Dark Sand: My Players Are All Actors

"Back then, Lord Qin didn't dare to launch a direct assault. He only mocked and derided them from outside the city walls, pretending he was about to attack, which lured Song Laoseng out for a decisive battle.

"So, we also need to find a way to draw them out."

Meng Yuan pondered for a moment, "So we should do the same as Lord Qin, mocking and deceiving them from outside the city to lure them out?"

Chu Ge shook his head, "No, I have a better plan."

…

Inside Huoyi City.

Song Laoseng was gazing at the distant Liang Army from atop the city wall.

At the moment, the Liang Army was stationed at Jiahu Fortress. The past few days had been plagued with continuous rain, and the Liang Army's main base was in Jinyang, which meant their supply lines were much longer than those of Song Laoseng.

As such, Song Laoseng was quite confident in this battle.

"Does the Liang Army have any intention of retreating?" Song Laoseng asked.

The general by his side shook his head, "No, but their food supplies must be running low by now. If they cannot fight a quick battle, sooner or later they will have to retreat."

Song Laoseng stroked his beard with a smile, "Hmm, a quick battle? Why should I engage in a quick battle when I have the sturdy walls of Huoyi City to rely on?

"Though the rebel army is numerous, in my eyes, they're nothing more than a motley crew gathered along the way. They claim to have many brave warriors, but in reality, they are just bandits, thieves, and rebels.

"Just wait until their food supplies are depleted and they are forced to withdraw. Our army can then pursue them and easily defeat them!

"Pass on my order, no matter how the enemy provokes us, we must not engage in battle. If anyone dares to speak of fighting, execute them!"

The general beside him quickly saluted, "By your command!"

Song Laoseng caressed his beard, feeling as though everything was under his control.

However, just then, he saw a group emerge from the Liang Army camp at Jiahu Fortress.

It was only a few hundred light cavalry, and their formation didn't even look regular, which further confirmed Song Laoseng's belief that the enemy was indeed just a rabble.

He watched as this cavalry unit quickly approached the city's east, directly under Song Laoseng's watchful eye.

"Hmph, such a crude tactic to lure the enemy. You think I would fall for that?"

Song Laoseng had no intention of engaging in battle.

It was only a few hundred cavalry. If he really led his troops out, these light cavalry would surely retreat quickly.

Even if he caught up, winning a skirmish wouldn't mean much. A few hundred cavalry was nothing, and the enemy could afford to lose them.

Unnecessary, unnecessary.

With that thought, Song Laoseng turned around to go back to rest.

Just then, one of the cavalry officers rode forward, directly approaching the walls of Huoyi City.

Then, she lifted her horsewhip and shouted up to Song Laoseng, "Song Laoseng! Do you dare to come out and battle against my Women's Army?"

Song Laoseng was taken aback, then he looked down at the city walls.

He was puzzled because he had clearly heard a woman's voice.

What would a woman be doing on the battlefield?

Before he could react, the female general below shouted again, "Being scolded and blockaded in the city by a woman, what kind of hero are you! Fellow generals and soldiers, since Song Laoseng dares not to fight, why not bind him and have him surrender to us!"

Song Laoseng was instantly livid, "Absurd! Who is this person!"

A nearby general hastily informed him, "It seems... this is the famous Lady Li who rallied forces in Guanzhong."

According to historical records, after Emperor Taizong of Liang began his uprising in Jinyang, Pingyang Princess also planned a series of actions. She returned to her family's estate, disguised herself as a man, sold local assets, and provided relief to the refugees, quickly gathering a force of several hundred people.

Afterward, she successively won over nearby rebel forces. She gained territory rapidly with a disciplined and well-ordered force. Later, she joined forces with Lord Qin, and they led their armies to attack Chang'an together.

At this moment, the Lady Li that Xia Ruoling was portraying already had a certain notoriety. Her troops were known as the "Women's Army," and her fame spread far and wide, attracting many to her cause.

Arriving at the walls of Huoyi City, Xia Ruoling cursed loudly, while the few hundred cavalry by her side laughed heartily, their mockery at full throttle.

Song Laoseng's face reddened with rage, his mind overwhelmed with fury.

"Absurd! Someone, fetch my weapon! Bring my war horse! Gather the troops for battle!"

The nearby generals were startled, urgently advising, "General, you just said we must not engage in battle..."

Song Laoseng angrily retorted, "Nonsense! How can I be humiliated by a woman!"

Truly, the impact of words differs greatly depending on who utters them.

If a tall and burly man had been cursing from below the city, while not entirely ineffective, the impact would be limited.

Song Laoseng could have simply laughed it off from the city walls, pretending not to hear, and his soldiers' morale wouldn't suffer much.

But a woman challenging them was another matter entirely.

In ancient times, where men were considered superior to women, most generals and soldiers thought women should only be the spoils of war, not qualified to sit at the strategy table or become players in the game.

Thus, a woman challenging them from below the walls naturally reached peak levels of humiliation.

The mere act of sending a woman's clothes was considered a grave insult, let alone facing an actual woman in battle.

Song Laoseng was not completely blinded by anger; he knew that if he didn't dare to fight under these circumstances, it would severely damage his own soldiers' morale.

Thus, he had no choice but to engage in battle!

Soon, Huoyi City was abuzz with activity, the city gates were opened, and Song Laoseng led his army out, forming their ranks.

On the Liang side, the entire army poured out as well.

Under Chu Ge's command, the various Liang forces arranged themselves in neat formations.

Meng Yuan took his position in the central army, Chu Ge directed the overall strategy, and Luo Ying, playing the role of Lord Wei, led the charge bravely.