Just as Gu Yuzhi was about to ask Qi Chengjun more about his trip to Huizhou, Guard Zhang suddenly rushed in.

"Your Highness," Guard Zhang bowed, "Your Highness, General Liu, the guerrilla general, has confessed. But there is bad news: they communicate with each other every day at 3:45 AM to confirm each other's safety."

He glanced at the sky outside: "It's obvious that it's already well past 11:45 AM."

Guard Zhang even reasonably suspected that General Liu deliberately delayed until past 9:45 AM to let others know that something had happened to them, so that the navy guarding other city gates could attack Huizhou.

As soon as Guard Zhang finished speaking, a guard from the Qi residence hurriedly entered and bowed to Prince Qi: "Lord Qi, news has come back from the other three city gates that the naval forces besieging the city have made a move."

Originally, the purpose was simply to surround the area and prevent the people of Huizhou from entering or leaving, in order to threaten Duke Qi and force Qi Chengjun to compromise for the sake of the people of Huizhou.

The King of Chu wasn't really insane; he didn't want all the people of Huizhou to be buried with Qi Chengjun.

He needs the support of the people to become emperor.

The siege was also intended to turn the people's support and love for Qi Chengjun into hatred after they lost their freedom.

But now the situation is different. Anning Gate was attacked, and a thousand naval troops were wiped out. The soldiers of the other three gates packed up their camps and formed ranks outside the city. At the same time, they sent a messenger to the King of Chu.

Qi Chengjun has already begun to resist. Will the King of Chu take action against Huizhou, or send more troops to continue the siege of Huizhou?

Upon hearing this news, Qi Chengjun suddenly stood up, his expression changing slightly, and his voice trembling: "What did you say?"

The guard repeated solemnly, "Apart from Anning Gate, the soldiers at the other three gates have already made a move. Commander Zhu has ordered all the city gates to be closed. Commander Zhu sent me to ask Lord Qi what to do next."

Qi Chengjun subconsciously turned to look at Gu Yuzhi.

Now that Prince Wen has arrived, the affairs of Huizhou naturally cannot be decided by him alone.

Gu Yuzhi stared wide-eyed at Qi Chengjun, then at Xie Changshi. Seeing that neither of them spoke, he jumped off his chair.

He imitated Judge Qin, walking around the room with his hands behind his back. Suddenly, he tilted his head and looked at Qi Chengjun with a big smile on his face: "Young Master Qi, what do you think we should do?"

Although Qi Chengjun was somewhat bewildered, he knew that he and the King of Chu had different positions. Even if he opened the gates of Huizhou and invited the King of Chu to enter, the King of Chu would definitely not spare his life.

This battle was inevitable, but he just didn't want the people of Huizhou to suffer as a result.

Having been taught by Xie Changshi over the past two years, Gu Yuzhi naturally noticed Qi Chengjun's inner turmoil from his subtle expressions.

He stepped forward and grabbed Qi Chengjun's sleeve, saying, "I think we can fight!"

Under Qi Chengjun's surprised gaze, Gu Yuzhi clenched his small fist and said firmly, word by word, "Furthermore, we should eliminate the naval forces of these three gates before Brother Chu can react."

He said this because he remembered what Chief Secretary Xie had said before.

The Jiangnan navy is very likely to besiege the Duke of Qi, and these four thousand soldiers probably won't receive any reinforcements.

In the previous battle, only Qi Chengjun's guards followed him out of the city gate for fear of attracting the attention of other city gates. But now it's different. They can use the city's garrison troops, and naturally, they can also use bows and arrows.

He snorted, "Since we've already been discovered, we might as well just start a war."

Hearing Gu Yuzhi say this, Mr. Huo consciously placed the map of Huizhou on the square table. Gu Yuzhi pointed to the other three city gates and said, "Mr. Huo, Guard Zhang, let's take a look at the map first and determine the plan."

These words were naturally mainly directed at Mr. Huo.

Mr. Huo glanced at the terrain of Huizhou and pointed to the city gate near the canal, saying, "This city gate is also right next to the mountain, and behind the mountain is the canal."

Qi Chengjun nodded in agreement: "This mountain is not as rugged as the one near Anning Gate, but it is precisely because of the obstruction of this mountain that I cannot detect any movements from the navy."

Mr. Huo continued, "As I said before, I am not good at naval warfare. With five hundred soldiers defending Huizhou City, plus the three hundred elite soldiers brought by Your Highness, we can naturally annihilate these three thousand men by using tactics."

Qi Chengjun's eyes were filled with disbelief: "Mr. Huo, our men total less than a thousand, while the other side has three thousand..."

Even if you win with fewer troops, it's not calculated that way, is it?

Moreover, the city's garrison is mostly engaged in maintaining order within the city; they've never encountered a real battle before...

Qi Chengjun was filled with worry, but he also knew that he was just a civil official and did not know how to fight. He could just listen to Mr. Huo and His Highness Prince Wen.

Never say anything discouraging at this time.

Upon hearing Qi Chengjun's question, Mr. Huo remained silent, instead looking at Gu Yuzhi with encouraging eyes, clearly inviting him to share his thoughts.

Gu Yuzhi scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed, and pointed to the city gate next to the canal, saying, "Yuding Gate is right next to the mountain, so we can't use fire attacks during battle, but we can use the other two city gates."

He pointed to the east and west city gates with his small hand: "Both of these city gates face the main road, which is completely empty. We don't have to worry about causing a fire when we use fire to attack it."

"What we need to do now is to have the garrison lighten their weapons, especially their bows and arrows."

He looked at Qi Chengjun and said, "In addition, since Anning Gate is now safe, Prince Qi, we can also arrange for people to go outside the city to collect some stones."

Weapons for fighting are not limited to swords, bows and arrows; stones, tree stumps, and other such things can also be used.

The defending troops wouldn't have many weapons, so they naturally wanted to conserve them as much as possible.

Mr. Huo listened and nodded, clearly satisfied with Gu Yuzhi's arrangements. He gave Gu Yuzhi an approving look before completing the entire tactic.

Before putting away the map, Mr. Huo said in a low voice, "This time, we need to act quickly, so we must attack all three city gates at the same time as soon as it gets dark."

He glanced at Zhu Shoubei, who had entered at some point, and said, "Your Highness, Zhu Shoubei and I will each guard one city gate."

Mr. Huo looked at Guard Zhang: "Guard Zhang and two hundred elite soldiers will follow Your Highness. I only need three hundred city guards on my side. The remaining one hundred elite soldiers and two hundred city guards will follow Commander Zhu."

He crouched down, looking Gu Yuzhi in the eye: "Your Highness, are you alright at Yuding Gate?"

Gu Yuzhi nodded and said, "Of course!"

His small face tensed, his big eyes darted around, and a plan for a counterattack was already forming in his mind...