Chapter 440: The Ming Army falls deep into an ambush

After receiving the orders, Zhang Honghong immediately began making preparations. In her view, Western Liang was nothing special; now that they were well-equipped and well-trained, even a head-on confrontation would be a breeze!

Tang Lin also silently carried out his preparatory work. Zhang Honghong was always somewhat careless, so he had to make foolproof preparations for every operation.

Perhaps this was the very reason Jiang Jinshi had specifically assigned a military advisor to Zhang Honghong!

Once everything was ready, Zhang Honghong led the army out. Warfare prizes speed and swiftness; delays lead to changes, so there was not a hint of hesitation.

As the sky grew dark and they were still several miles from Eagle Beak Ravine, Zhang Honghong ordered a halt to advance, lurking there to await orders.

The best time was naturally at night; it was not yet time, so they needed to wait a little longer.

Tang Lin summoned a scout, ordering them to go ahead and probe the enemy situation, then hid in the dense forest with Zhang Honghong.

Zhang Honghong looked at Tang Lin, who was within arm's reach, and used sign language by the faint light.

(Once our Ming Army wins, what do you plan to do?)

Tang Lin did not understand the intent and responded with sign language.

(Continue following Big Brother; I'll do whatever Big Brother tells me to do!)

But it was clear Zhang Honghong was not satisfied with this answer and continued to press him!

(I'm asking about your own plans, you blockhead!)

Seeing this, Tang Lin pondered for a moment before responding.

(Find a good home for Xiao Yu; as her brother, I would then be at ease!)

Ever since Tang Xiao Yu started handling intelligence with Wang Hou, Tang Lin had basically not seen her. Although he didn't show it on his face, how could he, as her brother, not be worried in his heart?!

However, he didn't know what type Xiao Yu liked; he would have to ask her later and then think carefully about this matter!

Zhang Honghong grew anxious; she had asked for a long time and still hadn't gotten the answer she wanted.

(Don't just think about Sister Xiao Yu! Think about yourself!)

This stumped Tang Lin. He really hadn't thought about this question. Ever since he followed Jiang Jinshi, he hadn't had to worry about food or clothing, and everyone treated him very well. He was very satisfied with his current life.

If he had to say there was something he must do... then perhaps...

Thinking of this, Tang Lin looked up at Zhang Honghong. There was some hesitation in his eyes, and his raised hand dropped back down!

Zhang Honghong got angry seeing his spineless appearance and nudged him with her elbow!

(Speak up!)

Tang Lin turned his head away in embarrassment, pretending not to see Zhang Honghong's sign language.

Before Zhang Honghong could continue to press him, a scout came to report.

"Reporting to the General! There are sentries at the ravine entrance, but not many! Deep inside the ravine, one can vaguely see the outlines of temporarily constructed grain stacks, and the interval between guard patrols seems... really quite long."

"General, looking at the situation, the intelligence seems true!" the Vice General said in a low, excited voice.

Zhang Honghong understood that business came first and stopped bothering Tang Lin: "Even Si Wushuang, that fox, has times when he is negligent! Brothers, follow me closely! Burn the grain and grass; the Lord will reward us heavily when we return!"

At this moment, the sky was already dark—the perfect time for a night raid!

"Kill!"

A low roar sounded in the darkness.

Zhang Honghong took the lead, charging toward the ravine entrance sentries with the vanguard!

The battle erupted instantly; the Western Liang sentries seemed caught off guard and were quickly slaughtered to the last man.

"Charge in! Burn!"

Zhang Honghong roared, as if to sweep away the unhappiness in her heart, and charged into the ravine first.

The soldiers lit torches and surged like a tide toward the stacked grain piles.

However, when the torches approached and ignited the thatch covering them, the firelight revealed not golden grain, but gray-black sand and rubble!

"Not good! It's a trap! It's sand!" the Vice General screamed in horror.

Hearing this, Zhang Honghong looked up abruptly, only to see countless torches suddenly light up on the steep cliffs on both sides, illuminating the entire Eagle Beak Ravine as if it were daylight!

Dense figures of Western Liang archers appeared in the firelight, and countless arrows were aimed at the crowded Northern Border Ming Army at the bottom of the ravine!

"Zhang Honghong! I've been waiting for a long time!" A cold voice came from high above; it was none other than the fierce-eyed Tufa Yan!

"Release arrows!" Tufa Yan didn't have much nonsense and gave the order!

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!"

In an instant, arrows poured down like a rainstorm! They covered the entire bottom of the ravine!

The Northern Border soldiers were caught off guard; men and horses fell, and screams echoed through the valley!

"Shields! Raise shields!!"

Zhang Honghong roared hoarsely, waving her long spear to deflect the arrows.

But the bottom of the ravine was narrow, and the soldiers were crowded together with nowhere to hide!

Arrows pierced through the gaps in the shields, shooting into human bodies and taking away the lives of Ming soldiers one by one!

"Retreat! Quickly retreat!"

Zhang Honghong knew they had fallen into an ambush; her heart was bleeding, and she only wanted to lead as many brothers out as possible.

At the same time, she protected Tang Lin behind her, because Tang Lin was a scholar and had no combat ability.

But from the direction of the ravine entrance came earth-shaking shouts of battle!

Heavy footsteps sounded; it was the Western Liang heavy infantry, personally led by Tufa Yan, blocking the only path of retreat!

Blocked in front, ambushed in the back, and sheer cliffs on both sides!

Eight thousand Northern Border elites were instantly plunged into a desperate situation!

"Brothers! Follow me and kill our way out!"

Zhang Honghong felt no fear at this critical juncture; she straightened her spear and charged straight at the Western Liang heavy infantry at the ravine entrance!

She knew that only by carving out a bloody path could there be a glimmer of survival!

A fierce breakout battle erupted! The Northern Border soldiers erupted with astonishing combat power in their desperation, crashing hard into the Western Liang heavy infantry!

For a time, blades and spears clashed, and flesh and blood flew!

But the opponent was well-prepared after all, and heavy infantry had a great advantage in this terrain; every step the Ming Army advanced required a heavy price!

Zhang Honghong fought at the forefront, her long spear like a dragon, picking off several Western Liang heavy infantrymen in succession, but she also instantly added several shallow wounds to her body.

She was completely unaware, with only one thought in her heart: Charge out! Lead the brothers and Tang Lin out!

Tang Lin followed closely behind Zhang Honghong's figure. At this moment, he understood his situation; not adding to the chaos was the greatest help he could provide to Zhang Honghong.

Tufa Yan still only commanded, not daring to personally enter the fray to fight Zhang Honghong. He had seen clearly how fierce this woman was and was afraid that she might kill him in passing.

"Attack! You must chop off Zhang Honghong's head for me!"

Zhang Honghong sneered and mocked while waving her long spear: "Does a dignified general only dare to hide in the back? If you have the guts, come forward and fight!!"

Tufa Yan would not fall for such a clumsy provocation; he still did not come forward and even hid further back.

No matter how much she shouted until her throat was dry, he would not take a single step forward today; winning this battle steadily was what he should do.

The battle continued for a period of time, and the Ming Army continued to charge forward, but the price for every step forward was not small.

It was clear that Western Liang was truly determined to keep Zhang Honghong today, sending many elites and setting many ambushes. Zhang Honghong had fought until now without any sign of breaking out, while the brothers on her side were becoming fewer and fewer.