Chapter 1026 The end of the road! (1)

August 29, Jingchu

Under Xu Zhaojie's command, the 30,000 Zhennan Army marched quickly southward for two consecutive days. Time passed quickly on the journey, and as the sky was about to darken, the Zhennan Army also walked through a plain, and a mountain range suddenly appeared in front of them...

"My Lord, the Wuyang Ridge is just ahead!"

At the reminder of the guards around him, Xu Zhaojie looked at the mountain in front of him. He had previously thought that this place was called Wuyangling because the shape of the mountain resembled a sheep, but looking at the shape of the mountain now, it seemed to have nothing to do with sheep.

Thinking of this, Xu Zhaojie couldn't help but ask:

"Why is this place called Wuyangling?"

"My Lord, it is said that five sheep were buried here a hundred years ago, hence the name Wuyang Ridge!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Xu Zhaojie, who had been in a very calm mood, immediately frowned, thinking that the origin of Wuyangling was really too bad!
At this moment, a scout suddenly reported in a panic:

"Your Excellency, scouts from the First Division of the Fengwu Army appeared ten miles to the north of our army!"

Xu Zhaojie was also shocked when he heard this. When he decided to return to Shouchun, he knew that the arrogant soldiers of the First Division would not let him go easily. In order to compete for military merit, these people would definitely rush to kill him. He wanted to use his head to take credit from Ye Mingsheng!
For this reason, Xu Zhaojie also had a plan to survive at the risk of his life, but in his expectation, the First Division should arrive at the earliest tomorrow morning, and he has one night to prepare...
However, he did not expect that the speed of the First Division was faster than he expected, and they had already arrived in front of him, which really caught Xu Zhaojie off guard!
There was no time to think carefully. In order to prevent the First Division from rushing in quickly, Xu Zhaojie could only give the order:
"Quickly enter Wuyangling! Seize the advantageous terrain!"

"Yes!"

Following Xu Zhaojie's order, although their number was twice that of the Fengwu Army behind them, the Zhennan Army soldiers still rushed into Wuyangling.

At the same time, the First Division led by Ma Zhongjun also learned about the situation of the Zhennan Army. Deputy General Guan Fei immediately suggested:
"General, let me lead the charge!"

In order to catch up with the Zhennan Army, the First Division, under the order of Ma Zhongjun, abandoned its baggage and artillery. Each man only carried weapons, armor and dry food and moved forward quickly and lightly, so they were able to travel eighty miles a day. However, such a long journey also made the soldiers of the First Division very tired!
However, even in this situation, Ma Zhongjun nodded and agreed to Guan Fei's request. After all, the First Division was very tired from the journey, and the Zhennan Army was also not idle and was also on the journey!
So now both sides are equally exhausted physically, so what determines success or failure is the will and determination of both sides!

Ma Zhongjun firmly believed that the First Division under his command was definitely stronger in will and determination than the scattered soldiers of the Zhennan Army. Therefore, charging forward at this time would open the door to victory...

Under Ma Zhongjun's command, although the soldiers of the First Division were very tired, they were immediately excited when they thought about the great victory they were about to win and the rewards they would receive from their superiors. They followed the flag closely and rushed forward!

However, by the time Ma Zhongjun reached Wuyang Ridge, he was still one step too late. He saw the figures of the Zhennan Army soldiers disappearing in the mountains in front of him.

"General, should we rush in?" Guan Fei asked Ma Zhongjun again:

Ma Zhongjun was a little upset about missing the opportunity to fight, but his mind was still clear. He knew that the enemy had seized the advantageous terrain, and their First Division did not carry any artillery in order to hurry.

Although the soldiers of the First Army are much more elite than those of the Zhennan Army, it is still very risky to rashly fight an offensive battle without the advantage of manpower and artillery!
So Ma Zhongjun shook his head and said:

"We shouldn't be the ones to be anxious now. Let the brothers set up camp. We can wait!"

"understand!"

As Ma Zhongjun's order was given, the soldiers of the First Division began to be alert and set up camp on Wuyangling. At this time, Xu Zhaojie, who was observing the situation of the Fengwu Army through a telescope on a small hill on Wuyangling, had a look of regret on his face...

Xu Zhaojie knew that the First Division was moving so fast because they must not have any artillery, so he was looking forward to Ma Zhongjun's charge at this time.

He can rely on the advantages of terrain and military strength to repel the offensive of the First Division. This may not cause too many casualties to the First Division, but it is enough to crush the morale of the First Division, boost their confidence, and win a good start for the upcoming life-and-death battle!

But it is a pity that the general of the opposing First Division, Ma Zhongjun, although younger, is still experienced, mature and not impulsive!
What Ma Zhongjun is doing now is undoubtedly telling himself that he is not in a hurry and he can afford to waste time with himself. He will never attack Wuyang Ridge by force. He wants to wait for himself to lead his troops out of Wuyang Ridge to fight a decisive battle with him!
Thinking of this, a hint of coldness appeared in Xu Zhaojie's eyes. Since you, Ma Zhongjun, are so calm, let's have some fun next!
Time soon came to late night. In the First Division camp outside Wuyang Ridge, Ma Zhongjun was unable to sleep. He walked out of the tent, sat by the campfire, and looked at the quiet Wuyang Ridge in front of him, his mind constantly thinking.

Although Ma Zhongjun led his troops to chase them immediately with the idea of ​​seeking credit from the Marshal, but during the two days of pursuit, Ma Zhongjun had been thinking about that question······························

The question is why Xu Zhaojie, who was obviously in a hurry to help Shouchun, still brought luggage and supplies with him? Wasn't he afraid that these things would slow down his speed?
Ma Zhongjun could never figure out what Xu Zhaojie's intention was, but he felt that there must be something fishy behind Xu Zhaojie's actions!
In this regard, Ma Zhongjun also adhered to the idea that three cobblers are better than one Zhuge Liang, and told his doubts to his subordinates, hoping that everyone could brainstorm and see if they could see through Xu Zhaojie's conspiracy.

However, the generals of the First Division did not have any good insights into Ma Zhongjun's doubts, and some people, led by Deputy General Guan Fei, believed that Xu Zhaojie was simply trying to be mysterious and he had no conspiracy at all!
Although Ma Zhongjun disagreed with the views of Guan Fei and others, he felt that this possibility could not be ruled out. After all, Xu Zhaojie was not a god. Now he and the Zhennan Army were at the end of the road, and it was difficult for them to come up with any tricks!
Ma Zhongjun thought for another stick of incense but still had no clue. However, he also felt a little sleepy at this time. Although as a general, he did not need to carry heavy loads like ordinary soldiers and had a war horse to travel, he had run more than eighty miles after all and was also very tired.

At this moment, a guard came over and bowed to Ma Zhongjun and reported:

"General, the sentry post captured a deserter from the Zhennan Army. He said he has important intelligence to report to you, sir..."

As soon as Ma Zhongjun heard this, he became interested. After a little thought, he nodded. Soon, a young man about twenty-five or twenty-six years old was brought to Ma Zhongjun.

When the young man saw Ma Zhongjun being surrounded by everyone like a star, he immediately asked Ma Zhongjun:

"Are you a high-ranking officer in the Fengwu Army?"

Seeing that this young man dared to ask, the soldiers of the Fengwu Army wanted to scold him, but Ma Zhongjun waved his hand and said with a smile:
"I am Ma Zhongjun, the general of the First Division of the Fengwu Army. Who are you?" Hearing that the man in front of him was the general of the First Division of the Fengwu Army, the young man seemed to swallow nervously, then hesitated for a moment and said to Ma Zhongjun:
"My name is Xu Quan, and I'm a sentry commander of the Zhennan Army!"

Ma Zhongjun looked at the young man in front of him who called himself Xu Quan, and then spoke with interest:
"Your surname is Xu? And you are the sentry leader of the Zhennan Army?"

Seeing that Ma Zhongjun noticed his surname, Xu Quan nodded helplessly and said:
“I was born as a servant of Lord Xu. My grandfather’s surname was Liu, but he was later given the surname Xu by the Xu family. I have always served as a personal guard beside Lord Xu. We have suffered a lot of casualties recently, and we have also accepted many surrenders from the Jingchu Army and the Sichuan Army, so I was forced to become the sentry chief…”

After hearing Xu Quan's account of his background, Ma Zhongjun narrowed his eyes and continued to ask:

"Do you have any important information to tell me?"

Facing Ma Zhongjun's question, Xu Quanxian hesitated a little. After a little hesitation, he asked Ma Zhongjun:
"After I tell you, can you let me go? Or give me some rewards?"

Ma Zhongjun smiled and nodded when he heard this:

"Don't worry, as long as you truly turn from evil to good and confess the truth, we, the Fengwu Army, will definitely not kill you. Besides, we will also reward you generously!"

As soon as these words came out, Xu Quan's face suddenly showed joy, and then he said directly:
"My Lord has brought a lot of gunpowder this time. Tomorrow, the Zhennan Army will take the initiative to attack and then pretend to be defeated to lure you into Wuyangling. Then my Lord will use explosives to blow up the rocks and ambush you!"

As Xu Quan finished speaking, the faces of all the Fengwu Army soldiers present suddenly became serious. They all understood the seriousness of the matter. Although Ma Zhongjun looked calm on the surface, he could not help but be shocked in his heart!
If what Xu Quan said was correct, then his doubts about why the Zhennan Army carried luggage and supplies would seem to be solved...
Thinking of this, Ma Zhongjun continued to ask without changing his expression:

"Where is this gunpowder hidden?"

Xu Quan preached without hesitation:
"My Lord, you know that your scouts have been keeping an eye on us, so we brought a lot of baggage and supplies with us this time, and the gunpowder was hidden in there to conceal our whereabouts!"

Hearing that Xu Quan's story coincided with what he had just thought, Ma Zhongjun was also somewhat moved, but on the surface he still continued to ask;
"You are someone close to Xu Zhaojie. Xu Zhaojie should have been very kind to you. He even made you the sentry leader. Shouldn't you be loyal to him? Why are you betraying him now?"

Facing Ma Zhongjun's question, Xu Quan's young face faintly showed a trace of shame. After a moment of silence, he sighed and said:

"The Marquis has treated me well. He has given me a wife and a concubine in Shouchun, as well as a yard and more than ten acres of fertile land. He has been very kind to me!"

At this point, Xu Quan's eyes were a little moist. The next second, under the gaze of Ma Zhongjun and others, Xu Quan slapped himself twice and said in tears:

“I betrayed the Marquis. I am not a human being. I am a beast worse than pigs and dogs. But I don’t want to die. I want to live…”

"The Marquis has blocked the news about Shouchun, but some friends have also revealed this news to me. I know that the Marquis is about to die, and I am the Marquis's servant. If the Marquis loses, you, Marshal Ye, will definitely kill all three of your clans, and I won't be able to escape then!"

"If I die, what will happen to my yard and fields in Shouchun? Will my two wives have to remarry?"

"So I want to live! General Ma, in consideration of the fact that I told you these things, can you please just ignore me?"

Looking at Xu Quan who was crying, Ma Zhongjun was silent for a while and then waved his hand and said:
"Take him down!"

"Yes!"

Hearing Ma Zhongjun's words, Xu Quan was frightened and yelled:

"General Ma, you promised me that you wouldn't kill me if I told you!"

"You are a general of the Fengwu Army, a high-ranking official of the Fengwu Army, you cannot go back on your word!"

"I beg you, please just treat me like a fart! I, Xu Quan, will remember your kindness for eight lifetimes!"

Xu Quan's plea for mercy had no effect. He was soon dragged away by the Fengwu Army guards like a dead dog.

After experiencing what happened to Xu Quan, Ma Zhongjun was no longer sleepy. He looked at Wuyangling in front of him quietly for a while and then said in a deep voice:

"Call all generals above the commander level to the central military camp for a meeting!"

"Yes!"

Half an incense stick of time later, seven commanders including the deputy general Guan Fei came in front of Ma Zhongjun. Ma Zhongjun asked his men to repeat Xu Quan's words to everyone.

Everyone was shocked to hear the news revealed by Xu Quan. They did not expect such a thing to happen. Deputy General Guan Fei spoke first. He said with a happy face:

“General, this is God’s blessing on our Fengwu Army. That old bastard Xu Zhaojie would never have thought that he would be betrayed by the people around him…”

(End of this chapter)