Chapter 366: Ambushing the Xiongnu Army

Very soon, two days' time passed in a flash, and Zhang Liao had successfully rendezvoused with the other four columns of troops at Tongguo City.

"Our time is tight. In one more day, the Xiongnu Army will reach Tongguo City."

"Our target is the Valley ten li away. This is the only route to Dingxiang Commandery. If we set an ambush here, the Xiongnu will certainly fall for it."

"Now, Ben General orders: the entire army, pack up your Equipment and set out!"

With Zhang Liao's command, fifty thousand Bing Province Army Soldiers quickly headed toward the Valley.

At this time, the Xiongnu Chanyu Yufuluo was leading fifty thousand Xiongnu Cavalry, rushing rapidly toward Tongguo City.

At this moment, he still did not know that the entirety of Dingxiang Commandery had already fallen into Zhang Liao's hands. What awaited them would be endless slaughter.

"Chanyu, we're only one day away from Tongguo City in Dingxiang Commandery. How about letting the men rest first? We've been marching for so long, and the brothers can barely hold on anymore."

"Besides, we're almost there. If we encounter the Han Army with our men exhausted and horses spent, it won't be easy to fight!"

During the Army's march, the Xiongnu Cavalry Commander, Huchuquan, shouted loudly at Yufuluo.

Hearing this, Yufuluo, who was riding at full speed, slowed down. After thinking it over, he decided to follow Huchuquan's advice.

"Very well then. Go notify the Army to rest in place for the night and set out first thing tomorrow morning."

After making up his mind, Yufuluo instructed Huchuquan.

"Your subordinate obeys!"

Upon hearing his words, Huchuquan's face also lit up with joy. To be honest, even he felt tired, let alone the soldiers.

"The Chanyu orders: the Army halts its advance. Everyone rest in place!"

Quickly, Huchuquan arranged for Messenger Soldiers to relay the order to rest in place to the advancing column.

The Xiongnu soldiers who received the order were also overjoyed and sat down where they stood.

Even though they were riding on horseback, they still couldn't endure such a long journey. Their backsides ached so much. Now that they could finally rest, how could they not be happy?

Meanwhile, Zhang Liao and Xi Zhicai had already led the Army to the designated location. Looking at the terrain before them, Zhang Liao couldn't help but marvel:

"Military Advisor, you really know how to pick a spot!"

"With terrain like this, it's a natural ambush site. Normally, we'd have to dispatch the Army to lure the enemy in, but now, without anyone luring them, Yufuluo will walk right into the ambush himself."

Hearing this, Xi Zhicai gave a faint smile and said calmly:

"These are just the basic skills of a competent strategist. General, you simply haven't had the time to focus on it. Otherwise, you could easily find terrain like this as well."

"I wouldn't say that. The two of us still need to work together to achieve the greatest effect."

Over all this time, Zhang Liao fully recognized Xi Zhicai's abilities. Having worked with him for so long, there had never been a single matter that caused him worry.

Everything had been arranged clearly and properly by Xi Zhicai. It was truly worry-free.

"General, there's no need for us to keep flattering each other. In my humble opinion, we should arrange the Army's ambush as quickly as possible!"

Xi Zhicai smiled at Zhang Liao and spoke up to remind him.

"Hahaha, the Military Advisor is absolutely right. Since the Military Advisor says so, then let's arrange the ambush as quickly as possible!"

"The Mountainsides on both sides are truly ideal places to hide troops. Normally, the enemy would certainly dispatch Scouts to conduct a careful search."

"Right now, both we and Yufuluo are racing against time. He couldn't even dream that our speed would be this fast."

"Not only did we capture the entirety of Dingxiang Commandery ahead of time, but we've also appeared on their only route to set an ambush. I really want to see Yufuluo's expression when he finds out."

Thinking of what was about to happen, Zhang Liao spoke to Xi Zhicai with a tone of amused anticipation.

"Since the General is so curious, then let's wait and see!"

Xi Zhicai was also somewhat expectant. He immediately exchanged a glance with Zhang Liao and said with anticipation.

"Someone come!"

After finishing his conversation with Xi Zhicai, Zhang Liao called out to the generals beside him.

Hearing Zhang Liao's voice, the Bing Province Army generals behind him immediately straightened up, stepped forward, and clasped their fists respectfully to Zhang Liao:

"Your subordinate is here!"

Their voices were filled with endless fighting spirit. Facing the upcoming battle, their eyes brimmed with anticipation and confidence.

Seeing everyone's reaction, Zhang Liao thought to himself: "Morale is usable!"

Then, with a solemn expression, he said to them all:

"Gentlemen, I trust you are all clear about the upcoming battle. That is, to intercept the fifty thousand Xiongnu Cavalry heading for Dingxiang Commandery right here."

"According to reports from the Dark Guard, the Xiongnu Chanyu Yufuluo is currently leading fifty thousand Xiongnu Cavalry and is still thirty li away from this place. Your mission—"

"—is to cooperate with Ben General to set an ambush in the Valley here. This time, Ben General wants to completely annihilate Yufuluo and his fifty thousand Xiongnu Cavalry."

"All of you will be divided into four columns. Five thousand troops each will go to the Mountainsides on both sides."

"The rest of you, three Colonels of the Divine General Realm, will together lead twenty thousand of the Army to hold the Front."

"Ben General will personally lead twenty thousand of the Army at the Rear. After they enter the ambush zone and you see Ben General cut off their retreat, the men on both Mountainsides will drop the prepared rocks and rolling logs."

"By then, the killing power of these falling rocks and rolling logs alone will be enough for them to bear."

"Has everything Ben General just said been clearly understood?"

After finishing explaining the ambush arrangements, Zhang Liao shouted the question at the group.

Facing Zhang Liao's inquiry, everyone solemnly roared in unison:

"Rest assured, General. Your subordinates understand!"

Looking at the solemn-faced Bing Province Army generals before him, Zhang Liao nodded in satisfaction. They were indeed the soldiers he had trained.

"Good. Those of you on the mountain, when the time comes, fire arrows, falling rocks, rolling logs—everything that can be thrown downhill, throw it all for Ben General."

"One more thing to note: after all the falling rocks and rolling logs have been thrown, you can come down the mountain. At that point, hold the Rear to prevent any stragglers from escaping."

"Once the men on the mountain have completed their mission, the rest of you can decide based on the situation on the ground."

"Remember, Ben General's requirement is: not a single Xiongnu is to be let go, and our casualties must be kept to a minimum."

"Can you accomplish all of the above?"

After Zhang Liao finished arranging the plan, he shouted at the crowd.

After hearing Zhang Liao's shout, the people used all their strength and shouted loudly:

"Able! Able! Able!"

After the three shouts, the crowd's eyes stared feverishly at Zhang Liao; now they were waiting for Zhang Liao to give the order.

Seeing the crowd's reaction, Zhang Liao felt his spirit soar and shouted to them:

"Good, everyone go prepare!"