12dz Chapter 258: Special Envoy of the King of Yan
Chapter 258: Special Envoy of the King of Yan
The mountain road is rugged and winding, just like a huge python entwined in the mountains.
The steep hillside seems to reach the sky, the slippery moss is like a thin layer of green ice, and the thorny path is like a ferocious monster, making the road ahead full of difficulties and obstacles.
The army led by Zhao Sheng marched arduously on such a dangerous mountain road. The soldiers' feet were covered with blisters and every step was painful, but they still gritted their teeth and moved forward step by step with determination.
The heavy equipment and supplies were like a thousand-pound burden, making it almost impossible for them to breathe. However, no one complained, and no one chose to retreat.
Sometimes loose rocks would suddenly roll down the steep slope, making a loud rumbling noise that startled everyone into a panic;
Sometimes there are sudden rainstorms that pour down, turning the road into muddy in an instant. Every step forward requires great effort and hardship.
At night, the cold wind in the mountains howled like the screams of ghosts and wolves, blowing mercilessly at the soldiers and making them shiver with cold.
They could only rely on each other's body temperature to get a little warmth in the simple and shabby tent.
Hunger was like a greedy beast, constantly eroding their bodies; fatigue was like a heavy mountain, pressing heavily on their shoulders.
But the firm belief in their hearts, like a burning torch, supports them to continue moving forward with difficulty.
In this way, after two days of long and arduous march, they finally arrived at Fanshan City.
However, before he could rest, Zhao Sheng immediately began to arrange preparations for the siege. He quickly summoned his generals to discuss strategy in the tent, his expression serious and solemn.
"This Fanshan City is easy to defend but difficult to attack. We must be fully prepared." Zhao Sheng said, pointing to the map on the table.
"Let's send spies to find out the city's defense situation first, including the enemy's troop deployment, weapons and equipment, and food reserves." Ma Biao suggested with a focused expression.
"At the same time, organize the soldiers to build siege equipment. The simplest one is to use mortars to directly blow open the city gate." Cao Yibao added on the side, his eyes revealing determination.
"Logistical support must also keep up to ensure the soldiers have sufficient physical strength when attacking the city."
Xu Gang and others expressed their opinions one after another. Zhao Sheng listened carefully, nodded from time to time, and gradually formed a complete siege plan in his mind.
The soldiers were not idle either. Some of them were working hard to cut down trees and build strong fortifications; some were struggling to carry stones and trying to strengthen the defense line.
The entire camp was filled with a tense and busy atmosphere, and everyone knew clearly that a thrilling battle was about to begin.
A young soldier was panting with exhaustion, his clothes soaked with sweat, as if he had just been pulled out of the water, but he still gritted his teeth and persevered, his hands not slowing down at all.
He thought to himself: "If I move one more stone, I might have a better chance of survival."
Another soldier accidentally scratched his arm on a sharp branch, blood instantly staining his sleeve red. He simply bandaged it and returned to his intense work without hesitation, muttering, "It's just a minor injury. We can't delay our work."
The commander patrolled the camp, his expression serious but his tone calm as he reminded the soldiers: "Brothers, be careful. This fortification concerns the lives of all of us."
In a corner of the camp, the cooks were busy preparing meals. One of them wiped the sweat from his forehead and said to the person next to him, "Let's eat well so we can have the strength to fight."
At this time, the scouts' anxious shouts came from a distance: "We haven't found any trace of the enemy yet, but they may appear at any time. We can't let our guard down!"
The atmosphere in the entire camp became more solemn, and the soldiers' movements became faster.
Seeing the tense scene in front of the battle, Zhao Sheng felt a sense of joy that a great battle was about to begin, because in his opinion, victory was in sight.
"My Lord, the Prince of Yan has sent a special envoy with a letter from the Prince of Yan."
"Oh? King Yan?" Zhao Sheng was puzzled as to what his third brother's plan was in writing to him at this time.
"Please invite the special envoy in!"
Zhao Sheng gave the order and the special envoy walked quickly into the tent.
"Your humble servant greets the Prince Consort!" The man lowered his head, folded his hands slightly with his palms slightly bent, and bowed upwards.
"Stand up!" Zhao Sheng held up his palms.
The man stepped forward and respectfully handed over the handwritten letter from King Yan.
"Your humble servant, Sun Bing, was given oral instructions by the King of Yan when I came here."
Sure enough, some of Zhao Hui's words were not written in the letter, but he sent someone to deliver a verbal message. This shows that Sun Bing was a person Zhao Hui trusted very much.
"What position do you hold beside the King of Yan?"
"I am the Chief Secretary."
"Oh," Zhao Sheng didn't say anything else, knowing very well that the Chief Secretary was a close minister of the King of Yan.
He waved his hand to let the guards around him go out, and then let Sun Bing approach.
"The King of Yan has issued an oral order that the Zhang family army must not be destroyed. The Lu family can just be taught a lesson. These people will be useful if they are kept."
"Oh," Zhao Sheng's face remained calm after hearing these words, and he just responded lightly.
Seeing that Zhao Sheng was indifferent, Sun Bing did not express any opinions and just simply perfunctorily responded. He did not know what to do for a moment.
"Since you're here, rest here for a day and then take a message back to King Yan."
Zhao Sheng gave this instruction, then walked out of the tent and ordered, "Blast a large hole in the Fanshan Tower."
The guard outside the door listened to the order, responded with a yes, and then went to pass on the message.
"Heh~ Wait a moment, the Lu family in the city will come out to see you soon, tell them what you want to say."
After Zhao Sheng finished speaking, he turned around and shouted outside the tent, "Give Mr. Sun a pot of tea~"
When it was cold, people in ancient times would drink tea from a teapot. There was a stove under the teapot, and the tea would be warm on top, so it would not get cold for a while when drinking it.
The guard came in quickly, carrying a wooden tray with an exquisite small ceramic pot, a charcoal stove, and tea bowls on it.
"Changshi, please have some tea!" the guard sang loudly.
"Hmm." Sun Bing stretched out his hand and tested the temperature of the teapot. It was slightly hot, indicating that the water temperature was not low before.
I poured myself a bowl of tea, picked it up and was about to drink it when I heard a huge roar coming from outside the tent.
Sun Bing was startled, his hands shaking unconsciously, and then he heard Zhao Sheng say, "The Lu family and the Zhang family army in the city are leaving the city. Someone is looking for them. If they don't come out, we will flatten the entire city..."
My hands trembled again, and I thought to myself: What a cruel person!
The explosions lasted for a quarter of an hour, and then there was no more roar.
Zhao Sheng came in and saw Sun Bin, who was in a trance. He smiled and said, "It will be soon. I think the people in the city will come out."
He gestured to Sun Bing to have some tea, and Zhao Sheng picked up a book and started reading. The two had nothing to say.
Not long after, a guard came to report.
"Sir, there's a call from the front, and several people are coming out. Is this the one you want to see?"
"Please come in here. Sun Changshi wants to speak first, and then I have something to tell you."
"Yes, my Lord, I will bring him here right away!"
After the guards left, Zhao Sheng stood up and said, "You have something to say. I'll talk to you after you finish. I'll be waiting outside."
"Um~ Prince Consort, you don't have to leave. It's fine to listen from the side."
Zhao Sheng was about to leave, which made Sun Bing feel a little uncomfortable, so he hurriedly tried to keep him.
"No need for that. I can't just listen to King Yan's strategy."
After Zhao Sheng finished speaking, he thought to himself, my good third brother, you have become as cunning as the sea now. I wonder if you can succeed in the future battle for the throne?