During the rest period, Chen Mo instructed Gao Zheng and the others to eat the rations they carried, but not to eat too much, as they still had to march at a high intensity later.
For this expedition, each person carried three daysâ worth of rations.
Although it was three daysâ worth of rations, it didnât allow them to eat their fill each time; it was divided so they could eat for three days.
Given the appetite and consumption of a Martial Artist, the remaining rations would only last for two more meals if eaten to satisfaction.
Gao Zheng and the others were taken aback and asked, "Captain, what about tomorrow if we eat all the rations now?"
"Survive today first, then worry about tomorrow." Chen Mo was not very explicit.
Gao Zheng looked at the solemn expression on Chen Moâs face. After a moment of hesitation, he took out the rations.
Their rations consisted of ground rice flour and coarse grain pancakes.
The rice flour wasnât the noodle-like kind.
It was powdered, stir-fried with various seasonings, with a mediocre taste but enough to fill the stomach.
Xu Dabong relayed Chen Moâs orders down the ranks.
Soon, the entire Eastern Capital was eating with large bites.
Chen Mo stroked the face of the Snow Dragon Steed, which was grazing and affectionately nuzzled Chen Mo with its head.
In the distance, Gao Fenâs personal soldiers quickly relayed to him what had happened to Chen Mo.
Gao Fen was taking a sip from his water pouch when he saw the report arriving. He listened closely and then mumbled, "Has he realized his fate? Planning to die full."
A cold smile crossed Gao Fenâs face.
He then said, "Once we reach Qingwan Town, let the First Camp and Third Camp along with the Eastern Capital attack the city, while the archers provide cover from the rear."
Although he sent Chen Mo and the others to attack the city, it wasnât to send them to their deaths without any support, as Gao Fen also wanted to capture the city.
Itâs just that the death rate for the first wave of attackers was very high.
A quarter of an hour later.
The Vanguard Army led by Gao Fen promptly set into action, advancing at full speed towards Qingwan Town.
...
Meanwhile.
In Beijiang County.
Throughout the night, Huangfu Hao gathered nearly a thousand remnants from Nanyang County.
From the mouths of these remnants and the scouts sent out last night to locate the Yellow Turban Banditsâ main forces, Huangfu Hao roughly understood the rebelsâ movements.
Huangfu Hao took out a map and spread it open.
Based on the information from the remnants, he mapped out the marching direction of the rebels.
Finally, he circled three county seats.
Nanyang City, Fengchi County, Qingwan Town.
Looking west, Huangfu Hao chuckled and said, "The rebelsâ movements are within my grasp. I know them like the back of my hand. As soon as they move, Iâll know. Now we just have to wait for Xiao Teng and the others to arrive, and weâll go to war."
...
Due to the war, countless people in Nanyang County were displaced, gradually forming heaps of refugees.
You might wonder.
Why donât the Yellow Turban Army accept them?
The Yellow Turban Army does, but they only accept the able-bodied young men and their families, as thatâs the source of their troops.
As for those without able-bodied young men, the elderly, the weak, the sick, and the women who were fortunately overlooked by the Yellow Turban Army, they became batches of refugees.
They moved towards the prosperous regions of Jiangnan or the city fortresses in Nanyang County that hadnât fallen to the enemy forces yet.
Outside Fengchi County, gathered such groups of refugees.
Among these refugees, some are relatives of the defending army inside Fengchi County.
So they played the sentiment card under the city walls.
"Dog Egg, Iâm your uncle! I held you when you were a kid. Donât you remember? Please, ask your officer to let me in."
"Sheng Gen, itâs your uncle. Hurry and let me in..."
"..."
Although the soldiers on the walls were moved, no one dared to lower the rope baskets or open the gates.
Who knew if there were any Yellow Turban Bandits hidden among the refugees.
They had heard of the atrocities committed by the Yellow Turban Bandits in Nanyang County.
If they were allowed to breach Fengchi County, the fate of their families wouldnât be good.
Therefore, even for relatives, they remained indifferent.
They didnât even dare to throw food.
Earlier, a soldier had thrown some.
Immediately, chaos broke out among the refugees.
If they hadnât strengthened defenses and recruited some laborers from the city for defense, major trouble could have occurred.
Then that soldier was decapitated by his superiors.
"Draw the bowstrings!"
With the sun high in the sky, seeing some refugees trying to approach the walls for shade, the commanding officer on the walls raised his hand immediately.
On the walls, archers bent their bows and nocked arrows, drawing the bowstrings taut, aiming below the walls, waiting for the officerâs command to release the arrows.
"Hear me below, everyone keep a hundred paces away from the wall. Anyone who steps closer will be killed!"
The officer on the wall shouted loudly:
"Retreat!"
"One."
"Two."
"Three!"
Seeing some people unmoved, the officer, with a hard heart, dropped his raised hand forcefully and shouted, "Release!"
With the order given, arrows were released from the archersâ bows.
Swish!
Swish!
Swish!
Anyone within a hundred paces of the wall, regardless of women, children, or the elderly, was shot dead.
Such a bloody scene scared the refugees beyond a hundred paces, making them instinctively retreat another few dozen steps.
On the mountain more than ten miles away from Fengchi County.
This was one of the main camps of the Yellow Turban Bandits.
A conversation like this took place inside the tent.
"Howâs it going?"
"The defenses are very tight, our people canât get in, anyone who stays within a hundred paces of the wall after three warnings will be shot to death."
"Alas, I originally wanted to rush into Fengchi County to capture Luo Zhen and present him to the General for great merit. Given the current situation, we can only wait for the Generalâs army to arrive for an attack. Keep a close watch, and report immediately if anyone leaves or enters the city."
"Understood."
...
At noon.
In Beijiang County.
Huangfu Hao didnât receive news of Xiao Tengâs army arrival, but he did receive news of Gao Fen arriving with the Vanguard Army.
However, this was also good news for Huangfu Hao.
"Five thousand men, five thousand men..." Huangfu Hao contemplated and then clapped his hand, saying, "The main force of the Yellow Turban Bandits isnât at Qingwan Town. Five thousand men are enough. Huangfu Xin, you lead a thousand men to guard Beijiang County, the rest will follow me to Yi City to join the Vanguard Army."
"Understood."
...
When Huangfu Hao arrived at the outskirts of Yi City to join the Vanguard Army.
He didnât see any trace of the Vanguard Army.
Huangfu Hao frowned, had they already stormed Yi City?
But based on the footprints and hoofprints on the ground, Huangfu Hao realized that Gao Fen led the Vanguard Army past Yi City and went to attack Qingwan Town instead.
Huangfu Haoâs face changed dramatically, and he promptly said, "This is not good, follow me."
...
Meanwhile.
Fighting had already broken out outside Qingwan City.
To Gao Fenâs surprise, not only did he fail to make a successful surprise attack.
But Qingwan Town was also heavily defended.
Furthermore, there was a moat outside Qingwan Town.