The Cold Door Hero

Summary

Yan Qing refrains from attacking the beacon tower, prioritizing his scouting mission. He and his group bypass the tower and reach Yongqing County at dawn, noting the city’s sparse defenses and the lack of military activity. After careful observation, they confirm the presence of only a few hundred soldiers, mostly Khitan infantry, and notice the arrival of a small cavalry unit, which raises Yan Qing's concerns about potential enemy reinforcements. Meanwhile, the Song army begins constructing new floating bridges over the Bai River, as their previous ones were destroyed. Yan Qing returns with intelligence, suggesting that the signal fires lit by the Liao army were a tactical mistake meant to mislead the Song forces. He expresses concerns about the Liao army's movements and the absence of their ally, Gao Shi Xuan. The chapter shifts to Guo Yao Shi, a general in the Liao army, who is leading 6,000 troops south to launch a surprise attack. He is aware of the Song army's advance and uses the signal fires to create a false sense of security for them. Guo Yao Shi is contemplating surrender to the Song but aims to secure a victory first to enhance his standing. As the night progresses, Guo Yao Shi's troops rest before continuing their march. He is determined to defeat the Song vanguard, believing that success will bolster his position for a future surrender. The chapter concludes with Guo Yao Shi planning to capture Bazhou, unaware of the strategic implications of his actions.

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