Chapter 30: Intelligence Breaks the Iron Array

  ．

  "Boom!" A loud cannon shot echoed through the vast expanse of the Xuanwu Gate drill grounds!

  Pre-battle preparations!

  "Roar, roar, roar!"

  Three thousand iron armor issued a neat three loud roar, three thousand long guns Lingkong painted a response, issuing a fierce whistling sound.

  Although it was a long gun without a gun head, this formation was also intimidating enough for the young masters of the aristocratic families who had never experienced such a grand scene.

  Qin Mubai couldn't help but take a cold breath: these armored soldiers, even if they weren't alive, were like walls of mud and stone that had been thoroughly consolidated, making it very difficult to charge through in one go. Not to mention there were also several dozen competitors who could shoot him in the back at any moment.

  We have to think of something!

  "Qin San Ge, what to do?" Cheng Huaiyi asked in a low voice. "We two brothers are outnumbered and outmatched, it's really too difficult to break through this three thousand iron armor array. There are also infantry and cavalry, I estimate they are all veterans selected by the emperor who have experienced many battles, their combat capabilities are much stronger than ours. Although their guns don't have bayonets that can pierce us to death, with so many people, each one spitting saliva is enough for us to suffer. What if we get knocked off our horses and trampled to death?"

  Qin Mubai didn't respond, and instead looked around. The other young nobles also started discussing in hushed tones, many of their faces showing a hint of fear and unease, with some even turning pale.

  On ordinary days, these people would at most practice martial arts with their masters behind closed doors. Occasionally, they might engage in some sparring, but that was always done in a completely safe environment. The three thousand iron-armored soldiers before them were all well-trained military personnel. If they really clashed, it would be absolutely different from their usual training. Not to mention facing the siege of three thousand iron armor, even one-on-one, many people wouldn't have confidence in winning for sure.

  Under the yellow umbrella, Li Shimin let out a long laugh and said to a nearby imperial guard general: "Jun Xian, do you have confidence in charging through this three thousand iron armor array alone?"

  Li Junxian's face turned red with embarrassment, and he bowed his head, saying: "I dare not speak rashly... These three thousand iron armor are the emperor's personally selected imperial guards, each of whom has been to the battlefield and has real combat experience. Such an array, I estimate that only three people in the world would dare to try to rush up."

  "Which three?"

  "Yi Guo Gong Qin Shu Bao, E Guo Gong Wei Chi Jing De, Lu Guo Gong Cheng Zhi Jie." Li Jun Xian said, "However, the current rules do not allow the use of lethal weapons. Even if these three fierce generals charge into battle, they will not be able to instantly kill and intimidate the enemy army, making it difficult to open a bloody path, thus increasing the difficulty."

  "Hmm." Li Shimin nodded with a profound smile.

  "Your Majesty, please forgive your humble servant for speaking bluntly..."

  "Speak your mind."

  "Yes." Li Junxun cupped his hands and bowed, saying, "These aristocratic sons, not many have truly been on the battlefield. Their personal martial arts may be strong, but they are absolutely no match for Qin, Cheng, and Wei's three. Your Majesty wants them to take the dragon flag in the core of the 3,000 iron armor, this... isn't necessarily too difficult."

  "Haha, this is exactly what I wanted." Li Shimin said, "On the surface, it seems unlikely. Even if Qin, Cheng, and Wei Chi, three brave generals, join forces to use long guns without gunheads to charge in and seize the dragon flag, it would be very difficult. But the most powerful weapon in this world is not an iron-made gunhead, but wisdom. What I want is a versatile and resourceful hundred riders who can adapt to changing circumstances and defeat the enemy on the spot. If only brute force could get selected, then this hundred riders beside me would be too worthless."

  "So that's how it is...... But I, a humble minister, can't think of any other clever way to rush in and seize the dragon flag. Is there anyone who can fly?" Li Junxiang looked puzzled.

  "Just take a look and you'll understand." Li Shimin smiled slightly, profound and unfathomable.

  "Wooo... Wooo..."

  The golden horn sounded again in the arena, and the contestants trembled with tension.

  After the second drumbeat, it will be time to start the charge after a stick of incense. Everyone is deep in thought and tense discussion, many people are anxious like ants on a hot pot, and some people even want to give up in despair.

  "Qin Sange, have you thought of a solution? There's only one incense stick left!" Cheng Huaiyi asked anxiously.

  Qin Mu furrowed his brow slightly, raised an eyebrow and glanced at the 3,000 iron armor array with his hand on the railing. He said: "These 3,000 armored soldiers surrounded the dragon flag in the core, as solid as an iron barrel. If we charge forward like this, it's like hitting a stone with an egg. However, their spears are also headless, unable to kill people, and naturally can't withstand truly powerful impacts... Got it!"

  "What's the solution?"

  "Come with me, time is pressing!"

  Under the gaze of everyone, Qin Mubai and Cheng Huaiyi galloped away, quickly arriving at the armory. They found the officer in charge of the armory and demanded ten fine horses from him. According to the rules, except for deadly weapons, other tools and horses could be provided. Qin Mubai then asked for ten strings of firecrackers - such things really existed!

  Qin Mubai was overjoyed in his heart and thought to himself: Could it be that the Emperor had already prepared such a prop, just waiting for us to discover it? Li Shimin is too amazing! If I hadn't seen similar scenes in the TV series "San Mao Joins the Army", I might not have thought of it so quickly!

  The two men led the ten fine horses back into the arena, causing a stir of surprise and bewilderment among the crowd. Some keen-eyed people noticed the firecrackers tied to the horses' tails and suddenly understood with a start.

  Li Shimin under the yellow umbrella also couldn't help but stand up and gaze in Qin Mu Bai's direction.

  "Your Majesty, what are those two little ones doing?" Li Junxian asked in confusion.

  "Haha! That must be Qin Shubao's third son, Qin Mubai? This kid is indeed clever and resourceful, he didn't disappoint me!" Li Shimin burst out laughing, overjoyed.

  "Bang bang bang——"

  A drumbeat sounded on the large campus, shaking the ground - the charge had begun!

  Three thousand iron armors roar like thunder, armor reflecting sunlight, shining with a fierce and murderous aura!

  Qin Mubai and Cheng Huaiyi quickly lit the ten strings of firecrackers. With a loud bang, flames burst forth in all directions, creating quite a commotion. The ten fine horses were startled and galloped wildly towards the iron-clad army formation ahead!

  "Ah——" The whole hall was shocked and shouted loudly.

  "What a wonderful plan!"

  Those standing at the forefront of the iron-clad formation turned green in the face and cursed loudly: "Bastards!"

  "What a despicable idea! Screw it!"

  Furious horses galloped forward, kicking up countless clouds of dust that charged straight at the iron armor array. These seasoned generals who had been through many battles were not afraid to engage in fierce combat with the enemy, but no one dared to confront the crazed furious horses!

  Their armor was solid, but it absolutely couldn't withstand the impact of this angry horse; they had guns in their hands, but they were gunless, unable to kill the horse!

  "Brothers, quickly dodge!"

  The officer in the iron armor gave an order. In an instant, the circular military formation that was surrounded like an iron barrel flashed out a gap. The startled fierce horse rushed in wildly, as if a sharp blade cut open a huge gap in a piece of cake!

  Qin Mubai was overjoyed in his heart, his sword eyebrows stood upright and he shouted in a deep voice: "Charge!"

  Cheng Huai's words were like a refreshing rain pouring down on their heads, and he followed with a loud shout: "Charge!"

  The two of them were like arrows flying off a bowstring, riding their horses wildly as they charged into the midst of the frenzied herd.

  The other strong men suddenly came back to their senses and loudly shouted as they rushed up.

  "Excellent, excellent!" Li Junxiao burst out laughing, "Your Majesty, this little guy is really clever! He actually thought of using fierce horses as arrowheads to help him charge into battle! Those 3,000 iron armor formations were like a copper wall and iron fortress, extremely difficult to break through, but facing such a group of mad horses, they were also helpless!"

  "Knowing how to borrow and use things, a general who can flexibly apply strategies is a good general." Li Shimin nodded with a smile, "Some people learn some ancient military tactics and think they have the strategy to conquer the battlefield invincibly. But they don't know that there is no fixed situation in war, and the best tactic is to adapt to the circumstances and defeat the enemy on the spot. This kind of tactic can't be learned from books - I appreciate this Qin Mu Bai!"

  "Kill——" In the midst of the battle array, Qin Mu Bai let out a loud roar, his killing intent surging forth as he galloped wildly on horseback behind a group of frenzied horses kicking up clouds of dust. The iron-armored guards were intimidated by the ferocity of the frenzied horses and didn't dare to block their path. As a result, Qin Mu Bai encountered no obstacles along the way and was about to charge into the core, arriving beneath the dragon flagpole.

  Cheng Huaiyi burst out laughing: "Qin San Ge, you are really too clever! I admire you so much that I'm willing to prostrate myself at your feet!"

  His laughter had barely fallen when a white rainbow suddenly flashed beside him, and he immediately heard a cold laugh: "You are clever enough, but unfortunately, the dragon flag is mine!"

  "Cháng sūn jiǎo!" Qin Mùbái's heart skipped a beat as he saw a white-robed cavalryman gallop past him, like a swift ray of clear smoke.

  "Damn it, this guy's horse is so fast! He's going to get a great bargain!" Cheng Huaiyu cursed angrily.

  "Quickly!" Just as Zhang Sun Jian was about to rush under the dragon flag, Qin Mu Bai exerted himself and slapped the horse's buttocks heavily with his spear. The horse, in pain, let out a mournful whinny and galloped wildly, but still couldn't catch up to Zhang Sun Jian's white horse.

  "Damn it, I'm going to be a matchmaker. How the hell is this guy's horse so fast?" Qin Mubai couldn't help but feel annoyed in his heart.

  Chang Sun Gan rode ahead, already charging under the dragon flag. He pulled out a golden carved bow from the weapon rack at the base of the flagpole and laughed loudly as he prepared to shoot down the dragon flag.

  "Hū——" A swift shadow flashed by, and Changsun Wanjian's longbow flew out of his hand!

  Qin Mubai rode past him like the wind and snatched the carved bow from his hand with lightning speed.

  "How dare you! You actually dared to snatch the carved bow from my hands!" Changsun Rui's handsome white face flushed with anger, his long spear quivering as he pointed at Qin Mubai and shouted, "Return it to me!"

  "Hmph!" Qin Mu Bai sneered coldly, and with a half-circle motion of the precious bow in his hand, he was about to draw the bowstring to shoot.

  "How dare you!" Zhang Sunyan was furious, he whipped his horse and charged towards Qin Mubai.

  "Madman!" Qin Mu Bai's sword eyebrows sank, one hand holding the bow and the other holding the spear, with a "Ka Dang" sound, he parried the long spear thrust by Chang Sun Ruan.

  Chang Sun Gan lost his grip and struck the horse to run past, with a look of shock on his face, secretly thinking: This guy's spear technique is so fierce!

  "Long Sun, come and help me!" A loud roar, a black-faced big man Wei Chi Bao Yun rode a pitch-black horse rushing in. Closely following behind him were five or six riders, all shouting loudly as they charged towards Qin Mu Bai.

  "Come on!" Qin Mubai let out a loud cry, pressing the carved bow against the saddle, and with his long spear in hand, he shook off a blossom of spear flowers, ready to fight without retreating or dodging.

  "Third Brother, I'm here to help you!" Cheng Huai's horse was slow, and he hastily ran in to fight alongside Qin Mu Bai.

  Chang Sun's seven or eight riders surrounded the two men at the core, and a fierce battle was about to unfold.

  Three thousand iron armor arrays were knocked down by a group of mad horses, with many miserable cries rising up. It was not easy to finally subdue the fierce horse and calm it down. Most of the strong men had already rushed to the core, so their iron bucket array lost its meaning. The changing formation became an encirclement, surrounding dozens of strong men in the arena, everyone gathering to watch this final thrilling scene of you fighting me.

  Li Shimin laughed under the yellow umbrella: "Good. A general must have a competitive heart. The first round of wisdom test seems to be Qin Mubai's victory. I want to see what level his martial arts has reached, can he fight against the heroes and keep the bow in his hand!"

  "Your Majesty, isn't this a bit difficult?" Li Junxian said, "He and Cheng Huaiyi are only two people, but the enemy is everyone else. The group led by Changsun Sanqi is obviously much stronger, can't fight against the majority!"

  "I've said it before, this envoy of a hundred riders must be both brave and wise. Having only wisdom is not enough, one must also have the actual strength to fight against many heroes without falling behind." Li Shimin's meaningful smile, "Both are indispensable!"

  "On the field, Changsun Yan let out a stern shout. Beside him, six or seven riders led by Wei Chi Bao Yun simultaneously raised their guns and charged towards Qin Mu Bai."

  Qin Mu Bai coldly smiled.

  Although these people all have some tricks up their sleeves, Wei Yunbao's martial arts are even more extraordinary. Six or seven people attack and kill him, and the momentum is indeed impressive.

  But most of them are just show-offs. Compared to the mighty generals Qin Qiong and Cheng Zijie, they are far inferior!

  In fact, comparing these aristocratic young masters with Qin and Cheng is simply an insult to Qin and Cheng. If we say one-on-one, they are probably not even a match for Yuwen Hongtai and Yin Yang!

  Qin Mubai's martial arts skills were honed through repeated real-life battles against those two incredibly strong and abnormal peak warriors. At the Wu Wang Fu, facing multiple opponents at once was a common occurrence, so facing such an opponent now felt like using an ox cleaver to kill a chicken!

  "Third Brother, be careful! The opponent's martial arts are extraordinary and they have many people!" Cheng Huaiyi had just shouted out in surprise, but felt a flash before his eyes, Qin Mubai was already advancing instead of retreating, charging forward on horseback.

  "Fall off the horse!" Qin Mubai's loud roar was like a thunderclap in the clear sky, and Wei Tiyun and others were shocked in their hearts - "Killing intent"!

  "Ah——" Close on the heels of the uniform three cries of despair, three robust men fell off their horses!

  In one move, Qin Mubai used his 'Taiji Qin Family Spear' to knock down three people!

  Wei Chi Bao Yun reined in his horse with a look of shock and stared at Qin Mu Bai with wide eyes: "You... what's your name?"

  "Qin Mu Bai!"

  "Are you Qin Qiong's son?"

  "Shut up! Is it for you to call out my father's name?! Qin Mu Bai's eyebrows sank, his eyes spewing fire as he shouted loudly and charged at Wei Tai Bao Yun with his spear!"

  Qin Mu Bai's anger is justified. For anyone of a younger generation, it is absolutely not allowed to address an elder by their first name, otherwise it would be extremely disrespectful. Let alone someone like "Qin Qiong", even the emperor always addressed him by his courtesy name - Shu Bao!

  .??，！