"General, how come the river at Hongze Crossing isn't as turbulent anymore?" Zhang Han asked, very surprised as he looked at the Wei River, which had become much calmer than before.

"Before arriving in Wei City, I had already dispatched men to investigate the hydrology of the Wei River," Zhao Feng said with a smile, looking at the placid Hongze Crossing before him. "Every year, as the cold winter ends, the water level of the Wei River drops during the second and third months. Now is the perfect time."

Zhang Han's face filled with shock and admiration. "I never expected that you had plans for Wei from the moment you arrived in Wei City, General. Such strategic foresight commands my utmost respect," he said from the heart.

"Qin and Wei are destined for war. That initial investigation was merely an act of foresight, and now it has paid off," Zhao Feng said calmly.

Afterward, with a wave of his hand, Zhao Feng ordered loudly, "Archers, on guard! As soon as you spot the Wei Army on the opposite bank, release your arrows! Build a pontoon bridge with the boats and rafts. The army will cross in an orderly fashion!"

"As you command, General!" all the officers responded in unison.

Then, one by one, newly built boats and rafts were carried forward by the Sharp Warriors and placed into the now-placid Wei River. Following their orders, many Sharp Warriors rowed toward the opposite bank, side-by-side. Once they reached the other shore, hundreds of soldiers landed. They did not rush to attack; instead, they took out prepared sharp wooden stakes and hammers, driving them firmly into the ground.

"Iron chains!" the first Junhou to reach the opposite shore immediately shouted.

They brought out numerous chains, attaching one end to the stakes and the other to the rafts and boats. More rafts and boats were launched, linked five or six in a line to form a pontoon bridge, all secured by the iron chains. Clearly, these too had been crafted by the army's blacksmiths under Zhao Feng's prior arrangements. This was all in preparation for today.

After some time, Zhang Han reported excitedly, "General, the pontoon bridge is complete!"

With this bridge, they could storm the opposite bank and launch their surprise attack on Wei.

Zhao Feng did not speak. He mounted his horse and took up the Mysterious Order weapon, the Tyrant Spear, which he had not yet had an opportunity to use. Clad in black armor, astride his warhorse and holding the Tyrant Spear, Zhao Feng appeared immensely imposing at that moment.

"Brothers!" Zhao Feng shouted. "Today is the day we win honor and glory! Today is the day we achieve an unparalleled feat! Follow me into Wei and establish a legacy for the ages!"

He clamped his legs against the horse's belly and spurred it forward, stepping onto the pontoon bridge and heading for the opposite bank.

"We swear to follow the General to the death!" thousands of soldiers roared with excitement, following Zhao Feng across the pontoon bridge in succession and setting foot on the territory of Wei.

「On the opposite shore.」

An Army Marquis Camp established by Wei Wuji was stationed there.

"Niu Da, aren't you supposed to be patrolling the Wei River? Why are you still in the camp?" the Wei Junhou asked in surprise as he inspected the barracks, spotting a centurion who should have been on patrol.

"Junhou," Niu Da replied with a laugh, "I've already completed a patrol. There was nothing out of the ordinary."

"The order from above is for continuous daily patrols. How can you return after just one round?" the Junhou frowned, his tone questioning.

"Junhou, every centurion's platoon patrols this way," Niu Da said nonchalantly. "Hongze Crossing is famous for its rapid currents. Forget the Qin Army, even a large ship would struggle to cross. There's nothing to worry about."

An Army Marquis Camp consisted of ten centurion platoons, and they all patrolled in this manner. Wei Wuji was extremely cautious, having arranged for an entire Army Marquis Camp to watch over the supposedly impassable Hongze Crossing. If any abnormality was spotted, they could report it to neighboring camps for swift reinforcement.

Wei Wuji had led an army of 150,000 south, but he still left tens of thousands of soldiers to defend his nation's borders. However, Wei Wuji's caution did not guarantee the vigilance of his troops. Take this Army Marquis Camp, for instance. At first, they carried out their duties strictly. But as time passed without incident, and considering their own state of Wei had already gone on the offensive against Qin, they naturally grew complacent.

Hearing Niu Da's words, the Junhou said nothing more, as he was well aware of the situation. But just then, a series of booming sounds suddenly erupted.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The very ground seemed to tremble. "What's that noise?" the Junhou exclaimed, alarmed. He involuntarily looked toward the Wei River.

In the distance, a multitude of black Qin banners could be seen fluttering in the wind. Beneath them was the Black-armored Qin Army.

"This is bad!" the Junhou roared. "The Qin Army has crossed the river! Prepare for battle!"

But in the next moment—WHIZ!

An arrow sliced through the air and pierced straight through the Wei Junhou's throat. He collapsed backward, hands instinctively clutching the wound as he struggled in agony. His blood splattered across the face of the centurion beside him. The sudden catastrophe shocked the man into a stupor.

But right after that first arrow came a volley.

WHIZ! WHIZ! WHIZ!

WHIZ! WHIZ! WHIZ!

Thousands of arrows rained down from above.

"AHH... AHHH!"

"Enemy attack!"

"The Qin Army has crossed the river!"

"Quick, retreat!"

The sudden assault caught the Wei Army Marquis Camp completely off guard. Amid the downpour of arrows, countless Wei soldiers were struck down, falling into pools of their own blood. The entire camp instantly fell into chaos, with men scattering in every direction. Their Junhou was dead, leaving no one to organize a defense. At that moment, their only thought was to flee, but the rain of arrows was only the beginning.

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