Chapter 1 Aftermath

After realizing that their attempt to frame someone had failed, the Li family members shook their heads helplessly. They had already devised various accusations to pin on the Mei family, but they never expected Jiang Chen to anticipate their plans, catching them off guard.

"Forget it. Let's not make any unnecessary moves recently. Just ensure everything is safe and sound," one said.

Thinking that none of their schemes would work, they felt frustrated.

But now that Jiang Chen had noticed their actions, they didn't dare to linger and dispersed.

However, just as they were preparing to rest, the drums signaling an enemy attack resounded.

"Didn't we agree to stop framing the Mei family for these things?"

As someone angrily demanded an explanation, they suddenly realized that this time, the attackers seemed to be real Xiongnu, not the pawns they had arranged.

When they finally arrived at the city wall, Jiang Chen was already standing there calmly, directing the defense.

Seeing their surprised faces, Jiang Chen merely snorted and focused his attention on the Xiongnu attack below. It could be said that the Xiongnu's offensive was fierce and caught them off guard. If Jiang Chen hadn't anticipated it and quickly mobilized a large number of troops, the Xiongnu might have already broken through.

"All you need to do now is transport the military supplies up here. If the defense line collapses due to a shortage of supplies, I'll have your heads."

Seeing the rapidly dwindling arrows and equipment, they didn't dare to delay and quickly became active. Perhaps influenced by Jiang Chen's actions, the people of Shimen Pass also spontaneously began transporting various needed supplies to the city wall.

The Xiongnu's sudden attack didn't stop until the next day when the sun rose.

Looking at the mountains of corpses below, many people vomited. Jiang Chen patrolled the city wall, arranging for people to tally the casualties.

"Your Majesty, if we continue to be depleted like this, we might collapse before the Xiongnu. The main force is at least half a month away. In my humble opinion, it would be better for Your Majesty to lead the people away as soon as possible. I will definitely buy enough time for Your Majesty's retreat."

Perhaps because the battle that night was too tragic, even the military officers who had been determined to defend Shimen Pass began to consider a quick retreat.

Although the Xiongnu suffered several times more casualties than them, their numbers were far greater.

With this disparity, their defense line would soon be breached by the Xiongnu.

"Your Majesty, please return to the imperial capital. By the time they break through the pass, the remaining armies will have arrived to defend the capital. There will be absolutely no problem."

Seeing their eagerness for him to leave, Jiang Chen rejected their proposals without hesitation.

"The emperor dies for his country. If I retreat now, wouldn't that further embolden the Xiongnu's arrogance?"

"Arrange for people to strengthen the defenses. These Xiongnu will definitely not let us rest."

As Jiang Chen spoke, he found a place to sit down. The first wave of Xiongnu attacks was clearly meant to exhaust them.

Apart from some trebuchets launching attacks, only some people from small tribes were sent up as cannon fodder.

"Find a way to arrange people to dig trenches within a hundred paces. This will hinder the Xiongnu's cavalry. Also, try to add more oil to them. If we really can't hold on, set the area outside the city on fire, making it difficult for the Xiongnu to move."

Perhaps thinking of the great fire at the fortress, Jiang Chen reluctantly made this decision.

Soon, teams of people began to move quickly towards the Xiongnu under the cover of the city wall.

Although the Xiongnu repeatedly sent people to harass them, they had little effect.

They could only watch helplessly as Jiang Chen had people build caltrops and various ditches in front of Shimen Pass.

Seeing the many defensive structures that had sprung up out of nowhere in just one day, Jiang Chen sighed helplessly. Only Jiang Chen knew that these things were just for psychological comfort. In reality, they wouldn't have much effect in a battle between the two armies.

As night fell, the Xiongnu began to stir again.

Realizing that these guys were planning to use the darkness to deplete their military supplies, some military officers had no choice but to prepare for a night battle.

Looking at the Imperial Guards, each with a firm resolve to die, Jiang Chen felt extremely sad.

At this moment, Jiang Chen wanted to take the initiative and break through the Xiongnu's defenses more than anyone else.

But now was not the time. If he took the initiative, he would definitely lose.

Thinking of the reinforcements that should have arrived but hadn't, Jiang Chen had guessed many things but hadn't spoken.

Now, it was no longer just a matter of chaos in the court.

Everyone was watching the final outcome of the battle at Shimen Pass.

"Once the Xiongnu threat is over, I will definitely make you pay."

Thinking of these guys who were hedging their bets on the battlefield, the anger in Jiang Chen's heart grew.

If they continued to act as double-dealers, who knew what kind of trouble they would cause in the future.

Listening to the sounds of fighting coming from the city wall again, Jiang Chen could only sigh. There was nothing else he could do.

Based on the current frequency of attacks, the Xiongnu's all-out assault was probably imminent.

When that time came, it would depend on whether Shimen Pass was strong enough or the Xiongnu were stubborn enough.

As reports of casualties were constantly sent to Jiang Chen, he had no mind to look at them.

While Jiang Chen was racking his brains to prepare for the defense, Mei Pengfei was surrounded by many angry Xiongnu people.

"Although Khan told us to cooperate with you as much as possible, you can't just blindly send us to our deaths like this, can you? I strongly suspect that you are a spy sent by the other side."

Seeing the several tribal leaders in front of him filled with anger, Mei Pengfei reached out and pressed down on the short knife he had just raised.

"Yesterday night, they were still doing everything they could to defend themselves with all means, but today, they can only choose to put our people at the base of the city wall for close combat. This is enough to show that the military supplies in their hands have been depleted to a certain amount. In just two more days, they will have no means to deal with our siege."