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

The Prince of Ruyang suffered a major defeat and retreated to Huangzhou Prefecture, but Zhang Shicheng's army did not stop its invasion. After occupying various parts of Jiangnan in the shortest possible time, they directly besieged Huangzhou Prefecture.

The army, with the Koga ninjas as the main force and Zhang Shicheng's 30,000 troops as support, and with the Holy Lord of the Fourth Revolution of the Melting God as a deterrent, directly attacked Huangzhou Prefecture from Huanggang.

Huangzhou Prefecture organized its forces, with Zhang Dingbian as the main force, to fight against Zhang Shicheng's army in the eastern Huanggang area. However, due to the interference of the Koga ninjas and the presence of the Holy Lord who had reached the fourth level of the Fusion God realm, they formed a formidable fighting force.

This fighting force directly plunged Huangzhou Prefecture into crisis. Even though Zhang Dingbian was known as the God of War, with the lack of top-tier combat power, it was difficult for him to form enough strength to resist the Holy Lord's attack.

Zhang Dingbian immediately sent an urgent message, relaying the intelligence to Huangzhou Prefecture. After seeing the problem, Zhao Ya immediately consulted with Ni Wenjun, Chen Xiaohu, and Su Yunjin.

After discussion, the final conclusion was to immediately mobilize the Azure Dragon and Vermilion Bird legions to Huanggang to help Zhang Dingbian form an effective resistance.

In addition, we should immediately ask Yuan Sanjia to come out of seclusion, because only a fourth-level Molten God level expert can deal with a strongman like him.

Having completed the most basic military deployments, the next step was logistical support. Huangzhou Prefecture was not lacking in this regard, as it had several grain storage sites outside the prefecture, in addition to Huangzhou Prefecture itself being a major granary.

All the plans were almost finalized when suddenly another piece of bad news arrived: Chen Youding, the leader of the Whale Shark Gang in the south, led an army of 50,000 men, along with their patriarch, Tong Wei, a fourth-level Fusion God, to launch an attack on Huangzhou Prefecture from Fuzhou.

Upon receiving this news, Zhao Ya was extremely anxious and immediately sent people to the Southern Frontier, hoping that Linglong would lead Master Jin to help stop the army.

However, when the news reached the southern border, Linglong replied, saying that for some reason, Master Jin refused to come out of the mountains and was probably unable to help Huangzhou Prefecture.

Receiving this news was like a bolt from the blue.

Zhao Ya was also caught off guard. She didn't expect that Master Jin would go on strike. However, Zhao Ya was just a little caught off guard, but she didn't have anything to complain about. After all, it was a favor for him to help her, and it was his right not to help. She couldn't ask too much of him, even though the situation was too critical.

Helpless, Zhao Ya hadn't figured out how to deal with Tong Wei when another piece of bad news arrived: Ming Yuzhen from Shu was leading an army of 50,000 to attack Huangzhou Prefecture, and Tang Bao, the patriarch of the Tang Clan, was also with the army.

This person is also a fourth-level Molten God. This news is a bolt from the blue for the entire Huangzhou Prefecture. Three fourth-level Molten Gods have arrived at once. It seems that they are preparing to destroy Huangzhou Prefecture in one battle.

Upon learning of the dire situation, Zhao Ya immediately summoned the entire army to discuss a plan. However, faced with the attack of three fourth-level Molten Gods, the entire Huangzhou Prefecture was plunged into an unprecedented crisis.

This is clearly a dead end.

After analyzing just how dangerous this matter was, Zhao Ya stopped worrying for a moment. Chen Xiaohu and Ni Wenjun were also filled with worry, because there was no solution to this problem. Overwhelming force could not be overcome by wisdom or cleverness.

Huangzhou Prefecture was in dire straits. Just when everyone was about to give up their will to resist, Yuan Sanjia arrived.

He offered Huangzhou Prefecture an idea: he possessed a grand formation called the [Minor Heavenly Cycle Star Formation].

If such a large formation could be set up, and a fourth-level Molten God were to oversee it, then the enemy would never be able to break through Huangzhou Prefecture in a short time.

Upon hearing that Yuan Sanjia possessed such a powerful formation, Zhao Ya and the others excitedly inquired about its setup.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Sanjia immediately explained the requirements for setting up the formation. To set up this formation, one needs 100,000 well-trained soldiers, and also a famous general who can mobilize 100,000 people and use them as if they were his own limbs.

Therefore, elite troops and renowned generals are indispensable; only in this way can a great formation be formed that can withstand the attacks of three fourth-stage Molten Gods.

However, such conditions are too demanding, and none of them can be omitted. Therefore, Yuan Sanjia could only set up this great formation in theory, but he never put it into practice.

Now they need to decide whether or not to set up this grand formation, and the price for doing so is that all the power of Huangzhou Prefecture must be concentrated in Huangzhou City.

This would mean abandoning all the other prefectures of Huangzhou, leaving only the main army in one city. Moreover, this formation could not last long; as the soldiers deployed in it grew tired and weak, the formation would eventually break. And when that happened, there would be no turning back, only defeat and destruction.

Therefore, even if they set up this [Small Heavenly Star Array], it was only a temporary measure. They were actually just stalling for time and waiting for a turning point.

The turning point was Chen Jiu Si. If Chen Jie could return safely from Kunlun and, as he said, enter the fourth stage of the Fusion God realm, then they would still have a way to survive.

If Chen Jie cannot return from Kunlun, or if he does return but his strength is insufficient to reach the fourth level of the Fusion God realm, then Huangzhou Prefecture will be directly breached and become a dead city.

This high-stakes gamble left Zhao Ya hesitant. Although she held a high military position and was the matriarch of the household, she still hesitated to gamble away all of Chen Jie's legacy.

The others present, such as Ni Wenjun and Chen Xiaohu, also dared not make a decision, after all, this matter was too big.

Finally, everyone's eyes turned to Su Yunjin, the woman who had walked alongside Chen Jie through countless trials and tribulations.

Although this woman is not skilled in military affairs, she is of paramount importance to Huangzhou Prefecture. At this moment, she is the only one who can decide the life or death of Huangzhou Prefecture.

Having figured this out, everyone looked at Su Yunjin.

No one spoke. Zhao Ya looked at Su Yunjin and said, "Sister Su, I'm afraid you'll have to make a decision about this."

Su Yunjin's expression was very solemn at this moment. This matter concerning the lives of countless people was in her hands, and she was under tremendous pressure. As a woman, she really wanted to escape at this time and wanted to say that she could not make this decision.

This way, she can escape responsibility, and no matter what happens in the future, she will not be blamed at all.

But she couldn't do that. This Huangzhou Prefecture and Hubei Road were also the result of her husband's hard work. She couldn't do nothing, because at this moment, countless people wanted to make their own choices.

Thinking of this, Su Yunjin clenched her fist, then looked up and said, "Hu Weiyong!"

Hu Weiyong had been in the meeting the whole time, but today's meeting was mainly a military meeting, so as the administrative head, he couldn't get a word in edgewise. At this moment, Su Yunjin looked at Hu Weiyong and asked, "Prime Minister Hu, how long can the city's food, medicine, and other supplies last?"

After hearing Su Yunjin's words, everyone looked at Hu Weiyong. Hu Weiyong said, "Under normal circumstances, it's enough to last a year. However, in wartime, the consumption increases exponentially, so it's estimated to last at most three months."

Su Yunjin nodded and said, "It's alright, but we still need to continue to increase it, especially medicinal herbs. When war breaks out, bloodshed and injuries are inevitable. At that time, the consumption of medicinal herbs may multiply, so we should try to collect as many medicinal herbs as possible to prepare for unforeseen circumstances."

After saying this, Su Yunjin recalled some crisis management methods that Chen Jie had explained to her before, and at the same time tried to calm herself down, thinking about what she would do if she were her husband in this situation!
Su Yunjin thought for a moment and asked, "Where is Zhou Chu?"

Zhou Chu, the chief constable of Hubei Road, stepped forward and said, "Madam." By addressing her as "Madam," he meant that he acknowledged Su Yunjin as issuing orders on behalf of Chen Jie.

Su Yunjin looked at Zhou Chu and said, "You are in charge of 60,000 patrolmen in Hubei Province. These days are turbulent and I am afraid that some people will take advantage of the situation to cause trouble. Therefore, during this period, the entire province has adopted wartime alert standards. In particular, Huangzhou City must be thoroughly checked to be wary of spies and the like."

Zhou Chu clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Don't worry, Madam."

Su Yunjin thought for a moment and said, "Where is Wu Hong?"

Wu Hong has always been a transparent figure, but he is someone that all the officials in Huangzhou Prefecture fear because he is in charge of the supervision of the entire Huangzhou Prefecture official system.

Moreover, he had a very close relationship with Chen Jie and had been known as "Iron-Faced Wu Hong" for many years. This title came from the fact that Wu Hong had never shown any mercy.

"lady!"

Like Zhou Chu, Wu Hong showed Su Yunjin the utmost respect, and his remark that "Madam" represented his acknowledgment that Su Yunjin had made the choice for Chen Jie.

At this moment, Su Yunjin looked at Wu Hong and said, "Brother Wu, during a great battle, it is inevitable that enemies will try to infiltrate. The work of monitoring officials during this period is of utmost importance."

Wu Hong nodded and said, "Don't worry, Madam. With me here, there won't be any trouble in the backyard. I will keep a close eye on those guys who weren't exactly clean before."

Su Yunjin said, "Thank you, Brother Wu."

Wu Hong remained silent. He was always cautious in his words and actions and disliked talking too much. He knew that trouble could come from the mouth, so he usually did more and said less.

After Wu Hong left, Su Yunjin turned to Chen Xiaohu and Ni Wenjun and said, "Brothers, you are the military commanders of Huangzhou Prefecture. If you were to set up this [Small Heavenly Cycle Formation], you might be able to gather enough soldiers. Also, could you two take on the command position?"

Hearing this, Chen Xiaohu and Ni Wenjun frowned. Chen Xiaohu then said, "Sister-in-law, you're good at asking me to charge into battle, but what about commanding a large army?"

Chen Xiaohu said with a wry smile, "Why don't you let Brother Ni give it a try?"

Ni Wenjun said, "No, I can't command 100,000 people. I can manage a thousand or eight hundred people, but I really can't handle 100,000!"

Seeing the two decline, Su Yunjin looked at Zhao Ya, who said, "Now, our Huangzhou Prefecture's major legions, the White Tiger, Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, plus the Beggar Army and the Buddhist soldiers led by Ding Pulang and Ou Puxiang, together have enough for 100,000 men."

"So we don't lack elite troops and capable generals, as for qualified commanders!"

Zhao Ya pondered for a moment and said, "My husband once said that there are two and a half famous generals in the world. One is Xu Da under Zhu Chongba, and the other is Zhang Dingbian from our Huangzhou Prefecture."

Hearing this, everyone nodded. Zhang Dingbian, yes, how could they have forgotten about him? Yes, in terms of military ability, everyone present combined is no match for Zhang Dingbian. If Zhang Dingbian were to command this battle, he should be able to do it.

Everyone had to admit that their lord was truly prescient, having already recruited such a renowned general into his ranks long ago.

Huangzhou Prefecture is currently in a very good state. Talented people can be given important positions, and there is no mutual attack. This is the state that Chen Jie has always longed for.

Su Yunjin immediately made a decision: "Immediately send someone to inquire about General Zhang Dingbian's opinion and see if he is willing to take on the role of commander-in-chief."

Chen Xiaohu said, "Okay, I'll send someone to handle this immediately."

After saying that, Ni Wenjun looked at Zhao Ya beside him and asked, "You just said that there were two and a half famous generals in 1994. Who is the half one?"

Zhao Ya then laughed and said, "My good-for-nothing brother, Wang Baobao."

Ni Wenjun nodded in agreement and said, "Yes, that's true. Kuokuo does have that ability."

With that, the order was immediately issued. Upon receiving the news, Zhang Dingbian replied immediately: "For the sake of Huangzhou Prefecture, it is my duty to serve my lord."

Therefore, Su Yunjin decided to directly use Yuan Sanjia's [Small Heavenly Cycle Star Formation].

The 100,000-strong army retreated to Huangzhou Prefecture, abandoning the entire Hubei Circuit and focusing all its efforts on defending Huangzhou Prefecture.

Furthermore, the Small Heavenly Star Array was set up in Huangzhou Prefecture. This array was led by Yuan Sanjia, with 100,000 troops as the main force, and Zhang Dingbian as the overall commander. Under his command were: the Azure Dragon Army, commanded by Jin Yanzi; the White Tiger Army, commanded by Chen Xiaohu; the Vermilion Bird Army: Wu Daojun; and the Buddhist Soldiers: Ding Pulang and Ou Puxiang.

The Qihuo Army, Zhang Dingbian's original army, was handed over to Ni Wenjun for command.

In the rest of the city, Zhou Chu led the patrol officers to manage public order, Wu Hong led the secret agents to monitor the officials, and Hu Weiyong was in charge of logistics.

The entire army was in perfect order, completely surrounding Huangzhou Prefecture. The defenses were extremely thorough, and now all that was needed was to wait for Chen Jiu Si to arrive.

Just as Huangzhou Prefecture was withdrawing its troops, the Holy Lord of Jiangnan, Tong Wei from Fuzhou, and Tang Bao from Sichuan entered Hubei with three forces, quickly devouring the entire province. Soon, Hubei was divided up by the three.

The army marched straight in and arrived directly beneath the walls of Huangzhou Prefecture. The three armies joined forces to attack Huangzhou Prefecture, which managed to withstand the attack thanks to the Small Heavenly Star Formation.

However, this siege has lasted for ten days, and everyone estimates that Huangzhou Prefecture will surely fall in another three to five days.

After all, people have reached their limit of fatigue. If there is even one mistake in this Small Heavenly Star Array, the collapse will be a chain reaction.

Therefore, everyone estimates that the Huangzhou Prefecture's grand formation will collapse in five days at most, and at least three days. At that time, facing the attacks of three fourth-level Fusion Gods, Huangzhou Prefecture will inevitably crumble at the first touch, and no one in Huangzhou Prefecture will be spared.

Looking at the intelligence report in his hand, Chen Jie's expression was very grim. He then looked at Chang Qingzi and asked, "When did this intelligence report come from?"

Changqingzi said, "Yesterday!"

Chen Jie suddenly stood up and said, "Prepare a fast horse for me, there's no time!" (End of Chapter)