Even if they didn't die at the hands of the Qin Army, they were bound to die in the Zhao state.

Listening to Yan Ju's words, a sense of sorrow appeared on the faces of the many Zhao generals. No matter how unwilling or resentful they felt, there was nothing they could do.

"Enough," Yan Ju said coldly. "Arrange the city defenses and defend with all our might. You may all disperse."

"Understood." The Zhao generals could only withdraw.

Yan Ju stood atop the city wall, looking toward the eastern encampment where Lian Po's army was stationed. Lian Po, you are already so old; you should have died long ago. If you do not die, how can the King truly control Zhao? If you do not die, that Zhao Yi would still dare to treat the King with such arrogance. If you do not die, how can new and outstanding generals emerge in Zhao? And how can I take your place? The King places such great trust in me; I will certainly not let him down. After this battle, once we repel Qin, my name, Yan Ju, will be renowned throughout the world. Lian Po is old; one day, I, Yan Ju, will surely surpass him. His heart was filled with ambition for the future.

「Qin Camp!」

"Senior General, we have tested them," Yang Duanhe said somberly. "The gates of Jinyang City are shut tight; they have no intention of reinforcing Lian Po. Just as you predicted, the King of Zhao is determined to let Lian Po die."

"How many more days until Wang Ben circles around to Lian Po's rear?" Wang Jian asked.

"He will arrive within six days," Yang Duanhe replied.

Wang Jian nodded and immediately ordered, "Six days from now, attack Jinyang City. You will lead your Sharp Warriors and launch the assault alongside Wang Ben. Once Wang Ben has annihilated Lian Po, our next step will be to combine forces and attack Jinyang from two gates."

"I understand," Yang Duanhe immediately accepted the command.

As Wang Jian was strategizing, he was unaware, and so was Lian Po, that a large army had already advanced silently from Wei toward the Zhao state.

North of Lincheng lay the Jinyang region, bordering Wei. However, no Frontier Army was stationed there due to the treaty between the two nations. Moreover, when Wei Wuji had gathered troops to defend Lincheng, he had informed Zhao, so they paid little attention to that direction. At this moment, all of Zhao's focus was on Wang Jian.

"Senior General, the Qin Army has not yet attacked the city. Perhaps they have already seen through our intentions," a Zhao general reported to Lian Po.

"Wang Jian is a capable general; naturally, he would understand. I estimate that he has already divided his forces, sending troops to deal with us first before besieging the city," Lian Po said with a faint smile.

"Then what should we do? Can we only wait for the Qin Army to attack?" the Zhao general asked worriedly.

"Apart from reacting defensively, our army has no other option," Lian Po sighed.

Just then, a scout rushed into Lian Po's tent. "Report! Our scouts have discovered a substantial number of Qin troops to the south, at least tens of thousands!"

Hearing this news, the previously calm Lian Po's expression changed. "Qin troops discovered to the south?"

He hurried to the map inside the tent, his eyes finding Jinyang's position before flicking southward. "Wang Jian should have two main divisions under his command. When they broke through at Quyang and Xiaquyang, they were advancing on two separate routes. Even if they took a detour, it would take time, and it's impossible for them to come from the south," Lian Po said gravely.

"So you mean the Qin Army couldn't possibly attack from the south, Senior General? Then could this force not be under Wang Jian's command?" a Zhao general asked.

"Not under Wang Jian's command?" Lian Po's gaze swept over the map, finally fixing on Lincheng.

At that, his expression changed dramatically. "This is bad."

"Senior General, what's wrong?" the Zhao generals asked, puzzled.

"If this force isn't under Wang Jian and is still coming from the south, there's only one possibility," Lian Po's voice trembled slightly. "Lincheng!"

"Impossible," a Zhao general said gravely. "Lord Xinling may have suffered a defeat, but he knew the Qin Army would have to pass through his Wei territory. He's already gathered a heavy force to guard Lincheng. Even if the Qin Army is powerful, they can't possibly have come from there, right?"

"Indeed. If this Qin army really came from Lincheng, how much time has passed? Don't tell me the Wei Army defending Lincheng couldn't even hold out for a few days?" the Zhao generals exclaimed in shock.

"Report!" another Scout cried, rushing in. "The Qin army from the south is now less than four li from our camp and is still closing in fast!"

"Wei Wuji... Wei..." Lian Po glanced at the map and muttered. But in the end, his words turned into a sigh of helplessness. "Prepare the army! We will meet them in battle."

"Report! Reporting to the Senior General! Scouts have just informed us that Lian Po's forces have broken camp and are moving south of Jinyang City!" a commander of Wang Jian's trusted aides reported.

"Lian Po is moving south?" Wang Jian was taken aback. He immediately stood up, his gaze falling on the map. "I cannot discern his intentions behind this maneuver," he stated, puzzled.

"Could he be preparing to retreat to Wei? Or perhaps trying to gather reinforcements there?" Yang Duanhe speculated.

"Does Wei have any reinforcements to call upon now?" Wang Jian countered.

"This..." Yang Duanhe didn't know how to respond.

"Keep a close eye on Lian Po's movements. He would not move his troops for no reason," Wang Jian directed solemnly.

"Understood," Yang Duanhe immediately replied.

「Inside Jinyang City」

"General, General Lian Po's army has started moving south," a Zhao general reported to Yan Ju.

Upon hearing the news, Yan Ju was first shocked, then angry. "He's actually retreating south? What is he trying to do? Is he planning to flee to Wei? Is he planning to betray the country?!"

Though Yan Ju despised Lian Po in his heart and wished for his death, he also knew that Lian Po's army stationed to the east was a valuable deterrent against the Qin Army, which benefited his own defense of the city.

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