Late Ming Dynasty: From the Defeated Soldiers at Daling River to Ascending the Throne

"It's a trap!! Damn Ming dogs!" Naboshku had already realized what was happening and waved for his two flag bearers to kill the enemy.

But just as he and the two guards made a move, "Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!" sharp whooshing sounds rang out continuously from the dark forest beside the road!

Three arrows flew at extremely close range! Boshku felt as if he had been struck in the chest by a heavy hammer. Looking down, he saw that three triangular arrowheads had pierced through his armor.

He opened his mouth, wanting to sound the alarm, but only coughed up a mouthful of blood and fell off his horse.

"Kill them!"

A deafening shout erupted from the hillside! More than twenty men from the Yizhou garrison, led by Zheng Sanfu and Hao Dadao, charged down wielding various tattered weapons, instantly surrounding the remaining four members of the Liang family's household guards and two members of the banner guards!

Hao Dadao was incredibly brave and fierce. He rushed in front of the two bannermen, knocking one of them away. He then swung his broadsword and chopped down directly at the face of the other bannerman.

This powerful strike cleaved the spear shaft that the flag bearer was using to block the attack in one fell swoop, also slicing off half of his head.

The Liang family's servants were also fierce and brave. Although they were suddenly attacked, they remained calm and formed a small formation back to back. With flashing blades, they instantly killed two soldiers who had charged too fiercely.

Inside the car, the two women didn't even scream when they saw Zhao Sheng rush in. Just as Zhao Sheng realized something was wrong, a dagger stabbed at him.

Zhao Sheng was currently pressing down on Liang Siye with all his might and had no time to dodge. Fortunately, he was wearing a full set of heavy armor, which blocked the attack for him, but he also lost his balance and rolled off Liang Siye.

Another woman lunged at Zhao Sheng, her dagger flashing coldly. Zhao Sheng reacted swiftly, using the momentum of his roll to flip himself out of the car.

Seeing that something was wrong inside the car, Chen Feng jumped onto the frame to help. When he saw Zhao Sheng climb out from behind the curtain, he knew the enemy would definitely pursue them. He held his knife horizontally and stabbed it into the curtain.

Just as Chen Feng had expected, the woman in the car chased after him. Just as she was about to lift the curtain, a knife pierced through the curtain and went straight through her chest.

The sensation of the blade piercing flesh was clearly transmitted to Chen Feng's hand through the hilt. Just as he was about to draw the blade and slash, he felt a sudden pause in his grip.

The stab was rushed and a blind strike; the knife got stuck in the woman's chest bones and couldn't be pulled out!

Meanwhile, another woman rolled out and began to stab Chen Feng under the armpit.

"Whoosh!" Another arrow shot out, hitting the woman squarely in the face. The dagger slipped from her hand, and her dying eyes were filled with resentment.

Chen Feng looked back and saw Aji standing at the edge of the woods, holding a bow and grinning foolishly at him.

Chen Feng smiled at Aji and gave him a thumbs up.

Zhao Sheng didn't stop. He went back into the car and grabbed Liang Siye, who was trembling with fear.

"Put down your weapons! Surrender and you will not be killed!" Zhao Sheng shouted, pressing a dagger from inside the car against Liang Siye's neck, his voice drowning out the chaos.

The servants looked at their pale-faced young master, and then at the numerous enemies around them, especially the three exceptionally brave "fake Tartars," and their fighting spirit quickly crumbled.

Meng Changgeng, a veteran of many years, was not as skilled as Chen Feng and Zhao Sheng, but he still managed to deal with the servants who had dragged him off his horse and stood in front of the carriage with a knife in his hand.

"Put it down! Put it down now! Do you want to kill me?!" Liang Siye finally managed to speak, his voice shrill and distorted, filled with terror. "Listen to the masters! Put down the knife!!"

Clang... Clang...

The head guard slumped down, his sword falling to the ground. Once the first one appeared, another followed, and within moments, the remaining guards had all dropped their weapons and knelt on the ground.

The garrison soldiers swarmed forward, pinned them down, and bound them. At the same time, they eagerly collected the fine swords, bows, and crossbows on the ground, their faces showing an almost ecstatic expression.

Hao Dadao pulled his broadsword from the chest of the remaining bannerman, spat on the ground, and muttered, "So easily killed."

Old Pu Tou ran out of the woods to check on the wounds of the two injured soldiers. "Don't move, kid, Grandpa's here."

"Hero! Sir! I...I am also a Ming citizen! Don't kill...me!" Seeing his servants surrender, Liang Siye said tremblingly, "As long as you...you release me! I'll give you money! My family has a lot of money!"

Seeing that no one around him was moved, he continued, "I have... I have 30,000 taels of silver notes from Yong Shengqing in Zhangjiakou... I'll give them all to you! When I return to Datong... I'll give you another 100,000... no! 500,000 taels!!"

Seeing Zhao Sheng's unusual movements, Chen Feng feared that Zhao Sheng was considering releasing the man, so he rushed forward and punched Liang Siye in the chin, yelling, "Shut up!"

With two teeth flying out, Liang Siye lost consciousness.

Zhao Sheng tossed the limp Liang Siye to two garrison soldiers to guard, wondering if he had overlooked something.

At that very moment, a sudden change occurred!

The man who had been shot in the chest and should have been dead, somehow managed to pull out a firecracker from his pocket with his last bit of strength and aim it at the dark night sky!

"Oh no!" Zhao Sheng's eyes widened in horror as he lunged forward.

But it was too late.

"Thump—Smack!!!"

A blinding red flame shrieked as it shot into the night sky, exploding with a bang at a height of tens of feet, transforming into a huge red ball of light that could be clearly seen even from tens of miles away!

Everyone froze, staring in horror at the slowly dissipating red light in the sky.

Chen Feng's heart sank to the bottom. The signal had been sent, which meant that the nearby Tartar cavalry would arrive in no more than half an hour, or even less!

The last trace of hesitation on his face vanished instantly, replaced by icy resolve. His gaze swept over the kneeling servants of the Liang family; no survivors could be spared!

Although he disliked killing and killing prisoners was a major taboo in military strategy, he couldn't care less at this moment. Being merciful to the enemy was being cruel to himself.

He took a deep breath, his voice not loud, but clear and cold, reaching every one of his men: "Kill them all! Leave no one alive! Now!"

Zhao Sheng and Meng Changgeng swiftly and decisively killed the screaming prisoner.

The remaining soldiers, unwilling to part with the men's clothes and armor, quickly and efficiently stripped the servants of their garments and chainmail.

Chen Feng wanted to stop them from looting the spoils of war, but Meng Changgeng stopped him and said in a low voice, "Let them loot; that way the Tartars will think they are bandits robbing a road."

Chen Feng also realized that the Tartars were short of troops. If the Tartars focused their attention on the bandits and stirred up trouble, their chances of escaping the pass would be greater.

But the troops stationed in Yizhou… He looked at Zheng Sanfu.

Zheng Sanfu understood Chen Feng's meaning and laughed, "Lord Chen, Scholar Meng is right! Don't worry about us! The Tartars have been harassing us for a long time now. With these good things, we can kill a few more Tartars."

He then turned to the other troops stationed there, shouting, "Brothers! Hurry up! We'll be gone in half a cup of tea!"

Chen Feng didn't think twice and said to Zheng Sanfu, "Boss Zheng, take the men who aren't on horseback and get out of here into the mountains immediately! Clean up any traces!"

"clear!"

"Zhao Sheng, you take this guy! Aji, scout ahead! Meng Changgeng, Hao Dadao, cover my rear!" Chen Feng spoke very quickly.

Chen Feng thought of something, so he climbed back into the car and searched around. He found a sandalwood box under the cushions. When he opened it, he saw two pieces of bright yellow silk with what appeared to be words on them.

Chen Feng felt much more at ease, picked up the box, and walked out.

Zhao Sheng swiftly tied the unconscious Liang Si to his horse. Aji was already leading his horse, looking out at the crossroads ahead. Meng Changgeng and Hao Dadao were also ready to set off.

Chen Feng caught the tiger spear thrown to him by Zhao Sheng, mounted his horse, and shouted, "Let's go!"

The five riders no longer concealed themselves and sped off in the opposite direction from where Zheng Sanfu had retreated.

Above the night sky, the lingering glow of the red signal fire finally dissipated completely. Only the blood gradually congealing on the official road, the corpses lying haphazardly, and the carriage curtains swaying gently in the cold wind remained.

In the distance, the faint sound of rapid hoofbeats could be heard coming from different directions.