In a chaotic world of infrastructure development, a woman's path to survival after being reborn

With a tentative mindset, Su Li waited until she sat down after entering the room before asking, "Did you need something?"

Because of their previous unpleasant experience, the atmosphere between the two was slightly awkward. Su Li couldn't act all smooth and diplomatic, and Madam Zhao couldn't pretend that nothing had happened.

Madam Zhao did have something to discuss with Su Li this time; the main purpose was to hand over the contents of the box to her.

Su Li looked bewildered at the bracelet handed to her and asked, "What is this? Why are you giving it to me?"

"This bracelet belongs to the fifth son's wife. I'm giving it to you today. Keep it safe. You can decide whether to pass it on to the eldest son's wife or the second son's wife," said Madam Zhao in a calm tone.

Hearing this, Su Li was quite surprised. After all, she had seen how Madam Zhao had treated her back then, so it was really not easy for her to give her the bracelet that symbolized Zhao Zexuan's wife.

Of course, since she had been given the gift, Su Li didn't stand on ceremony and accepted it without hesitation, saying thank you.

Seeing that Su Li did not refuse, Madam Zhao breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Thank you for being willing to take out the medicine to save my husband. Thank you for giving me the medicine."

Upon hearing this, Su Li remained silent for a moment before standing up and saying, "No need to thank me. It's only right and proper that I take out the medicine. Is there anything else you want to say? If not, I'll head back now."

Madam Zhao shook her head and said, "It's alright, you can go back now."

Mo Bei was surprised to find that they had only been inside for a short while, and then looked inside with concern. She asked, "Madam, did you and the old lady have a fight?"

Upon hearing this, Su Li glanced at Mo Bei and then said, "No, you can rest assured. Besides, do I look like someone who would argue?"

Mo Bei shook his head, then couldn't help but mutter, "Who dares to offend you, Madam?"

Not having heard Mo Bei's words clearly, Su Li was now instructing, "Although things have calmed down recently, it's hard to guarantee that there won't be any more trouble. Zhao Zexuan and the others haven't returned yet, so please keep a close eye on the safety of the city during this time."

Upon hearing this, Mo Bei immediately nodded in agreement, saying, "Don't worry, Madam. We have strict controls in place. If there is an enemy attack, our people will definitely detect it immediately."

"I hope everything will be peaceful and calm," Su Li said hopefully.

However, just a few days after these words were spoken, the peace of Lingcheng was shattered, and a battle to defend the city began.

Someone leaked the news that there was an antidote in Lingcheng, so over the next few days, people came one after another asking for the antidote. More and more people gathered outside the city, and the situation became increasingly strange.

From the very first day someone asked for medicine, Su Li gradually realized something was wrong. Especially in the following days, as more and more people gathered outside the city, she understood that this was a planned operation targeting Ling City.

As more and more people gathered outside the city, Lingcheng's situation became increasingly difficult. At this time, an emergency meeting was being held in the General's Mansion, the main topic of which was how to deal with the current crisis.

"Has the message been sent out?" Su Li asked the generals who were stationed in Lingcheng.

Upon hearing this, a general immediately spoke up: "The message has already been sent out, but it's probably too late. Even if the general and his men receive the message and rush back from Wucheng, it will take at least seven or eight days for them to come and go. During these seven or eight days, our situation will be very difficult. Their goal is not the antidote, but Lingcheng."

Everyone now understands this principle, so they can't help but frown and think about how to break the deadlock.

"How many soldiers are left in Lingcheng? Given the current scale of the city, how long can we hold out if we defend Lingcheng to the death?" Su Li asked with a furrowed brow.

Upon hearing Su Li's words, the generals present exchanged glances, and then Mo Bei spoke up: "There are only eight thousand soldiers left in the city that can be used. They may be able to resist those outside the city, but I'm afraid they came prepared and have a backup plan."

This is precisely what everyone is worried about. If they are determined to attack Lingcheng, then the manpower in Lingcheng is completely insufficient. At that time, it will be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, with no ability to resist.

The situation was too dire, making one think twice. Mo Bei was the guard that Zhao Zexuan had left for Su Li and her three children, so he couldn't help but suggest, "Madam, why don't you take the young master and the others and hide for a while until things calm down?"

Hearing Mo Bei's words, Su Li shook her head in disapproval and said, "How can we leave at such a critical moment? If we leave, won't the people in the city be even more panicked? Are you confident that you can calm the people down? Are you confident that you can defend Ling City?"

Of course not, otherwise Mo Bei wouldn't have made that suggestion. The generals present all lowered their heads and sighed in succession.

The situation is indeed difficult, but that doesn't mean there's no way out. Not being able to confront them head-on doesn't mean we can't outsmart them.

Su Li suddenly remembered the gunpowder that Zhao Zexuan and his group had obtained from the King of Wu last time, so she looked at the generals who knew about it and asked, "Are those gunpowders that you brought back last time still stored in the warehouse?"

Hearing this, the general nodded, somewhat puzzled, and said, "It's still in the storeroom, guarded by soldiers. The general said this thing is dangerous and can't be used unless it's a matter of life and death. Why are you asking about this, Madam?"

Upon hearing this, before Su Li could answer, Mo Bei couldn't help but shout, "Now is the time of life and death. If Lingcheng is not defended, we, our home will be gone."

The general had already realized what was happening, and he patted his head and nodded, but still said worriedly, "But there are so many people surrounding us outside, and we only have so little gunpowder. We can't possibly kill everyone."

Upon learning that the gunpowder was still available, Su Li breathed a sigh of relief. In response to the general's question, she said, "Who said we were going to blow everyone up? We just need to give them a shock, create the impression that we have a lot of gunpowder in stock, and make them afraid to act rashly."

“That’s a good idea, but how do we convince them?” The generals present agreed, though their voices were also full of uncertainty.

"The plan has been given. As for how to implement it, that depends on your abilities. Of the Thirty-Six Stratagems, it depends on which one you generals choose," Su Li reminded him.

……

In the middle of the night, when everyone was sound asleep and the defenses were at their weakest, the people outside Lingcheng began to stir up trouble. They wanted to take advantage of this time to attack the city and capture it by surprise.

Countless ropes were hung from the city wall, and those who were originally too sick to get out of bed were now moving with surprising agility, attempting to ambush the soldiers patrolling the city wall.