When the runner burst into the inn, Han Xuan was in his room, enjoying himself immensely with two singing girls.
When the runner dragged him out of bed, he was still cursing, completely unaware of what had happened.
It wasn't until he saw all his subordinates apprehended and Ju Shou leading a group of runners to arrest him that Han Xuan finally understood – the jig was up!
“You… you can't touch me, my family is a prominent clan, the Wuyang Han Clan! My uncle is the esteemed Imperial Censor, you can't arrest me!”
“Prominent clan?” Ju Shou sneered and shouted, “Colluding with rebels! Not even imperial relatives can save you! Take him away!”
After dealing with Han Xuan, Ju Shou immediately returned to the County Government to report to Zhang Chen.
Zhang Chen was not concerned with Han Xuan at the moment, merely giving an “En” and saying nothing more.
Colluding with rebels was a clear act of treason, and no amount of pleading would help. This Han Xuan wouldn't escape anyway; it was better to let him stay in prison for a few days. After dealing with Yu Du, it wouldn't be too late to execute him publicly!
For two consecutive days, Zhang Chen did not return to his residence, eating and sleeping at the County Government.
Zhang Chen sent out several scouts to investigate, so he could know any news as soon as possible.
That night, a scout reported that the rebel army had camped thirty li away and would pass through “Black Cloud Valley” tomorrow.
Good! They're finally here!
Zhang Chen felt both anxious and excited.
He was anxious because the enemy had over ten thousand troops, and he wasn't sure if his plan would succeed in one go. He was excited because if he won this battle, his reputation would soar, and he would capture countless weapons, horses, and provisions, achieving both fame and fortune!
Moreover, after this battle, he could legitimately recruit Soldiers and expand his military equipment.
The rebels have come right to my doorstep, so expanding my army is perfectly reasonable, isn't it?
Gao Shun had already been ordered to set up an ambush in “Black Cloud Valley”, and Qu Yi had also led eight hundred First to Ascend into Guangping County yesterday. Everything was developing in a positive direction.
...
The night wind blew gently. Thirty li south of the city, at the Black Mountain Army camp.
In the central tent, a General seven chi tall, with a strong physique and dark skin, sat on the main seat. This was the Black Mountain Army's General, Yu Du. On either side below him sat several Deputy Generals and Commandants.
Yu Du drained the remaining wine in his cup, then suddenly slammed the table and shouted, “Damn it! What is this Han guy doing? He said he'd meet us here, so why hasn't he sent anyone yet?”
A Commandant below him said, “Could something have gone wrong? General, we are deep within Ji Province with only our isolated army; we must proceed cautiously!”
“Hey, what could go wrong?” Another Commandant finished his wine and said indifferently, “We've come all this way as if entering no man's land. That Cheng'an County Magistrate didn't even dare to meet us and ran away, ha ha ha ha!”
Another Commandant also said, “That's right. I think all these court officials are just useless eaters. What is there to fear from him!”
“Enough.” Yu Du waved his hand and said, “This place is not far from Guangping County. No matter what tricks that Han guy is playing, tomorrow we will break into Guangping County, plunder a wave, and leave! But remember, that County Magistrate must not be allowed to escape. That way, it can be considered worth the ten thousand taels of gold he gave us!”
Everyone agreed. The Commandant who had advised caution spoke again, “General, on the way to Guangping County, we will pass through a valley called ‘Black Cloud Valley’. This place has treacherous terrain and is easy to set up an ambush. It would be better to send scouts ahead to probe the situation.”
“Hey, Fang Ping, I think you're just worrying unnecessarily.” Yu Du laughed, “Who knows we are going to Guangping County? That Magistrate of Guangping doesn't have foresight; how could he set up an ambush beforehand?”
“But General…”
“Alright, alright, it's decided.” Yu Du put down his cup and said with some displeasure, “Oh, right, where are Bai Rao and Sui Gu's troops?”
Fang Ping replied, “Reporting, General, General Bai and General Sui are carrying siege equipment, so their march is slow. It is estimated they will arrive in another day.”
“Tch, so slow. Don't blame me if they don't get any meat when they arrive!”
“General, Zhang Shuai ordered us to rendezvous at Linzhang County, but now we are attacking Guangping County. What if we delay Zhang Shuai's important matter, I'm afraid…”
“What's there to fear? A mere small county can be taken in half a day; it won't delay anything. After this General takes Guangping County, it won't be too late to go to Linzhang County!”
The next day, the Black Mountain Army's main force set off, heading straight for Guangping County.
After marching only a few li, they saw a valley before them. On both sides were high mountain cliffs, with only a narrow path in the middle for passage, extending for about several hundred meters.
Yu Du immediately ordered the troops to advance. Fang Ping, seeing the dangerous terrain, quickly advised against it, “General, this place has treacherous terrain. If the enemy sets up an ambush here, I'm afraid…”
“Ambush, ambush. How many troops could a small county possibly have?” Yu Du said impatiently, “No need to spread alarm here. Quickly go and urge the entire army to speed up. We must reach Guangping County before noon!”
“This… Understood!” Fang Ping was helpless and could only withdraw, galloping back to the rear army to relay the order.
A quarter of an hour later, the main force of the Black Mountain Army had entered “Black Cloud Valley”.
At this moment, Gao Shun was leading two hundred Halberdiers, lying prone on the slope on one side. Another three hundred Soldiers, led by a Deputy General, were hidden on the other side, waiting for Gao Shun's signal flag to launch the attack immediately.
Gao Shun chewed on a piece of dry grass, staring intently at the movements in the valley. He watched as a large force of troops marched grandly into the valley.
Gao Shun looked from afar and saw that most of the Soldiers were wearing cloth clothes, with only a few wearing armor, which was not of the court's standard. Their weapons were also varied, clearly not a regular army.
Gao Shun's gaze swept over and he saw the large black banner standing in the army, exactly as Pan Feng had described. He immediately confirmed that this was undoubtedly Yu Du's rebel army!
“Ptooey!” Gao Shun spat out the dry grass and said to the Soldier beside him, “The Lord is indeed brilliant and resourceful. The rebel army is completely unprepared. This time, Heaven is helping us achieve merit! Pass on the order, the troops are not to act rashly, wait quietly for the rebel army to enter the valley.”
After a while, seeing that the rebel army had reached the center of the valley, the Soldier said, “General, the rebel army has passed the halfway point. Should we make our move?”
“Wait a little longer, wait for the troops in the back to enter further.”
A moment later, the main force of the rebel army had entered the valley, and the vanguard was about to reach the mouth of the valley. The Soldier beside him couldn't help but become anxious, “General, if we don't act now, they'll all pass through!”
Gao Shun looked down and saw a burly General wearing armor and holding a long saber, currently riding a horse and slowly advancing with the central army.
It seemed that this person must be the General Yu Du!
He waved his hand behind him and said, “Signal the opposite side, attack!”
With a command, a Soldier suddenly stood up, holding two signal flags, waving them several times. The other Soldiers lifted rolling logs and stones and threw them down.
The Deputy General on the other mountain peak saw the signal flags waving and quickly called to the brothers behind him to push rolling logs and throw stones down the mountain.
For a time, rolling logs and stones fell from the slopes on both sides, raining down on Yu Du's central army.
“Ah ah ah!”
“Where are these stones coming from? Oh my!”
“What's going on! Uwah!”
For a time, miserable screams rose one after another, and Yu Du's central army instantly fell into chaos.
“What's going on!” Yu Du was greatly alarmed and quickly brandished his large saber, shouting, “Don't panic! Don't panic!”
“General, enemy attack!” A Commandant shouted.
“What the hell are you talking about! Can't I see it!” Yu Du roared, “Retreat! Retreat quickly!”
Saying that, Yu Du turned his horse around and headed back.
But the valley was already narrow, and now the Soldiers were in chaos, running in fear, unable to find a way out.
Yu Du couldn't help but become furious. Hardening his heart, he raised his saber and cut down several Soldiers blocking his way. When the other Soldiers saw this, they were all terrified and quickly made way.
At this point, the rolling logs and stones had been thrown. Gao Shun smiled slightly, then ordered, “Prepare to shoot arrows!”
As soon as his voice fell, the Soldier immediately sent out the signal flags again. The Deputy General on the opposite mountain peak understood the signal and immediately issued the same order.
In an instant, on the mountain peaks on both sides, rows of Trap Camp Soldiers appeared, each drawing a bow and nocking an arrow, shooting into the valley.
In a flash, arrows rained down.
The rebel army trapped in the valley suffered countless casualties under the barrage of arrows.