Whether it was the nearly 10,000 Yi Province Militia rushing to Linwen County, or the people of Linwen County evacuating.
Such a commotion couldn't be kept secret.
Mount Liang would definitely have spies stationed near Yi Prefecture City and Linwen County to gather intelligence at any time.
Wu Shuangren led his men out of Yi Prefecture City during the day, and arrived in Linwen County on the evening of the following day.
It's fine during the day.
Under the cover of night, scouts could only estimate the number of people by observing the torches carried into the city from a distance.
So Wu Shuangren had Yan Bin secretly lead the Militia Private who had entered the city out of the city again, taking a side path to the rear of the column.
This cycle was repeated to create the illusion that a large army was continuously entering the city.
This plan was told to Wu Shuangren by Guo Jiwang.
Although the other party was furious, they still offered Wu Shuangren advice and devised a series of action plans for the next step.
"The first step should be considered complete, let's go."
Wu Shuangren turned around and walked down the city wall.
That night, on the official road less than twenty miles from Linwen County.
Mount Liang vanguard army's camps stretched out in a continuous line.
The Mount Liang expedition involved more than 15,000 people, but of course, it was impossible for everyone to act together.
The strategist Wu Yan dispatched a vanguard force of over three thousand men, which separated from the main force by half a day.
The vanguard was commanded by Yan Xiaobing, a trusted confidant of Lu Yulin.
He was handsome, with skin as fair as a woman's, and skilled in disguise; if he dressed as a woman, he would be indistinguishable from the real thing!
Of course, Yan Xiaobing's ability to become the vanguard commander was not based on his appearance.
He himself was First Rate top-notch expert, knowledgeable in military strategy, and skilled in leading troops into battle.
In addition, he was meticulous and cautious in his actions, so Wu Yan appointed him as the commander of the vanguard army.
Inside the tent, Yan Xiaobing sat at the head of the table, fiddling with a copper coin in his hand.
Lin Qian sat on the left, wearing ordinary clothes.
Zhigang was not wearing armor, and his right arm was still in a sling.
Liang An stood in front of the brazier, poking at the fire with a thin stick; the firelight cast flickering shadows on his thin face.
This vanguard force actually includes four First Rate experts, including Lin Qian, a First Rank powerhouse!
The reason there were so many experts was to prevent Wu Shuangren from ambushing them in advance, just like last time.
Or rather, these people were waiting for Wu Shuangren to attack!
This was a strategy devised by strategist Wu Yan.
He believed that Wu Shuangren had tasted success last time and was likely to repeat the same trick this time, so the vanguard of more than 3,000 people was both bait and a trap!
During this march, Lin Qian and the others dressed the same as the other soldiers and blended into the crowd.
Even with spies secretly observing, it would be difficult to determine just how many skilled individuals were hidden within this team.
"Report!"
A sound suddenly came from outside the tent.
Yan Xiaobing stopped spinning the copper coin in his hand. "Come in."
Soon, a scout entered the tent, bowed to the four chieftains in turn, and then said:
"Wu Shuangren led over nine thousand Yi Province Militia into Linwen County Seat!"
156. Holding bow and spear, the vanguard did not advance.
"More than nine thousand people?"
Inside the tent, Yan Xiaobing was somewhat surprised to hear this. "He brought all the troops from the Yi Province Militia?"
After their defeat in Yi Province, Mount Liang would naturally pay even closer attention to gathering intelligence about the Yi Province there.
Wu Shuangren's establishment of the Yi Province Militia was such a big commotion that Mount Liang already knew about it.
Liang An tossed aside the thin stick in his hand and looked at the scout who had come in to report, "Are you sure you didn't see wrong? Was it Wu Shuangren personally leading the team? Leading more than nine thousand men into the county town?"
The scout looked at Liang An: "Master Liang, the brothers in Yi Prefecture City reported that they personally witnessed Wu Shuangren leading over nine thousand men out of Yi Prefecture City. My subordinate and another brother have also been guarding Linwen County and witnessed over nine thousand men entering the county town."
Yan Xiaobing said to the scout, "You've done a good job. Go and collect your reward."
The scout bowed in thanks and left the tent.
Liang An continued, "Wu Shuangren abandoned Yi Prefecture City and brought everyone to defend a county town. What is he planning? Does he intend to face our army head-on in the open field?"
Yan Xiaobing laughed, "His Yi Province Militia, apart from the Bo County militia under his command, is nothing but a rabble. They've only been training together for less than half a month. How much fighting power can they possibly have? The Mount Liang forces we've sent this time are all elites. If he thinks he can achieve another great victory like last time, he's just too stupid!"
Lin Qian, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up, "Wu Shuangren is no arrogant fool who has achieved what he has at the age of eighteen. The things he did before, which seemed arrogant, were actually carefully planned."
"Good."
Liang An nodded in agreement, "The ambush on the official road was meticulously planned at every step. The positions and timing of each ambush team's attacks were just right; otherwise, such astonishing results wouldn't have been achieved. Yi Prefecture City, he was also well-prepared, luring us out to rescue people step by step. Later, when he led a dozen men in a night raid, it was equally targeted. Every attack, retreat, including dealing with the pursuit of our top fighters, and finally provoking Ciwen into a one-on-one duel—thinking back on these details carefully, he had calculated every single step!"
Zhigang also spoke up, "Brother Liang is right. Rather than calling this man a madman, it's more accurate to call him a gambler. Bold! But also meticulous. I just wonder what he's betting on this time, leading the entire Yi Province Militia to place a bet?"
As Yan Xiaobing listened to the three men talking about Wu Shuangren, his smile faded, and he said seriously, "Your reminders are correct. I will never underestimate Wu Shuangren."
Liang An looked at him. "You are the commander-in-chief, what are your plans next?"
Yan Xiaobing pondered for a moment, "Let's slow down and wait for the main force behind us."
If they were to march normally, their vanguard would arrive in Linwen County before noon tomorrow.
The main force of Mount Liang should arrive by tomorrow night at the latest.
When Yan Xiaobing told him to slow down, Zhigang nodded.
This is a mature and prudent choice.
Whether Wu Shuangren truly intended to lead the Yi Province Militia in a decisive battle against them in the wilderness, or whether he had prepared some kind of trap, as long as they didn't stray too far from the main force behind them, they would always have a way out.
Liang An frowned and said, "But the people of Linwen County have already evacuated. If we slow down any further, we might not be able to complete our mission."
The vanguard's missions typically include reconnaissance, probing the enemy's strengths and weaknesses, surveying the terrain, and seizing advantageous positions.
Wu Yan dispatched Yan Xiaobing and others to lead the vanguard, with the main task being to reach Linwen County first, capture the county seat, and arrest as many civilians as possible!
Next, we need to attack Yi Prefecture City. If we don't have enough civilians to serve as cannon fodder, then we'll have to use the surrendered local militia and villagers as cannon fodder.
Yan Xiaobing said solemnly, "No one could have predicted that Wu Shuangren would bring the entire Yi Province Militia to Linwen County. Now that he's stationed there with his troops, we can't pursue the fleeing civilians. I will report this to the Grand Marshal and the Military Advisor; they probably won't punish us for it."
Lin Qian's expression relaxed.
He felt relieved not because he wouldn't be punished, but because he didn't have to lead a group to arrest the people of Linwen County.
"You say..."
Lin Qian's heart skipped a beat, and he suddenly asked, "Could it be that Wu Shuangren brought the entire Yi Province Militia to Linwen County this time to cover the evacuation of the people of Linwen County?"
The tent fell silent; everyone was stunned.
Yan Xiaobing laughed first, then shook his head. "How could that be?"
Liang An laughed along, "He's quite a figure now, how could he be so unwise?"
Zhigang didn't speak, but judging from his expression, he clearly didn't quite believe it either.
Lin Qian pursed his lips.
"Instructor Lin, he must have other plans. We should be careful."
Yan Xiaobing concluded.
Lin Qian bowed his head in response, then turned and walked out of the tent.
Under the cover of night, the large banner on Mount Liang that read "Acting on behalf of Heaven" fluttered in the mountain wind.
The moonlight was not bright tonight; even with Lin Qian's First Rank expert's eyesight, the four characters on the flag were too dark to be seen from afar.
Lin Qian stood there, gazing at the flag in the distance for a long, long time.
The next morning, just as dawn was breaking.
Wu Shuangren led more than 300 cavalrymen out of Linwen County and headed north along the official road.
He wants to take the initiative to meet the vanguard of Mount Liang!
Although he said he had chosen the worst option this time, it didn't mean he would lead his men to fight the Mount Liang army head-on.
As he told the others in the meeting before setting off, the main task this time was to buy time, not to confront Mount Liang head-on.
Therefore, last night, we misled the Mount Liang people into believing that we had brought all our troops into Linwen County. This was the first step in deceiving the enemy.
"Nine thousand men, and you're leading them personally. No matter who leads the Mount Liang army, this vanguard will definitely slow down and won't dare to charge headlong into the enemy lines."
Wu Shuangren recalled the words Guo Jiwang had said to him before he left.
"Make the illusion appear real, and the real appear illusory. If you want the enemy to believe that you have truly brought nine thousand men to Linwen County, every step you take must conform to this logic, gradually deepening the enemy's suspicions."
Wu Shuangren is now leading his personal guard and cavalry, and it looks like he's going to attack the vanguard of Mount Liang!
This was the second step of Guo Jiwang's plan for him.
Wu Shuangren rode his Thunder Treader at the head of the group, with Xu Yu close behind.
Xu Jing, Wu Dongrong, Liao Yu, and Xu Nanzhi all came along.
Xu Nanzhi changed into riding clothes, carried an ordinary iron sword, and had a calm expression, showing no sign of nervousness.
Wu Dongrong and Liao Yu were on the left and right respectively, riding at a moderate pace, their bodies rising and falling with the horse's back, as if they were born on the horse's back.
Large fields stretched out on both sides of the official road, with morning mist floating close to the ground.
The group had only run a few miles when several small black dots appeared ahead.
Wu Shuangren narrowed his eyes and quickly recognized that they were five riders, whose armor plates were still reflective.
"They must be scouts from Mount Liang."
Wu Shuangren said.
They saw them from the opposite side, and the five riders reined in their horses, turned around, and fled.
Liao Yu suddenly revealed an excited expression and said to Wu Shuangren, "I'll go and kill them!"
Before he could finish speaking, he had already spurred his horse and galloped off.
Wu Dongrong remained silent and spurred his horse to catch up.
Just as Wu Shuangren was about to urge his horse on, Xu Nanzhi whispered from the side, "Don't worry."
Still feeling uneasy, Wu Shuangren spurred his horse and followed behind the two.
Wu Dongrong and Liao Yu rode their horses faster and faster, like two knives piercing the morning mist.
Liao Yu led the way, with Wu Dongrong trailing slightly behind by half a horse length. They were riding fine steeds that Wu Shuangren had selected from the captured warhorses, which were superior to the mounts of the Mount Liang scouts.
Both men were wearing lamellar armor, and bows and arrows were hanging from their saddles.
Liao Yu's main weapon, hanging on his saddle, was a lance nearly ten feet long.
The main weapon hanging on Wu Dongrong's saddle was even more conspicuous; it was a long spear that he had specially asked Wu Shuangren to find for him from the armory!
The spear is a weapon that is over four meters long and weighs nearly twenty kilograms. Its manufacturing process is extremely complex, and it often takes several years to make one spear.
Therefore, the lance was not widely used on the battlefield; it was usually used by extremely skilled cavalrymen or cavalry generals.
Some military families would even pass down a good long spear as a family heirloom, from generation to generation.
There were only two long spears in the armory of Yi Prefecture City, and Wu Shuangren took one out and gave it to Wu Dongrong.
Wu Dongrong and Liao Yu were skilled riders, and their mounts were better than each other's, so they quickly closed the distance between them.