"Understood!" Ye Xuanji cupped his fists and slowly left the study.
Inside the study, Chu Chen looked towards the distance and murmured, "County King, I also have to complete the mission His Majesty assigned me."
Outside Beishan City, on a small hillside, a man in a black robe sat quietly on a stone chair.
Beside him was a huge sand table, and to his right, a large wooden bucket filled with liquid.
"Your Highness, what is this?" Behind the man in the black robe, an old man asked with a puzzled expression.
Hearing this, the corners of the black-robed man's mouth curved slightly, and he said with a faint smile, "This is the gunpowder we prepared. We just need to bury it in the ground.
Then ignite it, and in an instant, the entire city will turn to ashes!"
"Your Highness is truly remarkable!" the old man said with admiration.
The man in the black robe laughed heartily, "Old sir, although this gunpowder is powerful, it is prone to premature detonation and can easily harm our own men.
Therefore, you must dispatch thirty thousand elite soldiers to protect them. We cannot afford any mishaps with the gunpowder!"
"Your Highness, please rest assured! This old man will make all the necessary arrangements!"
"Then I trouble you, old sir!"
Just then, on the plain twenty kilometers away from Beishan City, a dense mass of soldiers had also gathered.
Each soldier wore heavy armor, held sharp blades, and stood ready for battle. On their chests were embroidered two stars, representing their rank and authority.
In their center, a middle-aged man stood proudly. He was burly and tall, with muscles bulging like cast iron, exuding a powerful oppressive aura. His brows held a hint of heroic spirit. He was none other than our dynasty's First Prince - Zhao Shichang!
"Father, I have brought thirty thousand elite troops to the rescue this time. I believe it should be enough!" Zhao Shichang said in a deep voice, his eyes flashing with cold light.
Hearing Zhao Shichang's words, Marshal Zhao shook his head and said gravely, "Shichang, you are being too reckless. This concerns the safety of our dynasty, and we must proceed with utmost caution!"
"Father, have you forgotten? That Chu Chen killed so many of our Zhao family members. If we cannot avenge them, wouldn't it be a disgrace to our Zhao family's ancestors?" Zhao Shichang sneered, his tone chilling.
"Moreover, if they dare to resist our Zhao clan, why should we be polite?"
Hearing this, Marshal Zhao fell silent for a moment, then asked, "Shichang, have you truly made up your mind?"
"I have!" Zhao Shichang nodded. "This time, I have not hesitated to mobilize thirty thousand troops to annihilate that rebel force!"
"Good, then I agree. However, remember, do not engage Chu Chen in a head-on battle. Everything must be done with strategy," Marshal Zhao cautioned.
"Your son understands!" Zhao Shichang nodded solemnly, then turned to the middle-aged man beside him.
"Master Zhou, I am entrusting my hopes to you. Once Beishan City is captured, I will reward you accordingly."
Master Zhou nodded slightly, "Shichang, rest assured, I will definitely handle this matter properly."
"Then I thank you, Master Zhou!" Zhao Shichang cupped his fists.
On the South Gate tower of Beishan City, Chu Chen's expression was grim, his eyes fixed on the black line in the distance. "Guard!"
"Your subordinate is here!" The general guarding the city hurried over and stood respectfully behind Chu Chen.
"Order all archers to prepare. As soon as the enemy's tracks are spotted, fire immediately!"
"As you command!" The general guarding the city bowed and retreated.
Rumble! Not long after, amidst earth-shattering shouts, the army finally reached the foot of the city wall. The army then quickly formed ranks.
They raised their sabers and spears, hacking fiercely at the city wall, and a deafening roar of battle erupted from the wall.
On the city wall, Chu Chen's face changed drastically. From their movements, it was clear that these were well-trained soldiers.
These were elites, no wonder even the County King was unwilling to provoke them.
"Quick, quick, fire!" Chu Chen roared, drawing his long sword and charging forward at the forefront of those attacking.
With a thunderous sound, countless arrows flew, piercing into the enemy ranks.
"Kill!" Seeing this, the soldiers roared and brandished their weapons, charging towards the city wall.
Just then, a brilliant golden light suddenly erupted from the crowd, followed by a sharp whistling sound.
In an instant, a crossbow bolt whizzed through the air, heading straight for Chu Chen on the city wall. Seeing the incoming bolt, Chu Chen's pupils contracted.
He then stomped his legs and leaped to the other side of the city wall, dodging the bolt. The bolt, however, pierced directly through the city wall and embedded itself in the chest of a soldier.
As the bolt penetrated the soldier's chest, a muffled thud was heard. The soldier fell back, his eyes wide with fear.
Clearly, he had not expected to die such a pathetic death.
"Defend against the ballistae!" Chu Chen shouted, sweat already beading on his forehead.
"Defend against the ballistae!" On the city wall, the archers ceased their firing and each took out a device resembling a catapult, aiming it at the soldiers below.
Bang! A stone the size of a millstone was hurled by the archers towards the soldiers below, landing amidst the crowd, splashing blood everywhere and eliciting screams.
"Fire!" Chu Chen roared.
Instantly, crossbow bolts rained down like a storm upon the soldiers. In a blink of an eye, hundreds of soldiers lay in pools of blood.
"Shield bearers, provide cover! The rest of the archers, continue firing!" Chu Chen roared again.
With a series of twangs from bowstrings, arrows whizzed out, landing among the soldiers.
Under the archers' fierce barrage, the soldiers below suffered heavy casualties. In just a moment, countless bodies lay on the ground.
Blood pooled at the foot of the city wall, quickly congealing into patches of scarlet.
"Retreat!" Seeing this, Zhao Shichang was startled. He had never expected the archers to be so powerful.
After all, this was just the beginning of the engagement, and he had already lost more than half of his soldiers. If this continued,
he feared his army would be completely depleted before long.
"Quick, retreat!"
Zhao Shichang roared, and then, with the soldiers behind him, began to withdraw. Just then, a sharp whistling sound suddenly cut through the air.
Whoosh! An arrow pierced the void and shot into the retreating army. In an instant, the army fell into chaos.
"Fire!" Seeing the arrow, Zhao Shichang's face turned ashen, and he roared. As his voice fell,