Chapter 433: Late Night Attack

Three days later, Xiao Nanyan's army set up camp ten miles outside Yandu City, forming a standoff with the people inside the city.

When Fu Yunqing reported to Xiao Nanyan, his brows were furrowed:

"Helian Feng is desperate. He sealed off the city and defended it to the death, vowing to live and die with Yandu City."

Xiao Nanyan looked at the towering city wall, his eyes fell on the "Ganhe" reign flag fluttering on the tower, and smiled slightly:

"The more anxious he is to hold out, the more it shows he's guilty. They're inside the city and are now in a passive position. We should first besiege it for ten days or half a month, and then attack."

…

Inside the Lincang camp.

Xiyan was walking in front of the tent with Yin'er in her arms, when she saw from afar a messenger galloping back on his horse, holding a signal flag high in his hand.

When she heard the soldiers say, "The prince has broken through the three checkpoints of Shilipo and is approaching the city of Yandu," her back, which had been tense for several days, suddenly relaxed and even her breathing became lighter.

These past few days, she has been restless, feeling as if a huge rock is pressing on her heart, and always having a premonition that something is going to happen.

At this moment, the news came, and my heart finally settled down:

"Pass the order down,"

She turned around and instructed the guards behind her:

"Defend the camp to the death. No one is allowed to enter Lincang City without my order."

The guard took the order and left. Manluo came over holding Chu Yue, a little puzzled:

"Isn't Lincang City our territory? Why don't we even enter the city?"

"After all, Helian Feng was once the Crown Prince. After years of business, his connections spread all over the world. Countless people have benefited from his kindness."

Xiyan looked towards the distant city wall and her voice became deeper:

"Even if he doesn't have the Imperial Seal, his prestige remains. These prefectures are sitting on their hands, neither openly supporting him nor willing to help Nan Yan. It's clear they're waiting to see who can restore order before they truly obey. Lincang City... maybe someone has already defected to Helian Feng. We can't take that risk."

Manluo suddenly realized and nodded:

"You've thought it through."

Xiyan looked down at Yin'er, with a bit more determination in her eyes:

"We must not only defend the camp, but also protect the food and fodder. Shilipo has been breached, and the checkpoint has been occupied by Xiao Nanyan's men. The transportation of food and fodder is no longer hindered. This is the most important thing right now."

She knew Xiao Nanyue's plan too well - to besiege Yandu, wait until the food and grass in the city were exhausted, and then let the 50,000 soldiers previously stationed in Yandu turn against their own side and force Helian Feng to surrender voluntarily.

This will not only reduce the casualties of Apocalypse soldiers, but also avoid unnecessary fratricide.

"So, we must guard this rear area well and not let him have any worries. We must also protect Yin'er and Yue'er."

Manluo curled her lips, knowing that although Xiyan hated Xiao Nanyan, she was always clear-headed and would never be vague on major issues.

In the past few days, Xiyan and Manluo have been taking care of the children all the time. At the same time, they asked Xie Zhan to bring his personal soldiers to patrol the area around the military camp, especially the area where food and grass were stored, and set up triple guards.

…

It's late at night.

The campfire in the Lincang camp was gradually getting weaker, and the patrolling soldiers yawned, unaware that the danger was quietly approaching.

Suddenly, a strange wind carrying a pungent smell swept through the grain storage area, followed by a loud "bang" and flames shooting into the sky.

Someone actually mixed a large amount of sulfur powder in hay and ignited it with the help of the night wind. The fire spread instantly, licking the granaries, and thick smoke billowed into the sky.

"The granary is on fire! Put out the fire!"

The shrill cries pierced the night sky, and the soldiers hurriedly ran over with buckets of water, but they saw that the flames grew wildly in the wind, and the water they poured on them was of no use at all.

What’s even more terrifying is that the thick smoke is mixed with colorless and odorless “bone-eroding powder”. Those who inhale it will soon feel dizzy, their hands and feet will become weak, and they will even lose the strength to hold the bucket. They will collapse to the ground, coughing painfully.

"It's poisonous!" Someone shouted, and the camp suddenly fell into chaos.

In the inner tent, Xiyan was coaxing Yin'er to sleep. When she heard the commotion outside and got up, the tent curtains were rustling in the heat wave.

Her heart tightened and she pulled out the sword from the wall.

At this time, Manluo also rushed into her tent holding Yue'er. Nishang, Dieyu and a dozen personal soldiers also rushed into the tent.

Manluo stuffed Yue'er into Xiyan's arms, holding a package in her hand:

"Watch out, kid. That smoke is poisonous. I'll take care of it!"

Xiyan nodded, staring at the tent door with sharp eyes, protecting the two children behind her.

At this time, Xie Zhan had already rushed out with his personal soldiers to put out the fire. He directed the soldiers to cover the flames with sand and ordered them to drag the poisoned brothers to a place with upwind wind, while he kept shouting:

"Cover your nose with a wet cloth and defend the granary! We must not let the fire spread to the armory!"

Manluo rushed out and stood upwind. She hurriedly took out the Qingxin Powder that Chu Jin had left for her from the package, lit several large fires, and ordered a few close soldiers to come and fan the downwind area with fans to dissolve the bone-corrosive poisonous smoke outside.