Chapter 173: The Old Fox

The room contained only two beds and one table, simple and cold.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu had Zhu Ge Yu sit on the bed while he took a seat by the table.

"Zhu Ge Yu, you are a smart man; you should know our current situation," Jiang Jiang Mingyu said straight to the point.

"Ruan Chen's eighty thousand troops are chasing us from behind, while we have only thirty thousand plus in hand. We must find a way to repel the enemy, or we will be swallowed by them."

Zhu Ge Yu nodded. "Master, I understand."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu shook his head. "You do not understand; you do not know Ruan Chen's cunning. He will not attack Dingtao City directly; he will use various means to lure us out of the city to fight. He will pretend to retreat, making us think there is an opportunity, then ambush us halfway. He will pretend to split his forces, making us think we can defeat them separately, then attack us from two sides. He will pretend to surrender, making us think we can recover lost ground, then launch a surprise attack when we lower our guard."

Hearing this, Zhu Ge Yu couldn't help but draw in a sharp breath. "Master, are you saying Ruan Chen has already designed a series of schemes, waiting for us to take the bait?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded. "Yes. Ruan Chen is an old fox; he will not easily engage us head-on. He will use various schemes to exhaust our troops and morale, then annihilate us in one stroke."

"Then what should we do?" Zhu Ge Yu asked anxiously. Jiang Jiang Mingyu pondered for a moment, then said, "We have only one way: to take the initiative and strike."

"Take the initiative and strike?" Zhu Ge Yu asked in surprise. "Master, are you saying we should fight a decisive battle with Ruan Chen?" Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded. "Yes. But not during the day; at night."

"Night?" Zhu Ge Yu was even more surprised. "Master, are you saying we should launch a night raid on Ruan Chen's army?" Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded. "Yes. This is our only chance. Although Ruan Chen is cunning, he has one weakness: he is overly confident. He thinks we dare not go out of the city to fight, let alone move at night. He will lower his guard and let his army set up camp. At that moment, we can take the opportunity to launch a surprise attack and catch him off guard."

Zhu Ge Yu pondered for a moment, then said, "Does Master mean to set an ambush about ten li from Dingtao City where Ruan Chen's army is, then launch a sudden attack at night?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded. "Correct. This way, we can seize the initiative and maneuver against the enemy." Zhu Ge Yu exclaimed, "Master is truly brilliant. This way, we have a chance to fight the enemy."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu shook his head. "There is an opportunity, but it is not great. Ruan Chen is after all a scheming figure; he will not be without defenses. We must be careful and cautious, with not the slightest carelessness."

Zhu Ge Yu nodded. "Yes. Master, rest assured; I will do my best to assist you."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled slightly. "Thank you." Having said that, he stood up.

"Time is short; let us set off immediately."

Zhu Ge Yu also stood up. "Very well." The two left the room and walked toward the city gate. Both knew in their hearts that this might be their last battle.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Zhu Ge Yu walked out of the city gate and found that an elite cavalry unit was already waiting for them outside.

This cavalry unit of five thousand was led by Tu Tu Kesiluo, all elites under Jiang Jiang Mingyu.

They wore black armor, held spears and bows, and their horses were all carefully selected fine steeds.

In the night, they were like a black flood, faintly radiating a killing intent.

Lord Lord Murong saw Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Zhu Ge Yu, immediately dismounted, and bowed. "My lord, Mr. Zhu Ge, you have arrived."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded. "Lord Lord Murong, how is your preparation?" Tu Tu Kesiluo puffed out his chest. "My lord, everything is ready. We await only your command."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded in satisfaction. "Very good. Then let us set off." Having said that, he mounted a black steed, and Zhu Ge Yu followed, mounting a white steed.

Under Lord Lord Murong's lead, the two led the five thousand cavalry, galloping toward the direction of Ruan Chen's army.

Night fell, the moonlight bright and clear.

Ruan Chen's army had already set up camp ten li south of Dingtao City.

They had formed a huge square position with wooden stakes and straw mats; in the middle were various tents and vehicles, and on the periphery were dense soldiers and sentries.

Ruan Chen himself lived in the largest tent in the center, discussing tomorrow's battle plan with his strategists.

"Report! The scouts have returned!" A soldier ran into the tent and bowed to Ruan Chen. "Speak."

Ruan Chen put down the map in his hand and looked at the soldier.

"My lord, the scouts report that everything inside Dingtao City is normal, with no unusual movements. The city gates are tightly closed, and there are a few guards patrolling the city walls. Lights inside the city are sparse, as if everyone has already fallen asleep."

The soldier said. "Hmm." Ruan Chen nodded. "It seems that Jiang Jiang Mingyu still dares not come out of the city to fight. Does he want to delay time and wait for reinforcements? Hehe, he is too naive. Even if reinforcements come, they are merely coming to die."

"My lord is wise," the soldier flattered.

"Very well, you may withdraw."

Ruan Chen waved his hand. "Let the scouts continue to monitor movements inside Dingtao City; if there is any anomaly, report immediately."

"Yes!" The soldier responded and withdrew.

Ruan Chen turned around and said to his strategists, "Everyone, tomorrow we will attack Dingtao City. I have already arranged the strategy; as long as we act according to my instructions, we will surely easily breach the city and capture Jiang Jiang Mingyu and his subordinates."

"My lord, what is your strategy?" one strategist asked. Ruan Chen smiled slightly. "My strategy is very simple: use the method of luring the enemy deep, making Jiang Jiang Mingyu walk into a trap."

"Luring the enemy deep?" The strategists all felt curious. Ruan Chen explained, "Tomorrow morning, we will pretend to retreat, making Jiang Jiang Mingyu think we fear his reinforcements and want to flee. He will surely take the opportunity to come out of the city to pursue, wanting to deliver a fatal blow to us. At this time, we can set an ambush halfway, surround them completely, then launch an attack from all four directions and four sides, wiping them out in one net."

"My lord, this strategy is good, but what if Jiang Jiang Mingyu does not come out of the city?" another strategist asked.

Ruan Chen sneered coldly. "Does not come out? That is even better. We can use the method of splitting forces, pretending to divide into two routes, one east and one west. Make Jiang Jiang Mingyu think we want to distract him, or want to attack other cities. He will surely send part of his forces to pursue or defend. At this time, after he splits his forces, we can reunite our troops, suddenly turn back and attack Dingtao City. By then, the garrison inside Dingtao City will surely be unable to withstand a single blow, and we can easily breach the city."

"My lord, this strategy is also good, but what if Jiang Jiang Mingyu does not split his forces?" the third strategist asked.

Ruan Chen sneered even more coldly. "Does not split? That is even better. We can use the method of surrender, pretending that part of our forces want to defect to Jiang Jiang Mingyu, or that there are internal allies wanting to open the city gates. Make Jiang Jiang Mingyu think we have internal strife or are cowardly. He will surely lower his guard, or accept the surrender. At this time, after he lowers his guard or accepts the surrender, we can launch a surprise attack, kill into the city, and strike straight at the dragon's lair."

"My lord, your strategy is truly wonderful. No matter how Jiang Jiang Mingyu responds, he cannot escape your control." The strategists all exclaimed. Ruan Chen smiled proudly. "This is the crystallization of my years of experience and wisdom."

"Jiang Jiang Mingyu is merely a young, hot-blooded junior; how can he compare to me? Tomorrow's battle, I will surely make him know what a true wise man is."

Having said that, he clapped his hands, signaling the strategists to withdraw. "Very well, you all go and rest. Tomorrow morning, we will set off." The strategists all bowed and withdrew.

Ruan Chen also lay on the bed and closed his eyes. His heart was filled with confidence and expectation.

He had already seen the dawn of victory.

He had already seen the scene of Jiang Jiang Mingyu and his subordinates being captured alive by him.

He had already seen the scene of himself returning to the provincial city, bestowed with supreme glory and rewards by the Emperor.