A cold smile appeared on Qin Ze's face. He wasn't surprised by the city lord's refusal. He said calmly, "Since that's the case, then we'll just have to force it."
At his command, the war drums sounded, and the Northern army began a concerted assault on the city walls. Arrows flew, catapults launched boulders, and the defenders on the walls put up a fierce resistance. The battle was imminent, and the fighting below the walls intensified.
The lord of Qingzhou finally realized that this was no ordinary army, but a powerful force from the northern border. He hurriedly dispatched soldiers to reinforce the city walls, but Qin Ze's army was like a raging storm, unstoppable.
A sense of helplessness welled up in the city lord's heart. He knew that facing such a massive army, the city would be difficult to defend. But he still held firm at the city gates, refusing to surrender easily.
The northern soldiers' offensive grew increasingly fierce, and the defenders at the city gates were retreating steadily. The city lord, witnessing the fall of his city, grew ever more somber. But just then, his attendant rushed in, anxiously reporting some news to the lord.
Upon hearing this, the city lord's expression changed drastically; he finally understood Qin Ze's intentions. He took a deep breath and made up his mind. Although he was unaware of the young emperor's kidnapping, he knew the city could no longer be defended and a choice had to be made.
Standing atop the city wall, the city lord gazed at the approaching northern army and shouted in a loud voice, "Open the city gates!"
The city gates slowly opened, and the northern army poured into Qingzhou City like a flood. The city lord had no choice but to order a surrender. Qingzhou City submitted to the northern border, and Qin Ze gained control of the city without losing a single soldier.
This cunning plan left the Lord of Qingzhou City feeling helpless. He knew that the city could not be saved against the overwhelming power of the Northern Border. But for Qin Ze, this was an important step towards the imperial city.
Qin Ze successfully recaptured Qingzhou, and the fighting within the city quickly subsided. Amidst the joy of victory, the soldiers restored order, and the city gradually returned to life.
Without hesitation, Qin Ze swiftly restored order to Qingzhou. He inventoried military supplies, inspected city defenses, and restored Qingzhou's security to normal. At the same time, he began planning his next move.
The 100,000 soldiers of Qingzhou became an important fighting force in Qin Ze's hands. With their addition, Qin Ze's army had reached 500,000, a large and powerful force.
Amidst a spirited atmosphere, Qin Ze personally led this powerful army on its march towards the imperial city. Warhorses galloped, banners fluttered, and the 500,000-strong army surged forward like a mighty torrent, its might overwhelming.
Qin Ze's resolve was unwavering. He knew that now was the crucial moment to seize the imperial city. He did not choose to delay, but instead chose to act swiftly and achieve victory through surprise.
Under his command, the Northern army marched swiftly, traversing mountains and rivers, overcoming countless obstacles, and advancing all the way towards the capital.
The imposing northern army drew gasps and stares from the people along the way. Looking at this massive force, they couldn't help but feel a sense of awe.
Qin Ze was not taking it lightly; he knew the upcoming battle would be exceptionally fierce. He meticulously organized his troops, ensuring that every detail was properly arranged.
Upon hearing the news, the ministers of the capital immediately gathered in the main hall, the atmosphere tense and chaotic. They sat together, discussing the situation, unsure how to respond to Qin Ze's army's attack on the city.
A murmur of discussion rose and fell within the hall. Some ministers looked anxious, while others frowned, each bearing an expression of unease. They understood that Qin Ze's northern army was large and powerful, and the threat it posed to the capital should not be underestimated.
An old minister said in a deep voice, "What should we do? Qin Ze has brought such a large army that I'm afraid the imperial city's defenses will be unable to withstand it."
Another minister hesitated and suggested, "Should we send an envoy to negotiate with Qin Ze to see if we can avoid a major war?"
Discussions rose and fell in the hall, everyone searching for a solution. Some advocated for a hardline confrontation, refusing to compromise; others advocated seeking reconciliation to avoid unnecessary bloodshed.
The ministers' faces were filled with worry and helplessness. They knew that the current situation was extremely dangerous, and the future of the capital was hanging by a thread.
Just as opinions were divided in the hall, an elder stepped forward, his voice loud and firm: "Ministers, this is not the time for debate. We must act swiftly to strengthen the city's defenses and mobilize all available forces. The imperial city is our responsibility; we must not allow the enemy to take it so easily."
Upon hearing these words, the ministers in the hall nodded in agreement. They knew that now was the time for action, not for infighting. They resolved to unite and work together for the safety of the capital.
The group gathered around a large map in the main hall to discuss strategies for dealing with Qin Ze's army. The map marked the city walls, fortresses, city gates, and surrounding terrain of the imperial city.
A wise minister stood before the map, pointing to key points with his finger, and said resolutely, "First, we must reinforce the city walls, strengthen the defenses, and ensure their stability. Our craftsmen need to work day and night to repair the damaged sections and build new fortifications in key locations."
Another experienced general chimed in, "At the same time, we need to deploy more crossbowmen and catapults on the city walls to increase their range and firepower. This will provide us with strong fire support."
A minister in charge of military supplies suggested: "We must stockpile enough food and water to withstand a prolonged siege. We should minimize our dependence on external forces and ensure that we can be self-sufficient."
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