Chapter 119

Chapter 119: Flooding the Sheyu Kingdom Army It was just getting dark when Ling Jiayue had finished resting and was sitting down to eat. As luck would have it, Mu Yuheng arrived at that moment as well. The moment he entered the tent, he teased, “I could smell the food as soon as I walked in. It’s stirred up all the greedy worms in my stomach. Quickly, serve me a bowl too.” Ling Jiayue laughed. “How could I possibly have starved you? You’re the dignified Seventh Prince of Dayi, yet you look like a starving ghost reincarnated. What a sight. Danyun, hurry and serve him a bowl.” Danyun did as instructed and served Mu Yuheng a bowl of food. He accepted it, sat down beside Ling Jiayue, and began eating heartily. Seeing him wolfing down his food, Ling Jiayue said, “Slow down. Once we’ve eaten, we should get to the serious business. I already heard the soldiers grumbling in my dream.” Thus, Ling Jiayue and Mu Yuheng quickly finished their meal, straightened their clothes, and headed outside the camp. The two of them made their way to the military camp’s command platform. All the soldiers watched as they approached. When Ling Jiayue reached the platform, she gave Danyun a meaningful glance, and Danyun struck the drum atop the platform. As the drumbeat rang out, the officers from every part of the camp hurried to assemble before the command platform. After the seventh round of drumming, all the officers had arrived. Ling Jiayue stood proudly atop the platform and addressed the officers looking up at her: “Soldiers, we have traveled thousands of miles from the capital to this place in order to drive back the army of the Sheyu Kingdom. Last night, I conducted a night reconnaissance of the enemy camp and discovered a weakness in the Sheyu Army. I intend to attack them. Who is willing to accompany me?” The soldiers had initially been complaining that Ling Jiayue had not immediately gone to reinforce the Northwest Fortress-City and had even spent the day sleeping. They had never expected that, in order to rescue the Northwest Fortress-City, Ling Jiayue had already conducted a night reconnaissance of the enemy camp. Although Ling Jiayue was a general, she was still a woman. Seeing that even she had done this much, the soldiers felt somewhat ashamed of themselves. Now, their gazes held a little more admiration as they looked at Ling Jiayue. They all said, “We are willing to accompany General Ling and rescue our Northwest Fortress-City.” Looking at the sincere soldiers before her, Ling Jiayue said, “Since you are willing to follow me, I will issue my orders. Divide yourselves into three groups and follow behind me. This time, we will employ guerrilla warfare. We are not seeking to inflict a crushing defeat on the enemy, but we must draw their forces toward the river.” Ling Jiayue paused, then continued, “This will be harassment tactics. You must not become caught up in a prolonged battle. Strike, then retreat immediately. Remember well: our purpose is to draw the enemy’s forces toward the river. If anyone disobeys military orders, do not blame me for showing no mercy. Military law will deal with you.” “Yes!” all the officers answered in unison. “Return at once and prepare your equipment. Since we are using harassment tactics, do not carry too many supplies. Bring only enough food and fresh water. Go and make your preparations. We will set out in two hours!” Ling Jiayue ordered. “Yes!” the soldiers replied. Ling Jiayue dismissed them, and they each returned to prepare. She went back to make her own preparations as well. She instructed Danyun to bring extra water and food, while leaving behind anything they could do without. Cheese Lord heard Ling Jiayue’s orders from a distance and made his own preparations, waiting to accompany her onto the battlefield. Two hours later, Ling Jiayue and the others were ready. Ling Jiayue divided the soldiers into the first, second, and third groups. She also split Cheese Lord and his companions up and assigned them to the three groups. After inspecting everything once more and confirming that there were no problems, she said, “Set out!” The group followed Ling Jiayue as she led them around the outskirts of the Sheyu Army’s camp to the river. At that moment, the Sheyu soldiers were setting up their cooking pots and preparing a meal. Seeing that the timing was perfect, Ling Jiayue thought, If we do not act now, when will we? She immediately ordered, “First group, follow my command. Attack the troops stationed by the river. Your primary target is that most magnificent and elaborate tent!” The first group advanced upon receiving Ling Jiayue’s order. The Sheyu soldiers were preparing food and were caught completely off guard by the sudden attack. Ling Jiayue’s first group swept through the Sheyu Army as though there were no one there, cutting through them with ease and catching them utterly unprepared. By the time the Sheyu soldiers finally managed to react, the first group had already hurriedly withdrawn. Having been caught off guard, the Sheyu Army was thrown into chaos, and the commander in the ornate tent was furious. When the various officers of the Sheyu Army heard that this area had come under attack, they all hurried over. Even so, some of their forces remained scattered in other locations. Seeing that her plan was producing the desired results, Ling Jiayue made a hand signal, and the second group charged forward. This time, the Sheyu Army was prepared. However, Ling Jiayue’s troops refused to become entangled in battle. They targeted the weakest points in the Sheyu defenses, then immediately fled after attacking. The Sheyu Army had no choice but to shift more of its forces toward that location. After several such attacks, most of the Sheyu Army had gathered there. Cheese Lord asked, “Miss Ling, are we going to keep attacking?” Ling Jiayue thought for a moment before saying, “Let’s wait. I estimate that the Sheyu Army is now on guard and suspicious. We’ll attack again tonight when they are preparing their meal.” After speaking, Ling Jiayue quietly watched the Sheyu Army across from them, wondering when the spring flood would finally arrive. By nightfall, the Sheyu Army had learned its lesson. They sent half their men to eat first while the other half stood guard. Ling Jiayue again ordered one of the groups to advance. After being forced to respond to the attacks time and again, the Sheyu soldiers were already exhausted. Yet Ling Jiayue’s troops always struck and fled immediately, leaving the Sheyu Army utterly frustrated. Ling Jiayue was still waiting for the spring flood when rain suddenly began falling from the sky. Her heart stirred. She raised her head and looked at the heavens. The rain only grew heavier, so Ling Jiayue ordered, “Retreat to the mountains behind us!” The soldiers found the order baffling. It was only raining—why did they have to retreat to the mountains? Still, they dared not disobey their general’s command, and all of them began retreating toward the mountains. On the way, one soldier finally could not contain himself and asked, “General Ling, our harassment tactics have been quite effective. Why are we suddenly retreating?” “Retreat with me first. You’ll know why in a little while.” Ling Jiayue kept them in suspense as she led the soldiers up the mountain. They continued until they were nearly at the summit, and only then did Ling Jiayue order them to rest where they were. The soldiers stood at the high ground and looked down at the Sheyu military camp across from them. Ling Jiayue simply stood there in silence, waiting for what she wanted. Suddenly, a rumbling sound arose. In the distance, a white wave came surging toward them, looking utterly terrifying. Though the wave appeared far away, it drew near in an instant, carrying an overwhelming roar as it swept toward the Sheyu military camp. The Sheyu soldiers had no time to react. They could only stare blankly as the enormous wave came closer and closer. The wave surged forward with enough force to destroy everything in its path, swallowing the Sheyu soldiers whole. The soldiers standing at the high ground with Ling Jiayue finally understood the purpose behind everything she had done. When they saw the Sheyu Army being destroyed by the enormous wave, they erupted into cheers. Ling Jiayue watched it all and smiled.