Soon, Cao Yuan had food brought over.
It wasn't a lavish meal, but it was certainly much better than what ordinary soldiers ate.
While they ate, Cao Yuan also explained the current situation to Pei Ji.
After suffering a defeat a few days ago, Cao Yuan had been trying to find a way to break through Yuping Pass.
He had tried various methods: luring the enemy into an ambush, cursing at the enemy, and using both threats and inducements.
But the rebels were now holed up in Yuping Pass, refusing to come out, giving them no opportunities whatsoever.
Cao Yuan judged that the rebels were waiting for the Qiang people to send troops.
According to Cao Yuan's understanding, Yuping Pass had ample provisions, enough to feed the twenty thousand rebel soldiers inside for at least half a year.
Waiting until the rebels ran low on supplies before attacking was clearly unrealistic.
On another front, Cao Yuan had also ordered his men to quickly construct large siege weapons.
Currently, some had already been built, but it would still take some time to complete their construction.
“What is the geological condition beneath Yuping Pass?”
At this moment, Shen Jing suddenly asked, “Is it an earthy ground or a rocky ground?”
“Hmm?”
Cao Yuan looked at Shen Jing in surprise, then instantly understood: “You want to dig a tunnel into Yuping Pass?”
Shen Jing didn't say much, only asked: “Can we dig tunnels?”
“Yes!”
Cao Yuan replied affirmatively, “We've dug several tunnels leading into the pass, intending to send a small number of elites through them to open the gate, but the rebels were already prepared for this. The moment our men showed themselves, they were captured by the rebels. Their bodies are still hanging on the city wall. It is precisely because of this that our army's morale is low.”
Cao Yuan also took this opportunity to explain to Pei Ji the reason for the low morale in the camp.
“That's no excuse!”
Pei Ji criticized him mercilessly: “You are a veteran general of our dynasty. Under any circumstances, you should ensure the morale of the army! If you can't even solve morale issues, what kind of soldiers are you leading?”
“This subordinate is ashamed!”
Cao Yuan lowered his head in shame.
“Don't tell this old man such things! This old man isn't here to listen to this; this old man wants to see your actions!”
Pei Ji glared at Cao Yuan, then frowned and looked at Shen Jing: “You're not really thinking of using the tunnel method, are you?”
If this was the method Shen Jing was talking about, then they might be celebrating for nothing.
A smile appeared on Shen Jing's face, “As long as we can dig tunnels, I have an eighty percent chance of breaking through the city wall!”
Upon hearing Shen Jing's words, everyone looked over excitedly, and Cao Yuan also suddenly raised his head.
Pei Ji put down the biscuit in his hand and looked at Shen Jing with burning eyes: “Do you know that there are no jokes in the army?”
“I know!”
Shen Jing nodded, “Tomorrow, I will observe the terrain and wind direction again, and then I should be able to give a definitive answer!”
“Good!”
Pei Ji's spirits were greatly lifted, “As long as you break through the city wall, this old man will petition His Majesty to give you the highest honor!”
The night passed without incident.
Early the next morning, Shen Jing was woken up by Pei Ji.
Helpless, Shen Jing had to follow Pei Ji and the others early to inspect the terrain.
After thinking it over last night, Shen Jing had already figured out how to muddle through this matter. Going to inspect the terrain now was just for show.
Under Cao Yuan's personal guidance, they arrived at a high ground near the main camp.
Shen Jing pretended to inspect for a while, then grabbed a handful of soil to test the wind direction, and then scurried around like a headless fly, leaving everyone puzzled.
No one knew what Shen Jing was doing, but seeing his serious demeanor, they didn't want to interrupt him.
“Duke Qi, do you think Shen Jing can really break through the city wall?”
Cao Yuan asked Pei Ji in a low voice, full of worry.
He had previously thought that since Shen Jing said he had an eighty percent chance, breaking through the city wall was basically a sure thing.
But now, looking at him, Shen Jing didn't look like he was going to break through the city wall at all!
He looked more like he was putting on a show.
What could breaking through a city wall have to do with wind direction?
If, in the end, Shen Jing just said the wind direction wasn't right or the terrain had problems, and thus he couldn't break through the city wall, wouldn't they have gotten excited for nothing?
“Since he said he has an eighty percent chance, then we must believe him!”
Although Pei Ji also had doubts in his heart, he could only choose to believe Shen Jing now.
Cao Yuan nodded, no longer saying anything.
After pretending for a long time, Shen Jing finally returned to Pei Ji's side, “I need to go to a nearby town to purchase some items. Give me three days. Within three days, as long as you prepare three tunnels leading directly under the city wall, I will help you break open three breaches!”
As Shen Jing's words fell, Cao Yuan suddenly became excited.
This meant that Shen Jing had absolute confidence in breaking through the city wall?
“Three breaches?”
Pei Ji was overjoyed and grabbed Shen Jing's arm: “Really?”
As long as they broke open one breach, they would have absolute confidence in breaking through Yuping Pass!
Breaking open three breaches would undoubtedly significantly reduce their casualties in taking the pass!
“Of course it's true!”
Shen Jing said confidently.
Cao Yuan was also incredibly excited, exclaiming: “What does Young Master Shen need to buy? I will immediately have people buy it back at the fastest speed!”
Shen Jing shook his head, “This might require me to buy it myself. These items concern the lives of many people, and there can be no mistakes!”
“That's right!”
Pei Ji didn't waste words and immediately called Ning Ji, “You personally take a hundred cavalry to accompany Shen Jing to the nearby town. If he suffers any mishap, bring me your head!”
This was a precious treasure!
No matter what, Shen Jing couldn't be allowed to have an accident.
“Yes!”
Ning Ji straightened his back and loudly accepted the order.
Afterward, Shen Jing gave them some precautions for digging tunnels, and then set off with Ning Ji.
“Thank you for yesterday.”
On the way, Ning Ji thanked Shen Jing again.
“It was nothing!”
Shen Jing smiled, “See, aren't I perfectly fine? So, all that talk about 'husband-killing' is just prejudice from people.”
Ning Ji gave an awkward smile and explained, “I actually don't particularly care about that, I just thought since it wasn't easy to lead troops on an expedition, I wanted to get some good luck…”
“Mm-hmm, I understand.”
Shen Jing didn't dwell on the matter too much.
“By the way, how do you plan to break through the city wall?”
Ning Ji changed the subject, asking with a curious expression.
“You'll know later.”
Shen Jing showed a mysterious smile.
Seeing that Shen Jing was unwilling to say more, Ning Ji didn't press him further and instead started chatting with Shen Jing about other things.
As they chatted, they talked about Liang Hongqiao.
Liang Hongqiao joined the army with her father at sixteen, truly having fought her way up.
Unfortunately, Liang Hongqiao was also a person with a bitter fate.
Less than half a month after giving birth to her son for her husband, she received news of her husband's death in battle.
She hadn't even finished her postpartum confinement when she donned her armor, wanting to avenge her husband, but unfortunately, she never succeeded.
Although Ning Ji was somewhat proud, when he spoke of Liang Hongqiao, he couldn't help but show admiration.
Through this conversation, the two of them became much more familiar.
Around noon, they arrived at a nearby town.
After eating something, Shen Jing called Du Heng aside and whispered, “Later, you pretend to have a stomachache and take Fan Qinghu with you to a nearby pharmacy. Buy at least thirty catties of 'Mingfen'. If it's not enough, go to several pharmacies!”
“Mingfen!”
This was what pharmacies in Great Zhou called Glauber's salt, and this kind of salt had a very high purity.
Although he knew how to make saltpeter from the alkaline soil near latrines, that was too troublesome. It was much more practical to just buy Mingfen directly…
“