It could be said that Qi Kerang had managed to restrain the soldiers, keeping them at Tong Pass without scattering in a rout. It was no small feat.
Qi Kerang eagerly awaited the imperial reinforcements. When he first heard that General Zhang Chengfan was coming with reinforcements, he was slightly pleased.
He had assumed the court would send at least tens of thousands of troops along with a vast supply of arrows, weapons, and provisions.
But upon seeing the forces that Zhang Chengfan brought, Qi Kerang was dumbfounded.
Where was the promised Divine Strategy Army?
And General Zhang Chengfan's query only added to Qi Kerang's confusion.
Just three thousand men, and without any provisions?
Finding themselves in an awkward stare-down, the two realized that the garrison at Tong Pass would have to continue subsisting on tree bark.
"General Zhang, you must have been through many battles. Do you think we can hold Tong Pass?" Qi Kerang asked.
Zhao Haiping was silent.
