Chapter 30: The Ambush

The Dashun army was closing in, a dark cloud hanging over everyone’s hearts. The dreams of promotion and wealth had barely begun before they faced an unprecedented challenge, leaving everyone in a state of anxious panic.

Sun Cheng and Lu Yong, despite being severely wounded, had themselves helped into the makeshift conference room. The group gathered in a circle to discuss how to respond to the crisis.

"Fourth brother, I hear Li Yan is a famous general of the Dashun camp—both wise and brave. A man like that is not easy to deal with," Sun Cheng sighed.

Gao Hongtu couldn't help but add, "Indeed. We don't have many men to begin with, and we are burdened with a large number of wounded. Compared to the rebel forces, we are like eggs hitting a stone. I suggest we flee immediately—as far as we can."

Xie Bin suddenly spoke up from the side, "It is precisely because we have so many wounded that we cannot run. Where would that leave them? Are we just going to abandon these brothers and let them fall into the hands of the rebels?"

"Don't we have carriages? We can load the wounded onto them."

"Can carriages outrun cavalry?"

Gao Hongtu retorted, "As the saying goes, benevolence does not command troops. One must sacrifice to gain. At a life-or-death moment, such hesitation will only kill us all."

"General Gao speaks so easily. There are several wounded men sitting right here. Which one of them do you intend to sacrifice?" Tang Zhanxiong asked bluntly.

"I was referring to the wounded soldiers in general. How dare you twist my words? Are you trying to sow discord?"

"I think it’s you, you old scoundrel, who has ulterior motives!"

The tension between Gao Hongtu and Tang Zhanxiong escalated. They both stood up, rolled up their sleeves, and looked ready to fight.

*Slap!*

Gu Zhenhua slammed his hand onto the table, startling everyone into silence.

"How did the Great Ming Dynasty perish? It was destroyed by such infighting. The enemy isn't even here yet, and you are already arguing amongst yourselves. Do you want to serve as assistants to the Dashun army?"

Facing Gu Zhenhua’s interrogation, Gao Hongtu and Tang Zhanxiong lowered their heads, silent. Gu Zhenhua took a long breath and said, "The greater the danger, the more we must think calmly. Use your heads and analyze the situation properly. I believe there is always a way forward. There must be a solution, but arguing will never solve the problem!"

Seeing that everyone had calmed down, Gu Zhenhua continued, "As things stand, simply running away is not an option. We have not only the wounded but also a great deal of supplies. According to scout reports, Li Yan’s force consists entirely of cavalry. If we are caught in the open, we will be nothing more than sitting ducks. None of us would survive!"

"Fourth brother, you’re right. Since we can't run, we have no choice but to fight. Let's stake everything on a battle with Li Yan!" Lu Yong said.

"Second brother, do we have the capital to stake everything?"

Lu Yong looked confused. He scratched his head and smiled bitterly, "Fourth brother, we can't run, and we can't beat them in a straight fight. You’ve really got me stumped."

Sun Cheng also smiled, "Fourth brother, if you have a good idea, just say it. Stop keeping us in suspense."

Gu Zhenhua smiled slightly. "Everyone, we must take out Li Yan’s force, and we must do it decisively. If we eliminate them, Li Zicheng will need at least a day or two to send more troops to pursue us, which will give us time to relocate!"

The others nodded repeatedly. Xue Biao couldn't help but ask, "Fourth brother, Li Yan has over a thousand cavalrymen. Do you have a brilliant strategy?"

"Not yet."

"My Lord, don't scare us," Xie Bin said in surprise. "If you don't have a plan, then we certainly don't."

"That’s not the right way to think. Three cobblers with their wits combined equal Zhuge Liang. With so many of us here, can't we come up with an idea? Let’s hold a 'Zhuge Liang' meeting right now and discuss it thoroughly!"

***

"Great Ancestor, it’s a disaster! The rebel thieves are attacking!"

Kou Gui, who had been dozing in his chair, was jolted awake. At the mention of the rebel thieves, he shook with terror and hurriedly asked, "Little Fu, is what you say true?"

"Yes, Great Ancestor. When I went to the latrine, I heard some soldiers discussing it. The Earl of Loyalty and Courage and the others are currently discussing how to meet the enemy."

"A plan? What could be more important than the Crown Prince? These people are utterly foolish!"

The old eunuch Kou Gui hurried Little Fu to lead the way and rushed to the conference room, panting. Reaching the door, he managed to compose himself.

"Earl of Loyalty and Courage, I have a matter to disturb you with."

Gu Zhenhua and the others were in the middle of discussing the battle plan and frowned upon hearing the old eunuch's voice.

"Eunuch Kou, we are in a military meeting. Please wait a moment."

"Wait!" Kou Gui was instantly enraged, his shrill voice piercing the door panel. "Earl of Loyalty and Courage, the Crown Prince just granted you a title yesterday. Are you worthy of the words 'Loyalty and Courage'? The rebels are coming, and the Crown Prince is in grave danger. Why aren't you protecting him and leaving, instead of wasting time here?"

*Clatter!*

The door pushed open, and Gu Zhenhua appeared before Kou Gui. His eyes were fixed on the old eunuch, one hand resting on the hilt of his sword, his entire body radiating a murderous aura that forced Kou Gui to take an involuntary step back.

"Earl of Loyalty and Courage, please, there must be no misunderstanding. I know of your loyalty, but with the enemy at the gates, the safety of the Crown Prince is paramount. I believe you should protect the Crown Prince and head south to safety immediately, rather than wasting time here!"

"Eunuch Kou, what do you suggest we do?" Gu Zhenhua asked with a cold smirk.

"Earl of Loyalty and Courage, in my opinion, you should select a dozen or so brave and loyal soldiers—no more are needed. Disguise yourselves and take the Crown Prince south immediately. That will make it easier to evade the rebels."

"And according to your suggestion, the remaining brothers and all these supplies should be abandoned?"

Kou Gui did not notice the anger in Gu Zhenhua's tone and continued, "Earl of Loyalty and Courage, once you reach Nanjing safely, what do a few soldiers and supplies matter? You could even be enfeoffed as a marquis or prime minister. Then, you would have everything..."

As Kou Gui tried to persuade Gu Zhenhua, many soldiers gathered around. Though they dared not approach, they watched from a distance, hearing every word the old eunuch said.

Just as the old eunuch was earnestly trying to convince him, Gu Zhenhua waved his hand to stop him.

"Eunuch Kou, these brothers have braved life and death with me; they are my greatest treasure. If you want me to abandon anyone, I cannot comply!"

Gu Zhenhua raised his voice, "Everyone’s life here is equal. It does not become more valuable just because one bears the surname Zhu. Unity is our only path to survival. Today, one might abandon brothers for the sake of titles and status, and tomorrow, one might betray the Crown Prince for the sake of wealth and rank. Such unrighteous acts are things I, Gu Zhenhua, will never do!"

Before Gu Zhenhua finished speaking, a soldier led the way, and one by one, all the men knelt on one leg.

"Master Gu, we were not wrong about you. We will follow you and be loyal to you!"

"Follow Master Gu! Loyal to Master Gu!"

The sudden roar of the soldiers left Kou Gui as pale as a sheet; he couldn't utter a word. Gu Zhenhua, with his hand still on his sword hilt and a warm smile on his face, walked toward the soldiers.

As he passed Kou Gui, Gu Zhenhua whispered in a low voice, "Eunuchs are forbidden from interfering in politics; that is the ancestral law of the Great Ming. Do not forget your place!"

The old eunuch turned ice-cold in an instant. This Gu Zhenhua was no loyal minister of the Ming; he was a living Cao Cao through and through!

Gu Zhenhua naturally didn't care what the old eunuch thought. This army now obeyed his orders completely; he was the master of all.

"Brothers, I will live and die with you; that will never change. The military situation is urgent. Li Yan’s army is less than half a day away. Everyone must follow orders, and we will win a glorious victory!"

After Gu Zhenhua finished speaking, he issued his battle orders. They had already agreed on a plan. The force was divided into two.

Sun Cheng, Lu Yong, and the others were too badly wounded to fight or endure a long march. Xie Bin and Luan Hu, along with fifty men, would protect the wounded, as well as He Zhonghou, Mei Junruo, and the craftsmen Gu had brought from the capital, and head to the rear mountains to hide. With time pressing, Gu Zhenhua gave the order, and they began to move immediately.

Gu Zhenhua would take Gao Hongtu, Tang Zhanxiong, and less than three hundred soldiers to deal with Li Yan.

"This valley is narrow at both ends and wide in the middle—perfect for an ambush. Once we lure Li Yan in, he will have no chance of survival."

"My Lord, this is indeed a good place to fight, but will Li Yan be so easily deceived?" Gao Hongtu asked with concern.

Gu Zhenhua laughed heartily, "Rest assured, I have my own clever plans!"