"What? The elite Gaoliu troops of the Xianbei? Is that the army that wiped out the Wusun?"

Upon hearing his subordinate's reply, Kerley's expression changed.

"Yes, it's them!" the official said in a trembling voice. "This army is fully armored and well-equipped. As soon as we engaged them, our troops were slaughtered without any chance to fight back..."

Kerley's face darkened: "So, you abandoned your army and fled back on your own?"

The official hurriedly shook his head and explained, "No...no, we were just about to fight to the death, but the soldiers in the army suddenly mutinied. We had no choice but to flee back first and report to Your Highness!"

"Is that so? Thirty thousand troops, suddenly all defected?" Kerley roared at his officials, his face contorted with rage. "Are you treating me like a fool?"

"Your Highness...Your Highness, I...I dare not!!"

Seeing Kerley's appearance, the official was trembling with fear.

"Hmph!"

Kerley snorted coldly, then shouted towards the outside of the hall, "Someone come here!"

"exist!!"

Two guards who were on duty outside the hall rushed in.

Kerley pointed at his officers and the lieutenant, and roared, "Drag them away and behead them!"

"Your Highness, spare me!!"

Upon hearing this, the two men's expressions changed, and they repeatedly kowtowed and begged for mercy.

"Your Highness, something terrible has happened!"

Just then, hurried footsteps came from outside the hall, and a messenger ran in with a panicked expression.

"Your Highness, scouts report that our army, numbering approximately 27,000, has been spotted about 20 li south of the city, galloping towards the capital. Moreover, a contingent of Xianbei cavalry is following behind them!"

"What?"

Upon hearing the messenger's report, Kerley's expression changed.

Upon seeing this, the official hurriedly said, "Your Highness, I am not lying. Those soldiers have indeed betrayed us. They came here to attack the capital and claim credit with the Xianbei!"

Kerrai gritted his teeth and said, "A bunch of bastards! I've fed and clothed them, why would they betray me?"

"Your Highness, the enemy is coming in strong. It's more important to prepare to defend the city first!"

Kerley roared, "Defend my ass! These soldiers were all recruited from the surrounding area, they're all from the same village. If the 30,000 troops have already defected, who can guarantee that the 10,000 troops in the city won't defect as well?"

"this……"

Upon hearing Kerrley's words, the two men were at a loss for words.

Just as Kerley had worried, these soldiers were all familiar with each other. Even if the 10,000 troops in the city did not rebel, they would certainly have some reservations when the enemy attacked the city and would not dare to kill.

In this way, the city will be breached sooner or later.

The official thought for a moment and then said, "Your Highness, in my opinion, it would be better to send 10,000 troops out of the city to meet the enemy."

If they fight bravely, they can be allowed into the city; if they also betray us, the capital will still be secure!

Kerley frowned: "They've all gone out, who will guard the city?"

"Your Highness, have you forgotten? Every noble household in the city has many guards, and these guards are all tall and strong, and their fighting ability is much better than that of ordinary soldiers."

These nobles' guards, totaling over three thousand, plus the royal palace guards, should have no problem protecting the city!

"Hmm, that's one way!"

Upon hearing his subordinates' suggestion, Kerley nodded in agreement.

Then, Kerley looked at his two kneeling subordinates and said in a deep voice, "I will give you one more chance. You will lead ten thousand troops from the city to meet the enemy outside the city..."

"What……?"

Upon hearing this, the two were immediately stunned, staring blankly at their prince.

Kerley's face darkened, and he said coldly, "What? You're afraid to die and don't want to go?"

"We...we're willing, we're willing to go!"

Seeing this, the two had no choice but to reluctantly agree.

Kerr waved his hand impatiently: "Alright, then hurry up and go!"

"We take our leave!"

The official and his deputy immediately got up from the ground, bowed, and left.

After leaving the palace, the official turned his head to look into the depths of the palace, and couldn't help but shake his head and sigh.

The adjutant beside him suddenly spoke up: "Sir, His Highness has ordered the two of us to lead troops out of the city, clearly intending to kill us. Do you think it's still necessary for us to risk our lives for him?"

The official's expression shifted: "What? You mean...?"

"Since Your Highness is ruthless, don't blame us for being unjust. In my opinion, we should take this opportunity to escape for our lives..."

"Well..." the official hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "You're right. Now that the Xianbei have arrived, the capital is definitely doomed. There's no need for us to stay here and perish with them!"

Afterwards, the two secretly discussed it and agreed to go to Kushan together. Then they hurriedly headed towards their respective homes.

Meanwhile, Kerley also sent men to various noble households in the royal city to recruit guards.

Although the nobles did not outwardly refuse Kerlade's summons, they were inwardly reluctant.

The guards in the mansion are their private force, their means of survival, especially now.

Once the guards are handed over, or if they suffer heavy casualties, the people they have oppressed can easily kill them without the enemy even needing to attack.

But they dared not refuse, since Kerley still had ten thousand troops and two thousand guards, far beyond their ability to defy.

As a result, the nobles in the city racked their brains to come up with a solution.

Inside a luxurious mansion, nearly a hundred tall guards stood ramrod straight in the courtyard.

A nobleman looked at his captain of the guards and said in a stern voice, "Sending you to guard the city this time is just a formality. Remember, you must not charge in headfirst, nor should you show yourselves carelessly. If the situation looks bad, retreat back to your residence immediately. If even one person dies, I will hold you accountable!"

"Yes, Master!"

The captain of the guards agreed, and then led his men out of the mansion and headed towards the city wall.

The other nobles did similar things, telling their guards that preserving their own strength was the only way forward, no matter what.

Inside the palace, upon hearing his subordinates' report that all the nobles had dispatched their own guards, Kerley nodded in satisfaction.

"By the way, did those two guys take their men out of the city?"

"Your Highness, not yet. The ten thousand troops remain in the camp without making a sound!"