As everyone in the border town put on their cotton-padded coats, Xiao Lanyi, the garrison commander of the border town, sent a message that the Xiongnu had gathered at the border and that Pingyang County should prepare accordingly.
The city was besieged on a dark night. Unlike a few years ago, this time the Xiongnu did not choose to attack the city. Perhaps the city walls were too high, or perhaps the manpower left at their camp was only enough to keep the city occupied.
Twenty thousand people completely surrounded Pingyang County, both inside and outside.
The atmosphere inside the brothel was heavy. Everyone sat in the main hall, with steaming teacups on the table beside them, but no one was in the mood to savor the tea.
Wang Zheng and Hua Luan discussed solutions at the Fengyue Tower, but even if they called over all of Long'er's private soldiers, they still couldn't break the game.
They're not here to fight a war; they simply want to prevent people from entering or leaving, and they've sealed off all the exits.
"The fighting has already started on Xiao Lanyi's side. If the fighting goes quickly, that would be fine. But I'm afraid they're advancing and retreating. They only have enough food for less than two months. The Xiongnu want to starve them to death," Wang Zheng said.
"We need to find a way to get the grain over there," Cen Ang nodded.
"When I went out with Long'er to investigate the people's conditions some time ago, I found that most people in the villages had not sold their grain. Marshal Xiao will definitely send people to buy it. I wonder if we can hold on for a little longer."
Lan Tingche sat below Aunt Cen, while the Prince of Zhennan sat in the head seat. Those children from back then could now be the family's support.
"It's a bit difficult. The Xiongnu will definitely send people to intercept us," said the girl in purple, her brows furrowed.
“We still need to find a way to break the deadlock. It’s impossible for them to send troops to relieve us now. As long as they dare to retreat to Pingyang County, the besieging Xiongnu will definitely attack from both sides. The troops inside the city are not enough to turn the tables on them.”
Da Nier nodded in agreement.
"Judging from their tactics this time, the Grand Preceptor must be in charge from the rear. If we want to break this deadlock, we'll have to fight them in the city."
It's even more difficult than a few years ago. The number of troops has doubled. Pingyang County, as a necessary route for military supplies, can be self-sufficient, but if it doesn't contact the outside world, there will eventually be a day when it runs out of ammunition and food.
"We need to find reinforcements."
"The closest army that can provide support is the Lan family, who are guarding the southwest. Even if we send a message now and have them make a non-stop, thousand-mile march, it will still take more than two months," said the Prince of Zhennan, stating the current troop situation.
Two months is too long. Pingyang County can hold on, but Xiao Lanyi can't.
"I'm sending a message home now, asking the people at the manor to hurry here. And to all those who live nearby, please send a message out as well. In the face of life and death for our country, we can put aside our worldly concerns for now."
Leader Zhang stood up and bowed to the martial arts masters. Distant water cannot quench immediate thirst; only these people from the martial world can quench it now.
Let as many people as possible come; let's address the immediate crisis first.
"You're too kind, Alliance Leader Zhang. This is simply my duty."
"You're too kind, Alliance Leader."
Afterwards, the martial arts masters at the brothel left the main hall and went into their rooms, where they wrote several urgent letters home and released the carrier pigeons that had filled half a birdcage in the backyard.
"I wonder if these pigeons will be able to reach their destination," Hou Xiangxiang said, leaning against Huo Xiaolong and looking at the white pigeons flying in unison in the sky.
What Xiao Lanyi sent back wasn't a carrier pigeon, but a war eagle he had trained since it was a cub. Even so, the war eagle was still hit by several arrows and desperately sent a message back. If Huo Xiaolong hadn't forced it to drink the spiritual spring water, it probably would have met its maker long ago.
“There are so many, surely some will fly there eventually,” the girl replied.
Outside the city, the Xiongnu saw a flock of white doves suddenly rise from inside the city. They raised their right hands, adorned with jeweled rings, and the steppe soldiers raised their arrows in unison, aiming them at the carrier pigeons in the sky.
Arrows rained down like a storm, and only a few carrier pigeons that flew high managed to break through the encirclement, while the rest fell to the ground and died without a sound.
"General, we've brought so many men this time, why aren't we attacking the city?" asked a trusted aide behind the leading general.
"Attack the city? Last time, the Grand Preceptor's most capable warriors came, and after a day and a night, ten thousand men, they didn't even get close to the gate. Look at their city walls, they've built them so high in the last few years. Back then, Great Yan already had people who could draw heavy crossbows. More than ten years have passed, and I heard from those merchants that Pingyang County is getting better and better."
"With 20,000 men, if we all rush into attacking the city, we could easily be caught off guard by Xiao's army."
"The Imperial Advisor is right. Let's wear them down until we run out of ammunition and food."
Outside Pingyang County, the people living in the villages also heard the news, and a few daring young men went to see for themselves. They found the Xiongnu people packed tightly together.
"Cao'er, what should we do now? Will Miss Huo and the others go hungry since they're trapped in the city? No wonder the government wouldn't let us sell grain to outsiders. Most of the families in our village haven't touched their grain. Do you have any ideas on how to get it inside?"
The simple-looking girl shook her head at the village chief, who could no longer straighten his back and was leaning on a cane, and then said...
“Before the New Year, there will definitely be enough grain in the city. The main problem now is that there may not be enough grain in the border town. If that doesn’t work, I will ask a few colleagues to send grain from several villages to them via the back roads.”
"Alright, alright, when are you leaving? I'll go find those old geezers. We have to do our part, we can't let these soldiers fight on an empty stomach."
"The village chief is right. The soldiers are all starving. Where would they find the strength to guard the country's borders?"
"Cao'er, you should quickly gather those guys from our village who work with you, and then discuss what to do. Anyway, you guys... you guys, remember to come back alive, okay?"
"Understood, sir. Don't worry, I'm off."
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