Capítulo 1350: Chapter 105: The Defeat of Lu Youxian
At the beginning, they could still argue, but now, even the will to argue has vanished.
In this situation, Lu Youxian enforced an extrely harsh rationing system.
With his strong personal charisma within the army, he managed to hold on for a month. At this mont, the generals had no other thoughts, only hoping to sustain for a little longer. A general, with a hoarse voice, said:
“…The reinforcents led by General Ye Zhongdao tried to break through but failed. Heh, our city is really built well. But of course, no matter how adept the Night Rider Cavalry is at charging, this city is ant to defend against the Western Regions, which effectively ans defending against all cavalry.”
“They have no choice, it’s inevitable.”
“What should we do…”
Another general, Zhao Yizhou, said: “Li Guanyi’s forces haven’t launched a strong attack, and with the inner city defenses being even stronger, our army’s morale can barely hold on, but the food is running out…”
“If this continues, we’ll collapse due to logistical issues.”
Everyone remained silent.
They had been struggling to hold on for so long, knowing how vital this place is for the fate of the nation. After putting so much effort into it, they were absolutely unwilling to hand it over lightly.
Always hoping to hold on for a little longer, for a little longer.
With the strength of Great Chen, if they can hold on, waiting for Chen Country’s reinforcents to break into the outer city, and then rush out from the inner city, they could defend it. But the key issue is, the food is gone.
The soldiers can no longer maintain sufficient combat strength.
Lu Youxian remained solemn, calmly saying: “Slaughter the war horses… reduce the provisions for the generals and commanders to the sa level as the soldiers, two als a day, civilians one al a day, to maintain combat readiness in the army.”
“Those who still have combat strength can eat at; otherwise, it’s mainly rice porridge.”
They exchanged glances and all nodded.
“Understood!”
Holding on for another ten days, even the Breaking Army was shaken by such horrifying resilience. Even the bark from the trees in the city had been stripped away, the Chen Country soldiers defending the city had gaunt faces, their muscles and bones exposed, yet their gaze was like a torch.
Though their spirit was strong, they surely couldn’t hold out for much longer.
Zhao Yizhou remained silent for a long ti, took off his helt, and half-knelt on the ground, saying:
“General, with this, we are left with the final option.”
Lu Youxian asked: “What?”
Zhao Yizhou paused for a mont and said: “There are still civilians in the city.”
Lu Youxian’s pupils contracted. Zhao Yizhou gritted his teeth and said: “Whether this city falls into Li Guanyi’s hands will determine if our Great Chen can maintain its current grand montum. Once this city is lost, with the rise of Marquis Qin Wu, Great Chen’s family and nation will be humiliated.”
“General, civilians, all can be food, enough to sustain for months. By then, Marquis Qin Wu’s forces will collapse in spirit and morale, Great Chen can regain strength, and with this dual advantage, we can still guard this place, still guard Great Chen!”
“General!”
“The national frontier must not fall into our hands!”
“Even if we fail, if Marquis Qin Wu surrounds us leading to cannibalism, it will ruin his reputation for virtue!”
“Even if we bear the burden of eternal infamy, we cannot betray our family and nation!”
“General!”
Zhao Yizhou kowtowed, choking back tears. Lu Youxian remained silent for a long ti, he paced out, looking at the inner city. By now, it was no longer as prosperous as before, but beca quiet and desolate, people were sprawled on the ground to stop consuming.
Only the children still had the energy to raise their hands to catch butterflies in the wind.
Lu Youxian was still wearing armor at this mont, his battle robe long since soaked in blood. They recognized this distinguished general of Chen Country, all looking at him as he walked step by step through the inner city. People stood up, for this general who has protected them more than once amidst war, faces carrying the general.
Lu Youxian closed his eyes.
Great Chen, Great Chen…
My Great Chen.
He held the sword, recalling his hotown from his early days, the waterways he ran through, the branches stretching out from the yard, laden with fruit, heavy and full, people coming and going, speaking with smiles.
The fruit, crisp and sweet, laughter in the wind. My Great Chen, culturally rich, number one under heaven, occupying the southern Central Plains, wealthy at all corners, where Buddhist Taoism and Confucianism all have their place, even in the marketplace, even those selling dilute and tea can recite so poetry.
“General…”
Lu Youxian opened his eyes.
He looked down the road, densely packed with civilians standing up looking at him.
They were much thinner, there was still respect in their eyes, a trust and recognition towards Lu Youxian, asking: “General, can we win?”
A child started crying, her mother, feeling embarrassed, gently soothed her child, apologetic, saying: “Truly starving.”
Lu Youxian looked up, down this not very long road, not knowing how many were looking at him, hopeful. But suddenly he thought of the strategy ntioned by his generals.
Using the civilians as food could sustain for months, reverse the situation.
How could he betray his family and nation, let the nation be deaned, let the nation lose its frontier stronghold?!
Lu Youxian gripped his war sword; he was also a general who, after defeating the enemy, built a corpse pile with the enemy army’s heads. The weapon in his hand had once torn through the enemy, yet at this mont this sword was so heavy.
Finally, Lu Youxian’s hand loosened.
He took out his share of dry rations from his bosom and handed it to the crying child, saying:
“…I will protect all of you.”
……
Inside and outside the heroic city of Zhenxi, Fan Qing and Qibi Li found it hard to sustain their spirits. Looking at this heroic city, their faces showed admiration. Qibi Li softly said: “…Forty days have passed, along with the previous siege, we attacked with an army of 300,000 against a city defended by 50,000, yet couldn’t take it down in two months.”
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