Chapter 75 – Defense of Hanzhong (5)

Chapter 75 – Defense of Hanzhong (5)

A trace of disappointment appeared on the squad members’ faces.

At that moment, Il-gwang’s eyes gleamed as he whispered to the others:

“It’s not over yet. There’s definitely something going on between them.”

***

A month had already passed since the main army of the Hui Dynasty laid siege to Hanzhong. Until now, they had shown no significant movements. They had merely constructed watchtowers at various points to tighten their encirclement.

In the command tower at the center of Hanzhong’s wall, General Jang-yang stood with his hands behind his back, staring at the enemy camp. Several commanders stood at attention behind him.

Adjutant Yang Yeon-jeong broke the silence:

“Knowing that there is a large civilian population here, they seem intent on starving us out.”

“They must not know that our grain reserves are abundant. If anything, their own food supply will run out first.”

“Indeed. Their daily rations have already been reduced to once or twice a day. Since the villagers in the surrounding areas have all evacuated, it must be difficult for them to forage or plunder.”

Jang-yang looked up at the sky.

“Winter will arrive soon. If they cannot capture this fortress before then, they will have to retreat. However, I have no intention of letting them return safely.”

“Do you have a plan, General?”

“We must provoke them and make them impatient enough to attack. How many cattle do we currently have under military control?”

“We bought a little over three hundred cattle to lease to the military farms.”

“Starting today, slaughter ten head of cattle every day for the next five days. Make sure the soldiers defending the wall eat their fill. Let the enemy see that our food supplies are more than sufficient.”

Slaughtering one cow provided enough meat for about one thousand two hundred men for one meal. Slaughtering ten a day meant that the soldiers on the walls would have more than enough to eat until their bellies burst.

A smile appeared on Yang Yeon-jeong’s face.

“Understood, General. The soldiers will be delighted.”

“Lieutenant So-mu.”

So-mu, who had been standing silently in a corner of the tower, stepped forward.

“Yes, General.”

“Since your recruit days, you have been praised as a natural martial genius. And I know you have reached the Transformational Realm.”

Though it had not been officially declared, everyone had already guessed as much. Otherwise, it would have been impossible for him to take Yelu Huan’s head.

“That is correct.”

Jang-yang pointed toward what was assumed to be the enemy command headquarters.

“If you were to fight Temur in a duel, what would be your chances of victory?”

If given the opportunity, So-mu was completely confident of victory. However, there was no reason for Temur, the commander of an army, to agree to a duel. This meant the general had a specific strategy in mind.

Since he could not reveal his true realm, So-mu gave a modest estimate.

“He is unaware of my true strength. If I can lure him into letting his guard down, I am confident of a sixty percent chance of victory.”

Jang-yang remained silent for a moment, organizing his thoughts. A short while later, he spoke again:

“You must play the deciding hand.”

“Please give your orders.”

“At dawn tomorrow, lead a small elite force and slip out through the hidden stone gate.”

The stone gate was a secret exit disguised to look like part of the wall. Jang-yang had previously ordered Officer Jin Lip to construct it before the battle.

“Understood.”

“Lye in ambush nearby, and when the main enemy force launches their attack, launch a surprise assault on their poorly guarded headquarters and take Temur’s head.”

A knowing smile flickered across So-mu’s face before vanishing.

No matter how well-trained the enemy soldiers were, they would not be able to hold out once their commander was dead. If successful, it was an excellent strategy that would secure victory while minimizing friendly casualties.

“Leave it to me.”

Standing nearby, Officer Gwak Cheol spoke with a voice full of grief:

“If you bring back Temur’s head, I will personally prepare a memorial table for Officer Baek Mun-hwi with it.”

Gwak Cheol, who had been close friends with Baek Mun-hwi, had a deep, simmering resentment in his eyes.

Jang-yang gently placed a hand on Gwak Cheol’s shoulder.

“I understand your feelings, but you must maintain your composure until the battle is over.”

Gwak Cheol bowed his head reluctantly and replied, “Yes, General.”

***

The sun was setting, casting a red glow over the horizon.

It was an ordinary day, but a festive atmosphere had taken over the top of the wall.

“What is this?”

“Beef all of a sudden?”

Soldiers gathered in small groups along the battlements, salivating as they built campfires.

Cattle were valuable assets used for farming, and at one point, slaughtering them was strictly prohibited. Beef was highly expensive, a luxury food that was hard to get even with money. Being allowed to eat until their bellies burst made the soldiers ecstatic.

The members of the Wolf Fang Squad were also swallowing hard.

“We can just eat it right away.”

As soon as the meat lost its raw red color, Il-gwang stuffed a large piece into his mouth. Next to him, a squad member was expertly slicing meat using his sword.

There was plenty of meat. Thickly sliced pieces were continuously laid onto the stone slabs heating over the campfires.

“This is delicious!”

“Haha! How long has it been since we had this?”

Sitting on the wall, watching the sunset while grilling beef, had a rather romantic feel to it.

General Jang-yang had deliberately ordered the soldiers to eat on the wall so that the savory aroma of the meat would drift over to the enemy camp. Conveniently, the wind was blowing toward the north.

“Those guys over there are making soup out of it?” a squad member asked, pointing.

Depending on which province the soldiers came from, their tastes and culinary cultures differed. Some made soup, while others steamed, stir-fried, or roasted the beef. Since all cooking was permitted on the wall, it was a grand feast of styles.

Il-gwang waved his hand and said, “Those guys don’t know how to eat. Beef must be grilled.”

“Haha. Indeed!”

The aroma of grilling beef carried by the wind tormented the Hui soldiers, who had to fill their bellies with thin gruel—and even that was rationed.

Having eaten his fill, Il-gwang suddenly stood up as if remembering something. He looked out over the wall. He could see the Hui soldiers staring back, drooling.

“Hahaha!!! You bastards, want a bite!?”

Fury flashed across the faces of the enemy soldiers, along with envy.

“If you want some, come and get it, you dogs!!!”

The commanders in the command tower smiled as they watched Il-gwang provoke the enemy. This was exactly the kind of behavior they wanted to encourage.

And that was just the beginning. It was a great opportunity to mock the invaders who had pillaged and plundered their land. Well-fed soldiers stood up one by one, shouting provocations toward the enemy camp.

“Hey, did you guys even eat today!?”

“Come over and have a bite!!!”

Amidst the raucous provocations, So-mu approached his squad members with a quiet smile.

“Since when did the Wolf Fang Squad fight with their mouths? If you’re done eating, let’s move out.”

A short while later, about thirty squad members secretly followed So-mu, slipping away into the shadows.