Li Mu proposed again:
"Your Majesty, the Zhang family isn't the only one in the North. We can also contact the Zhou family and have them restrain the Zhang family..."
"There's no time left,"
Chen Qingwan rubbed her temples, her voice tinged with exhaustion.
“The Zhou family may not be willing to help, and even if they are, it will take time. Zhang Xinwang will not give us that time.”
Just then, Tiger Descending the Mountain rushed in, knelt on one knee, and said anxiously:
"Your Majesty, the vanguard of the Zhang family's cavalry has already approached within thirty miles of Jingzhou City!"
"Order all cavalry to follow me out of the city to meet the enemy!"
Chen Qingwan suddenly stood up, a resolute glint in her eyes.
"The rest of you, escort the people to Zhongzhou for refuge!"
"Your Majesty, this..."
Li Mu wanted to persuade her again, but Chen Qingwan interrupted him.
"That's an order!"
Li Mu had no choice but to obey the order and, together with Qiao'er, organized the people to evacuate.
Watching the people of the city leave with their families, crying and shouting, Chen Qingwan was in turmoil.
Jingzhou City, the city she had painstakingly built, is now about to become a ghost town.
But she knew it was the best option at the moment.
Rather than waiting to die, we should take the initiative and fight for a chance to save the people.
As night fell, the city of Jingzhou was deserted, with only torches on the city walls flickering in the cold wind.
Chen Qingwan, clad in armor, stood atop the city wall, gazing into the distance, her eyes flashing with complex emotions.
She thought of Lu Yan, the man who was always joking and carefree, yet always managed to win unexpectedly.
After carefully studying the tactics of Shannan Prefecture, it was discovered that Lu Yan used some common tactics.
Yet they always manage to defeat the strong with the weak, the key being their flexible application and unexpected attacks.
...
Within two days, Zhang's army arrived in Jingzhou.
Zhang Xinwang reined in his warhorse, gazing at the tightly closed gates of Jingzhou, his heart filled with doubts.
The city walls were completely deserted, as silent as a ghost town.
"Brother, what are we waiting for? I'll lead the men in right now and capture that little wench alive!"
Zhang Tianba could no longer contain himself; he pointed his sledgehammer at the city gate and shouted.
"Shut up!" Zhang Xinwang glared at him.
"Such quiet is suspicious! What if it's a ruse like an empty city ploy..."
Zhang Tianba curled his lip in disdain.
Zhang Xinwang ignored his disdain and cautiously observed his surroundings.
"Scout, scout out the surrounding area!"
Before long, the scouts returned with their reports:
"Reporting to the general, several buried tunnel entrances have been discovered outside the city!"
Zhang Xinwang frowned; it seemed Chen Qingwan had indeed prepared a backup plan.
"Pass down the order: dig the tunnel again, but be extremely careful!"
Several hours later, the tunnel was completed, and the soldiers filed in, managing to open the city gates from the inside.
However, upon entering the city, they found it completely deserted.
Only a cold wind howled by, swirling up a few fallen leaves.
Zhang Tianba was the first to rush into the city, looking around.
The streets were deserted, not a soul in sight. He roared in anger:
"Where are they? Where have they all gone?!"
Zhang Xinwang followed closely behind, his face grim.
Jingzhou City has truly become a ghost town; Chen Qingwan and the people have long since vanished without a trace.
He was furious, yet also incredibly excited.
This vast city of Jingzhou is now within our grasp!
"Send the order down: the entire army shall rest and regroup. Send out scouts to search for Chen Qingwan and the civilians, and make sure to capture them all!"
A ruthless glint flashed in Zhang Xinwang's eyes.
That night, Jingzhou City was brightly lit, and Zhang Xinwang held a banquet to celebrate his victory.
Amidst the clinking of glasses and laughter, after several rounds of drinks, Zhang Xinwang suddenly felt uneasy.
Jingzhou City was too quiet, eerily quiet.
The silence was like an invisible net, enveloping him and making him feel suffocated.
He put down his wine glass, his brow furrowed, a vague feeling stirring within him.
Chen Qingwan's disappearance was not a hasty escape, but rather a premeditated act.
"Brother, what's wrong?" Zhang Tianba noticed his father's unusual behavior and asked with concern.
"nothing,"
Zhang Xinwang shook his head, suppressing his unease.
"Perhaps I'm overthinking it."
Although I said that, I was even more itchy inside.
That's the kind of prey that's truly exciting to play with!
...
The crescent moon hung like a hook, and a cold wind howled.
Huai'an City, the Zhang family's stronghold, is currently shrouded in a deathly silence.
On the city wall, a few scattered guards were dozing off, completely unaware of the approaching danger.
The three thousand Tiger Head Army soldiers and the three thousand Imperial Guard soldiers all had ashen faces and cracked lips, but their eyes shone with unwavering determination.
They had been marching for three days and three nights, and although they were exhausted, they remained highly vigilant.
As Chen Qingwan rode her warhorse, gazing at the nearby city of Huai'an, she silently prayed for a successful battle.
"Do you still have the strength?"
Chen Qingwan asked in a low voice, her voice slightly hoarse.
The tiger descending the mountain beside him grinned, revealing a set of white teeth:
"Your Majesty, rest assured, I can run for another three days and three nights!"
Chen Qingwan was amused by his silly antics, and her tense nerves relaxed a little.
She dismounted, took out a hard, dry biscuit from her bosom, and silently began to eat it.
"Your Majesty, please have some."
The tiger descending the mountain handed over a water bag.
Chen Qingwan shook her head: "You keep it, I'm not thirsty."
She swallowed the last mouthful of dry rations, silently drew her battle sword, its blade reflecting a cold light in the moonlight.
"Brothers, charge with me!"
There were no earth-shattering shouts, no impassioned vows.
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
