Linghu Kuang leaned against the city wall, breathing heavily. It was October, and the northern wind howled. Every breath he took felt like it carried ice shards, scratching his throat, and every exhale was filled with a thick scent of blood, making him feel nauseous. Just sitting for a moment, his strength within his body dissipated without a trace, leaving only an overwhelming sense of exhaustion and dull pain, as if he wished to fall into an eternal slumber.
But he couldn’t.
With his eyes wide open, Linghu Kuang gazed at the scene on the city walls. Countless bodies lay scattered on the ground, decapitated, limbs severed, intestines spilling out, mouths and eyes wide open, their souls unquiet in death. Those who were still alive were covered in blood, their eyes devoid of any luster, and their moans of pain and agony filled the air, like the mournful wails of ghosts.
Layers upon layers of blood had frozen into a thin, black-red ice, as if even the hot blood within their bodies had frozen, causing a piercing pain in their bones.
It had been five days. They had defended the city walls for five days now.
After General Dong Ying left with his troops, the Xiongnu had surrounded Yangyi City. Twenty thousand enemy soldiers faced three thousand defenders on the city walls. From morning till night, it was siege, siege, siege, followed by night attacks, and then more siege. The figures of those dark, shadowy figures below the city seemed endless, like a relentless flood, filling people’s hearts with despair.
Where were the reinforcements? Could they still wait for reinforcements?
No one knew the answer.
A cold wind rushed into his throat, causing Linghu Kuang to cough violently. The knife wound in his chest felt like it was burning, surging with pain. He bent over, trying to curl up into a ball. As if his cough had awakened them, the chaos below the city suddenly erupted again, and the drums began to beat once more.
Linghu Kuang had no time to think about his pain. He sprang to his feet and shouted hoarsely, “The enemy is attacking again! Boil water! Boil more pots!”
They had long used up all the rolling logs, so they had to dismantle houses and use their beams to replace them. The hot water in the pots was their last line of defense after the rolling logs, and as soon as a basin was poured down, several people would scream and fall from the siege tower. There were also bed crossbows, arrows, swords, and spears in their hands. As long as one person remained, they could not abandon this city!
However, this time, the horrifying rain of arrows did not come immediately. The drumming below the city eased, and a voice rang out, “The general has ordered! If you don’t open the gates today, the day we open the gates will be the day of Yangyi’s total slaughter!”
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“Hurry, open the gates! Open the gates and spare our lives!”
The shouts varied in pitch and echoed incessantly, like a series of thunderclaps. On the city walls, the soldiers boiling water slowed their movements, those holding knives and spears began to tremble in their arms, and even more, people stared at Linghu Kuang with numb eyes, exuding a chilling sense of menace.
Open the gates! Open the gates! Open the gates!
It was like a deafening roar that filled the air. Linghu Kuang felt his ears buzzing, and he staggered, clutching the city wall for support.
“General!” a nearby soldier rushed up.
“Quickly! Hurry and have men guard the city gates! Execute anyone who opens the gates!” Linghu Kuang shouted.
“General, we can’t hold it any longer!” The soldier didn’t obey but instead tightly gripped his arm.
Indeed, they couldn’t hold it any longer. Those who remained here were the cowardly ones who fled from the battlefield, driven by their fear of death. Linghu Kuang could endure for ten days, for several months, or even sacrifice his own life for the country. But would those people? Would they be willing to face the threat of a massacre and share the fate of this city?
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“The city gates are opened! The west gate is open!” A jubilant cry pierced through the sky.
With a splutter, Linghu Kuang spat out the blood that had been pressing on his chest. Only five days! Just five days!
“General! Head for the south gate! Quickly!” The soldier no longer cared about Linghu Kuang’s resistance and hoisted him onto a horse, racing towards the city’s exit.
In a daze, Linghu Kuang felt himself being carried on horseback. The city gates creaked open, and under the fading sun, against the tide of people, they charged out of the city.
“General, where should we go?” A hurried voice rang out.
The bone-chilling cold wind dispersed the taste of blood in his mouth and cleared the fog in his eyes. The enemy was close, and Jinyang was out of the question. Where else could they go?
A face floated into his mind—a face that left a deep impression, a face he wholeheartedly trusted. Linghu Kuang tightened his grip on the reins.
“Shangdang! We’re heading to Shangdang!”
※
Yangyi had fallen! Liu Yuan exhaled a heavy sigh. It only took five days for the city to fall, much faster than he had anticipated. The massacre in Jingling had brought a deterrent effect far beyond his expectations.
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Now, the population of the Han Dynasty was thin, and the people needed to cultivate the land. Liu Yuan, who had studied history and classics from a young age, knew the infamy of massacres and the killing of surrendering troops, and he had no desire to do so. However, the advice of his ministers eventually swayed him. There were already many Jin soldiers in Jingling, and the city was small with not many civilians. The capture of the city and the killing of its defenders were more about deterrence. If not for Duan’s Xianbei’s major victory in Ye City, where would the fear of the Jin Kingdom come from? Whether it was Emperor Han Gaozu or Cao Cao, they had both massacred cities to demonstrate their power. Now, with the tangled situation in Bing County, using such ruthless methods was merely pouring oil on the dry firewood.
As a result of the massacre, Sima Teng fled overnight, and Qixian and Yangyi surrendered and opened their gates. These self-righteous aristocrats were most concerned about their own lives. As long as they were attacked and weakened, these high-born clans would kneel and serve, becoming assets to their cause!
Now that Yangyi had fallen, conquering Jinyang was only a matter of time!
However, what he wanted now was not Jinyang.
His gaze shifted to the generals below. Two figures standing in the front row caught his eye.
The first one, standing at seven feet tall with eagle-like eyes, was his fourth son, Liu Cong. Liu Cong had been exceptionally intelligent since childhood, well-versed in classics, and skilled in both literature and archery. He was brave and agile, excelling in everything he did. What was even rarer was his unwavering loyalty, and willingness to leave the Prince of Hejian and join the Prince of Chengdu. He had accompanied his father all the way back to Bing County from Ye City. If Liu Yuan had to choose, this son was probably the most like him among his children.
Beside Liu Cong stood another figure, taller and with piercing eyes, strong and robust. He was his adopted son, Liu Yao. This young man had been bold and fearless since childhood, proficient in both literary and martial arts. He possessed remarkable archery skills and military strategy, comparing himself to renowned figures like Yue Yi and Cao Shen. He was indeed a talent of his time.
Both of these men were the most outstanding individuals of the Liu clan, making them the perfect choices for this campaign!
“Luli Wang!” Liu Yuan spoke.
Liu Cong took a step forward and bowed, saying, “I am here, Father.”
“I order you to lead twenty thousand troops, enter Shangdang, and capture cities and territories!”
Liu Cong’s eyes were sharp as he declared, “I will obey your command, Father!”
“General Jianwei!” Liu Yuan pointed at another person.
Liu Yao stepped forward and said, “I am here, Father.”
“I order you to lead five thousand light cavalry straight to Gaodu! Capture Liang Mansion!”
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This was not just about capturing the city but also targeting Tian Zhuang, the new prefect of Shangdang, and making him uneasy. The significance of this mission was extraordinary. Liu Yao clasped his fists and said, “I will certainly pacify Gaodu and clear the way for the vanguard, Father!”
With twenty-five thousand troops attacking from different directions, they could easily conquer any city, especially in Shangdang, where countless refugees had poured in. Seeing the confident and spirited demeanor of these two young men, Liu Yuan’s worries melted away. How could the impostor monk compare to the true heirs of the Liu clan!
***
“Lord Prefect… I am incompetent, and we lost Yangyi!” Exhausted from continuous battles and a day-long ride to report the news, Linghu Kuang’s knees gave way, and he knelt on the floor of the Lu City Hall. He had not won a single battle since the Xianbei left. Continuous defeats had cost them even Yangyi. What face did he have to see the person who saved him from water and fire, giving him a new lease on life? Yet, he had come, solely because Yangyi’s fall put Shangdang at risk. Even if he died, he had to personally deliver this news.
“This battle is not to blame General Linghu,” a clear voice sounded in his ears.
Liang Feng descended from the main seat, reaching out to support the trembling young general.
“I have received the report. General Linghu fought valiantly for five days but was betrayed by his subordinates who opened the city gates. Blame it on the inhuman enemy!” Liang Feng’s tone was unwavering.
The loss of Yangyi had come unexpectedly quickly. But ultimately, it was not the fault of the man before him. Sima Teng’s swift escape shattered the remaining morale of the defending Jin forces. To report the news after the city had fallen was already at the limits of what Linghu Kuang could do.
Dealing with the Xiongnu was a challenge that the armies composed of those aristocrats alone could not overcome.
Being firmly helped up by those slender and fair hands, seeing unwavering trust in those bright black starry eyes, Linghu Kuang’s nose tingled, and he could no longer hold back his tears. He was not afraid of death or sacrificing for his country, but he feared dying without clarity, with a tainted reputation. He was a scion of the Linghu clan and a general chosen by the dynasty. He was supposed to die defending the city walls, not escaping alone from a perilous situation.
But the person before him harbored no doubts about him. They did not question him or look down upon him. Instead, they helped him up and bestowed upon him the honor he rightfully deserved. That one phrase, “not General Linghu’s fault,” was enough to make him feel overwhelmed with gratitude!
Seeing the man in front of him choked with tears and unable to speak, Liang Feng sighed lightly and said, “General Linghu, please come to the hospital for treatment. Shangdang is in need of talents like General Linghu since it’s sparsely populated.”
Being addressed by his courtesy name, Linghu Kuang wiped away the blood and tears from his face and choked out, “This humble one is not talented and is willing to share life and death with Shangdang!”
“It won’t come to that,” Liang Feng chuckled and helped Linghu Kuang to his feet. “Shangdang has been preparing for a year, although not everything is completed, we are not afraid of the barbarians. If the enemy comes, we have arrows, crossbows, knives, and spears!”
Preparing for a year? Shangdang had changed significantly since Liang Zixi took over. However, he had never expected that they would be able to prepare for battle even during the chaos in Bing County. But when he looked at the determination in that person’s eyes, a strong belief rose in his heart. It seemed that as long as that person was in Shangdang, this crucial pass would not be lost to the enemy.
Seeing that Linghu Kuang had stabilized his emotions, Liang Feng immediately called for attendants to take him for treatment. As Linghu Kuang left, the blood and dirt clinging to his hands remained. Liang Feng loudly declared, “If the Xiongnu come, we will resist them!”
Fear nothing, face whatever comes. Since they had come, fear would be of no use. So let there be a battle! Let it be a world-shaking battle that would make those bandit chiefs never dare to set foot in his Shangdang!
The civil and military officials in attendance all stood up and said, “We are willing to help the Lord/Fu Jun drive out the barbarians and protect our Shangdang!”
On that day, like birds leaving their nests, the messenger horses and wagons laden with supplies set off towards the various counties of Shangdang.
Linghu Kuang leaned against the city wall, breathing heavily. It was October, and the northern wind howled. Every breath he took felt like it carried ice shards, scratching his throat, and every exhale was filled with a thick scent of blood, making him feel nauseous. Just sitting for a moment, his strength within his body dissipated without a trace, leaving only an overwhelming sense of exhaustion and dull pain, as if he wished to fall into an eternal slumber.
But he couldn’t.
With his eyes wide open, Linghu Kuang gazed at the scene on the city walls. Countless bodies lay scattered on the ground, decapitated, limbs severed, intestines spilling out, mouths and eyes wide open, their souls unquiet in death. Those who were still alive were covered in blood, their eyes devoid of any luster, and their moans of pain and agony filled the air, like the mournful wails of ghosts.
Layers upon layers of blood had frozen into a thin, black-red ice, as if even the hot blood within their bodies had frozen, causing a piercing pain in their bones.
It had been five days. They had defended the city walls for five days now.
After General Dong Ying left with his troops, the Xiongnu had surrounded Yangyi City. Twenty thousand enemy soldiers faced three thousand defenders on the city walls. From morning till night, it was siege, siege, siege, followed by night attacks, and then more siege. The figures of those dark, shadowy figures below the city seemed endless, like a relentless flood, filling people’s hearts with despair.
Where were the reinforcements? Could they still wait for reinforcements?
No one knew the answer.
A cold wind rushed into his throat, causing Linghu Kuang to cough violently. The knife wound in his chest felt like it was burning, surging with pain. He bent over, trying to curl up into a ball. As if his cough had awakened them, the chaos below the city suddenly erupted again, and the drums began to beat once more.
Linghu Kuang had no time to think about his pain. He sprang to his feet and shouted hoarsely, “The enemy is attacking again! Boil water! Boil more pots!”
They had long used up all the rolling logs, so they had to dismantle houses and use their beams to replace them. The hot water in the pots was their last line of defense after the rolling logs, and as soon as a basin was poured down, several people would scream and fall from the siege tower. There were also bed crossbows, arrows, swords, and spears in their hands. As long as one person remained, they could not abandon this city!
However, this time, the horrifying rain of arrows did not come immediately. The drumming below the city eased, and a voice rang out, “The general has ordered! If you don’t open the gates today, the day we open the gates will be the day of Yangyi’s total slaughter!”
Advertisement
AD
“Hurry, open the gates! Open the gates and spare our lives!”
The shouts varied in pitch and echoed incessantly, like a series of thunderclaps. On the city walls, the soldiers boiling water slowed their movements, those holding knives and spears began to tremble in their arms, and even more, people stared at Linghu Kuang with numb eyes, exuding a chilling sense of menace.
Open the gates! Open the gates! Open the gates!
It was like a deafening roar that filled the air. Linghu Kuang felt his ears buzzing, and he staggered, clutching the city wall for support.
“General!” a nearby soldier rushed up.
“Quickly! Hurry and have men guard the city gates! Execute anyone who opens the gates!” Linghu Kuang shouted.
“General, we can’t hold it any longer!” The soldier didn’t obey but instead tightly gripped his arm.
Indeed, they couldn’t hold it any longer. Those who remained here were the cowardly ones who fled from the battlefield, driven by their fear of death. Linghu Kuang could endure for ten days, for several months, or even sacrifice his own life for the country. But would those people? Would they be willing to face the threat of a massacre and share the fate of this city?
Advertisement
AD
“The city gates are opened! The west gate is open!” A jubilant cry pierced through the sky.
With a splutter, Linghu Kuang spat out the blood that had been pressing on his chest. Only five days! Just five days!
“General! Head for the south gate! Quickly!” The soldier no longer cared about Linghu Kuang’s resistance and hoisted him onto a horse, racing towards the city’s exit.
In a daze, Linghu Kuang felt himself being carried on horseback. The city gates creaked open, and under the fading sun, against the tide of people, they charged out of the city.
“General, where should we go?” A hurried voice rang out.
The bone-chilling cold wind dispersed the taste of blood in his mouth and cleared the fog in his eyes. The enemy was close, and Jinyang was out of the question. Where else could they go?
A face floated into his mind—a face that left a deep impression, a face he wholeheartedly trusted. Linghu Kuang tightened his grip on the reins.
“Shangdang! We’re heading to Shangdang!”
※
Yangyi had fallen! Liu Yuan exhaled a heavy sigh. It only took five days for the city to fall, much faster than he had anticipated. The massacre in Jingling had brought a deterrent effect far beyond his expectations.
Advertisement
AD
Now, the population of the Han Dynasty was thin, and the people needed to cultivate the land. Liu Yuan, who had studied history and classics from a young age, knew the infamy of massacres and the killing of surrendering troops, and he had no desire to do so. However, the advice of his ministers eventually swayed him. There were already many Jin soldiers in Jingling, and the city was small with not many civilians. The capture of the city and the killing of its defenders were more about deterrence. If not for Duan’s Xianbei’s major victory in Ye City, where would the fear of the Jin Kingdom come from? Whether it was Emperor Han Gaozu or Cao Cao, they had both massacred cities to demonstrate their power. Now, with the tangled situation in Bing County, using such ruthless methods was merely pouring oil on the dry firewood.
As a result of the massacre, Sima Teng fled overnight, and Qixian and Yangyi surrendered and opened their gates. These self-righteous aristocrats were most concerned about their own lives. As long as they were attacked and weakened, these high-born clans would kneel and serve, becoming assets to their cause!
Now that Yangyi had fallen, conquering Jinyang was only a matter of time!
However, what he wanted now was not Jinyang.
His gaze shifted to the generals below. Two figures standing in the front row caught his eye.
The first one, standing at seven feet tall with eagle-like eyes, was his fourth son, Liu Cong. Liu Cong had been exceptionally intelligent since childhood, well-versed in classics, and skilled in both literature and archery. He was brave and agile, excelling in everything he did. What was even rarer was his unwavering loyalty, and willingness to leave the Prince of Hejian and join the Prince of Chengdu. He had accompanied his father all the way back to Bing County from Ye City. If Liu Yuan had to choose, this son was probably the most like him among his children.
Beside Liu Cong stood another figure, taller and with piercing eyes, strong and robust. He was his adopted son, Liu Yao. This young man had been bold and fearless since childhood, proficient in both literary and martial arts. He possessed remarkable archery skills and military strategy, comparing himself to renowned figures like Yue Yi and Cao Shen. He was indeed a talent of his time.
Both of these men were the most outstanding individuals of the Liu clan, making them the perfect choices for this campaign!
“Luli Wang!” Liu Yuan spoke.
Liu Cong took a step forward and bowed, saying, “I am here, Father.”
“I order you to lead twenty thousand troops, enter Shangdang, and capture cities and territories!”
Liu Cong’s eyes were sharp as he declared, “I will obey your command, Father!”
“General Jianwei!” Liu Yuan pointed at another person.
Liu Yao stepped forward and said, “I am here, Father.”
“I order you to lead five thousand light cavalry straight to Gaodu! Capture Liang Mansion!”
Advertisement
AD
This was not just about capturing the city but also targeting Tian Zhuang, the new prefect of Shangdang, and making him uneasy. The significance of this mission was extraordinary. Liu Yao clasped his fists and said, “I will certainly pacify Gaodu and clear the way for the vanguard, Father!”
With twenty-five thousand troops attacking from different directions, they could easily conquer any city, especially in Shangdang, where countless refugees had poured in. Seeing the confident and spirited demeanor of these two young men, Liu Yuan’s worries melted away. How could the impostor monk compare to the true heirs of the Liu clan!
***
“Lord Prefect… I am incompetent, and we lost Yangyi!” Exhausted from continuous battles and a day-long ride to report the news, Linghu Kuang’s knees gave way, and he knelt on the floor of the Lu City Hall. He had not won a single battle since the Xianbei left. Continuous defeats had cost them even Yangyi. What face did he have to see the person who saved him from water and fire, giving him a new lease on life? Yet, he had come, solely because Yangyi’s fall put Shangdang at risk. Even if he died, he had to personally deliver this news.
“This battle is not to blame General Linghu,” a clear voice sounded in his ears.
Liang Feng descended from the main seat, reaching out to support the trembling young general.
“I have received the report. General Linghu fought valiantly for five days but was betrayed by his subordinates who opened the city gates. Blame it on the inhuman enemy!” Liang Feng’s tone was unwavering.
The loss of Yangyi had come unexpectedly quickly. But ultimately, it was not the fault of the man before him. Sima Teng’s swift escape shattered the remaining morale of the defending Jin forces. To report the news after the city had fallen was already at the limits of what Linghu Kuang could do.
Dealing with the Xiongnu was a challenge that the armies composed of those aristocrats alone could not overcome.
Being firmly helped up by those slender and fair hands, seeing unwavering trust in those bright black starry eyes, Linghu Kuang’s nose tingled, and he could no longer hold back his tears. He was not afraid of death or sacrificing for his country, but he feared dying without clarity, with a tainted reputation. He was a scion of the Linghu clan and a general chosen by the dynasty. He was supposed to die defending the city walls, not escaping alone from a perilous situation.
But the person before him harbored no doubts about him. They did not question him or look down upon him. Instead, they helped him up and bestowed upon him the honor he rightfully deserved. That one phrase, “not General Linghu’s fault,” was enough to make him feel overwhelmed with gratitude!
Seeing the man in front of him choked with tears and unable to speak, Liang Feng sighed lightly and said, “General Linghu, please come to the hospital for treatment. Shangdang is in need of talents like General Linghu since it’s sparsely populated.”
Being addressed by his courtesy name, Linghu Kuang wiped away the blood and tears from his face and choked out, “This humble one is not talented and is willing to share life and death with Shangdang!”
“It won’t come to that,” Liang Feng chuckled and helped Linghu Kuang to his feet. “Shangdang has been preparing for a year, although not everything is completed, we are not afraid of the barbarians. If the enemy comes, we have arrows, crossbows, knives, and spears!”
Preparing for a year? Shangdang had changed significantly since Liang Zixi took over. However, he had never expected that they would be able to prepare for battle even during the chaos in Bing County. But when he looked at the determination in that person’s eyes, a strong belief rose in his heart. It seemed that as long as that person was in Shangdang, this crucial pass would not be lost to the enemy.
Seeing that Linghu Kuang had stabilized his emotions, Liang Feng immediately called for attendants to take him for treatment. As Linghu Kuang left, the blood and dirt clinging to his hands remained. Liang Feng loudly declared, “If the Xiongnu come, we will resist them!”
Fear nothing, face whatever comes. Since they had come, fear would be of no use. So let there be a battle! Let it be a world-shaking battle that would make those bandit chiefs never dare to set foot in his Shangdang!
The civil and military officials in attendance all stood up and said, “We are willing to help the Lord/Fu Jun drive out the barbarians and protect our Shangdang!”
On that day, like birds leaving their nests, the messenger horses and wagons laden with supplies set off towards the various counties of Shangdang.
