The Prodigal Son

night.

Just as Sheng Qiao, who had been leading his troops in pursuit of Qin Yu, was about to rest, his scouts returned with news: "General Qi, according to our reconnaissance, Qin Yu and his troops spent the night in a village about fifty li away from our army, and it seems they even beheaded several soldiers who had raped village women..."

Upon hearing the news brought back by the scout, Sheng Qiao, who had been feeling sleepy, suddenly became energetic.

found it!

We've finally found that scoundrel Qin Yu!

That scoundrel, he's suddenly showing some discipline!

Why didn't he mention military discipline when he killed prisoners of war?

Sheng Qiao's face was grim. He immediately ordered someone to bring a map and, by the dim light of the fire, had his soldiers point out the location of the village.

While examining the map, Sheng Qiao asked with a dark expression, "Are you sure it's Qin Yu's main force?"

"It should be..."

The scout replied, "We were worried about being discovered by the enemy sentries, so we didn't dare get too close. But when we crept over, there were many bonfires burning in the village, and we could see many soldiers and horses. Moreover, there were no signs that the enemy had split up their forces elsewhere..."

Upon hearing this, Sheng Qiao stared at the map again, deep in thought.

Fifty miles!

For cavalry, this distance is nothing.

Even if they rest for two hours before setting off, they can still get there before dawn!

If we can launch a surprise attack while Qin Yu's troops are asleep, even if we cannot annihilate Qin Yu's troops, we will surely severely damage this villain and prevent him from causing any more trouble. This will also avenge the 20,000 Chu soldiers who were slaughtered!

The thought of the scene of corpses strewn across the field made Sheng Qiao feel as if a fire was burning in his heart, and even his breathing became much heavier.

Just as Sheng Qiao was about to give the order, his deputy suddenly spoke up: "General, judging from the terrain, this place doesn't seem like it will be easy to attack!"

"What are you trying to say?"

Sheng Qiao was panting heavily.

The deputy understood Sheng Qiao's anger and pointed to the map, saying, "General, take a look at the terrain here. It's almost entirely surrounded by mountains. If the enemy blocks this entrance, it will be very difficult for us to break through!"

"That's why we have to launch a surprise attack!"

Sheng Qiao clenched his fists tightly. "As long as we catch them off guard and attack, then seal off the exits, these scoundrels won't even have anywhere to escape!"

The deputy agreed with Sheng Qiao's words, but was still somewhat worried, "What if we get discovered?"

He understood Sheng Qiao's anger.

Twenty thousand Chu soldiers were killed, and even the prisoners were not spared.

He was equally furious.

But the angrier you are, the more you need to stay calm to avoid making the wrong decisions.

As the art of war says: "He who remains calm in anger is wise; he who becomes chaotic in anger will perish; only by keeping a calm mind in the face of anger can one avoid making a mistake."

"If things can't be done, retreat!"

Sheng Qiao immediately gave his answer, "Anyway, our mission isn't to annihilate these scoundrels. They've already entered Xingzhou. At worst, we can retreat and join up with the 20,000 troops that came from Yuwang Pass, and completely trap them in Xingzhou!"

Although Sheng Qiao was angry, he was not so angry that he had to fight Qin Yu to the death.

Qin Yu's idea of ​​turning Xingzhou into another Miaozhou is a pipe dream!

Xingzhou was indeed poorly defended, but now, they've arrived!

The deputy pondered silently for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "Since the general has said so, let's fight! However, we must be vigilant and send men to scout out the enemy's strength and weaknesses first! Also, once we enter the twenty-mile radius, we must wrap our horses' hooves with thick cloth..."

As long as they can approach silently while Qin Yu's troops are sleeping and launch a surprise attack, no matter how capable Qin Yu is, he will be powerless to turn the tide!

This is indeed an opportunity!

If they seize this opportunity, they can not only avenge the 20,000 Chu soldiers, but also become famous in one battle!

Sheng Qiao readily accepted his deputy's suggestions, while also offering some of his own ideas.

The two immediately began discussing specific battle plans, striving to ensure that everything went perfectly.

After some discussion, the two finally settled on a plan.

Let the soldiers and horses rest for an hour and a half, eat and drink as they please.

Then, they quietly approached and allowed the soldiers and horses to rest for a while longer.

As dawn broke, taking advantage of the enemy's deep sleep, they launched a sudden attack...

With the plan finalized, the two took the opportunity to rest.

However, both of them were thinking about things and neither of them could fall asleep until they began their march.

With ample time available, they did not demand that the army march quickly, prioritizing caution in all matters.

When they were about twenty miles away from Qin Yu's troops, they immediately wrapped cloth around the hooves of their warhorses and strictly ordered no one to make a sound.

After traveling another ten miles or so, the scouts sent out earlier returned to report: "The enemy's sentries are not lax; they are patrolling with torches from time to time!"

Hearing the news brought back by the scouts, the two felt much more at ease.

It's best not to slack off!

Since Qin Yu's troops are disciplined, they should never relax their vigilance.

If the soldiers and sentries on night patrol are lax, that's what we should be worried about.

Sheng Qiao looked up at the sky and ordered the army to stop and rest after advancing another five miles, waiting for the sky to brighten.

As the sky began to lighten, Sheng Qiao's long-suppressed anger finally erupted.

It's now!

"kill!"

With Sheng Qiao's roar, ten thousand elite cavalrymen charged out.

"Kill them!"

The deafening shouts of battle reached Qin Yu's ears from several miles away, secretly exciting him.

It's finally here!

If the enemy doesn't attack soon, he might really fall asleep.

Qin Yu took a deep breath, stood up, and ordered with a chilling aura, "Order all units to prepare for battle! Let in as many enemy troops as possible!"

As Qin Yu's orders were being relayed, Sheng Qiao led his troops to the village entrance.

At this moment, apart from a few sentries, there were only bundles of firewood used as barricades to block the road at the village entrance.

"The enemy is attacking! Run!"

Seeing the menacing Chu cavalry, the sentry fled in panic, crying and screaming for his parents.

"Open it!"

Sheng Qiao roared and used his spear to knock aside a bundle of dry firewood blocking his way, then led his cavalrymen into the mountain village with murderous intent.

Faced with their charge, the soldiers of Daning fled in panic to the mountains surrounding the village.

"Rush! Rinse me!"

As Sheng Qiao led his troops in a charge, he brandished his spear and roared at the top of his lungs.

However, as he continued rushing forward, Sheng Qiao realized that something was wrong.

What happened?

They've all stormed in, so why are only a few hundred people running away?

With such a loud commotion, the enemy couldn't possibly not have heard it, right?

Where did the others go?

Just as Sheng Qiao was filled with doubt, a commotion suddenly came from behind them.

Sheng Qiao's heart skipped a beat, and he turned around abruptly.

Their army was still charging in relentlessly, and he couldn't see what was happening behind him at all; all he could see was a patch of fire that had somehow broken out behind him.

that……

It's right at the village entrance!

We've fallen for their trap!

Those dry firewood weren't temporary barricades!

It's not meant to shorten their escape route!

Sheng Qiao realized what was happening and immediately roared, "Retreat! Quickly, retreat!"

"kill!"

At the same time, shouts of battle suddenly rang out from deep within the village...