Font Size:
How wonderful it would be if they were also citizens of the Xuan Empire.
The Xuan Empire never burdened its people. Upon hearing about high-yield crops, the Emperor was always the first to distribute them to the citizens, planting very little for themselves.
As for their Emperor? He seemed afraid that the people would have too much food and not starve.
Even if a person had a hundred pounds of grain, the Emperor would take ninety, showing no concern whether the people could survive with the remaining ten pounds.
Now they were going to collect food again.
On the other side, inside the Qi Empire’s main tent, the Prince of Qi glared at the guards of the provisions. “With so many of you guarding the provisions, tell me, what exactly is going on here?”
Su Yu’s actions tonight were truly cunning and provocative.
Knowing well that the Qi Empire’s food supplies were limited, yet still carrying out such tactics.
Could it be that the missing provisions were also orchestrated by Su Yu?
“Now is not the time for the Prince to investigate this matter. We must swiftly capture the Xuan Empire; that’s what matters most,” one of the advisors remarked.
“Capture it? Look outside and see how many are still motivated to fight. Sending them into battle like this is simply sending them to their deaths,” Qi Ming retorted sharply.
It’s remarkable they can even say such things.
“What were you all saying before about attacking the city? Waiting for this or that? Are you satisfied now?” the Prince inquired.
“We…,” they began, uncertain.
“I know you are loyal to the Crown Prince, but don’t forget, this is the border, a battlefield. Opportunities in war are fleeting; if you hesitate, you’ll miss your chance,” he scolded them. “What a bunch of fools.”
Given Su Yu’s personality, he would definitely be capable of doing even more provocative things.
“Prepare some food; we attack the city at dawn tomorrow,” Qi Ming commanded.
The next day, when Su Yu learned that the Qi Empire was indeed attacking the city, he stood on the city wall draped in a cloak, observing the scene below. Leaning on his chin, he casually remarked, “Looks like you really are running out of food.”
“Otherwise, why would they be so eager to meet their end?”
“Xiao Yu, they’re here to attack the city,” Su Jiu reminded him helplessly from the side.
Su Yu responded with an acknowledging “Oh.”
Watching Su Yu’s actions, Su Jiu couldn’t help but feel a headache coming on.
Su Yu clapped his hands as catapults were wheeled over.
As Qi Ming observed the catapults beside Su Yu, his expression changed. When did the Xuan Empire acquire such weaponry?
He sensed that these catapults were more powerful than anything he had encountered before, which was not a good sign for them.
“Attack,” Qi Ming ordered without acknowledging Su Yu.
Su Yu, holding a bow and arrow, aimed his gaze at Qi Ming.
Qi Ming’s instinctive glance towards Su Yu’s cold stare made him step back, quickly hid behind his comrades.
Mocking Qi Ming’s cowardice, Su Yu remarked, “Oh, Qi Ming, a Prince of a empire, yet you are so fearful and timid.”
Observing this situation, Su Jiu suddenly spoke up, “Fire.”
Instantly, numerous archers appeared on the city wall.
Qi Ming, with a grim expression, looked at Su Yu, realizing that he had been prepared for this.
“Su Yu…”
“To the soldiers of the Qi Empire, listen carefully: Surrender and disarm, and Xuan will treat prisoners well.”
“Would you like to have hot pot? Steamed buns, baozi, white rice – all provided in abundance,” Su Yu added, tauntingly.
The generals on the city wall listened to Su Yu’s calm words with bizarre expressions, wondering if the Prince was intentionally provoking them.
Looking at the displeased expression on the Prince of Qi’s face, it seemed he was close to boiling over.
“Anyone who dares to surrender will be shot with random arrows,” Qi Ming declared, aware that Su Yu was undermining the morale of the Qi Empire’s soldiers.
One had to admit, Su Yu’s tactics were effective.
Had it not been for the events of the previous night, the soldiers of the Qi Empire might have held out longer. However, after last night’s incidents, all were aware of the situation in the Xuan Empire.
Already on shaky ground, their morale was now almost non-existent after Su Yu’s remarks.
With a smirk, Su Yu cast a meaningful glance at Qi Ming, provocatively stating, “I had no idea the Marshal of the Qi Empire would pose such a threat to his own soldiers.”
“Kill Su Yu,” Qi Ming gritted his teeth and ordered.
Sensing the growing discontent around him, Qi Ming knew that allowing Su Yu to continue speaking would only further tarnish his reputation.
With a cold chuckle at Qi Ming’s words, Su Yu retorted, “It takes one to know one, Qi Ming. Don’t try to hide now.”
As the bows appeared in Su Yu’s hands, Qi Ming’s expression darkened. Facing someone like Su Yu left him at a disadvantage; his only solace was that his bow and arrow didn’t have as much range.
However, Qi Ming’s hopes were dashed this time. Su Yu’s bow had been specially modified, offering a much greater range than a standard bow.
In one swift motion, Su Yu drew and released the arrows.
Three arrows flew towards Qi Ming, who narrowly dodged the first and managed to evade the second by a hair’s breadth.
Unable to dodge the third arrow, Qi Ming glanced at a nearby soldier and pulled him over as a shield.
The soldier met his fate with eyes wide open.
Observing Qi Ming discard the soldier who shielded him, Su Yu frowned, his expression darkening. He had thought Qi Ming had some boundaries left, but now it seemed that Qi Ming had none.
“Qi Ming, you’re truly regressing. Using a twelve or thirteen-year-old child as a shield,” Su Yu remarked, disgusted by Qi Ming’s actions.
Qi Ming, however, saw no fault in his actions.
He coldly stared at Su Yu and sneered, “This is your doing. If anyone seeks retribution, they should come for you, not me.”
Qi Ming’s shamelessness infuriated Su Jiu and the others.
“You bastard, Qi Ming,” they exclaimed.
Su Yu intervened, stopping Su Jiu, and looked at the people below. “Big brother, we’re going out.”
Su Jiu nodded, giving orders to his men.
Soon, Su Jiu led the troops out of the city, while Su Yu descended when Qi Ming confronted Su Jiu.
Taking over from Su Jiu, Su Yu’s moves were even more ruthless, leaving Qi Ming struggling to defend himself.
Qi Ming retreated step by step, as his bodyguards approached. Su Yu coldly stated to his opponents, “To me, one or two makes no difference.”
Assuming that his guards coming to his aid would ensure Su Yu’s demise, Qi Ming soon realized Su Yu’s true prowess when the fight began. Qi Ming discovered just how naive he had been about Su Yu’s abilities.
Su Yu seemed impervious, like a fortress. They couldn’t breach his defenses or lay a hand on him.
Quickly, one of Qi Ming’s bodyguards, who had grown up with him, fell at the hands of Su Yu.
Without even sparing a glance at the fallen guard, Su Yu’s movements became even swifter.
“Su Yu, you’re asking for death,” he exclaimed, astonished that Su Yu would turn against his men.
“I’ve come this far, why would I fear you?” Su Yu retorted with a cold smirk.
Completely unhinged, Qi Ming’s attacks became chaotic and ineffective.
Observing Qi Ming’s disarray, Su Yu seized an opportunity and landed a punch squarely on Qi Ming’s chest.
As Qi Ming staggered back, clutching his chest, trying to command someone to kill Su Yu, he realized he was now alone, with no one by his side.
“Goddamn traitors,” Qi Ming muttered, eyeing the soldiers around him. He vowed to have them all executed upon his return.