Ten li north of Panyu City, Lin Mo's camp.
Cooking smoke curled into the air, mingling with the fragrance of food as it drifted through the camp.
The Clones sat around the bonfires, holding bowls and shoveling down food. Every so often, they looked up toward the black sea of people retreating to the north.
The cries of battle and thunderous roar of siege engines that had persisted all morning had also ceased, leaving only an eerie silence hanging over the battlefield.
Lin Mo sat atop the watchtower. He had already finished the osmanthus cake, leaving only crumbs on the plate, and the tea in his cup had been replaced twice.
The midday sun shone warmly on him, making him somewhat drowsy.
"Lord." Cao Zhengchun climbed up from below the watchtower, his fly whisk resting in the crook of his arm and his usual fawning smile on his face. "Lunch is ready."
Lin Mo grunted, rose to stretch his neck, then turned and walked down the watchtower.
Inside the central command tent, several dishes were laid out on the campaign table—
Stewed meat, steamed fish, stir-fried vegetables, a bowl of chicken soup, and a plate of pickled radish.
Lin Mo sat down and picked up his bowls and chopsticks. Just as he put a piece of braised pork into his mouth, Lin Xishi's voice abruptly rang out through the Consciousness Link.
"Lord! Something's happening in the direction of Shaozhou!"
Lin Mo's chewing paused slightly. "Speak."
"Li Siyi's army has arrived! Around a hundred thousand men. They just arrived outside Shaozhou City and are setting up camp."
Lin Mo raised an eyebrow. "What about the defenders inside Shaozhou City?"
"They've shut the gates and refused to come out. There are quite a few defenders on the walls. It looks like they