[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-restoring-the-mountains-and-rivers":3,"chapter-restoring-the-mountains-and-rivers-restoring-the-mountains-and-rivers-chapter-66":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Restoring the Mountains and Rivers",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2364335,4623,"Chapter 66: Night Raid on the Camp","restoring-the-mountains-and-rivers-chapter-66",66,"\u003Cp>After patrolling the defensive line, the time had reached the second watch. Just as Li Mu was about to sleep, he suddenly caught the scent of roasted meat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To fortify the city, all houses near the walls had been requisitioned and turned into temporary military camps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this hour, the army kitchen had long been extinguished—where could this meat aroma come from?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing something was wrong, Li Mu abandoned rest and swiftly appeared on the city wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he suspected, the aroma indeed came from the rebel camp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lure of meat was one of the most common tactics in ancient siege warfare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the city was short on grain, this method most effectively shattered the defenders’ morale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Understanding the enemy’s scheme, Li Mu sneered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rebels outside the city had clearly studied military texts—but their execution was still woefully inadequate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The army of Great Yu  was poor; soldiers often went hungry—but not all armies were destitute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Five City Military Commission, which funded itself, was among the wealthiest units in the army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The confiscated funds seized earlier were still piled up in the Yangzhou treasury, not yet transported to the capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All expenses were drawn from the treasury; there was no need to pinch pennies for the court at the expense of one’s own men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The garrison’s rations and pay were fully issued by the Marquis of Wuyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The soldiers’ food rations were even issued at the highest standard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though soldiers died daily, the units’ supply allocations were not reduced due to casualties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rebels had no navy; the other side of the river remained imperial territory—this siege of Yangzhou was a joke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The real power holders in the army were all outstanding scions of noble families; their vision wasn’t so narrow as to cut rations from frontline troops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With soldiers well-fed, this psychological warfare had lost most of its effect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet from the soldiers’ swallowing expressions, it was clear they were craving meat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a feudal dynasty, supplying meat for thirty thousand troops was simply too difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with ample funds, the garrison could only obtain fish as meat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After pacing along the wall for a few steps, Li Mu sensed something was still off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The number of rebels outside vastly outnumbered the defenders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Supplying meat for hundreds of thousands of troops was beyond the rebels’ capacity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You few, sniff—does this scent seem odd?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Li Mu’s reminder, the guarding officers instantly sensed something wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir, this isn’t the smell of beef, mutton, pork, or even fish!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once eliminated, the answer became obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Immediately expose the rebels’ atrocities to the troops!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mu gave the order without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He never imagined the rebels could be so brutal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They could stoop to eating human flesh—crossing the very line of morality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He truly couldn’t understand: why would powerful clans, with greater Jianshi , commit such foolish acts?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The soldiers’ expressions of unified fury made it clear: they were enraged by the rebels’ violation of ethical norms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such a commotion could not be kept secret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those coerced into joining the rebels would surely turn against them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too bad Li Mu wasn’t the commander—if he were, tonight would be the perfect moment to break the enemy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rebel camp now was dry tinder soaked in oil; a single spark could ignite it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Commander Battalion Commander, the rebel camp is stirring—it seems something has happened!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Company Commander said, his voice trembling with excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gazing toward the enemy camp, Li Mu faintly heard shouting mixed with the sounds of fighting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the darkness was too thick to make out what was happening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Select five hundred brave men, prepare for a night raid on the enemy camp!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tell them: all participants will be rewarded with ten taels of silver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the raid succeeds, each man gets twenty taels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For those who die, fifty taels of compensation will be paid, and the court will support their families.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who achieve great merit—I personally guarantee them a future!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mu said grimly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bold eat their fill; the timid starve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The opportunity has come right to our door—there’s no reason to let it slip away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s going on outside? Why all this noise?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Renlong asked irritably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the failed assault, everything had gone wrong for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many problems hidden beneath earlier victories had now surfaced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Solving them had drained him utterly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“General, it seems the argument broke out over meat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The personal guard’s answer made Huang Renlong frown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, he felt Zong Guangtai was cursed—every suggestion from this Zong Master ended in disaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Passing off human flesh as pork required strict secrecy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If word leaked, panic would spread through the ranks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially among the expendable troops lacking loyalty—they could mutiny at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such matters could only be entrusted to a few trusted men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So much meat had been cooked but not distributed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This sparked widespread resentment—and now this farce had erupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Issue orders: all units return to their camps immediately. Anyone who leaves without permission—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he finished the order, the situation outside changed again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only his own troops wanted meat—friends from allied forces had also been drawn in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The trusted men assigned to guard the site couldn’t stop them—they stormed in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These men didn’t hesitate; they grabbed the meat and started eating—only to realize something was wrong once it was in their mouths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the truth was revealed, aside from a few twisted individuals who ate more eagerly, most couldn’t help vomiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, curses filled the air; countless voices were hurling insults at Huang Renlong’s entire family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he stepped out now, he might get beaten—or worse, lose his life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rebel army wasn’t united; there were more than a few allies who wanted him dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you standing there for? Go find Master Zong immediately!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He came up with the idea—he must handle the fallout!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Renlong barked at his guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this crisis, his mind was perfectly clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rebel army was in an uproar; the priority now was calming morale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let the other guy die, not me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone had to carry this black mark—and it couldn’t be him. That left only the one who proposed the idea: Master Zong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the rebel camp descended into chaos, Li Mu personally saw off the death squad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After drinking a cup of farewell wine, he said not a single sentimental word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhou Platoon Leader, I entrust them to you—do your best to bring them all back alive!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mu said, his heart heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Infantry weren’t cavalry; whether the night raid succeeded or not, these soldiers had little chance of survival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Commander Battalion Commander, rest assured—I, Zhou Chuanfa, will give this mission my all!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Chuanfa declared boldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without family connections, he had won his position as Platoon Leader through sheer grit in investigations and battles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Five City Military Commission, this position was the ceiling for an ordinary man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, he would serve as Platoon Leader until retirement—or be pushed out by some well-connected man and sent home early.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zhou Chuanfa refused to live a meaningless life; he wanted to secure a future for his descendants, so he volunteered for the death squad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I promise you—if you return, you’ll be Zhou Company Commander!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mu made the pledge on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The value of his word showed itself in moments like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no authority over Company Commander appointments in the Five City Military Commission—but Zhou Chuanfa still believed he could deliver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One after another, baskets appeared along the wall; soldiers descended in orderly fashion, lowered slowly along the ramparts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1271,"2026-06-21T08:09:02.410Z",1,"Qwen3.5 397B","d72452d20348af894f95be05c17437c28ae77393bf161751e598b15693e5c4c4","restoring-the-mountains-and-rivers-chapter-67","restoring-the-mountains-and-rivers-chapter-65",391,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Frestoring-the-mountains-and-rivers-cover.jpg"]