Establishing a thousand-year family from the nobles of the Western Han Dynasty

Chapter 31: Night Transport of Food and Grass
In the State of Yan, Hu Duo regrouped and launched several more attacks. After Xu Zheng took over the position of commander-in-chief, he continued his brother's strategy and held his position by relying on the terrain advantage.

The Donghu cavalry was never able to break through the defense line, and the Han people even built camps and fortresses and dug trip pits to restrain the cavalry's advantage.

But now a bigger problem has emerged, that is, the food supply has begun to run out in Jicheng, and the defenders can't even stand steadily. Fortunately, Hu Duo was too greedy for merit and wanted to solve this problem first. If he had attacked with all his strength, the city gate would probably have been breached long ago.

Xu Zheng’s top priority now is to quickly open a gap and deliver food to the city.

"Let's discuss this, everyone. If Jicheng is lost, the bloody battles of tens of thousands of Han soldiers will all be in vain."

"The things that General Xu left behind have been completely messed up."

Xu Zheng summoned all the generals together to discuss countermeasures. Because of his military achievements in Yunzhong Shangjun and other places in his early years, and the remaining prestige of the old Grand Tutor Xu Zhen, all the generals were convinced.

I have to say that family background is sometimes really useful and you will naturally be respected.

"General, the Hu people have successively withdrawn tens of thousands of soldiers. The number of troops surrounding Ji is only 70,000 to 80,000. There must be a gap. We can use this to transport food!"

Someone made a suggestion, which was exactly what Xu Zheng was thinking.

So he immediately affirmed: "I think this is a good strategy and we can try it. I wonder what the generals think?"

"I agree!"

“It’s indeed possible…”

Almost everyone agreed that this was the only way at the moment. Since they couldn't fly, they could only look for a gap.

Xu Zheng nodded, and then asked another question: "Who is willing to go? If you succeed, I will let General Xu personally recommend you to His Majesty."

He really wanted to go in person, but as the commander-in-chief, he couldn't leave the barracks at all. Otherwise, who would give orders when Hu Duo attacked again? So he could only send a general to go.

This is the only way I can do no matter how worried I am.

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone fell silent. They did not have the confidence. The generals who could take charge of the Han Dynasty now were almost all descendants of the Xu family and veterans from the reigns of Emperor Gao and Emperor Hui.

The rest of the people did not have much ability to lead troops alone. This was also caused by the fact that the reign of Emperor Wen was too peaceful and stable. The previous harassment by the Donghu was actually not a big deal, and the large-scale invasion was led by Xu Zhen and the veteran generals, so it was not their turn.

This resulted in most generals only being able to charge into battle.

"Xu Gong, do you want to go to war?" Xu Zheng set his eyes on his youngest brother. This child might have hypochondria and could not lead troops or fight in a war.

"I...I am willing to go!" Xu Gong clenched his fists and gritted his teeth as he prepared to take on this task. He also wanted to contribute to the country and the people, and did not want to disappoint the expectations of his father and His Majesty!
I can definitely overcome this fear myself!

"Do you have confidence? The whole battle is at stake. I can only succeed, not fail." Xu Zheng still looked at him doubtfully. This brat had failed many times along the way.

If he fails and alerts the enemy, it will be difficult to succeed. He cannot ignore the country's affairs for the sake of his brother.

"I have confidence that I will be able to successfully transport the food and grass in." Xu Gong was unsure, but he wanted to impress his brothers! He also wanted to ruthlessly refute those who said that he relied on his father!
"General, why don't you let me go? The front line needs more people..." Some people began to smooth things over for Xu Gong.

"Uncle, I am willing to go with you!" At this time, Xu Zhou, who had recovered from his injury, walked in and bowed.

"Is Zhou'er's injury still serious?" Xu Zheng was very worried about his health. This was the last bloodline left by his second brother, and there must be no mistakes. Otherwise, he would not know how to explain it to his grave.

"My nephew has already recovered, uncle, don't worry." Xu Zhou replied with a bow. He had been eager to serve the Han Dynasty in place of his father.

I must do something this time. I can’t always let my elders charge into battle. He has already undergone the ceremony of coming of age!

"Well... in that case, I won't stop you. It just so happens that your bastard uncle also needs someone to help him." Xu Zheng nodded and agreed to the request.

Xu Zhou was actually a strategist. Because of his natural intelligence, Liu Ruyi had hired him as an aide to the royal palace very early on. With his advice, Liu Ruyi could feel more at ease.

"Uncle, don't worry, this will be accomplished!" Xu Zhou was very confident. He had a different opinion from others. This uncle, who was only one year older than him, was actually very talented, but he just couldn't stand the sight of blood.

This time they just wanted to avoid direct conflict as much as possible, it was a perfect match! So Xu Zhou was very optimistic about this action.

"It's good that you have confidence. In addition to the civilian soldiers who will carry the goods, I will give you another 200 cavalrymen."

"No need, uncle. One hundred is enough." Xu Zhou said with a smile.

Later, all the food and fodder had been loaded, the soldiers did not wear armor to reduce the weight on their bodies, and the horses' hooves were wrapped in linen to reduce the noise as much as possible.

Taking advantage of the night, carts of food were transported around the enemy's patrol area. Because it was too late and the movements were light, they did not alarm the Hu people and continued to move towards Jicheng.

"Nephew, look over there. From my observation, the southwest corner of the city wall is the least patrolled because it is a swamp." Xu Gong quickly demonstrated his superb reconnaissance skills.

"Uncle, let's deliver the food from here." Xu Zhou nodded, and then ordered the soldier who was good at ventriloquism to imitate the cry of a mountain owl, which was the unique code of the Han army.

"Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu"

The mountain owl's cry sounded nine times in a specific rhythm. The soldiers on the city wall who had received the secret signal immediately understood the meaning and went back to report. Soon the King of Yan sent people to wait at the agreed location.

"Uncle, please send a trusted lieutenant with 100 cavalrymen to attack the enemy's camp in the northwest corner immediately. That is where the leader of this tribe is."

"After that, you will personally lead these fifteen wagons loaded with straw to another weakly defended blind spot."

Xu Zhou pointed in a direction. He wanted to use an alternative strategy to lure the tiger away from the mountain and mislead the Donghu people twice! He would act after all the sentries were sent away.

"Well, be careful, nephew." Xu Gong was not affected this time. As long as he did not see blood or charge, he would always be a fierce general!
The plan went as planned. One hundred Han cavalrymen attacked the camp with great fanfare. The Donghu people were alarmed and sent hundreds of people to besiege the camp. They then increased their alert, knowing that things were not that simple.

Half an hour later, Xu Gong drove the carriage there as scheduled, which unsurprisingly alerted the Hu spies.

In order to protect the "food", the two armies fought each other. The enemy also recognized Xu Gong's identity, so all the troops were sent up.

Xu Zhou made sure that there was no ambush, and took the opportunity to send dozens of carts of food and fodder up with straw ropes. There were a lot of people receiving them, so the efficiency was also very high.

With the two men's exquisite cooperation, all the food and fodder for the city's expenses for one month were delivered, and Xu Gong, who served as bait, also escaped unscathed.

(End of this chapter)