xymnovel Chapter 26 Ambush at Yuexi, Zhuge Liang Guards the Border
Chapter 26 Ambush at Yuexi, Zhuge Liang Guards the Border
Outside the city of Yuexi, dust swirled in the wind.
The banners fluttered and rustled.
The three forces converged one after another.
The armor gleamed in the sunlight, its cold light flashing.
A murderous aura surged, reaching straight into the sky.
Ma Zhong reined in his horse and stood at the front of the battle.
The spear struck the ground with a resounding boom.
"General Li, Chief Meng!"
"I have led my troops to guard the key passage outside the east gate of Yuexi."
"If Gao Ding dares to leave the city, he will be met with a crushing defeat!"
He is straightforward and speaks his mind directly.
He exuded a fierce and battle-hardened aura.
Li Hui nodded slowly.
He lightly pressed the long sword in his hand, his expression calm and composed.
"General Ma is prudent in his actions."
"With you guarding the east gate, I feel at ease."
[Li Hui thought to himself]: Gao Ding is very ambitious.
With Sima Yi secretly assisting them, they certainly wouldn't sit idly by and wait for their doom.
We must proceed cautiously, step by step, and avoid rash actions.
To avoid falling into his trap.
Meng Huo was dressed in tribal armor.
He had a curved sword at his waist and a sharp gaze.
He glanced at the walls of Yuexi County, his tone disdainful.
"That haggard, Gao Ding."
"They dared to rebel only because of Sima Yi's support."
"Today I have brought my tribesmen here."
"We must dismantle his camp!"
He was upright and honest, and hated those who colluded with foreign enemies.
He recalled the assassination attempt he had previously suffered at the hands of Sima Yi's spies.
Anger ignited in his eyes.
Li Hui raised his hand in a gesture of respect, his tone grave.
"Chief Meng, please calm down."
"Although haute couture has the remaining assistance of Yong Kai."
"But their forces are disorganized and easily defeated."
"We only need to surround the city and cut off its food supply."
"Within three days, he will surely fall into chaos without a fight."
Ma Zhong nodded in agreement.
"General Li is absolutely right."
"Prime Minister Zhuge Liang has led a light cavalry force to garrison the Yuexi border."
"Once we have stabilized our position, we will march on."
"Hall couture can't escape its allure!"
Although Meng Huo was impatient, he also knew that the overall situation was of paramount importance.
He let out a heavy snort.
"Alright! I'll listen to you two generals."
"But what if Gao Ding dares to come out and provoke us?"
"I will kill him with my own hands!"
The three of them have reached an agreement.
They each deployed their troops to completely surround Yuexi County.
Only one gap remained at the north gate.
Luring Gao Ding into the game, like catching a turtle in a jar.
Meanwhile, inside the city of Yuexi County.
Inside Gao Ding's tent, the lights were dim.
The atmosphere inside the tent was oppressive and suffocating.
Yong Kai's remaining generals sat in a circle.
Everyone looked anxious and fearful.
"Chief, the Shu army has completely surrounded the city."
A subordinate reported in a low voice.
His voice betrayed his barely concealed panic.
"Li Hui, Ma Zhong, and Meng Huo's three armies have gathered together."
"We're afraid we won't be able to withstand it!"
Gao Ding slammed his hand on the table.
He shouted sternly, "What's the panic!"
"With Grand Tutor Sima Yi's assistance, what do we have to fear?"
He sat upright in the main seat, his face grim.
He gripped a token tightly between his fingers.
That was a token sent by Sima Yi's secret agents.
[Gao Ding's inner thoughts]: Sima Yi promised to help me control the South.
They also secretly dispatched 10,000 elite troops to provide assistance.
As long as I can hold off the Shu army.
Once reinforcements arrive, we will surely be able to turn defeat into victory.
But upon further reflection, he felt a sense of apprehension.
[Gao Ding harbors a secret worry]: Sima Yi is an old and cunning man.
They only care about interests and have no sense of loyalty or compassion.
They help me today only to use me as a tool to restrain Shu Han.
If I lose, he will surely abandon me.
At that time, I will surely die.
Just then, a man in black quietly slipped into the tent.
He knelt on one knee and handed over a secret letter.
"Chief, a message has come from the Grand Tutor's secret agents."
"Zhuge Liang has led a light cavalry to the border of Yuexi."
"Moreover, the strength of the Shu army far exceeds our expectations."
Gao Ding took the secret letter and quickly glanced through it.
His face instantly darkened, becoming sinister and terrifying.
"Zhuge Liang arrived so quickly?"
The man in black added in a low voice.
"The Grand Tutor has ordered the leader to lead his troops in a surprise attack on the Shu army camp tonight."
"Disrupt their plans."
"The Grand Tutor's elite troops are already lying in ambush in the mountains outside the city."
"At that time, we will take the opportunity to attack the Shu army from both sides."
A ruthless glint flashed in Gao Ding's eyes.
He gritted his teeth and said, "Okay!"
"Tonight we'll launch a surprise attack on the Shu army and catch them completely off guard!"
[Gao Ding made up his mind]: Rather than sit and wait for death.
It's better to take the initiative.
If a surprise attack succeeds, it will severely damage the Shu army.
Even if Sima Yi breaks his promise.
I can also use this battle to gain a foothold and control the South.
He waved for the man in black to leave.
An order will then be issued to the internal staff.
"Pass down the order: the entire army shall assemble at midnight tonight."
"Follow me in a surprise attack on the Shu army's western camp."
"We must capture Li Hui's camp!"
The generals had their concerns.
However, they dared not disobey and bowed in agreement.
"Yes, sir!"
Inside Zhuge Liang's temporary camp on the border of Yuexi.
The lights were on full display, as bright as day.
Zhuge Liang was dressed in the court robes of a prime minister.
Holding a feather fan, he stood before the map.
His expression was calm, but his gaze was sharp.
He stared intently at the location of Yuexi County.
On the table lay the secret report sent by Li Hui.
The document details the deployment of the three armies to encircle Yuexi.
[Zhuge Liang thought to himself]: Gao Ding is ambitious.
With Sima Yi secretly assisting them, they would certainly not be willing to be surrounded.
Tonight, there's a high probability he'll lead his troops in a surprise attack.
Sima Yi's elite troops must also be lurking nearby.
Wait for the right opportunity to act and reap the benefits.
He had already sensed something was wrong.
After the Shu army surrounded the city, Yuexi County was unusually quiet.
They neither broke out nor surrendered.
Instead, it exuded an eerie calm.
"Someone come here."
Zhuge Liang waved his feather fan lightly, his tone calm.
Yet it carried an undeniable air of authority.
A guard strode into the tent.
He knelt on one knee: "Prime Minister!"
"Pass on my orders."
"Command Generals Li Hui, Ma Zhong, and Meng Huo."
"Immediately reinforce the camp's defenses and deploy ambushes outside the camp."
"Strictly monitor any activity at night; there can be no slackening."
"If the rebels launch a surprise attack, do not rush to retaliate."
"Lure them in deep, then encircle and annihilate them."
Zhuge Liang paused for a moment, then added.
"In addition, send scouts to closely patrol the mountains and forests outside the city."
"Be on suspicious troop movements."
"Report back immediately upon discovering Sima Yi's ambush."
"Yes, sir!"
The guard bowed in agreement and hurriedly left.
Zhuge Liang walked outside the tent.
He gazed in the direction of Yuexi County and gently waved his feather fan.
He appeared calm and confident.
[Zhuge Liang understood]: Sima Yi wanted to use Gao Ding to restrain our army.
They reaped the benefits without lifting a finger, playing a clever game of strategy.
Little did he know that I had already seen through his scheme.
Tonight is the perfect opportunity to thwart their plot.
A cool night breeze stirred his robes.
But it couldn't dispel the composure and determination in his eyes.
The suppression of the rebellion in Nanzhong must not be allowed to be ruined by Sima Yi.
We must not fail His Majesty's trust.
Inside the Zichen Hall of the Chengdu Imperial Palace.
Liu Shan sat upright on the dragon throne.
He remained calm, toying with a jade pendant in his hand.
Yet, a sharp glint lurked in his eyes, unfathomable in their depths.
Dong Yun strode into the hall.
He knelt on one knee, his tone urgent.
"Your Majesty, news has come from our informant in the imperial prison."
"The hidden guard has already delivered the secret message in the wax pill to the bribed jailer."
"I have already sent men to intercept them."
"But there has been no news yet."
Liu Shan slowly raised his eyes, his tone calm.
"I understand."
[Liu Shan thought to himself]: Sima Yi is indeed eager to gain control of the war in the south.
This secret message in a wax pellet is perfect for deceiving him.
This led him to believe that we knew nothing about his ambush.
He had already anticipated that the lurking guard would not behave himself.
He specifically instructed Dong Yun to secretly monitor them.
It was all to use him to spread false information.
"Dong Yun, convey my decree."
Liu Shan said in a deep voice, his tone firm.
"Send an envoy with one hundred bolts of Shu brocade to Eastern Wu immediately."
"Meet with Sun Quan and explain my intentions."
Dong Yun was slightly taken aback, then bowed and asked.
"Your Majesty, what is the purpose of sending an envoy to Eastern Wu?"
Sima Yi dispatched elite troops to aid Gaoding.
Liu Shan spoke with a firm tone, each word clear and distinct.
"It will inevitably mobilize Cao Wei's southern forces."
"Eastern Wu has always been wary of Cao Wei."
"We sent envoys there as both a gesture of goodwill and a means of exerting pressure."
Tell Sun Quan.
"If he dares to secretly collude with Sima Yi or support Gao Ding."
"I will then sever the trade in Shu brocade."
"Send another large army to Yong'an, approaching the border of Eastern Wu!"
[Liu Shan's plan]: to use Eastern Wu to restrain Sima Yi.
This left him preoccupied with both ends, preventing him from fully supporting Gao Ding.
Thus, Li Hui, Ma Zhong, and the others.
This will allow us to quickly pacify Yuexi and stabilize the southern region.
A hint of admiration flashed in Dong Yun's eyes.
He bowed and replied, "Your subject obeys."
"Arrange for the envoy to depart immediately!"
After Dong Yun withdrew, Liu Shan stood up.
I walked to the palace window and looked south.
His expression was solemn, and he seemed preoccupied.
He knew about the war in Yuexi.
It's not just about pacifying the south.
It is also related to the foundation of the future Northern Expedition.
There is no room for error.
Outside Yuexi City, deep in the mountains and forests.
The night was as dark as ink, utterly black.
An elite cavalry unit lay in ambush in the woods.
They were all dressed in black, with masks covering their faces.
Holding a long sword, his aura was restrained.
Even the horses' hooves were wrapped in burlap.
Silent and stealthy, like a ghost.
The leader was a tall and upright man.
His eyes were sinister and his gaze sharp.
It was the elite leader sent by Sima Yi.
He squatted on the tree trunk.
His gaze was fixed intently on the direction of the Shu army camp.
He held a signal arrow tightly in his hand.
[The leader thought to himself]: Gao Ding will launch a surprise attack on the Shu army tonight.
As long as he can lure the main force of the Shu army into battle.
I then lit the signal arrow and led my army in a surprise attack.
A pincer attack from both sides will surely inflict heavy damage on the Shu army.
After capturing Li Hui and Meng Huo, he reported back to the Grand Tutor.
He had received Sima Yi's death order.
We must cooperate with Gao Ding to hold off the Shu army.
This will buy time for reinforcements to arrive.
The woods were completely silent.
The only sound was the rustling of leaves in the wind.
This elite force is like a lurking, hungry wolf.
Hold your breath and wait for the best opportunity to strike.
At midnight, the city gates of Yuexi County quietly opened.
Gao Ding was dressed in armor and held a long sword.
He led several thousand rebel soldiers and silently rushed out of the city gate.
They sped off towards the western camp of the Shu army.
The rebels all carried torches.
They dared not make a loud noise and could only keep their footsteps low.
Under the cover of night, they quickly approached the Shu army camp.
[Gao Ding was excited]: As long as we take down the Shu army's western camp.
Killing Li Hui will surely throw the Shu army into chaos.
When Sima Yi's ambush is unleashed...
We are certain of a great victory, and control of the South is just around the corner!
But what he didn't know was...
The Shu army was already on high alert.
The ambushers outside the camp were quietly waiting for them to walk right into their trap.
Soon, the rebels arrived outside the western camp of the Shu army.
Gao Ding raised his hand to signal, and the rebels quietly put down their torches.
They prepared to scale the wall and catch the Shu army off guard.
Just as the first rebel soldier scaled the camp wall.
A bugle call suddenly sounded in the camp.
The sound of bugles pierced the night sky, deafeningly loud.
The lights came on instantly, illuminating the entire camp.
Countless Shu archers marched out in formation.
The arrow pointed directly at the rebels outside the camp, its cold light gleaming.
"Gao Ding, you've fallen into our ambush!"
Li Hui's roar echoed from inside the camp.
The sound reverberated across the fields, its momentum like a rainbow.
"Surrender now!"
Gao Ding's expression changed drastically, and he inwardly cried out in alarm.
"Oh no! We've fallen for their trap!"
He immediately ordered, "Quickly, retreat!"
But at this moment, ambushes broke out all around the camp.
Ma Zhong led his cavalry to flank from both sides.
Meng Huo's tribal army also intercepted them from the rear.
The rebel army was completely surrounded, making escape impossible.
Arrows rained down, densely packed.
The rebels fell to the ground, struck by arrows.
Cries and screams rose and fell.
Chaos erupted instantly.
Gao Ding swung his sword and killed two Shu soldiers who charged at him.
They tried to break through, but were blocked by Ma Zhong.
"Gao Ding colluded with foreign enemies and wreaked havoc in the south."
Ma Zhong pointed his spear directly at Gao Ding, his tone icy.
"Today is your death day!"
The two instantly became entangled in combat.
Swords flashed and spears clashed, sparks flew.
They fought fiercely, neither giving an inch.
Deep in the mountains, the elite leader saw that the Shu army was already prepared.
The high-end custom-made products are surrounded and in imminent danger.
A hint of hesitation flashed in his eyes, a sense of indecision crossing his mind.
He held the signal arrow tightly in his hand.
Should we light it or not?
Light the signal arrow and lead the army in a surprise attack.
They might be able to rescue Gao Ding, but they could also fall into an ambush by the Shu army.
If it is not lit, Gao Ding will be defeated and killed.
He would then be unable to explain himself to Sima Yi and would undoubtedly die.
Inside Chengdu, Dong Yun sent men to intercept the secret message in the wax pill.
No reply has been received yet.
That wax pellet containing false information.
Will it actually reach Sima Yi?
In the capital of Eastern Wu, Liu Shan's envoys had already set off.
Sun Quan faced pressure from Shu Han.
What choice will you make?
Outside Yuexi City, Gao Ding was tightly restrained by Ma Zhong.
The rebel army suffered repeated defeats and was routed.
Will Sima Yi's ambush troops launch a surprise attack?
Did Zhuge Liang already have a backup plan?
Are we just waiting for them to walk right into our trap?
[End of Chapter]