CHAPTER 352: CHAPTER 346: BATTLE RESULTS

At this time, the Xiongnu military camp not far from them was filled with cries of anguish. The knife and spear wounds they had sustained weren’t the worst; it was the burns that were most fatal.

Many people were burned yesterday in the camp; for those with large burn areas, survival was unlikely. Even if they seemed full of energy now, the wounds would easily worsen.

Liu Cong was also injured. Pale-faced, he leaned against the bed and, clutching his chest after being bandaged, asked, "How are the grain supplies?"

Liu Li lowered his head and whispered, "We managed to seize a quarter back; the rest was all destroyed by fire."

Liu Cong’s expression was grim, and after a moment he sneered coldly, "Good, good, very good, order the soldiers to go out and find supplies."

A glint of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes, "If they can’t find grain supplies, then capture people, burn all their houses and fields. If we can’t have it, neither shall they keep it."

After a shudder, Liu Li accepted the order.

Although the scout hadn’t returned, from the scent of blood and violence on the Zhao Family Army, it was clear they had engaged in a fierce battle; thus, Governor He believed eighty percent of their reported victory.

He called all the officials of the Inspector Mansion to a meeting before dawn, with Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan attending as well.

Governor He asked, "Has the order to fortify and clear the fields been issued?"

"Yes, it has already been sent out."

"Send out several teams and have them drive all the people within fifty li into the city by nightfall. Order the nearby towns not to reject people seeking refuge, and not to leave a single grain in the countryside!"

"Yes!"

"All the passes must be guarded, watch out for Xiongnu retaliation..." Governor He only set the overall policy, and delegated specific orders to Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang smiled and said, "Let’s first have scouts gather intelligence from all directions and hold the passes firmly."

With that, the meeting dispersed, and Zhao Hanzhang returned to rest.

By noon, the scout’s report came back, revealing more battle outcomes and intelligence, "The enemy camp is filled with wails, the death toll and casualties are heavy, Liu Cong’s vice general, Huyan Lang, was killed, the grain supplies were burned, and at dawn, the Hu Soldiers went out in teams looking for grain supplies..."

Governor He was surprised, as were Xun Xiu and others, who were utterly shocked by the significant victory.

Governor He was also astonished, but he remained composed, scanning the crowd, sighing, "Now you understand why I entrusted Yu State to Zhao Hanzhang?"

"Her ability to lead the troops is no less than Gou Xi," Governor He sighed, "Currently, apart from Gou Xi, only she can save Yu State."

As Gou Xi was not stepping in now, he could only put his hope in Zhao Hanzhang.

Xun Xiu bowed his head in acknowledgment.

Seeing that they were finally willing to listen, Governor He said, "When Vice General Zhao wakes, you should go pay your respects."

So when Zhao Hanzhang awoke, she saw the gathered generals in the courtyard. She took the cloth towel handed by Ting He to wipe her face and asked, "When did they arrive?"

"Half an hour ago, claiming they won’t leave without seeing the lady,"

Zhao Hanzhang asked, "Where is Ting Han?"

"The elder master is up front observing,"

Zhao Hanzhang handed the towel back, put on her outer coat, and went out with a smile.

As she opened the door, Xun Xiu and the others in the courtyard who were speaking immediately looked up and stepped forward to salute, "Vice General Zhao!"

Zhao Hanzhang nodded slightly and asked with a smile, "Why have you all come here, gentlemen? Let’s speak inside."

In just one day, Zhao Hanzhang had gained control over Yu State’s troops, while Fu Tinghan had reviewed a lot of documents and letters at the Yu State Governor Mansion.

The scattered information in his mind was organized, slowly compiled into actionable intel.

Zhao Hanzhang did not call everyone to a meeting, instead bringing only Xun Xiu and a few others to hear his report.

Fu Tinghan began explaining the current enemy’s position and their defensive status.

This hadn’t been covered the day before.

The previous day only a rough count of their numbers and Liu Cong’s army outside Chen County was given, but the encirclement was more than just Chen County.

Yu State is a vast plain, allowing Xiongnu many pathways to enter. Governor He deployed defenses at key passes, primarily blocking Xiongnu army at those locations.

Fu Tinghan reviewed many documents and letters and said to Zhao Hanzhang, "The Emperor sent Fu Zhongshu to Chang’an to recruit soldiers and aid Yu State. By timing, he should have just arrived in Chang’an; who knows when he’ll bring troops here."

"They’re all untrained recruits..." Zhao Hanzhang paused, suppressing her heartache and asked, "Any other news?"

Fu Tinghan then picked a letter from the table for her, "This is a rescue request from Guan City..."

Xun Xiu immediately interrupted, "We’re already struggling ourselves, how could we go rescue others?"

Zhao Hanzhang took it, opening the letter while saying, "Isn’t Guan City part of our Yu State?"

"But it’s completely occupied by the Xiongnu now, Guan City is isolated, how could we rescue them?" Xun Xiu said, "Let them hold their ground."

Zhao Hanzhang frowned, and upon seeing the sender’s name, she sat up straight, "Beigong Chun? Is Beigong Chun guarding Guan City?"

"Yes," Xun Xiu said indifferently, "He was dispatched by Your Majesty to support, but now he’s trapped in Guan City, asking us for rescue..."

Zhao Hanzhang nearly slammed the letter in Xun Xiu’s face; this is an ally! The Yu State troops have retreated multiple times, now barely holding Chen County, while Beigong Chun not only held Guan City but remained firm amidst widespread collapse. What a commendable general!

Zhao Hanzhang ground her teeth and, deep in thought, said, "I’ll handle this. While our morale is high, we’ll strike back and drive out the Xiongnu before the winter solstice."

Everyone was slightly surprised, glancing at each other, "Counterattack? Shouldn’t we just defend the city?"

"Yes, they’re suffering now. If we just hold our ground and don’t venture out, as winter sets in and they lack supplies, they’ll surely retreat."

Zhao Hanzhang declared, "Offense is the best defense."

She was very assertive, "Gentlemen, prepare yourselves. Once I’ve finalized the strategy, I’ll summon you for discussion."

The few exchanged looks and retreated in response.

As they left the main courtyard, someone commented, "Just won one battle, now she thinks she’s invincible?"

"Shh, quiet, didn’t you notice her face was grim just now? I’m not worried about a counterattack—the Xiongnu will attack us if we don’t—my concern is she might actually attempt to rescue Beigong Chun."

"Beigong Chun is trapped in Guan City, how can we save him?"

Fu Tinghan questioned Zhao Hanzhang, "Do you intend to rescue him?"

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, her eyes sparkling, "I thought about it the moment I saw Guan City. We can definitely conduct guerrilla warfare to force Liu Yuan to retreat his forces."

Fu Tinghan, not well-versed in military tactics, but aware of the disparity, asked, "Playing guerrilla against the Xiongnu, you’ll need horses. With just a handful of cavalry, how confident are you?"

Zhao Hanzhang said, "In terms of familiarity with Yu State, none can surpass us. As long as we avoid capture, they have no way to counter us."

Zhao Hanzhang was brimming with confidence, her eyes glimmering, "I’m confident they can’t catch us. If we can seize the chance to rescue Beigong Chun, it’ll be even more worthwhile."