Sweep Yuan

Chapter 301 Zhan Ningguo Mao Hu Xianwei

Ningguo County, a city located at the junction of the mountains in southern Anhui and the Xuanhui Basin, appears particularly solemn in the bleakness of winter.

The mottled bloodstains and newly added arrow marks on the city wall silently testified to the ferocity of the battles fought over the past few days. Like ants, the Yuan army, amidst the deafening sounds of war drums and horns, carried makeshift ladders and surged towards the city walls once again.

Arrows flew through the air like locusts, and soldiers were frequently hit, screaming as they fell from ladders or city walls.

Below the city, Dong Tuanxiao, the Left Vice Minister of the Jiangzhe Province, stood on a makeshift earthen platform, calmly observing the battle.

He was dressed in fine mountain-patterned armor, his scarlet cloak billowing in the cold wind, looking quite heroic, but deep in his sunken eyes, there was a hint of weariness and worry that was hard to detect.

"If we launch such a strong attack for three to five days, we will surely be able to breach this city..."

He silently chanted in his heart, trying to use his willpower to dispel the gloom that had followed him ever since the fall of Ningguo County.

Just then, a fast horse galloped from the mountain road in the southwest, its hooves kicking up clouds of dust.

The scout on horseback was drenched in sweat, his face a mixture of sweat and dust. Before his horse had even come to a complete stop, he tumbled off the saddle, staggered to the earthen platform, and cried out in terror:
"Report! Lord Left Chancellor! Something terrible has happened! Dongshanwukou Village... Dongshanwukou Village has been attacked by the Han army! Marshal Xun has ordered me to fight my way out at all costs. Please send reinforcements immediately! Any later... any later and it will all be over!"

Like a thunderclap exploding in his ears, Dong Tuanxiao felt a sudden tightness in his heart, as if gripped tightly by an invisible hand. He forced himself to steady his trembling body, took a deep breath of the icy air, and demanded sharply:

"How many Han soldiers are attacking? What banner are they flying?! Explain clearly!"

The scout was nearly exhausted from running, panting heavily, but still had a sliver of clarity in his mind, and hurriedly replied:

"Look... look at their formation, there are at least five or six thousand people! The banners... the banners read 'Bashan Left Guard Hu'!"

"Hu Dahai, the Left Guard of Bashan!"

Upon hearing that nightmarish name, Dong Tuanxiao's vision almost went black. A surge of emotions—a mixture of fear, anger, and shame—rushed to his head, nearly causing him to lose control. He yanked the reins sharply, and his warhorse, in pain, let out a long, mournful neigh.

"Hu Dahai! It's that bastard again! He's like a ghost that won't leave you alone!" He practically roared through gritted teeth, his voice filled with deep-seated hatred.

The crushing defeat on the banks of the Luqian River two years ago remains the biggest stain on his military career.

At that time, Dong Tuanxiao was defeated by Hu Dahai, a fierce general under Shi Shan, who broke through the central command flag with overwhelming force, causing the entire army to collapse. In fact, Dong Tuanxiao lost in a head-on battle to the Red Flag Battalion, which had only recently started an uprising and whose forces were far smaller than his own.

In mid-last month, he led his troops to defend Ningguo County, fighting a close battle with Mao Gui's Han army. It seemed that he was about to defeat the Han army when Hu Dahai appeared again! Like a ghost, he led his troops out of the dangerous Qianqiu Pass in the southeast of Ningguo and cut off his retreat in one fell swoop!

After three days of arduous struggle, Dong Tuanxiao was beset by internal and external troubles, and Ningguo County finally fell. He managed to escape with only a few dozen personal guards through a secret path in the west of the city.

However, almost all of the Dong family's relatives and sons in Cizhou, their trusted generals whom they had trained over the years, and their own elite troops whom they had painstakingly built were trapped in the city, either dying or surrendering!
In times of chaos, military power is fundamental.

Losing the core troops upon which one built one's power is like a tiger having its claws and teeth removed. Even with extraordinary abilities, one cannot escape the fate of becoming a collateral branch, dependent on others.

After this battle, Dong Tuanxiao's status in the Jiangzhe Province plummeted, and he could no longer quickly raise a capable and disciplined army. He was filled with shame and wrote a memorial to the throne overnight, preparing himself for the court's dismissal and investigation.

Unexpectedly, the supreme commander of the Yuan army in Jiangnan, the Imperial Censor of the Southern Terrace, Buyan Temur, stepped forward to protect him. Not only did he not pursue the crime of losing his army and territory, but he also allocated him 20,000 troops, with all necessary equipment and provisions.

The task assigned to Dong Tuanxiao was only one—to retake Ningguo County!

The Shishan forces, entrenched in northern Zhejiang and southern Anhui, acted like a giant iron clamp, choking the throat between the north and south.

This meant that communication between the Mongol-Yuan Jiangzhe Province and the Yuan central capital, Dadu, had to detour through the three provinces of Jiangxi, Huguang, and Henan. Messengers had to dismount and travel by boat multiple times, crossing rivers and making the journey extremely long, resulting in very inconvenient and inefficient communication.

Under these special circumstances, Buyan Temur, entrusted by the Yuan court to "act expediently," took control of the military and political power of the ten circuits in Jiangnan. His power was so great that he was equivalent to a "King of Jiangnan" in name only.

His recommendations and appointments of officials within his jurisdiction basically represented the opinions of the Yuan court, and at least at the implementation level, no one dared to disobey him.

However, Buyan Temur's strong support for Dong Tuanxiao was not out of appreciation or a desire to give him important responsibilities.

Dong Tuanxiao was originally from Cizhou. He entered officialdom as a student of the Imperial Academy and served as the governor of Jining Circuit. He was promoted to the position of Vice Governor of Jiangzhe Province for his outstanding performance in assisting the former Pingzhang of Jiangzhe Province in education and in suppressing the Anfeng Circuit turmoil and the subsequent recapture of Hangzhou.

His subsequent promotion to the position of Left Vice Minister of the Province was mainly due to the recommendation of another minister, Qing Tong. He did not have a deep personal relationship with Buyan Temur, and they even belonged to different factions.

The relationship between the two is quite delicate.

Previously, the Yuan army in Jiangnan had concentrated all its efforts on pacifying Xu Shouhui's Xu Song regime and was in dire need of generals skilled in military affairs. However, Buyan Temur left the skilled Dong Tuanxiao in Hangzhou, precisely because he did not want Dong Tuanxiao to make any new contributions.

However, circumstances are beyond human control. After Shishan took control of northern Zhejiang, he seized the geographical advantage by relying on the natural barrier of the Yangtze River and the waters of Taihu Lake.

The Yuan army launched several frontal attacks from Chizhou, Huizhou, Jiande, Wuzhou and other routes in an attempt to break the deadlock, but without exception they were met with fierce resistance from the Han army, suffering heavy losses and achieving nothing.

Looking around at the generals in Jiangnan, only Dong Tuanxiao had previously been able to hold his own against the Han army by relying on the city for defense in the Ningguo Road area.

Buyan Temur was a seasoned and prudent military strategist who knew the Han army was elite and had the advantage of terrain, making him a formidable opponent.

His original plan was to stabilize the existing defensive line, build deep trenches and high walls, and confront the Han army for a long time. He would wait for the main force of Tuotuo Taishi in Jiangbei to break through Huainan and threaten the flank of the Han army in northern Zhejiang before looking for an opportunity to launch a full-scale attack in order to ensure victory.

Unexpectedly, man proposes, God disposes.

The army led by Tuotuo was blocked at the gates of Gaoyou City, where it was forced to retreat and made slow progress.

In order to prevent Shi Shan from taking the opportunity to lead his main force northward and disrupt his strategy of annihilating the puppet Zhou Zhang Shicheng, Tuotuo hoped that the Yuan army in Jiangnan could take the initiative to attack and do its best to contain the Han army and relieve the pressure on him.

Therefore, Toqto'a repeatedly dispatched fast horses to deliver increasingly harsh orders urging battle to Buyan Temur's desk.

The Han army was already elite and brave, with high morale and the advantage of terrain. If they could break through easily, how could Buyan Temur, a veteran general, be willing to get bogged down in a long stalemate and waste money and supplies?
Looking at the long battle line between the Han and Yuan armies around northern Zhejiang, a strange balance had formed where "whoever takes the initiative to attack suffers the loss."

For the Yuan army in Jiangnan, the safest and best strategy would naturally be to wait for Tuotuo's troops to achieve a decisive victory in Jiangbei. At that time, the Han army would be attacked from both sides and its morale would be low. Then, the Yuan army in Jiangnan could surround them from all sides and achieve complete success.

The middle strategy is to maintain the existing defense line, delay the war until the spring planting season of the following year, and then use the advantage of troop strength to launch small-scale raids to disrupt agricultural production in northern Zhejiang, forcing the Han army to take the initiative to send troops in order to protect the border and people. The Yuan army can then take advantage of the terrain to fight a decisive battle with them.
The worst course of action would be to take the initiative to send troops, as Tuotuo urged, in an attempt to mobilize the Han army during the major battle and find weaknesses in their defenses. This would be nothing short of a high-stakes gamble with an uncertain outcome.

However, Tuotuo was the Grand Tutor and Left Chancellor of the Mongol Yuan Dynasty, wielding immense power. Standing at the height of maintaining the entire Mongol Yuan Dynasty, he demanded that the Yuan army in Jiangnan immediately send troops to contain Shishan, in order to prevent any changes in the Huainan war situation.

This order was one that Buyan Temur could not defy. However, he absolutely could not afford the serious consequences of a reckless attack leading to the complete collapse of the situation in Jiangnan.

After much deliberation, this politically astute "King of Jiangnan" devised a "win-win" strategy—to find someone with sufficient ability and prestige, but who was not one of his core cronies and was eager to redeem himself, to "tread the minefield" for him.

As long as troops are dispatched, regardless of victory or defeat, it will be enough to give an explanation to Grand Tutor Tuotuo, who is far away in Gaoyou.

The victory was naturally due to the skillful command of Buyan Temur;

If we lose, it's because the frontline generals failed to execute the plan effectively, which is a good opportunity to weaken non-direct forces.

Having navigated the ups and downs of officialdom for many years, how could Dong Tuanxiao not see through Buyan Temur's scheme of killing two birds with one stone?

But circumstances forced him to accept the mission. In order to be loyal to the court and to wash away the shame of Ningguo's defeat and regain control of the army, he knew that what lay ahead might be a pit of fire, but he had no choice but to bite the bullet and jump in, taking on this extremely dangerous mission.

Having learned from the painful lesson of being ambushed from the flank by Hu Dahai last time, Dong Tuanxiao specially built a camp at Dongshanwukou, a strategically important location on the only road from Qianqiu Pass to Ningguo County.

He also appointed Xun Chaozuo, a Miao army marshal known for his bravery, to lead 2,500 elite Miao soldiers skilled in mountain warfare to guard the area.

If Dong Tuanxiao's main force were still intact, the two thousand men, relying on such advantageous terrain, would be able to hold out until he led his main force to reinforce them, even if the Han army attacked with tens of thousands of troops.

Unfortunately, there are no "what ifs" in reality.

The 20,000 troops that Buyan Temur "generously" allocated to him were composed of extremely diverse individuals.

The forces included the unruly and difficult-to-control Miao army, the Jiangzhe local militia lacking combat experience, and the local strongmen's armed forces from Henan who were incorporated during the campaign to quell the Xu-Song conflict. The combat capabilities of each unit varied greatly, making command and coordination extremely difficult.

Most importantly, Dong Tuanxiao lacked a core force of troops who were completely loyal to him, to suppress and integrate these arrogant and unruly generals. This made it difficult for him to effectively control these military leaders, and the execution of many orders was significantly compromised.

Take the Dongshanwukou camp as an example. Xun Chaozuo's 2,500 Miao soldiers are not weak. Holding this strategic camp, it may be difficult for them to repel the Han army, which outnumbers them twice as many.

However, it is not impossible for them to simply hold out and wait for reinforcements until Dong Tuanxiao's main force breaks through Ningguo County.

"This Xun Chaozuo clearly only wants to preserve his own strength and is unwilling to bear casualties. Seeing that the Han army is powerful, he immediately asks for help. It's simply outrageous!"

Dong Tuanxiao was seething with anger, wishing he could immediately bring Xun Chaozuo to justice. However, in order to protect the vital flank and stabilize the morale of the troops, he could not ignore the plea for help from Dongshanwukou.

After much deliberation, Dong Tuanxiao could only suppress his anger and summon Kang Maocai, the relatively "obedient" leader of the rebel army.

"Marshal Kang!"

Dong Tuanxiao tried his best to make his tone sound calm and dignified, and said:

"Dongshanwu Pass is a vital point for our army, and it cannot be lost! I hereby order you to immediately lead your 3,000 troops to reinforce Dongshanwu Pass! Upon arrival, you will take command of Xun Chaozuo's troops and ensure that you defeat the Han army and defend this strategic pass!"

Kang Maocai was a powerful figure in Qizhou. At the beginning of Xu Shouhui's uprising, he was able to recruit local militia, build a stronghold for self-protection, and even take the initiative to attack, dealing with the powerful Xu Song regime in Qizhou Road for two years.

Because of his important assistance in the later stages of Buyan Temur's campaign to pacify Xu and Song, he was recommended by Buyan Temur to serve as the Assistant Magistrate of Qizhou Road and returned to Jiangzhe Province with his army.

To encourage him to continue fighting, Buyan Temur submitted another memorial recommending Kang Maocai as the Pacification Commissioner and Grand Marshal of Huaixi, hoping that he could make new contributions in the war to eliminate the "false Han".

Years of bloodshed had transformed the once narrow-minded, powerful figure who lived in a secluded corner of Qichun into a ruthless warlord who was well-versed in the rules of survival in chaotic times.

Kang Maocai knew that the Miao army was always unruly, and even Dong Tuanxiao, the legitimate Left Chancellor, had difficulty effectively controlling Xun Chaozuo, let alone him, a "guest general" from Huaixi with no foundation.
This battle was nominally a joint operation between two units, but in reality, it mostly depended on Kang Maocai's own troops to fight the fierce Han army.

He led many Qichun youths away from their homes to this Jiangnan region in order to gain fame and fortune, not to become cannon fodder for the Mongols or Dong Tuanxiao and needlessly sacrifice their very means of survival in this chaotic world!
Countless thoughts raced through Kang Maocai's mind in an instant, but his face showed a respectful yet troubled expression. After hesitating for a moment, he cupped his hands and said:

"I am honored by the trust of the Left Chancellor and would not dare not die for him. However... as the Left Chancellor may know, most of the men under my command are from local militias and villages. We are really lacking in weapons and armor. Our swords and spears are rusted, our bows and crossbows are scarce, and we have no large shields or heavy armor."

With such a weak army, to attack and break through enemy lines, I fear... I fear we will be unable to do so, and will fail the Left Chancellor's trust!

His words were partly true and partly a test.

The truth is that his troops were indeed not as well-equipped as the regular army; what he was testing was Dong Tuanxiao's true attitude and degree of dependence on him at this moment.

Upon hearing this, Dong Tuanxiao looked troubled.

In a major battle, armor and weapons are consumables. However, he had already exhausted his family's resources in Ningguo County, and the armor and weapons allocated by Buyan Temur were already limited. He still needed these and military rations to control the troops.

But the situation was dire, and he had no choice but to "bleed." After a moment's hesitation, Dong Tuanxiao gritted his teeth and said, "What Marshal Kang said is true. So, I will immediately order you to be given five hundred sets of waist knives and spears, two hundred crossbows, and one hundred large shields! If you can defeat Hu Dahai and hold the Dongshanwu Pass, I will also give you thirty percent of the Han army's weapons captured after the battle!"

Kang Maocai wanted this attitude and tangible benefits. Seeing that Dong Tuanxiao was willing to offer his valuable equipment, he felt somewhat reassured, knowing that he was crucial to stabilizing the front lines. Without further hesitation, he clasped his hands and readily agreed.
"I will forever remember the great kindness shown to me by the Left Chancellor! I will do my utmost to live up to your trust!"

Seeing Kang Maocai's stance, Dong Tuanxiao felt somewhat relieved. His subordinates were all "outsiders," and compared to them, Kang Maocai was relatively "obedient" and capable. He would still need to rely on this man to further integrate the troops and gain real power. He couldn't help but add another instruction:
"That Hu Dahai is exceptionally brave and not someone to be trifled with. His Bashan Left Guard is also an elite force of the Han army. Once your unit arrives, fight if you can. If things are not going well, be sure to defend the camp and use the terrain to your advantage to maneuver against him. Do not act rashly or confront him head-on!"

"Understood, sir! I will certainly proceed with caution!"

Kang Maocai bowed again, then turned and strode away.

He quickly mustered his three thousand Qichun soldiers, and with Dong Tuanxiao's order in hand, he found the quartermaster and practically "snatched" the precious armor and provisions. That same day, he broke camp and set off rapidly toward Dongshanwukou.

It was already afternoon when his troops left the camp. Winter days are short, and the sky quickly darkened after marching less than twenty li.

The mountain path ahead is rugged and difficult to discern in the darkness, and it is extremely easy to be ambushed.

Although Kang Maocai was eager to help, he dared not risk marching at night. He could only order his troops to set up camp in a sheltered mountain valley, cook a meal, and continue their journey the next day at dawn.

The next day, just as dawn was breaking, Kang Maocai's troops ate their rations and broke camp, continuing their rapid march northeast along the mountain path. The soldiers carried their newly acquired, reasonably decent weapons, feeling both a sense of confidence and trepidation about the impending battle.

As a result, the troop had not traveled ten miles when the scouts brought back a group of defeated soldiers who had lost their armor and weapons and were completely disoriented!

These people, like frightened birds, upon seeing Kang Maocai's large force, not only did not approach, but instead, as if they had seen a ghost, ran and shouted hoarsely at them:
"Don't go! The Han army... the Han army has divine thunder! The stronghold will collapse in an instant! Marshal Xun is dead! We can't win, run!"

The Miao army was skilled in mountain warfare and excelled in mountainous terrain; the location they chose for their stronghold was indeed excellent. However, Xun Chaozuo himself knew very little about the new firearms used by the Han army and the corresponding changes in tactics; in fact, he was completely ignorant of them.

He continued to use the old methods, with the camp mainly consisting of a single-layer earthen and wooden structure, which was adequate for defending against arrows and rolling logs, but could not withstand concentrated artillery bombardment at all.

Hu Dahai's military tactics were both rough and meticulous.

After arriving near Dongshanwukou with his troops, he did not rush to attack. Instead, he personally led a group to risk getting close enough to scout out the layout and structure of the Yuan army camp. He discovered that the camp's flank defenses were relatively weak, making it an ideal target for artillery.

That night, Hu Dahai devised an extremely daring surprise attack plan.

Taking advantage of the darkest hour before dawn, when the defenders were most exhausted, he ordered his men to disassemble the four light field guns and have strongmen carry them on their shoulders and in their hands. They then stealthily made their way up the steep hillside to a point less than five zhang (approximately 10 meters) from the side wall of the Yuan army camp!
At this distance, where the trajectory is almost negligible and direct fire is possible, all four cannons are loaded simultaneously, and the fuses are ignited!
"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Four deafening explosions, like bolts from a clear sky, abruptly shattered the silence before dawn! Solid iron pellets, whistling with death, easily tore through the thin earthen and wooden walls of the stockade, instantly blasting out several huge breaches, sending splinters of wood and dust soaring into the sky!

Some of the Miao soldiers on the stockade wall were knocked unconscious by the deafening roar, while others were torn to pieces by flying splinters and stones. The sleeping Miao soldiers were awakened by this sudden "divine thunder," their minds blank, completely unaware of what was happening outside.

"kill--!"

Before the Yuan army could react, Hu Dahai had already taken the lead, brandishing his spear and charging into the breach that had been blasted open! Behind him, thousands of elite Han soldiers surged into the camp like a flood bursting its banks.

The camp was instantly thrown into extreme chaos. A few Miao officers who managed to react hastily gathered dozens of men and attempted to form a defensive formation, but they were no match for the well-prepared and disciplined Han army. They were overwhelmed and cut down in an instant.

General Xun Chaozuo awoke with a start from his dream, hastily donned his armor, and attempted to organize a counterattack. However, amidst the chaos of battle, he ran headlong into Chen Tong, a valiant general under Hu Dahai. The two exchanged only one blow before Chen Tong stabbed Xun Chaozuo to the ground!
With their commander killed and their camp breached, the Han army attacked like wolves and tigers. By daybreak, the remaining Miao soldiers finally realized the dire situation, their will to resist completely collapsed, and they either scattered and fled or knelt down to surrender.

Hu Dahai left a thousand men to clean up the battlefield and guard the prisoners, while he personally led the main force, galloping along the mountain road towards Ningguo County, intending to coordinate with Mao Gui inside the city to completely wipe out Dong Tuanxiao's Yuan army!
After hearing the fragmented account from the routed soldiers at Dongshanwukou Village, Kang Maocai's three thousand Qichun soldiers were thrown into a panic, a sense of dread spreading through the ranks. A trusted retainer seized the opportunity to approach Kang Maocai's horse and urgently advised in a low voice:
"Marshal! The Han army is so fierce, even Xun Chaozuo has been killed. How can our troops, with their armor incomplete, possibly stand a chance? Let's leave quickly before the Han army surrounds us!"

Kang Maocai's face was ashen, his sharp gaze sweeping across the dust-filled mountain path ahead. He abruptly waved his hand and said in a deep voice:

"Leave? It's too late!"

At the bend in the mountain road to the south, a cloud of dust rose, indicating that the vanguard of the Han army was approaching!

Kang Maocai instantly understood: this place was too close to Ningguo County. If his three thousand men collapsed without a fight, completely exposing their rear to the Han army, Dong Tuanxiao's main force, which was attacking the city, would inevitably be attacked from both inside and outside, and there would be only one outcome—total annihilation!
In Dong Tuanxiao's army, there are still three thousand soldiers from Qichun! If this battle wipes out all six thousand of his family's resources, Kang Maocai will truly become a rootless duckweed, completely losing his last capital to maneuver and gain wealth in this chaotic world!
"We can't retreat! Only by moving forward might there be a glimmer of hope!" An extremely bold, even crazy, idea quickly took shape in his mind.

"All troops, listen up! Front ranks become rear ranks, rear ranks become front ranks! Form ranks on the spot! Spearmen in front, archers next, swordsmen and shieldmen protecting the flanks! Anyone who dares to desert or disrupt the formation will be executed on the spot!"

Kang Maocai's voice was as cold as ice, carrying an unquestionable resolve.

Seeing his demeanor, the soldiers were terrified, but due to his long-standing authority, none dared to openly disobey him. They had no choice but to grit their teeth and hastily adjust their formation amidst the chaos, attempting to form a defensive circle.

On the other side, Hu Dahai was leading his victorious army at full speed when he saw a Yuan army of about three thousand men in the distance. They dared to form a battle formation in the road and try to stop him, which made him a little curious.

He swiftly ordered his troops to form ranks and prepared to mobilize the light artillery accompanying the army to first blast the enemy's formation before charging in. However, he suddenly saw several personal guards escorting a general out of the Yuan army's ranks.

The general was not carrying a weapon; instead, he held up a white flag and slowly walked towards the front of the Han army's formation.

Hu Dahai signaled his men to halt their actions and watched the newcomers warily.

The general reined in his horse a hundred paces from the Han army's formation, dismounted, and walked forward alone. He bowed respectfully to the Han army and proclaimed in a loud voice:

"Is that General Hu Dahai at the front? This humble general is Kang Maocai, currently serving as the Pacification Commissioner of Huaixi and the Grand Marshal. I have important matters to discuss with you!"

Hu Dahai gestured for his personal guards to let him come closer, and asked in a deep voice:

"When two armies are at war, what brings you here alone?"

Kang Maocai took a deep breath, his voice clear and earnest:
"General Hu! In war, each side fights for its own lord; this is the duty of every soldier. The current situation is clear to everyone with discerning eyes! The Great Han has already occupied more than ten prefectures, with well-trained troops and ample provisions, and the hearts of the people are with us. Moreover, we are able to resist the entire Yuan army and win battle after battle. This is not due to human effort, but truly the will of Heaven!"

He paused, observed Hu Dahai's expression, and continued:
"Although I come from humble origins and have limited knowledge, I am well aware that destiny cannot be defied and the general trend cannot be reversed! Today I am willing to abandon darkness and embrace light, defect to the enemy on the battlefield, and serve as the general's vanguard to lead the way to defeat Dong Tuanxiao!"

"I only ask that after the war, the general, remembering my humble service, introduce me to the King of Han, thus giving me and my men a clear path to serve the country!"

"Hahaha!"

Hu Dahai was taken aback at first, then burst into hearty laughter. He never expected the battle to take such a dramatic turn.

He was straightforward and knew that if he could incorporate this Yuan army without bloodshed, and use Kang Maocai to trick Dong Tuanxiao into leaving his camp or create chaos, he could greatly reduce his own casualties and achieve a complete victory more quickly.

"Good! Marshal Kang is a wise man who understands the greater good and has abandoned darkness for light! I, Old Hu, am a rough man and do not understand those intricacies, but I keep my word! If you can help me defeat Dong Tuanxiao today, I, Old Hu, will personally petition the King of Han for your reward and recommend you!"

The King of Han is eager for talented people, and a hero like you will surely be given an important position!

Upon hearing this, Kang Maocai felt a great weight lifted from his heart.

He had previously fought to the death against Xu Shouhui in Qizhou in order to save his family and life.

But after traveling to Jiangsu and Zhejiang and witnessing firsthand the corruption of the Mongol Yuan bureaucracy, the chaos in the army, and the vigor and powerful fighting force of the Han army, he had long understood that this once vast empire was already in decline.

To do something knowing it's impossible is foolish loyalty.

Faced with the choice of survival and future, he had no psychological burden in surrendering to the powerful Han army.

This man was extremely decisive. Seeing that Hu Dahai readily agreed, he immediately returned to his own camp and quickly arranged the subsequent military affairs.

Kang Maocai ordered his troops to change direction and face Ningguo County. He whispered to several trusted generals, "Those who understand the times are heroes" and "Find a way for the brothers to survive."

He then temporarily handed over command to his deputy and went to Hu Dahai's navy with only two close followers to act as hostages as a sign of sincerity.

Seeing that Kang Maocai was so straightforward, Hu Dahai's last doubts vanished.

He immediately ordered that Kang Maocai's 3,000 surrendered troops be the vanguard, with his own elite Bashan Left Guard following closely behind. The two forces joined together and, without stopping, quickly rushed towards Ningguo County!

At the foot of Ningguo County, Dong Tuanxiao, upon hearing from his scouts that Kang Maocai had returned, realized the situation was dire. However, before he could fully regroup and organize his attacking troops, he received a series of urgent reports from his scouts:

"Report! Kang Maocai's troops have returned and are already five miles away!"

"Report! Kang Maocai's troops are out of formation; something seems amiss!"

"Report! Han Chinese flags have appeared behind Kang Maocai's troops. It's Hu Dahai!"

A series of bad news struck Dong Tuanxiao's heart like a heavy hammer.

"Kang Maocai... he actually dared to surrender to the traitors!"

Overwhelmed with shock and anger, Dong Tuanxiao nearly vomited blood.

The fatal problem of lacking absolutely loyal troops to suppress the rebellion erupted at this moment. He wanted to divide his forces to block the rebels, but found that the generals' eyes were darting around and the soldiers were uneasy. No one was willing to carry out this dangerous mission!
What's worse, the attacking troops were already in disarray and demoralized from their hasty retreat, and this sudden attack from behind only added to their panic.

"Quick! Abandon the camp and break through to the west! Quick!" Dong Tuanxiao shouted hoarsely, trying to make a final effort.

However, it was too late.

As Hu Dahai approached Ningguo County, he gave Dong Tuanxiao no time to adjust his deployment. He immediately ordered Kang Maocai, who was familiar with the location and strength of the Yuan army camp, to lead his surrendered troops in a surprise attack and seize Dong Tuanxiao's weak rear camp!

Meanwhile, Mao Gui, who had been closely monitoring the battle situation outside Ningguo County, keenly seized this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

Without hesitation, he immediately ordered the city gates to be opened and personally led the main force of the city's defenses, which had been resting and recuperating for a long time, out in full force, like tigers descending the mountain, crashing head-on into the Yuan army that was retreating in panic and trying to regroup!

With their retreat cut off, the camp changed hands, the rebels defected, and troops marched out of the fortified city...

Surrounded on all sides, the army's morale completely collapsed!
The Yuan soldiers, no longer heeding their officers' shouts and attempts to stop them, let out a cry, dropped their weapons and flags, and fled in all directions like headless flies. The retreat instantly turned into an unstoppable rout!

Under the fierce protection of his personal guards, Dong Tuanxiao still tried his best to gather some troops and stabilize the situation.

But the defeat was swift and devastating; personal bravery and prestige seemed utterly powerless in the face of the avalanche of fleeing soldiers. He was quickly swept away by the surging tide of fleeing troops, forced to retreat involuntarily.

Amidst the chaos of battle, a troop of Han cavalry cut in like a sharp blade, heading straight for the central command banner. Leading them was none other than Mao Gui himself! He immediately spotted Dong Tuanxiao, surrounded by his personal guards, still struggling.

"Dong Tuanxiao! Prepare to die!"

Mao Gui shouted loudly, spurred his horse, brandished his spear, and charged straight ahead.

Dong Tuanxiao's personal guards rushed forward to block him, but were cut down one by one by the ferocious Han cavalry. In the blink of an eye, Mao Gui broke through the blockade and rushed in front of Dong Tuanxiao's horse, his long spear turning into a sharp, cold light as he thrust it forward with all his might!
"puff--!"

Blood splattered!
This famous general of the Yuan Dynasty, who had repeatedly distinguished himself in battle and rose to the rank of Left Vice Minister of the Jiangzhe Province, ultimately could not escape the punishment of fate and was beheaded on the spot by Mao Gui in the wilderness outside Ningguo County!

(End of this chapter)