With a million soldiers, the empress begged me not to rebel

The setting sun was as red as blood, dyeing Jianmen Pass dark red.

Lu Yan stood on the gate tower, looking at the densely packed Beixiang army outside the gate with a calm expression.

The wind blew his robe, making a rustling sound, like a black flag billowing in the wind.

Zhang Xun straightened his back, clasped his fists and said:

"Sir, all fortifications have been reinforced, and artillery, rolling logs, and thunder bombs are all ready, waiting for the enemy to attack the city."

As he spoke, a glint of confidence flashed in his eyes.

As the night deepened, there was silence inside and outside Jianmen Pass.

Only the whistling sound of the wind and the howling of wolves in the distance added a sense of solemnity to the atmosphere.

Lu Yan stood in front of the map, and in the dim candlelight, he was still carefully studying the terrain of Jianmen Pass.

He gently slid his finger across the map, finally stopping at several locations marked with red marks.

"These are all possible attack routes that the Beixiang army might choose."

Lu Yan pointed at the map and said to the generals around him.

Lu Fei stepped forward and pointed to one of the flatter mountain paths.

"Sir, this road is flat and most suitable for a large army to march on. The enemy is likely to attack from here."

Han Sheng pointed to another steep canyon.

"My lord, I think the enemy is more likely to attack from here."

"Although the terrain is difficult, if we can successfully break through, we can strike directly at Huanglong and catch us off guard."

Lu Yan pondered for a moment and tapped his fingers lightly on the map.

"Both places must be defended,"

He raised his head and glanced at everyone.

"Lu Fei, your regiment will ambush on both sides of this mountain road. Once the enemy enters the encirclement, immediately launch a charge."

Lu Fei clasped his fists and accepted the order: "Yes!"

Lu Yan turned to Han Sheng again and said, "Han Sheng, your regiment is stationed in the canyon. You must hold on here and never let the enemy break through."

Victor Han also clasped his fist and accepted the order: “Yes!”

Lu Yan walked to the map, pointed to several dangerous locations marked on the map, and explained his plan in detail.

His voice was low and powerful, and every word was clearly heard by the generals.

"remember,"

Lu Yan said finally, his eyes sharp as a torch.

"In this battle, there must be no slacking!"

"Yes! Your lord!"

All the generals responded in unison, their voices loud and awe-inspiring.

Outside the pass, the lights in the Beixiang army camp were bright.

Mu Qing sat in the main tent, holding a map in his hand with a frown on his face.

"General, we have already found out that the garrison at Jianmen Pass is only about 20,000 strong."

"And we have an army of 100,000. The disparity in strength is enormous. Why not launch an attack immediately?"

A deputy general said with a fist clasped.

Mu Qing put down the map, raised his head, and looked deep.

"Jianmen Pass is strategically located and is easy to defend but difficult to attack. If we force our way in, we'll probably suffer heavy losses."

He paused.

"What's more, Lu Yan is a cunning man, so we have to be on guard."

"He will definitely send troops from Shannan Prefecture to support us."

He stood up, walked to the map hanging in the tent, and pointed to the location of Jianmen Pass.

"In this battle, we must act cautiously, take every step carefully, and never underestimate the enemy and rush into battle."

"Pass the order down, the entire army will rest and regroup. Tomorrow morning, split into two groups and attack Jianmen Pass simultaneously!"

......

time flies!

Lu Yan stood at Jianmen Pass, looked at the sky gradually brightening in the distance, and took a deep breath.

"coming!"

He said in a deep voice.

Flags fluttered and war drums roared.

The Beixiang army was like two black torrents, rushing towards the mountain road and the canyon respectively.

The messenger beside Lu Yan shouted loudly:

"Report! The Beixiang Army has split into two groups and is heading towards Jianmen Pass!"

Lu Yan nodded slightly, a gleam in his eyes.

"Pass the order, musketeers, prepare, and fire immediately when the enemy enters range!"

On the city wall, the musketeers, who were already ready, had their fingers on the trigger.

The muzzle of the gun was pointed at the surging enemy troops below.

The mountain path was narrow, and the Beixiang Army soldiers crowded together, climbing up slowly.

"Open Fire"

Lu Fei gave an order.

Bullets rained down like raindrops, and suddenly, screams and wails filled the valley.

In the canyon, another Beixiang army team also suffered the same ambush.

Rolling logs and rocks rolled down the mountain and hit the crowd, causing people and horses to fall to the ground.

"General, there are ambushes along the mountain roads and in the canyons. Should we change our strategy?"

The deputy general beside Mu Qing asked anxiously, with beads of sweat oozing from his forehead.

Mu Qing's face was gloomy. He didn't expect that Lu Yan was already prepared.

"Pass the order down, the army stops advancing and waits for orders!"

He said through gritted teeth, fists clenched tightly.

The mountain road was littered with the bodies of Beixiang soldiers.

Lu Fei stood on a high place, looking at the chaotic enemy troops below.

He drew the sword from his waist, raised it above his head, and shouted:

"Brothers, charge! Kill all these bastards from Beixiang Kingdom!"

The soldiers rushed towards the enemy like tigers descending from the mountains, waving their weapons.

The roar of muskets and the clash of swords intertwined into a symphony of death.

The soldiers of Beixiang State were caught off guard by the sudden attack and fled in panic.

In the canyon, Han Sheng also led his soldiers to stubbornly resist the enemy's attack.

He led the troops, holding a spear, charging left and right, like a god of war, brave and invincible.

Rolling logs, rocks, and kerosene poured down from the mountain.

It caused huge casualties to the enemy.

Mu Qing was furious as he saw that both armies were blocked.

He hit the wooden stake beside him hard, and the stake cracked.

He turned to look at the messenger beside him.

"Pass the order down, the entire army retreat ten miles and set up camp again!"

The messenger received the order and rode away immediately.

The Beixiang army retreated like a tide, leaving behind corpses and broken weapons everywhere.

Lu Yan stood on the city wall, watching the enemy troops retreating into the distance, and did not order a pursuit.

He knew very well that one should not pursue a desperate enemy, and he had more important plans to implement.

"Sir, why don't you pursue the victory?"

Li Kui asked in confusion. He scratched his head, his eyes full of doubts.

Lu Yan turned and looked at Li Kui, with an unfathomable smile on his face.

"Don't chase after a desperate enemy. Besides, there are more important things to do."

He patted Li Kui on the shoulder.

"Pass the order down, strengthen the defense and prevent the enemy's sneak attack."

In the Beixiang Kingdom military camp, Mu Qing was discussing countermeasures with the generals.

"If we can't take it by force, we must find another way."

Mu Qing said in a deep voice, tapping his fingers lightly on the map, making a rhythmic sound.

A deputy general suggested:

"General, we can send an elite force to bypass Jianmen Pass overnight."

"Ambush the enemy and catch them off guard."

Mu Qing pondered for a moment and nodded.

"This plan works."

"Send out five hundred elite cavalrymen overnight, bypass the rear of Jianmen Pass, and raid the enemy's food and supplies."

"Yes!"

All the generals responded in unison.

In the dead of night, five hundred elite cavalrymen from the Beixiang Kingdom quietly left the camp and headed towards the rear of Jianmen Pass.