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Chapter 94: Imperial Reward
After the gong sounded.

The barbarian soldiers under the city wall began to retreat in chaos.

"Withdrawn?"

Chen Sanshi inserted the spear upside down, wiped the sticky blood off his face, and stood on a high place to look at the battle situation.

In fact, it was a dangerous moment just now.

Why did you suddenly withdraw?

There must have been some accident.

really.

It wasn't long before the news came.

Just now, while the barbarians were attacking the city gate, one of the main generals led 300 elite soldiers to attack the weak link on the west side, successfully broke through the city wall and entered the city. A centurion named Qian was killed on the spot.

Fortunately, Xiang Tingchun and Dan Wuzhi arrived in time and killed the commander.

The loss of a main general meant that the barbarians only had one internal cultivator left, and had to temporarily retreat and rest.

In fact, this is often the best time to go out of the city and pursue.

However, Poyang was short of troops, so the barbarians deliberately left cavalry in the rear to provide support.

The soldiers began to clean up the battlefield.

Chen Sanshi sat down to rest.

The inventory was not completed until dusk.

In this round, they killed one thousand enemies and lost two hundred soldiers, most of whom were newly recruited soldiers. In addition, one hundred martial arts school disciples also died. It is said that the remaining martial arts school disciples fled in all directions, and people have been sent to search for them.

In other words, Poyang's remaining combat power is only about 900.

"Master Chen, tell Qian Hu to tell everyone to come over."

Inside the tent.

After half a day of fighting, everyone was very tired and most of them were slightly injured.

Sun Li's fair face was also covered in blood.

Sun Buqi was also stabbed in the arm.

"Three stones!"

Xiang Tingchun asked: "What do you think we should do next?"

"withdraw."

Chen Sanshi gave the answer: "The battle line is too long, and there are too few troops in Poyang. If we continue to defend like this, the danger we are in will happen again soon. It is better to clear the fields and retreat to the county town, concentrate our forces to defend the high walls, and there is still a chance of winning."

"Well, you and I have the same idea."

Xiang Tingchun didn't even ask for other people's opinions. He directly ordered: "Feng Yong, Zhao Kang, you two are responsible for leading all the people outside the city into the city before dawn tomorrow. Make sure to fortify the city walls and clear the fields. Don't leave any grain behind. The rest of you, continue to guard the Great Wall tonight. No one is allowed to leave their post without permission!"

"Yes!"

Feng Yong and the other man took the order and left.

"Prefect Ji."

Xiang Tingchun continued: "What is the situation in Anding Prefecture?"

Ji Guangxian sighed, "The fighting is going on fiercely, it's impossible to transfer people here, so give up on the idea, Xiang Qianhu. However, tonight, an old slave of our clan who has achieved a minor level of internal organ refining will arrive and can help a little."

"This time, I really want to thank Governor Ji."

Xiang Tingchun breathed a sigh of relief.

In this way, it becomes four people refining the internal organs to deal with one barbarian.

Coupled with the advantage of defending the high walls, there is a high probability that the situation can be delayed until Anding Prefecture is free to dispatch reinforcements.

Defending Poyang with a force of a thousand men was considered a great achievement.

"You don't have to thank me, sir."

Ji Guangxian said calmly: "His Highness has always been concerned about the country and the people. He definitely does not want our Great Sheng Dynasty to lose any city. I am helping you and serving the court."

The two stayed to talk.

The rest of the people dispersed one after another.

"grown ups!"

Xu Bin waited outside for a long time: "Can you..."

"If you can't go back, I can't go back either."

Chen Sanshi knew what the other party was going to say.

Xu Bin's child was probably just born. However, to clear the city walls and the countryside at this time meant that all the people outside the city would have to sleep on the streets for a long time. He must be worried.

Chen Sanshi was also worried about Lan Jie'er.

He found Sun Li, who understood his intention: "I am not under anyone's jurisdiction, so leaving temporarily does not count as deserting my post. Don't worry, I will take good care of Sister Lan, and... your family."

"Thank you!"

Chen Sanshi clasped his fists.

He returned to his post on the city wall and counted his men.

Twenty people died.

Most of them died while guarding the ladders when they went with him to support Zhao Kang.

Having a photographic memory is not always a good thing.

After a real bloody battle, the atmosphere became more solemn. Even Zhu Tong no longer shouted around as heartlessly as before, but sat on the wall quietly with his eyes closed.

Chen Sanshi took a short rest and then continued practicing martial arts.

Fortunately, the Xihe tribe did not attack again at night, and after daybreak, all of them were able to retreat smoothly into the city.

The walls of Poyang City are three zhang high and two zhang thick, making them very strong. In addition, there is a Lian Zang guarding the four walls in the southeast, northwest, and northeast, making it almost impossible for the barbarians to break through easily.

It’s a pity that many villages outside the city will be burned down, but there is nothing we can do about it.

"Master Chen."

A sturdy middle-aged man with a short beard climbed up the city wall.

"you are?"

Chen Sanshi became alert.

The person in front of him had long breaths and steady steps, very similar to Xiang Tingchun, and most likely also an internal organ refining warrior.

"Don't be nervous, Master Chen."

The middle-aged man introduced himself: "My last name is Han Cheng, and I am the bodyguard of County Magistrate Xue. You can call me Bodyguard Han." "Nice to meet you."

Chen Sanshi bowed.

Previously when he was at the Liang family, he overheard that even a small county magistrate like Xue had a monk around him, and it turned out to be true.

Moreover, this person was not seen taking action during the previous fierce battle at the Great Wall.

He asked, "Guard Han, what can I do for you?"

"There is an imperial decree."

Han Cheng made a gesture of invitation.

"Imperial decree?"

Chen Sanshi guessed that it was about the matter of Prince Yuwen Jiu, and there was a response from the capital.

He followed the other person and came to the gate of the county magistrate's residence.

"Master Chen."

Han Cheng suddenly stopped and said, "Soon Magistrate Xue will read the imperial edict. You must agree to whatever he asks you to do. No matter what happens... Commander Sun will cover you. Remember, you must agree to everything!"

"?"

Chen Sanshi was stunned.

I soon realized that the Han Cheng in front of me seemed to be... actually General Sun's man.

Sun Li and his sister said privately that County Magistrate Xue was the emperor's man, but he had Sun Dushi's people hiding around him, and they asked him to do things according to the emperor's orders.

So complicated?

Only after entering can you know what the situation is.

"Okay, I remember."

Chen Sanshi nodded in agreement.

Han Cheng then continued to lead the way.

Inside the hall, Magistrate Xue was sitting on the armchair in his official uniform.

There was a guard standing beside him.

Could it be another internal organ cultivator?
A county magistrate with two internal organs around him?

"Master Chen."

Seeing their caution, Magistrate Xue slowly stood up and said, "I apologize for not welcoming you in person."

"You're too polite, County Magistrate Xue."

Chen Sanshi bowed.

In terms of rank alone, he is one level higher than the seventh-rank county magistrate.

"Then let's get straight to the point, Ben County."

Magistrate Xue cleared his throat, took out the golden silk book that he had prepared long ago, slowly opened it, and read aloud:
"The Emperor, in compliance with the Will of Heaven, proclaims that Captain Chen Sanshi, who is at the stage of bone training and a young man, went deep into enemy territory for 400 miles and captured the ninth prince of Yuwen alive. His loyalty and bravery are commendable. He is hereby promoted to the rank of fifth-rank flying cavalry captain, and is granted a box of bone training precious medicine and a pot of imperial wine. This is my decree."

"Your Majesty, please accept the order and thank me."

Chen Sanshi took the imperial edict with both hands.

The fifth-rank Flying Cavalry Captain is a military officer rank, which is an honor and has no real position.

In this world, military honors are linked to the level of cultivation. He is a sixth-rank official but is awarded the fifth-rank honor, which is already an exception.

It doesn't matter, and he doesn't care.

What Chen Sanshi was interested in was the precious medicine for strengthening bones.

After all, the things given by the emperor can’t be that bad.

Hurry up and break through to perfection in bone training so that you can prepare for the next battle.

Besides, there doesn’t seem to be anything special in the imperial edict?
Commander Sun also needed to send someone to explain that he would cover the consequences. What would he cover?

"Master Chen."

Magistrate Xue smiled and said, "At such a young age, you have been appreciated by His Majesty. Your future is limitless!"

"Mr. Xue is a compliment."

Chen Sanshi was being polite and just wanted to get the precious medicine as soon as possible.

Magistrate Xue was not in a hurry. He took the jade pot from the tray held by the servant, poured a glass of wine and handed it to him: "Sir Chen, His Majesty has bestowed fine wine on you. According to the rules, you need to drink it on the spot. I hope you will not disappoint His Majesty."

[Green Blood Poison Dew: It is colorless and tasteless. After taking it, it melts into the blood and flesh. It will not cause any symptoms within three months. If there is no antidote after three months, the intestines will be ruptured, the stomach will bleed from all seven orifices, and the person will die suddenly.]

Poisoned wine? ! !

I have made great contributions, and the emperor gave me poisoned wine?

Han Cheng meant to agree to everything, is this it?

Chen Sanshi's thoughts raced through his mind, but his expression remained calm.

'It took three months for the poison to take effect.'

'It means the emperor doesn't want to kill me.'

"But...you want to control me!"

Chen Sanshi suddenly realized.

The emperor had no reason to kill him.

If I really wanted to kill him, I wouldn't have to poison him secretly, and it would take three months for the disease to take effect.

If you want to control him secretly, it makes sense.

But what to control him to do?
Within three months, if you do well, we will quietly give you the antidote and pretend nothing happened.

If you don’t do it well, you will die from the poison?
To drink or not to drink?
Apparently, the so-called "safety net" means that Superintendent Sun will give him the antidote to fool him first.

of course.

Chen Sanshi would not completely trust either party.

After all, he was just a nominal forward for the time being and had no actual relationship with Commander Sun.

But, that’s it.

Have to drink.

Anyway, he can detoxify himself!
Thinking of this, Chen Sanshi picked up the wine glass and drank it all.

(End of this chapter)