The Jie tribe was brave and brutal. They were better at farming than the Xiongnu and better at archery than Central Plains people, but more brutal than both.

When the town guardian Taobao learned the Meng County seat was under attack, he went mad, leading his troops in desperate charges with the clear intention of taking advantage to push into Sui County and capture the Zhao clan in one stroke.

Their reckless fighting style intimidated the Xun Family Army. Combined with the Jie barbarians’ natural ferocity, Xun Xiu’s second assault still gained no advantage. Not only did they fail to advance an inch, they lost over eight hundred men.

The wounded numbered over two thousand.

Xun Xiu’s expression was extremely grim. He had no choice but to sound the retreat and temporarily withdraw.

With his retreat, the Jie barbarians pursued victoriously, nearly breaking into their camp stationed at Sui County. At that moment, Zhao Ming was closest to the chaotic Jie barbarian troops, the overwhelming stench of blood making his expression dark and furious.

He hadn’t expected Xun Xiu to be so incompetent, nor the Jie barbarians so fierce.

Seeing this, Qiu Wu couldn’t help saying: “Commander, use the explosives. Otherwise, forget coordinating with the Governor—we might not even hold Sui County.”

Zhao Ming pondered briefly before shaking his head: “Tomorrow, order Xun Xiu to launch one more fierce attack. If he still fails, then we’ll use them.”

He continued: “The explosives aren’t plentiful. We must use them sparingly, still counting on them to breach Meng County’s south gate.”

Qiu Wu acknowledged.

After Xun Xiu retreated, Zhao Ming’s expression softened as he addressed him as gently as possible: “With Taobao so fierce, does General Xun have any good strategies?”

Xun Xiu said: “Meng County is too open, difficult to set ambushes. We can only clash with them directly. This general truly cannot find a better strategy.”

Zhao Ming frowned: “Today’s battlefield setback—though the Jie barbarians temporarily withdrew, might they launch a night raid later?”

Xun Xiu considered this and replied: “They shouldn’t. Though this general led the troops in retreat, they didn’t fare well either. Tonight they likely lack the strength for a night raid.”

Zhao Ming said: “We should still be careful. That Shi Lei is a madman, and Taobao has followed him since his bandit days, killing people like flies, committing every evil—he’s also a madman. We shouldn’t judge him by normal reasoning.”

Xun Xiu pressed his lips together, feeling that Zhao Ming clearly didn’t understand military matters yet still meddled. He was the commanding general of this eastern counteroffensive.

However, Zhao Ming was the commandery governor, essentially serving as military supervisor for this campaign. Even though displeased, Xun Xiu still said: “This general will immediately deploy additional patrols. If enemy troops approach, we’ll sound the alarm immediately.”

Zhao Ming stared at his face briefly, nodded slightly, and smiled: “Good. General Xun may go rest.”

After Xun Xiu withdrew, the smile vanished from Zhao Ming’s face, his gaze deep and silent.

His attendants glanced at him and all lowered their heads, terrified.

Xun Xiu was truly bold to show displeasure before Zhao Ming. Even the Governor behaved obediently in his presence.

Zhao Ming lowered his eyes in thought for a moment, then beckoned a confidant: “Summon Chen Siniang and Qiu Wu.”

Compared to Xun Xiu, Chen Siniang and Qiu Wu were far more obedient. The two arrived quickly.

Zhao Ming told Chen Siniang: “Separate your troops from the army and transfer them to Qiu Wu.”

Chen Siniang acknowledged.

Zhao Ming continued: “Including Chen Siniang’s people, we have twenty thousand Zhao Family Army troops here. I’m placing all twenty thousand under your command. From now on, you answer only to me.”

Qiu Wu agreed without hesitation.

Zhao Ming said: “Deploy a team of scouts to investigate and guard against Taobao launching a night raid tonight. Leave two thousand men with me. Take all remaining eight thousand immediately—make camp, cook, and sleep now. If enemies raid, immediately take two thousand cavalry to the enemy camp. You must scatter their camp. The remaining six thousand will ambush along the road, waiting for their retreat.”

Qiu Wu asked: “But if there’s an enemy raid, our main camp—”

“Don’t worry about it. Regardless of whether the main camp wins or loses, don’t concern yourself. Just follow this plan.”

Qiu Wu hesitated: “Commander, capturing the city is important, but your safety is more important.”

“This is your Governor’s intention.”

Qiu Wu looked completely skeptical.

Zhao Ming glanced at him coolly, turned to retrieve a letter, and pulled out one sheet to show him.

Qiu Wu looked down, his eyes widening. This truly was Zhao Hanzhang’s arrangement.

This was the last letter Zhao Hanzhang had written to Zhao Ming, in which they had agreed on timing for the general counteroffensive. At the letter’s end, Zhao Hanzhang still mentioned the difficulty of this overall attack.

She wasn’t worried about Xiayi County—Zhao Ju was there. Though Shi Lei had nearly taken Xiayi several times, Zhao Ju always managed to recapture and hold it, showing he could face Shi Lei.

She worried about Xun Xiu.

Mi Ce had mediocre talent but steady character, fighting cautiously. Counterattacking Ningling, he might not succeed but absolutely wouldn’t advance rashly, allowing Shi’s army to push further.

Attacking around Ningling’s perimeter were Zhao Erlang and Xie Shi. Zhao Erlang was brave, Xie Shi had rare talent. Whether or not they breached Ningling, they could protect themselves.

Conversely, Xun Xiu, whose reputation had always exceeded Mi Ce’s—he came from aristocracy, was arrogant and self-important, yet had only mediocre ability. In Yu Province, only Zhao Hanzhang could suppress him.

He not only commanded a large army but was Yingchuan Commandery’s governor, equal in rank to Zhao Ming.

But he had entered office earlier. When Zhao Ming was still a commoner, Xun Xiu was already one of Yu Province’s generals wielding significant power, a confidant of the previous governor.

He had always resented Zhao Ming somewhat, feeling he relied entirely on his relationship with Zhao Hanzhang to surpass him and become Chen Commandery’s governor, even managing Yu Province affairs.

Though Zhao Hanzhang never spoke of it, she had always observed. In her letter she wrote: “Meng County’s terrain is open—ideal for cavalry charges. The Xun Family Army is known for infantry. Taobao is one of Shi Lei’s Eight Riders, following him since bandit days—brutal and fierce in character. If he becomes desperate, Xun Xiu is absolutely no match.”

“If Xun Xiu attacks without breakthrough, he’ll grow resentful. When agitated, mistakes become inevitable. Uncle, you must be alert for Taobao’s night raids.”

Zhao Hanzhang taught him how to respond to night raids.

Jie barbarian raids mainly used cavalry, basically scattering camps, slaughtering and burning before departing.

Xun Xiu might not defeat Taobao, but prepared, he could hold the main camp. (If he can’t even manage that, run quickly.) Zhao Hanzhang suggested sending troops to raid the enemy camp and ambush Taobao along his withdrawal route.

Regardless of whether Taobao won or lost his raid, halfway through departure he would certainly relax, because Xun Xiu definitely wouldn’t pursue.

This might be their only chance to scatter Taobao’s forces. If necessary, use explosives.

Zhao Hanzhang also suggested primarily using explosives against enemy cavalry.

Fu Tinghan’s explosive formula didn’t actually have great killing power. His blueprint merely modified the explosive container and fuse arrangement.

He hadn’t provided the formula for refining explosives and increasing lethality, so their explosives couldn’t demolish city walls.

Using them against cavalry would be more effective—the loud sound plus iron fragments scattering during explosion could panic horses. If enemies formed cavalry arrays, those formations could be broken.

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