Zhao Muyun personally directed operations from the shore, his eyes scanning the dark surroundings warily.
Every minute and every second felt incredibly long.
As the darkest hour before dawn arrived, Zhao Muyun was the last to reach the south bank.
He looked back and saw that the north bank remained silent, with only the river flowing eternally.
"We succeeded." Xi Sheng breathed a sigh of relief, feeling his back soaked with cold sweat.
"It's not over yet," Zhao Muyun said in a low voice. "Leave the riverbank immediately and head southeast to find a secluded place to rest."
"Old Tang, send out scouts. I need to know the exact location of Arahan's main force, and... the latest movements in Youzhou City!"
Just as Zhao Muyun slipped away and returned to the south bank of the Xutuo River, Han Yanshou of Xiongzhou received two pieces of alarming news.
First, it was confirmed that a large number of cavalry from Hedong had appeared on the western front, their forces aimed directly at Juyong Pass!
Secondly, Arahan on the north bank reported that he had discovered the main force of the Hedong army heading west and was pursuing them with all his might!
"A feint to the east while attacking in the west! It really was a feint to the east while attacking in the west!"
Han Yanshou paced back and forth in the main tent, his face grim. "Zhao Muyun's target is Juyong Pass! He wants to open up the passage between Hedong and Youzhou!"
"My lord, although Juyong Pass is strategically important, the garrison is small. If the main force from Hedong attacks from both sides, we fear we will not be able to hold out for long!" the advisor said anxiously.
Han Yanshou abruptly stopped, a resolute glint in his eyes:
"Send the order! Transfer another three thousand... no, five thousand troops from the garrison in Youzhou to reinforce Juyong Pass immediately! Make sure the pass is absolutely safe!"
"My lord, we have already transferred 5,000 troops from Youzhou. If we transfer another 5,000, the garrison in Youzhou will be less than 5,000!" someone worried.
"Youzhou is a high-lying city with deep moats, and it still has five thousand garrison troops, which is enough!"
“Zhao Muyun’s main force is on the western front. How could he possibly fly over?” Han Yanshou said decisively. He could not tolerate his flanks and retreat being cut off.
Thus, the garrison of Youzhou, a fortified city, was successfully depleted of a significant portion of its mobile forces by Zhao Muyun's series of combined feints and real attacks, which effectively mobilized the enemy.
Although the city's defenses appear strong, they are actually somewhat hollow inside, especially the reserve force for dealing with emergencies, which is far from sufficient.
All of this was clearly known to Zhao Muyun, who had quietly returned to the south bank, through Tang Yanhai's pervasive network of scouts.
He knew that the bait for the big fish had been cast; it was just a matter of when he would find that big fish that could change the course of the battle.
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