Chapter 830: Preparations for Attack

**Chapter 822: Preparing to Strike**

“Beijia claims to be the world’s foremost power, and other nations do not dispute it. Tian Palace is also known as the earthly dwelling of the gods, considered a sacred place even within Lingxu City.” He Chunhua sighed softly. “If Zhang Lianhai were to visit the monarch in Yuandu, the monarch would treat him with great hospitality.”

Zhang Lianhai himself isn't important, but the power he represents is.

Qiu Hu suddenly interjected, “Weren’t Lingxu City and Tian Palace turned upside down less than half a year ago? It’s said that casualties numbered in the hundreds of thousands, and the true culprits haven’t even been caught yet.”

“I have indeed heard that,” He Chunhua nodded. “We don’t know the exact details, but the power of Tian Palace remains unquestionable.” He wasn't clear on the full extent of the mystery surrounding the events in Lingxu City, but Beijia’s strength was undeniable. He had always been pragmatic, believing that strong entities deserved due respect.

Next, he and He Lingchuan separately visited the teams dispatched by Baling Kingdom and Jianyang Sect. Little Blackwater City now housed four forces: Tian Palace, Baling, Jianyang Sect, and Rongshan. Including He Chunhua, that made five. The Antong people outside the city also coveted the Grand Square Flask. Not to mention, there were likely other forces in the desert heading towards the Coiling Dragon Ruins. All things considered, the Coiling Dragon Desert was remarkably lively at this time.

Thus, the He family father and son didn’t have much difficulty persuading the Baling and Jianyang Sect teams to join the battle. The key to persuading these external forces was to demonstrate control over the battlefield. Everyone only wanted to be on the winning side. If He Chunhua hadn’t appeared confident enough, these individuals might have defected and joined the Antong people. After all, they only needed to help the winning side, regardless of who won.

The He family father and son also found time to hold a small meeting back at the inn to discuss tactics against the Antong people. “The best method is to have these groups attack from the east gate, drawing the Antong people’s attention, while we take advantage and break through from the north gate.” He Chunhua placed a sand table he carried with him onto the table. “I brought a hawk, and it has flown out several times to scout the enemy. The Antong people have set up their main camp at the foot of Gourd Mountain—”

“Gourd Mountain?” He Lingchuan paused, the place name sounding very familiar.

“Yes, it’s Gourd Mountain where you fell,” He Chunhua moved his finger across the sand table. “The terrain there is good, easy to defend but difficult to attack. What are your thoughts?”

He Lingchuan immediately said, “In my opinion, the Antong army’s combat strength isn’t particularly strong.”

“What makes you say that?”

“If they were strong, why did they wait twenty years to seize Blackwater City?” He Lingchuan chuckled. “The weariness of Great Yuan hasn’t only appeared in the last two years. The Antong people must have been eyeing it for a long time, only deciding to attack after the changes in the Coiling Dragon Desert.” In his view, the Antong people attacking a Yuan kingdom city was simply a case of "chickens pecking at each other."

“…” He Chunhua found no fault in that logic and couldn't find a reason to refute it.

“The Antong people aren’t strong; that’s good news for us. With Blackwater City’s army plus the additional irregular forces, if we can disperse the Antong’s flank forces, they’re likely to panic,” He Lingchuan continued. “However, we can’t expect these irregular teams from Tian Palace and Baling to exert themselves fully for us.”

He Chunhua also understood this clearly: “Indeed. The moment they get a chance to leave the city, they’ll seize it without hesitation.” Their goal was merely to escape the city, not to live or die with Blackwater City.

“Therefore, directly entrusting the eastern front to them is not advisable,” He Lingchuan mused. “It would be better to place them within the southern army.”

“It would be best to raid their rear,” He Chunhua pointed at Gourd Mountain on the sand table. “The Antong people, with their light cavalry and meager forces, have traveled a long distance and brought little in the way of supplies. It’s not yet harvest season, so most of their food must be transported from the north.”

“If we just burn their provisions, they won’t be able to stay here long and will have to return north,” He Lingchuan immediately grasped his father’s idea. “If they can’t take Blackwater City, and there’s a vast desert to the north, they’ll have to retreat if they can’t find food.”

“Exactly,” He Chunhua looked at his eldest son, masking his complex emotions. How could his Chuan’er be so quick-witted, insightful, and capable of such lateral thinking? His eldest son smiled slightly at him, as if completely unaware of his troubles. Would there ever be another scene like this, father and son united, defending against a common enemy?

At dusk, at Swan Goose Inn.

The various factions invited by the He family father and son had all arrived. He Chunhua openly analyzed the situation inside and outside the city, and also assigned tasks to everyone present. It was actually very simple: Tian Palace, Baling, and Jianyang Sect, totaling over seventy people, were all assigned to the South Gate contingent.

“Blackwater City’s main army will meet the enemy from the East Gate, while another team will exit from the North Gate, feigning a flanking maneuver. Once the Antong army has been drawn away, you all will exit from the South Gate and stealthily infiltrate their main camp at Gourd Mountain!” He Chunhua gestured on the sand table: “From the South Gate to Gourd Mountain is approximately seven li. With your abilities, you can reach it quickly.” He smiled, “Once their rear camp is ablaze, their vanguard will surely fall into disarray. At that point, we can launch a pincer attack and rout the Antong people.”

Hearing this, none of the factions raised any objections. This strategy placed the most pressure on Blackwater City’s army, as they had to withstand the Antong’s assault and buy time for the South Gate team.

Zhang Lianhai, however, said, “You’re putting all of us in one team? You’re not using us as bait, are you?”

“Mr. Zhang, what are you implying?” He Chunhua waved his hand. “The South Gate team has a crucial mission; whether this battle is won depends on whether you can successfully raid their camp. Otherwise, the fight will be prolonged indefinitely. If any of you prefer not to be with the South Gate team, you may switch to the North or East Gate. However, there you would likely face the full brunt of the Antong’s attack.”

After considering it, no one requested a transfer. Indeed, as He Chunhua had stated, the South Gate team’s combat mission was easier, yet more critical. So, it was settled. He Chunhua then agreed on a signal for attack with everyone before dismissing the meeting.

At this point, Zhang Lianhai’s attendant interjected, “By the way, where’s your son? Which route is he taking?” He Lingchuan hadn’t appeared; only He Chunhua was present at Swan Goose Inn. Overseer He’s expression remained unchanged: “He’s gone to the northern route to make preparations.” The pressure of attacking from the northern route was by no means small.

So, where was He Lingchuan now? Since He Chunhua publicly stated at Swan Goose Inn that his eldest son was at the North Gate, He Lingchuan was, of course, not at the North Gate. Blackwater City, amidst the great battle, actually had its quietest corner: the West Gate. This city’s West Gate was the highest and most robust. The Antong people, wanting to pick on a weak target, focused their main attack on the North and East Gates. The remaining two gates were merely surrounded and guarded to prevent Blackwater City from secretly sending out troops. Thus, the West Gate area was peaceful, with both enemy and friendly forces at the gate simply staring at each other, devoid of any fighting spirit. Everyone was just guarding or watching the gate, simply executing their assigned tasks.

He Lingchuan did not open the West Gate to rush out and fight. Instead, he led Qiu Hu and over seventy others to the most secluded spot on the inner side of the West Gate: Li Clan’s Benevolent Estate.

(End of Chapter)