Chapter 2721 Ambush

General Ashina waited until they had destroyed checkpoints along the way and chased the enemy troops to a position thirty li away before taking action. He then dispatched two small cavalry units, instructing, “Capture their scouts, kill them if necessary.”

He also sent a small team to guard the road junction, saying, “Under no circumstances should their scouts return before us.”

“Understood.”

Only then did General Ashina lead the men, who had been hidden in the forest, to strike, directly blocking two thousand enemy troops inside.

The Goguryeo scouts trailing the army, eager to observe the battle situation, were shocked, their eyes widening in surprise. They quickly dismounted, hunkered down with their horses, and waited until Ashina’s forces had passed before trying to warn the Second Prince, but were intercepted as soon as they emerged.

Their faces changed, they turned back and saw behind them several riders blocking their retreat…

General Ashina and his men were extremely distressed, having been cooped up in the forest for four whole days.

Truthfully, it was very uncomfortable; the food was bad, the water supply was inadequate, forcing them to drink it sparingly. They couldn’t light fires, and it was cold at night, so three of them had to share one blanket. Even if they fell ill, they could only take pills provided by the medical tent, swallowing them with cold water…

If they stayed hidden for two more days, they wouldn’t hold out, their provisions almost depleted…

So when they emerged, they were like mad dogs unleashed after being locked up for half a year, charging out excitedly with war cries, piercing into the enemy from behind…

Behind them were infantry, who had no time to turn and defend, and when the cavalry at the front came to assist, they were blocked by over a thousand infantry, unable to offer help, causing the ranks to collapse instantly.

This was as they engaged in combat.

The Goguryeo commanding officer felt immense anguish, shouting for his infantry to retreat to the sides and enter the forest.

The cavalry also needed to depart on open ground; once inside the forest, victory or defeat was uncertain.

But at this moment, everyone was panicked, and with sounds of killing and cries echoing everywhere, who still had the presence of mind to listen to his commands?

The collapsing army fled as though a mountain fell, and even if they had five hundred cavalry, once combat began, their morale was far inferior, not to mention the foreign soldiers fought fiercely. Before sunset, General Ashina gained control of the situation.

He surrounded the troops, trying to consolidate control, and finally only a dozen or so scattered, while the rest were either killed in battle or kneeling in surrender.

“General, should we pursue the ones who fled?”

General Ashina shook his head, “We don’t have enough forces to chase them down. Just have our men guard the road junction to prevent them from heading to Anshi City, at least until we reach Anshi City.”

“Understood.”

The commander then led a team of men and horses away.

General Ashina gestured for the defeated troops to remove their armor completely, and for those without armor, to take off their clothes.

Xue Gui led a contingent swiftly from Liaodong City. Seeing him, General Ashina gestured, “These are the defeated troops, escort them back.”

Xue Gui, briefly taken aback, then said, “Please, General, allow me to join in the city assault, as I was originally the vanguard.”

General Ashina slightly frowned, “These people cannot be left unchecked. If they return to Anshi City before our forces arrive, our previous efforts will be in vain.”

“General, their horses have been confiscated; even at top speed, they won’t be faster than us. Besides, we can confine them by drawing boundaries. I see them terrified, and without guards, few would dare escape.”

Ashina pondered.

Xue Gui knelt and said, “I wish to be the vanguard, please grant me this, General.”

General Ashina nodded, “Very well.”

He glanced at the time and instructed him, “It’s still early; reform them into squads for mutual supervision.”

“Understood.”

General Ashina executed all Goguryeo officers of hundred-man rank or higher, scaring the rest so much that their faces turned pale, and they lowered their heads deeply.

Xue Gui stepped forward, saying, “These individuals refused to obey the rule of the superior country, and their deaths are not lamented. You all are different from them. The Emperor is benevolent, and the General is also merciful, allowing you to surrender at Liaodong City. As a sign of trust, we won’t send soldiers to escort you; you must go on your own.”

He continued, “Now, regroup into squads. Ten men form a small squad, ten small squads a main squad, supervising each other. Tonight you may rest here, and at dawn, commence your journey to Liaodong City. If anyone escapes, the small squad will be punished, as will the main squad, but those who report it will be rewarded.”

Xue Gui emphasized repeatedly, “Remember, no one is allowed to leave tonight; otherwise, you will all be treated as deserters. You may set out only after dawn. Understood?”

Trembling with fear, the crowd accepted, then began forming small and main squads. Xue Gui and his men designated leaders for each, even pretending to record names with a brush.

General Ashina watched briefly, then turned away, instructing his subordinates to camp at a location further away.

As darkness enveloped the sky, everyone began to change into Goguryeo military attire under the cover of night and trees.

General Ashina ordered, “Have them tie cloth strips and keep them hidden in their sleeves. Reveal them only when we strike, and don’t expose yourselves prematurely.”

“Understood.” The deputy glanced at the other side, whispering, “General, should they really join us?”

General Ashina nodded slightly, “Xue Gui is quite courageous. Since he is willing to be the vanguard, we shall use him.”

General Ashina had only a thousand men, while Xue Gui brought two thousand cavalry, dispatched by the Emperor as vanguard upon receiving news, with the main force trailing behind.

Their pace was slower, not only due to the larger numbers but because they included infantry. General Ashina wasn’t sure of the Emperor’s arrangements, but the journey itself would take a considerable time.

There was a significant distance between Liaodong City and Anshi City, and it was only by pushing hard that they arrived before nightfall.

The main forces, even if they set off immediately, probably wouldn’t arrive until almost dawn.

General Ashina calculated the time, estimating based on his understanding of the Emperor that they might arrive in the second half of the night.

But they certainly couldn’t wait until late at night. Second Prince Gao only allowed a forty li advance. Even if they encountered an ambush, they should return by midnight, or else suspicions might arise.

General Ashina’s heart raced with excitement and anticipation. If they could breach the city gates, they needed to hold for at least two hours until reinforcements could arrive.

A quick glance at Xue Gui revealed why he agreed to let Xue Gui be the vanguard and left no one guarding the captives, choosing instead to enclose them with boundaries.

General Ashina’s insight proved correct. As soon as the Emperor received word from the scouts, he promptly dispatched Xue Gui with two thousand cavalry as reinforcements, then convened an assembly for discussion.

Ultimately, Qi Bi Heli was tasked with leading twenty thousand troops forward, while the rest remained to protect the rear with the baggage and supplies.

Qi Bi Heli requested that a portion of the medical team accompany them, so the Emperor immediately assigned Zhou Man to join.