When the news reached Xinyang, Ye Li was naturally enraged. In reality, she had experienced countless wars in both her previous and current lives, but she had never experienced a real war. But … she knew about war. Because in her previous life, she had lived in a time of peace and prosperity that had not been separated from war for too long. Compared to Mo Jingli's rebellion, that could not even be considered a real war. Mo Jingli was a citizen of the Da Chu State, and he was not crazy. Even when two armies were at war, he would not casually harm the common people. Because in Mo Jingli's heart, they were still his common people. But the people of Xi Ling were different. What they wanted was not only the vast land of the Da Chu State, but also the food, gold, and silver on it. They would even do their best to destroy the people living on this land. Xi Ling was bitterly cold. They needed someone to vacate this vast and rich land for them. She could imagine what kind of suffering the people in the northwest were suffering, but … she was powerless to do anything …
"Wangfei …" In the spacious study, the generals seated all had ugly expressions. Feng Zhiyao looked worriedly at Ye Li's tightly clenched hands and cold expression. He frowned and said, "Wangfei, please calm down. This matter … is not Wangfei's fault." Ye Li snorted and glanced at the generals below. She said lightly, "If it's not my fault … then whose fault is it?" Everyone lowered their heads and said in unison, "We are incompetent. Wangfei, please punish us." Ye Li lowered her eyes and sighed softly, "I am not in a position to punish you. I only hope that everyone will remember one thing. The Mohist army's duty is to protect the country. But now, the people of Xi Ling are wreaking havoc in the northwest. The common people have no way to make a living. Everyone, stand on the city walls and look out. Do you know what this is? This is … the shame of the Mohist army. To let the common people who need your protection be abused by a foreign race is the shame of a soldier. At the same time … it is also the shame of the Ding Kingdom! "
Everyone couldn't help blushing. Several young generals couldn't help but jump out. "Princess, please give the order. We are willing to be the vanguard to expel the West-Hill bandits and shake the soul of our Mohist army!"
Ye Li shook her head and sighed. She picked up the booklet on the table and handed it over. "Take a look. How do you want to settle this debt?"
After taking the booklet from Ye Li, everyone's expression changed after reading it. Jhennam Of Gojoseon had sent reinforcements to the northwest. It was obvious that they wanted to eliminate the Mohist army in the northwest and then surround Prince's escape route. Over the past few days, the garrisons in the northwest had suffered significant losses.
"Feng San, what do you think?" Ye Li asked.
Feng San raised his head and looked at Ye Li, hesitating. Ye Li said, "Just tell me the truth."
Feng San gritted his teeth. "I think we should abandon Xinyang!" Everyone was in an uproar. Xinyang had been massacred and Prince had personally taken it back from the West-Hill people. If they lost it again, the Mohist army would lose face. Ye Li's expression was calm. "Tell me the reason." Feng Zhiyao said, "Xinyang has three sides of flat land. It is easy to attack and hard to defend. Moreover, it is now an empty city. There is no point in defending it. Once the Xiling Army takes over the eleven cities in the northwest, Xinyang will become an ancient city. At that time, even if we can take it for a few months, what's the point? "Ye Li nodded." Continue. " Feng Zhiyao walked to a large map hanging not far away. He raised his head and looked at it. Pointing at a certain place, he said, "This subordinate's opinion is to abandon Xinyang, seize the road from Li River, and reject Hongzhou. Hongzhou is the granary of the northwest. The terrain is complicated and steep. Even though the Xiling Army is trying their best to open the road to Hongzhou, they are still met with setbacks. We are familiar with the terrain of the northwest. We can definitely reach Hongzhou before their main force arrives. We can also clear out the vanguard troops already there. In addition, Hongzhou is a stronghold. It is the gateway to the northwest. As long as we defend Hongzhou, even if Jhennam Of Gojoseon has thousands of soldiers and horses, they will not be able to enter the Central Plains from the northwest. "
The study was silent. Everyone stared at the map as if thinking about Feng Zhiyao's words.
Ye Li looked up at the crowd. "What do you all think?"
After a long time, the young Yun Ting stepped forward and said, "I agree with General Feng's suggestion. I am willing to be the vanguard and open the road for the Princess!"
Soon, more and more people seconded the idea.
Looking at the excited generals, Ye Li nodded and said softly, "I understand. Everyone, go back and prepare. No matter what kind of battle we will face, I hope that everyone will be prepared and have enough energy. "
"Yes, Princess."
The generals all took their leave. Only Feng Zhiyao, Zhuo Jing, and the others were left in the study. Feng Zhiyao looked at Ye Li and said in understanding, "Princess also agrees with my suggestion?" Ye Li smiled faintly and said, "After delaying in Xinyang for so long, is Feng San anxious?" Feng Zhiyao shook his head and said, "I understand that Princess has her own considerations. Besides … Princess's current body is not suitable for long distance travel … "If they wanted to delay Jhennam Of Gojoseon in the northwest and retreat to Hongzhou, they could not do it too early or too late. If they did it too early, Jhennam Of Gojoseon would see through their intentions. If they did it too late, they could really bury the three prefectures and eleven cities in the northwest. Ye Li said, "My body is fine. You can go prepare. There is one more thing that I need you to do personally. " Feng Zhiyao saw that Ye Li was serious and his expression became serious. He said solemnly, "Please give your orders, Princess."
Ye Li lowered her eyes and said, "Even if we retreat to Hongzhou, I do not want the people of West-Hill to get a single grain of rice or grain in the northwest."
Feng Zhiyao paused and said, "Princess means …"
"Scorched earth." Ye Li said faintly.
Feng Zhiyao was silent. Although he had never heard of this phrase, it did not prevent him from understanding what it meant. Feng Zhiyao's expression changed as he looked at the beautiful woman with a cold expression in front of him. He respectfully said, "This subordinate accepts the order."
"You may leave."
"I will leave."
Seeing Feng Zhiyao's figure disappear through the door, Ye Li closed her eyes tiredly. A faint trace of sadness appeared between her brows. Zhuo Jing looked at her and said in a low voice, "My Lady, the West-Hill Army is now burning and killing in the northwest. The people are already suffering. It is not your fault." Ye Li shook her head and smiled bitterly, "But I am afraid that I have made their suffering worse." Once the West-Hill Army could not get their food, how could they not vent their anger on the common people? Zhuo Jing said, "There are not many people left near Xinyang."
Ye Li raised her hand and rubbed her forehead. She said softly, "Fine, go prepare. Even if we leave, we can't leave in vain. We have to leave some gifts for the people of West-Hill before we leave. "
Qin Feng's eyes lit up. He stepped forward and said, "Princess, I request to stay behind to cover the retreat."
Ye Li looked at him and asked, "What ideas do you have?"
Qin Feng smiled embarrassedly and said, "I do have some ideas, but … the secrets of heaven cannot be divulged." Ye Li's lips curled up slightly. She smiled and said, "I happen to have some ideas as well. Why don't we discuss them together?"
It was not just Qin Feng. Zhuo Jing and the others also became spirited. Qin Feng said loudly, "I will obey!"
Early October
After several days of relentless attacks, and more than a month later, the West-Hill army once again aggressively charged into Suncreed City. However, this time, what greeted them was not a ground full of gold and silver, nor was there any food or military supplies. There wasn't even any panicking people. What appeared in front of them was a completely empty city. Other than the sounds they made, there was no other sound in the entire city. All the residents in the city had long since left. Not even a grain of food could be found in the empty houses. All of the shops had either been emptied or destroyed on the spot. Even the wells in the city had been thrown in with a lot of debris. It would take a lot of effort to refill them.
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