ATPnovel Chapter 36 Catching a turtle in a jar? The turtle has arrived, but the one who caught it is gone!
Chapter 36 Catching a turtle in a jar? The turtle has arrived, but the one who caught it is gone!
As the sun gradually set, golden sunlight spilled onto the glazed tiles of the palace, but it could not dispel the somber atmosphere.
General Huo Zhong personally led 10,000 imperial guards to line up in the square in front of the palace.
Their armor gleamed in the sunlight, and their spears formed a forest, creating an imposing sight.
However, judging solely from their imposing presence, the Western Frontier elite cavalry, numbering only 2,500, was far more formidable!
Behind Prince Su, Gu Suyue, stood the elite cavalry of the Western Frontier, a black torrent of steel, their long swords gleaming coldly, their eyes filled with murderous intent.
Zhou Qing and Li Hu each led a group of elite soldiers to be stationed on both sides, armed with bows and crossbows, ready to launch an attack at any time!
"kill!"
With a roar from Prince Su, Gu Suyue, the iron cavalry of the Western Frontier charged towards the Imperial Guards like arrows released from a bow.
They moved with incredible speed, reaching the Imperial Guards' lines in the blink of an eye.
With long swords flashing and blood splattering, the Imperial Guards' formation was instantly broken.
"Release the arrows!"
Zhou Qing and Li Hu calmly directed the archers from the outside.
Instantly, a rain of arrows flew towards the Imperial Guards like locusts.
Although the Imperial Guards fought valiantly, they gradually found themselves on the defensive under the fierce attack of Prince Su's army.
General Huo Zhong brandished his broadsword, fiercely hacking and slashing at the rebel soldiers who charged forward.
His body was covered in blood, but he showed no sign of backing down, because he knew that if he lost, not only would the emperor be finished, but he himself would most likely not have a good end either!
Therefore, helping His Majesty resist Prince Su is actually saving one's own life!
How could he not do his utmost?
"Brothers, for His Majesty, for the Great Liang, kill!"
General Huo Zhong shouted loudly, encouraging the soldiers around him.
Inspired by General Li, the Imperial Guards rallied and engaged in fierce fighting with Prince Su's army.
In the square, swords clashed and shouts of battle filled the air.
Blood stained the ground, and corpses piled up like mountains!
The battle lasted for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, and then... the Imperial Guards began to falter!
"General, let's retreat quickly! If we don't, we won't be able to escape!"
A commander, covered in blood, stumbled through the smoke and ran to Huo Zhong's side.
His armor had long been shattered by swords and blades, and his left arm hung limply, clearly severed. Blood dripped from his fingertips onto the scorched earth, instantly swallowed by the dust.
His voice was hoarse, like sandpaper scraping, and every word seemed to be squeezed out of his chest...
Huo Zhong did not turn his head to look at the commander.
This pillar of the Great Liang Dynasty, the Great General who protects the country, is standing in the square in front of the imperial city, staring intently at the black torrent in front of him with his turbid yet sharp eyes.
Those are the elite cavalry of Prince Su, Gu Suyue, from the Western Frontier!
At this moment, they were like a pack of wolves that had smelled blood, and after a brief rest, they launched another attack.
"Kill! Kill! Kill!"
The deafening shouts of battle converged into an invisible giant wave, crashing towards us.
Huo Zhong's knuckles turned white from gripping the sword hilt so tightly.
He was waiting, waiting for an opportunity—an opportunity to lure this greedy wolf into a trap!
But he also knew that this opportunity was fleeting. If they didn't seize it and aroused the suspicion of the Prince of Su, they would face utter ruin!
"Sound the retreat! Withdraw to the capital!"
After a long silence, General Huo Zhong, feeling that the time was right, finally gave the order.
"Clang—clang—clang—"
The sharp, piercing sound of the gong instantly echoed across the square.
The Imperial Guard, already exhausted and on the verge of collapse, felt as if they had been granted a pardon upon hearing the order to retreat.
They ceased fighting and, while desperately parrying the arrows raining down upon them, dragged their heavy steps and barely maintained order as they retreated toward the heavy palace gate behind them.
"Kill! Don't let them escape! Take the palace, and everyone will be ennobled!"
Prince Su, Gu Suyue, rode a tall horse, his long sword pointing straight to the sky, his face filled with fervor and excitement.
He watched the Imperial Guards retreat like a receding tide, his eyes filled with contempt and disdain.
In his view, Huo Zhong, that old dog, was nothing more than a dying struggle, trying to rely on the high walls of the imperial city for a final desperate fight.
Once Gu Suyue breaks down the gates of the palace, the entire Daliang will belong to him!
At that time, all this beautiful land will prostrate itself at his feet!
"Zhou Qing! Li Hu! Encircle them from both flanks! Leave no one alive!"
Prince Su reined in his horse and shouted sharply, his voice revealing a ruthless and resolute tone.
"yes!"
The two deputy generals responded in unison, and then each led their elite soldiers in a rapid charge, like two sharp scissors, intending to completely annihilate the retreating imperial guards.
Huo Zhong's expression was solemn as he directed the retreating troops while glancing at the flanking maneuvers from both sides.
His mind raced, calculating the distance, time, and troop strength.
Then, just as General Huo Zhong had predicted, the elite cavalry of the Western Frontier took advantage of the chaos of the Imperial Guards' retreat and launched a surprise attack. Without hesitation, they stormed into the palace through the open gates.
"Withdraw! Withdraw! Withdraw!"
While feigning anxiety and roaring, Huo Zhong led the routed soldiers, guiding the Western Frontier troops to flee in a specific direction!
His tactical intention was very clear: to lure this fierce torrent into a pre-planned "pocket".
According to his plan, when the elite cavalry of the Western Frontier penetrated deep into the heart of the palace and entered the narrow area he secretly named "Wengcheng," the archers ambushed on both sides of the city walls would unleash a volley of arrows, killing all the pursuers.
This is what military strategy calls "catching a turtle in a jar"!
However, when Huo Zhong led his troops into the anticipated ambush, his battle-hardened heart sank suddenly.
The surroundings were quiet; apart from the sound of the wind and the heavy breathing of their own soldiers, there was no sound of any ambushers.
The expected scene of arrows raining down did not occur!
Huo Zhong was furious, and an ominous premonition instantly enveloped his heart.
He looked around sharply, but saw no sign of any ambushers.
"Could it be that the generals lying in ambush were cowardly? Or were they infiltrated beforehand by spies from Prince Su?"
Before General Huo Zhong could think further, the elite cavalry from the Western Frontier surged in like a tidal wave, their sharp sabers gleaming with a deathly light in the sunlight.
Huo Zhong made a decisive move, abandoning the original plan and leading the remaining personal guards and imperial troops in a retreating retreat towards the Emperor's sleeping quarters.
That's the heart of the palace, and the last line of defense!
During the retreat, a messenger covered in blood stumbled towards them, his face filled with disbelief and panic.