Undying Life

Chapter 97: Reversing the Situation

The assassination attempt on Zhongshan's adopted sons – was this Su Lian Xian's doing? In that moment, Su Lian Xian found himself at a disadvantage in terms of righteousness.

"I, Zhongshan, believe that my actions are justifiable in the eyes of heaven and the people. Though I am a merchant, I take from the people and still give back to them. The Great Song Country, situated in a fertile land, still sees countless people starving to death in the wilderness. On the other hand, the Great Kun Country's land is not as fertile, and we face natural disasters year after year. Yet, not a single person in the Great Kun Country dies of starvation. Is this your court's doing? Every time there is a disaster, has there not been substantial assistance from my Zhongshan Trading House? Today, you seek to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs for your selfish desires, to destroy me, Zhongshan. After today, which merchant would dare to come forward to save the country and its people? After today, how will you face the world and the people? Even if you have a great army behind you, dare you say that not a single person has received my kindness?" Zhongshan spoke loudly.

With Zhongshan's words, the morale of the troops was shaken. The originally grim atmosphere within the army now showed signs of unrest. Indeed, most soldiers may not have received Zhongshan's benevolence, but there was still a small portion who had, or whose parents had been saved from starvation by the Zhongshan Trading House during times of famine.

Now, they were ordered to march against this benefactor? Although soldiers obey orders, they were still human, with hearts of flesh. There were inevitably some who felt reluctant to kill Zhongshan.

Turning his head, Su Lian Xian saw the stir within the army and immediately sensed that things were not going well.

With morale already weakened, should they launch a strong attack now? Moreover, Zhongshan's speech seemed to invigorate the defenders, boosting their spirits. Even the civilians within the city, who had initially been somewhat timid, now seemed impassioned.

Launch an attack? It was not advisable at this moment, despite their overwhelming numerical advantage over the defenders.

"Hmph, Zhongshan is acting against the country, openly rebelling. Any civilians who come out of the city can be pardoned; otherwise, they will be treated as accomplices to Zhongshan's crimes," Su Lian Xian declared again.

However, not only were the defenders affected, even the civilians below the city walls were now filled with fervor by Zhongshan's words. After all, in Xuancheng, there were far more who had benefited from Zhongshan's kindness.

Dong~~~~~~

Emperor Su Zhengde had already ordered the recall of troops.

Although they knew they outnumbered the defenders, they also understood the importance of morale. It was better to regroup their troops and plan their next move carefully.

Su Lian Xian snorted as he glanced at Zhongshan. Riding his horse, he retreated with the other transcendent experts, leading the army back to their camp.

"You're amazing, Uncle Zhong! With just a few words, you managed to make twenty thousand soldiers retreat," exclaimed Englan, her eyes filled with admiration.

Englan had commanded troops before, but Uncle Zhong's feat was beyond impressive. To make twenty thousand soldiers retreat with just a few words was truly incredible.

"Retreat? It's only temporary. But having this temporary advantage is enough. The message should have been delivered. It's time to make our move," Zhongshan said, shaking his head with a smile.

Then, Zhongshan slowly descended from the city wall, ready to continue strategizing for the upcoming battle.

"Father, why did you order the recall of troops? With our two hundred thousand strong army, breaking through Xuancheng, although difficult, would be worth it if we could kill Zhongshan," Su Zhengde's son asked anxiously.

"Son, think about how many casualties we would suffer if we stormed into the city," Su Lian Xian replied.

"At most eighty thousand soldiers, and we would certainly be able to kill Zhongshan," Su Zhengde replied.

"In Xuancheng now, the civilians are surely united against us. By then, at least one hundred and twenty thousand soldiers would die, and perhaps another hundred and fifty thousand civilians would perish. The loss of soldiers is one thing, but if one hundred and fifty thousand civilians die this time, how long can our Su family hold onto the Great Kun Country?" Su Zhengde continued.

"You're right, Your Majesty. What His Majesty says is true. Although we may be able to kill Zhongshan momentarily, at that time, the royal family will surely lose the trust of the people, and there will be widespread discontent among the populace. The people will no longer support the royal family, and there will surely be numerous rebellions. Furthermore, the other five countries are also eyeing our Great Kun Country. One move could set off a chain reaction," Prime Minister Wei suddenly interjected.

His words were echoed by the other transcendent experts. Indeed, Su Zhengde's decision was correct, even the ancestral Su family nodded in agreement.

"How much food does he have in Xuancheng? All we have to do is wait patiently. Isn't this your strategy, Father?" Su Zhengde laughed.

Looking at Su Zhengde, Su Lian Xian said anxiously, "Don't you understand how terrifying Zhongshan is? Don't you understand that I received news of his seclusion and later his severe injury? I was foolish to come up with that strategy. But just now, I realized how ridiculous my previous thoughts were. Seeing him, I felt his former majesty once again, even stronger than before. He only needs time to turn the tables. We can't give him that time. With just a little time, he can change everything. If it weren't for me using my power to make a deal with him back then, he would have replaced the Su family and become the ruler of the Great Kun Country."

"Enough," the ancestral Su family interrupted abruptly.

The ancestral's stern rebuke silenced everyone.

"Once a mighty ruler of a nation, yet you're hesitating like this? Can Zhongshan really train the civilians in the city to become a formidable army? Besides, how long can they hold out with their remaining food? How many more houses can they dismantle for firewood? As soon as chaos erupts among the people, Xuancheng will fall without us attacking it. Zhongshan's reputation will be ruined. A few more days of siege won't let him turn the tables. Follow Zhengde's plan," scolded the ancestral Su family.

"Yes," Su Lian Xian could only nod. But his expression remained tense, as did the others. After all, this was the best course of action for now.

Three days later.

Inside the Zhong residence in Xuancheng, Zhongshan sat with his eyes closed on the grand chair. Before him stood Zhong Tian, Zhong Zheng, and Englan, awaiting his instructions.

Suddenly, Zhongshan paused, opening his eyes. "Alright, prepare as I instructed. The decisive battle will be today. I want all the transcendent experts to perish, and I want the entire eight hundred thousand army under my control."

"Yes!" the three of them exclaimed excitedly.

"Go," Zhongshan smiled.

"Yes!" Zhong Tian, Zhong Zheng, and Englan responded eagerly.

In the early morning, in the main tent where the transcendent experts gathered, the ancestral Su family sat at the head, holding a cup of tea, furrowing their brows in thought. Below, the others were engaged in discussions.

Since being reprimanded by the ancestral Su family three days ago, Su Lian Xian had remained silent and grave.

"It's been several days already. Why hasn't there been any internal unrest in the city?" the ancestral Su family asked sternly.

Su Zhengde immediately replied, "Ancestral Elder, it should be happening soon. Even if there are still reserves, the firewood has long been depleted. Nowadays, they're burning furniture every day, or rather, they're burning rafters. The hearts of the people must be wavering. Just a little more waiting, and everything will be fine."

"Humph, how do you know what's happening inside the city?" Su Lian Xian glared.

"Father, Xuancheng has a population of a million. The daily consumption is unimaginable," Su Zhengde confidently replied.

"Report—!" A voice of urgency suddenly came from outside the tent, followed by an unannounced intrusion.

The newcomer, dressed as a scout, was covered in blood, with disheveled hair and multiple injuries.

He knelt before Su Zhengde as soon as he entered the tent.

"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! General Lin led three hundred thousand troops into the capital city and breached the Imperial Palace. All the royal family members were beheaded at the southern gate of the capital city at dusk yesterday. The Crown Prince also died for the country. The Imperial Palace has been reduced to ruins, and the people of the capital city are in a panic, fleeing in haste."

"Lin Xiao!" Su Zhengde slammed the table in anger, standing up with a furious roar.

Other transcendent experts also stood up, wearing expressions of disbelief as they looked at the soldier before them. Lin Xiao? The commander of heavy troops who had always guarded the borders, defending against the aggression of the Great Song Empire? How could he suddenly lead troops into the capital? Has he betrayed us? The entire Su family lineage wiped out? The shock of this moment was immense, too much to comprehend. Has the world suddenly turned upside down?

"I swear to annihilate your entire clan," Su Zhengde declared angrily.

"Report—!" Amidst the raging anger towards Lin Xiao's treason, another urgent shout came from outside the tent.

Another scout rushed in, blackened with soot and with singed hair, as if just returning from a fire.

The soldier knelt before Su Zhengde and bowed.

"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! The food and supplies stored in Tunyu and Xishan suddenly went up in flames last night. The grain officials were found dead in their tents without explanation. The fire spread too quickly, and in the blink of an eye, all the supplies turned to ashes."

The soldier reported quickly, his voice trembling with fear.

"Crash!"

Su Zhengde unconsciously knocked over the tea cup on the table. This was catastrophic news, absolutely catastrophic. The food supplies had been destroyed?

The presence of the eight hundred thousand-strong army stationed here relied on those supplies. Food was the lifeblood of the army. With the food gone, the morale of the troops would collapse, and the battle would be lost.

"An eye for an eye. We cut off Zhongshan's food, and Zhongshan cut off ours. It must be Zhongshan, it must be Zhongshan's doing," Su Zhengde exclaimed in shock.

"Not only that, but Lin Xiao chose to rebel at the most critical moment? His closest target is the capital. If Lin Xiao seizes the capital, it will block our retreat. Now, with only a day's worth of supplies left, even if we ration, we can only hold out for two days. It's impossible to lead the army to other cities in such a short time. When the eight hundred thousand troops disperse, the throne of my Su family will be completely meaningless," Su Lian Xian suddenly spoke up, his eyes filled with incredulity.