Chapter 402: Friction Between Both Sides Intensifies

Having finished speaking, Zhang Honghong prepared to turn and lead the troops, but Tang Lin reached out and stopped her.

Tang Lin responded with sign language—"No!"

Zhang Honghong was puzzled, yet she chose to obey Tang Lin.

Tang Lin slowly signed an explanation to Zhang Honghong, and finally she understood his meaning.

The current lord's order makes the primary task to solidify the defenses and ensure the line from Lantian to Wu Pass Road remains secure.

He Lianbobo's forces are all cavalry, and given the advantage of the mountains, our army's reckless advance may fall into an ambush.

Moreover, their main force is still in Shangluo; if our troops clash with the vanguard, the Xiliang main force could strike, or bypass Lantian to harass the rear—wouldn't that be a small loss causing a great one?

Zhang Honghong retorted: "Do we just let them run wild right under our noses? If we don't crush these flies, how can we secure the line? The soldiers have been holding back all the way, waiting to kill the enemy and earn merit!"

Tang Lin did not explain immediately; instead he frowned and repeatedly studied the map.

Zhang Honghong, still confused, could only ask about other matters: "Chen Da, from which directions and at what times do the Xiliang raiding cavalry usually strike? Do they follow any patterns? Are you familiar with the terrain around Liu Ling and Yao Guan?"

Chen Da replied promptly: "Yes, General, the Xiliang raiders often burst out from the southeastern and southern forests, at irregular times, though dawn and dusk are most frequent."

They seem quite familiar with the local paths, often bypassing the sentry posts on the official road.

As for the terrain of Liu Ling and Yao Guan, I have sent scouts; the mountain trails there are rugged and ideal for ambushes. The Xiliang vanguard has occupied several high hills and built simple camps.

Tang Lin listened quietly, and suddenly a plan formed in his mind.

What followed was a "discussion" with Zhang Honghong; the troops under them watched the two gesturing wildly, daring not to ask or speak, only staring wide‑eyed.

One must know that both of them were the earliest followers of Jiang Jinshi, and even now their status is high; no one dares to interject!

Finally Zhang Honghong understood, turned and said to the commanders: "If we don't strike the claws reaching our eyes, the enemy won't know to restrain themselves. But the lord's orders are not to be defied; solidifying the line is fundamental. So this battle must be fought, but fought swiftly and withdrawn, leaving no opening for He Lianbobo's main force."

She pointed to a valley between Liu Ling and Lantian on the map: "This is one of the essential routes the Xiliang army uses to harass Lantian; the sides are steep, the road in the middle narrow. Chen Da, are you familiar with this place?"

Chen Da nodded: "I know! The terrain is treacherous, but the Xiliang raiders rarely take this path, perhaps because the road is too obvious and they fear ambushes."

"They didn't use it before because your forces were insufficient to set ambushes far from the city. But now, we are here," Zhang Honghong ordered immediately, "Chen Da!"

"Here, commander!"

"Lead three thousand elite light cavalry, bring plenty of bows and crossbows, depart tonight at midnight, and secretly infiltrate the forests on both sides of the valley to lie in wait. Remember, do not reveal your position!"

"Yes!"

"Send another commander with two thousand cavalry at dawn tomorrow, marching conspicuously along the official road toward Liu Ling, appearing to search for and drive away the Xiliang raiders. Remember, don't move too fast, keep the formation spaced, and be sure the Xiliang scouts spot you."

Chen Da was somewhat puzzled: "General, this is…"

"A decoy." Zhang Honghong quickly relayed Tang Lin's idea, "He Lianbobo's vanguard is arrogant; seeing only two thousand of our troops and not the main force, they may think it's a routine driving action, and like before, send troops to harass, perhaps even try to devour your rash small detachment."

Once they engage, they will inevitably try to lure you into terrain favorable to them or call for reinforcements. This valley is one of the nearest channels for them to quickly reinforce from the Liu Ling main camp.

Her gaze swept the crowd: "When the Xiliang reinforcements enter the valley, Chen Da's task is to block both ends and rain arrows upon them! No need to charge into melee; use bows and crossbows to inflict maximum damage on living forces, especially warhorses! Just eliminate their assault power!"

The forward decoy should fight and retreat, drawing the enemy vanguard toward the valley, while maintaining distance to avoid being bitten. If the Xiliang reinforcements fall into an ambush, their vanguard will panic, and you can counterattack in time.

"All other units, stay with me stationed at Lantian, keep strict watch toward Shangluo. Also, dispatch more scouts to monitor other mountain paths, preventing He Lianbobo from bypassing elsewhere."

The purpose of this battle is not total annihilation but to wound their elite cavalry, blunt their edge, and make them unwilling to approach Lantian again in the short term! Is that clear to everyone?

"Understood!"

The commanders' spirits rose, and they answered in unison.

Tang Lin's plan was bold yet subtle, considering both enemy elimination and overall defensive stability, while fully exploiting the terrain and the enemy's arrogant mindset.

At dawn the next day, the plan proceeded as scheduled.

Li Gan, a thousand‑household commander, led two thousand Ming Army cavalry, banners fluttering, thundering south along the official road, and were soon spotted by Xiliang scouts heading from Liu Ling.

Just as Tang Lin expected, the Xiliang vanguard commander stationed at Liu Ling, upon hearing the report, was not alarmed but delighted.

"Ha ha! The Beijiang barbarians finally can't stay still, sending so few men to die?"

The commander, elated, immediately ordered, "Send word, gather two thousand warriors, follow me out of camp! Devour this clueless Ming Army! Let the cowardly turtles of Lantian see the might of our Xiliang warriors! Also, quickly report to General He Lianbobo that a Ming detachment has left the city, a perfect chance to annihilate them!"

Two thousand Xiliang cavalry howled out of camp, charging toward the decoy Tang Lin had laid.

Both sides met in a gentle plain about ten miles north of Liu Ling; after brief contact, Li Gan, following the plan, ordered his troops to "panic" and retreat, yet kept formation orderly and kept moving while fighting.

Seeing the Ming Army "cowardly fight," the Xiliang forces grew more excited, pressing a relentless pursuit, constantly harassing with bows and arrows, trying to bite the Ming's tail.

At this moment the Ming Army appeared disordered, yet they consistently kept a give‑and‑take distance from the pursuers, gradually drawing the battlefield toward the valley.

Meanwhile, a messenger sent from the Liu Ling main camp raced back to Shangluo seeking aid.

He Lianbobo of Shangluo, upon receiving the news, thought the Ming's move somewhat suspicious, but since his forces were already engaged ahead, failing to assist could hurt morale, and if the Ming were indeed rash, it would be a perfect chance to crush them.

After a brief weighing, he ordered a senior general with three thousand elite cavalry to race along the valley shortcut, seeking a swift decisive battle to crush or even annihilate the Ming detachment that had left the city.

A commander received the order, leading three thousand well‑rested Xiliang iron cavalry into the valley.

Inside the valley, the road wound, with sheer cliffs on both sides.

The Xiliang commander, seeing this, harbored a hint of caution, ordering the vanguard to scout carefully.

However, until most of the troops had entered the valley, no abnormality was detected.

Seeing this, the commander relaxed slightly and urged the troops to speed up, when suddenly a change erupted!