223 Reinforcemen (1/2)
The rushing horseshoe clatters broke the peaceful morning of Shanhai County as the two horses galloped on the commerce street. The troops reached the black tortoise gate and shouted, ”Open the gates, there's urgent military matters!”
The ones defending the black tortoise gates were also city protection unit members, and seeing that they were the members protecting the north gate, they immediately ordered to open the city gates.
Going past the black tortoise gate, the cavalry split up. One went left into the barracks and the other continued straight to the lord's manor. He got off the horse and slammed on the door. ”Open up! Quickly open up!”
The guard opened the door. ”Who’s knocking?”
”Quick, bring me to the lord, there are urgent military matters!” The cavalry said anxiously. He didn't dare to be slow, asking the cavalry to wait in the hall before running toward the backyard.
Ouyang Shuo received the information and rushed to the meeting hall.
”Lord, the city’s western camp has sent a distress signal.”
Ouyang Shuo was astonished and had a bad feeling. He didn't have time to think and ordered, ”Order all city protection unit members to go to their positions; order the northern and eastern camps to gather and wait for my command; order the Beihai Naval fleet’s 1st unit to sail here, the territory will enter level two emergency.”
”Yes sire!”
At the same time, the Guards at the Wuying courtyard were shocked. Captain Wang Feng dressed up and rushed to the meeting hall to get his orders, Ouyang Shuo didn't nag and just ordered them. ”Gather your troops and follow me to assist the city’s western camp.”
”Yes sire!”
Ouyang Shuo returned to the main courtyard and wore his Mingguang armor, carried his exquisite iron spear, and returned to the front courtyard. In the Wuying Courtyard, the guards were already gathered.
Before they left, the Director of Military Affairs, Ge Hongliang, rushed over, Ouyang Shuo, who was sitting on a Qingfu horse, ordered, ”Director Ge, you are in charge of the main camp, direct the northern and eastern camps as well as the Beihai naval fleet. Get ready to reinforce the city’s western camp.” Because he didn't understand much about the enemy, Ouyang Shuo didn't dare to move large amounts of troops.
”Yes sire!”
Ouyang Shuo stopped hesitating and hollered, ”Guards! Move out!”
The city’s western camp was 60 kilometers away from Shanhai County. Ouyang Shuo didn't dare to slack and ordered the guards to rush there, their breakfasts were settled on horseback to try to reach the western city camp as fast as they could.
City’s western camp
As the camp had limited space, Sha Pojun, who had the numbers advantage, didn't want to have a mixed battle in the enemy camp and ordered his troops to group up and retreat out of the camp.
Shi Wanshui was busy gathering up the wounded and both sides kept a distance with a tacit understanding to regroup. After the enemy backed out of the camp, the 1st regiment had already formed up.
”Major general, what should we do next?” The first unit’s major Shihu said.
The other majors looked towards Shi Wanshui, waiting for his plan.
Shi Wanshui kept silent and analyzed the situation calmly. ”The enemy is twice our number, so we can only defend on the back foot and wait for reinforcements.”
The 4th unit major Zhao Yan suddenly said, ”Major general, I've been closely analyzing the battle and found that although they have a lot of men, their strength isn't strong. The main camp is 60 kilometers from here and I'm worried that before they arrive the enemy would want to burn down our camp. Why not take the initiative and attack to defend?” The ranks of the 1st regiment were not only high, but the soldiers were also trained by Shi Wanshui, so their combat power wasn't something that Sha Pojun could compare to.
What Zhao Yan saw, Shi Wanshui obviously saw too. Based on their strength, they had a fighting chance, but he was worried if they went head to head, it would cause heavy casualties.
”Major General, let's fight! This fight is too humiliating, they actually bullied us at our home. Since our morale is so high, we could make use of it. Just defending would instead lower morale, I fear it isn't a long term strategy.” The 3rd unit’s major Li Mingliang supported and suggested a fight.
Shi Wanshui froze and he looked at the 4 majors, their eyes were lit with the thirst for battle and were waiting for Shi Wanshui's orders.
Shi Wanshui finally made the decision. ”Ok, lets go head to head with them. We can't lose Shanhai County’s military might; we must let them see what elites are.”