Chapter 183: Retreat the Army

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's army marched for a full day, not arriving near Luocheng until nightfall. Tu Tu Kesiluo, riding in the rear guard, looked at the city walls ahead and suddenly spoke: "My lord, we have entered the territory of Luocheng."

Hearing his voice, Jiang Jiang Mingyu turned to look at him. He said, "Mm, I know."

"Then what shall we do?" Tu Tu Kesiluo asked.

"Find a place to camp first," Jiang Jiang Mingyu said. "We will figure out how to attack the city tomorrow."

"Very well," Tu Tu Kesiluo nodded.

They found an open area and began setting up tents. Li Goudan and Wu Xiao'er dismounted and walked over with Jiang Jiang Mingyu. Li Goudan looked toward Luocheng, a flash of excitement passing through his eyes.

Tu Tu Kesiluo said, "How shall we fight this battle?"

"A night raid," Wu Xiao'er said. "That is how we defeated Ruan Chen; it will surely succeed this time as well."

"Impossible," Jiang Jiang Mingyu shook his head. "Five or six days have passed since then; Wang Hao must already know our tactics. If we repeat the same trick, he will likely turn the tables on us, and that would be troublesome."

"Then what shall we do?" Li Goudan asked.

"In my view, since Wang Hao knows our army is coming, we might as well face him openly," Jiang Jiang Mingyu said. "Cut down his city-defense general; once Wang Hao's morale is shaken, our opportunity will arrive."

"My lord is wise," Li Goudan praised.

"Do not forget what I told you," Jiang Jiang Mingyu added.

"What words?" Li Goudan asked.

"You are not only my subordinate but also my brother," Jiang Jiang Mingyu said. "If you feel anything is improper, withdraw immediately; do not force it."

"My lord rest assured; I will be careful," Li Goudan said.

"Xiao'er, send out scouts to check the movements nearby," Jiang Jiang Mingyu ordered.

"Yes, my lord," Wu Xiao'er replied and went off.

In a short while, he returned with the scouts and reported: "My lord, there are no signs of the enemy within ten li in all directions."

"Good. We depart at first light tomorrow," Jiang Jiang Mingyu said.

At dawn the next day, just as the sun rose, Jiang Jiang Mingyu led his army out. Riding their horses, they galloped toward Luocheng. The garrison on the city walls saw them approaching and immediately shouted loudly: "Go quickly and notify the Inspector! Jiang Jiang Mingyu's troops are invading Luocheng! Soldiers to the walls, civilians return home, prepare for battle!"

Soon, Wang Hao appeared on the city walls. Looking at the ten thousand troops massed like dark clouds, he stomped his feet in rage. He cursed loudly: "Jiang Jiang Mingyu, you rebel! Dare to invade Luocheng? You seek your own death!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu looked at him and sneered coldly: "Wang Hao, since Dongping, you have opposed me. Recently, you beast, in your madness, even dared to send spies to my main camp to court death; truly, your crimes deserve no pardon. Ruan Chen's hundred-thousand army was reduced to ash in my hands; what are you, that you dare show yourself before me? Today, if you open the city gates, it is enough; if I break the city, not even a chicken or dog will be left."

Hearing his words, Wang Hao grew even more furious. He said, "Jiang Jiang Mingyu, do not be arrogant. What is there to boast about winning against Governor Ruan through treachery? Traitor, do not flee! I, this official, will personally ride out; if I do not cut off your head, I will not return to Huicheng!"

Soon, Wang Hao's army, with the city at their backs, stood before Jiang Jiang Mingyu.

"Captain Wei, this is the rebel who killed Zhou Xun. Did you not want to avenge him? The opportunity has arrived."

Wei Wei Yuanwei stared fixedly at Jiang Jiang Mingyu, his eyes bloodshot, as if he would swallow him alive.

Zhou Xun had been his close friend of many years, a fellow student and soulmate, like a brother and like a friend.

Yet, having been brutally killed in one day, Wei Wei Yuanwei hated him to the bone, swearing to avenge his dearest friend.

He slowly drew the long blade from his waist; the blade's edge reflected the setting sun's afterglow, rising with a chilling cold light.

He gripped the hilt tightly, his teeth clenched as if to crush the silver dragon within the handle. He took a deep breath, slowly raised the blade, and pointed its tip directly at Jiang Jiang Mingyu.

"Jiang Jiang Mingyu, receive death! Today I will surely avenge my brother and vent the hatred in my heart!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu watched with cold eyes, but Li Goudan showed no fear. He suddenly kicked his horse's flank, leaped out on horseback, and raised his head, saying: "Who comes? Do you think you can take my lord's life? Quickly give your name; my blade leaves no one nameless!" His long blade was already unsheathed, held reverse-grip, the blade edge flickering lightly; his posture on horseback, ready for battle, was dashing and composed.

Wei Wei Yuanwei flew into a rage and roared: "I am Wei Wei Yuanwei! Remember it clearly, so you do not die without knowing why!" Before the words ended, he kicked his legs, and his warhorse charged straight at Li Goudan; the giant blade in his hand whooshed and whistled, aiming directly for Li Goudan's face.

The two war horses clashed; blade-light and sword-shadow flashed. Only the clanging and clashing of weapons rang out loudly. Li Goudan felt his long blade shudder; his Hukou went numb, and he nearly lost his grip on the hilt. His whole body stumbled on the saddle.

Seeing this, Wei Wei Yuanwei sneered disdainfully, then swung his blade to strike several times in succession. The blade's momentum was like a violent storm. Li Goudan blocked this fierce assault again, barely holding it off. "Boy, watch as my next strike takes your life!" Wei Wei Yuanwei grinned savagely; the blade edge slashed diagonally, aiming directly for Li Goudan's lower abdomen, a vital point.

Seeing this, Jiang Jiang Mingyu grew anxious and urgently shouted to Tu Tu Kesiluo: "Quick, rescue Li Goudan!" Tu Tu Kesiluo, however, said calmly: "My lord, rest assured. Goudan still has a follow-up move. Once he falls from his horse, our army will achieve total victory!"

At this critical moment, Li Goudan's figure swayed, miraculously evading the fatal strike. Immediately, the long blade in his hand spun rapidly; before Wei Wei Yuanwei could react, it thrust straight into his chest! With a "puff," blood flowers splattered across Wei Wei Yuanwei's front chest!

Li Goudan swung the blade in a smooth motion, splitting Wei Wei Yuanwei's abdomen directly. Wei Wei Yuanwei let out a miserable cry, fell from his horse, and struggled on the ground.

Seeing Wei Wei Yuanwei defeated, Jiang Jiang Mingyu immediately shouted loudly: "Capture Wang Hao alive quickly!" Before the words ended, Tu Tu Kesiluo led a squad of elite soldiers, running like arrows, straight for Wang Hao on the city walls.

Wang Hao felt a chill behind him. Turning back, he saw Tu Tu Kesiluo approaching with fierce momentum. Knowing things were dire, he could only abandon his men, seize the gate, and flee. Before the city gate was fully closed, Wang Hao squeezed through the gate opening and fled into the city in a wretched state.

Tu Tu Kesiluo and his horsemen chased straight to the foot of the city. Before they could catch up, arrows rained down from the walls. Tu Tu Kesiluo's squad suffered heavy casualties and had to stop, avoiding the arrow storm.

Just then, the city gate closed with a "creak," and the drawbridge slowly rose, blocking Jiang Jiang Mingyu and others outside the city.

Seeing Wang Hao had escaped, Tu Tu Kesiluo flew into a rage and cursed loudly: "Wang Hao, you deserter! Hiding shamelessly in the city like this! Quickly roll out and fight me again!"

On the walls, Wang Hao showed no fear at all; instead, he laughed arrogantly: "You think you can make me surrender? Delusional! How could I, Wang Hao, be frightened by you? If you truly have the ability, come attack the city; otherwise, get out of Luocheng!"

Having said this, he deliberately smirked mockingly, spread his hands, and made a contemptuous gesture. Then he turned and strode down the city steps, not putting Jiang Jiang Mingyu in his eyes at all.

Seeing Wang Hao flee in triumph, Jiang Jiang Mingyu grew extremely anxious. This expedition could have captured Luocheng in one stroke; unexpectedly, Wang Hao managed to escape so keenly. As dusk approached, Jiang Jiang Mingyu could only painfully order a retreat, holding his forces still for now, to deal with Wang Hao another day.

Seeing the Inspector about to leave, one soldier beside him hurriedly spoke up.

"My lord, they killed Captain Wei. Shall we just let it go?"

Let it go?

Wang Hao's gaze swept over Wei Wei Yuanwei's corpse lying in a pool of blood, a flicker of cunning passing through his eyes. He thought secretly: Jiang Jiang Mingyu has two fierce generals under him. With Wei Wei Yuanwei dead, I can never again confront Jiang Jiang Mingyu head-on. Moreover, Jiang Jiang Mingyu must have learned of my intentions from Wang Wang Zhandong and hates me to the bone. I can only hold the city firmly, stalemate with Jiang Jiang Mingyu, wait until his provisions are exhausted, then counterattack in one stroke to break free.

In an instant, Wang Hao had already formulated his countermeasures clearly in his mind. He smiled slightly, turned, and strode down the city steps, not putting Jiang Jiang Mingyu in his eyes at all.

Seeing Wang Hao leave in high spirits, Tu Tu Kesiluo became furious, holding his long sword and about to attack the city directly. Jiang Jiang Mingyu hurriedly shouted: "Do not act rashly! Our army has only two or three thousand more men; a direct assault will surely cause heavy casualties. First, retreat ten li to camp, and closely monitor movements within the city. As long as we cut off Wang Hao's reinforcements, Luocheng will eventually fall into our hands."

Although Li Goudan was filled with resentment, he could only obey the order and led his troops to withdraw.

At dusk, the main camp was already built. Tu Tu Kesiluo was still furious and asked: "Wang Hao is hiding in the city like a turtle with its head in, not coming out. Our provisions are limited; what shall we do?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu himself fell into a dilemma of advance or retreat. To kill Wang Hao, the city must be attacked, but with our army outnumbered, a direct assault is surely seeking death. Even if Wang Hao escapes this time, one day he will reap the consequences. For the future great cause, there can be no hint of acting on impulse.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu gazed into the distance; the walls of Luocheng appeared and disappeared in the bloody afterglow of the setting sun. Wang Hao will never give up so easily; he will surely hold the city firmly and stalemate and exhaust our army here. Our provisions are limited; a prolonged war is disadvantageous. How should I use a surprise strategy to win and capture Wang Hao alive in one stroke?

Jiang Jiang Mingyu could not help but fall into deep thought. The setting sun was blood-red; a layer of ill omen covered the sky, seeming to presage a fierce, life-or-death battle about to come. This battle is of great consequence; Jiang Jiang Mingyu must find a way to take Wang Hao to reverse the situation.

Inside the tent, the lamp flickered. Tu Tu Kesiluo and others waited silently for Jiang Jiang Mingyu's decision, all understanding the great significance of this battle for the overall situation. Jiang Jiang Mingyu will surely devise a plan to cut off Wang Hao's reinforcements and leave him in a desperate situation. Perhaps a trick can be set to intercept his supply lines; perhaps a feigned surrender can lure him out of the city to fight a decisive battle. In any case, Jiang Jiang Mingyu must use a trick to trap Wang Hao in a jar.