After another night of forced march, Cheng Pu's 10,000 naval soldiers had covered 220 li (approximately 110 kilometers).

To be able to march such a long distance within twelve hours is already considered a miracle in this era.

Looking at the rising sun on the eastern horizon, Cheng Pu wiped the sweat from his forehead and slowed his pace.

Although he was extremely anxious, Cheng Pu knew that the army needed to stop and rest.

At Cheng Pu's command, the marching column also stopped.

Fortunately, these naval soldiers were in excellent physical condition and had undergone long-term forced march training. Although they were extremely tired, they did not collapse.

The army had barely stopped when several Parthian messengers on fast horses came from the north, heading straight for the column.

Upon seeing this, the scout captain in charge of the army's outpost immediately led several soldiers and guides to stop the Parthian messengers.

The scout captain, looking wary, shouted, "Who are you people?"

Several Parthian messengers who had been stopped showed delight upon seeing the other party's attire and the flags of the procession behind them.

A messenger stepped forward and said, "We are Kemolai, the lord of Ansu City, sent to request aid from the Han army. We humbly request that your army take us in..."

The scout captain's expression shifted: "Where is your city lord now?"

"Our city lord is in Kenan City, and together with the city lord of Kenan, they have set up an ambush to try to hold off the Sakqi army and buy time for the people to escape..."

The messenger also made no attempt to conceal the fact that Kemolai had made arrangements in the north, which he had probably told the scout captain.

"Follow me!"

Upon hearing about the situation in the rear, the scout captain immediately led the messengers to Cheng Pu.

Upon hearing the messenger's report, Cheng Pu immediately asked, "How long have you been gone?"

"Reporting to the general, I have been away from Kenan City for two days. According to the timeline, the Sakqi army should have already arrived in Kenan City by now!"

Cheng Pu raised an eyebrow: "Tell me in detail how your city lord made the arrangements!"

"Yes, General!" the messenger replied respectfully, then said, "The Lord of Kemolai has not only dug numerous trenches north of Kenan, but has also laid a large amount of oil and traps within the city, along with several hundred assassins!"

"oh?"

Cheng Pu's expression shifted, and he then took out a map, focusing his gaze on the area between Kenan City and Linshan City.

"The two cities are a hundred miles apart. If an army of 200,000 men wants to get there, it will take at least two days. Considering the obstruction at Kenan City, it will take Sakqi's army at least three days to reach Linshan City!"

In the end, Cheng Pu couldn't help but show a hint of joy on his face. The enemy's arrival time was two days later than they had originally estimated.

For Cheng Pu and his 10,000 naval soldiers, the extra two days were enough for them to make ample preparations and make defending the city much easier.

Cheng Pu put away the map and looked at the Parthian messengers. "You should immediately go back and tell your city lord that our Great Han is willing to take over and protect the people persecuted by the Sakqi army. Our army is going there to stop the Sakqi army and ensure that the people can evacuate as soon as possible!"

"Thank you for the Han army's kindness. I will go back and report to the city lord immediately!"

Upon hearing Cheng Pu's words, the messengers' faces lit up with joy. Just as they were about to turn and leave, Cheng Pu stopped them again: "Also, tell your city lord to lead his men to retreat to Linshan City and immediately begin preparing defensive equipment. I will send someone to accompany you to guide you in setting up the city's defenses. Once my army arrives, we will defend the city together!"

"Yes, General!"

Subsequently, Cheng Pu selected several officers skilled in city defense to accompany the messengers as they hurried northwards.

Cheng Pu also sent men with the latest news to head towards the rear.

After resting for an hour, Cheng Pu led his army to continue their journey towards Linshan City.

At the same time, Sakki's army also arrived near the city of Kenan.

After losing nearly two thousand men, the army finally arrived outside the city of Kenan.

Looking at the city gates wide open and the city deserted, Sakqi frowned, a hint of hesitation on his face.

An officer stepped forward and said, "Sir, it seems that the people inside the city were afraid of our army and abandoned the city and fled."

Those people fled in such a hurry, they must have left behind a lot of supplies. Let's hurry into the city and take a look!

Looking at the unusually quiet city, Sakqi said in a deep voice, "Take ten thousand men and go into the city to investigate first!"

"Yes, sir!"

The officer agreed and then selected 10,000 soldiers to enter the city of Kenan.

Upon entering the city and seeing the deserted streets and various items scattered everywhere, a smile involuntarily appeared on the officer's face.

"Knead it carefully for me, make sure nothing comes out!"

Yes!

Upon hearing the officer's order, the soldiers behind him responded excitedly and then scattered, rushing towards the government offices and houses in the city.

In the east of the city, in front of a large courtyard, several soldiers looked at the empty courtyard and rushed in without thinking.

"Clang!"

A soldier kicked open the door to the front hall.

Upon seeing the several wooden boxes displayed on the table in the hall, the soldier's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly ran over.

As soon as the soldier opened the wooden box, a cloud of white powder rushed out and directly stained his face and eyes.

"Ah~!"

A sharp burning and pain caused the soldier to cover his eyes and cry out in agony.

Another soldier, who was searching for valuables in the backyard, was startled by his comrade's cries of agony. He stepped on a nearby bluestone slab and fell into a round pit full of barbs, where he died instantly.

At the same time, various cries of agony echoed throughout the city.

Boom boom boom!

Immediately afterwards, flames broke out in all directions within the city and quickly spread.

"Get out of there! Get out of there quickly!!"

The soldiers who were lucky enough to escape injury all ran into the streets in a panic. The once empty streets were suddenly crowded with people, and all the soldiers rushed towards the city gates.

Seeing the soldiers fleeing outwards, hundreds of able-bodied civilians who had been hiding on the rooftops on both sides of the street also threw down the jars of kerosene they were holding.

"not good!!"

Upon seeing the sudden appearance of able-bodied young civilians, the soldiers' expressions immediately changed.

The canisters filled with kerosene either hit the soldiers or smashed on the ground, and a pungent smell immediately filled the air.

Immediately afterwards, the able-bodied men took out tinderboxes and threw them down in unison.

In an instant, flames rose up from the crowded throng. Countless soldiers, engulfed in flames, let out miserable howls and stumbled around like headless flies, making the fire grow bigger and bigger!