Chapter 652: Wang Xiong Inspects Gancao City

Mid-July.

The heat is at its peak.

Just past noon, the sun hung overhead like a red‑hot copper gong, enveloping Gancao City in the northern part of Xiazhou with a scorching wave of heat.

The wild grass at the foot of the city wall drooped listlessly, and the stone pavement at the City Gate was baked to a scorching temperature.

Even the air carried a charred, dry scent; a single breath seemed capable of scorching one's throat.

The garrison soldiers at the city gate were leaning in the doorway to catch a breeze when a rapid clatter of horse hooves rose from afar, kicking up dust as it drew nearer.

All eyes turned to see a single rider leading a hundred robust knights, all clad in tight armor, horizontal blades at their waists, each riding an exceptionally fine warhorse.

Their hooves struck the Shiban road, producing a crisp, orderly clatter.

The leading youth was barely in his early twenties, dressed in a scarlet official robe, a jade belt cinched at his waist, his handsome face bearing a composure and sharpness beyond his years.

It was Wang Xiong, the Sima of Xiazhou, and the acting chief clerk Zhangshi Zhang Wenqian, who after a discussion came to Gancao City to inspect its defenses.

Trailing behind was a sturdy man, his trusted Personal Guard Hong Xi, who had served in his father's army, was agile and efficient, and was Wang Xiong's most trusted right‑hand.

Over a hundred Private Soldiers lined up outside the City Gate, reins tightened, their warhorses snorted, and the dust they raised was swept up by the heat and drifted into the air.

Wang Xiong dismounted, his dark official boots landing steadily on the scorching Qingshi, lifted a hand to wipe the thin sweat from his temple, his sharp gaze sweeping the garrison soldiers at the City Gate, his brows twitching imperceptibly.

Although those garrison soldiers wore armor and held Long Spears, their expressions were somewhat lax, evidently accustomed to ease and not taking the city's defenses seriously.

At that moment, a man hurried out from within the City Gate; in his thirties, clad in a reddish guard's robe, a ring‑pommel blade at his waist, his face simple‑minded, his eyes carrying a flattering smile.

It was Huang Shizhang, the city's guard commander of Gancao City, who had already received word of Wang Xiong's inspection and had deliberately brought a few Private Soldiers to await him.

Seeing Wang Xiong dismount, Huang Shizhang hurried forward, clasped his hands and bowed, performing a standard military salute, and in a resonant voice said, "Subordinate General Huang Shizhang, honored to see Sima Wang!"

Wang Xiong raised his hand, his tone even, revealing no emotion, "General Huang, no need for ceremony!"

"Thank you, Sima Wang!" Huang Shizhang quickly straightened, his smile widening, the wrinkles at his eyes gathering, he turned sideways, made a respectful beckoning gesture, then signaled to the Private Soldiers behind him, before saying with a beaming face, "Subordinate General knows your journey has been arduous; we have prepared light wine in the city to welcome you and wash away the dust. I hope you will look favorably upon us!"

Wang Xiong waved his hand, kept moving, marching straight toward the interior of the City Gate, while his torch‑like gaze swept the defensive works near the gate.

His expression grew increasingly stern; after entering the gate and stepping onto the city's earthen road, he halted, turned to Huang Shizhang behind him, and said in a serious tone, "Those are unnecessary!"

"I am here to inspect Gancao City, not to drink and revel!"

Huang Shizhang's smile stiffened briefly, then returned to normal; he rubbed his hands nonchalantly and said lightly, "Sima, what is it that you are uneasy about?"

"Our Gancao City lies in the northern part of Xiazhou; although it is a border town, these years have been very peaceful!"

"Between Great Zhou and Qi State, how many years have passed without a large‑scale war?"

He patted his chest, exuding confidence, and said, "Moreover, our Gancao City is neither a strategic hotspot that armies vie for, nor does it stock large amounts of provisions and supplies…"

"Even if the Qi people march south, they wouldn't bother to gnaw at our hard bone!"

Wang Xiong's brows twitched, his sharp gaze fixed on Huang Shizhang, and he retorted with a hint of coldness, "Then what is currently confronting Yubi?"

Huang Shizhang was suddenly choked, his mouth opening but no words coming, his smile fading, leaving only an awkward expression. He scratched his head and, with a nervous laugh, explained, "Well… it's different, isn't it?"

"Yubi is a major stronghold guarding the Fen River line; our Gancao City is just a small place!"

"In fact, even if Qi State makes minor moves, they won't strike from here!"

"After all, to attack our Xiazhou, the Qi would expend massive provisions in transport, crossing mountains in the scorching summer; both people and horses would die of thirst and exhaustion. It's a labor‑intensive, unrewarding effort, and the Qi are not foolish!"

Wang Xiong exhaled a breath of stale air, the oppression in his chest easing slightly, yet he said in a deep voice, "Even so, what if Qi State, against all logic, suddenly allies with the Rouran and rushes south?"

He lifted his hand, pointing to the northern sky, his tone solemn: "Rouran cavalry moves like the wind, living on plunder; if Qi offers them great profit, would they not come?"

"When that time comes, Rouran cavalry would break in from the Northern Border, while Qi's main army holds the East, a two‑sided pincer that would make Xiazhou the first to bear the blow!"

"Although Gancao City is small, it is the gateway of northern Xiazhou; if the gateway falls, Xiazhou is in danger!"

At this moment, Wang Xiong's trusted Personal Guard Hong Xi stepped forward, picking up the thread, and agreed, "Sima, you are absolutely right! General Huang, it's not the ten thousand that worries us, but the one in a million!"

"We must not be careless!"

"If any mishap occurs, none of us can afford it!"

Hong Xi's voice was not loud, yet each word rang like a bell, bearing a soldier's sharp vigor.

Huang Shizhang's relaxed expression vanished completely, his facial muscles twitching as he finally realized Wang Xiong's visit was not a leisurely tour but a genuine inspection of defenses.

He put away his playful grin, his demeanor becoming more solemn.

Wang Xiong nodded, his gaze again sweeping the fortifications near the gate, and in a deep voice emphasized, "Especially now, as the newly appointed Inspector, before officially taking office!"

"Xiazhou's myriad dragons lack a head; we cannot afford any slip!"

"Gancao City's defenses must be reorganized immediately!"

Huang Shizhang hurriedly bowed, daring not to delay, and said, "Both of you are right!"

"It is Subordinate General's vision that is short‑sighted!"

He quickly stepped aside, gesturing toward the interior, his tone now much more respectful, "Subordinate General will lead you now to inspect the city defenses!"

"Sima Wang, this way, please!"

Wang Xiong gave a brief "Hmm," and led the way into the city, with Hong Xi and over a hundred Private Soldiers close behind.

Huang Shizhang stayed at Wang Xiong's side, walking while pointing out the city's streets and barracks, beginning a detailed briefing on Gancao City's deployment.

Following Huang Shizhang's indicated route, Wang Xiong's party traversed the alleys of Gancao City.

"General Huang, how many troops are currently garrisoned in Gancao City?"

Upon reaching a training ground, Wang Xiong suddenly halted, turned to Huang Shizhang beside him, and asked calmly.

Huang Shizhang, hearing this, without hesitation clasped his hands and replied, "Answering you, Sima, the city currently has over 1,750 garrison troops!"

"All are fully staffed according to the establishment, with ample arms and provisions, sufficient to handle any emergency!"

He spoke with a hint of confidence.

After all, though Gancao City is small, its troop count is not insignificant; among northern border cities, its defenses are considered well‑prepared.

Wang Xiong gave a slight nod, asking no further questions.

Later, Huang Shizhang led Wang Xiong to inspect each of Gancao City's fortifications.

They first ascended the East City Gate, and saw the wall about three zhang high, built of bricks and stones, with a moat on the outside about five zhang wide; the water was a bit murky, with a few weeds floating on the surface.

The parapets on the wall were neatly arranged, and the observation slits were all intact. Huang Shizhang pointed to the drainage openings at the base of the wall and said with a smile, "Colonel, look, these drainage holes were just repaired last year; even if a heavy rain comes, they can discharge the water in time, preventing the wall foundations from being soaked..."

Wang Xiong bent down to inspect, found the drainage holes indeed unobstructed and the bricks and stones still fairly solid, and nodded in approval.

Next, they went to the West City Gate and the South City Gate; the defenses there were much the same as at the East Gate— not exceptionally strong, but orderly and without obvious flaws.

Along the way, Wang Xiong also made a point of checking the armory and the granary.

In the armory, knives, spears, swords, halberds, bows, arrows and Shields were neatly arranged; the quantity was indeed as abundant as Huang Shizhang claimed, though most were covered with a thin layer of dust, clearly unused for a long time.

The granary was piled with Millet and wheat bran; Huang Shizhang said, "These provisions arrived just three months ago and are enough to sustain the garrison for half a year, so there will be no shortage of food."

Wang Xiong scooped a handful of Millet; the grains were plump and showed no mold, easing his doubts a little.

He knew that although Huang Shizhang was a bit lax, the storage of Provisions and armaments was not handled perfunctorily.

Two hours later, the setting sun slipped westward, tinting the sky orange‑red.

The party finally reached the northern wall top; this spot was the most critical part of Gancao City's defenses, facing the northern Grassland and fertile fields, and was the direction most vulnerable to attack.

The soldiers on the wall, seeing the Colonel and the garrison commander arrive together, straightened up quickly, their expressions becoming much more respectful.

Huang Shizhang stood on the wall, gazing at the rolling wasteland in the distance, turned around with a hint of pride and asked Wang Xiong, "Colonel Wang, after your inspection, can the Subordinate General say that Gancao City's defenses have no problem?"

"The walls are solid, the troops are well‑garrisoned, the Provisions and armaments are all in place; even if enemies truly attack, we can certainly turn them away at the gate!"

Wang Xiong stood by the rail, his gaze stretching toward the northern horizon; the sunset's afterglow fell on his face, deepening his expression.

He slowly nodded, his tone carrying praise: "General Huang truly is diligent; Gancao City's defenses are indeed solid."

Hearing Wang Xiong's compliment, Huang Shizhang's smile brightened further; he quickly clasped his fists and bowed, "Thank you, Colonel Wang, for the praise!"

"The Subordinate General merely did his duty; I dare not claim credit!"

However, Wang Xiong's tone suddenly shifted, his expression instantly becoming grave; he turned to Huang Shizhang and warned in a deep voice, "Nevertheless, in these extraordinary times, any slight oversight could lead to a grave mistake; we must not be lax at all!"

"Now the situation on the Northern Border is delicate; if any mishap occurs, it won't just be you and me—the entire Xiazhou populace will be plunged into war, and we cannot afford that!"

His voice was not loud, yet it rang in Huang Shizhang's ear like a startling thunderclap.

Huang Shizhang's smile froze instantly; looking at Wang Xiong's stern demeanor, the pride in his heart vanished, and he quickly bowed heavily, his tone respectful and firm, "Colonel Wang, you are absolutely right! The Subordinate General will keep it in mind!"

"After we return, the Subordinate General will immediately straighten military discipline, intensify training, and dispatch additional watchtowers, ensuring no suspicious person approaches the city!"

Wang Xiong nodded with satisfaction, one hand clasped behind his back, his gaze again turning north as he said slowly, "Since we have inspected Gancao City and the defenses are largely sound, I will head to the fertile fields tomorrow!"

"Fertile Fields Town is a key settlement for colonization on the Northern Border, with ample Provisions and strategic importance; the newly appointed Inspector has not yet taken office, so the defenses there also need a careful inspection before we can be at ease..."

Hong Xi, standing nearby, agreed, "Colonel, your consideration is thorough; Fertile Fields Town truly is a crucial spot on the Northern Border, and we must not allow any slip‑ups."

Huang Shizhang also quickly said, "If the Colonel departs tomorrow, the Subordinate General will arrange carriages and horses now, and select a few elite cavalry to escort the Colonel to Fertile Fields!"

Wang Xiong gave a slight nod, about to give his assent, turned to descend the wall when Hong Xi beside him suddenly narrowed his pupils, stared fixedly at the northern horizon, and his expression instantly turned terrified.

He thrust his hand toward the north and shouted hoarsely, "Colonel! General Huang! Look over there!"

Everyone, hearing this, was startled and quickly looked in the direction Hong Xi's finger pointed.

In the distant northern wasteland, a massive black mass rolled toward Gancao City like a storm cloud.

Its speed was astonishing, kicking up dust that blocked the sky; under the sunset it formed a huge gray‑yellow barrier, tinting half the sky a dark yellow.

The black shadow drew nearer, and faintly one could see countless flags fluttering in the wind, rustling.

The flag designs were familiar and fierce.

The wall soldiers also sensed the anomaly, dropping their tasks, staring terrified northward, and murmurs rose and fell.

As the massive army drew closer, those on the wall finally saw the flags clearly, as well as the dark‑colored Leather Armor worn by the cavalry.

It was indeed the distinctive attire of the Qi State army!

Wang Xiong's complexion instantly grew extremely grave; he clenched his fists so hard his knuckles whitened, and in a deep voice, tinged with suppressed anger and urgency, said, "It's the Qi army!"

Huang Shizhang's eyes widened, his face full of disbelief, and he involuntarily blurted a curse, "Damn it!"

Then, he abruptly turned to Wang Xiong, his eyes filled with astonishment and horror, his voice trembling, "You really got it right, Colonel Wang?!"

"The Qi army… the Qi army really launched a surprise attack?!"

"How dare they?!"

"Why would they choose this moment, choose Gancao City?!"