With about twenty workers busy at work, the Dongning Gunpowder Bureau had produced hundreds of kilograms of gunpowder in just a few days.

Meanwhile, the various sizes of pottery jars collected from within the city were also filled with gunpowder.

Some pottery jars even contained iron nails and iron pieces.

These items also became simple lethal shrapnel.

While preparing gunpowder, the expanded Prince's Guard, numbering four or five hundred men, also began intensive training.

Even those in the city who hadn't joined the Prince's Guard were busy.

Some wealthy and powerful families dismantled their brick and tile houses and transported the bricks to the city walls as defensive supplies.

The tung oil and logs collected within the city were also neatly stacked on the city wall.

There were even a few carpenters making catapults.

The weather in Dongning Province is unusually cold.

The heavy snow continued for several days, falling like goose feathers.

In just a few days, this place has been transformed into a world covered in silver.

One morning, snowflakes began to fall from the distant forest, and the quiet city became noisy.

Inside the Xinwang Palace.

"Report—"

A guard rushed into the palace, shouting urgently, "The grassland bandits are here..."

Li Xin, who was preparing the materials, was startled.

What was bound to happen has finally happened!

"Let's go! Let's go up to the city wall and take a look!"

Li Xin replied in a deep voice, put on his animal skin coat, and strode outside.

"Your Highness, you..."

As soon as Li Xin stepped out, he ran into Princess Ning Xiaoqian.

Ning Xiaoqian's eyes were red, and she looked at Li Xin with some urgency. "Your Highness, please take care! I'll be waiting for you to come back!"

Princess Ning Xiaoqian's tightly furrowed brows betrayed a hint of fear and worry.

Li Xin knew in his heart that he also had a family and that someone was worried about him.

He felt a warmth in his heart, walked to Ning Xiaoqian's side, reached out and gently brushed the wind-blown hair from her temples, and lightly kissed her cheek.

"Don't worry! We're not married or in the bridal chamber yet! I wouldn't want to die!"

Li Xin replied with a smile and strode outside.

At this moment, Ning Xiaoqian's cheeks were flushed.

Watching Li Xin's departing figure, her clear eyes still glistened with tears.

Tears rolled down her cheeks. Ning Xiaoqian twisted the hem of her clothes with both hands, silently thinking in her heart: I am waiting for you!

...

Dongning City, North Gate Tower.

Upon reaching the city wall, Li Xin immediately spotted the dark mass of grassland bandits outside the city. Each of them sat on a tall horse, fully armed, and stared menacingly at Dongning City.

Like a tiger descending the mountain or a hungry wolf emerging from the forest, they seemed to be waiting for the right moment to swallow Dongning City whole!

With over a hundred people, there are all sorts of people!

If there are thousands of people, it will be boundless and endless!

The sight of over a thousand grassland bandits still made Li Xin somewhat apprehensive.

After all, Li Xin in his previous life was just an ordinary person, born under the red flag and raised in peace, who had never personally experienced war.

Li Xin, on his first battlefield experience, ultimately overestimated his mental fortitude.

"Your Highness, what brings you here?"

When Wei Jun, the leader of the Prince's Guard, saw Li Xin go up to the city wall, his face also showed a hint of solemnity. He said, "It is too dangerous here. For Your Highness's comfort, Your Highness should return to the Prince's Palace to rest!"

"With us here, we will definitely ensure Dongning's safety!"

Wei Jun advised with a worried expression.

Even Liu Jingxuan, who was standing to the side, said with concern, "Your Highness, General Wei is absolutely right! This place is dangerous, and we should not stay here for long!"

Moreover, gunpowder canisters, tung oil, and rolling logs and stones were all ready.

With General Wei and his men in command, the safety of Dongning City can be guaranteed, so Your Highness need not worry!

However, Li Xin did not leave the area.

At this moment, Li Xin felt a little timid and afraid.

However, he understood even more clearly that this was a battle to defend Dongning City!

This was also his first battle after recruiting refugees and expanding his guard!

For many civilians, this was their first time on the battlefield!

If he backs down because of cowardice, what reason will the people have to protect Dongning City?

How can he possibly have the audacity to protect the safety of the entire city's residents?

"No!"

A resolute glint flashed in Prince Xin Li Xin's eyes as he resolutely declared, "Today, I will defend the city with my brothers!"

As long as the city stands, I, the king, shall stand!

"If the city falls, I, the king, and you all perish!"

The voice wasn't loud, but it carried a hint of determination!

Hearing this, the guards of the Prince's Palace felt a warmth in their hearts.

With such a prince fighting alongside them, they felt confident!

It was as if a lone boat on the sea during a storm had found a reassuring balm!

"As long as the city stands, we stand; if the city falls, we fall!"

A hint of admiration flashed in Wei Jun's eyes. He clenched his fist and raised it high in the air, roaring, "We swear to defend Dongning City to the death!"

"We stand for the city! We die for the city! We swear to defend Dongning to the death!"

"We stand for the city! We die for the city! We swear to defend Dongning to the death!"

...

The loud and clear voice resounded over Dongning City.

For a moment, all the guards were as if they had been injected with chicken blood.

"Let's take action!"

Wei Jun shouted hurriedly as he walked quickly along the city wall, "Set up the oil cauldron! Heat the tung oil!"

Logs and boulders ready!

Archers, check the bowstrings!

Hurry! Be quick!

Wei Jun, after all, had been on the battlefield and killed bandits, so he had a mature set of methods for commanding battles!

Moreover, Li Xin also possesses a deadly weapon—gunpowder!

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!