PDLP Chapter 332 Li Zhen Returns to the Modern World
Chapter 332 Li Zhen Returns to the Modern World
Despite the relentless and fierce attacks launched by Li's army against Dingzhou City, with gunpowder flashing across the sky and consumption reaching staggering levels in the past two days, the city's builders, seemingly prescient sages, forged its walls to be as impregnable as the towering reinforced concrete fortresses of later generations. Undeterred by the roar of cannons, they stood firm, demonstrating a resilience and indomitable spirit that transcends time.
Wang Changdao had meticulously planned to use explosives to blast open the fortified city gates of Dingzhou, then lead his Li family army in a fierce charge like tigers descending a mountain, engaging in a bloody battle in the narrow streets. He knew that the Li family army soldiers, armed with specially made threaded steel spears and stamped steel broadswords, were far more practical and deadly in the complex urban warfare than firearms that were far out of reach.
However, things didn't go as planned. Dingzhou Prefect Li Huaixi had already anticipated this and laid down multiple layers of defense. He ordered his men to seal the gates with massive stones, completely blocking the passages to the four city gates and utterly thwarting the Li family army's attempt to storm the city from the front. This sudden turn of events instantly shattered Wang Changdao's meticulously planned siege strategy, and the anticipated clash of steel was mercilessly blocked outside the thick stone walls.
Wang Changdao, holding binoculars, gazed intently at the distant city walls. His eyes seemed to pierce through the thick smoke, looking directly into the heart of the Jin army's defenses. After a long while, he slowly lowered the binoculars, his expression grave as he issued a new order, commanding his soldiers to halt the fierce and brutal assault. Although their offensive, like a raging storm, had greatly shaken the impregnable walls and inflicted heavy casualties on the Jin army atop the walls, their own soldiers had also suffered considerable losses in this protracted battle. Such a head-on confrontation was tantamount to using flesh and blood to fill an endless abyss—far too exhausting for their forces.
"Pass on my military order," Wang Changdao's voice was steady and powerful, each word carrying the weight of a thousand pounds, "From this moment on, seal off Dingzhou City. Neither man nor bird shall even think of flying out of this city!"
The formidable city walls and tightly closed gates made Li's army's assault exceptionally difficult. Several officers of Li's army huddled together, their brows furrowed, discussing their next move. After careful consideration, they decided to employ a more covert and deadly tactic—digging tunnels. Their plan was to dig tunnels beneath the city walls, then stockpile enough explosives in the narrow, dark space to shake the walls' foundations. Once detonated, even the most impregnable fortress would be reduced to dust by this earth-shattering blow.
In a corner of the ancient city of Tangyin, Li Zhen has been extremely busy these past few days, as if he were tightly bound by invisible ropes, unable to find a moment's rest. He shuttles between the secret collection operations of the Li Family Army, carefully storing precious cultural relics and calligraphy and paintings in his spatial pouch as if they were priceless treasures. When the night is quiet, he transforms into a diligent guardian of gold, meticulously sorting and classifying the mountain of gold.
Time slipped by unnoticed, and through this relentless accumulation, the amount of gold within Li Zhen's mysterious space had soared to an astonishing astronomical figure. However, this dazzling gold was not uniform; it existed in various forms: there were heavy gold ingots, exuding an antique charm; there were neatly arranged gold bricks, each gleaming with an alluring light; and there were exquisite gold jewelry pieces, each bearing the craftsman's dedication and the imprint of its era. This gold, like fragments of history, quietly recounted the past glories and vicissitudes.
Gazing at the dazzling array of rare treasures before him, Li Zhen felt an indescribable urge and decided to travel back to the modern world once more. Although at this moment, the Li family army was engaged in fierce battles with the Jin army, with war drums beating incessantly, in his view, such a localized and limited battle was more than enough to be led by the wise and brave Bu Liang.
During this period, the Li family army's infrastructure development and external expansion have been in full swing, like a tiger descending the mountain, unstoppable. However, behind this magnificent feat lies the gradual depletion of modern resources in Li Zhen's mysterious space, which are nearly exhausted. In particular, the seemingly ordinary cement has become an indispensable cornerstone in the current grand construction projects, its importance self-evident.
Under such circumstances, Li Zhen's return was not only due to the urgent need for supplies, but also a subtle arrangement for the future battle.
Just as everything was ready and they were about to set off, Li Zhen slowly took out the jade pendant that contained endless mysteries. With practiced ease, he picked up the syringe and gently inserted it into his veins. Crimson blood flowed out, carrying the warmth and vitality of life. Carefully, as if performing a sacred ritual, he meticulously and evenly applied drop by drop of this warm blood to every inch of the jade pendant's surface, until the entire pendant was tinged with a faint, life-colored hue belonging to him.
He was not alone on this journey, but with Zhao Yingluo and their child—a lively and adorable child—on their way home. Time flies, and the grandparents at home have not seen their grandchildren's smiling faces for far too long; their longing for them is like a gentle stream, flowing endlessly.
As the dazzling white light gradually dissipated, Li Zhen and his family of three finally returned to their long-awaited modern home. Everywhere they looked, there were familiar yet contemporary modern furnishings. Li Zhen couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions, a warmth of homecoming mixed with a sense of being transported back in time.
As Xiao Yuchen grew taller, his clothes at home were no longer suitable. So, Li Zhen decided to go out first to pick out some new clothes that fit the little guy, to solve this sudden "size crisis." As for him and Zhao Yingluo, they were still wearing the old clothes that had survived the changes of time but still carried their memories, as if using them as a subtle link between the past and the present.
Little Yuchen stared with his big, round eyes, looking around with curiosity, his eyes seemingly filled with countless questions. He gently tugged at Zhao Yingluo's sleeve and asked in a soft, sweet voice, "Mother, why do we have two homes? They look so different, like two completely different worlds."
Zhao Yingluo had changed into a simple yet stylish modern outfit. She smiled and bent down, gently stroking her son's pert little nose, her eyes full of affection: "Yes, we not only have two homes, but we also live in two completely different worlds. You'll understand this as you grow older. But remember, these wonderful things can only be our little secret for now, and we shouldn't tell anyone."
Upon returning to the modern world, the first thing Li Zhen did was to go to a nearby restaurant and book a private room. The three of them ordered a large table full of dishes, and after a whirlwind of eating, Li Zhen patted his round belly with satisfaction and smiled contentedly.