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墨書 Inktalez
Li Jing said, "You don't need to come with me; it's too dangerous. Just wait here for me. I am confident I can take Puzhen Pass."
Li Jian Cheng replied with a smile, "I wasn't too keen on going anyway. I just worry that if Master takes Puzhen Pass without me, he might suffer heavy losses, and then how will he have the strength to retake Puzhou City?"
Li Xiaogong walked in from outside, nodding to indicate that everything had been arranged. Although the Floating Bridge was gone, it only meant that the main troops would have difficulty crossing the river; there were still ways for others to get across.
As the saying goes, "The troops move only after the provisions are in place." Li Jian Cheng had not even left the capital when he sent his servants to run day and night contacting old acquaintances. Even before Puzhou City fell, he had already reached out to a group of people.
These individuals had little personal connection with Li Jian Cheng but were greatly concerned about not being labeled as rebels by the court if Han Wang were to be defeated in the future. After Puzhou City was captured by Han Wang, they became even more proactive, fearing repercussions for their families.
If there was any advantage to the Puzhou Governor's lack of organized resistance, it was that most of the original officials in the city were still alive. Aside from those hardliners who would rather die than submit to rebels, many were still in their positions.
Pei Wen'an had just taken Puzhou City and hadn't yet had time to reorganize before being summoned back due to orders from the Han Dynasty. The remaining generals were busy vying for power among themselves.
Such an opportunity would not come again. After discussing their plans, the three decided to rest, knowing that tomorrow they might not have a chance for peaceful sleep.
That night, Li Jing and Li Jian Cheng led five thousand elite troops skilled in water navigation and able to see somewhat in the dark across the river. The difficulties of crossing need not be elaborated upon; fortunately, they managed to reach the opposite bank safely.
The reinforcements waiting for them brought along several severed heads—these were scouts sent out from Puzhen Pass to monitor the river.
There was no time to count how many men had been swept away; after a brief moment to wring out their clothes, they headed straight for Puzhen Pass. The element of surprise was key; there was no special strategy involved other than catching the enemy off guard.
They stopped a few miles from the pass and sent several men who had come from Puzhou City ahead to scout. At a prearranged location, they uncovered some rudimentary siege equipment that had been buried—simple but better than nothing.
They continued onward until they could vaguely make out the outline of a stronghold in the darkness. Li Jing turned back and ordered the City Gate Captain to relay his words to the soldiers: "The first to scale the walls will receive rewards for their heads, plus an additional three ranks. Those who retreat will be executed on the spot!"
The hundreds of Guardians from the Li Family followed behind, while Shen Guang quietly moved to the front, claiming the first achievement for himself.
With a command from Li Jing, over four thousand fierce soldiers charged towards Puzhen Pass, carrying makeshift siege equipment. They did not attempt to conceal their approach; the night watchmen on the walls could not possibly be blind, and the noise of thousands of people was loud enough for anyone to hear.
Not only did they not hide their presence, but Li Jing also ordered them to shout at the top of their lungs. In an instant, the sound of thousands created a commotion that echoed like tens of thousands, causing arrows to rain down from the panicked defenders above.
Li Jing and Li Jian Cheng halted their horses to observe, watching as Shen Guang leaped onto the City Wall like a nimble monkey. Just as they worried about whether he could hold his position, the gates of Puzhen Pass unexpectedly swung open. Inside, flames flickered as two groups clashed fiercely; it seemed even more brutal than what was happening at the City Wall.
The Sui Army still struggling to climb was somewhat confused by this turn of events. However, Li Jing immediately rode over to lead the Sui Army through the city gates, shouting loudly: "Duke of Yue, Left Minister Yang Su comes with an imperial decree to quell the rebels! Surrender now, and you may yet escape death!"
Li Jian Cheng knew that this side was secure, so he called over seven or eight Guardians for careful instructions. He then took out a prepared letter from his pocket and sent them back with those from Puzhou City.
Things were going much smoother than expected. The saying "He who wins the hearts of the people wins the world" rang true; Yang Guang had not yet become a tyrant who brought disaster upon the nation. Thus, public sentiment was still gathered around his legitimacy.
Anyone daring to rebel would inevitably face such circumstances—traitors emerging among their ranks meant that not only could they not conquer cities or lands, but they couldn't even secure their own foundations.
As dawn approached, after a consultation between Li Jian Cheng and Li Jing, they summoned the City Gate Captain who had opened the gates last night. They praised him greatly and assured him that they would report his merits to His Majesty.
They then commanded him to feign a retreat back to Puzhou City. They intended to follow Pei Wen'an's example and reclaim Puzhou City. They also instructed Li Xiaogong to cross the river and inform Yang Su to build a Floating Bridge to take over Puzhen Pass.
They left only a few hundred men behind while taking the rest to Puzhou City. However, these remaining soldiers were not to be trusted completely; after confiscating their weapons, they were ordered to stay behind and pretend to be pursuing forces, kicking up dust as if they were many in number.
Everyone disregarded their fatigue, especially after successfully capturing such an important stronghold; it was a time of great ambition. Li Jian Cheng continuously swore by his family name that once they succeeded, there would be no mistakes in their rewards!
They had all heard of Li Jian Cheng's reputation; they knew he was known for his generosity and extravagance. There was no way he would ever shortchange them for their hard work and contributions.
Li Jing personally went to reassure the surrendered troops, telling them that the court had gathered a Million-Strong Army. Otherwise, how could Han Wang have occupied Puzhou City only to be frightened into destroying the Floating Bridge?
He understood that it was futile to resist the might of heaven. By abandoning the dark and embracing the light at this moment, they could escape death and preserve their lives; otherwise, they would be treated as traitors. If they could reclaim Puzhou City now, they would be credited with merit and receive rewards from the court.
Once morale was sufficient, the two commanders ordered their troops to swap uniforms while keeping the mounted archers, known as Guardians, at the rear. They then headed east towards Puzhou City.
Puzhou City was undoubtedly a formidable fortress and had already begun to enforce martial law. By the time they reached the city gates, they were already closed. The City Gate Captain shouted from atop the walls, "I am Zhao Cheng, the City Gate Captain under General of Puzhen Pass. The defenses of Puzhen Pass have fallen, and Yang Su is leading his army to pursue us. Open the gates and let us in!"
The gates did not open; instead, arrows began to rain down on them from above. However, Li Jian Cheng and his men did not lose heart. They obediently circled around to another gate, exaggerating their numbers as they went.
Eventually, news spread that the court's million-strong army was crossing the river. The defenders inside felt an impending disaster approaching, while dust clouds kicked up in the distance made it difficult for them to gauge how many troops were actually coming.
Li Jing and his men had yet to enter the city when shouts of battle echoed from within. After a moment, one of the gates opened, but they did not rush inside; instead, they continued to circle around and shout.
Li Jian Cheng kept a close watch on the flags atop the City Gate Tower. Finally noticing a change, he immediately called for everyone and ordered those pretending to pursue to regroup with them.
"Li Jing," Li Jian Cheng said, "they're about to flee through the northern gate."
Li Jing decisively replied, "We'll enter from the south; there's no need to block their escape. The important thing is to reclaim Puzhou City."
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