I Can Strengthen Infinitely

Sanhuang dispatched an advance army into the Central Plains, encountering little resistance along the way. Ever since Yuan Huangzhong’s forces were crushed by the Sanhuang army, there was basically no one left who could hinder Sanhuang’s advance into the Central Plains.

The various sects and factions along the route had no intention of putting up any resistance; all watched in silence as the Sanhuang army entered the Central Plains.

Every city and outpost along the way was taken and occupied one by one by the Sanhuang forces, thus absorbed into the domain of Sanhuang.

Yet this unstoppable momentum eventually met a hard barrier.

Shunqing City was a famed fortress in the Central Plains. The defending general, Bao Tianhua, was renowned in the Great Tang as a steadfast bulwark—he was a general with immense experience in city defense.

The moment he learned that a rebel force was approaching from the south, he immediately rallied all the troops in the city and began preparing a counterattack.

Unlike the many cities before, which surrendered without much of a fight, Bao Tianhua made it clear he intended to defend to the death; as long as the city stood, so would he.

Now, about a third of the southern Central Plains already belonged to Sanhuang’s faction, making them currently the greatest contender among all rebel armies vying for dominion.

Confronted with Shunqing City, Sanhuang’s advance troops suddenly found themselves in an awkward predicament.

For they had traveled light, skilled only in open field and forest combat. The city’s towering walls now loomed before them like unclimbable peaks, and without heavy siege equipment in their ranks, there was virtually no way for them to breach Shunqing City—it was, without a doubt, an extremely daunting task.

Yet for the sake of appearances, they still went through the motions: surrounding Shunqing City on all sides, the Sanhuang vanguard general rode forth from the ranks, shouting up at the city walls, "People on the wall! As long as you open the gates and surrender, I guarantee not a single soul will die today!"

At that moment, Bao Tianhua stood atop the walls, clad in armor, hand gripping the hilt of his sword, looking down with disdain as he declared, "You mere rebels dare make such arrogant boasts! When the Great Tang army arrives in person, you shall all be reduced to ashes!"

"Such shameless bravado! The imperial army you speak of has already been annihilated by us. You won’t shed tears until you see your own coffin."

The two sides exchanged taunts, but it all ended with Bao Tianhua taking a bow and arrow from one of his soldiers, nocking an arrow, and shooting at the vanguard general, drawing this fruitless shouting match to a close.

Night fell.

The vanguard general, Huo Ping, gathered with several lieutenants in the command tent to discuss their predicament. By all accounts, seizing this city was out of the question. Owing to their current military configuration and the fact that Shunqing was a heavily fortified city, their chances of success without siege engines were nonexistent.

Yet taking this city was tantamount to seizing the heart of southern Central Plains—a feat of great merit. The only apparent option was for Huo Ping to dispatch a rider to Yangzhou Prefecture in Jiangnan to request reinforcements from the main Sanhuang army.

But in that case, the glory would have nothing to do with Huo Ping. Now that Sanhuang had only recently become King of Jiangnan and official appointments were still unassigned, it was the perfect time to accumulate merit. When Sanhuang eventually claimed dominion over the world, those who followed him in these early campaigns would have boundless prospects. Later, those seeking distinction would find it much harder than now.

So Huo Ping felt a trace of ambition, wondering if he could find some alternative way and take Shunqing City by unconventional means.

That was why this secret night meeting was now taking place.

"Brothers, the matter of Shunqing City is of utmost importance. If we can seize it, it will be a tremendous achievement. But if there’s truly no way, we’ll have to send word back to Yangzhou Prefecture for reinforcements. By then, all the credit will have nothing to do with us. What say you all?" Huo Ping asked aloud.

His lieutenants looked at each other, deep in thought, their eyes flickering as they tried to come up with ideas.

No one among generals who had tasted battle would be immune to the lure of merit and glory.

"General Huo, I suggest we attempt an infiltration. Let our warriors skilled in martial arts dress in night-black clothing, use hooks and ropes to scale the walls in secret—an unconventional force. At the drowsiest hour of night, let our men take the walls by storm, slaughter the guards, and throw open the city gates. Our main force can then surge inside, unstoppable. By that time, those defenders will be nothing more than fat sheep awaiting the butcher."

"Hmm..." Huo Ping listened and judged the suggestion sound and executable. If it worked, it would be an unexpected, lightning strike, a great accomplishment indeed.

Even if it failed, the loss would not be great. Huo Ping made his decision at once and nodded. "So be it. Speed is of the essence in warfare. Gather all suitable men immediately—we act tonight."

With Huo Ping’s assent, the other lieutenants straightened, faces set in seriousness, and replied in unison, "Yes, sir!"

Night deepened. The chill before dawn lent an extra bite to the air. The sentries atop the city walls yawned from time to time despite the changing of the guard every hour—night watch always dulled vigilance. None noticed the cluster of black shadows that, in a distant corner outside the walls, was quietly drawing near.