Chapter 142

Chapter 142

The area around Yanmen Mountain was filled with towering peaks and ridges. Although Old Master Xiao’s army of over ten thousand soldiers was still twenty miles away from Yanmen Pass, they were already traveling through a narrow mountain path. Looking in all four directions, all they could see were mountains. There was only one road under their feet connecting Dai and Ying counties, with no other shortcuts available.

It was not yet fully light, but the aroma of breakfast was already coming from the field kitchens. Large pots and stoves were set up, and the cooks were baking batch after batch of coarse grain pancakes and boiling pot after pot of millet porridge.

The soldiers ate in shifts. Breakfast was a bowl of porridge and two pancakes, and each person was given two additional pancakes to carry with them for lunch later in the day. In the evening, the stoves would be lit again.

Old Master Xiao and his group ate the same communal meals as the soldiers, but the food was brought to the main tent for them.

After getting up, Xiao Yan went for a tour around the camp. On his way back to the central command tent, he noticed Tong Sui coming down from the mountain on the right with a few guards. He stopped and waited for her.

“It’s early in the morning, and you haven’t had breakfast yet. What were you doing up in the mountain?” Xiao Yan asked.

Tong Sui replied, “I was trying to see if I could catch a glimpse of Yanmen Pass.”

Xiao Yan smiled. “Did you see it?”

Tong Sui pursed her lips.

Old Master Xiao had told her before about an inner Great Wall in the Shuozhou and Yanmen area and had shown her maps. But it wasn’t until she stood on the mountainside and witnessed the endless wall with her own eyes that she truly felt the impregnability of Yanmen Pass.

Xiao Yan asked, “Were you scared?”

Tong Sui detected his familiarity with the place and countered, “Have you been here before?”

Xiao Yan replied, “Of course. When we were teenagers, my brothers and I explored this area thoroughly. We didn’t need to farm because we had some spare money at home, and Old Master encouraged us to see more of the world as long as we didn’t cause trouble.”

As they spoke, they entered the main tent one after the other.

Xiao Mu and Xiao Shouyi had just started eating. Tong Sui sat next to Old Master Xiao and began eating quietly.

Xiao Mu said, “According to the scouts’ earlier reports, the rebel king has sent ten thousand troops to guard Yanmen Pass. The defending general is Shi Guanglei, the uncle of the King of Dai. It seems unlikely that we can persuade him to surrender, and a direct attack is not an option either. We’ll have to rely on strategy. What are your ideas?”

Xiao Shouyi suggested, “Lure the enemy out? Have the soldiers curse loudly in front of the pass to see if we can provoke Shi Guanglei into coming out.”

Xiao Mu nodded and looked at Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan said, “To attack such a dangerous pass, we either lure them out or launch a surprise attack when they’re off guard. We can try my father’s method during the day, and if it doesn’t work, we’ll launch a night attack. I’ll lead the charge for both.”

Xiao Mu finally looked at Tong Sui.

Tong Sui said, “Second Uncle’s method should definitely be tried. But if Shi Guanglei doesn’t take the bait, it means he has some strategy. Today is the first night, and they will definitely be on high alert. Tonight is not the best time for a night attack.”

Xiao Yan said, “When will they let their guard down? What if General Han has already reached Chi County while we’re still stuck here? It would be embarrassing. Although Yanmen Pass is difficult to attack, the troops defending the city are just a rabble. If I lead the charge, I guarantee we can reach the city gates tonight.”

Xiao Shouyi objected, “No. A forced attack would result in too many casualties. We’d rather delay our passage by a few days than needlessly sacrifice our soldiers. Patience is required for fishing, and luring the enemy out cannot be rushed.”

Having fought alongside his second brother for six years, Xiao Yan had learned many lessons, mostly the hard way. He knew that in a family strategy discussion, he could probably only outwit his fifth younger brother. So, he didn’t argue and agreed straightforwardly, “Alright. You all decide how to attack. I’ll just provide the muscle.”

After breakfast, the supply convoy moved slowly behind, and the eight thousand vanguard troops first arrived outside Yanmen Pass.

On the city wall, Shi Guanglei ordered the archers to be ready. As soon as Xiao’s troops entered range, they were to fire.

Xiao Mu reined in his horse and looked up at the wall. “Who is the defending general on the wall? Dare he declare his name?”

Old Master Xiao’s voice carried a strong tone of contempt and ridicule.

Tong Sui had seen Old Master Xiao’s smooth and worldly demeanor in front of He Lianqing and his sincere respect for Han Zongping, but this was the first time she had seen him like this.

Shi Guanglei, looking down from above, replied solemnly, “I am General Shi Guanglei, uncle of the King of Dai. I have long heard of the esteemed reputation of General Xiao. I advise you to surrender and join the King of Dai, who represents the will of the people. Do not continue to serve as a lackey under Han Zongping.”

Xiao Mu laughed loudly upon hearing this. “So you are Shi Guanglei? It is said that the Tan family of Dai County are righteous merchants. Although you were bought by the Tan family, they never mistreated you. They provided you with food, clothing, education, and skills. Yet, you turned your sword against your benevolent master for personal gain. Your name may mean ‘bright and upright,’ but your actions are treacherous and vicious. Do you live up to the good name your father gave you?”

Shi Guanglei had not expected his well-meaning persuasion to surrender to be met with such a merciless tirade. Furious, he slammed his hand on the wall. “Old fool, fire the arrows!”

The archers on the wall immediately released a volley of arrows.

However, Xiao Mu and the others were out of range, and the volley of arrows was useless except to vent anger.

Xiao Mu patted his mount and continued, “What’s the matter? You have the courage to kill your master but are ashamed to have your actions proclaimed in public? Soldiers inside the city, I know you have all suffered under the persecution of corrupt officials and bullies. You were misled into believing that the Shi family could bring you a stable life, which is why you pledged loyalty to them. But think carefully, how could someone who is capable of killing an innocent master be genuinely concerned for the well-being of soldiers and citizens?”

“The Shi family needs you now to seize territory, which is why they speak of false benevolence and righteousness. Once they are firmly established, they will become new corrupt officials and bullies. General Han has guarded the border for thirty years and treated the people of Jizhou with kindness. This is known to everyone in the north. Therefore, the Xiao family is willing to submit to General Han rather than collude with the Shi family. Soldiers, why not kill Shi Guanglei and turn to the right side now?”

Shi Guanglei retorted, “Nonsense! It is your Xiao family that is hypocritically benevolent and righteous...”

Xiao Yan cut in, “You’re the one talking nonsense, and the smell of it is blowing over here! Brothers inside, listen. The Xiao family has distributed land to the people of seven counties and provided seeds to poor households for spring farming. If you surrender to us, you will be treated the same as the people of the seven counties. What have the Shi family given you? Who is truly hypocritical? You know the answer.”

The Xiao army burst into laughter.

Though Shi Guanglei knew they were trying to lure him out, he was still angered by the insults. He finally went inside to rest.

Xiao Mu, along with Xiao Shouyi and Tong Sui, returned, leaving Xiao Yan to continue cursing the enemy.

Before the Xiao family took over only Wei County, Old Master Xiao had already instructed his covert scouts to gather information about the surrounding forces. This morning, he had specifically advised Xiao Yan on how to curse effectively.

First, he cursed the Shi family for being incompetent for five generations, squandering their ancestors’ vast wealth. Second, he denounced Shi Guanglei for his ingratitude in killing his master. Third, he criticized Shi Yi for hoarding wealth and being stingy, first selling himself as a son-in-law to Prince Shun to form an alliance and later attempting to sell his daughter to the Xiao family. How could such a miserly prince genuinely care for his soldiers and people?

Xiao Yan added, “Fortunately, we didn’t agree. Judging by Shi Guanglei’s shifty eyes, his niece must be ugly. Even Counselor Deng, who serves the rebel king, couldn’t bring himself to praise her and only used the empty phrase ‘a wife should be virtuous’ to fool us!”

The Xiao army roared with laughter.

Inside the city, Shi Guanglei, though aware that the Xiao family was trying to provoke him into attacking, was still angered by the insults. He waited impatiently for nightfall, only for Xiao Yan to return and hurl another round of curses, incidentally picking up a stray arrow from the ground.

At night, the Xiao family sent out ten archers every other hour to shoot arrows at the city walls from a distance. Each arrow was tied with a piece of paper urging surrender, making Shi Guanglei both wary of a potential night attack by the enemy outside and fearful of traitors within, eyeing everyone as if they were thieves.

The Xiao family continued their insults and persuasion for three days.

On the morning of the fourth day, Shi Guanglei couldn't help but sneer, "Is that all the old man can do? If you have the guts, come and attack the city!"

The old man never showed his face.

Xiao Yan smiled and said, "Haven't you figured it out yet? We are buying time. General Han has already led an army of a hundred thousand troops southward, flanking your southern counties and then breaking into Shuozhou through Dingwu Pass in Chixian. Everyone knows the strategic importance of Yanmen Pass, so General Han won't blame us for the stalemate here. We might as well wait comfortably for a few days until General Han's reinforcements break through from inside, and we can coordinate our efforts."

Shi Guanglei: ...

Xiao Yan called out to his men, "Come on, brothers, keep insulting them! Whoever can make Shi Heilei spit blood will get the credit!"

Compared to the defenders on the city wall who were constantly worried about the Xiao family's attack, the soldiers on the Xiao family's side were indeed living quite comfortably. They put down their weapons and sat in the shade, taking breaks when they were tired and drinking water, and then continuing their insults, as if this would prove to General Han that they had contributed to the battle.

Shi Guanglei was both angry and anxious. He first sent messengers to inform his nephew in Shuozhou, instructing him to send more troops to Dingwu Pass in Chixian.

"General, if the Xiao family continues to insult us like this, I fear our troops will lose morale."

Several military officers came to discuss countermeasures with Shi Guanglei.

Shi Guanglei replied, "I know, but if they refuse to attack the city, should I abandon the natural defenses and go out to fight them?"

One officer said, "Why not? They only have ten thousand newly trained soldiers who have been training for half a year. On our side, we have three thousand regular troops and seven thousand seasoned soldiers who have fought in various counties of Shuozhou. The old man is cunning and doesn't want to sacrifice his new recruits, waiting instead to share the glory with General Han. Their ten thousand troops lack fighting spirit. If we launch a surprise attack at midnight, they will be caught off guard and surely defeated!"

Another officer clapped excitedly, "Yes, the old man is overconfident, believing we won't dare leave the pass. After dark, their camp will certainly be lax."

Shi Guanglei's eyes gleamed with determination, "Right, while our morale is still high, we'll catch them off guard tonight. Once we capture the old man, the other thirty thousand troops of the Xiao family will immediately surrender to us. The morale of the Han army will be severely damaged, and they will eventually retreat after failing to take the pass."

With ten thousand elite troops against ten thousand new recruits, there was nothing to fear!

Shi Guanglei gathered the defending troops and analyzed the situation, boosting their morale. He left fifty archers on the city wall and had the rest return to camp to rest and prepare for the night raid.

At midnight, the gates of Yanmen Pass quietly opened, and Shi Guanglei personally led ten thousand infantrymen toward the Xiao family's camp.

When they were a hundred paces away from the camp, Shi Guanglei raised his hand, and he and several officers hid behind a rock to observe the situation in the Xiao family's camp.

The moonlight was bright, and two sentries stood at the entrance. The one on the left seemed alert, while the one on the right kept nodding off, clearly exhausted.

Two teams of soldiers were patrolling the camp, and the rest of the tents were quiet.

Shi Guanglei was delighted. He raised his long sword and led a hundred cavalrymen in a charge!

The two sentries screamed warnings and retreated into the camp.

The leading cavalrymen ignored these scattered guards and charged straight for the main tent, while the other four groups spread out to prevent the Xiao family's troops from gathering.

Because of the short distance, by the time Shi Guanglei realized something was wrong, the ten thousand infantrymen had already rushed into the Xiao family's camp.

At that moment, fire broke out on the hillsides on either side of the camp, and the first wave of "fire arrows" rained down like meteors.

Shi Guanglei quickly turned his horse and fled, shouting, "We're ambushed, retreat quickly!"

Some were hit by arrows and fell to the ground, while others who managed to avoid the fire arrows saw the arrows ignite the ground, revealing that the camp had been doused with tung oil. In a panic, he tried to change direction, but a sharp arrow suddenly pierced his chest.

Flames erupted everywhere, and chaos reigned inside the camp. The rebel soldiers who had just escaped from the camp entrance were horrified to find that the path outside was blocked by another group of troops, led by a man wielding a long spear, his face illuminated by the fire, looking like a demon.

Xiao Yan looked at Shi Guanglei, who was fleeing toward him, and smiled, "The Xiao family does not kill those who surrender! Come if you dare!"

Shi Guanglei feared death, but he was confident in his martial skills and didn't take a young man of the Xiao family seriously.

"Xiao family brat, prepare to die!"

As they closed the distance, Shi Guanglei swung his sword at Xiao Yan's chest.

Xiao Yan parried with his spear and exchanged three quick blows. As Shi Guanglei blocked Xiao Yan's spear aimed at his face, it seemed they were locked in a stalemate. Suddenly, Xiao Yan let go of his spear, which fell to the ground. Just as it had fallen halfway, he swiftly picked it up and thrust it deeply into Shi Guanglei's chest.

Shi Guanglei, still holding his sword, looked down in disbelief.

Xiao Yan grinned and threw him off his horse, continuing to fight the other enemy soldiers.

Xiao Shouyi blocked the other end of the camp, trapping the enemy like fish in a barrel.

On the hillside, Xiao Mu watched his brave descendants fighting and his daughter-in-law directing the archers to shoot from above, stroking his beard with a smile.