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On this side, Liu Guanfeng and Bian Dong had also engaged in combat. Bian Dong urged his Mount forward, charging directly at Liu Guanfeng with his Great Axe raised to strike down. Liu Guanfeng, however, calmly held his Fang Tianhua Ji with his right hand and effortlessly deflected Bian Dong's Great Axe to the side.
In just a brief exchange, Bian Dong realized something was wrong. He had thought that a President of a Merchant Guild would not be much of a threat, but now he understood that Liu Guanfeng was not just any simple Merchant Guild President; he was a master fighter of an unknown caliber.
Just as Bian Dong was contemplating how to escape, Liu Guanfeng launched his attack. Liu Guanfeng swung his Fang Tian Ji horizontally towards Bian Dong, who could only raise his axe to defend. The two weapons clashed, and soon the crescent blade of Liu Guanfeng's Fang Tian Ji caught Bian Dong's axe. They began to struggle for control of their weapons. Bian Dong pulled hard on his Great Axe while Liu Guanfeng maintained a calm smile.
After several attempts to pull free, Bian Dong found himself unable to move. Liu Guanfeng chuckled and said, "If you can't pull it free, then it's my turn. Let go." After saying "let go," Liu Guanfeng exerted force, and obediently, Bian Dong released his grip on the Great Axe. Liu Guanfeng took advantage of the momentum to toss the Great Axe aside.
Bian Dong gasped in surprise. Following that, he felt himself being lifted off the ground. Looking down, he realized he had completely left his Mount behind. Liu Guanfeng held him aloft with one hand and shouted to several Minor Generals behind him, "Your general is now in my hands. Stand down immediately, or I will drop him."
Upon hearing that their commander had been captured, the Minor Generals had no choice but to lower their weapons and were quickly bound by several guards. At that moment, Liu Guanfeng threw Bian Dong onto the ground and commanded, "Bind him." In no time at all, they had secured Bian Dong tightly like a dumpling. The forty guards who had rushed into the small path also returned, and Liu Guanfeng placed the bound individuals in front of him.
Just as they were getting ready, Bian Dong's main force arrived at the ambush site and froze in shock upon seeing their commander and Minor Generals securely tied up ahead. Behind each of them stood a soldier wielding a Steel Blade with their weapons poised at the necks of their generals.
At this moment, one guard stepped forward and addressed the soldiers on the path: "Listen up! We are from the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. I advise you to lay down your weapons and surrender now; if you take another step forward, your general's head will roll."
Bian Dong was also extremely anxious: "Did you all hear that? Quickly put down your weapons! Hurry!"
Caught between an ambush in front and pursuing soldiers behind them, the soldiers were momentarily at a loss for what to do. They knew that if the enemy could capture their general, they must possess formidable skills; yet if they did not charge forward, the pursuers would close in.
The two sides stood frozen in silence until someone accidentally dropped their weapon on the ground. That sound spread like wildfire; soon over twenty thousand soldiers on the small path dropped their weapons simultaneously.
"Everyone stand still! After dropping your weapons, immediately squat down with your hands on your heads and wait for the New World forces to take you in. Any resistance will be met with lethal force," the guard's voice rang out again.
The soldiers on the path obediently squatted down slowly with their hands clasped on their heads.
After about ten more minutes passed, shouts of battle echoed from behind as dust clouds rose in the distance—Liu Guanfeng knew reinforcements were arriving.
Leading the charge were none other than Big Leader Zhang Yuru and Cui Zhongyi, followed closely by Vanguard Officer Hong Tao and his son along with a large cavalry force. When they arrived at the scene, they too were taken aback. Zhang Yuru had not expected that Liu Guanfeng could subdue tens of thousands of enemies with just fifty men; it was only when he reached the front that he realized Liu Guanfeng had taken Bian Dong and his deputy hostage.
After seeing Liu Guanfeng, Hong Tao finally understood why Liu Guanfeng and his Chinese Chamber of Commerce had disappeared. Thinking about how he had reported to Zhang Yuru, he couldn't help but blush; it turned out that they hadn't run away but had come to launch a surprise attack, which required a great deal of risk.
Xuanrou carried Zhang Yuru to Liu Guanfeng's side and quietly asked, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine; they can't do anything to me."
"You've worked hard. Next time there's such a risky situation, don't go to avoid worrying others."
"I'll be careful."
At this point, the rest of the troops had gathered, and it was time to detain those who needed to be detained and incorporate those who needed to be incorporated. After arranging everyone properly, the entire army returned to Xiao Ke Village.
When everyone returned to Xiao Ke Village, it was brightly lit. For this great victory, Zhang Yuru specifically instructed everyone to celebrate joyfully and ordered them to rest for two days. Everyone indulged in drinking and feasting, while the generals who had initially sent Zhang Yuru to punish Liu Guanfeng all came forward to toast and apologize to Liu Guanfeng, who took it all in stride.
After this battle, the understanding of Liu Guanfeng in the new world increased significantly. Everyone realized that Liu Guanfeng was not just the President of a Merchant Guild but also exceptionally skilled in martial arts. More importantly, Liu Guanfeng's courage was truly remarkable.
Leading fifty people to raid a camp not only subdued one main general and six minor generals but also killed over a thousand people and captured nearly thirty thousand. Such achievements were not something just anyone could accomplish.
After resting for two days in Xiao Ke Village, the troops began to move forward again.
On this day, some of the deserters from Xiao Ke Village had already returned to the imperial capital and were waiting outside the hall for summons. Suddenly, someone inside the hall shouted, "Soldiers present themselves."
At that moment, the soldier waiting outside rushed into the hall and knelt down on both knees as soon as he entered: "Commoner pays respects to Your Majesty."
Severe Winter sat majestically on his dragon throne and said sternly, "Speak; how is the battle ahead?"
"Your Majesty, we suffered defeat at the front. The main general Bian Dong was captured, Vanguard Officer Lü Jiang was killed, and all other minor generals were captured as well. I was knocked unconscious and left behind; I only woke up at midnight. So I immediately ran back to the imperial capital to report to Your Majesty."
"You may leave now; find a military doctor to treat your injuries."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." The soldier turned and left the hall.
As soon as the soldier left, discussions began anew. Just then, a middle-aged man in his fifties stepped forward. "Your Majesty, I have something to report."
"Old General, please rise and speak."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Your Majesty, I have a plan to defeat the rebels. I only hope that Your Majesty can grant me twenty thousand troops; I will surely repel the invading enemy."
"Old General, you do not jest."
"Your Majesty, I am willing to sign a military order. If I cannot achieve victory, then let Your Majesty take my head."
"Very well, since General Shen has said so, I will grant you twenty thousand troops. I hope, Old General, that you will achieve a swift victory."
"Rest assured, Your Majesty; I will eliminate all those rebels."
"Prepare yourself; I will await good news from you here, Old General."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I take my leave."
General Shen was quick-tempered and immediately returned home to prepare for departure the next morning with his son and several minor generals. That day, General Shen and his troops arrived at Horn Valley. The reason General Shen believed he could defeat the New World relied entirely on Horn Valley, which was also a necessary route into the capital. Therefore, he decided to ambush the New World army at this location.
At the same time, General Shen sent scouts to gather information about the New World situation while he began giving orders: "Quan'er."
"Father," replied a young man who resembled General Shen by about sixty percent.
"Quan'er, I entrust you with the most important task. Take fifteen thousand men and ambush both sides of Horned Mountain. When their army passes through, drop straw from both sides and set it ablaze. I want Horn Valley to be engulfed in flames, ensuring that those rebels have no way back."
"Father, don't worry. Quan'er will definitely handle this well. This is a great opportunity for both of us to achieve merit."
"Quan'er, from now on, it all depends on you for the Shen Family. You must perform well this time."
"Yes, I understand, Father. Just watch, I will take care of everything."
General Shen set up a large camp for ten thousand people at Horn Valley with his five thousand troops, but only five thousand were actually stationed there to confuse the soldiers of the New World. On the second day, as they were preparing, scouts reported that the New World army was only half a day's journey away from Horn Valley.
At this moment, Old General led a team of four thousand soldiers to confront the New World soldiers head-on, blocking their path.
The vanguard officers were still Hong Tao and his son along with Liu Guanfeng. The three of them were at the forefront of the army. Upon seeing a rider approaching from the front, they immediately ordered their troops to halt. After stopping the army, Hong Tao pulled his mount forward slowly to the front lines, while General Shen also reined in his mount to face the two armies.
Hong Tao pointed and said, "Come forward and state your name."
"The old man is General Shen Jingtian appointed by His Majesty. Which family do you belong to? Go back and let your elders come out; I won't speak with children."
"You old fool, I'm the Vice Leader of the New World, Hong Tao. If you call me a child, then prepare to pay with your life."
With that, Hong Tao drew his twin blades and attacked. Shen Jingtian countered with his greatsword, deflecting Hong Tao's strikes. As a veteran, Shen Jingtian's skill and adaptability far surpassed that of the inexperienced Hong Tao. After several exchanges, Hong Tao began to feel overwhelmed.
Seeing his son struggling, Hong Bin rushed forward to replace him. After a few exchanges with Shen Jingtian, Hong Bin shouted, "Two against one? The old man can't handle it; retreat!" After calling for a retreat, Shen Jingtian turned and fled, followed by his soldiers.
As Shen Jingtian began to retreat, Hong Tao intended to lead his men in pursuit. However, just as he was about to shout for an attack, Liu Guanfeng grabbed his arm.
Hong Tao glared angrily: "Liu President, what do you mean by this? Delaying an opportunity in battle is a grave offense."
"Vice Leader Hong, calm down and take another look at the enemy's forces."
Hong Tao glanced over: "What's there to see?"
"Vice Leader Hong, did you notice that although they retreated, their formation remained very orderly?"
"So what?"
"This indicates that they haven't truly retreated; they're putting on an act. Do you know what's ahead?"
"I don't know."
"Up ahead is a mountain valley called Horn Valley. If a unit is arranged there for an ambush, then none of your Ten Thousand People's Vanguard will survive to leave Mountain Valley."
"How do you know that?"
"When I returned from the Imperial Capital last time, I was ambushed by people from Said Island, and the ambush took place in Horn Valley. So I am very familiar with the terrain there."
"What should we do?"
"Set up camp and rest in place, then send people to the two mountains to scout for any ambushes."
"Sound the retreat and set up camp."
After Hong Tao gave the order, all the soldiers began to act. Once the camp was established, Liu Guanfeng was called into Hong Tao's Main Tent. Inside the tent were only Hong Tao and his son, along with two Minor Generals.
As soon as Liu Guanfeng entered, Hong Bin asked, "Liu President, just now Tao'er mentioned that ahead is a place called Horn Valley. I wonder if that is true?"
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