Chapter 92: The Granaries Set Ablaze, the Night Assault on Yecheng

Chu Junhan paid no mind to what others thought of her. It was enough that she played her own part well. “It matters not. This military power and such are but external trappings. If Brother Fang should ask, I would give you anything I possess.”

When the child finished speaking, she clasped her hands behind her back, lifted her chin slightly, and sighed with feigned profundity. “In this life, I seek neither rank nor wealth, only the brotherhood of deep and abiding loyalty.”

Fang Meng once more cupped his hands and knelt on one knee. “As expected of General Chu’s son, you truly understand the greater cause. To treat Brother Chen so, you move me deeply. If Young Lord does not disdain me, I, Fang Meng, am willing to come beneath your banner and follow you unto death!”

Behind him, the other three also knelt in unison.

Chu Junhan put on an expression of surprise and delight, hurriedly helping Fang Meng up. “Brother Fang, rise quickly. From this day on, let us address each other as brothers. To gain a confidant in this life leaves no regret!”

Tang Chen, standing nearby, was utterly astonished. Had he really been won over just like that? This young master was truly shameless in the extreme.

Fang Meng was deeply moved and said with fervor, “My lord, in the four nearby towns linked to Ye City, I have two thousand garrison troops in each. So long as you give the order, I will bring them at once.”

“Eight thousand in all?” Chu Junhan’s eyes gleamed. It seemed the intelligence from the Nine-Year Trading Company was not entirely flawless; there were still slight discrepancies.

Fang Meng nodded firmly. “Yes, that’s right.”

“Good! Then tonight we strike Ye City under cover of darkness!” The child’s spirit soared, her voice ringing out sharp and forceful.

“How does Junhan intend to take Ye City?” Tang Cheng, who had been ignored for so long, finally found his chance to speak.

In battle, he was confident. He did not believe Chu Junhan could surpass him in warfare. Besides, assaulting a city was no trivial matter; without careful prior planning, a rash attack would be nothing but wasted effort.

Indeed, Chu Junhan had no experience in warfare, but as for strategy... the moment she obtained that sheet of intelligence, she had already laid out the entire plan. One might say all was ready, save for the east wind.

And now that east wind had arrived. The child looked toward Fang Meng. “Brother Junyi, please send the order: tonight, at the third quarter past midnight, when the night is deepest and the world is quiet, set fire to the grain stores. The soldiers in Ye City will certainly panic and rush to put out the flames. Then lead your eight thousand men to intercept and kill them on the road.”

“All four towns at once?” Fang Meng asked.

“Yes!” Chu Junhan said with certainty, then added, “With the grain burning, this is no small matter. I estimate half the troops in Ye City will move out. Eight thousand will be hard pressed to withstand them. So we must divide our forces into four routes, lie in ambush along the roads to the four towns, let most of them pass, and block only those we are certain we can annihilate. Then, once the fire is extinguished and they begin to return, intercept and kill them again.”

Fang Meng responded at once. “I’ll see to it right away!” With that, he led the three men out of the room.

“Deputy General Tang.”

“This subordinate is here!” Tang Chen straightened at once, his expression solemn, both hands clasped in salute. Chu Junhan’s military talent had already won the youth’s wholehearted admiration.

The child coughed lightly, her gaze deep, and with a sweep of her small hand, as though a great commander were assigning his troops, she said with bold and spirited assurance, “You have more experience in storming cities, so take a thousand cavalry and attack. I want you to do your utmost, but if you find the city too difficult to take, you must withdraw completely. That is an order.”

“This subordinate obeys.” Tang Chen withdrew.

...

On a dark night, men are slain; on a windy day, fires are set.

At the hour of midnight, the residents of Ye City were roused by a clamor. Opening their windows, they saw smoke billowing from the southeast, as though some place had caught fire.

Soon after, the city gates of Ye City were thrown open, and the soldiers stationed within marched out in several columns toward the southeast.

The grain depot had burned with such suddenness that there was no time to report to the higher command. When people are anxious, they are always prone to mistakes; though they know full well it is a trap, they still fly into the flames like moths.