Zhao Changkong personally led his three thousand elite soldiers and approached the small number of soldiers in front of him. When he saw that the soldiers did not move, he was a little suspicious. However, Pang Gui's letter had made it clear that the main force of the soldiers was trapped in Panlong Mountain. It was impossible for there to be too many soldiers here. Furthermore, the spies from last night had already checked the area and found that there were not too many soldiers here. Instead, there was a small number of soldiers who were busy setting up a diversion. This made him feel at ease and he felt that the soldiers in front of him were just putting on a show.
"It's already four hundred steps and they still haven't moved. Do they really want to die?"
Zhao Changkong said coldly.
Duan Jianwei looked around and pondered for a moment before saying, "I feel uneasy. Could this be a trap set by the soldiers?"
Although he was full of confidence last night, he felt a sense of trepidation at this moment. He suddenly felt that something was amiss. Perhaps it was a warning from the depths of his heart! However, he could not pinpoint what was wrong. He suddenly remembered that he had lost contact with all his trusted aides in Zhao Yong and Pang Gui's troops. Although these trusted aides might have died in battle, his two trusted aides were both highly skilled in martial arts. Why did none of them survive? Although Pang Gui described the battle as intense and both sides suffered heavy casualties, he still had some doubts.
If he knew that his trusted aides would die in battle, he would not have hidden their identities and infiltrated the army as normal soldiers. If they had followed Pang Gui and Zhao Yong, he believed that they would not have died for no reason.
Duan Jianwei could not tell if his trusted aides died in the intense battle or if there was some other unforeseen event. This had always been a worry in his heart and it made him feel slightly uneasy. The soldiers in front of him did not move at all. This made him even more uneasy. Were these soldiers crazy? Did they think that they could stop a few thousand soldiers with such a small number of soldiers?
"What's going on? These soldiers are not panicking at all. Could it be that they really have something up their sleeves? "
Duan Jianwei said doubtfully.
Zhao Changkong also frowned. However, he still trusted Pang Gui. Moreover, he could still see through Pang Gui's careless empty fort strategy.
"Don't be afraid. Let's continue forward. I don't believe that these soldiers can remain so calm."
Three hundred steps, two hundred steps, the fifty soldiers still did not retreat. The soldiers in the arrow towers even fired their crossbows in an attempt to attack the advancing rebel soldiers. They did not seem to be afraid of anything.
This time, even Zhao Changkong was cautious. After all, 200 steps was already very close. Were these soldiers really sending themselves to their deaths, or were there really reinforcements behind them?
From time to time, the sound of leaves rustling could be heard from both sides. However, these were all means of misdirection. They had already investigated clearly last night, so they were not very nervous. The only thing that made them nervous was the fifty very calm officers and soldiers in front of them.
"Continue forward and flatten the enemy."
Zhao Changkong still gave the order to continue forward.
A hundred steps. After the rebel army slowly advanced to the hundredth step, the fifty soldiers finally lost their composure. They quickly closed the gate of the stronghold and placed their weapons behind the gate. The soldiers in the arrow towers had already jumped down. Then, the captain in charge got on his horse and fled. The rest of the soldiers quickly followed suit.
"Hahaha! It's indeed the empty fort strategy. We've been seen through and they're running for their lives. "
Zhao Changkong laughed loudly. He waved his hand and ordered his vanguard to quickly clear the barricades, fill up the trenches, and tear down the temporary stronghold walls.
The barricade and the wall were made of wood, so it was easy to dismantle them. After dismantling the barricade, they threw the materials into the two trenches. Then, they filled the trenches with the soil piled on one side with the trenches.
In just a short time, the road was clear again. Everything went smoothly.
Duan Jianwei saw a small number of figures halfway up the mountain. They were climbing up the mountain and seemed to be escaping. This made him feel relieved. He felt that the rebel army was indeed using the empty fort strategy. Now that the empty fort strategy had been seen through, they could only run for their lives.
"King Zhao, the soldiers halfway up the mountain have escaped. Should we send people to chase after them?"
A captain asked.
Zhao Changkong shook his head. "No need. They're just a few small fries. Now, we have important matters to attend to. How can we waste time on a few small fries? "
Obviously, Zhao Changkong did not care about these small fries at all.
"King Zhao, the road has been cleared."
A captain said.
Zhao Changkong nodded in satisfaction and said, "Everyone, move out. Leave the valley and head straight for Royal City."
The three thousand soldiers increased their speed slightly and continued to move forward. At this time, they were very close to the valley entrance. They would soon be able to leave the valley entrance and enter the flat plains. Whether it was the soldiers or the generals, they were all relaxed. The situation just now was just a joke.
However, these people would never have thought that this was just a smokescreen. The real main force of the rebel army was here. They were hidden very well and were ready to attack at any time.
"Fifth Minister, the rebel army has been fooled. As long as they enter the ambush, we will be able to make a great contribution."
Li Long said excitedly.
At this moment, they were hiding halfway up the mountain and could clearly see everything that was happening in the valley. Zhao Changkong's elite troops were entering the valley, and on both sides of the valley, other than the two thousand soldiers lying in ambush, there were also many fireballs and large amounts of rocks that were hastily made. Once these things rolled down, they would be very destructive. A single round of fireballs and rocks would be enough to cause almost half of the rebel army's casualties. This estimation was definitely not too big of a problem. After all, this was a valley, and the fireballs and rocks released from the high ground contained a lot of potential energy. With such a huge amount of energy, it naturally contained a lot of destructive power.
Zhao Wufu had a complicated expression on his face. He was immersed in his memories. Zhao Changkong, who was about to fight, was also his clansmen. They were both members of the royal family and had a good relationship before. However, because they had chosen different paths, they were now enemies. Enemies that would not rest until one of them was dead.
Although the soldiers under Zhao Changkong were also citizens of Dongnu Province, since they had followed Zhao Changkong, they were undoubtedly rebels. In order to reduce his own losses and to deter those who had bad intentions, he had to be ruthless and deal a fatal blow to Zhao Changkong's elites. Even if he had to kill a few thousand people in one battle, he would not hesitate.
"Fifth Minister, the three thousand rebel elites have entered. Now is the best time."
Li Long said.
Zhao Wufu nodded and said, "Let's begin! Don't show mercy. First, injure their vitality. Then, it won't be too late to make them surrender. "
"Yes, Fifth Minister."
As the most loyal subordinate, Li Long had always obeyed Zhao Wufu. He would carry out Zhao Wufu's orders to the letter.
"Pass down the order. Light the fire."
Li Long gave the order loudly. Soon, hundreds of huge flammable fireballs were ignited. Then, the soldiers threw them down. These fireballs burned brighter and brighter. They rolled down rapidly, scorching all the vegetation along the way. An aura of death directly smashed into the rebel army in the valley.
At the same time, the main force of the imperial army that was lying in ambush appeared. They coldly looked at the rebel army that was surrounded.
"What's going on? Why are there so many fireballs?"
When they said that, all the rebel soldiers knew that they were surrounded by the imperial army. After all, it was impossible for so many fireballs to be made by just a few people. It must have been made by a very large army. Other than the fact that there was a large number of imperial soldiers around, there was no other explanation.
When Zhao Changkong and Duan Jianwei saw this scene, they were so frightened that their faces turned pale. They could not believe what they were seeing. At the same time, the appearance of a large number of imperial soldiers made them even more dumbfounded.
"Why are there so many imperial soldiers? There are at least five to six thousand of them. Isn't the main force of the imperial army trapped in Panlong Mountain? Why are there so many imperial soldiers here? "
Zhao Changkong was completely dumbfounded and said in exasperation.
Duan Jianwei sighed. Was there even a need to ask? Something must have happened to Pang Gui. He might have even surrendered to the imperial army. The so-called imperial army being trapped in Panlong Mountain was just a trap. It was a trap that they had fallen into.
"Ah! Run! "
After a large number of fireballs fell into the valley, it immediately caused great losses to the rebel army. In almost an instant, five to six hundred soldiers were burned by the fire. Following that, a large number of rocks fell from the sides of the mountain. There were so many rocks that it was like a rain of rocks. The damage caused was not any less than the fireballs. Just by using these methods, the main force of the rebel army of three thousand suffered a thousand casualties. The rest were all panicking and did not know what to do.
The three thousand bandits at the rear were two li away from the elite troops in front. When they saw that the troops in front had fallen into an ambush, they naturally did not dare to advance. They all stopped and looked at the scene in panic, not knowing what to do.
"King Zhao, we have been surrounded. The soldiers have suffered great losses. The entrance to the valley has been blocked. We can only retreat."
Zhao Changtian, his trusted aide, said.
Zhao Changkong was also helpless and was about to give the order to retreat. However, how could Zhao Wufu give them such a chance? When he launched the attack, a large number of rolling logs fell from the sky, blocking the rebel army's escape route. The three thousand rebels were like turtles in a jar. It was impossible for them to escape.
Seeing the heavy casualties of the rebel army below, Zhao Wufu's face did not have much of an expression. If he was too soft-hearted, he would not be able to lead troops.
"Where are Pang Gui and the rest? It's time for them to show their faces. "
Zhao Wufu said coldly.
"Yes, General."
Li Long waved his hand and the lieutenant below invited Pang Gui out.
"Pang Gui has seen the Five Ministers?"
Pang Gui bowed obediently.
"Your eyes are so red. Looks like you didn't rest well last night!"
Zhao Wufu's tone clearly did not have any concern.
Pang Gui felt helpless. Last night, Zhao Wufu had made such a big move. How could he still sleep? He didn't sleep at all. The other bandit leaders also didn't sleep. At most, they took a nap.
"If I can't atone for my crimes, I can't sleep at night!"
Pang Gui naturally knew what Zhao Wufu wanted him to do. The battle before them had already begun. He was naturally called out to persuade them to surrender.
Zhao Wufu smiled satisfactorily. "It's good that you can think this way. Zhao Changkong's troops are below. If you can persuade them to surrender, it will be a great achievement. Also, there are three thousand bandits watching the battle behind the battlefield. Let your subordinates persuade them to surrender. You can directly tell them that the other army is behind them. They can't escape. "
Pang Gui naturally had no other choice. At this moment, he had no other choice but to agree.
"Don't worry, Five Ministers. Leave this to me. I will do my best to persuade them to surrender and atone for my crimes."
After saying that, Pang Gui walked to the tent and ordered his former subordinates to persuade the bandits in the distance to surrender. These subordinates were all experienced bandits and knew some of the leaders among the three thousand bandits. Since they had some connections, it was naturally much easier to persuade them to surrender.
"General Zhao, Mister Duan, I'm Pang Gui. You are surrounded. Hurry up and surrender! Surrender is your only way out. "
Pang Gui shouted loudly to persuade them to surrender.
Zhao Changkong raised his head and saw Pang Gui. He was instantly shocked and furious. He hated Pang Gui to the core and wanted to kill him as soon as possible.
"Pang Gui, it's really you, the traitor. Don't forget your identity. You are a bandit leader. Even if you surrender, you can't escape death."
Zhao Changkong scolded.
Pang Gui's expression did not change. He said, "General Zhao, you may not know this, but the elite army, Zhao Yong's army, has been completely annihilated. When my men and I were surrounded by the army, we suffered great losses. Even I was captured and my men were completely annihilated. Since I was captured by the army, even if I didn't surrender, I would still be dead! If I surrender, I can live for a few more days. Don't you think so? "
"What? Both armies were annihilated? How is that possible?"
Zhao Changkong couldn't believe his ears. Previously, he thought that Pang Gui was greedy and took the initiative to surrender to the soldiers, which led to the current situation. He didn't expect that Pang Gui would surrender after being captured. Moreover, Zhao Yong's group was also completely wiped out. It didn't take long for two of the four groups to be completely wiped out. His main elite force also couldn't escape this calamity. He couldn't help but be shocked and couldn't believe that this was real.
"Mister Duan, what should we do?"
Zhao Changkong was suddenly out of ideas. He looked at Duan Jianwei beside him.
Duan Jianwei had already run out of ideas. Originally, everything was going according to plan. However, he did not expect that there would be so many unforeseen events. This made him feel helpless. He could only sigh that the imperial army was too strong. They were unbelievably strong. He really could not figure out how the imperial army could annihilate the two groups of bandits in such a short time. There were at least eight thousand bandits in the two groups. The imperial army only had so few people. How could they have such great combat power and achieve such great results in such a short time?
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