Inside the city gate tunnel, a dark mass of people knelt on the ground.
The flag that had fallen to the ground was picked up by that plump general. With a casual thrust, he planted it deep into the earth, giving it an unexpectedly flamboyant air.
The battle had ended swiftly.
This reinforcement force that had truly come from Shaokang Prefecture entered the city brimming with fighting spirit, prepared to help defend it and wage a fierce dragon-and-tiger struggle. Instead, they had become turtles caught in a jar... and they themselves were the turtles.
The ones who captured them were a force likewise clad in the uniform of Shaokang Prefecture's army.
Jiang Wang slew their commander in a single exchange. Chongxuan Sheng then led his troops through a few casual maneuvers, throwing the formation into disarray, while ballistae stood mounted atop the high walls... What followed was like chopping vegetables and slicing melons, with nothing to do but wait for their surrender.
As the situation in Linwu Prefecture continued to rot away, Ximing City, the southernmost city of Linwu Prefecture, became increasingly crucial in location.
Xia Kingdom reinforcements arriving from the directions of Huiming and Fengli almost all had to pass through here.
Some needed to rest here briefly and replenish their supplies, while others simply passed by along the Official Path outside the city.
Of course, Ximing City was now warm and hospitable, and would never let any reinforcement force leave whole.
Those who entered the city to replenish supplies were kept on the spot. Those who had no plans to resupply were greeted with a few polite words by Ximing City's defending general... and were kept as well.
Chongxuan Sheng had indeed done as he said: he fought with his brain.
Though he held an overwhelming advantage in