Chapter 643 - Chapter 643: Chapter 294: Beheading the Great Witch Sacrifice

Chapter 643: Chapter 294: Beheading the Great Witch Sacrifice

Above the rushing Lu River, a thousand boats stretched across the river, with sails touching the clouds.

Sixty-four thousand elite Chu soldiers, along with twenty thousand naval forces, crossed the river mightily, intending to break through the frail resistance of the Great Changhe army on the opposite side.

Thundering war drums resounded on the flagship ships, echoing each other, their booming vibrations causing the river below them to tremble.

On the opposite bank, the soldiers of the Great Changhe army gazed upon the unrelenting advance of the boats covering the river surface like stars, their pale faces filled with horror and panic.

Southwest Yi people, who had never seen such naval forces from their positions in the mountains, were shocked to find that such terrifying equipment could exist on water when witnessing the Eastern Yang people’s navy for the first time.

Moreover, with years of consecutive losses, many of the soldiers’ morale had plummeted. At this moment, their courage was shaken by this display of power, and their confidence ebbed away.

“Everyone, remain calm,” commanded a voice.

“Do not panic. Those boats can only stay on the water. When those Eastern Yang people land, we can attack them mid-crossing, making sure they die in the jaws of fish and turtles.”

“We will defend our camp and rely on the deer horn earth wall. With our well-prepared defenses, we have nothing to fear from the Chu people.”

“The Great Witch Sacrifice is right behind us. He can communicate with ghosts and spirits, and can borrow divine power from the gods. With the protection of the Great Chilih deity, we will surely defeat the Chu army.”

“Hold your weapons tightly. Anyone who dares retreat will not be spared by my sword.”

On the western bank, military officers of the Great Changhe army, accompanied by their personal guards, repeatedly reassured their panicked troops.

With their reassurances, freshly conscripted civilian workers and new soldiers finally calmed down, their distraught expressions reduced by half.

Seeing this situation, the military officers began giving orders again.

“The Chu people still have some time before they land. Hurry up and dig more trenches. Set up more deer horn roadblocks, and place more bamboo stakes in the trenches. These are all life-saving items.”

“The Chu people are about to arrive. The first wave of soldiers should rest in place to recover their strength and deliver a crushing blow to the Chu people when the time comes.”

“All archers, get in position quickly. You will initiate the first wave of attack.”

With the issuing of orders, the Great Changhe army on the riverbank busied themselves once again.

The Chu people were about to land, and a bloody battle was inevitable. Time was running out.

Everyone knew that the more they prepared now, the safer they would be, and the more damage they would inflict upon the Chu people later.

Under the threat of life and death, even those who had previously harbored many grievances were now working tirelessly.

At this very moment, though,

Five miles from the Lu River, at a majestic camp in the rear, a slightly elder figure wearing a sacrificial robe retracted his gaze from the front, and asked in a calm voice, “How is the defense preparation along the frontline?”

Another person dressed similarly respectfully replied, “Great Witch Sacrifice, the first line of defense at the riverbank has been set up. Ten thousand brave warriors are in position along the line, waiting to deliver a crushing blow to the Chu people when they land.”

Behind the riverbank at the second line of defense, twenty earth platforms have been constructed, each a hundred steps apart.”

Three hundred archers have been stationed on each platform, with ten second-rate experts and two hundred elite armored soldiers assisting in the defense.”

“The platforms can support each other, launching attacks on the enemy from both sides.”

“With such a defense, even if thousands of Chu soldiers attack, they cannot easily break through without sacrificing thousands of their corpses.”

“The third line of defense has nine out of ten large camps completed, with only one left somewhat unfinished. In a few days, it can be completed.”

“We will definitely finish it before the Chu people’s arrival.”

Although Lu Yuan’s surprise attack on Da Changhe Country had caught them off guard, this side had long predicted that the Chu people would cross the river.

For one reason, since the New Year, a large number of troops and horses in Qianzhong County had been converging toward Eshan Mansion. At the same time, a large amount of supplies transported from the rear of the Chu State had also been stockpiled here.

By now, Eshan Mansion had three Forbidden Armies, along with local prefecture and county soldiers, numbering over sixty thousand people in total.

Meanwhile, on the front lines of the Lu River and within Fu City, two large warehouses were built, storing enough military supplies for a hundred thousand troops for half a year.

With such a significant mobilization of military resources, it was evident to everyone except the blind that the Da Changhe Country would detect it easily.

Receiving the news, the Da Changhe Country naturally didn’t believe that the Chu people had gathered so much military force and supplies here, only to conduct military exercises or have a spring outing.

Without much thought and with some simple judgment, they knew that the Chu people were preparing to break their silence and cross the river to invade the western Hui Chuan country.

When they received this news, the Great Changhe Country was filled with panic and unease.

Their capital, located in the Kunhai area, was now suffering from the ferocious attacks of the Kunhai rebel state. Li Xiong had already seized the southern, eastern, and some northern parts of Kunhai after several consecutive battles.

Now, Kunhai and the Great Changhe were each gathering a hundred thousand troops, preparing for a fierce battle in the northern city of Lu Dan.

The two countries were engaged in a fierce struggle that showed no signs of stopping.

Simply dealing with this mad dog had already left the Great Changhe Country utterly exhausted.