nownovels Chapter 1321: Feint to the East, Strike to the West
Chapter 1321: Feint to the East, Strike to the West
Then.
The squad leader of the first team, following Ji You’s instructions, dispatched a 20-member squad carrying military shovels. These 20 elite soldiers, brimming with confidence, ran spiritedly to the riverbank to dig for wild vegetables.
Next, the squad leader of the first team led a 10-member squad, following closely behind Ji You and Guan Ning, assisting in the construction of the signal base.
Because there was already a recommended communications setup, once the signal base was built, it only required laying the existing lines to achieve long-distance signal transmission, enabling instant communication.
This was not too difficult. The 10 people brought by the squad leader of the first team all understood the basics and principles of communication. Ji You only set the key points, leaving the rest to the squad leader. Then, Ji You took Guan Ning to the next team to continue setting up the communications equipment.
Second team.
Third team.
Fourth team.
...
Upon arriving at each team, Ji You would distribute food to the squad leader and then arrange a squad to go to the riverbank to dig for wild vegetables. Moreover, although the locations for digging wild vegetables were always by the riverbank, they were chosen very cleverly. Either it was along a route that could infiltrate deep into enemy territory, or it was near a military base of the enemy, or the terrain was extremely treacherous akin to a natural barrier, but crossing it could create a breakthrough point into the enemy camp with a Big Saber’s cut. Otherwise, it was such a complex area that enemy defenses were extremely difficult, only able to be safeguarded by heavy troops...
Overall, in the pitch-black night, people from the fifth camp, divided into ten teams, appeared at almost all the key points along the boundary with the enemy camp.
Hence—
The enemy camp found it difficult not to notice.
Fifth camp.
Commander Charles of the fifth camp had just escaped back to his camp and discovered that his base had suddenly developed issues, somewhat beyond his control, primarily as his words seemed less effective. Many openly agreed to his orders but secretly disobeyed, leading to extremely low efficiency in executing the orders Charles issued.
The first was sending personnel to summon all the small leaders temporarily managing within his premises, such as squad leaders, to the commander camp for orders, but less than 20 showed up.
A team of ten squad leaders across ten teams equals 100 squad leaders, yet less than 20 came, blatantly slapping Charles’s face with arrogance!
Charles was extremely aggravated, but those who didn’t promptly appear at the commander camp had many legitimate excuses, such as being involved in defense tasks where departing could risk enemy sneak attacks...
Charles certainly couldn’t forcibly demand them over directly. Yet he was quietly planning to re-integrate his forces to confront the upcoming battle.
The ambush plan failed, losing quite a few personnel, fueling Charles’s desire to strike back aggressively!
However!
Charles dared not rush again; the same error must not be repeated. What method did Gu Peiyuan use to defeat him? None but the reason Gu Peiyuan pre-assembled his personnel, gaining basic knowledge of his territorial range, plus he fought on home ground with geographic advantages.
Charles listened with a stern face to reports from his troops about various matters within his camp. When he heard ’Louise Carter’ mentioned, Charles’s eyes turned cold.
"Did he really say that?" Charles squinted, asking.
His subordinate answered, "Lou said as much; the enemy might suddenly ambush now, so it’s risky for him to leave the post, as unexpected situations and slip-ups might occur."
Among everyone giving Charles empty promises but actual defiance, Louise Carter was the one Charles disliked the most! Because half of his personnel now practically chose to follow Lou’s orders.
Where does this leave Charles’s credibility?
His subordinate noticed Charles’s expression shift and said, "Commander, Captain Louis stated he’d come to report on camp affairs once the enemy retreats at dawn."
Charles maintained his stern gaze, staying silent.
After dawn?
Who knows what situations might unfold after dawn?
Lou’s intentions as known as Sima Zhao’s heart — evident for all; after dawn, he might directly lead his men to eliminate Commander Charles, who knows.
Just then, a young man hurried over, exclaiming, "Report! Urgent matter!"
Charles rose, frowning, "Speak!"
The young man rushed over, his face covered in dust, and given the brutally cold weather outside with wind slicing like knives, rapid running easily cut cheek skin. His face was painfully sore, with blood traces frozen into icy particles as he reached the commander, reporting, "Commander, enemy sightings detected!"
Charles felt alarmed, "Where?"
The young man panted, trying hard to take a deep breath, "Not just one place; our personnel spotted at least two locations, one close to the cliff at 35 degrees southeast where our guards inadvertently saw figures across the river."
"Another by the northwest, near our military base across the river."
Charles felt startlingly alarmed again, "How many enemy people, any other actions?"
The young man replied, "Based on current intelligence, exact enemy numbers remain unknown, but each location sighted around 20-50 individuals, all concealed with only faintly visible figures, caught by our personnel!"
Those present were utterly shocked hearing this information!
What is the weather now?
This is severe cold, likely dipping to -30 to -50 degrees below zero, without sufficient warmth, anyone outside simply can’t survive. Charles planned gradually to withdraw personnel, re-deploying once temperatures rose.
It’s unavoidable, for outside only means freezing death without resisting enemy invasions!
Yet!
The enemy intends a sneak attack now?
Our side cannot help but fight.
At that moment, another arrival reported: "Commander, fifty discarded rafts spotted along the southwestern riverbank, plus we tracked enemy footprints, last seen heading southwest toward the grassy area..."
Grassy area—
Surrounded by grass entirely, if the enemy carefully conceals footprints and other traces, then where they’ve gone becomes unknowable!
In other words—
An enemy troop, dozens or even hundreds strong, has stealthily infiltrated our camp; the place is vast, with peaks, rivers, forests, and...
If they hide now, finding them will require significant effort.
Hearing this report, Charles immediately frowned!
Just then, another came hurriedly reporting: "Commander, sightings of enemies at five critical defense points — northeast, northwest, southeast..."
Charles: "Damn!!!"