The emperor is biased and wants to kill me, but you chickened out when the army is at the city gates

Helan Mountain.

Hu Xu lay on the haystack, covered in wounds and blood.

Around him lay scattered some Shence Army soldiers, as well as Guan Xingsheng and Wu Weichen.

Two days ago, Hu Xu used his connections in the Chamber of Commerce to secretly purchase a large quantity of grain and winter supplies from several nearby prefectures.

However, such a large-scale acquisition quickly attracted the attention of some people.

Hu Xu knew he had no other choice. As long as he could get his hands on the food and supplies, he would not be afraid even if the Daqi court found out.

But to his surprise, just after he, Guan Xingsheng, and Wu Weichen met up near Helan Mountain, a cavalry army of 20,000 men suddenly attacked.

Left with no other choice, Hu Xu had to send all the supplies deep into the Helan Mountains.

During this process, the Shence Army soldiers sacrificed themselves heroically in order to hold off the enemy.

Fortunately, after escaping up the mountain, the group unexpectedly found a mountain stronghold.

This mountain stronghold was probably once the property of a bandit gang in Helan Mountain, but it was abandoned for some unknown reason, which gave Hu Xu and his companions a temporary place to survive.

"These cavalrymen are only bullying me because I have too few men. If it were a real battlefield, I would make sure they never return."

Guan Xingsheng's left arm was injured at this moment, and his cotton-padded coat was already soaked with blood.

Wu Weichen forced a smile: "Old Guan, that's nonsense!"

"If it were a real battlefield, it's questionable whether these scoundrels would even dare to fight our Shence Army."

"Damn it! A tiger fallen into the plains is bullied by dogs!"

Guan Xingsheng cursed, which aggravated his wound, and he couldn't help but gasp.

Hu Xu, however, remained quietly resting.

"Old Hu, say something, let me know you're still breathing."

Guan Xingsheng turned his head with difficulty and shouted, but Hu Xu only slightly raised his arm to indicate that he was still alive.

"You scared the hell out of me! I thought you were dead! Otherwise, I wouldn't know how to explain it to the Prince when he arrives." Guan Xingsheng grinned, as if the Daqi army that was gradually approaching the mountain stronghold didn't exist.

Hu Xu finally opened his eyes and said weakly, "Hey Guan, can you be quiet for a bit? I want to save my strength to fight the enemy!"

"Hahaha, that's got guts!"

Guan Xingsheng struggled to get up, glanced around, and felt a bitter taste in his mouth.

To avoid attracting attention during their mission to resolve the food crisis, they only brought two thousand Shence Army soldiers. Moreover, when entering the city, the Shence Army soldiers hid in the mountains and forests outside the city.

Even so, they were eventually made into dumplings.

Looking back now, it seems the other side was well-prepared, deliberately waiting for us to spend money and purchase supplies before making their move.

Currently, only less than two hundred of the two thousand Shence Army soldiers remain.

Outside the stronghold, at least ten thousand Qi soldiers had already entered the mountain.

With two hundred wounded soldiers facing ten thousand elite troops, even the usually audacious Guan Xingsheng felt hopeless in this battle.

"I'll go and relieve the brother on guard duty."

Guan Xingsheng slapped his face hard, then slowly walked towards the simple watchtower in the mountain stronghold.

But just as he took a few steps, a whooshing sound came from the air, and then the Shence Army soldier on the watchtower fell silently to the ground.

An arrow pierced his shoulder, but the enormous drop caused him to fall to the ground lifeless.

At that moment, Guan Xingsheng's eyes turned bloodshot, and he roared as if he were a madman: "Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"

No one expected the Daqi soldiers to arrive so quickly that many Shence soldiers had to grit their teeth and stand up again before they could recover their strength.

With their last ounce of strength, everyone rushed to the gate of the mountain stronghold and used huge wooden stakes to hold it shut.

This mountain stronghold was built on high ground, with high walls, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack. The gate was the only entrance and exit.

However, this place has been abandoned for a long time, so the gate of the mountain stronghold is not very sturdy.

In addition, the Great Qi army numbered ten thousand, while the Shence army, with less than two hundred men, could only hold out for a short time at most.

"Brothers, get ready to kill the enemy. Killing one is a good loss, killing two is a bonus."

Guan Xingsheng had already climbed the watchtower and was about to fire his bow and arrow.

A Daqi soldier who was trying to sneak up was immediately hit by an arrow, and fell to the ground with a scream.

Guan Xingsheng was ultimately alone, and even though his arrows never missed, he could not stop the approaching Daqi army.

Hu Xu and the others could see a resolute look in each other's eyes. Once the gate of the stronghold was breached, they would draw their long swords and perish together with the Daqi army.

"I remember burning all the food and fodder before I died."

Hu Xu grinned, revealing a smile that looked more like a grimace. Wu Weichen nodded slightly and said jokingly, "Old Hu, I wouldn't dare to burn the grain supplies. You should save that for last and do it yourself!"

"piss off!"

Hu Xu was moved. Wu Weichen wanted to die before him, because only the one who survived could burn all the grain and fodder.

The Shence Army may fail, but it will never surrender, much less give away the hard-earned grain and supplies to the Great Qi Army.

Outside the stronghold, a large number of Daqi soldiers had already rushed to the gate of the stronghold.

"What are you all standing there for? Smash this damn door!"

A menacing voice rang out, and the Qi soldiers surrounding the gate immediately obeyed the order, then quickly dispatched dozens of men to cut down the trees.

If Qin Xuan were here, he would immediately recognize that the leader of the army was none other than Liu Zhizhong.

The Daqi army that Liu Zhizhong brought for this siege was entirely composed of cavalry, so it was impossible for them to carry siege equipment.

But this is a mountain, full of trees as thick as two people could carry in one arm, so we can naturally use the materials we have here.

"Listen up, you people inside! If you know what's good for you and obediently open the gate, I might spare your lives. Otherwise, once I smash this gate open, I'll tear you to pieces."

Liu Zhizhong shouted outside the village, urging the villagers to surrender.

But no sooner had he finished speaking than Guan Xingsheng's arrow nearly struck his head.

Liu Zhizhong turned pale with fright and quickly retreated, while ordering menacingly, "Fire! Fire!"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa..."

A hail of arrows then rained down, and several Shence soldiers who were unable to dodge were hit on the spot and died instantly.

Even Guan Xingsheng was forced to hide in the watchtower and dared not show his face for the time being.

"It seems the prince won't be able to save us in time!"

Wu Weichen sighed with a hint of disappointment, but a smile remained on his face. He recalled the scene when he first joined the Shence Army and fought alongside Qin Xuan on the battlefield.

"Your Highness, I can only serve you in my next life," he said with a hoarse laugh.

Hu Xu laughed along: "You wish! If there really is an afterlife, I still want to lead our prince's horse again. I really can't bear to die!"