Chapter 1170 – Assault on Xu Pei, First Kill Among the Lords (Part 40)
Yuan Xin’s experience teaches us one thing—
Don’t act all high and mighty, or you might get struck by lightning! Don’t set flags without reason!
Yuan Xin set a huge flag, so don’t blame others for slapping him in the face.
As they approached the exit of Nan Dao, the Strategist grew increasingly tense, not daring to slack off, while Yuan Xin hummed a cheerful tune.
Seeing the Strategist’s serious expression, he couldn’t help but advise, “Why so anxious, Military Adviser? Our grain interception is as swift as lightning and as forceful as thunder! Surely the Liu Thief is still oblivious, unaware that their supply route has been compromised. How could they ambush us?”
Yuan Xin couldn’t stand it when scholars fussed and hesitated, all worrisome and fussy like a bunch of old wives’ tales—so annoying!
The Strategist’s lack of experience meant he couldn’t hold Yuan Xin back, nor could he make him obey.
With Yuan Xin’s words, the Strategist had no more to say.
“Isn’t it a joy to have friends come from afar?”
After marching for half an hour, just as they were about to leave Hujun’s Xing City Nan Dao, a resounding thud echoed through the sky, like thunder on a clear day.
The phrase “Isn’t it a joy to have friends come from afar?” rang through the mountains, startling Yuan Xin as he tightened the reins.
“Why don’t you all take a rest for a moment, so we can extend our hospitality?”
The echoing words barely faded when another voice followed—
“There are ambush troops!”
Yuan Xin ignored the embarrassment and quickly drew his sword, ready to face the enemy.
As soon as he spoke, enemies burst forth like bamboo shoots after rain, blocking their path, and there were also signs of enemies in the rear.
Seeing so many enemies appear without a sound, everyone was taken aback, and the once orderly formation fell into disarray.
Yuan Xin was furious, how could they panic before the enemy even attacked? Such useless teammates!
The Strategist remarked, “The enemy is numerous; General, please make a decision!”
This particular Strategist was just an advisor who could only offer ideas but had no military authority, hence needing Yuan Xin to issue commands to rally the army.
Yuan Xin gritted his teeth and declared, “Are we really going to burn the fifty thousand stones of grain?”
The Strategist replied, “If we don’t burn it, the enemy will certainly seize it back; it’s a loss that outweighs the gains.”
Surrounded by the enemy, if they didn’t burn the grain, those supply carts would only become a burden in their escape.
If they encountered experienced foes, breaking out would be tough, and they would be worn down until they were completely wiped out.
It’s better to be ruthless; if they can’t have it, neither will the enemy.
Burning the supplies would hurt them, but it would hurt the enemy even more.
Yuan Xin knew this, but he felt pained.
He had almost moved the fifty thousand stones of grain out of Xing City Nan Dao, and unexpectedly the enemy didn’t chase; they sent troops to block their escape.
Time was tight, leaving Yuan Xin no choice but to think quickly.
“Burn it—rally the troops and break through!”
Though Yuan Xin could be petty, holding grudges against Nie Xun, he was still dependable when it came to major decisions.
Just then, Qi Guanrang waved his feather fan back and forth.
Seeing the enemy stirring, with a flick of his wrist, the fan came down with a flourish.
“Kill!”
The attack horn sounded, echoing through the mountains, its sharp tone piercing everyone’s eardrums.
“Military Adviser, they’ve set fire to the grain—”
Before the two armies clashed, those with keen eyes spotted fire and smoke rising from the supply convoy.
Qi Guanrang chuckled coldly, “Let them burn the grain; human flesh pairs perfectly with it.”
Li Yun couldn’t help but shiver at the thought of roasted human flesh—
Just imagining it made his throat feel uneasy.
Qi Guanrang’s gaze turned cold as he said indifferently, “The grain is already lost; if we can salvage a portion, that would be lucky; if not, it’s no great loss. Let them suffer their own fire. Send the order—we’ll surround, not attack—”
Despite looking relaxed, Qi Guanrang and his men had only been laying in ambush for two hours.
Two hours prior, they had taken a shortcut from elsewhere.
If they had been even a bit later, they would have been helplessly watching as the enemy escaped with the grain.
Although the army showed no signs of fatigue, they had indeed burned out a lot of energy, making a strong assault inadvisable.
Since Yuan Xin’s faction was burning grain, they would taste their own bitterness.
Unable to break out, they would have to learn to live with the flames.
In doing so, they could vent their frustration while masking their troop’s insufficient combat power.
That earlier bravado was merely a psychological ploy to trick the enemy into believing they were strong. The current strategy of surrounding without attacking was yet another feint to exhaust the enemy’s patience and rationality.
Li Yun said, “I will obey the order.”
Qi Guanrang pulled over a small stool, sat back, and leisurely waved his fan.
The weather was hot; even though he’d changed into summer clothes, he was still sweating profusely. Looking at the flames merging into one, his heart burned as well.
He was lounging, while Yuan Xin and the others were suffering greatly.
The enemy seemed to anticipate their breakout direction, and to add insult to injury, they were acting like timid turtles, refusing to engage.
The Strategist said, “General, don’t rush. Stabilize the formation first; we need to collect our strength to break out—do not lose your composure.”
The more chaotic they became, the more advantageous it was for the enemy.
The fire in the supply convoy had already grown quite fierce; at this rate, the enemy would hardly be able to salvage much.
With fifty thousand stones of grain turned to ashes, their goal of intercepting the enemy’s supply line had been met.
Now it was only necessary to gather forces to one place and break out with strength.
Yuan Xin understood this, but the Strategist’s nagging was even more annoying than ten thousand flies buzzing in his ear.
“I know this matter well enough; no need for you to chitchat.”
The Strategist’s face turned pale; the only way to maintain composure was to grip the reins tightly.
He began to understand Nie Xun’s struggles—
He truly wanted to leap up and smash this guy’s head!
Defensive battles were Qi Guanrang’s specialty; the troops under his command were well-trained soldiers. Although there was no guarantee each could follow orders perfectly, basic commands wouldn’t go awry. One man alone was no threat, but hundreds or thousands could form an impenetrable wall.
Unable to advance, with no retreat, this was the predicament Yuan Xin now faced.
Even worse, the fire from the rear supply carts was growing, and the enemy was tightening their defenses, squeezing their space.
More soldiers were killed by the enemy than there were who burned to death.
At that moment, Yuan Xin’s face turned ashen.
He realized the enemy’s strategy!
So devious!
The sounds of killing resounded; the ground was littered with corpses.
Yuan Xin’s forces were driven mad with bloodlust. After an hour-long battle, they finally broke out from the Xing City Nan Dao with a battered army.
In this battle, Yuan Xin lost fifty percent of his troops, with seventy percent of that number perishing in the flames!
Having finally broken out, Yuan Xin wasn’t about to linger; he fled with his surviving men, moving like the wind.
Li Yun led the soldiers, pretending to shout and fight until the enemy’s figures disappeared from sight.
Qi Guanrang held his feather fan in his right hand, with his left carrying a folding stool as he gazed toward the direction the enemy had fled.
“Withdraw!”
