Inside Panyu City, in the rear hall of the Jiedushi Mansion, the lamps burned brightly.
Wei Zhaodu sat in the main seat, with a map of Panyu City's defenses spread before him, his finger slowly tracing across it.
Several advisers and generals sat on either side, silent as the grave.
"My lord," an adviser rose and cupped his hands.
"The scorched-earth measures in the villages outside the city have been completed.
All the civilians have been relocated into the city. The grain and fodder they could not take has been burned on the spot, and all wells have been filled in.
Even if the Rebel Army reaches the city, they will not find a single grain of food or a mouthful of water."
Wei Zhaodu nodded, his gaze never leaving the map.
"What about the civilians?"
Another adviser hurriedly rose.
"My lord, more than thirty thousand civilians have been conscripted within the city.
They have been assigned to every section of the walls. Each section has five hundred civilians, all under the unified command of a defending officer."
Wei Zhaodu finally looked up, his gaze sweeping across the room. "How is the golden juice preparation going?"
"My lord, the cesspits in every district of the city have all been emptied and gathered into thirty large cauldrons behind the city walls for boiling.
Over three hundred barrels of golden juice have been prepared so far, enough to defend the city for three days."
Wei Zhaodu nodded in satisfaction.
Though golden juice was disgusting, it was even more useful than arrows in defending a city.
Once boiling filth was poured down, flesh would rot and wounds would fester. It was deadlier than blades and axes.
"What about rolling stones and logs?"
"My lord, all the stones and lumber throughout the city have