Chapter 104: Walking Into the Trap, Seeking Reward

Far away in Kangding City, Tang Chen was inspecting the scant remaining provisions when he suddenly sneezed involuntarily.

“General, it’s cold. You should return to the camp to warm up,” urged a soldier accompanying him, bowing respectfully. Their young general had not had a proper rest for a long time, and even the toughest men felt a pang of sympathy.

Although Tang Chen had pushed the Liao soldiers back thirty miles, if this stalemate continued without supplies, the Chu family army was doomed to defeat.

He needed to find a way to secure some provisions.

Just as he was at a loss, a soldier reported, “General, there is a man outside requesting an audience. He claims he was sent by the Liao to capture you.”

Frowning with suspicion, Tang Chen wondered, capture him? Where did this wild-haired youth come from, speaking so boldly?

Seeing Tang Chen’s displeasure, the soldier stepped forward sternly, “General, shall we—”

Tang Chen raised his hand to interrupt, “In warfare, envoys are not to be harmed. We fight civilized battles. Let him in.”

“Understood!” The soldier saluted and withdrew.

Soon after, a man dressed as a peasant, clad in rough linen and holding a rope, limped forward. His skin was sallow and weathered.

Upon seeing Tang Chen, the peasant grinned widely, revealing yellowed teeth, and said in a simple, honest tone, “You must be Vice General Tang. I’ve heard much about you—truly a man of talent!”

“So, you’re here to capture me?” Tang Chen casually seated himself on a nearby stack of grain, a teasing smile playing on his lips. Was this old Tamon jesting with him by sending such a figure?

The peasant bowed deeply and humbly, “Yes, General, I am here to capture you.”

“Speak then, why do you seek to capture me?” Tang Chen’s eyes sparkled with amusement. Such a man, yet he aimed to seize him?

Still wearing a humble expression, the peasant grinned again, “His Majesty the King has decreed that whoever captures Vice General Tang will be rewarded thirty thousand taels of silver and one hundred thousand dan of grain.”

“How much grain?” Tang Chen leapt up excitedly, his eyes nearly popping out in astonishment.

“One hundred thousand dan,” the peasant answered with a bow and a sly smile. “There is a saying: ‘Great rewards will surely find brave men.’ I am quite tempted by the thirty thousand taels of silver, so I hope, General, you will make it easy for me!”

Tang Chen clicked his tongue in admiration. “Since when have I become so valuable? Thirty thousand taels of silver and one hundred thousand dan of grain...”

He slapped his thigh, eyes gleaming with a mischievous light, a sly smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as he murmured, “I’ve got it.”

“General—hey, General—” The peasant tried to follow him but was stopped by a nearby soldier and could only hang his head in dejection.

Several hours later, at the foot of Kangding City, the Chu family troops stood in formation, a magnificent and imposing sight.

A young man, mounted on a spirited steed and wielding a long spear, stood proudly at the forefront.

On the city walls of Kangding, the defending general watched the vast army of one hundred thousand Chu cavalry looming black as night and shivered, desperately hoping Tamon would send reinforcements.

They were truly running out of time and could no longer hold out!

“I am Tang Ziyun of Liao,” the young man on horseback declared with spirited confidence, his horse pawing the ground, adding to his imposing presence. “I’ve heard you offer a great reward for my capture. Here I stand, ready to discuss terms with you!”

The defending general trembled as he shouted up to the youth, “What terms?”

“If the reward is truly for whoever captures me, then if I surrender myself, will you honor the full payment?”

Hearing this, the general atop the city wall nearly fell, rubbing his ears in disbelief and widening his eyes, “Is Vice General Tang joking with us?”