My lady, I'm going to rebel.

In Kunyang City, generals such as Wang Feng and Wang Chang looked at the Xinmang army gradually gathering outside the city, their faces becoming increasingly solemn.

Outside the city, the tents of the Xinmang army were densely packed and stretched as far as the eye could see, like a black ocean that could swallow up the small Kunyang city at any time.

After Liu Xiu's 3,000 cavalry encountered the new army in the northwest of Yingchuan, they also led their troops back to Kunyang. Together with some other scattered Han army troops that retreated to Kunyang, the total number of defenders in the city was about 10,000.

Wang Feng looked at the limited military forces in the city and couldn't help but sigh. He lacked confidence in defending Kunyang.

Some officers and soldiers who retreated into Kunyang City were also panicked. They paced back and forth, muttering that they were worried about their wives and children at home, and clamored to disperse and go back to protect their own areas.

The whole city was filled with an atmosphere of despair, as if the end of the world was approaching.

At this moment, Liu Xiu stood up, looked at the crowd with a determined gaze, and said loudly: "At present, our army is short of soldiers and food, and there is a powerful enemy outside the city. If we can concentrate our forces to fight the enemy, we still have a chance of victory. If we disperse and return, we will certainly not be able to save our lives. Moreover, Liu Yan and his men have not yet succeeded in attacking Wancheng, and they are powerless to save us. If Kunyang falls, each of our forces will be defeated and annihilated by the enemy within a day. Now, if we do not work together, share life and death, and achieve great things together, but instead are afraid of death and only care about protecting our wives and property, how can we do that?"

The generals were all followers of Emperor Gengshi. Even though they knew Liu Xiu's words made sense, they still felt ashamed. They shouted angrily, "How dare you lecture us!"

When Liu Xiu heard this, he just smiled slightly, didn't care, and stood there calmly.

Emperor Gengshi Khan, also known as Liu Xuan, was a descendant of Liu Fa, Prince of Changsha, son of Emperor Jing of Han, Liu Qi, and a cousin of Liu Xiu. He was proclaimed emperor by the Green Forest Army on the banks of the Yu River and became the ruler of the world.

However, due to the great military achievements of Liu Xiu and his brother Liu Yan, he was always wary of Liu Xiu. These generals were all men of Emperor Gengshi, so naturally they also had some grudges against Liu Xiu.

As the crowd was arguing, Mu Zheng and Li Lian stepped forward. Mu Zheng, a tall man with a righteous expression, saluted Liu Xiu with his fists clasped. Then, turning to face the crowd, he declared, "Everyone, General Liu Xiu's words are absolutely true! We have no way out now. Only by uniting as one can we defeat the enemy. I, Mu Zheng, am willing to follow General Liu Xiu and live and die with Kunyang!"

Li Lian followed up with another comment: "Yes, General Liu Xiu has always been resourceful, and we should trust him. If we scatter and flee now, we will only be defeated one by one by the enemy. Only by holding on to Kunyang and waiting for reinforcements can we have a chance of survival. I, Li Lian, firmly support General Liu Xiu's decision!"

At this moment, the scouts hurried back and reported: "Wang Xun's army is about to reach the north of the city. The army stretches for a hundred miles, and there is no rearguard in sight."

After hearing this, Wang Feng and others were shocked. They had always looked down on Liu Xiu and were at a loss at this time. Seeing that the situation was urgent, they discussed with each other and decided to ask Liu Xiu to plan a strategy to defeat the enemy.

After a calm analysis, Liu Xiu had a plan in mind. He made a decisive decision and ordered Wang Feng and the General of the Court of Justice Wang Chang to lead people to defend Kunyang City. That night, he and thirteen other riders including Zong Tiao and Li Yi quietly left the south gate of Kunyang City and went outside to mobilize troops to prepare for an attack on the new army from both inside and outside.

Mu Zheng and Li Lian volunteered to go with Liu Xiu. Liu Xiu looked at their determined eyes, nodded, and said, "Okay, you two are very brave, so come with me."