Chapter 282: First Volume_Chapter 282 Fighting to the Death

First Volume_Chapter 282 Fighting to the Death

Hearing Li Xiaolan's words, Lin Quqi was dumbfounded: "To eliminate one Qin, they would attack an entire city? Have the Beidi people gone mad?"

Qin Cheng Clan's expression—neither pride nor resignation—spoke with deep earnestness: "The Beidi are not mad; on the contrary, they must have deliberated this carefully."

"Beidi Spies have long since infiltrated every corner of Shedynasty. Even the Black Captains under the Son of Heaven's command, exerting every effort to capture Beidi Spies, execute anywhere from a handful to several dozen each month, yet still cannot stem the Beidi's terrifying ability to gather Military Intelligence."

"The Beidi have already fathomed Shedynasty's military strategy. Combined with losses on the Front Line and shifts in the war's tide, they have concluded that Qin Feng alone is worth more than an entire army. If they can eliminate Shedynasty's mastermind, losing one army is a gain with no loss. These ten-plus thousand troops, once they march into Shedynasty's Rear Area, were never meant to leave alive."

Lin Quqi's heart grew ever more alarmed with every word.

Could this be the contest between two nations' supreme commanders?

Before the National War even begins, the two sides' mere probing and Consume of each other have already been so brutal.

When the day comes that their main forces clash and full-scale war erupts, what a mountain of corpses and sea of blood will it be?

Lin Quqi swallowed, not overlooking the key point in Qin Cheng Clan's words, and exclaimed in shock: "In other words…the Beidi already know that Beixi County is the bait Shedynasty set out?"

Qin Cheng Clan nodded, eyes radiating an unprecedented gravity: "If Beixi County falls, for the Beidi it is tantamount to eliminating Shedynasty's mastermind—losing on Tactics but winning on strategy. For Shedynasty, the Piaoqi, Chariot Cavalry, and Border Army forming a Tactical Encirclement to annihilate Chen Si's army of over ten thousand would deal a heavy blow to the Beidi's effective strength. As for Beixi County, it can be retaken with a snap of the fingers—more gain than harm."

"If Beixi County holds, for the Beidi it is nothing less than a pre-war miscalculation; they will completely overhaul their strategy, abandon the rock-solid western flank, and throw their full might into the Eastern Front. For Shedynasty, it too would deal a severe blow to Beidi Military Morale."

Lin Quqi nodded weakly, forcing a bitter smile: "I understand now. Whether Beixi County holds or not, both nations stand to gain. As for the survival of the Qin Family tied to Beixi County—no one cares."

Cruel as it was, it was the reality that had to be faced.

From the very start, Beixi County had been utterly abandoned by Shedynasty, squeezed for every last drop of value.

Once the Border Army's three-pronged encirclement annihilates the Beidi, they can trumpet far and wide: "Under the Son of Heaven's brilliant Leadership and the generals' bloody valor, the Enemy Army has at last been repelled and Beixi County recovered."

When that day comes, the Son of Heaven wins the hearts of the people, the generals receive their honors, the soldiers collect their rewards.

As for the lives of Beixi County's common folk, they will forever be summed up in that single line: "One general's glory is built on ten thousand bones."

To this day, only Qin Feng still pours blood into Beixi County, treating the Qin Family's survival and the people's survival as paramount, blocking the Beidi's iron hooves at any cost.

Lin Quqi suddenly clenched his fists, demanding in ringing tones: "Qin knew long ago the truth of 'we are the fish and flesh, they hold the cleaver'—why then still…"

Before Lin Quqi could finish, Qin Cheng Clan cut him off bluntly: "The Qin Family is in Jingdu. Everything Feng'er knows, everything he holds dear, is in Jingdu, beneath the Son of Heaven's feet…he too is not his own master. Speak of this matter no more! Before Feng'er departed, he entrusted Beixi County to you—that is his trust in you. Do not, in a fit of temper, destroy his life's work!"

How could Lin Quqi not understand? It wasn't life's work—it was life and death itself.

In all of Jingdu, who doesn't know Qin Feng enjoys singular favor, living a life like an immortal?

But who understands the bitter truth—that he treads on thin ice, and one misstep means utter ruin?

Lin Quqi drew a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his fury, knowing there was no longer any room for choice. He strode quickly out the Door and barked: "Someone! Beidi War Command—Mobilize the entire city, fight the Beidi to the death! So long as I, Lin, still stand, BeixiCounty still stands! If BeixiCounty falls, I, Lin, will slit my own throat to atone—no need for the Beidi to lift a finger!"

At the order, Tianji Camp Guards, yamen soldiers, Civilian Laborers—every able-bodied man—rushed to the City Wall.

Arrows, Fire Oil, and Rolling Logs were all prepared.

Having learned from last time, the wooden forks used to push back siege ladders were lengthened and reinforced.

Each Tianji Camp Guard held one Jianbing.

Experienced yamen soldiers with outstanding personal valor were temporarily folded into the guard squads; the remaining yamen soldiers and Civilian Laborers were dispersed to various posts. Since the City Gate had already been reinforced, all effort could go into defending the City Wall. Even though BeixiCounty could be called 'solid as a fortress,' every man understood the odds of holding the County City were vanishingly slim.

The Beidi army was already poised to strike.

Eleven thousand men, divided into three battalions.

The main assault force of Five Thousand Men—all infantry—equipped with Great Shields, battering logs, and Cloud Ladders.

The right army and Cavalry Battalion, three thousand men each, were stationed on the east and west flanks of the County City, guarding against any possible Shedynasty Reinforcements.

Chen Si had deliberately chosen today to attack because the sky was overcast; once night fell it would be pitch black, forcing reliance on Fire Torch light—undoubtedly raising the difficulty of defending BeixiCounty. If even a single fish slipped through the net into the County City, a breach could be opened and spread like a bursting dam!

Chen Si slowly raised his right hand, eyes narrowing, a glint flashing: "Qin Feng, let this general see how long your Tianji Camp Guards can hold out."

The words fell, and with them his right hand. Thunderous War Drum rolled across the heavens.

At the same time, at the great Door of Pingyao County City, a large crowd had gathered.

The Ten Plus men at the head were all clerks and Country Gentleman of Pingyao County.

As the caravan rolled through the Door, a voice full of vigor rang through the entire gatehouse: "Commoner Zhou Yufu, leading the officials and Country Gentleman of Pingyao County, respectfully welcomes Lord Qin."

The carriage slowly halted. Qin Feng lifted the curtain and poked his head out, casting a glance around.

All the great figures of Pingyao County had assembled—such a grand display was proof enough that the entire county regarded Qin Feng's arrival with extraordinary 'importance.'

But the hour was already late, and behind him were still the womenfolk and the Prince's Comrade. The pressing matter was to find lodging. Qin Feng paid no heed to their courtesies, asking offhandedly: "Has the Tianji Camp Compound been prepared?"

Zhou Yufu hurriedly made an inviting gesture, his face all reverence: "This Commoner has cleared out the largest Wine House in Pingyao County City. Lord Qin and your Jia Guan, please follow me."

Zhou Yufu and the Country Gentleman led the way, and before long a two-story Wine House came into view.

Qin Feng and the Prince stepped down from the carriage first, the rest following close behind.

Along the way, Prince Li Zhang had tried every means to make his way to the ladies' carriage—though repeatedly blocked by Qin Feng, his rogue intent remained undying.

Now, as Liu Hongyan and the other two women stepped down in turn, Li Zhang's eyes went wide, and he exclaimed in awe: "The beauty of these three ladies truly rivals that of a Celestial Immortal!"