On the thirteenth day of the tenth month, the first heavy snow of winter fell upon the Yan Bei plateau. The snowfall continued for three days and three nights, accumulating over a foot deep. The north wind howled as cold currents swept across the entire northwestern territory. The world turned bitterly cold, with water freezing instantly. Fierce winds carried snow particles like hailstones. Despite being midday, looking up revealed no sun in the sky—only a dim yellow line. The cold wind cut into faces, making every step forward a struggle.
This rare blizzard killed countless cattle, sheep, and strong horses across the Yan Bei plateau. It toppled innumerable tents and dwellings, leaving countless Yan Bei citizens homeless. At the same time, it forced the aggressive Great Xia military forces marching northward to halt their advance. They had to set up camp in Bailin Province in the northwestern interior, waiting for the blizzard to pass. The two armies, previously poised for battle, found themselves in a frigid standoff.
Through the vast snowfall, a group of over twenty riders galloped along the post road outside North Shuo City. Their warhorses were robust and healthy, heads covered with leather armor, completely unfazed by the blizzard. The horses danced through the snow, moving with incredible speed. Soon, the riders approached the city, where a squad of scouts met them, shouting: “Who goes there?”
No one in the group responded. The flag bearer at the front raised a small red flag, causing the scouts to immediately startle, then step back in unison, clearing the path.
The mounted company continued their gallop, disappearing across the snow-covered plain in an instant.
“Brother Xun, whose troops are those? They seem so formidable,” asked a young scout wearing a bearskin hat, his face frozen bright red.
“Watch your mouth,” the scout leader immediately scolded, carefully looking left and right, as if afraid the riders ahead might turn back and overhear their conversation. “That was the Blood Slaughter Flag of the Second Army.”
…
…
Though the scout leader’s voice was very low, the men in the squad heard him. Everyone suddenly felt a chill down their spines. They all turned their heads to look in the direction where the Second Army had disappeared. There, North Shuo City’s lights glimmered everywhere, shining dimly through the vast snowfall.
Given Great Xia’s overwhelming military might, seven days earlier, the new Prince of Yan Bei had issued a mobilization order from North Shuo City. Now, even the last troops stationed at Meilin Pass had arrived.
Despite the imminent battle, a large number of refugees had gathered before North Shuo City’s gates. The blizzard had destroyed people’s homes and livestock. In just three short days, several hundred people had already died from freezing or starvation. Now they waited at the city gates, hoping to enter and escape this sudden disaster. However, with war against Great Xia imminent, North Shuo City had entered a level-one state of war preparedness. Although refugees continued gathering at the city gates in increasing numbers, Yan Xun had ordered strict guarding of the entrances to prevent spies from entering. Over a thousand soldiers guarded in rotation, while the majestic gates of North Shuo echoed with the screams of commoners and the cries of women and children.
“Make way!”
Suddenly, the urgent sound of hoofbeats rang out, accompanied by someone cracking a whip repeatedly to drive away civilians on both sides. The Second Army’s advance cavalry rapidly galloped to North Shuo City’s gate. A general in a dark red fur coat waved a blood-red military flag, shouting: “We are the Second Army’s advance team. I am Xue Zhiyuan. Open the gate!”
Soon, a line of torches like a dragon moved along the city wall. Someone called out loudly: “General Xue, do you have General Cao’s letter?”
Xue Zhiyuan replied: “The letter is here!”
A bamboo basket was slowly lowered from the city wall. One of Xue Zhiyuan’s cavalrymen rode forward, placing the letter in the basket. Soon after, torches on the city wall blazed brightly, and with a creaking sound, the main gate slowly opened, completely unguarded.
“Ah! The gate is open!”
A cheer suddenly erupted as over a thousand refugees immediately rejoiced, shouting in unison. Moving their already-frozen hands and feet, they rushed chaotically toward the city gate like a surging flood, instantly scattering the Second Army’s advance team.
“Fools!” From within the crowd, the general in the dark red fur coat cursed angrily, immediately jumping off his horse.
“Quick! Stop them!” The city’s guard commander Cui finally realized something serious had happened. He hurriedly shouted, and his soldiers immediately rushed out from the city gate, yelling loudly: “Anyone who dares cause trouble will be shot dead! Step back! Everyone step back!”
The north wind howled, making the soldiers’ voices as faint as mosquitoes in the crowd. Staying outside the city meant certain death, and the refugees had already grown desperate. Now seeing hope for survival, who would willingly wait outside to die? They immediately charged forward fearlessly, shouting as they rushed: “Let us in! We are citizens of Yan Bei! Let us in!”
“General Xue! General Xue!” Commander Cui, afraid the friendly troops might come to harm in the chaos, shouted in panic.
At that moment, a streak of blood suddenly shot into the sky. A young military officer smoothly drew his war blade, striking the shoulder blade of a refugee with one slash. The blade was sharp, the force merciless, instantly cutting the person down. Blood sprayed everywhere, falling onto the pristine snow, forming tiny red whirlpools. The refugees were all poor civilians who had never witnessed such scenes. Faced with the soldier’s bloody sword, everyone immediately cried out in terror, moving away and keeping their distance.
Commander Cui was startled, not expecting anyone would dare to actually use violence. Just as he was about to speak, he saw the young military officer coldly walk out from the crowd with an indifferent expression, saying calmly: “I am Xue Zhiyuan.”
Commander Cui was shocked and was about to speak when suddenly a cry of grief arose from among the civilians. A woman sobbed loudly: “Husband! Husband, wake up!”
“Murder! Murder! The army is killing people!”
One stone stirred a thousand ripples. The civilians immediately erupted in fury. People pushed to their limit roared together. A seventy-year-old elder rushed to the front, shouting: “By what right do you kill people? By what right? My three sons all serve in the army, all following you to fight the Xia dogs. Now you won’t let me enter the city? I want to enter! We want to live!”
“Let us in! We want to live!”
Despite the extreme cold, Commander Cui’s forehead was covered in cold sweat as he stood helpless, not knowing what to do.
Xue Zhiyuan’s young brows slightly furrowed as he said gravely: “Time is short. Please make your decision quickly.”
“What?” Commander Cui asked stupidly. He used to be an ironsmith before becoming a soldier. Because he fought bravely and killed more than ten enemies, he became a small squad leader. Tonight happened to be his squad’s turn for guard duty, but he had no real military strategy. He stared foolishly at the young, upright man before him and asked: “What did you say?”
Seeing the refugees charging forward, with North Shuo’s garrison soldiers showing unbelievable incompetence—more than a dozen guards had been overpowered by refugees who now controlled the entrance—Xue Zhiyuan’s gaze turned cold as he said sternly: “Archers, prepare!”
At this command, more than twenty Second Army soldiers immediately dismounted, skillfully readying their bows and arrows. Before Commander Cui could even blink his wide eyes, arrows shot forth, targeting legs rather than heads. Instantly, wails of pain erupted as refugees were struck with terror, their screams filling the air.
“Charge!” The young officer’s voice was like a low growl of a leopard. The soldiers, having fired a volley to intimidate the distant civilians, discarded their bows and grabbed their war blades, rushing forward. Though they struck with the flat of their blades rather than the edge, every blow drew blood. The heavy, cold iron scabbards crashed down on heads, and soon more than a dozen civilians lay on the ground.
“Everyone move back!”
The soldiers and refugees fought in a chaotic melee. Seeing this from the city wall, Yan Bei soldiers urgently sounded their horns. Large contingents of troops rushed out from the city, but they were blocked by the chaotic crowd at the gate, unable to advance.
Just then, from the distant snowy plains came the sudden sound of rapid hoofbeats. It seemed a large cavalry force was approaching. The horses came extremely fast. A small black-clothed warrior jumped down from horseback at the front. The voice sounded slightly feminine but carried an imposing presence, shouting: “Who is causing trouble?”
Over a hundred soldiers dismounted after the leader. The small-statured commander immediately rushed forward, eyes sharp, scanning the scene. Drawing the sword at the waist, the commander said coldly: “Attack! Beat those soldiers!”
This group of fresh troops displayed extraordinary skill, with practiced movements and swift actions—all formidable experts. They charged into the crowd like tigers and wolves, surrounding the Second Army soldiers who were slashing at civilians. Three to five surrounded each soldier, subduing them in moments. Seeing someone standing up for them, the civilians cheered in unison, and the situation was quickly brought under control.
On the ground lay thirty or forty injured civilians in disarray, some motionless, their fate uncertain. The small-statured commander frowned deeply, wrapped completely in an iron-gray fur coat. Turning around, the commander said in a low voice: “Summon military doctors immediately to treat the wounded.”
“Who are you to dare—”
Xue Zhiyuan was furious, striding forward, but before he could finish speaking, the small commander delivered a crisp slap to the man’s face with a loud “smack!” Before Xue Zhiyuan could react, another backhand slap followed!
“You are a Yan Bei warrior! Your blade should face Great Xia, not the citizens of Yan Bei!”
The clear voice cut like breaking metal. The small commander shouted severely. Xue Zhiyuan became enraged, his eyes seeming to spout fire. He roared, swinging his fist forward, but the small commander’s form suddenly moved like an agile leopard, leaping up. The scabbard flashed deftly, crashing onto his shoulder with a boom, followed by a side kick that knocked the young general harshly to the ground.
“Bind him! Take him to His Highness for judgment!”
A cheer immediately erupted from the refugees. The small commander turned toward the civilians, shouting: “Citizens, North Shuo is about to go to war, and it’s too dangerous for you here. Our prince has built temporary shelters at the foot of Sunset Mountain to the west for everyone to escape the snowstorm. There’s food and warm clothing there. Please follow my subordinates there immediately.”
The crowd rippled with movement. Several soldiers who had arrived with the small commander walked into the crowd, restoring order. Soon, several military doctors hurriedly ran out of the city. The small commander stepped forward for a closer look and found that thirteen civilians had died in the recent chaos. The commander’s brow furrowed slightly, expression grim.
After about half an hour, the civilians finally followed the soldiers westward. The small-statured commander entered the city, and the gates slowly closed, blocking out all the commotion outside. Even the blizzard seemed less fierce. After exchanging a few words with the terrified Commander Cui, the commander walked toward the carriage holding Xue Zhiyuan and his men.
“General Xue, I apologize for the offense earlier.”
The small-statured commander removed the hood, revealing a thin, sharp face with delicate features and bright eyes—a very beautiful young woman.
“Who are you?” Xue Zhiyuan’s cheeks were still swollen, and the place where she had kicked him still hurt. He hadn’t wanted to speak with her, but upon seeing her appearance, he was immediately startled.
“This is Lady Chu from the Staff Department,” Commander Cui quickly introduced. “My lady, this is the captain of the Second Army’s advance team sent to support North Shuo, General Xue Zhiyuan.”
Chu Qiao’s cheeks were frozen red, her lips somewhat chapped. She nodded and said kindly: “General Xue, you’ve traveled a long way in such terrible weather. Thank you for your hard work.”
Xue Zhiyuan frowned deeply, having no idea where this Lady Chu had appeared from. He glared at Chu Qiao fiercely, then suddenly snorted coldly, saying gravely: “Today’s matter will not end here.”
“Of course not. More than a dozen people died at the city gate, and over forty were injured. Such a matter naturally cannot be easily dismissed,” Chu Qiao smiled slightly, though her eyes held not a trace of humor. She said coolly: “However, General Xue was just anxious to protect the city, and with battle imminent, I’ll temporarily refrain from reporting to the Military and Political Institute to hold you accountable.”
“You—!”
“General Xue, you rushed here so urgently; you must have important matters to attend to? If you’re free, however, I must take my leave.”
Xue Zhiyuan took a deep breath, then shot Chu Qiao a fierce glare. With a cold snort, he led his subordinates away in anger.
Commander Cui wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and asked Chu Qiao: “My lady, are you alright?”
Chu Qiao’s brows slowly furrowed as she sighed helplessly and said softly: “Had I known he was from the Second Army, I wouldn’t have slapped him twice. Now we’re in trouble.”
“Huh?” Commander Cui was puzzled.
“What do you mean ‘huh’?” Chu Qiao turned around, saying angrily: “If it hadn’t been the Second Army just now, the city gate would have been breached. Do you know what consequences would follow if spies entered the city at this time? The entire army of Yan Bei—over a million soldiers—would perish without graves! North Shuo is Yan Bei’s gateway, yet you were so careless. While Xue Zhiyuan’s arbitrary slaughter of civilians was wrong, you were gambling with the fate of all Yan Bei!”
Commander Cui turned pale, his legs trembling with fear. His eyes darted back and forth like a thief caught in the act. Suddenly, he fell to his knees with a thud, crying loudly: “My lady, I deserve to die! I deserve to die ten thousand times over! Please spare this dog’s life!”
Chu Qiao slowly frowned. That such a person could rise to become a squad leader in charge of guarding the city, she didn’t know whose responsibility to question. At this moment, she felt only profound helplessness.
“Report to the Military and Political Institute yourself.”
Dropping these words lightly, Chu Qiao turned and left. The heavy snow continued to fall, showing no signs of stopping.
Opening the door, a wave of warm air rushed toward her. Chu Qiao removed her fur coat and looked around, but didn’t see Yan Xun. She turned toward the study and met Ajing hurrying back. Before she could speak, Ajing said breathlessly: “Miss, His Highness is calling for you.”
Chu Qiao raised an eyebrow: “Where is he? What happened?”
“Representatives from the Second Army have arrived. His Highness is waiting for you to join the meeting.”
Before entering the room, she heard a voice like a drake shouting: “We have over a million troops, why should we fear Great Xia? We can certainly charge against them on the plains!”
Hearing this, Chu Qiao’s brows immediately furrowed tightly. Frowning seemed to be her most common expression these days.
“Right! We Yan Bei are a righteous army, we don’t fear the Xia dogs!”
“Report!” the soldier outside the door called: “Lady Chu from the Staff Department has arrived.”
“Enter.”
Chu Qiao entered the room, greeting everyone with a bow. Today’s meeting had many more attendees than last time. Besides the previous participants, there were military representatives from the First and Second Armies, the deputy general of the Third Army, the Dark Hall masters from the Great Unity Association, powerful elders from the Great Unity Association, and representatives from other border troops, civilian militias, and self-defense forces. There were also chieftains from small tribes of the Yan Bei plateau. The room was packed with people, nearly filling the entire conference hall. Chu Qiao knew that almost all of Yan Bei’s armed forces had assembled today. She walked in with her head held high and sat down beside Yan Xun, smiling at everyone: “I apologize for being late.”
“How did it go?” Yan Xun’s expression was not good, clearly upset by this group of people. He looked at Chu Qiao and asked gravely.
“Everything went smoothly. The civilian residences have been built and are sufficient to weather this period.”
“I object!” a sharp voice suddenly rang out. North Shuo’s Quartermaster Deputy General Liu Ou stood up, his face unpleasant as he said: “Why should we use our military materials to supply those refugees? These resources could have raised the city wall by ten feet, which would be very useful for defending against the Great Xia. Also, why distribute our rations to refugees? Does Lady Chu understand our current situation? Great Xia’s army is at our borders, war is about to begin, and we can’t even guarantee food for our troops, yet you’re using rations to support refugees?”
“Deputy General Liu Ou, if I remember correctly, when I started making bricks ten days ago, you didn’t offer me the slightest support. The entire North Shuo army didn’t provide a single soldier. Instead, nearby civilians eagerly helped. Otherwise, your city wall wouldn’t be twenty feet higher now. Additionally, I must remind you that the city wall height has regulations. Our current wall is high enough. If it were any higher, our soldiers’ archery accuracy would suffer, greatly reducing our defensive advantage. Therefore, I request that those unfamiliar with military matters be cautious when speaking on military issues.”
Chu Qiao’s expression was cold, no longer showing her former good temper. She coldly regarded this quartermaster, saying icily: “Furthermore, I want to add that we liberated Yan Bei to fight for the freedom of its people. If all the common people die, then the war becomes meaningless.”
Liu Ou’s face turned ashen as he argued: “This is how we’ve always survived. Every year brings severe snowstorms, and the Great Xia never deducted military rations to support civilians. For thousands of years, we haven’t seen civilians starve to death.”
“You’re right, that’s why Great Xia was driven out of Yan Bei,” the young woman shrugged, saying: “The Great Xia soldiers stationed in Yan Bei were all transferred from inland and received military pay from the army. May I ask Deputy General Liu Ou, when did you last pay your subordinates? Why do your subordinates follow you without compensation? Are you expecting them to risk their lives for you while letting their parents, wives, and children freeze and starve at home?”
The conference room immediately fell into an awkward silence. No one spoke; only the sound of the wind howling like a beast outside could be heard.
Yan Xun’s voice was cool as he slowly said: “Let’s get back to the main topic. Who was speaking just now?”
“It was me.” The Third Army Corps Commander, Lu Jie, said gravely. He wasn’t old, around thirty, with a heavy beard and typical highland features. His face was red as he said in a deep voice: “I don’t understand why we must hide everywhere, why we must shrink inside North Shuo City like turtles. We have over a million troops, while Great Xia’s advance force has only three hundred thousand. How could we lose when we outnumber them four to one?”
North Shuo City’s Second Cavalry Corps Commander Chen Xi also chimed in: “Who made this plan? It’s an insult to our glorious Yan Bei warriors. We need war, we need to face the enemy in honorable combat!”
“Right!” the tribal chieftains also shouted excitedly: “Yan Bei men are all heroes, not cowards who hide!”
Chu Qiao suddenly felt a wave of disgust. Remembering the miserable scene outside the city gates earlier, she felt these people were as annoying as screaming eagles. She raised her head, her gaze sharp as a hawk’s, and said gravely: “I made the battle plan. Who has objections?”
The crowd immediately fell silent. After ten days, no one dared to look down on this young woman as they had initially. In just a few days, she had not only reorganized the military structure and coordinated the management system of the headquarters, greatly improving efficiency, but had also miraculously created a type of red stone called brick. Although not as solid as stone, these bricks allowed for much faster construction of city fortifications. To further strengthen the city walls, she had also retrieved large amounts of ice from the nearby Chishui River, quickly building a second thirty-foot-high outer wall. This not only made the city walls more solid but also effectively prevented enemy troops from scaling them.
Using her exceptional military skills, she had set up numerous horse traps and pitfalls outside the city. Today’s North Shuo had become an iron-blooded fortress, no longer resembling its former state where it seemed a gust of wind could topple it.
Therefore, even though some were dissatisfied with her, no one dared to speak out. Especially since she had just achieved another great accomplishment by resolving the refugee issue, her prestige within the military was now far greater than before.
“I have objections,” a deep voice slowly rose. Everyone turned their heads in unison to see that it was the vanguard representative of the Second Army.
Xue Zhiyuan looked coldly at Chu Qiao, his tone low as he said: “We have prepared for eight years for this war. During these eight years, we actively mobilized, gathered manpower and resources, secretly trained troops, and integrated military strength. We will never forget the humiliation of Huolei Plain. The fire cloud flowers growing from the flesh and blood of our ancestors still bloom, waiting for us to avenge their disgrace. Yet after silently waiting for eight years, what have we earned? Hiding and cowering?”
His gaze was gloomy and icy, his eyes faintly turning toward Yan Xun sitting in the main seat as he said coldly: “Where has the fearless spirit of the Yan family gone? Has the splendor of the imperial capital already burned away His Highness’s backbone?”
As soon as he finished speaking, the meeting room plunged into a terrifying silence. Yan Xun wore a black robe, with long eyebrows and calm eyes. He had been leaning back in his chair all this time. Hearing this, he slightly raised his eyebrows, glancing at Xue Zhiyuan from the corner of his eye. His lips curved into an indifferent light smile, though the sound was as bone-chilling as ice in the twelfth lunar month, making people’s spines go cold.
Yu Xin, the Deputy General of the Second Army who sat at the same table, immediately stood up and hurriedly said: “Zhiyuan has a rash personality, but please forgive him for his concern for Yan Bei and his dedication to the public good. Please don’t blame him.”
Xia An, the city lord of North Shuo, also rose and said: “Although General Xue’s words were inappropriate, everything was for Yan Bei’s war situation and victory. Please consider his years of risking life and death, his brilliant military achievements, and his meritorious service for Yan Bei’s independence. Spare him this once.”
Hearing this, other commanders also stood up one after another to plead for Xue Zhiyuan. Only the military representatives of the First Army remained seated, their expressions somewhat gloomy, seemingly undecided.
“I appreciate General Xue’s straightforwardness,” Yan Xun’s narrow eyes slightly narrowed as he said calmly: “Everyone, please be seated. You are all meritorious officials of Yan Bei. It is my blessing, Yan Xun’s blessing, to have all of you assisting me. How could I groundlessly blame someone of merit? Moreover, General Xue was merely expressing his thoughts and had no intention of disrespecting me. What crime is there in that? Isn’t that right, General Xue?”
Yan Xun’s voice was extremely detached, the corners of his eyes sharp, carrying a restrained edge. Xue Zhiyuan had no choice but to stand up, saying in a low voice: “Your Highness is wise. This humble officer is dull-witted and poor at expression. I had no intention of offending Your Highness. Please forgive me.”
Everyone hearing this praised His Highness’s wisdom as they tremblingly rose and returned to their seats.
At this moment, Xue Zhiyuan did not sit down but turned to face Chu Qiao, saying gravely: “I would like Lady Chu to kindly address my previous question.”
As soon as he spoke, even Yu Xin of the Second Army frowned. He had just defied Yan Xun, and though Yan Xun had overlooked it, he persisted. After all, Yan Xun was now the nominal leader of Yan Bei. Continuing like this would be greatly disadvantageous to the Second Army.
Before he could stand to smooth things over, Chu Qiao slowly rose with a cold expression. She looked at Xue Zhiyuan with icy eyes and said calmly: “General Xue, I didn’t expect that such a childish question would come from you. I am truly disappointed.”
Xue Zhiyuan’s gaze turned cold, and just as he was about to speak, Chu Qiao’s expression suddenly hardened as she said sternly: “War is not an arithmetic problem. In regular combat, the power comparison between two sides is not simply a comparison of numbers! Many factors determine victory—numbers are just one advantage. The morale of both sides, the fighting capacity of soldiers, overall strength, weapons comparison, intelligence accuracy, speed of information transmission, the personal abilities of commanders and leaders, soldiers’ practical experience in major battles, battlefield terrain, logistical supplies—all these factors can significantly impact the overall strategic situation. To judge victory or defeat purely by numbers, to persistently dwell on simplistic questions like how many fighting against how many, is a basic mistake only made by outsiders who have no understanding of war!”
The young woman’s disdainful rebuke fell like a bucket of cold water on everyone’s heads. Her words encompassed almost everyone present. Deputy General Chen Xi snorted coldly, standing up to say: “So we’re all war outsiders, and only you, Lady Chu, are a strategic expert? I’ve campaigned across Yan Bei for over ten years and have never met an arrogant person like you.”
“History has taught us that those who constantly dwell on their past achievements and merits have absolutely no prospects for future development. Moreover, some people’s past accomplishments may not even be worth remembering.”
Chu Qiao said mercilessly: “I ask everyone to recognize the situation we face. We are not simply facing a single battle—the outcome of one battle does not affect the overall situation. For Great Xia, we are merely a local rebellion on their border. They occupy Red River and can dispatch hundreds of thousands of troops to encircle us at any time. A conscription order from Zheng Huang can gather a hundred thousand troops in just two days. What about us? We are risking our entire livelihood and lives in this battle against Great Xia. What path lies before us? Victory means continued survival; defeat means total annihilation. We are not afraid of death, but we cannot die without value. Local victories have no impact on the overall situation. In this battle at North Shuo City, what we seek is not a tactical victory but an opportunity to break open the entire war situation!”
Chu Qiao clenched her fist, forcefully waving it before her as she said with a determined gaze: “What we want is not to defeat the Xia army in one or two battles. What we want is to exhaust them, to wear them down, and then strike decisively to eliminate them.”
A low murmur immediately rose from the crowd. Yan Xun stood up, looking down at everyone present. He wore a black robe with his ink-black hair tied back, his eyes like an eagle’s high in the sky. His tone was low, seeming to contain some suppressed atmosphere. The man spoke slowly and deliberately:
“Ladies and gentlemen, since ancient times, Yan Bei has endured hellish suffering—snowstorms, famines, wars, plagues. To the north, the barbaric Dog Rong people knock at our gates and harass our borders. To the east, Great Xia oppresses us with harsh taxes and labor. We are a land of bitter tears and blood. For a hundred years, we have sought a way out. Until my father introduced the sacred light of the Great Unity ideology, igniting a seed of hope on the land of Yan Bei, wanting to lead everyone out of this disastrous and difficult situation. But he failed. Yan Bei suffered immense losses. We paid a tremendous price. Our warriors fought bravely but ultimately could not escape the fate of dying in battle.
But we will not compromise. A nation that wants to walk toward freedom must pay the corresponding price! We have waited eight years; we don’t mind these final few days. The fate of all Yan Bei rests on our shoulders. The entire Western Mongolia region is watching with bated breath. Yan Bei’s hope lies with us. Our responsibility is heavy. Now, as the people of Yan Bei expected, I have returned. I will inherit my father’s will and lead you to continue fighting. Please support me as you once supported my father. Follow me. Trust me! War is about to begin. Great Xia has raised the butcher’s knife above our heads. Whether to engage in internal strife or actively prepare for war, whether to busy ourselves with seizing power or prepare to meet the enemy—I believe everyone will have a firm belief.”
Yan Xun’s expression was calm as he looked at everyone present. His eyes were like the deep sea, with fierce waves surging within, yet no visible billows on the surface. His voice was steady, yet that steadiness seemed to contain tremendous power: “The life and death of Yan Bei lie in everyone’s hands. Behind us is Yan Bei, our loved ones, our parents, wives, and children, our fellow villagers. Soldiers, we have nowhere to retreat.”
Before everyone, Yan Xun bent over and bowed deeply. Everyone was stunned. Then, a clanging sound suddenly rang out as Yan Hong Jiao, a famous general of Yan Bei, knelt on the ground with tears in his eyes, shouting: “Long live Yan Bei! Long live freedom!”
Following closely, the representatives of the First Army Corps knelt before Yan Xun in unison, shouting together: “We will follow Your Highness to the death!”
Like autumn wind sweeping across fields, the leaders of the Third Army Corps, civilian militias, self-defense teams, tribal chiefs, North Shuo City officers, and even the leaders of the Second Army Corps knelt one by one at Yan Xun’s feet. They shouted in unison: “Long live Yan Bei, long live freedom!”
At this moment, there were no more factional struggles, no more comparisons of vanity. In the face of life and death, in the face of national righteousness, all the armed forces of the entire Yan Bei plateau submitted to Yan Xun. Chu Qiao also knelt on the ground, listening to the leaders’ loud cries for freedom. She suddenly felt her blood surging fiercely.
The north wind howled. This day was the sixteenth of the tenth month. In an inconspicuous small conference room in North Shuo City on the Yan Bei plateau, a group of farmers, peddlers, bandits, merchants, anti-government sectarians, and heads of small tribes gathered together and pledged loyalty to the new generation ruler of Yan Bei, who was wanted by the Great Xia. At that moment, no one knew how powerful this voice would be, but in the years to come, this force would shake Yan Bei, shake Great Xia, and shake the entire Western Mongolia region.
History, perhaps, changed at this very moment. And those who witnessed it all were destined to stand firmly alongside that bright, shining name.
Let history remember this moment, for from this moment on, Yan Bei’s bloodline and power, dormant for eight years, finally awakened.