Chapter 1128: The Necessary Sacrifice
The scout sent a message to the Duke of the Nation, informing him that they should encounter the supply convoy halfway back to the main camp.
However, with five thousand soldiers traversing a thousand miles back and forth, filling trenches and digging tunnels for over ten days, returning without success is hard to accept.
Siege is risky indeed, but it’s not impossible to attempt.
Sixteen-year-old Jiang Che finally made a decision at this moment - to attack the city!
He immediately gathered the centurions and chiliarchs in the army for a meeting.
Jiang Che did not hide the issue with the supplies and went on to state his decision, "Attack the city!"
And they must capture this city as quickly as possible; only this can resolve the issue of provisions.
They can’t wait until the food truly runs out to attack; by then, the soldiers would lack the strength to fight.
None of the commanders opposed Jiang Che’s decision.
They have been following Jiang Che for almost a year now. During this year, they have fought numerous battles, both large and small, with this youngster, winning each time with minimal casualties for maximum victory.
Although he is young, the facts have proven that his every decision is absolutely correct.
What more is there to say? Naturally, they will do as he says.
Quickly, Jiang Che and the commanders formulated a detailed siege plan.
Early the next morning, the soldiers cooked their meals.
Jiang Che no longer rationed food, distributing all of the remaining provisions in the camp.
He also instructed the soldiers to turn any leftover food into rations to carry with them after breakfast; they were going to attack the city.
Atop the city walls, Jin Country soldiers shot arrows, watching the Great Chu army continue digging at the defense trench.
The intent of the Great Chu army was clear: loosen the foundation and collapse the city walls, seizing the opportunity to attack.
The Jin Country soldiers knew this and besides countering with rain of arrows, rolling logs, and stones, they had no other means, watching helplessly as the Chu soldiers dug tunnels each day.
Many soldiers understood in their hearts that after two years of war, most of Da Jin’s territory had been lost; the fall of He City was only a matter of time.
Yet, as long as the city hasn’t fallen, they would guard it for another day.
Perhaps there might be reinforcements from Huining, who knows? People live on a thread of hope after all.
The Jin army atop the wall didn’t notice that today’s Chu soldiers weren’t removing soil bucket by bucket as before.
Jiang Che was no longer having soldiers dig soil; instead, he was placing explosives under a section of the hollowed-out wall foundation.
The reason for choosing to place explosives in the tunnel rather than blowing up the city gate was because the soldiers had already discovered that all four city gates of He City were entirely blocked by stones, large and small.
Blowing them up would be in vain.
And whether Jiang Che’s explosives are enough to collapse the foundation and cause the city walls to fall, is for him to gamble on.
Several explosive packs were placed together at the end of the tunnel.
This was all the stock Jiang Che had.
Once the explosives were set, everyone withdrew from the tunnel, leaving behind only the last soldier to ignite the fuse.
Even though the fuse of the explosives was long enough, being the one who ignites it usually means no coming back.
The soldier lighting the fuse was called Wang Er. In the morning, when Jiang Che was selecting death warriors to light the explosives, he stepped forward by himself.
He was originally from Dingjing City. When Dingjing City fell, his mother was violated by Jin Country soldiers and afterwards jumped into a well. Later, his father was captured and taken to Jin Country as labor.
He was only six at the time. After surviving, he ended up in Xiang City and enlisted in the army.