Looking at Yinshan City in front of him, Lin Zhongyun put his hands behind his back, thinking. His eyes wandered over the ruins, and a complex emotion surged in his heart.

He originally thought that after the fall of Daqian, the world would be within his grasp, but he still underestimated the strength of the Northern Barbarians.

In particular, he had never expected that there would be such a meticulous and ruthless person among the Northern Barbarians. His heart was filled with shock and mixed emotions. He had always believed that the Northern Barbarians were just barbarians who could only do things recklessly, but the tragic situation before him made him realize that he was totally wrong.

This action of the Northern Barbarians was not just a simple attack, but a carefully planned strategic action. They even adopted a tactic of luring the enemy into a trap, taking advantage of the connection between Yinshan City and Oak City, cleverly luring the rebels into a trap, and then annihilating them in one fell swoop.

Even he had to admit that such scheming and tactics were far beyond his expectations and far beyond those of ordinary Han strategists.

Once upon a time, although the Northern Barbarians were unmatched in their power, they were only strong in military force. When it came to tactics and strategy, the Northern Barbarians were far inferior to Daqian.

This is also the important reason why, although the Northern Barbarians have been very powerful over the years, they can only stick to their grasslands.

I'm afraid that at that time, no one could have imagined that the Northern Barbarians, who had always been reckless and simple-minded, would actually use tactics, and they were so skilled at it.

It is conceivable that if the scourge of the Northern Barbarians cannot be solved once and for all this time, it will inevitably pose a threat to the entire Central Plains and even the entire Han nationality in the future.

At this moment, the struggle between them has long transcended the limitations of a war between countries and has evolved into a struggle between ethnic groups.

There is no doubt that if one side loses, it will mean the end of that ethnic group.

Therefore, now his rebel army is not only fighting for himself, but for the entire nation.

But it is worth being thankful that they were able to find some joy in adversity. At least they discovered something wrong with the Northern Barbarians at the beginning of the war. Otherwise, if it had been dragged on, it would only cause greater casualties to the rebel army in the future.

This defeat undoubtedly sounded a wake-up call for them. After learning from this lesson, no one dared to underestimate the Northern Barbarians anymore.

After all, this tragic precedent was right before his eyes.

Lin Zhongyun's eyes gradually became firm. He knew that they had to be more cautious and careful in the future and not make the same mistake again. He wanted to use this failure to exchange for future victory.

"There are such scheming people among the Northern Barbarians. It seems that we have indeed underestimated them before." Lin Zhongyun whispered to himself, with endless thoughts and determination in his voice.

Li Zhongwu's face was equally gloomy as he recalled the intelligence he had gained from the attack on Yinshan City. "Your Highness, it is said that the one defending Yinshan City this time was the Northern Barbarians' military advisor. This series of conspiracies must have been planned by him."

The Northern Barbarians’ military advisor?
Upon hearing this, Lin Fan nodded secretly and kept muttering to himself.

He didn't believe that Chagan Uli really had such a clever mind. If that were the case, the Northern Barbarians would have already taken control of the Central Plains instead of being forced to retreat by him like now.

Li Zhongwu frowned and asked with a little worry: "Then, Your Highness, what should we do?"

"Is this indeed a problem?"

Lin Zhongyun frowned and fell into deep thought, with a thoughtful gleam in his eyes.

He knew that the current situation was extremely complicated. The Northern Barbarians had just won a victory and were in high spirits. In addition, with the presence of that brilliant military advisor, any rash action would only play into their hands.

The tragic situation in Yinshan City was enough to prove that the Northern Barbarians' military advisor was not only a man of extraordinary wisdom, but also a ruthless opponent. They could no longer underestimate the enemy and had to be more cautious and careful.

"We can't act rashly." Lin Zhongyun said slowly, with a thoughtful determination in his voice, "The Northern Barbarians are now in full force. If we attack rashly, it will only make them more proud, and we may even fall into their trap."

He raised his head and looked at Li Zhongwu and other generals with a firm gaze, "We must hold our troops in place for now. After we transfer all the troops from Hanzhou and Yangzhou to the northern border, we can make plans later."

The generals nodded one after another. Although they were still a little worried, they all understood that Lin Zhongyun's decision was well thought out. Any rash action would only make the situation more complicated and might even lead to a greater failure.

Seeing everyone's approving expressions, Lin Zhongyun felt relieved. All of these people were brought up by him from the bottom. Some of them had even followed him since the Cangzhou Uprising.

These people may not be as brave as Li Zhongwu, but they are the foundation of the entire rebel army and his greatest confidence.

As long as he has these people, he can make a comeback anytime and anywhere and lead an army to conquer the world.

"However, this does not mean that they are doing nothing during this period."

He continued, "We should use this time to re-evaluate the Northern Barbarians' strength and their strategies. We need to find their weaknesses and develop a more thorough plan. We cannot make the same mistake again."

At this point, Lin Zhongyun's eyes suddenly turned cold, as if the warm sunshine turned into a biting cold wind in an instant. His eyes were like a sharp blade, piercing directly at Yuan Jingxin beside him, and his tone was cold, as if every word carried endless murderous intent.

"You must find out for me who this northern barbarian's military advisor is!" Lin Zhongyun spoke word by word, his voice low and powerful, as if every word left a deep mark in the air.

Yuan Jingxin felt the strong murderous aura emanating from Lin Zhongyun, and his heart was chilled. He had never seen King Wu with such a strong murderous intent, even when he was surrounded by Daqian, Lin Zhongyun had never been so murderous.

At this moment, King Wu was like an enraged beast, ready to tear apart any enemy who dared to stand in his way.

"This man killed so many of our brothers in just one battle. We must not let him off lightly." Lin Zhongyun continued, his voice filled with endless anger and determination. His eyes swept across every general present, as if announcing his determination and will to them.

All the generals lowered their heads, not daring to look directly into Lin Zhongyun's murderous eyes. They also felt a chill in their hearts, as if they were frightened by Lin Zhongyun's murderous aura.

They knew that King Wu's anger was not only because of this failure, but also because of the sacrifice of countless brothers and the tragic situation in Yinshan City.

They didn't think so in their hearts either. If it weren't for the pressure from King Wu, they would have killed the group of barbarians without leaving a single piece of armor.

Yuan Jingxin took a deep breath, suppressed the fear in his heart, and said firmly: "Your Highness, don't worry, I will do whatever it takes to find out the identity of this Northern Barbarian Military Advisor and bring him to justice!"

Under the breathtaking sharpness of Lin Zhongyun, he felt a chill in his heart, knowing that this would be Lin Zhongyun's greatest test of him, and would also be his best opportunity to demonstrate his abilities.

"Please rest assured, Your Highness. We will definitely bring the head of the Northern Barbarian Military Advisor to Your Highness." The loyal generals on the side also looked angry and shouted angrily.

The anger in the hearts of the generals was like a volcanic eruption. They shouted angrily, as if they wanted to spread their anger to the whole world. Their voices echoed in the air, carrying endless anger and determination.

"That Northern Barbarian Advisor has killed so many of our brothers. We must not let him off lightly!" one general shouted angrily, his eyes flashing with ferocity. "We must bring his head here and use his blood to commemorate the brothers who died in the battle!" another general said angrily, clenching his fists as if to vent all his anger.

"Let the Northern Barbarians pay the price they deserve!" The generals shouted in unison, their voices filled with anger and determination, as if declaring their oath to the whole world.

Seeing this, Lin Zhongyun felt relieved and excited. He knew that these generals were his loyal followers, and their anger and determination would become a powerful driving force for them to defeat the Northern Barbarians.

"Okay!" Lin Zhongyun promised in a high-pitched voice, "Whoever captures the military advisor's head will be rewarded with a reward and given a title of nobility. We will also use the head of the Northern Barbarian Military Advisor to commemorate the heroic spirits who died in the battle!"

The generals were even more excited when they heard this, as if a flame of hope had been ignited. They knew that Lin Zhongyun's promise was not only an encouragement to them, but also a tribute and respect to those brothers who died in the battle.

"Don't worry, Your Highness. We will capture the Northern Barbarian Military Advisor at all costs and avenge our brothers who died in the battle!" A general said excitedly, with a determined light flashing in his eyes.

"We will definitely use the blood of the Northern Barbarian Military Advisor to commemorate the heroic souls who died in the battle!" another general said angrily, his voice filled with endless determination.

As night fell, the ruins of Yinshan City looked particularly desolate in the darkness, but a flame of hope was burning in the hearts of Lin Zhongyun and the generals.

In this way, under Lin Zhongyun's encouragement, the morale of the entire rebel army was rising, and this great defeat aroused the anger in everyone's hearts.

Now the morale of the entire rebel army has not only not weakened, but is even stronger than when they first arrived.

Under the pitch-black night, the entire camp was filled with anger and everyone was shouting.

We will use the enemy's blood to pay tribute to those heroes!" A soldier said angrily, his voice full of endless determination.

"We will make the Northern Barbarians pay the price they deserve!" another soldier shouted angrily, as if he wanted to vent all his anger.

There was anger and determination in every soldier's eyes. They knew that their fight was not only for themselves, but also for their brothers who died in the battle, for their homes and their future.

Lin Zhongyun looked at all this, his heart filled with endless strength and hope. He knew that although this great defeat had caused them to lose a lot, it also made them see the enemy's cunning and cruelty, and further aroused their anger and determination.

This can actually be considered a blessing in disguise!
Lin Zhongyun sighed inwardly, he knew that only in the most difficult times could one see the true warriors and inspire the most powerful force.

……

And at the same time.

The Northern Barbarians, on the other hand, are taking frequent actions.

After deciding on the strategy of abandoning the city and defending it, Chagan Uli immediately gave orders.

Due to the victory of Yinshan City, this order was smoothly implemented with almost no resistance.

For a time, the entire northern border was filled with the sounds of northern cavalry running around. They were all heading towards Yandang City and Juxu City according to the established plan.

The city that was once well defended now became empty, like a ruin that was abandoned overnight. The soldiers and residents who once garrisoned there were nowhere to be seen, leaving only the deserted streets and the bonfires that were still burning.

The wind from the north blew, bringing with it a hint of chill, as if telling of the unknown and dangers of the future.

The situation in the entire northern border became confusing as a result. People were talking about it and didn't understand the intention of the Northern Barbarians.

No one can figure out why the Northern Barbarians did this and what they are up to.

"Hey, what do you think these northern barbarians are doing? Didn't they just win a battle? Why are they suddenly withdrawing their troops?" Someone frowned, with doubt in his eyes.

"Who says it isn't true? They fought so hard to conquer this place, but now they are just giving it away like this. How weird!" Another person also said in confusion, with deep bewilderment in his tone.

"Hey, could this be an empty city plan?" Someone pondered for a moment and guessed.

"Empty city plan?" Everyone fell into deep thought after hearing this.

Some people scoffed at this and said with disdain: "In my opinion, this is clearly a conspiracy. Look at the end of Yinshan City. It is still vivid in your mind."

"What if this is another trap set by the northern barbarians?" another person warned cautiously, with a hint of uneasiness in his tone.

Regarding this proposal, some people agreed with it and said, "There is no such thing as a free lunch in this world. I'm afraid the northern barbarians are now eager for the rebels to occupy those cities."

"The rebel army is now completely trapped. It's not right to occupy it, and it's not right not to occupy it!" One person said helplessly, frowning, obviously extremely confused by the current situation.

"..."

Everyone was talking about it, and there were different opinions on the Northern Barbarians' actions. Everyone had their own views.

But it is no surprise that everyone believes that these empty cities are not so easy to occupy and are likely to be a trap set by the northern barbarians.

……

At the same time, Chagan Uli, who was being talked about by them, smiled with satisfaction as he looked at the army that was gathering in an endless stream.

He stood on the city wall, looking into the distance. At the end of the horizon there was a bright green. It was the green of the grassland, their home.

When he saw that touch of green, all he had in his eyes was endless nostalgia and longing, and when he turned around and looked at the endless Gobi Desert on the other side, all that was left in his eyes was endless coldness.

Although they are separated by a city, they are two completely different worlds.

This is not only a strange sight, but also means that they are now standing at their doorstep. If they cannot resist the rebels, the fate of the Northern Barbarians can be imagined.

(End of this chapter)