Upon hearing this, Niu San felt that an opportunity had arrived; perhaps tonight was the perfect time to launch a surprise attack on the water fortress camp.
“We just finished eating and have nothing to do right now, so we’ll help you. Where do you think these bed boards need to be moved? Let us do it,” Niu San said.
"No need. You should just stay here obediently and don't go out. Maybe we'll let you over for dinner and drinks tonight."
Tonight we're having big fish from Panzhou Lake, they're incredibly delicious, something we don't usually get to eat. We're definitely going to have a wonderful meal tonight.
Niu San was overjoyed. It seemed that he had come to the right place today. As long as he could go out and explore, he could find out the situation of the water village.
Soon the bed boards were dismantled and moved away. Niu San and the others stayed in the tent, which was guarded by people. They really couldn't go out. It seemed that they could only wait patiently. They would be able to go out when it was time to eat.
The area outside the camp was bustling with activity. The soldiers were overjoyed because there would be a victory banquet that evening, just like celebrating the New Year.
Just as Niu San and the others were waiting anxiously, two sailors suddenly arrived. It seemed that they had just come in and dismantled the bed boards.
"You just said you were going to help us, and there are indeed some things we need your help with," the sailor said.
"Whatever you need, we'll be right there." Niu San was pleasantly surprised.
"The soldiers have caught a lot of big fish in the lake, and they need to be carried to the kitchen. Go and help carry the fish."
Such a good thing! When carrying fish, just a few trips through the military camp will give you a clear picture of the situation in the water fortress.
Niu San and his men were led out of the military camp. They came to a fork in the river. The sailors drove the big fish from Panzhou Lake to this spot and then blocked the exit with fishing nets. The big fish had nowhere to escape and thrashed about in the water, which was quite a sight.
The fish in Panzhou Lake are very large, usually weighing tens of kilograms each, and some even weighing over a hundred kilograms. This greatly impressed Niu San and his companions, who thought that such large fish must taste delicious.
The sailors packed the fish into baskets, which were then carried by two men to the kitchen of the barracks.
Now that no one is watching them, the entire water fortress has several large camp kitchens, and all of these places need fish. This way, they can take a good look at the layout of various parts of the water fortress camp.
What surprised Niu San even more was that warships were being built in several places in the water village, with large amounts of timber for shipbuilding piled up nearby. During the construction of the warships, a lot of scraps and shavings were generated, which were all excellent tinder.
Niu San and the others silently noted all of this down. With so many people eating that night, they would need a lot of fish. Niu San and the others made several trips to the water camp and got a clear view of the situation inside.
Next, Niu San and the others began to help with things like setting the table, carrying wine, and serving dishes.
With so many people, it was impossible to tell who was who. The victory celebration had already begun, and the soldiers were eating large chunks of meat and drinking heavily. No one paid any attention to Niu San and his companions anymore; they seemed to have been forgotten.
Niu San and his friends sat together, eating fish with gusto while observing their surroundings.
They didn't drink; they had important things to do later, and drinking could easily lead to mistakes.
The meal began before sunset and continued until nightfall, when the lights in the military camp began to come on.
The food on the table had already been eaten, and the wine jars were left aside. Most people had drunk too much; some had gone back to the barracks to sleep, while others were completely drunk and were lying face down on the table.
Niu San instructed the others to check the situation at several nearby military camps. A short while later, the men returned and told Niu San that the situation was the same at the other camps.
"Heaven is on my side!" Niu San was overjoyed. He led a few men and quietly left the military camp, disappearing into the darkness.
Once they were certain that Niu San and his companions had left and returned to Panzhou City, the sailors who had been completely drunk stood up, high-fived each other, and congratulated each other on their impressive performance.
Next, Li Guang began to arrange his troops in the army's main tent. Everyone had an important task. Tonight's battle was crucial, and it was imperative to capture Someron alive.
Meanwhile, Niu San and his companions had been running all the way and finally arrived in Panzhou City.
In the council hall of Panzhou City, Niu San and his companions recounted in detail what had happened at the naval camp.
If what Niu San and his men said is true, then tonight is the best time to launch a surprise attack on the water fortress.
Using fire could not only eliminate most of Ding Tong's sailors, but also the 30,000 reinforcements stationed in the water fortress. A single battle would be enough to completely turn the tide of the war.
If Ding Tong turns the tables and lures his army into the water fortress before launching an attack, then he will be utterly defeated.
This was entirely possible, and the commander-in-chief, Someron, fell into deep thought, knowing that his decision would directly affect the fate of the Jin soldiers.
Everyone remained silent, watching Somelon and waiting for his orders.
Finally, Somelon made up his mind and said:
“Niu San, you are the only one who knows the situation of the water stronghold best. You take three thousand soldiers, bring flammable materials, and rush into the water stronghold to set it on fire.”
Once the entire water fortress is ablaze, the main force can charge in and kill the enemy, thus annihilating the army of the Great Northern Dynasty in one fell swoop.
If there was already an ambush at the water fortress, then you wouldn't have been able to successfully set it on fire, and the three thousand men you led would have died for the country. Do you understand what I mean?
"I understand what the commander-in-chief means. If this attack succeeds, we will turn the tide of the battle and win. If the attack fails, we will lose at most three thousand soldiers."
"General, give the order! We must burn down the Northern Dynasty's naval camp and annihilate their entire army!"
Somelon nodded and said:
"Niu San, listen to my command! I order you to lead three thousand men to the naval camp and set it on fire."
"I will obey." Niu San accepted the order and left.
"All other officers, follow me on the expedition. When the fire breaks out in the water fortress and the soldiers of the Great Northern Dynasty begin to flee from the camp, all soldiers will follow me to storm the water fortress and annihilate the sailors and the Great Northern Dynasty's relief forces."
"As you command."
Soon Niu San led three thousand Jin soldiers out of the city. Each Jin soldier carried a bundle of firewood in his arms. The firewood was soaked in grease and could be lit easily; it was a specially made kindling.
After Niu San left the city, Someron led 30,000 troops in close pursuit. They would act according to circumstances and not act until they saw a clear opportunity.
After the two groups of troops left the city, there were only a few thousand Jin soldiers left guarding the city.
Shortly after the two groups of people left the city, a group of people, numbering at least tens of thousands, came from the darkness. They arrived at the city wall and began throwing ropes onto it.
Once the hooks on the ropes gripped the city wall securely, people began to climb up the ropes. Before long, many people had climbed up the city wall and entered the city.
The Jin soldiers guarding the city discovered that someone had entered the city and immediately came to stop them, and the two sides fought each other.
More and more ropes were laid outside the city walls, and soon more people climbed up the walls, entered the city, and joined the battle.
There were still several thousand Jin soldiers inside the city. After learning that someone was attacking the city, they immediately came out to reinforce it, but it was too late. The city gates had already been opened and a large number of people had rushed into the city.
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