Chapter 138: Soaring Through the Clouds and Mist

The garrison at Border City dispatched auxiliary troops to burn the Hu forces’ grain and supply depots. Afterwards, Huang Wenlong asked Xiao Ding what their next move should be.

Xiao Ding thought for a moment and said, “We can wait a few days. When their soldiers grow too hungry to fight, we will concentrate our forces to attack their main camp.”

“All right, that’s what we’ll do!” Huang Wenlong nodded in agreement.

This time, Fei Wen did not raise any objections.

With the supplies at Tuhe Town burned, the Hu army’s morale was indeed thrown into chaos. The remaining provisions would only last one or two days at most. Typically, the Hu forces’ supply convoys arrived only once a month.

In truth, much of the Hu army’s provisions were not transported from the Great Xia Kingdom; a significant portion had been looted during their incursions into the Song Kingdom’s territory.

Pillaging money, grain, and women had been their constant practice since the invasion. Wherever they went, they took everything of value and left nothing behind.

Thus, the provisions brought from the Great Xia Kingdom accounted for only a small fraction. Even with monthly shipments, they found it troublesome.

As a result, this time all their stockpiled supplies were destroyed by fire. It would take more than twenty days before the next convoy arrived.

What would they rely on during these twenty days? Li Daocheng furrowed his brow anxiously. “Strategist, do you have a good plan?”

If the soldiers went hungry, a mutiny could break out. If they lost control, it would be disastrous.

Mao Yanshun shook his head helplessly. “I have no better ideas either. For now, we can only tell the cooks not to make dry rice but to cook porridge to conserve food and stretch their rations as much as possible. We should also send a message by pigeon to His Majesty, urging him to arrange for supplies to be sent as soon as possible. If we’re lucky, the provisions might arrive within half a month. Besides, the reinforcements led by the Grand Master are on their way. They will surely bring some supplies with them, which can temporarily ease our predicament.”

“It seems that’s all we can do,” Li Daocheng sighed.

At present, the reinforcements led by the Grand Master had become their only hope for survival.

Thus, Border City waited silently for the Hu army to lose their combat strength, while the Hu forces awaited the arrival of the reinforcements brought by the Grand Master.

Three days passed quietly on both sides.

Scouts from Border City reported no signs of mutiny within the Hu main camp. Instead, they spotted a troop riding swiftly toward Border City.

Upon receiving the report, the city’s leaders gathered atop the northern gate tower.

From the northwest, a mounted group was indeed approaching.

“It appears the Hu reinforcements have arrived,” Huang Wenlong said. “Coming from that direction, it must be the army of the Great Xia Kingdom.”

“It seems our plan might fail,” Magistrate Yang said regretfully.

They had hoped to wait until the Hu forces were too hungry to fight before attacking their main camp, but now reinforcements had suddenly arrived. Fresh troops, no less, and surely carrying some supplies with them. This would foil their plan.

“Heaven does not favor us!” Huang Wenlong said, feeling discouraged.

“Gentlemen, there’s no need to be overly pessimistic,” Xiao Ding spoke up.

“Why do you say that, Commander Tian?” Magistrate Yang asked curiously. This was common sense everyone understood; Xiao Ding was too clever not to see it.

“Although the Hu reinforcements have come, I believe the supplies they brought are limited. If we wait a few more days until their reinforcements run out of food as well, we can still attack with the same effect,” Xiao Ding said confidently.

“What Commander Tian says makes sense. For now, we’ll just have to wait,” Huang Wenlong agreed.

Fei Wen had remained silent throughout. Having led troops into danger twice, he was now afflicted with combat anxiety. He most wished to avoid battle and stay safely within the city to preserve his life.

Lord Bian Yu had recovered somewhat after a few days of rest and appeared on the city walls today. Yet his eyes burned with hatred whenever he looked at Xiao Ding, making clear he would not entertain his words.

The group approaching at full speed was indeed the Hu reinforcements—thirty thousand soldiers led by Grand Master Li Wantong. They entered the Hu main camp and took up positions.

Li Daocheng was finally overjoyed to see the reinforcements. Although their camp still had food, each meal was thin porridge. Even he, the commander, was no exception, eating the same watery gruel as his soldiers, so weak it made his legs tremble.

His generals complained bitterly. Used to hearty meals with plenty of meat and strong drink, they could easily consume several pounds of meat per meal. Now, confined to porridge, they found it unbearable.

Welcoming the savior into the central tent, Li Daocheng’s first question was, “Grand Master Li, how much grain did you bring with your troops?”

Li Wantong was surprised. He was not the quartermaster; why would the prince ask such a thing? “I didn’t bring much grain. Why do you ask, Your Highness?”

“You must not know. Our provisions were burned by the Song soldiers a few days ago. We have no food left!” Li Daocheng said miserably.

“How could that happen?” Li Wantong was shocked.

“It’s my fault for being unprepared. The Song forces exploited a gap in our defenses,” Li Daocheng lamented.

“But the grain I brought would only last five days at most,” Li Wantong said helplessly.

“Five days is still something. I’ve sent a message to my father asking him to arrange immediate resupply. Hopefully, it will arrive within half a month,” Li Daocheng said bitterly.

“We’ll have to ration carefully, eating less each meal to stretch the supplies until the convoy arrives,” Li Wantong said.

“If it comes to it, we still have our warhorses. We could slaughter some to survive these days,” strategist Mao Yanshun suggested.

For the Hu, horses were like life itself. To kill them for food was a heart-wrenching thought.

“It seems there is no better alternative,” Li Daocheng admitted.

“Grand Master, do you have any plans for the siege?” Mao Yanshun asked, concerned about the assault.

“First, tell me about the current situation,” Li Wantong said.

Mao Yanshun recounted the status of both armies in detail.

Li Wantong closed his eyes to ponder, then said, “I do have a strategy, though I’m not sure if it will succeed.”

“Please, Grand Master, share it!” Li Daocheng urged.

“Since the Song cut off our supplies, why not target their food instead?” Li Wantong said coldly.

“How so?” Mao Yanshun asked with interest.

“I have a poison that causes bleeding from all orifices, fatal to anyone who ingests it. I plan to sneak into Border City at midnight and sprinkle it into the water well of the auxiliary troops’ kitchen. Then, when their soldiers drink the water with their morning meals, they will be poisoned and die, causing the city to fall without a fight,” Li Wantong said, producing a porcelain vial and placing it on the table.

“Grand Master’s plan is brilliant! Why doubt its success?” Mao Yanshun said.

“My concern is that our troops currently lack supplies. I fear we won’t have the strength to attack the city afterward,” Li Wantong admitted.

“As long as the city’s soldiers are all poisoned, we won’t need much effort to capture the city. Once inside, we’ll seize their supplies and won’t have to wait for the Great Xia resupply convoy,” Mao Yanshun said, suddenly enlightened.

“Strategist’s words are right. If we can enter the city, the lack of provisions won’t matter,” Li Daocheng agreed.

“However, Grand Master, I have a question. Border City is heavily guarded. How do you plan to infiltrate the city?” Mao Yanshun asked.

“Strategist, you needn’t worry. Recently, I have made some progress in my cultivation. Flying over a small city wall is no trouble at all,” Li Wantong said mysteriously.

Everyone was stunned. They silently wondered if the old sage could truly fly on clouds. Even Li Daocheng was taken aback; having known the Grand Master since childhood, he knew his abilities were great but never imagined he could actually ride the clouds.