Chapter 1 The Impasse

Faced with the generals' eager requests to fight, Jiang Chen refused them all without a second thought.

Although the enemy seemed to be in complete disarray, their movements were too coordinated, not at all like a civil war was brewing.

"Your Majesty, why don't we take this opportunity to completely defeat them?"

Hearing this question, Jiang Chen looked at the clumsy performance of the Xiongnu below and smiled without saying a word.

"Things aren't as simple as you think. They're just waiting for us to send troops down to fight them."

Jiang Chen's words left everyone deeply confused. Before they could figure out what was going on, someone finally saw the problem Jiang Chen was pointing out, following the direction Jiang Chen indicated.

Realizing they had almost forgotten that crucial detail, a cold sweat broke out on their foreheads.

"Your Majesty, we were impetuous. Please forgive us."

Seeing their fearful expressions, Jiang Chen didn't take it too seriously. After all, the enemy's cunning was beyond imagination.

"It seems these guys aren't just brutes anymore. They must have received guidance from someone."

Perhaps thinking of something, Jiang Chen pondered, but didn't take further action. Occasionally discovering that no one dared to charge out of Shimen Pass, they had no choice but to sound the retreat. Seeing the raging flames extinguished in an instant, everyone understood what was happening.

Just as everyone was finally relieved, Jiang Chen woke up the complacent crowd.

"From now on, we'll face a continuous stream of attacks. All we can do now is pray that reinforcements arrive as soon as possible. Their next offensive will give us no chance to breathe."

As soon as Jiang Chen finished speaking, someone rushed out of the enemy camp, followed by countless Xiongnu cavalry.

Their menacing appearance made many generals intend to order the archers to shoot them down, but Jiang Chen stopped them with a raised hand.

"Let them get within a hundred paces. Ensure no arrows are wasted. We don't have enough supplies to support a rain of arrows."

As soon as Jiang Chen gave the order, the Xiongnu cavalry stopped just outside a hundred paces, as if they had anticipated it.

This situation immediately brought the battlefield to a standstill.

Now, at Shimen Pass, it was as if two generals who knew each other inside and out were deploying their troops, able to anticipate each other's next move.

Watching the harassing Xiongnu cavalry leave, Jiang Chen had already made up his mind.

"Divide all the soldiers into five groups to defend in shifts, ensuring everyone has strength to spare. After these days of harassment, these guys will definitely launch a fierce, concentrated attack like madmen. We must not panic."

"Civil and military officials will be divided into two groups, stationed on the city walls in shifts. If any uncontrollable factors arise, report them to me immediately to ensure everything is safe."

Although Jiang Chen said this, his gaze lingered on the civil officials, unable to leave for a long time. For some reason, Jiang Chen felt that these people would inevitably cause some unnecessary trouble in the future.

After all the tasks were assigned, the number of people on the city wall instantly decreased by more than half. Noticing the changes on the city wall, the Xiongnu below couldn't help but become restless.

"I was just saying, why don't we take this opportunity to attack? They've been exhausted from stalemating with us these days. We'll definitely achieve effective results if we attack the city now."

Just as everyone was preparing to attack, someone sneered.

"Do you think those thunderstones and rolling logs in Shimen Pass are a joke? Charging up now will only increase meaningless casualties. These people are not to be trifled with."

While the Xiongnu generals were still arguing, Jiang Chen sat in the city lord's mansion, his face full of worry.

Although the information he sent out didn't throw the Xiongnu into chaos, it did allow Jiang Chen to figure out who the guy wearing their armor was.

Mei Pengfei, once known as the hope of the Mei family's younger generation in the military.

He could recognize a thousand characters at the age of three, compose ancient poems at the age of five, and possessed superhuman strength.

Now that such a guy had appeared on the opposing side, Jiang Chen couldn't help but seriously consider countermeasures. Without him, they only needed to confront the Xiongnu at Shimen Pass and delay until the autumn harvest, and the enemy would naturally retreat. But this person knew all the large and small passages around Shimen Pass. Once they relaxed their vigilance, these Xiongnu would definitely cross Shimen Pass and head straight for the imperial city.

"Your Majesty, are you worried about Mei Pengfei?"

Hearing the question from the general beside him, Jiang Chen nodded helplessly.

Now Mei Pengfei had become a thorn in his side. If he couldn't be removed, it would probably affect many of his future plans.

But how difficult it was to behead the enemy general in the midst of a chaotic army. All he could do now was rely on the favorable timing and terrain to delay the enemy. As a nomadic people, the Xiongnu's food reserves were always a big problem.

But now, the garrison in Shimen Pass had already exceeded its carrying capacity. If they really relied on delaying with time, it was hard to say which side would be at a disadvantage.

"Your Majesty, this humble general requests to lead a surprise attack on the Xiongnu camp. Even if I can't kill the traitor Mei Pengfei, I will definitely share your worries."

Hearing this request, Jiang Chen refused his suggestion without a second thought.

Now, if they really made the decision to divide their troops, it would probably...

While Jiang Chen was worried about this, a messenger rushed over in a panic.

"Your Majesty, it's terrible! A small group of Xiongnu bypassed Shimen Pass from an unknown route and are constantly harassing us from behind."

"A batch of our supplies was seized by them and taken to an unknown location. The person in charge of escorting the supplies was from the Mei family."

This news made Jiang Chen sneer in his heart. Such a clumsy lie could probably only be believed by those who didn't think things through.

"Go back and tell your master, there are better ways to frame the Mei family. If there is a next time, you will all be charged with treason."

Realizing that these aristocratic families were still fighting each other openly and secretly, a nameless fire burst into flames in Jiang Chen's heart.