Three days later.

Wuguan.

As its name suggests, this pass commands a mountain that rises abruptly, overlooking the chaotic north ridges, with only a small path winding its way through, intermittent and yielding an imposing stance of "one man guards the pass, ten thousand cannot breach."

Unlike the mountainous Yu State, Huai State is a plain, and beyond Wuguan is flat land.

If Huainan County is the water gateway of Huai State, then Wuguan is the throat of Huai State; losing Huainan County means losing the water advantage at worst, but losing Wuguan equates to losing Huai State.

However, as the throat of Huai State, the troops stationed at Wuguan are not as many compared to Huainan County, less than ten thousand.

It's not that Prince Huai undervalues Wuguan, but to reach Wuguan, one must first breakthrough Huainan County, then Wuguan, a natural barrier, can be held even by a few troops.

Even if Huainan County falls, the garrison in the county city can retreat to Wuguan.

Inside the grand middle camp behind the towering pass, Liang Xuan, in casual attire, chatted and drank with many other casually attired generals.

"General Wei, hasn't the Prince wiped out the Celestial Master Army, occupied Fengzhou for a long time now, yet hasn't returned?" Amidst the strong ambiance, a curious general asked Liang Xuan.

To avoid alerting Chen Mo, few in Huai State were aware of Prince Huai's plans to attack Qingzhou. Inside the camp, only Liang Xuan alone knew.

His duty was to help Prince Huai defend Huai State.

Regarding this, Liang Xuan was confident; with approximately fifty thousand troops, armed with well-equipped weapons and arrows, holding geographical advantages.

On the situation front, the only ones capable of attacking Huai State were "Chen Army" from Linzhou, and according to the latest news, the Wu Family had already dispatched soldiers to entangle Chen Army from Linzhou, and those stationed at Linzhou were gathering at Qiantang.

Upon receiving this information, he even considered leading Huai State troops to attack Linzhou.

Sadly, Huai State currently only had this number of troops; if they ventured to attack Linzhou, Huai would stand as a defenseless maiden, vulnerable to assaults.

With all aspects favoring him, if he couldn't hold Huai State, Liang Xuan might as well twist his own head off.

"The Prince acts according to his decisions; why ask so many questions? Don't ask what shouldn't be asked." Liang Xuan glanced at the general, then ordered his personal soldiers to remove the wine, saying, "With the Prince absent, everyone holds the responsibility to guard Huai State; drinking is allowed, but don't drink to excess. Everyone should return to their posts afterward."

"Yes." The generals responded.

Then, suddenly, a personal soldier dashed into the camp, approached Liang Xuan with an urgent message: "General Wei, General Xiao Yan from Huainan County reports urgently that the Chen Army from the opposite shore has crossed the river, attacking Huainan. He requests you to dispatch troops for rapid reinforcement..."

"?"

Upon hearing these words, many generals inside the camp were taken aback, eyes full of astonishment.

What twisted idea possessed the Chen Army across the river to come and attack Huainan...

Moments later, turmoil erupted; a general began angrily cursing Chen Mo.

"Chen Mo, this despicable man; we've signed a non-aggression treaty with them, yet now he violates the agreement and attacks us."

"Previously, Lord Liu Ji was right; Chen Mo can't be trusted, he's a treacherous scoundrel."

"..."

Liang Xuan was also slightly bewildered, assuming he misheard, took the letter and glanced at it; it read, "The Chen Army silently landed on the twenty-ninth, attacking our city with fierce momentum, backed by Duke Lei, making it hard to resist; suspecting Chen Mo himself came, requesting General Wei for swift reinforcement."

Upon reading, Liang Xuan was even more confused; weren't Linzhou's troops gathering at Qiantang? Even if they crossed the river to attack Huai State, how many troops could they muster? How could this small force amount to fierce momentum?

However, his mind quickly realized that the information about Linzhou's troops gathering at Qiantang was a false rumor spread by the opposite shore. The reality was that after learning about the Wu Family's deployment, Chen Mo realized the Prince was involved, thus, in anger, gathered troops to attack Huai State in retaliation.

Liang Xuan sneered, realizing Chen Mo allowed anger to cloud his judgment; gathering troops to attack Huai State, if prolonged without victory, Linzhou would be lost.

Since that's the case...

Liang Xuan raised his hand: "Bring the map."

Personal soldiers brought the map, spreading it open before Liang Song.

Liang Xuan studied the map for a while before saying, "Don't move the troops at Wuguan; have Zhao Liang in Beiwu County dispatch five thousand soldiers to reinforce Huainan without error."

"Yes."

...

Wuguan is less than a hundred miles from Beiwu County, with relay stations in between, so within a day, the order reached Zhao Liang in Beiwu County.

Zhao Liang was a Fifth-Grade Martial Artist, stationed over eight thousand troops at Beiwu. Upon receiving the order, he commanded his deputy to guard Beiwu, and personally led troops to aid Huainan.

Behind Huainan County, at the "Mang Mountain," this mountain's name was told to Chen Mo by Liu Ji.

East of Mang Mountain, nearly a thousand personal soldiers and over four thousand Divine Brave Guards were dispersed throughout, many lying under trees for shade.

Among the dense forest, several heads popped up unnoticed by others.

"Marquis, what if Wuguan and Beiwu's reinforcements assume Huainan's garrison can defend and don't send reinforcements?" Luo Yong asked.

Since reaching Mang Mountain on the twenty-eighth, nearly three days had been spent lying in ambush here.

The forest is full of venomous pests, and during this scorching heat with the sun hanging high, being nestled in this mountain hollow is uncomfortable.

Chen Mo wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, "Wait a little longer; if enemy reinforcements don't arrive, we'll go attack Huainan."

This scorching weather truly tests patience, and Chen Mo's patience isn't very good; he was quite restless by now.

Just as he finished speaking, scouts reported: "Marquis, enemy reinforcements have arrived, estimated at three to five thousand troops."

Chen Mo and his men immediately withdrew, ordering, "Issue the command, prepare for battle, crossbowmen ready."

"On the Marquis' order, prepare for battle, crossbowmen ready." Signal soldiers began conveying the command sequentially.

...

Zhao Liang accompanied by a thousand light cavalry and four thousand troops had already arrived at the official road at the foot of Mang Mountain. As Huainan County was expecting reinforcements, Zhao Liang dared not delay; considering this was the rear area of Huainan County, their own territory, no one would suspect a thing.

Thus, Zhao Liang's troops walked into the ambush Chen Mo had set for them.

Yet Zhao Liang remained oblivious, instead ordering, "Approaching Huainan County soon; give the command to increase marching speed."

Shortly thereafter, the light cavalry at the front advanced less than two hundred meters before dust suddenly rose on the vacant ground ahead and a rope sprang into the air, tripping horses into a chaotic fall, people and horses alike.

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