Chapter 247

The sky grew light, and a civil official, weary from travel, arrived at Guangshui City. He was Zhang Qingyuan, the newly appointed Inspector of Guangshui by Jiang Mingyu. Since Guangshui now fell under the jurisdiction of Jiang Mingyu's base, Xiangcangzhou, Jiang Mingyu had left little garrison force there.

Zhang Qingyuan raised no objection; he believed governance lay in educating the people, not in military force. Even if Hou Fei still had strength, he could not take Guangshui. He was deeply versed in classical texts and truly a capable administrator.

At dawn the next day, the drums of Guangshui's encampment thundered as one hundred thousand troops prepared to march. Tian Jiu rode up to Jiang Mingyu and reported respectfully: "My Lord, the army is ready—anytime you command!"

Jiang Mingyu nodded calmly, his gaze sweeping over Zhang Jiaqi before raising his voice: "March! Head straight for Lin'an!"

At his command, one hundred thousand troops surged forward in a mighty tide, their momentum overwhelming. Jiang Mingyu personally led this force southward to seize Lin'an, a key stronghold on Jingzhou's defensive line.

The situation of the battle at Lin'an was clear to all—Jiang Mingyu's hundred thousand troops against Lin'an's mere thirty thousand defenders, victory seemed certain. Though the assassin had not yet been fully eliminated and Zhang Jiaqi remained uneasy, the soldiers were already cheering with fierce determination, eager to fight.

During the march, Tian Jiu rode at the front, constantly watching Jiang Mingyu's flanks. He reminded himself constantly: protecting his lord was his sacred duty. Zhang Jiaqi moved swiftly like an arrow, alert to any suspicious movement around them.

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

"My Lord," Tian Jiu reported, "Lin'an's defenders were caught unprepared—some twenty-five thousand infantry, only five thousand cavalry. The walls are high, but they look brittle!"

Jiang Mingyu, hearing this, felt inward joy: "Lin'an's garrison is less than one-third of ours, and their defenses are weak—this battle will be a decisive victory!"

He turned to Tian Jiu: "General Tian, take your cavalry and circle around the western wall to strike their rear. I will lead the infantry in a frontal assault. With our two-pronged attack, we will seize Lin'an in one blow!"

Tian Jiu replied: "Yes, My Lord."

Jiang Mingyu then said to Zhang Jiaqi: "Jiaqi, ride with me. Protect my safety. The assassin is dead, but Hou Fei's tricks cannot be underestimated. We must not let our guard slip for a moment."

Zhang Jiaqi answered: "Yes, My Lord."

Jiang Mingyu said: "Then let us move."

With that, he led the infantry toward the city gate. Tian Jiu led the cavalry toward the western flank.

Jiang Mingyu's infantry marched in a vast, roaring column. They bore spears and shields, clad in armor and helmets. They sang battle songs, their morale soaring.

When they reached the gate, they launched assaults with scaling ladders and battering rams. Defenders on the walls shot arrows and hurled stones, but could not halt their advance.

Jiang Mingyu stood at the rear directing the assault, Zhang Jiaqi close behind guarding him. He watched the enemy numbers on the walls dwindle, and felt quiet satisfaction.

Then he heard a sharp horn blast.

"My Lord! General Tian's flank is in trouble!" A trusted officer ran up to report.

Jiang Mingyu startled: "What happened?"

The officer said: "General Tian was ambushed! The enemy had a elite cavalry unit hidden in the woods west of the city! They struck suddenly—General Tian was caught off guard!"

Jiang Mingyu's alarm deepened: "How is General Tian?"

The officer replied: "General Tian is still fighting, but the situation is dire. The enemy cavalry is well-equipped and highly mobile. Though our cavalry fights bravely, they are being overwhelmed. If we don't reinforce them soon, they may be lost!"

Jiang Mingyu's heart clenched—he had not anticipated Hou Fei possessed such a cavalry force. He realized this was a trap: Hou Fei sought to split his army and destroy it piecemeal.

He immediately ordered: "Send word to General Tian to withdraw! I'm leading the infantry to reinforce him now!"

The officer answered: "Yes, My Lord."

Jiang Mingyu turned to Zhang Jiaqi: "Jiaqi, stay here. Continue the assault on the gate. I'm going to rescue General Tian."

Zhang Jiaqi said: "My Lord, please reconsider! Your personal presence is too dangerous! You are the soul and hope of this army—if you fall, the entire force will collapse!"

Jiang Mingyu replied: "Jiaqi, trust me—I won't be harmed. General Tian is one of my fiercest commanders. He's in peril—I cannot abandon him. Hold the gate. Wait for my return."

Seeing Jiang Mingyu's resolve, Zhang Jiaqi dared not press further: "My Lord, please be careful!"

Jiang Mingyu nodded: "You too."

With that, he led a contingent of infantry toward the western woods. He worried for Tian Jiu's safety—and his own. He did not know what other schemes Hou Fei had waiting.

He quickened his pace, racing toward Tian Jiu's position, praying he would arrive in time.

Jiang Mingyu rode hard, soon reaching the western woods. From afar, he heard the clash of battle, saw flames and smoke.

He ordered his infantry forward—and saw Tian Jiu locked in combat with the enemy cavalry. Half of Tian Jiu's cavalry lay dead; two-thirds of the enemy's force remained.

The enemy cavalry wore black armor and helmets, wielding long lances and curved sabers. Their horses were black, adorned with iron chains and bells. Their movements were as swift as ghosts, as ruthless as demons.

Though Tian Jiu fought without fear, his cavalry could not match the enemy. Their equipment and tactics were inferior; they could only defend passively. Surrounded on a hillside, they were in dire peril.

Jiang Mingyu, seeing this, roared in fury: "General Tian! Hold on! I'm coming!"

He led his infantry forward. Though untrained in cavalry combat, they possessed courage and conviction. They raised spears and shields, charging into the enemy ranks.

The enemy, seeing Jiang Mingyu's reinforcements, did not panic. Instead, they sneered: "You foot soldiers think you can stand against our cavalry? You seek death!"

With that, they wheeled their horses and charged straight at Jiang Mingyu's infantry, aiming to crush them with speed and force.

Jiang Mingyu, undaunted, rallied his men: "Soldiers! Let your flesh and blood show these arrogant dogs who we are! We are invincible!"

He charged ahead himself, his sword flashing cold light, each strike claiming an enemy's life.

His infantry followed, using spears and shields to block enemy lances and sabers. Though battered, they did not retreat. They gave their lives to carve a blood path for Jiang Mingyu.

Tian Jiu, seeing Jiang Mingyu's arrival, cried out in joy: "My Lord! You've come!"

He led his remaining cavalry down the hillside to join Jiang Mingyu. "My Lord," he said, "forgive my incompetence! I never expected such a cavalry force!"

Jiang Mingyu replied: "No blame, General Tian. This is Hou Fei's trick. Now that we've united, we will crush these enemies!"

He turned to Tian Jiu: "General Tian, lead your cavalry to break out on the left flank. I will lead the infantry on the right. We split, then reunite. We will shatter their encirclement—and turn it into our own!"

Tian Jiu answered: "Yes, My Lord."

Jiang Mingyu then said to Zhang Jiaqi: "Jiaqi, ride with me. Protect me. We will return alive—together."

Zhang Jiaqi replied: "Yes, Brother Jiang."

Jiang Mingyu said: "Then let us move."

He led the infantry toward the right flank. Tian Jiu led the cavalry toward the left.

The enemy, seeing Jiang Mingyu and Tian Jiu split, did not panic. They laughed: "You think you can flee? Do you believe we'll let you escape? You dream!"

With that, they divided into two forces, chasing Jiang Mingyu and Tian Jiu, determined to annihilate them both.

Jiang Mingyu and Tian Jiu did not look back. They pressed forward with single-minded focus. They knew this was a fight to the death—with no retreat possible. Only total effort offered a chance of survival.

Their forces shrank under enemy pursuit, yet did not break. Their morale hardened in crisis. They believed they would break through.

Then they heard a shout.

"My Lord! We've broken free!"

Jiang Mingyu and Tian Jiu turned—and saw their troops had escaped the encirclement, while the enemy force had been split in two.

In their breakout, they had unknowingly drawn near to the enemy's other half. As they emerged from the encirclement, they met the enemy's remaining force head-on.

Thus, the enemy force became trapped between Jiang Mingyu's and Tian Jiu's troops—a funnel-shaped trap. Jiang Mingyu's and Tian Jiu's forces merged at the funnel's mouth, forming a curved arc.

The tide had turned completely. Jiang Mingyu and Tian Jiu's forces, once surrounded, now surrounded the enemy. The enemy, once the encirclers, were now encircled.

Jiang Mingyu and Tian Jiu, seeing this, rejoiced. They recognized a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. They shouted: "Soldiers! We've broken free! Now is our moment to strike! Let our blades show these enemies who we are!"

With that, they charged the enemy, their courage and conviction shattering the enemy lines.