The Prodigal Son

Outside Rock Fortress.

Four days have passed since Xue Chengdao ordered his men to send the bodies of Zong Bi and the others to Panshi Fort.

However, there was still no movement inside Rock Fortress.

This result left Liang Hongqiao, Yuan Ji, and the others somewhat disappointed.

Today, Xue Chengdao received news from scouts that the Yan army inside Panshi Fortress seemed to be making unusual movements.

Xue Chengdao immediately led several generals to a high place to check the situation of the Yan army inside Panshi Fortress through the telescope.

Yuan Ji gazed at the distant rocky fortress, his face full of worry, and said, "General Xue, it seems the enemy really intends to keep at it forever!"

Xue Chengdao remained silent, observing quietly.

After a while, Xue Chengdao handed the telescope to his adjutant Geng Fu, then turned to Yuan Ji and asked, "What's wrong? Can't sit still watching Qin Yu and the others feast on meat up ahead?"

Meeting Xue Chengdao's gaze, Yuan Ji gave an awkward smile, secretly alarmed.

These veteran generals really have a keen eye!

She couldn't hide her little thoughts from him at all!

"Wanting to make a contribution is a good thing! But being impatient for quick success is not advisable!"

Xue Chengdao gave him a meaningful look, a confident smile spreading across his face. "Don't worry, they'll be getting restless soon!"

Yuan Ji was overjoyed and quickly asked, "What did Commander Xue discover?"

Xue Chengdao did not directly answer Yuan Ji's question, but instead asked, "What time is it now?"

Yuan Ji looked up at the sun and replied, "It's probably around 4:45 PM!"

"and then?"

Xue Chengdao asked again.

"And then...?"

Yuan Ji and the others were taken aback, unsure how to respond.

They had no idea what Xue Chengdao was asking or how to answer him.

"You need to use your brain on the battlefield, and you need to use your brain outside of the battlefield too!"

Xue Chengdao shook his head and smiled, pointing to the rising smoke and saying, "It's only about four quarters past Shen time, and so much smoke is already coming out of Panshi Fortress. What do you think the enemy troops at Panshi Fortress are doing?"

Reminded by Xue Chengdao's suggestion, Liang Hongqiao immediately reacted and exclaimed with delight, "Let's start a fire and cook! We need to eat our fill before breaking out tonight!"

Upon hearing Liang Hongqiao's words, everyone realized what she meant, and their faces immediately lit up with surprise!

"Don't be too happy yet!"

Xue Chengdao bluntly poured cold water on their hopes, saying, "The Yan army might also be rushing to prepare dry rations! But regardless, they're probably running out of time!"

almost!

The commander-in-chief and a group of high-ranking generals around him were all killed in battle.

They were completely isolated!

If we keep dragging this out, morale will plummet!

When that time comes, the Yan army generals inside Panshi Fortress will have nowhere to even cry!

Yuan Ji was overjoyed and immediately asked, "Should we make preparations right away?"

"Um."

Xue Chengdao nodded slightly, "If the Yan army breaks out, they will most likely break out towards Zhu County! Yuan Ji, Liang Hongqiao, your task is the most important, you must stop the Yan army for me!"

"yes!"

The two accepted the order, and Liang Hongqiao looked at Xue Cheng with a puzzled expression, saying, "This humble general still has some questions."

"explain."

Xue Chengdao was straightforward.

"Under normal circumstances, shouldn't the Yan army break out towards Pengzhao? Why does Commander Xue believe they will break out from the direction of Zhujun?"

Liang Hongqiao asked her question with a lot of doubt.

"Don't treat the Yan army generals like fools!"

Xue Chengdao smiled and explained, "We deliberately left an opening in the Pengzhao direction, and the Yan army generals will understand that it's a trap! On your side, there's a blockade line made of piled-up firewood. Under normal circumstances, we would assume that they wouldn't break out from that direction, and therefore wouldn't deploy too many troops to defend it..."

But the barricade made of piled-up firewood could be lit by the Ning army, and the Yan army could do the same!

It's nothing more than sending a few hundred people to risk their lives to light those firewood!

How long will that firewood burn?

At most, it will take about an hour!

As long as the Yan army sends some troops to intercept the reinforcements sent out from behind, the rest of the Yan army can break through the opening towards Zhujun!

This is one of them.

Secondly, and most importantly.

According to the "Wind and Rain Records" of Changping County, in the last eight out of the last ten years, there has been heavy rain in this area at the end of August and the beginning of September, and most of the rain occurred between the hours of Yin and Mao.

It's been quite hot and humid all day, and there's a chance of heavy rain tonight.

He guessed that the Yan army in Panshi Fort was delaying their breakout because they were waiting for this rain!

Therefore, he had previously thought that the Yan army was also likely rushing to prepare dry rations for their breakout.

Once it rains heavily, the Yan army will inevitably break through towards Zhujun!

Listening to Xue Chengdao's analysis, the generals couldn't help but admire him secretly.

This is the old general!

Every aspect has been taken into consideration!

They never paid any attention to something like "The Wind and Rain".

"Any more questions?"

Xue Chengdao glanced at the generals, "If there are no problems, go and prepare!"

"yes!"

The group accepted the order and immediately went to prepare.

"I used to think I'd be a warrior, but it seems we still have a lot to learn!"

On the way to the defense line, Yuan Ji spoke to Liang Hongqiao with deep emotion.

Liang Hongqiao nodded in deep agreement, "General Xue and Duke Wei are teaching us how to fight, step by step."

"Um."

Yuan Ji nodded slightly, "If Commander Xue's guess is correct, we'll have to fight this battle well!"

"Definitely!"

Liang Hong's bright eyes blazed with fighting spirit. "If the Yan army dares to come, we'll make sure they never return!"

"right!"

Yuan Ji nodded. "The weather is indeed a bit muggy today. We need to be prepared for a sudden downpour!"

"Um!"

The two discussed things as they walked.

Back on the defensive line, the two immediately began preparations, while simultaneously sending scouts towards Rock Fortress.

At night, the soldiers guarding the front line ate their fill early.

Yuan Ji and Liang Hongqiao gave a strict order: they must take turns sleeping on the front line, never leaving their armor or weapons behind!

Time passed little by little.

Before we knew it, the hour of Chou (1-3 AM) had passed.

"Rumble..."

A sudden, muffled clap of thunder startled Liang Hongqiao, who was taking a nap with her eyes closed.

Liang Hongqiao quickly opened her eyes and stood up, asking Du Fan beside her, "Was it thundering?"

"yes!"

Du Fan looked up at the sky, where not a single star could be seen. "It looks like there will really be a heavy rain before dawn!"

"Heavy rain is good!"

Liang Hongqiao clenched her fists and quickly ordered, "Order all soldiers to get up and eat their dry rations immediately!"

"yes!"

The messenger ran off quickly.

Liang Hongqiao hadn't slept much during the first half of the night and was already very sleepy, but the sound of thunder suddenly woke her up.

Rumble...

The thunder continued.

Moreover, the situation is escalating.

Liang Hongqiao quickly ate her dry rations, then leaned against a rock, holding her heavy iron spear, and closed her eyes to rest.

"Hey handsome, the wind's picking up!"

Suddenly, a voice rang in Liang Hongqiao's ear.

Liang Hongqiao suddenly opened her eyes, her face revealing a strong fighting spirit.

"Report..."

Before long, a scout rode up at full speed, shouting, "Master Qiao, the Yan army from Panshi Fortress is attacking this way!"

"Well done!"

Liang Hongqiao gripped her heavy iron spear tightly and shouted menacingly, "Pass down the order to prepare for battle!"