The system's voice echoed in Mu Zi'an's ears.
Looking around, everyone in the tent was now focused on him.
After thinking for a moment, Mu Zian spoke.
"The Yonghe River is a strategically important and natural barrier; if we want to defend against the enemy, we cannot afford to lose this place."
"I am willing to lead my Liangzhou army to Xiangzhou to defeat the enemy first and boost morale."
"Ding! Congratulations on your decision, host! System reward has been issued!"
Upon hearing this, Shen Xu, the governor of Xiangzhou, was overjoyed.
Xiao Qing nodded in agreement.
"In that case, I beg the Duke of Zhenguo! Do not let the Zhou army cross the river before the main army arrives at Xiangzhou!"
Xiangcheng is currently the focus of contention between the two sides.
Inside the room, Yuan Shang and the others breathed a sigh of relief when they heard that Mu Zi'an had taken on this hot potato.
Mu Zian did not linger in the camp any longer, but ordered the Liangzhou army to break camp and head straight for Xiangcheng.
Fifteen thousand Liangzhou soldiers, carrying their weapons, marched hastily under the cover of night.
Fortunately, there were plenty of warhorses in Liangzhou, so there was no need to carry provisions on the way to Xiangcheng. They traveled lightly and arrived in Xiangcheng at dawn the next day.
At this time, Xiangcheng was already overcrowded with people, as refugees who had fled from south of the Yong River all poured into the city.
Upon entering the city, Mu Zian immediately took over the city's defenses.
However, as soon as he climbed the city wall and looked into the distance, he saw a scene that left him speechless.
Not far away, a cloud of dust rose, and a group of about a thousand Dali soldiers were being chased and killed by hundreds of Da Zhou soldiers.
When they reached the banks of the Yonghe River, their path was blocked. Mu Zian was about to send someone to meet them when he saw this.
However, the next moment, instead of turning around to fight back against the pursuing troops, these fleeing soldiers jumped into the water one by one.
The scene was like making dumplings for Chinese New Year.
Mu Zian frowned deeply at this scene. He could accept being defeated, but he could not accept being driven away in such a humiliating way.
What happened next, however, was even more infuriating.
At the signal of a man dressed in an official's robe, the group of defeated soldiers began to seize civilian boats on the riverbank.
The civilians who had already boarded the small boats to cross the river were immediately hacked to death.
The weapons originally intended to protect the people of Dali have now fallen on the heads of their own people.
In an instant, the riverbank was awash in blood.
This scene enraged the generals around Mu Zi'an.
Han Shizhong said coldly
"These defeated soldiers are even more tyrannical than bandits!"
Mu Zian's face remained expressionless, but the coldness in his eyes revealed his inner anger.
However, the Xiangcheng garrison following Mu Zian were not surprised by this scene.
Since the fall of the south, defeated soldiers have been fleeing towards Xiangcheng every day.
Ship-stealing incidents like today are nothing new.
Seeing this, Mu Zian did not say anything, but coldly turned his head and left. However, he spoke before he reached the bottom of the city wall.
"Han Shizhong!"
"Your subordinate is here!"
"When these good-for-nothings from outside the city enter, I will capture them all!"
"Your subordinate obeys!"
After saying that, Mu Zian glanced at the Xiangcheng people who were still stunned on the city wall.
"Order all civil and military officials in the city to assemble at the government office. Remember, all of them!"
After saying that, Mu Zian's figure disappeared completely.
The generals on the city wall looked at each other in bewilderment upon hearing this, none of them knowing what the Duke of Zhenguo intended to do.
After racking their brains without finding a solution, everyone finally turned their attention to Shen Xu.
Shen Xu shook his head helplessly.
"Half of the province has fallen, and I am already a criminal."
Shen Xu's words made it very clear that Mu Zi'an was now in charge within Xiangcheng.
In a short while, the defeated soldiers who had seized civilian boats to cross the river arrived at the gate of Xiangcheng.
The official who had just been talking about soldiers seizing boats stepped forward and addressed the garrison on Xiangcheng.
"I am Liu Da, the Prefect of Haoliang City. I have barely escaped the pursuit of the Zhou people today. Quickly open the city gates and let me in!"
As Liu Da finished speaking, the city gates of Xiangcheng were slowly opened.
Seeing this, Liu Da finally breathed a sigh of relief, having escaped death.
A few days ago, Hao Liang City was captured by Guo Zifu. Liu Da was terrified and dared not stay. He immediately fled Hao Liang City with his family and guards.
In the past few days, Liu Da's family members have been killed or lost due to being chased by Zhou Jun's cavalry.
Fortunately, he survived by sheer luck, which was a stroke of good fortune amidst misfortune for Liu Da.
Although he has nothing now, Liu Da believes that as long as he is alive, he can earn back what he has lost.
Gold and silver, wives and daughters, are nothing but external possessions, just like the city of Haoliang. What do they amount to compared to one's own life?
As for the blame for losing the city, Liu Da didn't care at all. He just pushed it all onto Yao Fa, who had already died in battle. After all, the dead can't defend themselves.
Just as Liu Da was thinking about how to go into the city and relax properly...
As soon as the city gate opened, a group of men clad in iron armor immediately stepped forward and seized him.
The sudden scene stunned Liu Da, who immediately shouted.
"I am Liu Da, the Prefect of Haoliang City! What are you all doing!"
A cold voice came from inside the city gate.
With a chicken leg dangling from his mouth, Han Shizhong slowly walked out of the doorway and looked at Liu Da, who was being held firmly to the ground.
"That's right, you're the one I've captured!"
Before Liu Da could figure out what had happened, Han Shizhong gave him a look.
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