Two days passed in a blink of an eye. The fifteen thousand n at Huiji were also ready to leave.
Zuo Jie was also present on the walls.
“Brothers. Later, you will follow out of the city. You should already know what we would be doing.” Lu Su addressed the soldiers.
“We know. We will launch a raid on the enemy camp!” The troops were excited. Soldiers all liked following a general who knew how to fight a victorious battle. Lu Su was such a person. During the raid two days ago, the people who had to follow Lu Su out were all ridiculed for their poor luck. But these people ca back alive with huge achievents. All of them carried several heads back each and were rewarded money. There was even soone who was rewarded with over ten thousand coins, making the others jealous.
Now, these people all had a chance to follow Yang Kui out and earn rewards for themselves.
“The morale is high.” Lu Su smiled and nodded. “Master Zuo Jie. With such a lion, will you still be afraid of being defeated by Lu ng?” Lu Su seed very confident. The more confident he is, the happier Zuo Jie would be.
“Haha! I will definitely welco Master Yang Kui's army back in person when they return!” Zuo Jie said happily to Lu Su.
“Alright. Then, Young Master Zuo Jie. Please wait for our good news here. Open the gates! All troops forward!” Lu Su said and then ordered the troops.
“Yes!” Soon the Southern gates opened. This ti, the captain no longer dared to stop Lu Su. Besides the fact that he was severely punished by Zuo Jie the other day, Lu Su also promised that everybody would be rewarded once they win. The whole army would have contributed, which includes the gate keeper.
This was enticing as being a gatekeeper was a terrible job. Not only was it a boring job. If you did defended the city well, you were just doing your duty. On the other hand, if you cannot guard the gate, then it would be your fault.
How can the gatekeeper not feel excited after Lu Su promised to reward him? Because of this, not only did he not stop Lu Su. He even kindly helped Lu Su onto the warhorse.
“Let's go!” Lu Su led the Jiangdong rebels into the darkness. Zuo Jie was so excited he stayed on the city wall tower to wait for Lu Su's return.
“Master Yang Kui. Do we not need to send out scouts today?” A family general for the Zuo Family asked. He was also there when they attacked Lu ng's camp the other day. Yang Kui's raid on Lu ng's camp the other day convinced the general of his abilities. However, Yang kui not sending out scouts now was abnormal and made the general confused.
“There is no need.” Yang Kui replied with a smile.
“No need?”
“We are already familiar with the movents of Lu ng's camp. Why do we need scouts?” Yang Chen explained.
The general was unconvinced but he still pretended to understand. After all, he was not the general. He can only make suggestions but not decisions.
“Master Yang Kui. Look, the Lu ng Army have put straws again. Should we get people to avoid them?” The Zuo Family's general asked again. Lu ng's army have already received heavy casualties and no longer had enough n for hidden sentries. They could only use such a thod to use traps to replace the hidden sentries. Once soone touched these traps, it would an that the enemy was coming. If no one touched them, it would an that everything was safe.
The general wanted to avoid all these traps to attack Lu ng's camp.
“There is no need for this.” Yang Kui still shook his head. “Let the army go directly to Lu ng's camp.”
“But…” The general wanted to say. If you want to launch a surprise attack, why are you announcing your presence to the enemy?
“Our Master naturally has his own plans. Do you think that Lu ng would actually use the sa thods twice?”
“I understand.” The general could only helplessly nod his head.
When he arrived at the location, he finally understood why Yang Kui did not send scouts or avoid the traps. It was because Yang Kui's original intention was to expose himself.
“Master Yang Kui. Did you defect?” The Zuo Family's general looked at Yang Kui with disbelief. They entered Lu ng's camp but rather than a surprise attack, they found themselves surrounded.
“Defect?” Lu Su shook his head. “I have always been loyal to the Lord and serve the Lord. How could I defect?”
“Then why are we surrounded by the enemy? Have we been discovered by the enemy?” The general still had a glimr of hope. “Let us protect you and rush out. Quickly tell the Young Master and have the n from the South gate support us!”
“No, no.” Lu Su shook his head. “Surrender. If you surrender, I can plead for leniency for you in front of the Lord!”
“The Lord?” The general was confused.
“My brother is telling you that the ones we really serve is His Highness the King of Shu. Surrender and you can still live. If not, you will die here.” Yang Chen explained to the general.
“Who are you?”
“Haha!” Lu Su did not say anything else.
“The Zuo Family have treated well! I will never betray the Zuo Family! I do not care if I die but I will definitely bring you to justice before I die!” The general said and then rushed towards Lu Su.
“Ah. A loyal and righteous man. Unfortunately, you chose to serve the wrong master.” Lu Su shook his head and sighed. As Yang Chen was protecting him, Lu Su did not need to worry about his own safety.
With Yang Chen's protection, the general was unable to harm Lu Su. But then, the general shouted loudly. “Brothers. You eat the food of the Zuo Family and take the money of the Zuo Family! Now this person has sold out our Zuo Family and forced us to die! What should you do now?”
The diehards from the Zuo Family all took out their swords and glared at Lu Su.
“Brother! Take care of yourself!” Yang Chen was overwheld. He can fight against one or two but definitely not against an entire group. “What is that Lu ng thinking? Why hasn't he co here to help?”
Yang Chen felt indignant. If it was not because the others who weren't particularly loyal to the Zuo Family still haven't moved, Yang Chen would have been sward to death already.
“General! Look! They already started fighting!” One of Lu ng's officers pointed at Lu Su's direction.
“Yes.” Lu ng also saw it.
“Did they have an internal strife?” One person asked.
“It does not matter. Right now, it is an opportunity for us. They attacked out camp several days ago and killed many of our brothers! If it was not because of the general's wisdom, this would have happened again! I do not know how many of us would have died then!” One 1000-n general shouted angrily. It was his n that suffered heavy casualties. The only survivor left was him. How can he not be angry? This is why he wanted to kill Lu Su.
Lu ng shook his head. This was not his plan. Soone had inford him of this specifically which is why Lu ng set up a periter to wait for the ambush.
“What's wrong, General Lu? Do you still not trust ?” Lu Su voice was suddenly heard.
Lu ng looked over and saw a black clothed man with his mask taken off shouting at him.
“General. Why are you still hesitating? Now is the ti to strike at the enemy!” One 1000-n general said to Lu ng.
Lu ng nodded. The Jiangdong rebels had been surrounded and it was ti to wipe them out.
“Pass down my orders! Kill them all! Make sure no one escapes!” Lu ng shouted.
“Kill! Kill! Kill!” The 1000-n generals eyes glowed red as he glared at Yang Chen and Lu Su. He knew that those two were the head of the enemy group. Killing them would an an imdiate victory. He may even be rewarded for the deed.
However, before they could fight their way over, Lu ng suddenly added. “You must not harm that black clothed person. He must co back to camp unhard!” The mont Lu ng said this, the others all suddenly stopped. They were all initially rushing to kill Lu Su. Now that they heard their general's orders, they had no choice but to change targets.
“General. Is that person really Lu Su Lu Zijing?” Lu ng's deputy general asked. Lu Su Lu Zjing was Yangzhou's Minister of Appointnts. He was of higher rank than Sun Ce's right now. That was why the deputy general was skeptical.
“Could it be a trap?” The deputy general asked. Shouldn't Lu Su be in Yangzhou right now? Why would he be with the rebel army? Also, Liu Mang have already reported that Lu Su was back in Yangzhou to aid Lu Su's plan which is also why the deputy general could not believe it.
“A trap?” Lu ng frowned for a mont and then shook his head. “No. Even if this is not Lu Su, he must be connected to Lu Su. Otherwise, they would not have led fifteen thousand n into a trap.”
“General! Over there!” Lu ng's deputy general suddenly pointed.
Lu ng then saw the black clothed man and his subordinate in peril. They had to defend themselves against their own n and Lu ng's troops. Although Lu ng had already given the order for them to be spared, it was hard for people to control themselves during battle. As a result, Lu ng's n was already starting to kill their way towards Lu Su.
“Quick! Take my guards and rescue that black clothed man! Rember, he must co back unhard!” Lu ng said to the deputy general.
“Huh? If your guards go out, who will protect you?” Lu ng's deputy general asked.
“Haha! I'm standing at the rear of the army. If soone can take my head, my life don't matter!” Lu ng replied with a smile.
Since Lu ng said so, the deputy general had no choice but to accept the order. Although they were not on the level of military generals, they were all veterans. They managed to imdiately tear a path towards Lu Su.
Yang Chen cut down another one of Zuo Jie's n and complained angrily. “Brother! Where is that Lu ng? Wait, is he trying to steal your achievent?” Yang Chen rembered that one of the people who tried to kill Lu Su was Lu ng's n. It was possible that Lu ng wanted to silence Lu Su and take this deed for himself.
Lu Su heard this and frowned. There were two thousand elite troops within this army of fifteen thousand. Without them, capturing Huiji's South gate would be easy. It was also a huge rit. Did Lu ng want everything? No. Lu Su quickly dispelled his thoughts. He knew Lu ng. Lu ng was not this kind of person.
Also, such a vile deed would easily be found out. At that ti, Lu ng himself would also be executed.
“Yang Chen! Speak less! Let us withdraw in that direction!” Lu Su pointed to a hill. At least over there, they would not be attacked in two directions.
“Yes brother!” Yang Chen cut down another enemy and retreated with Lu Su.
***
“Young Master! Look over there! Lu ng's camp is on fire!” One of Zuo Jie's henchman shouted.
“Oh? That's good!” Zuo Jie cheered excitedly. The last ti, Lu ng's camp was also on fire. At that ti, Yang Kui only had three thousand n with only five hundred elites and he was already able to cause a heavy blow to the enemy. Now, he has fifteen thousand n with two thousand elites. How much damage could he do?
Zuo Jie started to daydream of the ti Lu ng's head was brought to him.
***
“Brother! I can't hold on any longer! I am afraid we will both die here!” Yang Chen said to Lu Su breathlessly.
“Yang Chen. Have you ever regretted following ?” Lu Su also saw that Yang Chen could no longer lift his sword. Lu Su may know so martial arts but he was just a scholar. He also would not be able to hold out long.
“What are you talking about brother? I only know how high the world is by following you! If I had stayed beside my father, I would stay as a child who never grew up!” Yang Chen suddenly rembered the face of his father. He realized that his father was now an old man.
“My only regret is that I cannot be filial to my father!” Yang Chen smiled bitterly. “However, loyalty and filial piety are equally important. To serve the Lord by my brother's side is also good. If anything, there is just one thing I must say.”
“What is it?” Lu Su also shook his head. He did not expect to harm this youth in front of him. He did not expect Lu ng to be so vigilant.
“Lu ng you fucker!” Yang Chen cursed as he exhausted the last of his energy to kill one more person. He then dropped his sword and sat on the ground.
At this ti, another group of Lu ng's soldiers rushed up to them. Yang Chen and Lu Su were ready to die but they did not expect this group to talk to them instead. “Are you the people the high official Lu Su sent?”
Yang Chen who no longer had strength simply nodded. Lu Su was just right there.
“General Lu ng sent us specially to protect you and get you out of here.” The guards said after confirming the two people's identity. Actually it was quite easy to confirm their identity as it was only the two of them who were wearing black clothes in the entire battlefield.
“Protect us? Yang Chen was skeptical. “Didn't he want to kill us for rits?”
“Yang Chen. Do not speak nonsense. Generals, we will be troubling you to protect us. We want to see General Lu ng.” Lu Su said to the gcaptain of the guards.
The captain of the guard nodded and helped to escort Lu Su and Yang Chen back to Lu ng's side.
“Reporting to the General. I have fulfilled my mission and brought back the two black clothed n.”
Lu ng nodded and then signalled for the captain to leave. He then turned to the two n. “How long do the two of you know the high official? Where is he and is he safe?” Lu ng asked many questions in succession.
“Haha! He is safe indeed! He is so safe that you almost killed him!” Yang Chen sneered.
“What do you an?” Lu ng did not understand. He only found out that Lu Su was at Huiji after receiving the letter. The letter told Lu ng about today's attack and told Lu ng to make preparations.
“Lu ng. Are you blind? Minister Lu is right in front of you! How can you not greet the high official in front of you?” Yang Chen was already dissatisfied with Lu ng and now that he almost died because of Lu ng, his resentnt was even stronger. How could he not vent his anger here?
“Minister Lu?” Lu ng was shocked? He felt as though he had seen Yang Chen before.
“Ziming. I trust you have been well?” Lu Su stepped forward and removed his mask.
The scars on Lu Su's face made even a veteran like Lu ng gasp. The scars were like centipedes and once Lu Su made any kind of facial expression, he ended looking even more terrifying.
“Who are you?” Lu ng's eyes grew wide as though he realized sothing.
“This is Yangzhou's Minister of Appointnt, Lu Su Lu Zijing.” Yang Chen said coldly.
Lu ng then looked at Yang Chen again. Yang Chen had now already wiped off the blood from his face. Lu ng then realized that he had t Yang Chen was Lu Su's assistant when Lu Su ca as an envoy. In other words, the scarred figure was indeed Lu Su.
Lu ng knew that Lu Su could not be considered to be a handso man. But at the very least, he still had a decent appearance. What could have made him look like this now?
“Master Zijing. What happened to you?” Lu ng could not believe seeing Lu Su's current appearance and also hearing Lu Su's hoarse voice.
“Isn't this because of your Grand Commander and Marquis Wu?” Yang Chen was impolite. If it was not because Zhou Yu had used their friendship to trick Lu Su, Lu Su would not have disfigure himself and ruin his own voice to help Liu Mang claim Jiangdong.
Hearing Yang Chen's words, Lu ng felt guilty. After all, he had the blood of several villages in his hand.
“Ziming. There is no need for this. I am like this now because I was willing. You and I served different masters in the past. It is natural for there to be conflict. Now that we are both serving under His Highness the King of Shu, let bygones be bygones.” Lu Su was generous.
“Brother. You are too kind.” Yang Chen said to Lu Su. Lu Su was an honest man who puts public interest first, oftentis to the extent of sacrificing his own private interests. When will such a person who only thinks of others ever start taking care of themselves?
“Ziming. Huiji originally has thirty thousand n stationed at the South gate. Now, fifteen thousand of them are here. We need to wipe them out or force them to surrender quickly so that we can march towards the South gate. This is a once in a lifeti opportunity. It would be too late if Sun Quan reacts tomorrow.” Lu Su said to Lu ng.
Lu ng nodded seriously after hearing Lu Su talk about official business. He naturally understood Lu Su's thoughts as he had already read Lu Su's letter. If they could not defeat the enemies here and attack Huiji before dayti, then the enemies would be able to react. At that ti, attacking the city would still be a hard battle.
“Deputy General Liu! How goes the battle outside?” Lu ng called his deputy general and asked.
“General. We have already dispatched our troops and divided the enemy into several groups. Annihilating them is only a matter of ti!” The deputy general replied.
“How long will it take?”
“About four hours!” The deputy general replied. Even this was an optimistic estimate. The rebel army may have been isolated but they were still strong. After all, they have two thousand elites as well. Even if they just stood there, it would take ti to kill them all.
“Then it would be too late!” Lu Su shook his head. By that ti, the sky would have turned bright. How could they attack Huiji then?
“What do you suggest then?” Lu ng asked.
“We persuade them to surrender!” Lu Su replied.
“Persuade them to surrender?” Lu ng frowned. How long could it take to wipe out this disorderly band? On top of that, they were now mortal enemies after the attack the other day.
“General Lu ng. They may be a disorderly band but they no longer have the ans to retreat. They would die regardless of whether they fought or not, so they would fight even harder. At that ti, the ones suffering losses would be your n.” Lu Su explained. These disorderly group were initially just civillians. If you give them a way to survive, they would listen to you. But if you force them to die, they would struggle to the death. That was why Lu ng's n were having so much trouble.
“Alright. We will do as you say.” Lu ng nodded.
“General. We tried to persuade them to surrender but it didn't work!” Soon, the deputy general returned and reported.
“Minister Lu?” Lu ng looked back at Lu Su.
“Sigh. Let do it.” Lu Su replied. Lu ng nodded and soon soone escorted Lu Su out. Lu Su stepped onto a high stage and adressed the crowd below him.
“Soldiers. Do you all recognize ?” Lu Su greeted.
“We know. You are the traitor Yang Kui!” Soone replied.
“Haha. My na is not Yang Kui and I am not a traitor.” Lu Su did not get angry despite being cursed at. “My na is Lu Su. I am sure many of you have heard this na before.” Lu Su's words caused the others to start discussing spiritedly. They had indeed heard of Lu Su before as Lu Su was once one of Jiangdong's strategists. After that, Lu Su beca Yangzhou's Minister of Appoinnt and then even went to Jiangdong as an envoy.
“I am from Jiangdong. The last ti I ca to Jiangdong, it is to offer peace, not war. Do you all want war?” Lu Su asked.
All of them were silent. They could all eat their fill when there was peace so why would they want to fight? All of them were force to.
“If you all want to fight, I will not stop you. I will send you all back to Huiji to await your deaths on the city walls. If you all don't want to fight, then drop your weapons. Once we recapture Huiji and Jiangdong is once again peaceful, you can all return ho to cultivate your land.” Lu Su persuaded. The common people were all enticed as they wanted peace.
“Liar! You want us to drop our weapons to slaughter us!” One person shouted.
“Slaughter you? Isn't this already happening right now? You have already fallen into an ambush and cannot escape. Killing you all is just a matter of ti. However, I am from Jiangdong. I do not want to watch my fellow Jiangdong n kill each other. Have you not seen that your enemies could have been your neighbors or childhood friend? Are you all willing to kill each other?” Lu Su shouted with his hoarse voice.
One by one, the soldiers all lowered their heads. The attackers and defenders could have indeed originated from the sa ancestor. If Sun Quan had not forced them to fight on the city walls, they would not be fighting each other.
“Put down your swords. There are no winners or losers in this war. Just go ho when the war is over. Think of your family if you keep fighting. Once you are gone, who would be next? Will your wives or children climb up the walls to defend the city as well?”
While Lu Su was speaking, the rebels begin to drop their weapons.
“Minister Lu. We are willing to surrender!”
“What are you doing? Pick up your weapons! Why are you surrendering? This man is a traitor! How could he spare your lives? What awaits you is only death! If you put down your weapons, you will be like a fish on a chopping board!” The remnants of the Zuo Family incited the rebels. So of them began to pick up their weapons again.
Lu Su gave Lu ng a glance. Lu ng nodded. While the rebels were still paying attention to Lu Su, a group had already switched into the rebel's uniforms and sneaked into the rebel army. They firmly advanced to those inciting the rebels.
“My fellow n! This Lu Su is the one who led us to this ambush to kill us! If you drop your weapons, you will die even faster! Take up your weapons and urk…!” The man who was shouting suddenly widened his eyes and spat out blood. He then noticed the sword stuck in his chest.
“Lu ng's army is killing people! Lu ng's army is killing people!” Soone shouted in panic but then realized that it was their own rebels wearing the sa clothes who attacked them. What was going on?
“Brothers! We want to go ho! We still have our mothers and wives! We cannot die here! If we continue to resist, we will definitely die! If we surrender, we will still have a chance to survive! We want to go back to our wives and children! Do you want your wives to remarry and your sons to change surnas? If this happens, how can we face our ancestors?” The planted troops shouted as they took action. “It is them! They don't want to let us surrender! They want us to die with them! We want to live! We want to surrender!”
“We want to live! We want to surrender!” The people chanted and all the inciters were either killed or quickly stayed quiet, no longer daring to speak. At this point, whoever dared to speak would just be killed by the common people. They did not even need Lu ng to take action.
“Minister Lu is really talented.” Lu ng looked at the rebels dropping their weapons and gave Lu Su a thumbs up. It would be easy to deal with these rebels once they have surrendered. They simply need to confiscate the weapons and lock them up. Even if the rebels want to make trouble, they would not be able to. What can the rebels do with their bare hands?
“Now that the rebels have been dealt with, we need to enter Huiji!” Lu Su said to Lu ng.
“We will listen to Minister Lu's orders!” Lu ng and his deputy general half knelt towards Lu Su. They have already seen Lu Su's capabilities. Lu Su would definitely be more capable than the two of them combined.
Lu Su did not act pretentious but still shook his head. “General Lu ng. There is only one commander in the army. As you are their commander, you will be the one to command them. Changing commanders right before a battle is a taboo!”
“But what about you?” Lu ng asked. They were about to break into Huiji. Would the rits all go to Lu ng then?
“I have things I need to do.” Lu Su laughed. “General Lu ng. Have your n bring those captives in pairs and give them weapons and armor.”
“Minister Lu! Are you thinking of…” Lu ng understood that Lu Su intends on tricking the defenders into opening the gates. It can only be done when the rebels are at the front.
“Minister Lu. Let do this. You should stay within the army and command us!” Lu ng did not want Lu Su to be at the front as it was too dangerous. If one of the rebels happen to be a Zuo Family supporter, they would simply shout a warning when they are the front. At that ti, arrows will co raining down on Lu Su. At that range, there would be no chance of surviving.
“Haha. If I allow General Lu ng to go, all of my efforts would be in vain!” Lu Su shook his head. “Don't worry. It can't be anymore dangerous as when I was in Huiji for so many days.”
Lu ng could only nod as he knew he could not persuade Lu Su. But he still got so of his personal guards to change into the rebel's uniforms to accompany Lu Su. That way, they could protect Lu Su if anything unexpected happens.
Lu Su naturally knew Lu ng's thoughts but he simply smiled and let it go.
A thousand n were quickly prepared. Lu ng's subordinates were also instructing the rebels accompanying them to look happier. Of course, it was not to mock them. After all, it would be strange if the victorious army returned ho crying.
User Comments
0 comments from readers