Chapter 1594: Chapter 1594: Ferryboat
"What, how can it be empty?" Huo Ziqing was shocked and angry upon hearing the news. There are as many as five camps here. Even though they launched a surprise attack, the Qin Army, no matter how panic-stricken, couldn’t possibly be completely undefended, right?
"Damn, we’ve fallen into a trap." Huo Ziqing, a battle-hardened veteran, quickly realized the trick amidst the circumstances. The fifty thousand Qin Army troops were deployed along the hundred-mile Zhao He. Each camp should have many stationed soldiers, but it shouldn’t just be a few hundred, right?
"General, not only the barracks but the granaries are empty too."
"Quick, retreat at once. It’s a trap set by the Qin Army."
Suddenly, several anti-cavalry barriers, dozens of meters long, were pulled to the camp’s gate by ropes, blocking the escape route. The iron cavalry rushing out in a hurry collided with the spears mounted on the barriers, causing both horses and men to fall to the ground.
"Traitor general, don’t run."
"Kill."
"Kill all the rebel forces."
In an instant, shouts erupted, submerging Huo Ziqing and his men within. Around the camp, large contingents of heavily armored Qin soldiers appeared, armed with long spears and large shields, forming a phalanx, advancing step by step.
"Huo Ziqing, I want to see where you can run." At this moment, a Qin General holding a horse-chopping sword stood outside the camp, coldly watching everything inside. Countless Qin soldiers surged from all directions toward these five camps, like a dark, oppressive tide. In the dark night, it was impossible to tell how many there were.
"General Zheng really has divine foresight. A simple ruse has lured over ten thousand rebels into the trap. Now, they have nowhere to escape."
"Exactly. There’s already an ambush set in these camps. Huo Ziqing is indeed a brave general, and his cavalry is the main force of the rebel army. If placed on a plain, their combat power is indeed formidable. But now, they are trapped in these camps, unable to escape or break out. They can only wait for death." Zheng Lang laughed coldly. "Order our troops to seal all exits with anti-cavalry barriers and heavily armored soldiers. Let archers fire into the camp from outside."
"Understood."
Inside the camp.
"General, the Qin Army is all around us. They’ve placed anti-cavalry barriers at the gate. Our brothers were killed by the spears as soon as they reached the gate."
"The enemy has set up a spear formation, guarding the gate. Our warhorses have a survival instinct; seeing the long spears, they naturally don’t dare to charge full force."
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.
As he spoke, a rain of arrows fell from the sky. In the pitch-black night, the soldiers couldn’t see the arrows, only hearing the sound of the fletching slicing through the air.
Ah, ah, ah.
Over ten thousand cavalry had no protection, not even a shield. They couldn’t even see the arrows. In the chaos, horses collided, soldiers fell off, were trampled to death by hooves.
"This is bad, General Huo. The Qin Army is shooting arrows. Our brothers have nowhere to hide. The situation is about to spiral out of control."
Seeing his fallen comrades struck down by the random arrows, Huo Ziqing felt heartache and frustration. The Qin Army possessed technology far superior to the other six states, crafting powerful bows and crossbows with long range. Archers fired into the camp from outside. Huo Ziqing was helpless.
Whoosh, whoosh.
"Zhang Zhi," Huo Ziqing shouted. The deputy general beside him was hit by arrows from above, his warhorse hit by three arrows. Before the man could get up, arrows rained down, pinning him to the ground.
"General, our casualties are severe. We must retreat immediately."
"Retreat at once."
"Beyond the rear camp is Zhao He. Our forces have no boats. Breaking through is useless. All troops, hear orders. We will break out from the front camp. Charge for me."
"Charge out!"
..................
Lu Lin Ferry.
"Leave none alive, kill them all." Outside the ferry, Wan Qi Yuan rode forward with a cold expression. In the blink of an eye, the cavalry behind him reached the ferry.
Whoosh.
"It’s... it’s the rebel cavalry. Hurry, someone..."
"Charge in," Wan Qi Yuan said calmly, putting down his longbow.
One incense stick later.
"Report to the commander, the Qin Army at the ferry has been completely captured. Most were asleep when we attacked."
"What’s the situation now?" Wan Qi Yuan replied.
"Most of the Qin Army has surrendered."
"Kill them all, leave none alive. If even one escapes and reports, our plan will be completely ruined," Wan Qi Yuan said coldly.
"Understood."
"Additionally, what about the state of the ferry boats?" Besides the Qin Army here, Wan Qi Yuan remembered the most crucial task was ensuring the ferry’s safety.
"Rest assured, Commander. The Qin Army didn’t have time to escape, let alone burn the boats. I’ve already sent troops to inspect. The boats are intact, not one is missing."
"Good."
Soon after, Ye Shikai led a large force to the ferry, where Wan Qi Yuan had already prepared for the army’s embarkation.
"Wan Qi Yuan, this time we’re here to rescue General Huo’s troops. The camps have limited space, making cavalry ineffective. So, you will guard this ferry, waiting for our return," Ye Shikai instructed. Losing five thousand cavalry, he had only fifteen thousand left. Although fewer in number, it wouldn’t significantly impact the mission, since cavalry is ineffective in narrow spaces.
"Understood, I will remain here, awaiting the general’s return."
"Good. All troops, hear orders, board the ships immediately. We will follow the current, striking the central camp from the rear."
"Understood."
"Understood."
"Shangguan, what are you thinking about?" On the ship, Ye Shikai asked.
"Old Ye, what will we do if we fail this mission?" As the army set out, Shangguan Jian couldn’t help feeling worried. More so since this battle plan was made in haste. If defeated, the entire army could be annihilated. He wasn’t afraid of facing Mi Wen’s pursuit, willing to die, but what about all the brothers behind him?
"There’s no way out. There’s no perfect plan in war. It’s about taking risks. To be honest, I’m not sure we’ll succeed, but all we can do is try our best. At least, everything has been going smoothly so far," Ye Shikai said, walking to the ship’s edge, testing the water flow speed.
"At this speed, we will reach soon. The Qin Army won’t anticipate our plan."
"Mm."
Kill, kill.
Suddenly, distant shouts were heard, drawing the soldiers’ attention. Through the darkness, they saw several camps onshore catching fire. From the screams, Ye Shikai could discern the situation: Huo Ziqing was in a desperate situation.
"Look, Old Ye, General Huo’s troops are there," Shangguan Jian pointed at the shore, exclaiming excitedly.
"Alright, all soldiers, listen to orders, dock the ship, directly assault the rear of the main camp, and support General Huo."
