I Became a Sugar Mama to an Ancient General during a Famine! - Chapter 32

Chapter 32: Disrupting the Barbarian Army, Returning Victorious

How could she help Zhan Chengyin?

Ye Mumu logged into the Military Network and browsed the forums of major military academies.

A post had been pinned to the top.

There were many discussions, most of which were pessimistic.

Twenty thousand troops facing an army of three hundred thousand – even a reincarnated Zhuge Liang would have no solution. The numerical disparity was simply too great.

Even if the twenty thousand in the city fought like meat grinders, the three hundred thousand troops would still overwhelm and crush both the defenders and their defenses.

Some suggested the original poster should surrender quickly, as there was no hope.

A small portion offered serious advice.

With such a large numerical disadvantage, passively defending had no chance of victory.

Moreover, under conditions of no water or food, passive defense would only lead to being slowly starved to death.

They should seek opportunities to take the initiative and attack.

A well-known strategist left sixteen words of wisdom, «Advance when the enemy retreats, harass when the enemy camps, attack when the enemy tires, pursue when the enemy flees.»

Guerrilla warfare is suitable for surrounding cities from rural areas.

For those trapped in the city, tunnel warfare and digging tunnels to harass the enemy is appropriate.

With inferior equipment, launch night raids.

With superior equipment, actively harass in broad daylight.

After ten days to half a month of this, the enemy should retreat.

If they don’t retreat, continue harassing for three months.

The enemy will either have a mental breakdown or flee in a hurry.

Ye Mumu extracted the useful suggestions and sent them to Zhan Chengyin.

She recalled a historical battle where the few defeated the many.

The entire army was surrounded in a mountain village, twenty thousand facing fifty thousand, with no chance of breaking through.

The military advisor bought a thousand oxen from the village, tied firecrackers to their tails, and lit them at night…

The oxen, stimulated by the firecrackers, charged out of the village like mad, disrupting the enemy cavalry camp.

Many enemy horses were killed in the collision, countless enemy soldiers fell from their mounts and were trampled to death by the mass of oxen and horses.

Of the fifty thousand, twenty thousand died, and the rest hastily retreated…

Ye Mumu recorded this case and sent it to Zhan Chengyin.

She said, 「If you need firecrackers, I’ll buy them right away.」

「We can tie them to the barbarians’ horses. Even if it doesn’t drive them back, it will throw their formation into chaos!」

「I’ll download some firecracker videos for you.」

Zhan Chengyin sent over the tablet.

Ye Mumu downloaded over a dozen videos on fireworks, firecrackers, gunpowder production and proportions.

Two thousand years ago, China didn’t have firecrackers yet.

But they already had gunpowder.

Alchemists seeking immortality had discovered gunpowder while refining elixirs, though it wasn’t widely used at the time.

After sending the tablet back, she drove to fireworks and firecracker shops to make purchases.

She asked the shopkeeper to bring out strung firecrackers with longer fuses.

She wanted them all.

Seeing a big customer, the shopkeeper brought out the long-fused ones from storage.

For those with short fuses, he extended them.

She filled a pickup truck bed with firecrackers, then drove to a deserted alley and transmitted them over.

Then she went to a second shop to buy out their stock, and continued sending them over…

She bought out eight shops in total, about two thousand strings of firecrackers.

*

Zhan Chengyin and his officers studied the warfare tactics Ye Mumu had taught them.

Perhaps they had reservations before.

But since their equipment had improved…

Stifled for so long, they were all itching for a big fight!

The brothers Chen Kui and Chen Wu immediately approved using the divinely taught guerrilla tactics.

Zhuang Liang also felt this method was feasible.

They would divide into three groups, each deploying over ten thousand men, harassing day and night without pause.

The long-range Qin crossbows would lead the way.

Armored troops wielding Tang Mo swords would be at the vanguard, directly striking the enemy’s main cavalry force.

Archers would provide support, shooting down cavalry.

Finally, infantry with long spears and halberds would deliver the finishing blows.

If the second batch of weapons arrived, this attack method would be even more complete, minimizing soldier casualties.

But the biggest concern at present was the barbarians’ attack on the city at midnight.

Everyone saw the last piece of paper sent by the divine being, describing a case very similar to their own situation.

Only the disparity in troop numbers wasn’t as large.

The divine being asked the general if he needed firecrackers.

The officers all said: “Yes!”

Zhan Chengyin immediately sent the tablet over.

Everyone discussed how if they could infiltrate the barbarian stables and tie lit firecrackers to the horses’ tails,

The startled war horses would charge wildly through the barbarian camp, throwing it into chaos.

At this moment, Xu Ming knocked and entered, whispering in Zhan Chengyin’s ear.

Zhan Chengyin suddenly asked him, “Is this true?”

Xu Ming nodded, “Yes, General. He said there are two secret passages out of the city, leading south and north respectively.”

Zhan Chengyin’s eyes immediately lit up, “Excellent, this Wei Guang will be of great use.”

Chen Wu asked Zhan Chengyin, “Is this the street ruffian you rescued from the dungeon last time?”

“Yes, he said there are two more secret passages out of the city, dug by merchants to evade taxes. Those two passages lead south and north respectively.”

The main barbarian force was camped ten miles east of the city gates.

There were troops deployed to the south and north, but far fewer than the main force.

If they wore barbarian military uniforms and rode horses, they could head straight for the main force’s stables.

The brothers Chen Kui and Chen Wu immediately bowed, “General, entrust this task to us brothers. We will take our men and charge the stables from the north and south.”

“At nightfall, we’ll set off the firecrackers and flee.”

Song Duo, Bian Ziping, Li Yuanzhong, and Wu Sanlang also volunteered to go…

Zhan Chengyin’s gaze swept over them, finally settling on Chen Kui and Chen Wu.

He instructed them to carry extra feed for the horses and be cautious. If discovered, they should retreat immediately.

The two agreed and went to prepare.

As dusk fell, Chen Kui and Chen Wu each led a team of men and horses, with firecrackers coiled on the horses’ backs, carrying grass and water…

They set out through the secret passages.

Zhan Chengyin stood on the city wall, gazing in their direction, murmuring softly: “Return safely!”

An hour later, darkness fell completely.

Ten miles away, the sound of firecrackers could be heard.

The barbarian camp was thrown into chaos.

Many barbarians ran out of their tents, trying to restrain the panicked horses.

The horses were too frightened to be controlled.

Some even trampled people to death.

Seeing this scene, Zhan Chengyin smiled.

“They’ve succeeded!”

The other deputy generals all showed joy, not expecting it to go so smoothly.

They just waited for deputy generals Chen Kui and Chen Wu to return victorious.

Half an hour later, Chen Kui and Chen Wu led two hundred men back.

Not a single man was injured, none was left behind.

Chen Kui, his head covered in sweat, laughed loudly, “The barbarians’ stable management is lax. They were too complacent, never imagining we would leave the city and actively attack them.”

Chen Wu said, “General, the god’s teaching of ‘advance when the enemy retreats’ is indeed effective against the barbarians.”

“The barbarian army’s discipline is not as strict as the Zhan family army. After eating they wrestle and all gather to watch, without drilling or maintaining discipline.”

“We led horses right past them from behind, and no one paid any attention.”

“Starting tomorrow, let’s wage guerrilla warfare!”

Just thinking about being besieged for a year by such an undisciplined army was utterly humiliating.

Zhan Chengyin said: “Good!”

Strike while the iron is hot~

They would begin guerrilla warfare that very night.

*

Ye Mumu received a message from Zhan Chengyin that tying lit firecrackers to the horses’ tails had successfully thrown the barbarian camp into chaos.

They would be too busy to attack the city tonight.

Generals Chen Kui and Chen Wu had safely led their men back.

Ye Mumu jumped up excitedly.

Great!

The method she suggested had really worked.

Zhan Chengyin had averted danger once again, and she could rest easy!

At that moment, someone began pounding on the front gate of Ye Mumu’s villa.

At nine in the evening, the knocking was extremely jarring.

She heard her grandmother’s cursing voice.

“You useless girl, come out here!”

“Don’t think hiding inside will save you. You crashed into me and ran last time. I’ve brought reporters to ruin your reputation in this whole neighborhood and city!”