Qin Shi: I only work eight hours

Chapter 353 Three Strategies

The soldiers dismissed their attendants and jogged to Magistrate Pang's side.

"Several thousand Qin soldiers suddenly appeared outside the city."

The soldier lowered his voice.

The people of Zhao both hated and feared Qin. If this matter were to spread, they would surely be filled with anxiety.

Are you sure it's the Qin army?

Magistrate Pang frowned.

If it really was the Qin army, he would have to consider running away.

It's impossible to defend it.

Upon hearing this, Wanqiu, who was sitting reclining on the couch, frowned slightly.

Although she didn't know martial arts, she had excellent hearing and could hear clearly what Magistrate Pang and his soldiers were saying.

People say that the Qin Dynasty was tyrannical and immoral, but I wonder if the Qin army was really as people say?

Before, Wanqiu would not have questioned anything, but after Lord Pingyuan died, she discovered that many things were completely different from what she had imagined.

"determine."

The soldier answered.

"how many people?"

Magistrate Pang asked.

"It should be less than five thousand, but they are all cavalry."

The soldiers estimated.

He dared not understate the amount, fearing that if he failed to protect it, he would be blamed.

"Don't make this public for now."

"Are your family members still in the city?"

Magistrate Pang asked again.

"Yes."

The soldiers nodded.

"Send them to Handan."

"With my family."

Magistrate Pang spoke.

Although he was ugly, he was always kind to his subordinates.

For him, it didn't matter whether he sent more or fewer people to Handan.

"Thank you, sir!"

The soldiers were overjoyed and knelt on one knee.

Magistrate Pang helped him up and patted him on the shoulder forcefully.

After the soldiers had gone far away, Magistrate Pang turned and looked at Wanqiu.

Feeling the intense gaze of Magistrate Pang, Wanqiu placed her hands on her waist.

She carried a dagger at her waist, which she could use to commit suicide or to defend herself.

Although Magistrate Pang treats his subordinates well, what does that have to do with her?

Would you like to come with me?

Magistrate Pang asked.

With the Qin army at the city gates, he had lost all will to fight.

The Qin army could attack the city at any time. He was lustful, but not a lustful person.

He can still tell what's important and what's not.

"I am willing."

Late Autumn nodded slightly.

Does she have a choice?

Now that things have come to this, she can only take it one step at a time.

Magistrate Pang looked pleased with himself and had Wanqiu sent to his home.

Then he went to the county government office to discuss countermeasures.

After everyone had arrived, Magistrate Pang coughed a few times and cleared his throat.

"The Qin army is at the city gates. What do you all think we should do?"

Magistrate Pang asked.

"As far as I know, the Qin army consists entirely of cavalry, so they are nothing to fear."

"Our army only needs to defend the city, and the enemy will retreat on their own in less than half a month."

The man in white looked calm.

"What if the enemy doesn't retreat after half a month?"

"I once heard a saying: 'The Qin sword, once drawn, has always drunk blood.' Do you think the Qin army will retreat so easily?"

Magistrate Pang pressed for further questioning.

"If you don't back down, we'll fight."

“Defending a city is much easier than attacking it, especially since Dongyang has natural defenses.”

The man in white maintained his usual tone.

In recent years, Qin has not waged war against Zhao, causing many officials in Zhao to forget the terror of the Qin army.

"You all think so too?"

Magistrate Pang looked at the officials who had not spoken.

The officials nodded in agreement.

What do you think, Lao Yu?

Magistrate Pang looked at his advisor, who had his hands tucked into his sleeves.

It took Lao Yu quite a while to come to his senses.

"You're asking me, sir?"

Lao Yu asked.

"if not?"

Magistrate Pang was immediately displeased.

At this critical moment of life and death, Lao Yu actually fell asleep?

"I have three strategies."

"First, attack them by surprise, before the main Qin army arrives and before they can establish a firm foothold." "Second, hold your ground and await reinforcements, while reinforcing the city walls and writing to the king to request reinforcements."

"Third, lure them into the trap, gather them together and annihilate them. In this way, you, sir, will become famous throughout the world!"

Old Yu said with a smile.

He enjoys offering advice and suggestions.

After listening, Magistrate Pang rubbed his fingers and fell into deep thought.

To catch them off guard?

The Qin army's elite troops are each worth ten men; to launch a rash attack would be suicidal.

This plan is too risky!

While holding out and waiting for reinforcements may not be particularly effective, it is a safe and reliable strategy.

As for the last plan, inviting the enemy into the trap is too risky. Should we invite the enemy into the trap or let the wolf into the house?

If he is not careful, he, Lao Pang, will be nailed to the pillar of historical shame!

Magistrate Pang was not one to take risky military actions, so he adopted the second strategy: to hold the position and wait for reinforcements.

Lao Yu is not only good at strategizing, but also has a sharp tongue.

Therefore, Magistrate Pang entrusted the task of seeking help from Handan to Lao Yu.

……

Several hours later.

It was almost midnight when Magistrate Pang finished dealing with official business.

The Qin army's sudden appearance means there are many things to arrange.

After a moment of contemplation, Magistrate Pang decided to go home for dinner.

If all goes well, Wanqiu will go to Handan with her family tomorrow or the day after.

Before they left, Magistrate Pang planned to have a good meal.

Before long, Magistrate Pang arrived at the Pang residence.

By this time, his many wives had already gone to sleep.

"Sir, you haven't had dinner yet?"

Seeing that Magistrate Pang looked exhausted, the steward respectfully inquired.

"Anything will do."

"With a formidable enemy at hand, I have little appetite."

Magistrate Pang waved his sleeve.

"promise!"

The steward immediately accepted the order.

Magistrate Pang's statement does not mean he can actually do it.

Although Magistrate Pang is the only one who needs to eat dinner, he still has to have the cook prepare at least four dishes.

It's one thing to not be able to finish the food, but it's another to not have cooked it at all!

Some things are better left unsaid!

Upon entering the study, Magistrate Pang first inquired about Wanqiu's condition.

"grown ups."

"It seems that neither the second or third wife likes the newcomer."

The maid answered respectfully.

Why?

Magistrate Pang asked.

"This servant does not know either."

The maid shook her head.

She knew, but dared not say it.

Magistrate Pang's second and third wives were both country women who were barely literate. Wanqiu, on the other hand, was a distant relative of Lord Pingyuan and was proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. So they were not the same kind of people at all, so how could they possibly be on the same page?

Magistrate Pang did not mind this.

Since they're all concubines anyway, a little conflict doesn't matter.

Anyone who goes too far will be divorced immediately.

……

After an incense stick has burned.

The butler personally carried several dishes to the study.

Magistrate Pang liked to eat meat, so the cook prepared three plates of meat and one plate of vegetables.

"Didn't I just say that anything will do?"

"Why did you make so many dishes?"

Magistrate Pang blurted out the answer.

He's gotten used to acting; even when there are no outsiders around, he'll subconsciously act.

"not much."

"Please enjoy your meal, sir!"

The butler smiled apologetically.

After he left, Magistrate Pang rolled up his sleeves and began to feast.

After eating and drinking his fill, Magistrate Pang wiped his mouth with toilet paper and went to Wanqiu's room at a leisurely pace.

The lights in Wanqiu's room were already off, but Wanqiu was not asleep.

Late Autumn was contemplating whether or not she should continue living.

She did not want a life of homelessness and uncertainty.

Magistrate Pang chased away the maid and pushed open the wooden door.

Then he went straight to the bed.

Upon hearing footsteps, Wanqiu immediately sat up.

"So you're still awake."

"So good."

"I am very tired today."

Magistrate Pang was overjoyed.

He desperately needs someone to give him a good massage.

Magistrate Pang was already ugly, and in the dim moonlight, his blue face and fangs made him look like a demon, which made Wanqiu feel disgusted.

Just as Wanqiu was contemplating whether to perish together with Magistrate Pang, the steward suddenly arrived to report that something terrible had happened. (End of Chapter)