The front line which is outwards of Mezhou city was a forest with wild plants and tall trees. It is the border between two countries, so no one actually is in control of it. It is a wide expanse of land, a land worth fighting for excluding Mezhou city. It's bushy landscape showcases it's fertility.
Commander Adu and Arash went on the inspection patrol of the Frontline with his two closest companions, they were those he fought with when he had just joined the army. These companions were sent to spy out the area while commander Adu and Arash stayed hidden in the forest of trees.
Commander! Commander! The spies called in whispers as they came back. We are arriving at the border side closest to the enemy nation. We'd better go back.
Commander Adu thought for a while and pointed at Arash.
Let's listen to him, he is the patrol warden.
Okay, oh! I get it. You are experiencing life, one of them said to commander Adu.
Just then they heard the sound of horse hooves and hid well. They observed a group of soldiers transporting some loads on carriages pulled by the horses.
It's the enemy's army, the spies said.
What are they transporting? Arash asked.
That's their food. They are transporting it to their camp, one of the spies replied. Their army is stationed close by.
Let us go after them, the other spy said and wanted to come out of the hidden place but he was pulled back by his colleague.
What are you doing? His colleague asked in a frenzy.
Let's listen to commander, Arash said.
After thinking for a while, she said "let's follow them from a distance and find out where their camp is, if we want to take their food. We mustn't let them notice us."
Objection! There are only a few of us here, one spy said. Besides you are here too, it's too dangerous. How about let me and Arash follow them. Then after you have gotten permission from the Marshal, you can come with reinforcement.
Get permission? Arash asked. No, it will be too late. We can't get their food unless....
Unless we don't want their food. Commander Adu chipped in. We just destroy it, burn it. We can do that.
This is a good opportunity to win a military honour, Arash said with glistening eyes. Commander, I will do it.
Lets do it! The others chorused in whispers.
The group of four followed the enemy soldiers transporting food and found out where they stored food in a hidden shelf inside the woods. They've found the food store but didn't find the camp. They waited in hiding inside the woods till it was dark before carrying out an operation.
I didn't expect they would hide their provisions in such a place that is well hidden. But it's not well guarded.
There aren't many provisions here, commander Adu said. And there aren't many soldiers guarding too. I guess they didn't expect we would find this place. Two people are enough, we go there and we burn all their provisions!
Arash nodded in agreement with commander Adu.
You two stay here, commander Adu told the spies and pointed to Arash. Let's go!
As they walked to the provisions, just a few feet away from it, their legs hit a hidden line connected to a bell and it rang out very loudly. Immediately, soldiers from the enemy surrounded them. They were shocked at the turn of events.
If you don't want to die just put down your weapons and obey instructions, the commander in charge of the enemy army rations, said.
After a while, when he saw they didn't move, he commanded the soldiers to capture them and they were locked up in an empty room. Ropes were used to bind their arms and feet as they were kept in a kneeling position. The army rations transport commander personally interrogated them.
Meanwhile, immediately they were captured, one of the spies ran back to Mezhou city to get help from Marshall Sima. The other one stayed in the woods to monitor and report any further actions before the reinforcement arrived.
I thought my task this time will be a boring one, the rations commander said as he chewed on an apple and walked closer to them.
Half kneeling in front of them, he said "I didn't know expect to catch you two rascals. How did you find us? And of course I don't want to know only just that, I will try to get every little piece of information you have!"
You rascal have no right to speak to me that way, I'm the commander! Arash said in a confident tone.
How dare you say that?
Commander Adu looked at Arash in surprise with a scowl on her face. Arash in turn signaled her to remain calm and he continued.
I am marshall Sima's eldest son Sima Adu! And this is my personal guard. If you lay a finger on us, my father is going to slaughter you all and avenge us, Arash said with confidence to instill some fear on him. By then you will all be dead.
Hahahaha! The rations commander laughed and asked "why should I believe you?"
The jade seal of the Sima family is here in my pocket, he said. If you let us go back safely, my father will give you a reward whose worth is 100 times more than your salary.
The rations commander was immediately tempted, he didn't even have a single resistance to the temptation. He walked over to Arash to take out the seal from his pocket. He put his hand in his pocket and brought out a wrapped package and gave him a questioning look.
The seal is inside the package, Arash told him.
He opened it up and immediately Arash pushed commander Adu down.
Get down! He exclaimed in a low voice.
What is it? Commander Adu asked.
Knock out drops.
The rations commander was immediately knocked out into a deep slumber when he opened the package and inhaled the odour from it's content.