Everyone shifted to discuss a second plan, dividing forces into two routes to support each other and avoid risks. However, this would require withdrawing troops from the ongoing fierce battle at the South Gate.
But the South Gate was already at a stalemate between the two armies; withdrawing troops would easily break the balance, causing the South Gate to become trapped. Moreover, if the enemy discovered reduced forces at the South Gate while hearing about people leaving through the North Gate for a surprise attack, they would naturally guess it was a feint and wouldn’t lose their composure.
“The situation on the city walls is still stable; it’s just that those guarding the gates can’t spare any hands. If we could fill in these manpower needs, both sides could continue to hold, and the enemy wouldn’t discover our troop movements right away, buying us some time,” someone suggested.
Jiang Zhiyi regained her spirits: “So we don’t necessarily need military forces, just manpower?”
“Yes, but I fear there’s nowhere to find such manpower. In our River West, every household can provide soldiers, but the civilians here lack fighting ability. Sending them to battle would be too dangerous.”
Jiang Zhiyi nodded: “We are people with no retreat, but civilians have options. We cannot let them take such risks.”
The hall fell silent again. Watching these members of the Xuance Army, who were like skilled cooks with no rice to cook, Jiang Zhiyi frowned and began pacing. After a while, she suddenly paused and murmured thoughtfully: “People with no retreat—I think there’s another group in the city.”
Everyone looked hopefully toward Jiang Zhiyi.
“Last night, I heard that the former Governor of Xingzhou harbored bandits to strengthen his position. Later, those mountain bandits were all captured,” Jiang Zhiyi pointed to the prison location on the map, “and should now be imprisoned in the city jail awaiting execution after autumn.”
San Qi’s eyes brightened: “Mountain bandits would be excellent fighters!”
“Last night, I heard that the former Governor of Xingzhou harbored bandits to strengthen his position. Later, those mountain bandits were all captured,” Jiang Zhiyi pointed to the prison location on the map, “and should now be imprisoned in the city jail awaiting execution after autumn.”
San Qi’s eyes brightened: “Mountain bandits would be excellent fighters!”
After thinking for a moment, Jiang Zhiyi decisively ordered: “Send someone to communicate with Magistrate Cao about whether prisoners can have their sentences reduced if they fight to atone for their crimes. If possible, distribute weapons and let everyone fight the enemy together!”
Cao Chen quickly gave an affirmative response. Prisoners were released from jail, and the jailers also went to the South Gate. The prisoners, having not seen daylight for a long time but now given a chance to live, gripped their broadswords with high spirits.
The forces freed from the South Gate were given to San Qi.
Now with manpower, San Qi whistled for his warhorse and eagerly prepared for battle.
Jiang Zhiyi bid farewell to everyone at the government office entrance, watching them mount their horses with ease. She tightened her hand beneath her sleeve: “You are the men I brought here. I promised to let you fight, but you must promise me to return safely, understand?”
They all responded in unison: “Yes, Young Madam!”
She watched them ride away until they disappeared. Jiang Zhiyi continued to sit anxiously in the main hall of the government office. Shortly after, hearing that the number of wounded had increased dramatically and there weren’t enough military doctors, she sent yamen runners to invite physicians from various medical clinics in the city to the military camp. She returned to the back courtyard and temporarily reassigned Dr. Feng, who was taking care of Pei Xueqing, to help as well.
In the west wing room, Pei Xueqing seemed to have heard the commotion outside. Her brows were tightly knit, and she frequently startled in her sleep, clearly not resting well. Still, she kept her teeth clenched, as if afraid to call out a certain name even in her dreams.
Looking at Pei Xueqing’s unrelenting feverish face and recalling Feng Su’s mention of a heart ailment, Jiang Zhiyi took a deep breath and made a decision. She asked Pei’s maids and Jing Zhe to guard the doors and windows well, preventing anyone from approaching.
After the two maids withdrew, Jiang Zhiyi sat beside the bed, took Pei Xueqing’s hand, and said softly: “Elder Sister Xueqing, I don’t know if you can hear me speaking. Your heart’s knot is difficult to untie, perhaps due to guilt that you cannot change the fate of your beloved who lies buried in the wilderness. But if I tell you there are still things in this world you can do for him, might you recover?”
“Elder Sister Xueqing, your beloved did not die serving the country, but was secretly murdered.”
“The revenge is not yet taken, and the iron cavalry of your enemy is now very close to you. You cannot fall. Pull yourself together, and let’s win this battle together, all right?”
That evening, as the two armies remained in a stalemate, the rebel army suddenly heard that Xingyang City’s northern garrison had sallied forth, dividing into two routes from the southwest to encircle their rear. The enemy’s formation was thrown into chaos, and they hastily retreated.
The South Gate garrison switched from defense to offense, charging out to pursue the retreating rebel army, winning another battle, and gaining a temporary respite.
After two consecutive days of fierce fighting, the Xingyang garrison had lost more than half its forces. Physicians in the western military camp were working without rest, rushing about throughout the night.
The next day, June 29th, knowing they had fallen for a diversionary tactic the previous day, the rebel commander, Soaring Eagle, was furious. He ordered more elite troops to be deployed to Xingzhou, vowing to take Xingyang at any cost.
At dawn on June 30th, the thunderous sound of war drums echoed. After one day and two nights of rest, the Xingyang garrison faced their third battle.
From dawn until dusk, the two armies again reached a stalemate. The rebels, unable to break through after prolonged attacks, began to waver. Suddenly, torrential rain fell from the sky, forcing them to withdraw their troops for a third time.
However, favorable weather can bring both benefits and harm, with fortune and misfortune intertwined. Under the heavy rain, Xingyang City also suffered.
That night, the temporary shelters built for refugees collapsed. Many displaced people had nowhere to go and flooded into the streets and alleys, causing internal disturbances.
At the same time—
The army’s provisions were running critically low.
Arrows were nearly exhausted.
Only a thousand combat-ready soldiers remained.
One piece of bad news after another reached Jiang Zhiyi’s ears.
Deep into the night, at the western military camp, soldiers, soaked with sweat and rain, covered in wounds, collapsed under rain shelters. Stretchers carrying horrifically wounded men hurried back and forth. Basins of bloody water were carried out from tents and dumped into the muddy ground. Even the Xuance Army had no strength left; after relocating the refugees, they leaned on their swords, heads bowed, gasping for breath in the rain.
Jiang Zhiyi stood under the umbrella held by Jing Zhe, listening to the pitter-patter of rain overhead, her eyelashes trembling as she witnessed these scenes one after another.
Jing Zhe advised, “Princess, tonight will likely be sleepless. Please go into the tent to conserve your strength. We can discuss strategies together when Magistrate Cao arrives.”
Jiang Zhiyi nodded and walked into the tent in a daze, stepping through bloody mud one foot at a time.
Suddenly, a flash of white light appeared outside the tent, followed by a crash of thunder. Jiang Zhiyi jolted violently, holding onto the table in the tent. As if crushed by the final straw, she slowly crouched down, supporting herself on her knees, her strength gone.
“So many problems… failing to solve even one could cost everyone their lives…”
“Jing Zhe, what should we do… how much longer can we hold out? Can we even continue?”
Jing Zhe set the umbrella aside, crouched down beside her, and patted her back: “Princess, there will always be a way. There must be a way.”
Suddenly, San Qi’s voice called for Magistrate Cao outside the tent. Jiang Zhiyi quickly stood up, wiping the corners of her eyes as her spirits lifted.
Cao Chen and San Qi entered, wearing straw raincoats. They briefly paused upon seeing her wiping away tears.
Jiang Zhiyi smiled as if nothing had happened and gestured: “Magistrate Cao has arrived, please come in.”
Cao Chen strode into the tent, with a man and a woman following behind him.
“Little Sister Zhiyi.” A familiar yet long-absent female voice sounded.
Jiang Zhiyi looked up to see Pei Xueqing entering with Pei Zisong. She walked forward in surprise and took her hand: “Elder Sister Xueqing, you’re able to walk now!”
Pei Xueqing held her hand in return: “I heard everything you said that day. I won’t fall again. In this battle, I want to stand with you—with everyone—and fight together.”
Jiang Zhiyi nodded, holding back tears at this first piece of good news in days.
Pei Zisong noticed her reddened eyes: “Don’t worry. Xueqing and I have been distributing porridge to refugees recently. Xueqing has also treated many refugees’ illnesses. The refugees will likely listen to her. We’ll calm them down shortly.”
Jiang Zhiyi nodded at them both: “Thank goodness for you two.”
Cao Chen said, “Regarding the arrow shortage, this official has a plan that has been discussed with my subordinates. We propose to make straw men dressed in armor. Under the cover of night, we’ll beat war drums, pretending to attack. In the night rain, the enemy’s visibility will be poor. When they see us on the city walls, they’ll surely shoot arrows at us. This way, we can borrow arrows from the rebel army to use… We can hold on for as long as possible. Each moment we endure brings General Shen one step closer.”
“That’s wonderful…” Jiang Zhiyi looked toward Cao Chen. “Thank you all for being willing to trust General Shen.”
“We are all people who have no way out if the city falls. We are one body—only with unified will can we form a city’s defense,” Pei Xueqing gently patted the back of her hand.
Cao Chen nodded: “Princess need not thank us. This official’s life was saved by the Duke of Ning eleven years ago. Now I can repay someone who, like me then, is trapped in dire circumstances—repay you, Princess. I would die a thousand deaths without regret!”
Jiang Zhiyi was startled: “You knew my father?”
Cao Chen bowed: “This official was originally from Qingzhou. Eleven years ago, I was a minor yamen runner in the Qingzhou Governor’s office. All my knowledge of city defense comes from the Duke of Ning, who staunchly defended Qingzhou. The Duke of Ning’s spirit in heaven still protects the Princess. Please do not lose heart.”
No wonder Cao Chen had been stunned the first time he saw her—she resembled her father in appearance. Cao Chen must have thought of his old acquaintance when he saw her.
At a time when other prefectures had already fallen one after another, Xingzhou could still hold on here—indeed, her father had left her a chance for survival. Jiang Zhiyi’s eyes instantly grew warm, glistening with tears: “Good. Now we still haven’t resolved the provision issue. Do the city’s civilians have any surplus grain at home?”
“Yes, but with the continuous fighting these days, and after seeing so many refugees without food, the civilians are understandably anxious. They fear that if they give up their food stocks, they might be the next to go hungry. If we forcibly requisition military provisions, it could easily cause unrest in the city. We need to persuade them gently, asking them to believe that reinforcements are on the way.”
“Leave that to me,” Jiang Zhiyi pressed her lips firmly together. “These military provisions—even if I have to beg, I will secure them for everyone.”
On the night of June 30th, the Xingyang garrison launched a feint attack using straw men to borrow arrows, obtaining fifty thousand arrows.
On July 1st, after the rain cleared, the rebel commander Soaring Eagle was furious at having been tricked again, but throughout the day, he held his troops back and did not attack.
On July 2nd, the footsteps of a great army pressing toward the border shook the entire city. Another fifty thousand troops approached Xingyang.
Only then did they realize that all prefectures within hundreds of miles had fallen. Xingyang remained a lone city, and the rebel armies had assembled to launch a full attack against this dying, struggling fortress.
In the afternoon of July 2nd, the fourth battle erupted. The two armies fought from high noon until the moon rose to the center of the sky, without ceasing.
Even after nightfall, when darkness made city attacks difficult, the rebel army showed no sign of retreating.
Because Xingyang’s awaited chance for survival was their path to doom. If they could not take Xingyang in this battle, they would likely face the iron cavalry of the River West Xuance Army.
Both attackers and defenders were certain that this was the final battle.
That night, the rebel army surrounded the city on three sides—east, south, and north—cutting off Xingyang’s escape routes. The two armies fought decisively at the West Gate.
The Xingyang garrison was inspired to fight with their backs against the wall. The city’s civilians, moved by the garrison’s desperate resistance over the past few days and by the tireless efforts of the Princess and the Minister’s children, volunteered. Adult men donned the armor of fallen soldiers, took up weapons, and came to join the battle at the West Gate.
The city gate was nearly breached time and again, yet each time it was stubbornly defended. The night had never seemed so long.
In the darkest moment before dawn, lights burned brightly in the military camp. The sounds of war drums, horns, and battle cries from the city walls reached Jiang Zhiyi’s ears as she sat at the table in the tent, spreading out paper, dipping her brush in ink, and writing something. Suddenly, she saw San Qi walk in.
“Young Madam,” San Qi saluted with a clenched fist, his expression solemn, “San Qi and one hundred brothers of the Xuance Army request permission to fight!”
Jiang Zhiyi’s brush tip trembled as she raised her eyes.
“Passively defending inside the city, Xingyang can hold out for at most another half hour. If this humble one leads our brothers to charge out and clear this batch of enemies, we might buy Xingyang another half-day’s chance for survival.”
Jiang Zhiyi slowly rose from her chair: “If Xingyang gains this half-day chance, what about all of you?”
“We would die without regret!”
Jiang Zhiyi turned her head away, swallowing gently: “I do not agree.”
“Young Madam, once the city is breached and street fighting begins, our warhorses will be useless. We’ll only be able to engage in close combat with the enemy, unable to kill many before being captured. If General Shen can arrive in half a day, but the city falls before dawn, then all the sacrifices these days would be in vain. Now, every moment we can hold out counts—”
“I said, I do not agree!” Jiang Zhiyi interrupted him. “Before his departure, the General said that my orders are to be treated as his. Would you disobey a military order?”
San Qi curved his lips slightly: “I knew you would say that, Young Madam. But have you forgotten? The General’s first order was for us to escort you safely back to the capital. This order supersedes all others.”
Jiang Zhiyi’s eyes burned with emotion as she supported herself on the table: “You are the men I brought here. We are supposed to return safely to the capital together…”
“Young Madam, these past days, everyone has seen you shoulder the burden and serve as the pillar for all. They already genuinely recognize you as our Young Madam. Everyone wants to go with you to Chang’an, wants to drink to your and the General’s wedding, but war is merciless. Someone must sacrifice. We are no different from the Xingyang garrison soldiers who have already sacrificed. Our lives are no more precious than theirs. We, too, are unafraid to die!”
“We are unafraid to die!” came a unified shout from outside the tent.
Jiang Zhiyi’s eyelashes trembled as she walked out to see one hundred Xuance Army soldiers wearing black armor, holding long swords, lined up in formation, fully equipped and ready to depart.
“Please don’t do this…” Tears overflowed from Jiang Zhiyi’s eyes as she turned her head away. “How can you make me…”
…issue the next order, sending all of them to their deaths.
San Qi stood before the hundred Xuance Army soldiers, turned to face her, and smiled with his head held high: “Young Madam, we are not just protecting you. If Xingyang falls, not only will you be captured, but when more Xuance Army brothers arrive here, there will be even more bloodshed and sacrifice. To watch you be taken prisoner, to watch our comrades die beneath a city we couldn’t defend—even in death, we couldn’t rest in peace. Better to charge out now, kill more enemies, and die free and happy!”
Jiang Zhiyi looked back with tear-filled eyes: “Is there truly no other way…”
“There is no other way; we can only fight to the death!” San Qi bowed: “Young Madam, only the Xuance Army’s cavalry can accomplish this battle. Time waits for no one—please give the order!”
“Please, Young Madam, give the order—!”
Jiang Zhiyi, with blurred vision, looked over each of the hundred determined faces. She closed her eyes to blink away tears, took a deep breath, and painfully uttered word by word: “I hereby command you all… command you to leave the city and engage the enemy, to protect Xingyang from falling…”
“Yes, Young Madam!” The Xuance Army soldiers turned in unison, stepped out of the camp, and mounted their horses.
Sitting on his horse, San Qi turned back one last time and smiled at her, revealing the two dimples on his cheeks.
Watching that young face in the firelight, Jiang Zhiyi suddenly remembered the first time she met him—
A sixteen-year-old youth, appearing when her relationship with their General was at its worst, and she had tried repeatedly to escape from River West. Just like now, in the crowded streets of Guzang City, he had smiled, showing his pair of dimples, and said to her: “This humble one is named San Qi—San Qi like the number twenty-one’s ‘three times seven’—assigned by the General as your guard. Wherever you go, this humble one will follow you!”
Tears welled up again as Jiang Zhiyi staggered forward, looking up at San Qi and the soldiers behind him: “Even if there’s only a thread of hope for survival, we must fight for it with all our might. I’ll be here, waiting for your triumphant return!”
“Yes, Young Madam!”
The group turned their horses, whipped them toward the West Gate, and galloped away, pressing forward without hesitation into the darkness before dawn.
Jiang Zhiyi stood motionless at the camp entrance, listening to the battle cries from the city gate rise and fall in waves, watching the edge of the sky gradually lighten with a fish-belly whiteness, the clouds breaking as the sun rose, and a clean dawn illuminating the earth as a new day arrived.
Someone came to report good news—the enemy had temporarily retreated.
But she never saw them return in triumph.
As daylight brightened, when Jing Zhe entered the tent, she found Jiang Zhiyi sitting expressionlessly at the table, wiping the sleeve arrow that Yuan Ce had given her with a handkerchief.
Watching her load the arrows one by one into the tube, hearing the click as she adjusted the mechanism to be ready to fire at any moment, Jing Zhe’s brow furrowed: “Princess, what are you doing…”
Jiang Zhiyi placed the sleeve arrow inside her sleeve and lifted her face with a tired smile: “I’m going to the city tower to see them off… I need to bring a weapon for self-defense.”
Jing Zhe’s face showed reluctance as she picked up her sword: “This slave will accompany you.”
Jiang Zhiyi nodded, allowing Jing Zhe to support her as they left the military camp. Rather than taking a carriage, they walked the path the Xuance Army had last traveled.
Along the streets and alleys, anxious civilians peered out from their doors, watching the movements within the city.
An official, exhausted beyond endurance, slumped by the roadside, lifting a water pouch to his throat only to find it empty.
A soldier carried a comrade who had just come down from the city wall, bleeding profusely, urgently calling for a military doctor as they rushed toward the camp.
A physician sprinted with his medicine box, not even bothering to retrieve his hat when it fell from his head.
No one paid attention to the fact that the current Princess was walking on this smoke-filled road.
She seemed not to be a princess at all, but just one unremarkable person among thousands of suffering souls.
“Big sister, they’re fighting at the city gate—it’s very dangerous!” A little girl peeked out from her doorway to warn her.
Jiang Zhiyi paused her steps and turned to look: “The fighting has stopped temporarily. Big sister is just going to see her loved ones.”
“Oh, do you have loved ones fighting there?”
“Yes, they are the bravest warriors in the world.” Jiang Zhiyi gazed toward the city wall and continued walking forward.
At the city gate, the few remaining soldiers, prisoners from the jail, and civilian volunteers all sat on the ground, utterly exhausted, supporting each other back-to-back.
Pei Zisong was discussing something with Cao Chen. Pei Xueqing was bandaging the wounds of lightly injured soldiers.
Seeing her approach, several people started to come forward.
Jiang Zhiyi waved her hand, indicating that they should continue their tasks and not mind her. She climbed the steps to the city tower one by one.
Below the city wall lay mountains of corpses and seas of blood, like a purgatory filled with soldiers and warhorses in different colored uniforms.
Jiang Zhiyi stood at the tower railing, looking into the distance. At a glance, she could not distinguish where the Xuance Army soldiers were.
So this was how small one hundred people appeared on a battlefield—as tiny as stars scattered across the Milky Way.
Jiang Zhiyi searched carefully one by one, tremblingly raising her finger: “One.”
Jing Zhe followed her indication and faintly saw an Xuance Army soldier lying in a pool of blood.
Jiang Zhiyi continued searching diligently, pointing them out one by one: “Two, three, four…”
By the time she counted to seventeen, Jing Zhe held her arm and urged, “Princess, stop counting…”
“I must count…” Jiang Zhiyi stubbornly clung to the railing and continued until she reached fifty-one. Finally unable to count further, she crouched down, covered her face, and wept silently.
Inside the city tower was the command post. Jiang Zhiyi remained there, taking some coarse grain and soup with the deputy commanders in charge of the battle.
Jing Zhe urged her to return to the military camp for safety, but Jiang Zhiyi shook her head. When the city fell, there would be no difference between being on the city wall or in the city. If the enemy broke in, no one would survive to report to her, and she would be unable to know the city’s fate at the first moment—she would only be captured in ignorance.
The sun gradually rose higher, and soon half a day had passed, as San Qi had predicted.
At exactly 9 AM, the sound of rhythmic footsteps shook the ground beneath them. A blue banner appeared, fluttering in the wind on the distant horizon, as the rebel army formed a line and marched magnificently toward the city gate once more.
Up and down the city gate, soldiers sprang to their feet. The archers had used up all their arrows and, as if at the end of their rope, picked up the swords of their fallen comrades.
Jiang Zhiyi sat in the city tower with her eyes closed, listening to the war drums beat and the battle cries resume.
This time, all sounds were within arm’s reach—and so was death.
One soldier after another fell, as they fought to the death on the city wall. Below, the battering ram striking the city gate sounded as if it would smash and pierce this city.
Amid the earth-shattering catastrophe, Jiang Zhiyi had never experienced a moment more peaceful than this.
The shouts at the city gate grew fainter and fainter. At some point, Jiang Zhiyi heard the sound of a sword being drawn nearby. Opening her eyes, she saw enemy soldiers climbing through a breach in the city wall, while Jing Zhe held her sword defensively in front.
“Jing Zhe, you should go join the battle on the city wall,” Jiang Zhiyi said softly.
“Princess, this slave must stay by your side to protect you!”
“But when the enemy reaches us, you’ll just be dying needlessly at my side…”
Jing Zhe looked at the tower, which was higher than the city wall and still relatively safe. If she wanted to stop the enemy before they reached the tower, she would have to go out.
“Princess, this slave will go kill the enemy!” Jing Zhe took her sword and left.
“Good.” Jiang Zhiyi watched her leave, then took out the arrow from her sleeve and stood up.
The enemy soldiers who had climbed onto the city wall were killed one by one by Jing Zhe and the soldiers guarding the tower. No new enemy soldiers climbed up.
This meant the enemy knew that a passage more convenient than scaling the city wall was about to open.
The city gate was about to be breached.
Jiang Zhiyi walked out of the tower and stood against the wind before the vermilion railing, gazing down at the enemy forces teeming below. Slowly, she raised the arrow in her hand and pointed the arrowhead at her neck.
The phrase “live and die together” seemed merely like beautiful words or distant vows when spoken. No one truly envisions death at the moment they make such promises.
Perhaps when facing death, those who made such vows would cast these four words aside.
But at this moment, she saw the face of death with perfect clarity—saw it, yet still wanted to rush toward it without hesitation.
She would not fall into enemy hands.
She would not become a weakness and hindrance on the path of her beloved’s unstoppable advance.
She would not make him and his Xuance Army lay down their arms and surrender to her at the foot of the city.
Jiang Zhiyi steadily held up the sleeve arrow, closed her eyes against the brilliant sun, feeling the wind lift her long hair, listening to all the people below uttering their final, mournful cries.
Suddenly, a hoarse male voice rang out on the city wall: “Reinforcements have arrived! Hold on, everyone, reinforcements have arrived!”
Jiang Zhiyi’s heart trembled as her eyes flew open, and she lifted her head to look.
At the horizon’s edge, a line of black-armored cavalry surged forward like a tidal wave. A crimson banner fluttered fiercely in the wind. At the front of the formation, that man wielded a long spear, charging and sweeping through, advancing like an unstoppable force.
Jiang Zhiyi tremblingly held onto the railing, facing the blazing sun overhead, and in an instant, tears poured down like rain.