Daming: Brother, there is no future for monks, let's rebel

Chapter 1466 Completing the Mission

Zhou Dexing scratched his head: "That's true, but we're unfamiliar with this place. Which rebel armies should we contact? And how should we get in touch with them?"

Zhu Qiwu thought for a moment and said, "I heard that there is a rebel army led by Guo Zixing not far from us, and their strength is quite good. We can send someone to make contact with them first and see their attitude."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded in agreement: "Qiwu is right. Guo Zixing is quite famous in the area. If we can unite with him, it will be of great benefit to us. Xu Da, select a few clever and reliable brothers, take my personal letter, and visit Guo Zixing. Make sure to convey our intentions clearly."

Xu Da stood up and accepted the order: "Don't worry, brother, I will definitely complete the mission!"

After arranging the contact with Guo Zixing, Zhu Yuanzhang turned his attention to Zhu Qiwu: "Qiwu, I'm entrusting the city defense and scout team matters to you. You must do your best."

Zhu Qiwu patted his chest and assured, "Fourth Brother, don't worry, I will make sure the city's defenses are impregnable, and the scouts will keep a close eye on the Yuan army's movements."

In the days that followed, Zhu Qiwu was extremely busy. He first led the craftsmen to dig traps around the city walls, filling them with sharp bamboo spikes and covering them with a thin layer of turf to make them look no different from the surrounding ground. Next, he had many obstacles set up at the base of the city walls, such as huge stones and thick wooden stakes, making it difficult for the Yuan army's siege equipment to get close to the walls.

While setting up city defenses, Zhu Qiwu did not forget to establish a scout team. He selected a group of agile, resourceful, and brave soldiers and subjected them to rigorous training. He taught them how to conceal their movements, how to observe enemy movements, and how to accurately transmit intelligence. After a period of training, this scout team had begun to take shape.

Meanwhile, Xu Da, carrying a personal letter from Zhu Yuanzhang, embarked on his journey to Guo Zixing's camp. Along the way, Xu Da proceeded with extreme caution, fearing encounters with Yuan army patrols. Fortunately, they were lucky and arrived at Guo Zixing's camp without incident.

In Guo Zixing's tent, Guo Zixing sat in the main seat, looking at the handwritten letters from Xu Da and Zhu Yuanzhang, his mind filled with many thoughts. Beside him stood his capable assistants, Sun Deyan and Zhang Tianyou.

Sun Deyan frowned and said, "Brother, Zhu Yuanzhang is just a small leader who has just started an uprising. Why should we join forces with him? Our strength is not weak now. We can go it alone."

Zhang Tianyou, however, had a different opinion: "Brother, I think Zhu Yuanzhang's move is quite sincere. Now that the Yuan army is powerful, we can better fight against them by uniting. Moreover, Zhu Yuanzhang's rebel army is quite famous in the area, so uniting with him will only benefit us."

Guo Zixing was silent for a moment, then slowly said, “Tianyou is right. The world is in chaos now. If we want to achieve great things, we can’t just think of ourselves. Since Zhu Yuanzhang is willing to unite with us, we should give him face. Xu Da, go back and tell Zhu Yuanzhang that I, Guo Zixing, agree to unite with him to fight against the Yuan army.”

Xu Da was overjoyed and quickly clasped his hands in a salute: "Thank you, Commander Guo! I will go back and report this good news to my elder brother right away."

Xu Da rushed back to the camp and told Zhu Yuanzhang the news that Guo Zixing was willing to join forces. Zhu Yuanzhang was very pleased to hear this: "Good! With Guo Zixing's addition, our strength has increased considerably. Qi Wu, how are the city defenses being arranged?"

Zhu Qiwu replied confidently, "Fourth Brother, the city defenses are almost complete. Even if the Yuan army attacks again, we are confident that they will not return alive."

Just then, a soldier from the scout team rushed over, panting, and said, "Report... Report, brother, we have discovered that a large number of Yuan troops are moving this way. They should arrive in a few days."

Zhu Yuanzhang's face darkened: "It seems Wang Baobao is truly eager for revenge. Issue my order: all soldiers must enter a state of combat readiness and be ready to meet the enemy at any time!"

The men accepted the order and went to make their preparations. Zhu Qiwu came to the city wall, looked into the distance, and pondered a countermeasure. At this moment, Xu Da walked over and said, "Brother Qiwu, you see, the Yuan army is coming in a fierce manner this time. How should we deal with it?"

Zhu Qiwu thought for a moment and said, "Brother Xu Da, I think we can't just hold out in the city. We can send a surprise force to circle around to the rear of the Yuan army and catch them off guard. At the same time, we can also arrange some troops in the city to attack from the side when the Yuan army attacks, forming a pincer movement."

Xu Da's eyes lit up: "Brother Qiwu, that's a great idea! But who should we send as the surprise force?"

Zhu Qiwu smiled slightly: "Brother Xu Da, you are highly skilled in martial arts and have rich combat experience. I will entrust this mission of launching a surprise attack to you. I will also select some elite soldiers for you. We must give the Yuan army a heavy blow."

Xu Da laughed heartily and said, "Alright! Brother Qiwu, rest assured, I will definitely live up to your mission!"

A few days later, Wang Baobao's army finally arrived at the city walls. Looking at the impregnable fortress before him, Wang Baobao was secretly furious. He shouted, "Attack! We must take this city!"

The Yuan army surged towards the city walls like a tidal wave, bringing out a variety of siege weapons. Sling ladders were erected on the walls, and Yuan soldiers climbed them; catapults continuously hurled huge stones into the city, and for a time, dust filled the air.

Standing on the city wall, Zhu Yuanzhang calmly directed the battle: "Brothers, don't panic! Wait for the Yuan army to get closer before attacking!"

When the Yuan soldiers had climbed halfway up the city wall, Zhu Yuanzhang gave the order: "Fire the arrows!"

Arrows rained down from the city wall, and Yuan soldiers were hit one after another, falling from the siege ladders. But the Yuan soldiers did not retreat and continued to climb up the ladders in droves.

Just then, Zhu Qiwu ordered: "Throw smoke bombs!"

The soldiers threw the prepared smoke bombs into the middle of the Yuan army. Instantly, thick smoke billowed out, and the Yuan army was once again shrouded in smoke, their vision was obstructed, and their offensive slowed down.

Zhu Yuanzhang seized the opportunity and shouted, "Brothers, charge!"

The rebels charged down from the city walls and engaged the Yuan army in fierce close combat. Swords clashed, blood and flesh flew, and shouts of battle shook the heavens and the earth.

Meanwhile, Xu Da had already led his surprise attack force around to the rear of the Yuan army. Looking at the chaotic Yuan ranks before him, he waved his hand and shouted, "Brothers, charge! Slaughter them all!"

The surprise attack, like tigers descending a mountain, charged into the Yuan army's ranks. The Yuan army, completely unprepared for a sudden uprising from their rear, was thrown into chaos. Xu Da wielded his broadsword, hacking and slashing left and right, felling Yuan soldiers wherever he went.

The rebel army inside the city also launched a surprise attack from the flank, forming a pincer movement with Xu Da's surprise force. The Yuan army was routed and suffered heavy casualties.

Seeing that the situation was hopeless, Wang Baobao flew into a rage: "Retreat! Retreat now!"

The Yuan army retreated like a receding tide, and the rebels achieved another victory. The crowd cheered and celebrated this hard-won triumph.

Looking at his brothers, Zhu Yuanzhang was filled with emotion: "Brothers, today's victory is inseparable from everyone's efforts. Especially Qi Wu and Xu Da, you have made great contributions!" Zhu Qi Wu smiled and said: "Fourth Brother, this is the result of everyone's concerted efforts. However, we cannot be complacent. Wang Baobao will definitely not let this go, so we must continue to strengthen our defenses."

Xu Da nodded in agreement: "Brother Qi Wu is right. We should strike while the iron is hot and further expand our influence."

Just then, a soldier rushed over and said, "Report... Reporting to Brother Guo, Commander Guo Zixing has sent someone with a message."

Zhu Yuanzhang quickly said, "Please come in!"

Guo Zixing's messenger entered the tent, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "General Zhu, my commander is very pleased to hear that you have won another victory. He asked me to convey to you that he hopes our two families can further strengthen cooperation and jointly fight against the Yuan army."

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and said, "Please tell Commander Guo that I, Zhu Yuanzhang, would be more than happy to do so. Our two families are one family, and we should work together."

The envoy nodded and said, "General Zhu, rest assured, I will definitely convey your message. In addition, my general invites you to his residence to discuss the next steps of the plan."

Zhu Yuanzhang thought for a moment and said, "Alright! I'll make preparations and head to Commander Guo's camp right away."

Zhu Qiwu said with some concern, "Fourth Brother, is it dangerous to go to Guo Zixing's camp at this time? After all, we don't know him completely."

Zhu Yuanzhang patted Zhu Qiwu on the shoulder: "Qiwu, don't worry. Guo Zixing is a farsighted man. He won't do anything to harm us at this time. Moreover, our trip is to strengthen cooperation and fight against the Yuan army together, which is a good thing."

Seeing that Zhu Yuanzhang was determined, Zhu Qiwu stopped trying to persuade him: "Fourth Brother, you must be careful. I'll have Brother Xu Da accompany you, so that you can have someone to look after you."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded in agreement: "Alright, let Xu Da accompany me."

A few days later, Zhu Yuanzhang and Xu Da, accompanied by several attendants, embarked on their journey to Guo Zixing's camp. Along the way, they proceeded cautiously, constantly vigilant of their surroundings.

Finally, they arrived at Guo Zixing's camp. Guo Zixing personally came out to greet them, his face beaming with a warm smile: "Brother Zhu, you must be tired from your journey! Please come in!"

Zhu Yuanzhang clasped his hands in a salute and said, "General Guo, you are too kind. It is my honor to receive your invitation."

The group entered the tent and sat down according to their roles as host and guest. Guo Zixing said, "Brother Zhu, your great victory over the Yuan army this time is truly admirable. Now that our two families are united, our strength has greatly increased, and the overthrow of the Yuan Dynasty is just around the corner."

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and said, "General Guo, you flatter me. This is the result of everyone's joint efforts. However, the Yuan army is powerful, and we need to plan carefully if we want to completely overthrow them."

Guo Zixing nodded in agreement: "Brother Zhu is right. I've heard there are other rebel groups nearby. We can send people to contact them and unite to form a greater force."

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes lit up: "General Guo's idea is excellent! Many hands make light work. The more rebel armies we unite with, the greater our chances of defeating the Yuan army."

Just then, Sun Deyan suddenly said in a sarcastic tone, "Zhu Yuanzhang, don't think you're so great just because you've won a few battles. Here, Commander Guo is in charge, so don't even think about stealing his thunder."

Zhu Yuanzhang's face darkened, but he did not lash out. He simply said calmly, "General Sun, you are mistaken. I, Zhu Yuanzhang, have never intended to steal anyone's limelight. I only want to overthrow the Yuan Dynasty and bring a better life to the people. Moreover, we are now one family and should work together instead of being suspicious of each other."

Seeing the tense atmosphere, Guo Zixing quickly tried to smooth things over: "Alright, alright, everyone, stop arguing. We're here today to discuss important matters concerning the fight against the Yuan army, not to quarrel. Sun Deyan, you too, Brother Zhu is a guest, how could you say such things to him?"

Sun Deyan snorted and fell silent. Guo Zixing continued, "Brother Zhu, I think we can first formulate a detailed battle plan, clearly defining our respective roles and tasks. What do you think?"

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said, "General Guo is right. It is essential to formulate a detailed battle plan. I think we can divide our forces into several routes and launch simultaneous attacks on the Yuan army, so that they will be unable to attend to all of them."

The group began a lively discussion about the battle plan, each offering their own opinions. After some discussion, they finally formulated a preliminary battle plan.

However, just as everyone was discussing animatedly, a commotion suddenly arose outside the tent. Guo Zixing frowned and asked, "What's going on outside? Why is it so noisy!"

A soldier rushed into the tent, panting, and said, "Report...Reporting to the commander, the Yuan army has suddenly attacked and has surrounded our camp!"

Everyone's expression changed drastically, and Guo Zixing suddenly stood up: "What? Why did the Yuan army suddenly attack? What should we do?"

Zhu Yuanzhang calmly said, "General Guo, don't panic. Now that we have formulated a battle plan, let's proceed according to it. The most urgent task now is to organize our soldiers to resist the Yuan army's attack."

Guo Zixing nodded and said, "Brother Zhu is right. Sun Deyan and Zhang Tianyou, you two go and organize the soldiers to meet the enemy immediately!"

Sun Deyan and Zhang Tianyou accepted the order and left. Zhu Yuanzhang said to Xu Da, "Brother Xu Da, you should also go and help. You must hold the camp."

Xu Da nodded and said, "Don't worry, brother, I will definitely defend the camp to the death!"

Zhu Yuanzhang then said to Guo Zixing, "General Guo, we cannot sit idly by and wait to die. I suggest that we send an elite force to break out from the flank and contact other rebel armies to come and support us."

Guo Zixing agreed, saying, "Brother Zhu, that's a good idea! But who should we send to break through the encirclement?"

Zhu Yuanzhang thought for a moment and said, "General Guo, let me go. I'm familiar with the terrain here, and I also have some combat experience. I'm sure I can complete the mission." (End of Chapter)