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Wu Zhao looked at Yang Yi with admiration. “This strategy is excellent. Do you have a name for it?”

Yang Yi smiled slightly, revealing his white teeth. “Your Majesty, I call it ‘Liquid.\'”

The name struck everyone as peculiar. They thought, Isn’t it just a concoction of excrement? Wu Zhao rubbed her temples, trying to suppress a smile.

“Very good. With this liquid, it won’t be easy for the Turkic people to plunder Great Zhou’s borders.”

Yang Yi continued seriously, “Your Majesty, I actually have another idea. For instance, if we coat arrowheads with this liquid, even a scratch from an arrow will become fatal.”

A hush fell over the crowd. Everyone stared at Yang Yi in disbelief.

Did he really manage to make something deadly out of dung?

Li Yifu’s face twitched. This young man was truly cunning.

Shangguan Wan’er’s eyes widened in surprise. Just imagining soldiers on the battlefield using these arrows while holding their noses made her chuckle. Yang Yi’s ideas were indeed wild and unrestrained, but undeniably effective.

Wu Zhao remained silent for a moment, her gaze on Yang Yi turning somewhat thoughtful.

His methods were undeniably ruthless. She nodded slightly.

“With this liquid as a secret weapon, the Turks will be forced to reconsider their harassment of Great Zhou. Once we have inflicted enough pain, they will likely be eager to open trade between our countries. These two strategies will ensure their defeat…”

“Two strategies?” Everyone looked confused.

Wu Zhao smiled faintly and did not elaborate. She simply waved her hand. “I’m tired…”

Shangguan Wan’er bowed respectfully before instructing the guards to take the imperial carriage away. The Empress had piqued everyone’s curiosity, but since she had not elaborated, they did not dare to ask. Instead, they looked at Yang Yi with eager eyes, eager to learn about the strategy the Empress had mentioned for defeating the Turks.

Yang Yi spread his hands and smiled. “This is a military secret, so there is no need to ask me”

Half a month later, in Yuzhou City.

This border city, situated on the edge of Turkic territory, was not particularly large but was exceptionally well-built. The blue-gray city walls were seamless, straight, and smooth. Though not very high, they were still a formidable defense.

At the city wall…

“Captain Liu, is this really the secret weapon mentioned in the Emperor’s decree sent from thousands of miles away?”

A tall, dark-skinned man with a full beard stared at the wooden barrel before him, which was emitting a foul stench. The boiling dung juice inside released steaming hot fumes.

Captain Liu scratched the back of his head, his large, bell-like eyes filled with confusion.

“I suppose so. General Heichi gave those orders, and I heard it’s indeed the strategy from the newly appointed top scholar…”

“The Chief Scholar also mentioned using arrows dipped in this liquid against the enemy.”

As he finished speaking, the soldiers around him exchanged puzzled glances.

“Captain Liu, isn’t this nonsense? Just a barrel of dung, and you think it can be used in battle?”

“Yes, this is too ridiculous.”

“We’re risking our lives here, and a scholar who’s never seen a battlefield is giving orders?”

“We are soldiers of Great Zhou. Using a barrel of dung to attack seems a bit degrading.”

“How can we stand a chance against the fierce Turks with this dung juice?”

“That top scholar must be talking nonsense.”

“A young boy—what does he know about warfare?”

The crowd was filled with discontent. Unable to criticize the emperor directly, they directed their anger towards Yang Yi. Captain Liu shared their frustration. He understood his brothers’ sentiments—risking their lives only to be handed what they saw as an insult to their valor.

Captain Liu tried to reassure them. “Everyone, don’t be rash. Even General Heichi has approved this strategy. There must be something to this liquid.”

The dark-faced man scoffed. “I’ve been fighting for years, and never once have I heard of winning a battle with dung!”

“I’d rather die than use this stuff!” he added.

His words ignited murmurs of agreement among the others.

“Yes, I’d rather face death than use that liquid. It’s absurd!”

“Humph, if this stuff can defeat the Turks, I’ll eat it myself.”

“How could fierce, brutal Turks be intimidated by dung?”

“Anyway, I won’t use it. It’s too humiliating. That top scholar must be talking nonsense!”

“Yes, what does a bookish scholar know about warfare?”

As Captain Liu was about to respond, he noticed a dark shadow approaching from the corner of his eye. His expression turned serious.

“Stop arguing! The Turks are coming!”

The soldiers’ faces grew solemn as they looked into the distance. A large group of Turks, riding fine horses and with braided hair, charged towards them with greedy eyes.

“Hurry, close the gate!” someone shouted.

The soldiers at the gate quickly sprang into action, shutting the massive doors.

Soon, the Turks reached the gate. They threw grappling hooks, aiming for the city walls. These Turks were big, strong, and skilled at climbing.

Captain Liu and his men’s expressions shifted from frustration to alarm.

“Quick, stop them!” Captain Liu ordered.

The surrounding soldiers scrambled into action. They picked up stones and hurled them down onto the attackers.

Bang, bang, bang.

Many Turks were hit and fell from the wall, but the relentless assault continued as more soldiers climbed up.

The brutality and greed in the eyes of these Turkic soldiers were evident.

The dark-faced man beside Captain Liu shouted, “Damn it, we’re out of stones! Grab your weapons!”

The soldiers quickly seized their spears, preparing to fend off the attackers.

Despite their efforts, the Turkic soldiers were clearly seasoned warriors, wearing armour that offered them protection.

Though some were knocked down, more continued to ascend, undeterred.

Captain Liu’s eyes were bloodshot with frustration. The Turks had come unexpectedly, and the defenders were ill-prepared.

If the Turks succeeded in scaling the walls, the civilians behind them would be at their mercy.

In desperation, Captain Liu glanced at the barrels of boiling liquid beside him.

Gritting his teeth, he grabbed a large ladle, scooped up a ladleful of the foul-smelling liquid, and poured it down onto the attackers.