Fire Nation, Guang Yin County.
The county had been under martial law for a long time, and there was a curfew at night to prohibit the people from going out at night. In addition, the four gates were also closed during the day. The city gates were sealed, and no one was allowed to enter or leave.
That was the prelude to a storm. The people in the entire Guang Yin County could feel the pressure gathering. Even the people in Guang Yin County were not having a good time recently.
The people living in the countryside outside the city were self-sufficient because they were farming. At least they did not have to worry about food and clothing. However, the people living in the city, even if they could work and sell food, because the city gates were closed, the prices began to rise. Many of the people were having a hard time.
That was the situation in Guang Yin County.
However, Chen Can did not care about that at all. What he was thinking about was to defend Guang Yin County and defeat the invading army. That was Chen Can's current goal.
During this period of time, Chen Can had lost a lot of weight. His eyes were sunken and filled with blood vessels.
He could not sleep at night.
He could not sleep at night.
As soon as he lay down, the only thing in his mind was how to resist the enemy's attack. As for other aspects, he did not think at all. There was nothing else for him to worry about.
On this day, in the morning.
Chen Can was handling government affairs in the palace when a servant came in and reported, "Your Majesty, Minister Jiang requests an audience."
"Summon him!"
Chen Can ordered.
The servant went to pass the order. Not long after, Jiang He had already entered the main hall. There was a hint of urgency on Jiang He's face. After he stood still, he bowed to Chen Can and said, "Your Majesty, the latest news we received is that the army led by Du Qi is not far from our Guang Yin County. In at most two hours, Du Qi's army will reach the city. "
"They're finally here!"
A glint flashed across Chen Can's eyes.
There was also a hint of fighting spirit.
Apart from this, he also let out a sigh of relief. Now that Du Qi had brought his army, he could finally face Du Qi. During this period of time, he could not face Du Qi directly, so he often had insomnia and could not fall asleep.
Now that he really faced him, he no longer had such concerns and worries.
Chen Can asked, "Jiang Qing, where are the troops of the Southern Kingdom in the north?"
Jiang He said, "According to the latest news, the Southern Empire's army has been marching at a leisurely pace all this time. This subject has also carefully considered this situation. I believe that the other party's intention is to use Du Qi to weaken us, or even to sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight. They want to wait until we and Du Qi are both injured before they come to take advantage of us. "
Chen Can smiled and said, "It's actually more advantageous for us to have such an arrangement in the Southern Empire. Under the current circumstances, we can easily block Du Qi's attacks. As long as we weaken Du Qi's forces first, when the Southern Empire's army arrives, we will face less pressure. "
"Your Majesty is wise," said Jiang He. "That's what this subject thinks. If both sides have a tacit understanding and send troops to attack at the same time, we will face enormous pressure and it will be very difficult to resist. But now, Du Qi and the Southern Empire have their own plans and interests, so we can defeat them one by one. First, we defeat Du Qi and then deal with the Southern Empire. In this way, the Fire Nation will be safe. "
Chen Can nodded. At this moment, he also heaved a sigh of relief in his heart.
He felt a bit more relieved inside.
In any case, he had great hopes of defending Guang Yin County and stabilizing the Fire Nation.
Chen Can's eyes were sharp as he said in a deep voice, "Jiang Qing, are the prices in the city and the people's sentiment stable now?"
Jiang He said, "Your Majesty, the price of grain has risen slightly, but it's still under control. This subject has been paying attention to this matter and won't let the situation get out of control. As for the people's sentiment, there are too many rumors and spies spreading rumors everywhere that the Southern Empire and Xia Xia are coming at the same time. So, the people's sentiment is a bit shaken, but it won't affect the overall situation. This subject has arranged for people to constantly arrest those who spread the rumors. Everything is under control and there are no problems. "
Chen Can said, "That's good. As long as everything is stable, we can succeed."
Jiang He said, "We'll definitely succeed."
Chen Can stood up and said, "There's not much time left. Let's go. We'll go to the West City first. Du Qi's army is coming from the West City, so they should attack the West City first. In addition, Jiang Qing, arrange for people to inform the people of the three great clans. Tell them to bring their troops and gather in the West City, ready for battle at any time. "
"Yes!"
Jiang He immediately agreed.
He didn't go with Chen Can but left alone first. He arranged for people to inform Pan Xisheng and let him inform the Xiang and Yu Clans to send troops together so that they could make preparations in the West City early.
After doing all this, Jiang He arranged for people to stay in the city to ensure that there wouldn't be any problems in the city.
Jiang He was the last to go to the West City.
By the time Jiang He arrived, Chen Can and Zhong Kui had already arrived at the western part of the city. Jiang He went up to the city gate tower and looked at the vast road outside the city. Jiang He said, "Your Majesty, we will definitely win this battle."
Chen Can nodded and said, "We'll definitely win!"
Zhong Kui stood at the side with a cold expression, looking extremely solemn. To Zhong Kui, he didn't think that it would be easy to win this time. It was even uncertain whether they could defend Guang Yin County.
However, Chen Can believed in Jiang He.
His advice was useless.
Time slowly passed. Suddenly, the mighty sound of war drums came from the distance outside the city. Accompanied by the rumbling of the drums, soldiers could be seen in the distance getting into formation.
However, this army was still some distance away from the county town. After all, if they got too close, they would easily be bombarded. Du Qi was in the army. He didn't shout this time and directly ordered Liu Che to bring over the mortars and start aiming at the city gate tower.
All the mortars were in position. Du Qi ordered, "Fire!"
The soldiers immediately fired after the order was given.
Boom!!!
The mortars immediately started firing. Following the deafening sound, shells flew through the air and went straight for the city gate tower of Guang Yin County.
When the cannons started firing, some soldiers had already started charging forward.
The entire army started attacking.
In order to attack Guang Yin County, the army under Du Qi's command had already prepared everything. There was no need to delay time or attack Chen Can's morale. They only needed to attack.
The rumbling of the cannons continued.
Following the rumbling of the cannons, Chen Can on the city gate tower immediately ordered his soldiers to take cover. At the same time, the artillery under his command also started firing, intending to bombard Xia Xia's soldiers.
The cannons kept firing and the battle began.
As the cannons kept firing, the soldiers on the city gate tower were suppressed, so Du Qi's soldiers kept charging forward. They were getting closer and closer to the county town. When they got close to the city gate tower, ladders and siege vehicles were also set up to attack the city.
The Fire Nation soldiers guarding the city quickly defended.
The battle between the two sides continued.
In the blink of an eye, half an hour had passed. At this time, the cannons from both sides didn't stop firing. The defense of Guang Yin County was still impenetrable. After all, Guang Yin County's county town was heavily guarded by Chen Can. They had enough strength and defensive equipment. Therefore, it wouldn't be easy to break through in a short period of time.
Even with the cannons firing, the defense was still impenetrable.
At this moment, Chen Can was already hiding in a corner as he watched the battle continue. When he saw that his soldiers were defending the county town well with smiles on their faces, he felt slightly relieved.
Du Qi couldn't break through Guang Yin County.
His Fire Nation was impenetrable.
"Report!"
At this moment, a soldier suddenly shouted. The soldier rushed to Chen Can's side and reported, "My king, something bad has happened. The northern city, the northern city has been breached. Du Qi's army has entered the city. "
Boom!!
Chen Can's mind seemed to explode.
He was stunned.
Du Qi's army had entered the city?
How was that possible?
Du Qi's army was attacking outside the city. How could they have breached the northern city?
Chen Can quickly recovered and asked, "What's going on? The northern city was fine. Why did it suddenly fall?"
The soldier said, "There are people in the city receiving them. I don't know where they are from. There are more than a thousand people. They directly opened the city gate, and then a group of soldiers poured in from outside the city. They are all Du Qi's army. Right now, this group of soldiers is charging in our direction. "
Chen Can's heart sank.
It was over!
Guang Yin County had been breached.
Zhong Kui was also standing beside Chen Can. When he heard the soldier's words, he felt a trace of pleasure. That was the pleasure of Chen Can's failure to listen to his advice. However, more than that, he was panicking because if the city was breached, the Fire Nation would be defeated.
Zhong Kui immediately said, "My king, retreat. We'll leave through the south gate immediately. Leave Guang Yin County now. We'll escape first and then find other ways to take revenge. "
"Escape?"
Chen Can shook his head.
Chen Can laughed and said, "General Zhong, I hate that I didn't listen to your advice. Unfortunately, it's too late. The city is breached, and we can no longer resist Du Qi's army. The Fire Nation is destroyed. "
Zhong Kui said, "My king, retreat!"
Jiang He also said, "My king, we can't be dispirited. As long as we leave, we will have a chance to turn things around. If we don't retreat now, we won't have a chance at all. "
"I'm not leaving!"
Chen Can shook his head.
He unsheathed his sword with a clang. He held the sword and said, "If you want to surrender, then surrender. Those who don't, follow me to kill the enemy. Even if I die, I will fight. "
That was Chen Can's last dignity.
He was ready to fight.
Chen Can shouted for a while on the city gate tower. He directly told them that the northern city had been breached. When the news came out, the Fire Nation soldiers on and below the city gate tower were completely dumbfounded.
The morale of the army collapsed.
They were discussing it one by one, and they no longer had the fighting spirit from before. They were all panicking.
Chen Can didn't care what the soldiers thought. He shouted that those who were willing to fight would follow him. Then, Chen Can led the soldiers down the city gate tower. When Chen Can led the soldiers down the city gate tower, he didn't leave the city yet. He looked at the soldiers in the city and the soldiers of the three great clans and shouted, "Du Qi's army is here. Now, everyone, follow me to kill the enemy."
"Kill!"
Chen Can ordered loudly.
"Kill!"
The generals of the three great clans led their men to attack.
In Chen Can's eyes, this group of people was even more obedient than the soldiers under his command. Although some of his soldiers moved, they weren't very active.
However, the three great clans rushed forward and closed the distance between them and Chen Can in the blink of an eye. At this time, the general in the lead suddenly turned around and led his men to attack Chen Can.
At this moment, Chen Can's eyes widened.
What was going on?
The three great clans were trying to turn the tables.
But before Chen Can could react, the three great clans had already closed in. The general in the lead killed Chen Can and took advantage of the fact that Chen Can's personal guards didn't resist to kill him.
Then, the three great clans quickly went forward and opened the city gate.
When the city gate opened, Du Qi saw it from outside the city and gave the order to enter the city. The army quickly entered the city and ended the battle in a short time. After all, Chen Can was dead and no one was willing to resist.
When Du Qi's soldiers stabilized the situation and took in the captives, Luo Binwang led his men to the north of the city.
Luo Binwang's men were also from the three great clans. There were about a thousand of them and they were specifically operating in the north of the city to break the city walls and welcome the army in.
As long as the army broke the city walls, Chen Can would lose.
This was Du Qi and Luo Binwang's arrangement.
It was also a true cooperation between the inside and the outside.
The three great clans' forces in the west of the city were only there to attract Chen Can's attention. The real elites were in the north of the city to break the city walls and welcome Du Qi's army into the city.
Luo Binwang completed his mission and came to Du Qi's side. "Your Majesty, I didn't disappoint you and completed the mission."
"Good!"
Du Qi had a look of approval.
Luo Binwang then looked at Pan Xisheng, Xiang Chen, and Yu Fengyan behind him. He said, "Your Majesty, these are Pan Xisheng, Yu Fengyan, and Xiang Chen. We were able to break into the county city thanks to their help."
Du Qi said, "This Prince is already aware of the three's contributions. This battle was all thanks to the three of you. "
Pan Xisheng quickly said, "Your Highness is overpraising us. This is something we should do."
Xiang Chen and Yu Fengyan were also humble.
To them, they had completed their mission. Thus, their matter was over. It was up to Du Qi to express his gratitude. However, this was not something that needed to be arranged right now.
The battlefield was still being cleaned up. After a full hour, Liu Che came to Du Qi's side and reported, "Your Highness, we lost a hundred and sixty-eight men in this battle. Our losses were not great. We killed as many as three hundred and ninety-six enemies and captured as many as twenty-eight thousand soldiers. Some of them even escaped. No matter what, this battle was a complete victory for us. Apart from that, we also caught two big fish. One is the Fire Nation's Minister of Appointments, Jiang He. This person is in charge of the imperial court. The other is called Zhong Kui. He is the Fire Nation's Great General. "
Du Qi ordered, "Bring them here!"
"Yes!"
Liu Che replied and immediately gave the order.
Soon, Zhong Kui and Jiang He were brought over.
Du Qi looked at the two. He did not beat around the bush and went straight to the point. "Are the two of you willing to pledge allegiance to this Prince?"
"I'm willing!"
Jiang He replied directly.
Chen Can was dead and the Fire Nation was gone. He had no intention of continuing to be loyal. Now, he could only pledge allegiance to Du Qi and work for him. After all, he had to look forward.
Zhong Kui, however, raised his head and said firmly, "I'm not willing to surrender. I was born as a Fire Nation person. I'm dead as a ghost of the Fire Nation. Du Qi, kill me if you want, do as you please. "
Du Qi nodded and said, "What a brave and loyal man. I'll fulfill your wish. Men, drag Zhong Kui away, kill him, and bury him. "
The soldiers took Zhong Kui away.
From beginning to end, Zhong Kui did not say a word and allowed the soldiers to take him away.
Jiang He saw this scene and his eyelids twitched. In the end, he lowered his head again. He could not control Zhong Kui now. He could only ensure that he could survive. That was the most important thing.
Du Qi looked at Jiang He and said, "Jiang He, do you know where the granary, treasury, and other important resources are?"
"I know, I know!"
Jiang He hurriedly replied.
After all, he was the Minister of Personnel. After Lan Jiuzhen's death, he was the head of the civil officials. Therefore, he knew all the resources, whether it was food, money, treasures, armor, or other equipment, he knew all about them.
Du Qi ordered, "Liu Che, take Jiang He with you and take over all the resources. In addition, arrange for our men to guard the four city gates. "
"Yes!"
Liu Che immediately replied.
Du Qi looked at Pan Xisheng and the other two and said, "Pan Xisheng, I'll host a banquet in the palace tonight to thank your three families for their help. I invite you to the banquet. After this, I'll have to deal with many things and arrange the army. So, I won't be able to entertain the three of you. Please forgive me. "
Pan Xisheng was the leader. He hurriedly said, "Your Highness is too polite."
Xiangchen and Yu Fengyan were also modest.
The three of them did not stay and left with their families.
After Du Qi saw the three of them off, he led his men to the palace and directly executed Chen Can's family. Then, he released all the palace servants and cleared the palace. Only then did he enter the palace to deal with government affairs.
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