At Yan Chi’s command, three days later, seventy thousand Shuo Xi troops marched toward Meng Prefecture. Upon reaching Meng Prefecture’s borders, Yan Chi received news that its ten thousand garrison troops had been transferred to defend Wu Prefecture.
Meng Prefecture was now empty, and news of the barbarian invasion had spread throughout the northwest. The people of Meng Prefecture were now panic-stricken, fearing that Wu Prefecture wouldn’t be able to hold out and would become the next Cang Prefecture.
While some had worried about facing resistance in Meng Prefecture, unexpectedly, just outside Meng Prefecture city, the Prefecture Magistrate himself sought an audience with Yan Chi.
In the temporary Shuo Xi military camp, Meng Prefecture Magistrate Zeng Cheng Hui was nervously escorted to the central command tent.
He had reported his official position and name to seek an audience, essentially putting his head on the line, after all, Yan Chi was now considered a rebel!
When Yan Chi led his army into Meng Prefecture, Zeng Cheng Hui knew about it, but he felt little desire to resist. He saw the Shuo Xi army as his salvation!
Outside the camp entrance, Zeng Cheng Hui adjusted his official robes before entering the tent. Upon entering, he saw Yan Chi sitting in the main seat wearing full armor, cutting an imposing and intimidating figure. For a moment, Zeng Cheng Hui dared not look up directly. He knelt trembling to pay his respects, but when he heard no word from Yan Chi to rise, cold sweat beaded on his forehead. After a long while, he glanced up and met Yan Chi’s knife-like gaze.
“Magistrate Zeng cut off communications with Xi Lin City several months ago. What brings you here today?”
Shortly after Yan Chi had arrived in Xi Lin City, Zeng Cheng Hui severed all administrative contact with Xi Lin City officials and issued a document stating that anyone who continued to serve in Xi Lin City would be considered a rebel collaborator. After this document was issued, several minor officials from the Xi Lin City government resigned and fled that very night.
Already terrified, hearing these words made Zeng Cheng Hui’s heart nearly jump out of his throat. “Your Highness… this, this had nothing to do with me. I… I was following orders from above. If it were up to me, I would never dare to do such a thing.”
Yan Chi looked at Zeng Cheng Hui with an ambiguous smile and said, “Tell me, why have you come? You seem unafraid of my seventy thousand troops.”
Zeng Cheng Hui looked up at Yan Chi with a fawning expression. “No… this humble one isn’t afraid at all. Your Highness is noble and upright, just like the old Prince. Speaking of which, when the old Prince was alive, this humble one received much kindness from him…”
Seeing Yan Chi’s expression turn cold, Zeng Cheng Hui quickly stopped and said, “This humble one has come today to welcome Your Highness.”
Yan Chi raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean by that?!”
Zeng Cheng Hui hurriedly said, “Your Highness has brought troops into Meng Prefecture’s territory. Surely it’s because you learned Meng Prefecture was empty, so you came…”
Before Zeng Cheng Hui could finish, his meaning was quite clear.
Meng Prefecture was empty, and Yan Chi brought troops at this time—intending to take advantage and occupy Meng Prefecture city!
Zeng Cheng Hui looked at Yan Chi with a sycophantic expression, while Yan Chi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Bai Feng, Yu Qi, and others standing nearby were startled by these words, and then couldn’t help but laugh. Kneeling on the ground, Zeng Cheng Hui found the scene strange but didn’t understand why.
Yan Chi spoke coldly from above, “Since you say you’ve come to welcome me, what have you prepared for my welcome?”
Yan Chi’s words suggested he truly intended to enter Meng Prefecture City. Hearing this, Zeng Cheng Hui’s face lit up. “This humble one will throw open Meng Prefecture city’s gates!”
Hearing this, Yan Chi coldly smiled. “Is that all?”
Zeng Cheng Hui’s eyes darted around. “Also… whatever Your Highness wants! This humble one can prepare anything for Your Highness!”
Yan Chi narrowed his eyes, leaned forward, and spoke in a terrifyingly sinister tone, “You didn’t come to welcome me. You want me to bring troops to defend Meng Prefecture city, don’t you?”
Zeng Cheng Hui broke out in a cold sweat. “No… no… of course not…”
Yan Chi suddenly sat up straight. “Drag him out and behead him!”
At this command, guards immediately came to drag him away. Hearing this, Zeng Cheng Hui was scared witless and struggled while pleading, “Your Highness, no, please spare me… Your Highness must know about the barbarians attacking the north… This humble one… had no choice. Whatever Your Highness wants, this humble one will provide, truly. Meng Prefecture’s granaries still have a surplus—Your Highness can take it all. Just please help defend Meng Prefecture City. For the sake of three hundred thousand common people of Meng Prefecture, please consider the old Prince’s memory and don’t abandon the people’s lives…”
Hearing this, Yan Chi raised his chin, and the two guards holding Zeng Cheng Hui finally released him. Zeng Cheng Hui’s eyes were red, thoroughly frightened. Yan Chi looked at him leisurely and asked, “So you came for the sake of the common people?”
Zeng Cheng Hui nodded and added, “This humble one’s entire family is also in the city. We truly have no other choice…”
Hearing this, Yan Chi smiled and said, “If that’s the case, I have a condition.”
Zeng Cheng Hui quickly looked at Yan Chi, who continued, “You must have already requested aid from the court and should know that the court’s military forces are all in the north now. Even if they had extra troops, they wouldn’t send them only here. Yet this place is most likely to fall to the barbarians, which is why you came here.”
Zeng Cheng Hui nodded repeatedly. Yan Chi continued, “My condition is this: if I ensure the barbarians don’t massacre your Meng Prefecture, you must lead everyone in Meng Prefecture to surrender to Xi Lin. Are you willing?”
Hearing these words, Zeng Cheng Hui was completely stunned. He never expected Yan Chi to be so ruthless, actually demanding that he, as the local official, lead the surrender.
Such a surrender would certainly cause the court to brand him a rebel. Losing his rank would be the least of his worries—the court would likely execute his entire clan!
But if he didn’t agree to Yan Chi’s terms, Wu Prefecture only had twenty thousand troops, and Cang Prefecture had already been massacred. The barbarians still had hundreds of thousands of troops moving south…
If the barbarians attacked, not only would his family not survive, but all the people of Meng Prefecture would face devastation.
Thinking this way, perhaps agreeing to Yan Chi’s terms was the better option!
Zeng Cheng Hui wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, and a look of solemn righteousness in the face of death appeared in his eyes. “Very well! This humble one agrees to Your Highness’s terms! This humble one will return and prepare the surrender document, and we shall announce it to the world!”
Hearing this, Yan Chi’s expression finally improved slightly, while Yu Qi’s smile nearly spilled from his eyes.
Zeng Cheng Hui saw this but could only smile apologetically.
Yan Chi nodded. “Very well, since that’s settled, you may return.”
Zeng Cheng Hui nodded reflexively, then suddenly froze. “Your Highness isn’t entering the city?”
Yan Chi looked at Zeng Cheng Hui as if he were an idiot. Yu Qi beside him couldn’t hold back anymore and laughed, saying, “Magistrate Zeng! Our Prince never intended to enter Meng Prefecture city. This time, we’re heading north to Wu Prefecture. You only care about the lives of Meng Prefecture’s people, but what about Wu Prefecture?”
Zeng Cheng Hui froze like a stone where he stood. He looked at Yan Chi on the seat, unable to speak for a long while.
Suddenly Zeng Cheng Hui’s eyes reddened again. “Yes… this humble one was blind, actually thinking Your Highness would… Your Highness is truly noble! The people of both Meng Prefecture and Wu Prefecture will surely remember Your Highness’s virtue! Your Highness is noble! Truly noble!”
Yan Chi was impatient with such talk and waved his hand, immediately silencing the frightened Zeng Cheng Hui.
“The surrender document still needs to be written. Additionally, I order you to prepare fifty thousand dan of grain and fodder to be delivered to Wu Prefecture in ten days. Can you do this?”
Standing before Yan Chi in the Shuo Xi camp, even if it couldn’t be done, Zeng Cheng Hui could only nod and say it could.
Seeing him agree, Yan Chi waved his hand. “I await your grain supplies. You may take your leave.”
Zeng Cheng Hui dazedly kowtowed several times and remained in a daze even after leaving the Shuo Xi military camp. He hadn’t needed to come here, and this visit changed nothing, yet he had gratuitously committed fifty thousand dan of grain and fodder! Thinking this, Zeng Cheng Hui looked back at the Shuo Xi camp…
In today’s world, how many people were like Yan Chi, who, despite bearing the name of a rebel, acted with the heart to save the common people?!
Zeng Cheng Hui heaved a long sigh. Thinking of his recent desperate and fruitless pleas for help, he felt increasingly moved.
Inside the central command tent, everyone was all smiles. Yu Qi said, “Your Highness, this Magistrate Zeng is quite the simpleton, actually thinking we came to occupy Meng Prefecture! Yet despite this, he willingly came into our camp…”
Yan Chi also laughed, “He may be somewhat simple, but he’s a good official. It’s getting late—tomorrow at dawn, we make full speed for Wu Prefecture!”
Bai Feng and Yu Qi both acknowledged the order and went to organize the troops. Yan Chi also left the central command tent for his and Qin Wan’s sleeping quarters.
By now, Qin Wan had heard about what happened and was quite amused. Seeing Yan Chi return, she said, “Congratulations, Your Highness. You’ve gained another city. Your Highness leads troops out and gains a city without even fighting—surely this means you’ll return victorious!”
Yan Chi laughed at her words and pulled her into his embrace. “Your news travels fast.”
Then, holding Qin Wan’s hand, he asked, “Are you still tired?”
They had rushed from Shuo Xi for three days before reaching Meng Prefecture. Qin Wan had followed the whole way, riding her horse half the time and sharing Yan Chi’s mount the other half. She could only rest when riding with Yan Chi or when the main force took breaks, so naturally, she had been tired the whole journey.
In this temporary camp, Qin Wan had slept for an entire day, and there was still weariness on her face.
Qin Wan said, “I’m much better. I’ll rest a bit more later, and I’ll certainly be fine tomorrow.”
Yan Chi felt distressed. “I said we should take a carriage, but you refused.”
Leaning in Yan Chi’s embrace, Qin Wan said, “What need is there for a carriage? It would be too conspicuous—we’re supposed to be reinforcing Wu Prefecture.”
Yan Chi simply stroked her back in silence.
Soon darkness fell, and just as Yan Chi was about to retire, another military report arrived.
Bai Feng hurried in and said, “Your Highness, the barbarians have reached Feng Prefecture. Unable to take it, they’re now heading for Wu Prefecture.”
Yan Chi frowned deeply. “From Feng Prefecture to Wu Prefecture takes three days at most, but our northern march still needs five days. I wonder if Wu Prefecture can hold out.”
The northern route was blocked by mountains and ridges—how could they move quickly through such terrain?
Hearing this, Bai Feng also grew worried, but at such a time, worry solved nothing. Everyone retired early, and before dawn the next day, the army broke camp and rushed at full speed toward Wu Prefecture…
…
Ever since receiving Yue Qiong’s message, Wu Prefecture General Yang Jia had completely shifted into battle preparation mode. He first mobilized the ten thousand garrison troops from Meng Prefecture. Though he hadn’t expected Meng Prefecture’s troops to come, they surprisingly responded to the mobilization order. However, Yang Jia’s joy was momentary because even with these additional troops, they only had twenty thousand men, while the barbarians numbered at least two hundred thousand. How could they handle an enemy force ten times their size?!
That day, a scout responsible for gathering military intelligence galloped into the city. Just reaching the city gates, he shouted, “Open the gates! Quick! The barbarians are here!”
The soldiers on the city walls, already tense, immediately let the scout in. The scout rushed up to the gate tower and, upon seeing Yang Jia, fell to his knees. “General! The barbarians are just ten li away. Please prepare for battle immediately! Only ten li away!”
Yang Jia had waited many days, but hearing this news, he didn’t feel the fear he had imagined. He looked back to see many recruits on the walls—militia organized by citizens who refused to abandon the city. Below the walls, many able-bodied women and elderly were helping to transport sand and stones.
Yang Jia took a deep breath. An unprecedented sense of duty prevented him from showing any fear.
He waved his command flag. “Prepare for battle! Everyone ready! Archers to the walls! Oil barrel unit to the walls—”
The orders issued from the gate tower spread throughout Wu Prefecture city in moments. Wu Prefecture’s walls weren’t particularly large, with only one gate on the eastern side. When news of Cang Prefecture’s massacre arrived, about a third of the people had chosen to flee, but many more had nowhere to go and could only stay to defend their homes. This left nearly a hundred thousand civilians in the city. As the highest-ranking military officer responsible for defending the city, especially after receiving Yue Qiong’s message days ago, Yang Jia dared not show the slightest negligence. Now that the barbarians had truly arrived, all of Wu Prefecture trembled with the approaching hoofbeats, but what trembled more were the hearts of the city’s people.
The scout returned at sunset, and as the last golden rays disappeared below the horizon, the supposedly bloodthirsty barbarians finally appeared at the horizon’s edge. They rode tall horses from the cold plains, wore coarse fur clothing, had bearded faces and tall, strong builds, all holding gleaming blood-stained cleavers. They charged toward Wu Prefecture city with no formation, like a group of demon-faced Rakshasas coming to claim lives!
Many soldiers’ limbs went weak at this sight. On the city wall, Yang Jia personally climbed onto the war drum platform and began beating the drum, stroke after stroke.
The heavy drum beats dispersed some of the fear in the soldiers’ hearts. As the barbarians’ iron hooves drew closer, some soldiers on the walls showed fear, but more displayed a resolve to fight to the death. Facing these life-claiming Rakshasas, no one dared take them lightly, especially when seeing the endless waves of barbarians surging forward…
But what of it? Behind them were their wives, daughters, and parents. If anyone was to be massacred, they should first spend their last drop of blood in battle!
The barbarians had no military strategy. Knowing the city’s defenses were weak, they charged like wild bulls to the base of the walls, attempting to break through the gates and scale the walls. At the officers’ command, arrows rained down from the walls like locusts. In an instant, screams erupted below the walls, but the arrows’ accuracy was limited, and even more limited were Wu Prefecture’s military supplies. By nightfall, the barbarians showed no sign of slowing.
Two hours later, the archery commander came to report, “General! We’ve used up all our arrows!”
Seeing this, Yang Jia said, “Fall back and let the oil barrel unit take position.”
After the switch, when barbarians tried to break through or climb the walls, burning oil barrels rolled down from above. Once again, screams filled the air below the walls, but after another two hours, all the oil barrels were also depleted.
It was barely past midnight, and the people on the walls had moved up all available sand and stones from below.
The gates absolutely couldn’t be opened. They couldn’t go out or reach the enemy, so they could only use such methods to repel the barbarians. But once the stones ran out, they would have to engage the barbarians in close combat when they scaled the walls. Seeing this situation, Yang Jia gritted his teeth and drew his long sword…
“General! There are too many barbarians! At this rate, they’ll be on the walls by dawn!”
“General, there’s a breach in the left battlements! They’re climbing up!”
Yang Jia raised his sword and led the charge. “Kill! Brothers! For our wives, daughters, and parents in the city! Kill these barbarian dogs!”
The walls were high, and those who could climb up were few, but even so, Yang Jia needed twice the number of men to kill these invaders. What terrified everyone more was the barbarians’ ferocity in close combat. Everyone understood that if the fighting moved into the city streets, they would be no match for the barbarians, let alone against their superior numbers!
The barbarians were naturally warlike and fearless of death or injury. Wave after wave of attacks opened more breaches in the walls. Yang Jia was covered in blood from fighting, and soldiers around him fell one after another. They held on without a moment’s rest for half the night, and by dawn, all the stones on the city walls were exhausted.
Without stones to block them, the barbarians climbed the walls more quickly. Soon, the top of the walls descended into chaos as more and more barbarians reached the top. Yang Jia shouted until his voice grew hoarse, but they couldn’t withstand the barbarians’ superior strength and combat skills. In moments, the top of the walls became a sea of blood. Yang Jia fought with bloodshot eyes, knowing Wu Prefecture couldn’t be held, and grew increasingly reckless, ready to sacrifice his life in battle. Suddenly, he noticed the barbarians below the walls falling into disorder!
At some point, an uncountable mass of people had appeared on the plains to the southwest…