Chapter 218 - Desolate Liangzhou (Part Eighteen)
Zhou Tong, the commander of Liangzhou, smiled bitterly. "Whether we are facing five hundred thousand or a million, what difference is there for us?"
Jiang Chao glanced around cautiously and lowered his voice. "Lord Zhou, may I have a word in private?"
Zhou Tong narrowed his eyes slightly and gestured inward. "Please, General."
Jiang Chao cupped his hands in salute and followed Zhou Tong into the Command Post.
The two entered the building and walked to the inner hall. After the servants brought tea, Zhou Tong waved them away and said, "General, speak freely."
Jiang Chao moistened his dry lips and began, "To be honest, my lord, apart from being ordered to assist Liangzhou Prefecture, I also brought a directive from External Prime Minister Qi."
Zhou Tong raised an eyebrow. "A directive... What directive?"
Jiang Chao swallowed and said, "Minister Qi anticipated that the Northern Qiang army would arrive ahead of schedule and that Liangzhou Prefecture would be in grave danger. So, he instructed me to deliver this plan.
"There are tens of thousands of civilians in the city. If the situation becomes dire, they can be ordered to assist in defending the walls."
"What!" Zhou Tong’s eyes widened. "How can this be?!"
"Minister Qi said..." Jiang Chao stared into Zhou Tong’s eyes and recounted slowly, "Liangzhou Prefecture cannot fall. The Northern Qiang’s attack on Liangzhou will eventually target the capital. If Liangzhou holds, you, Lord Zhou, will be a hero of the Ruen Dynasty. But if it doesn’t..."