Chapter 77: Pulling Off a Major Job

Unnoticed, the sun had shifted westward.

With great reluctance, Niu Fu waved farewell to his nephew-in-law.

Grandfather and granddaughter, too, exchanged their final goodbyes.

After this parting, perhaps there would be no hope of meeting again…

“Ah Bai, if you do not wish to go with him, Grandfather will have someone escort you back to Luoyang. We have nothing to fear. I will find you a good family for a second marriage; you are my granddaughter, and none would dare to gossip about you behind your back.”

Dong Bai wept bitterly, but her shake of the head was resolute.

Choking back sobs, she whispered, “I already belong to him. If you truly care for me, Grandfather, why not summon him to Luoyang and grant him an official post? The Emperor listens to you above all; if you ask, what knot cannot be untied? Why must our family face each other with swords drawn?”

Ah…

Could it be that Dong Zhuo was unwilling to grant an official post?

He had already offered the rank of General of Chariots and Cavalry, but Chen Cong had refused to come—what more could he do?

Dong Zhuo sighed heavily, waving his hand in irritation. “Enough… Go on, then.”

“Grandfather!” Dong Bai’s heartbroken cry pierced the air.

Dong Zhuo steeled himself, pushing her away, then turned and mounted his horse, leaving behind a bleak and solitary figure.

He was, after all, a man of his era—a true overlord.

He did not wish to explain the deeper reasons to his granddaughter. Rather than let her live each day torn by guilt and indecision, he would choose to be the villain himself.

Otherwise, whom should she resent, caught between both sides?

Even the Demon King is made of flesh and blood, has a heart, and knows the meaning of family.

This was the last tenderness he could offer his granddaughter.

A gentle breeze passed by.

The crisp sound of hooves echoed.

Jueying seemed to sense her mistress’s sorrow, stretching out its head to nuzzle her, only for Chen Cong atop its back to slap it away.

That irritating voice followed: “What are you up to, Blackie? Trying to take advantage of everyone, aren’t you?”

Jueying pawed the ground in protest, as if imagining the stones beneath its hooves were Chen Cong’s feet. This only earned it another smack from its true master, leaving it snorting with indignation…

Man and horse stood together, disgruntled, waiting.

Dong Bai wept for a long time, until her voice was hoarse.

She knelt in the direction Dong Zhuo had left, bowing her head nine times in deep respect.

Then she extended her delicate hand, allowing the man to help her onto the horse.

“You know, my little concubine, I never expected you’d choose me. I was even preparing for a little scene of abducting you before the battle.”

Dong Bai forced a smile, softly calling, “Husband.”

“Yes?”

“Will I ever see Grandfather again?” Dong Bai’s gaze was distant, as if through all barriers she could still see Dong Zhuo’s resolute figure.

But she could not let go.

Sixteen years of upbringing—how could that be severed in a single turn?

Chen Cong thought for a moment, then answered earnestly, “You will.”

“Husband.”

“What is it now?”

Dong Bai smiled, “Thank you.”

“Crying and laughing, aren’t you embarrassed?”

With a chuckle and a shake of his head, Chen Cong unfastened Tai’e from his waist and tossed it toward the watchtower in the camp.

With a sharp crack, wood splintered as the sheathed sword embedded itself half a foot into the timber, startling the soldiers above into ducking for cover.

Chen Cong rode forward and shouted, “Take that to the Grand Tutor. Tell him it’s a wedding gift from his grandson-in-law—he mustn’t scorn its humble worth.”

For a moment, Chen Cong truly understood the bitterness of those at the top of the leaderboard.

The price for making a beauty smile was indeed steep.

Of all his weapons, Tai’e had accompanied him the longest on this journey. He had not expected it would end this way.

Had he known, he would never have brought Dong Bai…

The soldier scrambled up and knelt on one knee with a shout of assent.

Only then did he curse himself for a fool—how had he, a lowly conscript, ended up taking orders from a notorious rebel…

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The moon hung bright in a sparse sky, roosting birds startled from their sleep.

In the flickering shadows, a gray serpent could be glimpsed gliding through the forest.

Drawing closer, the serpent vanished, and a ragged band of armored men crept forward in silence.

Each face was smeared with mud, their clothing caked in dust and grime.

They carried no torches as they advanced, making not the slightest unnecessary sound.

Seated on horseback, Huang Zhong offered genuine praise, “In matters of military discipline, Wen Ze surpasses me.”

Yu Jin saluted with a fist, “General, you flatter me. I am unworthy. Ahead lies Heyang, with Mengjin just across the river. Shall we press on with haste, using the cover of night to feign a diversion and confuse the enemy?”

Yu Jin’s reasoning was simple.

Leading twenty thousand irregulars, they had avoided every walled city and stayed off official roads, moving only by night and along byways. Arriving at Heyang undetected was already an achievement.

Whether the allied army revealed itself at Heyang or staged a mock attack at Mengjin made little difference.

The local commander, alarmed and uncertain, would surely call for reinforcements—and their true aim was to draw Dong Zhuo’s cavalry.

Moreover, their two divisions were without siege equipment, and their supplies would last only half a month. To cross the river and strike Mengjin directly, they would have to cut trees and lash together rafts, seeking a narrow crossing.

That would take a great deal of time. Should they be delayed, the Xiliang cavalry might not even arrive before their own troops dissolved in chaos.

Huang Zhong stroked his beard and smiled, “It is one thing to sow doubt from across the river; better still to confront them at the river’s edge.”

To merely confuse the enemy was not enough. As commander, Huang Zhong had to consider every angle.

Once battle broke out, every region would be on guard. Should their retreat be blocked and the oncoming Xiliang cavalry catch them, in open country they would stand no chance.

Moreover, just this single circuit had already cost them nearly a month. To circle back to Hulao Gate and then march west to join the decisive battle at Luoyang—the opportunity would be lost.

Better to seize the city with boldness.

First, capturing Heyang would replenish their supplies.

Second, holding the city would nullify the Xiliang cavalry’s advantage.

Third, if the allies pressed west from Hulao in victory, they could use the city as a base to forge siege engines on the spot. Then, by crossing the river to assault Mengjin, they could coordinate with the main force and jointly take Luoyang.

Yet holding an isolated city carried grave risks as well.

Enemies on all sides, soldiers ill-equipped.

Though Heyang was a populous county, its stores would not last forever.

If the allied army at Hulao failed against the Xiliang troops, or if the struggle dragged on too long, their fate would be certain death.

“General, do you mean to storm Heyang?”

“Why attack with force? The enemy does not know we are here; they will be unprepared. We rest tonight, and at dawn, when all four gates open, the three of us will each lead a force to assault the east, north, and west gates. We’ll throw open the south gate and drive the county troops across the river—how could the garrison at Mengjin not be unnerved? In this way, we can garrison the city and resupply.”

Yu Jin understood the risks, and after careful thought, clenched his teeth. “Excellent.”

Huang Zhong beckoned Dian Wei for further instructions.

“This battle must be swift. Should the enemy sense anything amiss and close the gates, the city will be difficult to take. Our troops are without horses and cannot hide in open country—our only refuge is the forest’s shadows.

Tomorrow, we must risk our lives. A small group disguised as laborers will approach first, blocking the gates, and then the main force will attack. If anything goes wrong, seek me at the west gate.”

“I am willing to go with you, General.”

Yu Jin considered, and decided it was best not to act rashly.

He was no champion of brute force. If he perished before the gate was taken, it would be a useless loss.

So long as Heyang fell, whether he left one gate unassailed made little difference.

Huang Zhong nodded, then turned to Dian Wei.

“Rest assured, General, I will not fail.”

“Good. Then I and Wen Ze will lead ten thousand men each to strike the west gate. General Dian, you will lead ten thousand to attack the north gate.”

Dian Wei waved his huge hand like a fan. “The north is open ground with nowhere to conceal troops. I need only fifty armored men to take the gate.”

Huang Zhong praised his courage and did not argue.

This man had a formidable presence and astonishing strength—he was favored by their lord, and likely had true ability. The coming battle would be a test.

If he was all bluster, then his death would be no great loss.

He assigned another fifty armored men.

In this motley army, those who still had armor were already the elite among elites.