Xun Yu looked helpless, nervous and frightened. He could feel that things were changing, and he could hear the shouts of the rebels outside the high walls of the capital. He then sighed and said, "Is there any chance for my son?" A good strategy to defeat the enemy?"
Xun Mou stroked his chin thoughtfully, and Chen Ziyuan, who was kneeling next to him, suddenly spoke, "Your Majesty, I personally inquired and learned that the rebel army's current rations are stored in the new suburb ten miles away from the enemy camp. I would like to volunteer for a team. The men and horses sneaked out of the city at night and burned the new suburbs. At that time, the rebels were defeated without attacking."
"Why are you talking about such an important matter now?" Xun Yu was really anxious.
"I know that protecting Liu Yan is not good, so I am willing to die to investigate!"
Xun Mou nodded to his father, "Now this is considered the best policy. General Chen, I leave this matter to you. I will definitely find you the most capable assistants to help you. Tell me, how many people are needed?"
"Twenty people!"
"Twenty people?" Xun Mou looked at Chen Ziyuan in disbelief.
Chen Ziyuan confirmed again, "That's right! With too many people, the target can easily be exposed. We must leave as quickly as possible and cannot stay for a moment."
It was night, the moon was dark and the wind was high. Chen Ziyuan and his party took off their armor, only wore night clothes, tied with ropes, walked down the city wall, and quietly headed towards the new suburbs. The group of people ran to the hill outside the Xinjiao Camp and took advantage of the night to observe. However, it was too dark, so they had to look at the stars and lights. Hearing that the movement in the camp was gradually subdued, Chen Ziyuan immediately sent a dozen short and strong men to pour out the fierce fire oil. After receiving the order, several people carefully poured fire oil around the outside of Xinjiao. After a while, several people returned to the hill to meet Chen Ziyuan.
At this time, winter was approaching, the north wind was blowing hard, and it was the season when the weather was dry. Chen Ziyuan saw that the first few steps had been completed, and now only the last step was left. He couldn't help but feel happy, and hurriedly took advantage of the enemy camp not noticing anything strange. At that time, he ordered the rockets to be lit and fired towards the new suburban camp.
In an instant, the Xinjiao Grain and Grass Camp was in flames. Just as people were shouting, flames were also rising outside the camp. Only then did everyone realize that an enemy had set fire to the grain. But it was too late now. The fire took advantage of the wind and soared into the sky. It was as bright as day, and the soldiers in the camp scattered in all directions for fear of being unable to escape.
When Chen Ziyuan saw this, he was very pleased with himself and quickly led his men back to the city.
At dawn, Lu Zuo, Liu Xingyuan and others learned the news. Everyone was shocked. "While the troops and horses are not moving, food and grass go first." This has always been the first rule of military strategists. Now, at the critical moment of the siege, there was a "fire in the backyard." When Liu Xingyuan learned that Liu Yan had committed suicide, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Now that the grain and grass were burned, he was furious. Regardless of Lu Zuo's thoughts, he immediately ordered the deputy general Li Ming who was responsible for guarding the grain and grass to be beheaded in public. Lu Zuo looked at Lu Xiuyuan with some embarrassment. When Liu Xingyuan saw everyone in the camp looking at each other, he felt that he had gone too far and quickly said: "Originally, we had the advantage. Now that the grain and grass have been burned, it will take time to transport the next batch of grain and grass." Today, I’m afraid that before the capital city is conquered, our army will be distracted, and Li Ming should be punished for his dereliction of duty!”
Lu Manxi interrupted: "What His Highness said is absolutely true. It would not be a pity for Li Ming to be cut into pieces by a thousand cuts..."
"Go down!" Lu Xiuyuan shouted back at Lu Manxi distractedly, and then continued, "Now we have to hurry up and deliver the next batch of food and grass smoothly, otherwise we won't be able to survive four days with the food and grass we currently have in the army!"
Jing Jingruo also said: "Yesterday's brother reported that the next batch of food and grass will arrive in three days, there must be no problem."
Lu Zuo's face was as heavy as water. He stood up and walked to the door of the big tent. He looked up at the sky, then turned back and stood in front of the hall and shook his head.
"Brother Lu, what's wrong?" Huo Yan asked hurriedly, "You said..."
"The way I look at the weather, it's unclear whether it will rain in the next few days. Now is the autumn and winter season. I'm afraid that if the autumn rain continues, the transportation of grain and grass will be delayed!"
Liu Xingyuan raised his eyebrows at this time, "I have a plan!"
"Your Highness, please speak!" Lu Manxi said.
"In order to ensure the safe delivery of grain and grass, three thousand troops should be sent to pick up the escort. And since Xunmou will send people to burn grain and grass in the new suburbs, he will definitely continue to set up ambushes in Langya Valley, the only way for the next batch of grain and grass teams to pass, and then cut off Our retreat. This place is more than 40 miles away from Langya Valley and less than two days away. We must send another team of 3,000 troops to seize the opportunity and set up an ambush here first. This will ensure that the food and grass are safe."
"Great idea!" Lu Manxi praised with a thumbs up.
Lu Xiuyuan glanced at Lu Zuo, who nodded and said, "This plan is feasible."
Liu Xingyuan saw that Lu Zuo also agreed with this move, so he continued to give orders, "The first team to respond will be led by Huo Qian, and the people who set up an ambush in Langya Valley will be led by Lu Manxi."
As soon as these words came out, all other eyes fell on Lu Zuo. Only Lu Manxi held his fists and accepted the order: "The last general accepts the order!"
Huo Yan raised his head and chest, and glanced at Lu Manxi disdainfully, "Young boy, it's such an embarrassing task. Let me handle the troops in Langya Valley."
Liu Xingyuan and Lu Manxi looked at each other, quite embarrassed, and then looked at Lu Zuo.
Lu Manxi knew that the reason why King Ning entrusted such an important matter to his leadership was that he trusted and cultivated him, and secondly, he also wanted to make himself powerful in the army. As he followed his senior brother, he had always Protecting yourself as a child, there is no chance of getting ahead. Now that this reckless man Huo Yan has embarrassed Prince Ning again, he also intends to help Prince Ning to make Huo Yan feel sick. He snorted coldly, "I see you are not much older than me. Don’t forget that you are here today because of the support of our Highness Prince Ning and our father.”
"Shut up..." Lu Xiuyuan shouted.
Liu Xingyuan only talked about himself and his father. He couldn't help but feel grateful and hurriedly smoothed things over. "Brother Lu is very courageous, wise and brave. He set up an ambush in Langya Valley, which is absolutely reassuring. Brother Huo doesn't have to be impatient, you know now Escorting food and grass to the camp safely is the most important task in the army, and it is especially important that Brother Huo should take on this important task."
Huo Yan felt that the second half of the sentence seemed reasonable, so he looked at Lu Zuo, waiting for his opinion.
Lu Zuo raised his eyes and looked at Lu Manxi and Huo Yan, and nodded, "His Highness is right, so hurry up and use the command talisman to arrange the troops."
Chen Ziyuan succeeded in setting fire to the new suburbs. Xun Yu was delighted, so he rewarded Chen Ziyuan heavily.
Xun Mou then ordered Chen Ziyuan to lead 2,000 people to continue on the starry night journey to Langya Valley to set up an ambush, waiting for the opportunity to catch the rebel transport team in the rear.
That night, Chen Ziyuan led two thousand people, still dressed in black, and walked down the city wall in batches. They made an appointment to gather at a certain place in the suburbs. When everyone was present, they quickly headed to Langya Valley.
Chen Ziyuan and his party made an appointment for a day, and saw that Langya Valley was right in front of them, so they set up a pergola and observed the terrain. They saw two peaks of Langya Valley towering into the clouds, shaped like wolf teeth. The valley terrain is gentle, with only ten mountains. More than ten feet wide. Chen Ziyuan couldn't help but sigh in his heart, it seemed like a good ambush point. He was tired from running around for the past two days, and the brothers hadn't closed their eyes yet, so they rested and reorganized where they were. It wouldn't be too late to walk a short distance until dawn tomorrow.
In the early morning of the next day, with the sky full of glow, Chen Ziyuan ordered to gear up and set off, and at the same time ordered a special agent to go and inquire about the situation of the rebel transport team.
In less than an hour, Chen Ziyuan's army had arrived in Langya Valley. While observing the terrain, he was thinking about how to arrange the manpower to set up an ambush.
"Langya Valley..." Chen Ziyuan pondered for a moment, "It's true. Although these two mountains are high, they are not steep. They are also covered by large trees and dense forests. They are indeed suitable for setting up infantry and archers. Come here. , how many horses do we have?”
"Reporting back to the general, there are forty-eight horses captured in the countryside, plus the abandoned horses captured along the way, there are a total of seventy-four usable horses."
