The Prodigal Son

The night was as black as if ink had been splashed on it.

A cool breeze was blowing across the Yi River, causing the flags of the camps on the riverbank to flutter wildly.

At this time, the Linjiang military camp was brightly lit, and there were also sentry boats patrolling the river with torches to prevent the Ning army on the other side from launching a sneak attack.

It was already dark.

But many soldiers still couldn't fall asleep.

Many soldiers took off their armor and gathered in small groups.

The wind was cool at this time, but not cold at all.

Enjoying the cool breeze and telling bawdy jokes with your companions is a rare kind of pleasure.

In at most a month, the wind blowing from this river will be bone-chillingly cold.

Then, such carefree days will be over.

However, while I was enjoying myself, my stomach wasn't cooperating.

"Coo coo..."

One soldier had just been vividly describing to his comrades how smooth and tender the bodies of the courtesans in the city were, and now, his stomach was rumbling.

It is said that when people are well-fed and warm, they think of lustful desires. With their stomachs full, the soldiers immediately lost interest in continuing the conversation.

"Speak up! Why aren't you saying anything?"

"Yes, we're really enjoying it!"

"You're not going to surrender after just three breaths, are you?"

"Look at him, he's just a silver-plated wax figure..."

The soldiers around him urged and teased him.

However, the soldier was completely uninterested, full of complaints: "My stomach is growling with hunger, what's the point of talking!"

"Heh, isn't that all you can say?"

Another soldier chuckled wryly, "If it weren't for being too hungry to sleep, who the hell would stay awake and listen to your nonsense!"

"Alright! Stop complaining."

Those around him chuckled wryly, "Blame the Ning people! Why did they have to start a war? They must have nothing better to do!"

Hearing his words, the others nodded in agreement, but couldn't help cursing inwardly.

Because the Ning people attacked, their daily food rations were suddenly reduced by 40%!

Who the hell isn't hungry?

While the soldiers were complaining, the defending general Li Yichun stood on the stockade tower in full armor.

Gazing at the night view over the river, Li Yichun felt a deep sense of sorrow.

He received news a few days ago that Wangzhou had fallen, Zong Bi's entire army had been wiped out, and even Zong Bi himself had been ambushed and killed.

Fearing it would affect morale, he didn't dare reveal the news to the soldiers in the army.

But none of that is the most dangerous!

Si Rong also told him privately that the Great Yan would be in dire need of money and provisions this year.

Later on, it's very likely that even their food and pay will be unavailable.

Therefore, he had no choice but to reduce the rations for the soldiers.

Every little bit helps.

We should hold on as long as we can.

There is no fighting here for the time being, so it doesn't matter if the soldiers are a little hungry.

We can't let the soldiers fighting the Ning army on the front lines go hungry, can we?

Seeing Li Yichun's worried expression, his personal guards approached and advised, "General, it's late and the dew is heavy. We've sent so many patrol boats; the Ning army on the other side won't attack. You should get some rest!"

"Let me get some fresh air; you go and rest!"

Li Yichun waved his hand lightly, feigning indifference, but inwardly he smiled bitterly.

He wasn't worried about the Ning army attacking from the other side!

He's worried about what's to come!

It would be fine if Ning's army attacked, but the real fear is that before Ning's army even arrives, they will fall into chaos due to lack of food and pay.

He even considered whether to seize an opportunity to launch a surprise attack on the Ning army on the other side of the river, and storm into Guanzhou to plunder money and grain.

However, they were always on guard against the Ning army on the other side, and the Ning army was also on guard against them.

With no obstacles or cover on the river, a surprise attack would be virtually impossible if the enemy were even slightly on guard.

Although they are separated by only a river, they are like an insurmountable chasm.

Unless, of course, we wait until a thick fog rolls in and then take advantage of it to attack.

Just as Li Yichun was pondering this, a muffled sound suddenly rang in his ears.

The sound grew closer and louder.

Seems to be……

A large force of cavalry!

But where did they get such a large force of cavalry?

The city of Wulin, which Si Rong personally led to defend, had fewer than a thousand cavalrymen in total.

Needless to say, their riverside military camp was even more formidable!

But this doesn't seem like the commotion caused by a thousand cavalrymen at all!

Could it be that the cavalry from Xiaxing suffered a defeat and retreated over there?

Or perhaps the imperial court urgently dispatched cavalry to their location, intending to launch a surprise attack on the Ning army on the opposite bank?

Filled with doubt, Li Yichun quickly descended from the stockade.

"Clang clang clang..."

Suddenly, a series of rapid metal tapping sounds rang out.

Upon hearing the clanging of metal, Li Yichun's body stiffened abruptly, his hair standing on end. He gripped his waist knife tightly and shouted sharply, "What's going on! Where did the enemy come from?"

However, everyone around Li Yichun was equally bewildered, and no one could answer his question.

Hearing the approaching sound of iron hooves, Li Yichun had no time to think further. His face hardened, and he roared, "Prepare to meet the enemy! Prepare to meet the enemy!"

"Prepare for battle! Prepare to engage the enemy..."

Li Yichun led his personal guards straight to the gate of the stronghold, and he and his guards roared together.

The sudden sound of iron tiles being struck and the shouts of "Respond to the enemy!" were like a bolt from the blue, throwing the entire military camp into chaos instantly.

The soldiers inside the camp were instantly thrown into chaos. Some frantically searched for weapons, while others rushed haphazardly towards the military tents looking for armor.

Just as Li Yichun rushed towards the gate of the military camp, a soldier came running up, covered in sweat, shouting in panic, "General, the Ning army cavalry is attacking! Cavalry, so many cavalry..."

Damn!

They really are Ning Army cavalry!

Li Yichun was both shocked and furious. He never dreamed that Ning Army cavalry would actually come to their location.

"What's the panic!"

Li Yichun forced himself to calm down, drew his sword, and roared menacingly.

"Archers, get to the ramparts immediately!"

"Armored infantrymen, line up and block the door!"

"Everyone, hold the stockade to the death..."

Several military orders were issued, but to no avail.

Apart from the soldiers patrolling and on duty, most of the soldiers were not wearing armor. At this moment, they were still frantically searching for armor to put on, and some panicked soldiers rushed out with only their weapons in hand.

Outside the village, Qin Yu had already led his troops to attack.

Looking at the hastily defending Yan army, Qin Yu's lips curled into a cold smile.

"Charge! Raze the water fortress to the ground!"

At a single command, the bugle call to attack suddenly sounded.

"kill!"

The deafening battle cries terrified the Yan soldiers in the camp.

The military camp had no tall city walls or moat; it consisted only of simple barricades and wooden fences.

Such defense is almost useless against the Wudang Flying Cavalry.

Ning Huang, who was at the forefront, swept his sword across the wooden fence, turning it into dust and killing dozens of Yan soldiers who had hastily raised their guns to meet the attack from behind the fence.

A gash was easily torn open.

Behind Ning Huang, Gui San and Gui Si leaped high from their warhorses almost simultaneously, heading straight for the left and right arrow towers.

As the breach opened, the Wudang Flying Cavalry poured in continuously.

"Kill them!"

Although Xiong Quhu was injured, he was exceptionally brave.

Xuanhua wielded his axe with fierce power.

On the other side, Qin Yu also led his personal guards in a rapid charge, sweeping through the military camp like a black torrent.

"Hold on! Reinforcements are on their way!"

Li Yichun swung his sword and killed two fleeing soldiers, roaring to boost morale.

However, the Yan army was already in chaos. Faced with the endless stream of Wudang cavalry charging into the camp, the Yan army, whose morale had collapsed, had no will to resist.

Many soldiers abandoned their armor and fled to the rear of the camp.

Yishui!

Behind the military camp is a water camp!

There are also many river defense boats in the water village!

Escape by boat!

This is what many Yan soldiers are thinking at this moment.

"Don't escape! Don't escape!"

Li Yichun once again swung his sword, killing two more fleeing soldiers, and roared with bloodshot eyes.

But it was already too late...