The great mountain stood majestically, its powerful and sharp-tipped form seemingly a masterpiece of nature. High on the mountain, bizarre rocks jutted out in various forms, creating a series of rhythmically appealing scenes.

Between the two mountains, there was a narrow, winding path. Below the path was a rapid river, and the path's width was less than two feet at its widest, making it difficult even for horses to pass. Standing on the path, looking up, the peaks seemed like swords piercing the sky, steep and treacherous.

"Marshal Chen, why are we here?" Looking at this winding path, Wei Qing dared not proceed on horseback for fear of a misstep leading to a fall.

Chen Mo dismounted and took a map from his chest, spreading it on the ground. He looked at the winding path before him, confirming it matched the map's route. He said, "Wei Qing, do you think this path could accommodate a large army?"

Wei Qing was stunned. Though he didn't understand military tactics or strategy, being a veteran, he could read a map. On the map, this winding path led to the rear of Zhuima City. He thought Chen Mo intended to attack Zhuima City via this path, and his face changed instantly, saying:

"Marshal, surely you don't plan to attack Zhuima City via this path? That's utterly impossible. This path is too narrow, nearly impassable for vehicles, not to mention military supplies. Our ten-thousand-strong army would take forever to make the journey, and Liang Song is a master of strategy. If he sets an ambush at the end, a few hundred men could hold us back indefinitely."

Wei Qing feared Chen Mo might act rashly.

"Not at all." Chen Mo wasn't so reckless, saying, "Look at the geographical positions of Zhuima City and Shiling County. If either city is attacked, the other will receive news and send reinforcements. Due to their geographical advantage, we cannot intercept their reinforcements."

"Marshal intends to send a detachment through this path to ambush the enemy reinforcements at the rear of Zhuima City?" Wei Qing was stunned. Though this was more plausible than a direct assault, the success probability was still minimal.

Chen Mo shook his head again, saying, "Currently, the enemy is fully aware of our military movements, but our understanding of the enemy is minimal. Hence, I plan to send you and Commander Sun, selecting a few elite troops from my personal guards to infiltrate the enemy's rear and reconnoiter their troop movements through this path."

Upon hearing this, Wei Qing trembled. This was a significant mission, yet highly perilous. If discovered, escape or capture would mean death.

"I assure you the mission will be completed." Sensing Chen Mo's emphasis, Wei Qing hesitated for a moment before accepting.

"Remember to dress in civilian attire. With fewer people, you can move through the forests without being easily detected. Pay attention to camouflage," said Chen Mo, patting Wei Qing on the shoulder.

"Understood."

…

On the night of March 25, Wei Qing, Sun Meng, and five personal soldiers, seven people in total, dressed in civilian clothes and carrying only hand blades, stealthily made their way through the mountain paths between Yangcheng and Zhuima City toward Zhuima City.

On March 26, Chen Mo ordered Zhang River and Hu Qiang to lead a thousand Divine Martial Guards, a thousand Xianzhen Guards, and logistics units to remain in Celestial Water Town. He then led the main army out of Celestial Water Town, heading straight for Zhuima City.

That afternoon, the enemy scouts in Zhuima City detected Chen Mo's army's movements and immediately reported back.

On the evening of March 29, the army camped ten miles outside Zhuima City.

Meanwhile, the enemy scouts from Zhuima City rode swiftly to Shiling County and informed Liang Song that Chen Mo's army was about to attack Zhuima City. Liang Song left Qin Lang to guard Shiling County and personally led the Personal Guard Battalion to Zhuima City.

On the early morning of the 30th, Chen Mo dispatched a messenger to deliver a battle challenge to the defenders of Zhuima City and led his troops to issue a challenge at the city front.

The military books mention three functions of issuing a challenge.

The first function is to persuade surrender.

The second function is to rationalize and moralize one's military actions.

It should be known that the Celestial Master Army isn't the former Rebel Army anymore but an officially appointed army by the Court. In contrast, the Yu State Army became the Rebel Army, reversing their identities.

The third function is to demoralize the opponent.

For the Yu State Army, they always regarded themselves as a faction of the Court, defending Yu State, safeguarding the nation, and being on the side of justice. But now being told they've become rebels, their mentality might inevitably change a bit.

This point was actually a reminder from Xia Zhining to Chen Mo.

Nevertheless, the Yu State Army in Zhuima City was determined to be turtles retracting in their shells, completely ignoring Chen Mo and his troops, even hanging a Peace Token on the city walls.

That afternoon, Chen Mo pushed the catapults to the front lines. Currently, he had thirty catapults, launching an assault on Zhuima City.

Chen Mo did not launch a full-scale assault but a feigned attack, so the Yu State Army easily defended against it.

But before they could rest long, Chen Mo initiated a second round of feigned attacks.

By evening, smoke rose from the city, and cooking began within the city.

At this moment.

"Dong dong dong..."

Outside the city, a deep and powerful drum sound resonated. The Yu State defenders resting within the city hurried to their posts on the city walls.

Indeed, Chen Mo's troops launched another assault on the city.

Just as the Yu State Army thought the Rebels were feigning an attack again, they saw black shadows being hurled into the city.

"Boom boom boom..."

Instantly, thunder-like sounds erupted within the city. The fire stoves set up by the Fire Head Battalion were blown apart by the explosions, scattering the food everywhere, and a thick smell of gunpowder filled the city.

Before the Yu State troops in the city could react, more black shadows were thrown in from outside the city. Only then did they see clearly that these shadows were pottery jars.

A soldier swung his knife toward one, and instantly a violent blast wave struck him.

He only had time to let out a cry of alarm before crashing heavily to the ground, his vision dimming.

Boom boom boom!!!

The ground trembled, eardrums ached, as if Duke Lei had descended.

The previously silent Zhuima City suddenly erupted into panic, engulfed in endless terror.

"Spare us, Duke Lei!"

"The ground is shaking, the ground is shaking."

"Duke Lei has manifested again."

The Yu State Army had never seen such a spectacle before. Even those who had seen it prior couldn't fathom the exact cause and could only attribute it to Duke Lei manifesting his spirit.

The Yu State soldiers within the city were running around like headless flies.

On the hill to the left of Zhuima City, Chen Mo, Liu Ze, Cui Shuang, and Xia Zhining watched everything happening in the city from afar.

Liu Ze and Xia Zhining, having experienced it before, weren't particularly shocked, but Cui Shuang was utterly stunned.

He knew Chen Mo was called "Immortal Master Chen," initially thinking it was just a title of respect from the people or perhaps Chen Mo using some Blinding Technique to fool them.

But what he witnessed now was indeed Chen Mo possessing true "Immortal Technique."

Cui Shuang asked in confusion, "Marshal Chen, why not use such magic to destroy the city walls? Wouldn't that make the siege much easier?"

Chen Mo shook his head, "City walls are not so easily destroyed."

Chen Mo had considered using the Fire Bomb to blow up the city walls. However, after several experiments, he found that while it was potent enough to crack stones, it couldn't move the dozens of meters high walls at all, only able to blast gates without the Thousand-Pound Gate. He had no choice but to give up.

The current knowledge he possessed on enhancing gunpowder's power was adding some sugar. As for further boosting the explosive force, he hadn't a clue.

Unless there was a fire pot as big as a water tank.

Watching the positions where the Yu State soldiers were hiding, Chen Mo instructed, "Order all catapults to aim at the Kun position and fire together!"

"Understood."

Liu Ze withdrew.

Before long, the command flags on the hill were waving, and the Command Flag Officer below, responsible for operating the catapults, gave orders as soon as he received them.

All catapults were aligned at the right angles, positioning their dragon heads toward the Kun position, loading Fire Bombs and lighting fuses.

"Fire."

As the Command Flag Officer waved the command flag, dozens of Fire Bombs were hurled toward Zhuima City.

Another round of explosions echoed.

Since it was mealtime, the Yu State soldiers in the city were gathered relatively densely. After several rounds of bombing, the casualties were severe among the Yu State Army.

The critical factor was it led to a decline in morale.

There were even Yu State soldiers who knelt down, kowtowing and pleading for Duke Lei's mercy.

Seeing the moment was right, Chen Mo ordered an assault on the city.

Below the city, drums thundered, with the Xianzhen Guard leading the charge, Divine Courage Guard in the center, and Divine Martial Guard at the rear, all dashing toward Zhuima City.

This time, it was not a feigned attack.

Chen Mo stood on the hill, closely watching the siege battle several hundred meters away.

A quarter-hour had passed, yet they could not push through.

Military books say: The best soldiers fight with strategy, next in diplomacy, next in battle, and lastly, sieging.

Indeed, siege tactics are only used as a last resort.

The limited troops Chen Mo had were nowhere near as numerous as Lu Yonggang's in the past, and forcibly sieging would result in heavy casualties.

After observing for a while longer, Chen Mo ordered, "Sound the gong to retreat!"

"Dong dong dong..."

The urgent sound of the copper gong echoed, and the sieging Xianzhen Guard instantly retreated like a tide, leaving a field of corpses behind.

"Hahaha."

On the city walls, the Yu State soldiers erupted in cheers.

They repelled the rebel army's assault. Once Lord Liang arrives, they could claim credit.

Yet little did they know, this was only the beginning of torment.

At midnight, Chen Mo ordered a night raid.

Simultaneously, it was a feigned attack. When the Yu State soldiers reached the city walls to prepare for battle, Chen Mo ordered a retreat.

Thus, until Liang Song arrived at Zhuima City in the following days, Chen Mo's forces continually harassed it, relentless in their siege strategy, wearing down the Yu State soldiers' spirits.

At the same time, Chen Mo received news of Liang Song's arrival at Zhuima City, promptly ordering another night raid tonight.

...

In the deep night.

Within the Zhuima City County Government Office, Liang Song was discussing matters with a group of commanders.

Just then, intense drum sounds erupted from outside, as Shi Meng hurriedly reported: "My Lord, the rebel army is attacking the city."

Beside him, the city guard commander of Zhuima City said, "The rebel army must be employing their siege tactics again, it's been the same every day."

"Do not let your guard down, follow me to the city walls to confront the enemy." Liang Song didn't relax his vigilance, leading the way outside.

Yet when Liang Song arrived at the city walls, the rebel army had already retreated, and the surrounding guards remarked, "Again, are they not tired?"

Liang Song, watching the retreating rebel forces, squinted his eyes slightly, "Playing tricks are they..."

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