At the very moment Cao Wenzhao's army surged into Luanma Ravine.
Five li to the northwest, beneath a slowly drifting reconnaissance hot air balloon, Governor Fan Shangzheng of Henan and militia instructor Bai Yuan were leading their forces forward.
Unlike Cao Wenzhao, they had not tethered their hot air balloon to a tree. Instead, after determining the proper altitude, several soldiers gripped the thick rope and pulled it along as the army advanced. With careful, periodic tugs, they allowed the balloon to float forward in tandem with the marching troops.
Naturally, this method had its inconveniences.
When the wind strengthened at higher altitudes, the soldiers below had to strain with all their might just to keep the balloon from being dragged away. They also dared not enter dense forests, fearing the thick rope would snag on branches and bring the balloon crashing down.
In short, problems arose everywhere.
Still, this was invaluable experience.
Every inconvenience, every flaw, would later be reported back to Gao Family Village, where the scientists could refine and improve the design. Progress was born from trouble, after all.
As the army continued forward, a bamboo tube suddenly slid down along the thick rope.
The soldier holding the rope reacted immediately and passed the tube to Bai Yuan.
Fan Shangzheng leaned over to read the message inside. His face darkened at once.
"Vanguard General Liu Honglie, Deputy General Ai Wannian, and Deputy General Liu Guozhen have all been ambushed in Luanma Ravine," he read aloud grimly. "The rebel army even set up a classic siege-and-reinforce formation. Despite having reconnaissance hot air balloons, General Cao still charged straight in. What are we supposed to do now?"
Bai Yuan shook his head.
"General Cao may sometimes miss finer details, but he is still one of the great commanders of this age," he said calmly. "He could not possibly walk into such an obvious trap without reason. He saw the ambush. There must be something else."
Fan Shangzheng hesitated. "Could it be that he simply could not abandon his allies? That he intends to save them even at the cost of his own life?"
"Impossible," Bai Yuan replied immediately. "A competent general does not knowingly rush to his death."
Then, two seconds later, Bai Yuan's eyes lit up.
"Look there," he said, pointing skyward. "General Cao also launched a hot air balloon. It's flying quite high. That black speck."
Fan Shangzheng squinted. "Yes. I see it."
"He knows we are five li to his northwest," Bai Yuan continued. "Once he engages the enemy, we will arrive in roughly half an hour."
Fan Shangzheng's eyes widened.
"So that's it. General Cao knew we were here. That is why he dared to charge into the ambush. Heavens. If we do not support him, he will be completely swallowed."
Bai Yuan sighed softly.
"He is bold. Perhaps a little too trusting. If we do not follow, then he truly will be jumping into a bottomless pit."
He turned to Fan Shangzheng.
"Governor, shall we go?"
It was a question that weighed heavily on the soul.
Fan Shangzheng froze.
When they had first set out, he had believed the rebel army would be easy to deal with. But now, hearing that three ranking Ming generals had already been surrounded, and that the rebels had even prepared a trap to lure Cao Wenzhao in, it was obvious that this enemy could no longer be underestimated.
These were not the foolish bandits of the past.
They were hardened warriors.
Fan Shangzheng glanced back at the Henan garrison troops trailing behind him.
Compared to the rebels, these men truly were… adorable.
"This official…" he stammered. "Ah… um… cough… we should still go. It is… somewhat dangerous, yes, but how could we abandon them? Master Bai, you will go with us, won't you?"
Bai Yuan smiled faintly.
The governor was clearly terrified, but at least he had not refused outright. That already placed him above Yuan Yingtai, the Liaodong Governor during the Battle of Hun River, who had simply declared that helping was pointless and watched his allies die.
"Since the Governor says we must go," Bai Yuan said, "then go we shall. This is an excellent chance to strike the rebels hard."
The entire army immediately increased its pace.
Before long, they reached the spot where Cao Wenzhao had previously camped.
There, a hot air balloon was slowly descending.
The scout above had finally managed to cool the air inside the balloon enough to begin his descent.
The moment his feet touched the ground, Bai Yuan's soldiers rushed toward him noisily, startling the scout into a sharp yelp. Only after recognizing them as friendly troops did he let out a long breath of relief.
"General Cao has already charged into the rebel ambush," he shouted urgently. "Please hurry and rescue him!"
"Don't worry," Bai Yuan said with a chuckle. "We are already on our way. But if you do not mind, we would like you to go back up and continue scouting for us."
The scout's face stiffened.
"Huh? Wait. Don't tell me you're leaving me alone again."
Of course, they did not abandon him.
They untethered the balloon from the tree, soldiers gripping the thick rope firmly. Once everything was secure, they sent him back into the sky.
Soon, two hot air balloons were drifting forward, dragged along by running troops. It was a truly unique sight.
Inside Luanma Ravine.
The three Ming divisions that had been encircled were finished.
Vanguard General Liu Honglie was captured alive.
Deputy Generals Ai Wannian and Liu Guozhen fell in battle.
Deputy General Liu Chenggong and Guerrilla General Wang Xi attempted to gather their remaining soldiers and force a breakout.
But this trap had been designed specifically to annihilate them.
Breaking out was no simple matter.
Rebel arrows poured down like rain.
Both Liu Chenggong and Wang Xi were struck by multiple arrows. Blood soaked their armor as they realized, with bitter clarity, that escape was impossible.
Just then.
From a distant ravine came the thunder of battle cries.
The Guanning Iron Cavalry had arrived.
Cao Bianjiao led the charge, spear first, plunging into Luanma Ravine. Cao Wenzhao followed closely with the infantry. The Guanning Iron Cavalry, well equipped and fierce, tore violently into the rebel formation, ripping open a massive breach.
Cao Bianjiao spurred his horse to Liu Chenggong and Wang Xi's side.
"How bad are your wounds?" he demanded.
Both men could barely speak.
"Not… good…"
"Damn it," Cao Bianjiao roared. "We fight our way out."
He reined in his horse, preparing to lead the two wounded generals through the encirclement once more.
Cao Wenzhao's infantry surged forward to support them.
Then laughter echoed from above.
"Hahaha. We've been waiting for you."
From the hillside, the Dashing General, personally leading his Old Eighth Squad, revealed himself.
"Fire," he ordered calmly. "Fire."
Arrows rained down from the slopes.
Cao Wenzhao's mind went blank for an instant.
Then came screams.
All around him, soldiers were struck and fell. His personal guards rushed forward, shields raised, forming a tight barrier around him.
Cao Wenzhao looked up the slope.
His heart sank.
The hillside was far too steep. His soldiers could not climb it. They could only endure the arrows, passively, helplessly.
Retreat was the only option.
"Hold the line," Cao Wenzhao roared. "Hold the line. Withdraw from the valley."
Before they could move, another roar thundered from behind.
From the ravine entrance, rebel shouts erupted.
"The Chuang Wang has arrived. Cao Wenzhao, prepare to die!"
"We are avenging our brother Wang Jiayin today."
"Do not think we still fear your Guanning Iron Cavalry."
"Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of it. Never underestimate the poor."
"We are no longer afraid of you, Cao Wenzhao!"