Huang Wen's army divided themselves and fought on four fronts. Each of them covered all the routes that connected their current territory to the rest of the town. With many buildings and alleys, Huang Wen's 3,000 men could fight effectively.
Some have defensive skills, some have speed skills, all of them were experienced in fighting within a city during the battle to occupy Nanping.
Whenever they met Colonel Wen Liang's men, Huang Wen's 3,000 men would be the one who actively fought them. Once they moved close enough, it would be a slaughter. If they fought in relatively open field, then they would look for another routes to approach their enemy, while Captain Zhao Qing's men would engage them in battle to keep them busy.
Once they won an area, they would leave some of Captain Zhao Qing's men to defend any opened routes and then push forward. Any defensive post that no longer needed, due to their progress, would be left. Huang Wen only had one layer defensive line.
It saved many of his men from defensive duty. Of course, once it broke, the enemy would pour inside his territory. But they didn't have any chance to put Huang Wen's defensive line in danger, because Huang Wen aggressively pushed forward.
Soon reports after reports went to Colonel Wen Liang and his staffs.
"This is dangerous, they fight like possessed men. With such pace, in less than a day, they'll reach this place."
"Colonel, let's get out of this town."
"Yes, right. Let's leave this town, we'll help the army from Fuzhou to fight the army from Ningde. Once they win that battle, we can work together to re-claim this town."
One by one voiced their opinions. Colonel Wen Liang watched the map on his large table. There he had little chips that represented the positions of his and Huang Wen's units.
"Cowards...", Colonel Wen Liang growled.
His seething anger, quietened everyone in the room.
"Look", Colonel Wen Liang pointed on the map.
"I don't believe they had enough men to keep pushing forward like this and at the same time defend their own territory. It's true that they leave men to defend any entry points to their territory, but there is no way, they have enough men to properly defend it.", said Colonel Wen Liang.
"It's just like inflated baloon.", one of his staff murmured.
"Yes, that's right. They had nothing inside, they use all their men to expand their territory.", Colonel Wen Liang nodded, satisfied.
"If only we could break through one of their defense..."
"We already tried it, but whenever we send someone to attack, their assault teams would move to help with the defense. It's no use."
Colonel Wen Liang snorted, "Fools... you have your eyes set on the town. It's blind you from reality."
Once Colonel Wen Liang said that, the eyes of those around him shone with hope.
---- o ----
At the same time Huang Wen, Chen Fang and Xia Bao had another meeting with Captain Zhao Qing, Captain Meng Yao and Captain Zhao Ren. Every once in a while, they held a meeting to discuss their current situation.
It was fortunate that Huang Wen had many capable men.
In fact, most of the time, Chen Fang, Xia Bao and all the three captains rarely engaged in battle. They merely observed it from a safe place, coordinating and managing their men who valiantly fought the battle.
Only Huang Wen who personally led his men at front. Actually, Huang Wen realized that he didn't have much experience in managing others. He wasn't the leader type. He had no confidence at all when it came to lead other. Only by fighting on the front line, he had some confidence to give order to his men. Since he actively engaged in the battle, his unit was the most ferocious compared to the other four, but at the same time was less coordinated.
Fortunately, there was Zhang Xuan who calmly observed everything and reminded Huang Wen from time to time. She kept their forces in formation and not separated.
It helped him to lead his men properly and prevented less casualties among his men.
Despite his lack of experience in leading an army, those who was led by Huang Wen followed him faithfully. His might in battle, inspired his men and put fear in the heart of his enemies.. Huang Wen realized any hesitation would bring more casualties among his men. He shrugged off any hesitation and buried any mercy deep inside his heart. He was no less ferocious than Baihu.
Since no one saw him fought together with Baihu side by side, no one knew of Baihu's existence, yet.
Huang Wen didn't fight with Baihu's sword, since he worried that he might absorb unwanted soul essences. He fought with his fist, but it didn't make him less dangerous. If nothing else, it made him look more bad ass, by beating his armed opponent with bare hands.
"We're pushing them far. We already cleared more than 60% of the area from Colonel Wen Liang's army.", said Captain Meng Yao.
"But he hasn't decided to take his men out of the town yet.", Captain Zhao Ren spoke.
"Sooner or later, he should realize it.", said Chen Fang.
"If he doesn't, then we'll just force him to leave the town anyway. But the last battle will be several times more fierce.", said Captain Zhao Ren.
"Yes, let's hope he will do what we're expecting him to do. Huang Wen, he's yet to send his army out of the town. But he should realize soon now, you should be ready to do what you need to do.", Xia Bao spoke to Huang Wen.
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Huang Wen nodded his head, "I was preparing to leave my position in the last few hours. It's a bit unexpected that he's yet to send his army out of the town."
"But if he send his army now, then it will be ice for us. We already win and secure more than half of the town.", said Chen Fang.
"Knowing Colonel Wen Liang, I think he already had that plan few hours ago, but he was waiting to see if we really left the area behind us undefended. Now, that we still push him hard, there is only one possibility, we leave them undefended.", Captain Zhao Qing spoke.
"Are you saying that he will send his troop soon?", Xia Bao asked.
Captain Zhao Qing nodded his head, "Yes, he will attack us soon. Now, with the number of our men and the way we distribute our men between attack and defense. Either we don't defend the area behind us or we have a very stretched and thin line of defense."
Captain Zhao Ren added, "Colonel Wen Liang hate at taking risk."
Captain Meng Yao nodded, "He won't attack if he doesn't think he can win."
Xia Bao turned to Huang Wen, "Huang Wen..., you hold the most important key to win this battle. Colonel Wen Liang will do as we predict, because he doesn't know about your skill. Without it, he will surely win the battle, with the way we fought it so far."
Huang Wen nodded, he realized how heavy his responsibility in this battle. He was the one who came up with the plan. And he was also the one whose role would decide the result of the battle.
"I'll do my best. Now, I guess we had nothing to discuss anymore. Let's return to our posts.", he answered curtly and got up.
Everyone got up and slightly bowed to Huang Wen before they left that room and returned, each to their own position. Huang Wen waited until all of them left the room, but even after they left the room, he still stood there. Huang Wen could feel his heart beat faster than usual. He felt his stomach twisted.
Zhang Xuan went to Huang Wen and said, "I believe in you."
Huang Wen turned to look at Zhang Xuan. He felt some of the pressure lightened. Huang Wen nodded and smiled.
Suddenly from within, Youshe spoke to him, "Master... please wake up. You shouldn't let yourself attach to her more."
For a few split seconds, Huang Wen froze in place. Without realizing it he relied on Zhang Xuan's faith in him. Huang Wen took a deep breath and then left the room without looking back again. Zhang Xuan quickly followed him closely. She was a bit taken a back by his weird behavior, but she tried to console herself at the fact that Huang Wen had a big role in this battle and must be pressured mentally.
"I should help him, the best I can.", she silently promised to herself.
---- o ----
The battle went on and Colonel Wen Liang began to withdrew half of his men to prepare his secret attack. Soon Captain Zhao Qing, Captain Meng Yao, Captain Zhao Ren, Chen Fang, Xia Bao and Huang Wen noticed the changes in the battle field.
They already discussed about it many times, the decision was for the other leaders to keep on pressuring Colonel Wen Liang's army. They must use this chance to push the boundary even closer to Colonel Wen Liang's main head quarter. Huang Wen had to work by himself to use his skill and prevent Colonel Wen Liang's second attack from breaking through their thin defense line behind them.
Some of the other leaders felt the urge to leave their position and went to see Huang Wen, but they gritted their teeth and put their faith on Huang Wen's ability to judge the situation.
Rather than doubting Huang Wen, they focused their mind to push their men to fight even harder. If they could push Colonel Wen Liang's army so hard that they reached his main head quarter, then even if Huang Wen failed, they would still have the chance to win the battle.
Huang Wen called Yu Heng who fought along with him, "Yu Heng! Take my place!"
Yu Heng quickly took the command from Huang Wen, while Huang Wen took Zhang Xuan's hand and pulled her away from the battle field.
"Zhang Xuan, go to Uncle Xia's or Uncle Chen's place. Tell them I'm going to do my part now.", said Huang Wen, sending Zhang Xuan away from the battle.
"No, let me go with you.", said Zhang Xuan.
Huang Wen shook his head, "I don't have time to argue. Just do what I said."
Zhang Xuan opened her mouth, trying to argue.
But Huang Wen growled at her angrily, "Do what I said!"
Zhang Xuan took a few steps back in fear, she never saw Huang Wen like that. Huang Wen felt a bit of regret but forced himself to coldly stare at her. Hesitated, Zhang Xuan finally nodded her head and turned to leave.
With Zhang Xuan leaving the battle field, Huang Wen ran toward the direction of the other battle. The battle between the army from Ningde and the army from Fuzhou. He ran as fast as he could.
http://astoimm.blogspot.com/2016/03/chapter-91-huang-wen-got-caught.html Next : Chapter 91