Chapter 31: Know Yourself, Know Your Enemy

Dragon Ridge Village.

Legend has it that long ago, a true dragon coiled itself atop the mountain ridge here, hence the name.

"Does my lord know that many years ago, someone led an army to Dragon Ridge and rested there for a night?"
"And that night, a few interesting anecdotes occurred."
Miaofa gazed up at the mountain peak, striking his usual pose of feigned mystery.

"And do you care to guess whether I want to know?"
Gao Changsheng shot Miaofa a sidelong glance and retorted.

"Heh!"
"I thought I was the only one who disliked this look on Miaofa's face."
"It turns out my lord finds him annoying too."
Dou Yuan teased with a chuckle.

"Don't say that!"
"If my lord understands this story, he can resolve the danger facing us tonight," Miaofa said urgently.

Danger tonight?
Upon hearing this, Gao Changsheng and Dou Yuan immediately turned serious.
Although Miaofa’s pretentious demeanor was grating, he never spoke empty words. If he said there would be danger tonight, it was bound to happen.

"Get to the point, or I’ll have Shi Meng hang you up and thrash you!"
Gao Changsheng warned.

At these words, Miaofa glared at Shi Meng, regretting his choices deeply. Had he known Shi Meng was such an ingrate, he never would have plucked him from the beggar’s den to present to Gao Changsheng.

"Back when the Founding Emperor was rising to power, he passed through Dragon Ridge. Seeing that the village terrain was flat, he pitched his camp there."
"Who would have thought that the enemy, upon learning of the Emperor’s forces resting at the ridge, would immediately lead a large army to lay an ambush on the mountain?"
"Gentlemen, care to guess the outcome?"
Miaofa began to play the tease again.

Hearing this, Dou Yuan couldn't help but survey the terrain of Dragon Ridge once more.
"The mountain is entirely to the north, and below it lies the flat ground of the village."
"If one stands on the mountain, the view for hundreds of miles is fully exposed!"
"If the enemy were to ambush from the heights, our army would surely suffer!"
Dou Yuan frowned, suddenly realizing Miaofa was dropping hints.

"I fear it isn't that simple."
"When the Founding Emperor led his armies across the land, while one cannot say he won every battle, I have never heard of him suffering a crushing defeat."
"Otherwise, he would not have been able to establish the powerful Great Yong Dynasty in an age of warring states."
Gao Changsheng said thoughtfully.

"My lord, that’s cheating!"
Miaofa complained.
Gao Changsheng laughed sheepishly. Indeed, analyzing history by looking at the outcome was akin to shooting an arrow and then drawing the target. Calling it cheating was not an injustice.

"I understand!"
Dou Yuan stared intently at Dragon Ridge Mountain, then suddenly slapped his thigh and laughed:
"The mountain is bare, not even a single large tree to be found—there is nowhere to hide! The Founding Emperor must have discovered the enemy first and launched a preemptive strike before they could react."

After hearing Dou Yuan’s conclusion, Miaofa nodded in approval. Gao Changsheng finally realized the truth, his face dawning with understanding. Although the story of the Battle of Dragon Ridge was just a minor historical interlude, Gao Changsheng recognized his own shortcomings through it. In strategy, he was not as good as Miaofa. In military experience, he was far inferior to Dou Yuan. If he were truly determined to change his fate, he still had much to learn!

"But, all said and done, what does this have to do with tonight’s danger?"
"I don’t see any enemies on the mountain!" Gao Changsheng asked, puzzled.

"My lord, have patience."
"If this humble Daoist guesses correctly, there are those among that group who have read their history books well."
"However, they only know that the mountain cannot be used for an ambush, yet they fail to realize it is the only place within hundreds of miles where one can hide. Once that is understood, one only needs to post enough sentries to watch the north—not even a fly could sneak in."
Miaofa said triumphantly.

"Those people have quite the nerve."
"To dare attempt a night raid on an army within the borders of Great Yong? I shall lead my men out and slaughter these bastards!" Dou Yuan said indignantly.

"Wait!"
"I have a fair idea of who sent them," Gao Changsheng sneered.
The Second Prince and the Third Prince?!
Dou Yuan immediately stopped in his tracks. He had heard with his own ears at the Prince’s manor that Gao Changwen and Gao Changfei intended to act against Gao Changsheng. But their boldness was extreme—to dare attack a military camp! If this reached the ears of the Divine Martial Emperor, they would not be spared, even as princes.

"General, let them in."
"Rest assured, I will not put myself in harm's way this time, and I suspect these people aren't as clever as they think."
"I want to take this opportunity to see the tricks the two princes have up their sleeves."
"Only by knowing oneself and the enemy can one survive a hundred battles!"
Gao Changsheng said with a relaxed expression.

"Since my lord says so, I have no choice but to comply."
"I will arrange the sentries to be more scattered, intentionally leaving gaps for these fools to crawl into the camp."
"Once they approach your tent, I will lead the troops to strike!"
Dou Yuan saluted and turned to make his arrangements.

"My lord, this humble Daoist must also rest."
"I’ve been busy traveling these past two days and haven't slept well. Tonight, I intend to get a good night's sleep!"
Miaofa stretched, looking lazy.

Trying to slip away? In your dreams!
"Smack!"
Gao Changsheng grabbed Miaofa’s wrist, flashing a wicked grin:
"The Master said: 'Is it not a pleasure to learn and to practice what you have learned?'"
"I still have much knowledge to seek from you."
"Your lord is so diligent; aren't you happy?"
With that, he forcibly dragged Miaofa toward the tent.

"What master? Which master?"
"This humble Daoist has never heard of this 'learning and practicing' nonsense!"

...

Deep in the night, the world was silent.
A few sparks flickered in the darkness. The night, windless and cloudless, should have been peaceful, but the sound of hurried footsteps shattered the rare tranquility.

"Smack!"
Near the mountains to the north, the firelight of the sentry post vanished eerily. But soon, the light returned. Several soldiers in armor emerged from the shadows. A moment later, another squad appeared. Within half an hour, no fewer than two hundred soldiers from the northern mountain were strolling boldly into the camp. Without exception, they wore the uniforms of the Imperial Army.

The two hundred men split into small squads, pretending to patrol, all while deliberately converging on the tent where Gao Changsheng was staying.

"Remember, there are thirteen guards protecting the Sixth Prince."
"Finish them quickly and scatter in flight."
"If anyone is left behind, do not expect to live, or your families will suffer the consequences. Do you understand?!"
The leader whispered his instructions.

"Attack!"
At his command, the two hundred men swarmed toward the tent.

"Fire!"
Suddenly, a thunderous roar pierced the night sky.
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
The shrill sound of arrows cutting through the air followed instantly. In a single volley, twenty lives were claimed.

"Charge in! Think of your families!"
The leader, as if driven mad, charged toward the tent regardless of his life.
However, the moment they tore through the entrance of the tent, they were not met by Gao Changsheng.
Instead, they were met by a wall of faces... and dozens of crossbows!

"Gentlemen, were you looking for me?"
A mocking laugh drifted from outside the tent.
At the same time, the entire area was surrounded by thousands of crossbowmen, leaving no room to escape.

"Gao Changwen and Gao Changfei have such pathetic tactics!"
"They’ve ruined the trap I meticulously laid, a complete waste of effort!"