Chapter 4: Gathering Thousands of Miles Away

Style: Historical Author: Silence as everWords: 7012Update Time: 24/01/12 20:14:04
The camp was surrounded by silence late at night, and the soldiers fell asleep after being exhausted. Only the sentries on guard were pacing in silence. The lights in Li Keyong's tent were still on, reflecting his meditative silhouette, studying the upcoming war.

Suddenly, a rapid and low sound broke the tranquility of the night, which seemed to be some kind of urgent signal. Li Ke felt something unusual instinctively, and his war instinct told him that this might be an urgent intelligence or a trap. He quickly put on his cloak, kept his sword in his hand, and ran out of the tent quietly.

The night spread out in front of his eyes, the stars were faint, the moon shadow was like a hook, Li Keyong's eyes were searching in the darkness like a searchlight, and in his ears he could hear his deep breathing and the whispers of distant sentries. The sound seemed to come from outside the camp. He clutched the hilt of his sword tightly and walked warily towards the source of the sound. Every step was extremely light, as if afraid of disturbing the deep sleep of the night.

The late-night campground was surrounded by a layer of deep tranquility, with the air filled with the smell of moist soil and the freshness of vegetation. The tired soldiers had fallen asleep. Their breathing was even and deep, as natural as the subtle sound of water in the distant mountain stream in the quiet night. Occasionally, the sound of turning over came from the tent, and was swallowed up by the night, leaving no trace.

Li Keyong's tent was a different story in comparison. The lights were bright, illuminating everything inside the tent. The fabric of the tent swayed gently in the breeze, projecting a silhouette of Li Keyong meditating. He sat in front of a rough wooden table, which was covered with detailed maps and densely packed intelligence documents. His fingers would stop at a certain point on the map from time to time, his brows furrowed, and every breath he took was filled with deep thinking.

Li Keyong's eyes shone with sharp light, and his face showed the intertwining of perseverance and wisdom in the beating of candlelight. He was wearing a simple warrior costume, and the hunched lines on his shoulders and back revealed solid strength. Although it was late at night, his energy was unusually focused, showing a battle-hardened general's total commitment to the coming battle.

Next to Li Keyong, stacks of intelligence and reports seemed to have been read countless times. The edges were a little worn, and some of the writing on them became blurred due to repeated friction. Sometimes he lowered his head to think, sometimes he stood up and walked to the center of the tent, as if trying to find a breakthrough from different angles. The light danced across his determined face, carving out an unyielding map.

The sentries on vigil patrolled the perimeter of the camp, their steps steady and firm. Their eyes scanned the surrounding plants and trees with vigilance, and the weapons in their hands reflected a dim light under the starlight. The night wind blew by, causing the slight collision of armor, as if warning of the danger lurking in the darkness.

At this time, Li Keyong saw every report, every military station, and every enemy movement in front of him, which could be the key to affecting the situation of the war. He knew that speed was important, but accuracy was more important. He is trying to find the exact clues among the confusing information in order to formulate a perfect response strategy.

However, Li Keyong did not know that in this late night, he was about to come into contact with not only information about the war, but also secrets brought by the mysterious old man that might completely change the situation of the war. This secret is probably hidden in Chengze who is about to talk to him.

As the deep sound broke through the silence, everything around the camp seemed to be touched by the sound, even the wind carried a hint of tension. Li Keyong tensed his nerves. He knew that in a place like the military camp, any small change might indicate that something big was going to happen.

His hand gently touched the hilt of the sword, which was his partner in the battlefield for many years. Feeling the calmness coming from the cold iron, his heart felt a little calmer. He gently opened the tent door curtain, and for a moment, the indoor lights formed a sharp contrast with the moonlight outside, casting his shadow into the distance.

Li Keyong's eyes quickly adapted to the outside light. His gaze was as sharp as a knife in the night, trying to penetrate this unusual darkness. His ears stood up, picking up the smallest sounds around him. The whispers of the sentry seemed to be full of warning at such a moment.

He walked through the camp, his footsteps silent, like a leopard looking for prey, agile and cautious. The landing point of each step is carefully chosen to avoid stepping on dead branches and leaves that may make noise. On a night like this, even the slightest sound of mail could arouse his alertness.

The silver track cast by the moonlight became his guide, and the faint starlight helped him identify the direction. His figure crossed the open space between the tents, shuttling between sleeping soldiers and horses. At a moment like this, even the sound of a horse's grunt can cause him to react instantly and prepare for possible threats.

When he approached the source of the sound, everything around him became extremely quiet, as if even the night sky was holding its breath. Li Keyong's heart was beating almost in sync with his footsteps, but his face was calm and resolute. This was the courage and calmness honed during his years of military service.

"Who are you?" Li Keyong's voice was low and powerful, full of questions. "Why did you lead me here?"

Ahead, a figure slowly turned around. Under the moonlight, he could see the man with his hands behind his back, like an old man traveling far away. The man was wearing ordinary cloth, without a sword on his waist, and his face was partially covered by a hood, only revealing his sunken eye sockets and angular lower jaw.

There was a deep light in the old man's eyes, as if he had experienced the vicissitudes of life. His voice was calm and somewhat hoarse, followed by a reassuring temperament that no ordinary old man could possess.

"I am a person who delivers information," the old man said, his words concise and mysterious. "In these troubled times, information is often sharper than swords. Tonight, I bring a piece of news that is related to the life and death of you and your army." ."

Li Keyong stared closely at the uninvited guest, his heart was filled with ups and downs, and thousands of thoughts were intertwined in his mind. He knew that in this period, information and spies were everywhere, and the first impression this old man gave him was one of depth and wisdom that was different from ordinary people. He realized that this night might change a lot of things, maybe be the prelude to a big drama.

Li Keyong slowly relaxed his grip on the sword. He understood that when facing unknown intelligence and possible opportunities, he needed not only strength, but also wisdom.

"Tell me, what news do you have?" Li Ke's tone became calmer, but still revealed an unquestionable majesty.

The moment the old man turned around, Li Keyong suddenly noticed that the other man's temperament had a similar ingenuity and sharpness to Chengze. Could it be that Chengze has already mastered the key information that changes the situation of the war? The questions in my heart are like dewdrops on leaves, becoming more and more crystal clear in the night.

Li Keyong's eyes were locked on the figure in front of him. Although his hand was still lightly resting on the hilt of the sword, his posture had obviously relaxed. He knew that in this dark night and dangerous situation, wisdom was often better than force, and the old man in front of him was obviously not a simple threat, but more like a carrier of information.

"Tell me, what news do you have?" Li Keyong repeated the question in a calm and firm tone, indicating that he was neither an easy target nor would he easily let go of any clues.

As he turned around, the old man's figure was illuminated by a beam of moonlight penetrating the clouds. His movements were slow and deliberate, seeming to emphasize that he had no ill intentions and no intention of attacking. Li Keyong's eyes quickly captured every detail of the old man - the wrinkles on his face were like rivers depicting years, flowing through countless experiences and wisdom. His eyes were calm and deep, and seemed to be able to penetrate people's hearts. This kind of eyes was not possessed by ordinary old men.

"General," the old man's voice was low and magnetic, "the information I have is related to the direction of the entire war. Your enemy is not as simple as it seems. They have laid a secret and deadly trap. There are people inside the army. General, you have to be careful about possible spies."

Li Keyong's brows raised slightly, and his heart slightly accelerated its beating frequency. He realized that he was at the intersection of information flows, and every detail might be the key to decoding the enemy's situation. His eyes became sharper, like the blade of a sword just pulled from the whetstone.

The old man seemed to be aware of the fluctuations in Li Keyong's heart. He continued: "Chengze did find something, but unfortunately, he may have fallen into the hands of the enemy. I am his last messenger. He asked me to tell you, Only the combination of wisdom and courage can solve this crisis."

Li Keyong immediately thought of Chengze - his old friend, a general with both wisdom and bravery, a ranger who knew him in the world before him. If he was in danger, then this news would definitely be crucial. A biting chill suddenly rose in his heart, but his face did not show the slightest wavering.

"Continue." Although Li Keyong's voice was calm, his heart was like a windmill spinning rapidly, thinking quickly about possible strategies and countermeasures.

The old man nodded, with a hint of approval in his eyes. Li Keyong's calmness was exactly what he wanted to see. He began to detail the contents of the intelligence and provided key evidence Chengze collected before his arrest. This information is like a key to Li Keyong, which can help him solve a long-standing problem and perhaps turn defeat into victory.

Under the barrier of night, Li Keyong was like a lurking cheetah. His breathing was controlled to the point of being almost silent, and even his heartbeat seemed to be integrated with the natural sounds around him. His eyes passed through the fog of the night and fixed on the slow old man. Every muscle was tense, ready to deal with sudden changes at any time.

Li Keyong frowned slightly, and his thoughts shuttled between the past battle and the current situation like lightning, trying to find the fatal link. His hand subconsciously stroked the hilt of the sword, as if this could bring him inspiration and guidance. He must sift out real intelligence and analyze the enemy's true intentions. This is not only his mission as a general, but also a test of his own wisdom.

Hidden in the shadows, Li Keyong knew that he didn't have much time to waste, and every minute and second was related to the changes in the battle situation. He prepared a series of questions, which were like sharp arrows, ready to shoot through the fog and hit the heart of the truth. His voice sounded again, and it cut through the night, like an invisible weapon, firm and calm:

"What are the signs of the internal cancer you mentioned? What are the traps Chengze encountered? Tell me clearly. Every detail may be the key to our victory."

In this land shrouded in darkness, Li Keyong and the mysterious old man are like two chess players, and a game of life and death is quietly unfolding. In this game, every decision is crucial, and every piece of information may be a life-saving straw.

Li Keyong listened, and every word stirred up waves in his heart. He knew that at this moment, he had to make a wise decision. Because on this crisis-ridden night, any wrong judgment may lead to the destruction of the entire army. And he, as a general with both wisdom and courage, would not allow such a thing to happen.

The old man's words were like whispers in the night wind, penetrating Li Keyong's hard exterior and touching his inner thoughts. He stood under the shroud of darkness, feeling the weight of responsibility on his shoulders. He knew very well that every choice he made at this moment would not only affect his personal destiny, but may also determine the life and death of countless soldiers.

"The cancer inside," the old man continued, "is loyal on the surface but rebellious on the inside. They are secretly passing on information, manipulating information, and may even tamper with orders, leaving fatal loopholes in our strategic layout. Chengze discovered this shortly before his arrest. Everything, but he didn't have time to tell you all the details."

The old man handed Li Keyong a token. It was Chengze's personal belongings and would obviously be handed over in extremely urgent circumstances. This token is not only proof that Chengze is in trouble, but also a symbol of his trust in Li Keyong.

Li Keyong held the token tightly, feeling its texture and temperature, as if he could connect spiritually with his old friend Chengze through it. The emotions in his heart were rising and falling like a tide, but his face showed no expression. He could not let his emotions affect his judgment.

"What is the trap?" Li Keyong's voice was firm and direct. He needed more information to build a complete intelligence network. Only in this way could he understand the enemy's conspiracy.

"The enemy expects us to launch a general attack at dawn tomorrow," the old man's voice sounded more serious in the night sky, "They plan to use the traitors within us to introduce our main force into the preset battlefield at the moment of attack. Not only the terrain there is extremely dangerous to us The disadvantage is that there are also hidden mechanisms. Once our troops enter, they will be ambushed from all sides and it will be difficult to escape unscathed."

A sharp light flashed in Li Keyong's eyes, and he began to quickly plan a countermeasure in his mind. He must immediately adjust his strategy, reposition his forces, and identify the traitors within without attracting the enemy's attention.

"I understand," Li Ke said in a low voice, with firmness and decisiveness hidden in his voice, "You did a good job in bringing this news to me. Now, please rest. I will handle the rest. ."

The old man nodded, and his figure gradually receded in the night, as if he had never appeared before. Li Keyong turned around and returned to his tent, already planning a night attack that might change the situation of the battle. He knew that what he was undertaking was not just a battle, but the future of a country and the safety of thousands of lives.

As the old man's figure disappeared, Li Keyong felt that the night was getting thicker like splashing ink. He closed his eyes briefly and felt the surrounding atmosphere with his heart. It was the general's brief contemplation before making a decision. When he reopened his eyes, there was no confusion in his eyes, replaced by determination and clarity.

He returned to his tent, with the map spread out in front of him. Every line and every mark carried the weight of war. His fingers traced lightly across the map, each pause seeming to examine possible opportunities and pitfalls. He knew in his heart that he should not only get rid of the enemy's preset trap, but also be on guard against traitors who might be lurking in the dark.

Looking around, the light in the tent was dim, only the flickering of the oil lamp on the table illuminated his deep face. He took out a quill pen, dipped it in ink, and started marking and revising the map. He considers multiple possibilities, each accompanied by detailed plans and backup plans.

Then, Li Keyong rang the bell in the tent, and the messenger immediately appeared in front of him. "Go, summon all the generals and tell them to come to the tent to discuss matters immediately." The ordering soldier gave a military salute, turned around and left quickly. Li Keyong knew that from this moment on, time is life, victory or defeat.

He stood up, walked to the door of the tent, and looked up at the night sky. The stars there were obscured by dark clouds, but he knew that the stars of victory would always shine after the dark night. Although he was nervous inside, he remained calm on the outside. He knows that confidence as a leader can be a huge morale booster. He returned to the table and continued to review the map, confirming every terrain and anticipating every possible ambush.

Soon, the generals entered the tent one after another, with tension and anticipation written on their faces. Li Keyong stood next to the map, his posture upright, like an undrawn sword. He began to explain the situation to the generals. His voice was firm and clear, and every word was like a war drum beating in his heart.

"Tonight, we will take the lead and change from passive to active." Li Ke pointed with his finger to a location on the map where the enemy would not expect them to attack. "We will set up an ambush here to meet the enemy. As for the traitors..." His eyes became sharper, "We will combine the inside and outside to destroy the enemies inside first."

For the next few hours, the tent was filled with the murmur of discussion and strategizing. Each general is assigned a specific mission, and each team is assigned a special role. Li Keyong understood that the success of the entire plan not only relied on military precision and strategic savvy, but also required everyone's faith and courage.

Li Keyong's gaze was like a sharp arrow in the abyss, penetrating the thick fog of war in the tent. The location he designated on the map was a valley that the enemy was least likely to predict. The terrain there is secluded and far away from the enemy's expected front line, making it a perfect location for an ambush. "We will use the unique terrain of this valley to build an ambush circle." He said as he drew detailed routes on the map. "Our cavalry will be hidden behind these trees, and the infantry will be deployed on the cliffs." , the archers are ready to support from high positions."

His voice echoed in the tent, as if every word had a firm rhythm, inspiring the generals' courage and determination. He knew that confidence and morale were equally important for the coming battle. "Concerning traitors, we cannot act rashly, lest we alert the enemy." He continued, "I will arrange for people who are proficient in intelligence to monitor secretly. Once any abnormalities are discovered, we will act immediately without mercy."

As the night grew darker, the lights in the tent outlined Li Keyong's resolute silhouette. He stood in the center of the tent, facing the map, as if having a silent dialogue with the entire battlefield. After the generals left with their respective tasks, his mind was filled with various calculations and predictions. He rehearsed every possible situation in his mind to ensure that no accidents could destroy his plan.

In the silence, he slowly sat back in his seat, spread out an intelligence report, and carefully studied the details of each record, looking for any clues about the betrayers. His eyes were like hawks, sharp and focused, not letting go of any clue that could connect the traitor network.

Occasionally, he would stop, close his eyes and meditate, constantly adjusting and improving the plan in his mind to ensure that every unit can be seamlessly connected and that every soldier understands his role. He knew that even the best-laid plans would require the heroism of his soldiers to translate into victory.

Hidden in the dim candlelight of the tent, Li Keyong's figure was projected on the fine sand table. He stared at every hill and river several times, as if he was trying to carve this vivid topographic map into his mind. the deepest part. He closed his eyes again, touched the sand table with his hands, and slowly slid his fingertips along the simulated mountains and valleys. He built an invisible battlefield in his mind, and every forest and rock was clearly reflected in his consciousness. .

His thoughts traveled through time, returning to past battles for inspiration. The memory of every victory aroused waves of courage in his heart, and every defeat reminded him to always be vigilant. He knows that every decision made on the battlefield is like stroking the strings of fate. A little carelessness may lead to irreversible tragedy.

When he opened his eyes and focused on the map again, his vision became sharper. His finger moved to a certain point in the sand table, where there was a hidden mountain road, enough for his elite troops to quietly sneak around the enemy's back. "Here," he said to himself, "if our light cavalry can reach this position before dawn, we can form a situation to surround the enemy."

Going through the plan again, he sought the light of wisdom from the candle in his palm. He knows that the strategies he develops must take into account the abilities and limitations of each team member, and that every instruction should be clear and easy to execute. His plan included not only the order of battle, but also several backup plans to deal with changes that might occur at any time on the battlefield.

Li Ke gently blew out the candle, and the tent fell into darkness, but in this darkness, his mind became brighter. He knows that war is never just about conquering the enemy, but also a challenge to one's own limits. He prayed silently for the soldiers, hoping that they could return safely. Every life is precious.

He relit the candle because he knew that as a general, he could not give up thinking in the dark or give up preparation in the uncertainty. He stood up again, walked to the door of the tent, and took a deep breath of the cold night air. At that moment, he seemed to be connected to the entire world, and the starlight above the clouds conveyed faith and hope to him.

Under the dim light in the tent, Li Keyong's figure was projected on the map that he had memorized by heart. He was alone, holding a slender baton in his hand, his eyes fixed on the colors and symbols on the map that represented different terrains. In the silence, only his deep breathing and the occasional rustling of map pages shuttled through the air.

He examined every planned route and seemed to be having a conversation with those silent lines in his mind. Then he picked up a pen and carefully made changes at a certain node, which was a critical turning point in his plan. He took into account not only the pros and cons of the terrain, but also possible enemy lines of sight and range of fire. He knows that a real war is more complicated than any chess game, and every movement of troops may trigger a chain reaction.

Li Keyong's eyes moved to a special route, which was a circuitous path designed for the cavalry team. He calculated their marching speed with precision, taking into account load, weather, ground conditions and even the endurance of the horses. He used different colored markers on the map to represent different time periods, ensuring that when the enemy was at its weakest, his cavalry could cut through the morning fog like arrows and deliver a fatal blow to the enemy.

Suddenly, he stopped and reconsidered the formation of the infantry. They needed to support quickly after the cavalry raid to form an encirclement. He carved out new paths on the map, allowing the infantry to hide in the jungle until the last possible moment.

He also studied the enemy's possible response routes and preset several ambush points, which were all set based on the latest intelligence. His plan left plenty of flexibility to deal with different battlefield variables. He even reserved high ground for archers to ensure they could maximize range and accuracy from a safe location.

As the night deepened, Li Keyong's face shone with thought. Not only did he repeatedly check the configuration of each soldier, he also recalled their faces one by one. His soldiers are his family, the ones he must do his best to protect.

In this late night, he seemed to be racing against time. Although fatigue appeared in the corners of his eyes, his will never wavered. He knew that at the dawn of the future, his decisions would hold the key to the fate of hundreds or even thousands of people. When he finally put the pen down, he knew he had done his best. He prayed for his soldiers, who were not just pawns on the battlefield, but warriors who shouldered the dreams of their home and country.

Li Keyong took a deep breath and let out a slow sigh. He stood up, and the silence around him seemed to be waiting for the last peace before dawn. His eyes shone with perseverance, as if foreshadowing the dawn of coming victory. At this moment, he is not just a general, but the gathering point of the beliefs of all soldiers, the hope of victory, and the defender of peace for his family and country. At this moment, his mind was like a star, not only firm and bright, but also shining brightly in the quiet night sky.