The Prodigal Son

Xiaxing belongs to Luzhou, and beyond Xiaxing lies Pangzhou.

One is Shangying, and the other is Xiaying; these are the two gateways to Luzhou.

Yan Wujiu heeded Zong Bi's advice and, while Qin Yu and his men were besieging Wangzhou Prefecture, sent men into Luzhou Prefecture to open all of Luzhou Prefecture's granaries.

As the prefecture capital of Luzhou, Luzhou Prefecture still had some grain in its official granaries.

Of course, this amount of grain is barely enough to feed the millions of people in Luzhou.

Yan Wujiu transported away a portion of the grain, and distributed the remaining limited food supplies to the people so they could flee with the grain.

The larger cities between Luzhou Prefecture and Xiaxing were all constructed in the same way.

Before leaving Luzhou Prefecture, Yan Wujiu stood on the city wall, gazing intently towards Shangxing.

Although Yan Wujiu was Emperor Yan's uncle, he was actually only less than two years older than Emperor Yan.

He basically grew up with the Yan Emperor.

When they were young, they even went to the battlefield together to hone their skills.

He and the Yan Emperor were more like brothers than uncle and nephew.

That is why he became the only prince in the Great Yan Dynasty to hold significant military power.

He was also deeply worried about the current crisis facing the Yan state.

Looking at the people of Luzhou Prefecture fleeing with their families, he felt a pang of shame.

Their vanguard had arrived, but instead of attacking the enemy, they attacked their own city.

They have no idea how many people are talking behind their backs.

He considered leading the Flying Fang Cavalry to attack Shangxing several times and reclaim this gateway, but after much deliberation, he gave up the idea.

They were rushing towards Luzhou Prefecture, and had already been delayed for some time.

The Ning army besieging Wangzhou Prefecture had very little food and supplies, and they could not sustain the siege for long.

Regardless of whether Ning's army wins or loses, by the time they reach Shangxing, Ning's army there should have already returned to Shangxing.

Therefore, there would be no point in them attacking Shangxing again; it would only delay other matters.

The war has turned out like this, it's shameful!

Well, I hope Zongbi can cause the Ning army besieging Wangzhou Prefecture to suffer more casualties, so that once their main force is assembled, they can take back Shangxing in one fell swoop!

Only by retaking Shangxing will the subsequent battles be easier.

Even if things go wrong, we can still stabilize the situation!

"Thump thump..."

At that moment, a series of hurried footsteps came from behind Yan Wujiu.

Yan Wujiu turned around and saw that the adjutant Ji Ying had a deadpan expression, as if his parents had died.

"What's wrong?"

Yan Wujiu frowned slightly and said half-jokingly, "Don't tell me that the Ning army has captured Wangzhou Prefecture."

Meeting Yan Wujiu's gaze, Ji Ying opened his mouth slightly, but after a long while he couldn't say anything, he could only nod with difficulty.

Yan Wujiu's face suddenly stiffened, and his heart began to race.

After struggling to regain his composure, Yan Wujiu forced a smile. "Alright, stop joking with me! This kind of joke is unacceptable! If you disrupt the morale of the army, I'll punish you severely!"

How is that possible!

That's Wangzhou Prefecture, where Zong Bi was personally in charge!

How long has it been since Wangzhou Prefecture was captured?

If Zongbi were completely unprepared, like Zhu Jun, he might be suddenly attacked by the Ning army.

However, Zong Bi was well prepared. Even if Zong Bi had personally defended the city, or even if he had just found a decent general to defend it, the Ning army would not have been able to break through Wangzhou Prefecture so quickly.

Ji Ying, his face contorted with grief and indignation, cried out, "Your Highness, it's true! The Ning army has already breached Wangzhou Prefecture, and even Commander Zong has been killed in battle..."

"shut up!"

Yan Wujiu glared at Ji Ying with eyes blazing with fury, and warned sternly, "If you dare to spout nonsense again, I will punish you severely!"

"Your Highness, it's true!"

Ji Ying didn't stop, lowering his voice to wail, "This is a message sent by several of Commander Zong's personal guards, it's absolutely true!"

"Impossible, absolutely impossible!"

Yan Wujiu waved his hand haphazardly, "If Zong Bi is dead in battle, how could his personal guards have survived to send us messages? Lock those men up and interrogate them thoroughly; they must be spies sent by the Ning army to sow discord among our troops!"

Ji Ying shook his head, and said with grief and indignation, "This humble general has already interrogated them. They were deliberately released by the Ning army."

Upon hearing this, Yan Wujiu's mood instantly plummeted.

After taking a few deep breaths, Yan Wujiu asked, panting, "Are you sure?"

Ji Ying felt a pang of sorrow, but firmly said, "How dare I speak nonsense about such a momentous matter? I would stake my life on it."

Meeting Ji Ying's affirmative gaze, Yan Wujiu's last glimmer of hope was shattered. His mind trembled, and he almost fainted.

"Your Highness!"

Ji Ying quickly stepped forward to support him.

He wanted to say a few words of comfort to Yan Wujiu, but he had no idea how to do so.

After Zong Bi's death, Wangzhou Prefecture was captured.

Next up, it will definitely be Rock Fortress!

Under these circumstances, the generals of Panshi Fortress simply could not hold it.

Once Panshi Fortress fell, the entire Wangzhou fell into the hands of the Ning army.

Once Ningjun's supply lines were completely secured, they had the resources to confront them.

Ning Jun doesn't need to worry about a fire in the rear, but they do!

Which of these high-ranking generals was unaware of the situation within the Yan Kingdom?

Once chaos erupts in the rear, Luzhou, Pangzhou, and even Huzhou will be in grave danger!

Yan Wujiu clenched his fists tightly, gritted his teeth, and growled, "When did this happen?"

"The day before yesterday morning."

Ji Ying replied, "The Ning army attacked the city around Chenshi (7-9 AM) the day before yesterday, and by noon, Wangzhou Prefecture had fallen! Commander Zong originally intended to lead his troops westward to join forces with the troops at Panshi Fort, but when they reached the Sandao Liangzi Pass, they were ambushed by Qin Fumeng..."

Ji Ying gave Yan Wujiu a general report on what had happened.

Yan Wujiu heard it, but his head was buzzing.

The attack began at Chenshi (7-9 AM), and by noon, Wangzhou Prefecture, which was personally overseen by Zong Bi, had been breached.

When did Ningjun's combat power become so terrifying?

Yan Wujiu's face was filled with disbelief as he muttered to himself, "How could the Ning army have captured Wangzhou Prefecture so quickly? How exactly did Zong Bi manage to fight?"

The Ning army captured Wangzhou Prefecture the day before yesterday morning.

Their main force has definitely started to converge on Shangying.

Even if I were to lead my troops to attack Xing immediately, it would be too late.

Ji Ying replied, "I heard that the Ning army dispatched many skilled warriors, abandoning the city gates and forcibly building bridges to attack the city. Commander Zong and Zhao Po fought fiercely for several days and were both injured..."

Hearing Ji Ying's words, Yan Wujiu felt a pang of sorrow.

Less than half a month after the start of the war, the 90,000-strong army in Wangzhou was wiped out!

That's an army of 90,000!

How many 90,000-strong armies could the Great Yan possibly lose like this?

Moreover, this was before the crisis in the Great Yan Dynasty had fully erupted!

Once the crisis of lack of money and food fully erupts, how will we fight the rest of the war?

At this moment, even Yan Wujiu, who was revered as one of the three great generals, was completely flustered.

Right now, Yan's only hope lies with Bei Qi!

Hopefully, Empress Murong of Northern Qi is not short-sighted!

If Northern Qi not only fails to send troops to help Great Yan, but also takes advantage of the chaos to plunder, the downfall of Great Yan is only a matter of time...