Shulong Daojun

Before he could finish speaking, Lin Shu nodded and smiled, saying, "Only you and I know how much of that news is true and how much is false. This is the opportunity to incite the refugees outside the city to attack the city."

Jiang Heng, when the news spread, you followed your previous plan and, together with the county magistrate, led a thousand armored civilians to Pingjiang City.

A journey of a hundred miles takes three days, which is more than enough time.

At the same time, Beichen and I each led a county of refugees to Pingjiang City.

If you are fast on your feet, you can rest and regroup not far from the city when you arrive, and then practice for an hour or two, making as much noise as possible.

If the leader isn't stupid, he'll definitely send someone to investigate, and in that case, the news will be at least partly true.

When Beichen and I arrived with the refugees from the two counties, we all shouted out the news, and it became about 50% true.

By then, the refugees outside the city will naturally believe the "kill without mercy" statement.

As soon as he finished speaking, a glint flashed in Lin Shu's eyes. After a brief pause, he continued:

"When the three sides surround the city, with a thousand armored civilians holding spears in front, and with that news creating momentum, the panic of the people who are taking refuge outside the city will be at its peak. In their panic, they will not have time to think carefully."

They either need to break through head-on or head towards Pingjiang City behind them.

The repeated acts of sending grain by officials inside the city had already given the refugees outside the city the impression that Pingjiang City was "weak" and "easy to bully".

At that time, there's no need to drive the refugees outside the city to the brink of despair. We can simply approach them step by step and drive them away slowly. Whether they go forward or backward, they should know perfectly well.

Ultimately, instigating the refugees outside the city to attack was merely a way to give the thousand armored civilians the appearance of reinforcements, thereby allaying the suspicions of the Pingjiang City defenders and making it easier for us to seize the city.

It is not truly necessary for the people to attack the city.

Isn't that so, Brother Jiang?

Lin Shu's gaze fell on the emaciated refugees in the distance, and he asked a question in a low voice.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Heng's pupils contracted, and he froze for a moment.

One will be a million bones.

Having set his sights on the great cause of the Immortal Dynasty, he already knew in his heart that if he succeeded, he would surely be stepping over the corpses of countless refugees.

However, it would also provide shelter for the remaining people, allowing them to find a safe place to live, instead of the current situation of "merely surviving".

Therefore, he had long since suppressed all sorrow and lamentation, focusing solely on achieving success.

But I myself was once a refugee, a person who sacrificed in the same region. How can I just ignore it?

He would never, if possible, do such a thing.

At this moment, the words of the divine god Xianyou made this possibility possible.

Therefore, Jiang Heng breathed a sigh of relief, revealed a faint smile, and cupped his hands, saying, "What you say is true, sir. I have learned a lot."

Lin Shu waved his hand and said calmly, "The matter is urgent, so let's proceed with this plan."

As soon as he finished speaking, he glanced back at Pingjiang City, then rolled up his sleeves and, with Jiang Heng in tow, turned back the way they had come.

Upon arrival, the two of them took a step and went about their respective business.

At this time, Gu Changming had not yet returned to Chuxian County.

After Jiang Heng found him, he asked him to summon a local earth god in blue robes and whisper a few words to him.

He then walked straight to the man with the leopard eyes and explained the plan.

The man with leopard eyes nodded repeatedly, already understanding the situation.

Before long, the blue-robed local deity led the way, followed closely by the leopard-eyed man and eight body-refining disciples, leading a group of armored civilians hurriedly toward Pingjiang City.

Seeing this, Jiang Heng nodded and returned to Chuzhou County with Gu Changming.

After "kindly" persuading the county magistrate, they immediately caught up with the leopard-eyed man and his companions with the help of a local deity, and traveled together with them.

On the other side, Lin Shu lit an incense stick, informed Bei Chen, and then devised a plan to lead a county of refugees to Pingjiang City.

The refugees are not yet ready to return home, and further assistance is needed to mobilize them.

The method is not complicated; it can be summarized in one sentence: Follow me to the land where there is food.

The refugees who were taking refuge in the area where Lin Shuling was located also used this method to set off.

The previous rescue efforts unexpectedly saved some effort.

Time flies like an arrow; two and a half days have passed in the blink of an eye.

Outside Pingjiang City, four miles away.

Jiang Heng paused, stopping in his tracks. Behind him, the leopard-eyed man and the thousand armored civilians also stood still.

He glanced around and, seeing no refugees, felt somewhat relieved.

In the past few days, besides traveling, Jiang Heng did two other things.

During the day, when Gu Changming delivered grain as usual, he asked Gu Changming for some of the grain and entrusted the land next to him to keep it safe.

After nightfall, while the armored civilians rested, he asked the blue-robed local deity to escort him to the outskirts of Pingjiang City, where he would carry out his plan.

People who were still awake in the middle of the night were digging out grass roots and stuffing them into their mouths to fill their stomachs.

Thus, a single grain of rice can be used to bribe a person.

With the Green-Clad Earth God guarding him, Jiang Heng had no need to worry about his safety. He found dozens of people, gave them extra food, and then spread the word.

This happened on both nights.

Now that the news has spread, we'll find out the truth once we try.

Thinking of this, Jiang Heng turned to the leopard-eyed man and said softly, "Thank you for your trouble, Daoist Master."

The leopard-eyed man understood and smiled, "You're too kind, it's just my duty."

His eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he channeled his magical power, shouting, "All troops—form ranks!"

The sound was terrifyingly loud, like a thunderclap from the sky, sweeping across the distance, startling the shadows of trees into wild swaying and causing birds to plummet to the ground.

Four miles away.

The refugees outside the city were shouting "Give us food!" in unison, asking for their evening meal. Suddenly hearing this shout, they froze, and their words came to an abrupt halt.

That's a really loud voice!

But the next moment, their eyes widened, and the message "kill without mercy" involuntarily surfaced in their minds. Their hearts sank for no reason: the garrison of the three counties had really come...?

Before he could think further, a loud shout rose into the sky: "Hey—!"

Then, nine terrifying sounds rang out one after another, each one louder than the last. Despite the bright sunshine and clear blue sky, there was a suffocating feeling of suddenly falling.

Upon hearing this, the refugees were so shaken that they felt dizzy and staggered a few steps.

After a short while, one person managed to calm himself down and raised his hand to beckon, and two slender figures leaned forward and listened.

Upon hearing a few instructions, the two men's expressions changed, but after being given a cold glance, they had no choice but to grit their teeth and dart out in the direction of the sound.

Before long, they arrived at the place where Jiang Heng and the others were.

The two men lay prone in a dry ditch. As soon as they peeked out, all they could see were sharp spears, and their breath caught in their throats.

They exchanged a bitter glance, then turned back along the same route and quietly retreated to the foot of Pingjiang City.

Surprisingly... there really were garrison troops coming.

After the two figures disappeared, the man with the leopard eyes leaned closer to Jiang Heng and whispered, "Two people were here just now."

Jiang Heng nodded and smiled slightly: "Let's wait for Brother Beichen and Lord Beichen to arrive before we make our move. Tomorrow will be the third day as agreed, so it should be around soon."

The man with leopard eyes smiled and agreed.

As the moon sets and the sun rises, a figure suddenly appears in the golden sunlight.