novelSusiti Chapter 35 Surprise Attack
Chapter 35 Surprise Attack
At dawn the next day, before daybreak, two thousand elite soldiers secretly assembled west of Jiujiang City. There were no banners, no drums or bugles; each soldier carried only weapons and dry rations, and the horses had their hooves bound and bridles gagged.
Ma Yongsheng was dressed in a black, close-fitting outfit, with a light armor over it, making him look like an ordinary young general. Only his eyes shone brightly in the morning mist.
"Set off."
The team, like a silent black dragon, burrowed into the towering mountains of the Dabie Mountains.
The first day's march of sixty li went relatively smoothly. Although the mountain roads were rugged, most of the soldiers were from the mountains and used to such terrain. Although Ma Yongsheng's injuries had not fully healed, he gritted his teeth and persevered, keeping pace with no one else.
The next day, they entered the deep mountains, where the path became even more difficult. Sometimes they had to climb almost vertical cliffs, and other times they had to wade through icy streams. More than a dozen soldiers slipped and were injured, and had to stay behind to be escorted back to Jiujiang by the locals.
On the third day, they encountered a torrential downpour. Flash floods swept away the planned route. The team was trapped in a valley and only found a way out after the rain stopped, but they had already wasted most of the day.
"Chief, at this rate, we won't reach Jixian Pass in five days," Instructor Sun said worriedly.
Ma Yongsheng looked at the map; the rain-soaked paper was somewhat blurry.
He closed his eyes, opened his mind to the full extent, and sensed the surrounding terrain.
Although the torrential rain caused delays, it also washed away their traces, which may not be a bad thing.
"Let's take this route instead." He pointed to a more treacherous but shorter route. "Although it's difficult, it will save us a day."
"But this road leads through 'Ghost's Sorrow,' a place that even herb gatherers dare not easily traverse..."
"The Qing army would never have imagined we'd go that way." Ma Yongsheng put away the map. "Send the order to speed up."
On the fourth day, the group arrived at "Ghost's Sorrow".
This is a plank road carved out of a cliff, only wide enough for one person to pass through, with a bottomless abyss below and the river water as thin as a thread.
The mountain wind howled, making people sway precariously.
Ma Yongsheng was the first to step onto the plank road.
He walked steadily, as if he were walking on flat ground, not a cliff.
Seeing this, the soldiers behind them mustered their courage and followed one after another.
Halfway there, an accident happened.
The plank road had fallen into disrepair over the years, and suddenly a section of the plank broke! Three soldiers screamed and fell into the abyss, their voices never echoing.
A commotion broke out in the crowd.
"Don't stop! Keep going!" Ma Yongsheng shouted sternly. "Stopping is even more dangerous!"
The soldiers gritted their teeth and pressed on.
Two hours later, everyone passed through the Ghost's Sorrow Pass, but five more people fell off the cliff.
Of the two thousand people who set out, less than nineteen hundred remain.
Ma Yongsheng stood at the end of the plank road, gazing into the abyss, and remained silent for a long time.
Every soldier's life is precious.
But that's how war is; a merciful general cannot command an army.
"Write down their names and give generous compensation to their families when you get back," he told Instructor Sun, then turned and said, "Keep moving forward."
On the evening of the fifth day, the team finally arrived in the mountains twenty miles north of Jixian Pass.
The soldiers were exhausted and hungry, and many of them had blisters on their feet, but no one complained.
Because they knew that the most crucial moment had arrived.
Ma Yongsheng climbed to the top of the mountain and used binoculars to observe Jixian Pass.
The fortress was built between two mountains, guarding the official road leading to Anqing.
The city walls are not high, but the terrain is treacherous, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack.
The garrison inside the pass numbered about a thousand, mostly Green Standard Army soldiers, and they were currently cooking over a fire, with wisps of smoke rising from the chimney.
The defense doesn't seem very tight.
But Ma Yongsheng became more wary.
It's too lax; it doesn't feel like wartime.
Did the Qing army not expect to be attacked from behind?
"Chief, is something wrong?" Instructor Sun noticed that his expression was strange.
"It's too quiet," Ma Yongsheng said in a low voice. "Pass down the order to let the brothers rest, but don't light any fires or speak loudly. Send a few clever ones to sneak up and investigate further."
As night fell, the mountain breeze grew colder.
The soldiers, wrapped in cloaks and munching on hard, dry rations, awaited orders.
Two hours later, the scout returned with a strange expression.
"Chief, there's something strange going on inside the pass..."
"How so?"
"The garrison was indeed only about a thousand strong, but... they seemed to be waiting for someone." The scout recalled what he had seen. "There were so many lanterns hanging on the city wall that it was as bright as day. The soldiers weren't sleeping either; they were all on guard on the city wall, and they kept looking north, as if they were waiting for someone to come."
"Waiting for someone?" Ma Yongsheng's heart stirred.
Did the Qing army already know they were coming and set a trap?
No, if they had known, they should have ambushed them en route instead of waiting idly inside the pass. Unless... the person they were waiting for wasn't themselves.
"Is there anything else unusual?"
"And... there's a man in a black robe inside the pass, not dressed as a Qing soldier, walking back and forth on the city wall. The garrison soldiers treat him very respectfully, even the garrison officer bows and scrapes."
A man in black robes? An AI?
Ma Yongsheng's eyes narrowed.
Sure enough, AI has already infiltrated this place.
Did they anticipate that the Jingnan Army might launch a surprise attack on Jixian Pass, so they made preparations in advance?
"Chief, shall we continue fighting?" Instructor Sun asked.
Ma Yongsheng pondered.
The original plan was a dawn raid, but the situation has changed.
There might be an ambush or some other arrangement inside the pass.
But the arrow was already on the bowstring, and it had to be released.
If we abandon the surprise attack and wait for the Qing army to strengthen its defenses, it will be difficult to take Jixian Pass again.
"Let's fight," he finally decided, "but the plan has to change."
He detailed the new plan: to divide the 1,900 people into three teams.
The first team of 500 men, led by Instructor Sun, launched a feint attack from the front to draw the attention of the defending troops.
The second team of one thousand men, led by himself, circled around to the west side of the pass, where the city wall was lower and there were several large trees that could be used for climbing.
The third team of 400 men serves as a reserve force, ready to provide support at any time.
"Remember, our primary objective after entering the city is not to kill the enemy, but to control the city gates, granaries, and armories. Especially that man in black robes; if you see him, try to capture him alive," Ma Yongsheng instructed.
At three-quarters past midnight, the operation began.
Instructor Sun led five hundred men out of the mountains and forests and charged toward the north gate of Jixian Pass.
The shouts of battle shook the heavens, and torches illuminated the night sky.
The alarm gongs sounded loudly on the city wall, and the defending troops, as expected, were prepared, and arrows rained down.
However, Sun Jiao's attack was merely a feint; he did not actually charge. Instead, he formed a defensive formation a hundred paces outside the pass, using shields to block arrows while simultaneously retaliating with muskets.
Just as the guards' attention was drawn to the north gate, Ma Yongsheng led a thousand men to quietly sneak up to the west wall.
The defenses here were indeed weak, with only a few sentries dozing off.
"superior!"
Dozens of ropes with hooks were thrown onto the wall, and the soldiers climbed up like monkeys.
Ma Yongsheng took the lead and climbed the city wall in just a few leaps.
The sentry was awakened, but before he could shout, his mouth was covered and his throat was slit.
"Take control of the city walls! Open the west gate!" Ma Yongsheng ordered.
Some soldiers cleared out the defenders along the city wall, while others rushed down the wall and charged toward the west gate.
The defending troops were completely unprepared for an attack from behind and were thrown into chaos.
Ma Yongsheng led a squad of personal guards straight to the garrison headquarters in the city center—his scouts said the man in black robes was there.
The streets were filled with the sounds of fighting.
Although the Jingnan Army soldiers were exhausted, the energy they had been holding back for several days burst forth at this moment, making them unstoppable.
The Qing army was caught off guard and suffered repeated defeats.
A unique battle is unfolding in front of the garrison headquarters.
Sure enough, the man in black robes was there, standing in front of the mansion gate, surrounded by dozens of Qing soldiers.
But strangely, these soldiers had vacant eyes and stiff movements, like marionettes.
"It really is you." Ma Yongsheng stopped and placed his hand on the hilt of his knife.
The man in the black robe slowly turned around. Under the hood was an ordinary middle-aged face, but those eyes—Ma Yongsheng knew them all too well—that inhuman coldness.
"Ma Yongsheng, or should I call you... Spacetime Anomaly Zero?" the man in black robes spoke, his voice eerily calm. "You shouldn't be here."
"Who are you waiting for?" Ma Yongsheng asked instead of answering.
"Waiting for you, yet not waiting for you," the man in black said, a contradictory statement. "We're waiting for a 'variable,' and you are the biggest variable. But I never expected you to come in person."
"What exactly do you want?"
"Maintain the 'baseline.'" The man in black robes took a step forward, and the puppet soldiers followed suit. "The development trajectory of this civilization must follow the predetermined path. Any deviation will lead to unpredictable consequences. And you are the biggest source of deviation."
Ma Yongsheng sneered: "So you want to stifle all change? To let history follow the script you've set? Until the sun collapses and civilization is destroyed?"
The black-robed figure's pupils contracted slightly—the first time it had shown any sign of emotion. "You know too much. This only proves that you must be eliminated."
As soon as he finished speaking, dozens of puppet soldiers pounced at the same time! Their movements were perfectly synchronized, like a pack of well-trained hunting dogs, blocking all of Ma Yongsheng's escape routes.
Ma Yongsheng drew his sword to meet the attack.
The blade flashed like snow, instantly felling three puppets.
But these creatures are not afraid of death and have no sense of pain; even with severed arms and legs, they still pounce on you.
What's more troublesome is that the man in black robes is directing their actions in real time with a short stick in hand.
While fending off the puppets' attacks, Ma Yongsheng charged toward the man in black robes.
But there were just too many puppets, layer upon layer, and it was impossible to get through them.
This can't go on.
Ma Yongsheng gritted his teeth and pulled a metal ball from his pocket—the last Thunderclap Bomb.
He lit the fuse, but instead of throwing it at the man in black, he tossed it into the middle of the group of puppets.
"boom!"
The blast wave sent a bunch of puppets flying.
Taking advantage of this moment, Ma Yongsheng rushed towards the man in black robes like an arrow released from a bow!
The man in black robes seemed not to have expected him to go to such lengths.
But Ma Yongsheng had already rushed within three feet, his blade flashing as he slashed straight at the opponent's face!
The man in black robes had no choice but to raise his stick to block.
The sword and the club clashed, producing a metallic clang—the short club was actually made of metal!
The two fought on one side.
Ma Yongsheng's knife skills were sharp and fierce, while the black-robed man's staff techniques were unpredictable; for a time, it was difficult to determine who was superior.
However, Ma Yongsheng was injured and would be at a disadvantage in a prolonged battle.
Worse still, the puppets that were blown away are getting back up.
We must act swiftly and decisively.
Ma Yongsheng suddenly created an opening, and the man in black robes stabbed him in the chest with a stick.
He ignored everything and, with a swift turn of his blade, slashed at the opponent's wrist holding the stick!
This is a lose-lose situation.
The man in black robes clearly hadn't expected him to be so ruthless, and it was too late for him to change his tactics.
With a "thud," the short stick pierced Ma Yongsheng's left shoulder, while his right wrist was also slashed open with a deep wound that exposed the bone.
There was no blood.
The wound revealed a silvery-white metallic structure and shimmering circuitry.
"As expected of a high-level carrier." Ma Yongsheng sneered through the pain, gripping the short stick with his left hand to prevent it from being pulled out, while his right hand slashed down with the knife again!
The man in black robes abandoned his staff and retreated swiftly, but Ma Yongsheng's knife followed him relentlessly.
One slash, two slashes, three slashes... the flashing blades formed a net, enveloping the man in black robes.
Finally, the blade slashed through his neck!
The black-robed man's head flew up, tracing an arc in the air, and landed with his eyes still open.
The headless body stood frozen for a moment before collapsing with a thud.
The puppet soldiers stopped moving at the same time, collapsing to the ground like puppets with broken strings.
Ma Yongsheng leaned on his knife, panting heavily.
Blood was streaming from the wound on his left shoulder, and the short stick was still stuck in it.
Instructor Sun and his men rushed over: "Chief! You're injured!"
"It's alright..." Ma Yongsheng gritted his teeth and pulled out the short stick. The thing was cold to the touch, neither metal nor wood, and he didn't know what it was made of. "First, take control of the entire area and count the casualties."
By daybreak, Jixian Pass had completely fallen into the hands of the Jingnan Army.
The defending troops suffered over 300 casualties, and 700 surrendered.
The Jingnan Army suffered more than 200 casualties, most of which occurred during the attack on the North Gate.
Ma Yongsheng quickly bandaged the wound and immediately began interrogating the prisoner.
According to the garrison officer, the man in black robes arrived suddenly three days ago, presented an imperial envoy's token, and ordered the garrison to strengthen their defenses, saying that there might be a "bandit army" attacking in the near future. As for the man in black robes' specific identity, the garrison officer did not know, only saying that he was "a highly skilled person from the capital."
"It predicted our actions," Ma Yongsheng told Coach Sun. "AI in this era's information network is more advanced than we imagined."
"Then... could there be an ambush in Anqing as well?"
"Very likely." Ma Yongsheng walked up to the fortress and looked southeast.
The outline of Anqing was faintly visible in the morning mist. "But we have no way out. News of the capture of Jixian Pass will soon reach Anqing. We must head south immediately before they can react and join forces with the main force in Jiujiang to encircle Anqing."
He paused, then said, "Order five hundred men to guard Jixian Pass, and the rest of the troops to march south immediately. At the same time, send carrier pigeons to inform General Jin that the general offensive can begin."
"But your injury..."
"I won't die." Ma Yongsheng looked at the rising sun in the east, the sunlight blinding him. "Let's go."
The group set off again, this time downhill, at a much faster pace. Ma Yongsheng, mounted on his horse, felt waves of pain in his left shoulder, but his expression remained calm. In his mind, however, was another matter: the black-robed man's dying words, "We are waiting for a change in circumstances."
Variables? What does that mean? Does it mean there are disagreements within the AI itself? Some want to maintain the original trajectory, while others... want to change it?
If that's the case, then things get complicated.
At noon, the team arrived at the north of Anqing city.
From afar, the deafening shouts of battle could be heard—the main force of Jiujiang had begun its siege.
Warships gathered on the river, and cannons roared.
Thick smoke billowed from the walls of Anqing, indicating a fierce battle.
Ma Yongsheng immediately led his troops to launch an attack from the rear.
The Anqing garrison was attacked from both sides and immediately fell into chaos.
In less than two hours, the north gate was breached, and the Jingnan Army poured into the city.
In the afternoon, Anqing was liberated.
When Ma Yongsheng and Jin Shenghuan met at the Anqing government office, both were covered in blood, but their eyes were filled with excitement.
"Brother Changsheng! That was a brilliant move!" Jin Shenghuan laughed and patted Ma Yongsheng on the shoulder—this time avoiding his injury. "With the fall of Jixian Pass, the Anqing defenders have lost all their spirit! We only attacked for two hours, and they surrendered!"
Ma Yongsheng smiled, but his smile seemed tired.
After a series of fierce battles, his injuries worsened, and he felt somewhat dizzy.
"General Jin, with Anqing fallen, the gateway to Nanjing is wide open. But to take Nanjing, we still need careful planning." He forced himself to stay alert. "The Qing army still has heavy troops in Wuhu and Dangtu, and the Yangtze River navy is also not weakened. We cannot be rash."
"You're right!" Jin Shenghuan nodded. "I've already ordered the navy to blockade the river to prevent Qing warships from escaping eastward. The army will rest for three days, then advance by land and sea to clear out the strongholds along the river, and finally encircle Nanjing!"
Just then, a messenger rushed in: "Report! Urgent report from Nanjing!"
"read!"
"A mutiny has broken out in Nanjing! The Manchu Eight Banners and the Han Green Standard Army have clashed, resulting in thousands of deaths and injuries! The Shunzhi Emperor has disappeared in the chaos, reportedly hidden in the palace by eunuchs! Dorgon's condition has worsened, and he is no longer able to govern! Nanjing is now in complete disarray, and all government offices are paralyzed!"
Jin Shenghuan was stunned, then overjoyed: "Heaven is helping us! Brother Changsheng, this is a golden opportunity! Nanjing is in chaos, we can take advantage of the situation and capture Jinling without lifting a finger!"
The generals also became excited.
What did capturing Nanjing mean? It meant controlling half of the country, it meant having the power to declare oneself emperor, it meant…
But Ma Yongsheng frowned.
What a coincidence!
Anqing has just been captured, and now Nanjing is in turmoil?
And the chaos is so complete that even the emperor has disappeared?
He recalled the man in black robes' words: "We are waiting for a change in circumstances."
Could this be... a "variable"? What was the AI's purpose in orchestrating the internal strife in Nanjing? To lure him in? Or... something else entirely?
"Brother Changsheng, what are you hesitating for?" Jin Shenghuan urged. "This is an opportunity we can't miss!"
Looking at the point marked "Nanjing" on the map, Ma Yongsheng felt a strong sense of unease.
It was like a giant maw, waiting to devour everything.
But can he not go?
No.
Nanjing must be captured, not only for strategic reasons, but also to explore the true nature of AI.
"Issue the order," he finally spoke, "that the entire army rest for one day. Tomorrow at dawn, advance by land and water, and march straight for Nanjing."
He paused, then added, "But once we enter Nanjing, all troops must be cautious, must not disperse, and must not enter the palace without permission. Pay special attention to... any unusual situations must be reported immediately."
"An unusual situation?" Jin Shenghuan asked, puzzled.
Ma Yongsheng offered no explanation, but simply gazed eastward, towards Nanjing.
Even if it's a dragon's den or a tiger's lair, we still have to venture in.