Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress
Chapter 438 - 435: Leave the City Immediately_1

Chapter 438: Chapter 435: Leave the City Immediately_1

Bai Qingyan turned to look at the mismatched ships of varying sizes. She then turned back to Longyang City, pressing her lips tightly together without speaking. She had initially suggested to Liu Hong that due to the limited number of ships, she should split forces with General Fu. General Fu would stay behind with the troops to eliminate the remnants of the Liang Army in Longyang City.

She would then lead her troops around Longyang City to Puwen and the central region, lying in wait to completely annihilate the retreating Liang soldiers. Only by doing so could they instill such fear that the Liang soldiers would hesitate to confront the Jin Army again after this battle.

However, Liu Hong thought this was too risky, especially with the torrential rain and unknown road ahead, fearing something might happen to Bai Qingyan.

For Liu Hong, there was no need to achieve complete victory in one go. Ensuring Bai Qingyan’s safety while gradually reclaiming the lost Puwen City and Chunmu City, and then driving the Liang Army back seemed more prudent.

General Liu Hong was cautious, and Bai Qingyan did not force the issue since General Liu Hong was the Commander.

Nevertheless, if they left room for the Liang Army to retreat to Puwen City, it was uncertain whether the Liang Army would send reinforcements back. Such back and forth would deplete the Jin Army’s strength.

For the Jin Kingdom, which had just lost hundreds of thousands of soldiers in the southern battle, the north, adjacent only to the Jin Kingdom and the Rong, was the perfect opportunity for expansion. The Liang Army was strong, but with the Rong in internal turmoil, if she were the Emperor of Liang, she would not miss this chance either.

Opportunities must not be missed.

Bai Qingyan had already analyzed the stakes with Liu Hong, hoping he would realize during the retreat that sending troops around Longyang City to Puwen City and the central region was also to prevent Xun Tianzhang from seeking reinforcements from Puwen City.

The Liang Army had nearly turned upside down a residence labeled Xiao Residence, digging and smashing walls without finding any clues.

Though exhausted, the Liang soldiers acted like they were in a competition upon entering the Xiao Residence. No one wanted to rest, fearing they would miss Xiao Rongyan, the world’s richest merchant, hiding treasures in Xiao Residence.

Perhaps due to the heavy rain preventing the city’s drainage system from working, the water in Longyang City had already risen above the ankles and was continuing to rise.

Xun Tianzhang and his son, resting in the pavilion, had not noticed anything unusual. But Zhao Sheng, who had rescued his brother from prison, sensed something was wrong while taking care of him and immediately summoned the Zhao Family’s soldiers.

Zhao Sheng had already moved Zhao Tong to the second floor. Kneeling under the lantern’s light, drenched Zhao Family commanders ascended the stairs and knelt on one knee to greet Zhao Sheng: "General!"

"I overheard people outside saying that after entering the city... they haven’t seen a single civilian or Jin soldier?!" Zhao Sheng asked.

"Naturally, we have slaughtered the Jin soldiers completely. Where would they dare to stay?!" The burly commander boasted with pride.

However, a scholarly-looking General spoke truthfully: "Not completely. Some Jin soldiers who couldn’t escape were all killed by us. But after entering the city, everyone was busy plundering treasures, letting many Jin soldiers escape!"

Zhao Sheng frowned, lowering his gaze in deep thought: "Civilians... did you see any?!"

The Generals kneeling in the pavilion looked at each other. It seemed no one had paid attention to the civilians. Even if there were civilians, they weren’t from Liang. If seen, they would naturally be killed with a single strike; who would notice them?!

Seeing the expressions of the generals, Zhao Sheng suddenly stood up: "Something’s wrong!"

Without delay, Zhao Sheng hurriedly rushed downstairs to General Xun Tianzhang’s location.

At the hour of the tiger, the Liang soldiers guarding the city tower couldn’t help but complain. Even the last ones who entered the city from the logistics battalion were out searching for treasures, while they had to guard the city in the pouring rain.

Who wouldn’t want to see how luxurious the gold-carved guardian beast of the world’s richest merchant was? They all hoped to pry off a gem to take home to honor their mother, or maybe even take a wife.

"Forget it, stop complaining. We’re soldiers under General Xun. Fortune never favors us; we always risk our lives first!" the Liang soldier sighed, looking into the distance.

"Look... what’s that?!"

"With such heavy rain and darkness, what could you possibly see?" Another Liang soldier, jesting, leaned over to look in the same direction.

Far off, a dark mass rushed wildly in the torrential rain like a herd of startled cattle, unstoppable. With the roar of rushing water, it surged forward. Giant waves, carrying broken branches and stones, sped towards them!

The flood hit the city gates and walls with a massive force, squeezing through the gate’s cracks into the city, creating a deafening roar.

"Flood! It’s a flood!" the Liang soldiers shouted, immediately blowing horns and beating drums.

The Liang soldiers on watch turned towards the city, shouting: "Flood is coming! Flood is coming!"

But the rain was loud, and the sound of the flood was even louder, almost drowning the soldiers’ shouts. The massive stones and trees carried by the flood fiercely smashed into the heavy city gates one after another, nearly breaking them open.

The Liang soldier hurriedly descended from the city wall, intending to rush to the Commander. But by the time he came down, the water was already at his waist, and it was rising rapidly.

The walls of Longyang City were only about two zhang high. At this rate, it would soon be submerged.

"Flood is coming! Flood is coming!" The guarding Liang soldiers shouted everywhere.

The Liang soldiers still searching for treasure in Xiao Residence noticed the water rising rapidly. Within just a few words, the water had reached their knees and continued rising. Hearing the faint horns and drums through the torrential rain, even the slowest among them sensed something unusual.

Just as Zhao Sheng reached the pavilion’s door where Xun Tianzhang was, he heard the horns and drums from the city tower. The sound was faint amid the rain, but it alarmed Xun Tianzhang.

"Come here!"

Xun Tianzhang’s voice came from inside the room. The guards downstairs quickly responded and went upstairs.

Zhao Sheng hurriedly followed: "Commander! Something’s wrong! I believe the Jin Army has set a trap! No civilians were seen when we entered the city, meaning they had already been evacuated by the Jin Army. Our intention to flood the Jin Army might have been detected. We must leave the city immediately!"

Xun Tianzhang calmed down and asked, "What’s with the drums at the city gate?!"

"Father, we don’t know yet! I’ve sent someone to check!" Xun Tianzhang’s son replied.

Xun Tianzhang’s heart pounded quickly. As he put on his boots, he said, "Gather the soldiers and exit the city immediately!"

Xun Tianzhang’s son sent someone to investigate the city gate. Just as the person reached the long street, he heard the heavy city gate repeatedly being struck. Before he could react, the gate suddenly burst open, slamming heavily against the city wall.

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.