Transmigrating to the Primordial Era as a Peerless Great Witch, Changing Fate in the Primordial Worl

Compared to the ruins and chaos seen along the way, Yangzhou City seemed like a quiet and sturdy island in a chaotic world.

Back at the city lord's mansion, which he hadn't visited for over two months, before Wei Xiaobao could even sit down, drink some hot tea, and catch his breath, the old steward rushed in to report:

"My lord, news of your return has spread, and officials of all ranks in Yangzhou are gathered outside the mansion gates, requesting an audience."

"Very well, it's a good opportunity to learn about the situation in Yangzhou while I was away, as well as the latest developments in the country."

Upon hearing this, Wei Xiaobao nodded slightly and said in a deep voice, "Tell them to wait in the reception room. I will be there shortly."

After tidying himself up and changing into a formal city lord's robe, Wei Xiaobao arrived at the solemn reception room.

The hall was filled with officials, both civil and military, led by Li Shi, Zhou Yu, and Shi Poyan.

Upon seeing Wei Xiaobao enter, they all stood up, bowed, and addressed him as "Lord City Lord," their expressions filled with excitement, worry, and curiosity.

They had clearly learned of the earth-shattering changes that had occurred in the capital through various channels, and seeing their lord return safely now, a great weight was lifted from their hearts.

But everyone felt immense pressure regarding the situation that was about to unfold.

Wei Xiaobao walked to the main seat and sat down. He calmly glanced at everyone and first asked Li Shi, Zhou Yu and others about the internal affairs and military affairs of Yangzhou and the situation on the front lines after he left.

Li Shi, Zhou Yu, and others dared not delay and hurriedly reported the military and civilian information they had recently compiled.

The world is now in chaos and in a state of decay.

Li Shi looked solemn and spoke first, saying that the Galdan tribe of the grasslands, in collusion with Tibetan lamas, had repeatedly violated the border and plundered prefectures and counties.

The Heaven and Earth Society was found to be spreading rumors and instigating rebellion.

Even more serious is that the three generals of Wu Sangui, Geng Jingzhong, and Shang Kexi have formally joined forces and raised the banner of overthrowing the Qing and restoring the Ming.

Launching attacks from Yunnan, Guangdong, and Fujian, the Qing army's Eight Banners and Green Standard Army suffered successive defeats, and several southern provinces were no longer under Qing control.

The main force of the Three Feudatories Alliance is now advancing eastward along the Yangtze River, and its advance is not far from the territory of Yangzhou.

Zhou Yu interjected, his tone grim:

"According to the latest intelligence, Wu Sangui personally led the main force of the allied army, which was said to be 500,000, but in reality there should be more than 300,000 soldiers who were ready to fight. Among them were many veterans of the Guan Ning Iron Cavalry, whose strength should not be underestimated."

Their vanguard has already approached Anqing. If Anqing falls, they can advance down the river and reach the gates of Yangzhou within ten days.

Shi Poyan said in a deep voice:

"After two months of emergency conscription and training, the Yangzhou garrison now has approximately 100,000 soldiers on the payroll who are ready to fight."

Of these, 50,000 were well-trained veterans, the elite remaining after the original 150,000 new troops were selected, eliminated, and replenished.

Another 50,000 are newly recruited soldiers who are undergoing intensive training.

Holding the city might allow them to put up a fight, but if they ventured out to engage in open battle, they would likely be no match for the combined forces of the Three Feudatories.

Other officials also spoke, adding details and expressing their concerns.

Ultimately, all eyes were on Wei Xiaobao, awaiting his decision.

"Now that the world is in chaos and surrounded by powerful enemies, should Yangzhou continue to observe and strictly maintain neutrality?"

Or should they choose one side to rely on?

Or perhaps they will participate in the struggle for supremacy and vie for the world?

"Lord of the City, please enlighten me."

The officials asked in unison, their voices echoing throughout the hall.

Oh? The Three Feudatories are already at the gates of Yangzhou?

The projected image of Wei Xiaobao shifted slightly, a sharp, icy glint flashing in his eyes. He didn't directly answer the question about participating in the power struggle, but instead surveyed the assembled officials, his tone calm and confident:

"You need not worry too much. When soldiers come, we will block them; when water comes, we will dam it."

Although the Three Feudatories coalition was large, it had come from afar, was on a long and arduous campaign, and had long supply lines, so it was not necessarily a united front.

My Yangzhou city is high and well-fortified, with ample supplies and weapons. My soldiers are fighting bravely, and the people are loyal to me. Furthermore, we are well-rested and waiting for the enemy to tire themselves out, so we can defend the city.

Wu Sangui's plan to take Yangzhou, this tough nut to crack, won't be so easy.

If they dare to attack, this city lord has a plan to defeat them.

"Alright, that's all for today."

Wei Xiaobao waved his hand, his expression returning to calm. "You all perform your duties: strengthen city defenses, appease the people, and stockpile supplies."

Zhou Yu of the Ministry of War was in charge of intensifying the training of new recruits, while the Ministry of Works inspected and maintained the city's defense equipment, especially firearms and cannons.

Li Shi, from the Ministry of Revenue, was in charge of ensuring that there was no shortage of grain and provisions.

All of you, step back.

Yang Wen, the prefectural magistrate of Yangzhou, and Li Shi's deputy, among others, saw that the city lord was so calm and spoke with great confidence.

Although they still had doubts, they felt somewhat relieved and dared not ask any more questions. They bowed in agreement and left the reception room one by one.

In the days that followed, the flames of war continued to burn throughout the land, the sounds of clashing swords and galloping horses could be faintly heard, countless soldiers shed their blood on the battlefield, and the people were displaced.

However, inside Yangzhou, after Wei Xiaobao returned and issued clear instructions, the city seemed to suddenly shift from its previous undercurrents to a tense, orderly, and purposeful operation.

Beneath the surface of calm lies rapid preparation for war.

The projected image of Wei Xiaobao officially issued a conscription order for "protecting the borders and people and resisting foreign aggression".

With the high prestige he had accumulated in Yangzhou over two years, coupled with the affluent life brought about by the efficient civil administration of Li Shi and others,

And the generous death benefits and kill bounty personally promised by Wei Xiaobao, enough to ensure his family's livelihood for several years.

The enthusiasm of people in Yangzhou and the surrounding areas to join the army is exceptionally high.

After all, rather than being forcibly conscripted by some unknown rebel king or the Qing government to serve as cannon fodder, they would rather fight for the land beneath their feet and for Lord Wei, who could give them stability and hope.

The military strength in Yangzhou City began to steadily increase under strict selection and training.

Two whole months passed in this tense preparation and anxious waiting.

On this day, Wei Xiaobao, who was projected into the body of the projected character, was in the mansion discussing with Li Shi and Zhou Yu how to further improve the city's laws and defense system when suddenly a scout, covered in sweat, rushed into the city with urgent military intelligence.

The combined forces of the Three Feudatories, numbering 300,000, have captured Anqing.

Wu Sangui personally led a large army eastward along the river, and his vanguard was less than ten miles away from Yangzhou.

It is expected that the army will be at the city gates around noon tomorrow.

The scout's voice trembled, yet it also held a hint of determination.

The atmosphere in the hall froze instantly.

Li Shi and Zhou Yu's expressions changed, and they looked at Wei Xiaobao.

Upon hearing this, the projected Wei Xiaobao put down his teacup, but his face showed little panic; instead, he appeared even calmer than before.

He gave a soft "Oh," then cast his gaze outside the hall, as if he could see through the walls to the distant smoke and dust, and said calmly:

They've finally arrived. We have enough grain to last a year in Yangzhou, our weapons are excellent, our city walls are strong, and we're prepared to defend and wait for the enemy to tire themselves out. What are we afraid of?

Everything that needed to be prepared has already been prepared.

The order was given: according to the pre-arranged plan, the entire army should ascend the city walls and prepare to meet the enemy.

"Yes, sir, you are right."

Seeing their lord so calm and composed, Zhou Yu, Li Shi, and the others felt reassured. They quickly bowed in agreement and hurriedly went out to convey the orders and deploy defenses.

Shi Poyan had already gone to the military camp to prepare for war.

Several days later, on a gloomy morning, the deep, thunderous sound of war drums and the long, mournful sound of horns echoed from the plains west of Yangzhou, breaking the tranquility of the past few days.

The seemingly endless, dark mass of the Three Feudatories' allied forces.

Like rolling dark clouds, they swept in, covering the sky and the earth.

They slowly deployed their formation several miles outside Yangzhou city.

The swords and spears reflected the sunlight, gleaming with a cold, chilling light, and an aura of impending doom swept over us.