In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 600: Capture the Rebels, Attack the Stronghold!
The night was dark and windy, with a bright moon and few stars.

As night slowly fell, the entire city of Yingtian was plunged into a deep silence.

However, the city of Puzikou outside Yingtian City presented a completely different scene, appearing extremely turbulent.

The Governor's Office issued a strict order that all soldiers were not allowed to go out or spy at will, and had to stay obediently in the camp.

This order cast a shadow over Puzikou City, as if a storm was brewing, creating a heavy and oppressive atmosphere.

The atmosphere in the forward scout camp was quite different from that outside.

The sound of synchronized footsteps gradually gathered.

More than a thousand soldiers quickly assembled and lined up in an orderly fashion.

Clad in armor and wielding weapons, the entire group resembled a drawn sword, exuding a chilling, sharp aura.

Around them were soldiers who had not been selected to go out on missions.
He stared at all of this in a daze, his eyes filled with envy.

I have been in the capital for several months and have resumed training for two months.

But a large-scale operation like today's
This was a first for them.

Some soldiers even wondered if it was a rebellion, but that was just a thought.

At the very front of the line of over a thousand people

Lu Yunyi, clad in black armor, sat atop a tall horse, with Liu Heiying and Zhang Yu beside him.

Lu Yunyi remained calm, his gaze sweeping over the disciplined ranks ahead, and issued a command in a low voice:
"Set off, a covert march."

No noise or commotion.
Those who disobey orders will be dealt with according to military law.

"Yes!"

Zhang Yu nodded in agreement, then picked up the command flag in his hand and began to wave it skillfully.

The heavy gate of the camp slowly opened, accompanied by a hesitant sound that seemed out of place in the darkness.

Many soldiers in Puzikou City suddenly raised their heads, trying to find the source of the sound.

However, the sound vanished in an instant, and they were unable to find its source.

But they knew in their hearts that there must be a major operation today, and it was a major operation that required absolute secrecy.

In the darkness, more than a thousand soldiers from the vanguard scout unit quietly advanced on the roads of Puzikou City.

Their footsteps were orderly and quiet, almost imperceptible.

If it weren't for the dim candlelight flickering on both sides of the road, illuminating their black armor,
They were like a group of silent ghosts, moving stealthily through the darkness.

The gates of Puzikou City had been opened well in advance, and the soldiers filed out.

Lu Yunyi saw Lu Chen, the city garrison commander of Puzikou City.
Their eyes met, and they nodded, which was considered a greeting.

After leaving Puzikou City, the vanguard scouts headed towards Shence Gate, the northernmost point of the capital.

Guanglan Tuntianwei was located fifteen li north of Yingtian City, with a designated strength of five thousand men.

They were primarily responsible for cultivating the military farmland and fertile land under the jurisdiction of the Governor-General's Office.

Two quarters of an hour later, at the beginning of midnight,

The soldiers of the vanguard scouts arrived at Shence Gate.

The Imperial Guards, numbering over a hundred, were already waiting there.

Mao Xiang was still leading the team, with Qian Xinghuai following behind.

As they watched the thousand-plus soldiers emerge from the darkness, feeling the intense killing intent and powerful aura emanating from them, everyone unconsciously held their breath.

Even Mao Xiang, the leader of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, had to admit that...
The soldiers before me had a completely different temperament compared to the Beijing army.

That's a kind of wildness!
Qian Xinghuai realized why the person in front of him acted so forcefully and showed no fear of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

The moment he saw these soldiers, he suddenly understood.

Even though the Embroidered Uniform Guard was ruthless, it was ultimately like a rat in a gutter, unable to see the light of day.

Compared to these seasoned and battle-hardened soldiers, they were simply incomparable.

Especially when he met the dark eyes of those soldiers,
Qian Xinghuai felt his hair stand on end, as if he were being pricked by thorns.

The two camps were clearly separated, standing on either side of the road.

The scene was completely silent; no one spoke, and everyone waited quietly.

Before half a cup of tea could be brewed, the Shence Gate of the capital city slowly opened, and a series of heavy footsteps echoed through the air.

A troop of over a thousand imperial guards marched out in orderly formation.

Their gold and silver armor gleamed brilliantly in the candlelight, and the long spears they held formed a formidable array, creating an equally impressive aura.

However, Mao Xiang narrowed his eyes.

He carefully examined the two military units in front of him.

He soon came to a conclusion.

Although the Imperial Guards appear to be strictly disciplined and obey orders,

But in the real battlefield, killing the enemy is absolutely no match for these soldiers from the vanguard scout unit who exude an air of composure.

Mao Xiang also didn't know how to accurately describe this difference.

If I had to describe it, it would be a kind of composure and calmness that one can maintain in the face of any major event after experiencing countless life-and-death trials.

The leader of the Imperial Guards was Marquis Guo Ying of Wuding.

Lu Yunyi and Mao Xiang simultaneously cupped their hands in greeting and said respectfully, "Greetings, Marquis Wuding."

Marquis Wuding nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the soldiers of the vanguard scout unit before him, then he said softly:

"Let's set off. We must bring the traitors to justice before dawn."

"Yes!"

Lu Yunyi responded with a nod and said nothing more.

The guard beside him quickly picked up the command flag and waved it in the air.

In an instant, the entire army's formation changed.

In the silence, the vanguard scouts advanced northward.

The soldiers were grouped in groups of three, seemingly loosely connected, but in reality closely linked.

The three walked side by side, forming a team of three, and then a team of one hundred people.

This is how each link is connected seamlessly to the next.

Marquis Wuding narrowed his eyes slightly as he watched this scene, glancing at Guo Zhen beside him:

“Take a good look and study it carefully. This is the three-thirds system that the Governor’s Office has been researching recently.”

Guo Zhen's expression was extremely grave.

He didn't pay much attention to the three-three formation, but instead fell into deep thought.

He was filled with doubt.
Why didn't I hear the military order?

Can such complex military orders be issued solely based on a military flag?
"Follow."

Marquis Wuding waved his hand, and the Imperial Guards beside him marched in unison, while the Embroidered Uniform Guards followed on one side of the procession.

The official road outside the city was pitch black, and the scattered torches in the army could barely illuminate the road beneath their feet.

The entire army resembled a giant dragon winding its way forward in the darkness.

Guo Zhen finally couldn't hold back and asked in a low voice:
"Father, I feel that the vanguard scouts before me are even more elite than the Imperial Guards."

Marquis Guo Ying of Wuding's beard twitched slightly, and he nodded gently:

"Your feeling is correct."

Guo Zhen looked surprised, and Guo Ying continued to explain:
"Not only the forward scouts in front of us, but even the Dragon Guards who have just returned from the front lines are more elite than the Imperial Guards."

A life of luxury can never compare to the struggles and battles fought on the front lines.

This was my oversight.

You should have gone to witness the prowess of these elite troops when they returned to the capital.

After spending several months in the capital, some of their initial arrogance had been worn down.

Guo Zhen's expression was complicated; he pursed his lips tightly and remained silent for a long time.

After a while, he asked:

"Father, shouldn't I also seek a posting to the front lines to gain experience and fight?"

"You? Forget it, I've risked my life for so many years."

It's so that you don't have to go to the battlefield.
You guys are great.
Everyone wants to go to the front lines, but are the front lines so easy to get to?

"Take a good look at what battle is like tonight, and then we'll make our decision."

Guo Ying's eyes were deep-set, her gaze fixed on the darkness in the distance.
The ten-mile distance was covered in the blink of an eye at the rapid marching speed.

At the beginning of the hour of Chou (1-3 AM), the entire army had arrived outside Guanglan Tuntianwei.

The scouts of the vanguard had already scattered to gather intelligence on the garrison.

Lu Yunyi looked at Mao Xiang and asked:

"Lord Mao, now you can tell us which faction rebelled."

Marquis Guo Ying of Wuding also turned his attention to Mao Xiang.

Suddenly being stared at by the two men, Mao Xiang's breath hitched, and he said in a deep voice:
"Lord Wuding, Lord Lu, the rebels are Commander Zhou Xinhao, Commander Fang Yueqiao, and Zhuang Pingling."

His Majesty has decreed that all officers of the rank of centurion and above in the Guanglan Garrison be arrested and interrogated, regardless of their life or death.

After speaking, Marquis Wuding Guo Ying and Lu Yunyi took out the secret letter that had been sent earlier from their bosoms and slowly opened it.

After confirming that the contents of the letter matched what Mao Xiang had said, the two put the letter away.

This approach ensures, to the greatest extent possible, that no one will falsely convey the imperial edict.

This procedure is generally followed when carrying out missions in the capital region.

Lu Yunyi looked at Marquis Wuding and asked:
"Lord Wuding, shall we launch a full-scale attack, or reveal our identities and enter the stronghold?"

"Let's enter the camp. It's already dark, and rash action could lead to casualties," Marquis Wuding said calmly.

A strange glint flashed in Lu Yunyi's eyes. He nodded and did not raise any objections.

Before long, a centurion of the Imperial Guard, carrying a token and a torch, stepped forward to negotiate with the guards of Guanglan Tuntianwei.

"I am a centurion under the command of Marquis Wuding. I have come here on imperial orders to arrest the traitors. Open the gates of the stronghold immediately!"

Upon hearing this, the previously dim candlelight suddenly brightened.

The gate of the entire Guanglan Tuntianwei was now brighter.

Then, a basket was slowly lowered.

The centurion placed the token and imperial edict into the gondola. As the gondola slowly rose, a shout soon came from above:

"Please wait a moment, generals, while we go and report to the lord."

The scene was completely silent, with more than two thousand soldiers waiting quietly.

A gentle breeze swept by, but it couldn't dispel the summer heat.

However, as time passed by,
Nearly a quarter of an hour passed, but there was still no movement at the gate of Guanglan Tuntianwei.

This gave many people a sense of foreboding.

Marquis Wuding narrowed his eyes slightly, exuding a chilling killing intent from head to toe.

"It's absolutely rotten."

"Let me reiterate: if the gate is not opened within one cup of tea, we will force our way in."

"Yes!"

The centurion rushed forward again to negotiate. But the guards at the gate replied the same way:

"Please wait a little longer, gentlemen. We have already gone to inform you."

Inside the stronghold, Commander Zhou Xinhao's face was extremely grim.

Even though I had just woken up,

But at this moment, he felt no sleepiness whatsoever.

He quickly donned his armor, grabbed his long sword, and hurried toward the commander's quarters.

Upon arriving at the house, he saw Fang Yueqiao and Zhuang Pingling approaching from two directions.

"My lord, our plan has been exposed!!"

"How could it be so fast? We haven't even had a chance to act yet."

The two were clearly not as calm as Zhou Xinhao; they were covered in sweat and trembling all over.

Hearing their words, Zhou Xinhao simply pursed his lips and raised his hand to signal them to be quiet:
"We must not panic now, and we must not go out and surrender."

We're all in this together; if one dies, the others can't survive.

"What should we do then?"

Zhuang Pingling, with his rugged appearance, was now in a panic and completely at a loss.

Zhou Xinhao pointed to the houses not far away, a ruthless glint in his eyes, and said in a deep voice:
"Lord Chen is still fast asleep. We've come this far, there's no turning back now."

"Once he's under control, we'll order our soldiers to attack the enemy, and then seize the opportunity to escape in the chaos."

"Ah?" Fang Yueqiao's pupils contracted sharply:

"My lord, this is a capital crime of treason!"

Zhou Xinhao suddenly laughed:
"Based on what we've done before, it's already a crime of treason."

What does it matter if we arrest an adult?

Alright, enough nonsense. Fighting back might offer a glimmer of hope.

If it falls into the hands of the Imperial Guards, you know His Majesty's methods...

Not only will our families be lost, but neither will you nor I survive.

Zhou Xinhao whispered a command, then walked straight towards the house and addressed the two soldiers on duty:
"Make way quickly, we have important news to report to the lord."

"Lord Zhou, we must go in and report first."

"Go quickly."

Zhou Xinhao waved his hand, and the two soldiers breathed a sigh of relief. One of them turned around to go in and report.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Xinhao took a step forward, flipped his wrist, and a gleaming dagger instantly appeared in his hand.

Without hesitation, he plunged the dagger into the soldier's back.

"Uh"

Everyone was stunned by this sudden turn of events.

But Fang Yueqiao reacted extremely quickly, a ruthless glint flashing in her eyes.
He stepped forward and grabbed another soldier by the neck.

Zhou Xinhao pulled out his dagger and plunged it fiercely into the soldier's chest, then twisted it forcefully!
Blood splattered everywhere, and the body collapsed to the ground with a thud.

The noise probably startled the commander inside the quarters. A deep, muffled voice came from within:
"what's up?"

Zhou Xinhao replied without changing his expression, "Sir, I have important matters to report."

"Oh, it's Xinhao. Come in."

Zhou Xinhao opened the door and went inside.

Within ten breaths, a muffled groan and an incredulous exclamation came from inside.

Zhou Xinhao walked out silently, his face splattered with blood, looking like a god of death.

He looked at Fang Yueqiao and Zhuang Pingling and said in a deep voice, "Now, immediately gather the brothers and prepare to fight the rebels outside the stronghold!"

The two exchanged a glance, their expressions complex, their hearts empty.

In the end, they still embarked on this path of no return.

With a helpless sigh, the two bowed and accepted the order:

"Yes!"

Outside the camp, half an hour had passed, and there was still no movement.

Marquis Guo Ying of Wuding, however, appeared unhurried, even displaying a slight smile on his face:
"He is so stubborn."

Upon hearing this, a thoughtful look flashed across Lu Yunyi's eyes, and he quickly understood the deeper meaning behind it.

If all the main generals of a garrison are rebels, then that garrison loses its value.

Perhaps the past two quarters of an hour were their last chance.

Surrendering outside the village would at least avoid implicating innocent people.

The consequences of not leaving the village are predictable.

"Yunyi, let's break into the stronghold."

Lu Yunyi calmly replied, "Yes."

Marquis Wuding then looked at Mao Xiang and said calmly:

"All the main troublemakers must be captured. The Embroidered Uniform Guard is responsible for identification. It is better to kill the innocent than to let the guilty go free."

"Yes"

Mao Xiang remained calm as he watched the soldiers of the vanguard scout unit quickly disperse.
The soldiers of the forward scout unit moved swiftly, neatly, and efficiently, without any unnecessary movements.

The scouts in charge of exploration had already found the camp's weak points.

At that moment, military orders were issued.

Packets of gunpowder were neatly secured to the fence.
At the same time, the gunpowder packets were placed one by one according to the pre-calculated distances.

"ignition!"

At Qin Yuanfang's command, the tinderbox, which had been lit, was quickly brought close to the fuse.

The hissing sound of burning was particularly clear in the quiet night.

Immediately afterwards, several deafening explosions rang out, and flames instantly illuminated the night sky.

The fences on both sides of the gate of Guanglan Tuntianwei were shattered by the powerful force of the gunpowder, and wood fragments flew everywhere.

Panic-stricken shouts immediately erupted from within the camp.

At this moment, no one knew what had happened.

Taking advantage of the chaos amidst the billowing smoke and dust, the soldiers gripped the reins tightly, and their warhorses pawed at the ground, raising clouds of dust.

Zhang Yu waved the command flag and issued instructions.

The cavalry charged toward the gate like arrows released from a bow.

Behind them, a specially made, enormous rope was being dragged, with a thick log attached to the end of the rope.

When the cavalrymen reached the gate, they pulled hard on the reins, and their warhorses reared up with a neigh.

At the same time, the logs behind them, propelled by the momentum of the warhorses, slammed violently into the already crumbling gate.

With a muffled thud, the towering gate collapsed to the ground, raising even more dust.

Only then did Zhang Yu issue a clear and precise military order:

"All troops, listen to my command! In accordance with Military Strategy No. 43, control the gates, key transportation routes, armories, and gunpowder depots!"

Anyone who obstructs will be killed without mercy!

Military orders are absolute, and the soldiers of the vanguard scouts were filled with excitement.

With a flick of the reins and a spur of his legs, he propelled the horse into the village like a tidal wave.

Just then, the first wave of soldiers from Guanglan Guard arrived to stop them.

However, the soldiers of the forward scout unit cooperated seamlessly.

The "three-on-three" system, with groups of three, demonstrated a significant advantage.

They covered for each other and attacked in turns, without much effort.

They broke through the defenses, leaving behind a field of corpses.

Outside the village gate, Mao Xiang stared in disbelief at the scene before him.

From the moment the military order was issued to the moment the raid was completed and the enemy forces stormed into the village, the entire operation took no more than the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea.

It happened so fast that he didn't even have time to think about how to break through the stronghold.

Among the Imperial Guards, Marquis Guo Ying of Wuding had an extremely solemn expression, while Guo Zhen beside him looked horrified.

"How could it be so fast? Don't they need to come up with a strategy on the spot? Or did they have a pre-existing plan that they could just use directly?"

Marquis Guo Ying of Wuding took a deep breath. He realized that he had underestimated the vanguard scouts.

Judging from their composure and calmness just now, the achievements of the forward scout unit are well-deserved.

With contingency plans in place, everything can be handled calmly.

This alone puts him ahead of the vast majority of soldiers.

"Alright, enough talk. The Imperial Guards are entering the stronghold to wipe out the rebels. Not a single ringleader can escape!"

The military order was given, and a desolate bugle call suddenly rang out.

"Well--"

Immediately following was a loud thud of hooves as hordes of Imperial Guard cavalry charged into Guanglan Tuntian Guard.

Many soldiers were awakened from their sleep, completely unaware of what had happened.
(End of this chapter)