Chapter 72: Sand Table Encirclement, Weak Force and Weak Power
Time was running out, and Shang Yuwan didn't have time to turn Luzhou City upside down to find out the possible traitors. He found a guest to tell Lu Heying the news, and then they all turned their attention to the sand table.
She pointed at Luzhou City, frowning as she spoke, "The city is undermanned. We have no chance of victory if we fight head-on, but this city was rebuilt bit by bit by the people. If possible, it would be best to hold them off until Prince Zeng's army arrives in time."
Shang Yuwan had already sent the letter for help out urgently. If You Kouguo had not played tricks on King Zeng, this letter should have allowed the reinforcements to arrive faster.
In fact, the best way for them is to take the people away from Luzhou City. As long as the green mountains remain, there will be no shortage of firewood.
But none of Shang Yuwan, Xiao Qinggu, and Xiao Qingxu said they wanted to abandon the city and escape.
Shang Yuwan is a descendant of the Shang family. The first word he learned when he was young was not "mother" or "father", but "loyalty" - loyalty to Dayu, loyalty to the people, and loyalty to the emperor.
The people of the city hadn't completely abandoned the city because of the natural disaster, so Shang Yuwan naturally wanted to do her utmost to protect their home. Even if the hope was slim, she would fight her way out of this difficult situation.
Xiao Qingxu didn't want to abandon the city and flee. His maternal grandfather had inherited the title of General Zhenbei, and the Xu family's blood ran through his bones. He cared deeply about the people of the city and had a deep compassion for them. But now that the people were evacuating in an orderly manner, he cared more about the lives of Shang Yuwan, Xiao Qinggu, and the people in Baijialou than the survival of Luzhou City.
He was more concerned about whether the people he cared about could survive rather than a city that he could not take away.
Xiao Qingxu didn't dare to say that he fully understood Shang Yuwan, but he was familiar with the Shang family's consistent character.
He was concerned about this, so he had buried gunpowder in the city first, waiting for the last countermeasure to come, a strategy that would hurt the enemy by a thousand and his own by eight hundred. If Shang Yuwan's empty city plan failed, he could still escape with her and then use the walls of Luzhou City to bury You Kou's army.
There is no need to say much about Xiao Qinggu. She has traveled in Dayu for many years. Although she may not have seen through all the people's situations, she does have some understanding of them.
She didn't want everyone's efforts over the past few days to go to waste, but she couldn't think of a better way.
She learned some things from Xiao Qingxu, but the time was too short and she was still not very proficient in military operations and warfare. Now she could only wait for these two think tanks to give her advice.
"But you also said that there might be accomplices in the city. They must know how many troops we have left."
Xiao Qingxu coughed lightly twice, raised his left forearm in front of his abdomen, and rubbed it twice with his fingers hidden in his long sleeves. He stood there thinly, as if he could be blown down by a gust of wind.
Shang Yuwan looked over, his eyes almost condensing into ice. "Master, the empty city plan is not impossible. We can delay it for a moment."
"We can delay it for a while, but not forever. If we can't delay it any longer and the reinforcements haven't arrived yet, what should we do?" Xiao Qingxu disagreed. "If we really want to delay it, who will go? Does anyone know the character of the commander?"
"The Empty City Strategy is an Empty City Strategy. It relies on the Youkou Nation not being fully aware of our strength in order to have a chance of winning."
Xiao Qingxu's voice was low, heavy with worry. "If this plan fails, we can only lure the enemy deeper into our territory and blow up the city along with them. Everyone's life is more precious than a dead object that can't be taken away."
Xiao Qingxu calculated carefully in his mind. He had sent a message to Baijialou to transfer people over in order to increase the bargaining chips in his hands. Even if he could not hold on, Shang Yuwan, Xiao Qinggu and others would be able to survive, thus avoiding more casualties.
But now there are five ships of soldiers heading straight for them, and the number of people they have is totally not enough.
Xiao Qingxu had originally thought of the empty city plan, just like Shang Yuwan, to delay time and wait for reinforcements, but he did not expect You Kou to make such a big move at once. He underestimated the enemy.
Lure the enemy deep into the city and then blow it up. This was the worst plan he could come up with in such a limited time.
At this time, Xiao Qinggu suddenly asked, "Who leads the troops?"
Shang Yuwan turned his head and his eyes fell on the guest who delivered the message.
The guest said, "Your Highness, this is Luo Gui, here to greet the Eighth Prince."
Shang Yuwan's eyes turned cold. It was an old acquaintance of that child.
Xiao Qingxu thought for a moment and immediately ordered, "Go, call Liu Mengyao over."
Lou Ke took the order and left. Shang Yuwan instantly understood what he wanted to do, but Xiao Qinggu had concerns.
"That kid is a wanderer, will he help us?"
Shang Yuwan's gaze remained fixed on the sand table, constantly pondering how to utilize the terrain to increase their chances of victory. "Don't worry, Princess," she said, "he needs our help and won't oppose us for now."
"You're so confident, what evidence do you have?"
Xiao Qinggu didn't believe that Shang Yuwan would easily take advantage of someone who had ill intentions towards them.
"I told him the truth about his parents. Even if he doesn't fully believe it at the moment, given the current situation, no matter how angry he is, he won't fail to understand the situation."
Shang Yuwan let out a deep breath. She was indeed soft-hearted and distressed at that time. After all, this child was the same age as Qier. Although the pain they endured was different, it was still something he shouldn't have to endure at his age.
But she had no choice, and she couldn't hesitate. If she gave Liu Mengyao time to breathe, who would give the people of Luzhou City time to breathe?
Before they came to this city, the people had already suffered a lot. Some died, some were injured, they were hungry and naked, and they had no place to live and were refugees everywhere.
Shang Yuwan ignored the danger and got rid of Xiao Qingji and Gao Zhu. Xiao Qingxu secretly pushed them to find out the evidence of their crimes as quickly as possible and got rid of all the corrupt officials, big and small. Many vacant positions have not been filled yet. Xiao Qinggu and Song Pingsheng finally put the city back on its feet, which was a huge waste of energy, money and material resources.
You Kou took advantage of Liu Ziqi's guilt towards his wife and children and killed him through Liu Mengyao. The Shuize Monument was left unattended for a while, and the weather was bad, bringing another torrential rain to Luzhou City. Now the embankments and canals had not yet been rebuilt, but You Kou couldn't wait to attack, and even ignored the epidemic.
Shang Yuwan cannot be soft-hearted, nor can he be slow in the slightest.
The reason why she was so cruel was to quickly and firmly grasp the child's weakness and some trust.
Liu Mengyao is a big move for You Kou, but isn't he also a bargaining chip for them?
Shang Yuwan frowned, his lips curled downward. "He's not stupid. He knows which side to stand on to save his life."
Liu Mengyao was weak and powerless, and he had no choice.
The three of them were silent for a while.
It's not just Liu Mengyao who has no choice.
If they want to save the lives of the people, they have no choice.
Either use the empty city plan and Liu Mengyao's identity to temporarily scare the enemy until King Zeng's reinforcements arrive, or blow up Luzhou City together.
Xiao Qinggu's mind was in a mess.
Otherwise, why don’t we ask for help from General Zhendong and General Zhennan?
Before Xiao Qinggu could open his mouth, he heard a burst of hurried footsteps running towards him.
"Sir! OP! Her Royal Highness the Princess!"
Lou Ke rushed into the room impatiently, "The Liman Kingdom has risen in arms! The two sides have been fighting for two days!"
Luzhou City is far away from the area under the jurisdiction of General Zhennan and the Kingdom of Liman, so some news cannot be delivered in time.
Xiao Qinggu's desire to ask General Zhennan for help was completely shattered.
Where is Zhendong?
Xiao Qinggu felt a surge of anger in her chest, and she finally couldn't help but say, "Why don't we try and see if General Zhendong can come?"
She didn't want to blow up the city, nor did she want to let the living people become corpses to be eaten by wild dogs.
But if the people were allowed to survive, they would be doomed if they stayed in the city to delay time.
Xiao Qinggu knew that she still had many important things to do in the future, and she couldn't die here!
Shang Yuwan was silent for a moment, then said, "General Zhendong is being hounded by You Kou, and I'm afraid it will be difficult to escape. If we can really provide support... it will probably take even longer than sending reinforcements to the king."
Xiao Qingxu turned his head to look at the burning incense stick on the stage.
Xiao Qinggu looked over and felt a chill in his heart.
Yes, Shang Yuwan was right. Even if General Zhendong could really spare some time to rescue them, there simply wouldn't be enough time.
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