Chapter 120: The Assault on Golden City

Ten days passed in the blink of an eye. During this time, with the assistance of Han Sui, Ma Teng had easily replaced the guards at the North Gate with his own troops. All that remained was to await the arrival of Liu Yao.

Although Li Wenhou and Beigong Boyu were aware of this, they did not intervene. Since the previous incident, the relationship between the three had fallen to an all-time low, nearly splitting them into two opposing factions. Furthermore, the Qiang people admired Ma Teng and understood him well; their relationship was generally good, especially since Ma Teng had married a Qiang woman, who bore him his son, Ma Chao.

In these past few days, Han Sui had casually informed Li Wenhou and Beigong Boyu of his intent to suppress the rumors regarding their food shortage. The two were not unreasonable and readily agreed. After all, if the army learned that supplies were depleted, they would be lucky to avoid a mutiny, let alone be expected to fight.

However, on this very day, news began to circulate throughout Jincheng for unknown reasons—word that the city was running out of grain and could not hold out much longer. Panic gripped not only the citizens of Jincheng but also all the Qiang soldiers. In this era of cannibalism, many joined the army simply to have a meal. If there were no provisions, what was the point of fighting or risking one’s life?

It goes without saying that this was the work of Jia Xu. Seven or eight days prior, he had dispatched a dozen soldiers disguised as civilians to spread these rumors throughout the city. The message spread like wildfire. A rumor repeated by three people can turn a tiger into a reality; now, with over a hundred thousand people in Jincheng repeating it, it became an undeniable truth.

When Han Sui and the others learned of this, they were enraged and immediately sent men to arrest those spreading the gossip. But once they took action, they were left stunned. Unless they killed everyone in Jincheng, there was no way to contain the news.

In recent days, multiple mutinies had already broken out within the Qiang camps. Had it not been for Han Sui’s iron-fisted suppression, Jincheng would have already descended into total chaos. The three leaders found themselves overwhelmed and exhausted every day.

At the Governor’s Mansion in Chang’an, Liang Province:

Liu Yao sat at the head, with Guo Jia, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Huangfu Song, Zang Ba, Wu Dun, and several junior officers under Huangfu Song seated on either side.

"Gentlemen, Wenhe has sent word that Jincheng’s supplies will not last another half-month. The Qiang army is already in a state of panic, and the rift between Han Sui, Li Wenhou, and Beigong Boyu is deepening. Furthermore, Ma Teng has already pledged his allegiance to me and now holds the North Gate. The time has come. I have decided to attack Jincheng tomorrow and annihilate the Qiang forces. Does anyone have any objections?" Liu Yao announced loudly, holding the letter Jia Xu had secretly sent back—a task made easy by Ma Teng’s control of the North Gate.

Liu Yao passed the letter to Guo Jia, and it was circulated among the others.

"This general has no objections," the officers replied in unison, their faces filled with excitement.

"Good! Huangfu Song, Zang Ba, hear my orders."

"Present!"

"You two are ordered to lead your thirty thousand men, along with my five thousand Taishan troops, to assault the eastern and western walls. You are to conduct only a feint attack."

"Understood."

"Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, hear my orders."

"Present!"

"You two are to accompany me and lead the five-thousand-strong Vanguard Battalion to attack the North Gate. Once Ma Teng opens the gates, we shall link up with his forces and charge toward the Governor’s Mansion. You must kill Han Sui, Yan Xing, Li Wenhou, and Beigong Boyu."

"Understood."

Zang Ba stepped forward, asking with confusion, "My Lord, why leave the South Gate unattacked? What if Han Sui tries to escape that way? We have no ambush set there."

Liu Yao smiled and glanced at Guo Jia, signaling him to explain. Guo Jia understood and stood up. "Xuangao, if you saw three walls under attack but one left open, what would you think?"

"That 'surrounding three sides while leaving one open' must be a trap, and one would naturally flee in the opposite direction," Zang Ba replied instantly. A moment later, he realized the truth and praised, "My Lord is truly brilliant."

Liu Yao smiled without adding more. Han Sui was suspicious and possessed a basic understanding of military tactics; he would naturally reach the same conclusion, allowing Liu Yao to catch him like a turtle in a jar.

"Everyone, prepare your meals at the third watch tomorrow and set out at the fifth. We must take Jincheng," Liu Yao declared firmly.

"Understood!"

In Jincheng, Liang Province, at the Governor’s Mansion, Han Sui, Ma Teng, and Jia Xu were discussing matters.

"Master Wenhe, these past few days, word has spread everywhere in Jincheng that our army is short on grain. No matter what, we cannot suppress it, and the army has seen several mutinies. I fear that if this continues, the city will fall into chaos on its own. Do you have any brilliant ideas to solve this?" Han Sui asked, clearly worried.

"This... this must have been spread by people infiltrated by Liu Yao. But as things stand, I fear there is little to be done," Jia Xu replied with a helpless look. It was not that Jia Xu truly had no solutions, but even if he did, he would not share them.

"Alas!" Han Sui sighed helplessly. He did not blame Jia Xu, knowing that under such circumstances, human effort could do little.

"Report to the Commander! A large number of Han troops have been spotted five miles outside Jincheng. They are carrying numerous scaling ladders and appear ready to lay siege!" a young officer reported in a panic. It should be noted that Liu Yao’s goal was not a brute-force siege but a calculated strategy. If he truly intended to storm the city, he would not have brought only scaling ladders; these were merely a ruse. His true trump card was Ma Teng’s cooperation from within.

"They have come!" Ma Teng and Jia Xu thought simultaneously, a cold smirk forming on their lips.

"What did you say?!" Han Sui was shocked and urged, "Quickly, invite Commanders Li Wenhou and Beigong Boyu to see me. Tell them I have urgent matters to discuss!"

"Understood." The young officer hurried away.

"Wenyue, the Han army is nearly here. I should head to the North Gate to take command of the defense," Ma Teng said to Han Sui.

Han Sui nodded. "Then I leave it to you, Shoucheng, and Master Wenhe."

Ma Teng and Jia Xu nodded firmly and left the mansion, heading toward the North Gate.

Outside the North Gate of Jincheng, unlike the other two gates where the sounds of battle were already ringing out, it was strangely quiet. Liu Yao led the five-thousand-strong Vanguard Battalion, standing silently outside the gate without any intention of attacking.

The soldiers on the walls also made no move. They were all Ma Teng’s men and followed his orders unconditionally. Though they were puzzled as to why Ma Teng would not let them engage, they understood that military orders were absolute.

Ma Teng’s reason for keeping them in the dark was simple: his ten-thousand-strong cavalry force had too many mouths, and there was always a risk of betrayal. Thus, the fact that Ma Teng had joined Liu Yao’s side was known only to Ma Teng, Jia Xu, Shi A, and Pang De. Of course, there were also two young boys present who presumably knew as well.

Not long after, Ma Teng and Jia Xu arrived at the gate.