Chapter 85: Bewitchment (Please Recommend)

Liu Qi nodded and said, “That’s simple. There are wells in the city with drinkable water. I’ll immediately find two capable men to fetch medicine from the city’s pharmacy. This time, the Jin army will drink a bitter cup.”

Wei Nan nodded in agreement. “General, you are wise!”

Thus, Liu Qi first dispatched two scouts who pretended to flee the city. Then he sent an envoy to the Jin camp with a message, one after the other.

The two scouts rode swift horses and left the city, “coincidentally” running into the main force led by Wanyan Chang.

Upon seeing the Jin army, the two were startled and immediately turned their horses to escape. But naturally, they could not outrun the Jin cavalry. Wanyan Chang, noticing their flight, ordered his men to capture them.

“Great General, we are merely passing through. If there’s nothing important, we’d like to be on our way,” the two spies said nervously to Wanyan Chang.

“You’re just passing through?” Wanyan Chang stared at them, then suddenly shouted, “Men! Drag these two Song army spies away and behead them!”

“Spare us, Great General! Spare us! We truly aren’t Song army spies. Please judge fairly, General!” The spies cried out desperately.

“Hmph. If you want your lives spared, then confess your purpose truthfully. If you dare utter a single lie, blame my axe for showing no mercy.” Wanyan Chang brandished his massive axe as he spoke.

The two spies hurriedly knelt, swearing that they would tell everything they knew without reservation.

“Speak. Who are you really?” Wanyan Chang demanded.

“General, we are soldiers from Shunchang City. Hearing your main force was approaching, we thought to flee early. We truly aren’t spies,” they pleaded, pitifully.

“You dare lie to me? Men, drag them away and execute them!” Wanyan Chang signaled to his lieutenant.

The lieutenant understood and immediately ordered his men forward, raising his sword high, ready to end their lives with a single blow.

“Spare us, General! We swear everything we said is true!” The spies cried out, but the Jin lieutenant gave them no chance to speak. The sword thrust toward their chests!

“Ah!” The two spies screamed, closing their eyes, thinking their end had come.

But after a moment, no pain arrived. One opened his eyes and saw the blade had stopped an inch from his chest.

“From now on, answer every question I ask. If you utter a single lie, this sword will pierce your heart immediately!” Wanyan Chang had done this intentionally, believing repeated threats of death would reveal any falsehood.

“General, may we be released after you finish questioning us?” The two spies, faces pale, asked fearfully.

“Enough nonsense. You’re in no position to bargain. Speak: how many defenders are in Shunchang City, and who leads them?” the lieutenant demanded.

“There are over forty thousand soldiers, commanded by the Grand General of the South, Liu Qi,” the spies answered truthfully.

This matched Wanyan Chang’s intelligence. He frowned, “Liu Qi—who is he?”

“General, Liu Qi was once commander of the Imperial Guard and is a close servant to the new emperor. He was only appointed Grand General of the South after the new emperor ascended,” the spies explained as Wei Nan had instructed.

“Imperial Guard commander?” Wanyan Chang frowned. “Has he achieved any military merit?”

“General, he is vain and loves to boast, but has no real achievements. He was promoted solely through flattery. We feared capture when the city fell, so tried to escape early, but unexpectedly met you here,” they said, resignation written on their faces, as if it was their fate.

“Hmph, the Jin cavalry is invincible. If Liu Qi surrenders, so be it. If he stubbornly resists, I’ll sacrifice him to my banner,” Wanyan Chang declared.

“General speaks truly. The Jin army is fierce. The city’s soldiers and civilians have already lost heart upon hearing you approach, and many have fled,” the spies flattered, then asked, “General, could you spare us for our honest answers?”

Wanyan Chang considered briefly. “Very well. For your cooperation, I’ll spare your lives. Now go!”

The two were overjoyed and rushed to mount their horses and flee, only to be stopped again.

“I’ll let you two go, but your horses are requisitioned,” Wanyan Chang said.

They looked bitter, but under the eaves, one must bow. They dared not protest—survival was enough; who cared about horses? They hurried off on foot.

Wanyan Chang instructed his lieutenant, “Send someone to follow them. If they’re found to have lied, deal with them immediately.”

The lieutenant obeyed.

Wanyan Chang was skeptical about their information, but he knew little of this Liu Qi—he’d never heard the name among the Jin ranks before.

But soon, after encountering Liu Qi’s envoy, Wanyan Chang was convinced the spies had told the truth.

He continued his rapid advance toward Shunchang City, and about a hundred miles from the city, he met Liu Qi’s envoy.

“So you’re the Song envoy?” Wanyan Chang eyed the envoy with hostility.

“Indeed, I am. I come by order of our general to deliver a message,” the envoy replied, chin held high, arrogant and imperious as if representing the superior state.

This attitude amused Wanyan Chang, who suppressed his anger and asked, “Oh? What message does your general wish you to deliver to me?” He was curious what Liu Qi wanted to say.