Destroy Jin and conquer Song, and carry the Northern Expedition through to the end

Chapter 193: The Iron Cavalry Gallops Across the Sky

Shizhan Chiming was carrying a bundle of firewood and looking down the mountain with the help of a stone.

At this time, he had wrapped his head in a black turban and wore coarse cloth clothes. With his tanned face, he looked as inconspicuous as an ordinary farmer.

Shizhan Chiming is currently located in the middle of the fifty-mile official road, investigating the situation of the Loyal Army.

It is not that simple to station troops there. One has to consider various aspects such as terrain, water supply, logging, space, and safety. After comprehensive consideration, there are only three places where one can set up camp on this official road sandwiched between the Yishui River and the hills.

One of them is too close to Yishui County, and the other is a little close to the front camp of the Loyal Army, so this place is the best.

But when the helpers sent by Shizhan Chiming and Zhu Tianshou arrived here, they found something was not right.

Because the cavalry of the Loyal Army had already approached, and there were scouts wandering around in the mountains.

This is trouble.

The Wuxing Army is going to raid the Zhongyi Army, so they must not let the Zhongyi Army scouts discover that there are people spying around. Otherwise, even a fool would know that something is not right, and Tu Danzhang's entire plan might be ruined.

As for fighting to silence people, that is even more outrageous.

This loyal bandit obviously has a strict system. He can even cover up the fact that he is being spied on by saying that he is a wild mountain man who does not know the rules. If the scouts do not return to the team, it would be a miracle if the loyal army does not immediately become alert.

Therefore, even if the Wuxing Army scouts disguised themselves as mountain farmers and hunters, they did not dare to get too close.

They were even pushed further and further away by the scouts of the Loyal Army.

"General." A thin, ragged man came running from behind the hill. "I can't go any further. I've already had two encounters with that loyal thief. If I don't leave, they'll notice me."

Shizhan Chiming glanced at the other party and asked: "Did you reveal your whereabouts?"

"That's not the case." The thin man, holding a wooden bow, shook his head. "If they suspected me, they would have taken me back and tortured me long ago. How could they let me come back?"

"You go to the back and rest first, let the little Khitan go and take a look."

"General, I don't think we should move now," the thin man retorted. "More than a dozen of us, plus those useless guys sent by Zhu San, have basically all been exposed to the loyal thief scouts. It's too dangerous to go any further. Now only Xiao Qitan and Yila Guguai are left. We need them to take action at the critical moment."

Shizhan Chiming: "What do you have to say?"

The thin man said, "General Tushan's intention is to make sure the loyal bandits are camping here. So, in the afternoon, we should let them out again and let them venture closer. Then, we can use our spies to see how many loyal bandits there are and where they are camping."

Shizhan Chiming was a little hesitant.

He had fought in battles and had naturally served as a scout. He instinctively felt that doing so was a bit of a fool's errand.

Isn't this equivalent to being obscured from the battlefield by the loyal and righteous thief general?
The thin man sighed again: "It would be better if we could bring more people. Not too many, a Puriyan (fifty people) would be enough."

Shizhan Chiming shook his head and said, "There are too many people with shaved heads in our army, and some of them speak with Liaodong or Hebei accents, which makes it clear that they are not native to Shandong.

The remaining people were either not skilled enough to climb mountains and cross rivers, or too strong to be cowards. It was already good enough to screen out a dozen people in such a hurry."

At this point, Shizhan Chiming finally shook his head: "Well, as you said, the loyal thieves should indeed set up camp here. When the time comes, let Xiao Qidan and the others go over to take a look, and then we will leave quickly."

As he spoke, Shizhan Chiming looked at the sun and said, "We have to hurry up. The time is almost up."
-
At around 5:00 p.m. that day, the four gates of Yishui County were suddenly closed, and no one and no horse were allowed to leave.

Dian Lun was shoveling horse manure in an open space in the county government office when he suddenly saw the four doors open. Before he could react, he saw countless knights in armor coming out one after another.

"Kneel down..."

Seeing Dianlun still in a daze, Uncle Zhang beside him quickly pulled him to his knees on the ground.

The Jin knights rode away as if they hadn't seen the two men. Zhang Bo looked up at the billowing smoke and murmured, "This... this is..."

Dian Lun said calmly: "A war is about to begin."

The Jin cavalry has been hiding their heads and tails these days, but now they have finally come out in groups, which must mean a big operation.

And who else could be the target of the war?
The loyal and righteous army that is right in front of us.

"I wonder if the commander is ready." Dian Lun thought silently in his heart. It was too late for him to do anything now. He could only hope that Liu Huai could make some preparations.

"Those two dung collectors, get out of here!" A clerk with a tired face walked out of the open door. "Go in and clean up the horse manure. You've been exhausted these past few days!"

Dian Lun and Zhang Bo looked at each other, then walked in with a nod and a bow, pulling the cart.

Before the door was closed, the two men heard loud shouts coming from outside the government office.

"My fellows, I know you're suffering!" Tu Danzhang roared, "I'm suffering too. I've been stuck in this place that's barely bigger than a toilet all day, and I'm almost rotting into rotten flesh!"

When Tu Shanzhang said this, the six hundred armored cavalrymen standing in front of him holding their horses burst into laughter.

"Now, we've eaten the meat, drunk the wine, and rested enough!" Tu Shanzhang raised his spear, pointing the tip from far left to far right. "I have confirmed news. The loyal and righteous bandits causing trouble in the south have sent out armored cavalry to capture us all in one fell swoop. Tell me what we should do."

"Trample them to death!"

It seemed that this kind of mobilization was not the first time, so the six hundred armored cavalry immediately responded to their commander and shouted at the same time.

The atmosphere suddenly became frenzied.

In this fanatical atmosphere, if you are an enemy, you will become fearful; if you are a comrade, you will be infected and become more fanatical.

Zhu Tianshou's blood was also boiling.

This is the army, this is war, this is the source of strength in troubled times, and this is the ladder to achieve a higher status.

Compared with this, being a county magistrate in a mere place is just like playing house.

Compared with this army, the farmers he was proud of were like children.

"My men, follow me..." Tu Danzhang's speech had come to an end. He pulled the reins, and the warhorse reared up. He took advantage of the situation and pointed his spear southward: "Follow me and eat these bandits!"

After that, under the command of military flags and drums, six hundred armored cavalry mounted their horses, marched forward in units of Mouke, and rushed out of the gate of Yishui County.

"Get on the horse!" Zhu Tianshou could not hold back either. After putting on his iron jacket, he also picked up a spear and caught up with Tu Danzhang who was about to set off.

As soon as Tu Danzhang saw Zhu Tianshou's attire, he knew what he meant and laughed out loud, "I knew Zhu San, you're no pushover!"

Zhu Tianshou saluted from his horse and said, "General, please allow me to accompany you as a guard."

Tu Shanzhang looked Zhu Sanlang up and down. "We don't even know who's protecting whom when we get into battle! Well, come with me. As long as you don't desert, I'll recommend you to the commander-in-chief for a military post. Damn it, what's the fun of being a county magistrate?!"

As he spoke, Tu Shanzhang patted Zhu Tianshou on the shoulder with his big hand, and without caring about the other party's reaction, he left with his personal guards.

　The ghost finally passed...

　　A white-robed scholar?
　　
　
(End of this chapter)