“The remaining Xiliang forces have all gathered inside Bitong Pass. They are defending without attacking,” reported the scout who had returned from reconnaissance at the front.
“Bitong Pass occupies treacherous terrain and is easy to defend but difficult to attack. As long as they hold their ground, all our army can do is wear itself down. We have no certainty of breaking through in a single assault.” Hearing this, Feng Xuanzhen could not help frowning.
“To put it another way, by refusing to attack, they have already abandoned every possibility of victory. By defending to the death, the most they can hope for is merely not to lose. They have entrusted all their chances and their fate to the enemy’s hands. They no longer have any room to negotiate or turn the situation around. How we win and when we win are now entirely up to us. Isn’t that a good thing?” Unlike the frowning Feng Xuanzhen, Ning Xuan appeared relaxed and completely certain of victory.
Feng Xuanzhen shuddered. He raised his eyes and studied Ning Xuan for a long while, feeling waves of cold air crawling down his back.
“But it remains a fact that Bitong Pass is easy to defend and difficult to attack. If we force an assault, our army will inevitably suffer severe losses.” Han Fei struck directly at the most urgent and difficult problem they currently faced.
Ning Xuan, however, remained unconcerned. His confidence and air of assured victory gave no hint that he had once been a humble, lowly servant. Every gesture seemed capable of infecting everyone present with his certainty. “People live on ordinary grain. How could they have no weaknesses? Fighting in weather this cold is difficult for us, but it cannot be easy for them either. If they defend without attacking, then the only matter they need to resolve is their food supply. Their task is to ensure that provisions reach the city without fail. Our task is to make that hope come to nothing. Once everyone in the city is starving, never knowing whether there will be another meal after the present one, who will still be willing to risk his life defending the walls to the death?”
Ning Xuan’s sudden departure from his previous style of exchanging formal challenges, and his proposal to seize victory by surprise through attacking the enemy’s provisions, astonished the many deputy generals and military advisers present. Previously, no matter how much they had objected that his rigid method of sending formal declarations of war was pedantic, Ning Xuan had rejected every dissenting opinion and insisted upon doing as he pleased. In Ning Xuan’s words, that was called fighting openly and honorably. In the words of the deputy generals and advisers, it was the work of a blockhead who knew only how to discuss warfare on paper.
As though seeing their astonishment and confusion, Ning Xuan shrugged indifferently and smiled with perfect ease. “I know what all of you find surprising. Those earlier battles were merely smoke screens for the decisive victory we seek now. I am only an inexperienced general who has been fortunate enough to receive everyone’s recognition and tolerance to reach this point. If even those of you serving as generals in the same dynasty do not understand my character, habits, or methods, then the enemy understands me even less. Rather than allowing them to exhaust themselves guessing and probing our army’s true strength little by little, I might as well create an image everyone can readily accept. Besides, what virtue or ability do I possess to hold the title of General Who Pacifies the West? Although the enemy commanders despise me in their hearts, they cannot make that contempt too obvious. Why should I not satisfy their expectations? Furthermore, the plan succeeded, and we possess the capital that allows me to act without any worries.”
As he spoke, his gaze drifted almost imperceptibly toward Feng Xuanzhen. Every hair on Feng Xuanzhen’s body immediately stood on end. He laughed bitterly inwardly. So after being used as his weapon this entire time, I’m the last one to find out…
“Even if you calculate every step, Xiliang will not obediently walk into every one of your schemes.” Han Fei’s expression remained unchanged, not even the corners of his eyes or brows moving. “We have no idea how much grain remains inside Bitong Pass or how long it can sustain them. Even if we successfully ambush Xiliang’s grain convoy once, there is no guarantee we will succeed every time.”
“That is why we must divide our forces into two groups. One will infiltrate the city and burn all the provisions currently stored inside Bitong Pass, while the other ambushes the grain convoy. Whichever side succeeds first will place a certain amount of pressure upon the other operation. Yet if either side fails, our chances of victory will be greatly diminished. That is why timing and calculation are the most important.”
“To transport provisions to Bitong Pass, they must pass through here.” As he spoke, Ning Xuan drew a circle around a location on the unfurled map and tapped it heavily. “Nianzi Ravine. The mountain road here is long, narrow, and confined, making it ideal for an ambush. We only need to station men along the cliffs on both sides. When the enemy passes through, they can push down stones prepared in advance, while other troops seal both exits, trapping them like turtles in a jar. Cutting off the provisions should not be difficult. Furthermore, judging by my previous conduct, they will never believe that I would come here silently to set an ambush. Our camp is still quite some distance from Bitong Pass. Even if they intend to become vigilant, they will assume they have at least until we reach the city walls.”
“The sole disadvantage for our ambushing force is the strain on the small detachment’s stamina. They must travel day and night for a long distance and then immediately enter battle. I wonder which of those present is capable of undertaking this mission.” Ning Xuan raised his head. The playful expression from moments earlier disappeared as his sharp gaze swept over everyone present one by one. Even Feng Xuanzhen could not ignore the invisible pressure he exuded. The battlefield truly could transform anyone who experienced it.
“This subordinate, Han Fei, requests permission to lead the troops.”
“This subordinate, Feng Xuanzhen, requests permission to lead the troops.”
Han Fei and Feng Xuanzhen spoke in unison. Whether intentionally or not, the two men, who were already as incompatible as fire and water, competed even when volunteering to kill enemies on the battlefield. The atmosphere inside the command tent instantly fell to freezing point. Everyone remained as silent as frightened cicadas while the two men fired undisguised, knife-like looks at each other. Ning Xuan could not help pressing a hand to his forehead. Could these two not learn to consider the time, place, and occasion and stop when appropriate?
“The operation to seize the provisions at Nianzi Ravine will be placed under General Han Fei’s command.”
“This subordinate accepts the order.” Both men jolted. Before Feng Xuanzhen could object or argue, Han Fei swiftly accepted the command.
“This subordinate has something to say—” Feng Xuanzhen glared resentfully at Han Fei, who remained expressionless while radiating a faint air of smug satisfaction, his teeth itching with fury.
“Feng Xuanzhen.”
“This subordinate is here.” Ning Xuan’s direct use of his full name forced all the words filling Feng Xuanzhen’s stomach to lodge collectively in his throat.
“You will assume full responsibility for infiltrating Bitong Pass and burning every store of grain inside the city.”
“This subordinate accepts the order.” Feng Xuanzhen seemed momentarily stunned to receive such a mission, but quickly accepted it calmly.
“Xiliang is maintaining extremely strict security at Bitong Pass. They permit entry but not departure, and anyone entering the city must pass through layer after layer of inspection. Therefore, the infiltration force cannot be too large, but every member must be an elite soldier and expert. This mission depends upon a surprise attack, but remember above all to protect yourselves and avoid exposure. I will lead the remaining army in secretly establishing camp outside Bitong Pass so as not to arouse Xiliang’s unnecessary vigilance. Once you succeed, I will use the flames inside the city as the signal to lead the army in a nighttime assault upon Bitong Pass. However, this attack will only be a feint. Its purpose is to allow all of you to escape the city safely.”
“And General Han Fei…” Ning Xuan turned to look at Han Fei. “The two operations must proceed simultaneously. It takes approximately one day to travel from Nianzi Ravine to Bitong Pass. After succeeding at Nianzi Ravine, remember to leave survivors so they can return to the city and deliver the news. Since they wish to defend Bitong Pass to the death, why shouldn’t we do them a favor and help them defend it?”
“The civilians and soldiers within Bitong Pass number in the tens of thousands. So many mouths, consuming such an enormous quantity of supplies—without any provisions whatsoever, let us wait and see how long they can endure.”
Futile Devices Scans 
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