BXBX NOVEL Chapter 186: Like Lady Zhao
Chapter 186
In recent days, General Guan had led his ferocious army- attacking the Plague City almost every day.
Yet, each time they returned empty-handed.
Weapons like grenades, cannons, and others made it impossible for their troops to step a single foot into the city. Previous strategies to break the city\'s defenses became completely ineffective.
After all, the firepower was too powerful!
This time, General Guash led his soldiers to ambush from behind a mountain, hoping to take advantage of the cover of darkness to launch an attack from another entrance to the Plague City.
This time, their defeat was more complete than ever before.
They originally thought that the rugged mountainous terrain and the cover of forest trees would make the Elder Princess’s weapons useless against them.
However, when the soldiers of Plague City entered the forest, they seemed to become masters of the mountains, defeating the imperial soldiers continuously.
What used to be a wildly brave imperial army on the plains instantly lost their formation and command when faced with an ambush in the forest.
After General Guan led his soldiers to retreat, Zhou Qichen did not order his soldiers to chase them down.
Upon returning to their station, General Guan ordered officers above the rank of Captain to analyze their tactics.
"General, we truly didn\'t see that coming. Before this, the soldiers of Plague City needed the help of heavy artillery and grenades to hold us back. But today, without even using their firepower, they managed to defeat us. It\'s incredible!" said one general.
"The disguises they painted on their faces made them blend into the forest. We couldn’t tell them apart from the trees."
"Their clothing was unusual, and those traps were seamlessly laid out. It\'s exasperating."
"We\'ve been fighting back and forth these days, giving them the opportunity to use us as training targets. Every time they were about to lose, they hid in Plague City. We were wary of their firepower and unable to chase in. This time, we essentially trained them ourselves," another general further vented his frustration.
"We can\'t quite say it like that," another general analyzed, "Our formations were flawed on forest terrain. They excel in forest combat. Plague City is backed by vast mountains. There\'s a chance they were drilling their soldiers in the forest, excelling at using their troops flawlessly in this terrain. This time, we ended up pricking our shortcomings against their strengths."
His words were met with sighs all around.
They initially thought dealing with firepower was quite challenging.
Little did they know what was to come.
On top of that, Zhou Qichen had previously brought in a batch of lady physicians to treat the wounded, which had fostered some camaraderie. The thought of ruthlessly slaughtering those people was too burdensome to even contemplate.
The deputy commander worriedly said to General Guan, "Commander, we initially thought we could reclaim Plague City in just three days, but we didn\'t expect the Elder Princess to have developed it so remarkably."
"We\'ve already wasted half a month\'s time in Plague City. If we do not hurry back to the frontier, the Xiongnu might notice."
"If the Xiongnu decide to march south, the consequences would be far graver than this Plague City. A civil war may cause damage, but it spares the common people. A foreign conflict, on the other hand, could wipe out entire cities."
"When that time comes, my people of the Central Plains will be in a dire situation."
As soon as he finished speaking, another person interjected:
"But the Emperor did not command us to return. If we do so, we would be defying his orders."
"A general in the field may choose not to obey!"
"But the Emperor is the ruler of all…"
The crowd quickly divided into two vehemently arguing factions. One insisted on returning to defend the border town, while the other insisted on waiting for the Emperor\'s decree.
At last, General Guan slammed the table and decided — to divide the army.
Leaving the border town for so long was unacceptable. They had to return with some of the soldiers, creating a false illusion to the Xiongnu that the main force had not yet moved.
The other half of the soldiers would have to stay on guard here, enduring a war of attrition, awaiting the court to send reinforcements.
-
Several days later, Cheng Yuanyuan called. She had finished her scenes and wanted to know if Gu Sang had some time to visit a Vlogger\'s friend\'s house.
On Sunday, Cheng Yuanyuan rented a car to pick up Gu Sang.
Then she drove to the Vlogger\'s friend\'s house.
When they arrived, it was almost noon.
The friend\'s house was a two-story building with a small courtyard surrounded by walls.
Pink Portulaca Grandiflora crept out from the inside, blooming beautiful flowers on the wall, filling the air with a faint fragrance.
They parked their car outside and went to knock. Gu Sang turned on her live stream.
After waiting for about ten seconds, someone came out.
The moment this person was caught by the camera, everyone in the capital, Pei Changying, the officials, the Zhao Family, the Elder Princess, and others were all shocked.
Pei Changying was so startled that he stood up, turning pale.
Consort Zhao!!!
"The busy one. You finally found time to see me."
"Hi, you must be Gu Sang, welcome, welcome. I\'ve watched your short drama as the queen before, and I think your acting is superb. I\'ve been wanting to meet you."
She spoke softly, making people feel comforted as if a spring breeze was blowing. After saying a sentence to Cheng Yuanyuan, she immediately turned to chat with Gu Sang.
The parents of the Zhao Family living in the plague-stricken city immediately recognized that this wasn\'t their daughter before she even spoke.
Their daughter wouldn\'t speak so gently, her words flowing softly into the heart, her brows exuding an air of tranquility and confidence.
"She looks so much like our little girl. Seeing her, I feel like I\'m seeing my Consort Zhao again."
"If Consort Zhao was in the future world, her smile would be just as radiant as hers."
Upon hearing her husband\'s words, Zhao\'s mother comforted him, "The Divine Girl mentioned that Consort Zhao\'s reincarnation lives in the future."
"My lord, Consort Zhao will be happy in the future. Maybe she’ll be just as gentle as this girl, able to live her own life freely."
Not just the Zhao Family,
Even the palace was shaken.
The maids guarding Xuyang Palace were so frightened that they shouted "Consort Zhao is back!" This alarm startled all the queens in the palace.
Gu Qingrou and the concubines ignored any orders and courageously rushed into Xuyang Palace.
One after another, they stared at the screen in shock and disbelief.
Could it be that Consort Zhao really went to the future world?
It wasn\'t until they heard a woman, who bore a striking resemblance to Sister Zhao, speak her name, that they realized they had mistaken her for someone else.
"In all the world, it seems, someone as similar to Sister Zhao actually exists. I wonder what the Emperor\'s reaction will be upon seeing her."
"She is remarkably alike, the similarities are uncanny, with the exception of her temperament and character."
"Sob, sob... How envious! Look at the genuine happiness in her eyes, sisters. She is truly living a wonderful life."
"The Emperor, upon seeing someone so much like Sister Zhao, must feel quite consoled, right?"