Chapter 404: Chapter 395: Troops Descend on the City
This incident really infuriated those barbarians.
Rushing to the top of the city walls, they first drew their scimitars, quickly hacking the straw n into pieces and tossing them aside.
Only at this mont did the leader of the barbarian troops fully understand—the Han people had already fled without a trace.
They had set up an Empty City Strategy for him.
Taking advantage of the night, they erected straw n to cover their tracks as they boldly fled.
What puzzled them, though, was why these people felt the need to flee?
After all, there weren’t many soldiers or horses stationed within this area.
Or to put it another way, even if they were to flee, where could they possibly go?
Wouldn’t this just an that they were gifting the city to them for free?
If one were to follow their line of thinking, the Han people should have sent more reinforcents to hold this strategic pass.
Otherwise, they wouldn’t have possibly retreated under the cover of night, let alone feel secure enough to go to bed.
All in all, no matter what, it appeared they had made a miscalculation, but the barbarians didn’t care too much about it.
It was only when they entered the city that they discovered there was practically nothing usable left, and the houses had long been cleared out.
Perhaps if they weren’t worried about arousing suspicion on their side, the Han people would have already set these houses ablaze, right?
When their Khan learned of this, he too was stunned for a mont, unable to comprehend the tricks the Han people were playing at.
However, since the enemy had abandoned this place, it was perfect to use as a rear base for themselves.
Of course, these barbarians weren’t fools—they imdiately sent out scouts to probe the situation ahead.
They also wanted to see just what sort of sches the Han people were concocting.
After all, according to what the Eighth Prince had said, the combined forces within were probably no more than 200,000.
And this 200,000 were still split among several powerful vassal kings.
Even though the young Emperor had recently recruited so new troops, their numbers definitely did not exceed the count of 60,000 soldiers.
To think they could stand against his mighty army of 300,000 was a foolish dream.
But despite knowing that the enemy was easy to defeat, they still dispatched careful scouts, wary of any deceitful traps.
After this round of reconnaissance, when the scout returned to report, the leader of the barbarians was even more puzzled.
“Are you saying they’ve all retreated to within Hangu Pass and set up a barricade outside of it?”
“Replying to the Great Khan, that’s indeed the case. Hangu Pass, compared to the two previous ones, might be slightly lacking, but it remains a place easy to defend but difficult to attack.
Moreover, they have shot down the Seven Star Grass in front of the city.
I’m afraid it’s not easy for our cavalry to charge directly over.”
“They could dig Horse Pits.”
“Replying to the Great Khan, no Horse Pits were found. Apart from so Iron Cavalry gear on the ground, there was nothing else.
However, the city walls were filled with people. Clearly, the number of the Garrison in the city must exceed 30,000.”
“Hahaha, only 30,000.
Let alone 30,000, even if there were 30,000 more, what of it?
This ti, the Khan has brought an army of 300,000.
Crushing them is rely a matter of ti, isn’t it?
Pass my order, let all troops march out! Set up camp outside Hangu Pass.”
In his view, the enemy rely had 30,000 soldiers; even if they had other tricks, what of it?
Perhaps all these garrison soldiers had been summoned from various cities. Perhaps the young Emperor can only muster so much capability, only able to assemble this amount of defense?
As for the rest, they’re probably sitting back and watching the tigers fight.
Only when I break through the Capital City will they jump out and cooperate with .
However, clearly, these people are just a rabble.
In the end, only the Eighth Prince will be able to collaborate with .
After all, his troops are the largest in number, the only one who can stand toe-to-toe with .”
“Great Khan, could there be any stratagems involved?
Or could these 30,000 garrison soldiers be just a decoy, with the real threat being the Eighth Prince, the Han behind us?
He controls an army of over a hundred thousand. If they cut off our retreat, that would be quite troubleso.”
As the ssenger Soldier went to deliver the order, a Strategist by his side began to speak.
Clearly, his concerns were not unwarranted.
In the current situation, anything could happen.
Especially since these Han people are always so crafty, it wouldn’t be impossible for the Eighth Prince to have a hand in this.
But upon hearing this, the Khan shook his head.
“There’s no such possibility, haha, perhaps others might conspire with them, but the Eighth Prince, never.
Don’t forget, it was I who provided him with the Seven Star Grass.”
Hearing this, the Strategist thought deeply and nodded in agreent. Perhaps he was overthinking it.
“But we still shouldn’t take it lightly. Send more n to keep an eye on them from behind, and watch their every move. If there are any signs of foul play, imdiately dispatch troops to attack.”
Although he understood that it was unlikely they would do so,
he still took extra precautions. After all, caution is the parent of safety, and the Great Khan was not foolish. He knew this well.
Moreover, within Hangu Pass at this ti, as the barbarian Scouts ca to probe, our own scouts climbed up the city wall using the ropes, arriving in front of Lin Yi.
“General Lin, scouts report that the enemy is marching towards our Hangu Pass.
Their force is indeed massive, totaling 300,000.
Even excluding the logistics and non-combat personnel, the number of soldiers capable of fighting is definitely no less than 200,000.
And based on our observations, they have suffered few casualties; it’s an army ready for battle.”
Hearing this, Lin Yi’s eyebrows furrowed.
It seems just as he and the Emperor had predicted; the Eighth Prince did not resist at all.
As for what he claid in his letter, it was utter nonsense.
But this is no concern; the larger their numbers, the greater the chaos they cause at that ti, and the better chances of our side winning.
If their numbers are too few, too scattered, they might not even achieve the effect I desire.
“Keep a constant watch on the enemy’s movents. Report back at any ti.”
The ssenger Soldier bowed and promptly departed, and Lin Yi walked towards the city wall.
As ti ticked by every second, about five hours passed.
Standing atop the city wall, Lin Yi suddenly felt a thunderous rumble beneath his feet.
This was followed by the sound of rapid horse hooves.
…End of Chapter…
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