Chapter 143

  Xiao Muqing finished speaking, and everyone looked at Zhang Zhou and Bai Yong.

  Zhang Zhou and Bai Yong were both shocked, launching a surprise attack on the barbarian army's camp was no easy task, if things went wrong, they might not return.

  Two generals of the Xiazi faction went there. Qiu Zhen also felt that something was wrong, and he said: "General Xiao, don't you think it's better to reconsider?"

  Xiao Mucang shook his head and said seriously: "We can't know the situation of the adults, now we can only rely on our own strength to retreat the enemy. The enemy is numerous and I am alone, and it will be difficult to hold out for a long time. Therefore, we must fight quickly and decisively. If we want to quickly retreat the enemy, there is only one way to cut off their food and grass. This sneak attack is crucial, and we must succeed in one blow. Among our five armies, the first, second, and third armies are the strongest. Among the three army commanders, General Zhang and General Bai are the most calm and composed, so this matter can only be entrusted to the two generals. I hope that the two generals will not care about personal gains and losses at the critical moment and lift the siege of Heng City!"

  Between words, Xiao Muqing raised his hands and gave a deep bow to Zhang Zhou and Bai Yong.

  Seeing this, Zhang Zhou and Bai Yong rushed forward together, hastily supporting Xiao Mucqing, and repeatedly said: "General's words are too serious, I am ashamed to dare not accept!"

  Xiao Muqing said it to this extent, Zhang Zhou and Bai Yong had no room for refusal, they could only swallow their pride and accept the order.

  That night, the garrison of Heng City was quiet, and it wasn't until the fifth watch of the next morning that the south gate was quietly opened, and a dozen or so agile black shadows slipped out through the gap in the gate.

  At this time, near dawn, the sky is darkest and people are most tired and least on their guard. To launch a surprise attack at this moment would be most advantageous.

  Feng Jun's troops had not yet left the city, and Cheng Jin led a group of hidden arrow personnel to take out the enemy camp's sentry first.

  Dark Cultivators do not have large-scale killing spiritual martial skills and are not suitable for chaotic battles, but they are natural hunters, skilled in stealth and unexpected assassination.

  Cheng Jin and others took advantage of the night's cover, silently lurking outside the gate of the Nanying camp of the barbarian army.

  The south gate of Heng City was not the main direction of the barbarian army's attack, and its main force was not in the south camp. There were not many guards outside the camp, and Cheng Jin and others did not have to exert much effort to solve the barbarian sentry one by one. Even the barbarian soldiers on the watchtowers on both sides of the camp gate were not spared. The members of the Dark Arrow squad drifted onto the watchtower with a dark shadow, quickly stabbing the sentries to death, and then tied their bodies to the pillar. From a distance, it was impossible to notice that the sentry had died, and it seemed as if they were still standing guard.

  After everything was settled, the Dark Arrow members quickly retreated and sent a message back to the city.

  The Dark Arrow members had just returned, and Zhang Zhou and Bai Yong led 10,000 plain soldiers rushing out of the city gate. They were all on foot, each wearing black clothes, with a black armor outside, fearing to make a sound, their mouths were tied with a black cloth, these 10,000 soldiers did not bring any extra miscellaneous items, only carrying fire oil, after leaving the city, they swung their legs and rushed straight to the southern camp of the barbarian army.

  No one spoke, no one shouted "Kill!" There was only the clatter of armor and the sound of people panting.

  As the sentries outside the Nanying camp had been silently eliminated by hidden arrows, Zhang and Bai proceeded smoothly and soon rushed to the gate of the camp.

  With the agile Wind Corps first flipping over the camp's fence, opening the gate from inside, Zhang Zhou and Bai Yong each wielded their long spears, commanding their soldiers to charge in.

  This ten thousand strong army of the plains, was like a bolt from the blue, the barbarian army had no inkling and no defense, they were caught off guard, many soldiers were still sleeping in their barracks when they were slaughtered by the chaotic blades of the plains army, dying in confusion amidst their dreams.

  Xiao Muqing and Ai Jia's observation was correct, the Besa army's southern camp was indeed a place for storing grain and fodder. Charging into the southern camp's hinterland, they soon saw rows of warehouses. Opening the tent door and taking a look inside, they were all neatly stacked with grain. Seeing this, Zhang Zhou and Bai Yong were overjoyed, and both gave orders to pour oil and burn the grain.

  The grain and hay were dry, and the fire started as soon as it was ignited. What's more, oil was added to the fire, causing a huge blaze that couldn't be controlled. The wind fanned the flames, making them even stronger, and the fire spread wildly in all directions, engulfing row after row of warehouses in an instant. Looking out at the scene, the ferocity of the fire seemed as if it would burn half the sky.

  The fire broke out in the southern camp, and the entire barbarian army camp was thrown into chaos, with people shouting and horses neighing, and cries unceasing.

  The flames grew bigger and bigger, even the plain soldiers who set the fire retreated in succession.

  A huge fire raged, and the barbarian army rushed out of their camp in a panic, crying and wailing. Zhang Zhou and Bai Yong exchanged a glance, and without saying a word, they burst into loud laughter. Who would have thought that things would go so smoothly? It seemed that Xiao Miaoqing indeed had exceptional abilities, and it was a good decision for the general to appoint him as the commander of Heng City.

  Zhang Zhou laughed and said: "The barbarian army is nothing but a bunch of ears, so unbearable to fight, really want to rush into their hinterland again!"

  Bai Yong hastily stopped him and said: "Our mission is accomplished, we must immediately return to report and withdraw quickly!"

  "En!" Zhang Zhou nodded. That was all they could do, bringing only 10,000 men to launch a surprise attack on the barbarian army. Once the enemy gathered their forces, they wouldn't be able to gain much advantage either.

  Just as Zhang Zhou and Bai Yongzhi were feeling triumphant and thinking of leading their troops in a withdrawal, they suddenly discovered that they could no longer retreat.

  I don't know where the countless barbarian troops came from, but they have already blocked the gate of the south camp. What's more, the sound of horseshoes can be heard behind everyone, and when turning back to look, Zhang and Bai's faces changed instantly. A cavalry unit rushed over quickly from behind them, a dense black mass that couldn't be counted, those were Besa's heavy armored cavalry.

  "We've been had! We've also fallen into their trap!" Zhang Zhou exclaimed subconsciously.

  Logically, the barbarian army must have been exhausted after a whole day of besieging the city. They were also caught off guard by the surprise attack, and even if they reacted quickly, it would be impossible for them to gather so many infantry and cavalry in such a short time, and block the camp gates to launch a pincer attack from both front and back. This clearly shows that the enemy had made prior arrangements, as if they had anticipated that the Wind Army would come to launch a surprise attack tonight.

  This time Zhang Zhou really guessed wrong, the commander of the Besa army was not a god, how could he know that on the side of Heng City, he could observe where his own grain and grass were stored, and at what time to send troops to sneak attack. And if he had really calculated it, how could the grain and grass be burned by the Wind Army so easily?

  The commander of the Beisa army was also a skilled general who knew the importance of food and grass, so he arranged for heavy troops to guard them, not just for tonight, but for a long time. However, the timing of the Pingyuan army's raid was too good, catching the barbarian army off guard when they were tired and lax in their defense. By the time the barbarian soldiers gathered, the Pingyuan army had already started setting fire to the grain, leaving no time to stop them.

  At this time, the front had barbarian troops blocking, and the rear had heavy armored cavalry pursuing. The Wanping Plain army was trapped inside the barbarian camp, and the enemy's forces were still increasing. Seeing this scene, the joyful mood of the Pingyuan army was swept away, replaced by thick fear and despair.

  Bai Yong was indeed calm and composed, only slightly stunned, then suddenly shouted loudly to the people around him: "Charge! All brothers charge towards the gate together!"

  Whoa! With his command, the Pingyuan army surged towards the Yanmen like a tidal wave.

  There are over 3,000 barbarian soldiers gathered at the gate now. The number of soldiers is not many, but the combat effectiveness of the barbarian soldiers is too strong. In a head-on confrontation, the Pingyuan army has no advantage at all.

  Soon both sides came into contact with each other, soldier against soldier, general against general, and unfolded a life-and-death great melee.

  They were engaged in hand-to-hand combat, while the heavy armored cavalry behind them did not slow down their speed and got closer and closer to the Pingyuan army. If they waited for this team of heavy armored cavalry to rush forward again, Zhang Zhou and Bai Yong's 10,000 men would all be finished off in the barbarian army camp.

  At this time, Zhang Zhou fired several shots in a row, knocking down several barbarian soldiers around him, and then quickly ran to Bai Yong's side, panting and saying: "The enemy is getting more and more, the cavalry behind is also coming, if we delay any longer, you and I brothers are afraid that no one can leave! You lead the men to charge at the gate, I'll go back to block the barbarian army's cavalry and cover your retreat!"

  "What about you?" Bai Yong's heart skipped a beat, his eyebrows furrowed. Zhang Zhou was now going to turn back and block the heavily armored cavalry, which was equivalent to going to his death.

  Zhang Zhou was stunned for a moment, then shouted loudly: "You don't have to take care of me, go first and talk later!"

  "No way!" Bai Yong and Zhang Zhou were both old men of the Pingyuan Army, having worked together for many years, with a deep affection between them. At this critical moment of life and death, how could he abandon Zhang Zhou and escape alone? He said: "You retreat first, I'll go block the cavalry!"

  "Shut up!" Zhang Zhou was anxious, he grabbed Bai Yong's shoulder and pulled him close, saying urgently: "This is not the time for debate! If you can see the general, tell him that I, Zhang Zhou, have not disgraced the reputation of the Wind Army!" After finishing speaking, he used force to push Bai Yong away, then loudly shouted: "Brothers of the First Battalion, follow my orders and block the barbarian cavalry!"

  No longer paying attention to Bai Yong, Zhang Zhou led his troops under his command and charged back towards the rear.

  At ordinary times, Zhang Zhou was the most cautious and timid one, but now at the critical moment, in the choice between life and death, he chose the latter, choosing to stay behind to cover his comrades' retreat. The duality of human nature is embodied in him.

  Zhang Zhou led the crowd back in a rush, and Bai Yong clenched his lips tightly, with blood seeping out from the corners of his mouth.

  He stamped his foot heavily and let out a loud roar, charging towards the barbarian soldiers at the gate with his wheel gun.

  It's not that he was afraid of death, but it's already impossible to fight back now. Zhang Zhou risked his life to create an opportunity for him and the brothers under his command to escape. If they didn't seize this chance, they would be wasting Zhang Zhou's efforts and throwing away their own lives as well as those of their soldiers.

  Even if unbearable, even if his heart was like a knife twisting, he could only grit his teeth and retreat with a heavy heart.

  Bai Yong led the charge with his troops, while Zhang Zhou led 5,000 soldiers from the First Legion to meet Bessas' heavily armored cavalry.

  Heavily armored cavalrymen were unstoppable when charging at full gallop, and no tactics could stop them. Although the infantrymen would roll out their blades, they would be trampled to death by the warhorses before they could even use them.

  When both sides were close enough, Zhang Zhou immediately ordered, "Present shields!"

  Dozens of wind soldiers stood at the forefront of the formation, holding up their shields, while the rest of the wind soldiers worked together to hold up the shields, preparing to withstand the impact of the heavy armored cavalry.