Since Shen Liangzhi had rounded up all the remaining forces of Princess Zhaohua, the reinforcements the King of Jin had been waiting for never showed up. The King of Jin couldn't sit still any longer.
In just half a month, Jiangzhou and Jiangyin County had fallen. He was left with only Hongzhou.
Moreover, he had fewer than 20,000 men under his command, including the wounded who couldn't fight.
In fact, there were only about 10,000 men capable of battle.
The King of Jin sat numbly on his chair.
Was it really God's will to destroy him?
Why?
In terms of birth, as well as military and strategic skills, in which aspect was he inferior to Ji Junye?
Why was God so unfair!
After a long while, he looked up, his throat dry. "Sir, what should I do now?"
Xu He also sighed. "At this point, we have no choice but to fight to the death."
If anyone was to blame, it was the King's miscalculation.
"No, there must be another way..."
Right!
Shen Qing was still in his hands!
The King of Jin told Xu He to go back first, then he went to the dungeon himself.
The door was suddenly kicked open. Shen Qing frowned and looked at him. "What's wrong with you again?"
The King of Jin stepped forward and grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at him. "Ji Junye is about to attack Hongzhou. You must be very happy, right? He'll rescue you soon..."
Shen Qing had already known about this major event through the news passed by Concubine Song, so she wasn't surprised.
She looked at him. "So you're here to tell me about your failure?"
The King of Jin was in an agitated mood and didn't notice anything strange about Shen Qing.
"I haven't lost!"
"How could I lose?!"
Shen Qing sneered contemptuously, mocking his arrogance and ignorance.
Seeing Shen Qing like this, the King of Jin became even angrier and tightened his grip. "Do you think I really dare not kill you?"
Shen Qing grabbed his wrist and with a sudden force, freed herself. She slowly curled her lips and looked at him provocatively. "You won't."
"Especially at a time like this, you won't."
"Still so stubborn when death is near!"
It was true that your enemy often knew you best. The King of Jin was easily provoked by Shen Qing's words and lost his composure.
His face contorted in anger. "Then I'd like to ask Ji Junye whether he wants the throne or you!"
After Shi Jiu went to Tanzhou, although she still kept in touch with them, she never sent back any useful information. He knew that Shi Jiu had been exposed.
On the Mid - Autumn Festival, Ji Junye must have deliberately made him think she wasn't exposed to let him lower his guard.
Ji Junye was truly cunning!
The King of Jin was so angry with this couple that his internal organs ached.
He ordered his men to watch Shen Qing closely and not let anything happen to her. Then he left the dungeon in a huff.
Shen Qing retracted her gaze speechlessly. After all this time, he just came here to be angered by her.
He was fine before, but he just had to come and look for trouble. Wasn't he crazy?
The next day.
Ji Junye led 30,000 troops and came to the city wall of Hongzhou in person.
He wanted to witness Ji Huaiyan's miserable defeat with his own eyes and then take Qingqing home.
In the Mansion of the King of Jin.
"Report—"
"The imperial army has arrived outside Hongzhou and is about to attack our troops!"
The King of Jin was discussing the next strategy with several of his trusted military advisors and generals. Although he had been mentally prepared, the speed at which the imperial army arrived was really startling.
"Ji Junye just occupied Jiangyin County yesterday and is attacking Hongzhou today. He's extremely arrogant!"
The soldiers had just fought a battle and should have taken a rest. How much did Ji Junye look down on him to do this?
General Chen, the main general in the army, clasped his fists. "Your Highness, don't worry. Even though they outnumber us, we're not at the end of our resources. I'll go out of the city to meet them now!"
The King of Jin nodded.
At this moment, outside Hongzhou, 30,000 troops were neatly lined up. The iron armor glinted coldly, and the imposing manner seemed to destroy the entire city.
"Attack the city!"
The war drums sounded. The imperial soldiers were full of morale and advanced like a breaking bamboo.
"Kill!"
The Viper Troops led the way in the front, followed by shields. Spears stabbed out from behind the shields, dealing a fatal blow to the enemy.
The Jiangnan Army was fighting a desperate battle, and so was the imperial army.
If they won, the war would be over and they could go home. Which one of them didn't fight with all their might?
The soldiers of Hongzhou were already a bit demoralized. Although they had been prepared for a desperate battle yesterday, when they saw the Viper Troops and the increasingly brave imperial army, they were afraid.
General Chen was entangled by Zhuiyun and was trapped. He could only watch helplessly as their men showed signs of defeat, which then grew larger.
"Ji Junye, Shen Qing is in my hands. If you don't want her to die, order your men to withdraw!"
The King of Jin had Shen Qing, who was tied up tightly, escorted to the city tower. A secret guard beside him shouted at Ji Junye. With the boost of internal strength, the voice carried far.
Ji Junye wasn't idle either. He was observing the battle situation on a chariot in the rear. With 30,000 against 10,000 remnants, they were bound to win. As soon as the King of Jin's man spoke, he instinctively looked up at the city tower.
That one glance made his pupils constrict.
Shen Qing was tied up and escorted to the city wall. Her mouth was gagged. Through the crenels, he saw a glinting blade across her neck.
With just a little force, she would lose her life.
Ji Junye's heart tightened.
"Sound the gong to retreat! Hurry!"
"… Ah?"
The deputy general beside him was stunned.
Sound the gong to retreat?
This was the perfect time to capture the city in one go. Why sound the gong to retreat?
The deputy general wanted to ask why, but Ji Junye's expression was so terrifying that he couldn't help swallowing. While he was stunned, Zhuxing snatched the mallet from his hand and sounded the gong to retreat.
The imperial soldiers were in the middle of a thrilling battle when suddenly the sound of retreat came. Many of them were stunned.
"Retreat!"
The Jiangnan Army seized the opportunity and didn't dare to linger. They quickly retreated.
Ji Junye rode his horse to the front of the formation. He recognized Shen Qing at a glance, and Shen Qing also saw him.
After a long time apart, the two looked at each other from afar. Their eyes were filled with the same longing, relief, joy at seeing each other again, and uncontrollable worry.
Although she was tied up, her face looked okay. She should not have been abused.
Ji Junye let out a sigh of relief in his heart.
The King of Jin found their appearance as a lovelorn couple annoying and pressed the blade closer to Shen Qing.
Ji Junye's heart tightened. "Ji Huaiyan, let Qingqing go!"
The King of Jin sneered. "Ji Junye, do you think I'm a fool? If you want me to let her go, you can kill yourself now, and I'll let her go."
Ji Junye wasn't naive enough to believe his words. He threw his words back. "If you let her go now, I'll spare your dog's life."
"You're dreaming!"
The King of Jin's face contorted in anger. "If you don't want her to die, order your men to retreat! Back off thirty miles!"
Shen Qing couldn't speak and could only shake her head at him.
This was the perfect opportunity to capture Hongzhou. If they didn't attack the city today and the King of Jin escaped, he would surely become a serious threat.
"Don't move!"
The King of Jin exerted force on his hand, and the blade instantly cut through Shen Qing's skin, leaving a bloodstain.
"If he doesn't retreat today, I'll drag you to hell with me!"