Nine dragons fight for the throne, I don't want to sit on this throne

"They are drinking."

On the city wall, behind Guo Ziyi, his deputy Zhang Xun's voice was hoarse.

The general, renowned for his city defense skills, now wore a solemn expression: "This humble general smells alcohol."

Guo Ziyi did not speak, but simply watched quietly.

His gaze swept from one camp to another, from the cavalry camp to the infantry camp, and then to the outline of the warships of the naval camp in the distance.

Everywhere was a celebration, everywhere was a drinking spree, and everywhere morale was incredibly high.

"Ran Ming's vanguard is in the east."

Zhang Xun pointed to the area where the fire was burning brightest: "Judging from the size of the bonfire, at least a thousand livestock have been slaughtered. They are celebrating their victory in advance."

"Feng Mulan's iron cavalry is in the southeast."

Another lieutenant pointed towards the naval camp: "The Chu navy is also lavishly rewarding its troops. Commander, the Chu army is about to launch a full-scale attack."

Guo Ziyi remained silent.

He saw further into the distance—before the central command tent, the great banner embroidered with golden dragon patterns fluttered in the firelight.

Chu Ning was right there. This young emperor of the Great Chu must be drinking with his soldiers at this moment, igniting the last fighting spirit of his 300,000-strong army.

“They are singing ‘The Song of the Great Wind’,” Zhang Xun suddenly said.

The wind did indeed carry intermittent singing, starting as just a few scattered notes, but then quickly spreading and eventually merging into a deafening roar of 300,000 people singing in unison.

That ancient and majestic melody was familiar to every Tang soldier—because a hundred years ago, it was also the military song of the Tang Dynasty.

"My might extends throughout the land, yet I return to my homeland..."

Guo Ziyi hummed softly, a bitter smile tugging at the corner of his mouth: "Chu Ning is telling his soldiers that after this battle, they can go home."

The Tang generals on the city wall looked at each other, and each of them felt a chill creep up their spines.

They defended the city for several days and repelled more than ten attacks by the Chu army, thinking they had already broken the enemy's morale.

But tonight's scene tells them that the morale of the Chu army has never been low; it has only been accumulating, waiting, and brewing this final, most frantic attack.

"General," Zhang Xun finally couldn't help but say, "Shouldn't we... reward the garrison and boost their morale?"

Guo Ziyi shook his head: "The Chu army can be rewarded because they have ample supplies and are confident of victory, while we..."

He turned around and looked at Jianghuai City: "The city's grain reserves are only enough for twenty days. If we reward people lavishly now, they will be exhausted in three days."

He paused, his voice growing deeper: "Besides, morale can't be boosted by a meal of wine and meat."

"The soldiers defending the city knew what they were fighting for—for their homeland behind them, for the last bulwark of the Tang Dynasty."

"This is more powerful than any reward."

That being said, every general on the city wall knew that when the enemy's morale was high, while they could only tighten their belts and hold on to the death, this contrast itself was a torment to the morale of the army.

"Send the order to all departments."

Guo Ziyi finally turned away from the sea of ​​fire: "Starting tomorrow, the garrison's rations will be increased by 30%."

"Tell the soldiers that the Chu army eats their last meal before their deaths, while we eat the rations of heroes who defend our country."

"Yes!"

The order was given, but the generals' expressions did not improve.

They all knew that this 30% of the food rations was squeezed out from the already scarce grain reserves.

A twenty-day supply of grain might become a fifteen-day supply.

Guo Ziyi took one last look at the Chu army camp.

The sea of ​​fire still burned, the songs still echoed, and the fighting spirit of the 300,000-strong army transformed into a visible aura, like a giant beast awakening, baring its teeth at Jianghuai City.

"Within seven days," Guo Ziyi muttered to himself, "Chu Ning will definitely launch a general offensive within seven days."

"How did the commander-in-chief find out?"

"Because the wine and meat of 300,000 troops can only boost morale for seven days."

A glint of veteran wisdom flashed in Guo Ziyi's eyes: "If we don't attack in seven days, this momentum will dissipate, so..."

He turned to face the city, his voice suddenly rising: "Order the entire army! Effective immediately, all rest and respite are cancelled, and the three-shift rotation will be changed to two shifts!"

"Double the preparations for rolling logs and stones, and ensure all oil-soaked arrows are in position! Tell every soldier—"

Guo Ziyi spoke each word clearly, his voice resounding across the city walls: "At the latest, in seven days, we will face the most brutal battle since the start of the war."

"This battle will determine the fate of the Tang Dynasty. I urge you all to defend it to the death!"

On the city wall, the defending soldiers roared in unison, "We are willing to defend to the death with our commander!"

The roars echoed in the night sky, faintly clashing with the songs of the Chu army in the distance.

But everyone could hear that the roars of the Tang army contained more of a resolute determination and a tragic grandeur.

The songs of the Chu army were filled with fervor and an unwavering determination to win.

That night, both armies inside and outside Jianghuai City were preparing for a decisive battle.

On one hand, there was a feast of wine and meat, and morale soared.

On one hand, they tightened their belts and vowed to hold their ground to the death.

Seven days later, these two starkly contrasting armies will clash fiercely beneath the walls of this Jianghuai city, unleashing the most devastating spectacle.

Guo Ziyi took one last look at the sea of ​​fire before slowly descending the city wall.

His silhouette, illuminated by the firelight, appeared both exceptionally aged and exceptionally upright.

This battle will mark the end of his thirty-year military career.

Regardless of victory or defeat, he will remain here, sharing the fate of the Tang Dynasty.

outside the city.

In the open space in front of the central military tent, Chu Ning stood alone under the large banner embroidered with golden dragon patterns.

The celebration to reward the troops had reached its climax. Bonfires blazed all around, and the air was filled with the aroma of meat and wine. The songs, laughter, and shouts of the 300,000-strong army merged into a deafening roar that almost lifted the night sky.

But Chu Ning remained unusually calm amidst this clamor.

He stood with his hands behind his back, gazing northwards—where the dark silhouette of Jianghuai City lay dormant in the night like a lurking beast.

The scattered torches outlined the winding curves of the city wall, forming a stark contrast with the towering flames of the Chu army camp outside the city.

One bright, one dark; one hot, one cold—just like the impending decisive battle.

"His Majesty."

The sound of steady footsteps came from behind; it was Han Xing, the commander-in-chief.

This veteran general, who had followed Chu Ning for many years, did not drink a drop of alcohol tonight. He was fully armored, and his hand remained on the hilt of his sword.

"The night wind is chilly, Your Majesty, please take care of your health."

Chu Ning didn't turn around, but simply pointed to the top of Jianghuai City: "General Han, look at that city wall."

Han Xing looked in the direction he was pointing.

Based on his years of battlefield experience, he quickly noticed the anomaly: "The number of defenders is at least 30% greater than usual, and the torches are evenly spaced, clearly indicating that they are on high alert."

"good."

Chu Ning slowly said, "My grand reward for the army is so magnificent that the firelight illuminates half the sky and the songs can be heard for twenty miles."

"Guo Ziyi was neither blind nor deaf; he must have seen and heard it."

Han Xing's heart skipped a beat: "Your Majesty means..."

"If you were Guo Ziyi,"

Chu Ning turned around, the campfire flickering in his eyes like two eerie lights: "If you saw the enemy army lavishly rewarding themselves on the eve of the decisive battle, their morale soaring, what would you do?"