Reborn as a Happy Wife in a Rural Family
Chapter 157: Muscle Relaxer Powder

Chapter 157: Chapter 157: Muscle Relaxer Powder

"Master, our men suffered heavy casualties today. We can’t go on like this," Yun No. 2 declared, hurrying into the tent.

This morning, the Xichen army had attacked Yanshan Pass. Their side was still recovering from the recent disaster, its strength greatly depleted. With everything still in disarray, the soldiers had been rushed onto the battlefield in a panic. The scene was brutal; soldiers were cut down by the enemy like logs.

If not for the members of the Secret Sect holding the line, their army would have been annihilated today.

Still, they had no choice but to sound the retreat and withdraw their troops.

Xiao Yunjing’s face was grim. He listened to Yun No. 2’s report while pondering a solution.

Suddenly, as if remembering something, he stood up, went to his bed, and retrieved the bag Gu Qingli had given him. He rummaged through it and found several small bottles.

Yun No. 2 didn’t understand why his Master was going through the bag. Then, he saw his Master holding a few bottles, which he recognized as medicine prepared by the Mistress.

"Master, what are you planning?"

"Hmph, just as you’re thinking. There’s no room for gentlemanly conduct on the battlefield. Tonight, you take some men..."

Xiao Yunjing recalled the Thirty-Six Stratagems Gu Qingli had told him about in times of peace. None of them followed conventional rules. So why couldn’t he employ a vicious stratagem?

He explained the plan in a few brief sentences, then added, "Have Feng Zhiqiang come here. I need him to coordinate with you tonight."

"Yes, Master!" Yun No. 2 left with a grin, his stride confident and his spirits high. The guards outside the tent watched in bewilderment.

They wondered how Yun No. 2’s attitude had changed so dramatically. He had appeared crestfallen when he entered the tent but was jubilant when he left, as if stepping into his bridal chamber.

Once Yun No. 2 was gone, Xiao Yunjing sat on his chair, lost in thought. Since arriving, he had taken the position of General through decisive and swift measures, a path that diverged from his initial intentions. Mr. Xiao hadn’t wanted to be General. That fool Feng Zhiqiang, with his bandit habits, knew nothing but brawling and killing, let alone strategy or troop formations. On the battlefield, he just charged about chaotically, relying on his martial skills to avoid getting killed by the enemy. Leaving the army to someone like him would spell disaster sooner or later.

"General, you were looking for me?" Feng Zhiqiang burst into the tent, full of bluster.

"Sit," Xiao Yunjing said, gesturing to the stool opposite him.

"Yes, sir!"

Feng Zhiqiang plopped down onto the stool.

"General, have you come up with a brilliant plan?"

Vice General Yun had just told him the General wanted him to coordinate a major operation tonight.

Xiao Yunjing nodded and, cutting to the chase, said, "You will lead ten thousand men out of the city. Divide them into two groups and execute a pincer movement from the left and right..."

"HAHAHA! General, it’s about damn time we gave it to those bastards! They have an army of 300,000, and we’re a mere 100,000. Going head-to-head, we’re no match for them! What’s the point of fighting fair? We *need* to use dirty tricks! Don’t worry, General, I guarantee I’ll get the job done tonight..." Feng Zhiqiang babbled excitedly.

Being asked to do this kind of sneaky—no, surprise attack—was something they absolutely loved. As former bandits, who among them didn’t have a few cunning ideas up their sleeves? Here in the military, their actions were restricted, bound by rigid army regulations. Fighting conventionally was unbearably stifling for them.

Though he inwardly looked down on him, Xiao Yunjing knew that if used correctly, Feng Zhiqiang and his men could be as effective as the Secret Sect’s operatives. This task truly required the combined efforts of the Secret Sect and Feng Zhiqiang’s band of former bandits. During their training, the members of the Secret Sect had been drilled in methods of arson, murder, pillage, and plunder, so Xiao Yunjing was confident that tonight’s mission would be successful.

If only Li’er were here, he thought. With her space ability, they could have emptied the enemy’s granaries without needing to dispatch anyone else. After the disaster, the imperial court certainly wouldn’t be able to allocate many provisions. He would have to find a way to secure food and military supplies himself. The Xichen Kingdom was like meat delivered to their doorstep. As long as tonight’s mission succeeded, all their problems would be solved.

「That night」

Two groups of men departed from Yanshan Pass. One, led by Yun No. 2, consisted of twenty members of the Secret Sect. The other was led by Feng Zhiqiang with ten thousand soldiers.

After leaving the city, the two groups split up as planned, heading towards the Xichen Army Camp thirty li away.

Xiao Yunjing stood on the city wall, gazing into the distance, his hands clasped behind his back. His tall, slender figure, standing against the biting night wind, resembled an ancient, unyielding pine tree. He stood fearless against the harsh cold, proud and erect amidst the ice and snow, undaunted by the wind and sleet—indomitable, resolute, and powerful.

Not long after, another group quietly slipped out of the city.

A faint smile touched Xiao Yunjing’s lips, softening his resolute features.

「An hour later」

Yun No. 2 and Feng Zhiqiang returned with their men, beaming with delight.

The tense expression on Xiao Yunjing’s face finally eased. He leaped down from the wall into the city and returned to his tent to await Yun No. 2 and Feng Zhiqiang.

After Yun No. 2 and Feng Zhiqiang had settled their men, they came to Xiao Yunjing’s tent together.

"We pay our respects, General!" they saluted, their voices loud and full of energy.

"Rise and speak," Xiao Yunjing’s voice commanded authority without anger.

"Yes, General!"

They rose and stood. Feng Zhiqiang, shedding his earlier formal demeanor, walked up to Xiao Yunjing and chuckled. "General, tomorrow we go pick up the spoils! Hehe, just as you ordered, General, we didn’t damage any of their things..."

It turned out that Xiao Yunjing had retrieved the muscle relaxer powder Gu Qingli had prepared for him. Anyone affected by this powder would become completely weak for twenty-four hours, drained of all strength and utterly vulnerable, regardless of their martial arts skills.

Xiao Yunjing had ordered Feng Zhiqiang to lead the men as a diversion, to draw the Xichen army’s attention so that Yun No. 2 and his team could infiltrate the enemy camp and administer the powder.

The last group that left the city was sent to collect the fruits of their labor.

He hadn’t arranged for an ambush to kill them; he didn’t mind if a few fish escaped the net. This was intentional. He wanted the people of the Xichen Kingdom to know that even after suffering a natural disaster, their side could still deal with them. Xiao Yunjing’s objective was not only to force their retreat but also to seize their provisions and supplies.

"Master, what should we do next?" Yun No. 2 was not as simple-minded as Feng Zhiqiang. The Master must have another move planned. Collect the spoils tomorrow morning? By then, the opportunity would be long gone!

Xiao Yunjing glanced at each of them and said calmly, "There’s nothing more for you to do. Just guard your posts and observe."

Feng Zhiqiang turned and gave Yun No. 2 a puzzled look. The Master has another plan? How come we don’t know about it?

Just as I thought, the Master has another move, Yun No. 2 mused. The Master had specifically ordered them not to damage any of the Xichen army’s supplies. Considering the recent disaster, Yun No. 2 understood. The Master intended to seize all the enemy’s provisions and military materials, forcing them to admit defeat without a fight!

"Master, why don’t we press our advantage and launch a decisive strike?"

Since the Master had plundered all their supplies and they were weakened by the muscle relaxer powder, completely defenseless, why not seize this moment? Why not advance their forces to the enemy city and capture it?

Xiao Yunjing looked at Yun No. 2. His mind still couldn’t compare to Yun No. 1 or Yun No. 200. He said, "If we were to capture it now, could we hold it?"