Half a month went by in a flash.

In that time Tong Yuanzhou sent men over with twenty days' supplies and fodder.

Ning Chen went wandering among the hills and rivers every day and showed not the slightest intention of attacking the city, only sending men now and then to harass Kang Luo a little.

It knocked the Nanyue army around badly.

It is easy to play the thief for a thousand days, but guarding against a thief for a thousand days is far too hard.

They did not know when Ning Chen would come at them.

All they could do was stay on guard, with their nerves strung up tight.

For a short while that was manageable, but as the time dragged on Nanyue's officers and men could not stand it, and their nerves were close to breaking.

That day Ning Chen sent men to fetch Zhang Tianhua.

"Tonight, as before. Take a party of men and go harass the Nanyue army... But mind this. You are not to go near them. A mile and a half from Gaotian City you turn straight back, and you do not stop."

Zhang Tianhua's forehead filled with question marks.

This time he really could not hold it in. "My lord marquis, when exactly are we going to attack the city?"

Ning Chen narrowed his eyes at him. "Would you like to do the commanding?"

Zhang Tianhua's face changed all at once and he said quickly, "This officer would not dare. Your pardon, my lord marquis. This officer will go at once!"

Ning Chen waved a hand.

Zhang Tianhua withdrew in a hurry.

Inside Gaotian City, Kang Luo's eyes were shot through with red.

He had not slept properly this half month.

His officers and men were worn to the bone, and his own nerves were close to snapping.

He knew this was a scheme of Ning Chen's, but there was nothing he could do about it. All he could do was hold on and not move.

Ning Chen would certainly attack the city.

But there was no knowing when.

Against an ordinary…