If Xiao Datu wanted to leave, it would be around five o'clock.
The moon would still be up at that time, so he had to wait until the darkest hour of five before attempting a breakout when the enemy's long-range weapons' effectiveness would be minimized.After eating, the Xi Gusu'er tribe started drinking continuously.
As others drank and their faces turned red, his face grew paler with each drink.
In times of joy, alcohol helped him in his thoughts;in sorrow, it was poison.Wang Anshi could not persuade him, so he joined him as they continued to drink, warming rice wine today.
If it were Yun Family’s strong alcohol, the two would have been drunk to death long ago.Suddenly, the Xi Gusu'er man kicked over an empty wine jar and sang:"Drink to your heart's content, life is short.Like morning dew, days gone too soon.With earnest spirit, worries linger on.How can one dispel sorrow?Only through Du Kang.Bright as the moon, when will it come?Worries from within, ceaselessly flow.Crossing fields and paths, you come to see me.Gathering old friends, we talk of past times.Moon bright, stars few, crows fly southward.Circling the tree three times, which branch to rest?"As he sang, the Xi Gusu'er man suddenly broke into tears.
The melancholic "Short Song" brought everyone's heartache.Wang Anshi was speechless;no words could comfort this old scholar’s frigid heart.
His servant had already informed him of Yun Zheng’s plans, a net ready for Xiao Datu to fall into.After a long consideration, Wang Anshi said to the Xi Gusu'er man who stopped crying: "Brother Mingdao, indeed, Xiao Datu's defeat is fated.""Why so?Just because he's General Yun from Song?" The eight-tenths drunk Xi Gusu'er man narrowed his eyes at Wang Anshi.Wang Anshi nodded: "This battle began four years ago.
No matter who leads your nation’s forces, victory eludes them!""How so?""Pat Liang is a spy of ours in the Southern court.
General Yun has been cultivating this chess piece for four years.
Beyond food supplies, do you know how many secret tunnels can bring General Yun's army into Xijing easily?""The tunnels have been destroyed, and the King dug a deep trench across the city.""But if Xiao Datu digs deeper trenches, he would find more tunnels.
Four years ago, General Yun had enough power to take Xijing but didn't attack to scatter your forces.
As expected, you sent over thirty thousand elite troops for this battle.
With no favorable conditions, how could he win?" (to be continued)