In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 691 Things are difficult at the beginning, but successful through perseverance; if you go too far, the problems will be forgotten, and your mind will naturally become clear.

Northeast of Haramulin, outside the Jurchen camp

It was early morning, and the chill of the night was gradually fading away.
Warm sunlight shone through the dark clouds that covered the sky and fell on the muddy camp.

After a night of cold winds, the swirling snow and mud mixed with black slush had frozen solid, becoming incredibly hard.

Many Jurchen people who got up early walked on it.

Try to keep your balance to avoid falling.

They were still half-asleep, clearly reminiscing about the beautiful dream they had the night before.

At the entrance to the camp, in front of two loose wooden doors,
The four gatekeepers were all asleep, lying sprawled on the ground in various positions.

Only the slight bulge in their chests proved that they were still alive.

Outside the camp, in the jungle, telescopes stretched out from the dense forest, pointing generously at the camp.

On a tall tree,

Wearing spiked boots, Lu Yunyi fiercely impaled himself on the thick tree trunk.
The telescope was moved back and forth, examining the few tents in the camp.

The more he looked, the more serious his expression became, and a sense of doubt arose in his heart—it seemed that there were far fewer people.

Lu Yunyi looked down at Feng Yunfang and instructed:

"Order the scouts of each unit to count the number of people in the Jurchen camp and make a comparison."

He ordered Zhang Huai'an to lead a thousand soldiers to sneak up.

Head southwest, be careful, and bring enough weapons and firearms; prepare to breach the camp.

"Yes!"

Feng Yunfang responded, told the soldiers beside him to keep an eye on the adults above them, and hurriedly ran away.

Soon, the number of scouts from each unit was compared from six directions.

Clerk Yao Tongchen, wrapped in a cotton coat, said softly:

"Sir, compared to five days ago, the number of people has decreased by 60%."
At this moment, only four hundred soldiers and no more than one hundred warhorses remained in the camp.

Lord Qin was still under the snow cover in the southwest direction of the camp.
Traces of a human or horse departure have been discovered, but the exact number is currently unknown.

"Oh shit."

Lu Yunyi cursed inwardly upon hearing the number.
They hurried as fast as they could, and the five thousand soldiers risked their lives to travel for three days.

It turned out we were still a step too late; most of the people had slipped away for nothing.

He steadied himself and spoke in a deep voice:
"Order the other four divisions to each control the time of breaching the stronghold, pay attention to casualties, and kill all those who should be killed."

"Yes!"

Feng Yunfang hurriedly ran away again, his face somewhat serious.

Five thousand soldiers, divided into five units, were tasked with breaching five Jurchen camps at once.

Given the numerical disadvantage, the task is undeniably arduous.

Half an hour later, Zhang Huai'an, who commanded a thousand-man team in the northeast direction, secretly sneaked to the tree.

His expression was equally serious, and when he saw the somewhat loosely packed camp ahead, he suddenly felt tense.

Although he had mentally rehearsed the process of breaching the stronghold countless times,
But this was his first time fighting a real battle as a commander-in-chief.
Even with adults over their heads to protect them, their hands and feet trembled with excitement.

"My lord, when shall we attack?"

Zhang Huai'an raised his head and asked softly.

Lu Yunyi lowered his head and saw Zhang Huai'an arrive.
He flipped over and jumped down, landing steadily on the ground, the snow just covering his calves.

Lu Yunyi did not answer his question immediately.
Instead, he handed over the telescope and asked:
"What do you think?"

Zhang Huai'an didn't stand on ceremony and looked at the camp ahead through the telescope.

After examining it carefully for a moment, he replied:
"My lord, I believe the best time to attack is at noon."

When they begin cooking, they will surely be less focused.

After speaking, he looked at Lu Yunyi with some anticipation, hoping to get the answer as right or wrong.

Lu Yunyi did not give him an answer, but simply nodded slightly:
"Let's do it your way."

Zhang Huai'an was taken aback and quickly asked:

"My lord, how is this time?"

Lu Yunyi chuckled softly, looked ahead, and said calmly:

Have you read "Romance of the Three Kingdoms"? It's a very popular novel in the capital.

"I've seen it," Zhang Huai'an replied.

"There are many strategists inside, and people often ask me questions."

If the strategist is so capable, why doesn't he become a ruler? What do you think the answer is?

Lu Yunyi turned to look at the guards around him.

"Think it over; you can only make progress by using your brain more."

The group of people made their way outside the enemy camp, creating a tense yet eerie atmosphere.

Zhang Huai'an replied:

"My lord, I believe it's a difference in status and position."
Whether it was Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, or Liu Bei, they all had illustrious backgrounds.

In chaotic times, these backgrounds can garner more support.

Upon hearing this, many of the guards found it very reasonable and nodded in agreement.

Lu Yunyi glanced around and saw them all nodding. He felt a wave of dizziness and his head swelled up.
"What nonsense are you spouting? What does this have to do with the ongoing war?"

Zhang Huai'an shrank his neck, and the other guards also lowered their heads.

"As our lord and general, the lives and fortunes of all our brothers are on your shoulders."

Without these psychological pressures, strategists can clearly see the situation.

This is why some lords in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" made numerous foolish decisions.

Because he cherished it, once he lost, he had nothing left.

Lu Yunyi looked at Zhang Huai'an and asked:

"How does it feel to decide the timing of your attack yourself?"

Zhang Huai'an answered honestly:

"My lord, I am uneasy and have no idea what to do."

"Hmm, if a thousand people are this uneasy, what about leading an army of one hundred thousand?"

One oversight could mean the deaths of thousands. Could you withstand that kind of pressure?

Zhang Huai'an was sweating profusely, his lips were dry, and his hands were trembling slightly.

Only at this point did he truly understand what it meant to be a general.

The pressure on the battlefield did not come from the enemy, but from the comrades behind him.

"If you want to become an excellent general, make your own decisions."

Lu Yunyi spoke calmly and continued:
"When troops are deployed abroad, the commander-in-chief has unlimited power, and with it, unlimited responsibility."

Whether you fail to capture the enemy Jurchen camp or suffer heavy losses, you will be held responsible. Go.

Zhang Huai'an became even more nervous, but still gritted his teeth.

He knew that a qualified general would never achieve great things if he didn't truly take this step.
If you're a man, you should shoulder your responsibilities!
"Yes!"

Zhang Huai'an growled and retreated with firm steps.

After he left, Feng Yunfang stepped forward and asked with a hint of surprise:
"My lord, Lord Zhang is still young."

With such a heavy burden on his shoulders, I'm afraid something might go wrong.

This sounded a bit strange. Lu Yunyi picked up the telescope and looked ahead:
"If we don't train our troops when the enemy is weak, are we supposed to train them when we face a strong enemy?"

This camp in front of us is made of paper.
"We can break through if we all rush in now; if there are still problems, then we shouldn't be in the army."

After speaking, he looked at Feng Yunfang:
"Would you like to try leading a team on your own?"

Feng Yunfang's eyes widened suddenly, and he shook his head vigorously like a rattle drum:
"My lord, I cannot do that."

"You're young now, but you can't be a bodyguard forever."

"Watch closely. When the opportunity is right, I'll find you a chance to be transferred out."

After Lu Yunyi finished speaking, he took two steps forward.

He concealed himself entirely in the bushes, carefully observing the camp.

Feng Yunfang lagged behind, also taking into account Zhang Huai'an's feelings from earlier.

I felt uneasy and uncertain.

As noon approached, the Jurchen camp had not yet discovered that the scouts on the perimeter had been eliminated, and they were still happily making fires and cooking.

A crowd gathered, watching the burning firewood and the boiling cauldron of snow water.

Some people were even jumping around with their hands raised, as if they were holding some kind of celebration ceremony.

This allowed Zhang Huai'an, who had led his troops to sneak over, to breathe a slight sigh of relief.
At least the Jurchens in front of us don't look like elite troops no matter how you look at them.

Beside him, Centurion Wang Ding also secretly breathed a sigh of relief, cursing under his breath:
"So my father was right. Fighting is really tense, completely different from making plans in the military headquarters."

"Don't talk nonsense. We're about to attack. We're generals, we can't afford to be disorganized."

Zhang Huai'an glared at them, then looked at the hundred or so people beside him and asked:
Are you confident you can break through the stronghold?

Wang Ding nodded:

"Yes, the gunpowder dosage has been increased to the maximum."
Those two broken wooden planks could easily be blown apart.

"Don't forget, even the fence next to it was blown up."
"Just blowing up the door is too crowded for two hundred of us," Zhang Huai'an reminded him.

"Don't worry, our team is definitely fine. I just don't know how Cao Kai and the others are doing," Wang Ding said.

Zhang Huai'an gave a low shout:
"Never mind them, we can only focus on the present."
"As long as one hole is blown open, we've succeeded."

"Okay, I'm off then!" Wang Ding said, turning and leaving.

As time passed, Zhang Huai'an's palms and forehead became sweaty, and his breathing became rapid.

The guards beside him kept announcing the time.

"My lord, it will be noon in ten breaths." "Five breaths."

"Three breaths."

"One breath."

"My lord, it is noon!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Huai'an stood up abruptly, drew his long sword with a whoosh, and shouted:
"kill!"

"Well--"

The heavy, desolate sound of bugles echoed from all directions throughout the camp.
The pervasive sound waves collided in the air, leaving the Jurchen people in the camp stunned.

what happened?
The next moment, the shouts of battle coming from all directions made their expressions change drastically.
"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!!!"

Zhang Huai'an stood on high ground, long sword raised high, and shouted, "Kill—"

At this moment, the fierce roar made the veins in his neck bulge and his face flush red.
All my anxiety was thrown to the back of my mind.
There was only one thought, a firm one.
Break through this camp!

At that moment, he understood.
What seems like a towering mountain at first glance is actually as easy as walking on mud when you cross it!
Some things have certain thresholds; whether you can cross them or not depends on just one step.

What seems like a towering mountain at first glance is actually as easy as walking on mud when you cross it!
I was filled with anxiety before taking that step.

Looking back after stepping over it, I realized it was so simple.
"Whoosh whoosh—"

Arrows were fired without restraint.

It traced a graceful arc through the air before plummeting down.

It pierced the bodies of the Jurchen people who were looking around in bewilderment.

Blood splattered, and the stench of blood mingled with screams throughout the air.

"Boom boom boom——"

The gunpowder pack was thrown in front of the tightly closed door.
After several violent explosions, not only was the main door blown to pieces,
Even the tall door frame has disappeared!
A huge gap appeared in Zhang Huai'an and Wang Ding's line of sight.

"kill!"

Zhang Huai'an was filled with excitement, and an unprecedented sense of pride welled up in his heart.

A true man should fight on the battlefield and command thousands of troops!
He rode his warhorse and charged through the breach, taking the lead.
The world slowed down at that moment, and the panicked and helpless faces flashed by one by one.

He swung the longsword with all his might.

Half a head flew off, the neck was cut in half, and severed limbs flew everywhere.

Everything slowed down, and Zhang Huai'an felt more relaxed than ever before.
So this is what it feels like to defeat the enemy!

With a single slash, he ripped open the chest of a Jurchen woman who was rushing towards him.

Meeting the man's astonished gaze, Zhang Huai'an smiled disdainfully.
The long sword in his hand was forged by craftsmen in the capital over six months.

It is a fine knife in my home; how can mere leather armor possibly stop its blade?
On the other side, Wang Ding was also riding his warhorse, hacking and slashing indiscriminately in the Jurchen camp.

His body surged with the movement of his warhorse, his long sword flashing incessantly.

At that moment, he felt that he was carrying the honor of the Marquis of Dingyuan on his shoulders!

The Jurchen people inside the camp were thrown into extreme chaos.
They scattered and fled, trying to avoid the rain of swords and spears.
However, the soldiers were well-trained and coordinated perfectly.

They divided and surrounded the Jurchens, defeating them one by one.

Crossbows, muskets, and even heavy crossbows have been deployed.

Shouts of battle, screams of agony, and the clash of weapons mingled together.

Beside a tent in the center of the camp, several Jurchen soldiers were trying to organize a resistance.

They held shields, formed a small circle, and watched their surroundings warily.

Covered in blood, Zhang Huai'an's eyes flashed with a ruthless glint upon seeing this.
He shouted:
"Charge! Kill them all!"

The soldiers surged toward the Jurchen soldiers like a tidal wave.

A soldier, wielding a spear, thrust it fiercely at the shield of a Jurchen soldier.
The Jurchen soldiers fought back fiercely.
But the spear was so powerful that it made the shield teeter precariously.

Another soldier charged from the side, his long sword slashing fiercely at the shield, instantly splitting the wooden shield in two.

The Jurchen soldiers lost the protection of their shields and were exposed to the swords of the other soldiers.

The soldiers, who had been waiting patiently, pulled the trigger without hesitation.

With a whoosh, the group was riddled with thorns.

The soldiers swarmed forward, their long swords raining down like raindrops.

The Jurchen soldiers' bodies were hacked to pieces, their limbs and severed torsos scattered about.

The blood splattered on the surrounding tents and snow, turning the entire camp a bloody red.

Seeing this, Zhang Huai'an became even more excited and shouted:

"Kill them all!"

The soldiers spread out in an orderly fashion.

As the battle progressed, the Jurchen resistance grew weaker and weaker.

Their numbers dwindled, while the soldiers of the vanguard scouts grew in high spirits and fought with increasing ferocity.

Soon, most of the Jurchens in the camp were killed.

Only some sporadic resistance remained.
Finally, under the threat of bows, crossbows, and firearms, they knelt down and surrendered.

Outside the camp, seeing that the battle was over,

Lu Yunyi took down the telescope and nodded almost imperceptibly:
"With adequate preparation, even a novice general can accomplish a victory."

Feng Yunfang, who was standing to the side, secretly noted down these words.

"Let's go and have a look."

After speaking, Lu Yunyi strode towards the camp ahead.

Inside the camp, Wang Ding successfully located the Jurchens' grain and fodder storage facilities.

There wasn't much grain left in the haystack, and it had already been set ablaze. He quickly ordered the fire to be extinguished.

The armory was filled with various wooden weapons, with very few iron weapons.
He even saw several irregularly shaped iron rods.

It's like a long sword that has been rolled up and then forged into a curled shape.

"Put all the ironware away."

Before long, Wang Ding and his group discovered a group of slaves imprisoned in cages.
These slaves were ragged, haggard, and filled with despair; they looked like people from the steppes.

Wang Ding didn't waste any words and waved his hand:
"Find out what happened, then kill them all."

In the center of the camp, after the last Jurchen soldier who resisted was beheaded, the entire camp finally fell silent.

Only the crackling of the flames and the cries of the captives remained.
The air was filled with a strong smell of blood, which was nauseating.

On the snow, on the tents, on the weapons

Blood was everywhere, and the entire camp looked like a living hell.

Lu Yunyi walked among them, looking around.

The war was progressing smoothly, but the fighting of hundreds and thousands of people would inevitably result in casualties.

In his sight, several soldiers were wounded in the battle, some even lying in pools of blood.

Their blood was equally crimson, staining the snow beneath them.

Lu Yunyi remained calm in response.

Upon arriving at the camp, one could hear Zhang Huai'an shouting:

"Clean up the battlefield and treat the wounded!"

The soldiers acted swiftly, carrying their wounded comrades to safety for treatment.
At the same time, the bodies of the Jurchens were gathered together in preparation for burial.

Lu Yunyi walked up to Zhang Huai'an, looked at his blood-soaked appearance, and patted him on the shoulder:

"Well done, full of energy and well prepared."
However, battlefield cleanup and follow-up arrangements cannot be taken lightly.

Zhang Huai'an looked excited, his voice strong and clear:

"Rest assured, sir, I will handle this properly."

Lu Yunyi nodded, looked around, and said:
"Although we have won this battle, the main force of the Jurchens has fled, so we must not let our guard down."

Let the soldiers rest and recuperate, and prepare for the next battle.

"Yes!" Zhang Huai'an replied in a clear and resounding voice.

Lu Yunyi glanced at Qin Yuanfang, who had followed him, and waved.
"Continue searching eastward to find out where these people went."

"Yes!"

In less than an hour, sunlight pierced through the clouds and fell on the camp, bringing a touch of warmth to this blood-soaked land.

However, the lingering stench of blood in the air lingered for a long time.
It seemed to be telling the story of the fierce and cruel battle.

Thanks to the soldiers' efforts, the battlefield was quickly cleaned up.

The Jurchen corpses were carelessly left in the snow outside the camp, and the wounded soldiers received timely medical treatment.

The interrogation of the Jurchens has yielded initial results.

Inside a relatively clean camp,

Five documents were laid out in front of Lu Yunyi.

All five battle sites located in Haramulin were victorious, as expected.

He is currently reviewing the statement.

"There are also people from the Yehe tribe? The Yehe tribe of the four tribes of the Haixi Jurchen Hulun?"

"Yes, sir. Moreover, the camp that Lord Wu breached was the Hada tribe, which is also the Haixi Jurchen," Feng Yunfang replied.

Lu Yunyi nodded thoughtfully:

"It seems that it's not some barbarian Jurchen invading the border, but the Haixi Jurchen who are up to their tricks."

The order was issued: all departments shall proceed according to plan.

Before tomorrow evening, eliminate all Jurchen camps in Haramulin.

Those among them should all be killed, lest they become a burden.

"Yes!" Feng Yunfang's expression tightened, and he stood up straight.

(End of this chapter)