Sunset City Sends More Reinforcements

Ever since Xiao Changlin brought supplies back from Sunset City, the villagers no longer had to worry about food. They spent their days tidying up their new home. Through their collective efforts, the old Bright Virtue Academy had taken on a fresh look. They had mostly cleared the grounds and could soon start building houses. As for bricks and stones, there was no need to worry. Though Bright Virtue Academy had fallen into disrepair, its gray bricks and stones were still perfectly usable. The enormous academy had more than enough to supply the villagers' houses.

The old village chief and several elders gave the matter careful thought. They decided that building the village on the old Bright Virtue Academy grounds was the best approach. It would save time and effort, and the foundations would not require too many resources.

In the end, everyone agreed.

The villagers would live on the old academy grounds, while the wasteland on the side closest to Big Brother would be reclaimed for farming. The area behind the academy would be enclosed with wooden fencing for raising livestock.

"Everyone, that's roughly the temporary plan for the village. Once everything's settled, we'll think about adding other facilities." Food and shelter were always the biggest concerns; only after those two problems were solved could they think about anything else.

"Now that the planning is done, all that's left is to start work. There are plenty of us, so let's all put our backs into it and move into our new homes as soon as we can."

"Sure thing. Don't worry, old village chief. Hunting might be our specialty, but building houses isn't beyond us. Back when we were in the mountains, who didn't build their own house? The materials are different, but the method's the same."

"Once we've built the houses, I'm going to sleep for three whole days and nights!"

"Haha... let's get to work, everyone!"

Sunset City

After the soldier had escorted the villagers back,

A soldier slipped into the commander's residence!

"Commander, we've basically found everything out. There are around two or three hundred villagers, all ordinary people, with no signs of cultivation."

"All right, I understand. You must be tired from the journey. Go back and get some rest. We'll decide what to do about this later."

"Yes, Commander!" The soldier cupped his fists in salute and withdrew. At that moment, another soldier entered the commander's residence, dressed in the uniform of a city lord's residence guard.

"Commander, Commander Bai requests your presence," the guard said, cupping his fists in salute.

"Do you know what it's about?" the commander asked.

"No. I was only told to ask you to set out at once!" the soldier said.

Commander Zha said nothing more. He rose and followed the soldier to the commander's residence.

The commander's residence

"This subordinate pays his respects, Grand Commander."

"Commander Zha, dispense with the formalities. Please, sit!"

"Grand Commander, did you summon me because there is news of the war?"

"Our spies report that the Wu Kingdom has deployed more than 550,000 troops this time. They have divided into two forces: one army of 200,000 is attacking Wuling City, while another 200,000 is heading for Qixia City. The remaining 150,000 are still stationed at Cloud Mountain Fortress under General Chen Haoran. We needn't worry too much about Yan and Guo, but the secret report says Chen Haoran has the makings of a great general and comes from a military family. He is well versed in the art of war; we must be on guard against him.

"Grand Commander, I have an idea, though I don't know if it's feasible."

"Speak freely, Commander Zha!"

"Grand Commander, Wuling City has always been a key stronghold of our Qian Kingdom, a gateway linking the Qian and Wu kingdoms. It has a garrison of no fewer than 150,000 troops. Now our army has sent more than 30,000 reinforcements, and the Qian Emperor has sent more than 60,000. General Yan has led 200,000 troops out of Cloud Mountain Fortress, while General Chen remains stationed there with 150,000. If the battle goes against Yan, General Chen will surely lead troops to his aid. With 240,000 defenders facing 350,000 enemy troops, even if they manage to hold the city, they'll still lose men and officers and suffer enormous losses."

"I believe Guo Youshan's army heading for Qixia City could be our opening. Only by drawing those two Wu generals into leading troops to his aid will our army have a chance."

"You mean reinforce Qixia City and surround Guo Youshan?"

"Grand Commander, there is still a flaw in this plan. Our army is a great distance from Qixia Mountain. I fear that while our troops are on the move, the enemy general Chen Haoran might suddenly reinforce Wuling City. If Wuling City cannot hold, our retreat will be cut off, leaving us nowhere to go!"

"I know Yan Fengxiao. He craves glory and is arrogant and conceited. If Wuling City can make the enemy appear weak and lead him to believe victory is in sight, Yan Fengxiao certainly won't let the Wu Kingdom send reinforcements."

"Commander Zha, Sunset City currently has only 50,000 men in its three main camps, and the newly recruited soldiers number fewer than 30,000. How can our army send reinforcements?"

"Grand Commander, what about the 30,000 city defense troops our army sent to Wuling City? Could they go and provide support?"

"Wuling City now has more than 240,000 defenders in total. Even without the 30,000 reinforcements we sent, it would still have 210,000. If we can truly hold Chen Haoran in place and prevent him from sending reinforcements, holding Wuling City is not impossible. Even if Chen Haoran does send troops to Wuling City, the defenders should be able to hold out for a while rather than crumble at the first blow. As long as we can soundly defeat Guo Youshan and return to reinforce them, Yan Fengxiao is certain to lose. Then, with all three armies joined together, we might even take Cloud Mountain Fortress in one stroke."

"An excellent plan!"

"Grand Commander, do you think it's feasible?"

"If handled properly, it's worth a try. Even if the battle takes a turn for the worse, all we'll have wasted is the time spent marching there and back!"

"Commander Zha, hear my orders!"

"At your command!"

"You are to lead 20,000 troops and take command of the 30,000 reinforcements at Wuling City. With more than 50,000 troops in total, proceed to Qixia Mountain to provide support, surround Guo Youshan, and wipe out all his fighting forces."

"I accept your orders!"

Grand Commander Bai Yu wrote a letter by hand and gave it to Chahar. Chahar was Sunset City's commander and belonged to the local forces. He had no authority to mobilize Wuling City's defenders, not even the reinforcements sent by Sunset City. The Grand Commander had been appointed by the Qian Emperor and, like Commander Cao of Wuling City, served the imperial court. His letter explained the borrowing of troops to avoid trouble later.

"Commander Zha, take this letter and lead 20,000 troops to Wuling City. Take back the 30,000 reinforcements and proceed together to Qixia City to surround Guo Youshan. Success or failure hinges on this one move. I expect you to march with all speed and allow no delays!"

"I accept your orders. I will not let you down, Grand Commander!"