Before the New Year could be celebrated, Xu Hongyan had already led Mo Hua and others on a thousand-mile journey to the ice-covered grasslands beyond the frontier. The hardships of their journey need not be mentioned. Similarly, those defending the capital of Chu had no heart to celebrate the New Year. Even with Murong Shen and He Su’s forces providing support from the outer perimeter, though the Northern Rong’s attacks seemed to weaken after a few days, the northern border forces appeared to grow stronger with each battle. Moreover, the northern army besieging the capital grew increasingly numerous. He Su’s forces ultimately could not withstand the crushing pressure of nearly a million troops and withdrew early from the battlefield.
However, after withdrawing, He Su did not remain idle. Instead, he led his forces to regroup with Murong Shen’s army, which was engaged with the Northern Rong forces. The two armies together launched an attack against the Northern Rong forces besieging the city. They even continued pursuing westward after repelling the Northern Rong army. This allowed the Chu defenders to focus entirely on the northern border forces without worrying about their rear. Additionally, if they could continue westward and eventually join up with the Mo family army from the Prince’s mansion, it would also reduce the time needed for the Mo family army’s approach.
Due to the enemy’s siege, there was no New Year atmosphere within the capital. After a snowfall, the northern army’s siege was temporarily halted. In the northern cold, after the snowfall, the entire city wall was covered in ice, making it ten times more difficult to attack than usual. On the tower, Grand Duke Hua, Leng Huai, Leng Haoyu, and others stood looking into the distance. The northern army’s camps were visible in the snow-white world. Leng Haoyu sighed as he gazed into the distance: “The northern border has been reinforced again.”
The Grand Duke of Hua narrowed his eyes and said, “I fear it’s not just reinforcements, even the Northern Border King has personally arrived at the camp.” He pointed to the distance, where the flag in the center of the northern camp was indeed the Northern Border King’s banner. To boost the northern army’s morale, the news of Ren Qining’s arrival at the camp was not hidden, so naturally, they didn’t mind letting the Chu defenders know.
Leng Huai frowned in confusion and asked, “Why do I see a five-clawed golden dragon embroidered on that royal banner?” The Central Plains’ Chu Dynasty and the Western Territories all shared the same lineage, so their flags and royal insignia all featured dragon and phoenix totems. However, foreign tribes were different. For example, the Northern Rong revered wolves, so their royal totem was a wolf’s head. The Southern Zhao used flowers as their totem. The northern tribes mostly used fierce beasts as totems, but none used the dragon, an ethereal divine creature, as their totem.
Leng Haoyu leaned against the cold city wall, smiling as he said, “Because the current Northern Border King Ren Qining claims to be a survivor of the previous dynasty’s royal family.”
“What?” Both Leng Huai and the Grand Duke of Hua were shocked.
Leng Huai skeptically asked, “The previous dynasty fell two hundred years ago. Can this Ren Qining’s identity be true?”
Leng Haoyu shrugged and smiled, “Who knows? Anyway, he’s from the Central Plains. Whether he claims to be a descendant of the previous dynasty or the dynasty before that, no one can stop him. If you want to compete for the throne, you need some kind of justification, right?” Leng Huai and the Grand Duke of Hua exchanged glances, and the Grand Duke smiled, “Young Leng is right. Regardless of who he is, just by leading northern barbarians to attack the Central Plains, he has no right to use his claimed identity as a survivor of the previous dynasty to compete for power. He might as well just raise his banner in rebellion directly – it wouldn’t look as bad.”
As descendants of the legitimate previous dynasty’s royal family, leading a group of barbarians to attack the Central Plains would not sound good. Moreover, the Central Plains scholars who prided themselves on orthodoxy traditionally looked down upon foreign barbarians. Ren Qining’s actions would make it even harder for orthodox scholars and intellectuals to accept him.
Leng Haoyu’s smile was unrestrained as he carelessly said, “Even now, the northern border isn’t unified. There’s always been tension between the native northerners and the Central Plains people that Ren Qining favors. This time, the Prince played quite a show in the northern border. I fear the northern territory only appears unified on the surface but is fragmented inside.”
“Oh?” At these words, both Leng Huai and the Grand Duke of Hua perked up their ears in curiosity. They naturally wouldn’t know that the Prince, still hundreds of miles away, had already made his move against the northern border. This wasn’t originally a secret, but because the capital was under siege and cut off from news, those in the city hadn’t received any information. Leng Haoyu didn’t hide anything, a malicious smile curling at his lips as he said, “Some days ago, the Prince had Ren Qining’s wife and legitimate children all killed. A few days later, Ren Qining’s concubines and their children were also all killed. Now in the northern royal family, Ren Qining is truly alone.”
The Grand Duke of Hua and Leng Huai were both shocked. The Prince’s move wasn’t just ruthless; its implications were profound. This wasn’t simply brutal revenge against Ren Qining. Most likely, people within the northern border had secretly pinned the deaths of the northern princess and legitimate children on Ren Qining and those Central Plains people. The deaths of Ren Qining’s concubines and their children appeared to outsiders more like revenge from the northerners. Even if Ren Qining knew the truth, whether anyone would believe him if he spoke out was another matter entirely. When the Prince planned this, he was likely still in the Western Territory, yet he could so easily manipulate the hearts and powers of the Northern Jin people. The saying that he could plan from afar and achieve victory from thousands of miles away was no exaggeration.
The Grand Duke of Hua and Leng Huai exchanged glances, both sighing. With the Prince’s great talent and strategy, the Mo Jingqi and Mo Jingli brothers truly deserved their defeat.
Leng Haoyu leaned against the wall, looking at the northern army camp in the distance, a cold smile flashing in his eyes: Those whose country has already fallen should stay quiet. Attempting to restore their country is nothing but an empty dream. They want to break through the capital and let northerners rule the Central Plains – sooner or later, they’ll all die completely!
News of the northern royal family’s near extinction and the northern border’s alliance with the Northern Rong naturally reached the south. However, the two major southern powers, Mo Jingli and Lei Zhenting, could only gloat and nothing more. Lei Zhenting particularly gave a cold laugh, feeling that much of his frustration from the past two months had dissipated. If not for Ren Qining’s interference, even if the Western capital changed hands, his power wouldn’t have been so thoroughly cleaned out by Mo Xiuyao. However, his attention now wasn’t on the north, but rather on the Western Emperor who had just moved the capital to An City, and Mo Jingli in the south. Mo Jingli was still behaving himself, but after moving to the capital, the Western Emperor had become somewhat restless. The Garrison South Prince’s influence at court had been nearly eliminated by Mo Xiuyao, and now Tengfeng seemed unable to fully control this Western Emperor.
Although the Western Territory had lost a third of its northern lands, Lei Zhenting had occupied large areas of southern Chu. After Murong Shen led troops north, he further opened up the southwestern passage, once again connecting Lei Zhenting’s occupied territories with the Western Territory. Thus, after this battle, besides losing the capital, the Western Territory didn’t suffer too many losses. But Lei Zhenting knew that the biggest winner in this battle was Mo Xiuyao. Once he took the capital of Chu, the Prince’s mansion would control two imperial cities, east and west, and its power would immediately surpass all other nations. But although he understood this, Lei Zhenting couldn’t spare the time to deal with Mo Xiuyao now, so he could only grit his teeth and endure silently.
After Ren Qining personally arrived to oversee the siege outside the capital of Chu, the northern army’s attacks became increasingly fierce. The defending forces had held the city for nearly three months, not only were they exhausted, but the city’s food and supplies were also gradually running low. Not to mention there were still hundreds of thousands of civilians in the city who needed to eat. Even on New Year’s Day, both civilians and soldiers only had one steamed bun and a bowl of plain porridge each. The days of defending the city became increasingly difficult, and to boost morale, the elderly Grand Duke of Hua had to personally supervise the defense on the city walls.
This continued until the ninth or tenth day of the first month. By then, the capital of Chu had been under siege by the northern army for exactly three months and ten days, a total of one hundred and three days. Perhaps knowing that the capital was truly at its last gasp, the northern army attacked in waves without showing any fatigue, and their siege morale grew increasingly high. On the city wall, Leng Huai and the Grand Duke of Hua stood shoulder to shoulder, their resolute faces full of exhaustion and weathering. Behind them were young commanders like Leng Haoyu, Leng Jingyu, and Wei Lin. Even the usually carefree and unrestrained Leng Haoyu’s face now rarely showed several hints of solemnity.
Leng Huai looked at the northern army camp eyeing them covetously not far below the city, and said somewhat helplessly, “Old Grand Duke, I’m afraid we can’t hold on…” His words contained not only helplessness but also several hints of regret. They had held the capital for three months without it falling – as officials and generals, they could say they had done their duty to Chu. It was just a pity that they ultimately couldn’t wait for the Mo family army’s reinforcements.
The Grand Duke’s aged face showed a trace of desolation as he gazed at the distant banners fluttering in formation. His voice was steady and resolute, “Even if the capital falls, this old man should share its fate.”
Leng Huai nodded and said, “The Old Grand Duke speaks truly. This humble official shares the same thoughts – we live with the city, we die with the city!”
Leng Haoyu walked down from the city wall. The current situation was indeed somewhat troublesome. If he wanted to escape alone, it wouldn’t be difficult, but during these months of defending the city, Leng Haoyu had also experienced much. He too was from a military family, and although he hadn’t been on many battlefields before, he couldn’t abandon his comrades-in-arms and flee at this moment. Moreover, his father and wife were still in the city. “My Prince, if you don’t come soon, your Leng Er will truly die here!” Leng Haoyu smiled bitterly in helplessness.
“Second Brother.” Just as he turned the street corner, Leng Haoyu was stopped by a voice from behind. Without turning around, Leng Haoyu could guess who it was. Twisting his mouth, he turned to look at Leng Jingyu before him, wearing a cold and solemn white robe. The originally white snow-patterned lion battle robe was now stained with much dust, looking even more severe and murderous. Regarding this legitimate elder brother, Leng Haoyu had never had much to say. Raising an eyebrow, he asked, “General Leng, do you need something?”
Leng Jingyu frowned and said, “I have something to tell you.”
Leng Haoyu raised an eyebrow and leaned back against the wall, not minding the dust, saying indifferently, “I’m all ears.”
Leng Jingyu looked at him and asked, “What do you look down on about me?” Leng Haoyu just smiled without speaking. Of course, he looked down on him. As a concubine’s son and a legitimate son, their poor relationship was destined from birth. Leng Haoyu, who received little love from childhood, naturally felt extremely displeased seeing Leng Jingyu receive all their father’s love and nurturing. And when had Leng Jingyu, this legitimate son, ever truly regarded Leng Haoyu, this concubine’s son, as worthy of notice? After Leng Haoyu gradually grew up, befriended Mo Xiuyao and Feng San, and learned skills, his original displeasure toward Leng Jingyu turned into various forms of disdain. So what if you received your father’s praise? So what if you received your father’s love and nurturing? Your martial arts still aren’t as good as mine, your abilities aren’t as high as mine, and even on the battlefield, you’re not necessarily better at fighting than me. It’s just that this young master doesn’t deign to compete with you.
After rescuing Leng Huai at Zijing Pass, Leng Haoyu felt utterly delighted. It was like someone who could only secretly enjoy their satisfaction alone suddenly being able to openly relish it before the whole world – the feeling was indescribable. Especially when he saw Leng Jingyu’s gloomy face every time Leng Huai praised him, Leng Haoyu’s satisfaction doubled.
Leng Jingyu gave a light snort and said, “It doesn’t matter if you look down on me. Anyway, who knows if we’ll survive this time. If I die, take good care of the father.”
Huh? Leng Haoyu was stunned. He thought Leng Jingyu had come to pick another fight with him, but he was here to leave his last words. Twisting his mouth and brushing away the strange feeling in his heart, Leng Haoyu said, “If you want to leave final instructions, go find your son. What does it have to do with me?” After speaking, he turned to walk away. Leng Jingyu’s voice came from behind, “Anyway if I die in battle, you’ll be the only son of the Leng family. Take good care of the father.” After speaking, without waiting for Leng Haoyu’s reaction, he turned and walked up toward the city wall. Leng Haoyu was stunned for a moment before coming to his senses and shouting at Leng Jingyu’s retreating figure, “What does it matter to me if you die? This young master doesn’t care about your Leng family!”
Before the defenders of the capital could catch their breath, the northern army began another assault on the city, this time even more fierce than before. They watched as defenders on the walls fell one by one, as enemy soldiers crossed the moat and climbed the walls only to be pushed back down, only for more to climb up again. The entire wall was filled with battle cries, and the thick smell of blood lingered in the air.
Finally, under the heavy impact, the sturdy city gate collapsed with a thunderous crash, and masses of northern troops poured into the city. On the tower, the Grand Duke of Hua grabbed his silver spear and looked at those still fighting on the wall, saying, “Leng Huai! Guard the tower!” Leng Huai was startled and hurriedly asked, “Old Grand Duke, what are you…” The Grand Duke said solemnly, “This old man is going down to meet these northerners!”
Without waiting for Leng Huai’s objection, he strode down from the tower, his pale cyan battle robe fluttering in the cold wind, making people seem to see again the Grand Duke of Hua in his prime years charging across battlefields.
The city gate was only so wide – although it had been breached, the Chu defenders immediately rushed over trying to block the northerners’ advance. The two armies clashed in fierce combat at the gate. However, the northerners were naturally fierce and brave – how could these exhausted and hungry Chu soldiers resist them? The Chu forces were pushed back step by step as Northern soldiers continuously poured into the city. At this rate, there was no point in continuing to guard the tower, so Leng Huai had to order the defending soldiers to retreat into the city and fight individually. This siege had lasted over three months, and now it had reached the point of fighting to the death.
Within half an hour, the sounds of battle spread throughout the entire capital. Although Ren Qining had given orders restraining them, how could the northern soldiers be so strictly controlled? Many civilian homes were destroyed, and the looting of gold, silver, and jewels became commonplace. If city residents resisted, they often died under the northern soldiers’ blades. This prosperous city of hundreds of years instantly became like hell on earth, with the smell of blood drifting and cries shaking the heavens.
The center of the capital was where the imperial palace stood, though now there were few palace guards left. In the vast imperial city, it was so desolate that hardly any figures could be seen. Deep in the palace, a young man and woman sat embracing each other. The young woman was beautiful, but unfortunately, half her face was covered in scars, making her lovely features appear even more bizarre. “Brother, are you afraid?” The young woman was Princess Zhenning, daughter of Noble Consort Liu, and sitting beside her was naturally Mo Xiaoyu, Noble Consort Liu’s eldest son who had been made Prince Changxing by Mo Jingli.
Mo Xiaoyu shook his head and said, “I’m not afraid. Sister, don’t be scared. I’ll stay with you…” Mo Xiaoyu softly comforted his sister as the shouting outside the palace walls grew closer and closer. Several guards ran over, and one said solemnly, “Your Highness, Princess, the northern bandits are about to break in. Please follow us and leave this place first.”
Mo Xiaoyu shook his head and said calmly, “No need. You go help the Grand Duke of Hua and General Leng. My sister and I aren’t going anywhere.”
Princess Zhenning held her brother’s hand and nodded, “That’s right. I am a princess of Great Chu – even if I die, I should die in this palace. You all go. A few people won’t make much difference here; you’ll just throw away your lives needlessly.” The guards looked at each other, understanding that the prince and princess had made up their minds. The Chu royal family had abandoned their people and fled, and though these remaining soldiers didn’t say it, they didn’t have much fondness for the royal family. But now they felt some respect for this pair of siblings. They stood up, cupped their hands, and said, “If that’s the case, Your Highness, Princess, take care.”
Watching the guards leave, the palace returned to its original silence. The siblings sat leaning against each other. Although it was the cold first month of the year, there was no longer the warmth of charcoal fires as in the past. Leaning together gave them a bit more warmth. “I wonder how little brother is doing.” Back then they had stayed in the capital, but their little brother had been taken away by Mo Jingli. This undoubtedly had the intention of controlling Mo Xiaoyu.
Mo Xiaoyu said softly, “He should be alive. I just hope he can live peacefully.”
“I just can’t accept it! I still haven’t found that woman…” Princess Zhenning lightly touched the scars on her face, showing a look of disgust. She still hadn’t found that woman to take revenge! That woman who was originally her birth mother – it was because of her that she was like this now, having to die with such ugly scars!
“Sister…”
In the city, from dawn until dusk, the areas occupied by the northerners grew larger and larger. The remaining Chu forces’ area of activity grew smaller and smaller, and everyone had long since felt despair and helplessness. More people charged at the northern army with resolute bloodlust in their eyes – even if they had to die, they would drag down others with them.
Outside the city, Ren Qining sat on horseback, listening to the constant sounds of battle from within. A general beside him said, “The Chu people have always been weak – I didn’t expect them to have such spirit. They’re fighting to the point of total annihilation and still won’t surrender.” Ren Qining said calmly, “It’s not weakness, but resilience. The overly rigid breaks easily – the Central Plains people may not match the frontier tribes in ferocity, but they are tenacious and unyielding. That’s why this rich land has been ruled by them for thousands of years.”
The northern general beside him seemed unsatisfied but looked at Ren Qining and said nothing.
Suddenly – a flame-like firework bloomed in the sky, and rumbling sounds came from the distance, even the ground seemed to shake slightly. Everyone was startled. Ren Qining sat up straight on his horse, cracked his whip, and cursed angrily, “That useless Yelü Ye!” The general beside him exclaimed in shock, “Has the Mo family army arrived?!”
“Who else but the Black Cloud Cavalry could make such a display?” Ren Qining said hatefully, shouting, “Send reinforcements into the city! You must take the capital for me before the Mo family army arrives!”
“Yes!”
Those fighting desperately in the city naturally also saw the fireworks in the sky. Amid the battle, Leng Haoyu’s eyes lit up. He kicked away the northern soldier in front of him, leaped to a high place, and called out loudly, “The Mo family army has arrived! Open the west gate!” Fortunately, the west gate was still in Chu’s hands. Hearing this, all the Chu soldiers’ spirits were lifted. Soon others joined in shouting, “The Mo family army has arrived! The Mo family army has arrived!” The calls spread quickly throughout the city, and even many civilians hiding in their homes began to cheer. Some who knew martial arts even ran out to fight the northern soldiers. In the small alleys, quite a few northern soldiers were ambushed.
The west gate of the capital opened with a thunderous sound, and the Chu forces inside surged westward to ensure the west gate wouldn’t be taken by northern soldiers before the Mo family army arrived. The Black Cloud Cavalry moved as fast as the wind – though their sounds seemed to be several li away at first, soon the black formation could be seen sweeping into the city like a dark whirlwind.
The main street of the capital was very wide, and the Black Cloud Cavalry galloping through didn’t feel cramped at all. Where the black whirlwind passed, blood splattered and nothing could stand in their way.
Seeing the Black Cloud Cavalry, Leng Haoyu finally breathed a sigh of relief. He grabbed a Black Cloud Cavalry soldier and asked, “Has the main army arrived?” He was so excited that the soldier nearly rolled his eyes from being grabbed, and hurriedly freed himself saying, “The infantry is slower – we cavalry came first.” Leng Haoyu was slightly disappointed, “When will the main army arrive?”
The cavalryman said, “Don’t know.”
“Who’s leading the Black Cloud Cavalry?”
“Young Master Feng!”
Leng Haoyu released the cavalry soldier and sprinted toward the west gate. When he fought his way there, he indeed saw Feng Zhiyao still standing elegantly in his red robes below the gate, smiling as he watched him approach. “Well, well, it’s rare to see Young Master Leng looking so disheveled.” Disheveled was putting it lightly – Leng Haoyu was now covered in blood from head to toe, not to mention various wounds large and small. Fortunately, none were particularly serious or affected his movement. He gave him an annoyed look and said, “The Grand Duke of Hua and the others are trapped near the palace – quickly send men to rescue them!”
Feng Zhiyao’s expression became serious, and he waved his hand to dispatch a unit toward the city. However, he had to stay at the gate to hold it for the arriving Mo family army. If they weren’t careful and the gate was taken by northern forces by the time the Mo family army arrived, that would be very troublesome. Leng Haoyu caught his breath and asked, “How many men did you bring?”
Feng Zhiyao said helplessly, “How many could the Black Cloud Cavalry have? Twenty thousand.”
Leng Haoyu nodded, “That should be enough until the Prince arrives.” Leng Haoyu naturally knew that the Black Cloud Cavalry valued quality over quantity. Without bothering Feng Zhiyao further, he waved his hand and led two units of Black Cloud Cavalry back toward the city.