Zhao Sheng’s hand gripping the reins tightened, his hawk-like, sharp eyes staring at Bai Qingyan, who had captured his brother Zhao Tong alive, as if he wanted to tear her apart and devour her.

Yesterday, our army rested for a day. I wonder if General Xun has rested well – can you fight?” Liu Hong said with a smile in his eyes, speaking very casually as if victory was assured. “Or does General Xun need to wait until grain supplies arrive before you can fight, since your provisions were burned?”

When the matter of burned grain supplies was mentioned, Xun Tianzhang’s chest ached terribly.

He had specifically not transported the grain supplies to the main camp, fearing losses if the Jin army attacked the camp, but unexpectedly, someone still managed to burn the provisions.

Xun Tianzhang kept his composure and smiled as he looked at Bai Qingyan: “This old man has carefully studied Little Commander Bai’s previous battle tactics. I originally thought Little Commander Bai excelled at surprise attacks, but unexpectedly, with the Jin army changing commanders this time, you could also patiently restrain yourselves to only send people to burn our army’s grain supplies without coming to attack the camp.”

Bai Qingyan raised her eyes that concealed sharp edges to look at Xun Tianzhang: “Tonight, I will come.”

Liu Hong’s hand gripping the reins tightened as he pressed his lips together.

Seeing Liu Hong’s reaction, Xun Tianzhang laughed heartily and cupped his hands toward Bai Qingyan: “Then this old man will await Little Commander Bai in camp tonight!”

Without waiting for Bai Qingyan to answer, Liu Hong said to Xun Tianzhang: “General Xun wants to wait until grain supplies arrive and you’ve reorganized before fighting! But our Jin army cannot wait. This commander gives General Xun three days. If General Xun still doesn’t accept battle after three days, then this commander will have to lead troops in a forced attack.”

Bai Qingyan lowered her eyes without speaking. Liu Hong repeatedly mentioned grain supplies, and with his aggressive attitude, urging preparation for battle within three days, seemed to want to intercept the Liang army’s grain supplies.

“Naturally!”

Xun Tianzhang ordered people to take back the heads of the Zhao family soldiers, and both sides turned back to their respective camps.

Liu Hong frowned and asked Bai Qingyan: “Tonight, will the Princess go attack their camp? But why did the Princess tell Xun Tianzhang about this beforehand? This way… they will be on guard.”

“Xun Tianzhang is naturally cautious. Since I said I would go today, he will make arrangements and set ambush troops waiting for me. Let them busy themselves! When Generals Lin Kangle and Wang Xiping return and the battle report from Fire God Mountain is transmitted, Xun Tianzhang will know we already went today.”

“However, when Xun Tianzhang just mentioned the Princess’s usual battle tactics, I think the Princess could lead troops to ambush at key locations where Great Liang transports grain supplies, and intercept or burn their provisions! Without grain supplies… the Liang army will surely collapse.” Liu Hong narrowed his eyes.

“I’ve considered this, but from Great Liang to Chun Mushan and then to the Liang army’s main camp, transporting grain supplies doesn’t have only one route to choose from. If we want to intercept grain supplies, we’d need to set ambushes in multiple locations, dispersing our Jin forces. Xun Tianzhang might take this opportunity to use grain supplies as bait, scatter our Jin army, and divide and devour us.” Bai Qingyan said.

Liu Hong nodded: “What the Princess says is very true, but just letting this opportunity pass and watching them transport grain supplies is disadvantageous to our Jin army!”

“Then send people to block other grain transport routes in advance, leaving only one path. But this way… we’d have to face Great Liang’s main force directly. If you have confidence in a certain victory, it could be worth trying.”

Today at Dragon Mother River, Xun Tianzhang had already noticed the strong winds by the river and that heavy rain was about to come. After returning to camp, he immediately had people bring the local chronicles of Longyang City.

Longyang City was near the Dragon Mother River. Starting in late June, there was much rain, and the Dragon Mother River entered flood season.

Xun Tianzhang tapped his finger on the local chronicles. Longyang City was at a low elevation. If they could manage to dig channels before flood season arrived and flood Longyang City… this would surely be the method to minimize Liang army losses.

Xun Tianzhang raised his head to look at the sky outside the commander’s tent in the distance, where dark clouds seemed to be rolling, his eyes brightening. Feeling that time was of the essence, he decisively ordered: “Summon General Du!”

Xun Tianzhang instructed the Liang army generals that after nightfall today, they should immediately mobilize troops to the Dragon Mother River. Regardless of the cost, they must dig the channels in one night.

After arranging tonight’s channel-digging affair, Xun Tianzhang sat exhausted before the commander’s desk. He closed his eyes and repeatedly recalled today’s meeting with Jin army commander Liu Hong and Bai Qingyan.

Whether or not Bai Qingyan would come to attack the camp tonight, he had to make complete preparations.

Leave five thousand men in the main camp, while the rest, except for the soldiers General Du would take to dig channels, would ambush outside the camp. If Bai Qingyan dared to come… they would ensure she never returned.

Soon, Xun Tianzhang had his son relay orders to make preparations.

After receiving orders to ambush outside the camp, Zhao Sheng came to the commander’s tent to request an audience with Xun Tianzhang. He spoke about grain supplies, worried that the Jin army would intercept their provisions.

Xun Tianzhang chuckled softly: “If that were truly the case, it would suit my intentions perfectly. Send people to watch several grain transport routes. If the Jin army disperses its forces to ambush at various grain transport routes, our Great Liang forces are several times theirs – we can divide and devour the Jin army!”

Zhao Sheng nodded: “This subordinate will immediately send people to watch!”

With the grain transport routes, channel-digging affair, and tonight’s ambush – three matters settled, Xun Tianzhang finally relaxed and began coughing violently while supporting himself on the desk with both hands.

He grabbed the handkerchief on the desk to cover his mouth, feeling a fishy-sweet taste surge up in his mouth. When he moved the handkerchief away, there was bright red blood on it.

Xun Tianzhang quickly used the handkerchief to wipe the fresh blood from the corner of his mouth, clutching the handkerchief tightly in his palm.

That evening, Jin’s defending general Fu Ruoxi led reinforcements from Anping camp to arrive at Longyang City, setting up camp outside the city.

With reinforcements arrived, Liu Hong immediately gained confidence and summoned all the generals together to discuss methods for repelling the Liang army.

Liu Hong knew his abilities in military campaigns and battles were average, but he had one advantage – he could listen to others’ opinions.

A scout sent to watch the Liang camp suddenly came to report that people from the Liang army’s main camp had led troops out of camp.

“In which direction?” Bai Qingyan’s heart lifted.

“It seems… toward Fire God Mountain!” the scout said.

Bai Qingyan’s heart immediately rose as she asked again: “Could you see who was leading the troops and how many soldiers?”

“The troop leader was unclear, approximately twenty thousand soldiers!”

Bai Qingyan turned to look at Liu Hong: “It seems Xun Tianzhang already knows about Generals Lin Kangle and Wang Xiping leading troops to Fire God Mountain to rescue people. Please have the Commander allow me to lead people immediately to Fire God Mountain for reinforcement!”

Liu Hong pressed his lips together tightly, considering for a long while before speaking: “Please trouble General Fu Ruoxi to lead troops on this journey instead. Princess, remain in camp to discuss methods for repelling Liang with us!”

Liu Hong’s decision to keep Bai Qingyan wasn’t deliberately obstructing her, but because Bai Qingyan was a descendant of the Bai family who deeply understood military strategy. Although Bai Qingyan was young, in terms of military tactics, Liu Hong truly relied on her from the bottom of his heart.

Bai Qingyan’s fists tightened as she cupped her hands toward General Fu Ruoxi: “Then I trouble you, General!”