In the pouring rain, a thick, oppressive cloud of despair hung over the rebel camp. Even the clamorous downpour couldn't drown out the moans of the wounded soldiers.
The soldiers in Mingzhou City had the entire city as their stronghold, and their logistical support was temporarily secure. However, the rebels were in a different situation entirely.
When these rebels captured Taizhou City, they were too eager for victory. To quickly assemble their forces and annihilate the imperial troops, Lü Shinang and Qiu Rixin had led their men to set fires all over the city. Not only did they burn down most of the granaries in Taizhou City, but they also incinerated nearly all the medicinal supplies within. Although they did manage to scavenge some later, the number of soldiers wounded or killed in the past three days had already reached nearly seven to eight thousand.
Under such massive casualties, the medicinal supplies they had prepared were like a drop in the ocean. To maximize the efficacy of these precious medicines, Lü Shinang had cruelly allocated all of them to the lightly wounded. As for the severely injured, he had simply abandoned them in the rear camps, paying them no heed. While such actions were understandable given the current circumstances, people were not animals. Listening to the cries of the wounded and sick, the morale of the entire rebel force had plummeted to an unprecedented low.
"General, perhaps we should try our luck elsewhere tomorrow morning..."
Observing the vacant stares of the soldiers, Lü Shinang's deputy generals finally began to waver. After all, judging by the current situation, Mingzhou City could hold out for at least another ten to eight days without any issues. Their own situation, however, was quite different. If they continued their stubborn assault here, their fighting strength would likely be depleted in this meaningless siege warfare before long. Instead of stubbornly fighting here, it would be better to choose another target while they still had the strength to fight. Although such a decision would be somewhat shameful, they truly couldn't think of a better solution at this moment.
"You all may leave for now. Allow me some time to think!"
Seeing their averted gazes, Lü Shinang couldn't help but offer a wry smile. If they left in such a dejected manner, wouldn't all the soldiers who died under Mingzhou City have perished in vain? Moreover, even if they were to leave, they would need to discuss thoroughly how to withdraw. Otherwise, as soon as they departed, Qiu Rixin's 5,000 soldiers would truly be left behind at Mingzhou City forever.
"Yes, sir!"
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Under normal circumstances, the weather would not be conducive to large ships sailing at night. Even experienced old sailors would anchor their vessels and find a place to rest soundly. After all, losing direction at sea could be fatal.
However, on the sea southwest of Mingzhou, a line of over a dozen large ships suddenly appeared. Moreover, all of them were ships of over a thousand tons. Taking advantage of the darkness, they descended upon the land like silent specters.
"General, we have arrived!"
Just as Wang Bing was studying the map, he felt the ship beneath him stop. Immediately after, a soldier rushed in and said in a low voice.
"Heaven aids us! Tell the men to keep the noise down and not to alert the enemy!"
Stepping out of the ship's cabin, Wang Bing became excited as he looked at the coast, which was now within close proximity. This beach was their pre-selected landing spot. Although it was night, and there was a slight deviation from their originally intended target, causing the ships to run aground, since they had arrived safely, the matter of the grounded vessels was no longer a concern for him.
"Yes, sir!"
Following his command, the Song army soldiers on board eagerly jumped off the ships. In less than half an hour, Wang Bing's 5,000 troops had all successfully disembarked.
"Brothers, tonight is your chance to achieve great deeds! Whether you eat meat and drink wine for the rest of your lives or gnaw on bones behind others depends on tonight. You all know that our Lord Han is a confidant of Prince Xin, and he is known for his generosity! Heh heh, before coming here, he had already agreed with this general that each rebel head would fetch five guan of silver. How much you earn depends on your own skill!"
Under the torchlight, Wang Bing gathered all his officers again. The vast majority of these officers were his old brothers, trained over many years. Having been in the army for many years, he naturally understood how to excite these men. No grand speeches or earth-shattering tricks were needed. As long as shiny silver and gleaming copper coins were placed before them, they would know what they had to do!
"Five guan of silver! If I can take ten dog heads, wouldn't that be fifty guan? And if it's a hundred, that would be five hundred guan!"
Upon hearing Wang Bing's words, the colonels under his command became excited.
"Five hundred guan! If I had five hundred guan, I wouldn't need to bother with Widow Wang anymore!"
"Enough with the nonsense, all of you! Hurry up and get the troops in order! We don't have much time left until the agreed time with the Lord, and we still need to hurry our journey!"
After roughly dismissing these officers who were already blinded by the prospect of money, Wang Bing quickly began to study the marching route. Once these officers returned and announced the rewards, the soldiers who had been shivering in the cold wind immediately became spirited. Their proud and valiant demeanor made them look less like they were going to war and more like they were attending a banquet.
In the pitch-black rainy night, led by a few guides, Wang Bing led his 5,000 troops silently towards the rebel camp.
As midnight approached, the rain outside finally stopped, and the cries of the wounded soldiers gradually ceased. In the entire rebel camp, apart from the patrolling soldiers, the rest of the men finally began to fall asleep. To guard against a surprise attack from the Song army in the city, Lü Shinang had deployed all his scouts in the direction of the camp and Mingzhou City. As long as the Song army dared to leave the city, they would be able to react in time.
Of course, Lü Shinang knew in his heart that if there was any chance of victory, it would probably only be if the Song army's surprise night attack tonight could be repelled by them.
"Kill—"