xymnovel Chapter 97: The Scheme to Capture the Three Villages
Chapter 97: The Scheme to Capture the Three Villages
Zhang Cheng's message was successfully delivered.
Zhu Gui quickly deciphered the message he had brought out, and placed the deciphered note on Wang Lun's desk.
It briefly describes how Zhang Cheng incited the people to cut off Zhu Long's genitals.
Wang Lun was overjoyed and slammed his hand on the table: "This man named Zhang Cheng is truly capable!"
Zhu Gui said, "Yes, after we take Zhu Family Village this time, I will bring him back and appoint him as a commander in the intelligence bureau."
Zhang Cheng is decisive, good at planning, and knows how to inspire people. Judging from his act of cutting off Zhu Long's genitals, he is a person with a strong sense of justice.
Based on these events, Wang Lun has already given this person a score, and it's not low.
He nodded and said, "That's right. Those who have made contributions should be rewarded. Zhang Chenggong deserves credit for capturing Zhu Family Village."
Lin Chong said, "Brother, now that Zhu Long is injured and Zhu Hu has been captured, and Zhang Cheng has won over Yu Lan, which is essentially the same as winning over Luan Tingyu's heart, I think we can launch a general offensive tomorrow."
Qin Ming also said, "That's right. The grain in Zhujiazhuang was burned, and we blocked the waterways. Everyone is already in a state of panic."
Wang Lun looked at Wu Yong and asked, "What does Military Advisor Wu think?"
Wu Yong was the strategist for Qin Ming and Hua Rong's third army. When Qin Ming came to support Wang Lun, he naturally followed.
Upon hearing Wang Lun's question, Wu Yong dared not delay and explained his pre-thought-out plan: "In my opinion, we can adopt a strategy of attacking from within and without. First, we should send Shi Qian, Shi Xiu, and several other leaders to infiltrate Zhu Family Village, cooperate with Zhang Cheng to incite the people to rebel, capture Zhu Chaofeng in the chaos, and seize the village gate. Second, we should send our main army to attack the village gate, drawing away the Zhu Family Village's forces, so that we can coordinate with the plan to succeed within the village."
Wang Lun nodded secretly. As everyone knows, Wu Yong's most frequently used tactic in the original work was "cooperation from within and without".
But at this moment, the people of Zhujiazhuang have lost their support and the military officers have suffered losses, so it is indeed time to attack.
The Zhu Family Manor already had a small force, and with the loss of Zhu Long and Zhu Hu, even if Zhu Bao, the most skilled fighter, were still alive, he wouldn't be of much use.
Wang Lun immediately gave the order: "Send word that Wu Song, Shi Qian, Shi Xiu, and Yang Xiong infiltrate the Zhu Family Village and cooperate with Zhang Cheng to take action at midnight tonight. It would be best to capture Zhu Chaofeng. Remember, do not be careless and be extremely cautious."
Wu Song and the others immediately accepted the order.
"Qin Ming and Hua Rong will lead the Third Route Army to the vanguard. They must conceal their movements and depart at Hai Shi (9-11 PM) to launch the attack at Zi Shi (11 PM-1 AM). They must act swiftly. Ling Zhen will accompany Qin Ming. They must not hesitate to use the Thunderclap Bomb; they must not hold back and must blow up the city walls."
"Ruan Erlang will lead his navy to infiltrate underwater. Once Qin Ming launches his attack, you will emerge from the moat and seize the city gate."
"Lin Chong and I will lead the cavalry to hold the line. Once the city gates are breached, we will drive straight in."
The leaders readily accepted the order.
Wang Lun took a deep breath and said, "I reiterate the military regulations: once the Zhu Family Village is breached, no one is allowed to indiscriminately kill innocent people or plunder civilians. After the breach, Lin Chong and I will clean up the mess and deal with the Zhu Family prisoners."
After Wang Lun finished speaking, he looked at Guan Sheng and said, "General Guan and General Hao, please lead a group of men and go straight to Li Family Village after Hai Shi (9-11 PM). If Li Ying fights back, do not show any mercy. If he surrenders, you must treat the people of Li Family Village well and not slaughter the innocent."
Guan Sheng and Hao Siwen immediately agreed.
"Although Li Ying's martial arts skills may not be as good as yours, he has a unique skill in throwing knives, so you must be careful," Wang Lun warned again.
Guan Sheng carefully noted it down and nodded, saying, "Don't worry, Chief, I will take it very seriously."
Wang Lun's goal was not just to attack Zhu Family Village, but to take over all three villages—Zhu Family Village, Hu Family Village, and Li Family Village—in one fell swoop.
After giving all the instructions, Wang Lun said, "Zhao Si, take my order and rush back to Jizhou. Ask Yang Zhi and Gongsun Sheng to prepare the betrothal gifts. Lead your troops to Hujiazhuang first thing tomorrow morning."
Zhao Si quickly agreed, then thought for a moment and asked, "Chieftain...for whom are you sending the betrothal gifts?"
Wang Lun patted Wu Song on the shoulder and laughed, "Wu Song, the tiger slayer, and Hu Sanniang, the one-zhang-green maiden, are a perfect match. Our Liangshan Flying Tiger Army has taken Jizhou and Yuncheng in succession, and then attacked the three villages of Zhu, Li, and Hu. It's time to hold a happy event so that everyone can have some fun."
Wu Song said happily, "Thank you, brother."
Wang Lun was also very happy and said, "Hu Sanniang is a woman with a tragic fate, you must treat her well."
Wu Song replied, "Yes."
But in his heart he thought, Hu Sanniang is the daughter of the dignified Hu Family Manor Master, what misfortune could she have?
After all the leaders had received their tasks, Wang Lun instructed, "Since Luan Tingyu has made a request, we should try our best to spare Zhu Chaofeng's life to fulfill Luan Tingyu's duty. Luan Tingyu is a highly skilled martial artist who values loyalty and righteousness. He is truly one of us. When you see him, you must not fight with him. Just walk around him and ignore him."
Everyone nodded and went back to prepare.
Wang Lun, stationed in the central command, pondered many things until dusk. He then had dinner with Wu Song and the others before donning his armor and wiping his sword, preparing for the night's battle.
At the stroke of midnight, Qin Ming and Hua Rong led their troops out of the camp and slowly made their way towards Zhu Family Village. By this time, it was already dark, and they lowered their flags and drums, successfully entering the woods in front of the village.
Guan Sheng and Hao Siwen also led a group of men towards Lijiazhuang.
Led by Shi Qian, Wu Song, Yang Xiong, and Shi Xiu had already circled around from the woods to the mountain, and then sneaked into the village through the narrow mountain path.
Zhang Cheng from the village received the letter and was already waiting at the crossroads.
Upon seeing Zhang Cheng, Wu Song was delighted to find him to be a shrewd and intelligent man. He exclaimed, "You must be Zhang Cheng! The chieftain just praised you. Keep up the good work, and the chieftain will certainly not mistreat you."
Zhang Cheng immediately bowed down: "I am deeply grateful for the chieftain's kindness."
He looked up at the group and said, "Could our leader be Wu Song, the tiger-slayer?"
Wu Song laughed and said, "It is indeed Wu Song. These gentlemen are Yang Xiong, Shi Xiu, and Shi Qian. We are here to follow your orders."
Zhang Cheng looked at Shi Qian and smiled, "I already saw Chief Shi when he was in the manor, but I was in the shadows then, so you didn't see me."
Shi Qian chuckled and said, "Back then, I was a prisoner, and I was too ashamed to show my face to anyone."
After exchanging pleasantries, Zhang Cheng led the group into the village.
Zhang Cheng was already very familiar with the roads in the village. He led everyone around several bends and they arrived at his house without being noticed by any patrolling guards.
Along the way, Zhang Cheng could leave whenever he wanted and stop whenever he wanted.
Wherever he calls for a stop, there will be patrolling guards passing by at the corner; when he says he's leaving, it will definitely be during a lull in the guards' patrol.
Wu Song clicked his tongue in amazement and said, "Brother Zhang Cheng truly lives up to his reputation as Director Zhu's confidant. I never imagined he was so familiar with the Zhu Family Village. With you here, what difficulty would there be in taking the Zhu Family Village?"
Zhang Cheng laughed and said, "Brother, you flatter me. In truth, my martial arts skills are not strong, and I can only do these things. I will have to rely on everyone's help later."
Wu Song said, "I will obey your orders."
After a moment of polite deference, Zhang Cheng didn't stand on ceremony and said, "Tonight, Zhu Biao is on duty at the city wall, and Luan Tingyu is leading a patrol inside the manor. Zhu Long is injured and recuperating in his residence, as is Zhu Chaofeng. We'll take advantage of the chaos to seize Zhu Chaofeng."
Wu Song nodded: "Okay."
"Besides us, there are four Liangshan brothers in the village. They have already gathered some strong villagers and will set fires everywhere at midnight to cause chaos."