Big haul

Khon Kham reacted very quickly, mobilizing the army almost immediately to resist Wen Huan's offensive while simultaneously transferring troops from the front line for defense.

Wen Huan had already captured several important towns in Khammouane, establishing a stable base of operations.

With logistics secured, he began a steady advance.

The troops Khon Kham had hastily mobilized were not much of an army, and their combat effectiveness was uneven.

Wen Huan quickly wiped out several thousand of them, capturing a large amount of military supplies and grain.

By the time the Lan Xang elites arrived, Wen Huan had already secured his position and possessed an army of over thirteen thousand men.

The two sides reached a stalemate at the border between Khammouane and Xiangkhouang.

Just as Khon Kham breathed a sigh of relief, the Dong Kinh army appeared.

Wu Quan was not the kind of person to wait around foolishly; he didn't believe Wen Huan would obediently cede land once he held power.

He had even considered the possibility of Wen Huan's failure, so to be safe, he mobilized another fifteen thousand troops.

As soon as the troops from Xiangkhouang were redeployed, he immediately sent forces to attack the region.

Khon Kham finally panicked; he now had very few troops left to mobilize.

Gritting his teeth, he made a decision that he would later deeply regret.

He reinforced Xiangkhouang with five thousand Royal Guards from Vientiane, along with eight thousand troops drawn from Chuan Tong, Luang Namtha, Chaiyaphum, and other places.

Such large-scale troop movements could not be hidden for more than a few days.

Five days after the troops from Chuan Tong were moved, Gao Yuan received the news.

"My Lord, Chuan Tong now has fewer than two thousand defenders scattered across these Locations. The city of Chuan Tong itself has at most seven hundred defenders."

Gao Yuan slapped his thigh in excitement and stood up, pointing to a town on the map.

"A god-given opportunity! Order the entire army to leave the city tonight and launch an attack here tomorrow."

Before his excitement could last ten seconds, Xia Luqi's voice came through.

"My Lord, the three Mistresses have ordered that you must remain in the city to oversee things. This business of charging into battle..."

Gao Yuan's anger flared up instantly, and he raised his leg to kick the brute.

"If I don't go, would a blockhead like you know when to strike, when to scatter, and when to regroup?"

"But My Lord..."

"No buts! Military orders are as firm as mountains!"

Gao Yuan made his decision huffily, leaving Xia Luqi feeling bitter.

"It looks like this month's good wine is out the window again."

Gao Yuan had occupied Luang Namtha for so long that the Lan Xang people naturally kept it under surveillance, which of course did not escape Huo Jun's eyes.

That afternoon, two units of the City Defense Forces set out: one arrested several merchants in the city, and the other went out to wipe out a hidden mountain stronghold outside the walls.

Once all the Lan Xang spies were eliminated, the city of Luang Namtha began its daily curfew after nightfall.

It was precisely at this time that the soldiers of the First Division moved out under the cover of night.

To prevent Gao Yuan from stripping the population and resources bare again as he had last time...

...the first thing Khon Kham did after taking power was to build an outpost camp fifty li south of Luang Namtha.

This camp was built across the road, featuring trenches, chevaux-de-frise, and abatis. The camp walls were constructed of giant timber, and there were four watchtowers.

Originally, this camp was garrisoned by five hundred troops. In the event of an enemy attack, it would be enough to hold out until reinforcements arrived.

Unfortunately, because the war was now pressing, half of the troops had been drawn from this camp, leaving only two hundred men to guard it.

With fewer people, it was inevitable that some things would be overlooked, especially in the absence of any vigilance.

Since they had received no news from the spies in the direction of Luang Namtha, the camp appeared lax and lazy.

At night, there were only a few sentries, and only two patrol teams. In Gao Yuan's eyes, it was simply full of holes.

"Move fast, go!"

Gao Yuan waved his hand, and a squad of soldiers holding bows and arrows crept forward.

Swish, swish, swish...

With the sound of arrows piercing the air, over twenty arrows flew out.

"Agh!"

Thud!

Several shrill screams rang out, followed by the sound of bodies falling from high places.

Almost simultaneously, several ropes with grappling hooks flew out, and a few soldiers flipped over the camp walls to open the main gate.

By the time the Lan Xang soldiers, startled awake by the screams, arrived, the camp gate was wide open, the obstacles had been moved, and Gao Yuan and Xia Luqi were leading a light cavalry unit of officers in the charge.

With almost no resistance, the Lan Xang army broke and fled. Aside from a small number who escaped, more than half of the remainder were taken prisoner.

"Send someone to report to Huo Jun. I will stay here with fifty men. Bang Jie, you lead the main force and act according to plan."

"Understood!"

After resting for only an hour, Xia Luqi set off with over a thousand men.

Soon, the town adjacent to this military camp suffered.

The commoners here had all been relocated by Khon Kham from other places. They had been settled for less than a few months before becoming Gao Yuan's spoils of war, forced to continue their migration with their families.

The fleeing soldiers returned to Chuan Tong City and reported the terrifying news.

"The Scourge Gao is back!"

This caused near-panic in the city. Had the defending general not immediately closed the city gates, many commoners would likely have fled.

Since the defenders cowered in the city and would not come out to help, Xia Luqi was not polite, sweeping through all the villages and towns that had no city walls for protection.

Over two hundred troops who failed to retreat to Chuan Tong were taken prisoner, along with over five hundred households of commoners relocated by Khon Kham and more than a hundred oxen.

Several small granaries were also looted clean, and several thousand dan of grain and fodder became Gao Yuan's supplies.

However, the looting could only go so far. Now that the Lan Xang people were holed up, Gao Yuan wouldn't be so hot-headed as to attack the city; the losses would be too great.

He hadn't taken nearly enough advantage this time and felt unwilling to stop. Looking at the map, Gao Yuan fell into deep thought.

Suddenly, he had an extremely bold idea.

"Bang Jie, do you have the guts to go for a stroll around Vientiane with me?"

"If My Lord dares, This humble general dares!"

"Good. Let the soldiers rest well tonight; we set out tomorrow."

When Khon Kham learned that Chuan Tong had been attacked, he truly had a massive headache. He was truly in a position where he couldn't make bricks without straw.

He was very clear about the combat strength of Gao Yuan's subordinates and knew that sending too few troops would simply be sending them to their deaths. After thinking it over, he could only order the Chuan Tong commander to keep the gates closed; once Gao Yuan had finished looting enough, he would naturally leave.

Clearly, this new Lan Xang King underestimated Gao Yuan's appetite. He thought that by showing weakness, Gao Yuan would know when to stop.

To his surprise, three days later, a piece of news arrived that almost made him spit blood.

"Say that again?"

"A town fifty li north of Vientiane City was attacked by the Qian Army. Over fifty soldiers were killed, and more than five hundred people were taken away."

"Bastard! Bastard! Someone, mobilize the army! I must capture that bastard Gao Yuan!"

One of the ministers immediately stood up to object.

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger. Currently, Vientiane has only three thousand defenders, including the Royal Guards. These are for emergencies; they must not be moved lightly!"

With someone taking the lead, others immediately stood up as well.

"Yes, Your Majesty. If these three thousand troops leave the city and suffer any losses, how will the capital be defended?"

Reminded by the ministers, Khon Kham realized he had been impulsive, and his anger deflated.

"Then what do you say should be done?"

"Your servant believes we should clear the fields and strengthen the walls, concentrating the people and troops from various places to avoid being defeated one by one."

This idea quickly gained the approval of the vast majority, and even the Queen Mother Nanjiao Pipa supported the plan.

"Very well. Order General Nanjiao to lead five hundred Royal Guards out of the city to assist in the evacuation of the people from various regions."

"Understood!"

Soon, a massive 'clear the fields and strengthen the walls' operation began throughout the Vientiane region, and many commoners were forced to leave their homes.

Naturally, during this process, there was no shortage of soldiers committing evil acts—looting and raping—which for a time caused widespread public resentment.