Chapter 3, Bandits

Zhu Cilang noticed the other party's pale complexion and asked with concern

From the vantage point of the stockade wall, Zhu Cilang could clearly see the opposing formation.

Logically speaking, the bandit leader of this generation, She Ta Tian, should not be so foolish as to stake everything on a single gamble. Does he have no other tactics besides the ant-like siege?

Zhu Cilang looked in the direction pointed by Zhao Xin and indeed saw dozens of bandits charging towards the gate with a battering ram.

How can this be reasonable

Moreover, those who charge to the front are all newly joined bandits; even if they were to perish, there would not be the slightest sense of sorrow.

The arrows used by Zhao Xin are not ordinary feathered arrows, but rather iron-tipped arrows that can only be used by the imperial guards and the attendants of the Eastern Palace

The bandits are trying to break open the stockade gate

In Zhu Cilang's view, although the equipment of the villagers in Liu Family Village is not particularly sophisticated, they do have the advantage of being able to take refuge behind the stockade walls, which provides them with a significant advantage

However, Zhu Cilang felt that something was strange

... ...

"Attack, advance into the stronghold, and kill them all!"

Liu Qubing was momentarily taken aback. He understood the good intentions of the other party, but these individuals were merely a group of merchants, and even if they had the will, they lacked the means

As Zhu Cilang anticipated, the mobilization power of Liu Family Village was indeed quite strong. In less than the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, all the adult males in the village gathered at the stockade wall, holding wooden spears of varying lengths and a rough round shield. A few individuals even carried a hunting bow on their backs.

Zhu Cilang exclaimed in anger: "These bandits are truly rampant."

Although there have been casualties among the farmers, they remain within a controllable range

Brother Liu, who is this person that has shot down the heavens?

Regarding His Royal Highness's decision, Zhao Xin, the Chief Guard of the Eastern Palace, naturally would not say much. As a subject, he only needs to obey. Even if His Royal Highness were to command him to die at this moment, he would not hesitate in the slightest

Upon seeing this, Zhu Cilang was filled with great joy

This arrow can not only penetrate cotton armor from a distance of one hundred paces, but it can even pierce through chainmail

Regardless, having one more person to guard the camp is a good thing. Liu Qubing nodded and said, "In that case, Brother Zhu, let us fight the bandits together!"

The first wave of bandits had already set up a ladder against the stockade wall, and the little minions began to climb while shouting. On the stockade wall, the villagers of Liu Family Village also started to throw down the stones they had prepared in advance. Before the bandits could react, they were struck by the stones, resulting in head injuries and bloodshed, causing them to fall directly off the ladder. In just one wave of assault, the villagers of Liu Family Village had killed dozens of bandits.

Indeed, there are still many stones piled up on the stockade wall, as well as boiling hot water. Zhu Cilang speculated that they would soon use these to kill the bandits.

The guards of Liu Family Village are on high alert, and the troops of Sheta Tian are not idle either

After being helped up by two henchmen, he felt dizzy and disoriented. He did not dare to pull out the broken armor-piercing arrow immediately, so he instructed someone to cut off the arrow shaft, which would prevent any issues in the short term

This filled Liu Qubing with joy and encouragement. It seems that the heavens collapsing is not so daunting; as long as he holds his ground firmly, the bandits will never be able to charge up. Meanwhile, the palace guards of Zhu Cilang also drew their bows and nocked their arrows, fighting side by side with the villagers of Liu Family Village.

Liu Qubing exclaimed in admiration

Continuing to consume resources at this rate of losses is highly favorable for Liu Family Village

As long as the one hundred old thieves in his hands remain safe and sound, he has the capital to make a comeback at any time

Everyone, follow me

The shot from the armor-piercing arrow struck his right shoulder before he could react, causing the bandit leader to immediately tumble from his horse in pain

"You disrespect my mother, and yet you refuse the face I give you. Do not blame me for being ruthless. Once we conquer your village, we will certainly execute all the men within, and take the young ladies back to the stronghold for our enjoyment"

Zhu Cilang ran down the stockade wall without hesitation

Suddenly, a brash man riding a horse in the center began to curse loudly, his foul language incessantly filling the air

Is there enough manpower to defend the stronghold?

Liu Qubing nodded and said, "I also have this intention."

However, Zhu Cilang noticed that the banners of this group of bandits were very disorganized, and the number of people was clearly hastily assembled; it was still uncertain how effective they would be in actual combat.

They carried a makeshift ladder in preparation for an ant-like assault on the stockade

Zhu Cilang nodded and said, "Brother Liu, we also want to join the defense of the stronghold"

Moreover, these bandits are extremely vicious. If they were to breach the stockade, the Liu family village would undoubtedly be slaughtered without leaving a single chicken or dog alive, and His Highness the Crown Prince would find it difficult to escape unscathed. In light of this, holding firm behind the stockade walls has become the only option.

In order to provide cover for the bandits attacking the city, She Ta Tian ordered the old thieves to shoot at the farmers on the stockade wall. However, due to the angle of their shots, the arrows fired by the old thieves caused limited harm to the farmers

Liu Qubing said resentfully: "This is indeed the end of the world."

In a siege, if the attacking side employs the tactic of ant-like attachment, they often have to pay a much greater price than the defending side. However, from the perspective of She Taitian, a mere village cannot be compared to a stronghold.

Liu Qubing made an effort to calm himself and explained: "Some time ago, the Heavenly Arrow had sent someone to inform us that we needed to prepare 5,000 taels of silver and half of the grain from the entire village, otherwise, they would massacre Liu Family Village."

He said to Liu Qubing: "The art of war states, if the enemy is ten times our number, we should encircle them; if five times, we should attack. These bandits are merely twice our number, yet they dare to force an attack on the fort. This is indeed a great opportunity to annihilate them."

The palace guards, led by Zhao Xin, surrounded Zhu Cilang in the center, ensuring that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince would not be harmed by stray arrows

At the forefront stood over one hundred horse bandits, followed by a dense crowd of foot bandits. Judging by their numbers, there were indeed around five hundred individuals, no wonder Liu Qubing had just displayed a demeanor as if facing a formidable enemy.

Just as Zhu Cilang was deep in thought, Zhao Xin suddenly shouted that it was bad

Since a fierce battle is inevitable, we must prepare to the utmost extent.

She Tatiantian was thoroughly enraged; he did not want to delay any further with Tu Shu and wanted to immediately turn those damned fellows into minced meat

He naturally has a poor impression of the bandits and robbers. In Zhu Cilang's view, these individuals are nothing but locusts that do not engage in productive work, seizing whatever they can wherever they go, consuming everything in their path

Liu Qubing clenched his fists and said: "No matter what, I will not sit idly by!"

This battering ram has clearly just been cut down, as it still has many branches on it, but this does not prevent it from becoming a formidable weapon threatening the gate of Liu Family Village. Unlike the city gate, the village gate has lower defensive capabilities and cannot withstand several impacts from the battering ram

Zhao Xin immediately drew his bow to its full moon and nocked an arrow.

He is the greatest bandit of this generation, commanding over five hundred outlaws under his banner

Zhu Cilang thought that to catch a thief, one must first capture the leader, so he instructed Zhao Xin to fetch a bow and shoot this fellow with an arrow first

He did not use an ordinary bow, but rather the Kaiyuan strong bow, which is difficult for an average person to draw. However, Zhao Xin, endowed with innate strength, handled this bow with ease. With a whoosh, the arrow shot through the air, heading straight towards the sky.

There are three hundred and thirty able-bodied men who can be mobilized, and women can also assist in transporting the stones

Zhao Zhuangshi has excellent archery skills

Upon hearing this news, Liu Qubing felt a wave of dizziness.

Do these merchants usually practice some martial arts skills as well