Chapter 1203: Chapter 1197: Impressive
âPass the order! Have our Xiliang warriors be on full alert. TonightâŠif the Zhou people dare to come, we absolutely must not let them return!â
âYes!â
General Cui Shanzhong was convinced that Bai Qingyan would return for a night raid. Besides the Xiliang generals currently leading ambush preparations, all other commanders were sitting with General Cui in the camp, waitingâŠ
The weeping candles had been replaced, and the sky gradually brightened, yet the Zhou forces never came to raid.
Not only the aged General Cui Shanzhong but also the stalwart Xiliang commanders waiting with him in the camp began to feel drowsy.
Until the sky turned white, a commander finally looked at General Cui Shanzhong: âGeneral, it seems that Zhou wonât be raiding tonight. They opened the city gates just to make us think they were planning a night raid, wasting our Xiliang armyâs rest time.â
General Cui Shanzhong was not a stubborn person. Seeing the brightening sky, he understood heâd fallen for Bai Qingyanâs trick; she had never intended a night raid today.
She was quite right; they, in Zhou, within their high walls, naturally need not fear a raid. But as the Xiliang army encircled the city without walls as barriers, raiding Xiliang⊠is much easier than raiding Zhou.
Always cautious and prudent, General Cui Shanzhong relented and ordered, âLet the soldiers rotate their rests, but none should fall directly asleep, in case the Emperor of Zhou launches a surprise raid by day.â
âYes!â
Quickly, the yawning Xiliang general went out to give the orders.
âOld General, you should rest as well; staying up all night like this wonât be good for your health!â a Xiliang general quietly advised.
General Cui Shanzhong nodded, waved others back to rest, and couldnât help but remind once more, âMake sure enough manpower remains on alert. If thereâs any movement inside Jiangzi City from the Zhou army, report it immediately!â
âRest assured, Old General, Iâm keeping an eye on things!â a Xiliang general replied respectfully.
Leaving General Cui Shanzhongâs tent, some young and impetuous couldnât help but complain, âHasnât this old general grown too cautious with age? Thatâs why weâre being played by the Zhou Emperor! With their small garrison, they dare to raid a camp? Should they fly up to the sky?â
âWatch your words!â A fellow general glanced back towards the old generalâs tent and whispered, âDonât forget, though Jiangzi Cityâs garrison is small, weâre dealing with Zhouâs Emperor Bai Qingyan. Didnât General Yun Poxing and others fall at this Zhou Emperorâs hand during the Battle of Wengshan? Even King Yan didnât last against him!â
Hearing this, the young Xiliang officer pursed his lips, nodding, remembering Li Tianjiao returned to Yunjing carrying King Yanâs body and even knelt to ask General Cui to come out from retirement.
Their bravest Auxiliary General Yun Poxing of Xiliang fell at this Zhou Emperorâs hands, and King Yan was also gone. This Zhou Emperor indeed should not be underestimated, and if their Empress of Xiliang could kneel to General Cui, itâs because only he could defeat this Zhou Emperor. Otherwise⊠why else would their sovereign kneel to a subject?
Thinking this, he nodded and said, âLetâs go back and rest well! If the Zhou main force returns to rescue, we might face tough battles ahead!â
The Zhou army, resting peacefully the entire night, was full of energy when they climbed the walls the next morning. The Xiliang forces, spent from an exhausting night, were weary, with many sleeping in their tents. Those who hadnât rested were extremely tired, starving, struggling to stay alert.
Bai Qingyan, after inspecting atop the walls, turned to instruct Liu Pinggao, âHave the soldiers cook half an hour earlier today!â
Liu Pinggao, stunned, thought Bai Qingyan might send troops for a raid today and excitedly saluted in response.
Indeed, one must be well-fed before battle!
The Xiliang forces, thinking they would raid last night, held on all night. Now weary, itâs the perfect time for the Zhou army to raid and surely cause chaos among the Xiliang ranks.
Soon, news of Zhouâs soldiers preparing meals half an hour early reached the tent of the just-sleeping General Cui. He sat up, assisted by a young attendant, draped in a cloak, and coldly wiped his face with a cloth.
âIndeed, they opened the gates last night to prevent us from resting; itâs all for a surprise attack now! Fortunately, General Cui had someone watch Zhouâs movements in advance!â a Xiliang general fumed.
The cold cloth refreshed General Cui. Seeing early meal preparations, with smoke rising, Bai Qingyan wouldnât commit such an obvious mistake, would she?
Perhaps Bai Qingyan is exposing this flaw to make him think they, like last night, were merely bluffing? After all, having Xiliang on edge all night, now exhausted, is a perfect opportunity for a surprise attack.
Even if Bai Qingyan is employing a Xu Huang tactic, General Cui must be cautious!
Because Xiliang canât afford to lose like Zhou can!
General Cui realized an error: true for all leaders, the best defense is indeed offense.
Yet, Xiliangâs current condition wouldnât allow General Cui to take the offensive.
Firstly, the cost of assault is too high, and the resulting commotion might ignite alarms atop the walls, risking Xiliang encirclement by multiple sides as Xiliang lacks the abundant troops and provisions of Zhou.
More importantly, General Cui had his own plans.
But battling like this makes Xiliang too passive; they need to warn Zhou to behaveâŠ
âGeneral Ma, order the generals blocking Jiangzi Cityâs four gates to set up ambushes right at the gate⊠be sure Zhou can see them! To intimidate Zhou! Ensure our soldiers rest well tonight, even if theyâre underfed, rest is essential. Resting well, weâll seize grain from the Zhou and ensure no return for Zhou reinforcements!â
The generals exchanged looks before finally saluting and leaving.
Soon, the news that General Cui purposely revealed traps at the four city gates reached Bai Qingyanâs desk.
âOh dear!â Liu Pinggao slapped his forehead in self-reproach, âItâs my fault as a subordinate. Being too excited, I didnât clarify that cooking early yields smoke, signaling our intent to raid to Xiliang!â
Liu Pinggao mentally marveled at General Cuiâs prowess.
âWhen did I say there was a raid planned for today?â Bai Qingyan smiled slightly, holding the bamboo slip.
Liu Pinggaoâs expression was one of shock.