Wife, you didn't really drug me, did you?

Chapter 590 Why don't you dare fight your lord?
woo woo woo...

As the horn sounded, the entire city wall of Xiangyang was filled with soldiers, all armed with swords and spears, standing ready for battle. Zhao Pusheng, the commander-in-chief of Xiangyang and the prime minister of the Tianyuan Empire, stood on the city wall with two swords in his hand, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

At this moment, his gaze swept across the city below, where soldiers had already gathered. Then, two armies charged out from the east and west, one carrying a blue dragon banner and the other carrying a red vermilion bird banner.

These two armies were old friends, having met before at the gates of Huangzhou, so there was nothing difficult about recognizing them.

Zhao Pusheng looked at the two armies, his eyes filled with fighting spirit: "Azure Dragon Legion, Vermilion Bird Legion!"

Just then, an army carrying a large red flag with the words "Begging for Life" written on it suddenly appeared and was frantically approaching.

"The Beggars' Army?"

Zhao Pusheng was somewhat surprised. Where did this Beggar Army come from?

Thinking this, the three armies had already arrived at the city gates. At this moment, a rider emerged from the three armies and quickly arrived at the foot of the city wall. The rider glanced at Zhao Pusheng on the city wall and said, "Prime Minister Zhao, why are you alone? Where is His Majesty?"

Zhao Pusheng also looked at the lone rider below the city and said, "Hmph, Chen Jiu Si, what do you want to do? You are just the General of Zhen Dong of my Tianyuan Empire. What you are doing today, do you want to rebel?"

"Rebellion? Hah, I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare, how could I dare to rebel?"

"I'm just here to seek justice."

"What's justice?"

Zhao Pusheng looked at Chen Jie, who said, "Prime Minister, you seem to have a bad memory. Have you forgotten what happened in Huangzhou Prefecture? The tens of thousands of soldiers who died in Huangzhou Prefecture are still thinking about it. Their loyal souls tell me that they want to come to the Prime Minister and His Majesty for an explanation. What right did you have to kill the people of Huangzhou Prefecture!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Pusheng said, "Hehe, Chen Jiu Si, have you ever heard of the saying, 'When the ruler commands the subject to die, the subject has no choice but to die'?"

Chen Jie said, "Heh, 'ruler'? Whose 'ruler'? Xu Shouhui? Does he deserve to be a 'ruler'?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Pusheng looked at Chen Jie and asked, "What do you mean by that?"

Chen Jie said, "Zhao Pusheng, you don't need to pretend you don't understand. You know who Xu Shouhui is, don't you?"

"Heh... Do you think he's fit to be a ruler?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Pusheng sighed and shook his head, saying, "He is unworthy, but he is the emperor installed by Peng Yingyu. Peng Yingyu, the Laughing Buddha, how could he be wrong?"

Chen Jie looked at Zhao Pusheng and said, "You seem to have a lot of issues with your master!"

"Opinions? Ha! More than just opinions, I harbor a deep-seated resentment towards him!"

As Zhao Pusheng spoke, his eyes were filled with resentment. Chen Jie looked at Zhao Pusheng and said, "Heh, you're full of resentment. That's your master."

"Master, so what if he's my master? The harm he caused me is beyond what ordinary people can compare to!"

Chen Jie looked at Zhao Pusheng and asked, "Where is Xu Shouhui?"

Zhao Pusheng said, "They ran away, they ran away overnight."

Chen Jie said, "He ran away, why didn't you run away?"

"Why should I run? I am the commander-in-chief of Xiangyang City, I am the prime minister of the Tianyuan Empire. Why should I run? I will not run. Let me tell you, as long as Xiangyang City exists, I will exist; if the city falls, I will die. I swear to live and die with Xiangyang City!"

Upon hearing Zhao Pusheng's words, Chen Jie said, "Good, hero, you are indeed much better than that good-for-nothing Xu Shouhui."

Zhao Pusheng said, "Let's not talk about him. To be honest, Chen Jiu Si, you are a person, I admit. You are not an ordinary person. But the world is vast and heroes emerge in great numbers. You are just one of them. Today you attack my Xiangyang, tomorrow someone will attack your Huangzhou Prefecture. Are you prepared?"

Chen Jie said, "Didn't we already attack?"

Zhao Pusheng said, "Hehe, Chen Jiusi, with your eyesight, you can't not see that you are already surrounded by enemies on all sides. The Great Qian Dynasty in the east has sent Bolotemur to lead the Baoxiang Army to attack you."

"To the west lies a precious jade treasure hidden in Sichuan, watching like a venomous snake."

"To the north is Zhu Chongba. Everyone thinks he's useless, but he's definitely a tiger with hidden claws."

"If you show any weakness, he will definitely bite you and let you know what it's like to suffer."

"The south, hehe, the south is even more interesting. You wouldn't believe that there's a Chen Youding in Fujian, would you? You wouldn't believe that he's from the Whale Shark Gang, would you? Let me tell you, the Whale Shark Gang's patriarch is a powerful expert at the third level of the Melting God realm. He's been trying to swallow up your Huangzhou Prefecture for quite some time now, and you're surrounded by enemies."

"Chen Jiu Si, how are you going to handle this?"

Zhao Pusheng looked at Chen Jie with a wicked smile. Chen Jie, seeing this, remained calm and composed, saying indifferently, "Hehe, what's so great about this? We'll deal with whatever comes our way. Why worry unnecessarily?"

"As for you, Mr. Zhao, are you willing to die under the walls of Xiangyang? Why not surrender? I have a good relationship with Lao Peng. It wouldn't be shameful for you to surrender to me."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Pusheng said, "Heh, surrender? I, Zhao Pusheng, may not have any ability, but I have never surrendered in my life. You're dreaming if you think I'll surrender!"

Chen Jie looked at Zhao Pusheng and said, "Does it really have to go this far?"

Zhao Pusheng said, "My hands are already stained with blood, and there's no turning back. If Xiangyang City is defended today, I will have nothing to say. If it is not, then it is my fate. I, Zhao, have done bad things and good things in my life, but I will never be a spineless person who surrenders. I'm putting my words here today. Kill me or torture me, it's all up to you!"

"Alright, we've said enough about what we should and shouldn't have said. Let's begin the battle!"

Zhao Pusheng drew his twin swords, ready to fight to the death. Seeing this, Chen Jie didn't say anything, but instead turned his horse back to camp and summoned the three commanders of the army to the front lines.

At this moment, Chen Jie looked at the three commanders-in-chief: Jin Yanzi of the Azure Dragon Army, Shi Gengming of the Vermilion Bird Army, and Zhang Dingbian of the Beggar Army.

At this moment, Chen Jie said, "Since Zhao Pusheng has already issued a challenge, we can't back down. Who will lead the attack?"

"This humble general is willing to go."

"The general will go where he wishes!"

"Zhang is willing to go."

Upon hearing the question, the three commanders-in-chief clasped their fists and volunteered for the mission. They all looked at Chen Jie, hoping he would entrust them with the main offensive task.

Chen Jie glanced at them and said, "Are you all going to take the lead in the attack?"

"Yes, we should all focus on the main attack."

Several people agreed, and then Chen Jie continued, "Very well, since that's the case, tell me your reasons."

"Our Azure Dragon Army is the second army to be formed in Huangzhou Prefecture. The first army, the White Tiger Army, was guarding Huangzhou Prefecture. The Vermilion Bird Army came after us. In terms of seniority, the main attack mission should be assigned to our Azure Dragon Army."

"Hey, Commander Jin, you're wrong about that. Siege warfare isn't about seniority; it's about combat strength. My Vermilion Bird Army may have been formed later, but every member of it is a hero, and our average combat strength is superior to your Azure Dragon Army!" "Shi Gengming, what do you mean? What do you mean your Vermilion Bird Army's combat strength is superior to my Azure Dragon Army? Why don't we take them out and have a little contest? I want to see how your Azure Dragon Army's combat strength is superior to my Vermilion Bird Army!"

“Golden Swallow, you are a woman, I won’t argue with you, but this main attack mission, my Vermilion Bird Army is determined to take it, my lord, please make the decision.”

"My lord, you decide."

Golden Swallow clasped her hands in a gesture of resentment.

Seeing their expressions, Chen Jie said, "Hehe, your determination is quite good, this siege..."

"Lord!"

At this moment, Zhang Dingbian suddenly spoke up.

"Oh, Dingbian, is there anything you'd like to say?"

"My lord, our Beggars' Army wants this main attack mission."

"Hey, Lao Zhang, don't make things worse now. Your Beggars' Army has only been established for a few days, why are you trying to take the lead?"

Upon hearing Shi Gengming's words, Zhang Dingbian's expression immediately hardened. He looked at him and said, "Commander Shi, although our Qihuo Army has only been established for a short time, we have captured four counties along the way. Commander Shi should have witnessed our fighting strength. Why can't we take the lead in the attack? Moreover, we have a compelling reason to do so."

"Hey, Lao Zhang, I admit your Beggars' Army has some skills, managing to capture four counties in a row. But a county is a county. Can it compare to Xiangyang City? Xiangyang City has high walls and dense defenses. Taking it is no easy task!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dingbian was about to speak when Chen Jie said, "Wait, Dingbian, you just said you had a reason why you absolutely had to rob us. What reason? Tell me."

Zhang Dingbian immediately bowed and said, "Yes."

“My lord, as you know, our Beggars’ Army were once prisoners of Xiangyang Prefecture. We were already full of resentment when we were granted amnesty. Although the brothers of the Azure Dragon Army and Vermilion Bird Army did not say it outright, we all know that you look down on us.”

"We urgently need a battle to restore our image. The Battle of Xiangyang is our battle to restore our image. Putting everything else aside, once this battle is over, we can stand up straight and be proud of ourselves. So this is one of the reasons why we have to take the lead."

"Secondly, as I said before, our Beggars' Army is the same as the Xiangyang Army of the past. Many of our Beggars' Army soldiers still have relatives in Xiangyang City. In this battle, they are all fighting to make merit, while we are fighting more to rescue our relatives. My soldiers will be more motivated and fight even harder!"

"Third, and most inconspicuously, our Beggars' Army is part of the Xiangyang Army, and the troops on this city wall are also from the Xiangyang Army. Many of their brothers are serving on the opposite city wall. When brothers fight, there will always be some sympathy left, at least the casualties won't be too tragic."

After hearing this, everyone remained silent for a long time. After a while, Chen Jiu Si spoke up: "Does anyone have any other ideas? If not, I will hand over the main attack task to the Beggars' Army."

Upon hearing this, Jin Yanzi and Shi Gengming both paused and remained silent. Chen Jie said, "Alright, since that's the case, let the Beggar Army go."

"Zhang Dingbian, let me make this clear from the start: I've given you the main attack you wanted, but if it doesn't work, I'll hold you accountable."

"Yes, rest assured, I guarantee it will turn out well."

Zhang Dingbian immediately assured him, then looked at Jin Yanzi and Shi Gengming, and clasped his hands in thanks, saying, "Thank you, both of you, thank you so much."

Upon hearing this, Shi Gengming and Jin Yanzi looked at Zhang Dingbian and said, "Old Zhang, if you don't perform well, don't blame us for making fun of you."

Zhang Dingbian clasped his hands in greeting and said, "After this is done, I will invite you both to dinner."

After saying that, Zhang Dingbian rushed out. Seeing Zhang Dingbian run out, Shi Gengming and Jin Yanzi also took their leave. Chen Jie watched the three of them retreat and said with a slight smile, "They're all very enthusiastic!"

As he said this, Shi Gengming returned to his army formation. At this moment, the two deputy commanders, Zhao Zhong and Zhu Zong, quickly came to greet him. The three of them were old friends and comrades-in-arms. They looked at Shi Gengming and said, "How is it? The main attack is ours, right?"

"Yeah, we're the main attackers, right?"

Upon hearing this, Shi Gengming shook his head. Zhao Zhong frowned and said, "What? You're not going to let that woman Jin Yanzi steal the main attacking position, are you?"

"Yeah, Lao Shi, you haven't even snatched a woman, have you?"

"It's not Golden Swallow, it's Zhang Dingbian."

"Who? Zhang Dingbian. What makes him think he can take your main attacker position? He's only been here a short time."

"Hey Lao Shi, what's wrong with you? If you couldn't even outmaneuver Golden Swallow, we'd accept it, but how come you couldn't even outmaneuver a bunch of prisoners!"

Zhu Zong grumbled loudly, clearly displeased.

"Old Zhu, if you have a temper, don't take it out on me. Take it out on the lord. The order was given by the lord, so why are you nagging me!"

"Hey, Old Shi, why are you such a coward? Why don't you dare to fight the lord?"

"Who wants to fight me?"

Just as Zhu Zong was loudly complaining, a voice suddenly came over. Upon hearing the voice, Zhu Zong's face immediately stiffened. He turned around and saw Chen Jie riding over on horseback. Upon seeing Chen Jie, Zhu Zong immediately changed to a fawning expression.

"Hey hey hey... My lord, what brings you here? I was just rambling on and on..."

"Hmph, nonsense. I knew you were the one who talked the most. Why didn't I let you lead the attack? You just wanted to fight me. Come on, I'm right here. How do you want to fight me?"

"Hey, hey, my lord, my lord, it was just a joke."

"Just kidding. I knew you were a troublemaker, so I came to see you. Otherwise, your Commander Shi wouldn't be able to control you. Let me tell you, Zhu Zong, even though your Azure Dragon Army is a supporting force, you still need to show me the spirit of a main attacking force."

“Who said there’s only one main attack position on the front? The east gate, which you’re in charge of, is also a main attack position.”

"But the main attack is the main attack. I'm not adding any more men or weapons to your forces. It's just a difference of one word between supporting and main attacks, but you need to project a killing intent onto me. Do you understand?"

"Yes, I promise to complete the mission."

Zhu Zong immediately saluted with a beaming smile, his face full of flattery. Chen Jie glanced at him, then whipped him with his riding crop, saying, "Don't cause me any more trouble."

"No, no, hehe, my lord, please take care, please take care."

Zhu Zong saw Chen Jie off with a smile on his face.

Turning around, he saw Shi Gengming and Zhao Zhong looking at him and saying, "You only feel comfortable when the lord whips you, right?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Zong said, "Hehe, this is great! At least we're now on the offensive!"

"Damn it, so many brothers died in Huangzhou Prefecture. If we can't get a main force back, how can I face them? This time, we've got an explanation. Hehe...hehe..."

(End of this chapter)