Chapter 134: Poisonous Scholar

 

Under the blazing sun, Beichen Yuqing and Yan Zhengqing faced dozens of small merchants from Anyang together; these merchants, exchanging words back and forth, gradually clarified the entire situation.

In response to the sudden military advance from Anyang, the Inspector of Luliang County, Zhao Guoshan, found himself at a loss and could only consult with his strategist and scholar, Li Yuanming.

However, Li Yuanming was a ruthless man, employing a series of extraordinarily insidious strategies. He spread rumors, incited the people of the Nanliang Prefecture to share the fate of the city, and by extension, took the entire city’s populace as hostages to threaten Princess Xia Qingqing—after all, this princess couldn’t possibly ignore the lives of the citizens, could she?

Moreover, Li Yuanming had even more vicious methods in store, planning to do whatever it took to subdue several merchants from Anyang, forcing these merchants to “come forward and speak out,” thereby slandering Anyang.

In addition, he prepared to have ordinary citizens at the forefront, systematically causing casualties to incite hatred between the people of Luliang County and Anyang, thoroughly eliminating Anyang’s ambitions to infiltrate Luliang County!

This series of cruel plans left Beichen Yuqing and Yan Zhengqing utterly dumbfounded.

Finally, Beichen Yuqing slowly exhaled a breath of cold air: “Poisonous Scholar! This Li Yuanming is a demon among strategists, a poisonous scholar who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals!”

Yan Zhengqing was equally startled by Beichen Yuqing’s judgment. “It seems we need to be careful in tomorrow’s battle; let’s not capsize in the gutter!”

Beside them, Liu Leigang looked somewhat puzzled. “What’s a poisonous scholar? I only know of strategists, scholars, sorcerers, warriors, and food guests, but I’ve never heard of a poisonous scholar!”

Beichen Yuqing glanced at Liu Leigang and issued a direct order, “Liu Leigang, go to the seaside immediately. The three ironclad ships should have arrived by now. There are 18 hours until tomorrow morning’s preparations; you must transfer all the shells from the ironclad ships. There might be a tough battle tomorrow! 

By the way, if you encounter anyone observing along the way, try not to provoke trouble; but if someone clearly shows hostility, don’t hold back.”

Liu Leigang grunted a few times, finally turning to prepare for his task, but he had taken the term “poisonous scholar” to heart!

Beichen Yuqing stood up and gazed toward the direction of the Southern Liang Prefecture, a fierce light gradually flickering in his eyes! Then, he looked at the equally furious guards beside him. “Go, inform all the soldiers about this matter.”

After that, Beichen Yuqing turned back and addressed the merchants, including Wang Jingde, “I will report your matters to the young master. Additionally, please tally how much wealth you have lost. Also, help count the 13 brave warriors of Zhang Yunhai, using the highest standards for the calculation! Luliang County and Zhao Guoshan must pay the price for this!”

Having dealt with these matters, Beichen Yuqing immediately dispatched several guards back to Anyang to inform Xu Ren, who was stationed in Anyang—discover the poisonous scholar! The guards dared not delay and used wind escape talismans recklessly as they flew northward.

After lunch, the soldiers of Anyang were all enraged; the matters concerning Zhang Yunhai and the other merchants had spread throughout the army. Especially regarding those 13 merchants, some of whom even had relatives serving in the military, this intensified the unity of the Anyang troops against a common enemy. After their meal, the soldiers even began to sing a song:

“How can one say there are no clothes? I share a robe with you;  

Let us sharpen our spears and fight the same foe!  

How can one say there are no clothes? I share the same marsh with you;  

Let us forge our halberds and work side by side!  

How can one say there are no clothes? I share the same skirt with you;  

Let us don our armor and march together!”

As the soldiers sang, their spirits soared; at that moment, a fundamental change occurred among the soldiers of Anyang—their battles now had a purpose! They were no longer fighting purely for themselves, but also for their loved ones and homeland!

Meanwhile, Liu Leigang, filled with questions, carried out his orders; 150 vehicles, aside from cannons and armored vehicles, all headed eastward. They encountered no obstacles along the way—of course, they tried to sneak past whenever possible—but it was evident that Zhao Guoshan, the Inspector, had truly failed.

Upon reaching the seaside, Liu Leigang immediately fired a signal flare into the sky; soon, a signal came from about five or six miles to the north. Following the signal, Liu Leigang discovered that three ironclad ships were slowly approaching. The white-painted ironclads were not very noticeable in the ocean and could easily be overlooked at first glance.

Watching the three ironclad ships draw near, Liu Leigang suddenly laughed, “Damn it, I’ve fought countless battles, and this is the most comfortable I’ve ever felt! But why does the navy get to use 240 mm caliber cannons while the army is stuck with 150 mm cannons?!”

Well, that was just venting some frustration; seeing these ironclads made Liu Leigang incredibly envious.

The ironclad ships soon approached, and when they reached shallow waters and could go no further, several small masters in the Foundation Establishment stage used talismans to freeze a section of the sea. A large number of shells were then dragged across the ice on wooden boards to the shore. Liu Leigang directed the soldiers to quickly load the shells and bullets onto the vehicles and immediately return.

On the way back, Liu Leigang noticed a few people observing from a distance atop a mountain; he hesitated for a moment—should he go eliminate them? However, recalling Beichen Yuqing’s words, Liu Leigang ultimately decided against confronting those individuals; the primary focus now was to transport the shells, and he could endure the rest.

Meanwhile, the people atop the mountain watched as Liu Leigang left, seeing the three ironclad ships quietly waiting by the sea before finally departing.

While Beichen Yuqing and Yan Zhengqing were organizing the troops and replenishing supplies, within Luliang County and the Southern Liang Prefecture, Inspector Zhao Guoshan, Scholar Li Yuanming, Left General Guo Guibang, and Major General Zhao Youdan were engaged in discussion.

Zhao Guoshan furrowed his brow, his expression bitter; he could never have imagined that things would develop to this extent. The townsfolk in the city were terrified by the bombardment, and the soldiers were frightened as well.

Li Yuanming was the first to speak: “If we didn’t have those kinds of cannons, we could achieve victory. I’m wondering why Anyang chose to retreat earlier. From a military strategy standpoint, they didn’t achieve maximum effect! Perhaps, there’s one possibility…”

“They’ve run out of ammunition!” Zhao Guoshan and Guo Guibang exclaimed in unison!

Zhao Youdan suddenly spoke up, his tone somewhat resentful, “Father, let me take some men to investigate. If they’re out of ammo, we can launch a surprise attack and catch them off guard!”

Li Yuanming pondered for a moment, then shook his head, “Major General, this is not the right time. Before dawn tomorrow, let the Inspector feign helplessness and agree to their conditions, tying his hands and waiting at the city gate as bait.

Meanwhile, you and the Left General will lead skilled fighters to ambush nearby, using invisibility talismans and spells to hide, bolstering your positions with Earth Escape techniques. Once Beichen Yuqing, Yan Zhengqing, or the main forces of Anyang enter the encirclement, immediately unleash all freezing, binding, and crowd-control spells and talismans.”

“However, the Inspector may have to endure some hardship,” he added.

Zhao Guoshan’s troubled expression cleared instantly. “If this plan works, what’s a little suffering! But should we recall Right General Zou Zhiquan from the southern garrison?”

Li Yuanming nodded firmly. “We need reinforcements now. Have Right General Zou Zhiquan lead the elite troops above the Foundation Establishment stage to set off immediately; they should arrive before dawn to join the ambush.”

Additionally, send someone to monitor the northern approach; we must ensure that the Anyang forces do not receive any supplies!”

Just after catching his breath, Guo Xiaolin set off again, using Wind Escape techniques and pushing himself to the limit. By the afternoon, he arrived at a military outpost south of Luliang County, Shitang Town, where he met Right General Zou Zhiquan.

Zou Zhiquan was straightforward; without a word, he gathered most of his elite troops and set off immediately.

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