Chapter 5

Ye Zeng glanced at the expressions of the two and suddenly said: "You two are not telling the truth"

The two individuals over there heard the sound but did not speak; instead, they whispered to each other for quite some time before someone else shouted, "The Yinshi Grain Depot was evacuated three days ago. Did you not receive any orders on the way?"

Ye Zeng took it over and, aided by the moonlight, roughly scanned it. He saw that it was a handwritten order from Pei Zhen, commanding the remaining troops of nearly 30,000 from the Yanhe camp to withdraw entirely to the southern bank, occupying the important stronghold of Chunguo, fortifying the walls and clearing the fields, and to be vigilant against the Chunjun's attempt to retake the former stronghold.

At this moment, Zhang Mao had returned on horseback, drawing close to Ye Zeng's side and saying: "A preliminary check has been conducted; there should only be these two riders in front of the mountain. General, do not waste too much time talking with them."

Zhang Mao suddenly swiped his knife-wielding right hand past someone's ear, severing a lock of hair, the gleaming blade reflecting a faint hint of blood.

Since no matter how Xu Hong threatened or intimidated them, he could not extract a single word from the two, Ye Zeng then dismounted and approached them, instructing his men to withdraw their weapons, and he gazed at the two, saying: "I am Ye Zeng"

Then Junbing opened his mouth, but his expression was extremely hesitant. After a long while, he finally made up his mind and gritted his teeth, saying: "The Tianqi royal family has undergone a change; His Majesty has already taken elite troops and retreated from the Yanhe front, making his way back to the imperial capital day and night"

Starting from the 12th day of the 3rd month in the 6th year of the Yuan Guang era, the cavalry and infantry reinforcements dispatched from various garrisons in the Chun State gradually arrived at the main camp in Hebei. By the end of March and the beginning of April, the total number of cavalry and infantry in the Hebei main camp had increased by more than 12,000.

After a long silence, no one spoke again

Ye Zeng's complexion was dark and appeared even colder under the moonlight, "He still hasn't told the whole truth."

Jun Bing replied: "It has been fourteen days since we left. Due to the urgency of the situation, Your Majesty only withdrew ten thousand troops, and the entire army has moved south in light order to return to the capital"

No one knows what he means by saying these words, yet no one dares to interrupt him. The two captured soldiers are even more focused on what he is about to say next.

Xu Hong received the order, but hesitated and said: "General, the order is for me to return to the camp, but where do you wish to go?"

Ye Zeng looked around the formation and saw that the over one thousand soldiers under his command were so well organized that the tension he had been holding throughout the journey finally eased a little

In just a few moments, two riders on horseback burst into the sight of the crowd, moving at great speed, and in the blink of an eye, they reached a point not far in front of the mountain.

The centaurs stood still at attention, silently remaining in the shadows before the mountain, waiting for Ye Zeng to give the order.

Approximately three quarters of an hour later, the three individuals who went out to investigate returned to the formation

Ye Zeng's expression was somewhat dark, yet he still calmly said: "The two of you just mentioned that the Yinshi Grain Depot was emptied three days ago, what is the reason for this?"

Indeed strange. As Zhang Maofang mounted his horse, he hurriedly reported: "The entire camp is utterly silent, and the places where firewood and grain are stored have all been set ablaze, as if the troops here have already abandoned the camp and fled"

Without saying a word, Zhang Mao drew his sword and swiftly cut through the armor of the two men. After searching them thoroughly, he pulled out several orders from Pei Zhen and presented them to Ye Zeng, saying: "General, please take a look!"

He watched as the lips of the two soldiers began to tremble, and then said: "You must understand the methods of the army better than I do. First, they sever hands and feet, then they cut off ears and noses, and finally they dissect the heart and lungs. After the person is dead, they peel the flesh from the body piece by piece, only stopping when they reach the bone. That night, I witnessed everything from beginning to end, and I saw it very clearly. After returning to the camp, I could not sleep all night, my mind filled with images of that person and that horse."

Xu Hong, standing beside him, could not help but speak up: "Is it possible that Jun Jun already knows of the general's journey tonight and has deliberately left the camp empty to deceive us?"

What could be the reason that would lead Pei Zhen to devise such a strategy

Ye Zeng leaned closer to the two individuals and continued, "At that time, although I managed to escape, I was unwilling to leave alone. Therefore, I hid in a nearby stone mill, intending to take the opportunity to rescue my comrades. The soldiers guarding the army, having captured my comrades and their horses, forced them to reveal the strategic locations of the army. Naturally, my comrades were not willing to easily submit, and the outcome, I believe, you should be quite clear about."

Thus, this place became the first location for Ye Zeng to lead his troops in an attack on the supply route's stronghold

It seemed that they had spotted the banners of the army in this area. The two quickly reined in their mounts, turned around, and after observing for a moment through the night, one of them shouted loudly, "Who are you?"

Ye Zeng glanced at him and said, "Impossible"

"There is so much nonsense." Xu Hong spat lightly, and without waiting for Ye Zeng to issue another order, he led several men to gallop over, effortlessly capturing the two individuals and throwing them into the formation

However, this order was not issued before he led his troops back to the capital, but was instead given to his personal guards to convey back to the camp during the return journey, which appeared particularly strange

There are flowing clouds drifting across the sky, the moon shifts above the clouds, and soon the sky gradually darkens.

Xu Hong stood beside, and Xin's expression changed dramatically. She raised her head to look at Zhang Mao, only to see the corners of Zhang Mao's mouth tightly pressed, suggesting that there must be a considerable number of soldiers from the Hebei camp who had perished at the hands of the army of Jun.

The winter tide of the Yan River is cold, and Your Majesty's old ailment has recurred. Since the end of February, you have been bedridden in the camp, and the troops have been delayed in their movements. The voice of Junbing trembles in waves, uncertain whether it is in fear of Zhang Mao's blade or in fear of the words he is about to utter: "Having heard of the drastic changes in Tianqi, Your Majesty is even more afflicted by anger and blood rushing to the heart, disregarding your illness and insisting on personally leading the army back to the capital. Unexpectedly, during the return journey, your condition worsened. Fearing for the safety of the matters behind you, you ordered us to return to the camp to convey this message!"

As I traverse the mountain path, the year is drawing near

These absurd rumors once left him utterly astonished, yet they were a source of delight for Meng Shouwen, who claimed that this way, it could make Jun Jun hear of his name and thus dare not engage in battle against him

Upon the utterance of these words, everyone was taken aback

As soon as the words fell, Zhang Mao had already drawn his bow and nocked an arrow. In the next moment, the feathered arrow shot through the air, the sound of the wind rushing past his ears, followed immediately by the sounds of horses falling and people tumbling on the opposite side

Even Ye Zeng, despite his calm demeanor, could not suppress the astonishment in his eyes: "What is the meaning behind the changes within the Tianqi royal family?"

The blade touched the sheath with a light clang, and the other person was already frightened, exclaiming: "General, heed my words! The illness of Pei Zhen is indeed true, and the urgency of the illness during the journey is also true... However, he had only been on the march for seven days before he passed away in the army! As for the orders to burn the grain camps at Yinshi Mountain, to command the troops on the south bank to retreat into the city, and to fortify and clear the area around the Yan River, these were all issued by Pei Yi!"

The Yinshi Mountain Granary is located only sixty miles from the southern camp of the army. It was specially established by Pei Zhen to store the supplies transported from the Mingluo Mountain in the north during the Tianqi period, passing through Qishui and then arriving at the military front via Wen'an. Pei Zhen has personally led an army of forty thousand northward to attack the Chun Kingdom for over a year now, and the shortage of military supplies has not arisen in just a day or two. After Liang Yin consecutively captured thirteen strongholds in the southern part of the Chun Kingdom, Pei Zhen redirected the supply line of his army's provisions to the south of the Yan River, deploying heavy troops for defense. As for the guards around Yinshi Mountain, their numbers have been reduced time and again, as they believed there was nothing to fear.

This seems to indicate that Pei Zhen does not intend to launch another military campaign against the Chun Kingdom in the near future

A sudden clamor of hooves arose, coming from the mountain path.

As Fang stepped out of the forest, this group of over a hundred individuals raised the banner of the army, removed the oilcloth from the horse's back, quickly formed ranks, and hastened their pace to continue onward

In contemplation, Zhang Mao gently rode over from behind and said in a barely audible voice: "General, the camp is unusually quiet tonight."

Upon hearing this question, the two exchanged glances, and no one was willing to answer

Xu Hong arrived at the front lines and responded loudly: "We are here under the orders of General Huo of the Tianqi era, having come from Wen'an to transport firewood and grass!"

Zhang Mao frowned, showing considerable impatience, and said to Ye Zeng: "General, do not waste words with these two; simply leave the matter to your subordinates to handle!"

The moonlight, like silver threads, filtered through the treetops and fell upon the armored figures of a group moving swiftly and silently through the forest, casting a hint of softness upon the cold, hard iron hue.

The night breeze is cool, stirring the several hand orders held in hand.

Ye Zeng's expression gradually changed, his lips pressed tightly together without a word, yet his gaze turned towards the northern side of Yinshi Mountain

At this point, he indeed had to admire Meng Shouwen's foresight and methods

Ye Zengzhi stood upright, his brows slightly furrowed. "In that case, as Pei Zhen's personal guards, why are you two here? What is the purpose of Pei Zhen sending you back to Yanhe?"

Xu Hong was taken aback upon hearing this and hurriedly stepped forward to block the way, saying: "General, tonight you will personally lead a thousand men out of the camp, while the enemy has ten thousand troops moving south. If this matter reaches the Third Prince's ears, he will surely blame you for being reckless in your advance"

The two soldiers, upon hearing this, exchanged a glance in unison, their expressions shifting from astonishment and anger to fear. It was evident that they had heard of Ye Zeng's name. They immediately fell silent, ceasing their curses, yet they were unwilling to answer a single word to Xu Lan's inquiries

The entire army stood tense, silent and uncommunicative

Ye Zengzheng mounted his horse, brandishing a long spear with a silver tip. He issued the order to advance, and upon seeing the troops in motion, he lowered his head and addressed Xu Hong: "Then please convey to His Highness the Third Prince: If His Highness truly wishes to gain the hearts of the people through military achievements, this is a prime opportunity that must not be missed."

No one can easily believe that Pei Zhen, the King of Rest, who once commanded a great army that swept through the states of Lanjhou, Jin, and Peng, instilling fear in the civil and military officials of the Tianqi era, and compelled Emperor Benxuan to personally issue an edict to abdicate out of fear of his power, has died in such a manner

Ye Zengfei quickly pondered and then asked Jun Bing: "How many elite troops did Pei Zhen lead when he returned? When did he lift the camp and head south?"

The sound of warhorses neighing in the tranquil night is particularly alarming, and a voice of anger rises: "We are the personal guards of His Majesty, who are you? Do you intend to rebel?"

The two soldiers were already terrified to the point of tears. One of them trembled and said, "General Ye, if you wish to know anything, we will certainly speak without reservation and leave nothing unsaid. We hope that the general will spare our lives!"

Ye Zeng touched the hilt of the knife at his waist and finally said: "Since that night, I have made up my mind that if I can capture one or two enemy soldiers in the future, I will definitely ask them thoroughly whether these methods are truly as exhilarating as they seem to be"

Ye Zeng lowered his eyes for a moment, then promptly said: "Shoot the horse's leg"

On either side, soldiers held their rifles pressed against the chests of the two individuals, rendering them unable to move. Additionally, someone drew a short knife and placed it against their necks. Unexpectedly, the two still defiantly shouted curses.

After Xu Hong was surprised, a look of joy appeared on his face: "General, this is indeed a rare opportunity for our army!"

Ye Zengchong and Xu Hong exchanged a gesture with Zhang Mao, and both understood each other, then spurred their horses and rode out.

The evening breeze in early April is already warm and inviting

Upon hearing this, the person immediately cried out in a ghostly and wolfish manner: "Do not take action, I say!"

Do not move lightly! Ye Zeng shouted in a low voice

He originally thought little of it, but after seeing the expressions of the two soldiers at this moment tonight, he realized that Meng Shouwen's words did hold a grain of truth.

He then came to his senses, quickly folded the order, and turned to Xu Hong, saying: "Bind these two and send them to the main tent of the camp tonight, and report the events of this night in detail to His Highness the Third Prince, ensuring that no mistakes occur."

Everyone was shocked by the five words "passed away in the military"

The army has remained inactive for several months. If it were due to Pei Zhen's illness, it could be understood. However, the decision to recall all the troops back to the city out of fear for his own future is certainly not something Pei Zhen would do

Everyone was increasingly astonished upon hearing this, as they had not anticipated that at such a critical moment in the battle between the two armies, the royal family of the court would actually experience such internal strife

Zhang Mao received the order silently and withdrew, swiftly designating two soldiers in the formation, dismounting, and leaving the battlefield under the cover of the mountain shadows and night.

Upon hearing this, the faces of the two individuals grew even more pale.

Jun Jun abandoned the camp and burned the grain at Yin Mountain, which can be said to have severed the southern supply route. However, he left behind an intact empty camp shell, the purpose of which was nothing more than to confuse the perceptions of the army.

Almost instinctively, the soldiers in the front line all drew their bows and leaned forward on their horses, fixating their gaze on the exit of the mountain path ahead.

Xu Hong, instead of being angry, smiled: "Who is under your command? The name of General Ye Zeng, the commander of the personal guards of His Highness the Third Prince of the Pure Army, must surely be known to you all."

If Ruyi Peizhen has consistently acted in this manner, then initially only mobilizing 10,000 troops to return to the capital must have been a plan to once again head north after pacifying the Tianqi Peiyi rebellion; given his years of strategic planning in military campaigns, it is absolutely impossible for him to make such repeated decisions in just a few short days

That person spat at him fiercely and said, "Who are you under? How dare you run wild behind my camp? Do you not wish to live any longer?"

Ye Zeng's expression was calm, and his voice was neither high nor low: "A year ago, when the two armies first engaged in battle, a comrade and I were ordered to cross the river to gather intelligence on the enemy. That night, the wind was extremely strong, and on our way back, a warhorse was injured in the eye by a piece of shattered stone, going into a frenzy and attracting the attention of the enemy guards. I managed to escape with the report, but my comrade was captured along with the horse."

However, it appears that the situation is far from simple

Ye Zengli stood on horseback, gazing into the distance under the night sky. He nodded and said, "Send the order down to proceed as previously discussed, dividing the troops to advance at double speed, halting upon sighting the enemy's supply camp. If we encounter any enemy soldiers inquiring along the way, respond that we are under the orders of Wen An to transport firewood and fodder to the granary"

The expressions of the two soldiers changed once again upon hearing this, and their bodies became noticeably stiff.

Ye Zengmo stood silently on horseback, observing the expressions of the two individuals under the faint moonlight.

When Meng Shouwen was allocated reinforcements from the Xichuan and Jiange camps under his command, he initially harbored doubts, concerned that these troops from different garrisons would be difficult to command. However, he did not anticipate that by the beginning of the year, when King Chun sent envoys to various garrisons to convey the news of the great victory in Hebei, Ye Zeng's reputation for having personally slain Liang Yin had already spread throughout the troops in all camps. The respect that the elite cavalry and infantry from various camps, dispatched southward under his command, held for him was far beyond that of the soldiers from the Hebei main camp. Moreover, the troops from the Xichuan and Jiange camps under his command were disciplined and obedient, exhibiting no signs of arrogance.

Since the end of February until now, for the past two months, the army has not yet reorganized to cross the river. All the generals in the camp, from Meng Shouwen downwards, believe this to be a tactic of feigned troops on the river, while Pei Zhen, due to the death of Liang Yin, dares not advance lightly

At this moment, the two soldiers suddenly realized that the troops with upright military flags and sharp weapons were not the supply troops transporting firewood and fodder, but were clearly disguised soldiers from the Chun army. They were both shocked and furious, and began to curse loudly.

Xu Hong paused for a moment, seemingly unsure of how to respond, muttering softly, "Damn those uniformed soldiers," before turning to look at Ye Zeng

After approximately two hours, a slight movement was heard from the front lines. A rider emerged from the ranks, turned back, and galloped to the rear of the formation. Upon finding the commanding officer, he whispered, "General Ye, we will reach the mountain ahead soon."

Meng Shouwen immediately ordered the two camps of Xichuan and Jiange, totaling 3,000 elite troops, to be placed under the command of Ye Zeng. The remaining soldiers were evenly distributed among the various generals' tents. He also instructed the entire army to dig deep trenches and build fortifications on the north bank of the Yanhe River to effectively prevent the enemy from crossing the river and launching a strong attack again

Another person replied angrily: "The Grand Prince Pei Yi was appointed to oversee the state, yet he bribed the chamberlain Liu Renhan recently and declared himself emperor during the Tianqi period!"

The soldier received the order and withdrew

Although it was suspected that there would be significant changes in Junjun, otherwise there would be no reason to suddenly withdraw from the Yingshan granary, who could have imagined that it would be Pei Zhen personally leading the troops back!

"Be quiet!" Xu Hong, already impatient, dismounted and stepped onto one person's shoulder with a stride. "Let me ask you, why was the Yinshi grain depot emptied?"

Before long, the cavalry split into two formations, advancing around the mountain paths on either side. In the clear and chilly night, one could vaguely see the grayish supply depot of the uniformed army, obscured behind the mountain ridge, with bright red flags of the uniformed army standing tall among them, clearly visible even from across the mountain.

Ye Zeng nodded, his brows slightly furrowed, "Let us go and investigate the matter further"

Ye Zeng turned around and ordered Zhang Mao to first organize the troops, saying: "It has only been fourteen days. With Pei Zhen dead and the chaos of the Tianqi era arising, coupled with the unresolved situation at Yanhe, the morale of the troops is bound to be unstable, and the army will surely advance slowly. I have not brought heavy baggage; if I advance swiftly with light cavalry, it is not impossible to catch up with them."

Upon receiving the order, the soldiers slowly retracted their short bows, but the hands that had been gripping the reins had already loosened and were now resting on the hilts of their daggers at their waists

It has been four months since the death of Liang Yin, and the rumors surrounding Ye Zeng among the two armies have become increasingly exaggerated and unfounded with the passage of time. Initially, Meng Shouwen, in order to highlight his great victory in Hebei, specifically reported that he had shot and killed Liang Yin, which soon transformed into claims that he had captured Liang Yin alive and executed him in front of the Jun army. Furthermore, the achievement of a hundred men attacking the ship with fire rafts was attributed solely to Ye Zeng's bravery, with rumors even stating that he boarded the ship alone and saved Meng Shouwen from the sea of fire and rain of arrows.

The nearby military camp was silent and dark, resembling a dead encampment

Zhang Mao slowly sheathed his sword

The warhorses held a token in their mouths, their mouths tightly bound with grass ropes, draped in oilcloth, from which water continued to drip. Beneath the oilcloth, they carried some firewood, being led swiftly through the forest by soldiers.