Fu Shanhe

Chapter 66 Night Attack on the Camp
After inspecting the defense line, it was already the second watch. Just as Li Mu was about to fall asleep, he suddenly smelled the aroma of meat.

In order to defend the city, all the houses near the city walls were requisitioned and used as temporary military camps.

At this time, the fire in the military kitchen had long been turned off, so where did the smell of meat come from?

Realizing that something was wrong, Li Mu did not take time to rest and quickly appeared on the city wall.

Everything was just as he expected, the fragrance was indeed coming from the rebel camp.

Meat temptation was one of the most commonly used means of siege in ancient times.

When there is a food shortage in the city, this method is the most effective way to undermine the morale of the defenders.

Seeing through the enemy's conspiracy, Li Mu sneered.

The rebels outside the city were able to achieve this, they must have read military books, but they are still far from being able to apply them.

Dayu's army was poor and the soldiers often went hungry, but that doesn't mean all armies were poor.

The Wucheng Bingmasi, which raised its own funds, was a wealthy household in the army.

The stolen money seized earlier was now piled up in the Yangzhou treasury and had not yet been transported to the capital.

All expenses should be paid from the government treasury. There is no need to save money for the court and at the expense of one's own people.

Marquis Wuyang paid the defenders’ food and wages in full.

The soldiers' rations were distributed according to the highest standards.

Even though soldiers died in battle every day, the supplies received by each unit were not reduced due to the reduction in personnel.

The rebels had no navy, and the other side of the river was still the imperial court's territory, so besieging Yangzhou City was a joke.

The powerful generals in the army are all outstanding sons of nobles, and they are not so unscrupulous as to withhold the rations of combat soldiers.

If the soldiers can fill their stomachs, this round of psychological warfare tactics will lose most of its effectiveness.

However, from the expressions of the soldiers swallowing their saliva, it can be seen that everyone is craving for meat.

In a feudal dynasty, it was extremely difficult to ensure the meat supply for an army of 30,000.

Even if there was sufficient funding, the only meat the defenders could get was fish.

After wandering on the city wall for a few steps, Li Mu realized something was wrong again.

The number of rebels outside the city is much greater than that of the defenders.

The rebels simply had no ability to supply meat to an army of hundreds of thousands.

"You guys take a sniff, is there something wrong with this aroma?"

After Li Mu's reminder, the officers on duty immediately realized that something was wrong.

"My Lord, this is not the aroma of beef, mutton, pork, and it can't be fish!"

Once the process of elimination is used, the answer becomes apparent.

"Immediately expose the rebels' atrocities to the soldiers!"

Li Mu made a prompt decision and gave the order.

He never dreamed that the rebels would be so brutal.

They are capable of doing things that challenge the moral bottom line, such as cannibalism.

He really couldn't understand why the rebellious noble families should have more knowledge than ordinary rebels, but they only did stupid things.

From the expressions of the garrison soldiers, it was clear that they were completely enraged by the rebels' atrocities that challenged ethics and morals.

It's impossible to keep it secret when there's such a big fuss.

Those who are dragged into the rebel forces will surely become alienated from them.

It’s a pity that Li Mu is not the commander-in-chief, otherwise tonight would be the best time to defeat the enemy.

The rebel camp is like firewood covered with oil. It only takes a little spark to set them on fire.

"Master Qianhu, there is movement in the rebel camp, it seems something has happened!"

Captain Deng said excitedly.

Looking in the direction of the enemy camp, Li Mu vaguely heard quarrels mixed with fighting sounds.

Unfortunately, the light was too dim and I couldn't see clearly what was happening.

"Choose five hundred brave warriors and prepare to attack the enemy camp at night!
Tell them that all participants will be rewarded with ten taels of silver.

If the attack on the camp is successful, each person will be rewarded with 20 taels of silver.

Each of those killed in battle was given a pension of fifty taels, and the court provided preferential treatment to their families.

Those who have made great contributions, I will recommend them a future!"

Li Mu said with a cruel heart.

The bold ones will be starved to death, and the timid ones will be starved to death.

The fighter jets are right here at our doorstep, there's no reason to let them go.

… “What happened outside? Why is there so much commotion?”

Huang Renlong asked unhappily.

After the failure in his siege, everything went wrong for him.

Many problems in the army that were concealed by victory have gradually become apparent.

He was exhausted trying to solve these problems.

"General, it seems that the quarrel occurred over meat."

Huang Renlong frowned at the soldier's answer.

For a moment, he felt that Zong Guangtai was possessed by bad luck recently, and any suggestions given by Mr. Zong would lead to accidents during the implementation process.

Using human flesh to impersonate pork must be kept strictly confidential.

Once the news leaks out, the army will definitely be in panic.

Especially those cannon fodder troops who lack a sense of belonging may mutiny at any time.

This kind of thing can only be done by a few trusted people.

I stewed so much meat but didn’t share it with everyone.

This caused dissatisfaction among the soldiers, leading to the current farce.

"Pass the order down, order all troops to return to their respective camps. Anyone who leaves the camp without permission..."

Before the order was given, the situation outside changed again.

In addition to the soldiers from the headquarters who wanted to eat meat, people from the allies were also attracted.

The trusted confidants couldn't stop him, so he broke in.

These people didn't hesitate to pick up their weapons and start eating. Only when the meat entered their mouths did they realize something was wrong.

The truth was revealed, and except for a few perverts who enjoyed the food more, most people couldn't help but vomit.

For a moment, the whole place was filled with curses, and countless people were greeting Huang Renlong's family.

If you go out at this time, you will get beaten at best, or even lose your life.

The rebel army is not a monolithic entity, and there are definitely more than just two allies who want to kill him.

"What are you standing there for? Find Mr. Zong here right now.

He came up with the idea, so he must be responsible for the aftermath!"

Huang Renlong shouted angrily at his personal soldiers.

In times of crisis, his mind was very clear.

The rebel army is very excited, and the most urgent task is to calm their hearts.

A dead Taoist friend is not a poor Taoist.

Someone has to take the blame, and it can't be him, so Mr. Zong, who made the suggestion, will have to bear the brunt of the blame.

……

Just as the rebel camp was in chaos, Li Mu personally saw off the death-defying warriors.

After drinking a bowl of farewell wine, he didn't say a single sentimental word this time.

"Zhou Zongqi, I leave the people to you. Do your best to bring everyone back alive!"

Li Mu said with a heavy heart.

Infantry is not as good as cavalry. Regardless of whether tonight's sneak attack is successful, it will be difficult for these soldiers to come back alive.

"Don't worry, Master Qianhu. I, Zhou Chuanfa, will go all out on this trip!"

Zhou Chuanfa said proudly.

He had no connections or background, and he fought hard to get his position as the chief flag officer through investigating cases.

In Wucheng Bingmasi, this position is the ceiling for ordinary people.

Under normal circumstances, he would work as the chief flag officer until retirement, or he would be squeezed out of his position by someone with connections and return home to retire early.

But Zhou Chuanfa was unwilling to live a mediocre life. He wanted to fight for a future for his descendants, so he signed up for the suicide squad.

"it is good!

I hope that when you return, you will be Captain Zhou!"

Li Mu promised on the spot.

The role of good reputation is reflected at this time.

He had no say in the appointment of centurions in the Five Cities Military Department, but Zhou Chuanfa still believed that he could fulfill his promise.

Rows of hanging baskets appeared on the city wall, and the soldiers boarded the baskets in an orderly manner and slowly descended along the city wall.

(End of this chapter)