Chapter 97: Reversing the Situation

Chapter 97: Chapter 97: Reversing the Situation

The assassination attempt on Zhongshan's adopted sons – was this Su Lian Xian's doing? In that moment, Su Lian Xian found himself at a disadvantage in terms of righteousness.

"I, Zhongshan, believe that my actions are justifiable in the eyes of heaven and the people. Though I am a merchant, I take from the people and still give back to them. The Great Song Country, situated in a fertile land, still sees countless people starving to death in the wilderness. On the other hand, the Great Kun Country's land is not as fertile, and we face natural disasters year after year. Yet, not a single person in the Great Kun Country dies of starvation. Is this your court's doing? Every time there is a disaster, has there not been substantial assistance from my Zhongshan Trading House? Today, you seek to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs for your selfish desires, to destroy me, Zhongshan. After today, which merchant would dare to come forward to save the country and its people? After today, how will you face the world and the people? Even if you have a great army behind you, dare you say that not a single person has received my kindness?" Zhongshan spoke loudly.

With Zhongshan's words, the morale of the troops was shaken. The originally grim atmosphere within the army now showed signs of unrest. Indeed, most soldiers may not have received Zhongshan's benevolence, but there was still a small portion who had, or whose parents had been saved from starvation by the Zhongshan Trading House during times of famine.

Now, they were ordered to march against this benefactor? Although soldiers obey orders, they were still human, with hearts of flesh. There were inevitably some who felt reluctant to kill Zhongshan.

Turning his head, Su Lian Xian saw the stir within the army and immediately sensed that things were not going well.

With morale already weakened, should they launch a strong attack now? Moreover, Zhongshan's speech seemed to invigorate the defenders, boosting their spirits. Even the civilians within the city, who had initially been somewhat timid, now seemed impassioned.

Launch an attack? It was not advisable at this moment, despite their overwhelming numerical advantage over the defenders.

"Hmph, Zhongshan is acting against the country, openly rebelling. Any civilians who come out of the city can be pardoned; otherwise, they will be treated as accomplices to Zhongshan's crimes," Su Lian Xian declared again.

However, not only were the defenders affected, even the civilians below the city walls were now filled with fervor by Zhongshan's words. After all, in Xuancheng, there were far more who had benefited from Zhongshan's kindness.

Dong~~~~~~

Emperor Su Zhengde had already ordered the recall of troops.

Although they knew they outnumbered the defenders, they also understood the importance of morale. It was better to regroup their troops and plan their next move carefully.

Su Lian Xian snorted as he glanced at Zhongshan. Riding his horse, he retreated with the other transcendent experts, leading the army back to their camp.

"You're amazing, Uncle Zhong! With just a few words, you managed to make twenty thousand soldiers retreat," exclaimed Englan, her eyes filled with admiration.

Englan had commanded troops before, but Uncle Zhong's feat was beyond impressive. To make twenty thousand soldiers retreat with just a few words was truly incredible.

"Retreat? It's only temporary. But having this temporary advantage is enough. The message should have been delivered. It's time to make our move," Zhongshan said, shaking his head with a smile.

Then, Zhongshan slowly descended from the city wall, ready to continue strategizing for the upcoming battle.

"Father, why did you order the recall of troops? With our two hundred thousand strong army, breaking through Xuancheng, although difficult, would be worth it if we could kill Zhongshan," Su Zhengde's son asked anxiously.

"Son, think about how many casualties we would suffer if we stormed into the city," Su Lian Xian replied.

"Humph, how do you know what's happening inside the city?" Su Lian Xian glared.

"Father, Xuancheng has a population of a million. The daily consumption is unimaginable," Su Zhengde confidently replied.

"Report—!" A voice of urgency suddenly came from outside the tent, followed by an unannounced intrusion.

The newcomer, dressed as a scout, was covered in blood, with disheveled hair and multiple injuries.

He knelt before Su Zhengde as soon as he entered the tent.

"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! General Lin led three hundred thousand troops into the capital city and breached the Imperial Palace. All the royal family members were beheaded at the southern gate of the capital city at dusk yesterday. The Crown Prince also died for the country. The Imperial Palace has been reduced to ruins, and the people of the capital city are in a panic, fleeing in haste."

"Lin Xiao!" Su Zhengde slammed the table in anger, standing up with a furious roar.

Other transcendent experts also stood up, wearing expressions of disbelief as they looked at the soldier before them. Lin Xiao? The commander of heavy troops who had always guarded the borders, defending against the aggression of the Great Song Empire? How could he suddenly lead troops into the capital? Has he betrayed us? The entire Su family lineage wiped out? The shock of this moment was immense, too much to comprehend. Has the world suddenly turned upside down?

"I swear to annihilate your entire clan," Su Zhengde declared angrily.

"Report—!" Amidst the raging anger towards Lin Xiao's treason, another urgent shout came from outside the tent.

Another scout rushed in, blackened with soot and with singed hair, as if just returning from a fire.

The soldier knelt before Su Zhengde and bowed.

"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! The food and supplies stored in Tunyu and Xishan suddenly went up in flames last night. The grain officials were found dead in their tents without explanation. The fire spread too quickly, and in the blink of an eye, all the supplies turned to ashes."

The soldier reported quickly, his voice trembling with fear.

"Crash!"

Su Zhengde unconsciously knocked over the tea cup on the table. This was catastrophic news, absolutely catastrophic. The food supplies had been destroyed?

The presence of the eight hundred thousand-strong army stationed here relied on those supplies. Food was the lifeblood of the army. With the food gone, the morale of the troops would collapse, and the battle would be lost.

"An eye for an eye. We cut off Zhongshan's food, and Zhongshan cut off ours. It must be Zhongshan, it must be Zhongshan's doing," Su Zhengde exclaimed in shock.

"Not only that, but Lin Xiao chose to rebel at the most critical moment? His closest target is the capital. If Lin Xiao seizes the capital, it will block our retreat. Now, with only a day's worth of supplies left, even if we ration, we can only hold out for two days. It's impossible to lead the army to other cities in such a short time. When the eight hundred thousand troops disperse, the throne of my Su family will be completely meaningless," Su Lian Xian suddenly spoke up, his eyes filled with incredulity.