After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 846 - 833: Arrangements

The Jie Clan is fierce and brutal; they are better at farming than the Xiongnu and more skilled in riding and archery than the Central Plains people, yet more brutal than both tribes.

Upon learning that Meng County was under attack, Tao Bao went mad, leading the army in a reckless assault, intending to take advantage of the situation to attack Sui County and capture the Zhao Family in one fell swoop.

Their desperate tactics intimidated the Xun Family Army, coupled with the bravery of Jiehu. Xun Xiu’s repeated assaults still yielded no advantage, not only failing to advance an inch but also losing over eight hundred men.

The number of wounded amounted to over two thousand.

Xun Xiu’s face was grim, and he had to sound the gong to retreat temporarily.

As he retreated, the Jiehu pursued their victory, almost invading their camp stationed in Sui County. At that moment, it was when Zhao Ming was closest to the chaotic Jiehu soldiers, the overwhelming scent of blood made his face sink in anger.

He had not expected Xun Xiu to be so inept and the Jiehu to be so fierce.

Seeing this, Qiu Wu couldn’t help but say, "Governor, we should use gunpowder, otherwise, not to mention coordinating with the Inspector, I’m afraid we won’t even be able to hold Sui County."

Zhao Ming pondered for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Tomorrow, order Xun Xiu to attack strongly once more, and if that still fails, then use it."

He said, "We don’t have much gunpowder, we need to use it sparingly, and we rely on it to break open the South City Gate of Meng County."

Qiu Wu agreed.

As Xun Xiu withdrew, Zhao Ming’s expression softened, and he spoke to him as gently as possible, "Tao Bao is so fierce, General Xun, do you have any good strategies?"

Xun Xiu replied, "Meng County is too open, making it hard to lay an ambush. We can only confront them head-on, I find it difficult to come up with a better plan."

Zhao Ming frowned, "Today’s battlefield was a setback, although the Jiehu retreated for now, might they launch a night raid later?"

After thinking for a moment, Xun Xiu replied, "They probably won’t. Although I withdrew the troops, they didn’t fare well either, and are likely not capable of a night raid tonight."

Zhao Ming said, "We should still be cautious; Shi Le is a madman, and Tao Bao, who started with him as a bandit, is a madman too, notorious for killing and all kinds of evil deeds; they cannot be judged by common sense."

Xun Xiu pressed his lips, feeling that Zhao Ming, who clearly didn’t understand military matters, was still intervening. He was the main general for the eastern retreat this time.

However, as Zhao Ming was the Governor, equivalent to a supervisor this time, Xun Xiu, albeit unwilling, said, "I will dispatch more personnel to patrol, and if there’s any approach from enemy forces, we will immediately raise the alarm."

Zhao Ming glanced at his face, nodded slightly, and said with a smile, "Alright, General Xun, go rest now."

As Xun Xiu left, Zhao Ming’s faint smile faded, his gaze remained silently deep.

Those around him glanced at him and lowered their heads, all extremely fearful.

Xun Xiu was indeed bold, daring to show dissatisfaction towards Zhao Ming, unaware that even the Inspector acted docilely in his presence.

Zhao Ming pondered momentarily, then called for his confidant and said, "Go and bring Chen Si Niang and Qiu Wu here."

Compared to Xun Xiu, Chen Si Niang and Qiu Wu were much more obedient, and they arrived quickly.

Zhao Ming said to Chen Si Niang, "Separate your men from the army and hand them over to Qiu Wu."

Chen Si Niang agreed. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Zhao Ming said, "Including Chen Si Niang’s men, our Zhao Family Army can have twenty thousand here; all twenty thousand will be handed over to you, and from now on, you will only listen to my orders."

Qiu Wu agreed without hesitation.

Zhao Ming said, "Send out a team of scouts to investigate, guarding against Tao Bao’s night raid tonight; leave me two thousand men, and take the remaining eight thousand with you. Set up camp and sleep, and if there is a night raid, immediately take two thousand cavalry to the enemy camp and break it up for me, leaving six thousand ambushed along the retreat route."

Qiu Wu asked, "What about if there’s a night raid on our camp?"

"You don’t need to care, regardless of whether the camp wins or loses, just follow this plan."

Qiu Wu hesitated, "Governor, the siege is important, but your safety is more important."

"This is what your Inspector instructed."

Qiu Wu wore a look of disbelief.

Zhao Ming glanced at him indifferently, then turned around to fetch a letter, drew out a paper from it, and let him see.

Qiu Wu lowered his head, his eyes wide with surprise; it was indeed Zhao Hanzhang’s arrangement.

This was the last letter Zhao Hanzhang wrote to Zhao Ming, in which the timing of the total counterattack was agreed upon. At the end of the letter, Zhao Hanzhang still mentioned the difficulty of this total attack.

She was not worried about Xiaxi County where Zhao Ju was stationed; though Shi Le almost captured the county several times, Zhao Ju managed to retake and hold it, showing he was capable against Shi Le.

What she worried about was Xun Xiu.

Mi Ce was mediocre in talent but steady in character, focusing on stability in battles. Although he might not recapture Ningling, he also wouldn’t take risks, preventing Shi’s Army from advancing further;

Whereas in the periphery attacking Ningling were Zhao Erlang and Xie Shi, with Zhao Erlang’s valor and Xie Shi’s talent, regardless of breaking into Ningling, they could protect themselves;

The one who posed a concern was Xun Xiu, whose reputation often exceeded Mi Ce’s. Coming from an aristocratic family, he was proud but of average ability. In Yu State, only Zhao Hanzhang could suppress him.

Aside from holding a large army, he was also the Prefectural Governor of Yingchuan County, holding equal rank with Zhao Ming.

But he had entered official service earlier than Zhao Ming, and when Zhao Ming was still a commoner, he was already one of the powerful generals in Yu State, a trusted aide of the previous Inspector.

He always had some dissatisfaction with Zhao Ming, feeling he only became the Governor of Chen County and managed the affairs of Yu State because of his connection to Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang never mentioned it, but she was aware. In her letter, she wrote: "Meng County is open terrain, suitable for cavalry charges, while the Xun Family Army is known for its infantry. Tao Bao, one of Shi Le’s Eight Horsemen, has followed him since Shi Le’s bandit days, he is cruel and fierce, full of brute strength that Xun Xiu can’t match."

"If Xun Xiu fails to break through after repeated attacks, he will grow resentful and inevitably make mistakes due to restlessness. At this time, Uncle must be wary of Tao Bao’s night raid."

Zhao Hanzhang instructed on how to counter a night raid.

The Jiehu’s night raids primarily rely on cavalry, usually crushing the camp, killing and burning, then leaving.

Xun Xiu might not beat Tao Bao, but with preparation, he can still hold the camp (if not, you should quickly escape). Zhao Hanzhang advised him to counterattack the enemy camp and ambush Tao Bao retreating along the way.

No matter whether Tao Bao wins or loses the night raid, he would be relaxed halfway back since Xun Xiu definitely wouldn’t pursue.

This might be their only chance to disrupt Tao Bao’s troops, and if necessary, they can use gunpowder.

Zhao Hanzhang also recommended primarily using gunpowder against the enemy cavalry.

The explosives recipe left by Fu Tinghan doesn’t actually have much destructive power, the drawings merely modified the device for loading gunpowder and the setup of the fuse.

He didn’t provide the recipe for refining gunpowder and enhancing its lethal power, hence their gunpowder doesn’t have the strength to collapse city walls.

Currently, using it amidst cavalry is more effective, the loud sound, along with the iron shards flying during the explosion, can drive horses crazy. If the enemy sets up a cavalry formation, that formation can be broken.