Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace-Chapter 143 Military Intelligence

Luo Zhen.

The first beauty of Nanyang County.

Unlike the first beauties of other county cities, who are almost always women from brothels, Luo Zhen is an exception.

Besides her extraordinary beauty and mastery of poetry, chess, calligraphy, and painting, she was seen by a group of scholars due to her need to show her face for business, and many poetic expressions of beauty were written for her.

Gradually, her fame spread.

Zhang Ping, as the commander of the Yellow Turban Army in Nanyang County, heard of Luo Zhen’s name and knew she was still somewhere in Nanyang. Naturally, he was a bit intrigued, wanting to find her and then show off his kingly charisma to win Luo Zhen’s heart.

"According to reports from scouts ahead, Luo Zhen was heading towards Fengchi County, fleeing under the protection of an old lady after leaving Celestial River City."

The thin man reported respectfully. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

"Fengchi County..."

Zhang Ping looked at the map of Nanyang County laid flat on the table, where most of the cities were already occupied by them and marked with yellow circles, while the cities marked with red circles were still in the hands of the official army.

Fengchi County was marked with a red circle.

"Haha, looks like this General is about to claim the beauty. Pass the order, after breaking the main force of Nanyang’s auxiliary troops, push forward to Fengchi County for me.."

"Yes, sir."

...

Time quickly passed to the evening.

Fengchi County.

On the city walls, lights were ablaze.

Petroleum, molten gold, and rolling stones were all ready, while the soldiers vigilantly scanned every corner outside the city.

The leading general was patrolling the city walls, and to boost morale, he shouted:

"We have requested reinforcements from the Imperial Court, the army will arrive in a few days. You all know of the Yellow Turban rebels’ atrocities, once the city is breached, your wives and daughters will suffer their humiliation. For our homes, stay spirited and defend Fengchi County..."

"Yes, sir." the soldiers responded loudly.

At that moment, two figures staggered out from the darkness.

The soldiers on the city walls immediately became alert.

Archers had already drawn their bows to the fullest, ready to release at a command and turn the strangers into porcupines.

Soon, the figures came closer, and the lights from the city walls illuminated their faces.

Two women.

An old one and a young one.

Their faces were somewhat ashen, their hair disheveled, as if they had rolled in a mud pit.

The two were Granny Qing and Luo Zhen.

After Celestial River City fell, they had been fleeing towards Bianliang, passing through several counties along the way. Because of Luo Zhen’s beauty, they were hunted by several factions of Yellow Turban rebels. Luo Zhen’s uncle sacrificed himself to cover their escape, resulting in their separation.

As a result, Luo Zhen took clothes from a dead body and rolled in mud, smearing it on her face, to disguise as a refugee, and hurried along to Fengchi County.

Finally arriving in the evening.

Seeing the soldiers on the city walls, Luo Zhen thanked heaven, relieved that Fengchi County had not fallen.

Supported by Granny Qing, they approached the wall.

But with a swoosh, an arrow landed at their feet, halting their steps abruptly.

"Who goes there?" a soldier shouted from the wall.

"Refugees," Luo Zhen tried to say, but was nudged by Granny Qing, who then spoke.

The soldier looked at them, indeed appearing as refugees, but wary of what might be lurking in the darkness, he replied, "The County Magistrate has ordered that no one is allowed in or out."

Upon hearing this, both Luo Zhen and Granny Qing’s expressions changed, then the former shouted, "Open the gate, we are acquaintances of your County Magistrate, the daughter of Luo Qiao, please report this."

The soldier, not daring to neglect them, immediately ran to report.

...

Inside the city, at the County Government Office, the lights were dimmed.

In the back courtyard, Li Wenjun was blinking sleepily, having just been woken up midway through resting, being told that Luo Qiao’s daughter had arrived.

Li Wenjun did not dare to delay, hastily dressing and heading to the city wall.

Li Wenjun, at thirty-one years old.

From a poor family, he had been sponsored by Luo Qiao to travel to the capital for exams.

Thankfully, he did not disappoint, making it onto the list, becoming the County Magistrate of Fengchi County.

Li Wenjun, a grateful person, knew it must be Luo Zhen seeking refuge with him, especially given the fall of Celestial River City.

By all means, Li Wenjun must repay this favor.

A quarter of an hour later, Li Wenjun arrived at the city wall. Soldiers held two shields before him as Li Wenjun said, "I am the Magistrate of Fengchi County. I hear you are the daughter of Luo Qiao, what proof do you have?"

"I have a letter from my late father, which can serve as proof," Luo Zhen replied, raising the letter.

Li Wenjun closely examined it, instructing the archers to stay alert, then said, "Lower the willow basket, bring them up."

The city wall of Fengchi County was nearly three zhang high, smooth, something only innate experts could scale.

...

Once they climbed the wall, Luo Zhen wiped her face hard with her hand, then took a letter from her pocket and gave it to Li Wenjun.

This letter was, of course, not specifically written for Li Wenjun but a normal one, meant for him to verify the handwriting as that of Luo Qiao, thereby proving Luo Zhen’s identity.

Li Wenjun had visited Celestial River City once after taking office, having met Luo Qiao and having seen Luo Zhen with a single glance.

The first beauty of Nanyang.

Her face was indeed recognizable.

After looking at Luo Zhen and carefully reading the letter, confirming it was Luo Qiao’s handwriting, he sighed, expressed condolences, and had them be taken away.

But unbeknownst to Li Wenjun, one official beside him took note of Luo Zhen with a glance, secretly memorizing it.

...

On the other side.

Nanyang City, the county city of Nanyang County.

Deep in the night, firelight illuminated the entire city of Nanyang.

Zhang Ping, having arrived with the main force, ordered the assault on the city.

The entire main force of the official army in Nanyang was besieged within Nanyang City.

Ladders were propped against the city walls, and arrows rained down from the battlements.

Zhang Ping’s Yellow Turban Army raised shields, hunched over, climbing the ladders like a swarm of ants, with squads of archers at the rear striving to exchange fire with the soldiers atop the wall, providing cover for the assault.

These archers were Zhang Ping’s personal soldiers, specially trained, all Seventh Grade experts capable of drawing a twenty-stone bow, the arrowheads specially forged to pierce through shields.

If shot by surprise, even a Fourth Grade Martial Artist could be pierced through.

In the crossfire, both sides suffered casualties.

Still, the Yellow Turban Army bore more losses.

The cost for the Yellow Turban Army was nearly thirty to one.

The Governor of Nanyang, Zhao Xian, himself directed the battle from the city tower, never expecting that the newly arisen rebels could drive him to such desperation in less than a week.

The surrounding towns had nearly all fallen, making Nanyang City an isolated stronghold with no hope of assistance, swarmed by rebels like ants.

The reason for today’s fierce night attack was unclear.

Nanyang City must not fall.

If it did.

Even as imperial kin, Zhao Xian would meet a beheading’s fate.