Luckily, two Deputy Generals nearby saw this situation and hurriedly raised their knives to forcibly block Xue Xian’s strike.

However, even with their combined effort, they nearly got knocked off their horses by Xue Xian’s attack. They gritted their teeth and fought to hold back Xue Xian’s blade, shouting, "General, retreat quickly!"

Ma Xu’s heart trembled.

Just then, from the tower behind them, a sharp, piercing gong sound also echoed.

They’re signaling them to retreat!

"Quickly, quickly get into the city!"

"Forget about the water carts, retreat swiftly!"

"Prepare to close the city gates!"

At this point, Ma Xu couldn’t afford to consider much else, only continuing to shout along with the signal to retreat, "Hurry, hurry into the city, forget about the water carts!"

With that said, he immediately abandoned those behind and urged his horse towards the city gate!

At his rush, those around him could no longer manage much either, all abandoning the heavy water carts and scattering rapidly towards the city gate, fleeing as if their lives depended on it!

During the chaos, Shang Ruyi still stood atop the city tower, watching the slaughter below, even the churned yellow dust was gradually stained with blood. Her gaze, however, remained unexpectedly cold.

At this moment, an even calmer voice sounded beside her——

"Unexpectedly, Xue Xian is actually waiting here."

Without turning her head, she already knew it was Yu Wenqian.

Shang Ruyi gravely said, "Before the expedition, Father said that Xue Xian is brave and skilled in strategy. He’s not a general who only fights hard battles, he should have long calculated that the city would move troops to fetch water, he’s just waiting for this opportunity to seize the city."

Yu Wenqian calmly replied, "Why is he certain that the city would need to fetch water?"

"Because of Feng Chen’s illness."

Speaking of this, Shang Ruyi’s voice grew even more hoarse, "In the previous action, he should have already seen the problem with Feng Chen’s health, and with the firm defense over these days, he must be even more sure of it."

"..."

"Perhaps, this is why he wants to build that Capital."

Yu Wenqian said, "So, he’s the earliest to know that Feng Chen would fall ill?"

"..."

Shang Ruyi was silent for a while, then turned back to look at him, her eyes glistening, "He’s definitely not the earliest."

Yu Wenqian’s lips slightly pursed, "Oh?"

"..."

"Who knew first?"

Just then, a somewhat frantic voice interrupted their conversation. It was Yin Changyue, who parted the crowd atop the city tower, who were also somewhat panicked upon hearing the signal to retreat, and loudly asked, "Who, who ordered the signal to retreat?!"

Those around were wide-eyed, uncertain of what to say for a moment.

Dai Junliang stepped forward, "It was me." 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"You?"

Yin Changyue was taken aback, as previously Dai Junliang had agreed with him about sending Song Yu and Ma Xu out of the city to fetch water, so naturally water should be prioritized at this time. Yet why did he give the order to retreat now?

After all, Yin Changyue was just an advisor, not knowledgeable in military matters, but at this time he also panicked a bit, "The water hasn’t been brought into the city yet, how could you signal to retreat? Shouldn’t we——"

Dai Junliang did not speak, just turned his face to glance beside him.

Yin Changyue’s heart skipped a beat, following his gaze, he saw Shang Ruyi slowly turning around, calmly speaking to him, "Mr. Yin, water is indeed important, but now Xue Xian has already reached the city tower. If we still focus on the water and allow them to attack the city, then it would be certain death."

"..."

"At this moment, weighing the pros and cons should be clear, correct?"

Yin Changyue looked at her, also somewhat bewildered for a moment.

Not only did these two suddenly change their attitude, but even stranger was that he realized this General’s wife, who usually does not interfere in military affairs, had suddenly appeared on the city tower at this moment, standing in front of everyone, as if she had been waiting for this moment, waiting for the signal to retreat!

She seemed to be planning something?

Yin Changyue was momentarily unable to react, subconsciously looking towards the Heir of the Duke standing behind the General’s wife, who maintained a slight peaceful smile, yet witnessing his gaze towards Shang Ruyi, seemed also to be waiting for something.

Ultimately, what was it?

Just as Yin Changyue was too flustered to respond, the sound of battle cries below had already echoed across the whole city tower. Yin Changyue turned his head downward again, Ma Xu had already led the people back into the city, but Song Yu and others, being at the end of the troop, were furthest from the city gate, looked like they wouldn’t make it before the gates closed!