ATPnovel Chapter 25 Fortune Lies in Peril?
Chapter 25 Fortune Lies in Peril?
These old subordinates had only been gone for a few days when this strange caravan appeared here.
Even more coincidentally, they hit Wang Guodong's weakness right on the spot, which is highly likely to be a problem.
At least, Han Xiujing couldn't believe that such a huge pie had fallen so easily into Wang Guodong's lap.
Upon hearing the magistrate's words, the scout was taken aback, but after a moment's thought, he quickly bowed, clasped his hands in greeting, and said loudly, "Yes, sir!"
But just as he turned to leave, Wang Guodong suddenly raised his hand and shouted in a deep voice, "Wait!"
"General!"
Han Xiujing's heart clenched, and he immediately stepped forward, speaking with deep concern.
He knew Wang Guodong's temperament all too well. This man was known for his audacity and a stubbornness that bordered on greed. He was afraid that the general might act rashly and disregard the patriarch's orders, doing something he would regret later.
"Magistrate Han need not worry,"
Wang Guodong's gaze, however, was unusually clear, without a trace of impatience, and his tone was very firm.
"Although I admit to being greedy, I'm not so foolish as to walk right into a trap. If they can set a snare to lure me out of the city, I can turn the tables on them and make them lose more than they gain!"
Even though Wang Guodong spoke with absolute certainty, Han Xiujing's heart still jumped. He didn't even bother to ask Wang Guodong about his specific plan; he just urgently offered his advice.
"General, the patriarch has given strict orders: simply hold Changyang County and avoid causing unnecessary trouble, lest unexpected situations arise!"
"Haha, Magistrate Han, you are mistaken."
A ruthless yet greedy smile suddenly appeared on Wang Guodong's lips.
"Just as Brother Han said, this suddenly appearing caravan is a bait set by the King of Laiyang. But since the scouts have reported that the caravan is fully loaded with goods, it may be their logistical support."
"This time, I will make that King of Laiyang pay with grain and gold, and lose thousands of soldiers, so that they will know the might of my Changyang garrison and dare not even think of sending new troops to invade again!"
Wang Guodong's thinking was simple: if the caravan was indeed a group of men from Laiyang in disguise, he could seize the full load of goods to replenish the treasury and make up for the recent shortage of military pay.
Even if it was a trap set by the King of Laiyang to lure the enemy, he could turn the tables and set up an ambush in advance, thus thwarting the enemy's plan and seizing the supplies. It was truly a brilliant scheme to kill two birds with one stone.
One hour later.
Five thousand elite armored soldiers had assembled, their helmets gleaming, their spears and halberds like a forest, standing menacingly on the training ground.
At this moment, Wang Guodong was wearing heavy black iron armor, with a sword at his waist and a long spear in his hand. He looked sharply at the short-bearded general beside him who was burly and wielding a nine-ringed broadsword.
"General Zhao, although you are not my direct subordinate, you have always been brave and decisive, disciplined your troops strictly, and are absolutely loyal to the patriarch."
"If I succeed in my mission outside the city, all will be well. But if we encounter an ambush, you must remember this: never open the gates of Changyang before I am seen!"
"Even if you die on the battlefield, you must defend Changyang to the death and protect the family head's money bag in Laiyang. Don't let the King of Laiyang set foot in the city!" Wang Guodong earnestly instructed.
This general surnamed Zhao, named Zhao Qiao, and his family had followed the Han family for generations, and were absolutely loyal. Moreover, his two sons served as personal guards under the Han family patriarch, attending to him day and night.
His loyalty was beyond doubt. After all, if he dared to have any disloyalty, his two sons who were in the central army would be the first to suffer, and the entire Zhao family would also end up with their heads separated from their bodies.
After all, the Han family is basically a local tyrant now.
"General Wang!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Qiao's face showed worry. He stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and volunteered, "This humble general is willing to go out of the city and risk danger in place of the general. You should stay in Changyang, safeguard the rear, and oversee the overall situation!"
"Haha, you're mistaken!"
Wang Guodong laughed loudly and reached out to help Zhao Qiao up. "If the Prince of Laiyang has truly set up an ambush, he's targeting me, this big fish. I am the garrison commander of Changyang. If I don't go, they will definitely become suspicious, and this battle will be meaningless!"
"General, since you know how dangerous it is, why do you risk your life?"
Han Xiujing, standing to the side, was so anxious that sweat beaded on his forehead and his temples were soaked with sweat. This was the umpteenth time he had tried to persuade Wang Guodong, but Wang Guodong's mind was made up and he wouldn't listen to a word of advice.
He was ultimately a civil official, and although he had the authority to serve as an advisor to the army, he was no match for Wang Guodong, who held military power, when it came to making military decisions.
In desperation, all he could do was patiently and repeatedly try to persuade the general to change his mind.
At this moment, he even had an impulse to send someone on horseback to consult Han Junfeng, the head of the Han family, who was hundreds of miles away.
But the key issue is that distant water can't quench immediate thirst.
By the time he sends someone over, it will probably be too late.
"Magistrate Han, please rest assured!"
Wang Guodong patted him on the shoulder and said confidently, "Now that caravan has penetrated deep into the jurisdiction of my Changyang County, even if there are ambushes around, they would never dare to mobilize a large force. At most, there would be one or two thousand men, nothing to fear!"
Although Wang Guodong's plan seemed meticulous, Han Xiujing's heart remained heavy, as if a huge rock was pressing down on it.
The Prince of Laiyang is no ordinary person; otherwise, the Empress's family would not have been targeting him all these years.
Moreover, even so, he is still alive and well, which shows that this person is not simple.
Since he dared to devise such a plan, how could he not have prepared a backup plan?
Perhaps they have already laid a trap in the shadows, just waiting for Wang Guodong to walk right into it. Compared to such a risky attack, he believes in a more prudent strategy of defending the territory and remaining calm while waiting for the right moment to act, seeking no merit but avoiding mistakes.
Upon seeing this, Wang Guodong's lips curled up slightly, and then he patted the sword at his waist.
"Magistrate Han, what military campaign doesn't involve risks? Fortune favors the bold. If we win this battle, our army will be relieved of our immediate crisis! I will go quickly and return in no more than three hours. You and General Zhao, one a civil official and the other a military commander, will guard Changyang together, and I will have no more worries!"
"General Guodong!" Han Xiujing wanted to say something more to persuade him, but before he could say anything, Wang Guodong decisively waved his hand to interrupt him.
His anxiety, like an ant on a hot pan, stemmed not only from his fear of losing troops and generals and the financial treasure of Changyang, but also from the fact that Wang Guodong was a rare and highly regarded general under the patriarch.
If anything were to happen to Wang Guodong, even if he miraculously survived, his future as the magistrate of Changyang County would be bleak, and he might even be accused of missing a crucial opportunity in the war.
After all, compared to Wang Guodong, who was capable of leading troops into battle, he, a civil official who only knew how to write and paint, naturally appeared weaker, even though he also had the identity of a member of the Han family.