She was enjoying the risk. Xia Fan realized.
Next, they encountered several scattered waves of enemies along the way, but more of them were residents fleeing from the west. From these people, Xia Fan also had a more detailed understanding of the situation in Xicheng District.
According to the refugees, the intruders had blocked several main streets, looted and looted houses, and even kidnapped many residents who had not had time to escape.
The northern city wall and pier facing the beach had changed hands half an hour ago. Before they fled, they could still see people and items being unloaded from ships being transported into the city in a steady stream.
"It's not shipped out, but brought in?" Ning Wanjun frowned, "What about the things they looted? Where did they go?"
"Caomin doesn't know! But... Caomin thinks there is something strange."
"explain."
"The first place they go when they enter the house... is the kitchen, and what they get are all grains, rice and noodles."
This is very unusual. The invaders from the Dongsheng Kingdom came by boat, and their number must be limited. If they wanted to take away a large amount of supplies, they would of course have to maintain the search while using the remaining manpower to carry the goods onto the ship. After all, no matter how barren Jinxia City is, it is still the capital of a state. If you want to maximize your profits, it is not unusual to move for ten and a half days. Now that the other party is doing the opposite, the motive for the robbery is very suspicious.
Xia Fan and the princess looked at each other and had the same thought in their minds - maybe they didn't intend to grab it and leave.
"Even if we face Qi Guo's army that is a hundred times larger than ours?" Ning Wanjun said coldly, "Dongsheng Guo's appetite is too big!"
Before, their assumptions only stayed within the scope of Shenzhou, but if it evolved into an invasion between countries, the situation would become completely different.
Not only the Shenzhou Army, but also surrounding garrisons will be mobilized for support, not to mention that Qi State also has naval forces - crossing the sea is not possible, and it is not difficult to block inland rivers and operate offshore. By then, both people and goods will be empty, and it will be a loss-making business no matter how you look at it.
Why would the other party dare to make such a decision
Fortunately among the misfortunes, the princess's decision was the only correct one among many choices.
Just the enemy's stubborn resistance for a few days will bring too many uncertainties to Jinxia, not to mention that they want to use this place as their own ocean springboard
Regardless of whether it succeeds or not, Dongsheng Kingdom will turn Jinxia City upside down.
"We have to dedicate some of our people to rescue the trapped residents in Beicheng District." Xia Fan said, "The enemy's blockade will definitely not be too tight. They can't guard so many people!"
"The situation there is unclear, and a small team can easily be surrounded and eaten." Qiuyue objected, "We cannot afford to lose alchemists, but without alchemy support, it is difficult for a small number of soldiers to resist those who are sensitive to Qi."
"Otherwise, I'll lead the team—"
"No, just follow me!" Ning Wanjun interrupted him without hesitation, "I can't take care of you if you are far away."
Xia Fan paused slightly.
"If something happens to you, where can I find a Qing-well, such a knowledgeable and enlightened alchemist?"
Why does the other party's compliment sound so insincere
"I'm going."
Suddenly, a familiar voice sounded from behind.
Li squeezed through the crowd and walked to Xia Fan, "Of course, along with my men."
The fox demon's subordinates? Seeing the unresponsive Shanhui next to her, Xia Fan suddenly understood - the emotional tengu had already accepted and adapted to this statement deep in his heart.
"Xia Fan's guess is correct. I just came back from there. There are indeed people guarding the street entrance, but usually there are only three or four people. If the residents hug tightly and form a group, pick up hoes and shovels, they can actually break out of the way. "
"It can't be done." The princess shook her head and said, "As long as each family takes action one by one, those who don't get their turn will be lucky. This is the human heart."
"What's the situation outside the wall now?" Xia Fan asked.
"There are almost thirty ships, and half of them have not yet docked." Li revealed the information he had detected one by one, "The guards on the west city wall were all killed, but judging from the signs, they were not Died in the battle for the city wall. In addition, all the people kidnapped by the other party were transported north.
The north side is close to the inland river, and the Wang family's salt field is also nearby.
However, this alone cannot predict the intentions of the Dongsheng Kingdom. If they want to snatch the population and bring them back to their home base, it is obviously faster to go directly to the west gate.
It's just that the situation is still unclear. The princess's troops are temporarily unable to take care of those who have been captured. They have to try their best to seize the time with the enemy to rescue the residents trapped in Beicheng District.
Thinking of this, Xia Fan nodded towards Li, "We must come back before the sun sets."
"You too." The fox demon looked at him deeply, turned around and left the group.
A quarter of an hour later, the forward line of the princess troops finally advanced to the vicinity of the granary, but before launching an attack, they were suppressed back into the streets by a burst of fierce artillery fire.
Accompanied by several rapid roars, clumps of debris suddenly erupted from the corners of the houses on the street and the ground, as if they were being run over by something quickly.
The soldier who was the first to walk out of the street suddenly collapsed, and the remaining people immediately fell to the ground and shouted to the rear, "Get back quickly! There are iron cannons ahead!"
It was obvious that this was not the first time this team had seen hot weapons, and their response methods could be described as experienced. Warnings spread one after another, and the chaos only spread for a few breaths before calming down. The people behind retreated into alleys and alleys to make room for the retreating soldiers in front.
Seeing that the team's progress was blocked, Ning Wanjun pulled Xia Fan and others onto the surrounding roofs.
From the perspective of climbing up, Xia Fan actually saw a complete artillery position!
Dongsheng State used sandbags to build several low walls in the open space in front of the warehouse to resist arrows from bows and crossbows. There were pikemen on both sides, and eight dark artillery pieces were facing the four streets in the southeast. No matter which route they attack from, they will be bombarded from multiple angles.
The most important thing is that the area of this open space is really not small. If you want to run from the street entrance to the warehouse, you have to rush at least two hundred meters away. There is no cover in the middle, or the bungalows that are slightly closer have also been occupied by the enemy. It was completely dismantled.
He didn't know whether it was because the granary was too far away from the residential area, or whether it was because the wooden houses of this era were too easily demolished.
Although Xia Fan had expected such a day when he was attacked by the Donghai Gang armed with pistols in Fenghua County, he did not expect it to come so quickly.
"This is trouble." He Guicai, the last one to climb up, looked around and frowned. "The border army is equipped with cavalry and fast horses, as well as warlocks who can restrain long-range projectile weapons... There is nothing here. I'm afraid it will happen next. This is a tough battle. Your Highness, I suggest that you stay away from the edge for the time being and wait until we break the formation before entering the battlefield. Otherwise, even a person as strong as you who senses Qi may be affected by artillery fire in a chaotic battle... "
After speaking, his voice became softer and quieter - because Ning Wanjun was looking at him with a strange look.
Then He Gui discovered that not only Her Royal Highness the Princess, but also Qiu Yue and Xia Fan were the same.
"Ahem..." He cleared his throat stiffly, "Um, did Wei Chen say something wrong?"
"No, this is not your problem." Ning Wanjun shrugged, "After all, you have never seen it, so it is normal to have such concerns. I will not lead the charge this time, and certainly neither will my subordinates."
After speaking, she patted Xia Fan and said, "The main force in breaking the formation this time is the person in front of you."