General Han, after a long conversation with Magistrate Cheng, held the magistrate and his party in high regard.
"Magistrate Cheng, you just bring the people. All military supplies will be handled by me, Han. Additionally, the righteous individuals can train alongside my Han Family Army."
Magistrate Cheng rose and bowed in thanks.
With the matter settled, they planned to return and bring their people.
Jiang Wan, however, said, "General Han, I have a question for you."
General Han, seeing a chubby young girl speak, softened his expression. "What question?"
Jiang Wan asked, "May I ask if you are from Yao County, General Han?"
General Han raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Little girl, how did you know?"
Jiang Wan's expression lit up. "Because you resemble someone. General Han, do you know Wang Hongye?"
The usually composed General Han's expression changed drastically with excitement. "Little girl, where is my wife? And my mother and son? Are they… are they still alive?"
The last sentence was asked with great gravity.
Magistrate Cheng and Erlang were both stunned. This General Han was Wang Hongye's husband!
Jiang Wan said, "General, Aunt Hongye and the others are all well. They are currently hiding in the mountains with my mother and the others. They have been waiting for you to come home."
General Han, a man of seven feet, suddenly had red eyes.
"I have failed them…"
In the years since he left to become a soldier, too many things had happened, and he had too little control over his circumstances.
When he finally returned with his troops, he found his home had already been burned down by the rebels, and his wife, children, and elderly parents were nowhere to be found.
He had even prepared for the worst…
It was good that they were all still alive.
Jiang Wan found his behavior of not sending a single letter home for years of absence quite perplexing, but she still said, "General Han's safe return is the greatest comfort to them."
After all, he had returned alive. Aunt Hongye and the others had finally seen the light after years of waiting, which was a good thing.
However, General Han did not immediately go into the mountains to see his wife, children, and mother.
This was because the rebels had not yet been repelled, and going now would only bring them danger.
It was also unrealistic to bring them back to the military camp, so letting them stay in the mountains for the time being was the safest and most appropriate course of action.
Because of the connection with Wang Hongye, General Han paid even more attention to the group from the small mountain village and personally sent soldiers to escort them.
Soon, Jiang Pan led their group into the military camp.
General Han had everyone issued a set of armor and weapons, and that day, the group from the small mountain village began training with the Han Family Army.
On the third day after the small mountain village entered the military camp, a new battle broke out.
Erlang and Jiang Pan, along with the warriors from the small mountain village, charged towards the rebels alongside the Han Family Army.
Jiang Wan, holding her saber, followed in the ranks. Her main task was to protect Gu Chenzhou and provide emergency medical treatment for everyone from the small mountain village.
Gu Chenzhou, brandishing his sword, clashed with the rebels.
He tried his best to ignore the gore, striving to remain calm and clear-headed.
But before long, his face turned pale, showing signs of imminent collapse.
He lost focus for a moment, and a rebel, wielding a saber, swung at him.
But before the rebel's saber could touch Gu Chenzhou, a blade pierced his body from behind.
Jiang Wan pulled out her saber, quickly rushed to Gu Chenzhou's side, grabbed his hand, and began channeling her powers into him.
Soon, Gu Chenzhou stabilized. "Wan Wan, thank you."
Once on the battlefield, Jiang Wan's entire demeanor changed, becoming excessively fierce.
"Focus on killing the enemy, don't be consumed by fear. I'm behind you."
Gu Chenzhou's heart settled, and he raised his sword to resume fighting.
Jiang Wan, meanwhile, kept her saber and stayed not far from him, monitoring his condition while also keeping an eye on others.
The battle was fierce, lasting over an hour. However, as both sides were evenly matched, no decisive victory was achieved.
Instead, there were many casualties.
Several warriors from the small mountain village were also injured, but thanks to Jiang Wan's timely treatment, they suffered no serious harm.
Gu Chenzhou was not physically injured, but his complexion was rather poor.
Despite Jiang Wan's continuous support, being in such a bloody environment repeatedly stimulated him. By the end, Jiang Wan's powers were not as effective.
It wasn't until the battle ended that Yan Li quickly led Gu Chenzhou away from the battlefield.
"Brother Chenzhou, how are you feeling?"
After leaving the battlefield, Jiang Wan returned to her usual self.
Gu Chenzhou pursed his lips, his expression somewhat gloomy, and remained silent for a long time.
Jiang Wan knew he was feeling distressed, so she comforted him. "As for enduring the entire battle this time, that is progress. Brother Chenzhou, take it slow. You will overcome this one day."
Gu Chenzhou felt comforted, and his expression softened slightly. "Wan Wan, thank you."
If it weren't for her, he wouldn't have lasted even fifteen minutes.
Jiang Wan tilted her head and smiled. "With our relationship, why be so polite?"
Gu Chenzhou couldn't help but curve his lips.
On the other side, Yan Li was reviewing the day's battle with Erlang. Erlang had a talent for military matters but lacked experience.
Yan Li intended to cultivate him and thus seized every opportunity for him to learn.
Erlang understood Yan Li's intentions and absorbed the lessons diligently.
General Han also recognized Erlang's talent through this battle and immediately felt a desire to nurture his talent. He also wanted to hear his insights, so he pulled Erlang over to the sand table, allowing Erlang to experience true military command.
Erlang spent a day following General Han and felt his horizons broadened. Many of his previously narrow perspectives were suddenly opened. He stared at the sand table for a while, and his eyes suddenly sparkled with brilliance.
"I have a way!"
Erlang exclaimed excitedly, "I know how to deal with those rebels! We'll go by water and sneak into the city!"
Back then, those refugees had entered Yao County by sneaking through the river. They could use the same method!
As long as they could sneak in, combined with their familiarity with the county town, it wouldn't be difficult to reach the rebel leader.
General Han said, "I already sent people to try. The river has mechanisms, and they cannot pass."
Erlang smiled. "I can!"
He had already figured out the mechanism. It could stop others, but it couldn't stop him!
General Han's eyes lit up. "You can truly break that mechanism?"
Erlang nodded confidently. "Yes!"
"Good!" General Han immediately said, "I'll assign you a team of soldiers skilled in swimming. You take them into the city and open the city gates. I'll lead the troops to attack the city and catch them off guard!"
General Han discussed the operational plan with Erlang for a long time and meticulously reviewed it on the sand table. By the time it was dark, Erlang, leading a team of soldiers, had jumped into the upper reaches of the Yao River.