Chapter 179: Trivial Tricks I Play

Amid the fierce battle between Tuke Tuke Siluo's army and Pang Pang Sihai's navy, the corpses on the ground multiplied, and the situation grew increasingly difficult for Tu Tu Kesiluo. Seeing this, Zhang Zhang Jiani could endure no longer; she furiously grabbed her longbow.

"These people are too despicable!" Zhang Zhang Jiani roared, drew the bowstring, and aimed at Pang Pang Sihai on the city tower.

However, Pang Pang Sihai had been prepared; he sidestepped Zhang Zhang Jiani's fatal arrow. He sneered, "Shooting from the shadows to wound others—truly the conduct of rebels! Continue firing arrows and wipe them out!" He ordered his soldiers to keep shooting.

Zhang Zhang Jiani flew into a rage, drew her short knife, and was about to charge out. Her sister, Zhang Zhang Jiaqi, looked extremely grim. Seeing this, Jiang Jiang Mingyu hurried forward to stop her, saying, "Zhang Jiani, do not forget our plan." Zhang Zhang Jiani could only grit her teeth tightly and sheathed her short knife.

Meanwhile, Tu Tu Kesiluo continued to charge forward with all his might. The rain of arrows grew denser, but his gaze remained firm as he forcefully hurled the shield in his hand toward the city tower. The shield struck a Great Feng soldier, instantly bursting his brains. The defenders on the tower couldn't help but draw a sharp breath; this scene was truly terrifying!

Seizing this precious opportunity, Tu Tu Kesiluo's soldiers finally finished setting up the siege ladders and began climbing the city walls. "Climb!" Tu Tu Kesiluo stepped onto the ladder first.

Pang Pang Sihai sneered and ordered, "Fire!" Huge stones whistled down. Tu Tu Kesiluo dodged one of them, but more than a dozen soldiers beside him were smashed into a mass of brains. Seeing the mounting casualties, red light flickered in his eyes as he roared, "Continue the charge! I will destroy them!"

Just then, a golden sound suddenly rang out from Jiang Jiang Mingyu's army; it was the signal to retreat. Only then did Tu Tu Kesiluo remember the plan had ended. He immediately shouted, "The enemy is strong, we are weak; retreat!" After leaving many corpses behind, Tu Tu Kesiluo's army finally withdrew to Jiang Jiang Mingyu's position.

On the city wall, Pang Pang Sihai laughed triumphantly, his sharp eyes sweeping over the retreating rebels. He mocked, "Come on, why don't you come? Dog thieves, weren't you so mighty? Dare to come again, and watch how I slaughter you all!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu watched Pang Pang Sihai with cold eyes and, with a completely expressionless face, ordered, "It is late; withdraw ten li to set up camp and fight again tomorrow."

Another deputy general couldn't help but grind his teeth and say, "Commandant, Jiang Jiang Mingyu is clearly at his limit. If we pursue, we can surely annihilate them in one blow!"

Pang Pang Sihai shook his head and said solemnly, "No. Apart from the city garrison, our army has only fifteen thousand men; we cannot take risks."

The deputy general said with extreme reluctance, "Must we just let the rebels come again? The soul of Commandant Ruan Chen is still watching us!"

Pang Pang Sihai's eyes darkened. Mentioning Ruan Chen, a vein of malice crept into his voice: "Send scouts to secretly probe the location of Jiang Jiang Mingyu's main camp and launch a night raid to plunder the camp. Jiang Jiang Mingyu has traveled a long distance and is exhausted; coupled with today's great defeat, the army's morale must be shaken. If we attack at this opportunity, we will surely avenge Commandant Ruan Chen."

Hearing this, the deputy general's spirits lifted; he quickly stood up, and Pang Pang Sihai's scouts quietly left the city.

Ten li away, inside Jiang Jiang Mingyu's main camp, the officers and soldiers looked solemn. Tu Tu Kesiluo looked at the broken defensive line and said with complex feelings, "My lord, we have lost more than five hundred men; the cost is too high."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu sighed and said firmly, "Capturing a city must come with a cost; this is unavoidable. Fortunately, we have sacrificed for a greater victory. Zhu Ge Yu, how is the preparation?"

Zhu Ge Yu smiled slightly and said calmly, "Everything has been prepared according to your instructions. I have sent people to set up ambushes around the camp and spread rumors that our army's morale is crumbling and spirits are low. These words will surely reach Pang Pang Sihai's ears. When he attacks our army at night, he will definitely fall into the trap we have set. At that time, our army will launch a fierce counterattack, and Pang Pang Sihai will surely be thrown into chaos. Then, the provincial city can be taken easily."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded in praise: "Worthy of being my good disciple. With this, Pang Sihao will surely fall into the trap. After our army annihilates the night raiding enemy in one blow, we will continue to besiege the isolated city; victory is in sight."

The afterglow of dusk gradually faded, and the provincial city fell under the shroud of twilight. Faint light spilled onto the stone-paved streets, reflecting a hazy scene. The sentries on the city wall stood high, their eyes vacant, yawning boredly; their thoughts had long drifted far away.

Several small vendors pushed heavy carts, hurriedly preparing to pack up and go home. Their faces bore expressions of exhaustion, and their clothes were stained with a day's dust. The restaurants on both sides of the street gradually closed; the owners tiredly cleared the tables, ending a day's busyness. This remote provincial city was already unusually quiet in ordinary times, and at night it was even more silent.

At this moment, inside the Inspector's Mansion, Pang Pang Sihai was gazing intently at the map on the table. His eyebrows were slightly furrowed, and his eyes revealed determination and ruthlessness. Just then, a deputy general walked in quietly and reported to Pang Pang Sihai.

"Report, Commandant, Deputy General Qi has come to see you."

Pang Pang Sihai raised his head, his gaze falling coldly on the deputy general. His voice was low and resolute: "You arrive just in time. Have the scouts returned?"

The deputy general nodded with a smile: "Replying to the Commandant, the scouts have returned to report." He spoke softly, quietly conveying the military intelligence to Pang Pang Sihai.

The enemy army is just ten li outside the city, currently holding a grand banquet, foolishly indulging in their own victory. This is an excellent opportunity to win against a stronger force with fewer troops.

Pang Pang Sihai laughed ruthlessly, cold light flickering in his eyes: "Excellent! Heaven aids me; this is exactly what I wanted! Order the troops to prepare provisions and set out at the second watch. I will personally go to exterminate that gang of rebels!"

Seeing this, the deputy general stepped forward to advise: "Commandant, this matter is extremely dangerous; you need not risk yourself personally. We can dispatch an elite force to go, and you can remain inside the city to command."

However, Pang Pang Sihai was determined to succeed; the hatred for his old friend and the determination for revenge burned in his eyes. He responded firmly: "No, I will personally lead the army on the expedition! I will avenge Commandant Ruan Chen and make them pay the price!"

Seeing that Pang Pang Sihai was insistent, the deputy general could only nod helplessly and silently pray for him.

Thus, Pang Pang Sihai led his troops out of the city and disappeared into the night. He believed Heaven would aid him to victory because the enemy was already intoxicated by the banquet, unaware that danger had arrived. This timing could not have been better for him.

That night, another secret was added to the small town, a secret concerning life, death, success, and failure. And this secret would be revealed with the coming of dawn—the victor will triumph, and the loser is destined to be buried in a foreign land.

As the night deepened, the small town gradually fell silent. Only faint light flickered on the streets, reflecting faded buildings and empty roads. A gentle breeze blew, carrying a heavy atmosphere, as if foreshadowing the coming battle.

In the darkness, Pang Pang Sihai led his army quickly covering the ten-li distance, arriving opposite the pitch-black, snoring-thunderous Jiang Jiang Mingyu camp. A soldier laughed and said to Pang Pang Sihai, "Commandant's calculations are divine; Jiang Jiang Mingyu indeed has no defenses. This time we can have a hearty meal!"

However, Pang Pang Sihai said coldly, "Do not rejoice too early; advance cautiously."

Just then, several sentries near the camp suddenly made some remarks:

"The Lord is too cautious. With so many of us, how could those rats from the provincial city possibly reach us?"

"Yes, in the middle of the night, not letting people sleep; what is all this fuss about?"

"I'm so sleepy; this is truly suffering..."

Pang Pang Sihai flew into a rage and said, "Rude thieves, I will teach you a lesson!" With a wave of his hand, several silent arrows shot down the sentries. Pang Pang Sihai sneered and ordered his subordinates to quietly attack the camp.

However, just then, a cry of alarm came from deep within the camp: "Not good, Commandant, this is an empty camp!"

Pang Pang Sihai's face changed drastically. He said, "We have fallen into a trap! Retreat quickly!" Just as he was about to turn and leave, he heard a clear, cold voice: "Pang Pang Sihai, do you still recognize me, Jiang Jiang Mingyu?"

Before the words finished, countless torches lit up the camp, instantly illuminating the night. Soldiers from all directions rushed forward, instantly surrounding Pang's army completely.

Pang Pang Sihai said with hatred, "Jiang Jiang Mingyu, you truly are not a good person from the bottom of your heart!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu laughed heartily: "I want to see how many lives this provincial city can send to you tonight!"

The two armies engaged in fierce battle in the darkness. The provincial soldiers fighting bravely fell one by one, while Jiang Jiang Mingyu's great army kept killing forward. The battle was fierce, the scene chaotic, and the smell of blood permeated the air.

Trapped in heavy encirclement, Pang Pang Sihai was terrified and asked in a trembling voice, "Jiang Jiang Mingyu, how did you know we were coming to raid at night?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled calmly: "I defeated Commandant Ruan Chen with a night raid. Did you think such a small trick could stump me? These are all trivial tricks I play. Coming to raid my camp, you are seeking death!"

He frowned and shouted, "Avenge the fallen brothers! Fire arrows!"

Zhang Zhang Jiani, hidden in the darkness, raised her hand, and a wave of shadow-like arrows whistled down. Pang Pang Sihai's subordinates immediately erupted in screams; hundreds fell dead on the spot.

The Great Feng army's morale instantly collapsed, and they scattered and fled. At this moment, Zhang Zhang Jiaqi, whose injuries had healed, waved her long blade and said coldly, "Follow me to kill the enemy and avenge our wrongs!"

Sword light flashed; Zhang Zhang Jiaqi moved as if through an empty world, opening up a slaughter. She killed until her eyes turned red, like a female demon, making the fleeing soldiers tremble with fear.

Following closely behind were the warriors led by Zhang Zhang Jiani, who surged forward, attacking fiercely. Pang Pang Sihai's subordinates instantly suffered casualties exceeding half.

Awakened by the screams, Pang Pang Sihai cried out, "Retreat quickly! Retreat to the provincial city!"

Having spoken, he led the remaining troops to hastily cover their tracks, fleeing the battlefield in a wretched state.