Chapter 1056 – Crossing the River? No! Dividing the Troops (1)
Although Meng Heng’s gratitude was tinged with ulterior motives, the appreciation in his words was genuine and unfeigned.
His wife was pregnant, making it emotionally and logically impossible for her to accompany the troops.
How to settle her became a dilemma.
If she were to travel all the way to Wanzhou, the journey would be long, and her body wouldn’t withstand the strain, fearing complications on the way.
After much thought, the only option was to stay in Hede County to give birth.
Nie Xun learned of this situation and discreetly suggested to Meng Heng that he simply move his wife to the Nie Xun residence, where she could accompany Nie Xun’s wife.
With Huang Song going into battle, Nie Xun would definitely follow to the frontlines.
This way, he wouldn’t be able to attend to his wife, Zhu Qing Ning.
If two pregnant women lived together, they could look out for each other, preventing any awkwardness.
Nie Xun’s suggestion hit someone right in the heart.
“It’s just a small favor, there’s no need to thank me.”
Nie Xun smiled as he helped Meng Heng up.
Yuan Xin was aware of his own isolation from Meng Heng.
He, too, wanted to distance himself from Meng Heng and protect his interests.
However, it’s not easy to cut off ties that have been built over time.
Since his lord, Huang Song, and Meng Heng were still in the honeymoon phase of their alliance, Nie Xun couldn’t just turn them away.
As time passed, rather than growing distant, their relationship transformed into a more intimate one.
It wouldn’t be inaccurate to call it a good relationship—more like a perfectly normal gentlemanly friendship.
Nie Xun stood tall and proper, unafraid of gossip and slander.
If Yuan Xin used this as an excuse to confront him, Nie Xun was not one to be trifled with.
The two armies rested for a day, each person harboring different thoughts.
Like the turbulent Song River, numerous undercurrents and plots were hidden within.
After a few days of rest, news of Han Chang Pass’s breach reached the ears of the Cangzhou reinforcements.
“Pft—what did you just say?”
The reinforcement leader was laughing and joking with a beauty, the tent filled with the strong scent of wine, empty wine jars littering beneath.
In his arms sat a voluptuous woman, partially exposed, while another flirtatious lady kneaded his shoulders; he had one drunken, giggling girl on each side, and he himself sat bare-chested, showing off his muscular physique.
If one ignored the surrounding decor, one would think he was in a brothel.
Where was there any sign of a military atmosphere?
When the messenger came to report, the reinforcement leader’s spirit was vexed; when he finally understood what was said, he was struck with fear and pushed away the beauties clasping him, sending the one sitting in his lap flying as well. The woman who was kneading his shoulders froze in shock.
The sudden turn of events left the four women pale with fright.
The messenger didn’t dare to look up, fearing he’d see something he shouldn’t.
After all, no man likes to see another man eyeing his woman, even if she’s merely a plaything.
“Han Chang Pass has fallen, and Liu Xi and Huang Song’s troops are stationed by the Song River, seemingly planning to cross.”
“Fallen? When did that happen?”
The messenger stammered out the timeline.
The leader was so furious he slapped the table, causing bamboo slips and wine jars to crash to the ground.
“Such a big matter, why didn’t anyone inform me?!”
Han Chang Pass had been breached for days, and he was only hearing about it now?
If this news reached Cangzhou Meng County, then—
Thinking about the potential outcome sent a chill down the leader’s strong body.
Even with a few braziers in the tent, it couldn’t dispel the coldness within his heart.
He had every reason to be scared!
Meng Zhan received the garrison’s cry for help from Han Chang Pass and immediately dispatched him to bring troops for reinforcement—but he didn’t take Liu Xi and Huang Song, these young pups, seriously; Han Chang Pass was one of the most fortified gates, with ample military power—how could it be easily breached?
With such thoughts, he led his troops in a leisurely manner.
During the day, they marched for less than four hours, occasionally stopping to drink and have fun. Initially thinking it would take no more than half a month to arrive, although they were delayed a few days, it wouldn’t significantly impact military operations. Little did he know that a ten-day journey took nearly a month, and Han Chang Pass was already breached by the enemy.
Oh no, oh no, oh no—
The reinforcement leader broke out in a sweat, and the warming braziers did nothing for his heart.
“Where are Liu’s thieves now? Have they crossed the Song River?”
The leader understood he had seriously delayed matters; if Meng Zhan caught him, ten heads wouldn’t be enough to pay for it.
The only option now was to find a way to achieve merit and redeem himself.
The messenger wore a complex expression.
If this commander had any sense, he would realize he had asked a stupid question—
After all, from what he just reported, that guy didn’t catch even a single word!
“Huang and Liu’s armies are stationed near Han Chang Pass, alongside the Song River, and have not crossed yet.”
A sense of relief washed over the reinforcement leader—if they hadn’t crossed, good! Based on the danger of the Song River, he still had a fighting chance.
His inflated confidence also had its reasons.
Most of Jiang Pengji’s troops came from the north, where folks are no good at swimming; even if they could, it’d only be dog paddling.
Huang Song, who originated in Haizhou, was in a better position than Jiang Pengji, who had the advantage of being at the intersection of north and south.
The former floundered like a duck, while the latter puttered along, and even with superior land combat abilities, both would be useless in the water.
The Song River was swift; if the entire army crossed, how much combat ability would they retain when they reached land?
“You say—those two young pups are stationed near the Song River?”
The messenger nodded, “That’s correct.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, the leader erupted into laughter, his spirits lifted, showing none of the prior gloom or rage.
The messenger was bewildered—how could he still be laughing at a time like this?
The leader chuckled, “The military texts say: If fighting near water, one must keep a distance from the water’s edge. This both lures the enemy to cross and reduces their suspicion. I want to fight, but I won’t meet the enemy near water, lest they cross. If I don’t want to fight, then I’ll block the water, preventing the enemy from crossing. If the enemy brings troops across the water to battle, we can wait by the bank and strike them halfway. Those two young pups, Huang and Liu, don’t even know this simple military tactic—what is there to fear?”
If old hands were to fight by the river, they’d set up camp far enough from the water’s edge for two main reasons.
One, to lure the enemy into crossing, and two, to dispel any doubts the enemy might have.
If the enemy fell for the trap, they’d be hit while halfway across.
Huang Song and Liu Xi hurriedly set their camp near the Song River; would he be foolish enough to fall for it and give them the chance to strike?
The messenger didn’t know how to respond; he had little education and understood only a little of the general’s explanation.
However, looking at his confident demeanor, he must have a solid plan, right?
The leader ordered the entire army to quicken their pace, hoping to reach the Song River before Huang and Liu’s troops crossed.
Little did he know that Jiang Pengji and Huang Song had already changed their plans.
The reason for the change was rather helpless—
Jiang Pengji knew that ancient shipbuilding technology was primitive, but she never expected it to be this bad.
“These boats—before even crossing the Song River, wouldn’t they already fall apart?”
She didn’t hold back her sarcasm; while it wasn’t that severe, it wasn’t far off either.
Crossing was barely feasible, but relying on water combat was out of the question.
The collision of the ships would surely turn them into driftwood.
