Seeing that heavy rain was about to fall, Jiang Ci quickly poured the freshly brewed medicine into an earthen jar, hugged it to her chest, and picked up the medicine box. She turned back and said, “Physician Ling, I’m going to deliver the medicine.”
Physician Ling nodded, “Good. After delivering the medicine, go rest. Xiao Tian and the others will keep watch here.”
Jiang Ci smiled, “Xiao Tian and the others can’t keep watch all night. I’ll take the second half of the night shift. There are still more than a dozen people who need their dressings changed.” With that, she left the tent.
Just as she reached the entrance of the central command tent, raindrops as big as soybeans began to fall. Tong Min looked at the earthen jar she was holding to her chest and smiled, “We’ve been waiting for you.” He lifted the tent flap.
Jiang Ci smiled at him and entered the inner tent. Pei Yan was playing chess with Cui Liang, while Ning Jianyu sat to the side watching. Wei Zhao was reclining on a couch, reading a book.
Seeing Jiang Ci enter, Cui Liang put down his chess piece, “Jianyu, take over.” He walked to the couch and helped Xu Jun sit up. Jiang Ci carefully fed Xu Jun the medicine with a spoon.
Cui Liang looked at the color of the decoction and praised it, “Not bad. The medicine is brewed just right. Xiao Ci, you’re learning quickly.”
Jiang Ci was a bit shy, “It’s because Brother Cui and Physician Ling are good teachers. I’m just following their example.”
Pei Yan placed a chess piece and turned back with a smile, “Zi Ming, since you’ve taken on such a clever disciple, shouldn’t you treat us to a meal?”
Cui Liang looked at Jiang Ci’s bright, dark eyes with affection in his voice, “Xiao Ci is indeed clever.”
Chen An burst into the tent, cursing, “Damn it! That old fox has gone quiet!”
Pei Yan and Ning Jianyu exchanged glances. Pei Yan said in a deep voice, “Speak.”
Chen An regained his composure and said, “We’ve been cursing for half the day, but Bo’s army shows no movement. The lookouts on the mountaintop report no signs of troop movements in Bo’s camp. However, at dusk, another batch of provisions entered their camp.”
Ning Jianyu frowned slightly, “This Bo Yunshan is quite patient.”
“The scouts counted the number of supply wagons. They estimate it’s enough to sustain Bo’s army for about twenty days.”
Pei Yan pondered, “If Bo Yunshan keeps dragging this out, and Jianyu can’t show his face again, we might be in trouble.”
Wei Zhao put down his book and spoke in a mild tone, “If there are still Bo Yunshan’s people in the court, they will know that the Young Lord has arrived at the front lines. He must be wondering where exactly the Young Lord is, and if this is a ruse.”
Ning Jianyu rested his chin on his right hand, “So, he’ll be observing and probing next.”
Pei Yan nodded, “Therefore, we still need to do a few things.” He turned to Chen An, “Hang up my commander’s flag. Make sure the soldiers guarding the fortress are alert. The supply wagons sent by Scholar Dong should arrive tomorrow. Send some men to escort them, and make a big show of it.”
Cui Liang laid Xu Jun down and walked over, “There will be heavy rain for the next few days. The chances of Bo’s army launching a full-scale attack are slim. They’ll probably wait until the rain stops and they’ve finished their reconnaissance before making a move.”
Pei Yan said, “Ten days to half a month is fine, but any longer, and I fear there might be changes on An Cheng’s side. Military supplies are also an issue. Scholar Dong and I agreed that—”
Jiang Ci walked to Ning Jianyu’s side and said softly, “General Ning, Physician Ling says the medicine on your wound needs to be changed.”
Ning Jianyu, focused on listening to Pei Yan, casually removed his upper garment, exposing his bare chest. Cui Liang came over and said, “Let me do it.”
Jiang Ci smiled, “No need, I can handle this. Before, I also—” Remembering the journey from Yujian Manor to the capital with the injured Wei Zhao, she couldn’t help but look up at Wei Zhao on the couch.
Wei Zhao raised the book in his hand, hiding his face behind it. Jiang Ci’s cheeks flushed slightly, and she quickly bent down to undo Ning Jianyu’s bandages and apply new medicine.
Seeing that Pei Yan had stopped speaking, Ning Jianyu quickly asked, “Marquis, what did you and Scholar Dong agree on?”
Pei Yan looked at Jiang Ci’s profile, tossed the chess piece in his hand, and said with a solemn expression, “The battle here can’t drag on. We need to find a way to defeat Bo Yunshan as quickly as possible. If he doesn’t attack, we must force him to attack.”
Jiang Ci finished changing Ning Jianyu’s medicine, packed up her things, bowed to Pei Yan, and left the tent.
Outside, the rain was pouring. Cui Liang followed her out, opening an oil-paper umbrella. Jiang Ci smiled at him, and they walked toward the medical tent.
“Xiao Ci.”
“Yes?”
“Are you adjusting well?”
“I am. I only wish I had a few more arms, and I regret not learning medicine from you earlier when we were in the Western Garden. Seeing these wounded soldiers, my heart really—”
“You’ll get used to it. Take your time with learning medicine, don’t overexert yourself. If you want to save more people, you must first keep yourself healthy.”
Jiang Ci turned her head and smiled at Cui Liang, “Yes, I’ll listen to everything you say, Brother Cui.”
Cui Liang stopped in his tracks, “Xiao Ci, I have something to say. Listen carefully.”
“Alright,” Jiang Ci looked up calmly.
Cui Liang gazed into her clear eyes, hesitated for a moment, and finally said, “Xiao Ci, there’s likely to be a big battle at Niu Bi Mountain soon. Remember, you’re a woman. The fighting at the front is for men to do. Even if they’re short-handed rescuing the wounded, don’t go to the front lines. If things go badly and I can’t come back in time to take you away, leave if you get the chance. Remember, staying alive is the most important thing.”
Jiang Ci was silent for a while, then said softly, “Brother Cui, will this battle be very dangerous?”
“Yes, with over a hundred thousand troops facing each other, once they engage in full combat, the danger is beyond your imagination. Xiao Ci, listen to me, remember this well.”
“Yes, I’ll remember. Brother Cui, what about you? Will you always be with the Young Lord?”
Cui Liang looked towards the curtain of rain stretching to the sky, towards the night sky, and after a long while said, “I still have some things to do. Only when I’ve finished these tasks can I leave.”
Seeing Jiang Ci’s worried expression, Cui Liang tapped her forehead and smiled, “Don’t worry, your Brother Cui has ways to stay alive. Besides, I’m always with the Young Lord. His battlefield reputation isn’t just for show. With him protecting me, I’ll be fine.”
Jiang Ci smiled, “That’s true. I was worried for nothing.”
Cui Liang escorted her to the medical tent, “I’m staying in the central command tent now. If you have any questions, come and ask me.”
Watching Cui Liang’s figure disappear into the rain, Jiang Ci stood silently for a long while before turning to enter the tent. The medicine apprentice Xiao Tian saw her come in and said, “You’re just in time. There are a few patients in Ward D who need to drink their medicine. I’ve already brewed it, you can take it to them.”
Jiang Ci smiled, took the medicine, put it in a basket, grabbed an oil-paper umbrella, and walked to Ward D. Inside the tent, more than ten wounded soldiers were gathered around a bamboo couch. Physician Ling passed by Jiang Ci with a hint of sadness in his brow.
“Sixth Brother! Sixth Brother, don’t sleep! Wake up!” A Commander was vigorously shaking the soldier on the bamboo couch. The surrounding wounded soldiers, unable to bear looking at the bloodless face on the couch, turned their heads away.
The Commander stretched out his arms and hugged the soldier who had stopped breathing to his chest. His eyes were wide open like brass bells as he looked up to the sky, his throat quivering rapidly. Two people came forward to console him quietly.
The Commander gradually calmed down. He gently closed the eyes of the soldier on his chest, carefully laid him down, and watched calmly as other soldiers came to carry him away. He followed behind silently, passing by Jiang Ci with slightly stumbling steps.
Jiang Ci felt a pang in her heart, tears welling up in her eyes. In the face of this war, in the face of life and death, she felt her strength was as weak as an ant’s. As the bloody wind blew past, she felt like a speck of ash in the gust, helplessly drifting along, only able to watch these young lives silently slip away before her eyes.
As the sun approached its zenith, the battle on Daibei Ridge continued to rage fiercely.
After nearly ten days of intense fighting, the Huan forces advanced further, finally shifting the main battlefield to the plains between two mountain peaks.
The Huan army, renowned for its cavalry, had been at a disadvantage in mountain warfare. Now on the plains, their strengths became apparent. In several confrontations, they had inflicted heavy casualties on Tian Ce’s forces. If not for Tian Ce’s troops being fearless fighters who had dug trenches before the Huan army’s attack, and the arrival of nearby civilians who set fire to a patch of thatched grass to block the Huan army’s advance, they would have nearly lost the last line of defense north of Hexi Prefecture.
The sun hung silently in the sky, watching the bloodbath unfold on the plains below, observing as blood stained the yellow earth red, and witnessing the flowers of hell blooming quietly amidst the deafening cries of battle.
Yu Wen Jinglun sat astride his warhorse, the massive royal banner fluttering loudly in the wind behind him. His expression was solemn as he watched the Huan forces repeatedly being driven back by the Changfeng cavalry archers behind the trenches. He turned slightly, “Mr. Teng, is there any way to cross this trench?”
Teng Rui pondered for a moment before replying, “It’s quite difficult. The trench is so wide, and they keep digging. With the enemy defending it fiercely, it’s challenging for our men to lay planks across. Unless we can force their archers to retreat somewhat.”
Yu Wen Jinglun glanced at the high mountains on both sides and asked, “Is this the only passage to Hexi?”
“Yes, the surrounding area for dozens of li is all steep mountains. Only after passing through this valley does it open up into flat plains. If we can take this position, Hexi Prefecture will be within our grasp.”
“Hmm, then let’s pay a high price to take this position before Pei Yan arrives,” Yu Wen Jinglun turned to Yi Han and said, “Mr. Yi, I’ll trouble you with this task. I’ll cover for you.”
Yi Han bowed slightly on his horse, “Rest assured, Your Highness.”
As the horn sounded, the Huan troops at the front retreated in an orderly manner. The two great armies faced each other, their banners blocking out the sun, their weapons gleaming. The wind blowing across the wilderness carried the scent of fresh grass, but it was tinged with the smell of blood.
Yu Wen Jinglun slowly raised his right hand, his voice calm but with a hint of excitement, “Archers, prepare!”
Near the royal banner, the flag bearer raised the command flag high, waving it left and right several times. The air on the plains seemed to freeze for a moment. Then, with a roar, tens of thousands of Huan soldiers shouted in unison, shaking the very mountains. Following this battle cry, a sea of archers moved forward, taking positions in formation, some crouching, others standing. They drew their bows, nocking arrows, and aimed at the Hua army behind the distant trench.
The Hua army was startled by this thunderous roar. Tian Ce steadied himself and coldly commanded, “Shield bearers, forward!”
Yu Wen Jinglun lowered his hand, and the arrow flag dropped. The drums beat rapidly like rain, and with this intense drumming, a sky full of arrows was released, momentarily dimming the sun.
The Hua army remained calm. Shield bearers moved forward to protect, while archers positioned behind them returned fire. However, the Huan army had deployed all their archers, taking turns to attack. The Hua army, already outnumbered, struggled to withstand the onslaught. As the enemy arrow formation advanced step by step, Tian Ce’s command flag moved slightly backward.
Yu Wen Jinglun observed this. With another wave of his right hand, catapults were quickly pushed forward. Under the cover of archers, they continuously hurled stones at the Hua army behind the trench. Hua shield bearers fell in droves, leaving the archers exposed, and many fell in the rain of arrows.
Seeing the opportunity, Yi Han let out a clear whistle and charged forward on horseback. Clad in iron armor and a gray robe, sword in his right hand, he led over a thousand men from the vanguard, reaching the trench in an instant.
The thousand men Yi Han led were all martial arts experts from the Huan Kingdom’s First Class Hall. Taking advantage of the chaos among the Hua army’s front-line archers, Yi Han leaped from his horse, his sword flashing like snow, lunging straight at the opposite side of the trench.
As soon as these thousand men landed, they began slaughtering the Hua archers, forcing them to retreat step by step, causing disorder among their infantry coming up in support. Yi Han’s form moved like a ghost through the formation, cutting down foes. The experts from the First Class Hall also fought with all their might. Although the Hua army outnumbered them and surrounded Yi Han’s forces, they had been thrown into disarray by this charge, and their main force was pushed even further from the trench.
Meanwhile, the Huan army swiftly followed up, laying planks across the trench. The Hua archers, having been forced back dozens of steps by Yi Han’s suicidal attack, were unable to stop them. Huan cavalry quickly crossed the trench, their iron hooves thundering, their war cries like rolling thunder, rampaging through the valley.
Yi Han, sword in hand, leaped back onto his horse. Watching more and more Huan troops crossing the trench, he smiled with satisfaction, lightly touching the wound on his left leg, and exchanging a smile with Yu Wen Jinglun under the distant royal banner.
Seeing the moment was right, Yu Wen Jinglun spurred his warhorse forward, with the main army following like a tidal wave, surging towards the area behind the trench.
Under the Hua command flag, Tian Ce smiled slightly and calmly ordered, “Retreat.”
As the horn sounded, the Hua army retreated step by step, with only the archers covering at the rear, slightly hindering the Huan army’s advance.
Yu Wen Jinglun led the central army across the trench. Seeing Tian Ce’s command flag moving towards the mountains, he sensed something amiss. Teng Rui had already caught up and warned, “Your Highness, it might be a trap!”
Just as he finished speaking, a tremendous “bang” erupted from both sides of the valley. Countless glints of cold steel suddenly appeared from the lush mountainsides, and over ten thousand men emerged from the underbrush, each holding a powerful crossbow. Before Yu Wen Jinglun could react, these crossbows, several times stronger than ordinary bows, released a hail of deadly arrows. The arrow rain was like a swarm of locusts; horses neighed in agony, soldiers fell, and short, agonized screams continuously rang out. The Huan soldiers who had first charged into the valley were almost completely wiped out in no time.
As Yu Wen Jinglun hesitated, a thunderous cheer suddenly erupted from the Hua army in the mountains. A massive command flag rose into the air, with the character “Pei” woven in purple thread at its center, like a fierce tiger baring its fangs and claws, leaping in the wind.
Yu Wen Jinglun was startled. Teng Rui, snapping out of his shock at seeing the powerful crossbows, urgently said, “Your Highness, Pei Yan has arrived. We can’t risk advancing further.”
“Retreat!” Yu Wen Jinglun made a swift decision. The Huan army’s horns sounded, and the front and rear troops changed formation, quickly withdrawing behind the trench. As Teng Rui turned, he hurriedly said to Yi Han, “Hall Master Yi, can you capture one of those crossbows for me?”
Yi Han raised an eyebrow, “Certainly!” His figure shot up, his feet rapidly tapping on the underbrush. His gray robe caught the wind as his sword parted the rain of arrows. He stepped on a pine tree, his body twisting in mid-air as his left hand snatched a crossbow from a Hua soldier. Then, using all his Yuan Power, he swiftly glided down from the mountain, landing on the ground and reuniting with the First Class Hall warriors who had come to support him. They quickly rejoined the main force, retreating behind the trench.
The “Pei” character command flag moved swiftly through the mountains. The Hua army soldiers cheered in unison, their morale soaring, their momentum unstoppable as they counterattacked. The wooden planks that the Huan army had laid across the trench earlier couldn’t be removed in time. The Hua army quickly crossed the trench, with the Huan army counterattacking. Both sides engaged in fierce combat on the plains, fighting until dusk when both men and horses were exhausted. Only then did they sound the gongs to recall their troops, once again facing off across the trench in a stalemate.
In the valley and on the plains, blood-stained banners fluttered. Wounded horses twitched and neighed in agony, corpses lay everywhere, and fresh blood gradually turned brown. White clouds drifted leisurely overhead, observing the crimson stain amidst the lush green landscape.
Yu Wen Jinglun stood beneath the royal banner, gazing at the “Pei” character command flag fluttering in the wind on the opposite side of the Hua army camp, lost in thought.
The neigh of a warhorse startled him. He turned to Teng Rui, “Mr. Teng, Pei Yan’s arrival this time—”
Seeing that Teng Rui seemed not to have heard Yu Wen Jinglun’s words, fixated on examining the crossbow in his hands, Yi Han nudged him, “Mr. Teng.”
Teng Rui responded with an “Oh” and looked up. Yu Wen Jinglun smiled and said, “Sir, is there something unusual about this crossbow? From what we saw earlier, its power is astonishing.”
Teng Rui nodded slowly, remaining silent for a long while before softly saying, “This is the ‘Sun-Shooting Bow.’ Ah, I never imagined we’d encounter such a crossbow in the Hua army.” He looked towards the southern Hua forces, his brow furrowing slightly as he muttered, “Who could have arrived? Could it be him?!”