Chapter 58 - General Lei Ming

It was still dark outside. There were long nights and the temperature's dropping daily for winter was at hand. Then the guards wakened General Lofey Lethmo in the coldest hour because of the thievery. The general hated the thought after delaying this war for unselfish reasons, would be an early attack instead, just because of the supply.

His reasons for the delay were: First, winter was fast approaching, and he deduced that the city's stored food would not last for a month. That's why he insisted to store up food that would last for months. So when Fengfu was in starvation, he would offer food to Fengfu's governor for the city's surrender.

However, while traveling all the way here, he received another message advising him to send the newly promoted younger general with half of the army, including the food supplies, to attack Ninpu City. Their purpose was to prevent the famous general Wu Qian from coming to Fengfu.

Hence, what's left with them would have lasted them for three months, but... the stolen food was worth a month or more based on his calculation.

The second reason, this was just a poor city of which he believed couldn't stand against their army's might and with winter approaching, the people would not stand a chance. Thus, there's a big possibility for the people to yield and offer the city to him in one piece with no war necessary.

Thus, a simple convincing attack or delaying until the governor signed an agreement admitting defeat might work without shedding blood. Somehow two days ago, the king sent another bizarre shadow messenger to remind him to seize the city in full power.

General Lofey Lethmo had served the king for years and won great wars for his country. He defended his people and defeated large armies attacking his country. And by his refined and well-tested tactics, smaller countries offered to become part of Goding.

He was a hero to the Goding citizens, married a princess as his trophy, having ten concubines as gifts from rich families, got immense wealth and considered as one of Goding's richest men, having sons and daughters he was proud of, and only a step away to attain that glory he so desired. His goal, to become a Grand General.

In Goding's history, there was only one man had achieved this title, the late General Lei Ming. The virtuous hero general of Goding… or maybe in whole Chiji. As the books had said, though this hero had won the long drawn out war against the demonized Chiangdas and brought back peace to the world, he didn't take the glory to himself but retired in peace after buying a huge land under the territory of this country Youshi.

This sentiment for his hero was his third reason for delaying the attack because the new governor was not only his hero's namesake but also a descendant. But as a loyal civil servant of his king, he had to obey the monarch. Yet, deep inside him, he knew the source of this war, the king's new adviser, Mafan. The war started because of this man, enticing the king to trample Youshi, even though this was where the hero's clan lived.

General Lofey did not know that General Lei Ming's story was long forgotten through the years and it was no longer taught in schools nowadays.

Now, his blood boiled like a bubbling magma in a volcano, ready to explode after losing their supplies. If he would remain adamant to his hero's principle 'if there's a way to avoid shedding blood, then choose that path', he better retreat now and go to retirement. Yet, he couldn't just give up his dream in this manner. There was still a subtle way to win this battle, he believed.

However, despite his loss, he was impressed with Governor Lei Ming's move. This was war. No sentiments could stand water. One had to find ways to win a war, mostly to save the people. Since they had reached this point of no return, General Lofey hoped his hero's descendant had that strong will and heart to fight him.

While the general was lost in his thoughts, the whole tent was silent where each knight could hear their breathing as they puffed out air on cold palms to warm their bodies. While their hearts pumping for the outcome of the thievery, War.

Boredom had hit them for the last few days. Their men had asked them several times to go out hunting to fill their days than staring at each other in the camp. Practice fights with gambling were the last thing they had but was getting tiresome as time went on with nothing else to do. Until... the skunks came and gave them a good distraction.

Though it may seem strange to think but they really wished the stinky critters had entertained them the whole day or would come back again to take their boredom away. Then, finally, the thieves had stolen a good amount of food. Yes! In their case, this was more than distraction but a time to polish their swords and shields to shine bright for the kill.

While the general was in contemplation, their minds had been shouting at him, sending their fiery vibrations to his brain, telling him to just say the word… yes, just say the word,… and they would be out there in no time. They had been looking forward to the war, to see action, to swing their swords and witness another victory under their general's name...

After a time, General Lofey finally stood in his full height with his braided golden hair flowing down behind his back, making the Knights stand straight, chin high, and with readiness for his command.

The general looked at his knights with pride and shouted, "Men, whether they have a beast tamer or a zookeeper to control the animals, we can't leave them standing. Right?"

"Yes!!" The Knights responded with equal eagerness.

"I know you're all ready to go to war, but let us take into account that winter is coming and with the remaining food we have, we might not last two months unless we start hunting games."

The listening men were puzzled. Where would this speech head?

General Lofey paced in the middle of the standing men while silence prevailed.

"You have been with me for years. In my every battle, you fought with me. We lost and won together. So, you already know me that I prefer to win wars with fewer casualties, if possible, and letting the innocent people live...

"Fengfu City is small with not much strength to defend and fight while their food is depleting daily with thousands of mouths to feed... Maybe, you'll be fighting farmers forced to fight for survival and not trained men like you. In other words, we have everything it takes to win this war." Then his voice went louder. "Are you with me, men?"

"Yes, Sir!"

"Then here's my plan…"