Qiang Jin Jiu (Author : Tang Jiuqing 唐酒卿)

Chapter 128 : Enemy Attack

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The Bianbo Camp was an important supply site at Libei’s borders. To keep the physical strength of the frontline military forces up, Xiao Jiming successively set up the Shayi, Sha’er, and Shasan Camps at the southeastern side of Libei to act as protective barriers to the Bianbo Camp. The Bianbo Camp was always stocked with reserve military provisions and equipment meant to be supplied to the frontlines. There were stables here too, with battle steeds on standby to replace those on the frontlines.

Dawn had yet to break when Wu Ziyu woke up. He squatted at the tent entrance and had the soldier who was his personal guard pour water over his head. “The fighting at the frontline is too intense. We start running right on opening our eyes and lie down right on closing our eyes. It has already been half a month since I last bathed.” 

The guard handed him a handkerchief, which he used to wipe his face. 

“Eat well these two days. We still have to head north three days later to replace Guo Weili’s soldiers. The Tudalong Banner has also been cleared out by the Biansha baldies. This battle has already made its way right to our doorstep.” 

Wu Ziyu was the youngest general in the current ranks of generals in Libei. He was originally a guard in the Prince’s residence, and because he had gone drinking and stirred up trouble, Xiao Jiming dismissed him from his original post and had him sent to the military camp. He did not really know how to fight battles, but he was resourceful when it came to transporting military supplies and allocating provisions. Libei had a shortage of military grains in the early spring, and he went to swindle a batch of grains out of the bandits in Zhongbo, thereby resolving the pressing emergency of the battlefields ahead.

When Chen Yang escorted the grains to Libei, the one he had met was Wu Ziyu. The latter had been following Xiao Fangxu these two months, running all over until his legs were about to break. Finally, it was Bianbo Camp’s turn to take a break; the soldiers under his command were already all exhausted.

“I originally thought that it’d be a breeze to drive off the Hanshe Tribe now that His Lordship is here.” The guard took Wu Ziyu’s dirty handkerchief and washed it in the water basin. “Who would have known that it would become harder the more we fought? The boundary line has already been shrinking until it now lies on the fringes of the Shayi Camp. If this keeps up, Bianbo Camp would have to shift back.” 

A bare-chested Wu Ziyu wiped his nape with a damp handkerchief. He looked to the east and said, “Once the Bianbo camp moves back, the Hereditary Prince’s deployment in the southeast will cease to be effective. This place is the bedrock that will enable the Shasan Camp to keep on fighting as usual. We can’t afford to lose it.” 

The guard picked up the basin and splashed away the water. He said, “We can’t afford to play the long game either. Leaving the soldiers aside, there are still military craftsmen in these camps who need to eat. If the Second Young Master had not rebelled and remained in Qudu as the Marquis of Dingdu, then we might just be able to fight the battle this way. But he has now killed the emperor, and Juexi is no longer supplying us with military provisions. The Northeast Provisions Bridle Path’s reserves won’t last for long either.” 

Wu Ziyu covered himself with a towel and looked at the sky with squinting eyes as the water dripped. He did not respond to the guard’s gripes. 

The guard set aside the basin and said, “General, how about steamed buns and milk tea for breakfast? The milk is good stuff that has just been transported over from the back. It can’t be stored for too long, so we have to drink it as soon as possible. I asked the mess cook to brew tea made out of plain leaves with clotted cream. You—”