Insufficient balance

  Apart from leaving the necessary people on sentry duty, most of the Yellow Turbans had already fallen asleep by the faint light of the campfire. The more they rested, the more strength they would recover, and the more hope they would have to break through the siege. Although Ma Chao spoke lightly, he knew that breaking out of the encirclement wouldn't be so optimistic.

  Even if they could break through the siege, they would still need enough physical strength to run away and possibly escape the official army's pursuit.

  Guan Hai and Pei Yuanshao were also wide awake, standing with Ma Chao on a protruding cliff, overlooking the movements of the government army below. Although the three men were close enough to hear each other's breathing, they could hardly see each other, as it was the darkest moment before dawn. On the opposite mountain top, the burning fire had not yet been extinguished, and Ma Chao's eyes flashed with a hint of sharpness, saying in a low voice: "The plan has changed, we can't wait until dawn to break through, immediately wake up the brothers and go down the mountain!"

  "What's wrong?"

  Ma Yue pointed to the firelight on the opposite mountain and said in a low voice, "The commander of the government army is a very formidable figure. You see, there are government scouts on the opposite mountain who can see our every move as soon as it gets light. As soon as we make any move, they can immediately report our movements to the government army below the mountain, and the government army below the mountain can concentrate its forces and prepare for a pre-emptive strike."

  "Things have taken a turn for the worse."

  Ma Yuanding said: "Now is the darkest time of day, and it's also when the government army is most tired. We can take advantage of the darkness to make a surprise attack and break through the siege!"

  "Mountain roads are steep and treacherous. If we don't light torches, it's easy to fall into the mountain stream and get hurt."

  Ma Yue said: "No time for that now, but tell our brothers to hold hands and go down the mountain together, to avoid slipping."

  "Bo Qi, this group of government troops is not ordinary cunning. We've been fleeing south from Wan City and haven't suffered a little at their hands. Will there be an ambush below the mountain? If we fail to break through and get surrounded, it'll be all over."

  "It won't work!" Ma Jiao said decisively, "The government troops will definitely think we'll make a break for it after dawn!"

  Guan Hai said sternly: "Is Bo Qi so certain?"

  "Definitely!"

  "Why?"

  A fierce glint flashed in Ma Chao's eyes: "Because the government troops still don't know my strength!"

  Ma Yue's tone, which brooked no doubt, exuded great confidence, causing Gan Hai and Pei Yuanshao to feel their hearts stir with emotion. Any difficulty that came to Ma Yue seemed to be easily resolved, and even the most perilous situations seemed to hold a glimmer of hope as long as he was there. It was from this moment on that Ma Yue established absolute credibility in the eyes of Gan Hai and Pei Yuanshao.

  Is Ma Yue really so confident? Of course not! He's just taking a risk, he's just gambling. Ma Yue has always believed in one truth: in a chaotic world, life is just a gamble. If you lose the bet, it doesn't matter, you can just throw away your worthless life; if you win the bet, then you win everything, that's all.

  ……

  The mountain below was the main camp of the government army, and the leaders of the various righteous and brave troops, as well as Qin Ying, also did not sleep all night.

  Although the mountain is steep and majestic, it is only a dozen miles in circumference, an isolated peak. The total number of righteous and brave soldiers under Qin's command was no more than 3,000, which was not enough to surround the entire mountain, but there were more than enough to guard each pass and strategic point. Moreover, Qin was certain that the Yellow Turbans on the mountain had become like a startled bird, and would not dare to make a reckless breakout before dawn.

  After dawn, Zhu Jun's army will arrive and annihilating these remnants of Yellow Turbans will just be a matter of time.

  In the tent, Zou Jing bowed to Qin Ying and suggested: "Sir, why not send out a few scouts to sneak up the mountain and probe the bandits' situation?"

  "There's no need to make another move, I reckon the bandits are already startled and won't dare to act rashly. You can arrange for the troops to be stationed at each of the road crossings, and carefully guard them, not letting a single bandit escape. At that time, this official will personally request rewards from General Zhu on your behalf."

  Qin Hui waved his hand confidently, stroking his wispy mustache. This guy was somewhat dazed by last night's victory. Qin Hui was originally a scholar who had read extensively and was well-versed in poetry and music, with a high opinion of himself. Last night's plan had gone exactly as he had expected, trapping the Yellow Turbans in the treacherous terrain of Jing Shan. The leaders of the various righteous armies already admired him greatly, and Qin Hui was naturally very pleased with himself.

  When Qin Hong said this, Zou Jing also felt that his worries were unnecessary. The Yellow Turbans on the mountain didn't know the situation of the government army below, how could they dare to make a night raid down the mountain? Even if the government army made a surprise attack down the mountain, they couldn't just rush down blindly, could they? As long as they lit torches, Wen Pin on Mount Cishi would discover the movement and report it back to the main camp. The large army could then prepare accordingly. Therefore, the Yellow Turbans on Mount Jing could be said to be in a desperate situation, unable to fly even if they grew wings.

  ……

  On the top of Jing Mountain, several bonfires were lit again. Ma Chao ordered some Yellow Turbans to cut dry grass and tie it into a scarecrow, put on the Yellow Turban's clothes, either sitting or lying down, surrounding the fire pit. Looking from afar at Wen Ping on the opposite mountain, it seemed as if the Yellow Turbans were still on the mountain top without moving. At regular intervals, signals were sent to the large camp at the foot of the mountain, indicating that everything was safe.

  Deep in the mountains, the night was as black as ink. Ma Chao led the way, Pei Yuan Shao brought up the rear, and Guan Yu was in the middle escorting Zou Yu Nang. Over 1,000 Yellow Turban bandits held hands like a string of locusts, making their way down the mountain with difficulty, feeling their way along the rocks. Occasionally, some of the Yellow Turbans lost their footing, but were caught by those on either side and did not fall into the ravine.

  They descended to the foot of the mountain, and in front of them at the crossroads was a group of government soldiers sitting around a bonfire, blocking their path. The soldiers were leaning against each other, huddled together for warmth, seemingly asleep, but with their clothes still tied up and their swords still in hand, ready to rise and fight at any moment.

  Looks like they're well-trained elite soldiers. Ma Chong's eyebrows furrowed instantly, as if his luck wasn't good.

  Although there were only five of these government soldiers, they could be easily wiped out, but it was difficult not to alert another group of government soldiers a hundred paces away. Once that group of government soldiers was alerted, about a thousand paces away was the main camp of the government army. If the government soldiers in the main camp were as vigilant as these guys, the large group of government soldiers could arrive and kill them in a very short time, at which point the Yellow Turbans would be plunged into a bitter battle.

  Ma Yiao didn't dare lead this flock of sheep to fight against the government army head-on, that's basically no different from suicide.

  Ma Chao chose to break through the north foot of Mount Jing, which was Huang Zhong's defense zone. Huang Zhong had excellent martial arts skills and his archery was extraordinary, he was also well-read in military books and proficient in military tactics, with great potential as a general! The only drawback may be that he hadn't led many troops before, and his experience in battle was slightly insufficient, but the deployment of troops around Mount Jing was still impeccable, leaving Ma Chao this little bird at a loss.

  What to do? The sky is about to brighten, and once the east turns white, the Yellow Turbans who have already descended to the foot of the mountain will be hard to hide. Must rush out of the encirclement immediately, can't hesitate anymore.

  Come on, let's die together then!

  Taking a deep breath of the cold air, Ma Lie took a bite of his teeth and stood up. In the darkness, his mournful loud shout suddenly rang out: "Brothers, don't entangle with the government soldiers, spread your legs and follow me to the north... Run!"

  As soon as the words fell, Ma Chao was the first to rush out, with over a thousand Yellow Turbans following closely behind him. They swept past the mountain pass guarded by the five government soldiers like a tidal wave, and those five soldiers didn't even have time to resist before they were shot dead by Zhang He's three consecutive arrows, one of which pierced through three people!

  However, the government troops a hundred steps away were inevitably startled. They let out shrill shouts, and soon the government army's large camp over a thousand steps away began to stir. The long, drawn-out sound of the ox horn bugle began to resound, followed by the stirring beat of drums booming out in rhythmic cadence.

  At this time, the first ray of dawn broke through the dark shroud and fell on the northern foot of Jing Mountain, where a wave of yellow fury was surging backwards over the snowy surface.

  ……

  Qin Hui's big camp.

  Suddenly hearing the drumbeat, everyone was shocked, and Qin Xuan shouted loudly: "Where is the drumbeat?"

  Huang Zhong listened intently for a moment, his face suddenly changing as he said: "Something's wrong, the Yellow Turban rebels are breaking through from the end general's defense zone!"

  "This is impossible!" Qin Mi exclaimed in shock, "If the Yellow Turban bandits were to suddenly break through the siege, Wen Ping on Mount Heng would have surely sent word."

  Cai Man's expression changed as he said, "Could it be that a soldier got drunk and caused trouble?"

  Huang Zhong's face turned cold and he replied: "The camp is simple and austere, we have never had wine here, how can you be drunk?"

  Cai Man's expression stiffened, and he awkwardly turned his face away.

  Huang Zhong bowed his head slightly towards Qin Yong and said in a deep voice: "General Qin, I will now return to the camp to investigate this matter thoroughly."

  Qin You waved his hand and said: "Go quickly, if it's really the Yellow Turbans breaking out of the siege, I will personally lead a large army to come."