: The Devastation at the Border

Having learned from the previous experience, this time, although the major families are still vying for the position of commander, it is clear that those selected are people with real talent and proven track records.

Moreover, although they were also vying for it, they weren't as agitated or confrontational as before.

They all knew that if they did not unite as one, they would likely be wiped out by Huang Chao, and their thousand-year-old family foundation would be destroyed in an instant.

The final result was similar to before: the troops split into four groups, each fighting its own battle.

Each person was only responsible for one main gate and the corresponding enemy troops. Whoever was unlucky enough to encounter Huang Chao was considered either unlucky or lucky.

150 million troops were left to defend the city, and the attacking force consisted of 150 million troops, in case of unforeseen circumstances.

Of the 150 million troops inside the city, 100 million were fully equipped and ready to launch an attack when they had the advantage, thus expanding their gains.

The remaining 50 troops were not to be killed, as they were their last guarantee to defend the city walls.

They weren't unaware that staying in Luoyang and waiting for the outcome was the safest course of action. However, as aristocratic families, they also had their pride. If they were to wait in such a frustrating manner for the allied forces of various nations, their future status would certainly be tarnished.

Among the various states, there are also their own aristocratic families. Why would they give up their high-ranking positions?

They also had a mutually beneficial relationship. If they could defeat Huang Chao, they would immediately turn their attention to the border and prevent the allied forces of various countries from entering Kyushu.

On their homeland, they were at the highest level, but after the arrival of the allied forces, they could only be relegated to the second line. The difference between them was immeasurable.

Their attack was part of Huang Chao's plan. Caught off guard, the armies of these powerful families quickly suffered heavy losses and were forced into a series of defeats.

The army inside the city, which had been tasked with finishing off the enemy, now served as a support force, and was thus somewhat prepared. They successfully brought the army back, and after assessing the losses, only 150 million of the 100 million troops who had gone out returned.

In other words, this attack cost nearly 50 soldiers.

lost heavily!

These powerful families began to shirk responsibility, blame each other, and quarrel endlessly.

Huang Chao breathed a sigh of relief. With this victory, the aristocratic families would not easily launch attacks again. Even though he now had less than 150 million troops, he was still able to hold Luoyang City firmly. If there were any changes at the border, he might be able to transfer some more troops there.

On the other hand, when Meng Kai led his army to the border, three of the seven passes of Shimen had already fallen in just one month. These passes were built against the mountains and were considered natural strongholds, easy to defend and difficult to attack.

In just one month, three cities were captured, demonstrating the ferocity of the war.

"Who goes there?!"

The arrival of Meng Kai and his men immediately triggered a reactive response from the garrison.

Even though this army came from their rear, they knew there would be reinforcements, but they dared not be careless. They had also received news that the army of the aristocratic families in the rear had reached a cooperation agreement with the Zhu Kingdom's army and might defect at any time.

"I am Meng Kai of the Great Qi Dynasty, sent by General Huang Chao to provide support."

"Is General Yuan Shouze here? He can vouch for my identity."

Meng Kai shouted towards the city wall.

There were figures moving around on the city wall, and after a while a familiar yet unfamiliar figure would appear on the city wall.

"General Meng, you've finally arrived."

Yuan Shouze shouted excitedly.

"It's reinforcements! Open the city gates!"

Yuan Shouze shouted, and the city gate slowly opened. Meng Kai rode in alone, and Yuan Shouze went to meet him.

Meng Kai's gaze involuntarily drifted to Yuan Shouze's loose sleeves.

Yuan Shouze smiled and said frankly, "I killed an enemy general on the battlefield, but he slashed me with his sword before he died. What a loss!"

Meng Kai was filled with awe. He had witnessed Yuan Shouze's martial arts skills, which were definitely no less than his own. To be able to suffer such serious injuries on the battlefield, it seemed that the opponent was indeed not to be underestimated.

"General Meng, I have already prepared a place for you to camp. Let the brothers rest well first."

Yuan Shouze smiled.

Meng Kai shook his head. He could see that every border soldier around him had a deep weariness in their eyes.

"Have the border troops not had a proper rest in a long time?"

"Let us take over the fight now, you all get some rest."

Meng Kai said.

"How can this be? We are already very grateful that you have come from afar to support us."

"The Qi army has traveled a long way, and the brothers must be exhausted. Let's rest for a few days and familiarize ourselves with the intensity of the battle here so that we can better engage in combat."

"General Yuan, you are a hero, I, Lao Meng, admire you."

"But the brothers under my command are not sons of bitches; they are all tough men. Here's what we'll do: half of you will retreat, and I've brought 50 reinforcements with me. Half of them will rest, and the other half will go to the battlefield with you."

"How about we switch to the other half of the army tomorrow?"

Meng Kai insisted.

Yuan Shouze hesitated for a moment, glanced at his subordinates, his eyes revealing deep exhaustion, and finally nodded.

His brothers haven't had a good night's sleep in a month.

The pressure of having 100,000 men hold off a million-strong army is unimaginable.

"General Meng, thank you very much."

Yuan Shouze cupped his hands in greeting.

After saying that, he led Meng Kai and 25 reinforcements toward the front line.

When Meng Kai arrived at the battlefield, even though he had followed Huang Chao in his campaigns and fought one hard battle after another, he couldn't help but gasp in shock.

The city wall in front of them was stained red with blood. Enemy troops, fearless of death, climbed the wall and engaged in fierce fighting with the defenders.

He had followed Huang Chao since the uprising in Cao County, and had experienced at least 80 or 100 battles along the way, but he had never seen such a fierce enemy.

Such a brutal war, and such a situation, yet he still launched such a fearless attack, something that the rebel armies and inland Tang armies he had dealt with before could never achieve.

He could even see a hint of fear flash in the eyes of his subordinates, which fueled his competitive spirit.

"Brothers, let the border troops see that we Qi soldiers are not cowards either!"

"We cannot disgrace the General! We cannot disgrace the Great Qi!"

"kill!"

After shouting this, Meng Kai was the first to rush forward, found a gap where someone had just died in battle, and took up the position.

"Brothers of the border troops, reinforcements have arrived. You can rest now; it's our turn to take over!"

The other Qi troops also stormed onto the city walls and began a fierce battle.