Battle Royale of the Sinners

Instead of launching a surprise attack on Ye City right away, Jia Xu told Tong to rest.

His first phase of the plans had been completed. They arrived at the right location to lay siege on the city, and they made themselves noticed by the scouts of Han Fu. By now, Zhang He should have noticed their arrival.

The next phase was a gamble if Zhang He would defect or not. If he double-crossed Tong, then Jia Xu's plans would fail. But if the plan succeeded and Tong took Ye City from Han Fu, Jia Xu vouched that they could easily defeat Liu Ping's incoming detached forces with ease.

This move was against Jia Xu's personal philosophy as he gambled on his enemy's action, yet Jia Xu went through with it because it was worth the risk and the chance of success in his calculation was over 80%.

The next two of his four phases of the plans required Ye City as the key. Without the city, the Yellow Turban would face an uphill battle against a pincer attack by all sides. However, with the city occupied, Ye City would become a choke point which would obstruct the detached Imperial forces and their allies.

Tong looked at Jia Xu with anticipation. He was looking forward to seeing this master plan in action.

…

7 PM.

Jia Xu wrote several scrolls and passed them to Tong.

"These are my plans for tomorrow. Please see that is done."

Tong nodded. "Thank you. You get some rest too."

Jia Xu looked at Tong and sighed. He was with him all the times, yet he did not show any sign of exhaustion. Tong's stamina and strength were too abnormal.

Leaving Jia Xu alone, Tong took out scrolls from Jia Xu to read.

Because of the long march and the weak body of an ordinary civil officer, Jia Xu did not have enough energy to explain all his plans to Tong. He could only jot down his idea and the branches of his plans if something were to happen.

Tong read the scroll with a solemn expression on his face. The personal language of Jia Xu was similar to a programming flow chart draft.

[If Zhang He appears -> Retreat]

[If Ju Shou appears -> Kill him in half a day]

[Fail to kill Ju Shou in half a day -> Retreat]

[If Xin Ping appears -> Kill Xin Ping in a day]

[Fail to kill Xin Ping in a day -> Pretend to retreat, ambush him, kill him, and siege the city again.]

[Succeeded killing either Xin Ping or Ju Shou -> Make Zhang He open the gate or make him revolt]

[If none of the three appears -> Contact both Ju Shou and Zhang He. It doesn't matter if the spies get caught or not, just contact them.]

[If other generals other than the three appears -> Destroy them.]

[Fail to destroy the enemy -> You suck, I'll quit my job]

[If Zhang He refuses to cooperate -> You suck x2, retreat, I'll quit my job]

[If Zhang He dies during the coup -> He sucks, retreat, I'll quit my job]

[If Zhang He fails but the city is in chaos -> He still sucks, siege the city, raise my wage or I'll quit my job]

Tong could not help but burst into laughter when he read to the latter part. Jia Xu had a vicious tongue, he even dared to diss his master.

"So far, no army appears. I wonder what happens inside Ye City."

"Will Zhang He be alright?"

<<DING>>

<<Your [Sloth] has been weakened by your recent actions>>

<<Probablity that your [Sloth] can take control of your body has been reduced>>

<<Your [Sloth] has 0% chance to take control of your body>>

<<If you go against your [Sloth] two more times, your [Demonic Seal] level will reduce by 1>>

Tong laughed after he noticed the sudden system messages. He was always a hard worker, so [Sloth] had no chance against him.

"Easy upgrade. Way too easy."

<<Your [Pride] has been strengthened by your recent emotion>>

<<Probability that your [Pride] can take control of your body has been increased>>

<<Your [Pride] has 15% chance to take control of your body>>

"FUDGE!"

…

…

Meanwhile, Ye City.

Scouts of Han Fu returned to Ye and reported the movements of Tong Army.

"Are you certain about this? Are you sure they're coming here?"

Han Fu asked the spy in a trembling voice. His legs were already shaking from nervousness.

"Yes, the rebel army is definitely targeting this city. However…"

"However?"

"They are traveling light! They didn't have any armor or weapon with them. We haven't seen their logistic troops either!"

Han Fu's eyes open wide in surprise. He turned his head and asked Xin Ping, who was listening to the side.

"What do you think?"

Xin Ping scoffed. "Zhang Tong is an idiot! He doesn't even know how to deploy his troops properly! We don't even need to intercept them. Just let them head-butt our walls to death!"

"Right! Right! His troops don't even have a weapon. They're just a bunch of mobs!" Han Fu nodded.

"What do you think, Junyi?"

Junyi, or Zhang He, stood at the front row of all military officers.

After the Battle of Anping, he was promoted as the only general of Han Fu Army because there was not any notable commander in the city. Furthermore, Zhang He's subordinate commanders vouched for his abilities and his achievements had proven himself. Thus, he stood on top of Ye City Army.

As Tong had ordered him, he abused his privilege of a high ranking noble to borrow strategy books and all annotation scrolls from Ye Government Library. In a year, he had learned many things from his study, but he never had a chance to test his new learned skills.

At the same time, he expanded his influence to other platoons. Though slow, he managed to gather 15,000 elite troops from the total of 40,000 to his political side. Still, the rest of the soldiers belong to Han Fu and Xin Ping's private army. Zhang He's hands could not reach that far.

So far, he refused to send a letter or make any contact with Tong's spies as he was afraid that it would blow his cover. Xin Ping always menacingly glared at him ever since his promotion. Zhang He had to be extra cautious about his activities.

Now, Tong had made his move. It was about time for the promise, Zhang He promised he would open the gate for Tong once he arrived at Ye.

The eyes of Zhang He lit up. It was the time.

"My lord, I agree with Sir Xin Ping. We don't need to do anything. Zhang Tong is getting cocky from the last battle. He probably thinks that he can take this city with his useless crowd, but he fails to understand even a basic common military tactic. You can rest assured."

Han Fu repeatedly nodded. "Right! Right! If you say so too, then I'm relieved."

…

While Han Fu and Xin Ping were in glee, Ju Shou looked at them and grinned.

'They're doomed.'

Ju Shou already knew about Zhang He's true master as he thoroughly investigated the entire battle of Anping from the beginning to the end as soon as they returned to Ye.

At first, Ju Shou planned to expose Zhang He's identity. However, Xin Ping got on his nerve after he had returned. As a human, he had his limit. By getting insulted by Xin Ping many times, Ju Shou also developed a grudge on this bootlicking officer. His faith toward Han Fu also decreased as he always favored Xin Ping.

He kept his mouth shut as he observed Zhang He from a distance, planning to use him in order to get back on Xin Ping.

As time passed, Zhang He visited Ju Shou in his Manor once in a while to befriend with him, which surprised Ju Shou. Curious by Zhang He's action, Ju Shou decided to be frank with him.

"Are you Zhang Tong's spy?"

It was the question that changed everything because Zhang He also boldly answered.

"Yes, and my Lord wants you to serve him as well."

Ju Shou postponed the invitation without much thought as it went against his motto. Despite the fact that he wanted Xin Ping to pay for his insolence, he would not go as far as betraying Han Fu.

However, the latest edict of Liu Ping shocked him. The Emperor wanted Zhang Tong and his father dead because they rebelled.

In his investigation, Tong and his father were honest nobles and they did very well governing Julu City. Ju Shou actually admired many of Tong's management policies, which he spent days trying to figure out if Ye City could do the same too.

It was impossible for them to cooperate with the barbarian tribes as they were doing so well. It did not make any sense for successful nobles to suddenly take risks against the Han Court.

Something was wrong with this Emperor.

Although he swore that he would be loyal to his Lord regardless of his incompetence, he was not stupid enough to blindly follow an inept lord, who followed the corrupted Emperor.

Ju Shou changed his mind and accepted Zhang He's invitation!

'I'm tired of your ego and your ignorant, Xin Ping.'

'You'll face your own karma soon.'

…

September 5th.

Han Fu observed Tong Army from the top of the wall. He closed all gates and stationed all of his soldiers facing the direction where Tong's camp located.

Zhang He was put in charge of the only cavalry unit inside the city. A total of 5,000 heavy cavalries were under his control.

Ju Shou took over 10,000 elites that agreed to defect and stationed them at both sides of the gate walls while the others stayed inside the city as reserves.

Xin Ping, however, insisted that he wanted to redeem himself from the battle of Anping.

"My lord, please let me taking care of the garrison army instead of Ju Shou. I'll redeem myself from the last battle and I want to get my revenge on Zhang Tong."

"Very good. I like you. You can take over the role from Ju Shou."

"Thank you, my lord!"

Succeeding his bootlick, Xin Ping sneered at Ju Shou.

"Fetch me your commander's token. It's mine now!"

Ju Shou sneered back at Xin Ping. He tossed the command token over.

"Sure, go ahead. Do your worse. But my lord, the reserve troops doesn't have a commander. May I be their commander?"

"Such admirable dedication! Sure, you have the authority!" Han Fu laughed and gave him the command token.

Xin Ping still gave him a mocking smile. "Don't worry, Ju Shou. You won't get the chance to mobilize the reserves because I, alone, can defeat that army of peasants!"

"Sure, sure. Please do!"

Still laughing, Ju Shou left the wall. The soldiers on the wall had been informed about the plans. All Ju Shou needed to do was giving them a signal.

'All plans were in motion. Once the Zhang Tong Army arrived, it would be their end.'

As Ju Shou descended the stairs, a strange soldier approached him and passed him a letter.

"It's from Lord Zhang Tong. Please read it and consider it."

Amused by the spy, Ju Shou laughed again and returned the letter to him.

"No need. I already knew what you guys are up to. Go tell the others that I'll be joining you shortly."

The spy gazed at Ju Shou in shocked. He bowed and left in a hurry. Ju Shou looked at the back of the leaving spy and chuckled to himself.

"Well, aren't you well-informed, my future Lord?"