Chapter 942: Waiting for the Government Troops to Arrive

But the other scaling ladders had been prepared for this. The forked poles were either deflected by the men at the top or simply could not be pushed. Just as the forked poles retracted and the ladders were about to reach the battlements, the refugee mob's cheers grew even louder. At that very moment, figures appeared at the crenellations carrying wooden buckets, and boiling water came pouring down.

Bucket after bucket of boiling water poured from the top of the wall. The wooden planks raised overhead were utterly useless against the scalding liquid. One after another, refugees on the ladders screamed in agony and tumbled straight off. Some died the instant they hit the ground; others did not die right away, instead writhing on the ground in unbearable torment.

Immediately after, strips of burning black cloth were tossed down from the wall onto the ladders, quickly setting them ablaze. The dozens of ladders leaning against the city wall became dozens of blazing torches.

Some men hurriedly pulled the ladders down flat and smothered the flames with sand and earth, then set them up again and forced more people to climb. But when the defenders poured boiling filth down from the wall, the refugees collapsed entirely. The squad armed with short spears, heedless of life or death, turned and fought directly against the overseers driving them from behind.

When the forked poles failed to push the ladders away, the men around Ge Tianfeng grew increasingly agitated. Some were already shoving forward desperately, terrified of being left behind. But Ge Tianfeng was pushing backward with all his might. He had seen the smoke and steam drawing ever closer to the crenellations and knew disaster was coming.

When the main force scattered and fled, they did not withdraw immediately but lingered not far from the wall. Ge Tianfeng suddenly felt a jolt of terror. Wave after wave had fallen beneath the city wall, and the ranks ahead were growing thinner and thinner. Wouldn't his own side be next?

Those clods of earth, arrows, logs, and stones could still be dodged. But what could a man do when boiling water and scalding oil came pouring down while he clung to a ladder? No matter how fearless Ge Tianfeng was, he still felt a chill run through his entire body. For a moment, the thought even crossed his mind: if he too were forced to scale the wall, he would run. If he couldn't run, he would fight to the death. Better to be stabbed to death by wooden spears and bamboo pikes than to have his whole body scalded into festering ruin, unable to die quickly.

Ge Tianfeng could also see that the men around him were all in a state of panic. If they were forced to assault the wall, their reaction would likely be the same as his own.

But at that moment, new orders came from the rear: bring earth packs and sandbags forward to build up a ramp. Pile it as high as possible. Once it reached the same height as the wall, everyone could simply run straight up.

Upon receiving this order, Ge Tianfeng and his companions all breathed a sigh of relief. Even the refugees at the front, who had suffered such grievous casualties, also breathed a sigh of relief.

While loudly shouting at the men ahead to move faster, Ge Tianfeng turned to look back in confusion. Such a massive assault had been underway since early morning. Could it really just stop like this?

Through the gaps in the crowd, Ge Tianfeng could vaguely make out that large cart with men standing on it in the rear. People kept running to and from it, and there were even riders on horseback. That was probably where some important figure was stationed.

Xu Hongru, the Hierarch of the Scent-Smelling Sect, stood on the large cart with several trusted aides, watching the distant siege with an impassive expression. Though they were far away, the agonized screams and wild shouts from the front could be heard clearly here. The stench of scorched flesh as boiling water and oil met skin was carried over by the wind, and they could smell it too.

Yet none of this stirred them in the slightest. The refugees dying beneath the city wall counted for nothing; their numbers were not even worth mentioning.

Instead, it was the guards surrounding the cart who looked tense. It was not because of the brutal siege scene, but because the personnel here were too motley. If anyone were to jostle the Hierarch, that would be a grave matter.

A rider came galloping over from not far away. Some refugees failed to dodge in time and were directly bowled over by the horse. The rider did not slow down in the slightest, nor did he even glance back.

Upon reaching Xu Hongru, the rider, panting heavily from horseback, reported: "Hierarch, the north gate of Jining City is heavily guarded. Stone throwers and bows are all in readiness. We tried a probing assault, but we still couldn't get up!"

The expressions of the men on the cart were all rather grim. Xu Hongru alone remained calm. He simply said, "It seems the defending forces within Jining are sufficient. Even if we commit our full strength at one point and they defend with everything they have, they can still spare forces for the other directions."

Just then, another rider came galloping madly from a different direction. Upon arriving, he shouted hoarsely from horseback: "Hierarch, the south side did not open its gates. There are plenty of guards on the wall, and no trouble broke out."

At this report, someone beside Xu Hongru cursed aloud: "They've grown soft from a life of comfort! Aren't they afraid of being struck down by lightning?"

But another voice spoke coldly: "Those river rats were never on the same path as us to begin with. Didn't we also have an agreement with the ones in Northern Zhili? And yet there hasn't been a peep from them either."

"If we can't exploit a gap, then we won't. With this many men at the foot of the wall, one pack of earth per man can fill it up level," Xu Hongru said, pointing ahead.

This Jining City was not the Xuzhou of that day. When the refugees besieged Xuzhou, Xuzhou had been caught completely off guard. The government troops inside the city had all been transferred elsewhere, and the militia and local braves were terrified. They hadn't even had time to seal the city gates with sand and earth. That was why the earth-filling assault had achieved such results within a single day.

Jining City, however, was fully prepared. It was an even larger city than Xuzhou, not to mention that its provisions and supplies were all in place. There were government troops, there were local braves, and every necessary defensive measure had been taken.

Besieging a city like this would cost even a regular army enormous effort, let alone this disorganized rabble of refugees and famine victims. Looking at the defenses on this section of the wall, who knew how many casualties it would take to pile an earthen ramp up to the battlements. Moreover, the disaster victims and refugees were not completely numb. Forcing them today might well lead to outright mutiny tomorrow.

Having manipulated hearts and stirred up the common people for so long, the core leadership of the Scent-Smelling Sect knew perfectly well what reactions to expect. Yet each of them seemed utterly indifferent.

As soon as Xu Hongru gave the order, men immediately relayed it down the chain of command. Movement could be seen stirring at the front once more. Xu Hongru watched for a few moments, then turned and stepped down from the cart. Men beside the cart knelt directly on the ground to serve as his steps.

"Hierarch, the vanguard of the government troops has already reached Dongping Department. The main force will arrive very soon." Once Xu Hongru had descended, Xie Mingxian approached under the escort of several guards and whispered in his ear.

Xu Hongru nodded. Xie Mingxian continued, "These past days, a great many of our people have infiltrated Zou County. As long as a signal is sent from outside the city, Zou County can certainly be taken!"

"Send riders to urge Hongju to hurry. Tell him not to waste time breaking those stockades along the way. Once Zou County is opened, there'll be time enough for his pleasures." At this, Xu Hongru's expression grew considerably more serious.

Xie Mingxian hastily acknowledged the order, then hesitated before speaking again: "Hierarch, tarrying too long beneath the walls of Jining may bring trouble. No matter how frugal we are, with this many people, our grain supplies cannot hold out. And this Jining City is too solid. If we keep spending lives like this, I fear many will scatter and desert."

Xu Hongru halted his steps, turned his head to gaze at the distant city, and a cold sneer flickered at the corner of his mouth. He said grimly, "Has the letter been delivered?"

"It has been delivered."

"Then continue the fierce assault. As long as we keep up this pressure, we can squeeze grain out of this Jining City," Xu Hongru said with a smile.

"Relying on that letter? With the fighting so fierce today, they still haven't shown themselves," Xie Mingxian said, his voice full of doubt.

"They live off the Grand Canal, clad in brocade and eating jade—they live like kings among men. How could they possibly join in the ruckus with wretched wretches like us? But if Jining City is wrecked, their family enterprises will be wrecked too. Besides, everyone in this city, high and low, knows they burn incense and follow the faith. When the time comes, even if they don't want to step forward, others will force them to come negotiate." Xu Hongru's voice was low. While he spoke with Xie Mingxian, everyone else tactfully kept their distance.

At this, Xu Hongru turned his head to glance at the distant city and said with a cold laugh, "Pile it a bit higher, and the city will start to panic."

Xie Mingxian nodded silently, instinctively scanned the surroundings, then drew closer and said in a low voice: "Hierarch, we cannot stay here too long. These hundred thousand-plus people are a disorganized rabble, most of them starving. The moment the main government army arrives, they won't be able to hold anything back. I fear our old camp's core force will be scattered before it even takes the field. This Jining City is not so easily taken. We should leave!"

Xu Hongru's expression remained indifferent. He glanced sidelong at Xie Mingxian and asked with a faint smile, "Mingxian, are you afraid?"

At these words, Xie Mingxian's face instantly flushed crimson. Agitated, he said in a rough voice, "Hierarch, your subordinate is willing to lead his own division to meet the main government army in battle! If I retreat or shrink from the fight, I willingly submit to Heavenly Fire Immolation and the judgment of the sect's law."

As a core member of the sect's high echelon, he knew that Heavenly Fire Immolation was no empty threat. It was one of the Scent-Smelling Sect's cruelest punishments: boiling oil poured over the head, followed by a torch. To swear such a venomous oath before the Hierarch of the Scent-Smelling Sect showed the depth of his resolve.

"We are family here. Why say such things? Mingxian, do you think this seat has lost his mind, grown drunk on this clamorous spectacle and forgotten himself? Do you think this seat is that kind of man?" Xu Hongru asked leisurely in return.

"Your subordinate would not dare. But since the Hierarch is undertaking a great endeavor, there must be no negligence whatsoever. At this moment, our sect may seem unstoppable, but at this very moment, there is also grave danger!" Xie Mingxian replied, somewhat embarrassed, yet still stating his case with solemnity.

Xu Hongru did not pursue that line of conversation. Instead, he asked with a smile, "Mingxian, you see the siege's grand momentum, Jining City stricken with terror, every place in Yanzhou Prefecture stricken with terror. But can this truly frighten the government troops and the local militia?"

"It cannot. These starving wretches are mere insects and ants. Small bands of government soldiers and village braves might be one thing, but once a large force arrives, it will be like tigers among sheep. When that time comes, we will have to rely on our old brothers to fight!" Xie Mingxian answered solemnly.

Xu Hongru nodded and walked forward, speaking as he went: "If no one fears us, then no one respects us. We would remain mere roving bandits, unable to put down roots openly and righteously. If everyone scatters the moment the main government army arrives, who in the countryside will support and defer to us? Who will still hold us in awe? At worst, we hold out a bit and wait for the government troops to come. This time, we will not evade, we will not flee. We will fight one battle openly and honorably, and let everyone see."

Xie Mingxian was stunned for a moment. The Hierarch of the Scent-Smelling Sect was resourceful and decisive in planning, but had always been somewhat lacking in sheer resolution. Moreover, having operated in the shadows for so long, they all lacked a certain courage and will to fight. Yet this time, Xu Hongru's words made Xie Mingxian's blood boil. A man who could exercise restraint and cunning in the shadows, yet display heroic fighting spirit in the open—such a man was a true overlord. At this thought, Xie Mingxian clasped his fists and said, "Since Your Reverence has such resolve, your subordinate is willing to lead his own division and do battle with the government army!"

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