The wind billowed the large flag on my back as I soared like a bird, getting higher and higher. Below, the encampment of the snake people was now clearly visible.
The place where the snake people were stationed was, in fact, a valley. Southern China was full of mountains, dense forests, and had a sparse population, mainly concentrated in the cities and villages of the plains. The mountains housed only a few scattered hunters.
In the air, I contemplated various thoughts. The valley was vast, with sheer cliffs on both sides, making it impossible to attack from the flanks. In front, there was a forest, and even if they used fire as a tactic, they could only burn the forest and not reach their tents. Additionally, with the forest in the way, the Empire's cavalry wouldn't be of much use. Setting up camp here allowed the snake people to have a strong defensive position. The leaders of the snake people military were clearly well-versed in the art of war.
But why hadn't the snake people launched an all-out attack?
I found it puzzling. Each of the snake people's attacks didn't exceed ten thousand soldiers, but the dust clouds they kicked up during their approach looked like they had at least tens of thousands of troops. From the flagpole, I could see the snake people's encampment stretching for miles, but the number of snake people who actually emerged couldn't be more than a few thousand. Even if not all of them came out, the snake people couldn't be so few in number.
Could it be a ruse?
I felt a chill in my heart. Could the snake people really have devised such a strategy? If the snake people were really less than ten thousand strong, then it was a joke to keep our hundred thousand-strong army pinned down here.
At this moment, high above the battlefield, I could see both armies clearly. The snake people were pouring out of the forest like a tidal wave, ready to fight, and I was being flown by the kite, which was being controlled by a black-armored knight, who was leading me by the rope towards the city. Outside the forest, there were already several thousand Imperial soldiers, mainly from the vanguard battalion, mixed with remnants of the Dragon Scale Army. They had arrived at the edge of the forest but didn't advance any further, presumably realizing that cavalry would be of little use in the forest, and they couldn't possibly compete with the snake people. However, maintaining their defensive position wasn't necessarily sustainable. The snake people's attacks were like a torrential storm; how long could they hold on?
At this point, the black-armored knight who was controlling my kite slowed down. The kite descended significantly. The man was skillful in kite control; I had seen children fly kites before, and they often crashed their kites when trying to bring them down. If this kite were to suddenly plummet, I would be facing certain death. However, this man steadily reeled in the rope, gradually lowering the kite with remarkable skill.
The kite descended to about ten meters above the ground. I was suspended under the kite, still about eight to nine meters above the ground. The black-armored knight waved to me, gesturing for me to retract the flag. I reached out, grabbing the rope and pulling the long spear out from the flag.
At this moment, I felt a sudden pain in my left shoulder. The spear had pierced through my arm, causing a not-so-light injury. Initially, the pain had been masked by the effects of the Forgetfulness Fruit, but now its efficacy had worn off, and the wound began to throb painfully.
The black-armored knight seemed to be aware of my condition. He signaled for several Dragon Scale soldiers to help him with the rope. A few others prepared to catch me.
As I descended to a height of about ten feet from the ground, I suddenly heard a chorus of shouts erupting from the snake people in the forest. They surged out in a densely packed wave.
The vanguard battalion remained unmoved, while the Dragon Scale soldiers intensified their efforts to pull on the rope, exuding unwavering confidence in the vanguard battalion. With their concerted effort, the kite descended more rapidly, plummeting towards the ground. It appeared as if I were about to crash land. Though the fall from this height wouldn't be lethal, it would undoubtedly leave me battered and bruised. Several Dragon Scale soldiers rushed over and caught my feet as I touched down, one of them shouting, "General Chu, let go!"
I loosened my grip with both hands, and they lifted me and took a few steps forward, halting my downward momentum. When I finally landed on my feet and steadied myself, the intense pain in my left arm felt like it was splitting open. I tumbled to the ground.
The Dragon Scale soldiers surrounded me, and one of them helped me up, shouting, "General Chu! General Chu!"
I detached Shen Xiping's severed head from my waist and handed it to one of the Dragon Scale soldiers, saying, "This is General Shen's head..."
Before I could say more, the group of Dragon Scale soldiers suddenly knelt on the ground and declared, "General Chu, in the future, if you command us, the soldiers of the Dragon Scale Army, we will follow your orders even if it means certain death."
I was at a loss for words, but I heard Qilie shouting from nearby, "General!"
He sounded ecstatic. I turned to see him holding the reins of my warhorse and running towards me. When he reached me, I asked, "Who's going out to fight the snake people? Are they mad?"
Qilie must have expected my reaction and replied, "Don't worry, General. It's a plan set by Lieutenant Lu and Mr. Zhang, and I pitched in with some ideas."
I glanced at the neatly arranged vanguard battalion. There were some barricades made of branches in front of them, and Lu Gongxing was standing at the center of the entire army, holding a flag in his hand. It suddenly dawned on me, and I asked, "Gunpowder?"
He smiled and said, "Exactly."
I struggled to get up, and with Qilie's assistance, I mounted my horse, saying, "General, you should go back."
I replied, "Dragon Scale soldiers, you should take General Shen's head back first. I'd like to stay a bit longer."
The group of Dragon Scale soldiers once again bowed to me and leaped onto their horses, riding towards the city. I turned my horse and observed the vanguard battalion that had formed a defensive line at the forest's edge. The snake people leading the charge were just a few yards away from the vanguard battalion. I wondered what plan Lu Gongxing had in mind. The fire created by burning that straw seemed insufficient to hold back the snake people's assault.
Suddenly, Lu Gongxing waved his large flag, and the entire army orderly retreated, ceding the makeshift barricades to the snake people.
What exactly was his intention?
Before I could inquire further, the foremost group of snake people reached the barricades. Qilie seemed a bit uneasy, saying, "Please don't let anything go wrong."
Almost as if in response to his words, there was a deafening explosion that made the ground seem to tremble. Although my steed was accustomed to battle, it reared in alarm. I immediately pulled the reins to calm it down. The explosion at the barricades had unleashed thick smoke, and the straw had ignited. On the ground, there were snake people dismembered by the explosion. A couple of them had been set on fire but couldn't take more than a few steps before turning into a blazing heap. Only one or two snake people managed to break through the fiery barrier and reached the well-prepared vanguard battalion. Even the most foolish snake person wouldn't dare to charge now.
My horse spun around in response to the sudden blast. I reined it in, and Qilie helped steady the horse beside me, asking, "General, are you alright?"
I mumbled, "Well done, Zhang Longyou."
The power of gunpowder exceeded my expectations. The smoke had started to clear, revealing the spot where the explosion had occurred. What was once flat terrain had transformed into a deep trench, filled with over a hundred snake people's corpses. Flames still sporadically shot out. On the other side of the two-yard-wide trench, a group of bewildered snake people stared, hesitating to advance.
The impact was beyond what either the attackers or defenders had anticipated.
At this moment, Lu Gongxing commanded, "The entire army, fall back into the city in an orderly manner, do not panic."
The vanguard battalion had reached me. Several centurions who had befriended me nodded, their eyes showing signs of satisfaction. Even Pu Anli, who had been distant, held a hint of respect for me now.
Lu Gongxing took the rear position. The last row of the vanguard battalion held their long spears, ready and vigilant. However, the snake people appeared to be in a state of shock. They didn't pursue, and a few snake people who had managed to dash out of the fire stood bewildered in front of the inferno. It was easy to dispatch these snake people, but there was no real necessity.
As soon as he saw me, Lu Gongxing smiled and said, "General Chu, congratulations on returning unscathed; you've achieved great success."
I responded, "General Lu, how did you all time this so perfectly?"
He smiled and said, "Now is not the time for talking; let's go back."
As we retreated into the city gates and closed them behind us, the sound of a drum resounded like thunder, "Vanguard Commander Lu Gongxing, Centurion Chu Xiuhong of the Fifth Vanguard Battalion, report immediately to the central command tent."
We were taken aback, but we saw General Lei Gu standing on the city wall, holding an order scroll. I whispered, "General Lu, does Lord Wu know about our mission?"
He smiled wryly and replied, "I didn't request an order. I sent our troops without official orders."
"What?" I was surprised once again. Deploying troops without official orders was a grave offense. I asked, "Why didn't you request orders?"
"It was an urgent matter," he explained with a single sentence and headed toward the central command tent. I followed him, feeling a bit uneasy. Lord Wu was clearly well-informed, perhaps the Dragon Scale battalion had reported to him. I thought that even if we had violated the rules by deploying troops without orders, our victory in this battle would likely outweigh the transgression.
If we could withdraw our troops quickly, it would be worth it.
Upon entering the central command tent, General Lu Gongxing and I knelt down and said, "My Lord, may you be well."
Lord Wu said, "Rise and speak."
We got to our feet and realized that several deputy commanders from the central command were present. Gao Tiechong sat in his wheelchair, still wearing a hat with a veil, and Zhang Longyou was standing by, showing no unusual expression. My heart settled, knowing that things were likely fine. The pile of gunpowder was undoubtedly provided by Zhang Longyou, who was highly regarded by Lord Wu. He was responsible for this unexpected mission and likely reported the situation.
Just as I was contemplating this, Lord Wu reprimanded, "Lu Gongxing, who gave you the authority to deploy troops and engage in battle without proper orders?"
Lu Gongxing raised his head and replied, "My Lord, this battle was sudden, and I had no time to request orders. I had to act first and report later. It was a violation of military orders, and I accept your punishment."
Lord Wu descended from his seat, and his two eagles, the big and the small one, followed him. He stood in front of us and glanced around the tent. I watched Lord Wu, fearing that he might order something like "arrest Lu Gongxing."
After a moment, Lord Wu said, "Vanguard Commander Lu Gongxing and Centurion Chu Xiuhong of the Fifth Vanguard Battalion."
I was taken aback. Was I also going to be punished? Indeed, I had left the camp without orders, which was also a violation of military regulations. However, I believed that Lord Wu would not punish me severely, at most, I might be deemed useless. If I could expedite the withdrawal of the hundred thousand strong army, what did a little fault matter?
Lord Wu said, "Lu Gongxing, you failed to follow orders and sent the Vanguard Battalion and Dragon Scale Battalion without proper authorization, which should be punishable by death. However, due to the urgency of the situation and considering the need for flexibility in the face of unexpected challenges, you did well. Therefore, your merits and demerits offset each other. You may withdraw."
Lu Gongxing expressed his gratitude, saying, "Thank you, Lord Wu."
Lord Wu turned his attention to me and continued, "Centurion Chu Xiuhong of the Fifth Vanguard Battalion, for violating orders, the crime is unforgivable. Execute him!"
I was taken aback, and it was beyond my imagination that Lord Wu would decide in such a manner. Lu Gongxing was also shocked and exclaimed, "My Lord!"
Lord Wu looked at me and asked, "Chu Xiuhong, do you have anything to say?"
I lowered my head and replied, "Lord Wu's judgment is just. Soldiers must follow orders without question, and any disobedience is a grave crime. Even if a lowly officer has achieved great deeds, they have still committed an inexcusable offense. I hope Lord Wu will allow this hundred thousand strong army to return home soon, so that they won't have to die far from their homeland. Even if I die, I have no regrets."
While I spoke these words, I was certain that Lord Wu wouldn't kill me. He had allowed Lu Jingyu to escape despite committing a grave crime. Moreover, I had merits to my name. Lord Wu looked at me and suddenly smiled, saying, "Good, good. It's good that you understand."
He walked over, helped me up, and said, "General Chu, on the day we conquered the city, I noticed your compassion. As a military leader, you must never show any mercy to the enemy. Today, you will learn the weight of military orders."
I had just stood up when Lord Wu suddenly drew his Bai Bi blade from my waist and swung it toward my neck.
The strike was as fast as lightning, and I had never dreamed that Lord Wu would attack me so suddenly, so I involuntarily closed my eyes.
I felt a slight chill on my neck, but surprisingly, I felt no pain. I could hear gasps of astonishment from those around me. When I opened my eyes, I saw Lord Wu's blade suspended at my neck, yet it hadn't struck down.
Lord Wu shouted, "Centurion Chu Xiuhong of the Fifth Vanguard Battalion, hear my orders!"
I immediately knelt and said, "I'm here."
Lord Wu declared, "Chu Xiuhong, for violating military orders, starting today, you shall be removed from the roster of the Vanguard Battalion."
Was he going to dismiss me? This truly startled me, and I implored, "My Lord..."
Lord Wu sheathed his blade in my waist again, waved his hand, and said, "General Chu, from today onwards, you are appointed as the commander of the Dragon Scale Battalion. I authorize you to draw troops from various units to rebuild the Dragon Scale Battalion."
Was it so? I was both shocked and delighted, and I expressed my gratitude, saying, "Thank you, my Lord."
The wind flapped the large flag on my back as I soared higher and higher, like a bird. Below, the serpent people's camp lay spread out before me.
The place where the serpent people were encamped was actually a valley. Southern Jiang had many mountains and thick forests, with a sparse population, mostly residing in the cities and villages in the plains. Those mountains were home to only a few scattered hunters.
In the air, I had many thoughts running through my mind. The valley was vast, with steep cliffs on both sides, making it impossible to attack from the sides. In front of us, there was a forest, and if we used fire as an attack, we'd only burn the trees, not their tents. With the forest obstructing, the Empire's cavalry wouldn't be of much use here. Setting up camp in such a place offered both offense and defense advantages. The serpent leaders truly understood the art of war.
But why hadn't the serpent people launched an all-out attack?
I found it strange. Every time the serpent people attacked, they didn't exceed ten thousand troops, yet their dust clouds indicated many more. From the flagpole, I could see the serpent camp extending for miles, but the actual number of serpent soldiers was only a few thousand. Even if they hadn't deployed everyone, there should have been more of them.
Could this be a feigned troop strategy?
I felt a chill in my heart. Could the serpent people really devise such a scheme? If they truly had less than ten thousand troops, trapping our hundred thousand army here would be a farce.
At this moment, high in the sky, I could see the serpent soldiers surging out of the woods, heading towards the city, led by a black-armored knight who held the strings controlling my kite. There were already thousands of Imperial soldiers formed up outside the forest, waiting for them.
These Imperial soldiers were almost all from the Vanguard Battalion, with some remnants of the Dragon Scale Army mixed in. They had reached the edge of the forest but didn't charge in. They must have realized that cavalry was ineffective in the woods, and it wouldn't stand a chance against the serpent people. However, holding a defensive line might not be sustainable; the serpent people's attacks were like a storm, and they could withstand only for so long.
At this point, the black-armored knight controlling my kite had slowed down, and the kite had descended significantly. He handled the kite skillfully; I had seen children flying kites before, and they often crashed them when pulling them in. If the kite crashed, I would have no escape. But this man slowly reeled in the rope, and the kite descended steadily.
The kite came down to around ten yards high, with me hanging eight or nine yards from the ground. The black-armored knight motioned for me to put away the flag. I reached out and grabbed the rope, pulling the long spear off the flag.
Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain in my left shoulder. The spear had pierced my arm, and it was quite painful. The numbness from the Forget Sorrow Fruit had worn off, and the wound throbbed.
The black-armored knight had probably realized my injury and waved for several Dragon Scale soldiers to help him pull the rope. A few more soldiers were prepared to catch me when I landed.
As I descended to within a yard of the ground, I heard a sudden cheer from the serpent people in the forest. Just moments ago, the area had been engulfed in flames, and there was a significant boom that shook the ground. My horse, experienced in battle, was startled, and I had to grab the reins to keep it in check. If the kite had crashed, I would still be unharmed, but the shockwave had clearly taken everyone by surprise.
The loud explosion had erupted from the area where the barrier of fire had been. Smoke was billowing, and the burning grass and branches were now visible. The ground was littered with serpent soldiers' limbs. A few serpent people had come out of the fire, but their bodies were entirely engulfed in flames. They managed to run a few steps before collapsing into a pile of ash. Only one or two serpent people managed to break through the fire, but they reached the formation of the Imperial Vanguard Battalion and could go no further. Even if the serpent people were foolish, they wouldn't charge into certain death at this point.
My horse spun around in fear. I pulled the reins, and the horse stopped, though I couldn't prevent a small gasp of pain when the motion jarred my injured arm. The Dragon Scale soldiers had rushed over, and one of them shouted, "General Chu, let go!"
I released the rope, and they lifted my feet and carried me a few steps forward, preventing me from falling to the ground. When my feet touched the ground and I steadied myself, I felt an intense throbbing in my left arm. The soldiers circled around me, and one of them helped me up. He said, "General Chu, it's me!"
I handed him the severed head of General Shen Xiaping from my waist, saying, "This is the head of General Shen."
I didn't finish my sentence before the Dragon Scale soldiers suddenly knelt down before me, exclaiming, "General Chu, in the future, if you give an order, we, the Dragon Scale soldiers, will follow without hesitation, even to the death."
I was at a loss for words, but I could hear General Qi Liet shouting, "General!"
His voice was ecstatic, and when I turned to look, I saw him leading my warhorse toward me. When he reached me, I said, "Who would dare to meet the serpent people in battle? Are they out of their minds?"
I'm sure General Qi Liet knew I'd say something like that. He replied, "General, rest assured. It was a strategy devised by General Lu Tongxing and Mr. Zhang. I had some input as well."
I looked at the Vanguard Battalion, which had formed a line in front of me. In front of them were some makeshift defenses built with branches and logs. General Lu Gongxing stood in the center of the battalion, holding a flag. I was glad to see him. "Did they use gunpowder?" I asked.
He smiled and said, "Exactly."
I struggled to get up, and General Qi Liet supported me, helping me onto my horse. I said, "You Dragon Scale soldiers, please take General Shen Xiaping's head back to the camp. I'd like to stay here for a bit longer."
The Dragon Scale soldiers bowed to me once more, hopped on their horses, and rode back to the city. I turned my horse's head and watched as the Vanguard Battalion greeted the serpent people who had come rushing out of the woods. The serpent people were just a few steps away from them.
General Lu Gongxing waved his flag, and the entire battalion immediately began to retreat, still in an orderly formation, leaving all their defenses to
I was startled. That day when Route Gongxing and I came to the Right Army to inquire about the serpent people, I witnessed Tian Wei chopping off that woman's hand to use it as a dice. Later, he beheaded her with another strike, which almost led to a duel between us. I initially thought it was just the brutality of Tian Wei, but listening to what Jin Qianshi said, it seemed that many in the Right Army were the same. I inwardly sighed and said, "General Jin, please give her a break. She was innocent."
Jin Qianshi replied, "Commander, I dare not go against your words."
I turned to the two women and said, "You can go rest over there."
As they stepped away, I noticed tears glistening in their eyes. Once they left, I let out a sigh.
The Dragon Scale Army was undoubtedly formidable, but the methods of leading soldiers used by Shen Xiping were not something I could emulate. However, now that things had come to this point, I couldn't resign immediately, or else I might have to explain myself to Lord Wu. Perhaps in Lord Wu's eyes, I was one of his trusted men, which is why he appointed me as the commander of the Dragon Scale Army, to incorporate this strong force under his banner.
I asked Jin Qianshi, "Please rise, General Jin. I've been a bit fussy; I hope you don't mind. By the way, who is this Xue Wenyi that you mentioned?"
Jin Qianshi sat down and said, "Xue Wenyi is our Chief Engineer in the Right Army. He's known as 'Xue the Ingenious' and excels in the study of mechanical contraptions. By the way, when you reclaimed Lord Shen's head, you used the kite made by him."
I asked, "How did you manage to be well-prepared that day? Did you know that I was trapped there?"
Jin Qianshi smiled and said, "We didn't know you would go there that day. It was originally prepared for General Qin Quan and General Chen Yifan, the vanguards. Because of the urgency, Xue the Ingenious only managed to make one kite. But we didn't expect it would be used because of their failure, but you succeeded in a single battle. Heroes can be found everywhere in the world, not just in the Dragon Scale Army."
There was a hint of arrogance in his words, but at least he had acknowledged me as a hero. I smiled faintly and said, "How did you seize the opportunity, though?"
Jin Qianshi said, "That was Xue the Ingenious's extraordinary skill. Commander, are you able to move now?"
I tested my body. I had three significant injuries. The wound on my abdomen had already closed, so it wasn't a significant issue anymore. The injury on my leg was minor, just a flesh wound. The only painful spot was my left arm. It was still aching, but it wouldn't hinder my movement. I said, "Yes, I can move."
"Then, please follow me, Commander."
I was curious, so I flipped my body and was about to get out of bed. Jin Qianshi exclaimed, "Hey, hurry up and come help the Commander get out of bed."
The two women hurriedly ran out, assisted me carefully, and supported me when I stood. I smiled and said to them, "Thank you." It seemed like this frightened them, as if my words were something to be feared. They became a little uncomfortable, unsure of how to position their hands and feet properly.
Without paying them further attention, I followed Jin Qianshi outside. As soon as we stepped out of the tent, I asked, "Where did those two women come from?"
Jin Qianshi said, "Those are two captives of mine. Commander, don't you like them? I find it amusing that they look exactly alike. If you don't like them, I have five more in my tent, all considered beauties, although perhaps not as good as these two."
I couldn't help but sigh inwardly and said, "How many women are there in the Dragon Scale Army?"
Jin Qianshi replied, "Each person has one or two. Commander, don't mock me; I have no other interests, only these two words, wine and women." As he spoke, his face blushed slightly.
I spoke earnestly, "General Jin, please talk to the brothers in the Dragon Scale Army and ask them to treat these women better in the future."
Jin Qianshi's face changed, and he immediately knelt down again, saying, "I would rather die a thousand times. At first, I had ten concubines, but I killed three of them. I will treat them better from now on."
I helped him up with one hand and said, "General Jin, you are older than me. I am just fortunate to hold this position. We are all brothers. On the battlefield, you should follow my orders. Off the battlefield, there's no need to be too formal. You can call me by my name."
Jin Qianshi stood up, his face showing a hint of confusion, as if he couldn't quite understand the situation. Perhaps under Shen Xiping's command, military discipline was chaotic, but there was a strong emphasis on hierarchy. Meeting me, a commander who didn't demand much formality from his subordinates, might have left him perplexed.
We'll take it step by step.
I looked at the sky. It was getting late, and the area around the west gate was calm. Lord Wu's orders for the city to be sealed had been in effect for four days. Even the Right Army dared not defy the orders. Moreover, there weren't many civilians left in the city. An assembly of around fifty to sixty thousand people had gathered at the People's Square, which was quite surprising. In just these past few days of the siege, a significant majority of the city's population had perished. At the beginning of the siege, there were probably around eight hundred thousand civilians and soldiers in the city.
More than seven hundred thousand of them had died. Out of that number, about half might have died from starvation, and the other half due to the actions of the Republican Army, including some cannibalism to survive. But even then, at least three to four hundred thousand people had died from the Imperial Army's brutal siege. For a force of one hundred thousand, whose hands would not be stained with blood?
At this moment, Jin Qianshi said, "Commander, it's that one."
He pointed to one of the watchtowers. I raised my head and saw a long bamboo tube extended from the tower.
"What is that?" I asked.
Jin Qianshi replied, "You'll know when you go up there."
He went up the stairs, and as I was about to take my first step, I felt a sharp pain in my shoulder, and my body swayed. Jin Qianshi jumped down the steps and supported me, saying, "I'm a fool; I forgot that your wounds haven't fully healed yet."
I said, "It's nothing serious. Thank you, General Jin."
I said it wasn't a big deal, and I was partially telling the truth. The physician's name was Ye Tai, and he was a disciple of the Tianji Master. Zhang Longyou's Upper Clear Elixir Sect focused on alchemy and produced some medicines, while the Clear Void Breath Technique Sect didn't emphasize alchemy but placed a greater emphasis on medical knowledge. Although the primary focus was ascension, some within the Clear Void Breath Technique Sect had misplaced priorities and placed medical knowledge above all else. Ye Tai's medical skills were rooted in that tradition, and he had gained expertise in treating injuries in the army. My wounds were not light, but today, I felt a slight itch amidst the pain, a sign that the wounds were healing.
On the way to the watchtower, I asked Jin Qianshi about Laoguo Ji's plan. He wasn't very well-informed about it, but he knew that the Central Army was preparing and selecting short-statured soldiers from various regiments. He wasn't sure what the purpose was.
As we climbed the watchtower, we found two soldiers sitting there. Upon seeing Jin Qianshi and me, they immediately stood up and greeted, "General Jin."
Jin Qianshi introduced me, saying, "This is the new commander of the Dragon Scale Army, General Chu Xiuhong. Please pay your respects."
The two soldiers were startled but then greeted me in unison, "Hello, Commander Chu."
Although they spoke respectfully, there was a faint hint of reluctance on their faces. It was not surprising because during the reign of General Shen Xiping in the Right Army, many soldiers were more familiar with him and didn't even know of Lord Wu. As an outsider, taking command of Shen Xiping's elite troops, it was only natural that some soldiers would be resistant. Lord Wu might have appointed me to lead the army due to the Right Army's disorderliness.
Jin Qianshi explained, "This is made by Xue Miaoshou, and he named it the 'Telescope.'"
Telescope? I looked at the contraption. It was a large, coarse bamboo tube placed on a stand, extending outside the watchtower. It had something embedded at both ends, and it was emitting a faint, gleaming light. Jin Qianshi steadied the telescope and said, "Commander, take a look from this end."
I walked to the other end and peered inside.
At first, the view was somewhat blurry, but soon I saw rows of tents, and a bare flagpole right in front of them. It appeared that the tents were pitched just several dozen yards away. Although it was a bit unclear, I could still make out the details.
Whose tents were those? I couldn't help but wonder.
The telescope was pointing southwest, toward the area northwest of the South Gate. But that place was entirely open ground, and the snake people had always attacked only the South Gate; they hadn't come near the West Gate.
"Whose tents are those?" I asked.
Jin Qianshi replied, "They belong to the snake people."
"What?"
I was greatly surprised. The snake people were still several miles away, but through the telescope, they appeared much closer, hence the name "telescope." I approached and looked again, confirming that I could see a forest in front of their camp.
Jin Qianshi commented, "Last night, we waited outside the forest for Qin Quan's signal but never received it. Luckily, early in the morning, Xue Miaoshou spotted you atop the flagpole. We immediately set off to assist and encountered your guards, who were desperately waiting for help. They had some incendiary substances on hand. We were prepared for a fierce battle, fearing the snake people might break through. We intended to save Lord Shen's head at any cost. Haha, it turned out to be one of the most enjoyable battles we've fought. None of us suffered any injuries."
He spoke animatedly, and the two soldiers listened with awe. However, my thoughts dwelled on the fact that it wasn't without casualties. Several Dragon Scale soldiers, including those under Qin Quan's command, had died in combat. Tan Qing, the lead archer from my Vanguard Fifth Battalion, also perished in the snake people's ranks.
Just then, someone called out, "General Chu, are you here?" It was the voice of Qile.
Jin Qianshi stopped talking and leaned over the parapet, asking, "Who are you?"
I put down the telescope and joined him at the parapet. I saw Qile and a few remaining sergeants carrying something. When he saw me, Qile exclaimed, "General, you're here!"
He hurried up the tower, knelt before me, and asked, "General, are you all right?"
My left arm was still in a sling, but I used my right hand to pat his shoulder. Qile now wore the insignia of a centurion on his armor, and he beamed with pride. He was only nineteen this year, turning twenty after the New Year. Becoming a centurion at his age was quite remarkable. I said with a smile, "You did well."
Qile replied, "By the way, where's your tent? Lord Jun Hou provided ten catties of rice per person for the vanguard battalion as a reward for your hard work. I brought it for you."
I glanced at Jin Qianshi, who seemed a bit embarrassed. The Dragon Scale Regiment had contributed significantly to this campaign but received little in terms of rewards. After all, the Vanguard Battalion was directly under Lord Jun Hou's command, making it more favored than the Dragon Scale Regiment.
I said, "General Jin, please take this rice to the mess hall and have it cooked into porridge for our comrades this evening."
Breaking through High Eagle City, we didn't acquire much food. Our daily meals consisted of rough dry bread. Although each of us took a substantial amount of wealth from the city, we couldn't exchange it for food and drink. Even the high-ranking officers only occasionally had a bit of white rice to eat. Lord Wuhou granted each of the Vanguard Battalion soldiers ten catties of white rice, which was over ten thousand catties in total, quite a generous gift. I suspected it was more than ten catties; they probably increased it to thirty catties, perhaps from their own rewards.
Jin Qianshi seemed a bit perplexed and said, "This..."
I interrupted him, saying, "No 'this' or 'that.' We share our good fortune, and we face difficulties together."
I turned to Qile and said, "Please, let our brothers rest in my tent."
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Upon entering my tent, Qile couldn't help but exclaim, "Wow, General, you live quite comfortably now."
Indeed, the Western city that Right Army had captured was the richest part of High Eagle City, and the Dragon Scale Regiment had received better treatment than the Vanguard Battalion. As we sat down, I asked, "Qile, is Lord Jun Hou planning a counterattack?"
Jin Qianshi wasn't sure of the details, but in this case, the Vanguard Battalion was bound to be in the know. Qile replied, "Yes. General Lau once saw you flying out from the snake people's camp on a kite, and he came up with a plan. They are making many firecrackers to throw into the snake people's camp via the kite, using fire to achieve victory."
No wonder they needed shorter soldiers and sent Xue Wenyi. I couldn't help but admire Lau Guoji. It was early spring, and the northeast wind was blowing, which meant it would go southwest towards the snake people's camp. Fighting the snake people on level ground was bound to have low chances of success, but a fire attack from a high vantage point would be more effective, even if the snake people weren't particularly afraid of fire. However, if they faced a significant defeat, the snake people might not have anywhere to go. This plan was indeed practical but extremely dangerous. Those soldiers who would throw the explosive packages into the snake people's camp risked their lives, and it was likely that more than half of them wouldn't return.
I asked, "When is the operation scheduled?"
Qile replied, "All the craftsmen have been mobilized and are working hard to produce those large kites. Xue Wenyi, the craftsman of the Right Army, says they can make up to fifty of them by tonight."
I inquired, "Fifty people? Will there be enough gunpowder?"
"Mr. Zhang mentioned that the Fire Cloud Cave outside the north gate produces sulfur, and saltpeter can be scraped from the old walls. The plan is for each person to carry one jin of gunpowder and bring the kind of alcohol that can be set on fire in a wooden barrel, which isn't difficult to manage."
I thought about it and found the plan to be quite feasible. We had all seen the power of gunpowder, and when combined with the alcohol that ignited upon contact with flames, even immortals wouldn't escape unscathed. Lord Wuhou probably couldn't resist the temptation of a plan that would annihilate the snake people in one fell swoop. However, deep down, I felt that something was not quite right, but I couldn't put my finger on what was amiss.
After some discussion, I bid farewell to Qile and saw them off. Jin Qianshi then brought some remaining Dragon Scale Regiment officers to meet with me. The Dragon Scale Regiment was organized into five "outposts" – Front, Rear, Left, Right, and Center, with each outpost having an outpost leader. After the major defeat, the Dragon Scale Regiment had only Jin Qianshi left as an outpost leader.
After bidding them farewell, I returned to my tent, where the two women who served me were waiting. They said, "General, please have your meal."
On the table were two bowls of steaming white rice porridge and some boiled beef that had softened after cooking. The dried beef was originally brought from the capital, and when it was hard and dry, it didn't taste particularly great. However, when it softened, it had a pleasant aroma. I attempted to pick up a bowl with one hand, but it was hot, and my other hand was immobile. I was at a loss for what to do when one of the women lifted a bowl, while the other scooped up a spoonful and fed it to me. In the Vanguard Battalion, Qile had served me food when he was my guardian, but his service was incomparable to the care provided by the women. The Dragon Scale Regiment, which valued luxury, used women to serve for a reason.
The sweet rice grains tasted heavenly compared to the dry bread I usually had. While white rice porridge wasn't considered a delicacy in the capital, since rice was grown in the south, it wasn't anything special. But in the midst of war, being able to eat this was already a great luxury. It suddenly occurred to me that I wondered what the citizens who were detained in the National Square were eating.
After just a few bites, I suddenly asked, "Have you both eaten?"
One of the women seemed a little uneasy and said, "General, we..."
It was only then that I observed them more closely. Their faces were identical, and they both appeared somewhat weary. I said, "You should eat."
The two women exchanged glances and then simultaneously knelt down, saying, "General, we dare not."
I replied, "There's no need to be afraid. What do you usually eat?"
They looked at each other and hesitated for a while before one of them said, "Previously, General Jin provided us with those dry bread."
Imagining them trying to eat those barely palatable dry bread, I couldn't help but chuckle. They didn't understand why I was laughing and appeared somewhat frightened. I said, "Bring two more bowls."
They fetched two more bowls, and I divided the two bowls of porridge into three, intentionally keeping one bowl with less porridge. I handed the smallest bowl to myself and took out a piece of dry bread from my pocket, saying, "Here, help me tear this into pieces and soak it in there."
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After finishing the porridge, I felt quite comfortable. The two women had gone to rest. Perhaps, they had never experienced a day without fear since being captured. Although they were still somewhat afraid, they had a hint of a smile on their faces. They told me their names; one was named Bai Wei, and the other was named Zi Liao. They were twin daughters of a mid-ranking officer in the Republic Army.
Watching their small tent where they were resting, I couldn't help but sigh. If Tsang Yue Gong hadn't rebelled, they would have been two pampered ladies surrounded by a group of wealthy young men. Even someone like me, a low-ranking military officer, would have found it challenging to win their favor, but now, they served me like obedient servants.
Tonight, the counterattack was scheduled, and I couldn't sleep. I stepped outside, and the evening had already descended. There was no sign of activity from the snake people's camp in the distance. I climbed the same watchtower once again and glanced through the telescope. The two soldiers recognized me and saluted me respectfully.
Looking through the telescope, everything was still hazy, and there was no unusual movement. However, I couldn't help but feel a little worried as it appeared that the snake people's camp was gradually becoming brighter. Maybe the snake people were getting used to the fire and were no longer as afraid of it.
After gazing for a while, my eyes began to ache. I was about to leave when something caught my eye. In the telescope, I seemed to spot a moving black figure.
What was that?
I bent over the telescope again. The view was already not very clear, and with the approaching twilight, it was even harder to see. What I had thought was a figure appeared to be missing now.
Could it have been a trick of my eyes?
I slowly descended from the watchtower. On the city walls, the night patrol soldiers were still vigilantly patrolling. No one was allowed to remove their armor, and even rest was merely a moment's rest. I wondered if this kind of life was coming to an end.
The soldiers were growing weary. This was something "The Seven Essentials of Marching" also warned about. Since we began this campaign, we had always been unstoppable, but now, facing off against the snake people in High Roc City, I sensed a growing weariness among the soldiers. With Wu Hou's skill, he couldn't have failed to notice this. He probably planned to wage one more battle to secure his achievements and his reputation as a peerless general.
A peerless general. I couldn't help but smile. Throughout history, there had been many peerless generals. The so-called peerless generals were essentially individuals who had killed a large number of people. Lu Jingyu had said, "It's simply a matter of having an effective way to kill people." Perhaps that was his sentiment after getting weary of constant warfare. On the battlefield, apart from killing or being killed, there was no third choice.
I sighed deeply. In the sky, the moon rose, a pale crescent. At the same time last year, High Roc City might have been in the midst of lively celebrations, preparing for the upcoming New Year. This year, the vast majority of the people had become lifeless remains. In just one year, it was a world of difference.
I walked down from the city walls, intending to return to my tent and rest. Suddenly, a faint flute melody echoed through the city.
The flute music was coming from somewhere nearby, possibly from the south gate of the city. It was a melodious and elegant tune, and I couldn't identify the exact piece, but it was incredibly pleasing to the ears.
The melody was incredibly intricate, like a fine, long thread that twisted and turned in countless ways, yet never lost its elegance.
Listening to the flute music, it felt as though pure, cleansing water was flowing both inside and outside of my body, leaving me with no thoughts, and a sensation as if I could float away. I stood beneath the city walls, a little dazed by the music, hoping that the flute melody would continue for a while longer.
As I became entranced by the music, a sharp, piercing sound from a pipa interrupted the flute melody. The pipa's sound was exceptionally loud, abrupt in its entrance, cutting through the air like a sharp blade. Yet, it harmonized perfectly with the delicate, silken notes of the flute, as if it were meant to be.
The resonant pipa music grew louder, and eventually, the flute couldn't keep up, and it wavered between continuance and breaking. Suddenly, a series of pipa notes rang out with a "zheng chong" sound.
As soon as I heard those pipa notes, my heart trembled.
Although I didn't understand musical theory, I instantly recognized who was playing.
Snow-white fingers, playing a haunting and soul-stirring tune. A glimpse from that evening of red lanterns and green wine, only a delicate silhouette remained etched in my memory.
I headed toward the south gate. After taking a few steps, I felt they were too slow, so I ran. But when I ran, there was a sharp pain in my shoulder. However, I couldn't be bothered by the pain at that moment; I was focused on reaching my destination.
The distance between the west gate and the south gate was considerable. I followed the sound, which wasn't coming from the exact south gate but rather from the western side of the south gate's city walls.
It was Wu Hou's temporary camp. For some reason, I had an overwhelming urge to see those dancing fingers on the strings one more time and to hear that emotionally stirring melody again.
The sound of the flute and pipa remained together. Even someone like me could tell that the flute carried the martial and militant spirit, while the pipa, soft and gentle, bore a touch of vulnerability. As the performance continued, the flute's notes soared higher and higher, leaving the pipa slightly behind.
The tender pipa music resembled a mixed forest of flowers and trees, as if it was a tranquil valley untouched by worldly strife, living in harmony with the sun and the moon. The flute, on the other hand, felt like a quick, striking lightning bolt or a charging cavalry unit, shattering the peaceful illusion. There were flashes of blades, blood staining the ground, fires raging, and cries of people in every direction.
I ran, and the melody surrounded me like drifting clouds. At some point, I felt tears welling up in my eyes.
On the battlefield, regardless of whether it was called a just war to save the people or an unjust conflict to expand territory, the majority of those who died were still innocent civilians. Even the soldiers who fought on the frontlines, what could they leave behind after their deaths? The souls of the victors, known as heroes of the nation, would be remembered with some honor. However, for the fallen of the defeated side, they were often cursed, without any consideration for their families back home. In their final moments, they, like the peace-loving people, probably wished to provide a bit of warmth to their loved ones.
I had arrived at a city wall after a sprint, quite breathless. My injuries were far from healed, and the run had left me drained. I took a deep breath and began to ascend the steps slowly.
By this point, the piercing sound of the flute had overwhelmed the pipa music. It was like a dragon soaring through the skies, appearing in the east one moment and the west the next, commanding thousands of troops and horses, unstoppable.
Suddenly, amidst the intense flute music, a change occurred, as if a small ripple had formed on the surface of water, carrying a hint of loneliness.
Who was that person?
With this thought in my mind, I reached the top of the city wall.
And there, I saw her.
She was seated among a group of female musicians, cradling a pipa in her arms. She was still wearing that same yellow dress, her five fingers gracefully plucking the strings. Despite the loud and martial flute, her pipa produced notes as gentle as dewdrops on a blade of grass. Even as the iron hooves trampled by, the notes still fell like raindrops.
The one playing the flute was none other than Wu Hou himself!
I couldn't help but be astonished. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that Wu Hou had such a deep understanding of music. He wasn't playing an ordinary bamboo flute; it was a polished iron flute that shone brightly. At this moment, he was deeply immersed in the music, with his eyes closed, oblivious to his surroundings. His two ever-present bodyguards, Big Eagle and Little Eagle, stood nearby.
Under the moonlight, they appeared like statues, carved from mud and wood.
I didn't dare to approach; I watched from a distance. Even the soldiers on patrol, holding their long spears, seemed entranced, as if they were lost in a dream.
The flute melody gradually faded, making the pipa sound abrupt and harsh in comparison. But now, the pipa's tune had lost its structure, resembling the aftermath of a great battle. It was as if a village once filled with joy and harmony had been reduced to rubble, with no inhabitants left, just a wasteland of broken walls.
Wu Hou suddenly opened his eyes, and with a flick, he slapped the iron flute, making a sharp "crack" sound. She was startled, her fingers leaving the strings of the pipa. The group of female musicians got up and knelt before Wu Hou.
Wu Hou smiled, saying, "Rise."
They returned to their seats. Wu Hou asked, "Who taught you the pipa?"
This question was directed at her. She replied, "My lord, I learned to play the pipa from Mu Shancai during my childhood."
This was the first time I had heard her speak. Her voice was clear and melodious, neither servile nor arrogant. At this moment, her status was that of a female captive, but her words suggested an equality with Wu Hou.
"Mushan Cai," Wu Hou lowered his head.
This Mushan Cai was a renowned master of the pipa in the Southern Kingdom. It was said that he was within Gaoji City when we besieged it, but later, he vanished without a trace, most likely dying during the siege.
Wu Hou raised his head, seemingly speaking to himself, "Over forty years ago, I met Mushan Cai in the capital, and he taught me the techniques of playing the pipa and flute. Time has flown by, over forty years, and no wonder I found your pipa capable of harmonizing with my 'Charge of the Cavalry.'"
She suddenly remarked, "My lord's flute music is truly divine, but it carries the heavy aura of a battlefield. My performance ended in disarray, hardly worth mentioning."
Her words could be seen as both compliments and criticism. However, Wu Hou did not take offense. He said, "Indeed, I've been in the military for so long; it's likely that even my blood has grown cold with the edge of a blade. Ah."
The sigh at the end came from the depths of his heart.
The Wu Hou, hidden from the public eye, was revealed to be such a person? I was astounded. Perhaps that's why Wu Hou could become a victorious general, one of the top ten generals in the Empire's history. If I relied solely on brute strength, I would probably never attain such greatness.
Realizing the nature of my thoughts, I suddenly felt remorse towards her.
Maybe her father or brothers were among those who died by my blade. Now, she had become just one of the courtesans meant to be offered to the emperor. For some reason, a deep hatred for war surged within me.
If only the war had never occurred, and the Southern Kingdom remained a province where people lived peacefully, how wonderful that would have been.
I stood by the city wall, lost in contemplation when suddenly, a tremendous noise erupted from the southwest. Wu Hou stood up, gazing into the distance, and said, "The counterattack has begun!"
In the southwest, flames shot into the sky, and a towering column of smoke billowed. Almost all the soldiers on the city wall rushed to the edge to watch.
The counterattack against the Snake People had finally commenced!