Chapter 1582: Siege [4]
Chapter 1582: Chapter 1582: Siege [4]
The attack on Xing’an Prefecture and the tunnel excavation in Beicang Prefecture are both part of the Rong people’s plan to occupy the Northwest of Great Chu, and the entire plan is interconnected. The suggestion for the Rong people to bypass the defense line and infiltrate the villages of Xing’an Prefecture was also proposed by Tuogude.
Tuogude poured his heart and soul into this plan, determined to seize the Northwest in one battle.
Therefore, after the plot in Beicang Prefecture failed and he fled, Tuogude pondered for a few days before sending a message to the General of Da Rong, advising an early attack on Xing’an Prefecture. This was to prevent news of the tunnel excavation spreading and Great Chu becoming cautious, which would hinder them from taking the city by surprise.
The General of Da Rong, Leimuqin, who is Tuogude’s brother-in-law, has a good relationship with Tuogude’s tribe. They are grasshoppers tied to the same rope. After receiving Tuogude’s message, they discussed for half a day and ultimately decided to listen to Tuogude and launch an early attack.
In an instant, the Rong people lurking within the borders of Xing’an Prefecture emerged like locusts from various villages, manors, and mountains, gathering into a formidable army.
This army was like a ferocious beast, akin to blazing fire, and wherever it passed, villages and towns turned to scorched earth. The Rong people killed all they could; those who didn’t have time to kill would rob, and anything they couldn’t take was set ablaze, leaving no supplies for Great Chu.
Guanlu County, located at the border between Xing’an Prefecture and Long’an Prefecture, was the first county to suffer. However, when the Rong people arrived, Troop Commander Li in Guanlu County was busy punishing Yao Wan.
Bang, bang, bang! The iron-spiked military club landed hard on Yao Wan, cracking his bones, yet he gritted his teeth through the pain, shouting, "Lord Troop Commander, I admit my mistake. Whether you wish to punish or kill me, do so later. For now, closing the gates and clearing out the lurking Rong people in the county is crucial. Otherwise, Guanlu County is in danger!"
"Danger, my foot! Spreading nonsense just because you listened to a few words from a poor southerner soldier? Hit him, hit him hard!" Troop Commander Li, despite holding the rank of Troop Commander, was sent to guard the county, which felt like a demotion and a great humiliation. Filled with anger, he couldn’t stand seeing Yao Wan patrol defenses and hearing about him teaming up with a southern Company Commander to kill Rong people, as if Yao Wan held him in no regard.
He might not match up to a fellow Troop Commander, but could he be inferior to a southern Company Commander?!
Thus, although Troop Commander Li believed Yao Wan’s words to some extent, he didn’t fully trust them. He assumed that even if Rong people could bypass defenses to infiltrate Xing’an Prefecture in small numbers, they wouldn’t have enough manpower to cause much trouble, giving him the leisure to deal with Yao Wan first.
Bang, bang, bang!
The executing soldiers obeyed orders, hitting Yao Wan hard, causing him to faint.
"Lord, Section Leader Yao has fainted." The executing soldiers immediately stopped and reported to Troop Commander Li.
Troop Commander Li frowned, with a cold sneer, "Useless fool."
He then asked the Chief Commander beside him, "Is Zhang Zhong still here?"
The Chief Commander replied, "Yes. Knowing Yao Wan was being punished, he tried to come in several times but was stopped by our men."
Troop Commander Li sneered, "Hah, what does he think he is, trying to stop me from punishing my own soldier?"
Nonetheless, the fact that Yao Wan discovered Rong people lurking in the villages was true.
Only because among those who followed Yao Wan to deliver the message was Tang Ling, a woman disguised as a man, who tearfully spoke of her ordeal.
Hidden in the sack Yao Wan brought were several Rong people’s heads and pieces of skin with bullhead totems, all proving that Rong people had indeed infiltrated the village.
"Bring him in." After taking out his anger on Yao Wan, Troop Commander Li calmed down and ordered Zhang Zhong be brought in.
Rong people in Guanlu County were still not thoroughly cleared. Zhang Zhong sneaked into the county and was furious upon seeing Yao Wan beaten half to death. But now wasn’t the time to question Troop Commander Li; to protect the people of Guanlu County, he still needed Troop Commander Li’s assistance.
Zhang Zhong: "Troop Commander Li, the infiltration of Rong people into the villages is absolutely true. Our Company Commander Qin is currently heading to Shi Family Manor to kill the Rong people’s Troop Commander. Please lead troops to defend the county to prevent the Rong people Troop Commander from entering and occupying the county."
Troop Commander Li smiled, "Those heads and totem-marked skins indeed prove the village’s infiltration by Rong people, but since Rong people are preparing to attack Long’an Prefecture, even if some have infiltrated Xing’an Prefecture, it’s just a small number. You Company Commander need not make such a fuss."
He further said, "Once your Company Commander finishes his assault on Shi Family Manor, let him come see me!"
The emphasis on "come see me" indicates his strong discontent with Qin San Lang’s independent action to eradicate Rong people without reporting to him first.
Zhang Zhong understood this implication and was inwardly indignant. Lord Company Commander had earlier secretly dispatched messengers to notify Troop Commander Li, advising him to discreetly send soldiers to the county.
This could avoid attracting the Rong people’s attention, and if Rong people attacked Guanlu County, there would be soldiers to resist.
Yet Troop Commander Li, displeased by the posting to guard Guanlu County, had vented his anger at Lord Company Commander and ignored his suggestions. Only after seeing no response from Troop Commander Li did Lord Company Commander send Yao Wan personally with evidence to approach him.
Even after seeing evidence and witnesses, Troop Commander Li remains unresponsive... no wonder he’s been posted to guard Guanlu County as a Troop Commander!
"Rest assured, Lord Troop Commander, our Company Commander has said that after capturing Shi Family Manor, he will personally come see you. But the people of Guanlu County are in danger, please first discreetly send soldiers to protect the county. We can discuss other matters later, alright?" Zhang Zhong pleaded almost desperately.
Troop Commander Li listened, feeling somewhat appeased by the recognition of their contribution in discovering the lurking Rong people. Also worried that Rong people’s Troop Commander might indeed lead troops to occupy the county, he reluctantly agreed after a brief posture, "Alright, considering the merit of discovering the lurking Rong people, I will temporarily heed your suggestion. Starting tomorrow, soldiers will be dispatched to the county in batches."
"Tomorrow?" Zhang Zhong protested, "Lord Troop Commander, dispatching in batches takes too much time. There’s still an hour until dark, wouldn’t it be better to dispatch some soldiers now? Disguise them and investigate the lurking Rong people within the county. Once their hideouts are identified, it will be easier to capture them."
Troop Commander Li frowned, annoyed at Zhang Zhong, a small Section Leader, for opposing him, slammed the table and said, "How dare you command me? And we’re just half an hour’s journey from Guanlu County. Even if Rong people attack now, we can still make it."
However, Troop Commander Li didn’t expect the Rong people’s attack to come so swiftly.
That very night, thick smoke billowed from the county of Guanlu, with towering flames visible from afar, accompanied by strange horn sounds echoing all around.
This horn, different from Great Chu’s, had three holes, producing a sound akin to cow calls, but clearer.
Along with the horn sounds came the clatter of hooves, the sound of running, and the clashing of metal, as if countless people were rushing while burdened with heavy equipment.
Having experienced the battlefield, Troop Commander Li reacted to this commotion with a jolt, hurriedly rushed out of his house, and looked toward the county. Seeing the flames, he shouted at the guarding soldiers, "What’s happening in the county? Speak quickly!"