After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 851 - 838: The Great Counterattack I

Zhao Ming immediately asked, "What about Qiu Wu?"

The crowd remained silent.

Zhao Ming immediately dispatched people to find Qiu Wu and scout Tao Bao’s situation, while also sending the Vanguard Army toward Meng County.

Qiu Wu had already led his remaining forces to approach Meng County’s city.

That night, Zhao Ming sent out many scouts. Thanks to careful investigations, they detected the Shi Army when they were still twenty li away.

Qiu Wu promptly led eight thousand men to secretly leave the camp. What happened next in the main camp, he did not know.

Midway, they hid in the dense forests on both sides, dodging the night-raiding Shi Army, and continued forward. Upon reaching the designated ambush spot, he left two thousand men with Ping Zhong.

He then led the remaining troops to raid the Shi Army Camp at night.

They launched a night raid tonight, with fewer soldiers in the camp, and likely some misunderstandings. As they approached the Shi Army, they were mistaken for returning Shi Army troops, allowing them to smoothly reach the main camp.

Qiu Wu charged forth, causing chaos in the enemy’s camp, and left afterward, unexpectedly encountering the fierce battle with Tao Bao.

Tao Bao severely injured Xun Xiu but did not inflict heavy losses on the Zhao Army, as they seemed prepared. His losses were significant, so although the Zhao Army withdrew their camp, he did not pursue.

He believed the enemy commander was injured and could not launch another attack on Meng County soon, allowing him to assist Zhi Xiong in repelling Zhao Hanzhang with ease.

However, upon his return halfway, he was ambushed.

Unprepared and just having fought a fierce battle, Tao Bao and his men could not quickly escape.

Though the Jiehu were fierce, even if they couldn’t win immediately, Ping Zhong did not gain much. It was essentially a tit-for-tat battle, with both sides equally matched.

The situation reversed when Qiu Wu arrived; the two armies fought until dawn, when the Zhao Army nearly annihilated the Shi Army. While counting the spoils, they found Tao Bao among the corpses.

Qiu Wu was overjoyed, severed Tao Bao’s head, and rushed back to report the victory, only to find an empty camp strewn with scattered supplies.

The soldiers’ smiles faded, shocked and confused as they looked at the desolate camp, then turned to look at Qiu Wu.

Qiu Wu also felt uneasy but maintained his composure, calmly stating, "Tao Bao is dead; the remaining Shi Army poses no threat unless Zhi Xiong emerges from the city. Thus, we need not worry about the main army. Gather the supplies; we’re heading to the county town."

He said, "The Inspector is waiting for us on the other side."

The mention of the Inspector lifted everyone’s spirits, stabilizing their wavering minds.

After a night of fierce battles, Qiu Wu was left with just over five thousand men available, plus more than a thousand wounded. With such limited forces, attacking Meng County’s city was impossible since they lacked the logistical support for a siege.

Recalling the commander’s instructions: when the enemy is strong and we are weak, we should maneuver with guerilla tactics—hit and run, aiming to preserve ourselves and wear down the enemy.

Qiu Wu lowered his eyes in thought, knowing Governor Zhao was among the main army, confident that he could bring the army back.

If not even Governor Zhao can return with the army, the only option is to wait for the commander’s return. His duty is to eliminate the enemies around Meng County, reclaim lost territory, then draw some forces to Meng County South City Gate.

Qiu Wu proceeded northward, clearing numerous villages and encountering the Shi Army twice. Each time, they were small groups, and he defeated them, recruiting many new soldiers.

These were civilians hiding or bandits who descended from the mountains upon seeing the Zhao Family Army’s banner.

They could hardly be called bandits since, after Meng County’s occupation by the Shi Army, the fleeing Xun Family Army and some civilians became bandits, but had been so for less than half a month.

Qiu Wu welcomed them all, organizing them into a new recruit camp, and by the time they reached Meng County South City Gate, his army had grown to nearly ten thousand men upon initial inspection.

Lacking siege equipment, they remained at a distance from the city, shouting insults.

On the city tower above the south gate, many heads appeared to spy below. Seeing the army neatly arrayed nearby, they panicked: "The Zhao Army is attacking the south gate!"

At this time, the north gate was lost; Zhao Hanzhang had seized half a street, and urban combat ensued. In this area, the Shi Army’s combat experience paled compared to the Zhao Army, causing Zhi Xiong to grow more anxious.

Despite his anxiety, Zhi Xiong knew the priority was to defend the south gate securely, preventing the Zhao Army from breaking through; otherwise, he would be trapped like a turtle in a jar.

Thus, he dispatched troops to fiercely guard the South City Gate and forbade them from opening the gate to confront the enemy to prevent unforeseen incidents.

Having secured the South City Gate, Zhi Xiong dedicated his efforts to thwarting Zhao Hanzhang.

The battle within the city was intense, with Zhao Hanzhang somewhat constrained, considering Meng County was her territory, while Zhi Xiong had already foreseen his inability to defend Meng County.

Therefore, he set fire to houses, pushing civilians forward to block blades and arrows without guilt, enjoying watching Zhao Hanzhang struggle due to her considerations.

Thrilled by another minor victory, Zhi Xiong returned jubilantly to the General Mansion and inquired about the situation at the South City Gate.

After listening, he frowned slightly, "You mean, these past two days, the Zhao Army outside the south gate merely shouted insults without attacking?"

"Yes, they haven’t attacked even once."

Zhi Xiong pondered for a moment, asking, "Is there still no news from General Tao Bao?"

"No, ever since that night when General Tao Bao led his men on a night raid, there’s been no news."

Zhi Xiong’s eyes flashed, his fist clenched, "No news is the best news. The Zhao Army led by Qiu Wu, who was once Zhao Hanzhang’s trusted aide, but their main commander is Xun Xiu."

"Xun Xiu, a defeated opponent, none of them I’ve encountered this time. Either they fear us and dare not show themselves, or their main army isn’t even here. Qiu Wu wants to siege the city, but lacks the means."

Thinking this, Zhi Xiong grew more confident. He circled the room and declared, "Tomorrow, send people out to probe and assess their strength. If their main army truly isn’t present, destroy this Zhao Army, then throw their heads to Zhao Hanzhang. This time, I want her to come with no return!"

The commanders agreed and volunteered to go out and fight the next day.

Fighting Zhao Hanzhang in the city’s narrow alleys was too suffocating; the horses couldn’t run freely, and they preferred open battles outside.

Zhi Xiong couldn’t personally observe the battle, as he had to keep an eye on Zhao Hanzhang at the frontline, so he only sent his men, cautioning, "Be careful and cautious, and don’t fall into their traps."

The commanders agreed.

They were unaware that last night, the advancing Xun Family Army scouts clashed with Qiu Wu’s scouts near the South City Gate.

Qiu Wu had paid a late-night visit to Zhao Ming, transforming today’s Zhao Army from what it was yesterday.

Within the city, Zhao Hanzhang was constrained everywhere, her patience reaching its limit.

When Zhi Xiong’s head appeared in the binoculars, as she saw him mount his horse heading north, she set down the binoculars and turned to Zhao Ze, "How is the preparation coming along?"

Zhao Ze replied, "According to your instructions, we’ve contacted the civilians in the enemy’s encampment, and they are willing to assist, though there are few young men, mostly the elderly, women, and children."

Young men were either taken away as cannon fodder or killed.

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, "Do not underestimate the elderly, women, and children; they can accomplish tasks equal to ours."