Chapter 193: A Dark and Windy Night for Murder

With a "plop" sound, Army Head Wang's teacup tilted accidentally, spilling tea into the brazier, immediately giving rise to a plume of thick smoke.

Coughs intermingled with curses filled the room.

"Old Ding, can't you be less stingy and get some decent charcoal to treat the brothers?"

Ding Dashan coughed twice as well, waving his hand to disperse the smoke.

"If it weren't for entertaining you fellows, we wouldn't even have charcoal to burn," he said with irritation.

The heavy atmosphere in the room lightened somewhat due to this interlude, and as the smoke cleared through the opened window, which was then closed again.

"Let's all talk," said Army Head Wang as he poured himself another cup of tea and sat down, "How should we deal with this matter?"

Some in the room coughed, others sniffled.

"It's difficult," someone said. "There's no solution to this – the difference in strength is too great. No matter how formidable they are, once the city gate is open, and we have to fight so many woodcutters... How could this possibly work?"

But this time, when he finished speaking, the usual immediate agreement did not follow.

Those seated in the room had complex expressions, pondering deeply.

"We have so many people, if we call upon Seven Mao, Sun Deli, Dong Yuan and the others, we could gather over two thousand," Ding Dashan suddenly spoke up, "Besides, it's a night raid. Old Nine also said the Jin thieves are strong on the outside but weak on the inside, maybe..."

Army Head Wang looked at him with furrowed brows.

"Old Ding, don't let the pursuit of military achievements cloud your judgment," he said.

These few words struck a chord in everyone's hearts, causing varied expressions in the room once again.

It's true, what the woodcutter leader Old Nine had said earlier sounded feasible. But in the end, it seemed somewhat rash and adventurous. However, the last point he made was very pragmatic.

Military achievements.

With military achievements, one can be promoted and gain wealth; with military achievements, the families of the deceased can also be honored.

For a military general, the quickest and simplest route to promotion is through military achievements.

Compared to military achievements, taking risks seemed like not such a bad idea after all.

As the saying goes, fortune favors the bold.

The identity of the woodcutters was enigmatic, their statements vaguely implicating the Duke of Chengguo, meaning they were indeed dispatched by the Duke of Chengguo. As for why they would follow the Duke's orders, there was probably some form of exchange involved.

Though the Duke of Chengguo could not come in person, he was actually still concerned about this region; hence, he made such arrangements.

The fierceness of the woodcutters suited this kind of rapid and fierce combat. Having to conceal their identities and placing these local government soldiers at the forefront would also maintain military discipline.

This arrangement was indeed very thorough.

"The Duke of Chengguo is truly dedicated," Ding Dashan remarked with a tinge of red in his eyes, "The Duke is concerned for the entire northern lands; he did not sacrifice our smaller issues for the bigger picture."

As he spoke, he breathed deeply and looked around at everyone present.

"Old Nine is right, they are reinforcements, the commands of the Duke of Chengguo," he said.

The people in the room remained silent for a moment.

"Let's do it," blurted out a military head, smashing his bowl onto the ground, "I can't continue living these suffocating days."

Another military head followed suit, breaking his teacup as well.

"Exactly, as long as they can open the city gate, I'm willing to go all out against the Jin thieves," he declared.

Ding Dashan hurriedly protested with "Hey, hey."

"Don't break my bowls," he said, "I don't have many good ones left."

Army Head Wang also stood up and smashed his bowl to the floor.

"Ding Dashan, there are plenty of valuable plates and bowls in the back kitchen of the Kaide Prefecture Government," he commented, "If we can take down Kaide Prefecture tomorrow night, you're welcome to take all those dishes, and we'll all turn a blind eye to it."

Ding Dashan's eyes lit up.

"Old Wang, then it's a deal," he said.

The term "it's a deal" had a double meaning, and everyone present knew what was truly being agreed upon.

Subsequently, the remaining two also smashed their bowls to the ground with a "snap."

"It's a deal," they also proclaimed loudly, "Just take all those plates and bowls."

After speaking, everyone in the room exchanged looks and burst into hearty laughter, hands on their hips.

"Now let's go and convince those three lads," said Army Head Wang, straightening his attire.

"Convincing those three will be easy; those guys are the most greedy for military achievements," Ding Dashan said, his eyes sparkling as he rubbed his large hands together, "If we succeed this time, we'll have made a great achievement, and we might even be remembered in history."

Having one's name recorded in the history books is something many scholars dream of.

All those present had gleaming eyes. Standing in a room with hardly any fire in the dead of winter, sweat poured down their faces.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," they all murmured.

.........….

The cold winter night wind howled, nearly extinguishing the fire that had been lit in front of the city gates of Kaide Prefecture.

All four city gates of Kaide Prefecture had such large fire pits placed, which were not there originally but set up in recent days, obviously to prevent anyone from approaching the Prefecture at night.

But tonight the north wind was fierce, causing some areas to flicker between brightness and darkness, which made the inspection of the area outside the city gates by the guard soldiers not so clear.

A rustling sound, as if a multitude of heads surged in the pitch-black night; the wild wind swept across the plains, making strange wailing sounds that covered the noise of marching footsteps.

"A night for murder when the moon is dark, a night to set fires when the wind is high," murmured Ding Dashan, looking at the Prefecture ahead, barely visible in the darkness, "Tonight is perfect for a night raid. What do you think, is it coincidence, or did Old Nine predict the weather?"

A woodcutter knows about weather patterns now?

Army Head Wang rolled his eyes, though it was a pity that in the dead of night, no one saw it.

As if he's the reincarnation of Zhuge Liang, capable of summoning the wind and the rain.

"Let's not worry about whether it's a coincidence or the weather," he said in a low voice, "Let's see if they can successfully open the gates."

After he spoke, he looked back again.

"Looks like Seven Mao isn't willing to come after all," he said.

They had gone together to persuade the heads of three other forts, but while two agreed, one didn't give a clear answer and said he needed to consider.

"There's no damn time to consider. It's clear he's just too scared to come," Ding Dashan spat and said.

"If he doesn't come, then he doesn't come," Army Head Wang said, gripping his weapon tighter as he looked forward, "We might have come here for nothing."

If those woodcutters can't get into Kaide Prefecture or fail to open the city gates after entering, they wouldn't have any other options.

If they can't enter, they can't save anyone, they could only turn their heads and flee.

"Let's just wait," Ding Dashan also tightened his grip on his weapon and murmured under his breath.

.........…..

Waiting is torturous when you have concerns on your mind.

Lying on the frozen ground, chilled by the passing wind, the hearts of Ding Dashan and his companions were frozen, leaving Ding Dashan somewhat bewildered.

He suddenly doubted whether he was dreaming.

This matter is just too absurd.

"Old Wang, pinch me…" he couldn't help turning his head and said, his teeth clattering.

Before he could finish his sentence, he saw Old Wang beside him jump up.

"Fire!" he shouted in a hoarse voice, trembling, unsure if from the cold or excitement.

Fire?

Ding Dashan looked over, and indeed saw thick smoke rising with the flames in the night, along with the sound of commotion carried on the wind.

They've gotten in! They've set fire to two military camps!

Ding Dashan's body tensed, and his chattering teeth made a gritting sound.

"The city gate is open."

In a blink of an eye, the scout at the front relayed the message.

So fast! So fierce!

Ding Dashan felt a tingling sensation all over his body, though he was freezing to the bone, he suddenly broke out in a sweat.

Kill! He jumped up, ready to shout.

Before his voice could come out, he heard shouting and the sound of killing from another direction, and a myriad of torches lit up.

Who was this?

Ding Dashan and the others stared in astonishment.

"Seven Mao!" he shouted, then immediately got angry, "What a shameless bastard, coming silently and trying to take the credit!"

As he finished speaking, Army Head Wang had already charged out with his sword raised high, shouting hoarsely, "Attack the enemy!"

A group of soldiers followed quickly, yelling as they surged toward the Prefecture.

Ding Dashan nearly stumbled.

"Damn it," he shouted, "Each one of them was so cautious, as if I was forcing them into the bridal chamber, but now that they see the chance for merit, they run faster than rabbits."

Though he was cursing, his voice carried a hint of laughter.

"Lads, the chance for revenge has come!"

With a roar, he charged forward, followed closely by a young soldier named Ma Dou, who, though frail, held a long spear with a gleam in his eyes, piercing toward the Prefecture like a sharp arrow.

The chance for revenge, to avenge his parents, had arrived.

On a deep winter night, the flames roared fiercely, and the shouts of combat stirred half the sky.