Finest Servant

Chapter 496 Fulfilling Your Wish

Understanding the urgency in Lord Lin's words, Xu Zhen hastily shot a signal arrow into the distance. The distant woods immediately rustled with noise as numerous soldiers hidden in the shadows swiftly emerged and retreated.

"Husband, why are we pulling back our troops?" Qin Xian'er inquired, echoing Xu Zhen's own thoughts.

Lin Wanrong wore a solemn expression as he pointed to the billowing smoke in the north, slowly saying, "Xu Zhen, what do you think that is?"

"It should be smoke from gunpowder explosions—" Xu Zhen's face suddenly changed, and he exclaimed, "General Lin, are you suspecting that we also have hidden gunpowder on our side?"

Lin Wanrong nodded without speaking. Cold sweat trickled down Xu Zhen's face. If the enemy had laid gunpowder to the north, there was no reason to ignore the south. The woods, deep and dense, were filled with blind spots hard to search. Should gunpowder really be hidden there, a single spark could spell doom for thousands of their men.

The more he thought, the more fearful he became. His expression grew incredibly grave. Lin Wanrong patted him on the shoulder and comforted, "Xu Zhen, don't be too hard on yourself. We are humans, not gods. Mistakes are inevitable. Learn from them. I only thought of this possibility after seeing the smoke in the north."

Xu Zhen nodded gratefully, his expression quickly returning to normal. A horseman sped into the camp from afar; a messenger dismounted, hastily saluting, "Generals, by orders of Lord Xu, I am to report that a large force of enemy troops has suddenly appeared to the north of the city. They number in the thousands and are extremely fierce."

"Thousands?" Lin Wanrong was also taken aback. "Who are they? Did they come from inside the city?"

The messenger quickly responded, "These individuals are dressed in black and carry no banners. They did not come from within the city but launched an attack from the outskirts of our army. They are fast and ferocious. Over two hundred fearless soldiers strapped with explosives have charged into our ranks. The situation is dire. Lord Xu believes they are most likely enemy suicide troops. They are making a desperate attempt, perhaps aiming to rescue their key figure. Please prepare yourselves, Generals."

Lin Wanrong nodded in silence. A moment later, even more intense explosions erupted from the north, flames shooting sky-high, far surpassing the earlier intensity. Despite the distance, the fierce sounds of battle could still be heard.

"Report!" Another horseman rushed in. The second messenger dismounted, panting, "Generals, there has been a sudden change outside the North Gate!"

"Speak!" Lin Wanrong commanded.

The soldier saluted, "Suddenly, explosives ignited outside the North Gate. By the time we arrived, three to four hundred individuals dressed in black emerged from underground and launched a violent attack on our troops."

"Underground?" Xu Zhen asked, puzzled.

"Yes," the messenger replied, "According to Lord Xu's estimation, these individuals had dug tunnels beneath the city, where they hid gunpowder, lying in wait for several days. Currently, enemy forces inside and outside are desperately trying to converge, likely aiming to facilitate the escape of their key figure."

Lin Wanrong chuckled, "When our brothers charged into battle, did anyone see that big fish?"

The messenger hastily shook his head. Lin Wanrong let out a soft "huh" but said nothing more.

From the north, the explosions came wave after wave. The cries of soldiers faintly reached their ears. Judging by the sounds, it seemed the enemy was in a desperate situation. Xu Zhen looked concerned, "General, the situation over there doesn't seem like a feint. Should I send someone to check—"

"No need," Lin Wanrong waved him off with a smile. "The north gate is securely held by Master Xu; nothing will go awry there. It's our side that is a little out of the ordinary."

"Our side?" Xu Zhen asked, puzzled, "General, what do you mean?"

Lin Wanrong sighed, "Xu Zhen, the north is filled with the sounds of gunpowder and cannons, the battle there is fierce. But what about here on our side?"

Xu Zhen furrowed his brows for a moment and nodded, "Our side is somewhat quiet—"

"It's not just quiet—it's eerily quiet!" Lin Wanrong huffed, "As the old saying goes, the dog that bites doesn't bark, and the dog that barks doesn't bite. The louder the noise from that side, the more worried I become! Xu Zhen, pass down the order for our brothers to be highly vigilant and hold their positions. If anything stirs, strike immediately!"

"Yes!" Xu Zhen acknowledged and immediately relayed General Lin's orders.

Qin Xian'er gently massaged his shoulders and softly asked, "Husband, if Prince Cheng really plans to escape from our side, where do you think he will start?"

"As for that, I can't be certain," Lin Wanrong leaned back into his wheelchair, took a deep breath, and smiled bitterly, "The most effective way may just start with me."

The night grew darker, torches blazed throughout the camp, and thousands of soldiers were at their posts, awaiting any unforeseen circumstances. Unfortunately, the situation did not match their expectations. The fighting in the north grew more intense, and emergency reports from Xu Wei came one after another. Yet, the southern gate remained eerily quiet, even the buzzing of mosquitoes could be clearly heard.

Not just Xu Zhen, even Lord Lin's own patience was running thin. Looking at the thick dust swirling beyond the northern gate, his brows lightly furrowed: ‘Could it be that I've guessed wrong?’

Suddenly, a crisp sound of galloping hooves came from afar, breaking Lin Wanrong's deep thoughts. He quickly lifted his head and saw a contingent of around two hundred soldiers dressed as government troops approaching. Leading them was a man in red eunuch robes. The eunuch looked frantic, galloping forward with a yellow silk banner held high and shouted, "Imperial decree arrives, Lin San, receive the decree—"

Imperial decree? Lin Wanrong was stunned. At a time like this, what sort of decree could possibly be issued?

The eunuch galloped skillfully, followed by the two hundred government troops like a whirlwind. Lord Lin waved his hand grandly and commanded, "Hold—"

The soldiers in the camp had long been on standby. Upon hearing General Lin's command to halt the approaching troops, over three hundred archers stepped forward. Their repeating crossbows glinted ominously, aimed straight at the incoming cavalry.

"Whoa—" The eunuch shouted, reining in his horse and turning around. His accompanying troops also came to a sudden halt, stopping just thirty or forty paces away from Lin Wanrong's encampment.

Lin Wanrong studied the group of two hundred people closely. Each was clad in armor, their robes noticeably loose, and their waists bulging with some unknown items.

Seeing Xu Zhen's soldiers at the ready, their bows aimed, the red-robed eunuch's face twisted in irritation. "Lord Lin, what is the meaning of this? Do you intend to disobey the imperial decree?"

"What are you talking about? How could an honest man like me dare to disobey an imperial order?" Lin Wanrong chuckled. "By the way, which palace's servant are you? I don't recall having met you before. May I ask your surname?"

Fuming, the eunuch replied, "I serve under Chief Eunuch Gao of the Palace of Heavenly Purity. My name is Duan Qin. I met you when you last visited the palace. Lord Lin, could it be that you doubt my identity?" With that, he shook the golden imperial edict in his hand, his demeanor overtly arrogant.

"It seems authentic," said Xu Zhen, who had keen eyesight. He could clearly read the words "Imperial Edict" written on the silk cloth.

"Authentic?" Lin Wanrong chuckled. "Eunuch Duan, what brings you here with such an entourage to deliver an imperial decree?"

Eunuch Duan snorted, "The city gates are locked and the situation outside is not peaceful. His Majesty instructed me to bring some troops—so Lord Lin, are you accepting this imperial decree or not? If you resist, I will go back and report to His Majesty."

Lin Wanrong grinned, "Of course, I'll accept it. But, Eunuch Duan, let me tell you a secret."

"What secret?" Eunuch Duan tugged on his horse's reins, inching closer to the camp. Xu Zhen raised his hand, and the archers lifted their crossbows slightly higher. The killing intent was palpable, forcing the advancing party to stop.

Lin Wanrong chuckled, "The secret is simple. Eunuch Duan, the servant's uniform you're wearing appears to be last year's model. In the palace, all the servants and maids switched to new clothes this spring, custom-made by our Xiao family. Even the floor sweepers have changed their clothes. Didn't you know?"

"Ah, yes, of course, I knew," Duan answered awkwardly. "Today, His Majesty had me rush to deliver the decree, and I didn’t have time to change. I will be sure to do so next time. Lord Lin, may I proceed with delivering the imperial edict now?"

"Certainly," Lin Wanrong nodded, bringing a smile to Duan's face. Just as the eunuch was about to move closer, Lin Wanrong waved his hand and said, "However, there's a condition."

"What condition?" Duan asked, anxious.

"The condition is simple," Lin Wanrong suppressed a laugh, "Please strip off your clothes and come alone to deliver the decree."

Realizing his identity had been exposed, Eunuch Duan's face twisted grotesquely. With a sudden swoosh, he ripped open his robe, roaring, "For the Prince! Take Lin San's head, charge—"

He tossed the imperial decree aside, grabbed the reins with his left hand, and held a torch in his right. His steed galloped forward. The two hundred people behind him followed suit. They tore off their robes to reveal thick cloth belts around their waists filled with black powder, and fuses tied to torches, ready to be ignited at any moment.

"Charge!" Over two hundred men seemed to have gone mad. Their eyes were bloodshot as they reversed their swords to stab into the haunches of their own mounts. Pained by the blade, the warhorses surged forward like shooting stars, charging at high speed toward the main camp.

"Gunpowder!" Qin Xian'er shouted in alarm. Xu Zhen heard it and was horrified, immediately yelling, "Fire!"

Over three hundred archers released their crossbows, sending bolts like swarms of locusts, rapidly shooting toward the enemy horsemen.

"Ah—" Several horsemen on the opposing side were hit by the arrows. However, they seemed to feel no pain, gripping their reins tightly to keep from falling off.

"Cunning bastards!" Xu Zhen understood. These horsemen had tied their legs to their horses' bellies. Even if they were shot dead, their bodies would still be carried along by the galloping horses. The gunpowder strapped to them was quickly ignited by their companions.

"For the prince, kill Lin San!" Within a distance of several dozen yards, which could be covered by fast horses in an instant, over two hundred men roared in unison. They ignited the gunpowder strapped to them and charged into Lin San's camp. A deafening explosion resounded, making everyone's eardrums tremble.

Chain crossbows fired continuously. Over half of the two hundred-plus men were dead or wounded in the blink of an eye, but their steeds continued to charge toward the main camp. Boom after boom, the sound of the gunpowder exploding vibrated through the ground. Shooting them now was useless. General Lin, remaining calm in the face of danger, bellowed, "Brothers, aim for the horses' legs!"

No sooner had the words left his mouth than crossbows were fired with a fierce whistle, aimed directly at the legs of the horses. This tactic was indeed effective. The foremost horses tripped and fell, and the horsemen behind were mercilessly trampled over them. Explosions from the gunpowder continued one after another, amidst towering flames, countless pieces of armor scattered, flesh and blood flew. Over two hundred men and horses were engulfed in a sea of fire, bursting one after another like ignited fireworks.

Eventually, six or seven horses managed to cross the fiery battlefield and enter the camp. Amidst the intense explosions, dozens of archers lost their lives.

"Charge!" The battle here had not yet ended when, several miles from the main camp, a piercing horn sounded, followed by the rhythmic beating of hooves, thumping in everyone's ears.

A scout rushed into the camp to report, "General, ten miles from our army, a large number of troops have suddenly appeared, numbering over two thousand!"

"Really?" Xu Zhen was visibly shaken. He looked at Lin Wanrong with admiration. "General, as you expected, the big fish is moving south! Over two thousand troops, that's not a small number. This must be his last card."

Lin Wanrong nodded and sighed, "Perhaps the fiercest is yet to come. Xu Zhen, instruct our men to be extra vigilant. Prince Cheng is not so easily dealt with."

"Understood!" Xu Zhen clenched his fist and turned to the scout, "Quickly pass on the orders: set up the formation, with the Divine Machine Unit archers at the front, cavalry and infantry to follow the formation. The entire army is allowed to advance, but retreating is forbidden. Offenders will be dealt with according to military law!"

"As you command!" The scouts hurried away. Xu Zhen's face flushed with excitement. Qin Xian'er suddenly spoke, "Husband, how did you recognize that the eunuch earlier was an imposter?"

Lin Wanrong shook his head and chuckled, "The absurdity lies in this young eunuch's arrogance. For someone who seldom steps out of his own gates, his horse-riding skill surprisingly surpasses mine. Can you believe it? Is there any justice in the world?"

Xu Zhen burst into hearty laughter. "I never thought of it that way. A mere eunuch should count himself lucky to ride a donkey, let alone a horse."

Qin Xian'er was full of admiration. Her husband might seem jovial on the surface, but in reality, he was knowledgeable, quick-witted, and deeply insightful. His real brilliance lay in noticing the minute details that others overlooked. It was an accumulation of life's experiences, his genuine skill. As the saying goes, understanding a person's heart through the smallest details ensured he would never fail.

"My husband, you are the most brilliant person in the world. I am utterly smitten with you," Miss Qin said, embracing him tightly and looking deeply into his eyes.

"General, should we advance to the front?" The sound of distant artillery rolled in, making the ground quiver beneath them. Realizing they were now within the enemy's artillery range, Xu Zhen grew restless and eagerly asked Lin Wanrong for instructions.

"Don't panic," Lin Wanrong calmly gestured, "All that noise outside is a diversion, meant to draw our attention. If the big fish doesn't show itself, then all our efforts would be in vain."

Xu Zhen was half-enlightened, "General, there's something I still don't understand. If all the city gates are closed tightly, how can the big fish escape?"

Lin Wanrong nodded with a smile, "At first, I was puzzled too, but Prince Cheng's escape route from Grand Prime Minister Temple gave me a clue. If I'm not mistaken, after years of operating in the capital, he must have prepared an escape route. There's a large lake in his royal mansion, beneath which lies the so-called Dragon Palace. That must be his base, and it certainly connects to a tunnel leading out of the city. This is his final escape route."

Xian'er laughed, "I see, you asked Gao Qiu to spread rumors that a Dragon Palace was discovered in the royal mansion and had him blow open its entrance. You want to force the tiger from the mountain, make it imperative for him to flee."

"Smart!" Lin Wanrong praised with a smile.

"But General, there's still something I don't understand," Xu Zhen furrowed his brows, "Why not just blast open the bottom of the lake and seize him directly?"

Lin Wanrong turned serious, "There are two reasons. Firstly, we're unfamiliar with the terrain in his Dragon Palace, and if he's planted explosives, we might all be blown to pieces, causing a huge disaster. Secondly, Prince Cheng has been operating for many years and has a solid foundation in the capital. Forcing him to flee will expose his true supporters and we'll know clearly who is loyal and who is not. Only by cutting off the roots can we eliminate future troubles."

Qin Xian'er had an epiphany. All her previous doubts had been cleared up. She took Lin Wanrong's hand and said, "My husband, it's only now that I understand why Li Tai was so desperate to have you accompany him northward. No one in the Great Hua can match your intellect and bravery."

"My dear, don't flatter me too much. I might become shy," Lin Wanrong joked, lacking any sense of seriousness.

"You're incorrigible," Miss Qin giggled, tapping him lightly on the forehead. Her eyes twinkled as she said, "My husband, when you return from the North, I'll fulfill one of your wishes. Do you agree?"

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