Chapter 59: The Battle of Qingfeng Gorge (3)
Actually, I had already made up my mind. Through radar observation, I knew that their logistics camp was not far behind this pass. The people hiding on the mountain couldn't light a fire, so their food was cooked in this camp and sent up. Unless we passed through the pass, it would take them several days to circle around, and by then they would have made all sorts of preparations. But to safely get through the pass, haha, the bandits aren't dead men, could they let us pass? Due to these considerations, this important camp didn't have many defensive measures, with only about 1500 guards, mostly old and weak soldiers, mainly used for cooking and sending food, with little combat power. I saw that this was the bandits' Achilles' heel, but it wasn't their fault, if I didn't have radar I would never have discovered it, and they wouldn't be so careless either. Now all I need to do is burn their grain, in the icy snow, they absolutely can't hold on for three days. Even if they wanted to transport grain from outside, it would take about ten days, by then they would have frozen to death.
Before nightfall, a simple campsite like a fort had been completed, with defensive measures in place, and it was absolutely possible to withstand the enemy's attack. I estimated that after burning their food, they would launch a life-and-death struggle, but their morale could only last for two days at most, after which they would be dragged down by hunger. Although everyone was exhausted from rushing to finish the work, I wasn't worried about being attacked at this time, as before the bandits knew our situation, they would surely lie on the mountain top and drink the wind.
After dinner in the evening, order everyone to rest. I and five generals have a small meeting in a tent!
"Gentlemen! I plan to launch a surprise attack on the bandits' camp tonight!" The poor monk's words shocked everyone.
"Do you know where they are?" Li Gang said impatiently.
"It's just beyond Qingfeng Gorge, on a flat piece of land!"
"How did you know? Our scouts haven't gone that far yet?"
"I don't just know the location, I also know that there are 1,500 people defending it, all of them old and weak soldiers. The camp only has tents for storing grain, without any other defensive measures!"
"Cut! It's as if you've seen it with your own eyes?" Li Gang said impatiently.
"It's really what I saw with my own eyes!"
"How is it possible? You've never been out before?" Li Gang asked in surprise.
"I see it with magic, you don't understand, just listen to my orders!"
"Really? Is there such magic? I've never heard of it!" Li Gang said skeptically: "You'd better not be cheating us, this concerns the lives of our soldiers!"
"Alright! I'll go myself, if we're gonna die, let's die together, come on!"
"No! I'll go instead!" Shi Huwei said
"No, I'll go!" The wooden guard also said
It seems these two are still the most loyal.
"How are we going?" Li Gang said again: "Fly over? Walking through the gorge is asking for death!"
They immediately stopped arguing and looked at me.
"Why not just go from the gorge entrance, with people leading horses by nose rings and hooves wrapped in thick fur? Send out only 300 men, sneaking past under the cover of darkest night?" The poor monk said with a smile.
For a moment everyone fell silent, after a long while, Li Gang said: "It's not that there is no opportunity, it's just a bit risky, what if we get discovered?"
"Firstly, they don't know we've been exposed and are preparing to ambush us, so they don't dare light a fire, increasing our concealment. Secondly, there are only 300 of us, each one an elite warrior; if we're exposed, we'll charge forward immediately, catching them off guard. Lastly, my magic isn't just for show; once we're exposed, I can use fog to block their line of sight, including torches. Besides, do you think they have any light sources on hand right now? If not, even if we charge at them, they won't know when or how we'll attack. In that case, what are the chances of us successfully charging out?"
"Why don't they all rush over? Wouldn't it be better?" said Li Gang.
"Idiot! 300 people can sneak by, what about 3,000? What about those cars, don't they need to be pulled?"
"Haha! Me too!" Li Gang laughed and said: "Young master's tricks are really many."
"Di Yun has one thing unclear, please instruct me, young master!" Di Yun said seriously.
"You want to know what happens to these 300 people after they're done burning!"
"Really? Absolutely no way to return by the original route?"
"If they had burned their grain and we could still return by our original route, then they would be even more stupid than pigs!"
"Haha!" Everyone laughed.
"I never intended to call them back, they should bring enough dry rations and hold out in the wilderness for a few days. If all goes well, these bandits will be annihilated within three days, and then we can return. Otherwise, it's our doom! And I'm sure those mysterious people won't surrender, I'll keep an eye on them, and if there's a chance, I'll try to wipe them out completely!"
"I think Young Master's plan is feasible!" Shi Huwei expressed his stance
"I agree!" The wooden guardian nodded in agreement.
The other three also agreed.
"Alright, since everyone agrees, let's make secret preparations. Be careful, thieves may have spies secretly observing us."
"Yes! Young master!" everyone replied
"But Master, I think it's better if I go instead, you stay here!" Shi Huwei said.
"Yes indeed, young master! You're still young, how can you be called upon to take the field and fight?" Mu Huwei also said
"Right! Young master, stay behind!" The others also advised him to do so.
"No way! I have to lead the way, and besides, who among you has my fire magic when it comes to burning food? And is staying behind really safe? They'll go crazy attacking here once they run out of food, because only this grain can keep them alive! So the task of the two uncles staying behind is also very difficult!"
"Alright, be careful then!" Everyone reluctantly replied
On a dark and eerie night, after all the bonfires in the camp had been extinguished, our group of 300 people quietly arrived at the entrance of the gorge. Two men were sent to scout ahead, and soon they returned with news that it was safe. Our 300 brave warriors then began this sneak attack! For my safety, Grandfather assigned eight Golden Warriors to accompany me, as well as Old Horse, this super skilled fighter who volunteered to protect me. I was full of confidence for this battle.
I led the way, riding on my horse, while others walked, holding onto the tail of the horse in front and leading their own horses. The sky was pitch black, and originally not much light could penetrate into the valley, now it's even darker, you can't see your fingers in front of you. Fortunately, I can see, so I took the lead. Along the way, apart from the sound of the wind, occasionally we could hear curses from above, it seems there are indeed people ambushing us up there.
All the way, we walked very carefully, afraid of causing trouble, which also slowed down our speed. It took more than an hour to walk eight or nine miles, and just as we were about to leave, something unexpected happened.
Because this place is far from our camp, the control of thieves has also been relaxed a lot. There was an extremely idle and boring scoundrel who didn't sleep honestly, but instead threw stones at us after eating his fill. He threw down a stone about the size of a fist. It should be my bad luck that he hit a horse's head with it. This horse didn't have the awareness of a warrior and was immediately frightened, jumping up and down while neighing loudly. Now everything has been exposed, and that bandit also realized something was wrong, shouting in a loud voice: "There are people sneaking underneath! Everyone get up quickly! Don't let the fat sheep escape!"
Heavens, why is it that I, a poor Daoist, am so unlucky? Is it destined that my first time leading an army into battle will be ruined by this accursed rock?
