NCCnovel Chapter 136 Battle
Chapter 136 Battle
Having achieved his objective, the Xia Emperor's envoy, to demonstrate his sincerity, ordered the Divine Martial Army to retreat ten miles.
Upon hearing that Cangzhou City was besieged, Liu Shan was extremely anxious. He immediately led his personal guards day and night, and wherever their iron hooves passed, dust filled the sky and sand flew up, as if a clay dragon was rushing towards the gates of Cangzhou City.
The soldiers of the personal guard battalion were all filled with murderous intent, gripping their weapons tightly, their eyes resolute.
Liu Shan took the lead, galloping at the forefront, his heart filled with anger and anxiety.
He had learned that Princess Changning was willing to offer herself as a hostage in exchange for the safety of Prince Kang, which he found unbearable.
"Princess! How could you make such a decision? Although my personal guard is small in number, each soldier is elite and capable of fighting the Divine Martial Army! Moreover, there are many people in Cangzhou City; how could they stand idly by!"
Liu Shan stood at the city gate, his eyes wide with anger, roaring loudly, his voice filled with indignation.
Princess Changning smiled bitterly. How could she not know that Liu Shan's words made sense? But the Shenwu Army was coming with overwhelming force, its strength far exceeding that of the Cangzhou garrison. If it weren't for a last resort, why would she have made this choice? She sighed softly and said, "Lieutenant Liu, I understand your feelings, but now the Shenwu Army is at the city gates, and the disparity in strength is too great. Forcibly resisting will only plunge Cangzhou into bloodshed. If I offer myself as a hostage, perhaps I can still protect Prince Kang and the people of Cangzhou."
"What a joke! Princess, you are of noble birth, how can you offer yourself as a hostage? Although the Divine Martial Army is strong, my personal guard is no ordinary force either!"
Liu Shan laughed in fury, brandishing his long sword and pointing it at the distant Shenwu Army, "Brothers, follow me out of the city and fight the Shenwu Army to the death!"
The soldiers of the personal guard shouted in unison, their voices echoing across the fields, and many responded.
Their eyes gleamed with fighting spirit, showing no fear, ready to follow Liu Shan out of the city at any moment.
However, at that moment, a clear voice rang out: "Liu Shan, don't be reckless!"
The crowd looked in the direction of the sound and saw Li Wanqing standing on the city wall in military uniform, looking heroic and spirited. Behind her was a group of laborers holding simple weapons. Although they looked afraid, their eyes were firm.
Li Wanqing's gaze was piercing as she stared directly at Liu Shan, and she said in a deep voice, "Liu Shan, although we are engaged, I have always respected your decisions. Today, I absolutely cannot let you do such a reckless thing. If you really want to fight, I will fight alongside you and swear to defend Cangzhou City to the death!"
Liu Shan was shocked. He hadn't expected Li Wanqing to appear at this moment, let alone say such a thing. He looked at Li Wanqing, a warm feeling welling up inside him, but his face still showed anger: "Wanqing, do you know how strong the Divine Martial Army is? The laborers are no match for them. Forcibly resisting will only plunge Cangzhou City into utter ruin!"
Li Wanqing said firmly, "Liu Shan, I know you are angry, but I also know that if we retreat without a fight, that would be the real catastrophe! Princess Changning risked her life for the people of Cangzhou. Doesn't her sense of responsibility and courage deserve our respect? How can we just stand by and watch her fall into danger? Today, I will fight alongside you to protect Cangzhou and Princess Changning!"
Looking at Li Wanqing, Liu Shan felt a surge of respect.
He knew that although Li Wanqing was a woman, her courage and sense of responsibility were in no way inferior to those of a man.
He took a deep breath and said slowly, "Wanqing, since you are so determined, then I will fight alongside you and swear to protect Cangzhou City to the death!"
Princess Changning looked at Liu Shan and Li Wanqing, and a feeling of emotion welled up in her heart.
She sighed softly and said, "Lieutenant Liu, Miss Li, I appreciate your kindness. But this battle is extremely dangerous. Why would you risk your lives for me?"
Li Wanqing smiled slightly and said, "Princess, you are the hope of the people of Cangzhou. How can we let you face danger alone? Today, I will live and die with you to protect Cangzhou!"
Liu Shan nodded and said, "Princess, you need not say more. My mind is made up. Today, my personal guard will fight to the death with the Divine Martial Army, vowing to protect Cangzhou City!"
Princess Changning looked at Liu Shan and Li Wanqing, and a surge of strength welled up in her heart.
She knew that although the battle was extremely dangerous, with them by her side, she would no longer be alone.
She took a deep breath and slowly said, "In that case, let us fight together against the Divine Martial Army and defend Cangzhou City to the death!"
Just then, the deafening sound of war drums suddenly came from the Divine Martial Army outside the city. Immediately afterwards, the general of the Divine Martial Army shouted loudly: "Princess Changning, do not betray the goodwill of Emperor Xia. If you do not come out of the city to surrender, our army will attack the city!"
Liu Shan's eyes widened in fury as he roared, "Divine Martial Army, don't be so arrogant! My personal guard is here, and we will make sure you don't leave alive!"
The general of the Divine Martial Army snorted coldly and said, "You are just a lowly general, yet you dare to oppose my Divine Martial Army? Today, I will show you the might of my Divine Martial Army!"
At this moment, the Xia Emperor's envoy said softly, "General, why don't I go and persuade the princess again? Perhaps we can avoid a bloody battle."
The Shenwu Army general shook his head and said, "The enemy's will is firm, and their fighting spirit is high. Persuading them to surrender is useless. Only by killing them to terrify them can we truly make them submit. Today's battle is not only about capturing the city, but also about intimidating the people of Cangzhou!"
The Xia Emperor's envoy sighed, turned to look at Princess Changning, and said earnestly, "Princess, war is merciless. What have the people done wrong? If there is any chance of survival, please think it over."
His answer was a sharp arrow shot by Li Wanqing.
The arrow pierced the air, heading straight for the messenger. Although it did not harm the messenger, it demonstrated her determination.
The envoy remained silent, bowed to the general of the Divine Martial Army, and then returned to his camp.
With a wave of his hand, the general of the Divine Martial Army sent his soldiers surging forward like a tidal wave, heading straight for Cangzhou City.
Liu Shan shouted, and the soldiers of his personal guard rushed out of the city to engage in fierce fighting with the Divine Martial Army.
Li Wanqing also led the laborers to rush up the city wall to help defend the city.
Battle was imminent, and soldiers from both sides engaged in a fierce fight beneath the city walls.
Amidst the flashing blades and flying blood and flesh, screams and roars mingled together, creating a gruesome scene.
Princess Changning stood atop the city wall, her gaze resolute, her command unwavering.
On the city wall, Li Wanqing held a bow and arrow, aiming at the Shenwu Army soldiers, and shot one arrow after another without missing its mark, providing powerful support for the personal guard battalion.
Beneath the city wall, Liu Shan descended like a tiger, his long sword wielded with impenetrable speed, each strike carrying a sharp killing intent, aimed directly at the vital points of the Shenwu Army soldiers.
The soldiers of the personal guard were all incredibly brave, closely following Liu Shan and engaging in fierce combat with the Divine Martial Army.
The laborers also took up makeshift weapons to help defend the city.
Although they had no combat experience, they had a strong belief in protecting their homeland, and each of them fought with all their might.
However, the Divine Martial Army was numerous, well-trained, and extremely experienced in combat.