Chapter 970

May 12th, afternoon. Kong Youde led five thousand troops away from Dalinghe Fortress to reinforce Liaoyang. The following morning, Li Xingzhong’s troops began small-scale skirmishes with Mandahai’s forces to the north of Dalinghe Fortress. Both sides were testing the waters, so casualties remained light. Li Xingzhong was waiting for other friendly forces to arrive, while Mandahai was waiting for the right moment to breach Dalinghe Fortress. After the skirmishes ended, the Eight Banners soldiers to the north of the city did not return to their camp. Instead, they rode back and forth in groups, their hooves thundering and raising thick clouds of dust. It seemed as though they were signaling to Ma Shiyao inside the city that an intense battle was raging just outside. Listening to the thunderous hoofbeats to the north, Ma Shiyao began to grow restless. He climbed onto the city wall himself to get a better look. To the north of Dalinghe Fortress lay a temporary trench dug by the Jiannu, and further north was their camp. The sound of hooves originated from within the Jiannu camp. Under his watchful gaze, Jiannu Cavalry continuously streamed out of the camp, charging toward the north. Dust filled the air there, and battle cries shook the sky; it appeared as if a fierce struggle was underway.