The Huns and the Gan soldiers had long lost their willingness to continue cooperating due to their defeat in the battle and the harsh cold weather.
Now they have all been driven out of Wei's territory by the Wei soldiers led by Mu Yunfeng, wandering on the border, feeling very confused.
If they continued to invade Wei, the military and civilians in Wei were now united, and the court was clean and honest. Furthermore, it was said that the newly appointed emperor was not a tyrant and had already secured the throne. It was no longer practical for them to continue invading Wei.
However, if they retreated, they would definitely be sanctioned after returning home. Because of the shame of defeat and the loss of soldiers, the coalition forces of the Xiongnu and Gan countries would also face tremendous political and military pressure in their own countries.
They knew that if they returned home, they might face severe punishment or even life-threatening situations. Faced with this dilemma, they rested their troops outside Lincheng and began to consider their options.
The Huns began to miss their free and easy life on the grasslands, while the soldiers of the Gan Kingdom missed the warmth of home and the smiling faces of their loved ones.
The generals in charge were also trying to shift the blame. After all, such a devastating defeat would surely lead to punishment upon returning to their homeland. The Xiongnu and Gan generals blamed each other, leading to an increasing conflict between the Xiongnu and Gan soldiers, with mutual accusations and suspicions escalating.
They had each camped separately on the outskirts of Lin County, their mutual trust completely gone. The only reason they were able to maintain relative stability and avoid internal strife was because of the strict suppression and restraint of the general above them.
The Wei soldiers, sneaking out from the neighboring Linxian County, advanced slowly and cautiously under the cover of darkness, led by their respective generals. They had a common goal in mind: to launch a surprise attack on the Xiongnu and Gan armies in the early hours of the morning, when the enemy was at its most tired and relaxed.
Meanwhile, Mu Yunfeng led his only 5,000 elite cavalrymen, quietly guarding the gates of Lin County. They had an important mission: to provide rapid support after the Wei soldiers launched an attack, ensuring that the Wei army's surprise attack on the Xiongnu could successfully complete its mission and providing them with strong backup when necessary.
Mu Yunfeng was well aware of the importance of this battle. He and his cavalry were always ready, ready to rush into the battlefield and contribute their strength to the final victory.
Of course, Yang Jian and his generals did not take all the troops out, because they knew that if this operation failed, the soldiers left in Lin County would have to shoulder the responsibility of blocking the attacks of the Xiongnu and the Gan people. They had to ensure the safety of Lin County just in case.
Therefore, although they took away most of the troops, they still left some troops in Lincheng in case of emergency.
Although the soldiers left behind in Lin County were few in number, their task was incredibly arduous. They didn't let their guard down, but instead remained on high alert. Inside Lin County, the soldiers, clad in armor, leaned against the city walls or the walls of their houses, resting their eyes. They knew that if the enemy attacked, they would have to swiftly engage in battle to defend this land.
Despite repeated orders from the generals to return to the camp and rest, the soldiers were reluctant to leave their posts. They preferred to remain there rather than sleep peacefully in the barracks. They knew that every minute of rest could play a vital role at a critical moment.
At the same time, the young civilians spontaneously took action, taking up various weapons and fighting alongside the Wei soldiers. Although they had no professional training, their courage and determination could not be underestimated. Together with the soldiers, they defended Lin County and resisted any possible threats.
The atmosphere in Lin County was extremely tense, but also filled with firm belief. Soldiers and civilians alike understood that only by uniting as one could they win the war.
Of course, the soldiers of Wei State were not afraid of the Xiongnu and Gan State troops attacking Lin County, but they knew that if their comrades were on a mission to sneak attack the enemy, if the mission unfortunately failed and the comrades were repelled and pursued by the enemy, they would need to be able to rush out of the city gate as soon as possible and quickly go to rescue those teammates who were in trouble.
While managing these troops, the generals also hoped to personally participate in surprise attacks against the Xiongnu and the Gan State troops. However, because their official positions were not as high as those of generals like Yang Jian and Li Yuan, their requests to go into battle were directly suppressed by generals like Li Yuan with military orders. This made these generals feel ashamed among the soldiers they led.
Of course, Mu Yunfeng wouldn't bother with such matters. He knew that only by knowing shame could one become braver. This kind of power struggle, not too small or too small, could well inspire their fighting spirit, making them fight more bravely, and gain military merit and greater power.
Furthermore, this surprise attack was inherently an extremely dangerous mission, and no matter which general led his troops to carry it out, they would inevitably face casualties. Leaving experienced and intelligent generals like Yang Jian and Li Yuan to carry it out would have a greater chance of success, and the number of casualties would likely be lower.
In the team carrying out the mission, Yang Jian and several of his centurions stood in the distance, staring at the Xiongnu who were burning bonfires. The anger in their eyes was almost bursting out. Although they themselves felt the biting cold in such bad weather, the deep hatred for the Xiongnu in their hearts made them completely forget the coldness of their bodies.
On a cold night, the Xiongnu gathered around a campfire, chatting and laughing in a relaxed atmosphere. They held the Wei soldiers in contempt, believing them to be cowards who would never dare attack them in the dark, even after expelling them from the state. Consequently, they showed no fear of a potential night attack, even believing the Wei soldiers would never have the guts to launch a surprise attack.
One of the Huns, holding a pot of wine in his hand, said cheerfully to his companion who was also on night watch: "Brother, would you like a sip of wine to warm yourself up?" His voice was full of enthusiasm and friendliness, as if wine was their best friend on this cold night.
Another Xiongnu man looked at the wine jug in his hand and replied with a smile, "It seems you've gained a lot from your visit to Wei. You can even drink wine." His tone was a hint of teasing, but also revealed his admiration for his companion. On this cold night, being able to have wine to accompany him was undoubtedly a pleasant thing.
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