CHAPTER 53: 53. IMPERIAL COURT DEFEATED (SEEKING CONTINUED READING)

"Heyang Mountain has fifty thousand soldiers and horses..."

"We will act as the vanguard for this frontal assault. All the other rebels should rise and attack in concert with Heyang Mountain, causing chaos among the official soldiers. Next, we at Heyang Mountain will break through the Whitestep Army and Wuyi Army, and head straight for the Palace Front Army of the Forbidden Army..."

Gongyang Yi was the first to speak, and his strategy was not much different from what Xu Xing had told Yao Dang at the time. The only difference in the specific strategy was the addition of some refinements.

Next, he used a Vermilion Brush to draw the marching routes for all the other rebels.

His words were reasoned and well-grounded, demonstrating a deep knowledge of military strategy.

Not all members of the Righteous Army are mediocre; there are talented individuals among them...

No wonder Monk Shang’s power is so much greater than that of these other rebels who rose at the same time...

Gongyang Yi probably deserves most of the credit for this.

Xu Xing observed this and nodded silently.

He spoke for a full half an hour.

Finally, Gongyang Yi stopped speaking. He looked at Xu Xing, a hint of mockery in his eyes, "King Xing Tian, is there anything you would like to add?"

He had already explained all layouts and strategies one by one.

Now, it was Xu Xing’s turn... Even if he possessed vast wisdom, he would probably struggle to present any further brilliant and profound strategies.

Although this victory over Xu Xing felt somewhat unfair... it was his only option.

It was unacceptable to let Mount Siming steal all the limelight. After driving back the Imperial Court Soldiers and distributing rewards, if Mount Siming lacked this strategic contribution, even if it rose to prominence, its momentum would be significantly diminished.

"Mister Gongyang has already explained all the arrangements..."

"If I were to say more, it would merely be echoing others."

Xu Xing stepped back.

He didn’t have any competitive mindset.

What he really wanted were tangible benefits. If Gongyang Yi wanted fame, he would let him have it. Conversely, with Gongyang Yi gaining renown, Xu Xing’s own prominent position would attract less attention.

Moreover, Gongyang Yi truly possessed skill, and Xu Xing had indeed exhausted his ideas on the matter.

"That’s it?"

Gongyang Yi was taken aback, his face changing slightly.

He immediately turned to look at those below the platform, only to see a hint of "contempt" in the eyes of these rebels as they looked at him.

Was it an illusion? Or was it real?

"’Echoing others!’"

Gongyang Yi gritted his teeth.

A considerable portion of the strategy he presented originated from Xu Xing’s plans. Now that he had laid it all out, if Xu Xing had added something afterwards, Gongyang Yi wouldn’t have seemed so prominent. However, with Xu Xing remaining silent, Gongyang Yi found himself in an awkward position, unable to save face. Anyone with discerning eyes could see that Heyang Mountain had stolen Mount Siming’s credit.

Too clever for his own good. Trying to steal a chicken, but losing the rice instead... He secretly resented Monk Shang for suggesting this strategy.

"Since King Xing Tian has nothing to add..." Monk Shang waved Gongyang Yi to step down, his expression solemn. "As no one present has raised any objections, tomorrow’s battle will proceed according to Mister Gongyang’s strategy."

"We obey the Alliance Leader’s command!"

"We obey the Alliance Leader’s command!"

"..."

The 17 Kings in Rebellion echoed in unison.

「...」

The battle silently began.

The army of Heyang Mountain Monk Shang tore through the defensive lines of the Whitestep Army and Wuyi Army, charging towards the Palace Front Army of the Forbidden Army. Simultaneously, the Twelve Banners of Mount Siming, under the command of the Three Great Kings, fiercely engaged the Feijie Army and Baotao Army that were besieging Mount Siming, pinning them down.

Due to Xu Xing’s insidious scheme of buying and selling grain, the conflict between the Local Army and the Forbidden Army had deepened daily.

Now, with the command tent "unoccupied" and in a period of vacancy, there was no one to mediate the conflict between the Local Army and the Forbidden Army. When the Whitestep Army and Wuyi Army discovered that Heyang Mountain’s target was the Palace Front Army of the Forbidden Army, they immediately upheld the ’fine tradition’ of ’when allies are in peril, remain as still as a mountain.’ The generals of these two armies even ordered their forces to retreat twenty miles, leaving the Forbidden Army Camp exposed directly to Heyang Mountain Monk Shang’s army.

And so, a dramatic scene began.

The Hundred Thousand Forbidden Troops, caught unprepared, had their encampment breached directly by the Righteous Army of Heyang Mountain. The Forbidden Army soldiers, having not seen battle for a long time, could not withstand the assault and began a frantic retreat.

「At Daoliang Mountain, in the Military Camp.」

"Big Brother, let’s go too..."

"Third Brother and I have the Feijie Army and Baotao Army pinned down. You lead our forces into the Forbidden Army Camp. Don’t let Heyang Mountain seize all the spoils!"

Seeing the highly favorable situation, the King of Might found King of Sorrow Yao Dang and made his suggestion.

An army in defeat is like a collapsing mountain.

The Local Army was originally a force cobbled together by Wei Wentong. Without the suppressive presence of the Hundred Thousand Forbidden Troops, the Local Army lacked unified command. Even if their fighting strength was not weak, they were merely scattered sand.

"First... let’s ask Fourth Brother if he has any arrangements."

King of Sorrow Yao Dang was about to issue the order when he suddenly remembered that Mount Siming now had a military strategist. So, with a change of mind, he spoke.

"Big Brother!"

"Why ask Fourth Brother..."

The King of Might’s face changed slightly, and he said hurriedly.

"If we have to ask Fourth Brother about everything, then who is truly in command of Mount Siming? You, Big Brother, or Fourth Brother?"

"You heard what happened yesterday, didn’t you? Monk Shang personally invited Fourth Brother to take the high seat, completely ignoring Third Brother," he continued.

The battle had begun, and the situation was critical. King of Sorrow Yao Dang hesitated. He looked at the two sides fighting outside and said, "If we don’t tell Fourth Brother about this, it will inevitably alienate him from us."

It wasn’t that he had developed any deep affection for Xu Xing; rather, he aspired to be an honorable man. If bypassing Xu Xing to issue orders today led to discord among the brothers later, the fault would be his.

"Reporting to the Heavenly King..."

"King Xing Tian has sent a letter, instructing us to proceed to Tiger Soul River and withdraw from the battlefield."

Suddenly, a Messenger Soldier galloped up, dismounted, and knelt on one knee. Holding a letter sealed with an official stamp, he reported.

"Follow Fourth Brother’s instructions! Retreat to Tiger Soul River."

"Avoid combat; do not re-engage in the war."

King of Sorrow Yao Dang immediately gave the order.

"Big Brother!"

Seeing this, the King of Might’s eyes showed deep disappointment. He donned his armor and left the Military Camp.

「...」

By evening, the smoke of battle had gradually dissipated.

King of Sorrow Yao Dang led the Siming Mountain Righteous Army to Tiger Soul River, where they rendezvoused with Xu Xing. Upon seeing Xu Xing, he immediately asked, "Fourth Brother, why did we not seize the Forbidden Army’s supplies and instead retreat to Tiger Soul River? I saw those other rebels have made a fortune!"

"The Forbidden Army has retreated..."

"But the Local Army is still present."

Xu Xing did not hide anything, analyzing the situation, "After plundering the Forbidden Army’s supplies, the Righteous Army will inevitably become complacent and arrogant. The Local Army has been avoiding battle. Seeing this arrogance, the Local Army generals, once they regain their composure, will surely rally their forces to fight the Righteous Army. Firstly, this is to avoid being punished by the Imperial Court. Secondly..."

He paused, then smiled. "Big Brother, do you think the Local Army generals avoided battle simply because the Forbidden Army are allies, Imperial Court troops that, no matter how poor, they couldn’t rob? But... the Righteous Army is different. The Righteous Army is loosely organized. Previously, when they held strong defensive positions, the Local Army could only besiege them, not launch a full assault. But now, the Righteous Army has come out in full force, plundered the Forbidden Army’s wealth, and in doing so, has lost its defensive advantages..."