Volume One, Chapter 19: The Southern Wind Goes All the Way, and the Northern Wind Returns the Favor!

Xiongnu military camp.

Dark clouds gathered across the horizon, and a fierce wind swept through the camp, causing the tents to shudder and emit a rustling sound.

"Everyone, sit."

Tuoba Liejun sat at the head of the table, waving his hand, his tone unusually calm. The generals in the tent exchanged glances, not daring to act rashly.

A night had passed. Tuoba Liejun seemed to have become a different person; his rugged face showed no trace of anger, as if he hadn't just lost a hundred thousand troops. The more composed he appeared, the more uneasy everyone felt. The calm before a storm is always deceptive, much like the current weather—thick clouds gathered without a single drop of rain, clearly brewing a massive tempest.

"Did you not hear me?"

Seeing that no one moved, Tuoba Liejun’s voice dropped, and the temperature in the tent plummeted. Fear washed over the generals; they hurriedly found their places and sat down. Silence fell, heavy enough to hear a needle drop.

After a long while, Tuoba Liejun took a sip of wine to warm himself and said calmly, "Speak up. What are your thoughts regarding Suiye City?"

He didn't lack the urge to fly into a rage, but it would be useless. As the Left Wise King of the Xiongnu, if he lost his composure and his strategy fell into chaos, it would be even worse. Though Suiye City was as impregnable as a fortress of bronze and iron, it could not be flawless. There had to be a way.

After a few moments of silence, a *Danghu* stood up and proposed, "Your Highness, the defensive strength of Suiye City is entirely concentrated on the north side. If we bypass the north and attack from the south gate, we will surely take it without any effort!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Tuoba Liejun ignored him. His grip on the wine cup tightened; had it not been made of bronze, he surely would have crushed it. He felt the urge to slaughter the man who had just spoken.

The geographical location of Suiye City was unique. To the east lay a massive, bottomless chasm that scarred the earth—steep, smooth, and composed of solid rock, as if carved by a blade. The chasm was dozens of fathoms wide, with a roaring, turbulent river at the bottom that echoed with a deafening sound. To the west lay a canyon formed by towering mountain ranges, with sheer cliffs piercing the clouds. Attempting to move a large army across such terrain was as difficult as ascending to heaven.

The Northern Frontier Army were not fools. If not for the natural barriers on both sides of Suiye City, how could they have concentrated their entire defensive force on the north side?

"Does anyone else have any ideas?" Tuoba Liejun asked again, his tone still calm.

The *Danghu* who had just spoken seemed to want to argue his case further, but before he could, a nearby general pulled him down, shaking his head to signal him to stop. The *Danghu* sighed with regret, unaware that his life had just skirted the gates of hell and almost failed to return.

At this moment, Tamusu, who sat to one side, slowly rose. He was of medium build, dressed in leather armor. Although he held the rank of Commandant, he did not look like a Xiongnu from the grasslands, possessing a scholarly, refined air.

"Your Highness, we can use fire."

"Fire?" Tuoba Liejun frowned, shaking his head. "The horse archers cannot get close enough. Even with fire, it cannot penetrate the shield formations of Suiye City."

Tamusu’s lips curled into a faint, confident smile. "Your Highness, the fire I suggest is not aimed at Suiye City, but at the grasslands outside."

Tuoba Liejun grew interested. "Continue."

Tamusu explained, "The main defense of Suiye City lies in its trebuchets. If we make them blind, no matter how powerful their siege weapons are, they cannot hit their targets. Although it is not raining, the weather is gloomy and damp. We can soak strips of cloth in tung oil mixed with pine resin and bind them to our arrows."

"A thousand arrows fired at once will ignite the grassland. We can use the moisture of the grass to create thick, black smoke to obscure the vision of Suiye City, then use the chaos to attack and take the city in one fell swoop!"

A sharp glint appeared in Tuoba Liejun's eyes. If this method could be executed, there was indeed a high chance of taking Suiye City. However, upon reflection, he worried, "Even with tung oil to ignite the damp grass, it will be difficult to sustain the burn for long. I fear the time will not be enough."

Tamusu waved his hand lightly, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in his dark eyes. "Simple grass would naturally be insufficient, but the grasslands right now contain more than just grass."

As he spoke, Tuoba Liejun was stunned, then realized the implication. "You mean... the corpses?"

Tamusu nodded. "Only by using the armor linings and horse manes from the corpses can we sustain the fire and generate enough thick smoke."

Upon hearing this, the other generals in the command tent broke into an uproar, standing up in protest. "No! They were Xiongnu warriors! How can we desecrate their remains?"

Tamusu did not answer. The generals split into two factions, arguing heatedly, neither side willing to yield.

*Bang!*

Tuoba Liejun slammed his hand on the table. Seeing everyone fall silent, he said in a low voice, "As Xiongnu warriors, to achieve glory even in death is their honor. It is decided!"

After he finished, even those who were reluctant dared not say more, cowed by the authority of the Left Wise King. Tuoba Liejun looked at Tamusu and said, "This matter is left entirely to you. Anyone who refuses will be dealt with according to military law. Take Suiye City as soon as possible!"

Tamusu did not answer. Instead, under the confused gazes of those present, he walked to the tent entrance, sensed the air, and said, "Your Highness, not yet."

Tuoba Liejun was displeased. "Why?"

Tamusu replied, "The wind is currently blowing from the south. If we ignite the grassland now, the thick smoke will blow toward our own camp."

"When can we proceed?"

Tamusu said, "There is a saying: when the south wind blows to the end, the north wind comes to return the favor. The south wind has been blowing all night; it will not last long."

"Furthermore, I observed dragonflies flying low toward the south. I judge that within two days, provided it does not rain, a roaring north wind will surely form. At that time, the smoke will not only blind the defenders of Suiye City but also cause them great harm, making it difficult for them to breathe or move."

Tuoba Liejun was overjoyed. He stood up, waved his hand, and declared, "Good! Pass the order: prepare large quantities of tung oil and pine resin, soak the cloth strips, and wait for the north wind!"

The Xiongnu army immediately began to bustle with activity.

Meanwhile, in Suiye City, all was peaceful. Though the weather was oppressive, it did not dampen the spirits of the Northern Frontier Army or the citizens.

At this moment, Qin Feng and Meng Jun led a small cavalry unit to the south gate of Suiye City. Looking at the supply train appearing before them, Meng Jun couldn't help but exclaim, "Your Highness, this merchant is truly extraordinary. In just one page, he managed to transport so many stone projectiles and arrows."

He paused, then suddenly seemed to realize something. "Wait, Your Highness, when did you contact this merchant? Why didn't I see it?"

Qin Feng looked at Meng Jun with a half-smile. "You were busy clutching Zhao Qiming’s leg all night, refusing to let go. How would you have known?"

Meng Jun was speechless. If anyone other than Qin Feng had said this, he would have fought them to the death. Noticing the hundreds of soldiers behind him, their fists clenched and shoulders shaking as they tried to suppress their laughter, Meng Jun barked, "I dare anyone to laugh!"

The soldiers endured the pain of holding it in, feeling as if they were about to sustain internal injuries.