Around the second watch of the night, urgent war drums suddenly sounded atop North Shuo City. Inside the meeting room, silence reigned. None of the commanders from various military corps spoke. Just moments ago, a cavalry messenger had reported: that the Great Xia army had arrived and would soon launch a powerful attack against North Shuo City. The middle-aged man, recently promoted from farmer to cavalry scout, declared with conviction that the enemy had powerful cavalry units with more than twenty banners, countless infantry battalions, and heavily armored soldiers, stretching beyond sight like a vast black sea. Their torches blocked the sky, winding over ten li, with the vanguard already at the city gates while trailing forces were still trudging across the Fire Thunder Plain ten li away.
If Chu Qiao were here, she might have seen through this trap at a glance. If Xue Zhiyuan were present, he might have mustered the courage to point out the flaws in intelligence. Unfortunately, neither was present. Cao Mengtong stroked his chin, glancing sideways at Xia An, and asked in a deep voice: “General Xia, what do you think?”
Xia An half-closed his eyes, as if suddenly afflicted with senility, muttering in a daze as though about to fall asleep: “General’s foresight is profound, wisdom unparalleled. The general’s will is our will. We are willing to follow the general, obey the general’s arrangements.”
Cao Mengtong’s eye corner twitched slightly as he secretly cursed “sly old fox,” but his lips still formed a cold smile. They’ve come? Even better!
Cao Mengtong was no longer young. Given his background, it was no coincidence that he occupied the position of general commanding hundreds of thousands of troops. Those familiar with Cao Mengtong knew that during his nearly ten-year military career, he was the only undefeated general on the Yan Bei plateau, with over a hundred battles large and small without a single defeat—a feat even Wu Daoya could hardly match. But undefeated did not mean victorious. On the contrary, his victories were pitifully few, almost countable on one hand. In Lady Yu’s words, the Second Army excelled at strategic withdrawals. They had spent their lives executing this great battle strategy, preserving the elite forces of the Yan Bei army. To expect them to genuinely confront the enemy with real swords and spears? Don’t joke—General Cao needed to preserve Yan Bei’s elite forces.
In the past, guarding a city like North Shuo against millions of Great Xia’s elite cavalry, Cao Mengtong might have tucked his tail and fled early, as was his custom. But now, he felt more heroic and passionate. No one wanted to bear the name “Escape King” for life. Previously, the Yan Bei army had been a ragtag force, without money or men. Now, with Yan Xun’s financial support, they had excellent equipment, sharp swords and solid armor, countless war horses, and nearly a million soldiers. And that young girl always by Yan Xun’s side had created a variety of strange defensive tools. Though he still couldn’t use many of them, the few he could were uncommonly powerful. The city walls had also been heightened and thickened under her direction, and now outside was a frozen expanse. The Xia army was essentially exposed on the ice plain. They had traveled thousands of li to get here, while his forces were rested and ready, with a million troops, thick city walls, sharp blades, and ample supplies. Was all this not enough to win a victory?
The blood in Cao Mengtong’s veins began to boil. If he won this battle, his prestige in Yan Bei would soar! Those old men of the Grand Unity Council who shouted themselves hoarse would completely fold at his feet, and that boy Yan Xun, whose beard had barely grown, would no longer dare to dictate to him. The Yan Bei regime would strengthen, and the Great Xia would weaken. Even breaking out of Yan Bei and marching into Zhenhuang was no longer a dream. The history of Pei Luo’s clan marching into Red River and claiming imperial rule three hundred years ago replayed in his mind—rising from common birth, climbing from the masses, step by step reaching the pinnacle of victory and power. What a beautiful picture that would be. And the Battle of North Shuo would be his first step!
Cao Mengtong was exhilarated by his thoughts. His eyes reddened slightly, veins bulging on his forehead. Finally, he stood up abruptly and, facing dozens of Yan Bei commanders, said in a low tone: “Great Xia is unjust, cruel, and tyrannical. The Battle of North Shuo is Yan Bei’s holy war of self-defense. Yan Bei’s rise or fall depends on this campaign. This battle is inevitable. My mind is made up. I ask all of you to lend me your strength!”
“Fight for freedom!”
Neat, loud voices rose in the meeting room. The door guards secretly turned their heads, seeing only a mass of hard fists raised high!
The Battle of North Shuo had begun!
Combat signals quickly spread throughout North Shuo City, the resonant sound of war drums echoing through the entire camp. At this moment, Xue Zhiyuan, deputy commander of the Second Army’s vanguard, rushed into the city like wind and fire, conveying news of thousands of Great Xia enemy troops lurking outside. Immediately, the completely open western gate was sealed, prohibiting civilian passage. Xue Zhiyuan had seven or eight wounds on his body. He only managed to briefly explain the situation to the city defense commander before falling unconscious from his horse, knowing nothing more. After him, large numbers of Yan Bei civilians who had escaped from the earlier conflict successively arrived at North Shuo City, shouting that they were Yan Bei commoners responding to the conscription order to assist in the war, but they could no longer open those heavy city gates.
Within an hour, more than three thousand civilians had gathered below the city. They shivered in the north wind, some loudly cursing the city garrison, others weeping and begging, but all to no avail.
About two hours later, the sky began to dawn, and a vague black shadow appeared on the western horizon. The shadow approached quickly, making no defensive posture. On the vast snowy plain, seven thousand war horses galloped rapidly, only a corner of black silhouettes visible in the hazy white mist. In the blink of an eye, they reached the city. The Yan Bei soldiers in North Shuo City rushed to spread the news that the enemy was attacking. Information quickly spread throughout the army. Before the eastern Xia forces had moved, the lurking Xia forces from the west had already shown their blades. General Cheng Yuan, responsible for the western city defense, was relieved: thankfully Xue Zhiyuan had reported in advance, otherwise facing these western enemies so suddenly would have thrown them into confusion.
The civilians first let out terrified roars, running frantically toward the city gates, but at this moment, who would dare open the gates for them?
A series of creaking sounds came from the city wall—the sound of heavy crossbows being drawn. Deputy General Cheng Yuan stood on the city wall, wearing a cyan fur coat, sword in hand, looking contemptuously at the advancing troops. He snorted coldly in disdain. A cavalry unit of just ten thousand daring to charge North Shuo City was simply absurd. He casually instructed his subordinates: show no mercy, eliminate them all. The first victory of the North Shuo battle must firmly remain in the hands of North Shuo’s native soldiers!
His subordinate Sun He frowned in doubt, somewhat troubled: “But there are many civilians below the city.”
Cheng Yuan raised an eyebrow slightly, his gaze becoming somewhat distant, his mouth coldly rigid, saying faintly: “Civilians? I don’t see any.” Then, surprisingly, General Cheng Yuan left the city wall and returned to his quarters to rest.
The weather was truly unbearably cold, and the opposing force was so small it wasn’t worth his staying to watch.
Sun He immediately understood. He turned to the mid-level commanders behind him and instructed: “The civilians below are Xia troops in disguise, smoke screens to confuse us. Their purpose is to prevent us from shooting arrows. Once we open the city gates, these people will instantly become enemy troops, killing us all and razing North Shuo to the ground!”
Everyone immediately understood, all saying: “The Xia dogs are so cunning, truly too insulting. If we don’t kill them all, we have no right to exist in this world.”
The city wall was clamorous, people gnashing their teeth and roaring at those below. However, at this moment, the entire cavalry unit suddenly stopped not far away. A rider in a black fur coat galloped forward, and pulled off their hood, revealing a beautiful and heroic face. The woman spoke clearly: “I am Chu Qiao, military advisor from the Staff Department. Behind me is my army, the Southwestern Garrison. We have eliminated the previous Xia troops. Please, city defense officer, open the gates and let us in!”
Her voice wasn’t loud, but everyone on the city wall heard clearly. As soon as she finished speaking, a burst of laughing erupted on the wall. If not for General Xue’s prior notice, they might have been fooled. Advisor Chu had already died heroically, yet they still used her name to deceive. Southwestern Garrison? What force was that? Rebel leaders?
Sun He had never directly met Chu Qiao, only seeing her silhouette from afar a few times. The distance to the forces below was too great, and the morning mist was thick, making it impossible to distinguish faces. He had preconceptions and had received private instructions from Cheng Yuan, so his courage swelled. He sneered and lightly waved his hand.
“Fight for freedom! Kill!”
A roar immediately erupted! The response to Chu Qiao’s words was the simultaneous firing of over three hundred crossbows. A mass of arrows like black clouds blocked the sunlight, whistling down from the sky in a torrential downpour!
“Protect the lady!”
The Southwestern Garrison soldiers’ eyes bulged in fury as they shouted and rushed forward. More than ten young soldiers immediately shielded Chu Qiao, forming a dense human wall before her. Those crossbow arrows, improved by Chu Qiao, could continuously fire thirty-eight bolts, with great force and speed, making them the premier defensive weapon of the age. As thousands of arrows rained down, the black arrow storm swept in like a howling gale, instantly piercing more than ten soldiers. Their bodies became like hedgehogs, twisting grotesquely, the entire person flying backward under the enormous impact!
“Protect the lady!”
He Xiao charged forward with his sword, slashing away a flying arrow. Hundreds of soldiers rushed forward regardless of life or death, surrounding Chu Qiao protectively. They were light cavalry without shields or armor, and because they were coming to join Chu Qiao, they hadn’t even formed a defensive formation. Under the first round of dense arrow rain, they immediately fell into chaos, with screams reaching the heavens, blood splattering, hoofbeats, neighing, screams, and arrows whistling through the air. Everywhere was blood, everywhere was death.
A young soldier desperately embraced Chu Qiao and rushed back. Arrows pierced his chest and blood-spattered widely across Chu Qiao’s face, but the soldier still refused to let go. He shouted, “Protect the lady! Rally to me!” while spurring his horse madly. But soon their war horse was shot like a beehive, crashing to the ground. He didn’t even have time to look up, rolled on the ground, and rose, still protecting Chu Qiao as he ran back.
“Enemy attack! Protect the lady!” More and more people rushed forward. They were like waves of black torrents. One row of people died, and another row surged forward. Thus, without weakness, without fear, without retreat. When arrows came, someone immediately thrust their chest forward to block them. Bodies fell to the ground one by one. Finally, when they escaped beyond firing range, a dense mass of soldiers lay behind them, like autumn grass cut at the roots, all maintaining running postures.
“Hahaha!”
Thunderous laughter erupted from the city wall, the sound suddenly so piercing. Chu Qiao fell heavily to the ground. He Xiao pushed through the crowd, anxiously shouting: “My lady! Are you hurt?”
The soldiers scattered. As He Xiao rushed in, his eyes widened, and he shouted: “How dare you! Showing disrespect to the lady!” He was about to charge forward.
“General He, say no more.” Chu Qiao emerged weakly from the arms of the young soldier holding her tightly, her tone sad and low, her face pale, tears welling in her eyes but not falling.
“He has already died. He saved me.”
Breaking free from the soldier’s arms, Chu Qiao slowly stood up. At this moment, a short, low cry arose from the crowd. The soldier’s back was like a hedgehog, with more than ten arrows embedded in it, three or four piercing his heart, most already broken, showing how many times he had fallen while running. His expression was ferocious and frantic, as if at the moment of death, he was still running madly, or perhaps he was already dead but still maintaining a running stance. No one knew what kind of power this was. Chu Qiao took off her fur coat and, under the gaze of all officers and soldiers, draped it over the soldier’s body. She knelt, lightly brushed the soldier’s face, and closed his eyes.
With a swish, the young woman stood up abruptly and turned to walk toward the North Shuo City gate.
“My lady!”
The soldiers shouted in unison. He Xiao was the first to block her way, shouting: “My lady! You must not!”
Chu Qiao’s gaze was icy, flames of anger burning in her heart. In just that short while, they had lost more than a hundred people, with over three hundred wounded. These men had followed her thousands of li, rebelling from Zhenhuang to reach Yan Bei. For her, they had become bandits and nearly fought with Bian Tang. Now, they resolutely returned for her, unhesitatingly taking up arms to protect the nascent Yan Bei regime in its precarious situation.
They had once been rebels, unbearable to heaven and earth, unpardonable traitors, dogs that no one in Great Xia would acknowledge, spat upon by thousands, despised by tens of thousands as cowards! But it was also they who first raised the banner of resistance against Great Xia, who first followed Yan Xun to confront the blades of the entire Zhenhuang City. The world-shocking Zhenhuang Revolution was born in their hands, and the campaigns sweeping dozens of provincial coalition forces in the northwest were launched by them. Even after being abandoned, they hadn’t forgotten their responsibility and inner loyalty. They had incomparable trust in her, incomparable dependence, but at this moment, what she had brought them was merciless slaughter at first appearance!
Her anger was immeasurable. She pushed He Xiao aside, stubbornly walking forward. Unexpectedly, He Xiao scrambled up, rushed forward, and knelt before her again, shouting: “My lady! Friend or foe is difficult to discern, North Shuo City surely has a misunderstanding about our army. Going now, fortune or misfortune is hard to predict. It must not be done!”
With a “swoosh,” Chu Qiao drew her sword, the blade flashing brightly as she said coldly: “Move aside!”
“My lady! It must not be done!”
As soon as the words fell, other soldiers came forward together, dozens kneeling in unison. Chu Qiao raised an eyebrow, stubbornly wanting to advance, when suddenly the entire army knelt on the ground, seven thousand throats shouting in unison: “My lady! It must not be done!”
“If my lady wishes to go, please walk over our corpses!”
Chu Qiao stood dejectedly. She turned back, looking at the young soldier who died with open eyes, then slowly raised her head and closed her eyes. The flames of anger burned fiercely in her heart as she breathed slowly as if trying to suppress everything, suppress it, and suppress it again.
“Prepare horses, form charging formation!”
A “swoosh” of breaking air immediately resounded. The soldiers on the North Shuo City wall were startled. At such a distance, even heavy crossbows couldn’t reach, yet the opponent, using only ordinary hand crossbows, shot an arrow that pierced their central military flag—what astonishing strength!
He Xiao lowered his bow, and the entire scene fell deathly silent. Even the civilians who had come to enlist were all astounded into silence.
Chu Qiao sat on horseback, slowly advancing, the white flag with red clouds flying above her head, fluttering in the wind. Standing a hundred paces beyond crossbow range, she coldly gazed at the opposition and spoke clearly: “I am Chu Qiao, military advisor from the Staff Department. I demand to see your highest commander!”
At this moment, Cheng Yuan had just walked out of his rest quarters, the ties of his fur coat not yet fastened. The instant he heard Chu Qiao’s voice, he froze. In the distance, flags waved, the white flag with red clouds like a burning flame in the morning mist. The soldiers were like iron, the military bearing solemn. That silent anger, like a mountain, pressed down overwhelmingly. One look and he knew the opposing army was far beyond what his ragtag forces could resist. Besides numbers, they had no advantage.
“I am Chu Qiao, military advisor from the Staff Department. I demand to see your highest commander!”
Chu Qiao’s words repeated. Cheng Yuan’s face turned pale. Sun He, standing nearby, seeing his commander’s expression, felt a terrible chill rising in his chest. Terrifying thoughts consumed his mind. If it was true, considering this woman’s relationship with the prince, his hand holding the sword was almost trembling.
“Sir, she, she couldn’t be…”
“Fool!”
Cheng Yuan slowly narrowed his eyes: “You’ve made a huge mistake.”
“Prepare horses, all troops follow me out of the city to engage the enemy. If even one enemy escapes, we need not return alive!”
Cheng Yuan barked coldly and strode down from the city tower. Sun He rushed forward eagerly, hurriedly saying: “Sir! If it’s true, then we…”
With a crisp “slap,” Deputy General Cheng struck Sun He’s face. The young general grabbed his collar and coldly snapped: “You idiot! Do you know who she is? Do you know her relationship with the prince? Now that it’s come to this if she doesn’t die, we two will be sacrificed to the military flag when the prince returns!”
Since it had already gone this far, the only way to survive was to commit fully. Having already determined she was fake, they could only commit to that position!
Cheng Yuan’s heart chilled as he said coldly: “Western Defense Army! Assemble!”
Xue Zhiyuan was awakened from his sleep by the thunderous war drums echoing throughout the city. He struggled up despite the pain in his body. However, when he climbed to the western city wall, he suddenly froze. The man’s eyes widened as he heard the familiar voice from across calling again and again, saw the formation gathered below the city, and instantly understood. He pushed aside the guard and hurriedly ran down the tower: “What are you doing? Open the city gates! That’s Advisor Chu!”
Cheng Yuan coldly walked forward and clamped his hand over Xue Zhiyuan’s mouth. The wounded man had no strength to resist. Cheng Yuan lowered his voice and said icily: “If this matter becomes known, you’ll be the first to perish! Falsely reporting military intelligence, causing friendly forces to panic—do you think the prince will spare you? If you want to live, shut up immediately, or I can send you to heaven right now!”
Cheng Yuan’s gaze was cold, exuding murderous intent as he strode away, instructing as he walked: “Later, follow my command. We’ll first approach them as friendly forces, then Sun He will lead troops to attack their flank, and Li Lu will lead troops to attack their rear. Surround and annihilate them below the city. Not one can be allowed to leave alive!”
Xue Zhiyuan stood dumbfounded, his hot blood gradually cooling. His expression froze, his mind hazy. In an instant, he recalled many things: the hunger and embarrassment of his youth, the excitement, and passion when first learning the Grand Unity ideology, the hardships, and difficulties all along the way, the weakness and fatigue he always refused to face—his beliefs, his ideals, his everything, all collapsed at this moment!
His face grew increasingly pale. Suddenly, he staggered and turned to run toward the city wall, moving extremely fast, like a swift tiger!
Cheng Yuan immediately reacted, turning back to shout sternly: “Stop him!”
However, at that moment, he had already climbed the tower. The young man stood high and shouted: “Chu Qiao! Run!”
The “swoosh swoosh” sound immediately resounded as thousands of arrows fired at once, instantly piercing the man. Arrows penetrated his body and shoulders, protruding from various parts of his hands and feet. Bloody gore spattered the city wall. The young man’s passionate blood, like drops of bright red seeds, fell from the towering city wall onto the vast white snow, forming small, bright red eddies!
Everyone was stunned. The cold wind blew through his battle robe, through his promising young body. His gaze was clear and tenacious, bearing an unyielding loftiness. The oath from many years ago still echoed in his ears: I voluntarily dedicate my life to Yan Bei’s Grand Unity cause, without self, without private interests, striving for life, fighting for freedom!!!
Heaven and earth instantly became empty and silent. His body, facing the wind, crashed down along the majestic city wall onto the cold Yan Bei ground!
“Boom!”
The civilians below the city immediately let out a frightened roar! The crowd scattered like chaotic floods, moving away from that towering city wall, and their gazes toward the soldiers on the wall were no longer purely trusting and dependent.
Chu Qiao sat on horseback, her eyes red, her palms cold, her gaze as firm as iron, but her chest filled with magma-like heat and chaos. Finally, she heavily raised her palm, issuing a short, clear military order: “Retreat!”
The cavalry immediately formed ranks, the army uniformly turning to leave. In the final moment before departing, the sharp-featured young woman coldly looked back, taking a last glance at that fluttering Yan Bei battle flag, at the densely packed garrison on the city tower, and at the scattered corpses on the ground, as well as at the young soldier below North Shuo City, whom she had once slapped. She exhaled deeply, yet felt her chest growing heavier.
“If I don’t avenge this grudge, I am not human!”
The sun finally jumped above the horizon, casting ten thousand rays of golden light. The entire land was golden as if even the gods wanted to crown this day.
At such swift speed, even if pursuit began immediately, the possibility of encirclement and annihilation was lost. Cheng Yuan’s heart seemed to sink into an ice cellar. Sun He stared blankly as the cavalry unit howled away, turning to ask: “Sir, what do we do now?”
Cheng Yuan looked at Sun He, his gaze cold, carrying the chill of ice and snow. He slowly turned around and strode away without a word.
“What to do?”
He also silently asked himself. He needed to find a way out for himself, he must!
In the sky, the sun shone like gold. A new day had finally arrived!
Just an hour later, a large, heavy mass of dark clouds drifted over from the northern sky, with thunder-like rumbling on the horizon. Before breakfast was finished, a vast sea of iron gray gradually appeared on the eastern horizon, like an endless wave of grass on the expansive ice plain, blocking the sky, continuously expanding and swelling. Millions of hooves trampled the earth, white snow waves coiled beneath their feet, and the wind carried up gray battle robes like a vast flock of flying eagles!
Excellent war horses, solid armor, gleaming weapons, orderly troops—the Yan Bei Second Army, which had spent its life-fighting local garrisons, truly witnessed for the first time the demeanor of a great army. An old soldier was so frightened he sat down heavily on the city wall, his eyes fixed, muttering: “The devils have come!”
Flags like seas, swords like forests, and iron-gray everywhere covered the entire plain, gradually filling the whole flatland. Their formations were strict and orderly, with clear positions. The central army crouched like a tiger, the flanks spread like eagles, the rear filled with reserve corps, each sharpening weapons, fur coats fluttering, winding back nearly five li, clearly showing large troops still hadn’t entered Fire Thunder Plain.
Those who haven’t personally experienced it cannot comprehend such a magnificent scene. In an instant, everyone showed panic and fear. For a hundred years, facing repeated provocations from the Grand Unity Council, Great Xia had only made a few extermination attempts and responses. Even when attacking Yan Shi City, they had only symbolically sent the Meng family corps. But this time, there were four regular army corps of over ten thousand men each, not to mention the subsequent wing protection and support troops.
Great Xia was truly angry. Facing this reactionary force that dared to challenge the empire’s dignity for the first time in three hundred years, they would defend to the death, sparing no effort for battle!
The cold, long wind blew fiercely across the skies of Yan Bei. While North Shuo City trembled in fear, not far away at the foot of Sunset Mountain, the Southwestern Garrison’s military flag fluttered and flew under the dark clouds. Chu Qiao sat on horseback, facing seven thousand pairs of passionate eyes, issuing this order:
“North Shuo will fall. Our only plan now is to seize Chiyuan Crossing, occupy Chi Du City, and establish Yan Bei’s interior’s second line of defense. This is a military order! Effective immediately! All troops, march!”
As the Southwestern Garrison raised their whips and rapidly headed toward Chiyuan Crossing, in the central camp of Great Xia, Zhao Qi frowned as he marked a circle on the military map, murmuring: “Old Fourteen should have arrived.”
There, three tributaries converged into one: Li River, Zan Xi River, and Wu River, forming the Red Water that crossed the entire Western Meng continent. A solitary small city sat upon it, with a beautiful name: Chi Du City.
War eagles shrieked and screamed. The first Northern Expedition in history had begun. Death’s footsteps had arrived on this cold land. The rivers had frozen, the river surface a sheet of white. Both sides were racing with all their might, competing desperately for that important military base. Two great commanders were about to clash. A world-shocking battle for Chi Du, in the cold wind, sounded its battle horn. The tide of history rolled in. Cao Mengtong stood before the Yan Bei army and lowered that sacred command flag. The aged general, rarely mustering courage, cried loudly: “May heaven bless Yan Bei! Bless us to victory in one battle! Warriors, for Yan Bei, for freedom, fight!”