The gates of Jade Plate City opened, and a group of axe-bearing warriors from the Chu army charged out, taking advantage of the Yan Army's retreat. They intended to destroy the Yan people's siege towers or cut down so of their retreating troops.
But as the gongs sounded for withdrawal, a group of Yan Army archers and crossbown was already in position. Under a volley of arcing shots, many of the Chu axen who had sought to take advantage of the situation and sally forth fell, forcing them to retreat back into the city.
The assault on the city was intense, but it concluded ssily.
It seed they were rely practicing, getting a feel for things. This was just an appetizer.
Upon returning to the camp, the soldiers who had participated in the dayti siege were excused from nightti watch. Ran Min reclined within his tent while the squad leader approached him with a bowl of soup.
"Co, drink so, it will drive out the chill."
Ran Min shook his head, glancing at the squad leader's waterskin.
Alcohol was prohibited in the army, but exceptions were made during winter warfare for its warming properties. However, drunkenness was strictly forbidden; anyone found intoxicated would be executed without rcy.
"Hehe."
Though reluctant, the squad leader unfastened the waterskin and tossed it to Ran Min. "Just take a couple of sips as a token," he reminded. "Others will need so too."
Ran Min took two swigs. He swallowed the first imdiately but let the second linger in his mouth for a while.
Then, Ran Min passed the waterskin back to the squad leader.
The squad leader accepted the waterskin, hesitated, then handed it back to Ran Min.
Ran Min was puzzled.
"You seem to appreciate a good drink; have a few more sips."
Ran Min did enjoy a good drink and could hold his liquor, yet he still asked, "What about the others?"
"Our squad is two n short today."
...
Up on the walls of Jade Plate City, Qu TianNan was inspecting the city's defenses. The morale of his soldiers was still quite good, as the Yan people's dayti attack hadn't put much pressure on their defenses.
Yet, Qu TianNan's mood remained quite low.
The Swordsmith accompanied him, and the two walked along the city wall together.
"What do you think of the Yan people's attack during the day, Sir?" Qu TianNan asked.
"It seed like they were probing, not truly serious. But these matters of feints and real attacks... Zhuguai, I am not versed in military affairs; I truly dare not make a rash judgnt."
"Outside the city, the Yan Army's Zhenbei and Jingnan armies are deployed. They aren't here for us. They are waiting for the wild people to co to our rescue."
"That Wild King is a cunning old fox. Don't be fooled by his usual shalessness in our presence; he's truly not simple."
"That's precisely what puzzles . This Lord Jingnan of the Yan people... what is he aiming for with this move? Is he so certain that the wild people will be unable to wait and will take the initiative to seek a decisive battle with him?"
"Any news from the east yet?"
"Not yet, but it should be soon."
"Zhuguai, perhaps when the troops sent out to scout return, we will know clearly what has happened in the east."
"Let's wait and see. Let's see how that Wild King reacts tomorrow. Right now, all we can do is defend the city. For everything else, we must adapt to his moves."
"Can he retreat?"
"Sir, you don't understand the dynamics of large-scale cavalry warfare. If the Wild King truly intended to retreat, having seen the Zhenbei and Jingnan armies cross the river by day, he would have led his main force eastward. Even if he didn't retreat directly to Snow Sea Pass, but rely shifted eastward, I wouldn't be so conflicted and puzzled now.
Today, he doesn't retreat. If he tries to retreat tomorrow, the Yan iron cavalry will pursue them directly. His retreat could easily turn into a rout. He himself has given up the best opportunity to withdraw."
"So, it seems Zhuguai is not puzzled by the Yan Southern Marquis's calculations, but rather by the Wild King's response?"
"Indeed. These inexplicable… beasts."
...
The biting cold wind relentlessly stung their faces, but for the wild people, compared to the wails of the snow-covered plains, this breeze was truly nothing.
The various armies of the wild people, stationed in different locations, began to assemble.
「In the King's Tent」
The Wild King forcefully rubbed his face, licked his teeth with his tongue, and said, "We cannot retreat, because we have no path of retreat left."
Before his generals could speak, the Wild King continued, "Geremu is dead. There's still no news from Snow Sea Pass that it has been breached. Don't think that if we retreat now to help attack Snow Sea Pass, we can quickly take it.
The Yan Southern Marquis opposite us is likely waiting for us to do just that.
The mont our army retreats, the Yan people will pursue. With retreat, our morale will be halved. By the ti we get back outside Snow Sea Pass and see the Yan flag flying above it, what little morale remains will be all but gone.
Don't be deceived by the Southern Marquis leading the attack on Jade Plate City during the day; those were just gongs beaten for our benefit.
After spring arrives, the river ice will thaw; he cannot afford to wait.
From the beginning, we eagerly transported the plundered food and slaves back to the snowfields. Now, even finding more captives is difficult. In truth, we cannot afford to wait either.
The Zhenbei and Jingnan armies crossed the river overnight; they are, in fact, waiting for us.
That Yan Southern Marquis is issuing a challenge. He ans to say that since neither of us can afford to wait, why not have a decisive battle?"
At this, a general of the wild people stood up and declared, "My King! If that's the case, then let us fight him! The Yan people still believe their iron cavalry is invincible. Let's show them that our Holy Warriors, equipped with armor, iron arrows, and good blades, are by no ans inferior to his Yan people!"
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