Chapter 463 Siege

Lin Changning's loud shout instantly startled the imperial soldiers escorting the grain supplies along the supply route. The leading general of the imperial army immediately became alert, drew his sword, and shouted, "There's an ambush! Be on guard!"

As he spoke, the men below quickly drew their knives and looked at the people rushing towards them. Old Ma was a little slower than Lin Changning, but upon hearing the shouts of battle coming from the woods opposite, he quickly led his men down.

Lin Changning and Wei Shao were the first to go. Because the mountain road was rugged and difficult for horses to travel, they had to walk up the mountain this time. Lin Changning and Wei Shao kept a close eye on the generals riding below.

One man wielded a knife, the other a spear, and they charged straight at the general from the left and right. Wei Shao stabbed two of the general's guards to death with three spear thrusts, and the spearhead broke the general's horse's leg. When Lin Changning saw the general fall from his horse, he quickly took the knife and chopped it down towards the man's head.

This man possessed some martial skill. Upon seeing Lin Changning's blade coming at him, he quickly raised his longsword to block it. In the instant their weapons clashed, Lin Changning cleaved the opposing general's sword in two with a single stroke, the silver-white blade slicing fiercely along the broken edge towards the general's shoulder.

The general opposite felt a sudden dizziness, and when his head hit the ground, his eyes still flashed with disbelief as he watched his body slowly fall in front of Lin Changning.

A few breaths later, he closed his eyes reluctantly.

After dealing with the surrounding guards, Lin Changning quickly picked up the heads from the ground, held them high, and shouted, "The enemy general is dead! You all, why don't you surrender now! Those who surrender will not be killed!!!"

The battle turned into a one-sided affair. Nearly a third of the thousand soldiers escorting the supplies were killed in just one encounter with Lin Changning and his men. Many soldiers were killed before they could even react.

Upon hearing Lin Changning shout that he had killed the enemy general, the remaining people around him also shouted. More and more imperial soldiers heard the news that their commander was dead, and many of them immediately abandoned their armor and tried to flee to the sides.

Many people were only stunned for a moment before slowly raising their hands and dropping their weapons. Seeing more and more people surrendering, Lin Changning snatched a horse from one of them, leaped onto it, and shouted, "Take them all away!"

After speaking with Lao Ma and Wan Jin, they quickly led their men to tie up the surrendered soldiers with ropes. However, they didn't have enough ropes, so they simply tore off pieces of cloth from the surrendered soldiers and used them to tie their hands.

Seeing that the ambush had gone smoothly, Lin Changning rode his horse and roughly counted that there were still more than 600 surrendered soldiers. When they came down, they killed more than 300, and now dozens had escaped.

However, a few dozen people should not be a big deal. Lin Changning looked at the grain and fodder being escorted by the soldiers with a burning gaze: "Wei Shao! Check the grain and fodder, and after resting for a while, prepare to return to camp!"

Wei Shao accepted the order and quickly led his men down to count the number of prisoners and provisions. After a short while, Wei Shao returned with Lu Shan Lao Ma to report back. Lin Changning, sitting on his horse, gestured for the others to mount.

"Back to camp!"

If we can get back to the camp before dawn, she might be able to join us in another battle when we attack Niangziguan tomorrow.

Those are all undeniable achievements!

Lin Changning and Lao Ma rode the horses they had seized from the enemy, while the remaining infantrymen escorted the supplies, driving the wagons quickly toward the camp.

They had taken a rugged mountain path on their way there, but on their way back they could only take a narrow path. The group finally made it back to the camp just as dawn was breaking.

Lin Changning dismounted, casually tossing the reins to his personal guard. Just as he was about to head to the main tent, he bumped into Li Mingde, who had just returned.

Lin Changning looked at Li Mingde and asked, "You're back? How's it going on your end?"

Li Mingde nodded to Lin Changning: "We've already filled in many key wells, and had sand and compost dumped into the irrigation ditches. What about your side? I just saw you bring back quite a few grain carts. Did you run into a grain transport team?"

Lin Changning grinned at Li Mingde, revealing a set of pearly white teeth: "Well, we just happened to run into a grain transport team. There were about a thousand of them. We killed three or four hundred of them, and the rest surrendered. We then rushed back with the grain."

Li Mingde nodded to Lin Changning, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly. They had intercepted the man as soon as they arrived at the grain route. Xiao Liu was truly lucky.

"Then let's go back together to report. Maybe we can still make it in time for the siege after dawn."

The two walked toward the central command tent while talking. King Chu was already dressed and ready, and Old Zhao outside was also organizing the army, which would be setting off soon.

As soon as the King of Chu stepped out of his tent, he saw the two men returning together. He was somewhat shocked, thinking that something had happened to them. He frowned and asked, "Why are you back so early? Did something happen in the middle of the night?"

The two men stood before the King of Chu, clasping their hands in a fist salute. Lin Changning spoke first: "Your Majesty, I encountered a grain convoy as soon as I reached the grain route, but it was intercepted, and the grain carts were pulled back."

The King of Chu relaxed his brow and looked at Li Mingde beside him.

"Several key wells in the city were poisoned, and sand and rotten matter were added to the drinking water canals. Several wells outside the city that were frequently used for drawing water were also filled in."

The King of Chu nodded to the two men, surprised by their efficiency: "Not bad."

Seeing that the two men were still in high spirits, the King of Chu said, "Now that you're back, if you're not tired, come with me to attack the city."

The two men exchanged a glance, both seeing excitement in each other's eyes, and bowed their heads, clasped their hands in greeting, and said, "Yes! Father!"

"Yes, Uncle Nine!"

As dawn broke, the two followed the King of Chu onto their warhorses.

The original plan was to attack the city before dawn, but last night Li Mingde poisoned several key wells in the city. As soon as it gets light, the soldiers on the other side will be poisoned when they eat, and then the attack will be much more effective.

However, it wasn't a deadly drug, just a strong laxative. Anyone who drank water in the morning would definitely experience severe diarrhea.

A hint of malice flashed in Lin Changning's eyes. Sitting on his warhorse, he watched the war drums behind him beat loudly. On the opposite city wall, several soldiers exchanged glances, and then two or three of them quickly disappeared from the city wall, presumably having gone into the city to report the news.

A moment later, a general in armor and wearing a black helmet appeared on the city wall. After looking down a few times, he ordered, "You traitors, how dare you invade my city! Soldiers, listen to my command! Archers, take your positions! Prepare the rolling logs and stones! Anyone who dares to climb the wall will be killed without mercy! I will defend this city with you all. After we repel the enemy, we will reward those who have made contributions!"

Lin Changning turned his head and glanced at Lao Yan beside him: "Is this the Li Jing you mentioned?"

Old Yan, dressed in a soldier's uniform, looked up at Lin Changning on horseback and nodded hastily: "Yes, it's him. He can probably hold his own against me! He's definitely no match for you, sir!"