Chapter 184: Falling for the Trap

By the third day, Li Goudan wore a tattered cotton robe, his pants caked with mud and snowwater, his hair a bird's nest. He strode into the tent and said slowly, "My lord, the wind outside is still fierce—unusually so, unbearable, sigh…" As he spoke, he vigorously slapped the snow off his body.

Jiang Mingyu sat beside the firepit, holding a map, his brow furrowed. He wanted to storm the city, yet had no suitable opportunity. With winter closing in and supplies dwindling, his heart burned with anxiety.

Hearing Li Goudan's voice, he looked up at him and said, "You lazybones, where have you been?"

Li Goudan chuckled. "I went to scout the enemy. You won't believe it—Wang Hao's old fox is about to crack. His grain's running low; his soldiers are pale and emaciated. Word is he's trying to sneak in supplies."

Jiang Mingyu's eyes lit up. "Really? Are you sure?"

Li Goudan nodded. "I saw it myself. This afternoon, I slipped onto a path outside the city and spotted a convoy approaching. I hid behind a tree and watched—every cart was loaded with sacks of grain and fodder. It's surely Wang Hao's men bringing in supplies from elsewhere."

Jiang Mingyu pondered. "Could you recognize those men?"

Li Goudan shook his head. "I've never seen them before. But they didn't look like Wang Hao's troops. Their clothes were sloppy, and their speech wasn't northern."

Jiang Mingyu thought a moment. "Then Wang Hao must have hired outside help—perhaps from the south or west. That gives us an opening."

Li Goudan frowned. "What opening?"

Jiang Mingyu stood, pointing at a spot on the map. "Look here—this is the only road to the city gate. If we block it, we cut Wang Hao's supply line. When his grain runs out, he'll have only two choices: surrender or fight."

Li Goudan nodded. "Good idea. But how do we block it?"

Jiang Mingyu smiled. "Didn't you just say the wind's fierce? I've got a plan. Zhuge Yu once said: a skilled commander uses grass, wood, earth, and stone as weapons. The north wind is strong now—let's set fire. Burn down the gate, and our troops surge in. Victory secured!"

Li Goudan stared, skeptical. "My lord… is that even possible? It's deep winter—trees are buried under snow. Fire won't take hold."

Jiang Mingyu smiled faintly. "I know your concern—water quenches fire, yes? But don't speak too absolutely. Great floods drown small flames, yet great flames can boil water dry. I only need to collapse the gate. Our strength lies within—we win once we're inside. Do you see it?"

Li Goudan opened his mouth to reply, but two voices cut him off.

"My lord, brilliant!" one said.

"My lord, masterful strategy!" the other said.

Jiang Mingyu turned. Behind him stood Tukesiluo and Wu Xiao. Having heard his plan, both nodded in approval.

Seeing the wind direction perfect, Jiang Mingyu ordered preparations for fire attack. Soon, all was ready. With no time to waste, he led his army to the city walls, ready to strike.

At that moment, a cold voice rang out: "Jiang Mingyu, I've been waiting for you!" Before the words faded, flames erupted all around—seven thousand of Wang Hao's soldiers burst forth, surrounding Jiang Mingyu's force.

Jiang Mingyu's heart lurched. "No—we've been tricked!"

It was Wang Hao's trap.

He knew Jiang Mingyu would eye his grain supplies. So he sent a convoy pretending to carry grain.

He secretly hired mercenaries from the south and west, hiding them outside the city.

He waited until Jiang Mingyu took the bait, then sprung the net.

Trapped in flames, Jiang Mingyu felt searing heat blast his face, his eyes burning, throat parched.

Around him, Wang Hao's soldiers surged like wolves, swords and spears raised, brimming with killing intent. His own troops panicked—some fought desperately, others scrambled for escape, some dropped their weapons and knelt, begging for mercy.

Despair filled Jiang Mingyu's heart. He knew he'd fallen for Wang Hao's scheme—this battle was lost.

Then, a familiar voice echoed in his ear: "My lord, don't fear—we've come to save you!"

Jiang Mingyu turned. Li Goudan and Wu Xiao charged toward him, long knives in hand. Wu Xiao was drenched in blood and ash, yet his gaze remained steady. "My lord," he said, "I found a way out. Follow me."

Jiang Mingyu didn't understand, but had no time to think. He saw only Li Goudan and Wu Xiao as his last hope. He followed. They led him through fire to the city gate—now reduced to smoldering rubble. Wu Xiao pointed. "My lord, look there!"

Jiang Mingyu followed his finger. Beside the gate was a small hole, faint white smoke curling from its mouth. Wu Xiao said, "I spotted it just now. This tunnel leads inside. Wang Hao probably used it to sneak in grain. We can slip through while he's distracted."

Jiang Mingyu's heart leapt. He recalled a story: during the Spring and Autumn period, the Chu general Zi Yu besieged the Qi capital Linzi. Qi's ruler Tian Ji devised a plan—soldiers donned Chu uniforms, slipped out at night through a tunnel, and set fire behind Chu's lines. The Chu troops, thinking it was their own men, let their guard down. Qi's army broke out and counterattacked Chu's camp. Zi Yu fled in defeat.

Jiang Mingyu thought: If I use this same trick, perhaps there's still a chance. He said to Wu Xiao and Li Goudan, "Fine. Do as you say. You go first—scout the way."

Wu Xiao and Li Goudan nodded and slipped into the tunnel. Jiang Mingyu followed. After a short walk, muffled voices reached them ahead. Li Goudan halted. "My lord, we're inside. I see Wang Hao's camp—they're celebrating victory, no guard at all."

Jiang Mingyu's eyes gleamed. "Perfect. Let's give them a surprise."

Wu Xiao grinned. "My lord, I've prepared torches and oil-soaked cloth. We light them, hurl them into the camp—fire erupts, Wang Hao's men panic, and we carve our way out."

Jiang Mingyu agreed. "Good. Do it. I've already ordered Tukesiluo to bring reinforcements—he'll arrive soon."

Wu Xiao shook his head. "My lord, we can't go with you. We stay here to cover your retreat. Don't worry—I'll hold off Wang Hao's pursuers."

Jiang Mingyu's heart swelled. "Goudan, Xiao Er—I'll never forget your deeds."

Wu Xiao and Li Goudan smiled. "My lord, no need for thanks. We're just doing what we must. Go now—don't waste time."

"I'll return for you soon. Wait for me."