Chapter 452: Xie Ling, Red-Eyed Heavenly King, Wu Wan, Total Annihilation

Jiangnan Road. Yunyue Ze.

It was afternoon, under the sunset glow.

In front of the Qi character Great Camp, the red military flag fluttered in the north wind, the flag corners rolling up bursts of chilling killing aura.

On the high slope, three red-maned warhorses stood side by side.

"Father, we have been trapped in the valley for half a month, are we still not attacking at this time? They should have already run out of food and ammunition."】

The middle-aged man in armor in the center said, his tone cold, "In the army, you should address me by what!"】

"There is no father and son in the army, call me by my military rank."】

The young general immediately straightened his back: "The end general knows his mistake, please give instructions, Great General."】

An old man dressed as a scholar on the left opened his mouth, "Xie Shuai, we have been surrounded for many days, although it is said not to chase a desperate enemy, it is the time when the enemy's morale is at its lowest, then strike with the whole nest."】

"The art of war says, surround the city but leave a gap."】

"Although our army left the water route of Yu Lan River, we have already ambushed elite soldiers on the west bank. Now the rebel army is fighting like a trapped beast, it is just right to wait for their morale to exhaust, and annihilate them in one fell swoop."】

The middle-aged man in the center, his figure majestic, his nose like a hanging cinnabar, his lips like painted vermilion, his face like crown jade, at first glance he looked like a scholar who had read many books.】

Yet beneath those sword-like brows, his gaze was like lightning, and between his brows permeated a stern, murderous aura that forcefully dispersed his scholarly temperament.

If there were others here, they would definitely be shocked that this person was seven parts similar to Xie Yuan—this person was Xie Yuan's father, the Marquis of Dingyuan, Xie Ling, who shook the border!】

At this moment!】

Xie Ling looked into the mountain valley on horseback, only to see the flags in the valley scattered, vaguely visible, clearly the remnants of the rebel army.】

Since he led ten thousand majestic troops south to suppress the rebellion, he had won three battles.】

Those rebel armies, although claiming to have thirty thousand troops, were ultimately just temporary conscripted laborers, and in front of his hundred-battle elite soldiers, they only had the path of fleeing.】

It's just that many martial arts experts were hidden among these Red-Eyed troops, even the generals under his command suffered many casualties.】

The old man behind looked at the mountain valley below, "The head of that Red-Eyed Army, 'Red-Eyed Heavenly King', self-proclaimed Great General of the Equality Township, raised the banner of 'Returning Equality to the World'."】

"We have been circling with them for almost half a year, this person is definitely not a mere village head, a village official, his formation of troops has a method. This person's cultivation is profound, already reaching the 'Profound Dan' of the Ninth Realm of martial arts."】

"Under his command, there are even more military advisors Wu Wan, scholars Prince Yan Pavilion Eighteen Generals, and also drummed up Equality Eighteen Generals, all of whom are figures not to be underestimated."】

The young general on the right nodded slightly, interjecting: "Great General, please see clearly. These eighteen generals under the Red-Eyed Army, each possessing unique skills, look as if they appeared out of thin air."】

His heroic spirit was compelling, he was Xie Ling's eldest son, Xie Mu.】

"Among them, those in the Eighth Realm of martial arts are actually no less than ten!"】

A tiger father has no dog son.】

Xie Mu, although not yet thirty years old, had already reached the Eighth Realm of martial arts, and was known as "Young Marquis" in the army.】

The old man on the side looked up at the sky, only to see the twilight gathering, the horizon's sunset like blood, dyeing the clouds red.】

A few sparse stars had already quietly appeared, appearing and disappearing under the sunset glow.】

"This thief leader has extraordinary courage, definitely not a person who sits and waits for death."】

The old man stroked his beard and pondered, "Our army has surrounded and suppressed them many times, like hitting the enemy when they are tired, retreating while fighting, finally forced into this desperate situation of Yunyue Ze."】

He scanned the endless swamps in the distance: "Although this place is high and looking down, it is originally easy to defend and hard to attack, and the road out of the valley is only to cross the river, or break out from the west."】

"But with hundreds of thousands of troops trapped and guarding it, the food and grass were already insufficient, now I fear they have already run out of food for many days, originally an easy-to-defend and hard-to-attack place, instead it became a pocket, trapping them here."】

"This Red-Eyed Army is also strange, even if the Hundred Alliance Tribes of the Eternal Heaven reach the point of running out of food and ammunition, most of them are unable to hold on like this, and would have collapsed long ago."】

"This Red-Eyed Army can persist until now, it has already exceeded expectations."】

That old man dressed as a scholar was a military advisor, holding the rank of Governor, and was a disciple of the Academy's Third Master.】

He was born in the orthodox Academy, deeply versed in military strategy, and the military books he wrote were widely circulated in the court and the wild.】

Working with Xie Ling for many years, the two had long been in harmony, cooperating without gaps.】

The old man looked at this Marquis of Dingyuan, who was calm in handling affairs, rewarding and punishing clearly, and decisive in killing, and could be called a model of a Confucian general, and was especially admiring.】

At this moment, the three were discussing the final decision of the decisive battle.】

Xie Mu also nodded and said, "This Red-Eyed Army is different from other rebel armies we have encountered, they don't burn, kill, or loot along the way, nor do they occupy land and become kings... However."】

"This combination of displaced farmers is just a mob, ultimately unable to shake our army."】

The old man stroked his beard and pondered, "The Red-Eyed rebel army is trapped in a desperate situation, but still has the strength to fight to the death. Should our army surround without attacking, or..."】

"Now the rebel army has been dormant for more than half a month, its troops are mostly displaced people, I think the military heart is scattered. But if left alone, those thief leaders like Red-Eyed Heavenly King Ban Sheng, Wu Wan, I fear they will take the opportunity to escape."】

Xie Ling nodded slightly, if only surrounding without attacking, the rebel army would naturally collapse on its own, but martial arts experts like Ban Sheng and Wu Wan could walk away unscathed. At that time, those who die would only be the forced laborers, while the thief leaders could take the opportunity to become famous.】

After the wind passes, with Ban Sheng's ability, he will definitely be able to gather hundreds of thousands of Red-Eyed troops again, with endless future troubles.】

Xie Mu clasped his fists and suggested, his eyes flashing with fighting spirit: "Even when the Red-Eyed Army was at its peak, it was hard to block our army's edge. Now our army has won three battles in a row, breaking the rebel army three times, the so-called one drum of courage, then decline, three times and exhausted."】

His voice was sonorous and powerful, "Scouts and several Primordial Spirit cultivators reported that the rebel army's internal military heart has long been scattered, many leaders are secretly clamoring to return to the fields, and there are constant mutinies in the army."】

This young Hussar General, although only holding the rank of Junior First Rank, holding the important position of Inner Minister, the flame of making contributions in his heart had never been extinguished.】

He longed to be like his father, sealing the Marquis and worshipping the general with glorious military exploits, earning another "Marquis of Dingyuan" title for the Xie family.】

And the current Red-Eyed Army thief leaders Ban Sheng and others are the opportunity.】

The old advisor stroked his beard and pondered for a moment, nodding: "Young Marquis's words are very true. The Red-Eyed Army is now in internal and external trouble, it is the best opportunity for our army to annihilate the enemy in one fell swoop."】

He turned to Xie Ling, "The art of war says 'strike when they are lazy and returning', at this moment we should pursue the victory."】

Mu clasped his fists and stepped forward, saying in a low voice: "Father, our army not only has the advantage in numbers, but also has military formations specifically designed to restrain the Ninth Realm of martial arts."】

"Yesterday the Academy secretly sent more than ten masters to assist, the rebel army does not know about this yet."】

His gaze burned as he looked at Xie Ling, "Please Great General make a decision quickly!"】

Xie Ling stared at the direction of Yunyue Ze, only to see the twilight deepening, the sunset glow like blood.】

Mist rose between the mountain valley swamps, under the sunset glow.】

Tomorrow must be a hot weather with the sun shining brightly.】

He pondered in his heart, although the Ninth Realm of martial arts is strong, they have several top martial arts experts in the army, even masters from the Academy, but they are also restraining each other.】

As for where these experts came from, Xie Ling only had guesses, either from other Great Sui, Eternal Heaven three countries, or it was the nine great surnames making trouble.】

Instead, the army below played the key to deciding the war.】

"Pass the order!" Xie Ling suddenly condensed his gaze, "Tomorrow at the Yin hour, cook food, at the Mao hour, send troops, all wear red cloth strips, to confuse their eyes and ears."】

"The ambush on the west side will feign movement first, Xie Mu will lead thirty thousand elite troops to restrain from the front. I will personally lead the main force to raid the enemy's abdomen from the east side!"】

"The end general obeys the order!"】

Xie Mu dismounted, clasped his fists and promised.】

The last ray of sunset glow shone on his young face, reflecting his surging ambition.】

~】

~】

Deep in Yunyue Ze, twilight gathered.】

An old camp, trembling slightly in the mountain wind.】

Seven or eight ragged messengers stood outside the tent, they were sallow and thin, their coarse cloth clothes already broken, but they still straightened their backs, their eyes shining.】

"Heavenly King, the military order has already been passed down, let the brothers take off the red strips."】

The young man in the lead had a hoarse but firm voice, "Tomorrow, anyone seen wearing a red strip is an enemy."】

The tent curtain lifted, a burly middle-aged man wearing hemp clothes walked out slowly.】

His face was weathered, but the momentum of not being angry and self-prestige still permeated between his brows.】

That pair of large hands covered in calluses patted heavily on the messenger's shoulder, the rough touch making the young man's eye sockets hot.】

"Tell the brothers," the middle-aged man's voice was low and powerful, "You... are all good ones."】

The messengers' throats rolled, but no one spoke.】

They looked deeply at the middle-aged man, only then turning and leaving reluctantly.】

In the distance, the last ray of sunset glow was like blood, dyeing the thin mist above Yunyue Ze red.】

A middle-aged scholar dressed in black silk walked slowly out of the camp tent again.】

This person's face was clear and thin, a lotus mark between his brows appearing and disappearing, although there was no half-point pearl or jade decoration on his whole body, he naturally possessed a clear and noble aura. At first glance, he looked like a noble young master from some prince's mansion in Bianjing City, coming here to play in the mountains and water.】

This person is the Red-Eyed Army military advisor—Wu Wan.】

And that middle-aged man in hemp clothes and plain clothes, with a withered face, was actually the Red-Eyed Heavenly King Ban Sheng who shook the four directions.】

Contrary to the fierce and evil image of having three heads and six arms in the rumors, he walked in the crowd, only afraid that he was the most inconspicuous one.】

Wu Wan asked curiously, "How did you know that Xie Ling would raid the camp tomorrow?"】

Ban Sheng took a military book from his sleeve, his fingertips gently stroking the pages: "If you have studied three thousand battles, you will understand that the military matters in this world are always the repetition of old events."】

He raised his eyes to look at the twilight gradually sinking, his voice hoarse but carrying the calmness of understanding everything, "If you read through this military book left by Prince Yan, every step Xie Ling takes, it is difficult not to understand."】

Wu Wan laughed, "Then tell me, if that Prince Yan were alive, how would you compare with him?"】

"Is it that no one can break anyone's move? Or will you be like a broken bamboo, winning against Prince Yan."】

He said so, it was because in these half a year, this Ban Sheng had already proven himself.】

Before Xie Ling came, for the various military towns in Jiangnan Road, it was almost a collapse at one strike, even performing clever methods many times, not fighting and subduing the enemy's soldiers, he was surprised many times.】

Although Wu Wan hung the name of military advisor, the marching and fighting were all handled by Ban Sheng.】

Ban Sheng shook his head, carefully holding that book written "Record of Training Soldiers."】

From the paper surface, it had been worn out seriously, clearly often flipped through.】

"This military book written when Prince Yan was still a Young Master, only has a mere 106,324 words, almost exhausting the wonder of the military family."】

"It's a pity that after Great Tang destroyed Yan, to wear down Prince Yan's prestige, they actually deliberately listed him in the last seat when ranking the Martial Temple... what is unexpected is."】

Ban Sheng's lips curled into a faint smile: "In those days, the common people did not understand the imperial court's deep intentions and actually thought the Martial Temple rankings were calculated from back to front. The Great Tang sovereign had no choice but to relegate Lu Chen to second place, allowing Prince Yan to occupy the first position on the right side of the Martial Temple."

The hand stroking the military book paused slightly: "The common people misunderstood again that the right is respected, from then on only worshipping the right god seat."】

Speaking to this point, the wrinkles on Ban Sheng's face stretched out: "Wu Wan, don't compare me with Prince Yan anymore, it just invites laughter."】

He looked at the sky gradually darkening, "If the person commanding the army outside the mountain valley at this moment were Prince Yan, I, Ban Sheng, would be the first to defect and surrender, selling this Red-Eyed Army to make up for the crime."】

Wu Wan had a meaningful look in his eyes: "You said you would lose to Prince Yan, I believe it. But to say you would surrender," he shook his head lightly, "I don't believe it."】

Ban Sheng was already sitting on the blue stone outside the camp tent, watching the last ray of sunset sink into the mountain ridge.】

In the twilight, his voice carried a bit of rare melancholy: "If Prince Yan were still alive, where would there be so many monsters and ghosts in this world? I, Ban Sheng, should have returned to my hometown to be a farmer long ago."】

The night wind swept across the swamp, blowing his broken hemp clothes.】

Ban Sheng's rough fingers tapped the military book on his knees, looking at Wu Wan: "I, Ban Sheng, don't have that kind of ambition to swallow the world, unlike you, Wu Wan, who must stir this world into chaos."】

In the twilight, his voice carried a bit of inquiry, "What exactly are you plotting? Is it this ten thousand miles of rivers and mountains? Or do you want to kill all the nine great surnames to vent your anger?"】

Ban Sheng said slowly, "A son of a merchant who failed the imperial examination repeatedly, how could he have such a hand?"】

Wu Wan heard this, his expression unchanged and he smiled, "There is one thing that can be determined, my heart to help you, heaven and earth can testify."】

Ban Sheng was silent for a long time, finally nodding slowly.】

Wu Wan laughed, "Speaking of strange things, you, Ban Sheng, from a county government rascal, became a village head by chance, and are also proficient in military strategy, and have supervised the Yellow River works, isn't it even more bizarre?"】

Ban Sheng shook his head, "I just couldn't live, even if it wasn't me, Ban Sheng, there would be others."】

"The world has suffered the nine great surnames for a long time!"】

"I, Ban Sheng, will die and there will be successors!"】

Wu Wan stood quietly for a moment, finally he turned and stepped into the camp tent, leaving only one sentence.】

"Tomorrow... there will be a heavy rain to help the fun."】

"Heaven and earth will lend you, a heavy rain!"】

~】

~】

【Xie Ling led ten thousand armored soldiers to suppress the Red-Eyed Army at Yunyue Valley. At that time, the Red-Eyed Army was trapped in the desperate valley, the grain road had been cut off for fifteen days, the soldiers dug tree bark for cooking, the armor grew moss, and the arrowheads were rotten and blunt.】

【On the 22nd day at dawn, Xie Ling ordered his eldest son Xie Mu to lead three thousand light cavalry to raid the enemy's rear camp.】

【Suddenly hearing thunder splitting the sky, the heavy rain was like arrows, the white waves in the valley were surging. The Qi army fell into the mud and could not move, the Red-Eyed remnants climbed vines and threw stones, actually like divine soldiers descending from heaven.】

【Xie Ling saw the front army collapse and retreated from Yunyue Ze.】

【The Red-Eyed Army had long ambushed elite soldiers here, pushing rolling logs and stones to cut off their retreat. Ten thousand majestic troops were trapped in the narrow valley, three percent died from trampling each other, and five percent drowned. The blood water dyed the stream for three days without stopping, and vultures covered the sun circling for more than a month.】

【Total annihilation!】

【You looked at the court gazette sent from the court that Xie Yuan brought, your eyes calm.】

【It seems it came a little earlier than expected!】

(End of Chapter) ===== CHAPTER 453 =====