Through countless dynasties, I can summon the heroes of Chinese history.

"I had a few encounters with that Eastern barbarian scoundrel Guli two years ago when I was training in the Laizhou army, so I naturally know him a bit."

Jiang Ce's voice was like metal striking stone, each word sharp and piercing.

"This scoundrel is arrogant by nature, conceited to the core. Although he has read a few military books and knows a little about military tactics, he is ultimately trapped in the trap of mere brute force!"

"His surprise attack must have been based on the assumption that our Laiyang garrison is small and weak, and that they will only cower in the city and hope that the Dongyi army will retreat on its own."

Jiang Ce twisted his wrist, his fingertips drawing a sharp arc on the sand table.

"If that's the case, then our army can turn the tables on them, using a surprise attack to break the deadlock and catch them off guard!"

The moment he finished speaking, a battle plan that was so bold as to be almost insane, yet so meticulous as to be flawless, had already taken root in his mind and was becoming more and more perfect.

After Jiang Ce finished reciting the plan word by word in a deep voice, the tent fell silent, and everyone's expression changed—not with surprise, but with horror!

This plan is too risky; it's a gamble.

If successful, the outcome will be decided in one battle, and all achievements will be accomplished in one campaign;

If they lose, then it will be a complete defeat, and their bodies will probably be buried in this narrow strip of sky.

In the dead silence, countless gazes turned and focused on Jiang Ce, who sat regally in the main seat.

If His Highness dares to do this, what else wouldn't they dare to do?

Where is Lan Yu?

Seeing that no one said anything more, Jiang Ce immediately pointed to the general.

"Your Excellency is here!"

Lan Yu, who was only around twenty years old, immediately stepped forward. Although he was young, he was tall and neat, exuding a competence far beyond his peers, and his voice was loud and steady.

"I hereby order you to lead three hundred elite vanguard troops, each carrying two torches, to patrol the eastern foothills with great fanfare, making sure that Guli's scouts spot you!"

"But remember, in this battle, defeat is the only option; victory is not permitted. You must lure the enemy into this place, which is the One-Line Sky Valley!"

Jiang Ce's finger pointed firmly at the narrow, dangerous spot on the sand table where two mountains faced each other. This was the key to whether the plan would succeed!

Upon hearing this, Lan Yu grinned, revealing a set of gleaming white teeth, and his eyes gleamed with a bloodthirsty light.

"Your Highness, rest assured, it's nothing more than feigning weakness; I, Lan Yu, am an expert at that!"

.........

Night fell, and the moon was dark and the wind was high.

In the mountains and forests to the east, seven thousand Dongyi infantry and cavalry moved stealthily like ghosts.

The leader, Guli, curled his lips into a cruel smile, his mind already conjuring up the scene of Laiyang falling, with gold, silver, and beautiful women filling his pockets, and the people wailing in despair.

Just then, Guli suddenly heard a scout report.

"Reporting, General Qi, we have encountered a patrol of the Cangming Army ahead, about three hundred men, swaggering along with torches!"

Upon hearing this, Guli immediately let out a disdainful sneer.

"Hmph, a mere three hundred ants dare to be so arrogant in front of me! Issue my order: the entire army charges forward, crushes this rabble, and then heads straight for Laiyang City, giving that brat Jiang Ce an unforgettable 'gift'!"

"General, this is unacceptable! Could the Cangming Army be up to something?" Vice General Zhaduo warned worriedly.

Yelü Qing sent this man to Guli's side because he valued Guli's caution, which would also counteract Guli's recklessness. And as it turned out, the two of them working together did indeed unleash a different kind of power.

"A scam?"

Guli was displeased upon hearing this, and immediately glared at him, saying, "Do you think I don't know? Laiyang City only has a few remnants of weak troops left. If it weren't for King Dingshuo's concern about the negative consequences of taking Laiyang, I would have taken it long ago. Why would I have waited until today?"

"I am the commander-in-chief. I will take responsibility if anything goes wrong. Chase after them!"

As soon as Guli gave the order, his seven thousand infantry and cavalry surged out like a flood bursting its banks, kicking up clouds of dust as they charged toward the scattered lights ahead.

At the foot of the mountain, Lan Yu saw the billowing dust rushing towards them in the distance. Far from being alarmed, he was overjoyed and immediately roared at the top of his lungs, "Brothers of Laiyang, the Dongyi dogs have taken the bait! All of you, run for your lives! Anyone who falls behind won't get a bite of meat tonight!"

The three hundred vanguard soldiers responded with a roar and immediately turned and ran, deliberately throwing torches into the roadside bushes as they ran, making it look like they were fleeing in a panic.

The Bone Army was hot on their heels, and just when they were about to catch up, the Cangming Army always managed to escape by the skin of their teeth, thanks to their familiarity with the terrain.

After being pulled and tugged repeatedly, Guli's patience was completely worn down. He was so angry that he wanted nothing more than to chop these slippery guys into mincemeat.

"Chase them! Chase them to the ends of the earth! Let's see if they can escape to the ends of the earth!"

Unbeknownst to them, a full seven thousand Dongyi infantry and cavalry had been led into an increasingly narrow valley.

On both sides are towering, steep cliffs that are so smooth they are almost impossible to climb, and the road beneath your feet is only wide enough for a few riders to pass side by side.

Lan Yu and his three hundred soldiers had long since vanished without a trace.

Although Guli was reckless, he had been fighting on the battlefield for many years, and he instantly had a strong sense of foreboding.

"Oh no, we've fallen for their trap!"

Guli hurriedly reined in his warhorse and shouted sharply, "Stop! Stop right now! There might be a grave here..."

Before the words were finished, a clear and melodious horn sound suddenly rose from the mountaintop, echoing through the silent night sky.

"put!"

At the summit of the mountain, Jiang Ce's black cloak fluttered in the night wind. His face was ashen as he coldly swung his arm down.

In the blink of an eye, hundreds of heavy wooden barrels placed on the side of the cliff were pushed off the cliff by the soldiers, and with a gust of wind, they crashed heavily into the enemy ranks at the bottom of the valley.

The wooden barrel shattered with a crash, and thick, pungent oil splattered everywhere, instantly soaking the armor of the Dongyi infantry and cavalry, and even the manes of their warhorses were not spared.

Guli's pupils constricted instantly, and he screamed repeatedly, "It's kerosene! Get out of here! Get out of here!"

However, it was all too late.

"shoot!"

As Jiang Ce issued his second military order, rockets rained down like meteors, piercing the night sky and trailing long fiery tails as they poured down into the valley.

In the blink of an eye, the entire valley transformed into a roaring, raging fire dragon, its flames shooting straight into the sky, illuminating the dark night as bright as day.

The piercing screams, the mournful neighing of warhorses, and the crackling of flames intertwined and echoed, merging into a desperate death elegy.