"The Prefect has arrived!"
Jiangzhou Prefect Song Ci climbed the city wall and looked upon the military formation outside, his face turning livid. "Today, this prefecture shall live or die with this city!"
Great Song scholar-officials bore the duty of defending their land. If an official fled, not only would he die, but his family would also be implicated.
He drew his longsword. "I shall personally oversee this battle! If the soldiers flee, you will kill the soldiers. If you flee, I will kill you!"
"Yes, sir!"
Chen Zitong exchanged glances with several camp commanders and could only accept the order solemnly.
Song Ci then asked, "The original reports said the Lu Prefecture Market rebels numbered no more than a few hundred. Why are there two thousand?"
Chen Zitong stepped forward and answered, "Reporting to Prefect... judging by their attire, they are surrendered soldiers from the former Phoenix Soaring Army. The rebels have coerced them into joining the assault on the city."
"Detested! Failure in battle is incompetence; bowing to serve the enemy after capture is disloyalty... Why do such disloyal and incompetent men not simply die?"
Song Ci roared, "As expected, these soldiers are the least trustworthy!"
At those words, Chen Zitong and the others felt their faces burn.
Yet Chen Zitong still gritted his teeth and stepped forward. "Prefect, this subordinate has a plan that may cause the enemy army to collapse on its own!"
"Oh? Speak quickly." Prefect Song recognized this man as Chen Zitong, who had repeatedly requested battle before, and some of his ill feeling could not help but lessen.
"Most of the Phoenix Soaring Army soldiers' families are within the city. They, too, were forced to bend the knee and follow the rebels. We might send their families atop the walls to call out