For the Ding Wang's army, there was no major commotion at this time.
On the surface, they still followed the rules, patrolling as they should, training their troops as they should, but secretly everything had already been arranged, just waiting to put on a good show for the Alliance army.
Ding Wang, apart from his initial arrival in the army, had long since disappeared without a trace.
However, only Yang Xu and a few others knew of his arrival, so it did not cause much of a stir.
Outside, it was widely rumored that the Ding Wang had come to the southwest with the grain transport army, and that it would take another two days to arrive.
The Third Prince and the others were waiting for this opportunity.
People have this kind of mentality: the most relaxed moment is when reinforcements or supplies are about to arrive.
By choosing this timing to strike and eliminate the commander of the Ding Wang's army, not only would the enemy be routed, but the grain and supplies delivered from afar would also fall into their hands.
As for the ailing Ding Wang, they were afraid that even without their intervention, the Emperor of Da Jin would not let him go.
Their plan was indeed well-calculated, but unfortunately, they had underestimated Ding Wang.
That night, the Alliance army detoured and launched a surprise attack on the Ding Wang army's camp.
Everywhere were ignited fire oil and the sounds of combat.
Yang Xu was stabbed by a trusted subordinate, and his injuries were quite serious. Fortunately, Xu Lin appeared in time and killed the assailant, otherwise, Yang Xu would have died today.
Clutching his stomach, blood continuously flowed from his abdomen.
The pain turned Yang Xu's face pale, but he did not utter a sound.
"Take this pill, then lie flat, and I'll treat your wound."
"But outside!"
Xu Lin suddenly became serious. "If you don't lie down now, you'll be dead. Someone will hold them off outside. They won't be able to cause any trouble."
Yang Xu was anxious, but he couldn't insist.
He could only lie down and let Xu Lin give him a simple bandaging of the wound before speaking.
"Fortunately, the knife wasn't poisoned, otherwise you would have reported to King Yama today."
"Boy, be gentle. Hiss..."
"Oh, you know it hurts now? Looking at you just now, I thought you were made of iron!"
Yang Xu turned his head away, gritting his teeth. Xu Lin's movements were also quick, and he immediately sewed up the wound.
He had learned how to treat sword wounds from Physician Zhang for a period, so he handled it without fumbling.
It was Yang Xu who suffered, without anesthetic, he could only endure it.
He almost bit his teeth to pieces, and sweat dripped down his forehead.
Outside, there was chaos and war, but inside, Xu Lin sewed up the wound without being affected.
Just as the Alliance army outside thought their surprise attack was about to succeed, a troop emerged from nowhere and surrounded them.
Then they heard the other side shout, "Why don't you surrender!"
It was then that the Alliance army realized they had been tricked. Seeing themselves completely surrounded, the leader was an elderly general, General Su, the father of Su Cheng.
He had arrived in the southwest about a day ago, commanding fifty thousand elite troops.
He left the main force stationed in Shuzhou, while the elites, under Ding Wang's orders, hid in the surrounding area, also waiting for this opportunity.
This time, the Alliance army, thinking they were about to achieve a great victory, had sent thirty thousand men.
But now it was like sending sheep into a tiger's den. Even with a slight numerical advantage, facing the menacing outer army and the Ding Wang's army, who were already bloodthirsty, they naturally trembled.
One timid soldier dropped his weapon, and then the others followed suit. This act essentially declared the failure of the Alliance army.
What they didn't know was that their main camp was much worse off than their current situation.
Across the West Water River.
The Third Prince and the Prince Consort's faces turned green upon seeing Ding Wang and Yang Zhao, who had appeared from nowhere.
Especially the Third Prince, he had seen Ding Wang before. How could that frail and sickly appearance stand so tall before them!
His complexion was ruddy, and he looked as if he had never been seriously injured.
"Where did you come from!"
"How dare you speak to my Wang Ye like that? Are you tired of living?"
Yang Zhao glared at the Prince Consort with a cold expression, a hint of mockery in his eyes, as if he disdained his status.
This was not entirely the Prince Consort's fault. Although he knew about the battle ten years ago, he had never met Ding Wang himself, so it was not strange that he did not recognize him.
Being so abruptly rebuked by Yang Zhao, the Prince Consort's temper flared.
He now controlled the Crown Princess, which meant that in Southern Yue, he had the final say.
In Southern Yue, no one dared to speak to him in such a loud and harsh tone.
He immediately drew his sword, intending to teach Yang Zhao a lesson. However, with a flick of Yang Zhao's wrist, the sword that the Prince Consort had not yet raised was sent flying.
It was then that the Prince Consort realized how great the danger was.
Squinting his eyes, he asked warily.
"He is Ding Wang?"
The Third Prince nodded, his face more serious than ever.
If Ding Wang was standing here in good health, it meant that all his previous calculations had gone to waste, and how could he not be nervous.
While maintaining a pretense of composure, he was already thinking of an escape route.
The Prince Consort had heard of Ding Wang's abilities but had never witnessed them firsthand, so he was somewhat afraid, but also harbored doubts.
"You are quite capable, to be able to bring people here. But this army is not a place you can come and go as you please! Guards, seize this person and reward him with ten thousand taels of gold!"
Ten thousand taels of gold, such a sum was truly tempting.
Unfortunately, after his voice had faded for a long time, there was still no response from outside.
Yang Zhao looked at him as if he were looking at an idiot.
The contempt in his eyes could not be hidden.
The Prince Consort was reckless and cruel. Seeing Yang Zhao's provocative gaze, how could he tolerate it.
He immediately cursed loudly.
"Are all the people outside dead? Can't you hear me calling?"
"Yes, they are all dead."
Yang Zhao replied honestly, immediately.
The Prince Consort's eyes widened in disbelief.
"If you don't believe me, go out and see for yourself."
As he spoke, he made way for him. Even if the Prince Consort was foolish, he knew at this moment that he had encountered a tough opponent.
He immediately said, "What do you want?"
"What do we want? It seems we weren't the ones who attacked first!"
Ding Wang finally spoke, his hands behind his back, his posture tall and straight.
Although he was standing in the enemy's camp, he seemed fearless, as if walking among his own troops.
His calm and composed demeanor, how could it not anger the Prince Consort.
Yes, they were the ones who attacked first.
But this thought only dared to run through his mind; he dared not utter a single word aloud.
Seeing this, the Third Prince immediately tried to smooth things over.
"Wang Ye, it's been a long time. Your health seems to have recovered quite well."