The Later Three Kingdoms: Slaying Deng Ai, and Reviving the Han Dynasty

Liu Chen was very tired, but he didn't sleep well.

The bed was unsuitable, my body smelled, and all I could hear were the roars of tigers, howls of wolves, and the sound of the wind.

But he's in great shape.

He woke up the next day still full of energy. "Is the meal ready?" Liu Chen asked, sitting up.

The eunuch standing nearby, who had been dozing off, was startled awake by the words and bowed, saying, "This servant will go and ask."

The other eunuchs who were standing by immediately got to work.

The first eunuch returned, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, the soldiers are still preparing the meal." After a pause, he asked, "Your Majesty, would you like me to prepare a separate meal for you?"

Liu Chen waved his hand and said, "No need. I will eat with my soldiers."

At this moment, the eunuchs came in carrying washbasins and toiletries.

"Yes," the previous eunuch replied.

The eunuch helped Liu Chen put on his shoes, and Liu Chen got out of bed to wash up. Conditions in the army were rudimentary; he'd just have to make do.

It's not wrong to give special treatment to children.

Firstly, it's troublesome, and secondly, it requires fire prevention.

Because of the poor conditions, Liu Chen's hair and face could not be properly cared for; a quick wash was all he could manage.

After washing up, Liu Chen's stomach started growling. But the food still wasn't ready.

Liu Chen asked the eunuch to light a lamp and read for a while on an empty stomach. The eunuch then came in with two boiled eggs.

Liu Chen ate the egg first, filling his stomach a little. After a while, millet porridge with salt was brought in.

Liu Chen finished four large bowls. Just as he was about to finish the fifth, a eunuch entered from outside, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, Lieutenant Zhang requests your presence."

"Hmm." Liu Chen gave up the fifth bowl, stood up and walked out of the main tent. Surrounded by people on both sides, he came to Zhang Sheng's tent next to him.

Besides Zhang Sheng, there were also officers such as Wang Chong.

"Your Majesty," the crowd greeted Liu Chen.

"Hmm." Liu Chen hummed in response, waved his hand, and gestured for Zhang Sheng to sit in the seat of honor. He then sat down in the seat next to him.

"The lieutenant is the commander-in-chief; I am merely an observer," Liu Chen said.

"Yes," Zhang Sheng replied, no longer standing on ceremony, and began to deploy his troops.

Zhang Sheng picked up the rolled-up silk map from the table and hung it on the screen behind him. Pointing to the map, he said solemnly, "Field hunting is mounted archery, military hunting is encirclement."

"We are here now. I will divide the army in half. Startle the prey from all directions and drive them here. The other half of the army will lie in ambush here, and kill as many wild boars, deer, bears, and tigers as they come."

At this point, he stood up abruptly and said sternly, "If Xiong Hu tries to break through the encirclement, shoot him immediately. Anyone who dares to retreat will be killed without mercy. If Xiong Hu escapes, the commander will be severely punished."

"Yes." Wang Chong and the officers all looked solemn and responded loudly with clasped hands.

"Hmm." Zhang Sheng's expression softened slightly, and he sat down to begin deploying his troops.

Who will lead this army, starting from here and heading to what destination?

Who will lead this army, starting from here and heading to what destination?

If you encounter a road with trees, find a way to cross the river.

Soon, four officers, including Wang Chong, received their orders and led their troops away.

Zhang Sheng also instructed his officers to always send scouts during marches to prevent being ambushed by the enemy.

Military strategy: When leading 100,000 elite troops across the Central Plains, scouts must be sent out to spread out 20 to 30 li (approximately 10-15 kilometers) apart. This not only prevents them from falling into ambushes, but also provides ample time to form ranks and engage in battle should an attack occur.

Otherwise, if caught off guard, the consequences could range from a major defeat to annihilation.

If you encounter mountains and forests, you also need to send scouts to carefully explore the area.

After the troop deployment was completed, Zhang Sheng stood up, cupped his hands to Liu Chen, and said, "Your Majesty and I will calmly lay in ambush."

"Good." Liu Chen nodded happily, gripped his sword, and stood up.

Zhang Sheng left a small number of soldiers to guard the camp, and ordered the laborers to prepare the game by cooking and marinating it.

He first invited Liu Chen to mount his horse, then mounted himself. With a command, he ordered the scouts to disperse, and the soldiers in the front row cleared the way with machetes in hand.

The scouts spread out in a fan shape, wielding their machetes to clear a path.

Five people in a team, led by the squad leader.

There are signal arrows to warn of enemy attacks.

Because there are many poisonous snakes in the forest, they used a wooden stick to stir up the grass and scare them away.

Military spies are always chosen for their quick wit and resourcefulness. The process of gathering intelligence often coincides with encounters between the armies, inevitably leading to clashes between the spies from both sides.

A good spy is one who eliminates the enemy's spies and relays the intelligence back.

In the army, scouts are the elite of the elite.

Zhang Sheng's soldiers came from a relatively simple background. Most of them were from poor families, and many had been hunters.

These elite hunters were born scouts.

Zhang Sheng's army was known for its strict discipline, and there were no seasoned veterans in the ranks. The scouts were meticulous in their work, and even when drenched in sweat, injured, or bitten by poisonous insects, they continued forward, vigilantly serving as the eyes and ears of the main force.

Listen to every little thing that happens.

At the front of the main force, small groups of three to five soldiers worked together, wielding machetes to clear the way. When they encountered stones, they worked together to move them.

The banners bearing the characters "Liu" and "Zhang" were linked together, and the large contingent followed the front row, struggling forward.

Liu Chen remained silent, mounted on his steed. His eunuchs and palace guards, all pampered and accustomed to luxury, inwardly groaned. But seeing Liu Chen, the dignified Prince of Beidi, also in the army, none dared to show it.

They admired him at the same time. Let's set aside for now the fact that our Northern King is greedy and stingy.

Take our King of the North, for example; he's truly a man of endurance.

Hunting in the field is enjoyable, while hunting by the army is torture.

Soon the front line was blocked and they encountered a stream. The soldiers immediately scattered, chopped down trees with axes, tied them together with old vines, and made a makeshift bridge.

Supplying the army to cross the river.

"Clatter, clatter, clatter." The bridge was too small, so Liu Chen had to dismount. Then, under the eunuch's terrified gaze, he led his horse across the slippery wooden bridge on foot, gazing thoughtfully at the stream.

This is the role of the vanguard of the army: to clear mountains and build bridges over rivers.

This is a large army marching through deep mountains and forests.

Historically, Deng Ai's successful crossing of Yinping was primarily due to his high prestige, which enabled him to mobilize his army and carry out his orders.

Secondly, there was Deng Ai's own risky leadership, taking the lead from the front.

Finally, a bit of luck is needed. Otherwise, no soldier would be willing to risk their life entering the Ten Thousand Mountains.

Liu Chen slipped and almost fell. He immediately cleared his mind and focused on crossing the river.

After reaching the other side, Liu Chen mounted his horse and continued forward with the main group.

After a difficult march, the main force arrived at Zhang Sheng's designated ambush point.

There happened to be a large, bluish-green rock there. Zhang Sheng had his personal guards help him up the rock. After looking around, a satisfied look appeared on his face. He then ordered, "Ordinary infantrymen, cut down the large trees. Elite armored soldiers, stand outside with spears for defense. Archers, prepare."

"Yes," everyone responded loudly.

Ordinary infantrymen, armed with sharp axes, cleared a flat area with a wide field of vision.

The elite soldiers, armed with spears, were arranged in four directions to intercept Xiong Hu and his men.

The archers stood behind the armored soldiers, ready to shoot.

Liu Chen and Zhang Sheng were under heavy protection.

Everything is ready.

We are just waiting for the enemy to come.