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Chapter 201: Night Raid
Li Jing said to his companions, Qin Shubao and Luo Yi, "Capturing Luoyang is indeed a great achievement, but over there, Li Mi and Yuwen Huaji are engaged in battle. It would be a pity to let them go."
As a general, one does not disdain great merits. Luo Yi immediately responded, "We must take Luoyang, and we cannot let Li Mi and Yuwen Huaji escape. It would be perfect to capture them both and present them before Tang Wang to claim our rewards!"
Qin Shubao was more cautious. "Li Mi's Pushan Public Camp is formidable, and Yuwen Huaji's Imperial Guards and Valiant Fruit Army are among the best in the world. If we split our forces to launch a surprise attack, we could be caught between the two sides if they turn against us, which would be dangerous."
Luo Yi hesitated as well. Li Mi and Yuwen Huaji had no deep-seated enmity; in the face of danger, they might easily ally against us or simply defend themselves, allowing them to escape without any gains.
If splitting our forces led to the failure of capturing Luoyang, then this mission would result in no achievements and we would certainly face punishment from Tang Wang.
Li Jing remained silent. The two generals thought he was weighing the pros and cons and did not disturb him. After spending time together, they understood Li Jing's capabilities; he was indeed worthy of being Tang Wang's mentor, a master of military strategy.
They waited until nightfall. The soldiers on guard at Luoyang City were pushing and shoving, lacking the usual calmness. Outside the city, Zhai Rang and Xu Shijie had already prepared their troops.
Having besieged Luoyang for so long, they naturally had some connections within the city. However, due to strict defenses and Wang Shichong's considerable abilities, there were already reserve troops in place. Even if the city gates were opened, they would quickly be blocked again.
They had even deliberately lured them into the city before laying an ambush, resulting in significant losses for them. For a long time afterward, they had not allowed any internal supporters to open the gates again.
But tonight was definitely worth taking a risk. Xu Shijie ordered the newly recruited soldiers to attack the northern city while he personally led the elite Wagang troops to enter through the western city guarded by internal supporters.
Li Jing finally received news that Valiant Fruit Army commander Linghu Xingda had come personally to kneel before Li Jing's horse: "Pei Qiantong advised Yuwen Huaji to launch a night raid on Li Mi's main camp. Sima Dekan secretly supported this plan, claiming that the tyrant was cruel and oppressive, wanting to replace him with a capable leader."
Li Jing explained to his two generals, "This is an old acquaintance of Tang Wang."
Qin Shubao and Luo Yi bowed towards the west in admiration; their successful campaigns were not solely due to their bravery but because Tang Wang had arranged everything for them.
Li Jing immediately commanded, "Luo Yi will lead fifty thousand troops with Xu Shijie to attack Luoyang. The rest will follow me to first deal with Li Mi and then settle with Yuwen Huaji!"
"Understood!"
Meanwhile, in Li Mi's main tent, he was consulting with his soldiers and strategists. Yuwen Huaji was incompetent; he lacked both leadership skills and military talent, frequently making poor decisions. However, the Imperial Guards and Heroic Fruit Army were indeed brave and tenacious.
Despite the emperor inciting public anger, why could he still enjoy imperial pleasures in Jiangdu without any rebel daring to attack? It was precisely because of these two armies that were truly elite forces.
If it weren't for their betrayal, the Emperor could have continued to enjoy himself for a few more years.
A burly man with a dark face stepped forward and said, "Duke Wei, during tomorrow's battle, I will lead the cavalry to directly attack Yuwen Huaji's center. That coward will surely panic and retreat in the face of our assault, demoralizing his troops and allowing us to achieve a great victory!"
Li Mi thought for a moment and shook his head. "I know Jing De is brave, but our losses would also be significant. We cannot enter Luoyang in a weakened state."
The strategist suggested, "Yuwen Huaji has taken this route because he is short on supplies. Now that he is stalled here by our forces, he cannot hold out for long. Perhaps we can employ a delaying tactic and send him a false message of alliance."
Li Mi found this idea appealing. Yuwen Huaji was certainly not his rival for the world; it was not worth depleting his resources over such a person.
He immediately wrote a letter, starting with an apology, stating that the words spoken before the two armies were merely for show. "We Noble Families of Guanlong are truly one family; in fact, my aunt is married into your Yuwen Family."
"Our greatest enemy is Li Jian Cheng. If we continue to fight each other here, he will benefit as the fisherman. We should join forces to claim the throne together."
To demonstrate his sincerity, he offered to send supplies to alleviate Yuwen Huaji's concerns, though those supplies would need to be gathered from the rear...
Li Mi ordered someone to deliver the letter and instructed his generals: "Yuwen Huaji lacks wisdom and is reckless in battle; we must guard against night attacks."
"Understood."
In the dead of night, Li Mi was awakened by the sounds of an attack. He quickly got up to prepare and waited for news under the protection of his guards. Although his expression was serious, he remained calm.
Sure enough, half an hour later, Yuchi Jingde returned covered in blood to report that they had repelled the enemy forces, who had fled in panic. He had pursued them for two or three miles before calling off the chase.
Li Mi stepped forward to wipe the blood from Yuchi Jingde's face with his sleeve and praised his bravery and intelligence loudly. This made many of the old guards feel dissatisfied; Duke Wei seemed increasingly fond of new faces while neglecting the old.
Once everything was settled, silence fell over the camp again. Although Li Mi ordered vigilance once more, some relaxation was inevitable after fighting during the day and responding to a night attack; everyone was utterly exhausted.
However, Li Jing remained inactive. After another hour passed and just before dawn, taking advantage of the last moments of darkness, the army quietly prepared to mount their horses and then surged toward Li Mi's camp like an avalanche.
Qin Shubao led the charge at the front with his iron armor and long spear, breaking through the camp's defenses with overwhelming force. The preparations made against night attacks had not been properly restored; they were merely for show.
It was evident that they had grown complacent, believing that Yuwen Huaji lacked both the ability and the courage to organize another night raid.
With Qin Shubao's thunderous shout, the Tang army trampled into the enemy camp. Yuchi Jingde, who had just settled down to sleep, hurriedly donned his armor. Li Mi, awakened once more, was far from calm; he issued orders repeatedly, but amidst the chaos, even his personal guards struggled to relay commands to the generals.
Following Li Jing's instructions, Qin Shubao did not actively seek out Li Mi. Instead, he continued to kill and set fires, preventing Li Mi's troops from organizing any effective defense.
Qin Shubao rampaged through the camp, slaying one after another of those attempting to rally the troops until he was confronted by a Black-Faced General. After exchanging blows for several rounds, he realized this opponent was indeed a formidable warrior.
He pushed aside the long spear and urged surrender, saying, "My lord Tang Wang possesses divine martial prowess and benevolence that will conquer the world. General, with your strength and valor, you should serve the master of Destiny and State, rather than this mediocre Li Mi."
Yuchi Jingde retorted defiantly, "So it is Li Jian Cheng's troops. If you truly are the master of Destiny, you should defeat my forces openly in battle. Resorting to such underhanded tactics in a sneak attack only reveals your cowardice."
Qin Shubao shook his head. "Stubborn fool! Then I shall capture you and discuss it further!"
The two generals fought fiercely, disregarding their lives. Moments later, as they clashed again, Qin Shubao received a deep cut on his shoulder while Yuchi Jingde remained unscathed but fell from his horse after it was killed by Qin Shubao's spear.
Surrounded by Tang soldiers eyeing him hungrily, Li Mi saw no chance of turning the tide and could only lead a small group of elite troops to abandon the camp. The remaining soldiers, realizing defeat as dawn broke, surrendered without resistance.
……………
(End of Chapter)
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