Chapter 160 The Famous Ploy – Part 1 (2/2)

From Huangfu Song's point of view as a veteran general, it was possible that Zhang Jiao could invade Ye City before they had arrived. He was worried that the edict that Liu Ping sent would alert Tong, rousing them into attacking Ye City which would backfire on them. Therefore, he sent Bao Xin and his men here to secure the city first.

'That stupid brat! If he hadn't sent that edict, we could have surrounded Julu with ease. Now they knew that we wanted them dead, they will fight like cornered dogs!'

Bao Xin looked at the flags on top of the walls. The surname ”Han” flags were still there. It meant that the city still belonged to Han Fu and his men.

'Thanked god that Zhang Jiao is stupid. If they had taken over the city before we arrived, it would have been problematic.'

Seeing that the city had not been attacked, Bao Xin breathed out a sigh of relief. He signaled his troops into marching forward and approached the south gate of the city.

The city gate was still wide opened as if nothing had happened with this city. Merchants and peasants exited and entered through the gate, peddlers set stalls on the roadside, selling their wares. The peaceful tranquil scene indicated that the city was in order.

Bao Xin smiled and joined the long lines of the inspection queue, waiting to be inspected by the guards.

The garrison guard noticed their arrival a long time ago. They notified the peasants and merchants that they were the Imperial Force from the Capital, so everyone did not panic when Bao Xin Army was near.

Two men in official robes rode forward to greet the general. They were Zhang He and Tong who disguised as Han Fu's government workers.

”Greetings, Sir! We have been informed about your arrival. Please follow us inside the city with your troops. Our Lord will hold a banquet to celebrate your arrival.”

Bao Xin shook his head. ”No need for a banquet. We're soldiers. A good set of meat and wine for each of us is more than enough.”

Hearing the invitation for a celebration, the soldiers behind Bao Xin glanced at him, wanting to protest. They were soldiers, but they were also humans. Deep down inside, they wanted to attend a banquet or have a feast once in a while. However, as lowly subordinates of a high-rank general, they could not say anything.

Tong sensed the discomfort of Bao Xin's soldiers. Though he pitied them, Tong had to go through with the plan. He decided to give Bao Xin's subordinates hope.

”My apologies, general. Our Lord was too enthusiastic about your arrival and had already prepared the banquet the day he received your message. I'm afraid that the food will go bad if we leave them be. Giving them to our soldiers or peasants maybe a viable option, but I believe that your soldiers deserve them more. Your soldiers had been working hard, but ours did nothing but watching over the peaceful city. At the very least, please let us entertain you so we can show you our appreciation for your past deeds.”

Tong bowed as he finished his words.

The soldiers behind Bao Xin looked at Tong with gratitude. Some of them secretly gave Tong a thumb up. Their eyes brightened up and glanced at their general with high hope.

Bao Xin could also sense their wishes. He sighed and nodded.

”Alright, please give my gratitude to Lord Han.”

”It's us who have to give you our thanks. Thank you for coming here. Please come inside, everyone.” Tong gestured his goodwill and ordered the guards to open a path for the troops.

Zhang He also guided the men into the prepared military camps.

Within the camp, tents were arranged in rows and columns. Inside the tents, necessary wares, such as beddings and jars of water, were neatly arranged. Even Bao Xin could not help but nodded in approval when he saw the thoroughness of the preparation.

Another section in front of the camp was cleared out and replaced with long tables, which arranged in a long line as if they were a straight road. The soldiers could guess that they were the banquet tables for all of them, which made them rejoice.

Their horses were taken to the military stables elsewhere, however, the soldiers neither cared nor paid attention to it anymore as they were excited about the feast.

”Everyone can rest in the tents for now. We'll bring in the food, wines, and beautiful dancers for you in the evening. General, please follow me inside the government hall. The banquet for you and your deputy commanders is this way.” Tong invited Bao Xin over.

”Very well, then.”

Tong and Zhang He guided Bao Xin and five of his sub-commanders to the government hall where the banquet would be held. The moment they arrived before the hall, Tong spoke.

”I'm sorry, sirs. We have forgotten one thing. The banquet is meant to be celebrated without bringing in working-related things inside. Wearing armors in the banquet might be inappropriate on this occasion. Do you mind if we ask you to change into casual wear instead?”

Bao Xin glanced at Tong with suspicion for a moment, but he dismissed the thought.

”Well, you're right. I haven't seen any banquet with attendees wearing armors. Do you have clothes for us to change?”

”Of course. Please wait for a moment.”

…

Within 10 minutes, maids carrying six sets of clothes arrived and presented the visitors the clothes to attend the banquet. They took off their weapons and armor on the spot and changed into the robes they had prepared for them.

Tong and Zhang He watched them as they checked if they had hidden weapons in their clothes or not. Once confirmed that they honestly took off every piece of weapons, the two guided the men inside the building.

The government hall had already been decorated and turned into an entertainment hall. Tables were lined up in rows and columns, facing the center of the hall as they left it open as a place for dancers and entertainers to perform. The main seat was still on the small stage for the governor, and the guests' seats were placed beside the main seat on the stage as well.

Tong guided the six to the guests' seats while Zhang He gave the servants his permission to invite everyone's over.

”Please bring in the food and wines. Also please inform our Lord that the guests have arrived.”