Chapter 139: Supply Raid

The night was as dark as ink, deep and tranquil.

Inside the commander's large tent, candlelight flickered, casting the shadows of Xue Ren Gui and Tie Shi Wen onto the rough canvas curtain, swaying with their slight movements.

The faces of the two commanders grew ever more solemn in the yellow candlelight, like bronze statues washed by time.

The departure of Jiao Mo and Mo Peng made the atmosphere in the tent even more grave.

"Tie General, do you think the enemy's supply line could become our breakthrough?"

Xue Ren Gui took a deep breath, breaking the silence.

"What Commander Xue says is absolutely right."

"At present, most of the Qi Zhou army is being held by our Cangzhou army in the Qi Zhou mountains, and their supply line must therefore be their weak point."

"If we can cut off their supply line, the enemy will naturally fall into disorder without battle."

Tie Shi Wen heard this, furrowed his brows, glanced at the map of Qi Zhou, pondered for a moment, then spoke slowly.

A flash of appreciation crossed Xue Ren Gui's eyes; he rose, walked to the map, and traced a winding route with his finger: "This is the enemy's supply line, with several grain depots along the way."

"I intend to attack one of them to destroy the enemy's grain supply."

Tie Shi Wen walked to Xue Ren Gui's side, his gaze following the finger as it moved across the map.

Their eyes moved across the map and finally settled on a heavily marked enemy grain depot.

Xue Ren Gui lightly tapped his finger on the map, as if trying to pierce the thin paper to touch the land of swords and fire beyond.

When Xue Ren Gui's finger stopped at a point marked "Enemy Grain Stronghold," Tie Shi Wen's eyes narrowed: "Commander Xue, this place is treacherous, easy to defend but hard to attack."

"To attack here, we must plan carefully."

Xue Ren Gui nodded: "General Tie, you are quite right."

"I have already entrusted the lord's intelligence network to scout this place; although the terrain is perilous, it is not impregnable."

"As long as we strike unexpectedly and strike where they are unprepared, we will surely succeed in one fell swoop."

Thus the two began, within the large tent, to discuss every detail of the raid plan in detail.

They analyzed the enemy's troop deployment, defensive works, patrol routes, and possible contingencies.

Each detail was repeatedly scrutinized and revised until they were confident the plan was flawless.

Tie Shi Wen's words revealed his deep understanding of the Qi army and his keen insight into the battlefield.

He gave a detailed description of the terrain features of the enemy grain depot, including the surrounding mountains, rivers, roads, and traffic, as well as the enemy's troop deployment and defensive works.

He also especially emphasized the possible countermeasures the enemy might take and any unexpected situations that could arise.

As the discussion deepened, Xue Ren Gui and Tie Shi Wen began to gradually clarify each detail of the raid plan.

They planned the timing, route, troop allocation, and attack method, among other key issues.

Each detail was repeatedly scrutinized and revised until they were confident the plan was flawless.

In this process, the tacit understanding between Xue Ren Gui and Tie Shi Wen was fully demonstrated.

They complemented and inspired each other, jointly facing various problems and challenges.

Their thoughts were like two sharp swords, intertwining and bursting forth with brilliant light.

The night grew ever darker, yet the lights inside the tent remained bright.

The silhouettes of Xue Ren Gui and Tie Shi Wen overlapped and interlaced on the map, as if they were weaving an invisible net that firmly ensnared the enemy's grain depot.

Finally, after a lengthy discussion, they finally settled on the final raid plan.

Xue Ren Gui looked at Tie Shi Wen, his eyes flashing with determined light: "Tie General, this raid mission is no ordinary undertaking."

"You will lead General Jiao Mo together; you must ensure absolute success."

"I will coordinate with General Mo Peng in the rear, just in case!"

Tie Shi Wen straightened his back, his voice ringing and strong: "Commander Xue, rest assured, I will not disgrace my mission!"

The night was like water; moonlight streamed through the gaps, bathing the two commanders' silhouettes in a layer of silver light.

The night was like ink, deep and tranquil.

On the vast expanse of Qi Zhou's land, an elite unit advanced silently.

Their target was precisely one of the Qi army's grain depots.

Bald-headed Tie Shi Wen now led the Fuhai Great Sage, Jiao Mo, at the very front of the troop.

The party moved soundlessly, as if merging with the night.

The gaze of Tie Shi Wen ahead was firm and sharp, as if it could pierce layers of mist and reach the goal directly.

He knew the importance of this raid mission went without saying.

If successful, it would greatly weaken the combat strength of the Qi army in the mountains, winning a precious opportunity for the Cangzhou army led by Li Jing.

Jiao Mo followed closely behind, his eyes flashing with excitement.

As a newly born War God, he longed to achieve merit on the battlefield and prove his worth.

The unit moved swiftly through the night, detouring around enemy patrols and avoiding one trap after another.

Tie Shi Wen and Jiao Mo remained vigilant at all times, their eyes scanning the darkness for any suspicious movement, missing nothing.

After a long and arduous trek, they finally reached the vicinity of their destination.

The Qi army's grain depot lay before them—a massive granary surrounded by countless defensive works and patrol units.

Tie Shi Wen quickly surveyed the terrain and enemy deployment, then whispered to Jiao Mo: "General Jiao, you lead a detachment to flank from the left; I will lead another force in a frontal assault."

"Remember, our goal is to destroy the granary, not to linger in battle."

Jiao Mo nodded, indicating he understood.

He immediately led a company of elite soldiers, silently flanking to the left.

While Tie Shi Wen led another squad of soldiers, silently approaching the granary.

At this moment, Xue Ren Gui, too, was with Mo Peng in the rear, preparing to provide support.

Their eyes remained fixed on the battlefield ahead, waiting for the signal from Tie Shi Wen and Jiao Mo.

Xue Ren Gui knew that the success of this assault mission hinged on whether they could timely reinforce the frontline attack.

Xue Ren Gui looked at Mo Peng, his eyes flashing: "General Mo Peng, are you ready?"

Mo Peng straightened his back, his voice ringing and strong: "Commander Xue, rest assured; this humble officer will not disgrace the mission!"

Xue Ren Gui nodded, his gaze turning once more to the battlefield ahead.

According to his estimate, at this moment Tie Shi Wen and Jiao Mo have likely already engaged in fierce combat.

He awaited their victory news and also prepared to reinforce the frontline at any moment.

Meanwhile, near the enemy's supply depot, Tie Shi Wen and Jiao Mo have already launched their operation.

Kill!

Tie Shi Wen led the soldiers in a frontal assault; their weapons gleamed coldly in the moonlight, each swing taking an enemy life.

As night fell, within the flank camp of the Qi army, firelight flickered; soldiers gathered around the fire to keep warm, chatting about everyday matters, utterly unaware that a sudden disaster was about to befall them.

(End of chapter)