knife

Chapter 757 Death Struggle
Several faces were faintly visible in the dim light, each with a different expression: fear, excitement, or anticipation. After enduring hardship and humiliation for half a year, they were finally about to be freed, which gave everyone in the room a sense of relief.

Even in the secret room, even surrounded by his most trusted confidants, Yan Cheng still kept his voice as low as possible.

"General Xiang Zhuang has sent word that we must closely cooperate with the imperial court in this campaign to annihilate Jiang Qian!" Yan Cheng paused, glancing at the people in the room, and continued, "I know some of you will not understand this decision, after all, the Great General died at the hands of the sorcerer, and Na Wei is also our enemy. But ultimately, we must consider the bigger picture and prioritize tasks. Our first priority now is to eliminate this vixen, Jiang Qian. This time, we have the cooperation of Linghu Ye's army. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Afterwards, whether Li Dachui or Linghu Ye wins, we will become enemies with them."

"Prefect, what should we do now?" Under the dim light, someone asked, "Right now, the force we can control is only a little over a thousand garrison troops. All the key locations in the prefecture are controlled by the elite rear guard. With our strength, it will be difficult to stir up any trouble!"

“Prefect, Brother Ma is right. Moreover, the commander of the rear army is Lin Yunqi. He is very familiar with us, and he is meticulous and ruthless. Once he takes office, it will be even more difficult for us to do anything!” someone else said.

The former Vice Minister of War of the Great Chu and head of the Tianluo had cast a significant shadow over these people, so much so that they felt a sense of dread upon hearing that Lin Yunqi was about to take office.

Not only these subordinates, but even Yan Cheng was no exception.

"I received top-secret information. This time, facing the imperial court's encirclement and suppression, Jiang Qian, that vixen, has devised a strategy of striking first!" Yan Cheng said. "Linghu Ye's army is still assembling. It will take at least another month before it can form a large-scale force to launch an attack in Nanyang, Xiangyang, and other areas. The eight garrisons of Jiangnan are preparing to use this month to launch an attack on our Great Chu army. The vanguard will be the rear army stationed in our Tong'an County and Fang Xiaomao's left army stationed in Ruyin County!"

"To think that Jiang Qian could defeat our two armies of over 100,000 men in just one month, isn't that a bit too arrogant?" someone whispered in the room.

"Whether they're arrogant or not, this is their only chance. Otherwise, once Linghu Ye's army arrives, they'll have no chance at all!" Yan Cheng said. "And don't forget, the Chu army today is not the same as before. The main force is the Southwest Wolf Army, and those local troops forcibly conscripted by Na Wei may not be entirely loyal to him. If the battle goes smoothly, that's fine, but if things go against them, their morale will likely be even lower. And don't forget the influence that vixen Jiang Qian has in our Great Chu!"

His words silenced everyone.

Yes, Jiang Qian, that vixen, has a truly enormous influence.

Both naval battles on the river ended in defeat because of Jiang Qian's appearance, which caused the other side to lose all will to fight and collapse on the spot. In fact, two of the people in the house had participated in the defense of Xiangyang back then, and even now, when they think of that beautiful figure in white robes beating the war drums on the high platform, they still feel a little emotional.

If they are like this, what about the ordinary soldiers?

Only those Southwest Wolf Soldiers were unaffected by Jiang Qian.

"Therefore, we must strike first!" Yan Cheng's vicious voice broke the silence. "We can't wait until Lin Yun takes office. Once he arrives, I'm afraid we'll have no chance."

"Prefect, what should we do?"

"Jiang Qian wants to strike first, so we'll make sure she can't move!" Yan Cheng's sinister voice rang out loudly in the quiet room. "Lin Yunqi hasn't even taken office yet, but these past few days, countless military supplies and provisions have been gathering. These are the foundation of the army's fighting force!" The people in the room suddenly realized, "Prefect, you want to destroy these military supplies and provisions!"

“That’s right!” Yan Cheng said, “There are only three hundred men in a battalion guarding the weapons and provisions. As long as we plan properly, we can break in with lightning speed and set it on fire!”

"Although there is only one battalion guarding the city, reinforcements will arrive from the surrounding area within the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. Prefect, I'm afraid that apart from a very few people who will be able to escape, the rest will be trapped inside the city!" someone whispered in the corner of the room.

"As long as we can get out of here, the rest can be considered a gift for Lin Yunqi!" Yan Cheng said calmly. "These past two days, I've had people gradually stuffing these warehouses with a lot of oil and similar substances. Once a fire breaks out, even a god couldn't save it. After burning the grain and fodder, I want to see how they'll strike first! Re-preparing the grain, fodder, and weapons will easily buy us a month or two!"

"We will follow the prefect's arrangements!" Everyone bowed in unison.

Those inside the house were mostly experts at the Xuan Yuan level or above. After setting a fire, they could easily abandon their troops and escape alone in such a chaotic situation. After all, at that time, the main focus of the rear army would have to be on putting out the fire. Compared to the warehouses of grain, their lives were truly insignificant.

"Prefect, what about our families? It would be too conspicuous to let them leave the city at this time!" someone asked.

Yan Cheng was silent for a moment, then said, "My family will have to stay here, not just yours, but mine too!"

"If we burn the weapons and provisions and leave, leaving them in the city, they'll have no chance of survival!"

"For the sake of Great Chu, all sacrifices are worthwhile!" Yan Cheng stood up. "Women can be replaced, sons can be born, but if Great Chu is gone, we will have nothing. Let me make this clear: if anyone is unwilling to participate, I will not blame you. As long as you do not betray us, you will still be my good brother! You can leave now."

Inside the house, none of the family members remained silent. They weren't fools; if anyone were to jump out and say they weren't participating, they would surely be stabbed in the chest and sent on their way early.

"From now on, everyone here must work in pairs. No one is allowed to act alone!" Yan Cheng stood up, his eyes scanning the crowd fiercely in the dim light like a wolf. "The operation will begin at midnight tomorrow night!"

"As ordered!"

Everyone in the room stood up and bowed to accept the order.

(End of this chapter)