Chapter 247: Advancing on Lin'an

As dawn brightened, a civil official, weary from travel, arrived at Guangshui City. This was Zhang Zhang Qingyuan, the new Guangshui Inspector appointed by Jiang Jiang Mingyu. Since Guangshui now fell under the jurisdiction of Jiang Jiang Mingyu's base in Cangzhou, Jiang Jiang Mingyu had not stationed many troops there.

Zhang Zhang Qingyuan raised no objection to this, believing that the way to govern lay in educating the people, not in military force. Even if Fei Hou still had strength remaining, he could not capture Guangshui. Well-versed in the classics, he was indeed a talent capable of bringing order to the age.

At dawn the next day, war drums thundered at the Guangshui camp, and an army of one hundred thousand stood ready for departure. Tian Jiu rode his horse to Jiang Jiang Mingyu's front and respectfully reported, "My Lord, the great army is prepared and can depart at any moment!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded calmly, his gaze sweeping over Zhang Zhang Jiaqi, before shouting loudly, "The army marches, heading straight for Lin'an!"

At his command, the hundred-thousand-strong army began its journey in majestic procession, their momentum like a rainbow. This time, Jiang Jiang Mingyu personally led these hundred thousand south, intending to capture Lin'an Commandery on the Jingzhou defensive line.

Everyone knew the situation of the Battle of Lin'an—with Jiang Jiang Mingyu's hundred thousand troops facing Lin'an's garrison of merely thirty thousand, victory was assured. Although the assassins had not yet been eliminated and Zhang Zhang Jiaqi remained worried, the soldiers were already shouting with ambition, eager to try their strength.

During the march, Tian Jiu took the lead, keeping close watch on Jiang Jiang Mingyu's flanks the entire way. He constantly reminded himself that protecting his Lord was his sacred duty. Zhang Zhang Jiaqi also moved with swift steps, alert for any suspicious objects in all directions.

Three days later, the great army encamped five li outside Lin'an City. Tian Jiu personally led several fierce generals to scout the city's defenses.

"Reporting to My Lord, Lin'an's garrison is scrambling to respond; they have about twenty-five thousand infantry and only five thousand cavalry. Though the city walls are high, they appear easy to breach!" Tian Jiu reported to Jiang Jiang Mingyu.

Hearing Tian Jiu's report, Jiang Jiang Mingyu rejoiced inwardly and said, "Lin'an's garrison numbers less than one-third of our force, and their city defenses are weak; this battle will surely be a great victory!"

He said to Tian Jiu, "General Tian, you will lead the cavalry around the west side of the city to attack the enemy from behind. I will lead the infantry to assault the city from the front. With our two forces striking from opposite sides, we will certainly capture Lin'an in one stroke!"

Tian Jiu responded, "Yes, My Lord."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu then said to Zhang Zhang Jiaqi, "Zhang Jiaqi, you will accompany me and protect my safety. Although the assassins are dead, Fei Hou's methods cannot be underestimated. We cannot afford the slightest carelessness."

Zhang Zhang Jiaqi said, "Yes, My Lord."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu said, "Very well, let us depart!"

With that, he led the infantry toward the city gate, while Tian Jiu led the cavalry toward the west side of the city.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's infantry column marched in majestic procession, their momentum like a rainbow. They held long spears and shields, wearing armor and helmets. They sang war songs loudly, their morale high.

Upon reaching the city gate, they began attacking the walls with scaling ladders and battering rams. The defenders on the walls retaliated with bows, arrows, and stones, but could not halt their charge.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu stood in the rear directing the assault, with Zhang Zhang Jiaqi following closely behind to protect him. Watching the number of enemies on the walls gradually diminish, he felt a quiet joy in his heart.

Just then, he heard the urgent sound of a horn.

"My Lord! Something has happened with General Tian!" A trusted general ran over to report.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu was startled and immediately asked, "What situation?"

The general said, "General Tian has encountered an enemy ambush! The enemy actually has an elite cavalry unit hidden in the mountains and forests west of the city! They appeared suddenly, catching General Tian completely off guard!"

Even more alarmed, Jiang Jiang Mingyu asked, "How is General Tian now?"

The general said, "General Tian is engaged in fierce combat with the enemy, but the situation is dire. The enemy cavalry is well-equipped and flexible in tactics. Although General Tian's cavalry is brave, they are at a disadvantage. If we do not send support soon, there may be danger!"

Hearing this, Jiang Jiang Mingyu grew extremely anxious; he had not expected Fei Hou to still possess such a cavalry force. He realized this was Fei Hou's trap to lure them in, intending to split his forces and defeat them one by one.

He immediately ordered, "Quickly send someone to notify General Tian to retreat! I will immediately lead the infantry to provide support!"

The general said, "Yes, My Lord."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu then said to Zhang Zhang Jiaqi, "Zhang Jiaqi, you stay here and continue the siege. I am going to rescue General Tian."

Zhang Zhang Jiaqi said, "My Lord, please reconsider! It is too dangerous for you to go personally! You are the soul and hope of the great army; if anything unforeseen happens to you, the army will surely collapse!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu said, "Zhang Jiaqi, rest assured. I will be fine. General Tian is a fierce general under my command; now that he is in critical danger, I cannot fail to save him. You only need to hold the city gate and wait for my return."

Seeing that Jiang Jiang Mingyu had already made his decision, Zhang Zhang Jiaqi dared not persuade him further and could only say, "My Lord, you must be careful!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded and said to Zhang Zhang Jiaqi, "You must be careful as well!"

With that, he led a contingent of infantry toward the west side of the city. His heart was filled with worry for Tian Jiu's safety, and also for his own. He did not know what other schemes Fei Hou had waiting for him.

He quickened his pace, rushing toward Tian Jiu's location. In his heart, he prayed he could arrive in time.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu raced all the way and soon reached the mountains and forests west of the city. From afar, he heard the intense sounds of battle and saw flames and dust rising.

He immediately led the infantry charging forward, only to see Tian Jiu locked in deadly combat with the enemy cavalry. Half of Tian Jiu's cavalry had already been lost, while two-thirds of the enemy cavalry remained.

The enemy cavalry wore black armor and helmets, wielding long spears and curved blades. Their horses were also black, adorned with iron chains and bells. Their movements were as fast as ghosts and as ruthless as devils.

Although Tian Jiu was brave and fearless, his cavalry were no match for the enemy. Their equipment and tactics were inferior, forcing them into a passive defense. They were surrounded on a hillside, in extreme danger.

Seeing this scene, Jiang Jiang Mingyu flew into a rage and shouted loudly, "General Tian, hold on! I am here to aid you!"

With that, he led the infantry charging at the enemy. Although his infantry were not skilled in cavalry warfare, they possessed sufficient courage and conviction. Raising their long spears and shields high, they thrust at the enemy.

Seeing Jiang Jiang Mingyu arrive to reinforce, the enemy showed no panic, instead mocking, "You foot soldiers think you can oppose our cavalry? Are you seeking death?"

With that, they wheeled their horses around and launched a fierce charge against Jiang Jiang Mingyu's infantry. They intended to use their speed and strength to tear Jiang Jiang Mingyu's infantry apart.

Seeing this, Jiang Jiang Mingyu felt no fear, instead rallying his troops, "Soldiers, heed my command! We will use our flesh and blood to show these arrogant fools who we are! We are invincible!"

With that, he was the first to meet the enemy charge. The long sword in his hand flashed with cold light, each strike taking an enemy's life.

The infantry behind him followed closely, using their long spears and shields to block the enemy's long spears and curved blades. Although they suffered heavy casualties, they did not retreat. They used their lives to carve a bloody path for Jiang Jiang Mingyu.

Seeing Jiang Jiang Mingyu arrive to reinforce, Tian Jiu rejoiced greatly and shouted loudly, "My Lord! You have finally arrived!"

With that, he led the remaining cavalry charging down from the hillside to join forces with Jiang Jiang Mingyu. He said to Jiang Jiang Mingyu, "My Lord, please forgive my incompetence! I did not expect the enemy to have such a cavalry force!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu said, "General Tian, do not blame yourself; this is Fei Hou's trickery. Now that we have joined forces, we will certainly defeat these enemies!"

With that, he said to Tian Jiu, "General Tian, you will lead the cavalry to break out from the left flank, while I lead the infantry to break out from the right flank. We will separate our two forces, then regroup. We must break the enemy's encirclement, then turn and surround them!"

Tian Jiu responded, "Yes, My Lord."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu then said to Zhang Zhang Jiaqi, "Zhang Jiaqi, you will accompany me and protect my safety. We must return alive together!"

Zhang Zhang Jiaqi said, "Yes, Big Brother Jiang."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu said, "Very well, let us depart!"

With that, he led the infantry toward the right flank, while Tian Jiu led the cavalry toward the left flank.

Seeing Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Tian Jiu separate, the enemy showed no panic, instead saying triumphantly, "You want to flee? Do you think we will let you escape? Are you dreaming?"

With that, they also split into two groups, pursuing Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Tian Jiu. They intended to completely annihilate the forces of Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Tian Jiu.

Neither Jiang Jiang Mingyu nor Tian Jiu looked back; they focused solely on charging forward. They knew this was a battle of life and death with no retreat possible. Only by exerting their utmost strength could they find a sliver of hope for survival.

Under the enemy's pursuit, their forces continually shrank, yet they did not collapse. Their morale became even firmer amidst the crisis. They believed they could successfully break out.

Just then, they heard a sound of cheering.

"My Lord! We have succeeded!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Tian Jiu turned to look at the same time; they saw their troops had broken out of the enemy's encirclement, while the enemy forces had been cut in two.

In truth, during their breakout, they had unknowingly drawn near to the enemy. When they burst through the encirclement, they happened to meet the other half of the enemy's forces.

This way, the enemy forces were sandwiched between the troops of Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Tian Jiu, forming a funnel shape. Meanwhile, the troops of Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Tian Jiu converged at the mouth of the funnel, forming an arc.

This way, the situation reversed completely. The troops of Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Tian Jiu, originally encircled, became the encircling force. And the forces that had originally encircled Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Tian Jiu became the encircled force.

Seeing this scene, Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Tian Jiu could not help but be overjoyed. They realized this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. They immediately gave the order: "All soldiers, listen! We have successfully broken out! Now is the time for our counterattack! We will use our swords and blades to tell these enemies who we are!"

With that, they led their troops to launch a fierce assault on the enemy. They tore through the enemy's lines with their courage and conviction.