Ling Gu stepped out after lunch to scout the terrain. The enemy's encampment was also situated on a hilltop, exposed with no natural barriers. Though they outnumbered them by over ten thousand, launching a direct siege would likely favor their side little, especially since the enemy might be harboring secret weapons within their camp. Discussing countermeasures remained imperative.

Shao Xia walked beside Ling Gu, eyes scanning the battlefield as he remarked, "General, do you think our chances of winning are favorable?"

Ling Gu had already formed a plan, nodding slowly, "Though formidable, the Imperial Guards number no more than us and must split their forces to besiege Pingyuan County. This time, we'll strike first. However, timing is crucial - hasty action could lead us into ambush."

"General Han hasn't returned yet," Shao Xia mused, "Perhaps he brings better news. If we coordinate with Bai Lang's forces, our combined strength would be overwhelming."

Ling Gu agreed, "Indeed. With proper coordination from within and without, we can annihilate those ten thousand Imperial Guards."

Shao Xia had long followed Ling Gu - his reputation was legendary in the military circles. Seeing the general's confidence brought him joy, so he exclaimed, "Then shall we follow you to great glory?"

"Personal glory means nothing," Ling Gu replied, "The court is corrupt and the people suffer. When a single farmer raises their banner, thousands will join. These peasant armies however are disorganized and weak. My task is to instill discipline in them, teach them to fight - soon, the world itself will change."

Suddenly lowering his voice, Shao Xia added, "General, if you're so concerned for our people, why don't you raise your own banner? I'd be honored to follow you with my life. Although Lord Shou treats you well, remaining under others' commands will never grant you true power. We now control a garrison and grain-producing county - why not contact Bai Lang and break away from Lord Shou's rule? Crown you first as king then emperor after securing the realm?"

Ling Gu shook his head, "I have no interest in emperors or crowns. As long as farmers till their fields and people eat well, there will be peace."

Shao Xia muttered curses under his breath - these idealistic ramblings were nothing but hypocrisy. What did a general care for commoners? Even if Lord Shou claimed victory, would the peasants suddenly have land to farm?

A sudden report from a scout interrupted their conversation: "General! The enemy has begun unusual movements. It seems they're preparing an attack."

"Shall we intercept them?" Shao Xia asked.

Ling Gu remained composed, "Let them come. Pingyuan's walls are formidable - mere arrows won't breach them. But if they persist in attacking... it actually presents us with opportunity."

"Are you planning to launch a pincer attack?" Shao Xia realized.

"Precisely," Ling Gu confirmed, "Return to the command tent and prepare your men for immediate deployment."

Ling Gu knew intelligence was vital - scout after scout reported on the enemy's siege progress. Suddenly Shao Xia suggested, "General! With their main force attacking the southern gate, their camp must be vulnerable. Shouldn't we attack it?"

Ling Gu waved dismissively, "No. These Imperial Guards are trained in deceptive tactics. When did they first see our arrival? Would they truly leave an unguarded camp waiting for us to strike?"

Shao Xia was frustrated, "Then what are we doing here, watching them slip away?"

"Send more scouts," Ling Gu ordered, "Especially around their camp perimeter."

"This is confusing," Shao Xia muttered, "If you don't want to attack the camp, why check it?"

"We can deploy a small force to feign an assault and draw attention while preparing our real strike elsewhere. This is called deception through misdirection."

Ling Gu's strategy was indeed thorough... yet his opponent had been trained in standard espionage techniques. These newly recruited farmer-scouts were no match for the Imperial Guards' discipline.

Soon, Ling Gu realized - the Imperial Guards were definitely committing full strength to attack Pingyuan. Perhaps sensing reinforcements arriving at Pingyuan County, they now acted with desperation. Even their main camp was eerily quiet save for a few guards...

With caution, Ling Gu deployed five companies of 100 men each as probing forces toward both the attacking Imperial Guards and their rear camp.

The attackers noticed immediately, diverting two thousand soldiers to reinforce their camp while continuing their assault on Pingyuan's southern gate.

Ling Gu addressed his subordinates: "The Imperial Guards are growing impatient. They fear our connection with Bai Lang might prevent them from taking Pingyuan County. Hence today's reckless attack... and complete neglect of rear security."

"Then we should strike their main camp immediately," Shao Xia suggested, "Burn their supplies and food stores - the court will withdraw naturally."

"That won't be so simple," Ling Gu countered, "Heaven doesn't provide opportunities freely. They've already sent two thousand back to defend. Their weapons are also superior to ours. A direct attack would yield nothing."

Several company commanders expressed concern: "General! What should we do? Opportunity is fleeting!"

"We'll feign an assault on the camp," Ling Gu explained, "Distract their attention from our real target - the siege forces attacking Pingyuan's walls. As you saw, their siege weapons are ordinary. With attacks coming both front and back... their formations will collapse completely."

"General," Shao Xia pointed out, "We need coordination with General Bai Lang inside Pingyuan. Should we send a messenger through?"

Ling Gu shook his head, "I don't think so. General Han is there. When he sees our maneuvers, I'm sure he'll know what to do."

Anticipation filled the air as commanders took their orders - five thousand soldiers armed and marched toward the camp gates.

Suddenly from several hillside outcroppings... Imperial Guard squads emerged! They moved swiftly, unloading weapons at point-blank range. Fan-shaped formations opened up: archers in front, swordsmen behind, followed by small trebuchets, then spear throwers...

A deafening roar shook the ranks as white orbs rained down from above - stone grenades mixed with shards of diamond shattered through their formation.

At the command tent, Ling Gu erupted into rage upon hearing this report: "Send two thousand men immediately to attack their main camp. Another two thousand in pursuit of that weapon unit - preferably capture their weapons for study."

"General," someone asked anxiously, "What about our five thousand? They're suffering heavy casualties! Should they advance or retreat?"

Ling Gu clenched his jaw, "War is waged with death as currency. Let them continue forward. If they turn now to fight... the enemy's secret weapon unit will escape, and we'll face counterattacks from siege forces. It would be a pincer movement on us!"

The two thousand sent after the main camp triggered hidden landmines just outside range - thirty to forty casualties later, they reached archery distance.

But the attackers were prepared! They lit flaming arrows... only for enemy barracks suddenly to erupt with volleys of spear bolts from concealed positions. The first wave of archers fell in droves as their incendiary arrows crashed down onto the ground.

"Raise shields!" the two company commanders bellowed, "Deploy rear archers!"

The carpenter Xu You had indeed prepared wooden shields... but these soldiers lacked training and considered them burdensome. Only when ordered did they reluctantly retrieve their cumbersome shields.

Another volley of spear bolts descended - these newer versions were sharper and faster, employing reinforced animal sinew. The wooden shields cracked under pressure as soldiers behind them screamed in agony. The front lines buckled completely...

The two company commanders had received Ling Gu's strict training... but against such overwhelming firepower, they could barely escape with their lives.

Meanwhile, the two thousand sent to seize enemy weapons ran into yet another ambush! From a distant hillside crest emerged an identical Imperial Guard unit - they immediately opened fire from high ground as the defenders rushed forward...

Despite orders to charge, these soldiers were met with trebuchet volleys when entering range. As survivors trampled over fallen comrades, archers rained down arrows. By the time they reached close combat distance... the defending soldiers retreated behind their shields while the Imperial Guards formed triangle formations - three against one as they methodically cut down attackers.

News of these disasters streamed back to Ling Gu's command tent, his face darkening with each report: "The Imperial Guards are highly disciplined and armed far beyond us. Their commander is a master tactician... we've lost this battle."

"General!" Shao Xia exclaimed urgently, "Thousands still fight outside! Shouldn't we recall them? Preserving our forces should be priority!"

Ling Gu realized now that even full deployment might not overcome the siege forces. The defenders in Pingyuan County remained passive despite the chaos - this was unexpected and had completely disrupted his strategy.

Perhaps General Han failed to convince Bai Lang?

At dusk, Ling Gu received another devastating blow when Liu Dan arrived with news of Han's death...

...and then Bai Lang's...

The city now teetered on collapse with rival factions clashing over leadership positions.

As for the peasant girl Ma Xiaorui... she remained clueless about cell phone technology. Her sister Ma Xiwu had explained some movies through verbal translation, but learning a new language wasn't something that could be accomplished overnight. She often imagined herself as movie heroines - waiting for her to arrive on horseback.

Her older brother Ma Xiada visited purely out of boredom, updating her with tales about his weird pets and inquiring about her sister's attempts at seduction (a topic she now avoided through stammered denials).

When returning the phone, she discovered Zhao Yuan was already gone. A palace maid informed her he had gone to inspect the battlefield from city walls.

"Tell him to find me here when he returns," Ma Xiaorui sighed, "I'll be watching movies with my sister."

The unlocked phone proved treacherous for someone who could barely distinguish characters. As she randomly tapped the screen, two identical women suddenly appeared in a bath scene...

...leading to an unexpected revelation.