CHAPTER 347: CHAPTER 341 RUTHLESS

The group turned behind the screen to see Inspector He.

Inspector He looked somewhat pale, with a faint greenish hue. He looked at Yu Sheng and asked, "Did you tell Fu Tinghan what he said?"

"No," Yu Sheng said with a bitter expression, "Some of the things he mentioned, even I don’t know."

For example, the current amount of their provisions and military supplies. He had not been in Chen County for some time, how could he know how many provisions or military supplies were left?

However, the amount of empty salaries for the generals matched up with what he knew, but...

He swallowed and said, "He just looked at some military reports, information brought back by scouts, and some accounts from the army. He flipped through them quickly, I thought he shouldn’t have remembered much, but unexpectedly..."

Xun Xiu was skeptical, "Is there really such a capable person? Could Zhao Hanzhang have found out beforehand and is just putting on a show for us?"

Inspector He glanced at him, the empty salary issue took him a long time to uncover, and Zhao Hanzhang had only been back in Ru Nan County for a short period.

Even if she had support from the Zhao Family, Inspector He didn’t believe she could have planted such people in his army.

Inspector He lowered his eyes in thought for a moment, then suddenly relaxed, "Vice General Zhao is going to the city tower to view the Xiongnu Army, if you don’t hurry you won’t catch up."

Xun Xiu and the others were startled and quickly bowed to leave, jogging to catch up with Zhao Hanzhang.

Yu Sheng thought for a moment and stayed behind.

After the others had left, Inspector He looked at Yu Sheng, "In the next few days, stay with Fu Tinghan, and see if he truly has the ability or if it’s because of Zhao Hanzhang."

Yu Sheng agreed, and worriedly asked, "Governor, your health..."

Inspector He reached to touch his chest, eyes darkened, "Not much time left. Once I die, the army’s morale will surely take a hit. Xun Xiu and the others are not reliable. You must help Zhao Hanzhang bring them into line, no matter what, Yu State must be defended."

He paused, remained silent for a while, then firmly closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, they were much colder, "If the defense fails, evacuate the civilians in advance and scorch the earth!"

Yu Sheng was shocked, "Governor, this... this is a notorious plan!"

But Inspector He’s eyes flashed with a cold glint, speaking harshly, "If Yu State is bound to fall, Liu Yuan’s traitorous forces shall not get a grain from Yu State. We must be more ruthless than them to stop their southward advance."

Yu Sheng shivered.

Zhao Hanzhang was already on top of the city tower.

On the official road facing the city gate, flags were fluttering. Zhao Hanzhang’s eyesight was decent and could vaguely see the "Han" character on the flags. A Xiongnu Army was stationed there, though they hadn’t attacked the city yet, they were encamped at a distance.

"How many people are there?"

Xun Xiu, who ran over, turned to seek out scouts, but Fu Tinghan had already said, "Based on last night’s smoke columns, it is estimated to be roughly fifty thousand soldiers. However, it’s difficult for scouts to get close, so their positioning is unknown."

Zhao Hanzhang turned to Xun Xiu, "Do we have a map of the terrain for that area?"

Xun Xiu finally found words to say, "We do."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded slightly, asking, "Who is leading the troops opposite?"

"It’s Liu Cong, the fourth son of Liu Yuan."

Zhao Hanzhang responded meaningfully, "Oh, it’s him."

Zhao Hanzhang took a deep look at the distant encampment. The people there seemed to notice someone looking at them from the city tower, and many soldiers ran out, loudly mocking them.

However, the distance was too far to hear what they were saying.

Those barbarians were quite vulgar, taking off their pants on the spot and urinating in their direction, an act of utmost insult.

Zhao Hanzhang watched quietly, Fu Tinghan’s face darkened, shielding her, saying, "Let’s go, you should meet the soldiers of the three armies."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, looked into the distance once again, before turning to head downstairs.

At such a distance, besides seeing their actions, what else could be noticed?

Yet, the humiliation was felt, Zhao Hanzhang’s hands itched; she decided to return the favor.

Though referred to as three armies, only some soldiers were present, the majority still guarding various frontline points, not daring to slack off even a little. Thus, not many soldiers could form up to allow Zhao Hanzhang to review them.

Zhao Hanzhang just intended to see them as a formality; without battle achievements, meeting them would only lessen their confidence.

So after the meeting, Zhao Hanzhang directly commenced discussion with her own people, "I’ve decided to do a night raid."

Zhao Kuan was startled, promptly saying, "Prefectural Governor, no, Prefectural Governor, we come from afar, weary as we are, raiding at night now would mean they could await us in leisure?"

"If Wang Mi or Shi Le were leading, I certainly wouldn’t make such a decision, but Liu Cong, we can fight," Zhao Hanzhang said, "To command Yu State’s troops, I need to show battle achievements. If we don’t attack, we’ll have to wait for an opportunity to counterattack when they besiege."

"However, fighting a defensive battle won’t be good for morale. Even if successfully defended, we’d have substantial losses," Zhao Hanzhang’s voice lowered, "Morale is very low now; if we lose one battle, it will be hard for me to gain their loyalty again, even possibly seeing many deserters."

Zhao Hanzhang stated this not only to Zhao Kuan but for others listening.

Zhao Ju immediately nodded decisively, "I am willing to lead troops personally for the night raid."

Zhao Hanzhang smiled at him, saying, "I will go with Uncle Qianli."

She looked at Sun Linghui, "Have you got the terrain map?"

"Yes." Sun Linghui promptly produced it and laid it out for everyone to see.

Fu Tinghan approached and frowned, "Why is this map so crude?"

"Just manage with it," but indeed the map was quite crude. Zhao Hanzhang studied it for a while before pointing at one spot, "Uncle Qianli, let’s split into two paths, can you support me here?"

Zhao Ju glanced at it then agreed, "Alright."

Fu Tinghan asked, "How many troops do you plan to send?"

"Two thousand," Zhao Hanzhang said, "One thousand cavalry, I’ll lead them for the raid and killing, another thousand led by Uncle Qianli for support."

Fu Tinghan pointed to the map, "Then attack from here. I just observed that while half the camp is hidden behind woods, this part should be weak in military strength."

Zhao Hanzhang was moved, "We must identify where their provisions are located."

Fu Tinghan looked at her.

"The Xiongnu came from afar to invade; they surely struggle to keep provisions supplied. If we can burn their supplies, once winter arrives, they’ll have no choice but to retreat."

Zhao Kuan said, "But they might rob the nearby cities and villages."

Zhao Hanzhang remained stoic, "Inspector He mentioned they breached four cities, with one city have been massacred. The grain left for them in the city shouldn’t be much. As for outside..."

Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze turned cold, speaking icily, "Instruct the personnel of the Inspector Mansion to contact other cities and village chiefs, ensure they scorch the earth, everyone evacuates current towns, either retreat into the city, or head south and west to avoid the Xiongnu forces."