If you traveled back to ancient times, while others ate Guanyin clay, you would actually have giant

The local militia is nothing more than a local militia organization to prevent bandits. The Crown Prince has 30,000 regular troops, the elite force of the Great Dragon Army. Even with such a luxurious configuration, they were besieged. You, a militia of 300 men, think you can rescue 30,000 elite troops? Hey buddy, did you take your meds this morning? Besides, everyone knows the true nature of the local militia. They say they have 300 men, but after layers of extortion and bribery, you'd be lucky to have 30 left.

As expected, Zhang Zuo knew that this would be the result after he spoke out, but this was exactly what he wanted. His purpose was not to save the Crown Prince, but to divert the Emperor's attention.

The Right Chancellor immediately understood Zhang Zuo's thoughts and gave him a grateful look. However, His Majesty's next words surprised everyone.

Where is Qingyang County located?

The hall, which had been filled with whispers and heated discussions just moments before, suddenly fell into an eerie silence as everyone stared in astonishment at the sage seated above.

Where is Qingyang County? What does this mean? Does it mean they're sending 300 local militia to rescue His Highness the Crown Prince?

"Your Majesty, is Qingyang County under the jurisdiction of Jinshan Prefecture?"

"Golden Mountain Prefecture, isn't that not far from the Khmer Empire? Who is the head of the Qingyang County militia?"

"Your Majesty, the commander of the Qingyang County militia is Zhou Wu, the deputy lieutenant in charge of military affairs."

Originally, as the Minister of War, Zhang Zuo had no need to remember the name of a mere village militia leader. It was all just homework he did the night before in preparation for the Emperor's attack today.

The sage merely glanced through the name Zhou Wu in his mind, and finding no match for anyone he knew, he was relieved.

"Issue the order: Zhou Wu, the commander of the Qingyang County militia, shall immediately raise troops to rescue the Crown Prince."

"promise."

At this moment, the entire court was no longer noisy. No one stood up to object. Even though everyone knew that these three hundred local militiamen were going to their deaths, so what? In the eyes of the nobles, let alone three hundred people, thousands of people had been sacrificed for their own interests.

"Where is Zhang Zuo?"

"The minister is here."

"Immediately transfer troops from other places to reinforce the Crown Prince."

"promise."

As expected, just as everyone thought, this local militia was merely a show. The Emperor's greatest expectation of them was simply to delay the enemy slightly, thus buying time for the follow-up troops. Of course, this was really just a negligible expectation, since it was only a militia organization of three hundred people, whose combat strength was not even as good as the纨绔子弟 (spoiled brats) in the capital.

Zhou Wu, far away in Niujia Village, was unaware that his proud local militia had been betrayed by the imperial high command in the capital.

------

"Aim, fire."

Zhou Wu built a brand-new training ground specifically for the local militia, which was several times larger than the original one. The original ground was only suitable for infantry combat training, but now every member of the militia was equipped with a warhorse, as well as bows and crossbows. The original ground was no longer sufficient for daily training.

Three hundred men, each firing ten shots in quick succession, created a rain of arrows that blotted out the sun, turning the once bright and sunny sky dark.

“Shuashuashua~~~~~”

The arrows pierced the trees, the ground, and the dummy with great force, their fletchings swaying back and forth due to the force.

. . . . . .

"The Emperor's decree: Where is King Wu of Zhou?"

A loud, sharp voice drew everyone's attention. A group of people dressed in court attire, followed by a group of golden-armored guards, appeared out of place in Niujia Village, a rural place.

"I am Zhou Wu. What can I do for you?"

Zhou Wu didn't recognize these people, and they were obviously not from the county government, because the people from the county government weren't even dressed as well as those from Niujia Village.

“I am an imperial attendant of the emperor. I have the emperor’s decree. Zhou Wu, receive the decree.”

"Your subject Zhou Wu receives the imperial decree."

Zhou Wu thought the other party was at most from Jinshan Prefecture, but he didn't expect that he was actually from the capital city. No wonder the man's voice was high-pitched and sharp; he was a eunuch.

"By imperial decree, Zhou Wu, the commander of the Qingyang County militia, shall lead his troops to the Mi River in the Khmer Empire to rescue the trapped Da Long Army. So be it."

"The minister accepts the order."

Although Zhou Wu was completely confused, he had no choice but to accept the decree at this moment, otherwise he would be disobeying the decree and the golden-armored warriors would kill him on the spot.

"Please wait patiently, sir. May I ask your surname?"

"My name is Changqing. Is there anything else you need, Lord Zhou?"

To be honest, Chang Qing was just an ordinary eunuch in the palace. Normally, he wouldn't have been given such a cushy job as delivering imperial edicts. However, the destination this time was Qingyang County, a remote and impoverished place in the eyes of the world. No one wanted to come there, so it was Chang Qing's turn.

"Eunuch Chang has come from afar. Please rest for a while. I will have someone prepare some light wine."

"My lord, this is not..."

"Come on, tell someone to arrange a banquet so that all of you brothers who have come from afar can feel the hospitality of Niujia Village."

Zhou Wu was indeed very hospitable, giving Eunuch Chang no chance to object. However, in the countryside, banquets weren't so elaborate. Local seafood was simply steamed, and there was wine, of course, just local rice wine. Zhou Wu was even planning to make distilled spirits recently. With some white rice, everything would be ready.

"Please take your seats, everyone. In Niujia Village, you'll feel right at home."

The procession carrying the imperial decree consisted of about thirty people, including eunuchs and guards. Four tables were set up in the courtyard, where Zhou Wu, Master Niu, Niu Er, and Deng Yuanliang were present.

"Everyone, please use chopsticks, don't be shy."

The procession carrying the imperial decree had all come from the capital, but even they were drooling over the table full of fresh seafood.

The price of an ordinary sea fish in the capital was enough to feed a poor person for a month, not to mention these strange and unusual things that they had never even seen before.

Niu Ye just loves watching these city folks act so unsophisticated. But why are they only picking at the fish and not touching anything else?

Zhou Wu naturally knew that these city people from the capital had never eaten crabs or oysters before, so he started peeling them with great enthusiasm.

"Grandpa Chang, try this big blue crab. It's at its fattest and most delicious at this time of year. Look at all that roe, it's so plump!"

As Zhou Wu spoke, he lifted the top of a crab, removed its gills, and handed it to Eunuch Chang. Seeing Zhou Wu's actions, the others followed suit. The moment the large blue crab entered their mouths, everyone regretted it. Such a delicious blue crab! They hadn't eaten it first. Soon, a whole basin of blue crabs was devoured.

"Brother, eat this, oysters. They're a man's energy booster and a woman's beauty salon. After eating them, I guarantee you'll have plenty of energy tonight."

Zhou Wu opened an oyster bigger than his palm and handed it to a golden-armored warrior next to him. The golden-armored warrior, full of energy, took it without hesitation and swallowed it in one gulp.

"Fresh and delicious."

Sure enough, there wasn't a single bad dish on the table.