At this time, there were altogether four armies within Tian Shui City.
The first was the twenty five thousand strong army assembled by high ranking warrior lords such as Nu Erdan, supported by Princess Zhi Ning’s massive quantities of gold coins.
The second was the six thousand elite city guard troops who had completely pledged loyalty to Suo Hanyi.
The third was the five thousand Lin Hai City troops brought by Gui Qinqu.
The fourth was the four thousand secret elite troops, the Black Clothed Army, that Zhi Li had long ago planted among the rebel forces of Nu Erdan and others.
That is to say, within the small Tian Shui City, there were now actually gathered forty thousand troops, roughly two to three times the number of Sauron’s army.
Sauron was the attacker, the enemy the defender, and his numbers were not even half of the enemy’s. No matter how one looked at it, this was a war certain to end in defeat.
Moreover, Sauron’s army had travelled thousands of li on a long expedition, already utterly exhausted. While the enemy’s army was completely rested and waiting, with a fortified city in hand, having seized every advantage.
Within Tian Shui City at present, Suo Hanyi had already completely won the hearts of the people.
Several months ago, Suo Hanyi was shamelessly assassinated by assassins, Tian Shui City fell, and the city guard troops fought desperately to protect Suo Hanyi as he broke out of Tian Shui City.
One and a half months after that, Suo Hanyi, ignoring his still unhealed severe injuries, led four thousand troops to attack Tian Shui City anew.
And he was worthy of being called an invincible commander, with tremendous prestige and popularity in Tian Shui City.
So although the rebel forces numbered over ten thousand, and held a fortified city, when Suo Hanyi attacked the city, the common people within the city formed volunteer armies to help Suo Hanyi.
With internal and external cooperation, in merely half a month, Suo Hanyi retook Tian Shui City.
Then, high ranking warrior lords such as Nu Erdan knelt in surrender one after another, pledging loyalty anew to the Suo clan. Of course, this Suo clan referred to Suo Hanyi, and had nothing to do with Sauron.
Logically speaking, after Suo Hanyi “retook” Tian Shui City, he should immediately go invite the rightful city lord Sauron to return.
But at that time, many rumours faintly circulated.
For instance, the assassins who assassinated Yan Nu, Suo Hanyi, and Yang Hongyi were not sent by rebel forces such as Nu Erdan, but were sent by Sauron.
Then for instance, Count Suo Long before his death secretly wrote a final testament, saying Sauron’s character was improper, that he had raped his stepmother and concubines, and had an illicit relationship with his sister Suo Ningbing, therefore his succession qualification was revoked. And the reason Nu Erdan and others raised troops in rebellion was precisely because of such reasons.
A lie repeated a hundred times becomes truth.
Sauron’s reputation was already not good. Combined with these incomparably vicious rumours, his reputation within Tian Shui City was completely notorious.
After Suo Hanyi retook Tian Shui City, he immediately before all the people sent out an army to go to Rocky Island to welcome Sauron back to Tian Shui City.
That day, countless common people blocked the city gates, not allowing the army welcoming Sauron to exit.
The next day, Suo Hanyi again before all the people sent out ten ships to sea, heading north to Rocky Island to welcome Sauron back to Tian Shui City.
As a result, the sailors on the ships deliberately scuttled the vessels. Not only did all ships sink, all sailors aboard also perished in the sea’s belly.
That day, wailing shook the heavens at Tian Shui City’s docks.
Countless common people knelt before Suo Hanyi, begging him not to invite this demon Sauron back, otherwise Tian Shui City would never know peace, and all common people would suffer untold hardships.
Sauron also wept greatly, kneeling before all the common people, saying his adoptive father had shown him boundless grace, and he absolutely could not betray him, even more could not allow his sister and brother (referring to Suo Ningbing and Sauron) to wander on a barren rocky island.
A few days later, Suo Hanyi decided to personally lead troops to Rocky Island to bring back the Suo siblings.
Then, his most loyal warriors and soldiers knelt before the city lord’s residence one after another to remonstrate with their blood.
Seven people committed suicide, ten people chopped off their own left hands, using fresh blood to beg Suo Hanyi to rescind his order.
Then tens of thousands of Tian Shui City common people, thousands of Tian Shui City guard troops, all knelt before Suo Hanyi, begging him not to bring Sauron back.
That day, fully several hundred warriors placed their swords across their own necks. Once Suo Hanyi did not agree, they would all commit suicide on the spot.
Thus, Suo Hanyi sobbed uncontrollably, ultimately compromising, temporarily not bringing Sauron back to the city.
Afterwards, the Southeast Province Governor, Duke Zhi Wei, issued an official reprimand of Sauron. As city lord yet long absent from Tian Shui City, such dereliction of duty, such incorrigible behaviour. But Tian Shui City could not be without a master for a single day, therefore he ordered Suo Hanyi to temporarily assume the post of acting city lord of Tian Shui City.
From then on, Suo Hanyi got his wish, finally becoming city lord of Tian Shui City, although only acting city lord.
But the true city lord Sauron could never return. Once he died, the word “acting” above Suo Hanyi’s head would be completely erased, and he would become a legitimate vassal city lord.
So in this battle, Suo Hanyi could be said to possess all of heaven’s timing, earth’s advantage, and human harmony.
When he heard that Sauron had led fifteen thousand troops to the city walls, what welled up in his heart was boundless excitement.
This moment had finally arrived. He could finally kill Sauron thoroughly on the battlefield.
After discussion, the forty thousand troops on Tian Shui City territory were divided into three parts.
The first part: Suo Hanyi’s six thousand Tian Shui City guard troops, and Nu Erdan’s five thousand high ranking lord troops, totalling eleven thousand to garrison Tian Shui main city.
The second part: Princess Zhi Ning’s four thousand Black Clothed Army, Gui Qinqu’s five thousand Lin Hai troops, and ten thousand troops of high ranking lords, totalling nineteen thousand, dispatched to Tian Lang Pass.
The third part: Nu Erdan and other high ranking warrior lords’ ten thousand troops, dispersed to garrison twenty high ranking warrior territories, mainly to guard against thieves and bandits taking advantage of the situation.
Although the forty thousand troops were divided into three parts, the main battlefield, even the only battlefield, would be at Tian Lang Pass.
This was the consensus of the five powers: Suo Hanyi, Zhi Ning, Nu Erdan, Gui Qinqu, and Tu Lingduo.
Annihilating Sauron’s army below Tian Lang Pass, not allowing a single soldier to enter Tian Shui City territory, was the tone set from the very beginning.
…
At this time, within Tian Lang Pass’s castle, the five person battle command headquarters were still arguing endlessly.
Annihilating Sauron at Tian Lang Pass, not allowing a single soldier to enter Tian Shui City territory, this strategy had already been decided.
But what they were arguing endlessly about now was whether to wait at ease while the enemy laboured, waiting for Sauron’s army to attack Tian Lang Pass, or to take the initiative and attack?
Nu Erdan and Gui Qinqu both insisted on exiting the pass to fight, taking advantage of Sauron’s army’s long expedition and exhaustion to annihilate them in one fell swoop.
But Tu Lingduo believed they should wait at ease while the enemy laboured, using Tian Lang Pass’s strategic fortified city to bleed Sauron’s army dry.
And Suo Hanyi even believed they should divide their forces into two routes, dispatching ten thousand troops via Baiyun County, circumventing Tian Shui Mountain Range, to get behind Sauron’s army and attack from front and rear.
Three opinions, argued endlessly.
And the only one with decision making authority, Zhi Ning, thought back and forth, discovering that all three opinions were very reasonable.
The first plan: Sauron’s army had travelled thousands of li and was exhausted. If they took the initiative to attack, they should be able to win, though it might be a pyrrhic victory.
Because Sauron’s army was mainly composed of mercenaries, Yan Yan was king of mercenaries, so this army was extremely strong in field battles, but not adept at attacking fortified cities, this was determined by the nature of mercenaries.
So for Zhi Ning, the first plan meant using one’s weakness to attack the enemy’s strength.
And the third plan: additionally dispatching ten thousand troops to circle behind Sauron’s army and attack from front and rear.
This was Suo Hanyi’s plan, truly the path to victory, and with the smallest casualties.
But Zhi Ning could not dispatch such an army. The six thousand city guard troops under Sauron’s command were originally an extremely elite force. But Zhi Ning had left them at Tian Shui main city, because after all they were the Suo clan’s army, and Sauron was the true master of Tian Shui City. She worried that if this army was dispatched out, it would not return, being hoodwinked by Sauron.
Regarding Sauron’s ability to bewitch people’s hearts, she did not dare underestimate it in the slightest.
So the third plan would not work either.
The second plan: sitting guard in the fortified city, waiting at ease while the enemy laboured, waiting for Sauron’s army to attack, exhausting his blood and troops.
This plan appeared the most moderate, but also the most secure.
Because Sauron’s fifteen thousand troops, after travelling over twenty days on a long expedition, who knew how much provisions they had consumed, and with no replenishment at all. At most ten or so days, provisions would be completely exhausted.
Within Tian Lang Pass, provisions were countless. Time was on Zhi Ning’s side, not on Sauron’s side.
Zhi Ning looked towards the four people present, saying, “Adopt the second plan. Wait at ease while the enemy labours, use Tian Lang Pass’s defensive works to exhaust Sauron’s army to death.”
…
Seven days prior, in Sauron’s military camp, those present were Sauron, Yan Yan, Yan Nai’er, and Tu An.
On the large table in the middle was placed a map, this was the topographical map of Tian Shui City.
Sauron’s finger pointed at Tian Lang Pass on the map, saying, “Here is Tian Lang Pass, the only pass into Tian Shui City territory, extremely precipitous, easy to defend and hard to attack. Several hundred years ago the Suo clan relied on Tian Lang Pass and the Barbarian Gorge to defend against barbarian tribe raids. To enter Tian Shui City, one must first take Tian Lang Pass.”
The three people present nodded.
“So, the enemy will certainly place the battlefield at Tian Lang Pass, not allowing us a single soldier to enter Tian Shui City.” Sauron said, “To maintain advantage, they will station twenty thousand troops at Tian Lang Pass. Apart from Tian Shui City guard troops, all elites will be placed at Tian Lang Pass.”
Then Sauron asked, “Our army fifteen thousand, enemy army twenty thousand, sitting guard at Tian Lang Pass, can we take it?”
Yan Yan, Yan Nai’er, and Tu An all shook their heads.
Attacking a city required at least double the troops, this was military common sense, and would not change just because the commander was Yan Yan.
Moreover, Sauron’s army was entirely composed of mercenaries, possessing extremely strong field battle capability, but lacking experience in battles with over ten thousand troops, lacking experience in attacking fortified cities.
Sauron continued, “The enemy possesses three battle plans. First, taking advantage of our long expedition to take the initiative to attack. Second, sitting guard in the fortified city, waiting at ease while the enemy labours. Third, dispatching an army to circle behind us and attack from front and rear.”
Sauron said, “Zhi Ning will choose the second plan, because it is the most secure, with the smallest losses.”
Yan Yan said, “Actually, all three of the enemy’s plans are correct, all can win!”
“Yes.” Sauron said, “All three plans can win, but the enemy commander Zhi Ning is after all a woman. She has ample scheming but insufficient boldness. If I were the enemy commander, I would certainly choose the first plan, assembling all twenty five thousand troops at Tian Lang Pass, taking the initiative to attack, regardless of cost, annihilating us at the first opportunity. The enemy’s only disadvantage is that their advantage is too great, holding a handful of good cards. The simplest method could clearly win, yet they want to win with the smallest cost.”
Yan Yan said, “That’s because, you are a madman.”
“Yes, a madman.” Sauron said resolutely, “In this battle we have no advantages whatsoever. Their troops are two to three times ours, their provisions countless, fortified city in hand, popular support grasped. The enemy’s three plans are all unsolvable for us. One must be mad to have a thread of chance for victory, otherwise defeat is certain.”
Tu An said, “City Lord Sauron, then what do you plan to do?”
“Go completely mad.” Sauron said with fervent eyes, “Turn the entire Tian Shui City into an abyss of demonic madness.”
…
Within Tian Lang Pass, the two sides’ nearly forty thousand troops were in confrontation.
And five days prior, Sauron had changed his appearance and secretly infiltrated Rocky Island.
At this time, he led twenty ships, heading south from Rocky Island. On the ships were over a thousand warriors, and… countless gold coins.
Tian Shui City and Lin Hai City were both coastal. Rocky Island and Tian Shui City’s coast were merely several hundred li apart.
The mad Sauron led merely over a thousand people, landing on Tian Shui City territory from the sea.
“Fifteen li further ahead, everywhere are Tian Shui City’s villages and small towns.” Sauron said loudly, “What we must do now is become bandits, plunder every village and small town, steal every single grain of their food, drive all people to one place, and that is Tian Shui main city.”
“Every place has local ruffians and scoundrels, who would do anything for money.” Sauron continued, “And now, these people are our allies. We have brought astronomical numbers of gold coins. Next we shall accept all these local ruffians and scoundrels without refusal. Every person who comes, give them one gold coin. In short, our goal is to plunder every village, every small town, every manor of Tian Shui City. Drive several hundred thousand people all into Tian Shui main city, let Tian Shui City territory descend into complete chaos.”
Hearing Sauron’s order, the Suo clan’s family warriors were startled. This, this was too mad, was it not?
One must know, this was his own Sauron’s territory and foundation. If this were before, Suo Mu would certainly have refused to obey, but now they had thoroughly blind faith in Sauron.
“Yes!” Everyone shouted in unison.
“Depart!” Sauron gave the order, then pulled up his face covering.
Immediately, these over a thousand warriors transformed into over a thousand pirates, charging into the tranquil Tian Shui City territory.
Then, one village after another was plundered, one small town after another was raided.
All food was piled together and burned to ashes.
This terrible band of pirates only plundered wealth, carrying no burdens whatsoever.
Immediately, countless common people became refugees, heading towards Tian Shui main city one after another. Only there would they be safe, only there would they have a way to live.
Although there were fully ten thousand troops garrisoned at various high ranking warrior territories, on average each territory only had five hundred men, and they were second tier troops at that, completely no match for Sauron’s elite band of thieves.
Moreover, Sauron opened chest after chest of gold coins, kicking them over onto the ground. As long as one put on a face covering and joined his plundering band, they could take away one gold coin.
These bottom level soldiers, and rural local ruffians and scoundrels, had never seen gold coins in their lives, and could not save up one gold coin in several years.
Now, as long as they joined Sauron, they could obtain one gold coin.
The result of this gold coin offensive was complete madness.
Countless local ruffians and scoundrels, even second tier troops and militia garrisoned in the countryside, used pieces of black cloth to cover their faces one after another, joining Sauron’s plundering band.
In a few short days, the bandit force behind Sauron already exceeded ten thousand people.
This motley crowd could certainly not fight hard battles, but plundering rural small towns was well within their capability.
Immediately, the entire Tian Shui City territory was completely filled with wailing ghosts and howling wolves, fires burning everywhere, plundering everywhere, completely in chaos.
Several tens of thousands, over a hundred thousand common people, with nowhere to go, dragged their families along towards Tian Shui main city.
Within Tian Shui main city, there were fully ten thousand troops garrisoned, but without orders, not a single soldier dared to be dispatched out.
Facing the surging refugees, the city defence officers dared not block them, letting refugees enter the city one after another. But in the end, more and more came, from several tens of thousands to over a hundred thousand.
The city defence officers hurriedly closed the city gates, preventing more refugees from entering, waiting for orders from Tian Lang Pass four hundred li away.
…
At Tian Lang Pass, the two armies had now been in confrontation for over three days.
Yan Yan’s army of over ten thousand still had not attacked the pass, but had been continuously building defensive works.
Within Tian Lang Pass castle, the five person command headquarters were puzzled. What on earth did Sauron mean by this? He had already brought his army to the city walls, yet always surrounded without attacking, instead beginning to construct camps.
Could it be that he did not know his provisions simply could not support him for much longer? Continuing like this could only mean waiting for death.
And right at this moment, a messenger soldier charged into Tian Lang Pass, kneeling before Zhi Ning and saying, “Your Highness the Princess, Sauron is leading over ten thousand troops, marching towards Tian Shui main city. It is already extremely urgent.”
At these words, everyone present was completely stunned.
Sauron’s army of over ten thousand was not outside Tian Lang Pass? He… where did he get an army of over ten thousand from?
Actually, regarding the news of large numbers of bandits plundering Tian Shui City territory, flying falcon messages had already arrived at Tian Lang Pass a day and a half ago. But the people present had not taken it too seriously.
Because these rural common people’s deaths were of no consequence, as long as Tian Shui main city was unharmed.
Now, Sauron’s army of over ten thousand had actually emerged, about to attack Tian Shui City?
Suo Hanyi’s face changed dramatically, saying, “I immediately return to Tian Shui main city.”
Zhi Ning nodded, saying, “Will you bring troops back?”
“No, not a single soldier needed. Relying on Tian Shui main city’s defending troops will suffice.” Suo Hanyi said, “Your Highness the Princess, hear my words. This Sauron is incomparably cunning. Taking advantage of the fact that the enemy camp outside Tian Lang Pass is not yet stable, immediately take the initiative to attack, otherwise it will be too late.”
“I have my own ideas.” Zhi Ning said.
A moment later, Suo Hanyi led a team of personal guards charging out of Tian Lang Pass, rushing back to Tian Shui main city at the fastest speed.
…
At this time Tian Shui main city had already completely descended into chaos like a pot of porridge. Countless refugees gathered outside the city walls, completely unable to distinguish which were bandits and which were refugees.
And the over ten thousand bandit army Sauron had assembled with gold coins was still like a virus, wreaking havoc everywhere, their numbers growing ever larger.
Because countless local ruffians and scoundrels flocked to them, voluntarily joining.
At this time, this motley crowd, vast and mighty, was heading towards Tian Shui main city.
But Sauron had already mixed in among the refugees several days prior, entering Tian Shui main city.
At this time, he was already outside the city lord’s residence. His purpose was only one: to rescue Suo Hanyi’s wife, Yang Hongyi.