Catching Monsters

Chapter 500 Great Victory
In just one day, the Tianqi Army successfully recaptured Daegu County City, and soon, 50,000 Tianqi soldiers were stationed in Daegu City.

At the same time, the scouts who went to investigate the four nearby cities soon reported back that the garrison in these cities numbered less than two thousand men, and judging from their clothing, they did not seem to be Wang Longzhi's elite troops.

Inside the main hall of the government office in Daegu, Zhang Yuhu held the report sent back by his scouts and narrowed his eyes slightly.

The other five generals, sitting to the side, also became somewhat solemn upon hearing the news.

Inside the hall, Feng Yu sat eating fruit, seemingly unconcerned about military matters.

Feng Yu knew Zhang Yuhu's plan from the beginning and did not try to stop him. After all, Feng Yu knew very well that Xiao Yuzheng sent Zhang Yuhu to the front line not to have him defend the city.

Instead, they need to achieve some accomplishments.

“Something’s not right here,” a general said in a deep voice as he looked at the letter that had been sent back. “It’s one thing that the defenses of Daegu County’s city are weak, but the defenses of the other nearby cities are just as poor.”

Everyone here is a seasoned commander who has led troops in battle for many years. How could they not see the strangeness of this matter? At this moment, a general surnamed Wu said in a deep voice, "General, the rebels are not incompetent in their military tactics. There is probably a trap involved."

Another general standing nearby had a slight thought and said, "What kind of trap could there be? The city is undefended. Shouldn't we seize such a good opportunity?"

"With less than two thousand men, the five of us can split up and take back all these cities in a few days. I wonder how the imperial court will reward us then."

At this point, he looked at Zhang Yuhu and said, "General, regardless of whether there's a trick or not, the fact that we've retaken the lost cities is definitely true, isn't it?"

These words were exactly what Zhang Yuhu was thinking. He remained silent, tapping his fingers lightly on the table as he listened to his subordinates' discussion. When the time was right, he slowly looked at Feng Yu and asked with a smile, "Supervisor, in your opinion, what should we do next?"

Upon hearing this, Feng Yu laughed and said, "General, I am just a eunuch, how would I know anything about warfare? You shall decide everything."

Feng Yu did not get involved in the military arrangements; Xiao Yuzheng had made those arrangements before he came.

Throughout history, there have been countless instances of eunuchs supervising the army and acting recklessly on the front lines.

Feng Yu has no authority to interfere with military arrangements this time. The only thing to be wary of is Zhang Yuhu, lest he defect to the enemy.

Zhang Yuhu understood Feng Yu's attitude, nodded emphatically, took a deep breath, and then said loudly, "Pass on my orders."

"Each of you take 10,000 men and launch a trial attack. If there are any problems, retreat immediately."

Zhang Yuhu took a deep breath and added, "Don't worry, if anything goes wrong, I gave the order and I will take full responsibility."

"General, please don't say such things." Upon hearing this, the five men couldn't help but feel a touch of emotion.

If it succeeds, we'll share the credit; if anything goes wrong, Zhang Yuhu is willing to take responsibility.

Soon, after a night's rest, the five groups of people set out on their own the next morning.

……

Five days later.

"Good news, good news!"

A soldier from the Tianqi Army, riding a fast horse and carrying a secret report, galloped towards the capital.

The soldiers of the Five Cities Garrison guarding the city gate, seeing this, naturally dared not stop the man.

Ignoring the rule against riding horses in the capital, the soldier spurred his horse and galloped towards the palace, causing many civilians along the way to quickly make way for him.

Judging from this, there must be urgent military intelligence coming back.

The soldier ran to the front and back of the palace and respectfully told the guards, "I must see His Majesty immediately; good news has come from the front."

Soon, the soldier was brought to the Imperial Study. After entering the study, he knelt down nervously and kowtowed, saying, "Xiao Yi, the messenger of the Tianqi Army, has been ordered to deliver a report of victory."

"General Zhang Yuhu is on the front lines, winning one battle after another, and has successively captured six counties: Daqiu County, Huangyan County, Guiren County, Bizhang County, Anqiu County, and Taifeng County!"

"The rebels surrendered without a fight in front of General Zhang Yuhu."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuzheng remained quite calm. He had already learned of the matter last night, as Feng Yu had informed him of the situation in advance via carrier pigeon.

"Very good." Xiao Yuzheng looked at the eunuch serving him in the imperial study: "Miao Xi, post this news in the notice so that everyone in the capital knows."

"Furthermore, Zhang Yuhu has distinguished himself on the front lines and is hereby granted the rank of Protector-General."

The title of Shanghujun is a meritorious honor, and in principle, simply bestowing upon him the empty title of Shanghujun is somewhat insufficient for such merit.

However, Zhang Yuhu was already distrusted because of his collusion with Xiao Jingfu, and now that he has been granted a title, he will at least no longer have to worry about being implicated in Zhang Yao's case.

Soon, various government agencies sprang into action, posting notices of the great victory at the front, and the Ministry of Rites arranged a grand fireworks display that evening to celebrate.

Furthermore, the Zhang residence, which had been quite deserted due to the Zhang Yao case, was now filled with congratulatory gifts from various dignitaries.

That's how the officialdom of Zhou State is. If someone falls into trouble, everyone avoids them like the plague. If someone makes a great contribution and is about to rise to prominence, everyone will rush to curry favor with them.

Meanwhile, Jiang Yun was fishing in front of a fishpond in the backyard of the Jiang residence.

During this period, things became much more relaxed. Qi Da was in charge of the daily work of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and he could make decisions on less important matters on his own.

He would only come to the Jiang residence to consult Jiang Yun on some important matters.

At other times, Jiang Yun would accompany Xu Suwen to stroll around the city, or Xu Xiaogang would drag her to the Jiaofangsi (a brothel) for drinks.

Jiang Yun wasn't particularly interested in the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment district), but it wasn't just about sordid affairs between men and women; the opera troupes there were quite good.

Xu Suwen didn't care about this, because Jiang Yun would go home before dark. After having some free time, Jiang Yun felt a little uncomfortable, so he dug a fishpond in the backyard, threw some fish in, and started fishing.

Qu Wushang was also sitting to the side, staring at the surface of the small fishpond. He couldn't help but glance at the fish basket next to Jiang Yun: "Did you cast some kind of spell? Why is your fish basket almost full in less than half an hour?"

"I can't even catch a single fish."

After Qu Wushang's injuries healed, Jiang Yun granted him a long leave, allowing him to stay at the Jiang residence for a period of time to recuperate.

With such a top expert stationed at home, there's no need to worry about anyone attacking again.

However, Qu Wushang had also told Jiang Yun that he could not act rashly again, otherwise, his life might be in danger.

Jiang Yun smiled and said to Qu Wushang, "Senior Qu, how about this: you satisfy my curiosity, and I'll tell you how you caught the fish if you find out who destroyed your meridians?"

Upon hearing this, Qu Wushang smiled and waved his hand, saying, "You little rascal, how many times have you asked me these past few days? I've told you all the time that I accidentally tripped and fell, and then I broke my tendons."

“Senior, if you don’t want to talk about it, you don’t need to use such an excuse to fob me off.” Jiang Yun rolled her eyes.

"hey-hey."

Qu Wushang chuckled, then pointed behind Jiang Yun and said, "Hey, look, the Duke of Zhenguo is here."

"Senior, your way of changing the subject is a bit too abrupt." After Jiang Yun finished speaking, Xu Xiaogang's voice came from behind him: "Brother-in-law, fishing?"

"You're here?" Jiang Yun turned around and saw Xu Xiaogang, then said, "Go get the fishing rod, sit down and fish, cultivate your mind and body."

"Have you heard about what's happening at the front?" Xu Xiaogang wasn't in the mood for fishing, so he sat down next to Jiang Yun.

Jiang Yun shook his head: "I don't lead troops into battle, why should I care about the front lines? What's wrong with that?"

Xu Xiaogang said in a deep voice, "A great victory at the front! Zhang Yuhu has captured six cities in a row."

Jiang Yun joked, "What's wrong? Are you worried that Zhang Yuhu is fighting too fiercely on the front lines and steals His Majesty's favor from you?"

"I don't care about that." Xu Xiaogang shook his head, his eyebrows furrowed, and then squatted down and began to draw with a piece of wood: "Look, the six cities occupied by Zhang Yuhu are indeed in very important locations."

"But after these six cities, the next city we want to capture is Shanglin County."

"Shanglin County's city is easy to defend and difficult to attack. The surrounding thirty miles are full of swamps and dense forests, and the only suitable route for marching is the official road."

"This official road must pass through Huangguan Pass. If the army passes through the pass, the enemy can easily cut off the army's retreat if they set up an ambush."

"The rear supplies cannot be replenished."

"If the army passes through Huangguan Pass and its retreat is cut off..."

"If I were a rebel general, I would definitely set up an ambush here."

Listening to this, Jiang Yun asked, "How does General Zhang Yuhu compare to your abilities?"

Xu Xiaogang said in a deep voice, "The difference should not be much. I cooperated with him when we were besieging the Hu army. He was a very capable general who was good at leading troops and making proper arrangements."

Jiang Yun immediately laughed and said, "If that's the case, then what's there to worry about? If you can see the problem, surely he can too?"

Xu Xiaogang fell silent, then slowly said, "Knowing is one thing, but being able to do it is another."

"Hopefully he'll know when to stop."

Xu Xiaogang was worried, but he did not send a letter to the front line to persuade Zhang Yuhu.

For frontline generals leading troops into battle, the most taboo thing is having messages sent from faraway capital cities influence their judgment.

After all, it was all just my own speculation; I wasn't on the front lines and didn't know the specifics.

"How many fish have you caught?" Xu Suwen walked out wearing a white fur coat, a smile on her face. A thin layer of snow had already covered the eaves.

"Let's have some stewed fish tonight, Xiaogang, have some too." Jiang Yun smiled and patted Xu Xiaogang on the shoulder: "Don't worry too much, it's better to have good news from the front than for the front to collapse."

"That's true." Xu Xiaogang gave a wry smile and nodded.

……

"Min'er, according to your plan, all six cities have been ceded. What's next? Lure Zhang Yuhu to attack Shanglin County? And then set up an ambush at Huangguan Pass?"

In the garden of a mansion in the south, Xiao Min'er was sitting in front of many flowers, holding scissors and pruning the plants.

Wang Longzhi, standing to the side, asked in confusion.

Xiao Min'er carefully trimmed the branches and calmly said, "Is he an idiot? Can't he see the problem with Huangguan Pass?"

"Moreover, if we were to set up an ambush directly, we could only wipe out 50,000 of his Apocalypse Army."

"What I want is to annihilate most of the Zhenchi Army, so that we can head north unimpeded and reach the capital."

Hearing Xiao Min'er's words, Wang Longzhi was somewhat puzzled. He said in a deep voice, "Since he can see through it, he probably won't be easily fooled."

Xiao Min'er smiled and said, "If it were Xu Xiaogang, he definitely wouldn't take the bait, but Zhang Yuhu would, because he has a weakness, it just takes a little trickery."

(End of this chapter)