I Became a Sugar Mama to an Ancient General during a Famine! - Chapter 23 Part 2

Back at the General’s Residence, all ten deputy generals had gathered, having dropped everything upon hearing the news.

There was no hiding that Zhen Guan had grain.

By tomorrow, or perhaps tonight, the barbarian army would be at their gates.

Now, the natural cave posed a new threat.

Zhan Chengyin left a small squad to guard the cave entrance.

The barbarian army, 300,000 strong, couldn’t be held off by just a few men.

Previously, they only defended the city gates. Now, facing a two-front battle with limited manpower, the situation seemed impossible.

Everyone’s expressions grew grim.

A military report arrived: “General, the barbarians are advancing.”

“They were camped thirty li from the gates but are moving closer.”

Chen Kui, hefting his great sword, said angrily, “General, let me lead troops to battle!”

Zhan Chengyin ordered: “All soldiers, prepare for battle!”

“Yes!”

“Chen Wu, take 3,000 men and the Qin Crossbow unit to hold the cave at all costs.”

“Understood, General!”

“The rest, defend the city gates!”

“Yes!”

The soldiers donned new armor and rushed to the walls.

In the distance, torches flickered, drawing nearer.

The barbarian commander, Luo Ge, was the Northern Desert King’s younger brother. Extremely arrogant, he believed the throne should have been his, but his father favored his elder brother.

Luo Ge’s siege tactics were brutal and crude. For glory, he cared little about casualties. Capturing Zhen Guan would put the Central Plains in the Northern Desert’s grasp.

Learning of grain in the city, he immediately advanced his army.

Zhan Chengyin stood atop the city wall, the night wind whipping around him, watching the approaching lights.

He had to resist the main force while blocking the exposed cave.

Clenching his fists, he ordered, “Report any movement from Chen Wu immediately. Prepare thirty horses for messages.”

“Yes, General!”

The others stood behind, deeply worried.

Before, they only defended the gates, enduring heavy losses to hold out. Now, they had a cave to guard as well.

“If only we could block that cave!” someone muttered.

Zhan Chengyin knew blocking the cave would be ideal. But how? It was vast. Besides guarding it with lives, what could they do?

Someone suggested, “General, ask the god. She must have some divine object to block the cave.”

“Yes, General. The enemy’s at our gates—no time to hesitate. The deity is all-powerful! There must be a way!”

Even the usually silent Xu Ming placed a vase on the ground, saying, “General, I think you need this.”

All eyes, full of hope, turned to the General.

Zhan Chengyin: “…”

He took out paper and brush, writing down Zhen Guan’s dire situation.

Ye Mumu, finishing her bath, was about to drain the water when she noticed Zhan Chengyin’s note.

The enemy was at the gates.

A traitor had exposed the secret cave leading in and out of the city.

They needed to block it quickly, or barbarians would enter, coordinating from inside and out to defeat Zhan’s troops!

Reading this, Ye Mumu grew more anxious than Zhan Chengyin.

She had bought so much grain, produce, and cloth…

She’d spent over 200 million on military supplies not yet delivered, and now Zhen Guan might fall?

All her previous efforts to feed them would be wasted?

She wanted Zhan Chengyin to win, but now the city was about to be breached?

This was unacceptable!

“Hold on, I’ll help you blow up that mountain!”