The camp site close to Juyong Pass, was depleting their resources. They had raided the the beacon towers to use the stored resources. But t was only enough for two weeks. They had to stretch it out by a month. Rations in the beacon towers wasn't enough so rest of the needs were fulfilled by hunting and gathering from the forest. The camp consisted of tribal folks and forest dweller therefore they knew their way around the forest. So far they were able to sustain themselves. But the future looked bleak. During this extended wait period, Guoqiang army prolonged the attacks by inconsistent, recurring attacks at different intervals to confuse the enemy. In that process the enemy army broke down and had miscommunication that resulted in capturing of their general.
The Shenzhou army had two generals leading their troops. Last one got killed and a new one came to replace him. Once their general was captured something happened beyond comprehension. Guoqiang army was under the impression that negotiations could be made irnexchnage for the life of their general. But the most unexpected happened. When the general was captured, Guoqiang army blowed the horn. Guoqiang announced to have negotiation on agreeable terms for both the parties connivence. But the new general, General Gu, who took over the place of the previously departed general. Shot an arrow right threw the captured general and spoke with such zeal. "now you have nothing to negotiate with." General Gu of the Shenzhou army killed his own under what confidence? This was so baffling that general Guoqiang could not comprehend.
Either his boldness comes from certainty of the future events or plain old stupidity. But this bold act means he is confident about winning. Someone from the Tiaxian court is leaking information. Guoqiang came to conclusions. This proves to be problematic. As he has no proof, no inkling to the course of action either. Just a strong speculation and intuition. This won't smooth things over. His head began to ache with pain when he heard the horn blow. And Guoqiang stepped out his tent.
Everyone gathered at the centre of the camp.
Commander Yan : "General, it seems reinforcements are here."
The gates of the camp open and there comes procession of loaded wagons. Commander Chen came from the capital as the incharge of the reinforcements from the capital.
Commander Chen : "General there are 30 wagons in total and 20,000 soldiers."
Commotion began 30 wagons of weaponry and only 20,000 men against an outstanding army of 100,000. This was mind baffling, given how the court always causes trouble.
General Guoqiang : "Commander Chen, how much weaponry and how many men should be enough for a battle against 100,000?"
Commander Chen : "I can only provide what I was given from court."
General Guoqiang : "Take rest, you and your men. I'll take my leave."
The wagons were offloaded in the tent. The curious soldier Li of the general Guoqiang army opened the casket to try the weapon. While he was using the weaponry the good looking weapon crumbed at the slightest pressure. Soldier Li panicked. That is when general came around to inspect the weapons
Concerned soldier Li looks at general with worry, "General… look."
He opened the box the weapons looked alright no problem, and Li took out his hand from behind his back and extended the arm to show two halves of a spear. General immediately understood. He picked up one sword from the box and swung it at commander Yan. Yan with his quick reflexes unsheathe his sword and slashed it. The sword in general's arm crumbed and broke down leaving a cut in general's palm, a cut caused by rust followed by a gushing blood stream.
General Guoqiang : (with gritted teeth) "Summon commander Chen here."
A little while later, Chen entered the tent, "General you summoned?"
Out of nowhere, General swung his sword at defenceless Chen, who engaged in combat with bare hands. He avoided Generals, swings and held the handle of the sword and pushed General, in that gap he drew the spear that soldier Yi was holding. And with two slashes the spear crumbed down. Chen was shook, he stood there motionless. General sheathe his sword in his scabbard.
General Guoqiang : "Commander Chen, this spear is from the boxes of weaponry you brought from capital."
Command Chen in disbelieve went to check on the weapons, he tumbled the box himself. And the weapons fell out, they looked fine from the outside but they were rusted in the core. They will not hold in the battle. He could not believe it.
Commander Chen : "General I checked the weapons before we left the capital. Your report came two months ago and that is when Emperor commanded me to bring the reinforcements. But the armoury at the capital was not at capacity. Ministers had sold the weapons to make profits for themselves. So it took time to replenish the armoury, and I checked this myself before leaving, General. I have no other reason to give you, this was caused due to my lacking knowledge. Therefore my troops and I will stay, for the battle. I, willingly accept any military punishment you give me for my negligence."
Commander Chen came along with 20 people of his own. Their duty was to hand over the reinforcements and leave back to the capita. Although commander Chen is of the Wang army he's extending assistance. He is not exactly neutral in the court and he is Wang's right arm. Either he wants to cause trouble in this camp or really means well, only time could tell. Nevertheless, him and his men were the most suspicious in the camp. Guoqiang did not dismiss the idea, of him staying with his troops, he thought he might come handy.
General Guoqiang : "Thank you, Commander Chen for your assistance. Let me introduce you to Superintendent Wan of the Juyong Pass. He will guide you around the camp and inform you about the plan of action."
Commander Yan : "General do we trust him?"
General Guoqiang : "Not yet, but like he said ministers were utilising armoury and selling it off. Emperor seems to be unaware of it."
Commander Chu : "If they had indeed send the reinforcements to months ago, the Chen must had informed Emperor about the malpractice with armoury iron. It looks like some deliberately did not pass this information."
Commander Yang : "There are ministers who would be help responsible for this, and something tells me there is no way Prime minister would not be informed about it."
Commander Chu : "They had two months to make weapons yet they only remodelled rusted weapons, who is the muddlehead in-charge of this."
General Guoqiang : "Duke Su."
Commander Chu : "Oh that muddlehead, figures, he was good for nothing anyway. So General are you going to inform the court about this?"
General Guoqiang : "No, not yet, I feel like playing a game, sometimes victory is to be savoured slowly."
General Guoqiang : "Summon the blacksmiths let them deal with the rusted weapons. Rest of you, come to my quarters, we need to set a plan of action."