The war raged from November to January.
In January, the roads were completely blocked by the heavy snow, and the weather was icy cold.
Xiao YuAn originally thought that the soldiers of the Southern Yan Kingdom wouldn’t be able to withstand the cold weather, but the more they fought, the more courageous they became. By contrast, the Northern Kingdom became extremely dispirited. Because the granary wasn’t full and it was gradually emptying due to the constant war. Xiao YuAn was still in the process of collapsing.
The team designed to deliver the Military rations suffered from an avalanche and was wiped out.
Xiao YuAn, who was far away in the Imperial City, became extremely anxious when he received the news. He ended up hammering his fist on the throne and his knuckles turned bloody red from the force.
The Minister reporting the news knelt down and shouted: “Don’t worry, Your Majesty! General Xie Chungui has already been sent back to transport the second batch of Military rations to the front line!!!”
Xiao YuAn didn’t respond. He twisted his hands tightly together, pressing them against his lips, and bit his knuckles. When he felt the pain, he realized that his knuckles were already bleeding.
In the original book, because the treacherous Officials cut off the front line Military rations, Li Wuding was forced to betray the Country. This time, Xiao YuAn managed everything himself, supervising from time to time that the rations were enough and could be delivered without delay.
But in the end, he was defeated by the Heavens.
Xiao YuAn once again bit his knuckles, the taste of blood permeating his mouth: “The second batch of Military rations must be delivered, and we must catch up with them.”
Right at that moment, Li Wuding, dressed in a Military war robe, was sitting alone in the tent looking at the map, his expression was frowning and pondering. Several deputies came into the tent, the cold snow that entered was accompanied by the strong wind. Nie Er, who was really impatient, stepped forward and asked anxiously: “General, the rations are scarce and the news of the reinforcements are delayed. How can we fight if we’re hungry?”
Li Wuding put away the map and looked up at the group of Soldiers, his eyebrows knitted into a Sichuan1 character: “How long can the current rations last us?”
Nie Er replied: “Only a day or two.”
Li Wuding pinched his eyebrows: “Is the road to the rear2 open?”
“The snow is too heavy to get past the troops….”
Li Wuding no longer spoke. He stared at the map resting in his hands, as if he wanted to pierce it with his eyes.
“General, I’ve seen that the Southern Yan Kingdom has been reorganizing its troops with great fanfare recently. It looks like they’re preparing to attack the Imperial City with one single stroke.” One of the deputies said.
“This fucking snow doesn’t stop falling, but it does when the motherland sends the rations, blocking our roads, motherfucker.” Nie Er suddenly started to curse in an outburst.
Li Wuding exhaled a long breath, seemingly helpless, desperate, lamenting and determined. His eyes dropped, like a silent solemn sculpture, his words were also cold and harsh: “I want make an attack.”
“How do we attack them?” A deputy asked him.
Li Wuding raised his head and glanced at the deputies: “By robbing their rations.”
“Robbing the Southern Yan Kingdom’s army rations?” The deputies were shocked: “But the granary is heavily guarded, if we’re not careful, we’ll be wiped out.”
“We’ll first send a small group to the rear of their large army and pretend to have a sneak attack, that’ll cause a commotion and attract their attention. Then we’ll send 3000 elite soldiers to the granary, even if we can’t rob the rations, we can still burn it.” Li Wuding raised his head and asked: “What do you guys think?”
“I think it will work!” Nie Er agreed, “It’s better to take the initiative than to just wait for death to arrive. If we can burn down their granary, it’ll also buy time for our reinforcements!”
With no one questioning him, Li Wuding drew up a detailed battle plan and began to hesitate over the candidates.
This battle was extremely dangerous whether it was a sneak attack or the robbery of the rations. They’re outnumbered and only suitable for quick combat, if there’s any hesitation and delay or if the Southern Yan Kingdom discovered them, they would lose everything.
Li Wuding thought for a long time, and in the end, he decided that he would be the one to lead the troops to rob the rations.
“I’ll pretend to launch a sneak attack then.” Nie Er volunteered.
Li Wuding’s face revealed his doubts a little bit late.
Although Ni Er was experienced in the battlefield, he’s still impulsive and reckless, his shadow was one of a rash and young man. This time, when he pretends to launch a sneak attack, he must not entangle himself with the enemy troops, otherwise, it will be hard to defend themselves.
“General Li, I know what you’re hesitating about. But you don’t need to worry, I won’t confront them, moreover, I’ll ask the soldiers to tie a bundle of straw behind their horses. The sound and dust made by the straw dragging on the ground will create the appearance of a huge army, that will certainly disturb them!” Nie Er urgently suggested, fearing that Li Wuding would belittle him.
“That’s good!” Li Wuding nodded his head. “You must be very cautious and careful! The rest of you will stay here!”
Things just keep getting worse and worse for the Norhern Kingdom, YHQ is really loved by the Heavens… or is it because he’s the protagonist?
(Prepare your hearts for the next few chapters…) (๑-﹏-๑)
Footnotes
This one 川, it looks like the wrinkles that appear when you frown.
后方 hòu fāng; Also called “far behind the front line”. It’s a Chinese term, generally refers to the area where the leading place commanding the entire war is located. It mainly receives and treats the wounded and patients transferred from the field hospitals. In times of war, it refers to the territory outside the front lines, that is, the enemy area.