My Sims of the Eastern Jin Dynasty

Three days later, on Xiaozhu Island.

Xu Xianzhi was very satisfied with the intelligence about the Qin army that had just been delivered.

Lu Da's efficiency was beyond expectations; the grain convoy's itinerary, the ships' anchorages, and the patrol patterns were all clearly reported.

On the rough nautical chart, several arrows and circles had been marked with charcoal. Han Yong and several elderly salt farmers familiar with the water conditions were discussing the chart in hushed tones.

"We cannot allow them to successfully assemble their ships."

Xu Xianzhi finally spoke.

"Commander Han, the affairs of the sea are entrusted to you!"

Han Yong nodded in response.

"Don't worry, not a single one will be spared!"

"On land, tell Chief Lu that it's time to make a move on the grain route from Langya to the East China Sea!"

The leader who was sent to deliver the message listened with excitement and nodded vigorously.

"Don't worry, Young Master Xu! When it comes to robbing... uh, harassing grain carts on mountain roads, we brothers are the experts!"

In a single day, Lu Da personally led his men to attack the grain supply route.

They looted and left, disappearing into the mountains; anything they couldn't take with them was burned on the spot.

Similar incidents occurred one after another, with no discernible pattern in terms of route or timing.

The scouts sent out by Murong Yan were exhausted, but they couldn't even catch a glimpse of the attackers.

As the grain reserves in Qu County dwindled, complaints from officers and whispers among soldiers began to spread throughout the camp.

That night, most of the twenty-seven ships that had been painstakingly gathered were burned or sunk, and the rest were all pierced through.

Only now did Murong Yan truly understand what despair meant.

What bothered him even more was Deng Jing. Now that there were not enough ships, Deng Jing was unwilling to go up the mountain to wipe out those bandits.

This made Murong Yan want to take action against him secretly.

But he quickly calmed down. The fewer people who knew about this, the better, otherwise the Murong family would be implicated.

Just as he mustered his troops and prepared to head south to collect ships.

The guards brought unexpected news.

"General, we have captured a suspicious Han Chinese man outside the camp. He claims to have escaped from the mountains and has important secrets to report to you!"

"Bring it in."

Murong Yan's eyes narrowed.

The man brought in was a one-eyed man named Wang Laoliu.

As soon as he entered the tent, he knelt down with a thud and kowtowed repeatedly.

"General, spare my life! I have confidential information to report! That Lu Da has already defected to the Jin army on the island! I originally followed Zhou Laosi only because I was forced to temporarily rely on Lu Da. Now that I've seen his true colors, I've come to abandon the darkness and embrace the light!"

Murong Yan leaned forward slightly.

"Oh? Tell me more."

Wang Laoliu, as if grasping at a straw, recounted in detail how Lu Da received the Jin army messenger, how he was ordered to investigate the Qin army's movements, and how he harassed the supply lines. The details matched Murong Yan's recent experiences one by one.

Where are the people from Lu Xun University now?

Murong Yan pressed for an answer.

"Reporting to the General, the temporary camp is located southeast of Wild Boar Ridge, near the sea, at a place called Black Stone Pass!"

Murong Yan's eyes flashed with a cold light as he looked at Wang Laoliu.

"Do you know the way to Black Stone Pass? Can you lead us to their exact location?"

"I recognize you! I recognize you! I am willing to serve you like a dog or a horse!"

Murong Yan immediately changed his plans, abandoning his southward plunder of Yancun. Instead, he mustered a thousand elite cavalry, led by Wang Laoliu, and marched straight for Heishiao overnight.

Almost at the same time that Wang Laoliu defected, the sentries Jiang Qianzhi had placed in Lu Da's camp noticed something amiss.

The message was relayed back to Xiaozhu Island as quickly as possible.

After receiving the urgent report, Xu Xianzhi discussed the matter with Han Yong and decided to be rescued. That night, he dispatched twenty ships to provide assistance.

However, it was still too late.

When the ships arrived, Murong Yan's cavalry arrived first.

The Lu University troops were trapped on a narrow and rugged coastal mountain area between Heishi'ao and the sea.

The next morning, in Qu County, at the former Wang family villa, Deng Jing's temporary residence.

"General, General Murong's troops have moved, surrounding the bandits of Wild Boar Ridge on a secluded mountain by the sea. Judging from their posture, they've drawn away all the troops in the city, intending to wipe them out in one fell swoop."

The guards reported in a low voice.

Deng Jing stood under the eaves, gazing at the sparse vegetation in the courtyard, and nodded slightly.

He was happy to see the local bullies at Luda University wiped out.

Murong Yan was willing to expend his own troops to do this, which he considered his duty and there was nothing wrong with it.

As for the large number of troops deployed... perhaps it's to achieve a quick victory and avoid any unforeseen complications.

In the afternoon, Murong Yan's messenger arrived, bringing a more specific message.

"General Deng, General Murong has ordered that you personally oversee the battle in order to completely annihilate the stubborn bandits. The defense of Qu County and all other matters will be temporarily handled by you, General. The Chigan Hun tribe is familiar with the local area, so they will remain to assist in the defense and await your orders."

Deng Jing accepted the command and ordered him to defend the city.

It just felt a little awkward to leave Chigan Hun, this defeated general, to be commanded again.

"I obey."

Deng Jing responded that he did not trust Chi Gan Hun, but refusing or questioning him at this moment would only make him appear petty and uneasy about his position.

It's just about defending the city; having a hundred more people is always a good thing.

He then arranged for the Chigan Hun tribe to be stationed in a relatively independent camp in the west of the city, far away from his own headquarters.

Murong Yan did not return to the city that day.

As night fell, Deng Jing returned to his residence after patrolling the city, but a sense of unease lingered in his heart.

Almost at the same time, in the western part of the city, at the Chiganhun garrison.

Chigan Hun, who had just come down from the city wall, grumbled and took a swig of cheap wine, and was about to remove his armor.

"The general went off to earn credit, leaving me here to deal with Deng Jing's attitude..."

He muttered something, but didn't finish his sentence.

"laugh!"

An arrow fired from a powerful crossbow grazed Chigan Hun's ear and embedded itself deeply in the wooden post beside him.

Startled, Chi Ganhun rolled over and hid behind the table, his drunkenness completely gone, and cold sweat instantly soaked his back.

"Enemy attack! Protect the chieftain!"

The guards outside the tent quickly entered and surrounded the area, while the others began searching as well.

Chigan Hun was still in shock, his one eye fixed on the arrow that was so close to him.

In the firelight, he could see the arrow shaft, the color of the fletching... He suddenly reached out and forcefully pulled the arrow out.

But when his gaze fell on the distinctive dark red band around the tail feathers, his anger flared up instantly.

"Arrows from the Imperial Guards?!"

Chiganhun quickly realized that Deng Jing was a member of the Imperial Guard.

Then he recalled that General Murong hadn't questioned him when the city was lost last time, but Deng Jing had actually questioned him in front of the general.

And this time, when they were collecting ships, they only robbed a few fishermen, and they were reported to the general.

At this moment, Chigan Hun already felt that Deng Jing was trying to eliminate him while General Murong was away from the city!

"Deng Jing, you scoundrel! How dare you do this!"

He drew his curved sword from his waist, kicked over the table, and roared.

"Brothers! That bastard Deng Jing is trying to wipe us out! Come with me! Let's chop him up!"

The Xianbei soldiers, enraged by the surprise attack and the chieftain's fury, didn't have time to think. They grabbed their weapons and, following the mad tiger-like Chigan Hun, charged toward the residence where Deng Jing was stationed in the city.

Any men they encountered along the way who resembled Deng Jing's subordinates were attacked without warning, and in an instant, the western part of the city descended into chaos and bloodshed.

Inside the courtyard, Deng Jing also heard the shouts and hurriedly picked up his weapon.

The guards rushed in, bursting through the door in a panic.

"General! Something terrible has happened! Chigan Hun has suddenly led his troops in a mutiny and is attacking this way! They're killing anyone they see, and they keep saying... saying that you, General, are going to kill him!"

Deng Jing was taken aback, and then his expression changed drastically.

"nonsense!"

He instantly realized he had fallen into a trap and shouted angrily.

"Close the gates tightly! Form a defensive formation! Send someone to General Murong..."

He stopped halfway through his sentence. Deng Jing knew it was too late. He drew his long sword, but his heart sank.

Murong Yan is away, and Chigan Hun has chosen this moment to cause trouble...

Before they could think it through, the gate of the mansion was violently rammed.

Chiganhun's roar pierced through the door.

"Deng Jing! Come out and face your death! You treacherous villain!"

Deng Jing stood in the courtyard, knife in hand, his face ashen.

In the firelight, the last trace of doubt he had about Murong Yan turned into a chilling killing intent.

This is not a misunderstanding; it's a carefully orchestrated scheme against him!

"Release the arrows!"

At Chiganhun's command, a rain of arrows poured down from the top of the courtyard wall.

Deng Jing could only retreat to the back of the courtyard.

He knew that he couldn't hold onto this house for long.

Looking at his personal guards beside him, he gritted his teeth and gave a difficult order.

"Retreat to the dock!"

......