I support the army through farming and business.

Chapter 296 Siege
"Big Flower!" Gu Xuan cried, burying her face in Zhuoma's chest.

Shen Jiawen dismounted, ran to Gu Xuan's side, knelt on one knee, and anxiously checked Gu Xuan over, "Xuan'er, are you hurt anywhere?"

Gu Xuan threw herself into Shen Jiawen's arms, "Husband, Da Hua is dead."

Shen Jiawen hugged Gu Xuan back with heartache.

“She didn’t mean to hurt me. She was forced to. She just wanted to save her brother.”

"I know, I know," Shen Jiawen patted Gu Xuan's back, "Don't cry, okay? I'll work with you to figure out a way, and we'll definitely fulfill Da Hua's last wish."

"Mmm!" Gu Xuan finally managed to stop her tears after being coaxed by Shen Jiawen, but she was so frightened by Tang Zhao's expression that she started hiccuping.

"Didn't I say that no one is allowed to come to the Protector General's Mansion before the war ends?"

Gu Xuan knew she was in the wrong, so she lowered her head and sobbed and hiccuped softly.

Wu Ding and his entourage immediately knelt on the ground to beg for forgiveness.

Shen Jiawen stepped aside to block Tang Zhao's gaze for Gu Xuan. "Princess, please calm down. It's pointless to pursue the matter now. Let's discuss how to defend the city with the generals and Lord Lu."

Tang Zhao knew Shen Jiawen was right, but he still glared at Gu Xuan fiercely before mounting his horse and returning to the Protector General's Mansion.

Gu Xuan sobbed, "Have I done something terribly wrong?"

Shen Jiawen sighed. It was more than just a major disaster; it was an absolute catastrophe!

The news that the gunpowder depot was empty had been leaked, and the Turks, without any scruples, would definitely launch a full-scale attack on the city.

If the city of Wuwei cannot be defended, it will be massacred again.

Shen Jiawen did not tell Gu Xuan about these concerns. Instead, he sent her back to the Xuan Prince's villa and rushed to the Protector General's Mansion to discuss countermeasures.

Inside the Protector General's Mansion, Wu Ding and all the guards protecting the gunpowder depot knelt outside the main gate, awaiting Tang Zhao's decision.

Tang Zhao let them kneel under the scorching sun and continued to discuss with Chen Li and Lu Ying how to defend the city.

Chen Li tried to be as optimistic as possible, "Although we have run out of explosives, the Wuwei city wall has been built so tall and sturdy by the princess, and the city gate is thick and heavy. As long as there is enough food and fodder in the city, I am confident that we will not let a single Turk enter the city."

When the topic of provisions came up, Tang Zhao fell even more silent.

After Zhang Anzhi took office as the prefect of Ningzhou, Tang Zhao sent two batches of grain to Ningzhou to provide support, which finally quelled the unrest in Ningzhou.

But this also means that food supplies in Wuwei City are running low.

"If it really comes to that, then all the people in the city must work together to overcome the difficulties," Lu Ying said calmly.

Tang Zhao nodded, "Issue my order: from today onwards, the entire city shall tighten its belt and reduce its food and clothing, and use the saved grain and cloth to supply the Northwest Army."

"Furthermore, mobilize all the people of the city to go up the mountain to quarry stone and cut wood to make weapons for defending the city. Under no circumstances should the Turks be allowed to set foot in Wuwei City!"

"Yes!"

Tang Zhao walked out of the hall and looked down at Wu Ding and the others kneeling on the ground. "It was because of your mistakes that the secret military intelligence was leaked. I will not take your lives. Go and guard the city gate for me to atone for your crimes."

Wu Ding and his companions breathed a sigh of relief, kowtowed, and hurriedly left.

"Send a message to Wu Jiayi, telling them to find an opportunity to launch a surprise attack on the Turkic camp," Tang Zhao looked up at the sky, "and send Bai Ying to deliver a message to Father King, telling him that there is no rush to return to the Northwest after the war in the Southwest is over."

Wu Yi was taken aback.

Tang Zhao ignored Wu Yi'er's hesitation and said, "Go!" Wu Yi'er went downstairs, completely bewildered.

Inside the Turkic camp, Niya was overjoyed to see the blue fireworks. "General Geshu, the scouts set off blue fireworks, confirming that Dayu doesn't have many Heavenly Thunders left."

"Thank you, General Niya," Geshu Yong ordered, "Men, follow me to attack the city!"

The Turkic army poured out in full force, their horses' hooves trembling as they pounded the ground, and their wolf banners fluttered in the wind.

Upon seeing the Turkic army, the Northwest Army soldiers on the city tower immediately rang the city bell as a warning.

The sound of the bell echoed throughout Wuwei, and the busy people stopped what they were doing, listening intently to the sound of the bell and the pounding of their own hearts.

Will the Northwest Army be able to hold Wuwei?

"All citizens of the city, heed my command!" The yamen runners of Wuwei Prefecture shouted loudly in the street, banging gongs and drums. "Stop your work immediately and return home. No one is allowed to leave or go out without special circumstances!"

The people nodded repeatedly, ran back into their houses with practiced ease, used wooden planks to prop up the doors and windows, and sat quietly inside to wait.

Tang Zhao strode up the west city wall and looked at the vast Turkic cavalry rushing towards him in the distance. His panicked heart suddenly calmed down.

What's there to be afraid of? Losing just means death, and it's not like she hasn't died before!
Geshu Yong reined in his horse. "Princess Zhaoshan, I have long admired your name!"

"Marshal Geshu," Tang Zhao greeted, "Marshal, you personally led the troops to attack Wuwei. You truly think highly of this princess!"

“Your Highness is too modest. The weapon that appeared to descend like lightning is enough to prove your prowess,” Geshu Yong persuaded. “Our Turkic Empress Dowager cherishes talent. As long as Your Highness is willing to serve the Turks, I, the Marshal, am willing to personally introduce you. Not to mention the mere position of Your Highness, even the position of Princess would be within your grasp.”

"Thank you for your kindness, Marshal Geshu, but I appreciate it," Tang Zhao said, refusing. "I have the blood of the Song family flowing through my veins, and I have been taught since childhood to be loyal to the emperor and love my country. I would rather die than betray the country and its people!"

"Since that's the case, then we have nothing more to say," Geshu Yong spurred his horse, "Attack the city!"

Tens of thousands of Turkic soldiers charged forward with roars.

"Defend the city!"

At Tang Zhao's command, thousands of Northwest Army soldiers on the city wall raised huge stones and wooden stakes and smashed them down.

Many Turkic soldiers were hit squarely, immediately screaming as they fell off their horses and were trampled into a bloody pulp by the horses behind them.

Ge Shuyong swung his knife and chopped down the wooden stake, shouting, "Climb the ladder!"

Turkic infantry, escorted by cavalry, carried ladders dozens of meters high to the foot of the city wall, set up the ladders, and began to climb up.

The Northwest Army raised stones and hurled them down on the Turkic soldiers on the ladders.

The Turkic soldiers were slammed down by the immense force of the stones, but behind them, a steady stream of Turkic soldiers continued to climb up.

The number of stone and wooden stakes on the city wall was decreasing, while more and more Turkic soldiers were climbing the ladders. Many Northwest Army soldiers had abandoned the stones and instead drew their long swords and stabbed them into the chests of the Turkic soldiers.

Geshu Yong stepped on the horse's head, used the momentum to leap onto the cloud ladder, dodged the falling stones and wooden stakes, and in a few leaps he reached the city tower.

Wu Yi'er and Wu Bing'san drew their swords and engaged in a fierce battle with Ge Shuyong.

Tang Zhao drew his sword and, together with the Northwest Army, slaughtered the Turkic soldiers who were about to climb the city wall, leaving no one alive.

Ge Shuyong kicked Wu Yi'er aside and pierced Wu Bing's right abdomen with his long sword. Just as he was about to kill the Northwest Army on the city wall, Wu Dingsi and the personal guards of the Protectorate General's Mansion surrounded him, and the two sides instantly engaged in a fierce battle.

Geshu was highly skilled in martial arts, and even during battle, he was able to spare a hand to kill soldiers of the Northwest Army, creating a small gap in the tightly packed city walls.