By the time, Xia Tian and the others were still in seclusion, the war had almost started. As Xia Ling had previously arranged, the three generals of the Zhu Kingdom and their respective troops moved swiftly. Since their location was closer, it didn't take long for them to arrive at the approximate location that Hong Chen's other army would pass by later.
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West of the City
Their location looks much more advantageous, because the road to the area is full of tall trees. General Mang immediately instructed his army of archers. "Archers! You guys stand by in the trees, and wait for the catapult's signal."
"Yes General!" The army of archers immediately moved according to General Mang's orders, most of them immediately climbed up the trees, and hid behind the shade of leaves.
"The Infantry! You guys prepare to surround them from both sides." General Mang again ordered, as he pointed in two specific directions.
"Yes General!" The infantry also moved according to General Mang's coordination, they were hiding among the thick grass and rocks.
"The cavalry are ready in this place, and you are prepared to attack them quickly." General Mang then turned to the catapult army. "If the enemy troops are already within your firing range, then you can attack them directly."
"Yes General!" The troops behind the two large catapults answered in unison.
General Mang inwardly sighed, as his eyes stared into the distance. 'Looks like this war won't be easy, moreover Hong Chen's army's war equipment is much better than ours.'
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East of the City
Although the eastern part was quite wide, but unfortunately there was only a wide river and a bridge, and there was hardly any place to hide for them. Moreover, there were also a lot of ferocious aquatic beasts in the river, so it was impossible for them to cross the river.
"What shall we do now, General Jin?" One of the soldiers asked.
General Jin immediately answered the soldier. "Since we can't go head to head with them, it would be best if we blow up the bridge first, then they won't be able to approach the city, and we'll have a long range war with them."
"But if-"
General Jin immediately interrupted the soldier. "We can rebuild the bridge later, the most important thing now is that Hong Chen's troops cannot approach the city."
"Alright General." The soldier hurried off to convey General Jin's orders to the other soldiers.
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In Front of Traps Area
"What about the movement of the enemy army?" General Wan asked his right hand man.
The man answered immediately. "They are just cannon fooders, General Wan. And Hong Chen's main force is still far behind them."
"I see." General Wan nodded, then he observed the pits covered by slightly thick soil. "All of you must move carefully, and lest you fall into the trap we have set for them."
"Who actually set up these traps, General Wan?" The man curiously asked.
The General shook his head at him. "I don't know for sure who made them, since Old Ling ordered them to be made, but he didn't say anything about that person's identity. One more thing, all of you should be aware of the presence of those Golden-Tailed Scorpion Beasts later, lest they attack you."
"Yes General." The man replied with a nod.
"Sigh, now we just have to wait for their arrival." General Wan sighed softly.
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Zhu Kingdom Army Camp
"They have arrived at their respective places, Old Ling." Ling Xiao reported. "Anyway, Old Jin is planning to blow up the bridge in the east of the city."
Xia Ling sighed softly. "Although it would be a shame if we destroy that historic bridge, but we have no other choice, and we can rebuild it later."
"What do you think about our chances of winning this war, Old Ling?" Ling Xiao asked again as he looked up at the sky."
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Sigh, I dare not confirm it, Old Xiao." Xia Ling also looked up to the sky. "But I have a feeling that we will definitely win this war."
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Red Stone City
The patriarchs of the major families gathered in the city hall to discuss the situation of their city, they must have heard the news that Hong Chen was bringing his troops to attack their kingdom, and they had also long known about his obsession with taking Zhu Yuhe as his concubine.
Some of them expected Zhu Yuhe to take Hong Chen's proposal for granted, but some considered it a disgrace to their Empress. Even though the Zhu Kingdom was under the Vermilion Empire, it didn't mean that Hong Chen could trample on their pride as well as their Queen.
"Sigh, if Queen Yuhe had accepted Emperor Hong's proposal, then this war would never have happened." One of the Patriarchs said.
Another patriarch shouted loudly at him. "You old bastard! Even though we are under Emperor Hong, for our Queen to be a concubine is the most humiliating thing for this kingdom."
"To hell with pride if we die. Do you think the Queen and her generals can repel the attacks of Emperor Hong's army?" Xia Luo said harshly to the Zhu Yuhe loyalist, he himself didn't care about Zhu Yuhe's fate as long as his main Xia family was safe.
"You are just a bunch of cowards who are afraid to die, I will go help Queen Yuhe!" An old man said, he then got up and left them. Several patriarchs loyal to Zhu Yuhe also followed suit, they also contacted their other family members to join the war.
Xia Luo laughed heartily after a few of them decided to go help Zhu Yuhe. "Fools! They can only dream of winning the war against Emperor Hong's army."
"The Xia main family is truly shameless, you guys live and work in this Zhu Kingdom, yet you actually don't support Queen Yuhe in this war." Chen Xue as the Matriarch of the Chen Main family was also present.
"Humph!" Xia Luo only snorted at Chen Xue's words.
Chen Xue got up from her seat, and decided to return to Xia Manor, since her father-in-law was on the battlefield. But she stopped for a moment, as she said to Xia Luo and the patriarchs who didn't want to help Zhu Yuhe. "After this war ends, we will see how Queen Yuhe will punish all of your families."
Even though the situation was very unfavorable for the Zhu Kingdom, but Chen Xue felt confident that they would win this war. Especially with Xia Tian's existence, as well as his thousands of years of life experience.
- To Be Continued -