Chapter 239: The War Drums Sounded Completely

The sight of using the Prince of Zhenbei's head as a target for fun made everyone grief-stricken and indignant.

But everyone could do nothing about the other party, and such grief and indignation slowly turned into despair.

The Prince of Zhenbei's head was right in front of them, but they couldn't let him be laid to rest, and it was even going to be used as a toy by the Xiongnu.

This was undoubtedly a great psychological torture for the Zhenbei Army, and even more so for Wei Xikang.

Now he was waiting, waiting for the reinforcements from Shuang and Yin cities to arrive, to catch the Xiongnu off guard.

The distance between the three cities was not far, and it would take no more than half a day's journey if they came straight to support.

But Wei Xikang was cautious and let them set out in batches to avoid being detected by the Xiongnu's eyes and ears.

And in these two days, morale was even lower, and discipline relied entirely on the hoarse scolding of the Colonels.

The Vice General was tired but insisted on patrolling constantly, but that spirit had already dissipated for the most part with the death of the Prince of Zhenbei.

On the afternoon of the third day, just when the atmosphere was so oppressive that it made people unable to breathe, Wei Xikang finally received good news!

The reinforcements from the two cities had all arrived!

Wei Xikang couldn't wait to bring the generals to the sand table and said in a deep voice: "Uncle died tragically in the Xiongnu's trickery. I really can't bear to see the Xiongnu humiliate him like this."

Hearing this, the Vice General asked: "Your Highness means..."

Wei Xikang took a deep breath, his eyes becoming incomparably determined: "Launch a night attack tonight to catch the Xiongnu off guard! Not only must we take back Uncle's remains, but if we can defeat their vanguard in one fell swoop, or even capture and kill Adunla, the siege of the border will be lifted, and the northern frontier can be settled!"

"Night attack?"

The Vice General's heart tightened, the tragic situation in the valley still fresh in his memory, and he hurriedly cupped his fists to dissuade: "Your Highness, think twice! The Xiongnu are cunning, how could they not guard against a night attack?

Our army has just suffered a great defeat, is still in shock, and morale is low; I fear we cannot defeat the Xiongnu. Why not rest a little and then discuss it in the long run?"

The Vice General's worry was correct; he knew very well the influence of morale on the outcome of the war.

In the past, even when the Prince of Zhenbei was there, high morale was only barely a draw with the Xiongnu.

Now that the Prince of Zhenbei had just died, morale was at its lowest, and taking the initiative to open the city to meet the battle was no different from seeking death.

It was just that such discouraging words could not be said in front of everyone, so the Vice General spoke more tactfully!

A Colonel also couldn't help but say: "Your Highness, the brothers... the brothers really can't fight anymore! The Great General has just passed away, the army's heart is scattered, and attacking at this time is ominous!"

Wei Xikang looked at them, a trace of madness in his eyes: "Are you afraid of being beaten by the Xiongnu? When two armies meet on a narrow road, the brave one wins! Uncle's head is still being used as a toy by the Xiongnu outside the city; how can this blood feud not be avenged?"

He paused, his voice raised: "Uncle's blood feud can only be washed away with the heads of the Xiongnu! This battle is the revenge battle for the Prince of Zhenbei! Just use this to stimulate the blood and spirit of the soldiers!

I will personally put on armor and go into battle, lead 10,000 elites, and launch a night attack outside the city! After I lead the army to attack, you all raise more torches, shout to help, act as a feint, and prepare to respond!"

Wei Xikang's order carried the majesty of the Crown Prince and was unquestionable; obviously, he didn't take everyone's dissuasion to heart.

The Vice General opened his mouth, wanting to persuade him again, but met Wei Xikang's complex gaze. Only then did he recall...

The grain and grass in the city were not much...

Such a choice was like the Prince of Zhenbei's gamble at the beginning; did they really have a choice?

The Vice General was silent, the words of dissuasion stuck in his throat and couldn't be said at all. After a long while, he suddenly opened his mouth and said: "Since that's the case, it's better to have the whole army press the formation! And fight the Xiongnu to the death!"

A group of Colonels were dumbfounded, not knowing why the Vice General's attitude changed so quickly.

"Just to avenge the General, this battle must be fought!" The Vice General didn't explain the grain and grass problem, just led it to revenge.

Wei Xikang nodded: "That's right! If we let the Xiongnu treat the General's head like this outside the city, and we do nothing, what should the soldiers think?"

"Good! Since that's the case, then the whole army will charge!" Hearing this, the Colonels knew they couldn't persuade him anymore, so they gritted their teeth and agreed.

Rather than suffering and being tortured every day like this, it was better to have a good fight with the other party.

The news spread, and the reactions in the city were different.

The soldiers from Shuang and Yin cities also saw the Prince of Zhenbei's head, but fortunately, they were not affected too much.

And the Zhenbei Army in Lin City was generally shrouded in pessimism and fear.

"Another night attack? The Great General was..."

"Still stealing the camp? The Xiongnu are not fools!"

"The Xiongnu dare to set up camp outside the city, they must be prepared, why don't they understand?"

"Alas! Who made this decision? It's just messing around..."

Similar discussions spread in a low voice in the Zhenbei Army; obviously, the Zhenbei Army didn't think much of this move.

Although the Vice General shouted the slogan of avenging the Great General, for these soldiers with low morale, this slogan seemed empty and distant.

What they felt more truly was fatigue and fear of death.

The Colonels tried their best to boost morale, but the effect was minimal and it was not stimulated as Wei Xikang had hoped.

But the arrow was on the string and had to be fired; Wei Xikang decided to go out personally to boost morale.

After dinner, Wei Xikang stood on a high platform, looked at the numb crowd, and shouted: "I know what you are thinking! You have been beaten by the Xiongnu and are afraid!

You are afraid that your death will be meaningless, afraid that the Xiongnu's curved blade will be placed on your necks!

But...

Is fear useful?

The Great General spent his whole life on the battlefield, was he ever afraid?

Tonight! I, as the Crown Prince of Da Qian, will personally put on armor and go into battle! I will charge at the very front of you and tell you, I am not afraid!

I want to avenge the Great General, I want to fight for the northern frontier, and fight for the people!"

A passionate speech gradually made the numb eyes of the crowd have some fluctuations.

But more people were thinking about a complex question.

Can we... really win?

Regardless, this matter was already set in stone, and everyone could only follow the orders to do the preparatory work.

The hour of the Rat had arrived!

Wei Xikang stood at the very front, gathering in Lin City.

Under the reflection of the torches, more than 30,000 people had an aura of killing spreading.

The Vice General and the Colonels rode to Wei Xikang's side and exhorted again: "Your Highness, blades and arrows have no eyes on the battlefield, please be sure to retreat to the rear after the charge..."

Wei Xikang waved his hand: "No need to mention this matter again! If I retreat first, how can the soldiers charge? Open the gate!"

Seeing that he couldn't be persuaded, the Vice General could only turn around and exhort his personal guards to ensure the safety of His Highness the Crown Prince.

The heavy city gate of Lin City opened slowly, Wei Xikang took the lead, and the soldiers behind him followed closely, rushing out of the city gate toward the Xiongnu main camp where lights were faintly flickering five miles away.

And the war drums also sounded at this moment! ===== CHAPTER 240 =====