Chapter 72: The Army Splits into Two Routes (Part 2)

  At night, Zhao Jie led the 20,000-strong army to a place not far from the camp of the Yue king. Zhao Jie's eyes were icy cold as he gazed at the distant camp with dozens of torches, which was clearly visible from afar. The location was an arc-shaped depression surrounded by dense forests on both sides, making it suitable for hiding a large army.

  The army led by King Yue was a crack troop, known as the "Huan Fan" army. This army had been stationed in the capital for many years and was commanded by King Yue. It had extremely strong combat effectiveness and performed exceptionally well in the battle to suppress Liangshan. It was personally appointed by Emperor Huizong of Song as the First Imperial Guard.

  At the behest of Zhao Yun, Chen Mankui and several slightly injured mountain bandits entered the military camp. The King of Yue was discussing with a group of generals how to block Zhao Yun's troops, and when he saw Chen Mankui and others arrive, the King of Yue smiled and walked up to ask: "Chen, the matter I entrusted to you, how is it going?"

  Chen Manke and others stepped forward in a low voice: "Someone leaked our plan to hide on the mountain, causing the action to fail. I hope King Yue will forgive us."

  This was what Zhao Jian had specifically entrusted, and the king of Yue was extremely suspicious. This subtle hint without revealing who betrayed would surely make the king suspect everyone. As soon as Chen Manji spoke up, the faces of the generals in the camp changed instantly. The king of Yue was notorious for being overly suspicious, and if anyone was found to have any problem, they would definitely meet a miserable end.

  The king of Yue's eyes swept across the generals in the account, and at this time, the leaders were sweating profusely. Chen Manke continued: "The king of Yue was mistaken. Although the mountain bandits suffered heavy losses, during the fierce battle, the leader who rode a war horse was hit by a stone block, fell off his horse, and the surrounding Song army soldiers rushed up to cover him. It seems that it must be Zhao Yan without a doubt."

  The king of Yue looked into Chen Manke's eyes and asked: "What was that person wearing?"

  Chen Manke thought carefully and said seriously: "That person was wearing a black brown armor."

  The king of Yue stared into Chen Manke's eyes, and after a brief moment, the king suddenly drew his sword and stabbed it into the back of the person behind Chen Manke, saying in a low voice: "Was what your master just said true?" Chen Manke's heart leapt to her throat.

  The mountain bandits were dressed as Zhao Yun's elite troops, and the soldiers, in pain, replied: "What the master said is true, we all saw this scene."

  King Yue slowly turned the blade and smiled: "Are you sure?"

  The soldier endured the severe pain and said with cold sweat: "Indeed it is so, I beg the King of Yue to spare my life."

  The King of Yue suddenly drew his sword, and blood splattered out. The King of Yue smiled and said: "Go back and bandage it well, let the steward give him fifty taels of silver."

  The soldier pretended to be grateful and accepted the silver, went down to bandage it. Chen Manke stepped forward and said: "King Yue, at this time Zhao Jiong's Song army is resting in Yanyifeidu mouth, now as long as five thousand troops are sent out, they can be eliminated with one effort."

  The King of Yue turned around with his hands behind his back, beckoned with one hand, and several generals came forward. The first general had a face full of scars, with a clear knife scar running across his face, looking extremely ferocious. The King of Yue said: "Fang Yue, you lead the vanguard of 8,000 soldiers to follow Chen Manke, wait for a moment, I have important military orders to give."

  Chen Manke naturally understood that this was said to him, Chen Manke hastily clasped his fists and said: "Your humble servant will withdraw, when the great army sets out later, please notify your humble servant."

  The gang of bandits followed Chen Manke out, and it was only then that Chen Manke realized he had been sweating profusely. If the king of Yue had attacked other mountain bandits earlier, Chen Manke really couldn't guarantee they would have made it through unscathed. If someone had loosened their lips, not only would these dozen or so people die without a burial place, but also those family members would suffer unimaginable consequences. Thinking of this, Chen Manke couldn't help but shudder and didn't dare think about it anymore.

  Fang Yue clasped his fists and said: "King of Yue, I think this guy is not trustworthy."

  King Yue said calmly, "I don't trust Chen Manke, I believe in the scars on their bodies. These scars left by the great war are not easily faked. Moreover, Zhao Kan has a kind of benevolence towards the people, how can he achieve great things? So you lead the army to go, if there is an opportunity, then sneak attack, if Zhao Kan's defense is tight, then retreat."

  "Yes sir." Fang Yue bowed and received the order, then turned to leave and prepare the troops. The King of Yue said calmly, "Fang Yue! Regarding Chen Manke..."

  Fang Yue turned around and saw King Yue making a cutting gesture with his hand towards his own neck, Fang Yue nodded and bowed his fist to accept the order and left.

  Zhao Song stood among the trees, his eyes fixed on the distant camp of the King of Yue. On the way here, Liang Fangxu had captured several scouts, and Zhao Song learned that the King of Yue's soldiers numbered over 20,000, with combat strength comparable to that of the Invincible Army. This was the renowned Imperial Guard First Army, the Xiefan Army, a powerful force known for its bravery in battle. Zhao Song would not underestimate them, especially since he would never allow the Invincible Army to suffer heavy casualties. The strong army in his hands was the key to survival on this journey to Bianjing and the source of future contention for hegemony.

  Zhao Jin waved his hand, and a large number of thunderbolt carts were pushed out. This time, Zhao Jin emptied the entire inventory of Yanshan Prefecture, and the ammunition was also heavily replenished in the later period. With such good weapons, why bother to fight hard? Zhao Jin and Liang Fangxu each led an army of 10,000 men, hiding in the tree clusters on both sides. Zhao Jin had already made arrangements, Yang Zai Xing attacked the relief army led by Chen Manke, while he himself attacked the main camp of the Yue King.

  Before long, a team of nearly 10,000 people slowly emerged from the camp, with neat and strict formations. Zhao Jiong had to admit that the Jie Fan army was an elite force, but even if you were heavenly soldiers and generals, Zhao Jiong decided to take the Jie Fan army down, making the Jie Fan army a stepping stone for the Chang Sheng Jun's reputation.

  Zhao Kuo ordered: "Pass on my order, when we launch the attack, the artillerymen must fire all the shells in the shortest time possible. Anyone who dares to slack off will be beheaded."

  The order was quickly passed down, and all the artillerymen were bitter in their hearts. But military orders are like mountains, and they could only concentrate on launching the shells faster. Some men slapped themselves a few times to refresh their minds, and the fatigue of the night was instantly swept away.

  The night air was a bit chilly, and the clouds blocked out the moonlight. It was indeed a dark and windy night, perfect for killing people. Chen Manke led the 8,000 soldiers under Fang Yue's command to march quickly, but Fang Yue had an intense dislike for Chen Manke, making him walk in front while he rode his horse behind, urging them on. If Chen Manke slowed down even a bit, he would be whipped by Fang Yue. Chen Manke seethed with anger and thought to himself, "Just you wait." Due to the haste, Chen Manke accidentally tripped and fell, and Fang Yue rode his horse right over him, looking at him with disdain. Just then, a torch lit up in the distance, and Chen Manke and the other bandits scrambled to climb up the mountains on either side with all their might, their comical movements causing the soldiers of the Relief Army to burst out laughing.

  At this moment, a large number of thunderbolt bullets flew towards the Jie Fan army's camp and the departing 8,000 soldiers. Zhao Jiong looked at the sea of flames that was the Jie Fan army camp and decided in his heart that after this battle, the Chang Sheng army would split up and march separately.