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Xiangling bordered the Fen River to the west and leaned against Mount Lüliang to the east, wedged between mountains. Though not as perilous and grand as Hangu Pass, it was still a barrier-type county town, not easily surrounded on all sides. Though the White Wave repeatedly sent coerced commoners swarming like ants against the walls, under Wang Yi's fierce resistance, they had made little progress.
Prolonged attacks without success breed laxity.
Especially for a half-baked force like the White Wave army, which lacked proper military discipline…
Originally, the White Wave placed their supplies north of Xiangling, separated from Xiangling's commandery troops by their main army—reasonably safe and secure. But they hadn't anticipated that in Mount Lüliang, southeast of Xiangling, there was a village called Yangren. A brave man there gathered over twenty hunters from the mountains. Crossing ridges and valleys, they took advantage of White Wave negligence, raided the rear supply camp, and burned over half the provisions!
At the time, because there was no coordination with Xiangling city, and Wang Yi also feared it might be a White Wave feint, they couldn't capitalize on this to expand gains. Han Xian and Li Le managed to stabilize the White Wave troops again. Though this raid didn't kill many White Wave soldiers, it greatly damaged overall morale. Instantly, all sorts of rumors spread, and military hearts wavered.
Many White Wave soldiers even suspected Yong'an City had been retaken by the court, that the raiding force was actually court troops from Yong'an…
Logically, though half the provisions were burned, some remained. If they could unite and quickly capture Xiangling, there would still be a chance. But the White Wave army was inherently a product inheriting the Yellow Turban's "Supreme Unity" path. Not only were there commanders, but also various "libationers," even some "cultivators" for spiritual control. Each had their own personal guards and direct troops. Under sudden change, unable to quickly pacify hearts, even though Han Xian and Li Le were commanders, apart from their own personal guards, they temporarily found it difficult to mobilize others for coordination. Various commanders and leaders within the White Wave army harbored their own thoughts; the assault on Xiangling abruptly stalled.
Han Xian acted decisively, immediately sending men to Yong'an to requisition military grain again. Though Han Xian himself knew Yong'an County town didn't have much grain left, his intention wasn't to obtain much. Rather, through this action, he aimed to, on one hand, show Yong'an was still in their hands, ensuring retreat was secure; on the other hand, show that provisions still existed…
As long as the first shipment of grain arrived, he could use it to stabilize morale, then gather the entire army's strength to break the tottering Xiangling. Then all would be well.
Moreover, as Han Xian, he wanted to use this opportunity to deal with a few disobedient minor leaders, firmly establishing his supreme command position within the White Wave army. So now, he kept a low profile, tolerantly letting these minor leaders jump and shout, waiting for Yong'an's grain to arrive. Then Han Xian would seize the moment to arrest and punish them. By then, even if others had opinions, they wouldn't dare object, and he could consolidate full authority, like Guo Da back then, becoming the true White Wave commander, not one of four divided leaders.
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The Fen River rushed down through mountain valleys. Though not as mighty as the Great River, it still had ample flow. With winter snowmelt, water levels were higher than in winter. This stretch, where the mountain turned, terrain narrowed, adding some forcefulness.
The official road between Yong'an and Xiangling followed the Fen River's bends, winding along Mount Lüliang's slopes—wide in some places, narrow in others.
On a relatively gentle ridge, Huang Cheng slightly exposed half his head from behind grass, squinting, quietly watching a White Wave troop slowly pass below.
Behind Huang Cheng, over a hundred soldiers lay on the ridge, flags furled, hiding themselves.
Rushing from Yong'an County town to ambush here was truly not easy.
Learning of approaching troops, Fei Qian immediately went south to join Zhang Lie's forces. Upon learning they were all White Wave infantry, not led by a known commander, he decided to ambush them while unprepared.
To ensure soldiers' stamina, Fei Qian used all available cavalry, two men per horse, to rush Huang Cheng and these soldiers ahead of the White Wave, hiding them here.
Ahead, the official road followed the mountain's curve, narrowing into steep terrain. Only here could some soldiers be hidden; only with the mountain blocking would raised dust escape White Wave detection.
After all, with lax discipline, these White Wave commanders were mostly just brave fighters. Those reaching commander rank naturally knew some marching and formation basics, but for a small unit under a thousand, likely just an ordinary officer.
Through the grass blades, Huang Cheng saw this White Wave troop: all infantry, only three horses ridden by officer-like soldiers, swaying proudly.
Those at the front were relatively robust, shouldering spears, standing straight, steps not too disorderly, ranks somewhat neat, looking somewhat imposing.
But further back, the difference was clear. Many weren't shouldering spears but using them as walking sticks, following listlessly, swaying as if about to drop out anytime.
Huang Cheng smiled scornfully, slowly pulling back his head.
These stupid White Wave!
Cavalry were originally the best companions for scouts. Otherwise, relying solely on human legs, by the time news reached them, the enemy would have arrived too.
And these White Wave used their already scarce warhorses as mounts for officers…
Serves them right!
Huang Cheng lay down, half-closing his eyes, using this chance to relax his muscles, ears pricked, quietly listening to footsteps below.
Dragging footsteps grew from small to loud, then from loud to small…
About an hour later, the White Wave passed through, disappearing around the mountain bend ahead.
Huang Cheng waited a while longer, hearing no sounds at all, then leapt up. He quickly called soldiers to start felling nearby trees. They dragged all felled trees onto the official road, blocking it completely. Then they gathered dry grass and fallen leaves, rolled them into balls for later use, ready to push down and ignite the blocking branches when the White Wave routed back here…
Once everything was ready, Huang Cheng relaxed. If not to prevent White Wave fleeing south to report, such effort wouldn't be needed. Now that the bag was tied tight, this White Wave force under a thousand only faced destruction.
Not that Huang Cheng was careless. Fei Qian not only had Zhang Lie's spearmen and sword-and-shield infantry but also over a hundred cavalry. Though using two men per horse slightly drained horse strength, it still wasn't something these poorly disciplined White Wave could match…