Chapter One: Surprise Attack (Part One)

Zhao Yu returned half a courtesy and said gently, "Thank you for your hard work, Fifth Brother. Is everyone here?"

After expressing his appreciation for their hard work, Zhao Yu was reluctant to say more and led the group eastward along the path. In the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, they descended to the halfway point of the mountain. A myriad of flickering lights below coalesced into a cluster covering an area of about two miles, revealing the city of Changguo County right before them

Note 2: Prior to the Ming Dynasty, the ancient city walls of Changguo were not enclosed. The natural barrier of Zhen'ao Mountain to the northwest served as a defense, thus the city walls ended at the foot of the mountain. In the thirteenth year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1380), walls were constructed across Zhen'ao Mountain, connecting the northwest city walls. "The northwest crosses Zhen'ao Mountain, the east embraces Xianshan, and the rest is flat land," forming a complete encirclement. The city gates are named: "East is Fengfu, South is Wenming, West is Taihe, and North is Yong'an." In the thirteenth year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1380), walls were constructed across Zhen'ao Mountain, connecting the northwest city walls. "The northwest crosses Zhen'ao Mountain, the east embraces Xianshan, and the rest is flat land," forming a complete encirclement. The city gates are named: "East is Fengfu, South is Wenming, West is Taihe, and North is Yong'an."

I wonder if he has this expression when he is with women in bed. However, in front of Brother Jin, he probably wouldn't dare to wear such a sour face

Chen Wumu nodded and said, "A total of 120 people, not one less"

Zhao Yu asked Zhao Wu, "Haven't Chen Wuge and the others arrived yet?" The beacon tower on Zhen'ao Mountain is the last checkpoint before entering the city. Zhao Yu, fearing to alert the enemy, only brought a few personal guards with him, while the remaining hundred or so men were led by his deputy Chen Wu, waiting at the foot of the mountain to the west. Once Zhao Yu secured the beacon tower, he immediately sent Zhao Wen to inform Chen Wu, ordering him to lead the troops up the mountain

Zhao Yu knew that the metallic scent of blood in the air was this fellow's favorite. This Zhao Wu, along with another Zhao Wen who is no longer here, were both distant relatives of the Zhao family, having grown up playing with Zhao Yu. When Zhao Yu began to lead troops, they both became his close followers. Originally, they did not have these names, but after becoming his close followers, Zhao Yu renamed them.

The thirtieth day of the twelfth month in the second year of the Daguang era, the year of the Yisi.

Zhao Yu walked over. The corpses of the six and the books were lined up in a row, among which the two best-dressed individuals were also the oldest, presumably the beacon commander and the deputy commander of this watchtower. The four subordinates, the beacon soldiers, were dressed somewhat less well. Several of them had their eyes wide open, appearing to die with their eyes unclosed.

Changguo County was originally a subordinate county, with a county town of less than one square kilometer featuring only two main roads intersecting in a cross shape. The total number of households is fewer than five hundred, resulting in a pitifully small number of soldiers stationed in the county town. The local soldiers guarding the four city gates and mountain passes number only over fifty, while the archers under the county magistrate amount to merely twenty. Moreover, tonight is New Year's Eve, and those who will remain at their posts can be counted on one hand. With Zhao Yu's hundred elite troops, capturing the city by decapitation would be effortless. Furthermore, tonight is New Year's Eve, and those who will remain at their posts can be counted on one hand. With Zhao Yu's hundred elite troops, capturing the city by decapitation would be effortless.

Note 3: Regarding the Changguo Patrol Office, only information from the time of Emperor Lizong of the Song Dynasty has been found, stating "San Gu Zhai, with a quota of 620 people, now has 540 people." However, by that time, it was already the Southern Song Dynasty, with strict coastal defenses, and Changguo had become a prominent county with 20,000 households. This book, however, is set in the late Northern Song Dynasty, which naturally cannot be compared to the era following the Jurchen invasion and the flight of the Northern people to the south. Therefore, the military strength of the Patrol Office is set at 200. In fact, this is already considered a large number; under normal circumstances, the Patrol Offices in the southeastern region have a quota of only 100 soldiers, and having an actual strength of 50 to 60 would be quite good. This book is still set in the late Northern Song Dynasty, which naturally cannot be compared to the era following the Jurchen invasion and the flight of the Northern people to the south. Therefore, the military strength of the Patrol Office is set at 200. In fact, this is already considered a large number; under normal circumstances, the Patrol Offices in the southeastern region have a quota of only 100 soldiers, and having an actual strength of 50 to 60 would be quite good.

"You all should have eaten, right?" Zhao Yu asked again. The battle was about to commence, and there would be no time for dinner for the rest of the night. Zhao Yu had already instructed Chen Wu to take care of dinner while waiting.

"Er Lang." Upon hearing Zhao Yu come downstairs, a leader approached, who was Zhao Yu's close companion, Zhao Wu, with whom he had grown up. He kicked at a row of corpses on the ground and said, "There are six here, plus the ones above, not a single one escaped, all accounted for." At fifteen, Zhao Wu still had a boyish face, yet he was half a head taller than Zhao Yu, who was just over five feet. Having long been accustomed to killing and arson, his face was filled with excitement.

Zhao Yu was rubbing two bamboo sticks together. These sticks were approximately eight or nine inches long, pointed at both ends, and extremely flexible. If one were to accidentally step on them while they were stuck in the ground, the sole of the foot would immediately be pierced, creating a bloody hole—this era did not have shoes with steel-reinforced soles.

"He still doesn't resemble it at all," Zhao Yu said with a smile, noting that his top follower seemed to have no talent for vocal mimicry. He took up his axe and stepped outside, followed closely by Zhao Wu and the other followers.

"Everyone has eaten," Chen Wu replied, then pressed his lips together, saying not another word

Zhao Wuying said: "Wen Ge will not make any mistakes in handling matters, considering the time, he and Chen Wuge should be arriving soon"

Leaning against the watchtower, Zhao Yu bent down to pull out his axe from the corpse of the beacon soldier who had collapsed at his feet, preparing to set fire and call for help, then turned and descended the stairs. This beacon tower is the closest to the county town among the seventeen beacon towers on Changguo Island. Once this nail is pulled out, Changguo County Town will be like a virtuous maiden stripped of her clothes, about to face the fate of being ravaged by pirates

On the night of the new moon, the mountains and forests are shrouded in darkness. Only the flickering shadows can be seen along the mountain path in front of the platform. Although there are many people, they are utterly silent. The results of half a month's training of the elite selected from the Langgang Zhai, brought to Qushan Island, are gathered here.

Upon hearing the scout's report, aside from Chen Wu and Zhao Wu, who were already aware of the details, the others around Zhao Yu began to breathe heavily, clearly due to tension. With such defenses at the foot of the mountain, it was no easier for their team of one hundred than attacking the city walls

Changguo County was formerly known as Wengshan. In the first year of the Dali period of the Tang Dynasty (AD 766), it was abolished due to the uprising led by Yuan Chao. It was not until the reign of Emperor Shenzong during the Xining period that it was restored upon the request of Wang Anshi. At the same time, it was renamed Changguo for the reason of "strengthening the national power of Chang." The county seat of Changguo was rebuilt on the site of the old Wengshan city.

How many years has this pair of shoes not been worn? Zhao Yu pondered, Five years? Or ten years?

Another scout stepped forward and said, "The path goes south. The bamboo stakes on the ground are identical, sharpened to a fine point. I also pulled out two stakes, right here." After saying this, he took out two bamboo stakes from his pocket and handed them over.

However, if the two hundred local soldiers of the Changguo Patrol Office stationed not far from the county town were to be alerted, the situation would be different. According to the regulations of the Song Dynasty, 'archers are responsible for the patrols within the county, while local soldiers control the villages.' This means that the jurisdiction of the archers is limited to the county town, where they are adept at harassing the common people, but one need not consider them when it comes to using knives or guns. In contrast, the local soldiers of the Patrol Office usually capture thieves and eliminate bandits in the mountains and countryside; in Changguo, they are even bold enough to confront pirates. In terms of numbers and combat capability, they are not inferior to Zhao Yu and his group. Therefore, this surprise attack must aim for a decisive blow, as they do not have the resources to engage in a prolonged battle with the imperial army.

Zhao Yu stood atop the beacon tower on Mount Ao, overlooking the county town below. It was New Year's Eve, and the town was brightly lit, with the sounds of firecrackers echoing throughout the streets. A gentle breeze swept by, carrying the scent of sulfur and the joyous laughter of those keeping vigil for the New Year, completely unaware that disaster was imminent.

The Changguo County of Mingzhou in the Liangzhe Road of the Great Song Dynasty (present-day Zhoushan City, Note 1)

Just as they were speaking, a series of clucking and croaking sounds came from outside the door. It was unclear whether it was a mountain chicken or a frog, but the agreed-upon signal was the night owl

Zhao Yu nodded in satisfaction, noting that this scout spoke clearly and articulately, "He is a talent.

Zhao Yu smiled as she admired the masterpiece she directed, "It is no wonder she has that expression, as the puppy that has been raised for three months bit her from behind."

These six corpses, along with the one personally eliminated by Zhao Yu, and the visibly pleased Zhao Wu, indeed account for all eight personnel assigned to this beacon tower. At the time, Zhao Yu spent what must have been over a hundred guan to arrange for Zhao Wu to be stationed at this beacon tower. While this expenditure may not be significant in Bianliang, it is undoubtedly a substantial sum in this impoverished and remote area. However, without Zhao Wu acting as an insider, seizing the beacon tower would not have been so easy; the copper coins Zhao Yu distributed earlier were not spent in vain. This expenditure may not be significant in Bianliang, but it is undoubtedly a substantial sum in this impoverished and remote area. However, without Zhao Wu acting as an insider, seizing the beacon tower would not have been so easy; the copper coins Zhao Yu distributed earlier were not spent in vain.

Note 1: Changguo: Present-day Zhoushan City. In the Tang Dynasty, it was called Wengshan, in the Song Dynasty it was known as Changguo, and during the Qing Dynasty it was renamed Dinghai. In the Song Dynasty, it was under the jurisdiction of Mingzhou in the Liangzhe Circuit. It governed four townships: Fudu (the main island and surrounding small islands), Anqi (Liuhong Island and the Taohua Island area), Penglai (Daishan Island and its northeastern islands), and Jintang (Jintang Island and surrounding small islands)

Carrying a heavy axe, Zhao Yu descended step by step along the stone steps. The newly made multi-eared hemp shoes pricked his feet uncomfortably. Men from the sea generally do not have the habit of wearing shoes; it is most stable for their wide, splayed toes to directly tread on the deck. However, this time he had to wear something he was already quite unaccustomed to, as he needed to walk through the mountains at night.

Due to its location on an island, Changguo City is not very large, covering only an area of about 2 miles. The city walls are merely 20 feet high, extending only 6 miles in length, and the surrounding moat is only 3 to 5 feet wide in winter, with the deepest part reaching only to the chest. Most importantly, Changguo City is built against the mountains, with Zhen'ao Mountain serving as a northwest barrier; thus, the city walls and moat only extend to the foothills and do not close off. Surrounding the base of Zhen'ao Mountain is merely a wooden fence.

Zhao Yu maintained a smile on his face, yet felt displeasure in his heart. His elder brother Zhao Jin's confidant always wore a cold expression when addressing him; although he was courteous, there was no hint of warmth in his demeanor.

What about the following situation?" asked Zhao Yu, as the two scouts had seen the ceremony.

Zhao Wu's spirit was invigorated, and he said: "I have arrived"

The memories of his past life are becoming increasingly faint. Currently, he is the second son of Zhao Lu, the chief of the "Naughty Sea Dragon" in the coastal area of the two Zhejiang provinces (now known as Jianglanggang), a boy of fifteen years old by Chinese reckoning. Although still young, boys of the sea mature early; his dark, round face is already adorned with a circle of coarse, short whiskers, showing no trace of childishness. Though short in stature, he is as solid as a rock. With a blood-dripping axe in hand, he is certainly not to be underestimated.

Two figures approached, one in front of the other. The tall and slender one was Zhao Wen, while the short and stout one was Chen Wu. Upon seeing Zhao Yu, both of them bowed in unison to pay their respects

Upon seeing the county town, Zhao Yu and his group came to a halt, while Zhao Wen and Zhao Wu continued on their way. After a considerable time, Zhao Wu finally led the two back; they were scouts dispatched by Zhao Yu early in the morning.

"Brothers, there is no need for concern," Zhao Yu said with a smile. "I have long been aware of this matter. If I did not have a foolproof plan, how could I take such risks? Let us wait for Brother Wen to return, and all will be revealed."

Crossing the dark second floor of the beacon tower and descending the staircase, the flickering lights of the main hall on the ground floor illuminated his face. Several attendants were already waiting there.

A scout stepped forward to report: "I just walked a circle along the wooden fence to the north and have gathered clear information. The mountain path entrance has been blocked by two sets of deer antlers. The antlers are only two feet shorter than the fence, yet they are over six feet tall, and they are secured with a heavy iron chain and lock, which is as thick as a wrist, making it impossible to open in haste. Next to the entrance, there is a courtyard with lights on, indicating that someone resides there, likely the local guards. If we were to move the deer antlers, we would certainly alert them. On the mountainside of the fence, there is a ten-zhang wide area filled with bamboo stakes, each protruding two inches and extremely sharp. I walked half a mile, and it was all like this."