Chapter 518 – Triple Route Warfare (Part 2)
“Mr. Feng, something bad has happened,” Luo Yue said.
Feng Jin’s heart sank. Just as he was about to pick up his sleeping daughter, Changsheng, Luo Yue’s voice halted his movements.
“What happened?”
“The Green Garment Army from Maolin County and Jiao Ping County is mobilizing against us, and they are less than half a day’s journey away.”
What!
Feng Jin’s eyes widened in shock.
What is the Green Garment Army up to, suddenly coming to attack Xiangyang County?
“Why are the Green Garment Army from those two counties suddenly making a move against Xiangyang County?”
The troops in Xiangyang County are ample; the Green Garment Army has tried to nibble at it a few times without success. Why would they now actively seek trouble?
Could it be that…
Feng Jin’s mind kicked into gear as he quickly pieced together the key… It was highly likely that Cheng’an County had been conquered, and those two counties thought Xiangyang County was vulnerable, wanting to come take advantage… He bit his teeth in frustration, following a lord who consistently puts his subordinates in danger; this life is unbearable!
Wei Jingxian turned pale, “Husband?”
Is it time to prepare for war again?
“It’s fine, you take Changsheng home first. I won’t be back for a few days. When Lan Ting returns, we will settle accounts with her.”
You can’t be serious!
You promised to stay and take care of your wife and child, and then you turn around and drop such a huge problem on me.
Feng Jin stood up and strode out of the administrative hall.
Wei Jingxian sighed deeply, glancing down at her daughter, who had just been startled awake, feeling distressed yet helpless.
In this chaotic world, it’s impossible not to be affected by military troubles.
She leaned down and kissed her daughter’s forehead, whispering, “Changsheng, let’s go home and wait for daddy to return.”
With half a day’s journey remaining for the Green Garment Army, Xiangyang County still had enough time to prepare.
Feng Jin inquired about the defenses at each city gate and the quantity of siege equipment, feeling slightly reassured.
Fortunately, all the defensive equipment was ready. If they launch a nighttime raid, the Green Garment Army would come and go without return!
Feng Jin usually gave off an impression of a dignified gentleman; it’s rare to see him angry. If anyone dared to stretch their hand towards Xiangyang County, he would make them pay a bitter price.
He and Luo Yue checked the city walls, ensuring everything was in order before finally stepping down.
Feng Jin whispered, “The two divisions of the Green Garment Army are attacking from different directions. According to the scouts’ reports, their arrival times will differ. Have the soldiers at both city gates keep a close eye; don’t let your guard down. We need to hold for at least five days; this will be a hard battle.”
Luo Yue nodded along, agreeing fully with Feng Jin’s arrangements.
After a moment, Feng Jin suddenly said, “By the way, once night falls, no matter who it is, if they want to open the city gates, they must not do so.”
Luo Yue’s heart tightened; that statement carried a heavy meaning. Does it imply…
“Are you saying… there might be insiders from the Green Garment Army within the city?” Luo Yue asked.
Feng Jin furrowed his brow, “It’s possible. After all, when we first entered Xiangyang, we captured quite a few from the Green Garment Army. There’s no guarantee that these former Green Garment soldiers don’t have relatives here. It’s always better to be cautious.”
Luo Yue appeared unconcerned, but he mentally noted this caution.
Now, Xiangyang County was a chaotic paradise for them, and they couldn’t let anyone eye it hungrily.
Even if he felt that the surrendered Green Garment Army had completely committed and wouldn’t rebel, nothing is ever absolute; a little caution is always wise.
“I understand. I will ensure this message is communicated to all the guards at the city gates.”
To ensure the soldiers remain energetic, they would rotate shifts every hour after nightfall, keeping everyone alert.
In the darkness, torches burned brightly atop the walls of Xiangyang County, serving as the only flicker of light in the world.
Jiao Ping County was the nearest to Xiangyang and would take them just a day and a half to reach; by the time they arrived, it would already be late at night.
One of the ruffians said, “General, it seems the defenses at Xiangyang County are quite strict.”
General Ping Tian rode his favored steed, leading over five thousand elite soldiers from the Green Garment Army. Those left behind in Jiao Ping County were old and weak, not suitable for a long-distance march; bringing them along would only slow the pace.
“If it weren’t strict, do you think this juicy piece of meat would still be untouched?” General Ping Tian smirked coldly. “We investigated Xiangyang’s situation earlier; their defenses were two or three times weaker than now. The fact they are now so fortified indicates their fear.”
The more internally frail they were, the more they had to feign strength; this only fueled General Ping Tian’s confidence.
The ruffian flattered, “General, your strategy is unparalleled; no matter how well they disguise it, they can’t hide from your sharp eyes.”
General Ping Tian scoffed, though the flattery was pleasing enough to smooth out the irritation in him.
“We will wait a little longer; around the fourth watch, we’ll launch a fire arrow assault.”
General Ping Tian was different from the other leaders of the Green Garment Army; he not only enjoyed looting wealth and beauty but also liked to organize various weapons. The fire arrows were just arrows dipped in oil-soaked cloth, shot from bows; once they pierced flesh, the wounds would fester and become infected.
He intended to strike swiftly, catching the enemy off guard, unaware that Xiangyang County was already prepared.
What’s so impressive about fire arrows?
As the night deepened, Feng Jin seized the time to grab a few hours of sleep. When the third watch came, a young soldier woke him according to orders.
“How is the situation at the north and west gates? Have there been any signs of the enemy?” Feng Jin took the damp cloth handed to him by the soldier, casually wiping his face. The cold moisture and night breeze chased away the lingering drowsiness, making him shiver and become fully alert.
The soldier answered, “Reporting to sir, there have been no enemy troops seen at the north and west gates.”
Feng Jin took a deep breath and said, “Don’t let your guard down.”
The Green Garment Army suffered varying degrees of night blindness, making vision challenging at night, but that couldn’t justify underestimating their potential for a night raid.
The torches at the gates blazed brightly, visible from a great distance; for the Green Garment Army, this was the best guiding light!
The soldiers were informed that there might be a midnight raid tonight, and they each raised their spirits to the highest level.
As the clock approached the fourth watch, this was when the common people slept the deepest; even the ambushing Green Garment soldiers could hardly keep their eyes open.
At this moment, an eagle-eyed soldier from the Green Garment Army noticed the sentinels atop the walls were yawning and already struggling to keep their eyes open. He excitedly reported to General Ping Tian, “General, the time is almost ripe.”
The grass outside was thick, providing excellent cover for the Green Garment Army.
They slowly approached the city wall, now within three hundred meters, yet the guards atop remained unaware of their presence.
General Ping Tian’s heart filled with joy as he issued the command, “Launch the fire arrows!”
Due to insufficient range, the archers needed to advance a bit more.
However, the distance was already so close that it would only take a few breaths before the archers could shoot down the guards on the city walls.
