411: Chapter 411 Pre-battle Tension

The tension among the villagers of Xixi Village, so thick it felt almost solidified, spread silently like an invisible yet powerful force, deeply affecting the hundred or so special forces members brought by Zhao Fusu.

Although these special forces members were all elites carefully selected and trained by Great Qin, Great Qin had not experienced any major wars for several years, and not many of them had truly been on a battlefield or experienced life-and-death combat firsthand.

At this moment, facing the thousand bandits about to surge in like a tide, it was inevitable that ripples of anxiety would stir within their hearts.

Their expressions gradually grew somber, and the hint of tension was now faintly visible in their originally resolute eyes.

Some members subconsciously tightened their grip on their weapons, their knuckles turning white from the force, and the veins on the backs of their hands slightly bulging.

Their breathing became rapid, their chests heaving quickly, and their gazes remained fixed on the direction from which the bandits were about to appear, their eyes filled with both vigilance and a trace of unease.

One young member had fine beads of sweat constantly seeping from his forehead, trickling down his cheeks; he subconsciously raised his hand to wipe them away, but his hand was trembling slightly.

Others shifted their feet back and forth involuntarily, as if searching for a more stable stance, or perhaps because they were too anxious to remain calm.

They were well aware that the opposing bandits numbered over a thousand.

Among them were over a hundred cavalrymen with extreme speed, and more than nine hundred fierce and malevolent infantrymen.

Yet, on their side, there were only a little over a hundred people; with such a stark disparity in numbers, this was undoubtedly an extremely arduous confrontation.

They were also made of flesh and blood, so naturally, they would feel nervous and afraid when faced with such immense pressure.

Zhao Fusu's expression was equally grave, as rigid as iron. Looking toward the direction where dust was rising and the bandits were about to arrive, he felt as if a heavy burden of a thousand catties was pressing down on his heart.

Although the weapons in their hands could be called excellent, facing the numerous and aggressive bandits, they were not only outnumbered but also shouldered the heavy responsibility of protecting the villagers of Xixi Village. For them, the pressure was as heavy as a mountain.

He furrowed his brows slightly, falling into tense contemplation. His fingers subconsciously rubbed his chin, and his brain raced, attempting to find the best strategy to counter the enemy.

Meanwhile, the First Emperor and General General Wang Jian also fixed their gazes intently upon him.

As a General of Great Qin who had campaigned on the battlefield for many years, General Wang Jian was experienced; faced with these bandits, he could naturally devise a way to respond.

However, they were too few in number. In a situation of fighting against superior numbers, even if he could command the troops to defeat the bandits, their own casualties would inevitably be heavy. More importantly, given such a stark disparity in strength, it would be difficult to ensure the villagers were fully protected.

All of this was because the bandits had come too suddenly; they simply had no time to prepare defensive fortifications in advance or formulate a detailed battle plan.

The air was filled with a tense atmosphere, as if an invisible hand were tightly gripping everyone's hearts.

The villagers hid in the corners, looking outside in terror, not daring to even breathe loudly; the occasional cries of children were hurriedly stifled by the adults covering their mouths.

The special forces members brought by Zhao Fusu all had tense expressions, their hands resting on their weapons, ready to fight at any moment. Their backs were soaked with sweat, yet they were completely unaware.

A hint of worry appeared in the First Emperor's eyes. He knew well how tricky this crisis was, and at this moment, he pinned his hopes on Zhao Fusu.

General Wang Jian narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze holding both an assessment of the situation and anticipation for Zhao Fusu.

He knew that Zhao Fusu was always resourceful and could always come up with ingenious strategies in dire situations.

This time, facing the sudden attack by the bandits, he wanted to know if Zhao Fusu could, as always, come up with a good plan that could both repel the bandits and minimize casualties while protecting the villagers.

Time flowed slowly in the tense atmosphere, every second feeling so long. Everyone was waiting for Zhao Fusu's decision, and this impending battle, like the Sword of Damocles hanging overhead, caused adrenaline to surge, and emotions began to heighten.

"I have it!"

It was at this very moment that a smile appeared on Zhao Fusu's face.

Upon seeing Zhao Fusu's reaction, the special forces members all looked at him curiously, wanting to know what good idea His Majesty the Head of State had come up with.

General Wang Jian was equally curious; he was also wondering what kind of good plan Zhao Fusu had come up with.