Five days later, Xue County.
On the third day after Xiang An led his army to capture East Sea, he turned and hurried toward Xue County.
The deadline on his military pledge was drawing near. He had to reach Xue County as quickly as possible.
Xiang Liang was going to arrange the next stage of their strategy there. It concerned how to deal with Zhang Han north of the river, so Xiang An had to attend.
Meanwhile, within Wei territory, Linji City.
Qi and Chu aiding Wei was already a foregone conclusion, but the two sides differed greatly in their attitude toward the relief effort.
Qi had deployed nearly all of its available forces. Qi King Tian Dan had even personally led the expedition, arriving in Linji City to drink and exchange pleasantries with Wei Jiu.
Song Yi, meanwhile, sat through the banquet with a pained expression.
Who am I? Why am I here?
Why was a conciliatory general like me attending such an aggressive relief operation?
"General Song, it's your turn to offer a toast." Wu Ju, seated not far from Song Yi, gave him a quiet reminder.
Song Yi hurriedly looked up, put on a smile, and began offering his toast.
For a time, the palace in Linji was brilliantly lit and filled with merriment.
Outside Linji City.
"Wei's own soldiers are camped southeast of Linji, while the Qi and Chu reinforcements are camped northeast of it?" Zhang Han pressed one hand against a crude map and narrowed his eyes.
"General, it's about time for them to sleep. When do we move?" Jin Qixiu crouched beside Zhang Han, his eyes blazing brightly in the dark night.
"No rush. Wait another half hour." Zhang Han narrowed his eyes and raised a hand to stop Jin Qixiu. "Qi King Tian