The Eternal Beauty of the City of Wealth

Duke Jian of Yan nodded and said, "Then, in your opinion, which country should we seek help from?"

Su Dai bowed and said, "Your Majesty, the state that has the best and closest relationship with Yan is Qi."

"Why don't we immediately send an envoy to Linzi and ask Duke Jing of Qi to send troops to rescue us?"

Zhao Ben bowed and said, "Your Majesty! Yanjing is a long way from Linzi."

"I'm afraid the Shanrong troops are already at the gates of Linzi before the envoys even arrive."

Ji Kuan looked at Zhao Ben and said, "Old Zhao, what do you think we should do?"

"Your Majesty! In my opinion, we should split our forces into two groups. I will lead one group to block the enemy and buy time for reinforcements."

"The other option is to ask the king to immediately send an envoy to Qi for help. Do you think this arrangement is appropriate?"

Well, Duke Jian of Yan nodded and said, "This is a great plan. Let's do as Old Zhao says!"

Therefore, Ji Kuan ordered Zhao Ben to be appointed as the General of the Northern Expedition and led 100,000 elite troops to Yanshan to stop the attack of the Shanrong army.

Another group sent Su Dai as an envoy to Qi to ask for reinforcements.

After the banquet, Zhao Ben took Zi Ri's hand and sat in his carriage, and immediately ordered the coachman to return home.

After entering the living room, Zhao Ben said to Zi Ri, "My lord, you must have been wronged in the court today."

Zi Ri waved his hand: "It's okay, this little thing is nothing."

"But there's one thing I don't understand. The Prime Minister and I have no grudges against each other. Why did he treat me like that today?"

Zhao Jin took a sip of tea and said, "My lord, you don't know that the lifeblood of Yan State is in the hands of the Prime Minister's party and some prominent families."

"The king is afraid that he will be abandoned in the long run, so he wants to support his own forces."

"Not only you are being excluded, any newly appointed official of the king is also being excluded from the court by all means."

"Therefore, the king is very troubled by this matter. Now the relationship between the king and his subjects is almost estranged."

"If the king had not been protected by this general, he would have been deposed by them long ago."

Zi Ri asked in surprise, "Ah? It's so serious. I didn't expect the king to be so pitiful."

Zhao Ben nodded and said, "The king is under my protection for now, so he's safe. I wonder what will happen to him after I die."

Zi Ri chuckled, "General, why do you say that? You are so healthy, how could you die?"

Zhao Jin sighed and said, "Even a clay pot is bound to break in front of a well, and a great general is bound to die in battle!"

"As a soldier, once you go to the battlefield, you're hanging your head on your belt. You never know when you might die."

"Sir, I have a favor to ask of you. If anything happens to me someday, I beg you to protect the king and my entire Zhao family!"

After saying that, he stood up and knelt before Zi Ri, who quickly supported him and said, "General, there's no need to be so polite. As long as Zi Ri can do it, I will do it!"

Zhao Jin looked at him with a sincere gaze and said, "Sir, you can definitely do it. Don't forget that you still have Fugui City behind you."

"If that day ever comes, you can take them and flee to Fugui City. I believe those traitors won't dare to do anything to Fugui City."

Zi Ri thought about it and nodded: "Okay! General Zhao, I promise you!"

Zhao Ben paused and said, "Thank you very much, sir! We will set out for the battle tomorrow."

"Young Master, go back and pack up, say goodbye to Peng Ruo, and I'll meet you at the North Gate tomorrow morning!"

After Zi Ri returned home, he told Peng Ruo what had happened that day.

After hearing this, Peng Ruo asked worriedly, "Brother Ri, so you will be going with the army tomorrow?"

"Ruo'er is so scared. On the battlefield, swords and guns are merciless. Will you be in danger?"

Zi Ri smiled and said, "It's okay, Ruo'er. Didn't mother prepare a stab-proof suit and a bulletproof helmet for me?"

"When the time comes, I'll wear them all and I'll be invulnerable to swords and guns. Don't worry!"

"Besides, didn't mother give me a hundred reserve soldiers? They are fully armed."

"My life is protected by these people, what are you afraid of?"

At this moment, Ji Xiang's voice came from outside the door: "Brother Ri! I'm here!"

As soon as the words came, Ji Xiang rushed in and said, "Brother Ri, what do you think of my outfit?"

Zi Ri looked around and saw Ji Xiang wearing a helmet and armor, a robe with a belt, and combat boots.

With a sharp sword slung around his waist, he stood before him in a heroic manner.

Zi Ri was delighted after taking a look. It turned out that Ji Xiang looked really impressive in this military uniform!

Then he asked doubtfully, "Your Highness, are you planning to go to the front lines and fight in this outfit?"

"Yes, brother Ri. I heard from my king that you will be leaving for the battle tomorrow, so I plan to go with you."

Zi Ri was stunned: "How can that be possible? The battlefield is full of dangers. You never know when danger will strike. You can't go!"

Ji Xiang was delighted and hugged Zi Ri's arm: "Brother Ri! You still like Xiang'er, right? Otherwise, why would you care about me so much?"

Zi Ri looked at Peng Ruo awkwardly: "That... no, I'm just worried that something might happen to you and I won't be able to explain to the king."

Ji Xiang giggled and said, "It'll be fine. I've learned martial arts, so I can beat up a few people without any problem."

"I won't go back today. I'll go with you tomorrow morning."

"Ah? You really want to go! Have the King and Madam Yu agreed?"

Ji Xiang said disdainfully: "No matter whether they agree or not, no one can stop me from doing what I want to do!"

Zi Ri shook his head helplessly and thought to himself, you really are the girl from Jicheng - Hu Niu!

At six o'clock the next morning, Zi Ri put on the stab-proof suit and bulletproof helmet prepared for him by his mother.

He wore a steel knife and dagger, and carried a large and small gun and a crossbow on his back. In his hand, he held a long sword that his mother had specially made for him.

Under the protection of one hundred reserve soldiers, they headed towards the north gate.

The Thirteenth Princess Ji Xiang also followed closely behind him with a spear in her hand, never leaving his side.

Peng Ruo watched their backs and prayed silently in his heart, asking God to bless them with safety and a triumphant return!

Ten days later, the army arrived at the northern city of Yancheng. At this time, the Shanrong army was less than ten miles away from Yancheng.

After the army entered the city, the governor of Yancheng, Zhou Qu, and the garrison commander, Zheng Ying, came forward to pay their respects. "Your humble servants, the governor of Yancheng, Zhou Qu, and the garrison commander, Zheng Ying, greet the general!"

Zhao Zhen waved his hand and said, "My lords, please don't be polite. Please report to me the enemy's situation and the defenses in the city."

"Yes!" Zheng Ying bowed and said, "General! The Shanrong army has a total of 100,000 men, 80,000 cavalry and 20,000 infantry."

"The troops are led by Shanrong Chanyu Zhongshan Xiaoduo himself. They are now less than ten miles away from Yancheng."

"Yancheng has a total of 20,000 defenders stationed at the four city gates."

"All kinds of city defense supplies and equipment were piled up on the city walls."