Chapter 117: Supply Line

You're as anxious as ants on a hot pan—can't I tease you a bit?

Jiang Xiaomu shook his head helplessly; this woman is truly inscrutable.

Time passed minute by minute, and the atmosphere inside the tent grew increasingly tense.

Finally, a black-clad figure appeared silently at the tent entrance, kneeling on one knee and presenting a sealed letter with both hands.

Ye Ying took the letter, quickly skimmed it, and the smile on her face gradually faded, replaced by solemnity.

How is it?

Jiang Xiaomu asked eagerly.

Ye Ying handed the letter to him, her tone heavy.

Have a look yourself.

Jiang Xiaomu took the letter and read it carefully.

The letter detailed the Bosi army's grain and forage supply situation; after reading it, his expression also turned grim.

The Bosi army's grain and forage supply line was far larger and more complex than they had imagined.

Besides grain and forage, there were also large quantities of weapons, armor, crossbows, and so on, continuously transported from the rear to the front.

This… Jiang Xiaomu frowned tightly, feeling the situation was even more troublesome than expected.

The dense lines on the map were like a giant spider web, weighing on his mind.

This… is practically an iron barrel!

He couldn't help but sigh.

Xiong Kuohai beside him said:

General, I'll lead my brothers to raid their grain supplies!

He slapped his chest, full of heroic spirit.

Another commander, slender in build, named Li Changfeng, upon hearing this, immediately retorted:

General Xiong, this plan is absolutely out of the question!

The grain convoy will surely be escorted by Bosi elite troops; even if we seize the grain, it would be a lose-lose situation, not worth it!

Xiong Kuohai glared at him, unconvinced.

What's there to fear! Back in my day…

Alright, alright, Jiang Xiaomu interrupted their argument.

General Li is right; brute force isn't the solution.

He moved his finger slowly across the map, his gaze falling on a scattering of villages, and said:

The Bosi army has penetrated deep into the Central Plains, stretching their front line this far.

Even if their supply line is strong, they cannot rely entirely on domestic supplies.

They will surely requisition grain locally!

A gleam flashed in Jiang Xiaomu's eyes.

Rather than deadlock with their grain convoys, it's better to strike at the source!

If we can incite these villagers to resist and sabotage their local requisition plan, we can effectively cripple the Bosi army's logistics!

Ye Ying raised an eyebrow, intrigued, and asked:

Oh? What do you plan to do?

Jiang Xiaomu smiled faintly, confident, and said:

I plan to send some intelligence operatives disguised as villagers to infiltrate these villages.

On one hand, continue gathering intelligence; on the other hand.

Seize the opportunity to sabotage the Bosi army's grain requisition plan, preferably setting them against each other!

Ye Ying gave a light laugh, admiration flashing in her eyes.

That idea is not bad, but…

She drew out her tone, looking at Jiang Xiaomu with deep meaning.

Are you sure your subordinates have people capable of playing the role of 'villagers' for this job?

Don't end up failing to incite the villagers and instead get sold out by them.

Jiang Xiaomu patted his chest confidently.

Don't worry, my subordinates are all elites; pretending to be villagers is a piece of cake.

Besides, I'll prepare some 'greeting gifts' for them, guaranteeing those villagers will obey!

Having said that, Jiang Xiaomu immediately summoned a few close aides and explained the plan in detail.

These individuals were specially trained intelligence operatives, proficient in various disguise and stealth techniques.

A few days later, these 'villagers' dispersed and quietly infiltrated the various villages along the Bosi army's supply line.

One of them, an intelligence operative named Zhang San, posed as an honest, simple farmer.

He opened a small tea stall in the village; he was warm-hearted and quickly got along with the village elders and youths.

That day, Zhang San was leisurely sitting at the tea stall's entrance, basking in the sun.

Suddenly, he saw dust rising in the distance; a Bosi grain convoy was marching mightily toward the village.

A gleam flashed in his eyes; he immediately rose and returned to the tea stall, bringing out the 'greeting gift' he had prepared in advance—several jars of strong liquor,

and took them out.

Villagers! The Bosi dogs are coming to seize grain again; we can't just endure it silently!

Today, I'll treat everyone to drinks to bolster courage, and we'll fight them to the end!

Zhang San shouted passionately, opened a jar of strong liquor, and the rich aroma instantly filled the air.

Villagers had long hated the atrocities of the Bosi army to the bone, but they only dared to be angry, not to speak.

Upon seeing Zhang San so generous and hearing his incendiary words, the villagers' blood boiled instantly; they all seized their wine bowls and drank them down in one gulp.

"Damn! Let's fight the Bosi dogs to the death!"

"Yes! Fight to the death! Better die than become slaves of a conquered nation!"

After the strong liquor went down their throats, the villagers' eyes turned red, and like hungry wolves they charged at the supply convoy.

The Bosi soldiers were caught off guard, hadn't even reacted, and were instantly overwhelmed by the swarming villagers.

Zhang San stood at the teahouse doorway, watching the scene before him, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

He drew a signal arrow from his bosom, lit the fuse, with a whoosh the signal arrow trailed a long flame into the sky, exploding in midair into a gorgeous burst of sparks.

This was the prearranged signal; the other villagers lying in wait nearby, upon seeing the signal,

They immediately sprang into action, inciting the villagers to attack the Bosi supply convoy, and the Bosi army's supply line was thrown into complete chaos.

The originally meticulous transport plan was disrupted, and a large amount of grain and fodder was seized or burned by the villagers.

The news reached the ears of the Bosi army commander Aqizi; he flew into a rage and violently smashed the cup in his hand onto the ground.

"These damned villagers! How dare they defy our great Bosi empire!"

"Issue the order at once, send troops to crush them! No mercy!"

However, Aqizi's deputy Kasim objected:

"Commander, absolutely not!"

"Although these villagers are no match in battle, they are numerous and familiar with the terrain."

"If we carry out a massacre, it will only provoke even more resistance, and by then our supply line will be completely cut off!"

"Moreover, we are deep in enemy territory, our provisions are already scarce; if we suffer further heavy losses, the consequences would be unthinkable!"

Although Aqizi was furious, he was not without sense.

After carefully weighing the pros and cons, he ultimately gave up the idea of massacring the villages.

He said through gritted teeth:

"Issue the order: strictly guard the supply routes, increase patrols, and ensure the safety of the grain and fodder!"

"Also, send people to negotiate with the village chiefs."

"Tell them that as long as they stop harassing our supply convoys, we will forgive past offenses!"

Kasim took his leave, but inwardly he groaned, for Aqizi's order was fundamentally unenforceable.

These villagers have already been incited; how could they possibly quit easily?

The Bosi army's logistical support will likely become increasingly difficult.

As Kasim had predicted, although the Bosi army strengthened its defenses and increased patrols, the villagers' resistance only grew fiercer.

The Bosi army, exhausted from constant scrambling, saw ever less grain and fodder reaching the camp; the soldiers began to complain, and morale sank.

Aqizi was at his wits' end, yet there was nothing he could do.