Map of the Kingdom's Warfare.

Summary

The chapter describes the dire situation faced by Meng Hai Gong's army after three days of relentless hit-and-run tactics by the Sui cavalry, leading to exhaustion and low morale among his soldiers. Rumors of desertion and a potential ambush spread anxiety, culminating in a significant number of soldiers fleeing. Meng Hai Gong reacts violently to the deserters, executing one as a warning, but learns that around twenty percent of his troops have deserted. To boost morale, he orders his soldiers to loot the nearby county of Liuxian. As Meng Hai Gong's forces attempt to cross the Sishui River, they fall into a trap set by Zhang Xuan, who has positioned his troops for a surprise attack. The Sui army ambushes the thieves' army as they cross a hastily constructed floating bridge, leading to chaos and panic. The situation deteriorates further when Sui warships destroy the bridge, causing the thieves' army to collapse completely. Ultimately, Meng Hai Gong's forces are overwhelmed and begin to flee, marking the end of their campaign.

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