During breakfast, Huangfu Yuchen finally received a report from Jun Xiang.
“General Wang Kui, the governor of this province, is leading an army of two thousand soldiers. They are currently about seven to eight li away from Shuangque County.”
Huangfu Yuchen nodded. “You and A Fei keep a close watch on General Wang. Report immediately if there are any developments.”
“Yes.” Jun Xiang and A Fei obeyed the order and left.
Huangfu Yuchen had Deng Mande bring a map of Sanzhu Mountain. Yan Ge also approached. He was able to understand the terrain but was completely clueless about its intricacies. He glanced at Huangfu Yuchen, seeking an explanation.
Huangfu Yuchen took hold of him and sat him down at the table, explaining, “This is Sanzhu Mountain. Its peaks tower high, offering a wide view, making it easy to defend but difficult to attack. With only two thousand soldiers, the governor cannot fully surround Sanzhu Mountain. To eliminate the bandits, a direct assault is not feasible. We can only resort to a battle of wits.”
Deng Mande and Du Juan instinctively moved back and stood by the door.
“How do we employ this battle of wits?” Yan Ge asked.
Huangfu Yuchen replied, “Look here, we can…”
On the same day, Shen Jinzhong in the county office asked the same question while cautiously conversing with a mighty middle-aged man. This man, dressed in military attire, carried himself with a commanding air. He was Wang Kui, the governor of Yuanzhou.
Shen Jinzhong had learned in the middle of the night that his son had not been killed. This morning, he heard that the imperial envoy and the governor had arrived together, and he vaguely deduced the truth behind his son’s abduction. It had almost frightened him to the point of losing his wits. With no fruitful ideas on how to handle the situation, he only sought to perform well in front of the governor and the imperial envoy in hopes of redeeming himself.
“Military strategist, what do you think?” Wang Kui asked the thin, bearded man beside him.
The strategist looked at the map and stroked his beard. “Sanzhu Mountain has steep slopes on two sides, making it difficult to attack. The other two sides offer a wide view. It is challenging to approach without being detected. As for the current plan, we may have to ‘disturb the grass to startle the snake.’”
“What does that mean?” Wang Kui inquired, glancing intentionally or unintentionally at Jun Xiang.
Jun Xiang pretended not to notice and simply listened without interrupting.
The strategist explained, “First, we need to find a few knowledgeable guides familiar with the terrain of Sanzhu Mountain. Since we cannot hide our movements from them, we might as well not try. The governor will boldly lead the troops toward Sanzhu Mountain, taking the normal route. We will send people up the mountain to persuade the bandits to surrender. This will make them lower their guard, thinking that we, like Magistrate Shen before, dare not engage in battle. We will deliberately maintain a stalemate with them for a day without taking any action, while also showing great impatience. They will surely observe us in secret and underestimate us as a result. Then, at night, we will set up military tents at the foot of the mountain, pretending to have the soldiers rest inside. But in reality, we will quietly divide the majority of the forces and follow the guides up the mountain, catching them off guard. This way, we may have a sixty percent chance of success.”
Wang Kui nodded. “Your plan is reasonable. Let’s proceed accordingly.”
At Ruyi Inn, Huangfu Yuchen had just finished explaining to Yan Ge.
“These are the few methods I can think of.”
“A few methods? Excessive modesty is arrogance!” Yan Ge glanced at him with a playful smile. “In that case, let me test you. Imagine you are leading the troops to eradicate the bandits, and I am one of the bandits who has stolen information from your side. I know that you might use the methods you just mentioned to deal with us.”
“Alright.” Huangfu Yuchen was interested in playing along. He looked at Yan Ge with a smile, then lowered his head and lightly kissed his lips. “And then?”
Yan Ge pushed him away, his face serious. “The beauty trap won’t work on me.”
Huangfu Yuchen laughed. “Very well. Please continue.”
Yan Ge pondered for a moment and said, “No matter which method you use to deal with us, we will stay on the mountain and adapt to any situation. We will station guards at the main entrances and shoot arrows whenever someone approaches. The mountain is rich in resources, and we won’t starve even if we are surrounded for a long time. There are also plenty of bamboo, so we can have as many arrows as we need. What do you think?”
“We can call this method the ‘Rogue Strategy.’ It’s not a bad idea,” Huangfu Yuchen teased.
“Alright, now it’s your turn to tell me what you would do.” Yan Ge leaned on his shoulder, a smug look on his face.
Huangfu Yuchen pondered for a moment and said, “In that case, when the wind is favorable, we can create dense smoke by starting a fire. And we can use a slightly more damaging trick by adding a sedative to the smoke. Fushan Mountain, which is on the opposite side of Sanzhu Mountain, could come in handy.”
Yan Ge’s face grew even more intrigued, and he spoke leisurely, “What if there are underground tunnels in the stronghold?”
Huangfu Yuchen suddenly embraced him tightly and kissed him deeply. “Baby, your words have reminded me. We must be cautious in dealing with the bandits this time. If they really escape through the underground tunnels, all our previous efforts will be in vain.”
“What’s with the ‘baby’?” Yan Ge glanced at him, smiling mischievously. “Round one, I win?”
“You win,” Huangfu Yuchen brushed away the strands of hair that fell on his face. “What reward do you want?”
“Just remember it,” Yan Ge grinned in satisfaction. “What’s next?”
“Sanzhu Mountain is vast, and if there are indeed underground tunnels, it won’t be easy to locate them,” Huangfu Yuchen pondered for a moment. “We can use a diversion. Send someone skilled in martial arts to infiltrate the bandits and shout, ‘The leader has escaped through the underground tunnel.’ If the other bandits know the location of the tunnel, they will all rush towards it. If they don’t, it will cause chaos. Either way, it will be advantageous for us.”
Yan Ge stared at him intently.
“Awed?” Huangfu Yuchen playfully asked.
Yan Ge lowered his head softly. “Alright, you win the second round,” he admired this man wholeheartedly. Hus powerful move of the underground tunnels was easily resolved with just a few words from him.
“Hehe,” Huangfu Yuchen ruffled his hair, always so happy when they were together. “What’s next?”
Yan Ge rallied himself. “Next—if the tunnels are discovered, I won’t run forward. Instead, I’ll turn back and return to the surface. I’ll take advantage of the soldiers’ distraction and eliminate one of them, then change into his uniform and make a bold escape.”
Huangfu Yuchen asked, “Are you one of the leaders or just a small fry?”
Yan Ge looked at himself, how could someone as magnificent as him be just a small fry? “Of course, I’m one of the leaders!”
Huangfu Yuchen suppressed a laugh. “If one of the leaders abandons his subordinates and flees like that, it will surely demoralize the bandits, making it easier to eliminate them.”
Yan Ge was at a loss for words. After a while, he continued, “Okay, let’s start anew through the tunnels. If the tunnels are discovered, I’ll still return. I am more familiar with the terrain on the mountain than you. I’ll lead my men to ambush you, utilizing traps and mechanisms within the stronghold to my advantage.”
This time, Huangfu Yuchen pondered for a bit longer. “It is said that four of the five leaders of the Black Demon Bandits are martial arts experts from the martial world. The eldest leader is even well-educated. It is possible that some of them possess knowledge of mechanisms. Perhaps we should stick with the diversion tactic. Send a small team of ten deep into the stronghold, and if anything unusual happens, release signal arrows.”
“If something happens, will you give up the attack?” Yan Ge asked, pursuing the idea further.
Huangfu Yuchen replied, “No. If I hear the signal arrows, I’ll release fire arrows. The fact that the bandits went through such great lengths to dig escape tunnels within the mountain shows how much they value the stronghold. They won’t stand idly by as it’s destroyed. They will divert some of their forces to put out the fire, avoiding traps and mechanisms along the way, which will inadvertently guide us. Dealing with them will be much easier at that point. If the leaders don’t show themselves, so be it. But once they do, we’ll capture the thieves and seize the king. As long as we capture a few of the leaders, the Black Demon Bandits will inevitably disintegrate.”
Yan Ge pondered deeply. “At that point, it’s either stubborn resistance or escaping through the tunnels.”
Huangfu Yuchen smiled lightly and touched the corner of his mouth. “There is one more method.”
“What method?”
Huangfu Yuchen said, “Use a beauty trap on me. Your seduction is undoubtedly effective on me.”
Yan Ge threw a punch, which was effortlessly caught by Huangfu Yuchen, who was smiling.
“No, wait. I am the villain! Villains have no principles. I can take a few people hostage. If you don’t retreat, I will kill the hostages. In this situation, what will you do?” Yan Ge’s face was full of cunning, as if he had thought of something.
Huangfu Yuchen said, “Hmm, I have considered this question. If the bandits really hold hostages, we can either send a skilled practitioner of lightness technique for a swift rescue or exchange the captured bandits for the hostages. We will prioritize saving the hostages first.”
Yan Ge boasted, “Hahaha! Actually, the hostages are not ordinary civilians. They are people who resemble honest individuals, but are actually my subordinates in disguise!”
Huangfu Yuchen’s expression turned serious. “This bandit leader is indeed cunning!”
Yan Ge glared at him and continued, “They are all experts. Once they get close to you, they will unexpectedly attack and kill you and a few other leaders.”
Huangfu Yuchen appeared relaxed.
“You already have another countermeasure without even thinking?” Yan Ge stared at him suspiciously.
Huangfu Yuchen gazed at him with a smile. “Why should I think? By that time, you will definitely be by my side. Even if I don’t react in time, you will save me.”
Yan Ge placed his hands on his lover’s thighs, leaning in to kiss his eyes, wearing a smiling expression that captivated Huangfu Yuchen’s heart. He tilted his head and kissed his lips.
Outside, Deng Mande knocked on the door. “Young Master, Madam, A Fei has returned.”
Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen separated, lowering their heads and pretending to study the map.
Huangfu Yuchen said, “Let him come in.”
A Fei relayed General Wang’s decision concisely and clearly.
Huangfu Yuchen frowned.
Yan Ge also felt that this approach was inappropriate, but he didn’t say anything and continued to ponder on how to “defeat” the officers and troops suppressing the bandits. Huangfu Yuchen would make the final judgment on Wang Kui’s side.
Huangfu Yuchen only nodded to A Fei, indicating that he understood, without saying anything else.
A Fei then left for the county office.
Deng Mande knocked on the door again. “Young Master, Madam, it’s time for lunch.”
“We know.”
While they were having their meal, Yan Ge suddenly slammed the table. “I just thought of something. If you can use the strategy of ‘capture the leader first’ against us, we can also use the same strategy against you.”
Huangfu Yuchen sighed. “Focus on eating. We’ll discuss it after we finish our meal.”
Yan Ge quickly finished the rice in his bowl. “I’m done eating.”
Huangfu Yuchen: “….”
“We can capture you,” Yan Ge quickly chewed and swallowed a few mouthfuls, “by first sending a group of men to separate you from the others, and then the five leaders will join forces to deal with you.”
“Facing five opponents alone, I will definitely lose.” Huangfu Yuchen refilled his bowl with rice. “Eat another bowl.”
Yan Ge was being brushed off. Helpless, he had no choice but to eat his meal properly. Once he was full, he took Huangfu Yuchen’s hand and placed it on his own stomach.
Huangfu Yuchen finally responded seriously, “Do you think that the five of them can handle the two of us together?”
Yan Ge was taken aback, smiling mischievously. “They won’t stand a chance.”
————–
At Sanzhu Mountain.
At the foot of the mountain, the military flag of the military governor displayed the character “Wang,” fluttering in the wind. Soldiers dressed in iron-gray armor stood in neat formation, exuding solemnity and gravity. Wang Kui and strategist Dong Liang stood at the forefront, gazing at the mountain. Shen Jinzhong stood silently by their side, occasionally stealing glances at the mountain with his small eyes, as if calculating something. Jun Xiang stood inconspicuously on the edge, with his hands behind his back, appearing as if he would not interfere with Wang Kui’s decision-making.
On the top of Sanzhu Mountain, under the azure sky, the verdant mountains undulated like a green blanket. Clusters of red leaves blazed passionately upon the green expanse, while purple flowers formed a layer upon layer, interweaving in the faint mist. It was like a beautiful painting crafted by the heavens.
