No one present spoke again. Grand Tutor Yu, seated in the position of honor, lowered his eyes as if pondering deeply for a long while before finally saying: “Our Great Liang can dispatch troops to jointly construct the Great Wall.

Gui Luan – Chapter 246: Cries of Anguish

No one present spoke again. Grand Tutor Yu, seated in the position of honor, lowered his eyes as if pondering deeply for a long while before finally saying: “Our Great Liang can dispatch troops to jointly construct the Great Wall.

“The Western Frontier will also send forces to provide aid.”

Zhang Huai and all the ministers present raised their eyes to look.

Grand Tutor Yu gripped his cane with both hands, gazing at everyone present. On his aged face, his expression was bleak yet carried a desolate solemnity: “There’s an old saying: ‘Do all that is humanly possible, then accept what Heaven decrees.’ If human efforts have not been exhausted, how can one speak of accepting Heaven’s will?”

Sending troops to aid the Western Frontier was the same as Chen Wei knowing it was already too late, yet still leading troops to aid Southern Chen to bring back Wen Yu—even if there was only a one-in-ten-thousand chance, they would exert every effort to make that final gamble.

When the sovereign had already placed life and death beyond consideration, what did they as ministers have left to fear?

Building the Great Wall to resist foreign enemies invading from the Western Frontier was the last resort.

As Zhang Huai had said, if they truly could not rescue Wen Yu and could not hold the Western Frontier, they would still need to use their remaining forces to protect the common people of the Central Plains.

Only thus would they not fail to live up to the breathing space that Wen Yu and Xiao Li had traded their lives to secure for them.

All the court officials present understood the deep meaning in Grand Tutor Yu’s words. Their expressions carried some sorrow as they slowly bowed and cupped their hands together, saying in unison: “We all agree with what the Grand Tutor has said.”

Zhang Huai also cupped his hands and bowed deeply toward Grand Tutor Yu.

–

After Zhang Huai and all the Liang ministers had withdrawn, Grand Tutor Yu, exhausted from days of mental and physical strain, covered his lips as he coughed. Li Xun poured tea and handed it over.

Grand Tutor Yu took the teacup but didn’t drink. Gazing at the wide-open courtyard through the hall door, he seemed filled with endless sighs and slowly said: “This young man has some shadow of the Duke…”

With Grand Tutor Yu’s hint, Li Xun also seemed to think of some commonalities between Zhang Huai and Li Yao, saying: “He’s like the Duke in his early years.”

Grand Tutor Yu shook his head again: “But unfortunately, circumstances don’t wait for people. If this young man could be tempered for another ten or eight years, this old bag of bones wouldn’t fear failing the Princess’s entrustment…”

Li Xun hurriedly said: “Grand Tutor, please don’t say such things. You still need to welcome the young princess back to court and wait for the Princess to return safely!”

Grand Tutor Yu didn’t respond further. Only his hands, trembling from age and infirmity as they gripped the teacup, caused the clear tea in the cup to ripple endlessly, already explaining everything.

–

After Zhang Huai stepped out of the Liang camp, subordinates waiting outside hurried forward to ask: “Military Advisor, how did the alliance negotiations go?”

Zhang Huai’s refined face also rarely showed some fatigue, yet his steps were already striding rapidly: “Proceed with the Great Wall construction as planned. Additionally, dispatch a team of elite cavalry into the frontier to assist the Marquis.”

When they returned to the Xiao camp, from afar they could see a cavalry force stationed at the camp entrance.

Drawing closer, they saw the leader was Song Qin, whose cheeks had become much thinner. Beside him, sitting on a tall horse, was Tao Kui with two large hammers slung over his shoulders.

The entire group looked travel-worn, appearing to have just arrived from Dingzhou.

Zhang Huai stepped down from the carriage and cupped his hands toward them: “General Song, Captain Tao, it’s been quite some time.”

Song Qin’s messy beard had been simply trimmed before coming, and though there were still some scrape marks on his face, overall he no longer looked as dejected as he had in Dingzhou.

He nodded to Zhang Huai, saying: “Having heard that the Marquis is in danger beyond the Western Frontier pass, this subordinate wishes to lead troops to aid the Marquis.”

Zhang Huai didn’t immediately agree, hesitating briefly before saying: “Huai must discuss this matter with the generals in camp before making a decision.”

Song Qin called out to stop him, saying: “General Yuan and General Wei Ang are both important northern generals. If anything happens to the Marquis, they will still be needed to preside over the overall situation in resisting the barbarian tribes beyond the northern borders in the future. For this mission to aid the Western Frontier, the leader can only be chosen from among generals other than those two.

“Little Huan calls me elder brother. Now that he’s in trouble, as his elder brother, I must go bring him back no matter what.”

He no longer referred to Xiao Li as “Marquis.” By speaking this way, he was also making clear that even if Zhang Huai used military orders to forbid him from going, he would disobey and go on his own.

In terms of personal friendship with Xiao Li, no one in the entire military camp could compare to him and Zheng Hu.

Zhang Huai wasn’t comfortable with Song Qin leading troops there—firstly because he had been away from camp for so long, and secondly because he feared Song Qin might act impulsively.

Hearing Song Qin’s words now and meeting his gaze for two breaths, knowing that this journey would likely be one of no return, Zhang Huai finally closed his eyes and nodded in agreement.

Song Qin said “thank you,” looked at Tao Kui riding beside him, and said: “A Niu, go fetch that large halberd the Marquis usually uses.”

Tao Kui spurred his horse and went in response. Only then did Song Qin continue speaking with Zhang Huai: “This foolish boy is like a half-brother to me and Little Huan.

“When he heard Little Huan was in trouble, he insisted on following to the Western Frontier no matter what. After I left Dingzhou, no one could restrain him. Fearing he would venture alone to the Western Frontier and risk danger, I brought this foolish boy along.

“But this journey is perilous—the cold barrier alone could cost this foolish boy his life. I’m entrusting this foolish boy to you, Military Advisor. Please find some pretext to trick him into staying in the city.”

Zhang Huai nodded: “Huai will have Captain Tao help supervise the Great Wall construction.”

With the precedent of Granny Tao being beaten to death by soldiers under Pei Song’s command who were building city defenses, given Tao Kui’s purely good-natured disposition, having him supervise the soldiers to ensure they didn’t inflict severe punishment on the laborers building the Great Wall would be enough to keep him occupied.

Song Qin cupped his hands and said “thank you” to Zhang Huai.

As Song Qin led the Dingzhou cavalry away from the main camp, Zhang Huai cupped his hands in a deep bow and called out loudly: “Huai awaits the General’s triumphant return with the Marquis!”

Song Qin looked back at Zhang Huai from horseback. Without saying another word, he spurred his horse and continued leading the army forward, the forest of banners casting multiple shadows under the scorching sun.

Ten thousand li away beyond Tiger Gorge Pass, the Western Ling banners also blotted out the sky.

When the horn sounded with its “wuwu” call, thirty thousand Western Ling troops surged forward like a trickle through the yellow sand and dust toward the towering city walls of Tiger Gorge Pass ahead.

On a high cliff overlooking the battlefield below, Xiao Li sat astride his horse. After days of sleeping in the open and eating dust on the road through the desert, his face had darkened considerably, making him appear even more cold and stern. Especially the thin scab slanting down from his brow bone—the sharpness and fierce wildness about him could no longer be suppressed.

Zheng Hu sat astride his horse beside him, spitting on the ground: “We ate wind and swallowed sand, rushing day and night without rest, and finally managed to spread the news about Western Ling spies inside the pass ahead of time. I just don’t know if those Western Ling bastards’ aggressive posture attacking the city below is just putting on a show.”

Xiao Li stared at the battlefield below, only saying: “I’ll take three thousand Wolf Cavalry to harass the Western Ling army from behind. Old Tiger, you take the remaining brothers and adapt as the situation demands.”

Having said this, he pulled the reins, turned his horse’s head, and headed down the mountain.

Zheng Hu hurriedly called out for him to be careful. Looking back at the Western Ling army below the cliff, he spat on the ground again in frustration: “If we weren’t afraid of forcing these Western Ling bastards into desperate measures, I’d take men to burn their provisions!”

Currently, they couldn’t confirm whether there really was a Western Ling mole inside the pass. If there was a mole and this mole was Yang Shuo, then given the rumors they had spread ahead of time, the other party certainly wouldn’t dare openly let Western Ling troops into the pass.

To avoid being condemned by all under heaven, no matter what, he would have to put on a performance of defending to the death for a few days.

By having the Wolf Cavalry harass the Western Ling army from behind, Xiao Li also wanted the garrison inside the pass to understand clearly that they still had reinforcements outside the pass, letting Yang Shuo, as the commanding general defending the pass, weigh things in his own mind—if he surrendered easily, they, this military force outside the pass, could see the battle situation crystal clear.

If they could harass their way to Tiger Gorge Pass alongside the Western Ling army, then even if the Western Ling army later pursued them with full force, they could retreat by taking a detour through Hundred Blade Pass to escape back to Liang territory. Even if only one person made it back alive, they could clarify the true reason for Tiger Gorge Pass’s fall.

At that time, Yang Shuo would become a criminal reviled for all eternity!

If the mole wasn’t Yang Shuo, it would be even better. To avoid having this disgrace pinned on himself, Yang Shuo would certainly conduct a thorough investigation of his subordinates and use all available forces within the pass to defend to the death.

In either situation, Xiao Li’s deployment was meant to buy as much time as possible so that Liang reinforcements could reach Tiger Gorge Pass.

If they burned Western Ling’s provisions now, it would instead encourage Western Ling’s determination to burn their boats and attack the city, and also prevent the mole inside the pass from further delaying.

–

Inside Tiger Gorge Pass, upon hearing news that Western Ling’s great army had reached the city walls, Yang Shuo only calmly ordered: “Bring me my armor!”

His personal guards didn’t move, lowering their heads in hesitation before speaking: “General, because of the news those merchants who fled back into the pass two days ago brought, the common people in the city are quite panicked now, and there’s quite a bit of criticism of you, General, in private. If you personally go to the front lines, this subordinate fears Western Ling may have some conspiracy targeting you, General. Why not have the deputy general go in your stead first?”

Two days ago, a merchant caravan that had left the pass hurriedly turned back midway, saying they had been plundered by a Western Ling force. They abandoned all their goods and fled for their lives on horseback, which was how they managed to save themselves and return to the pass to report.

At that time, Yang Shuo had felt something was suspicious.

If they had died until only one person remained to flee back and report, that indeed could be the work of Western Ling barbarian troops. But that entire merchant caravan and the herdsmen who had received word along the way all escaped back—if it wasn’t some trick, then the only possibility was that someone was deliberately using the opportunity to spread rumors inside the pass.

He sent out scouts to investigate and indeed found traces of Western Ling’s army of tens of thousands marching toward Tiger Gorge Pass. They also brought back news that Pei Song had become a Western Ling prince consort and had a mole inside Tiger Gorge Pass.

Everyone present was shocked at the time, and Yang Shuo also knew this was aimed directly at him.

Though his time under Qin Yi’s command had been brief, merely having been part of Qin Yi’s former forces had been a boundary marker pressing down on him for over ten years, preventing him from advancing further.

If not for the later endless internal strife at court, the lack of available personnel in the Western Frontier, and Qin Yi’s case having long become ancient history, the actual authority of Tiger Gorge Pass’s commanding general would never have fallen into his hands.

But upon learning that Pei Song was actually Qin Huan, Yang Shuo was no longer certain whether Pei Song had manipulated things behind the scenes for his promotion several years ago.

Hearing his personal guard’s words now, he glanced sideways at the guard, naturally commanding without anger: “The Young Master died on the road to exile sixteen years ago. A traitorous criminal who has brought disaster to the realm using the Young Master’s name to exonerate himself—should this general fear his slander and not even dare go to the city walls to meet him?”

The guard hurriedly lowered his head: “This subordinate absolutely didn’t mean that…”

Yang Shuo shouted: “Bring this general’s armor!”

This time the guard didn’t dare refuse, following orders to bring Yang Shuo’s armor to equip him.

Tiger Gorge Pass relied on the natural defensibility of its terrain. In recent years, there had rarely been such large-scale battles, with tens of thousands attacking the city. After donning his armor and taking his saber, Yang Shuo stepped out of his study to see his wife holding their five-year-old youngest son, while their eleven-year-old eldest son stood under the eaves waiting for him.

Only then did he feel his steps grow heavier. He gestured for the guard to go down and prepare his horse first, then walked toward his wife and children. A hundred twists and turns in his heart ultimately produced only one word: “Madam…”

Lady Yang stepped forward to straighten her husband’s cloak, smiling gently: “Go ahead, General. Your wife and children will wait at home for your triumphant return.”

Yang Shuo nodded. He wanted to say more, but what came out was only: “These years… you’ve suffered…”

He then patted his younger son’s head and patted his elder son’s shoulder: “Take good care of your mother and brother at home.”

The boy, still appearing thin, looked at his father with worried yet admiring eyes and nodded vigorously.

Yang Shuo bid farewell to his wife and children and strode toward the mansion exterior. Outside the city, rolling stones launched by catapults traced arcs across the sky, heavily smashing into the outer walls of Tiger Gorge Pass’s city tower.

–

Gele City.

Heavy stones smashed into the corner of the city wall. The wall, having endured bombardment by stones for many days, finally could bear no more and collapsed in a spray of shattered rock.

The Western Ling soldiers outside the city seemed to receive tremendous encouragement. Letting out beast-like roars, they surged madly toward the collapsed section of wall.

When the news reached the city tower, Gu Xiyun had just speared through a Western Ling soldier who had climbed up the scaling ladder to the tower.

She wiped the blood spatter from her face and shouted toward Mu Youliang, who was supervising the battle not far away: “General Mu, I’ll take two thousand men to block the breach in the wall below!”

At such a critical moment, Mu Youliang couldn’t deliberate further and only shouted: “Approved!”

Gu Xiyun withdrew her spear and rushed down toward the lower city with several personal guards.

Mu Shaoting, who was blocking and killing Western Ling soldiers ascending the city tower in the distance, glanced back at the lower city walls. Seeing that the Western Ling forces were so fierce that some vanguard soldiers had already climbed through the breach in the broken walls into the barbican, he swept his spear to knock down several soldiers climbing up the scaling ladders, then also shouted to Mu Youliang: “Father, I’m going too!”

What Mu Youliang shouted was still just that word: “Approved!”

After Mu Shaoting also ran toward the lower city, from within the Western Ling army spreading like a black iron tide outside the city, the deep, resonant horn suddenly sounded again.

A formation of black iron troops that had been resting and reorganizing in the rear began moving forward. Everyone on the city tower’s faces changed color.

During these days, Western Ling had been fighting them in rotating shifts. Under the overwhelming offensive of one hundred twenty thousand troops, even though they also used rotating defense tactics, each time was a death battle staking their lives.

Defending until today, even the city walls had become unbearable under the continuous bombardment of the enemy’s catapults.

Mu Youliang watched that moving black iron formation, his expression desolate. After a long while, his short beard stained with dust and smoke moved as he ordered: “Take the Princess and withdraw!”

…

Black crows cawed as they swept across the courtyard. Zhao Bai walked hurriedly through the courtyard and entered the council hall.

On both sides of the long table, memorials were piled like mountains. Wen Yu sat peacefully at the very center of the table, holding a vermillion brush, her expression serene, still processing the accumulated memorials.

Zhao Bai knelt on one knee, bowing his head: “Princess, the western wall has been smashed and collapsed in one section. Though General Gu and Young General Mu took men to block it, Western Ling’s army has begun a new round of fierce attack. The situation is not optimistic. General Mu ordered this servant and others to evacuate the Princess from here first!”

Gui Luan – Chapter 246: Cries of Anguish

No one present spoke again. Grand Tutor Yu, seated in the position of honor, lowered his eyes as if pondering deeply for a long while before finally saying: “Our Great Liang can dispatch troops to jointly construct the Great Wall.

“The Western Frontier will also send forces to provide aid.”

Zhang Huai and all the ministers present raised their eyes to look.

Grand Tutor Yu gripped his cane with both hands, gazing at everyone present. On his aged face, his expression was bleak yet carried a desolate solemnity: “There’s an old saying: ‘Do all that is humanly possible, then accept what Heaven decrees.’ If human efforts have not been exhausted, how can one speak of accepting Heaven’s will?”

Sending troops to aid the Western Frontier was the same as Chen Wei knowing it was already too late, yet still leading troops to aid Southern Chen to bring back Wen Yu—even if there was only a one-in-ten-thousand chance, they would exert every effort to make that final gamble.

When the sovereign had already placed life and death beyond consideration, what did they as ministers have left to fear?

Building the Great Wall to resist foreign enemies invading from the Western Frontier was the last resort.

As Zhang Huai had said, if they truly could not rescue Wen Yu and could not hold the Western Frontier, they would still need to use their remaining forces to protect the common people of the Central Plains.

Only thus would they not fail to live up to the breathing space that Wen Yu and Xiao Li had traded their lives to secure for them.

All the court officials present understood the deep meaning in Grand Tutor Yu’s words. Their expressions carried some sorrow as they slowly bowed and cupped their hands together, saying in unison: “We all agree with what the Grand Tutor has said.”

Zhang Huai also cupped his hands and bowed deeply toward Grand Tutor Yu.

–

After Zhang Huai and all the Liang ministers had withdrawn, Grand Tutor Yu, exhausted from days of mental and physical strain, covered his lips as he coughed. Li Xun poured tea and handed it over.

Grand Tutor Yu took the teacup but didn’t drink. Gazing at the wide-open courtyard through the hall door, he seemed filled with endless sighs and slowly said: “This young man has some shadow of the Duke…”

With Grand Tutor Yu’s hint, Li Xun also seemed to think of some commonalities between Zhang Huai and Li Yao, saying: “He’s like the Duke in his early years.”

Grand Tutor Yu shook his head again: “But unfortunately, circumstances don’t wait for people. If this young man could be tempered for another ten or eight years, this old bag of bones wouldn’t fear failing the Princess’s entrustment…”

Li Xun hurriedly said: “Grand Tutor, please don’t say such things. You still need to welcome the young princess back to court and wait for the Princess to return safely!”

Grand Tutor Yu didn’t respond further. Only his hands, trembling from age and infirmity as they gripped the teacup, caused the clear tea in the cup to ripple endlessly, already explaining everything.

–

After Zhang Huai stepped out of the Liang camp, subordinates waiting outside hurried forward to ask: “Military Advisor, how did the alliance negotiations go?”

Zhang Huai’s refined face also rarely showed some fatigue, yet his steps were already striding rapidly: “Proceed with the Great Wall construction as planned. Additionally, dispatch a team of elite cavalry into the frontier to assist the Marquis.”

When they returned to the Xiao camp, from afar they could see a cavalry force stationed at the camp entrance.

Drawing closer, they saw the leader was Song Qin, whose cheeks had become much thinner. Beside him, sitting on a tall horse, was Tao Kui with two large hammers slung over his shoulders.

The entire group looked travel-worn, appearing to have just arrived from Dingzhou.

Zhang Huai stepped down from the carriage and cupped his hands toward them: “General Song, Captain Tao, it’s been quite some time.”

Song Qin’s messy beard had been simply trimmed before coming, and though there were still some scrape marks on his face, overall he no longer looked as dejected as he had in Dingzhou.

He nodded to Zhang Huai, saying: “Having heard that the Marquis is in danger beyond the Western Frontier pass, this subordinate wishes to lead troops to aid the Marquis.”

Zhang Huai didn’t immediately agree, hesitating briefly before saying: “Huai must discuss this matter with the generals in camp before making a decision.”

Song Qin called out to stop him, saying: “General Yuan and General Wei Ang are both important northern generals. If anything happens to the Marquis, they will still be needed to preside over the overall situation in resisting the barbarian tribes beyond the northern borders in the future. For this mission to aid the Western Frontier, the leader can only be chosen from among generals other than those two.

“Little Huan calls me elder brother. Now that he’s in trouble, as his elder brother, I must go bring him back no matter what.”

He no longer referred to Xiao Li as “Marquis.” By speaking this way, he was also making clear that even if Zhang Huai used military orders to forbid him from going, he would disobey and go on his own.

In terms of personal friendship with Xiao Li, no one in the entire military camp could compare to him and Zheng Hu.

Zhang Huai wasn’t comfortable with Song Qin leading troops there—firstly because he had been away from camp for so long, and secondly because he feared Song Qin might act impulsively.

Hearing Song Qin’s words now and meeting his gaze for two breaths, knowing that this journey would likely be one of no return, Zhang Huai finally closed his eyes and nodded in agreement.

Song Qin said “thank you,” looked at Tao Kui riding beside him, and said: “A Niu, go fetch that large halberd the Marquis usually uses.”

Tao Kui spurred his horse and went in response. Only then did Song Qin continue speaking with Zhang Huai: “This foolish boy is like a half-brother to me and Little Huan.

“When he heard Little Huan was in trouble, he insisted on following to the Western Frontier no matter what. After I left Dingzhou, no one could restrain him. Fearing he would venture alone to the Western Frontier and risk danger, I brought this foolish boy along.

“But this journey is perilous—the cold barrier alone could cost this foolish boy his life. I’m entrusting this foolish boy to you, Military Advisor. Please find some pretext to trick him into staying in the city.”

Zhang Huai nodded: “Huai will have Captain Tao help supervise the Great Wall construction.”

With the precedent of Granny Tao being beaten to death by soldiers under Pei Song’s command who were building city defenses, given Tao Kui’s purely good-natured disposition, having him supervise the soldiers to ensure they didn’t inflict severe punishment on the laborers building the Great Wall would be enough to keep him occupied.

Song Qin cupped his hands and said “thank you” to Zhang Huai.

As Song Qin led the Dingzhou cavalry away from the main camp, Zhang Huai cupped his hands in a deep bow and called out loudly: “Huai awaits the General’s triumphant return with the Marquis!”

Song Qin looked back at Zhang Huai from horseback. Without saying another word, he spurred his horse and continued leading the army forward, the forest of banners casting multiple shadows under the scorching sun.

Ten thousand li away beyond Tiger Gorge Pass, the Western Ling banners also blotted out the sky.

When the horn sounded with its “wuwu” call, thirty thousand Western Ling troops surged forward like a trickle through the yellow sand and dust toward the towering city walls of Tiger Gorge Pass ahead.

On a high cliff overlooking the battlefield below, Xiao Li sat astride his horse. After days of sleeping in the open and eating dust on the road through the desert, his face had darkened considerably, making him appear even more cold and stern. Especially the thin scab slanting down from his brow bone—the sharpness and fierce wildness about him could no longer be suppressed.

Zheng Hu sat astride his horse beside him, spitting on the ground: “We ate wind and swallowed sand, rushing day and night without rest, and finally managed to spread the news about Western Ling spies inside the pass ahead of time. I just don’t know if those Western Ling bastards’ aggressive posture attacking the city below is just putting on a show.”

Xiao Li stared at the battlefield below, only saying: “I’ll take three thousand Wolf Cavalry to harass the Western Ling army from behind. Old Tiger, you take the remaining brothers and adapt as the situation demands.”

Having said this, he pulled the reins, turned his horse’s head, and headed down the mountain.

Zheng Hu hurriedly called out for him to be careful. Looking back at the Western Ling army below the cliff, he spat on the ground again in frustration: “If we weren’t afraid of forcing these Western Ling bastards into desperate measures, I’d take men to burn their provisions!”

Currently, they couldn’t confirm whether there really was a Western Ling mole inside the pass. If there was a mole and this mole was Yang Shuo, then given the rumors they had spread ahead of time, the other party certainly wouldn’t dare openly let Western Ling troops into the pass.

To avoid being condemned by all under heaven, no matter what, he would have to put on a performance of defending to the death for a few days.

By having the Wolf Cavalry harass the Western Ling army from behind, Xiao Li also wanted the garrison inside the pass to understand clearly that they still had reinforcements outside the pass, letting Yang Shuo, as the commanding general defending the pass, weigh things in his own mind—if he surrendered easily, they, this military force outside the pass, could see the battle situation crystal clear.

If they could harass their way to Tiger Gorge Pass alongside the Western Ling army, then even if the Western Ling army later pursued them with full force, they could retreat by taking a detour through Hundred Blade Pass to escape back to Liang territory. Even if only one person made it back alive, they could clarify the true reason for Tiger Gorge Pass’s fall.

At that time, Yang Shuo would become a criminal reviled for all eternity!

If the mole wasn’t Yang Shuo, it would be even better. To avoid having this disgrace pinned on himself, Yang Shuo would certainly conduct a thorough investigation of his subordinates and use all available forces within the pass to defend to the death.

In either situation, Xiao Li’s deployment was meant to buy as much time as possible so that Liang reinforcements could reach Tiger Gorge Pass.

If they burned Western Ling’s provisions now, it would instead encourage Western Ling’s determination to burn their boats and attack the city, and also prevent the mole inside the pass from further delaying.

–

Inside Tiger Gorge Pass, upon hearing news that Western Ling’s great army had reached the city walls, Yang Shuo only calmly ordered: “Bring me my armor!”

His personal guards didn’t move, lowering their heads in hesitation before speaking: “General, because of the news those merchants who fled back into the pass two days ago brought, the common people in the city are quite panicked now, and there’s quite a bit of criticism of you, General, in private. If you personally go to the front lines, this subordinate fears Western Ling may have some conspiracy targeting you, General. Why not have the deputy general go in your stead first?”

Two days ago, a merchant caravan that had left the pass hurriedly turned back midway, saying they had been plundered by a Western Ling force. They abandoned all their goods and fled for their lives on horseback, which was how they managed to save themselves and return to the pass to report.

At that time, Yang Shuo had felt something was suspicious.

If they had died until only one person remained to flee back and report, that indeed could be the work of Western Ling barbarian troops. But that entire merchant caravan and the herdsmen who had received word along the way all escaped back—if it wasn’t some trick, then the only possibility was that someone was deliberately using the opportunity to spread rumors inside the pass.

He sent out scouts to investigate and indeed found traces of Western Ling’s army of tens of thousands marching toward Tiger Gorge Pass. They also brought back news that Pei Song had become a Western Ling prince consort and had a mole inside Tiger Gorge Pass.

Everyone present was shocked at the time, and Yang Shuo also knew this was aimed directly at him.

Though his time under Qin Yi’s command had been brief, merely having been part of Qin Yi’s former forces had been a boundary marker pressing down on him for over ten years, preventing him from advancing further.

If not for the later endless internal strife at court, the lack of available personnel in the Western Frontier, and Qin Yi’s case having long become ancient history, the actual authority of Tiger Gorge Pass’s commanding general would never have fallen into his hands.

But upon learning that Pei Song was actually Qin Huan, Yang Shuo was no longer certain whether Pei Song had manipulated things behind the scenes for his promotion several years ago.

Hearing his personal guard’s words now, he glanced sideways at the guard, naturally commanding without anger: “The Young Master died on the road to exile sixteen years ago. A traitorous criminal who has brought disaster to the realm using the Young Master’s name to exonerate himself—should this general fear his slander and not even dare go to the city walls to meet him?”

The guard hurriedly lowered his head: “This subordinate absolutely didn’t mean that…”

Yang Shuo shouted: “Bring this general’s armor!”

This time the guard didn’t dare refuse, following orders to bring Yang Shuo’s armor to equip him.

Tiger Gorge Pass relied on the natural defensibility of its terrain. In recent years, there had rarely been such large-scale battles, with tens of thousands attacking the city. After donning his armor and taking his saber, Yang Shuo stepped out of his study to see his wife holding their five-year-old youngest son, while their eleven-year-old eldest son stood under the eaves waiting for him.

Only then did he feel his steps grow heavier. He gestured for the guard to go down and prepare his horse first, then walked toward his wife and children. A hundred twists and turns in his heart ultimately produced only one word: “Madam…”

Lady Yang stepped forward to straighten her husband’s cloak, smiling gently: “Go ahead, General. Your wife and children will wait at home for your triumphant return.”

Yang Shuo nodded. He wanted to say more, but what came out was only: “These years… you’ve suffered…”

He then patted his younger son’s head and patted his elder son’s shoulder: “Take good care of your mother and brother at home.”

The boy, still appearing thin, looked at his father with worried yet admiring eyes and nodded vigorously.

Yang Shuo bid farewell to his wife and children and strode toward the mansion exterior. Outside the city, rolling stones launched by catapults traced arcs across the sky, heavily smashing into the outer walls of Tiger Gorge Pass’s city tower.

–

Gele City.

Heavy stones smashed into the corner of the city wall. The wall, having endured bombardment by stones for many days, finally could bear no more and collapsed in a spray of shattered rock.

The Western Ling soldiers outside the city seemed to receive tremendous encouragement. Letting out beast-like roars, they surged madly toward the collapsed section of wall.

When the news reached the city tower, Gu Xiyun had just speared through a Western Ling soldier who had climbed up the scaling ladder to the tower.

She wiped the blood spatter from her face and shouted toward Mu Youliang, who was supervising the battle not far away: “General Mu, I’ll take two thousand men to block the breach in the wall below!”

At such a critical moment, Mu Youliang couldn’t deliberate further and only shouted: “Approved!”

Gu Xiyun withdrew her spear and rushed down toward the lower city with several personal guards.

Mu Shaoting, who was blocking and killing Western Ling soldiers ascending the city tower in the distance, glanced back at the lower city walls. Seeing that the Western Ling forces were so fierce that some vanguard soldiers had already climbed through the breach in the broken walls into the barbican, he swept his spear to knock down several soldiers climbing up the scaling ladders, then also shouted to Mu Youliang: “Father, I’m going too!”

What Mu Youliang shouted was still just that word: “Approved!”

After Mu Shaoting also ran toward the lower city, from within the Western Ling army spreading like a black iron tide outside the city, the deep, resonant horn suddenly sounded again.

A formation of black iron troops that had been resting and reorganizing in the rear began moving forward. Everyone on the city tower’s faces changed color.

During these days, Western Ling had been fighting them in rotating shifts. Under the overwhelming offensive of one hundred twenty thousand troops, even though they also used rotating defense tactics, each time was a death battle staking their lives.

Defending until today, even the city walls had become unbearable under the continuous bombardment of the enemy’s catapults.

Mu Youliang watched that moving black iron formation, his expression desolate. After a long while, his short beard stained with dust and smoke moved as he ordered: “Take the Princess and withdraw!”

…

Black crows cawed as they swept across the courtyard. Zhao Bai walked hurriedly through the courtyard and entered the council hall.

On both sides of the long table, memorials were piled like mountains. Wen Yu sat peacefully at the very center of the table, holding a vermillion brush, her expression serene, still processing the accumulated memorials.

Zhao Bai knelt on one knee, bowing his head: “Princess, the western wall has been smashed and collapsed in one section. Though General Gu and Young General Mu took men to block it, Western Ling’s army has begun a new round of fierce attack. The situation is not optimistic. General Mu ordered this servant and others to evacuate the Princess from here first!”

“The Western Frontier will also send forces to provide aid.”

Zhang Huai and all the ministers present raised their eyes to look.

Grand Tutor Yu gripped his cane with both hands, gazing at everyone present. On his aged face, his expression was bleak yet carried a desolate solemnity: “There’s an old saying: ‘Do all that is humanly possible, then accept what Heaven decrees.’ If human efforts have not been exhausted, how can one speak of accepting Heaven’s will?”

Sending troops to aid the Western Frontier was the same as Chen Wei knowing it was already too late, yet still leading troops to aid Southern Chen to bring back Wen Yu—even if there was only a one-in-ten-thousand chance, they would exert every effort to make that final gamble.

When the sovereign had already placed life and death beyond consideration, what did they as ministers have left to fear?

Building the Great Wall to resist foreign enemies invading from the Western Frontier was the last resort.

As Zhang Huai had said, if they truly could not rescue Wen Yu and could not hold the Western Frontier, they would still need to use their remaining forces to protect the common people of the Central Plains.

Only thus would they not fail to live up to the breathing space that Wen Yu and Xiao Li had traded their lives to secure for them.

All the court officials present understood the deep meaning in Grand Tutor Yu’s words. Their expressions carried some sorrow as they slowly bowed and cupped their hands together, saying in unison: “We all agree with what the Grand Tutor has said.”

Zhang Huai also cupped his hands and bowed deeply toward Grand Tutor Yu.

–

After Zhang Huai and all the Liang ministers had withdrawn, Grand Tutor Yu, exhausted from days of mental and physical strain, covered his lips as he coughed. Li Xun poured tea and handed it over.

Grand Tutor Yu took the teacup but didn’t drink. Gazing at the wide-open courtyard through the hall door, he seemed filled with endless sighs and slowly said: “This young man has some shadow of the Duke…”

With Grand Tutor Yu’s hint, Li Xun also seemed to think of some commonalities between Zhang Huai and Li Yao, saying: “He’s like the Duke in his early years.”

Grand Tutor Yu shook his head again: “But unfortunately, circumstances don’t wait for people. If this young man could be tempered for another ten or eight years, this old bag of bones wouldn’t fear failing the Princess’s entrustment…”

Li Xun hurriedly said: “Grand Tutor, please don’t say such things. You still need to welcome the young princess back to court and wait for the Princess to return safely!”

Grand Tutor Yu didn’t respond further. Only his hands, trembling from age and infirmity as they gripped the teacup, caused the clear tea in the cup to ripple endlessly, already explaining everything.

–

After Zhang Huai stepped out of the Liang camp, subordinates waiting outside hurried forward to ask: “Military Advisor, how did the alliance negotiations go?”

Zhang Huai’s refined face also rarely showed some fatigue, yet his steps were already striding rapidly: “Proceed with the Great Wall construction as planned. Additionally, dispatch a team of elite cavalry into the frontier to assist the Marquis.”

When they returned to the Xiao camp, from afar they could see a cavalry force stationed at the camp entrance.

Drawing closer, they saw the leader was Song Qin, whose cheeks had become much thinner. Beside him, sitting on a tall horse, was Tao Kui with two large hammers slung over his shoulders.

The entire group looked travel-worn, appearing to have just arrived from Dingzhou.

Zhang Huai stepped down from the carriage and cupped his hands toward them: “General Song, Captain Tao, it’s been quite some time.”

Song Qin’s messy beard had been simply trimmed before coming, and though there were still some scrape marks on his face, overall he no longer looked as dejected as he had in Dingzhou.

He nodded to Zhang Huai, saying: “Having heard that the Marquis is in danger beyond the Western Frontier pass, this subordinate wishes to lead troops to aid the Marquis.”

Zhang Huai didn’t immediately agree, hesitating briefly before saying: “Huai must discuss this matter with the generals in camp before making a decision.”

Song Qin called out to stop him, saying: “General Yuan and General Wei Ang are both important northern generals. If anything happens to the Marquis, they will still be needed to preside over the overall situation in resisting the barbarian tribes beyond the northern borders in the future. For this mission to aid the Western Frontier, the leader can only be chosen from among generals other than those two.

“Little Huan calls me elder brother. Now that he’s in trouble, as his elder brother, I must go bring him back no matter what.”

He no longer referred to Xiao Li as “Marquis.” By speaking this way, he was also making clear that even if Zhang Huai used military orders to forbid him from going, he would disobey and go on his own.

In terms of personal friendship with Xiao Li, no one in the entire military camp could compare to him and Zheng Hu.

Zhang Huai wasn’t comfortable with Song Qin leading troops there—firstly because he had been away from camp for so long, and secondly because he feared Song Qin might act impulsively.

Hearing Song Qin’s words now and meeting his gaze for two breaths, knowing that this journey would likely be one of no return, Zhang Huai finally closed his eyes and nodded in agreement.

Song Qin said “thank you,” looked at Tao Kui riding beside him, and said: “A Niu, go fetch that large halberd the Marquis usually uses.”

Tao Kui spurred his horse and went in response. Only then did Song Qin continue speaking with Zhang Huai: “This foolish boy is like a half-brother to me and Little Huan.

“When he heard Little Huan was in trouble, he insisted on following to the Western Frontier no matter what. After I left Dingzhou, no one could restrain him. Fearing he would venture alone to the Western Frontier and risk danger, I brought this foolish boy along.

“But this journey is perilous—the cold barrier alone could cost this foolish boy his life. I’m entrusting this foolish boy to you, Military Advisor. Please find some pretext to trick him into staying in the city.”

Zhang Huai nodded: “Huai will have Captain Tao help supervise the Great Wall construction.”

With the precedent of Granny Tao being beaten to death by soldiers under Pei Song’s command who were building city defenses, given Tao Kui’s purely good-natured disposition, having him supervise the soldiers to ensure they didn’t inflict severe punishment on the laborers building the Great Wall would be enough to keep him occupied.

Song Qin cupped his hands and said “thank you” to Zhang Huai.

As Song Qin led the Dingzhou cavalry away from the main camp, Zhang Huai cupped his hands in a deep bow and called out loudly: “Huai awaits the General’s triumphant return with the Marquis!”

Song Qin looked back at Zhang Huai from horseback. Without saying another word, he spurred his horse and continued leading the army forward, the forest of banners casting multiple shadows under the scorching sun.

Ten thousand li away beyond Tiger Gorge Pass, the Western Ling banners also blotted out the sky.

When the horn sounded with its “wuwu” call, thirty thousand Western Ling troops surged forward like a trickle through the yellow sand and dust toward the towering city walls of Tiger Gorge Pass ahead.

On a high cliff overlooking the battlefield below, Xiao Li sat astride his horse. After days of sleeping in the open and eating dust on the road through the desert, his face had darkened considerably, making him appear even more cold and stern. Especially the thin scab slanting down from his brow bone—the sharpness and fierce wildness about him could no longer be suppressed.

Zheng Hu sat astride his horse beside him, spitting on the ground: “We ate wind and swallowed sand, rushing day and night without rest, and finally managed to spread the news about Western Ling spies inside the pass ahead of time. I just don’t know if those Western Ling bastards’ aggressive posture attacking the city below is just putting on a show.”

Xiao Li stared at the battlefield below, only saying: “I’ll take three thousand Wolf Cavalry to harass the Western Ling army from behind. Old Tiger, you take the remaining brothers and adapt as the situation demands.”

Having said this, he pulled the reins, turned his horse’s head, and headed down the mountain.

Zheng Hu hurriedly called out for him to be careful. Looking back at the Western Ling army below the cliff, he spat on the ground again in frustration: “If we weren’t afraid of forcing these Western Ling bastards into desperate measures, I’d take men to burn their provisions!”

Currently, they couldn’t confirm whether there really was a Western Ling mole inside the pass. If there was a mole and this mole was Yang Shuo, then given the rumors they had spread ahead of time, the other party certainly wouldn’t dare openly let Western Ling troops into the pass.

To avoid being condemned by all under heaven, no matter what, he would have to put on a performance of defending to the death for a few days.

By having the Wolf Cavalry harass the Western Ling army from behind, Xiao Li also wanted the garrison inside the pass to understand clearly that they still had reinforcements outside the pass, letting Yang Shuo, as the commanding general defending the pass, weigh things in his own mind—if he surrendered easily, they, this military force outside the pass, could see the battle situation crystal clear.

If they could harass their way to Tiger Gorge Pass alongside the Western Ling army, then even if the Western Ling army later pursued them with full force, they could retreat by taking a detour through Hundred Blade Pass to escape back to Liang territory. Even if only one person made it back alive, they could clarify the true reason for Tiger Gorge Pass’s fall.

At that time, Yang Shuo would become a criminal reviled for all eternity!

If the mole wasn’t Yang Shuo, it would be even better. To avoid having this disgrace pinned on himself, Yang Shuo would certainly conduct a thorough investigation of his subordinates and use all available forces within the pass to defend to the death.

In either situation, Xiao Li’s deployment was meant to buy as much time as possible so that Liang reinforcements could reach Tiger Gorge Pass.

If they burned Western Ling’s provisions now, it would instead encourage Western Ling’s determination to burn their boats and attack the city, and also prevent the mole inside the pass from further delaying.

–

Inside Tiger Gorge Pass, upon hearing news that Western Ling’s great army had reached the city walls, Yang Shuo only calmly ordered: “Bring me my armor!”

His personal guards didn’t move, lowering their heads in hesitation before speaking: “General, because of the news those merchants who fled back into the pass two days ago brought, the common people in the city are quite panicked now, and there’s quite a bit of criticism of you, General, in private. If you personally go to the front lines, this subordinate fears Western Ling may have some conspiracy targeting you, General. Why not have the deputy general go in your stead first?”

Two days ago, a merchant caravan that had left the pass hurriedly turned back midway, saying they had been plundered by a Western Ling force. They abandoned all their goods and fled for their lives on horseback, which was how they managed to save themselves and return to the pass to report.

At that time, Yang Shuo had felt something was suspicious.

If they had died until only one person remained to flee back and report, that indeed could be the work of Western Ling barbarian troops. But that entire merchant caravan and the herdsmen who had received word along the way all escaped back—if it wasn’t some trick, then the only possibility was that someone was deliberately using the opportunity to spread rumors inside the pass.

He sent out scouts to investigate and indeed found traces of Western Ling’s army of tens of thousands marching toward Tiger Gorge Pass. They also brought back news that Pei Song had become a Western Ling prince consort and had a mole inside Tiger Gorge Pass.

Everyone present was shocked at the time, and Yang Shuo also knew this was aimed directly at him.

Though his time under Qin Yi’s command had been brief, merely having been part of Qin Yi’s former forces had been a boundary marker pressing down on him for over ten years, preventing him from advancing further.

If not for the later endless internal strife at court, the lack of available personnel in the Western Frontier, and Qin Yi’s case having long become ancient history, the actual authority of Tiger Gorge Pass’s commanding general would never have fallen into his hands.

But upon learning that Pei Song was actually Qin Huan, Yang Shuo was no longer certain whether Pei Song had manipulated things behind the scenes for his promotion several years ago.

Hearing his personal guard’s words now, he glanced sideways at the guard, naturally commanding without anger: “The Young Master died on the road to exile sixteen years ago. A traitorous criminal who has brought disaster to the realm using the Young Master’s name to exonerate himself—should this general fear his slander and not even dare go to the city walls to meet him?”

The guard hurriedly lowered his head: “This subordinate absolutely didn’t mean that…”

Yang Shuo shouted: “Bring this general’s armor!”

This time the guard didn’t dare refuse, following orders to bring Yang Shuo’s armor to equip him.

Tiger Gorge Pass relied on the natural defensibility of its terrain. In recent years, there had rarely been such large-scale battles, with tens of thousands attacking the city. After donning his armor and taking his saber, Yang Shuo stepped out of his study to see his wife holding their five-year-old youngest son, while their eleven-year-old eldest son stood under the eaves waiting for him.

Only then did he feel his steps grow heavier. He gestured for the guard to go down and prepare his horse first, then walked toward his wife and children. A hundred twists and turns in his heart ultimately produced only one word: “Madam…”

Lady Yang stepped forward to straighten her husband’s cloak, smiling gently: “Go ahead, General. Your wife and children will wait at home for your triumphant return.”

Yang Shuo nodded. He wanted to say more, but what came out was only: “These years… you’ve suffered…”

He then patted his younger son’s head and patted his elder son’s shoulder: “Take good care of your mother and brother at home.”

The boy, still appearing thin, looked at his father with worried yet admiring eyes and nodded vigorously.

Yang Shuo bid farewell to his wife and children and strode toward the mansion exterior. Outside the city, rolling stones launched by catapults traced arcs across the sky, heavily smashing into the outer walls of Tiger Gorge Pass’s city tower.

–

Gele City.

Heavy stones smashed into the corner of the city wall. The wall, having endured bombardment by stones for many days, finally could bear no more and collapsed in a spray of shattered rock.

The Western Ling soldiers outside the city seemed to receive tremendous encouragement. Letting out beast-like roars, they surged madly toward the collapsed section of wall.

When the news reached the city tower, Gu Xiyun had just speared through a Western Ling soldier who had climbed up the scaling ladder to the tower.

She wiped the blood spatter from her face and shouted toward Mu Youliang, who was supervising the battle not far away: “General Mu, I’ll take two thousand men to block the breach in the wall below!”

At such a critical moment, Mu Youliang couldn’t deliberate further and only shouted: “Approved!”

Gu Xiyun withdrew her spear and rushed down toward the lower city with several personal guards.

Mu Shaoting, who was blocking and killing Western Ling soldiers ascending the city tower in the distance, glanced back at the lower city walls. Seeing that the Western Ling forces were so fierce that some vanguard soldiers had already climbed through the breach in the broken walls into the barbican, he swept his spear to knock down several soldiers climbing up the scaling ladders, then also shouted to Mu Youliang: “Father, I’m going too!”

What Mu Youliang shouted was still just that word: “Approved!”

After Mu Shaoting also ran toward the lower city, from within the Western Ling army spreading like a black iron tide outside the city, the deep, resonant horn suddenly sounded again.

A formation of black iron troops that had been resting and reorganizing in the rear began moving forward. Everyone on the city tower’s faces changed color.

During these days, Western Ling had been fighting them in rotating shifts. Under the overwhelming offensive of one hundred twenty thousand troops, even though they also used rotating defense tactics, each time was a death battle staking their lives.

Defending until today, even the city walls had become unbearable under the continuous bombardment of the enemy’s catapults.

Mu Youliang watched that moving black iron formation, his expression desolate. After a long while, his short beard stained with dust and smoke moved as he ordered: “Take the Princess and withdraw!”

…

Black crows cawed as they swept across the courtyard. Zhao Bai walked hurriedly through the courtyard and entered the council hall.

On both sides of the long table, memorials were piled like mountains. Wen Yu sat peacefully at the very center of the table, holding a vermillion brush, her expression serene, still processing the accumulated memorials.

Zhao Bai knelt on one knee, bowing his head: “Princess, the western wall has been smashed and collapsed in one section. Though General Gu and Young General Mu took men to block it, Western Ling’s army has begun a new round of fierce attack. The situation is not optimistic. General Mu ordered this servant and others to evacuate the Princess from here first!”