An old man selling steamed buns nearby cried out "Ouch!" and almost knocked over his pancake griddle, muttering:
"They must be conducting martial arts exercises outside the East Gate again. It's been happening every now and then these past few days, making the ground shake. I heard that reinforcements have arrived and are currently training together."
Reinforcements have arrived? General Wang's heart tightened.
He recalled that when he looked out at dawn, he seemed to see smoke and dust in the distance to the east.
Is it not a feint, but the real force?
“Brother Wang, look over there.” Zhang, the subordinate general, suddenly tugged at his sleeve and pointed to a window on the second floor of a tall teahouse in the neighborhood.
Looking out, Wang Bijiang saw two people standing at the window, leaning on the railing and gazing into the distance, pointing and gesturing.
Although he was dressed in civilian clothes, his figure and demeanor clearly indicated that he was a military general!
One of them, in profile... seems to resemble Shi Yong, a fierce general under Zhao Muyun mentioned in the intelligence report?
Isn't he in Longyou? Could it be that the commander of the reinforcements has already arrived?
The doubts, like the morning mist, grew ever heavier in General Wang's heart.
Was Zhao Muyun genuinely seeking peace and allowing passage, or had he set a bigger trap?
The city appeared calm, but everywhere there was a well-trained vigilance and a hidden sense of confidence.
With ample food supplies, complete medicinal herbs, and orderly stacks of military equipment, the people showed no signs of worry, and even had "reinforcements" lurking nearby, ready to pounce...
"Sir, your goods have been counted and loaded onto the truck. Here are the documents; please take a look."
The clerk appeared at the opportune moment, handing over the bill, his smile unchanged. "The total is eight hundred and seventy-two taels of silver, which, after a 10% discount, is seven hundred and eighty-four taels and eight mace. Will you be paying in cash, or..."
General Wang suppressed his inner turmoil and said in a deep voice, "Pay in cash."
He gestured for his men to carry the box over.
Silver delivery, with clear procedures.
"Thank you for your patronage!" the clerk bowed. "The Grand Commander has one more request: please convey to General Yang that we will keep our promise. We also hope your army will make preparations as soon as possible, lest we miss the opportune moment. Please!"
The intention to see the guest off was obvious.
General Wang said no more, took a deep look at Xingshun Ward, which seemed ordinary but was actually full of hidden dangers, and led his team, escorting the grain carts and medicinal herbs, to slowly exit the ward gate.
Shortly after they left, on the second floor of the teahouse, Shi Yong whispered to Lin Feng, who was dressed as a scholar, "Brother Lin, the bait has been thrown in, and the fish seem to have smelled it, but we're not sure."
Lin Feng smiled: "The art of feigning war lies in creating a sense of both truth and falsehood. Let him see what he wants to see, and let him see what we want him to see. Yang Chao will probably have a sleepless night after receiving the report. How is the Grand Commander doing?"
"As planned, a messenger has been dispatched to the Ziwu Valley." A sly glint flashed in Shi Yong's eyes. "It's about time that General Zhang Tao intercepted something by chance."
......
Fengtian Army Camp.
The two adjutant generals, Wang and Zhang, gave a detailed report on what they saw upon entering the city, covering every detail.
Yang Chao remained silent for a long time after listening.
The grains and medicinal herbs are genuine, and in some cases even of superior quality.
The city was orderly, and the people were not panicked.
The garrison was heavily guarded, with sentries everywhere.
Reinforcements have arrived and are currently conducting drills.
Zhao Muyun's key generals may have already entered the city...
Every piece of information pointed to Zhao Muyun being well-prepared and full of confidence.
Was that "90% discount" goodwill, that "exchange of medical skills" proposal just a way to lull people into a false sense of security, or did it actually reflect a genuine desire for cooperation?
Were those damaged weapons genuinely worn out, or were they a deliberate attempt to feign weakness and lure the enemy?
Is the "drill" at the East Gate a real reinforcement or just a bluff?
"General, I don't think Zhao Muyun is going to play any tricks," Yang Hong whispered.
"If he really wanted to destroy us, why bother with all this trouble? Wouldn't it have been easier to just wait for us to run out of food and fall into disarray, or to wait for Zhang Tao to arrive and attack us from both sides?"
"Now that they're willing to provide food and medicine and allow us to retreat with dignity, perhaps... they really fear our army's desperate fight, and also want to use this opportunity to establish a good relationship with the general?"
"After all, having one more friend is always better than having one more mortal enemy, especially since you've returned to Jiannan, General..."
Yang Chao raised his hand to stop him, his eyes filled with even more struggle.
Yang Hong's words make sense.
But is Zhao Muyun a kind soul?
He can be considered the enemy of the Yang family; Yang Fan and other members of the Yang family died at the hands of him and his generals.
Would someone like that offer such generous terms simply out of "fear"?
The saying "When the birds are all gone, the bow is put away; a lesson from the past" echoed in his mind.
He was reminding himself, but wasn't he also a reflection of himself, Zhao Muyun?
Perhaps Zhao Muyun was also nurturing a bandit to enhance his own prestige, or perhaps Zhao Muyun genuinely wanted to reconcile with the Yang family and focus on dealing with Li Jingang!
"Report!" A guard rushed in, "An imperial edict, delivered with utmost urgency from the capital, has arrived! The envoy has reached the camp gate!"
It's here!
Yang Chao suddenly stood up, straightened his armor, and the idea of "cooperating" with Zhao Muyun that had just sprouted in his mind was instantly overwhelmed by great unease.
Li Jingang's imperial edict was the key to his life or death!
The eunuch delivering the imperial decree remained expressionless as he unfurled the yellow silk, his shrill voice echoing throughout the tent:
"You, Yang Chao, the military governor of Jiannan, have acted without authorization in your campaigns, delaying the day and night, causing losses to your troops and generals, and have failed to live up to my expectations!"
"He is hereby stripped of his title of Military Governor and demoted to the rank of Colonel of Zhaowu. His troops are to be immediately placed under the command of Zhang Tao, the Military Governor of Henan Circuit! Yang Chao himself is to be bound and brought before the army to await Zhang Tao's judgment! This is the imperial decree—"
The tent was deathly silent.
Dismissed from office, stripped of his troops, bound and sent to be executed...
This is no longer just urging him to fight; it's taking his life and completely destroying the last foundation of his Yang family!
Yang Chao knelt on the ground, head down, hands supporting him on the ground, knuckles clenched white, his whole body trembling slightly.
It wasn't fear, but rather a boiling rage and a chilling despair.
"Captain Yang, receive the imperial edict." The eunuch handed the edict forward, his tone indifferent.
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