Chapter 003: Storming the Camp

Zhu Bin felt a chill run down his spine; this Wu Sangui, at such a young age, was already so ruthless. However, it is likely that those who aspire to achieve great things are all similar to him. He then heard Wu Sangui coldly say:

As the troops of the Later Jin surrounded him, Zhu Bin, without a moment's hesitation, dismounted from his horse and fell to the ground, pretending to be dead. Still feeling uneasy, he smeared himself with blood all over, and then half-closed his eyes to observe the movements on the battlefield.

The Later Jin forces were always suspicious that the Ming troops were using a tactic of luring the enemy with a small number of soldiers, and thus they did not dare to mount a strong blockade. Additionally, with Wu Sangui charging at the forefront, his momentum was fierce and unstoppable. Wherever he and several hundred Ming soldiers advanced, the enemy would scatter. Consequently, Wu Sangui gradually led the Ming troops to break through the encirclement. The Later Jin soldiers, fearing they were falling into a trap, did not dare to pursue, and as a result, Wu Sangui managed to carve out a bloody path.

A leading steward quietly said, "Let us set off, young master, the master is still waiting for us over there..."

Wu Sangui was immediately overjoyed: "Brother, I went there previously to save my father. My cavalry formation is missing one person. If you are willing to assist me, in the future, Wu Sangui will surely not forget your kindness!"

Zhu Bin was at a loss whether to laugh or cry. He had been living a good life, yet he unexpectedly got entangled in such a dangerous situation. Fighting was not a game; what kind of relationship did he have with Wu Sangui? Just as he was about to refuse, he suddenly noticed a glimmer of murderous intent in Wu Sangui's eyes. A wise man does not suffer immediate losses, so Zhu Bin steeled himself and said, "Since I have received the general's misplaced affection, I, Zhu Bin, dare not hold back my utmost effort."

As soon as Wu Sangui entered the battlefield, he charged at the troops of the Later Jin with the speed of lightning, firing two arrows in quick succession, causing the enemy soldiers to fall in response. A general from the Later Jin, bearing the standard, charged towards him. Wu Sangui exerted all his strength and shot an arrow that struck the general, who then fell from his horse.

Everyone was left dumbfounded as Wu Sangui calmly tossed his waist knife to Zhu Bin, saying softly: "If he falls into the hands of the enemy, it would be better for him to die. I will grant him a swift end first"

Zhu Bin stepped forward, separating the crowd. Upon seeing the area held by the servant, he had a slight understanding of the situation and estimated that the person was suffering from acute appendicitis. However, he could not state this directly and could only vaguely say: "I have a little knowledge of medicine, and judging by this gentleman's condition, it seems he will not be able to mount a horse and fight again"

Wu Sangui looked up to the sky and laughed heartily: "Good, brother, your righteousness is as lofty as the clouds, and Wu Sangui will remember it in his heart"

The swift horse galloped for but a moment, and the grand camp of the Later Jin was already in sight. Wu Sangui drew his great sword and shouted, "The fate of life and death rests on this battle. Brothers, charge with me!"

... ...

Wu Sangui charged fiercely and finally found his father, Wu Xiang. From his horse, he shouted sternly, "Follow me!" Hundreds of Ming soldiers followed him as they broke through the encirclement. At that moment, in the distance, Zu Dashou was gazing from the city tower, ordering the Ming soldiers in the city to beat drums in support. The sounds of shouting and war drums echoed both inside and outside the city, creating a scene as if thousands of troops and horses were galloping forward.

Just as he was about to mount his horse, as if guided by some unseen force, he suddenly said to Zhu Bin: "Zhu Bin, have you ever practiced martial arts?"

Upon realizing that Wu Sangui's life was in imminent danger, Zhu Bin, who was being coerced into the main camp, did not have time to think. He quickly drew a pistol from his bosom and fired two shots, saving Wu Sangui's life. He then hurriedly concealed the pistol, continuing to make gestures as if he had just launched two concealed weapons himself

Just as he was about to break through the enemy lines, Wu Sangui suddenly remembered something and, looking around, was greatly alarmed: "Not good, my brother is still in the enemy camp. You all go ahead, I will go rescue my brother!"

"That's all there is to it. Even if the formation is not intact, we must rescue my father!" Wu Sangui said through gritted teeth

The knights fell silent; in truth, they did not need Wu Sangui to tell them that charging into the enemy camp with twenty men was no different from sending sheep into a tiger's den. However, they had all grown up in the Wu family, born as Wu's people and destined to die as Wu's ghosts. Today, they would return this life to the Wu family.

Zhu Bin, trembling with fear, climbed onto the warhorse. Finally, there was an equestrian aspect in his training. At that moment, he saw Wu Sangui dismounting again, drawing the sick servant's waist knife. After observing for a moment, he suddenly swung down fiercely with the knife, and the servant let out a tragic cry, his strength instantly gone.

In the aftermath, Zhu Bin let out a sigh. At that time, Wu Sangui, fueled by the impetuousness of youth, held the Tartars in utter contempt. Who would have thought that this valiant and unmatched young hero would later become a notorious traitor?

This time we go to the enemy camp, the chances of survival for you and me, brothers, are extremely low. It is possible that we may all perish in the enemy camp. Those who are afraid can leave now; Wu and *Tu* will not force you. However, if we can successfully rescue my father, in the future, Wu Sangui will share wealth and honor with all of you!

Wu Sangui, who had narrowly escaped death, hurriedly got up, only to see that the person who had saved him was none other than Zhu Bin, whom he had only recently met

With a loud shout, Wu Sangui fell backward. At that moment, two soldiers from the Later Jin rushed up from the left and right, brandishing their swords and spears to stab at Wu Sangui. Just as he was on the brink of life and death, two loud explosions suddenly rang out, and the two Later Jin soldiers immediately fell dead beside Wu Sangui.

In any case, he had made up his mind to lag behind at a distance. If he saw that the situation was unfavorable, he would immediately turn around and run, perhaps managing to save his own life

Wu Sangui never imagined that there existed such a powerful killing tool as a handgun in this world; he only thought that he had inadvertently encountered an unparalleled hero. He cast a grateful smile at Zhu Bin, picked up the red flag that the fallen Jin soldiers had thrown on the ground, tore off a piece, haphazardly wrapped it around his nose, grasped the large knife in his hand, leaped onto his horse, and charged forward with relentless shouts.

Zhu Bin immediately guessed his intention. If he were to say he had never studied, looking at his strong physique, and considering that they were currently in a chaotic era, in the fierce land of Liaodong, it would be hard for anyone to believe him. He smiled wryly and nodded: "I have studied a little in my hometown, but, but I haven't used it for a long time, so I fear it may seem unfamiliar..."

At this time, the troops of the Later Jin saw that the Ming forces were very few and dared to engage in battle lightly, which made them quite suspicious. They then opened a gap in their formation, enveloping Wu Sangui's troops within their ranks

The servant who fell from the horse clutched his abdomen with both hands, rolling on the ground and wailing incessantly, his appearance reflecting extreme agony. Wu Sangui and his subordinates hurriedly dismounted to investigate, but he was not knowledgeable in medicine and had no idea what had happened to the servant

Wu Sangui rushed forward, dismounted, and prepared to behead him. Unexpectedly, the man, though severely injured, was not dead. Just as Wu Sangui raised his knife, the man, in a moment of desperation, drew a short knife he carried with him, leaped up with all his strength, and aimed a stab at Wu Sangui's face. Caught off guard, Wu Sangui was struck on the bridge of his nose, and blood immediately gushed forth.

Wu Sangui was suddenly alarmed; it turned out that in order to save his father, he had only twenty household servants. To ensure success, he placed a general on each side, positioning himself in the center, and divided the eighteen men into two wings to charge the formation. The formation was a cohesive whole, and it was absolutely essential not to be missing a single person. At this moment, the emergence of such an unexpected situation would inevitably place him in a position of great passivity.