Pei Yan smiled faintly. “You may rise.”
Chen An stood up, suddenly turning his head away. Ning Jianyu laughed heartily and extended his right hand towards Tong Min. Tong Min helplessly grinned, “Can we settle this later?”
Ning Jianyu wouldn’t relent. He wrapped his left arm around Tong Min’s waist and reached for his belt with his right hand. Tong Min laughed and scolded, “Xiao An Zi, we haven’t seen each other in a year and a half, and the moment we meet, you make me lose my belt.”
Ning Jianyu yanked off Tong Min’s belt, turned around, and smiled, “I said Xiao An Zi would surely shed tears upon seeing the Marquis. Tong Min didn’t believe me, but I won.”
Chen An turned back, traces of tears still visible in the corners of his eyes, but he chuckled, “Brother Tong, I’m sorry about that. That’s what you get for not taking me along.”
Tong Min, holding up his trousers with his left hand, tried to kick Chen An with his right foot. Chen An dodged, and as Tong Min struggled to keep his military pants from falling, he became flustered. Pei Yan shook his head and laughed, “I’ll let you off this time, but no more such foolishness in the future!”
He turned to Wei Zhao with a smile, “These boys grew up together. They haven’t seen each other for a long time, so they’re a bit rowdy. Please don’t mind them, Official Wei.”
Wei Zhao smiled, “I’ve heard of the Young Lord’s Long Feng Guards’ reputation, and I’ve also heard about their backgrounds. I assume these are the ones you spoke of.”
Pei Yan nodded, watching Chen An and Tong Min still chasing each other. He smiled, “They’re all orphans I adopted at Long Feng Mountain Manor. They’ve been with me since childhood, each like my own siblings.”
Jiang Ci, hearing Pei Yan speak with unprecedented emotion, found it strange and couldn’t help but glance at him. Pei Yan seemed to sense it and turned his gaze towards her. Jiang Ci quickly hid behind Cui Liang.
Meanwhile, Chen An and Tong Min came back, arms around each other’s shoulders. Pei Yan asked Ning Jianyu, “Where’s Xu Jun?”
Ning Jianyu’s eyes dimmed slightly, “He’s been at the border fortress and refuses to come down. He says he wants to kill Zhang Zhicheng with his own hands to avenge Fifth Brother.”
Pei Yan sighed lightly, “Let him be then. With his temperament, no one can persuade him otherwise. Later, quietly let him know I’ve arrived at the army camp, so he’s aware.”
He continued, “Now that almost everyone is here, listen up. The fact that I’ve arrived at Niu Bi Mountain should be known only to those who came with me and those present in this tent. If other brothers ask, act mysterious, but don’t confirm anything. Understood?”
“Yes,” everyone in the tent responded in unison.
“You can all show yourselves and go about your business,” Pei Yan turned to Wei Zhao and said, “However, Official Wei and I cannot appear in public. We’ll have to trouble you to stay with me in this central command tent.”
Wei Zhao smiled calmly, slightly bowing, “I have many things to discuss with the Young Lord.” He added, “Rest assured, Young Lord, those I brought with me are all trusted confidants.”
Pei Yan waved his hand, and the others left. Only Ning Jianyu, Cui Liang, Jiang Ci, and Wei Zhao remained in the tent. After a moment’s hesitation, Jiang Ci followed Tong Min and the others out of the tent.
Standing at the entrance of the large tent, Tong Min, who had always been with Pei Yan, recognized her and came over with a smile, “Miss Jiang—”
Jiang Ci quickly said, “Brother Tong, this is a military camp. Just call me Jiang Ci.”
Tong Min chuckled, “That’s right. We Long Feng Cavalry brothers are rule-abiding, but there are some people from Gao Cheng here. If they find out you’re a young lady, it could be troublesome.”
Jiang Ci, who had rarely spoken with the Long Feng Guards before, now felt some fondness towards them. She smiled and asked, “Brother Tong, have you all been with the Lord since childhood?”
“Yes, many of the Long Feng Guard brothers are orphans without parents, taken in by the Madam and the old Marquis at Long Feng Mountain Manor. We learned the martial arts of Long Feng Mountain Manor there. I’ve been with the Lord since I was nine, An Cheng even earlier, from age six. Chen An came a bit later, at eleven, but he’s the Lord’s favorite.”
As they were talking, Cui Liang and Ning Jianyu came out of the tent smiling. Seeing Jiang Ci standing in front of the large tent, Cui Liang said, “Xiao Ci, come here.”
Jiang Ci smiled at Tong Min and walked to Cui Liang’s side. Cui Liang turned to Ning Jianyu and said, “General Ning, this is my sister Jiang Ci. I’d like her to follow the army physician as an apprentice. Could you arrange that?”
Ning Jianyu, being a meticulous person, immediately understood that Jiang Ci’s presence in the army must have been approved by Pei Yan, and there was likely more to it. He smiled and said, “How about this: I’ll have them set up a small tent for Miss Jiang to stay in, and tomorrow I’ll have someone take her to meet the army physician.”
Jiang Ci smiled, “Thank you, General Ning.”
As Ning Jianyu went to instruct his subordinates, Cui Liang whispered in Jiang Ci’s ear, “The Long Feng Guards will secretly protect you. Stay here comfortably, follow the army physician, and if anything happens, come find me.”
At the beginning of the Zi hour (11 PM – 1 AM).
Ning Jianyu and Cui Liang entered the tent. Pei Yan tossed the chess piece in his hand back into the box, and Wei Zhao also stood up. The two exchanged a smile, took the black cloth handed over by Ning Jianyu, and covered their faces. The four of them, along with Tong Min and a few others, quietly left the tent and headed towards the border fortress.
Although it was already midnight, the border fortress was still brightly lit. To prevent an attack from Bo’s army, the Long Feng Cavalry took turns guarding the Niu Bi Mountain border fortress.
The group climbed to the main ridge of Niu Bi Mountain on the north side of the border fortress. Ning Jianyu said, “Our current position is right above the two mountain caves that look like ox nostrils. To the east are cliffs, and to the south, past the border fortress, is the treacherous section of the Xiaojing River, known as ‘Ghost’s Sorrow.’ It’s currently the summer flood season, and further west, Jing Prefecture troops are guarding Meilin Ferry. Bo’s army has absolutely no way to launch boats for a Western attack from here, so their focus is still on battling with us at the border fortress.”
Cui Liang looked north, “According to the map, about ten miles north is where the Lou Mountain and Yanming Mountain ranges meet.”
“Yes, so unless Bo’s army passes through Niu Bi Mountain here, if they set their sights on the north, they’d have to clash with Huan’s army in the northern part of Yanming Mountain and then cross south. They wouldn’t be that foolish.”
Cui Liang said, “Yu Wen Jinglun isn’t foolish either. At this time, he won’t clash with Bo Yunshan.”
“The fear is that they might join forces, focusing on attacking either Niu Bi Mountain or Daimei Ridge first, and then dividing Hexi Prefecture between them,” Ning Jianyu said with a hint of worry.
Pei Yan glanced at Wei Zhao and said calmly, “Bo Yunshan has been guarding the border in Long Prefecture for many years and has killed many people from the Huan Kingdom. It’s not easy for the two sides to cooperate. Moreover, if Yu Wen Jinglun brings Bo Yunshan into Hexi Prefecture, he’d have to worry about us outflanking him from the west. He won’t put himself in such a precarious position.”
Wei Zhao stood with his hands behind his back, looking towards the rushing Xiaojing River in the distance, saying nothing.
Ning Jianyu said, “The Marquis’s strategy is good, but Bo Yunshan has been campaigning for many years and won’t easily fall for it. These days, his attacks have been very methodical, not reckless. It seems he knows we only have enough provisions to last a month. He’s playing a game of attrition, wanting to wear us down before launching a full-scale attack.”
Pei Yan nodded, “Bo Yunshan has been planning for years and is well-prepared. Last winter, under the pretext of defending against a Huan army attack, he obtained a large amount of provisions from the imperial court. Zheng Prefecture and other areas have always been wealthy. I estimate he has enough supplies and military pay to last for more than half a year.”
Ning Jianyu pondered, “Our forces are inferior to theirs. Launching an attack gives us little chance of victory. We can only use the terrain to our advantage and find a way to lure Bo Yunshan into initiating an attack.”
Pei Yan smiled, “There is a way, but it depends on how convincingly you can act.”
Ning Jianyu understood and smiled, “You’re making me act again while you watch from the sidelines, Marquis.”
Pei Yan laughed heartily, “You’re the commander here. If you don’t get injured, who will?”
The thick clouds moved, obscuring the bright moon in the sky. Wei Zhao slowly turned, looking towards Bo’s army camp, and calmly said, “Young Lord must not be careless. Bo Yunshan has been a battlefield veteran for over twenty years, with numerous fierce generals under his command. Even if he falls for the trap and launches a full-scale attack, we don’t have a definite chance of victory in this battle.”
“Indeed. But circumstances compel us to fight this life-and-death battle with him. He can afford to drag things out, but we can’t. I estimate Tian Ce can hold out for a month or two without problems, but if it drags on too long, there might be unexpected changes.” Pei Yan turned to Cui Liang, “As for whether we can win this life-and-death battle, it depends on Zi Ming.”
Cui Liang looked towards the border fortress, inwardly sighing, and said softly, “After this battle, I don’t know how many lonely souls will be added to Niu Bi Mountain.”
Pei Yan said, “Zi Ming, you have compassion for heaven and earth and don’t wish to see corpses strewn everywhere. But if we can’t win this battle, I fear even more of our Hua Dynasty civilians will die. The history of Bo’s army and Huan’s army massacring cities is well-known. Not to mention earlier incidents, just last month, thousands of civilians died in Cheng Prefecture. The Bo army has already plundered almost all the money and silver from the common people in Zheng Prefecture, leaving nine out of ten households empty. If we let them take Hexi Prefecture, the consequences are unimaginable.”
Cui Liang lowered his head and said no more.
Wei Zhao looked at Cui Liang, then gazed towards Bo’s army camp in the east, also remaining silent.
Jiang Ci finally had a small tent to herself. The tent was fully equipped, presumably on Ning Jianyu’s orders, and soldiers had even brought in a large vat of water. She set up a rope in one corner of the tent, hung up her clothes as a screen, quickly took a bath, and then had a good night’s sleep.
Early the next morning, a captain came to take her to the army physician. The Long Feng Cavalry had three army physicians, all in their forties. The chief physician, Ling Chengdao, had a thin face and no beard on his chin. When Jiang Ci entered the medical tent, he was changing the dressing for an injured soldier. Hearing the captain relay Ning Jianyu’s message, he merely grunted without looking up. After the captain left, he finished applying the herbal medicine and extended his right hand, saying, “Bandage!”
Jiang Ci understood. She quickly scanned the tent, found where the bandages were kept, grabbed some scissors, and rushed back to the army physician. She handed the bandage to Physician Ling, who wrapped the soldier’s right arm. Jiang Ci then handed him the scissors. He cut the bandage, patted the soldier’s forehead, and said, “Not bad, kid. You’ve got guts!”
Without looking at Jiang Ci, he went to wash his hands. Hearing Jiang Ci’s approach, he asked, “Have you studied medicine before?”
“Not formally, but I’ve seen others bandage wounds, and I’ve been reading ‘The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon’ these past few days.”
Hearing her voice, Ling Chengdao suddenly looked up and examined Jiang Ci from head to toe. Jiang Ci knew this experienced army physician must have realized she was a woman. She smiled and said softly, “Physician Ling, I sincerely want to learn medicine and do something for the wounded soldiers. Please treat me as an apprentice. I can do anything.”
Ling Chengdao pondered for a moment, then asked, “You’re studying the ‘Plain Questions’?”
“Yes,” Jiang Ci replied.
“Let me ask you a few questions.”
“Alright.”
“How does the body react if it goes against the natural seasonal qi?”
“Going against spring qi prevents the generation of lesser yang, causing liver qi to change internally. Going against summer qi prevents the growth of greater yang, causing heart qi to become hollow. Going against autumn qi prevents the contraction of greater yin, causing lung qi to become scorched and full. Going against winter qi prevents the storage of lesser yin, causing kidney qi to sink alone.”
“Hmm, now tell me, what causes chest pain and shortness of breath?”
“Chest pain and shortness of breath are caused by water qi in the viscera. Water is yin qi, and when yin qi is in the center, it causes chest pain and shortness of breath.”
Military Physician Ling nodded, “You’ve memorized the ‘Plain Questions’ well, but in our military camp, we focus on saving lives and treating external injuries. We see mangled flesh and blood. Can you handle such hardship?”
“Military Physician Ling, since I’ve come here, I’m prepared for everything,” Jiang Ci replied calmly, looking him directly in the eye.
Military Physician Ling studied her for a moment, then smiled slightly, “Very well. Since General Ning has ordered it, I’ll take you on as my medicinal apprentice. Follow me.”
As they spoke, more wounded soldiers were carried in. Jiang Ci quickly washed her hands and followed behind Military Physician Ling. She saw soldiers with arrow wounds, spear wounds, or sword cuts, all with bloody and mangled injuries. Despite having mentally prepared herself beforehand, she still felt somewhat uneasy. Taking a few deep breaths to calm herself, she assisted Military Physician Ling by handing him bandages and medicines.
As more and more wounded were brought into the medical tent, the three military physicians and seven or eight medicinal apprentices were overwhelmed. Military Physician Ling frowned and asked, “Is the battle at the pass very intense right now?”
A Commander replied, “Yes, Commander General Xu wants to avenge Fifth Brother and personally left the pass to challenge Zhang Zhicheng. They’re evenly matched, and when General Ning beat the drums to call him back, he didn’t listen. General Ning had to send elite troops to support him, and they’re now in fierce combat with Bo’s army.”
On the eastern side of Niubi Mountain Pass, Chang Feng Cavalry’s Deputy General Xu Jun was locked in fierce combat with Bo Yunshan’s top general, Zhang Zhicheng. Xu Jun’s sworn brother, Hua Wu, had died by Zhang Zhicheng’s blade half a month ago. Xu Jun had sworn “not to leave the pass until Zhang Zhicheng is dead” and had been guarding the pass for half a month, sending soldiers daily to hurl insults at the enemy. Zhang Zhicheng, however, remained composed, only sending deputy generals to respond while occasionally launching sneak attacks and firing arrows from hidden positions, infuriating Xu Jun while Zhang Zhicheng laughed heartily in his camp.
This morning, Xu Jun’s insulting soldiers had come up with new material. Zhang Zhicheng was born to a lowly maid, and his birth mother had later eloped with a stableman, bearing several half-siblings. Zhang Zhicheng’s father had died from venereal disease. These fresh details, loudly proclaimed by the insulting soldiers, caused a stir in both camps. The Chang Feng Cavalry troops listened with glee, occasionally bursting into laughter to support their comrades, while Bo’s soldiers listened awkwardly, secretly hoping for more new content to gossip about later.
In his tent, Zhang Zhicheng’s face gradually turned ashen. He didn’t know how Ning Jian Yu had obtained such private information. As he sat restlessly, the insulting soldiers dropped another bombshell: earlier in the year, one of Zhang Zhicheng’s concubines had an affair with a catamite from Bo’s tent. When they eloped and Zhang Zhicheng caught up with them, he spared the concubine out of affection, only executing the catamite, and secretly brought the concubine back to his household, willingly wearing a green hat (symbol of a cuckold).
After this barrage of insults, Zhang Zhicheng could no longer sit still. He grabbed his sword, mounted his horse, and rode straight for the pass with his guards. Xu Jun, who had been waiting impatiently, saw his enemy approach. With bloodshot eyes, he gave the order to lower the drawbridge and charged out to engage Zhang Zhicheng in battle.
The two fought fiercely for nearly half an hour without a clear winner. Ning Jian Yu watched from the pass with furrowed brows and ordered the retreat drums to be beaten, but Xu Jun, blinded by rage, ignored the military order. Zhang Zhicheng tried to disengage several times, but Xu Jun relentlessly pursued him.
Bo’s central command tent was located on a small hill. Bo Yunshan stood at the tent entrance, watching the intense battle near the pass. He chuckled, “This Xu Jun is quite stubborn.”
Strategist Chunyu Li approached and said with a smile, “Don’t worry, Lord Bo. In terms of swordsmanship, Xu Jun is no match for General Zhang. It’s only because he’s bent on revenge while General Zhang doesn’t wish to prolong the fight that they’re still evenly matched.”
As Bo Yunshan was about to speak, they heard drums from the past. The drawbridge lowered, and a large group of Chang Feng Cavalry elite troops poured out. Seeing the enemy’s reinforcements, Zhang Zhicheng shouted, and Bo’s soldiers responded with a thunderous cry, surging forward like a tidal wave. A large-scale battle erupted at the foot of the pass.
Bo Yunshan frowned slightly, “Ning Jian Yu is usually cautious. He seems rather reckless today.”
“Ning Jian Yu and Xu Jun are sworn brothers. He naturally doesn’t want Xu Jun to come to harm,” Chunyu Li said with a smile, stroking his three long beard strands.
Bo Yunshan said coldly, “I wonder if killing Xu Jun would affect Ning Jian Yu’s resolve?”
“We can try,” Chunyu Li replied.
Bo Yunshan waved his hand, and soon after, Bo’s war drums thundered. Several battalions of soldiers charged towards the pass, shouting in unison.
From atop the pass, Ning Jian Yu could see clearly. Noticing Xu Jun surrounded, he raised his silver lance and shouted angrily, “Brothers, follow me!”
Ning Jian Yu led several battalions of Chang Feng Cavalry elite troops out of the pass, heading straight for the surrounded Xu Jun. Xu Jun, however, was still locked in combat with Zhang Zhicheng. Ning Jian Yu charged forward on horseback, his silver lance flashing left and right like a silver dragon roaring, a crashing wave with a chilling, unstoppable force.
He reached Xu Jun’s side just as Xu Jun awkwardly dodged a horizontal slash from Zhang Zhicheng. Ning Jian Yu shouted, thrusting his lance forward at lightning speed. Zhang Zhicheng’s blade shook violently as he quickly countered. Seeing their general at a disadvantage, Zhang’s guards shouted in unison and moved to surround them.
Ning Jian Yu leaned down and pulled Xu Jun onto his horse. Xu Jun, somewhat unwilling, tried to jump off, forcing Ning Jian Yu to block incoming weapons with his right hand while holding Xu Jun with his left.
In the distance, on the small hill, Bo Yunshan watched this scene. He smiled slightly and opened his right hand. His subordinate understood and handed him a powerful bow and feathered arrow.
Bo Yunshan channeled his qi into both arms, drew the bow while exhaling and released. The arrow flew like a shooting star, flashing once in the air before instantly reaching Ning Jian Yu.
With his left hand protecting Xu Jun behind him and his right hand wielding the lance, still engaged in combat with Zhang Zhicheng, Ning Jian Yu heard the whistling arrow. As he looked up, it was too late to dodge. Instinctively, he shifted slightly to the left, and the black-feathered arrow pierced his right chest with a “thud.”