Three days later, outside Pingyang County, the vanguard of Chen Guo's army, numbering ten thousand, had arrived.
They observed the city walls adorned with banners, yet devoid of any soldiers. Despite the approaching army, the entire city seemed asleep, utterly silent.
"What's going on? Why is it so quiet?"
The vanguard general, Zu Qiang, frowned, perplexed.
"General, perhaps our Chen Guo's might has simply frightened the city's defenders away?" a副官 (fùguān - adjutant/deputy officer) said with a chuckle.
Zu Qiang nodded. "That's possible, but it's too quiet. Surely the common folk wouldn't have fled too?"
The副官 paused, then asked, "If the city's populace has indeed fled, then this is an empty city? What are we to do?"
"Simple, whether there's anyone or not, we'll attack and find out."
"Immediately arrange for three thousand men to assault Pingyang County."
Zu Qiang didn't care if it was an empty city stratagem; he'd attack first.
"Yes, sir."
Soon, three thousand soldiers were organized. Without archer suppression, they quickly filled the moat and laid down several pathways.
Following this, siege ladders, assault towers, and battering rams were brought into play.
As the soldiers scaled the city walls, they found not a single enemy.
"General, there are no enemies in the city, and our men on the walls haven't spotted a single civilian in the streets." The副官 who organized the assault rushed back to report.
"They really ran away, didn't they? Are the people of Yun Yue so cowardly?"
Zu Qiang felt a bit helpless and listlessly ordered, "In that case, lower the drawbridge and the entire army will occupy Pingyang County."
"General, could this be a trap? Perhaps it's safer if I take those three thousand men to search the city first?" The副官 felt it was slightly risky.
"No need for such trouble. You said there was no one. If there are no civilians, who are they setting a trap for? Who are they trying to impress with their loyal resistance?"
Zu Qiang waved his hand dismissively and chuckled, "Besides, the General of the East of Yun Yue, no matter how much he boasted, was easily dealt with by us."
"The General is right, Yun Yue is not worth worrying about," the副官 cheerfully agreed.
They exchanged glances and burst into laughter.
Though it was an empty city, it still counted as an achievement for territorial expansion. Free merit was certainly cause for happiness.
Soon, the drawbridge was lowered, and Zu Qiang led the remaining seven thousand men into Pingyang County through the city gates in broad daylight.
Zu Qiang, having campaigned for many years, though he spoke carelessly, acted cautiously, walking in the middle of the formation.
He also assigned several hundred men to kick open the doors of civilian houses to check for any hidden Yun Yue soldiers.
The result was that they had been overthinking; by the time they reached the county yamen, there wasn't even a dog to be seen, let alone people.
"These Yun Yue fellows really cleaned out thoroughly, not a single person left."
Inside the yamen, Zu Qiang sat in the former county magistrate's seat, feeling somewhat dejected.
"Indeed, I thought there would be at least a hundred people hidden in the civilian houses," the副官 replied, also feeling a bit disappointed.
"Forget it. Arrange for someone to report back to the General of the West. We'll hold our position here for now." Zu Qiang waved his hand and gave the order with a lack of enthusiasm.
That night, the soldiers all knew it was an empty city, filled only with their own men.
Although guards were still posted as usual, their spirits were naturally relaxed, and their patrols were casual.
Just then, faint sounds emerged from the cellars of several wealthy merchants.
Following this, over a dozen burly men dressed in black emerged from each location.
"Proceed according to plan."
"Yes."
Soon, a fire broke out.
"There's a fire here, hurry and put it out!"
"Damn it, what bad luck, why did it suddenly catch fire? I told you lot to be careful on patrol and not drop your torches."
"It's not good, it's on fire here too!"
"Here as well!"
Inside the yamen, Zu Qiang, who had been sleeping soundly, dreaming of slaying enemies and advancing in rank, was suddenly awakened by the commotion outside.
"Why is it so noisy outside? Could it be that Yun Yue has led troops to attack and wants to reclaim the city?"
Just as he got up and put on his clothes and armor, the副官 rushed in, shouting urgently, "General, it's bad! The city is on fire everywhere!"
"What? On fire everywhere? Didn't I tell you to have men check it during the day? How could it be on fire?"
"What the hell are you doing? Can't even handle such a small matter?" Zu Qiang grabbed the副官's collar and roared.
"General, you wrong me! During the day, the men checked thoroughly. Apart from the firewood in the civilian houses and woodpiles, there was nothing else. They checked several times!" The副官 was on the verge of tears, unwilling to bear such a heavy blame.
"Then what is going on?" Zu Qiang didn't believe him, convinced the man had been negligent.
"Forget it, why are you still standing here? Hurry and gather men to put out the fire!"
"We can't put it out, General! It's on fire everywhere, and inexplicably so, and the fires are huge! The city has already fallen into chaos!"
"General, we should retreat from the city first!" The副官 knelt down.
Zu Qiang refused to believe it. He shoved the副官 aside and rushed out with his personal guards.
Upon stepping outside, he saw that the city was indeed engulfed in flames everywhere, the sight fierce and imposing.
In the streets, their own soldiers were in disarray. Some were fighting fires, others were running around aimlessly, unable to find their superiors, and some were even shouting that the enemy had attacked.
Enraged, Zu Qiang drew his sword on the spot and executed those who were disrupting morale.
"Quick, gather the soldiers from the surrounding areas. With this General as the center, let's all shout to put out the fires."
"Yes, General."
Zu Qiang's personal guards immediately dispersed, quickly running to the soldiers who were running back and forth, encouragingly gathering the scattered troops.
At this point, only about a dozen personal guards remained by Zu Qiang's side.
Watching the raging flames, Zu Qiang was helpless, pacing back and forth anxiously.
Suddenly, a guard behind him shouted, "General, watch out!"
"Whoosh~"
The sound of an arrow breaking through the air followed.
Hearing the sound, Zu Qiang finally reacted, but it was too late to dodge.
Several arrows struck Zu Qiang's armor, being blocked.
However, one arrow, with unfortunate precision, pierced his throat.
Zu Qiang clutched his bleeding throat, falling to the ground in disbelief.
As his eyes closed, he bitterly regretted appointing a useless副官.
"General, General!"
"Quick, find a military doctor! The General has been shot!"
"Quickly find the副官 to take charge! There are still enemies lurking in the city!"
The guards sent to find the副官 were shocked to discover their副官 with an arrow in his chest, lying in a pool of blood.
The Chen Guo vanguard, leaderless, had lost the best opportunity to escape. The raging fires mercilessly consumed them.