Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress
Chapter 428 - 425: Divide and Consume_1

Chapter 428: Chapter 425: Divide and Consume_1

Zhao Sheng’s grip on the reins tightened, his eagle-like sharp eyes staring at Bai Qingyan, who had captured his younger brother Zhao Tong, as if he wished to tear Bai Qingyan apart.

"Yesterday, our army had a day of rest. I wonder if General Xun has rested well and is ready for a battle?" Liu Hong said lightly, a smile on his face as if he was certain of victory. "Or does General Xun need to wait for the grain supplies to arrive before he can fight since they were burned?"

The mention of the burnt grain supplies caused Xun Tianzhang’s heart to ache.

He had deliberately not transported the grain to the camp, fearing that it would be lost if the Jin Army attacked. He hadn’t expected someone to burn the supplies nonetheless.

Xun Tianzhang composed himself and looked at Bai Qingyan with a smile. "I’ve studied Young General Bai’s battle tactics thoroughly. I thought he was skilled in surprise attacks, but I didn’t expect that with a change in the Jin Army’s commander, they’d have the patience to just burn our grain without attacking the camp."

Bai Qingyan raised her eyes, hiding a sharp edge, and looked at Xun Tianzhang. "We will attack tonight."

Liu Hong’s grip on the reins tightened, and his lips pressed together tightly.

Xun Tianzhang saw Liu Hong’s reaction and laughed heartily, cupping his hands in Bai Qingyan’s direction. "Then tonight, I shall wait for Young General Bai in the camp!"

Before Bai Qingyan could respond, Liu Hong said to Xun Tianzhang, "General Xun needs to wait until the grain supplies arrive and rest well before he can fight! But our Jin Army cannot wait. As commander, I’ll give General Xun three days. If General Xun still does not engage in battle after three days, I will have to lead the troops in a direct attack."

Bai Qingyan lowered her eyes, remaining silent. Liu Hong repeatedly mentioned the grain supplies and was firm in giving a three-day ultimatum, seemingly wanting to... raid the Liang Army’s grain supplies.

"Of course!"

Xun Tianzhang ordered someone to take back the heads of the Zhao family’s soldiers, and both sides turned back to their camps.

Liu Hong frowned and asked Bai Qingyan, "Tonight, does the Commandery Princess really plan to attack the camp? But why did the Commandery Princess tell Xun Tianzhang in advance? By doing so... they will be prepared for us."

"Xun Tianzhang is naturally cautious. Since I said we would attack today, he will definitely make arrangements and set ambushes for us. Let them be busy. When General Lin Kangle and General Wang Xiping return, and the battle report from Huoshen Mountain is sent over, Xun Tianzhang will know that we’ve already been there today."

"However, just now Xun Tianzhang mentioned the Commandery Princess’s usual tactics. I think the Commandery Princess could lead troops to ambush the areas important for transporting grain in the Liang Kingdom. Either capture or burn their grain supplies! Without grain... the Liang Army will be in shambles," Liu Hong said with narrowed eyes.

"I have thought about it, but from the Liang Kingdom to Chunmu Mountain and then to the Liang Army camp, there is more than one route for transporting grain. If we want to raid their supplies, we’ll need multiple ambushes, which will scatter our Jin Kingdom’s forces. Xun Tianzhang might use this chance to lure us into scattering our troops and then defeat us separately," Bai Qingyan replied.

Liu Hong nodded. "What the Commandery Princess said is very reasonable. But to let this opportunity slip away and watch them transport the grain would be bad for our Jin Army."

"Then send people to block the other transport routes, leaving only one road. However, by doing so... we would have to face the main force of Daliang directly. If you have absolute confidence in victory, we can give it a try."

Xun Tianzhang had already noticed the strong winds near the Longmu River and the impending heavy rain. After returning to the camp, he immediately asked for the local records of Longyang City.

Longyang City, near Longmu River, had a lot of rain starting late June, and the Longmu River entered its flood season.

Xun Tianzhang’s fingers tapped on the local records. Longyang City was low-lying. If they could dig canals before the flood season, flooding Longyang City could minimize the Liang Army’s losses.

Xun Tianzhang looked up at the sky outside the command tent, where black clouds could be seen faintly rolling in. His eyes brightened, feeling that there was no time to lose. He made a decisive decision: "Summon General Du!"

Xun Tianzhang instructed the Liang Army commanders to gather troops and head to the Longmu River tonight. Regardless of the cost, they needed to dig the canals within one night.

After arranging for the canal digging, Xun Tianzhang, exhausted, knelt by the command tent table, recollecting today’s meeting with the Jin Army’s commander, Liu Hong, and Bai Qingyan.

Whether or not Bai Qingyan attacked the camp, he had to be fully prepared.

He left five thousand men in the camp. The rest, except for those digging canals with General Du, would ambush outside the camp. If Bai Qingyan dared to come, she would have no way out.

Soon, Xun Tianzhang ordered his son to deliver the preparations.

After receiving the order to ambush outside the camp, Zhao Sheng came to the command tent to see Xun Tianzhang, expressing concerns about the grain supplies and fearing the Jin Army would raid them.

Xun Tianzhang chuckled. "If that’s the case, it’s just as I hoped. Send people to watch the grain transport routes. If the Jin Army scatters their forces to ambush the routes, our Daliang forces can easily defeat them by division."

Zhao Sheng nodded. "I will send people to watch right away!"

With the matters of the grain transport routes, canal digging, and tonight’s ambush arranged, Xun Tianzhang’s fatigue hit him. He knelt by the table, coughing violently.

Grabbing the handkerchief from the table to cover his mouth, he tasted blood. Moving the handkerchief away, he saw bright red blood on it.

Xun Tianzhang quickly wiped the blood from his mouth and tightly gripped the handkerchief in his hand.

That evening, General Fu Ruoxi of the Jin Kingdom, leading reinforcements from Anping Camp, arrived at Longyang City and camped outside the city.

With the arrival of reinforcements, Liu Hong immediately felt more confident and gathered all the commanders to discuss strategies to defeat the Liang Army.

Liu Hong knew his own limitations in military strategy but had the advantage of being able to listen to others’ advice.

A scout watching the Liang camp suddenly reported people leaving the camp.

"In which direction?" Bai Qingyan’s voice grew tense.

"Seems to be towards Huoshen Mountain!" the scout replied.

Bai Qingyan’s heart tightened. She asked, "Did you see who was leading the troops, and how many there were?"

"Unclear on the leader; the number of troops is around twenty thousand!"

Bai Qingyan turned to Liu Hong. "It seems General Lin Kangle and General Wang Xiping’s mission to rescue troops at Huoshen Mountain has been discovered by Xun Tianzhang. Please, Commander, allow me to take people to Huoshen Mountain immediately to assist!"

Liu Hong pressed his lips together, considering for a long moment before speaking. "General Fu Ruoxi shall take the troops. The Commandery Princess will stay in the camp to discuss strategies with us to defeat the Liang Army."

By keeping Bai Qingyan, Liu Hong wasn’t intentionally blocking her. But Bai Qingyan was instrumental for the Bai family and skilled in military strategy. Despite her young age, Liu Hong relied on her military acumen from the bottom of his heart.

Bai Qingyan tightened her fist and respectfully addressed General Fu Ruoxi. "Then, I must trouble the General!"