Twenty li north of Panyu City.
Just after the hour of the Monkey, the main force of Huang Chao's army arrived in succession.
Three hundred thousand troops spread across the plains, their tents stretching for dozens of li beyond sight.
Cooking smoke curled upward, mingling with the stench of horse manure and sour sweat as it spread through the autumn sky.
Zhu Wen stood on a rise, gazing toward the southern horizon.
There, the outline of Panyu City was faintly visible, like a colossal beast lying in wait.
North of the city stood two camps, one to the left and one to the right, forming mutual horns.
"General." A deputy general rode over and cupped his fists from horseback. "The Commander has ordered the entire army to make camp where they stand and rest for half a day."
Zhu Wen nodded, withdrew his gaze, and turned to walk down the rise.
Panyu City, northern gate tower.
Xue Rengui stood atop the tower, his left arm still suspended against his chest. The scar on his face gleamed a dark red in the sunset.
"General." A deputy general ran up from below the wall, his face covered in soot and dust, his voice hoarse.
"The scout reports that the Rebel Army is cooking their meals. Their patrols along the route are passable, with sentries posted around the camp perimeter. Their patrol squads consist of no more than ten men each, with long intervals between them."
Without turning around, Xue Rengui merely asked, "Where is the enemy commander's main tent located?"
The deputy general hurriedly answered.
"North of the center of the main camp, heavily guarded.
"Their grain and fodder are stockpiled east of the main camp's rear. There is a fence around the perimeter, and about three thousand soldiers guard it, though