Chapter 6

Lieutenant En paused before responding. "Sir, we've also found the location of the enemy camp." En showed a fearsome smile.

"Hmm " Yue Fei scratched his chin. "I think it's best if I go and have a look at their defenses. Have some cavalry scouting."

"As you command."

A short while later, a group of about fifty could be seen leaving the walled city on horseback.

Once they were a kilometer from where they thought Neo's camp was, they dismounted and slowly approached. Once the camp was in view, they slowly made their way around the camp, observing all the while. Yue Fei took in everything, from patrol routes to the timing of shift changes. After a few hours, Yue Fei sighed to himself. If only he'd brought more troops, he could've stuck a spear into Neo's chest that very night.

He'd seen many of Neo's army drinking and celebrating, clearly with their guard down.

How unfortunate.

Yue Fei couldn't help but sigh with disappointment. If only he'd been a bit more daring, and had moved to immediately attack Neo's camp tonight, he might've been able to end the simulation here tonight. Even if he sent word back to the city, now, by the time his troops arrived the sun would almost be up, and the impact wouldn't be the same

Yue Fei signaled with his hands, and he and his men retreated quietly as they'd come. Once back in the city, Yue Fei immediately relayed his orders to his lieutenant.

"Lieutenant, we have a few more hours until daylight. Have two thousand cavalries spread out around Neo's camp, but make sure they are a good distance away. And do make sure to let them know, they're not to be seen. Once the sun is down tonight, they are to attack Neo's camp at these three points." He pointed to three locations on the map.

Lieutenant En took the map and looked it over. "Excellent. The enemy won't know what hit them "

Yue Fei grabbed Lieutenant En by the shoulder, as an older brother would. "Lieutenant En, you are to personally lead one of these attachments to break into the enemy camp. For the other two attachments, choose the best under your command."

"Rest assured, sir. Our cavalry has been itching for battle. They'll be ready to go."

"Quickly make the necessary precautions and set off before the sun rises, speed is of the essence. Remember En, whether you succeed or fail will determine the outcome of this battle. Don't let me down." Yue Fei cautioned his lieutenant.

"Worry not sir, leave everything to me. There's little chance Neo will be prepared for such an attack." En left the room to lay the groundwork for Baron's demise.

___

With the night behind them, the two armies once again faced each other head-on, but today Neo had a little surprise for his enemy. An hour before noon Neo ordered all forces to retreat outside the range of the enemy archers and had his fiver hundreds of cavalrymen run to just inside the enemy archers' range and drop off wagons that they had brought with them, all around the city.

These wagons contained many dead sticks and chopped wood. The soldiers quickly lit this kindling, still somewhat damp, with the help of animal fats and other flammable material. Within a few short minutes, the lit-up branches had created a makeshift smoke screen that blocked the city defender's view. It was Neo's good fortune that he'd had the wood hidden and covered well enough so that they could still be lit after the rain. Now, he was able to bring forth one of his plans ahead of schedule. As a bonus,

Neo had quite a surprise waiting for Yue Fei's army.

___

Yue Fei could see the smoke Frome the center of the city. "Why would they expend so much effort into blocking our view of them? What could they possibly want to hide from us ?" Yue Fei mused.

Officer Mike responded. "I'm not too sure, General, but we'll find out soon- " A messenger suddenly burst into the room, breaking Mike's words off.

" Apologies for my rudeness, but I have some news. There have been multiple sightings of siege towers emerging from the smokescreen. "The messenger hurriedly said.

"Siege towers? Why have they chosen now to use such gadgets? Hmm... it doesn't matter. Just shoot it down with a fire arrow. Once they're on fire, they won't be able to use them anymore. "

" I'm sorry sir, but the troops have already tried. It seems that the siege towers are rather damp, probably from the rain from the fire. "

" Mike! "

" Sir? "

" Bring what troops we can spare to the walls and relay to the other officers that no matter what, we must not fall today."

" As you wish." Mike moved to leave the room but nearly collided headfirst into another messenger, who promptly relayed his message.

"Sir, the north and east walls are having difficulty holding on, and are requesting immediate backup.

Yue Fei groaned. "Dammit, those two walls are the ones where their lieutenant killed our officers yesterday. I'll personally lead the soldiers on the east wall. Make haste."

The two quickly left the strategy room and headed for their respective walls. At the end of the day, they'd managed to hold on to their respective walls but had paid a huge price to do so.

However, Yue Fei was confident in his chances of victory. Tonight, Lieutenant En would lead two thousand fresh cavalries into battle against Neo's tired army, which would need time to rest before reaching its full battle potential.

Yue Fei would not give them that opportunity.

___

After the day's siege, Lieutenant En caught word of the grave situation that their army was in, this made En even more fired up to bring down Neo tonight. Soon the darkness of the night came along, and Lieutenant En sent a messenger to both of the other two officers he had picked the previous night to lead this night incursion.

With accuracy and precise timing, the three large bodies of cavalry struck mercilessly camp and easily broke through its defense

"Find their General and kill him!"