Chapter 363: Determination

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Shen Shuo turned around and saw that it was two of the scouts he had sent out earlier. He hurriedly rushed forward and saw that the two scouts almost fell when they saw him. The people beside him hurriedly supported them.

One of them sat on the ground and panted as he took the water bag from Shen Hui and took a sip. “General, we’re at the top of the mountain separated by a mountain beam in front of us. We realized that a frightened bird had flown up from the opposite mountaintop. Liu Bao climbed onto a tree and vaguely saw a large group of people walking down the mountain. After the few of us returned, Liu Bao and Uncle Lei stayed at the top of the mountain in front to continue investigating and asked us to come back to report.” After the scout reported, he also fell.

Shen Shuo said anxiously, “Physician He, quickly take a look at them.” Doctor He hurriedly went forward. After taking a look, he said, “General, they’re already exhausted. They’ve fallen asleep.”

When Li Yu heard the scout’s words, she felt that it was very likely that the Qi people had already split into two groups to attack Great Yong. One group was fighting the Great Yong garrison at Linshan County at the border of Mount Huozhi. The other group had actually already crossed the mountains and came this way. She didn’t know how good the combat ability of the Great Yong soldiers was. From Li Yu’s observation, she really didn’t think highly of the Great Yong generals. Li Yu began to worry about Zhou Jia and Yangyang in Yunzhou City.

Shen Shuo did not expect the Qi army to arrive so quickly. He thought to himself, “It’s no longer feasible to wait for the main army to attack from the front and back. With my current manpower, it’s impossible to block the Qi army in the mountains unless we use fire…”

The plan in Shen Shuo’s heart had already begun to form. He looked at the soldiers and said loudly, “Soldiers, we have to block the Qi people in the cave.

Let’s go.”

Shen Hui got someone to carry two scouts and set off with his men.

Shen Shuo turned around and cupped his fists at Li Yu. “Madam Li, please hurry up and send the letter to General Ouyang.”

Li Yu was about to speak when Shen Shuo took out another jade pendant from his pocket and glanced at it with tears in his eyes before handing it to Li Yu.

“Madam, please help me bring the jade pendant to my wife.”

Li Yu took the jade pendant and said to Shen Shuo, “General Shen, you can tie some branches to your bodies to disguise yourselves. I wish you a triumphant return.”

Shen Shuo looked at Li Yu and nodded. He turned around and strode away. Li

Yu looked at Shen Shuo’s men and estimated that there were no more than 3,000 of them. From Shen Shuo’s expression just now, Li Yu felt that he was already determined to die.

Li Yu looked at the dead branches and leaves in the forest and the waist-high withered grass. She thought to herself that the best way to win in this winter forest was to attack with fire. If they used fire to block the Great Qi army, Shen Shuo and these warriors could only pray for themselves.

No matter what era it was, war was always so cruel. Li Yu sighed when she thought of this. She turned around and took the reins from Ji Xiang. She strode down the mountain and only got on her horse and galloped when she reached a flat place.

Shen Shuo and the others also quickened their pace. The group finally arrived at the top of the mountain before noon the next day. Shen Shuo hid everyone in the forest. The scouts left on the mountain, Uncle Lei and Liu Bao, each wore a hat made of branches and came out of the forest.

When Shen Shuo saw Uncle Lei’s hat, he suddenly remembered that Madam Li had reminded him to get some branches to disguise himself. He decided to let everyone do as Uncle Lei and Madam Li suggested later.

Uncle Lei went forward and reported, “General, their speed has already slowed down. According to my estimate, it will take them about two to three days to reach the top of the mountain from the opposite side. General, we’ve investigated that they can only pass through this place to go up the mountain.

Only the terrain here is not so steep. There are cliffs on both sides.”

Shen Shuo looked around and said to Uncle Lei, “Your observation is not bad. You contributed greatly to this battle.” Uncle Lei smiled and nodded. He knew that his group was doomed this time, but for the sake of his children and family, he could only die for the country.

Shen Shuo returned to the forest and said to the soldiers sitting in the forest to rest, “We’ll take advantage of the past few days to move all the nearby rocks here. When the Qi soldiers climb halfway up the mountain, we’ll use stones to smash them to prevent them from discovering that everyone has been eating dry food for the past few days. Shen Hui, wrap kerosene on the arrows and find some firewood to wrap them in oil. When the Qi soldiers attack, we’ll throw them down and burn them to death in the forest. Can everyone do that?”

“Yes,” everyone replied in unison, understanding that this battle was all or nothing. Everyone got busy and looked around for rocks and dry wood. They cut back a lot of withered grass with a knife and braided it and wrapped it around the wooden stick, preparing to soak it in kerosene.

The garrison of Linshan County at the border of Mount Spindle had already started fighting with the Qi people. The refugees who had escaped from

Linshan were arranged to stay in the newly repaired residences in West City.

Many merchants and rich families in Yunzhou City were selling their houses and land to escape elsewhere. Those shops and fields were more than half as cheap as usual. Ruyi took the opportunity to buy many shops and fields at a low price.

Before the city gate closed, Ruyi went to the residence at the foot of Mount

Spindle. When Ah Wei saw Ruyi, he said to Ruyi with a worried expression, “What should we do, Brother Ruyi? The leisure villa beside is about to be repaired. If these thieves attack, our villa, farmstead, and these wastelands that have just been opened will be abandoned again.”

Ruyi patted Ah Wei. “Don’t be afraid. Get everyone to pack up and go back to the city to stay.”

Seeing that Master had not abandoned them, Uncle Dashui and Auntie Xue were so touched that they cried. They said to Ruyi, “Manager Zhou, just bring Shuisheng and those children back to the city to stay. We’re all old bones. In any case, we don’t have many years to live. We’ll guard the villa and manor here.” When Shuisheng and the children heard Auntie Xue’s words, they also cried.

“Everyone, don’t waste time. Master said to let everyone go back. Uncle Cai, Auntie Xue, quickly kill the remaining pigs and those chickens and ducks. Everyone, hurry up,” Ruyi shouted.

Auntie Xue said to Ruyi, “Manager Zhou, that courtyard is so big. I think we should keep more than ten chickens and ducks that lay eggs! The eggs are also for Young Master and Master to eat so that they don’t have to go out to buy them. Besides, Auntie Yu still needs them when she gives birth!”

Ruyi looked at them, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. “Alright, alright.

We’ll do as you say. Pack up and go.”

“Sigh!” Everyone got busy after agreeing.

They moved out the remaining food in the cellar and loaded it onto the ox cart. They also packed up the pots, pans, mosquito nets, and bedding into the bamboo baskets. After they were done, they all moved to the ox cart. Ruyi locked the door. Everyone looked at it reluctantly. They walked out of the manor that had given everyone warmth and laughter.

The children silently climbed into the carriage. The adults followed the cart into the city and watched the people fleeing into the city with their families. Only then did everyone really feel like they were in a war..

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