Guangping County.
At noon, Zhang Chen, Ju Shou, Pan Feng, and Qu Yi gathered at the Military Camp south of the city to discuss strategies for repelling the enemy.
Suddenly, a Soldier reported that Gao Shun had arrived at the camp with five hundred Halberdiers.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen was both surprised and delighted. He was delighted that Gao Shun and the others were safe, but surprised and uneasy, unsure of the battle situation and the extent of their casualties.
Thus, Zhang Chen urgently ordered Gao Shun to enter and meet him.
A moment later, Gao Shun was seen striding into the Military Tent, his armor stained with blood.
Seeing this, Zhang Chen, thinking Gao Shun was gravely injured, was immediately startled and rushed forward, asking with concern, "Xiaofu, were there any casualties in this battle? Where are you injured?"
"Lord, rest assured, this is all the enemy's blood." Gao Shun laughed heartily, "Your Lordship's brilliant plan was effective. Yu Du, as expected, was witless. He advanced his army into a dangerous place like Black Cloud Valley without any precautions. As Your Lordship instructed, when their army was halfway through, we attacked with rolling logs and stones. The bandit army was thrown into chaos, unable to support each other!"
Upon hearing this, everyone couldn't help but smile, and the stone weighing on Zhang Chen's heart finally lifted.
Gao Shun continued, "My subordinates also ordered the Soldiers of the Trapped Camp to unleash a volley of arrows, instantly causing countless casualties among the enemy. The leading General, seeing the unfavorable situation, hastily ordered a retreat. The bandit army abandoned their armor and weapons, fleeing in disarray. Military equipment and horses were scattered everywhere. My subordinates have already ordered them to be collected and brought back one by one. In this battle, our army killed over two thousand enemies, captured eight hundred sets of armor, five hundred warhorses, and countless supplies and provisions!"
"Good! General Gao has achieved a great victory in the first battle, raising the prestige of our Guangping County army! We should commend him!"
Zhang Chen praised him, but secretly began to ponder.
With this victory, Yu Du had lost Soldiers and Generals, and his morale must be greatly damaged. He needed time to reorganize his army, boost morale, and surely would not dare to attack again within a day or two.
And this, precisely, gave him an opportunity.
An idea gradually formed in Zhang Chen's mind.
After the initial joy, Ju Shou spoke again, "Lord, although our army has won a battle, Yu Du still has several thousand troops. We must not be careless."
Qu Yi said, "Brother Zhang, don't worry. Brother Qu has not yet repaid you for the kindness of the grain you bestowed. If that audacious bandit dares to come this time, I will certainly let him witness the might of the First to Ascend Camp!"
Zhang Chen nodded and said, "With Brother Qu's words, I have no worries."
After speaking, Zhang Chen said to everyone, "To be frank, I already have a plan in mind and would like to ask for your input."
Upon hearing this, Ju Shou slightly raised his eyes and looked at Zhang Chen, his gaze seemingly containing a hint of respect.
He hadn't expected that the Lord not only possessed extraordinary vision but also outstanding strategic brilliance.
How fortunate it was to serve under such a remarkable Lord in this world?
Immediately, Ju Shou bowed and said, "We are eager to hear Your Lordship's plan."
Zhang Chen nodded and said, "Today, the bandit army suffered losses in Soldiers and Generals due to my ambush plan. At this moment, they must be exhausted and their morale greatly diminished. Why not seize this opportunity to lead the army and raid their camp? We are sure to achieve a great victory!"
"Your Lordship's plan is excellent, but what if the enemy is prepared after just losing a battle?" Ju Shou, being cautious, immediately voiced his concern.
"I don't think so." Gao Shun said, "Today, the bandit army entered the valley without any precautions, which shows that there are no capable people among them. How could a few bandit Generals, who are brave but witless, anticipate that our army would go to raid their camp?"
After speaking, Gao Shun immediately bowed and said, "Your subordinate is willing to lead the army. If I cannot achieve victory, I am willing to offer my head!"
Zhang Chen smiled slightly and said, "Xiaofu, you are a bit too greedy. How can you take all the credit for yourself?"
After speaking, Zhang Chen said to everyone, "For this battle, I will personally lead the army."
"Absolutely not!" Everyone exclaimed in unison.
"Oh? Why not?"
Ju Shou hastily said, "As the Lord of a county, how can you expose yourself to danger? If anything were to happen, we would regret it endlessly."
"If I send you and something happens, I would also regret it endlessly." Zhang Chen looked at Ju Shou and said seriously, "Since I have decided on this plan, I am absolutely confident. If I didn't understand the bandit Generals deeply, how would I dare to expose myself? Gongyu, there's no need to worry."
Gao Shun added, "If Your Lordship goes, please allow your subordinate to accompany you, so I can look out for you."
"Xiaofu just fought a battle today. It's better for you to stay in the city and help Gongyu with the defense." Zhang Chen said, then walked up to Pan Feng and bowed, saying, "General Pan, are you willing to fight alongside Zifan?"
Upon hearing this, Pan Feng looked at Zhang Chen's earnest gaze and couldn't help but feel solemn. He immediately cupped his fists and said,
"Thank you for your Lordship's favor. How could I not obey? I, Pan, am willing to go."
Zhang Chen nodded, then went to Qu Yi and said, "Brother Qu, in today's battle, five hundred Brothers from the Trapped Camp were deployed. Now they are exhausted and not suitable for further combat. Brother, could you lend me three hundred First to Ascend Camp Soldiers to fight alongside the remaining two hundred Halberdiers?"
"Haha, it's a trivial matter, what's difficult about it?" Qu Yi laughed heartily and called out from outside the tent, "Gao Ming!"
A junior officer walked into the tent from outside and bowed to everyone, "Your subordinate pays respects to the General, pays respects to Lord Zhang."
Qu Yi said, "Brother, Gao Ming is my deputy. He has followed me for many years. Let him lead the army and go with you."
Zhang Chen subtly sized up the junior officer and couldn't help but widen his eyes, drawing a sharp breath.
【Name: Gao Ming】
【Attributes: First to Ascend Soldiers (Purple), Divine Archer (Gold), Loyal to Master (Blue)】
【First to Ascend Soldiers (Purple)】: As a member of the First to Ascend Camp, 'breaking the enemy lines first in battle' is your motto. (Wields twin powerful crossbows, three arrows per shot, targets hit will surely fall. Against light cavalry and Hu cavalry type units, attack power and burst power are greatly increased. Unit Type: Archer)
【Divine Archer (Gold)】: You are skilled in bows and crossbows, hitting targets accurately from a hundred paces, with no wasted arrows. (Bow range slightly increased, accuracy greatly increased)
【Loyal to Master (Blue)】: You are a loyal and righteous person, willing to follow only one Lord in your life. Even if forced to switch allegiance to another, you will not truly serve them. (Loyalty greatly increased. If forced to switch allegiance, attack power, defense, and burst power are greatly weakened.)
He hadn't expected that an unknown junior officer in the First to Ascend Camp would actually possess such incredible attributes!
Zhang Chen couldn't help but be greatly amazed.
However, the third attribute made Zhang Chen slightly silent.
【Loyal to Master】 is a Blue attribute, one level lower than Gao Shun's 【Unparalleled Loyalty】.
【Unparalleled Loyalty】's effect is that once a master is recognized, they will never betray. Historically, Gao Shun recognized Lü Bu as his master. When Lü Bu was defeated and perished, he died calmly without uttering a word, truly embodying the name of loyalty!
And 【Loyal to Master】's effect is that even if forced to switch allegiance, they will not truly serve. Historically, after Yuan Shao killed Qu Yi and absorbed his troops, the First to Ascend Camp did not achieve any notable battle records until Yuan Shao's defeat and demise.
Perhaps the First to Ascend Camp was interpreting loyalty in another way.
Such loyal and righteous individuals are rare in this world!
Zhang Chen couldn't help but sigh inwardly. In this life, he must subdue Qu Yi and let the First to Ascend Camp shine brightly!
"Brother, what do you think of this arrangement? Gao Ming has considerable prestige in the First to Ascend Camp. With him by your side, commands and deployments will surely be smooth."
"Brother Qu's consideration is thorough, this is excellent." Zhang Chen said, then turned and cupped his fists towards Pan Feng and Gao Ming, saying, "For this battle, I will trouble you two Generals."