Done! Your Majesty is going to prostitute me for free!

He stood up and walked to the center of the venue and said loudly: "Everyone, today is my birthday, Lin Xiaofeng. Thank you for coming to support us!" He then took the deer and continued: "Someone just gave me this deer and said it was a Liquan deer, but it looks like a horse to me. What do you think?"

Everyone laughed when they heard this. Someone started to make a noise, "My Lord, are you drunk? This is clearly a deer, how can it be a horse?"

"That's right, my lord, please stop teasing us." Another person also laughed.

Lin Xiaofeng said seriously, "No! If I say it's a horse, it's a horse!" He looked at Lin Kangsheng and asked, "What do you think, County Magistrate Lin? Is it a deer or a horse?"

Lin Kangsheng was so frightened that his face turned pale. He said in a trembling voice: "Marquis... Marquis said it is a horse, then it is a horse..."

"Okay!" Lin Xiaofeng clapped his hands and said loudly, "Since everyone says it's a horse, I feel relieved." He looked around and continued, "I will keep this horse and tame it to show everyone horsemanship someday!"

Everyone burst into laughter when they heard this and raised their glasses to toast Lin Xiaofeng. Lin Kangsheng secretly wiped his cold sweat and was glad in his heart: Fortunately, I reacted quickly and did not offend the Marquis of Jianye, otherwise the consequences would be disastrous!
In this way, a possible storm was defuse by Lin Xiaofeng. He sat back in his seat and sighed in his heart: How can you ancient people understand the thoughts of the time traveler? My dream is not limited to this country and this family!

Yang Baixi jumped up from his seat in panic, his eyes filled with confusion. His sight was fixed on the animal in the middle of the courtyard. It was a deer, he was sure of it.

As the editor-in-chief of the newspaper, Yang Baixi's observation and cognitive abilities are outstanding. He was incredulous about the remarks made by Lin Xiaofeng, the founder of the newspaper whom he deeply admired. How could Lin Xiaofeng, a man with a sharp mind and sharp words, publicly make such a ridiculous statement and call a horse a zebra?
He looked at the deer again. The big moist eyes and the delicate antlers proved that it was a deer, not a horse. However, Lin Xiaofeng's firm eyes made him wonder if he had seen it wrong. He rubbed his eyes and confirmed again that it was still a deer.

Looking at Lin Xiaofeng's serious and determined eyes, Yang Baixi felt flustered. It was not suitable to stay here for long. He hurriedly lifted up his robe and left this place of trouble. Looking at Yang Baixi's leaving back, Lin Xiaofeng nodded with satisfaction. He admired Yang Baixi's sense of urgency.

The atmosphere in the courtyard of the princess's mansion gradually became solemn. Lin Xiaofeng picked up a glass of wine on the table and drank it all. Then he squinted his eyes and looked around, saying in a somewhat provocative tone: "You can't even tell a deer from a horse. Are the officials in Jingjiang so stupid? Or do you all think that I am stupid?"

His question was like a stone thrown into a lake, causing ripples. Everyone in the courtyard looked at each other, and no one dared to speak easily. Seeing this, Lin Xiaofeng pointed to a person in the crowd and asked for his opinion. That person was Lin Kangsheng.

Lin Kangsheng's heart trembled, then he stepped forward and said with a smile: "It's a horse, my lord, this is the Liquan horse. I came in a hurry and said it wrong in a hurry." After hearing this, Lin Xiaofeng nodded with satisfaction, patted Lin Kangsheng on the shoulder and praised: "Yes, I said it was a horse." After these words came out, Lin Kangsheng was secretly delighted in his heart, it seemed that he had become Lin Xiaofeng's "own man".

Seeing this scene, most people began to think, but they remained silent. Only a few people agreed that it was a horse, and not an ordinary horse, but a fine horse. However, just as they were describing the characteristics of this "horse", the deer suddenly made a "yo yo" sound, and this sudden sound instantly made the atmosphere in the field become awkward.

The voices of the flatterers suddenly stopped, leaving only the call of the deer echoing in the yard. This awkward atmosphere made everyone feel uncomfortable. However, Lin Xiaofeng didn't seem to care. He glanced at the deer, then looked up and said to everyone: "You are right, those who said it was a horse, please sit closer to me." Then, he glanced at those who remained silent and sneered: "What about the rest of you? What's the situation of not speaking? Could it be that you don't agree with me in your heart, but you don't dare to offend me?"

At this moment, a young man stood up suddenly, picked up the wine glass and took a gulp of the wine, then slammed the table and said loudly: "What horse! It's basically a deer! Are a bunch of flatterers telling lies with their eyes open! Are the officials of my Jingjiang just a bunch of villains who curry favor with the powerful?" Everyone looked sideways and saw a young man in his twenties standing there. He was thin and stared at Lin Xiaofeng with anger on his face.

Lin Xiaofeng looked at him twice, but didn't recognize him. The young man bowed to Lin Xiaofeng and said loudly: "I have heard of the great name of Jianye Hou for a long time, and I have always regarded Jianye Hou as a role model in life. I heard that the Marquis invited everyone to his birthday banquet, so I dared to come to see him. But today I am really disappointed! I don't believe it. Can Jianye Hou not even distinguish between deer and horses? I think you are just taking the opportunity to win over villains and form a clique for personal gain! The reputation of Jianye Hou is not worthy of his reputation. His actions are despicable. I am sorry for offending you today. I will leave!" After saying that, he turned and left.

His words were like a huge rock thrown into a calm lake, causing a huge uproar. Everyone in the courtyard was shocked. They didn't expect that someone would dare to accuse Lin Xiaofeng so bluntly. Lin Xiaofeng's face turned pale and blue, and he was obviously angry at these words. However, he did not get angry immediately, but watched the young man disappear outside the door with a sullen face.

Then another twenty people stood up and said goodbye. They swarmed out of the princess's mansion. The young man in the lead had already stepped out of the door, but suddenly stopped moving, still furious. He turned around, pushed through the crowd, pointed at the deer, stomped his feet and shouted, "It's a deer! It's a deer!" Then he led everyone away. This scene shocked everyone in the room, and everyone's eyes turned to Lin Xiaofeng. They wanted to know how the powerful Marquis of Jianye would respond to such an open provocation.

Lin Xiaofeng's expression was unpredictable. He was silent for a long time, and then he said in a deep voice: "Who else thinks this is a deer? Get out of here. You are not welcome here today." As soon as he finished speaking, more than a dozen people stood up and left the princess's mansion silently. Although they were not as strong-willed as the brother just now, they were not ashamed to lie in public. They chose to leave and parted ways with those who had different ideas.

Shu Wenxu stood outside the crowd, watching the farce silently. He couldn't help but admire those young people with strong personalities. Their courage and persistence gave him hope. He understood that the fight between the deer and the horse was not a simple debate, but a contest of truth and courage. In this contest, some people chose to compromise and surrender, while others chose to stick to their principles and fight.

Almost half of the people in the courtyard had left, and the remaining guests looked at Lin Xiaofeng with complicated eyes. They began to re-examine the Marquis of Jianye and everything he represented. Lin Xiaofeng forced a smile again and said to the rest of the people, "No one thinks this is a deer now, right?" He tried to ease the atmosphere, but the waves in everyone's hearts were difficult to calm down.

However, some people began to echo Lin Xiaofeng's words, praising his wisdom and intelligence. These people may be trying to cling to power, or they may be intimidated by Lin Xiaofeng's power. In short, they chose to follow the trend. The voice of flattery sounded again, and the attitude was quite enthusiastic. Now those who don't want to be flatterers have left, and the remaining ones are like-minded people! Is it still embarrassing to perform in front of peers? What matters is to be able to get along with Jianye Hou!
Before long, the whole courtyard was filled with people calling deer a horse, and then there were voices criticizing those who left. These voices were full of ridicule and contempt, as if those who adhered to the truth had become shameful traitors. Lin Xiaofeng raised his glass and said happily: "Good! Good! All of you here are the talents of my Jingjiang. Unlike those ignorant fools who just called a horse a deer. Well, they are gone and we can have fun! I will ask the butler to leave the names of the guests. If they want to seek a future, I will recommend them!" As soon as he finished speaking, the guests were excited. They praised Lin Xiaofeng's righteous act like a tsunami, as if they had become his loyal fans.

Shu Wenxu watched this farce with cold eyes, his heart filled with sadness and helplessness. He seemed to begin to understand something, but he seemed to fall into deeper confusion. In this world full of lies and blind obedience, what is the meaning of truth and courage? He left the princess's mansion silently, his heart full of confusion and worry about the future.

In the Imperial Garden, the spring is bright and the peach blossoms are in full bloom, creating a lively scene. The breeze brings a faint fragrance of flowers, making people feel relaxed and happy. However, the people in the garden have their own concerns.

Emperor Jingjiang strolled in the garden, his steps steady and powerful, showing an imperial demeanor of majesty without anger. Beside him, Wang Jingwen stood with his hands hanging down, his expression respectful, his eyes always following the steps of Emperor Jingjiang.

Lin Xiaofeng and Shu Wenxu followed behind Emperor Jingjiang, keeping a half-step distance. Lin Xiaofeng was still holding the deer in his hand, and the deer followed his footsteps obediently, occasionally making a few calls, breaking the tranquility of the garden.

"My two dear ministers, have you come to me just to give me a deer?" The voice of Emperor Jingjiang broke the silence, with a hint of teasing and mockery in his words.

Lin Xiaofeng coughed lightly to hide his embarrassment. He looked up at Emperor Jingjiang and said, "Your Majesty, yesterday was my birthday, and someone gave me this deer. However, I heard from Han Miao that this deer was a tribute from the emperor."

He paused as he spoke, as if he was organizing his words. The scenery beside him seemed to become solemn, the peach blossoms no longer swayed, and the green leaves were still, as if waiting for his next words.

"I think, since it is a royal tribute, it would not be appropriate to send it to me." Lin Xiaofeng continued, "After thinking it over again and again, I still think it is better to send it to Your Majesty."

Emperor Jingjiang stopped, turned around, and glanced at Lin Xiaofeng and Shu Wenxu. His eyes were deep and sharp, as if he could see through people's hearts. He nodded, and a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth: "Ah, you don't think I will be angry because of such a small matter, do you?"

Lin Xiaofeng's heart trembled, thinking that this damn eunuch had indeed gone to inform the police. He glanced at Wang Jingwen, but saw that he had no expression on his face, as if everything had nothing to do with him.

Although Wang Jingwen had a good relationship with Lin Xiaofeng in private, he had to be loyal to his duty in this matter. Any disloyalty or negligence to His Majesty could bring serious consequences. Therefore, he chose to inform His Majesty, even though this might make Lin Xiaofeng unhappy.

Lin Xiaofeng took a deep breath and said, "Your Majesty has a heart as broad as the universe. I naturally don't think that Your Majesty will be angry over such a small matter. Moreover, I am not here today to give you a deer. In fact, there is another matter related to this deer."

"Oh?" Emperor Jingjiang raised his eyebrows, obviously interested in what Lin Xiaofeng was going to say next, "Tell me about it."

Lin Xiaofeng nodded and said, "Yesterday, I held a big banquet for my birthday. Although I didn't send out invitations, everyone was welcome to come. There were more than a hundred guests present, most of whom were officials of all ranks in the capital." He paused and continued, "It just so happened that someone sent this deer, so I came up with a plan to test it on the many guests."

"So I called a horse a deer in public, wanting to see clearly how many villains there are who curry favor with the powerful." Lin Xiaofeng's words revealed a bit of cunning and wit.

The corners of Emperor Jingjiang's mouth slowly curved up, expressing his appreciation for Lin Xiaofeng's strategy. He nodded and said, "Well, why did you suddenly think of this on your birthday? Go on."

Lin Xiaofeng continued, "I was also inspired at that time. I am the commander of the Jinyiwei, and the Jinyiwei are your majesty's eyes and ears, and the sword in your hand. Supervising all officials and rectifying official discipline is the Jinyiwei's mission." His voice was firm and powerful, as if he wanted to convey his belief and determination to everyone present.

"I have been an official for so many years that my duty has long been integrated into my instincts. So when the inspiration came to me, I wanted to give it a try when all the officials gathered together." Lin Xiaofeng continued, "I called a horse a deer, and I thought that people present would strongly refute me. However, the actual situation was far beyond my expectations. As soon as I said it, no one dared to object." There was a bit of helplessness and disappointment in his tone.

Emperor Jingjiang frowned. This situation was indeed a bit bad. He asked in a deep voice, "No one dared to refute? What happened next?"

Lin Xiaofeng's eyes flashed, and he continued, "Fortunately, dozens of young people stood up and left the scene angrily. Some even dared to loudly accuse me of forming a clique for personal gain and insisted that a deer is a deer!" His tone was full of admiration and praise, "These people are truly role models for scholars in Jingjiang. They are not afraid of power and are upright."

The frown on Emperor Jingjiang's face gradually relaxed, and he was obviously satisfied with the result. On the other hand, Wang Jingwen showed a trace of fear, as if he had a premonition that something bad was about to happen.

Lin Xiaofeng changed the subject and continued, "As for the majority of the rest, they were very ugly and flattering during the banquet. They made me blush and feel ashamed. They made me feel sick!" His voice revealed a strong disgust and disgust. At the same time, he secretly glanced at Shu Wenxu, and saw that he also looked disgusted.

Shu Wenxu was also particularly disgusted by what he heard. He had seen all the ugly behaviors of those people at the banquet yesterday. Hearing Lin Xiaofeng say this, he felt very happy. But at the same time, he was also full of admiration for Lin Xiaofeng's methods and wisdom. This person was not only meticulous and cunning as a fox, but also able to remain sober and vigilant despite being in a high position. He was indeed an amazing person.

Lin Xiaofeng continued, "I have always hated evil and flattery. These people disgust me!" His voice was full of determination and resoluteness, as if he was drawing a clear line between himself and the ugliness of this world. At the same time, he once again expressed his loyalty and gratitude to Emperor Jingjiang, "Everything I do is for the country, for your majesty and for the country of Jingjiang."

Shu Wenxu quietly looked at Lin Xiaofeng who was still talking, and couldn't help but feel a lot of emotion in his heart. This man is not only a great official, but also a kind and righteous man. He can always stay sober and vigilant, and continue to contribute to the country and the people. He is indeed worthy of learning and admiration.

Lin Xiaofeng took a deep breath and continued, "I gained a lot of experience after performing this play yesterday. Seeking truth from facts is easy to say but difficult to do. Not following one's own ideas or superiors, but only following the facts, how many officials in the court can do this? I think there are very few." His words revealed deep worry and helplessness, and at the same time expressed his expectations and vision for the future, "The more this happens, the more I feel inadequate in my work and feel ashamed of your majesty's support."

As he spoke, he took out a list from his sleeve and handed it to Emperor Jingjiang. "I have asked the secretary to write down a list for me of those villains who were at the banquet yesterday and the gentlemen who left. The gentlemen can be reused as appropriate; the villains must be carefully supervised. Please take a look at it, Your Majesty." His voice was full of firmness and decisiveness, as if he had made full preparations and determination.

Shu Wenxu also stepped forward and handed the list to Emperor Jingjiang. This list was carefully prepared by them, recording the performance and attitude of everyone at the banquet. They hoped that this list would provide Emperor Jingjiang with a clear reference to help him better select officials and rectify the government.

Emperor Jingjiang took the list and looked through it carefully, with a solemn look on his face. He knew the importance of this list and the good intentions of Lin Xiaofeng and Shu Wenxu. He looked up at the two of them, with a hint of gratitude in his eyes, "You did a great job!" He said in a deep voice, "I will consider this list carefully."

However, Wang Jingwen was extremely anxious at this time. He felt as if he was being roasted on a fire. He knew that he had made a bad move this time. Not only did he offend Lin Xiaofeng, a cunning guy, but he might also put himself in an irreparable situation. He secretly glanced at Lin Xiaofeng, only to see that he was looking at him with a half-smile, and he couldn't help but feel a little scared.

After reading the list, Emperor Jingjiang stopped where he was and murmured, "Calling a deer a horse. What a great call!" His voice revealed deep admiration and respect. He looked up at Lin Xiaofeng, with a flash of approval in his eyes, "Xiaofeng, you have done a great job! If everyone in the court has the same idea as you, then how difficult it would be for my Jingjiang to last for thousands of years?"

Lin Xiaofeng pursed his lips, a look of shame on his face, "Your Majesty, actually I lied about something just now." He said in a low voice.

"What did you lie about?" Emperor Jingjiang asked curiously. He knew Lin Xiaofeng's character very well and knew that he would not lie easily unless there was a special reason.

Lin Xiaofeng hesitated for a moment and continued, "I just said that I am not worried about your majesty because the deer is a tribute to the emperor, but in fact I am worried. So I performed this play to screen out the villains and gentlemen, and to dispel your majesty's doubts." His words revealed his deep intentions and good intentions. It turned out that the reason he did this was not only to select officials and rectify the court, but also to dispel the doubts and concerns of Emperor Jingjiang. Such intentions and wit are really admirable.

"You are now in a high position and have connections with many important institutions." Emperor Jingjiang sighed, "Any step you take will be criticized. But you are not afraid of being demoted or stripped of your title, but you are afraid of hurting the relationship between you and your father." His voice was full of admiration and recognition for Lin Xiaofeng. This man is not only an outstanding official, but also a good son with affection and righteousness. He can always put family affection first, constantly contribute to the country and the people, and not forget to be filial and respectful to his elders. He is indeed worthy of cherishing and cultivating.

Lin Xiaofeng said solemnly: "I couldn't see my biological parents when I was young, and now I have established a family with Han Miao, so I can only place this affection on Your Majesty." His words revealed deep attachment and respect, as if he regarded Emperor Jingjiang as his most important relative and support, "I know that the feelings between people are as fragile as treasures, and the human heart is so treacherous that feelings are often destroyed. They must be carefully maintained to be stable. So for feelings, I always hope to be 10,000% alert and do my best to protect them." His voice was firm and powerful, as if he wanted to convey his beliefs and determination to everyone present. At the same time, he also expressed his gratitude and loyalty to Emperor Jingjiang, "I hope to be with you.
Emperor Jingjiang's face was filled with an unstoppable smile, and his eyes were shining with satisfaction. He stretched out his hand, patted Lin Xiaofeng's shoulder vigorously, and praised repeatedly: "Good, good, really good!" He thought to himself that if his son could have half of Lin Xiaofeng's ability, he could retire peacefully this year.

Shu Wenxu was dumbfounded at this moment, completely shocked by Lin Xiaofeng's performance. He came here today and it was really an eye-opener. This is no longer a "dog licker", it's like a person has grown on his tongue! He looked at Lin Xiaofeng and sighed in his heart, this guy's skills are more profound than before, this operation is so high that it will go down in history.

Amid the echo of Emperor Jingjiang's hearty laughter, he turned to Shu Wenxu and said with a smile: "My dear Shu, if you have nothing else to do, please go and do your business. I want to say a few words to my son-in-law." After he said that, he turned around and continued to walk forward, leaving Shu Wenxu standing there in a daze.

Shu Wenxu wiped his forehead and sighed in his heart, are you already chasing me away? He bowed helplessly and said, "Ah? Um... I'll take my leave." He knew that he was just a prop man, and there was no place for him to interrupt here. Besides, it would be better to leave early, so that Lin Xiaofeng would not say anything disgusting, which would make him lose his dignity.

Behind Emperor Jingjiang, Lin Xiaofeng quietly tugged at Wang Jingwen's sleeve. Wang Jingwen shuddered, and hurriedly slowed down his pace and quietly moved to Lin Xiaofeng's side. Lin Xiaofeng looked at him with a fake smile and whispered, "Hello, Brother Wang."

Wang Jingwen swallowed his saliva, with a trace of fear in his eyes, and responded carefully: "What instructions does the Marquis of Jianye have?" Lin Xiaofeng took a deep breath and said slowly: "My father came to me in a dream yesterday."

Wang Jingwen was stunned and asked, "Uh...what dream?" Lin Xiaofeng stared at him and said word by word, "He said that he will take away anyone who stirs up trouble in my family tomorrow!"

When Wang Jingwen heard this, his face turned pale instantly and he almost burst into tears. He wailed in his heart, damn, not only his father-in-law, but even his own father was sacrificed? He looked at Lin Xiaofeng with a bitter face, and reluctantly took out two silver bills from his pocket and handed them over.

Lin Xiaofeng took the banknote, but he was not satisfied. He continued to rub three fingers in front of his eyes. Wang Jingwen's heart tightened, knowing that he was asking for money, so he had to continue to pay. He lowered his voice with a bitter face and asked: "If it's really gone, Lord Hou... Can I make it up to you when I go back? How much do you want?"

Lin Xiaofeng put away the banknotes, a satisfied smile appeared on his face, he patted Wang Jingwen on the shoulder and said: "Your kindness is there, so let's forget about it. Be careful next time." After that, he quickly caught up with Emperor Jingjiang, leaving Wang Jingwen gritting his teeth there.

Emperor Jingjiang was in a good mood at the moment. When Lin Xiaofeng rushed to his side, he smiled and said, "Xiaofeng, I have approved the memorial you wrote. The cabinet also agreed unanimously." He paused and continued, "I have decided to send Zhong Anchun to Ferrero to make preparations in advance."

When Lin Xiaofeng heard Zhong Anchun's name, he asked in confusion, "Zhong Anchun? Hasn't he been handling affairs overseas?"

"That's right." Emperor Jingjiang nodded. "Zhong Anchun took Gouweicao'er to the Western Ocean a few years ago. Now he is working at the Western Maritime Affairs Department. He has been handling affairs in overseas offices for many years and is very experienced. Sending him to Ferrero this time is the safest choice."

After hearing this, Lin Xiaofeng nodded thoughtfully: "So that's how it is. Your Majesty is wise." He understood Emperor Jingjiang's intentions, and Zhong Anchun was indeed the most suitable candidate.

Emperor Jingjiang suddenly changed the subject and asked, "Now that this decision has been made, the news should have spread among the people. What do you think will happen to the stock of Xihai Commerce?" Lin Xiaofeng said with certainty, "It will definitely rise sharply! The news about Ferrero is exciting, and people will definitely rush to buy it. Now that the stock prices of railways have stabilized, I think the best investment opportunity is Xihai Commerce."

"What is the current stock price?" Emperor Jingjiang asked curiously. "Two taels and four cents," Lin Xiaofeng replied.

Emperor Jingjiang pondered for a long time and said, "I have decided to use all the cash I have to buy shares of Xihai Commerce." A hint of determination flashed in his eyes, "Although the risk is a bit high, I believe in your judgment."

Lin Xiaofeng looked at Emperor Jingjiang in surprise: "The risk is indeed not small. Your Majesty has already bought a large amount before, right?" He reminded, "You still have to be cautious."

"What are the risks? Please help me with this matter." Emperor Jingjiang said firmly, "By the way, didn't you buy stocks?" he asked curiously.

Lin Xiaofeng shook his head and smiled, "I don't have the habit of speculating in stocks. I only bought railway stocks and plan to keep them as heirlooms." In his opinion, although overseas affairs have huge profits, they also face uncertainties. No stock is as stable as the railway.

"You... are not as courageous as before." Emperor Jingjiang teased, "Not even as brave as me!" Lin Xiaofeng just smiled and said, "Your Majesty is still in his prime. I cannot compare with you." The conversation between the two ended in a pleasant atmosphere.

In the distant Ferrero Palace, Gouweicaoer, Qi Ruisi and Duke Walter Bolson sat at a long table and discussed countermeasures with worried faces. Since the last time they saw the artillery firing, the two of them were in awe of Jingjiang's military strength; but at the same time, they also began to re-evaluate the risks of standing on the same front with Jingjiang; what's worse is that the church has not made any moves, which makes them very uneasy, "This is not a solution!" Qi Ruisi said anxiously.

"Brother Lai, how about you let me go home first?" Duke Walter Bolson suggested, "How about I go to the Holy City to test the waters for you?" After hearing this, Gouweicaoer sighed softly, "Now that things have come to this, do you two have any way out? All your worries are unnecessary." He tried to calm the two people down, "A batch of cannons have been delivered to the city wall. I dare say that the defense of Ferrero's main city is far better than that of the Holy City."

"As long as the church dares to take any action against Ferrero, we will annihilate them immediately." A fierce look flashed in his eyes, "and then attack the holy city, it's that simple." He said it with such finality that the two of them couldn't help but feel a little shocked; at the same time, they were also infected by his determination, "After the matter is accomplished, I will immediately report the achievement to the court on your behalf." Dogtail Grass promised.

However, just as the three of them fell silent, a hurried sound of footsteps broke the silence, "A large number of troops from the Duke of Luoxiluo have arrived in our country." A blond soldier came in breathlessly to report, "We also spotted the Templars, but the number of troops is not yet certain." Qi Ruisi and the Duke both had panic flashes in their eyes; while Gouweicaoer was extremely surprised, "Here they are! Finally here!" He sighed in his heart, but he also felt a little strange. Why didn't Razor find out about such a big news? Unless the other party was gathering secretly...

After hearing the news, the three of them felt heavy-hearted. They knew that the battle with the church had just begun. And every step they took next would require them to be cautious and tread carefully. Because if they took a wrong step, they might be doomed. But they also firmly believed that as long as they were united, nothing could stop them from moving forward.

Duke Walter Polson looked at Dogtail Grass nervously, his eyes full of expectation and anxiety. He knew very well that at this moment of impending storm, any decision might affect the fate of the entire Ferrero. And the young man in front of him seemed to have become their backbone.

Dogtail Grass stood on the city wall, the wind blowing through his hair, his eyes deep and determined. He looked into the distance, as if he was looking for the enemy's traces, or thinking about future strategies.

"Look at those Templars," Kiris whispered, "They are all heavily armored and tall, like iron towers. Their eyes are full of fanaticism for their faith. They are really tough opponents."

Dogtail Grass nodded slightly but did not speak. He knew that this war was not only a contest of military strength between the two sides, but also a duel of wisdom and courage.

It was raining heavily, and the whole city was shrouded in darkness. Dogtail Grass braved the rain and patrolled the city wall, checking every artillery position. His face was full of rain, but his eyes were more determined.

At this moment, Duke Walter Bolson ran up the city wall in a panic. His clothes were soaked by the rain, but the anxiety on his face could not be washed away by the rain.

"The messenger we sent out has not returned yet," he panted, "I'm afraid he is in danger. The spies reported that the Luoxi Luo army is heading here, and there are probably 80,000 of them."

Dogtail Grass frowned, but he did not show too much panic. He knew very well that war was not only a battle of numbers, but also a contest of wisdom and strategy.

"Although the enemy has a large number of people, their origins are complicated and there must be many contradictions," he analyzed calmly, "We just need to hold on to the city and wait for the opportunity."

He turned to look at the people in the city, with a trace of worry in his eyes. He knew that this war was not just a contest between armies, but also a test of the confidence and determination of the people in the city.

As time went by, the clouds of war became heavier. But Gouweicaoer remained calm and resolute. He led the soldiers to strengthen the city walls, prepare supplies, and prepare for a long-term stand.

In the distant Luoxi Luo army, the commander Mod was becoming increasingly uneasy. He had originally thought that this war would be an easy victory, but now it seemed that they had encountered a tough nut to crack.

The presiding judge and the cardinal still maintained a leisurely attitude, as if everything was under their control, but Maud could see a hint of solemnity in their eyes.

"I'm afraid this war won't be that simple," Maud thought to himself, "but no matter what, we have to take this city."

Both sides are preparing intensively, and the war is imminent. Behind this decisive battle, there are many forces competing and playing games. But no matter what, Gouweicaoer and his soldiers are ready to meet the challenge.

At this moment, Gouweicaoer stood on the city wall, looking at the enemy in the distance. His heart was full of determination and courage. He knew that this war would be an important test in his life. But he also firmly believed that as long as they were united and firm in their beliefs, they would be able to overcome all difficulties and defend the city.

At the same time, in the camp of the Luoxi Luo army, Mod was also nervously arranging tactics. He knew the difficulty of this war, but he also believed in his own ability and the courage of his soldiers. They fought for their faith and glory, and would not retreat no matter how great the difficulties were.

As night fell, the soldiers of both sides entered a tense state of preparation for war. In this long night, their hearts were filled with anticipation and anxiety. But no matter what, they were ready to greet the dawn and wait for the decisive battle.

"General, please be patient." The Chief Judge comforted the angry General Mod in a gentle but authoritative tone. "The Holy See is as good as a god. His plans have never gone wrong. We will certainly not miss the opportunity to fight."

The muscles on General Mod's face twitched slightly, but he finally suppressed his anger. After all, this was a battlefield, and he, as the commander, had to remain calm. The presiding judge looked at him with a glimmer of satisfaction in his eyes. He knew that he needed to use some strategy to deal with this somewhat rude general.

The judge looked around and saw a deserted battlefield. Only the city of Ferrero in the distance stood tall and majestic, like an indestructible barrier. He took a deep breath and said slowly, "Now that we are here, I will tell you the truth. The box contains an extremely powerful weapon, which we call 'Divine Punishment'. This weapon has only been used by the Templars, and this is the first time it has been put into actual combat."

He paused deliberately, looked into General Mod's eyes, and continued, "Inside the church, we call it 'divine punishment'. I've seen it. What you care about now is nothing more than the difficulty of attacking the city gate. As long as we have it, breaking the city gate will be a piece of cake."

General Mod's expression finally changed. He widened his eyes, his face full of disbelief: "Divine punishment? What is this thing that can actually break the city gate?"

The chief judge smiled but did not answer his question directly: "As long as the city gate is broken, our army can rush directly into the city. In a few days, Ferrero's royal city will be reduced to ruins."

His words were full of confidence, as if he had seen the dawn of victory. However, General Mod was still a little confused: "Excuse me, it's too ideal to capture a city in a few days. If things don't go well, it may not even be possible in a few years."

"Excuse me, Judge, what exactly is 'Divine Punishment'? Can you let me take a look?" General Mod's curiosity was finally fully aroused.

However, the presiding judge just smiled mysteriously and said, "Why rush? You'll know when you get there. It's very humid outside now. I think it's safer to put it in a box."

General Mod had no choice but to sigh and choose to believe the judge: "Well, I hope everything is as you said." At the same time, on the wall of Ferrero, Dogtail Grass was holding a telescope and paying close attention to the movement in the distance. Beside him, Duke Walter Polson asked nervously: "Are they coming?"

"They are coming." Dogtail Grass put down the telescope and said calmly. His eyes were firm and deep, as if he was ready to deal with anything.

Duke Walter Bolson's throat tightened, and he asked again, "Are you sure?" This was the third time he asked this question.

Dogtail Grass glanced at him and said calmly, "Duke, I have told you many times that you will see the result today. Now, please call Father Kiris and Jesus to the city wall. Since everyone is unsure, come and see for yourself."

The Duke nodded hurriedly and ran down the wall to call for help. When he returned to the wall with Kiris and Father Jesus, the Roxilo army was clearly visible.

Seeing the aggressive enemy troops, including the Templars with shining armor, the Duke and his companions could not help but feel their legs trembling. However, when they saw a row of cannons on the city wall, they felt a little more at ease.

Finally, the Luoxi Luo army arrived at the city and stopped more than 500 meters away from the city. Dogtail Grass squinted his eyes and picked up the telescope to carefully watch the enemy's every move. He raised his right hand and ordered loudly: "Artillery ready!"

At the front of the Luoxi Luo army, General Mod watched the Chief Judge directing the Temple Army to prepare something and couldn't help but feel a little puzzled: "We haven't even started the offensive yet. The shooting distance is too far away from us."

"And, Judge, shouldn't you send someone to the city first to ask them to open the gates? If the people in the city know that the Templars are coming and civil unrest breaks out, and they take the initiative to open the gates, we can save a lot of effort." General Mod suggested.

However, the Chief Judge shook his head and said, "There is no need to waste time talking to these apostates. The Holy See has ordered their immediate destruction! Besides, I have nothing to say to these apostates."

As the Templars began to unload the extremely heavy boxes from the carriage, the Chief Judge continued to give orders seriously. The Cardinal beside him smiled grimly, "Just stop here. We can hit the city gate from this distance. General, haven't you always wanted to see the divine punishment weapon? You will see its power soon."

As he spoke, he began to command the Temple Army to pry open the wooden boxes. One by one, cold and heavy iron pipes appeared in front of General Mod. These were the so-called "Divine Punishment" weapons, exactly the same as the cannons that Gouweicaoer and his men had mounted on the city walls.

General Mod stumbled and asked, "This... This is the divine punishment weapon? How do I use it?"

"Just watch and don't ask!" The presiding judge smiled and said mysteriously.

At this moment, Gouweicaoer's pupils on the city wall suddenly shrank. He was definitely not mistaken. What the other party took out from the box was a cannon!
Qi Ruisi and the Duke were also observing with telescopes. When they saw the Templars take out cannons that looked almost identical to their own, they felt dizzy. Qi Ruisi's face turned pale, his body swayed twice, and he muttered, "It's over, it's over."

Dogtail Grass suddenly grabbed his collar and shouted angrily: "Why didn't you tell me earlier that the church had cannons?! Now it's difficult to defend the city!"

Qi Ruisi wanted to cry but had no tears: "I don't know, I've never heard of it before."

In comparison, Father Jesus' reaction was relatively calm. Although he was a little scared, he was able to stand firmly. After all, he had no good feelings towards the church and the Templars.

Dogtail Grass looked coldly at Duke Walter Bolson again. The Duke tremblingly took out a handkerchief from his arms and kept wiping the non-existent sweat on his forehead. When his eyes met Dogtail Grass, his heart tightened and he screamed, "Why are you looking at me? I don't know anything! Hurry up and get ready to kill them while they are still preparing!"

At this time, the cannons under the city had been completely dismantled and the soldiers began to load the shells. General Mod nervously stared at the Templars approaching the fuse with torches, and the Chief Judge's arrogant laughter came over: "Watch carefully, General, the form of the war is about to change!"

The cardinal was full of anticipation. He had witnessed the power of the "Divine Punishment" weapon once before when he went to the Holy City to report on his duties. It was truly unforgettable. Now he couldn't wait to see the "Divine Punishment" show its power again.

Boom! A loud noise was heard, and the whole earth seemed to tremble. The air was filled with the smell of smoke and dust. General Mod's face suddenly felt wet, and when he touched it with his hand, it turned out to be blood.

The judge's smile froze on his face. His right face was also covered in blood, and he had obviously been hit hard. A panic sounded behind him, and the soldiers began to flee in panic. The cardinal was nowhere to be found, probably blown away by the shock wave of the shell.

Another deafening cannon shot was heard, this time from their own "Divine Punishment" weapon. A black, round cannonball flew towards the city of Ferrero, but left a shallow hole in the wall without causing much damage.

General Mod came to his senses immediately. He grabbed the collar of the Chief Judge with bloodshot eyes, fear and anger remaining on his face: "Didn't you say that this was the internal weapon of the Church and only used by the Templars?! Why do the other side also have divine punishment weapons?! Where exactly is the divine punishment directed at?!!"

The judge was shaken by him and gradually regained consciousness. With unspeakable fear and tears on his face, he said, "I don't know."

In the midst of this chaos, another round of intensive artillery fire came from the enemy. Shells were scattered irregularly, rubble flew everywhere, and some even hit the crowd directly, causing considerable casualties.

Although the Templars were well-trained, they were inevitably beginning to panic. Their original rhythm was disrupted, and the action of loading the shells became chaotic.

Seeing this scene, General Mod shouted: "Stop fighting! Retreat! The whole army retreats!" He understood that continuing like this would only cause greater casualties, and that they must evacuate this dangerous place as soon as possible.

Luo Xiluo's army began to retreat like a tide, far away from the range of firepower. On the city wall, Gouweicaoer watched all this quietly. He waved his hand to stop the bombardment, and then fell into deep thought, ignoring the doubts and expectations of Qi Ruisi and others beside him.

He was deeply shocked that the church had mastered explosive weapons, which was a variable he had not expected. He glanced at the cannons on the city wall, which were old cannons removed from warships. Although they were powerful, they were still a bit bulky compared to the latest Italian cannons.

He recalled the artillery battle just now. Although the enemy's artillery fire was fierce, their operation was obviously unfamiliar and could not compare with the artillery they had honed over the years. However, even so, the church's hot weapons still brought them tremendous pressure.

Dogtail Grass turned to look at the Duke and asked, "How long will the food in the city last?" The Duke replied in a deep voice, "Half a year." Dogtail Grass nodded, with a hint of determination in his eyes.

He immediately called his deputy and quickly explained the task. Two letters, one requesting reinforcements and hot weapons, and the other alerting the court. His voice was firm and decisive, without a trace of hesitation.

As the deputy retreated, Gouweicaoer turned to the Duke and patted him on the shoulder, trying to give him some comfort and encouragement. He explained the next strategy in detail, asking the Duke to cooperate fully, stabilize the situation in the city, control food, and strengthen the city gates.

Although the Duke was still terrified, he nodded firmly. Encouraged by the dogtail grass, he seemed to have regained some confidence.

At the same time, outside the city of Ferrero, Luo Xiluo's troops and the Templars had stopped five miles away. The soldiers were panic-stricken. The cruelty of the war and the sudden appearance of hot weapons brought them a huge shock.

General Maud walked up to the judge, his voice filled with anger and confusion. He needed an explanation, needed to know why Ferrero had such a weapon. The judge was confused and panicked, he could not give an explanation, and could only face this sudden change with Maud.

Maud gritted his teeth and proposed to withdraw the troops. He needed to go back to reorganize the manpower and needed more resources from the church. However, the chief judge firmly opposed it. He could not let this war fail and could not let the church lose face.

In anger and helplessness, Maud and the presiding judge had a fierce dispute. However, they both knew that this war could not end easily anyway. They had to find a new strategy and defeat Ferrero.

With the sound of the trebuchets being built, the war entered a new phase. Mod began to deploy new tactics. He wanted to use the trebuchets to harass the soldiers on the city walls and consume the enemy's divine punishment weapons. At the same time, he also wanted to consume the enemy's military supplies and food as much as possible to cause chaos within them.

This is a protracted war, and it is also a war that tests the wisdom and perseverance of both sides. In this war, no one can easily win. Only by constantly adjusting strategies and fighting can we win in the end.

As the war continued, Dogtail Grass and Maud were nervously planning their next move. They stared at Ferrero City, as if they wanted to see through it. In this city, everyone felt the tense atmosphere of the war, and they were all fighting for their own survival.

In the corners of the city, some people began to secretly hoard food, while others chose to join the militia to do their part to defend their homes. On the city walls, the soldiers stood firm day and night, their eyes full of determination and resolve.

As time went by, the war entered a stalemate. Every day was filled with tension and uncertainty, but Gouweicaoer remained calm and resolute. He constantly patrolled the city walls, encouraged the soldiers to hold on, and secretly planned a counterattack.

He knew that the key to this war was whether he could hold out to the end. Only by holding out could he wait for the arrival of reinforcements and have the opportunity to counterattack and win the final victory. Therefore, he constantly adjusted his strategy to consume the enemy's manpower as much as possible and create favorable conditions for the counterattack.

Outside the city, Mod was also nervously planning his tactics. He knew that time was against them, so he had to find a breakthrough as soon as possible. He kept sending out scouts to explore the situation in the city, trying to find weaknesses that could be exploited. At the same time, he was also increasing the attack power of the catapults, trying to put more pressure on the city.

However, Gouweicaoer did not give him too many chances. He cleverly arranged fortifications and traps, which repeatedly frustrated the enemy's attacks. At the same time, he also used the resources in the city to improve the living conditions of the soldiers and boost their morale as much as possible.

In this stalemate, both sides paid a huge price. However, Gouweicaoer always believed that victory would come. He constantly boosted morale, adjusted strategy, and waited for the day when the time was right.

Finally, after a long wait and hard battle, reinforcements finally arrived. Gouweicaoer took the opportunity to launch a counterattack order, leading the soldiers to rush out of the city gate and fight the enemy to the death. In the fierce battle, they gradually gained the upper hand and finally won this protracted war.

No one can predict the unpredictable changes in the situation on the battlefield. The sky may be clear one moment and covered with dark clouds and bloody storm the next.

The armies of both sides faced each other on this vast battlefield. At first, they maintained a delicate balance due to the deterrence of artillery, and no one dared to break the silence easily. However, the calm was always temporary. In less than a month, the war was in full swing.

On this day, the afternoon sun shone through the thick dark clouds, scattering patches on the battlefield. The dim light, like the afterglow of doomsday, added a bit of solemnity to this bloody land. The walls of Ferrero had become dilapidated under the baptism of artillery fire, but in order to resist the enemy's attack, tall wooden barriers were built on the walls.

Gouweicaoer, the young soldier, had been patrolling on the city wall. His eyes were bloodshot and his face was full of fatigue. But even so, he still stood firm at his post, using a telescope to observe the enemy's movements at all times.

He looked up at the sky and took a deep breath of the smoke-filled air, trying to find a bit of courage. However, what he breathed in was a feeling of weakness and suffocation. He looked through the observation port and saw that the enemy troops were becoming active again. They even arrogantly took off their armor and were busy on the battlefield in just a single layer of clothes.

Suddenly, Gouweicaoer noticed that the corners of the enemy's clothes were constantly flying. His face suddenly changed and he shouted at the top of his lungs: "Brothers, hold on! Hold on for another day. Tomorrow our platforms and catapults will be fully built. That's when we can counterattack!"

This shout was like spring thunder exploding in the ears of every soldier. A trace of determination and expectation flashed in their eyes, as if they saw the dawn of victory.

At this time, the Luoxiluo army was not idle either. Their catapults had been loaded. With an order, dense barrel-shaped objects cut through the sky and roared towards the city of Ferrero.

In the grove not far away, the Chief Judge and General Mod were closely watching the situation on the battlefield. The Chief Judge was holding his chest, looking extremely painful. He could not help but complain to General Mod: "When will the war start? How long are you going to delay it?"

General Mod watched the situation in the distance with a resolute expression, and said calmly: "When the time is right. Don't be impatient. On the battlefield, the first thing to do is to win the hearts and minds of the people. Our army's morale is high, while the enemy has no peace for a moment. The advantage is in my hands."

The presiding judge finally couldn't hold back when he saw General Mod's confident expression. He put his hands on Mod's shoulders and roared, "Asshole! Who taught you to fight like this! Can't you do anything else besides throwing shit at the city every day!" He couldn't help crying when he was so excited, "Look! Is it shit you're throwing? You're throwing the face of the Emperor of God!"

However, General Mod remained unmoved. He looked up at the sky and saw the leaves rustling. A smile appeared on his face. He shouted, "The wind direction is favorable to our army today. Take out all the stocks from the past two days and throw them in!"

The judge desperately grabbed Maude's hand and begged, "General, I beg you to use stones, can you please?" However, Maude shouted again, "Add gravel to the dung bucket!" At this moment, the nerves in the judge's mind finally broke. He muttered in despair, "This is not how the war is fought. You should just send the troops to charge..."

However, General Mod interrupted his mumbling with a stern face: "This is how war is fought! Siege warfare is a protracted attack on the heart and soul, and you, the Church, think you can start a war with a flashy weapon. This is a mistake you made!" His words were like cold water poured over his head, leaving the presiding judge in complete despair.

········
In the following days, General Mod continued his "dung throwing tactics" and the presiding judge fell into despair and helplessness. He looked at the dung buckets thrown into the air by the catapults and his heart was filled with endless bitterness and ridicule. This war seemed to have turned into an absurd farce and each of them was just a clown in it. However, General Mod did not think so. He firmly believed that his tactics would achieve the final victory. "Watch carefully. Ferrero's water source has been polluted. Now we are gathering our strength and they are too tired to deal with it. When the time comes, we will start the war!" His words were full of confidence and determination, as if he had seen the dawn of victory waiting for them not far ahead.

On the battlefield after the rain, an indescribable "miasma" permeated the air, like a thick layer of smog, shrouding the entire battlefield in a gloomy atmosphere. The sun gradually rose, but the miasma became stronger and stronger, like a group of invisible poisonous snakes, drilling into the mouths and noses of everyone who invaded this territory.

The scene on the battlefield was shocking, with feces and urine everywhere, like a desolate ruin. The air was filled with a disgusting smell, as if you were in a huge toilet. Although this was a place of killing, it was also full of vitality - those tenacious flies were flying freely on the ruins, as if celebrating the "harvest" of this war.

If no one deals with it in time, the outside of Ferrero's city wall will soon become a huge paradise for flies, or even a sea of ​​maggots. The baffles on the city wall are even more horrible, covered with all kinds of sticky substances, which are unbearable to look at. I don't know what the food of Luo Xiluo and the Temple Army is, but their excrement is particularly sticky, making the entire baffle seem like the bottom of a huge desk full of raisins. This scene reminded Lin Xiaofeng of his small fights in the past, which were nothing compared to the war in front of him.

The "result" of tens of thousands of people's hard work for a month would make any Fen Gang player exclaim that this is hell on earth. Such a scene, even a glance at it, would probably make people lose the courage to live.

However, in this hellish battlefield, there are still people who are holding on. Dogtail Grass, Duke Walter Bolson and Chrysanthemum are patrolling, with paper balls stuffed in their nostrils and faces full of despair. Facing such a war, they only think that death may be a relief.

Under the city wall, soldiers were busy building a platform and pulleys, preparing to pull the trebuchet onto the platform. This process lasted for the entire morning, and it was not until noon that everything was set up. Dogtail Grass licked his dry lips, and his eyes became hot. For nearly a month, he had been oppressed by this war and had no power to fight back. This was an experience he had never had in his many years of ups and downs overseas. Even in small-scale battles, he was always able to win easily. However, this large-scale war made him feel unprecedented pressure.

He looked at the enemy positions opposite, his heart filled with anger and anticipation. Is this the cruelty of a large battlefield? He couldn't help but want to shout out. The enemy's tactics were so despicable that even an experienced beggar like him felt exhausted physically and mentally. Many gunners vomited, lost their appetite, and became listless because of the enemy's disgusting tactics. What's worse, the cannons were always covered with feces and urine, which made the artillerymen who always regarded the cannons as their lives feel nauseous when they saw the cannons.

In order to deal with this dilemma, they had to take some extraordinary measures. They built a high platform on the street behind them and prepared to fight back with catapults. For this counterattack, they also fermented manure for half a month and prepared a large number of wooden barrels. Now they can finally fight back!

"Brothers!" Dogtail Grass roared, "Bring up all the manure that was fermented before! Today, let the church see the prestige of Jingjiang!" Qi Ruisi and the Duke looked at each other, both of them were filled with deep despair and fear. They couldn't imagine what kind of country Jingjiang was, and the future seemed so bleak that it made people feel suffocated.

However, Gouweicaoer was not afraid at all. He calmly observed the enemy positions opposite, then turned around and asked Qi Ruisi and the Duke: "Why didn't the priest come?" Qi Ruisi pulled the corner of his mouth and replied: "The priest said this is a place abandoned by God, and he wants to stay in the city to pray for the people." Then he asked with concern, "Brother Lai, don't you really need to put something in your nose?" Gouweicaoer touched his nose and laughed, "It will be numb if you smell it too much. Putting something in it will affect my condition." After that, he turned to the Duke and asked, "How are the wells in the city being dug?" The Duke replied: "Five wells have been successfully dug, and the water source we already had is enough for the time being." Gouweicaoer nodded to show his satisfaction.

While they were talking, the Luoxi Luo army launched another attack. A large wave of projectiles hit the baffle with a deafening sound, and scattered soup flew from the sky and fell to the bottom of the city. Qi Ruisi and the Duke were pale and leaned against the battlements of the city wall for fear of being drenched by feces and urine, while Dogtail Grass shouted excitedly: "Counterattack! Counterattack! Counterattack!" The catapults in Ferrero City began to show their power, and the same means were used to greet the opposite side. For a time, the entire battlefield was filled with flying feces and bloody rain. The soldier who was busy loading feces outside the city suddenly felt something was wrong and straightened up to investigate the situation. A half-full wooden barrel flew over steadily and directly covered his face and drenched him thoroughly. The soldier wailed on the spot, his eyes seemed to be burned by fire, and he fell to the ground screaming, rolling left and right on the ground. Many soldiers around him hurriedly kicked him aside to avoid rubbing against them, and Luoxi Luo's offensive was also hindered. General Mod waved his hand with a cold face and arranged a team of soldiers to hold shields to resist. The situation was not good. He realized that the opponent not only did not give up but took the initiative to attack, which showed that their basic situation was stable and the water pollution might not affect them. The chief judge who had been accompanying him was completely crazy when he saw that the opponent also started to throw shit. He grabbed his hair and kept jumping and screaming on the spot: "You are sick! You are sick! You are all sick!!!" His voice echoed over the battlefield and seemed extremely harsh and abrupt, but no one paid attention to him because everyone's attention was focused on the battlefield at this moment. General Mod calmly issued an order: "Prepare for the divine punishment." He planned to use the divine punishment weapon to smash the wooden boards on the enemy's wall to change the situation. "Shields cover the divine punishment and smash the wooden boards on the enemy's wall." The chief judge was originally happy and thought that he could finally see the dawn of victory, but after hearing Mod's explanation, he fell into disappointment again. He couldn't help but ask, "Why don't we just attack the city gate and kill them directly!" Mod looked at him coldly and replied, "The enemy must be distracted by the divine punishment weapons when operating the catapults, and the enemy must have been blocked after knowing that we also have divine punishment city gates, and they can't break through for a while. When the enemy reacts, they will suppress us and increase casualties." The presiding judge was silent after hearing this, and his eyes were full of disappointment. But he also understood that General Mod's decision was correct, and he could only accept this reality helplessly, "The best way at the moment is to take the opportunity to smash the baffles on their city walls." Mod continued. A glimmer of hope flashed in the presiding judge's eyes, and he nodded repeatedly to show his agreement: "Yeah, yeah, reasonable. Then what?" "Then we can throw more shit in to put pressure on the other side." General Mod's answer made the light in the presiding judge's eyes suddenly disappear. He turned around silently and walked to the tree, leaned against the tree, squatted on the ground, buried his head deeply in his knees, and whimpered. At this moment, the battlefield was full of murderous aura and smoke, but no one cared about the presiding judge's emotions.

The war is still going on cruelly, with flames and smoke everywhere. It has lasted for more than ten days, and every day is a life-and-death struggle, and every day is full of unknowns and variables.

After more than ten days of fierce fighting, the situation had obviously changed. The Templars were no longer satisfied with just harassing tactics. They began to take a more proactive approach, trying to break the deadlock.

In recent days, the Templars chose the chaotic moment when both sides threw stones, feces and other debris at each other, and slowly pushed the cannons forward, trying to blow down the gates of Ferrero. Each attack had hundreds of groups of people, but most of them were disguised. They did not hold real cannons in their hands, but cannons disguised with branches and wood to confuse the defenders of Ferrero.

On the city wall, Gouweicao'er stared at the enemy in the distance with eyes as sharp as an eagle. He was dressed in military uniform, and his face was full of determination and resoluteness. War was something he had long been accustomed to, but every time he fought, he was as focused as if it was his first time, and he never let up.

This camouflage tactic did cause a lot of trouble for Gouweicaoer. Even with the help of a telescope, it was difficult to accurately distinguish the location of the real and fake cannons because of the large number of the enemy. They could only wait for the moment when the enemy fired to determine their true location. However, this reaction time difference had already caused many shells to fall on the city gate.

The city gate had become riddled with holes due to the bombardment, but fortunately, the gate hole had been blocked in time, and with the constant repairs by the defenders, the city gate still stood. However, the consumption of artillery shells was extremely serious, which made Gouweicaoer feel unprecedented pressure.

During the battle, Gouweicao'er commanded the defenders at the top of his lungs: "Reduce the bombardment! Wait for the enemy to move first! Fire after confirming their position! Only aim at the enemy's cannons! The rest of you wait, and shoot with your muskets only after the enemy gets closer!" His voice echoed on the city wall, inspiring every defender.

At this moment, a subordinate suddenly came running to report: "Sir! The wooden barrels in the city are almost used up, and there are not enough!" Hearing this, Gouweicaoer frowned. Taking advantage of the interval when the enemy's offensive slowed down, he loudly ordered: "Go to the warehouse on Balin Street! Pull all the bamboo tubes and coconut shells in it! If they are all used up, throw all the rubble and garbage in the city over there!"

As the world's largest juicer production base, Ferrero City obviously has enough containers for storing items. Soon, teams of soldiers rushed to Bahrain Street and moved all the bamboo tubes and coconut shells in the warehouse to the city wall. These seemingly insignificant items on weekdays have become important supplies for defending the city at this moment.

On the other side of the city wall, General Mod of the Temple Army was standing with his hands on his hips, looking at the situation on the city wall. He was constantly calculating the strength comparison and tactical layout of the enemy and us. Seeing that the attack frequency of the opponent's divine punishment weapons had obviously slowed down, he was secretly happy: it seems that the opponent's inventory is running low!
General Mod turned to the chief judge beside him and said, "Give me a month, and I guarantee that I can take this city! Our training is going very smoothly now. As long as we continue to consume the opponent's divine punishment weapons, breaking through the city gate is just around the corner!" However, the chief judge looked absent-minded: "Fight however you like." Obviously, he had lost confidence in this war.

General Mod snorted coldly and ignored the judge. He cursed in his heart: This idiot can do nothing except eating, drinking, defecating and giving orders! I really don't know why the Emperor would send such a bastard to cause trouble on the battlefield!
Suddenly, a familiar and dense sound of artillery came into General Mod's ears. He frowned and looked at the presiding judge and asked, "Did you hear any strange sounds? It sounded like the sound of divine punishment." The presiding judge was stunned: "Isn't divine punishment always in use?" However, General Mod shook his head to express his denial: "It didn't come from the city wall, it seemed to be very far away." He felt an inexplicable uneasiness in his heart.

At the same time, Gouweicao'er on the city wall also stopped and looked back, as if he had heard something. He shook his head and tried to wake himself up, but the constant sound of cannons in his ears made him unsure whether he had heard it wrong. He took a deep breath and refocused his attention on the battlefield ahead.

The two sides fought fiercely for more than two hours before there were some signs of stopping. The city gate was already shaking under the bombardment of artillery shells. Just when Gouweicao'er was about to breathe a sigh of relief, the figure of Duke Walter Bolson hurriedly appeared on the side of the city wall, followed by an unexpected person - Zhong Anchun.

Dogtail Grass's eyes immediately lit up, and he shouted in surprise, "Brother Zhong!" Zhong Anchun took a step back calmly, looking down the city through the observation port, his face suddenly turned pale. He cursed in his heart, damn, no wonder I smelled a foul odor as soon as I arrived in Ferrero, how could the battle be like this?

Gouweicaoer came forward and asked, "Brother Zhong, why are you here?" Zhong Anchun replied, "The court sent me here to make friends with Ferrero to show its sincerity. When I came here, I happened to meet the reinforcements stationed there, so we came together." He paused and continued, "Just now we encountered three ships on the coast trying to blockade the port, but we sank one of them with a round of artillery fire."

Upon hearing this, Gouweicaoer was overjoyed and asked, "Were you the ones firing the cannons at the seaside?" Zhong Anchun nodded, "Yes, we have seized the remaining ship and it is now docked at the port." As he spoke, he turned to Duke Walter Bolson, handed him the letter of credence and expressed his willingness to lease the port and compensation measures.

The Duke was so excited that he nodded repeatedly after receiving the letter. He did not expect that the Jingjiang court would be so kind and righteous that it not only sent two ships of goods as compensation but also expressed its willingness to strengthen exchanges. This was undoubtedly an unexpected surprise for him. He hurriedly thanked them and promised to host a banquet after repelling the enemy.

After the Duke left, Zhong Anchun immediately asked Gouweicao'er about the battle situation. Gouweicao'er described the battle situation in detail, and finally said: "What we lack most now is artillery shells and supplies. I wonder if the court can provide some support?" Zhong Anchun thought for a moment and said: "Don't worry, I will immediately ask the court for support. In addition, I will bring some craftsmen and technicians to help you repair the city gates and make artillery shells and other supplies." His words made Gouweicao'er feel unprecedented excitement and hope.

Dogtail Grass sighed, his face full of worry, as if a heavy burden was on his shoulders. He looked up at the gray sky, feeling mixed emotions. The war, this cruel war, had already displaced too many people, and their families were destroyed.

"Luckily you arrived in time." He rubbed his temple with a headache. "Now I have less than 200 shells, but the enemy's offensive is getting more and more fierce."

His words revealed deep exhaustion and helplessness. War is really a game with no winners.

Zhong Anchun came from afar, his figure looked particularly tall in the afterglow of the setting sun. He looked at the dogtail grass, and a deep light flashed in his eyes.

"You've learned from me for so many years, but now you're not capable of using the real thing?" Zhong Anchun's smile contained a hint of ridicule and encouragement.

Dogtail Grass shook his head helplessly: "They have a great advantage in supplies, and their generals are extremely cunning. Brother Zhong, look."

As he spoke, he led Zhong Anchun to the observation port and handed him a telescope. Zhong Anchun looked in the direction of his finger and saw that the enemy camp in the distance was well-organized and well-trained.

"Their main force is the Luoxi Luo Kingdom and the Holy Temple Army, and the rest are peasant soldiers from various places who rebelled against the lords." Gouweicaoer explained in detail, "Those tall Holy Temple soldiers are physically strong, but their organization is obviously disorganized. The Luoxi Luo Army is different. Their actions are extremely regular and well coordinated. It seems that the opponent's generals have retrained these people in just one month."

Zhong Anchun narrowed his eyes and said seriously: "Well, this general is indeed not a simple person. It seems that the church still has some experts."

He turned around and shouted, "Adjutant! Adjutant! Pull all the Italian cannons up to me!" His voice echoed over the battlefield, as if injecting new strength into the tired soldiers.

The adjutant left in response. Zhong Anchun turned around and smiled again: "They will soon find out that we don't have enough shells. Let's hold out for a few more days and give them a surprise when they dare to come up."

Dogtail Grass nodded excitedly, as if he had seen the dawn of victory. They all knew that the critical moment of this war had arrived.

Inside the holy city, however, there was a completely different scene. The afterglow of the setting sun shone on the ancient city walls, dyeing the historic city golden. However, the soldiers on the city walls had no intention of appreciating the beautiful scenery. They held their weapons tightly and watched the movement in the distance vigilantly.

Dogtail Grass stood on the city wall, looking into the distance. His heart was filled with anticipation and nervousness. He knew that this action would determine the direction of the entire war. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his excitement.

"Brother Zhong, I am going to lead 3,000 people to launch a surprise attack on the Holy City." He turned around and looked at Zhong Anchun firmly, "As long as we can successfully capture the Holy City, this war may end early." (End of this chapter)