night.

quiet.

The aroma of food wafted throughout Changsui City.

Soldiers on both sides were drowsy and lightheaded due to lack of food, and the generals on both sides tacitly refrained from pursuing the matter, seemingly convinced that a fight would not break out that night.

Siege warfare works like this: once the attacking side arrives, they must either launch a full-scale attack with high morale, or even if they cannot capture the city, they can still deter the defending side.

Once they stand still in front of the city, it will almost certainly be a protracted war.

After the meal, Wang Ren was half-reclined in a chair to rest, while Wang Yuluan stayed by his side, adding tea for her father.

Has Zhao Jun made any move?

Upon hearing his father's question, Wang Yuluan immediately replied, "I just went to inspect the city wall, and most of the Zhao soldiers have already sat down to rest."

Wang Ren asked, "Has their number decreased?"

"Is Father worried that Zhao's army will divide its forces and attack other city gates?"

Wang Yuluan shook his head and said definitively, "General Zhang was watching and didn't find anything like this."

Wang Ren snorted coldly and said, "I told you, Zhao Huan is good at defense. With him around, the Ye Dan people can't break into Da Jing. But when it comes to conquering cities and seizing territory, he still lacks experience. If I were him, I wouldn't be eating; I would just launch an attack first."

Wang Yuluan said, "Father is right. If he had attacked in the evening, we wouldn't have had so much time to perfect our defenses."

"The soldiers guarding the city cannot let their guard down. Go and check on them, and arrange for more shifts to rotate."

"The people guarding the city were arranged by the Marquis of Sha County."

Wang Yuluan asked, "Should we... change it?"

Wang Ren thought for a moment, then waved his hand and said, "Forget it. Wen Hu made this arrangement because he's afraid there are Zhao Huan's people in our army. Let him make the arrangements then. He and the Zhao family are sworn enemies, so the people he arranges should be trustworthy. Even if something goes wrong, it's his fault, not ours."

“I understand!” Wang Yuluan looked at his father with admiration.

Wang Ren said, "I don't need you to serve me here. Go outside and assist General Zhang. Even so, Zhao Huan and his son are cunning, so we can't let our guard down."

"Father, don't worry. You've been tired these past few days. Take advantage of the peace and quiet tonight to get some rest."

"Um."

Seeing that Wang Ren had lay down, Wang Yuluan then withdrew.

night.

It got deeper and deeper.

A crescent moon hung on the treetop, occasionally brushing past a patch of dark cloud, making the city appear shrouded in darkness.

The night is darkest before dawn.

But at that moment, a beam of light shot into the sky from the east of the city, disappearing in the darkness.

The light appeared quickly and briefly, and some sleeping soldiers in the city didn't even notice it.

Outside the city, Zhao's army began to take action.

At the same time, the city gate guards started to riot.

In an instant, shouts of battle shattered the silence, disturbing the night.

Wang Yuluan rushed into Wang Ren's residence and said hurriedly, "Father, something terrible has happened!"

Wang Ren had already woken up and said, "I heard a sound, what's going on?"

"The city gates have been breached, and the Zhao army has stormed in!"

Wang Ren stood up in shock and asked, "Why is this happening?!"

Wang Yuluan said, "General Zhang said that there are spies among the city guards, and quite a few of them. They opened the city gate from the inside."

"Wen Hu, that idiot!!!"

Wang Ren slammed the table in front of him over, shouting angrily, "He ruined my plans again!!!"

After setting the fire, Wang Ren quickly thought for a moment and asked, "Where has the Zhao army advanced to?"

"The vanguard has entered the eastern part of the city at a rapid pace; they must have a way of contacting the spies within the city!"

"Damn it! They're so close!"

Wang Ren took a few steps and said, "We'll retreat to the palace and tell Zhang Dalian and Du Yucheng that the city has fallen and the palace is the last line of defense. I'll immediately retreat to the palace to set up defenses and let them stall for as long as they can!"

"yes!"

"return!"

Just as Wang Yuluan turned around, Wang Ren called him back and shouted, "Immediately send someone to inform Wen Tai and Wen Hu. This is the trouble caused by Wen Hu. The Left Prime Minister's Mansion should stop hiding people and send out all the experts! If we can't stop them, we're all doomed!"

"Yes!" (Reading)

After Wang Yuluan left, Wang Ren slammed his fist on the pillar next to him and sighed, "Zhao Huan, are you really that good at hiding people?"

...

"kill!"

"Those who block the way shall die!!"

"No arson allowed! Do not harm civilians!!!"

As soon as the city gates opened, Zhao's vanguard charged in, catching Wang's army off guard.

It was still dark, and the people were resting; the streets were deserted.

Zhao Huan deliberately chose this time to avoid harming ordinary people.

Upon hearing Zhao Jun's order, some of the fleeing soldiers even hid in civilian houses to save their lives.

Zhao Jun completely ignored these people, showed no interest in fighting, and marched into the eastern part of the city, heading straight for the imperial palace.

Zhao Jun's attack was already unstoppable.

Zhao Huan rode his tall horse into Changsui City. He looked around and then looked up at the gradually brightening sky. His usual lazy expression had disappeared from his face.

A hint of murderous intent flashed in his eyes, but it quickly disappeared at the corner of his eye.

"Chang Sui, I'm back."

Zhao Cheng and Lian Zhongyi, who were standing beside him, both sensed the profound meaning in his words.

to the end of five years.

That heavy snow.

Zhao Huan's family left Changsui, and the Princess saw them off outside the city gate.

In the years that followed, Ye Dan invaded the border, and Zhao Huan was reinstated by Yuan Xiu, and he also visited Changsui several times.

But he never uttered such a sentiment on those occasions.

And this time,

He said he was back.

Zhao Cheng understood Zhao Huan's meaning and sighed, "Dad, we're going home."

Zhao Huan smiled slightly at Zhao Cheng and said, "The war is not over yet, we cannot let our guard down."

Then, Zhao Huan looked at Lian Zhongyi and asked, "What do you think, sir?"

Lian Zhongyi stroked his beard and said, "It's almost dawn, the people are waking up, and panic will break out in the city. Someone needs to stay behind to clean up the mess and stabilize the situation. Naturally, you, General, are the most suitable person for this task."

Zhao Huan nodded.

Lian Zhongyi continued, "I suggest that the young marshal take over command of the troops, storm the palace, and find Yuan Xiu as the main target. Our goal is to purge the emperor's inner circle of corrupt officials, ensure the emperor's safety, and take control of the emperor."

"In addition, send the best soldiers in the army to infiltrate the palace and search for Yuan Xiu's whereabouts."

Zhao Huan looked at Zhao Cheng and said, "Let's do as you say, sir. Go ahead."

"promise!"

Zhao Cheng bowed to Zhao Huan and Lian Zhongyi, cracked his whip, and galloped towards the east of the city with his personal guards.

"Old Lian, regardless of victory or defeat, the world is destined to change."

Zhao Huan looked up and sighed.

Lian Zhongyi smiled and said, "Things have come to this point, the old marshal will not fail."

Zhao Huan shook his head and said, "Victory or defeat is not a matter of a moment. I just don't know how the world will judge me in the future."

"Some things can be planned in advance, while others can only be dealt with one step at a time."

Lian Zhongyi looked at the houses not far away and said, "What we need to do now is to appease the people and get them to be of one mind with us."