Chapter 191: Chapter 191: Feint in the East, Strike in the West—Stepping into the Trap

The person speaking was named Jiang Huchen, one of the spies sent from Fengzhou to Qingzhou, inciting the populace, stirring up trouble—not only the Celestial Master Army could do that, Jiang Huchen was also capable, and even more so.

This person, if not pushed to the brink of despair and feels there’s still a glimmer of hope to survive, would harbor wishful thinking, always thinking to endure, to persevere, believing that getting through would lead to better days, but that only leads to endless suffering.

Jiang Huchen had been in Xia Lin for more than half a month, living and eating with these laborers, knowing that the time had come.

“What you don’t know is that this Celestial Master Army in Xia Lin has only a little over seven thousand troops, their main forces have been deployed to the Fengzhou and Yu State frontlines, while we have more than thirty thousand people, as long as we unite, we can gain our freedom.

Think of your wives and children, your parents at home, this group of Celestial Master Army oppresses us greatly, if we don’t resist, we won’t even have the chance to see them.

A rabbit when cornered will bite, are we less than beasts?”

“This hero speaks the truth. My wife is still waiting for me at home, I haven’t returned for so long, who knows if she’s being bullied by others, if this continues, I’ll be worked to death here,” said another spy.

Jiang Huchen was not the only spy to come to Xia Lin.

Family is always what the common people worry about.

Hearing this, many were touched, responding one after another.

“Everyone lower your voices. Since we all wish to resist, we need to formulate detailed steps to minimize losses,” Jiang Huchen said slowly.

In the camp, a man with an honest appearance listened to Jiang Huchen’s words, his eyes flickering.

…

The next day.

In a deserted alley.

“Are you sure about this?” Cui Shuang looked at the honest-looking middle-aged man in front of him and frowned.

“Sir, I assure you, this is absolutely true. If there’s any falsehood, may I drop dead on the spot. The person has planned to attack the camp at midnight tonight, claiming there’s someone in the Celestial Master Army who is his insider,” the middle-aged man said.

“Bold indeed.” Cui Shuang’s face darkened, he bellowed loudly, then smiling, patted the middle-aged man’s shoulder and said, “What’s your name?”

“I… am Liu An,” the middle-aged man replied.

“Liu An, good job. If this is true, you’ll be credited for it. You’ll be the head of the third camp,” Cui Shuang said.

“Thank you, sir, thank you.” Liu An was tearfully grateful.

“You may go now.”

…

After learning of the matter, Cui Shuang knew the gravity of the situation and immediately informed Yang Minggui and Xu Mu.

Upon hearing it, Yang Minggui was furious and immediately wanted to lead people to execute the troublemakers tonight.

However, Xu Mu stopped him, saying, “Commander, don’t be hasty. We still don’t know the truth, it’s just one person’s word and not credible yet. Additionally, going all out like this can easily alert the enemy.”

“What do you suggest, Military Advisor?”

“Did not Liu An say they plan to attack the camp at midnight tonight? Prepare an ambush, wait for the prey,” Xu Mu said.

“Moreover, even if this is true, Commander, you must downplay it, deal with the ringleaders. Too many killings will delay the Celestial King Hall project.”

Yang Minggui nodded.

…

In the afternoon, the weather changed, the once clear sky suddenly turned gloomy.

However, for the laborers and the Celestial Master Army, it was a good thing. Although it was autumn, the weather was still hot and now it became much cooler.

As time slowly passed, near the end of the workday, the laborers took sharp or handy stones from the quarry into their pockets.

As night fell,

The night in Xia Lin City suddenly had a bit of coolness.

The people in the third camp, one by one, clutched the stones they had picked up from the quarry, looking both nervous and excited.

Soon, midnight arrived.

Outside the camp, Jiang Huchen quietly crept up behind the guards, quickly dealt with four guards, cut their heads off, and then opened the camp gate, throwing the heads before them.

Crimson blood flowed out from beneath their severed heads.

At this moment, these villagers with cloth headbands did not show fear or terror but instead let out beast-like roars.

These usually oppressed and honest people, after fully exploding, showed an extremely frenzied side.

“Folks, follow me to the barracks, let’s kill those Celestial Master Thieves,” Jiang Huchen waved his hand grandly.

This same scene was happening at other camps.

They first went to the storeroom housing the tools for quarrying and chiseling stone.

Equipped with handy “weapons,” they marched to the barracks in great vigor.

The barracks and camps were both outside the city.

After all, Yang Minggui was no fool, he wouldn’t let tens of thousands of people stay inside the city.

The barracks were not far from the camps, at this moment it was all dark inside, with a few scattered people patrolling, and a few bonfires lit around, the gates tightly closed.

Jiang Huchen didn’t dare to get too close, as with so many people, even crouching low would cause noise.

“Stay here, don’t move.”

After instructing, Jiang Huchen led two spies, quietly sneaking up to the barrack gates, then gestured to one of his men.

Seeing this, the spy immediately understood, and knocked on the barrack gates three times with his fist,

Soon, a voice came from behind the door: “Who?”

“Peach Blossom Fan,” the spy in disguise said.

“By the Fengzhou River.”

Soon, a voice sounded from behind the door, and then said, “Come in quickly, they’re all asleep.”

With that, the camp gate quietly opened.

Jiang Huchen saw the situation was settled, felt a surge of joy, and hurriedly sent someone to notify the rear.

Soon, a group of people entered one by one.

“The patrols are all our own people,” the insider said.

Jiang Huchen nodded, then led a few people and was the first to attack a camp tent.

“Whiz, whiz, whiz…”

But as they approached the tent, several arrows shot out from within.

Jiang Huchen, having undergone rigorous training, reacted extremely quickly, dropping to the ground instantly.

But the people behind him weren’t as lucky.

With a few thudding sounds, they fell dead to the ground.

At the same time, the originally dim military camp suddenly burst into flames, and a large number of Celestial Master Army soldiers emerged from all directions, surrounding them.

Shield Soldiers in front, crouching with shields up, Crossbowmen locked onto the front row of civilian workers, Gun Soldiers behind.

The Celestial Master Army left in Xia Lin were all Yang Minggui’s elite, well-equipped.

The insiders and the dozen bought-off Celestial Master Army soldiers just about to resist were immediately shot dead.

The civilian workers’ faces changed dramatically, shocked, turning back to find the camp gate had also been shut.

“Not good, boss, we’ve walked into an ambush,” a spy in disguise said.

Jiang Huchen did a carp leap, stood up, and looked around with a grave expression.

“Clap, clap, clap.”

Just then, clapping sounded, the Celestial Master Army made way, and several people approached.

Yang Minggui, Xu Mu, and Cui Shuang were all there.

The civilian workers, seeing these three, turned pale, their bodies involuntarily trembling.

“So, you’re the instigator. Tell us, who sent you?” Cui Shuang stopped clapping, smiled at Jiang Huchen, with an expression of having the situation under control.

“Master, didn’t I tell you?” A middle-aged man walked up to Cui Shuang under the astonished gazes of the civilian workers, seeking credit.

“Well done.” Cui Shuang patted Liu An’s shoulder, then said to Yang Minggui, “Commander, this is Liu An.”

“You’ve done well. From now on, you’re in charge of the Third Resettlement Camp. Just manage them, no need to do hard labor,” Yang Minggui said.

“Thank you, Commander. Thank you, Commander.” Liu An knelt directly and kowtowed to Yang Minggui.

By this time, even a fool would know Liu An had betrayed them.

The civilian workers were extremely angry and regretful at this moment.

“No one instructed me. Man’s actions are seen by heaven; you oppress the people like this, and retribution will surely come,” Jiang Huchen glared at Cui Shuang, then turned to the civilian workers and said:

“Companions, dead or alive, let’s fight them.”

Jiang Huchen planned to make a desperate fight.

Xu Mu shook his feather fan, stepped forward, and said, “Companions, there’s a leader for grievances and a debtor for debts. I know you were bewitched by him. Commander is a reasonable person. As long as you lay down your weapons, I assure you, the Celestial Master Army will not hold you accountable.”

“That’s right, I promise you,” Yang Minggui nodded.

Hearing this, the civilian workers hesitated, glanced at Jiang Huchen, then at Yang Minggui and Xu Mu, and eventually the soldiers of the Celestial Master Army surrounding them, and one by one, they put down their weapons.

Seeing this, Xu Mu wasn’t surprised; it was all within his expectations.

Looking at Jiang Huchen, Xu Mu wasn’t in a hurry to kill him because he still had a use, and he smiled: “Even if you don’t say, I know you came from Fengzhou, didn’t you? How many of you came? Tell me, maybe I can beg the Commander to spare your life.”

“Pah.” Jiang Huchen spat fiercely at Xu Mu, but since the distance was too far, it didn’t land on him.

Jiang Huchen said, “Do you think you’ve won?”

Xu Mu’s expression remained unchanged, as if asking, “Otherwise?”

“Then take a good look. Are all over thirty thousand civilian workers here?” Jiang Huchen laughed.

Hearing this, Xu Mu’s hand holding the feather fan paused, subconsciously glanced around, and indeed found the numbers didn’t seem right.

Jiang Huchen burst into crazy laughter, “You thought my target was the military camp? With so many eyes, you think I didn’t consider someone would inform?”

He mocked Yang Minggui, “Most of your forces are here now, aren’t they? How many are left in the city?”

“Not good, the Celestial King Hall!” Xu Mu was the first to react.

“Great Song spies, follow me to slay!” Seeing their panicked looks, Jiang Huchen was very pleased and no longer hesitated, shouting fiercely, and charged at Xu Mu.

Among the civilian workers, five people also rushed out to follow him towards Xu Mu.

“Whiz, whiz, whiz…” Surrounded, they were quickly shot dead.

But it wasn’t long before thick smoke rose in Xia Lin City.

“Report—”

“Commander, the East Gate of the city has fallen, and thieves have entered the city.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep