The Ming Dynasty: Starting with the border troops, it was overthrown and the Qing Dynasty was destro

Chapter 51 Departure
Upon hearing this, the crowd erupted in uproar, while Lou Xiang and Lü Ming, who were hiding to the side, were even more shocked.

I thought a few lashes would be enough, but why am I being forced to parade through the camp with arrows?

"I'm innocent! It wasn't me, it was Lü Ming and his gang who stole it!"

Seeing that things were about to get serious, the two unlucky guys who were tied up panicked and immediately confessed about Lü Ming and Lou Xiang.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hongbin immediately ordered his personal guards to drag out Lü Ming and Lou Xiang, preparing to untie the two unlucky men.

But Steward Sun stopped him, saying coldly:

"These two aren't telling the truth, so they should both be punished!"

The two men were not having it and shouted:
"Why should we be punished? We've already confessed, so why should we be punished?"

Manager Sun simply ignored them; to him, it didn't matter who stole it.

He just wanted to make an example of them; more people would be better, as it would intimidate these soldiers.

Helpless, Zhao Hongbin could only wave his hand to order his personal guards to carry out the torture, and then quickly walked down the city wall.

A scream came from behind him. He shook his head and spat out angrily, "You dog slave!"

Zhao Hongbin wasn't unaware of the looks in the eyes of the soldiers on the city wall, but what could he do? Rebel?

He didn't have the courage. He wasn't one of those barefoot peasants. What would happen to his family if he rebelled? Would he become a lonely figure and mingle with those bandits?
Zhao Hongbin was extremely aggrieved. He was a dignified third-rank military officer, a border general recommended by the Ministry of War's Military Selection Office, yet he was being bossed around by a mere steward from Wangzhuang, who even punished his soldiers right in front of him.

If it weren't for the promise of 6,000 shi of grain from the Li family and the Prince's Mansion, he would have run away with his men long ago. Why should he put up with this humiliation?
"Ouch, be gentle!"

Lou Xiang grimaced in pain, his voice filled with a hint of misery.

Lu Ming was smearing a handful of dusty wood ash on Lou Xiang's ear, which made him cry out in pain.

"Should I hire a woman to give you a blowjob?"

Lu Ming rolled his eyes, but his hands didn't stop moving.
"You're already being kind enough by having someone apply the medicine for you, and you're still nitpicking. If you think I'm too rough, then do it yourself!"

Lou Xiang glanced at the ashes on Lü Ming's hand and curled his lip:
"Only we lowly soldiers have such lowly lives that we use wood ash as medicine."

"If we're unlucky and the wound gets infected, we might have to cut off the ear!"

"Unlike the people in the royal palace, who can rest when they are injured and have wound medicine to use."

He grew angrier and angrier as he spoke, then suddenly slapped his thigh and gritted his teeth.

"Damn it, it's just a few chickens, is it really that big of a deal? That bastard surnamed Sun, I'll chop him up sooner or later!"

"Not only have I been tortured, but I also have to patrol and stand guard at night. Damn it, I can't live like this anymore!"

Lu Ming snorted coldly, interrupting his complaint:
"If you've got guts, go and chop him up right now. Then I'll respect you as a real man. Why are you complaining to me like this?"

"Quickly, help me apply the dressing to my wound!"

"We still have to patrol and stand guard tonight, so stop howling here!"

Lou Xiang was just saying it; he didn't have the guts to actually do it. He could only complain while helping Lü Ming apply the dressing to his wound.

While the two were complaining, Jiang Han had already gathered his men and was ready to set off.

This time he went all in, and didn't leave a single person behind.

He not only brought all his military equipment, but also harvested the wheat in the fields in advance, made it into dry rations, and filled his luggage.

Just as Jiang Han, Shao Yong, and the others were packing their things inside the house, Yu Chengye suddenly burst in, panting heavily, his face full of urgency:

"Uncle Jiang, are you going out to fight? Can I take you with me?"

His younger sister, Yu Chenglin, peeked out from behind him, looking at the group with concern.

Jiang Han glanced at Yu Chengye's still-childish face and understood that the boy was afraid they would abandon the two siblings.

He patted Yu Chengye on the shoulder and offered a few words of comfort:
"You two just stay home quietly, we'll be back in a few days."

“I’ve already harvested all the wheat in the fields. As long as there’s no food, no one will come to this wretched place.” “Keep a close eye on things these next few days. I’ve left you a mule. Chengye, ride it around the village more often. If you see any outsiders, go to the Ma family’s house and find Grandpa Ma.”

Upon hearing this, Yu Chengye finally felt relieved and grinned.
"Alright, Uncle Jiang, please be careful in everything you do!"

After saying that, he excitedly ran off to fetch the mule.

With everything arranged, Jiang Han waved his hand and led his entire force on their journey.

The large procession followed the winding river, heading straight for Wangzhuang in Jinmingchuan.

But no sooner had they left than two riders emerged from a small ravine not far away.

The two men split up, one heading south and the other north, to deliver the message. One rode straight to Wangzhuang, while the other galloped towards Yan'an Prefecture.

Less than two hours later, Wu Ze, the commander stationed in Yan'an Prefecture, received a urgent report from the cavalry:

"Lord Wu, the bandits from Ma Family Village have already set out!"

Upon hearing this, Li Shichang, Eunuch Wang, and Zhang Nian, who were standing nearby, showed a hint of excitement in their eyes. It seemed that they would be able to completely wipe out this group of bandits today.

Without saying a word, Wu Ze personally selected three commanders and led more than four thousand men straight to Majia Village.

He wanted to first wipe out the bandit stronghold of Majia Village to prevent bandits from reappearing there in the future.

Just as Wu Ze and his men were leading their troops to Majia Village, Jiang Han and his group had already quietly arrived at the upper reaches of Jinmingchuan.

Because it was a large-scale march, and they were carrying various supplies and weapons, it took more than three hours, and it was almost dark by then.

Even though it was getting late, they didn't dare get too close, for fear of alerting the guards of Wangzhuang.

The group proceeded in the dark until it was completely dark, at which point Jiang Han waved to signal the Tang cavalry to disperse.

Shao Yong led his cavalry to carefully survey the surrounding terrain, and finally found a sheltered mountain hollow to hide in.

This is a siege battle, and his cavalry is not very useful; they can only be responsible for perimeter security and reconnaissance.

Shao Yong and his archers were responsible for providing cover for the main force to breach the city from a distance.

The real highlight will be Li Laowai.

His infantry were the vanguard in this battle. Once the explosive charges under the city gate went off, they would have to brave their shields, endure a hail of arrows, and carry battering rams to smash the city gate.

Meanwhile, Dong Erzhu led the reserve team, ready to support the brothers on the front lines at any time.

Jiang Han called everyone over and whispered his instructions:
"Let's eat some dry rations and rest for a while. We'll make our move when the garrison is sound asleep around 1-3 AM."

To ensure everything went perfectly, Jiang Han reviewed the entire operation once again.

He pointed at Dong Erzhu and instructed him:
"Pillar, have you chosen the brothers to plant the explosives?"

"Remember, stuff them right under the city gate. I've already tied the explosives together with fuses. After lighting them, tell them to run for their lives and never look back!"

He then turned to Li Laowai, his tone becoming more forceful:

"Old Wai, your unit will be the vanguard in this battle. You must make a big commotion and draw the defending troops away as much as possible!"

"The pressure is immense, you have to hold on!"

Old Li grinned and patted his chest, guaranteeing:

"Rest assured, my lord. I have prepared double armor for the vanguard, and additional soldiers to provide shields. If I cannot break down this city gate, I will offer my head to you!"

Jiang Han nodded and said in a deep voice:
"Alright, let's rest first, recharge our energy, and start at 1-3 AM!"

"We must take Wangzhuang!"

　Dear readers, please bookmark this page and keep reading!
　　Your continued reading is of utmost importance to me, thank you so much!!!

　　Thank you so much for your monthly tickets and recommendations! I'm so grateful, I'm bowing down to you all!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)