Hot flashes

In the darkest hour before dawn, the Huo Yi camp by the Qingxi River began to stir.

At first, only a few soldiers rushed out of the tent, clutching their stomachs and complaining that they had caught a chill during the night.

But soon, more and more people were suffering from diarrhea, and the silence of the military camp was broken by groans and hurried footsteps.

Long queues formed in front of the outhouses. Some people couldn't wait and found secluded spots to relieve themselves, and the stench of filth gradually spread.

Inside the central command tent, Huo Yi was awakened by his personal guards. Hearing the unusual commotion outside the tent and the urgent report from his deputy, Wang Ben, the old general's white eyebrows furrowed tightly.

"Has the military doctor checked the water source?" Huo Yi's voice was hoarse from just waking up, but his eyes were already as sharp as an eagle's.

"We've investigated! The Qingxi River water looks normal, but several camps that draw water from it have developed the same symptoms." Wang Ben's face was grim. "The military doctor suspects it's a problem with the water; it may have been contaminated with something foul or a slow-acting poison, but they can't identify what it is. Those who have fallen ill all have abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weakness in their limbs, but none of them are in immediate danger of dying."

Huo Yi stood up and put on his battle robe: "It's Xiao Jue." His tone was firm, without much surprise. "Winning hearts and minds, exhausting and harassing the enemy, that's definitely that kid's style."

Order: Immediately activate the backup water source; gather all sick soldiers in a centralized location; those who are not yet sick must not drink stream water anymore, and all drinking water must be boiled. Suppress all information; strictly investigate and punish those spreading rumors within the camp.

His response was swift and decisive, but the diarrhea spread like a plague. By dawn, nearly 30% of the camp had been infected. Although it was not fatal, morale was visibly low. The patrolling soldiers were unsteady on their feet, and the sentries on the watchtowers were often clutching their stomachs.

Just then, the sound of drums suddenly rose from Eagle's Beak Cliff!

It wasn't a deafening war drum, but a drumbeat with a peculiar rhythm, sometimes fast, sometimes slow, that pierced through the morning mist and struck the hearts of every restless soldier in Huo Yi's army.

Accompanied by the sound of drums, countless dark figures suddenly emerged from the cliff face, and arrows rained down like locusts. Although limited by distance and angle of elevation, most of them landed on the defensive fortifications outside the camp, clanging and tinkling. However, the pressure of being attacked at any moment made the already exhausted defenders even more nervous.

Logs and rocks crashed down the steep slope with a terrifying roar. Although they did not pose a direct threat to the core camp, they damaged many of the outer antlers and pits, adding to the chaos.

"Don't panic! The enemy's uphill attack is unsuccessful; this is a tactic to wear them down!" Huo Yi personally rode his horse to inspect the camp, his white hair flying in the cold wind. His voice was steady and powerful, like a pillar of strength. "Archers, take your positions and suppress the line of fire on the cliff! Ballistae, aim at the flags on the cliff top and fire three volleys! All other units, reinforce the damaged fortifications. Do not move without orders!"

Under his command, Huo Yijun's initial chaos was quickly contained.

The well-trained archers retaliated despite the sporadic arrows and stones. The thick crossbow bolts shot towards the top of the cliff with a piercing whistle. Although they did not cause many casualties, they effectively disrupted Xiao Jue's army's harassment.

Seeing their commander remain calm, the soldiers gradually regained their composure, endured their discomfort, and worked hard to repair the fortifications.

On Eagle's Beak Cliff, Xiao Jue lowered his binoculars, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes. "Composed in the face of danger, decisive in command, and the soldiers, though ill, still obeyed orders. General Huo, your reputation is well-deserved."

Zhou Heng looked down at the military camp below, which, despite being attacked, still maintained its orderly formation and was secretly alarmed.

In the era of cold weapons, the personal prestige and command ability of a general had an impact on the army that was truly beyond imagination. "He held firm. Our harassment had limited effect."

"I never intended to achieve immediate success," Xiao Jue said calmly. "This is just the beginning. Nearly 30% of his camp are sick, and their physical strength and morale are severely depleted."

While holding the camp firmly was certainly a safe strategy, it also meant he was relinquishing the initiative. Wang Ben's three thousand men were pinned down in the direction of Black Wind Valley and dared not move rashly; he now had even fewer mobile troops available.

He turned to the messenger and said, "Notify the First and Third Battalions to act according to the second plan. Target the scattered supply convoys in the direction of Luomajian. Just harass them. Make sure Huo Yi knows that his flanks and rear are vulnerable to attack from all sides."

Furthermore, have the brothers on the cliff take turns harassing them, with the drums beating incessantly and arrows and stones fired intermittently. I want them to have no peace day or night.

This constant psychological and physiological pressure is Xiao Jue's real killer move. He wants to keep Huo Yijun in a state of high tension and exhaustion, like cutting flesh with a dull knife.

The next three days became a contest of wills between the two sides.

In Huo Yi's camp, the diarrhea symptoms gradually subsided with changes in water sources and medication, but it would take time for the soldiers to recover their strength.

Although Xiao Juejun's relentless harassment day and night did not result in a single real attack, it left Huo Yijun exhausted. Sentries were frequently punished for dereliction of duty due to fatigue.

The fortifications surrounding the camp were destroyed and repaired repeatedly, a back-and-forth struggle that consumed manpower and resources.

Huo Yi knew that this couldn't go on. He tried sending out a crack team to find a hidden path to launch a counterattack on Eagle's Beak Cliff, but Xiao Jue's use of the terrain and the deployment of scouts were extremely meticulous. Several attempts failed, and some men were even lost.

He had considered retreating to extend Xiao Jue's supply lines before fighting again, but the imperial court's orders to advance became increasingly urgent and harsh, even implying that he was afraid of the enemy and would not advance.

"General, the army's food reserves can last for half a month, but arrows, logs, and other supplies are being consumed at a great cost and replenishment is slow. The soldiers are exhausted and complaints are starting to arise." Wang Hui's report made Huo Yi's expression even more grave.

He knew that Xiao Jue was trying to force him to either risk attacking the perilous Eagle Beak Cliff or be forced to seek a decisive battle under unfavorable circumstances.

Late on the fourth night, heavy snow fell again.

Huo Yi stood outside the tent, gazing at the swirling snowflakes, and made a decision. He summoned Wang Hui and several trusted generals.

"We can't wait any longer. Xiao Jue wants to wear down our troops and deplete our morale. Our army has just been ambushed and is not yet fully recovered. A direct assault on Eagle's Beak Cliff is a poor strategy. But," a resolute glint flashed in his eyes, "he can attack our supply lines and harass our flanks, but I can also cut off his supply lines."

He walked back into his tent and pointed to a spot on the map, which was a valley about sixty miles northeast of Eagle's Beak Cliff.

"This place is called 'Wild Wolf Valley,' where Zhao Ting, a general under Xiao Ni, was stationed with about two thousand troops. They were responsible for protecting a secondary supply route and communication line leading to Eagle's Beak Cliff. Zhao Ting was brave but lacked strategy, and this place was relatively isolated."

"What does the General mean?" Wang Hui's eyes lit up.

"A feint to the east while attacking the west," Huo Yi said in a deep voice. "Tomorrow, you will lead the remaining cavalry, about 1,500 riders, with many flags, and make a big show of it, pretending to circle around to the east and try to find a path to attack the flank and rear of Eagle's Beak Cliff again."

Xiao Jue's attention will surely be drawn. I will personally lead two thousand veteran infantrymen who are still capable of fighting, lightly armed and traveling through the night, heading straight for Wolf Valley!

If we can quickly capture this place, we will not only sever one of Xiao He's arms and seize his supplies, but we will also shake his morale, forcing him to send troops to his aid or to come down the mountain to fight us in open battle!

This is a risky move, but also a ruthless one to break the deadlock. Using oneself as bait to draw attention, elite troops launch a surprise attack on the enemy's weak point. The key lies in concealment and speed.

Wang Hui said with some concern, "General, it's too risky for you to personally lead the infantry on a raid! Perhaps I should go instead!"

Huo Yi waved his hand: "Zhao Ting is no ordinary man; we must act swiftly and decisively. The greater the commotion on your end, the greater our opportunity. Carry out the order."

That night, Huo Yijun's camp remained brightly lit, and patrols continued as usual.

But under the cover of night and snow, a troop of two thousand infantrymen, gagged and with their horses' hooves wrapped, quietly set off from the back gate of the camp, braving the wind and snow, and sped toward Wolf Valley.

Huo Yi removed his conspicuous armor and wore ordinary general's leather armor, walking at the front of the team, each step firm and steady.

At dawn the next day, Wang Hui's cavalry, with banners waving and hooves thundering, circled around to the east side of Eagle's Beak Cliff, which indeed attracted the close attention of Xiao Jue's scouts.

When the news reached the central command tent at Eagle's Beak Cliff, Xiao Jue was conducting a sand table exercise with Zhou Heng.

"Has Huo Yi finally made a move?" Xiao Jue pondered, looking at the sketch of the enemy cavalry's movement drawn by the scouts. "The terrain on the east side is complex, making it difficult for large groups of cavalry to deploy. Is this a feint? Or is he really trying to find another way?"

Zhou Heng carefully examined the map, then suddenly pointed towards Wolf Valley: "If I were General Huo, and the frontal assault was stalled and exhaustion proved ineffective, I might choose to attack here. It's relatively isolated, and the defending general's personality is known; if we succeed, the consequences would be significant."

Xiao Jue's gaze sharpened, and he quickly walked to the sign for Wild Wolf Valley. "Zhao Ting..." He pondered for a moment, "Send orders to the flying cavalry to Wild Wolf Valley immediately. Instruct Zhao Ting to strengthen vigilance, send out more scouts, and guard against sneak attacks."

"Order a portion of the First and Third Battalions from the Black Wind Valley direction to move towards Wolf Valley as support. Also, notify all units on the cliff to increase alert and guard against a sudden attack by Huo Yi's main force."

His reaction was remarkably swift, and his orders were highly targeted.

However, he underestimated Huo Yi's determination and the marching ability of this veteran infantry in dire straits, as well as the impact of the sudden blizzard on message transmission and troop movements.

While Xiao Jue's flying cavalry was still struggling through the wind and snow, Huo Yi's two thousand infantrymen, relying on their familiarity with the northern snow and snow and their tenacious will, appeared like ghosts outside Wolf Valley.

Zhao Ting did strengthen the defenses at the valley entrance, but the wind and snow greatly affected the sentries' vision and hearing.

It wasn't until Huo Yijun's vanguard eliminated two hidden sentries and launched a surprise attack that the garrison in the valley hastily engaged in battle.

The battle erupted suddenly amidst the blizzard. Huo Yi led the charge, his long spear darting like a dragon in the snow, straight towards the camp at the valley entrance.

Despite the torment they had endured for days, the veteran soldiers behind them, inspired by the tragic atmosphere of a desperate counterattack and the old general's call, unleashed astonishing fighting power, roaring as they broke through the hastily organized defenses.

Zhao Ting was shocked upon hearing the news and hurriedly led his personal guards to intercept them, just in time to encounter Huo Yi who had suddenly entered the valley.

The two fought for only a dozen rounds in the snowstorm before Zhao Ting was struck in the leg by Huo Yi's spear and fell off his horse. He was rescued by his personal guards at great risk, but the valley entrance had already been breached.

Huo Yi did not linger in battle. He quickly divided his forces to occupy key locations in the valley, burned the grain and supplies, and captured some of the garrison. His actions were swift and decisive.

He knew he couldn't stay here any longer, as Xiao Jue's reinforcements could arrive at any moment.

After inflicting heavy losses on the defending forces and achieving his strategic objective, he decisively ordered a withdrawal from Wolf Valley and retreated along the predetermined route to another concealed mountain area in the northeast, attempting to rendezvous with Wang Ben's cavalry.

When Xiao Jue received news of the attack on Wild Wolf Valley, Zhao Ting's injury, and the burning of supplies, it was already the afternoon of the next day.

He stood on the edge of the cliff, gazing at the still-swept snow in the northeast. His face was unreadable, but his clenched fists were white at the knuckles.

"Well done, Huo Yi," he uttered slowly.

Zhou Heng could sense the anger surging beneath Xiao Jue's calm exterior, and... a more intense fighting spirit aroused by a true opponent.

"He succeeded in his surprise attack, but he will surely flee quickly and won't wait for our revenge," Zhou Heng analyzed. "Wang Hui's cavalry movement is likely to be to support his retreat. If we send a large army to pursue him, firstly, the snow will make the roads difficult, and secondly, the Eagle Beak Cliff camp may be undefended."

Xiao Jue closed his eyes for a moment, and when he opened them again, he had regained absolute composure: "Order that the troops in the direction of Black Wind Valley do not need to return to reinforce, but continue to advance northeast to search for Huo Yi's retreat route. Do not seek to annihilate him, just keep him in check and delay his rendezvous with the cavalry."

He ordered Zhao Ting's remaining troops to regroup, hold their ground at the Wild Wolf Valley camp, clear the fire, and assess the losses. All units on the cliff were to double their defenses. Furthermore, he instructed the rear to expedite the transfer of the second batch of supplies via a more covert route.

He looked at Zhou Heng, his eyes deep: "He won by half a point in this game. But war is not about the gain or loss of a single city or territory."

He exposed his counterattack strategy and depleted his already dwindling elite forces. The snowstorm will stop; now, the real battle begins.

Huo Yi's successful comeback was like a shot in the arm, even the urgent documents from the imperial court carried a tone of praise.

However, in the Ministry of Revenue in the Southern Capital, the physician in charge of allocating funds for the northern expedition was looking at the account books with a headache.

"General Huo's report on the spoils, losses, and requests for replenishment... the figures are quite substantial." He stroked his beard. "Although a victory deserves a reward, the national treasury is not well-stocked."

The funds allocated by the Ministry of Works for the repair of the West Garden's warm pavilion for His Majesty a few days ago haven't been fully disbursed yet... So, according to custom, let's allocate 70%, no, 60% first. The rest can be discussed later.

As for the damaged armor and equipment, let the Ministry of War check its inventory of used goods, select those that are still usable, and replenish the stock.

He paused, then lowered his voice and said to the clerk, "The money we agreed on last time to 'save' from the northern expeditionary military expenses to subsidize the imperial rewards for the sons of nobles in the capital garrison should be processed as soon as possible. When His Majesty asks about the military supplies in the north, we need to have some achievements in 'saving' to explain ourselves."