I Have a Date with a Thousand-year-old Female Corpse-Chapter 1972 - 1974: Who Are You

Lü Dai seized the moment, raising his right hand high: "Catapults, ready!"

To everyone’s shock, no fewer than thirty mobile catapults were rolled out onto the walls of Penglai City. Once secured in position, jars of burning oil and rocks were launched like a meteor shower. Taking advantage of the terrain, these projectiles easily sailed over the enemy’s first line of defense and crashed into their catapults and formations, causing a bit of chaos in the Cao Brothers’ camp.

However, Cao Cao’s troops, being veterans of many battles, reacted immediately, adjusting their positions and focusing their forces on the Western Gate and Northern Gate of Penglai City. This adjustment took nearly a day, and by now, the dusk was settling and the sun was setting in the west.

Zhen Luo, receiving a report from her subordinates, asked Lü Dai beside her, "General Lü, what on earth are these Cao Brothers plotting? They are fully attacking the Western and Northern Gates, leaving the Eastern and Southern Gates vacant. Could there be some trickery involved?"

Lü Dai furrowed his brow and pondered, "I’m not sure about any trickery, but if I’m not mistaken, those two gates might be left for another force."

"What!? Do they have reinforcements?"

Zhen Luo’s face showed surprise. For an attacking force of over 300,000, it was already challenging for just 100,000 to defend the city, much less against additional troops.

Lü Dai sighed and said, "Mistress, I should not bring this up at such a time to cause you worry, but I fear my suspicion is correct; those two will likely arrive tomorrow."

"Who are they?"

"Early on, when our lord appointed me commander of Penglai City, I often sent spies into Yan Province and inadvertently discovered some interactions between General Yu, General Yue, and Cao Cao."

At these words, Zhen Luo took several steps back in disbelief: "That’s impossible! Yu Jin and Yue Jin have long been my husband’s loyal generals, helping him to repel Cao Cao’s invasion of Xuzhou years ago. If they were with Cao Cao, Xuzhou would have been his with just a little maneuvering!"

"I too find it hard to believe, but our spies are loyal and would not fabricate such information."

When it came to loyalty, Lü Dai was indeed steadfast to you, but after your untimely death, he found himself at a loss. Zhen Luo appeared with her son and persuaded Lü Dai to regain his confidence and assist your son in taking on your legacy.

Zhen Luo sighed and fell silent.

Lü Dai cautiously asked, "Mistress, should we ask Eastern Capital for aid?"

"Eastern Capital?" Zhen Luo instinctively looked southward, but the night was advancing, with only stars visible. "General Lü, do you think I have the face to see them?"

At this moment, Lü Dai would not hesitate; he foresaw the brutal battle ahead. It was not out of fear for his own life, as a man’s destiny was to die on the battlefield, but because Lü Dai did not want your legacy to be undone by his own hands.

"Mistress, Mistress Zhao is benevolent, and your disagreements with Mistress Mi aside, if you seek aid from Mistress Zhao, they will certainly send troops to assist. Together, we could even reclaim Pengcheng and Kaiyang City!"

Truly, for Zhen Luo, the past year had been exhausting, revealing the strain of being a powerful woman. She had always envied Zhao Yu for being the elder sister, but now, even if the position were gifted to her, she would refuse it. Often, Zhen Luo envied her own elder sister. You left behind only three heirs, and of the three women who bore your children, only Zhen Jiang lived comfortably.

Zhen Luo made up her mind and declared to Lü Dai, "I’ll write a letter of penitence immediately, General Lü, please dispatch a messenger on horseback to seek aid from Eastern Capital!" 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"Wise decision, Mistress!"

Hearing Zhen Luo’s decision, Lü Dai finally felt a weight lift from his heart. Yet he added, "The land route may be impassable through enemy lines, but we’ve stationed ships at sea that can swiftly carry a signal to Eastern Capital."

That night, Zhen Luo had a restful sleep. But at dawn, the sound of roaring and killing woke her in alarm.

After donning her armor and a quick wash, Zhen Luo ascended the city walls, where Lü Dai was already calmly commanding the situation.

Seeing Zhen Luo arrive, Lü Dai spoke steadily, "Mistress, as I feared, Yu Jin and Yue Jin have indeed betrayed us. No, they have merely revealed their tusks; they have been lurking, waiting for this opportunity."

Zhen Luo’s expression changed, but she kept her composure and asked, "Has the fighting begun on the southern and eastern sides?"

"Not yet. Yu Jin and Yue Jin are stationed on the east and south sides, and it seems Mistress Mi has come too." At this, Lü Dai lowered his head, sighing inwardly. He had been prepared for Yu Jin and Yue Jin’s betrayal but did not anticipate Mi Xiang’s involvement. The most troubling was that Mi Xiang had brought your son.

"Mi Xiang! How dare that wench!"

Lü Dai nodded, "No movement yet from the enemy on the east and south sides. They sent a message, saying Mrs. Mi wishes to speak with you."

Lü Dai calling her "Mrs. Mi" indicated he had completely discarded any notion of her being "Mistress."

Lü Dai’s calling her ’Mrs. Mi’ indicated he had completely discarded any notion of her being ’Mistress.’

Zhen Luo kept a stern face and, under heavy guard, climbed the southern tower. From atop the high castle walls, she fixed her gaze on the thick crowd of enemy troops ahead. Once, they were your pride, your blood, and tears, the ones who drove away Cao Cao’s invading tens of thousands and made your name renowned throughout the Nine Provinces. Yet now, they had become the shame of the entire Xuzhou military!

The moment Zhen Luo appeared, every member of the Kaiyang City garrison lowered their heads, unable to meet her eyes out of shame.

Zhen Luo was acutely aware of this, and she seized a wooden megaphone from a maid, shouting loudly, "Can anyone tell me, who are you!?"

"Who are you—who—who..."

The voice echoed across the vast space, reaching every ear, but no one dared to look up and answer. For even the highest-ranking officers were unsure of whom they were truly fighting for.