Chapter 923: Breaking Through (1)

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

At the end of June, the sun was blazing.

Under the scorching sun, the soldiers of the Wu Kingdom moved everything within the range of the bows and arrows outside Luozhou City into the city. Those that could not be moved were destroyed.

Even on the grass, earth walls, tree stacks, and stone piles had been cleaned up.

The houses and wells outside the city were also demolished.

If they could not do it with human strength, they would use black gunpowder. They would definitely not leave anything for the army that could attack at any time to hide or use.

They really cleared out the wilderness.

Apart from that, there were observation posts set up every ten miles from the city at the border of the two countries. Once they discovered the army approaching, the outposts would use smoke to send news.

Everyone in Luozhou was making preparations for the next defense, but not everything went smoothly.

“City Lord, bad news. The commoners are making a fuss.” A soldier who was in a sorry state and had scratches on his face rushed into the City Lord Residence with a head full of sweat.

The City Lord of Luozhou was a fat middle-aged man. When he heard this, he jumped up from his chair. “What about them?”

“Didn’t General Yan order the citizens of the city to go out of the city and collect the crops outside? They said that it won’t ripen for half a month. We can’t harvest them now.”

Food was the lifeblood of the commoners. Yan Guangmao’s order was equivalent to taking their lives. Wouldn’t this cause a commotion?

“Idiot.” The City Lord was so angry that he slammed the desk. “Do they want to collect it after half a month? Then ask them to go to Great Xia and the

Xuanyuan Kingdom to ask if they can come and attack us after half a month.” “If possible, get them to help me ask if they can stop hitting us.”

“Half a month… Heh, they might not have to work at that time. The people from Great Xia and the Xuanyuan Kingdom will help them collect it.”

The soldier wiped his sweat.

That made sense. The problem was that the commoners were facing the yellow soil. It made no sense to them. They only knew that the food harvest was not good and that they would have to starve this year. The entire family might have to die.

Previously, in order to prepare the rations needed for the war, everyone had just paid taxes. Now, they were waiting for this food to save their lives.

The City Lord was so angry that he circled around twice. Seeing that the soldiers were still standing there, he scolded, ‘You still have to ask me about

such a small matter? What do I pay you for?”

“Well…” If he knew how to deal with it, he wouldn’t have been scratched in the face.

“Tell them that if they don’t accept it now, they won’t be able to harvest a single grain of rice. Let them think about it themselves. Are they willing to lose a portion of their food or do they want to harvest nothing?”

“If you still want to cause trouble, pick a few troublemakers…” The City Lord made a throat-slitting gesture. “Make an example out of them.”

The soldier was stunned for a moment before quickly agreeing.

The City Lord sat back in his armchair and picked up his teacup to take a sip. He could not help but mutter, “Why did you have to fight? Now, you’ve gone for wool and come home shorn.”

However, he only dared to say this when there was no one around. After thinking about it, he felt that he should report this to Yan Guangmao.

At this moment, Yan Guangmao was recuperating in the east courtyard of the City Lord Residence. In his battle with Song Jingchen, he had been stabbed through the heart. If not for the fact that he was using his internal energy to protect his heart meridians, he would have died long ago.

However, although he was not dead, it was impossible for him to go to the battlefield.

When the City Lord arrived, the doctor was changing Yan Guangmao’s dressing. He could only wait at the side.

After the doctor changed the dressing and left, he was about to speak when Bu Ren walked in. “My lord, the sentries have come to report that the army of the Xuanyuan Kingdom and the Great Xia army have crossed the border of the two countries. They will arrive outside Luozhou City tomorrow at the latest.” Yan Guangmao’s eyes darkened. “How many troops are there?”

Bu Ren said with a solemn expression, “I estimate no less than 800,000. In addition, our spies have also discovered traces of the Xuanyuan army at Pingyang Pass. I’m afraid they’re preparing to attack the Beichuan Realm at the same time.”

It could be said that Yan Guangmao’s army was only here to deal with Great Xia. Their main force was still at Pingyang Pass.

As soon as Bu Ren finished speaking, another general rushed in. “My lord, the capital has sent a letter. The people of Nanman and Dongyi are attacking our eastern and southern borders at the same time.”

“What did you say?” Yan Guangmao spat out a mouthful of blood in anger.

“The Southern Barbarians and Eastern Barbarians…

Yan Guangmao picked up the medicine bowl that had yet to be removed and smashed it at the general’s feet.. “Who does that bastard think he is? He actually wants a share of the loot?”