after all, he had brought the Red Cannon with him on this trip, but the Red Cannon was slow and wouldn't arrive until tomorrow.

Only then can we launch a full-scale attack on Qingfeng Post Station!

Wang Ming could afford to wait just one day!

……