So the refugees mustered their courage once again and cautiously ventured deeper into the mountains and forests.
Although the traps in the mountains and forests are not dense, no one can predict their exact location.
Therefore, they proceeded with extreme caution at every step.
Even so, people still fall into the trap from time to time.
However, the situation is much better than before.
The road to the summit wasn't far, but they were moving incredibly slowly.
When they finally emerged from the dark forest, the sky was gradually turning white.
"Brothers, look over there! The people from the Prince Duan's mansion are right there!"
The refugees were greatly encouraged and eager to rush in that direction.
"Don't underestimate them. The closer we get, the greater the danger. We must be extra careful!"
Someone stepped forward, picked up a stone, and threw it towards the valley.
Sure enough, several huge rocks immediately flew towards them.
The refugees were terrified, secretly relieved that they hadn't rushed over rashly.
"Boss, what should we do next? It looks like they've prepared a lot of stones, and we can't get close at all."
The leader pondered for a moment, then said, "Then we'll slowly wear them down. No matter how many stones they have, they'll eventually run out. So, let's select a few fast runners and deliberately provoke them, making them throw stones. This way, we can deplete their strength."
At that moment, several brave and strong men stepped forward without hesitation and resolutely took on this arduous mission.
They sped towards the valley for a while, then quickly turned back.
Almost simultaneously, stones were hurled at them from the valley.
After two or three such trips, Sang Qian immediately figured out their strategy.
"These guys are really clever. But they probably think we only have stones to fight back, right?"
Before he could finish speaking, he coldly commanded, "Bring me my bow and arrows."
In an instant, a servant handed him his bow and arrows.
When more refugees emerged to provoke him, Sang Qian nocked an arrow, aimed at the target, and shot it without hesitation.
A heart-wrenching scream immediately came from the other side.
The refugees were shocked to see their companion fall after being shot by an arrow, and for a moment they were at a loss for what to do.
Sang Qian roared, "Stop playing games like children. If you're really capable, bring it on!"
The two sides reached a stalemate.
Fearing that a large number of archers might be hiding in the valley, the refugees dared not advance any further.
Meanwhile, the Prince Duan's residence in the valley not only had ample food and water, but also piles of firewood for heating, enough to hold out for ten to fifteen days. All they needed to do was strictly guard the entrance to prevent refugees from breaking in.
The leader was filled with anxiety.
After the refugees captured Jindu, they seized a large amount of food, but Jindu was already inhabited by nearly 100,000 people.
Originally, Jindu had only 20,000 residents. After the city was captured, they spread the word that they would provide refugees with houses and food, which attracted refugees from all over the country to flock there.
Today, almost 80% of the refugees are concentrated in the Golden Capital.
With such a large population, the previously captured grain could not last long.
Furthermore, with Zheng Dinglian leading his army to besiege the city, the city will run out of food in less than ten days.
The city lord originally sent him to capture the Zheng family members, but he didn't even see a shadow of the Zheng family members, and his troops had already lost more than half of their strength.
If he returned empty-handed again, he really didn't know how to explain it to the city lord.
The leader repeatedly urged the refugees: "Don't be afraid, everyone. Let's go together. They must have retreated in a hurry and didn't take many weapons. As long as we act quickly, we can rush into the valley and capture the Zheng family's women in one fell swoop."
However, the refugees were now hungry and exhausted, and no longer able to fight. He looked around at his remaining two hundred or so men, and none of them were willing to take the risk.
This is different from walking into a trap.
The trap is there, but you can avoid it if you are careful.
But now they are facing off against the people of Prince Duan's mansion, whose preparations are clearly much more thorough. Charging at this moment would undoubtedly be suicide.
While it is often said that fortune favors the bold, the prerequisite is that one must be able to survive.
If life is lost, no amount of wealth will be of any use.
Looking at the hesitant refugees, the leader cursed inwardly.
What strategy should be used to conquer the valley?
He looked around, his gaze finally settling on the lush vegetation in the mountains and forests.
Gu Qinlan was fast asleep in the cave when she suddenly felt a suffocating sensation in her sleep.
Opening my eyes, I saw that the cave was filled with thick smoke.
"What's going on? Why is there smoke?"
Although they live in a cave, they have made continuous improvements over the past few months, and now they can make fires in the cave for warmth without causing smoke problems.
Fuyu rushed in, covering her mouth and nose, and said urgently, "Girl, those refugees have set fire to a lot of wet firewood outside the valley, and the whole mountain is filled with thick smoke."
Gu Qinlan chuckled. Was this a plan to use the thick smoke to drive them out?
"Is everyone alright? Has anyone had trouble breathing because of the smoke?"
Fu Yu replied, "It's alright. After Protector Sang saw through their plot, he immediately ordered his men to seal the entrance to the cave, but the smoke still couldn't be completely blocked, and some of it would always seep in. The servants guarding the valley entrance suffered greatly, with thick smoke making their eyes water and unable to open them."
Gu Qinlan said with a solemn expression, "We must make sure they remain vigilant to prevent the enemy from launching a sudden attack under the cover of thick smoke."
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