Your Friend Zhang Huaimin Has Gone Offline

Dingzhou Prefecture

Heyang County.

At this time, Heyang County no longer had the peaceful and prosperous scene it once had.

Here,

It has become a battlefield.

Hundreds of soldiers outside the city are launching a fierce assault on the city walls.

The sounds of fighting and screams filled the air.

War raged, and blood stained the earth.

County Magistrate Zhang stood on the wall, his face and official robes covered in grime and blood.

Beside him was Constable Chen.

A long, narrow wound on my arm was oozing blood, and there wasn't even time to bandage it.

The enemy's offensive grew increasingly fierce.

They even managed to climb onto the city wall several times.

If it weren't for Constable Chen leading the way, and the Yamen Runner Constable, and city soldiers fighting to the death, Heyang County would probably have already fallen into enemy hands.

Far outside the city,

Banners fluttered, and warhorses neighed.

The sight of those thousands of elite soldiers, clad in armor and armed with weapons, displaying strict military discipline, was enough to instill a sense of despair.

Zhang Huaimin still can't understand it.

Why did the army of Prince Ning's Residence's Mansion attack Heyang County?

Was it because he offended the Prince Ning's Heir?

Leading an army to attack a county town is a rebellion, a treasonous act punishable by the extermination of nine generations of one's family.

Could it be that Prince Ning is really planning a rebellion to become emperor, just as rumored?

But you're going to rebel and attack the Capital!

Why attack Heyang County?

What was he thinking?

How could he dare?

When County Magistrate Zhang heard that a large army was attacking from outside the city, he almost thought his subordinates were joking with him.

But when it actually happened to him, he felt like the sky had fallen.

This would be a catastrophe!

I thought that once the Prince Ning's Heir left the county, the matter would be over.

But County Magistrate Zhang never expected that the heir apparent would turn around and lead a large army back to fight.

Is he out of his mind?

Even being vengeful doesn't mean doing things this way.

Even if you act recklessly, there should be limits; you can't be completely lawless.

County Magistrate Zhang regretted it; he truly regretted it.

Had he known that the Prince Ning's Heir was so narrow-minded, he should have offered himself in exchange for Xiucai Liu's daughter.

You wanted to have some fun, didn't you?

I can drink with you, and I can even dance for you.

As long as you don't harm the people of Heyang County, I'm willing to do anything.

But now,

It's too late for regrets.

"We must never allow the enemy to breach the city walls. Even if it means giving away all my wealth, I will ensure that the pensions for any fallen warriors reach their wives, children, and elderly parents."

County Magistrate Zhang loudly promised the Yamen Runner and yamen Constable around him.

"Hold on! Hold on! We absolutely cannot retreat a single step until all the people have evacuated from the south gate!"

"Your parents, wives, and children are inside. Once the enemy breaches the city gates, they won't be able to escape. I will stay here with you to defend the city. As long as the city stands, I will stand with you; I will never flee."

County Magistrate Zhang's voice became hoarse from shouting, and his face turned pale.

However, encouraged by this, the fighting spirit of the Yamen Runners Constable grew stronger.

Undeterred by death, they bravely resisted.

"Your Excellency, please go down quickly. I'll take care of things here. I promise I won't let the enemy troops get up."

Constable Chen killed one of the enemy soldiers who charged at him with a single blow, then turned to County Magistrate Zhang and said...

"Shut up! I said I would stay as long as the city stands, I will never run away. Do you want me to be branded as a treacherous traitor?"

County Magistrate Zhang, hiding behind the battlements, angrily rebuked them.

"Your Excellency, could you please move aside? You're blocking my way while I'm fighting the enemy."

Constable Chen looked completely innocent.

County Magistrate Zhang: "..."

He thought the other person was worried about his safety, but it turned out they were annoyed that he was a burden.

He wanted to move it too.

But these damn legs are shaking so badly I can't lift them.

No way,

Then let's climb.

County Magistrate Zhang crawled laboriously over the pile of corpses and finally found another section of the wall to take refuge in.

He did want to stand up, full of heroic spirit, and sing a tragic song.

But arrows were flying wildly overhead; if he stood up now, he would be riddled with arrows the next second.

He cannot die yet.

He is the backbone of this city wall.

Once he was killed in action, the morale of the troops on the city wall immediately collapsed.

As long as he's alive for even a second.

Every extra second that everyone can hold on means one more person can escape from the city.

Heyang County is definitely doomed.

There are still thousands of enemy troops outside; it's only a matter of time before the city falls.

He is not afraid of death.

After promising the Immortal that he would be a good and honest official, he disregarded life and death.

But the people haven't all fled yet; he will die with his eyes wide open in disbelief.

"I've arrived! I've arrived!"

Suddenly, an old man with white hair appeared on the city wall, carrying a large bow on his back, and climbed up pantingly.

"Old Liu, what brings you here?"

The visitor was none other than the registrar of Heyang County, the same old man who had been so frightened by the arrival of the Immortal that he had remained unconscious ever since.

"Of course, it's about defending the city and fighting the enemy."

Clerk Liu, unhurriedly untied the large bow from his back.

Snort!!

This opportunity to defend against foreign enemies and serve the country loyally cannot be enjoyed by you alone; I too must leave my mark on history.

"Old Liu, stop fooling around. You're so old, what are you doing defending the city and fighting the enemy? Hurry up and escape with the people."

County Magistrate Zhang offered his advice in silence for a while.

"Hmph! How dare you underestimate me? I myself was well-versed in the Six Arts of the Nobleman in my day."

Clerk Liu glanced at County Magistrate Zhang with annoyance, then drew an arrow from his quiver, nocked it, and shot it towards the wall.

"Hit! Hit! I've hit an enemy soldier!"

Clerk Liu shouted and laughed like a mischievous old man who hadn't grown up yet.

"Hahaha... This old man is suddenly feeling young again..."

But before he could finish uttering the word "arrogance," an arrow pierced his throat, and blood gushed out.

Clerk Liu collapsed to the ground, his eyes wide open, the smile still lingering on his face.

County Magistrate Zhang watched helplessly as the old clerk, who had been greedy and cowardly, died before his eyes.

"Old Liu, how magnificent, how heroic, how courageous!"

County Magistrate Zhang reached out and gently closed his eyelids, then grabbed the large bow that had fallen to the ground.

He, Zhang Huaimin,

Scholars who entered officialdom through the imperial examination system.

He had also deeply studied the Six Arts of the Nobleman.

"What joy is there in living, what fear is there in dying? Old Liu, watch Huaimin avenge you."

After saying that,

County Magistrate Zhang picked up an arrow from the ground, nocked it, and bent it...

The bowstring cannot be drawn.

County Magistrate Zhang, panting heavily, put down the large bow and hunched over, hiding back behind the battlements.

Never mind,

Let's just be content with being a mascot.

"Your Excellency, we can't hold on any longer!"

With his face covered in blood and an arrow lodged in his chest, Constable Chen ran to County Magistrate Zhang with a look of despair.

Upon hearing this, County Magistrate Zhang...

Looking around,

They found corpses everywhere.

Of the nearly one hundred Yamen Runners, Constables, city guards, and prison guards, most of them had already fallen.

Only a dozen or so people, covered in wounds, remained, desperately holding on.

"You are all fine men, true warriors. I am proud of you, I am honored by you."

County Magistrate Zhang picked up a steel knife from the ground and slowly stood up.

He couldn't draw a strong bow, but he could still wield a steel sword.

"To sacrifice ourselves for our country is a day for us to live. The people will not forget us, the court will not forget us, and even the Immortals will not forget us."

"Gentlemen, follow me to fight the enemy!"