Chapter 332: Re-entering the Liao Army’s Base Camp
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
The Second Prince was now leading the troops to defend the east town. At the same time, he also sent soldiers into the war zone to fight with the Liao soldiers.
He was planning to continue to use their geographical advantage to wipe out as many Liao troops as possible.
Only by doing so could they continue to reduce the difference in numbers between the two sides in preparation for the final battle.
Qin Xiaoyao understood what the Second Prince meant and nodded.
“Unfortunately, beyond the east town, there was no way to retreat or defend anymore,” she interjected.
The Second Prince remained silent.
“When I came over, I saw some civilians being escorted out of the town?” Qin Xiaoyao suddenly asked.
The Second Prince looked at Qin Xiaoyao and nodded.
“This is all I can do for now,” he said in a deep voice.
When the war started, the most helpless were the commoners.
He had the intention to stop the enemy outside the east town, but he also knew that the Liao army would come sooner or later.
At that point, the east of the town would become a war zone, and then it would be too late.
Qin Xiaoyao looked at the Second Prince and felt touched inwardly.
This person really cared for the people.
“Right now, how many more soldiers does the Liao army have than us? Can we really stop them if we fight to the death?” Qin Xiaoyao asked again.
The Second Prince was stunned momentarily.
If someone else had asked him this question, he would probably have questioned the intention of the person who asked.
However, when Qin Xiaoyao asked this, he wasn’t suspicious of her.
“Earlier, the Liao Imperial Court said that they would send 30,000 reinforcement troops, but in reality, they sent 50,000,” the Second Prince said in a low voice.
“The news came late. By the time it was confirmed, our plan had already been implemented.
“I wanted to send someone to inform you, but it was too late.”
If he had known that Xiao Yuan had so many troops under his command, he would not have allowed Teacher Qin to take the risk of assassinating him.
It was also fortunate that Teacher’s martial arts skills were outstanding and she managed to escape unscathed. Otherwise, he would really regret it very bitterly.
When he saw that Qin Xiaoyao was still staring at him, the Second Prince said in a grave tone, “Right now, we still have about 15,000 men.
“I estimate that Xiao Yuan’s military strength is close to 30,000.”
Qin Xiaoyao’s eyes narrowed.
The enemy was twice as strong as them?
“It’s only estimated to be 30,000. After tonight, it might only be 10,000 more than us,” the Second Prince added.
When he said that he still had 15,000 soldiers left, he was excluding those who had entered the battle zone.
If these people stayed in the battle zone, they could more or less whittle down some of the Liao army’s forces.
If the decisive battle could be delayed until the next day, it was highly likely that the Liao army would lose another 5000 people.
Qin Xiaoyao frowned.
They didn’t have many soldiers, to begin with. Even if they had 10,000 less, the difference in strength between the two sides was still huge.
“Do we have any reinforcements?” Qin Xiaoyao asked again.
Previously, she had recovered the lost territory in the Jin State, and the towns she had recovered later were all guarded by the Imperial Court’s army.
If the Imperial Court’s army could come to their aid, they would be of great help.
As for the refugees in Ning An Prefecture, if they were to be recruited, they could quickly form a new batch of soldiers.
Even if their combat power was not good, as long as they had enough manpower, the Liao army would not be able to gain an advantage.
In other words, if the Liao army lost the same number of troops as they did and the whole Jin army perished, only 10,000 enemy troops could get through High Pass Town.
If they were to replenish with new troops, a 20,000-strong Imperial Court’s army or 30,000 new soldiers would definitely be able to stop this group of people.
Of course, the prerequisite was that the Imperial Court’s army or the new army had to join the battle.
The Second Prince frowned.
He then shook his head and continued, “The authorities back there have arranged to recruit new soldiers, but time is too tight. I’m afraid they won’t be in time.”
As for the Imperial Court’s army, the Second Prince’s face became very bitter at the thought of those people.
When the Imperial Court saw that the situation had reversed, they slowed down the speed of the peace negotiations, but they did not provide him with any substantial support.
Right now, allowing him to recruit soldiers in Ning An and Hua An Prefecture was already the limit.
That person in the palace was still very guarded against him.
Qin Xiaoyao glanced at the Second Prince and then looked away.
“In that case, we can only rely on ourselves,” she muttered.
“Not really. As long as we can hold on for two more days, new troops will be sent over,” the Second Prince said.
Qin Xiaoyao glanced at the Second Prince again.
“But Xiao Yuan won’t give us that much time,” he said with a sigh.
The Second Prince frowned and finally stopped talking.
Qin Xiaoyao thought for a while and said, “Let me go again.”
The Second Prince immediately looked at Qin Xiaoyao.
“I’ll go to the Liao army’s campsite again to look for an opportunity.
“I’ve just suffered a loss at Xiao Yuan’s place recently. He probably won’t expect that I’d still dare to go there.
“Also, even if I don’t succeed, I can at least scare him. Make him delay some of his forces.
“It’ll be easier to defend the town on your side then, Your Highness,” Qin Xiaoyao said.
The Second Prince frowned again.
He didn’t want Qin Xiaoyao to take the risk, but he knew that she was right.
Qin Xiaoyao smiled when she saw his reaction.
“It doesn’t make much impact to the overall situation for me to stay in the town. On the contrary, doing this can be of great use.
“Your Highness, please let me go.”
The Second Prince’s heart skipped a beat when he saw that flash of a smile.
Thereafter, he finally nodded.
“Alright.”
Qin Xiaoyao’s smile grew even more radiant.
“Is there anything to eat here, Your Highness?” she then asked.
The Second Prince was taken aback.
“I want to replenish my strength before leaving. I want to eat meat and drink some wine,” Qin Xiaoyao said with a laugh.
“Of course!” the Second Prince quickly replied.
Then, he gave the order.
It did not take long for the soldiers to bring the meat and wine into the tent.
Qin Xiaoyao didn’t stand on ceremony and immediately started eating.
The Second Prince was watching from the side the entire time and eventually also accompanied Qin Xiaoyao to eat some food.
After more than 15 minutes, Qin Xiaoyao finally had her fill and felt that her special ability had been fully restored.
She stood up and bade the Second Prince farewell.
The Second Prince watched her leave very reluctantly and personally sent Qin Xiaoyao off from the tent.
It was only when Qin Xiaoyao asked him to stay that he didn’t continue to send her off.
After leaving the Second Prince’s tent, Qin Xiaoyao quickly melded into the dark.
Following that, she left the east town and entered the town center district.
After killing some Liao soldiers, she changed into a set of Liao soldier’s uniform.
After that, she passed through the town center district and entered the south town district.
As she rushed towards the South Town Gate, she also killed some of the Liao soldiers who were alone or part of a small team. Occasionally, she would mingle with the large troops and eavesdrop on some news about the Liao army.
When she reached the South Town Gate, Qin Xiaoyao blended in with a group of cavalrymen and followed them out of the town, returning to the Liao army’s campsite outside the town.
The sky was still dark, but the Liao army’s campsite was brightly lit.
Qin Xiaoyao discovered that the Liao army’s campsite was still heavily guarded.
However, compared to the day before when she came, the atmosphere was much more relaxed.
In addition, there were much fewer people in the Liao army’s campsite tonight than yesterday during the day.
At the thought of this, Qin Xiaoyao’s lips curled into a smile.
True to her expectations, it was a great opportunity to come back now.
She could only hope that she would be able to locate Xiao Yuan successfully later.
In that way, this trip would be complete.
Very soon, Qin Xiaoyao made her move. She quickly traversed through the Liao army’s campsite to search.
As she searched, she also paid attention to the movements of some Liao army generals.
Sometimes, she would follow some Liao army generals to see if they would go to meet Xiao Yuan.
Unfortunately, she still couldn’t find Xiao Yuan even after more than 45 minutes..
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