novelSusiti Chapter 13 The Eastern Barbarians Invade, System Mission
Chapter 13 The Eastern Barbarians Invade, System Mission
Since Tian Yan was the one who proposed this granary idea, Jiang Ce might as well let her take full charge of it. This would also help to build Tian Yan's reputation and make it easier for Jiang Ce to assign her tasks later.
As for manpower, that was naturally the responsibility of Commandant Chen An.
As soon as the "charitable granary" policy was announced, the whole city of Laiyang was in an uproar. When the refugees heard that they could exchange their labor for food, they all rushed to respond.
In an instant, Laiyang City was bustling with activity. The dilapidated city walls were repaired by everyone's joint efforts and became even stronger. The frozen wasteland outside the city was also reclaimed with hoes and picks, creating patches of new soil.
The people's support for Jiang Ce has reached an unprecedented level.
Upon witnessing this scene, Jiang Ce's smile deepened. The power of popular support reassured him far more than any army.
…………
As the night deepened, all was quiet.
After reviewing the last volume of documents, Jiang Ce raised his hand and rubbed his aching temples.
The situation in Laiyang is improving day by day. The army's combat power is increasing day by day, and the people's hearts are becoming more and more united. Given time, he will surely be able to build this city into a formidable fortress.
Given more time to gradually expand his strength, he was prepared to take over the entire Laiyang County and then use it as a springboard to take over the entire Laizhou.
But the tree may wish to remain still, but the wind will not cease; the enemy clearly had no intention of granting him this respite.
Just as he got up to rest, that cold, emotionless mechanical voice suddenly exploded in his mind without warning.
[Ding-dong, system task triggered!]
Mission Name: Protect Laiyang
Mission Description: Upon learning of the death of his general Naihousen in Laiyang, the fierce general of the Eastern Yi, Guli, is instantly enraged and will lead an even larger army to raze Laiyang to the ground. Please lead the people and soldiers of Laiyang to successfully resist the next attack by the Eastern Yi army.
Mission Rewards: 500 Summoning Points, one Legion Summoning Card, and one chance to awaken an Emperor Skill;
Jiang Ce was immediately jolted awake, his weariness vanishing instantly. The system's generous reward meant he was about to face unprecedented danger.
Under the pressure of the system's reward, the slight relaxation that had just remained in Jiang Ce's eyes was instantly swept away by the chilling killing intent.
He suddenly stood up and strode out of the study.
"Where are the messengers? Immediately summon Generals Chen An, Chang Yuchun, and Ning Bobiao to the residence for a meeting!"
An emergency meeting was convened overnight.
The flickering candlelight cast an inconspicuous glow on the governor's mansion's council hall, creating a heavy, almost stagnant atmosphere where even breathing felt oppressive.
"Commander Chen An, listen to my order! Starting tomorrow, all able-bodied men in the granary must be transferred to the city defenses. Immediately, dig deep pits for trapping horses, lay numerous tripwires, and bury sharpened wooden stakes on all the essential roads outside the city! I want the Eastern Barbarian warhorses to crush a piece of flesh with every step they take!"
"Chang Yuchun and Ning Bobiao, you two will lead the vanguard into the camp and, from this moment forward, patrol day and night all the passes and key roads within a thirty-mile radius outside the city. I want you to be like iron nails, firmly fixed there, so that no movement or disturbance can escape your notice!"
"Furthermore, all scouts are to be dismissed, or disguised as refugees or hunters, and sent to infiltrate the area within a hundred miles to the north to spread the news, bribe informants, and tell the people in the villages along the way that anyone who can provide accurate intelligence on the movements of the Eastern Barbarian army will be rewarded with ten strings of cash!"
As military orders were issued with resounding force, the entire city of Laiyang was like a sophisticated war machine that had suddenly been activated, running at full speed under the command of Jiang Ce, the King of Laiyang.
As all the arrangements were finalized, the sky began to lighten with the first hint of dawn.
Without taking a break, Jiang Ce, under Sun Hanchuan's protection, put on a heavy fur robe and slowly climbed the city tower of the North Gate of Laiyang.
A biting wind howled past, making the cloak behind him flutter loudly.
Looking into the distance, to the north lies an endless expanse of snow-covered plains, desolate and lifeless, like a lurking prehistoric beast, holding its breath and waiting for the perfect moment to devour its prey.
The city beneath their feet had already awakened, with wisps of smoke rising from chimneys and the sounds of people gradually filling the air, exuding vitality everywhere.
This is the homeland he vowed to protect with his life.
It was also his hope for establishing himself in this world.
Jiang Ce took a deep breath of the bone-chilling air, and the heroic spirit and fighting will in his chest ignited like a wildfire.
…………
Before dawn, with the morning mist still lingering, a sharp alarm suddenly shattered the silence of Laiyang City.
A scout, covered in blood, stumbled into the government office, his voice hoarse and almost cracking, as he urgently roared, "Reporting, Your Highness, the Eastern Barbarian General Guli, leading seven thousand infantry and cavalry, has somehow managed to bypass the official road and sneak in from the eastern mountains!"
"Judging from their army's marching route, they clearly intend to take advantage of our weakened defenses and launch a surprise attack on Laiyang City tonight!"
Upon hearing this, the generals in the hall were immediately shocked and their faces were filled with fear.
Seven thousand infantry and cavalry, though it may not sound like a large number, are all seasoned soldiers, known for their swiftness and ferocity.
On the other hand, their Laiyang City, including the newly recruited soldiers, has a total of only three thousand people, of whom only a little over a thousand are actually capable of fighting on the battlefield.
With such a disparity in troop strength, a head-on confrontation would be tantamount to throwing an egg against a rock!
"What's the panic!"
A thunderous shout instantly silenced the chaotic discussions in the hall.
King Jiang Ce of Laiyang sat in the main seat, his face as cold and stern as iron, but his eyes as sharp as a hawk's.
His fingertips tapped steadily on the table, his mind racing. The imperial soul inheritance from General Li Shimin was finally beginning to take effect at this moment.
Jiang Ce repeatedly examined the intelligence brought by the scouts, trying to find the key to breaking the deadlock.
Not long after, Jiang Ce asked the others.
"The enemy forces are bypassing the mountains and forests, traveling lightly and swiftly. Do you all know what this means?"
Everyone was stunned by these words, and for a moment they were not quite sure what was going on. But a flash of inspiration suddenly appeared in Chang Yuchun's mind, though it was fleeting.
When he tried to grab it, he found that he couldn't.
Seeing the puzzled looks on everyone's faces, Jiang Ce stopped being cryptic and immediately swept his gaze over everyone in the tent before speaking in a deep voice.
"This means they have abandoned cumbersome siege equipment such as ladders and battering rams. Their only remaining reliance is the mobility and impact of their cavalry."
"This means that our army absolutely cannot engage them in a direct confrontation outside the city!"
After saying this, Jiang Ce suddenly slammed his hand on the table and stood up. He then strode to the front of the sand table, slammed his knuckles down hard on a mountain pass.