Xiao Fan: ಠ_ಠ
After listening to the words of Anxi Protectorate Governor Guo Xin, Xiao Fan's gaze slightly sharpens as he begins to grasp the deep intentions of the general.
"Are you Yao Xi? And the Lord of Heaven behind you, listen carefully to what I say! The abandonment of Shule Town is not due to cowardice, but rather to protect you more effectively!" Guo Xin gazes at the young girl in front of him, observing her slender figure, tattered clothes, and pale complexion, feeling a sense of melancholy in his heart.
Governor Guo Xin of the Anxi Protectorate briefly pauses, then continues to explain: "The geographical location of Shule Town is crucial, bordered to the north and east by the already fallen Beiting Protectorate and the Uyghur Khaganate, and to the west and south by the Tibetan Empire. It is indeed a battleground on all sides! The Tang Dynasty's Beiting army has been annihilated, and the Anxi army, which was sent to support the An Lushan Rebellion in the Central Plains, has had its elite forces withdrawn, leaving less than ten thousand soldiers. The lifeline of the Anxi Protectorate to the Central Plains, the Hexi Corridor, has been cut off by Tibet, leaving us isolated and without support."
At this moment, Xiao Fan fully understands the Protectorate Governor's strategy. To protect the people of the Anxi Protectorate to the utmost, he plans to abandon three of the four towns of Anxi, gathering all the people and troops in the strongest fortress, Kucha. This fortress is not only heavily fortified but also the closest city to the Central Tang Dynasty.
However, Xiao Fan is aware of the historical trajectory. The Anxi army bravely held out in Kucha for forty years, displaying indomitable courage. Unfortunately, during these long forty years, they never received reinforcements from the Central Tang Dynasty. In the end, these soldiers died heroically, forever resting in the vast expanse of sand.
Upon hearing General Guo Xin's words, Yao Xi confidently asserts, "But General Guo Xin, the situation has changed now. With the Lord of Heaven's blessing, we can definitely defend Shule Town. Look at this strong city, it is a masterpiece of the Lord of Heaven."
Anxi Protectorate Governor Guo Xin surveys the surroundings, noticing the fifteen-meter-high city walls, solid as gold. Yet, he harbors doubts: "Even so, what can be done? The Tibetan Empire's army numbers in the millions, and a single fortified city is hard to defend against such a force. More importantly, the land around Shule Town is barren and cannot sustain life. In contrast, the Anxi Basin has abundant water sources and fertile land, while here, there is only endless sand."
Hearing this, Yao Xi falls into deep thought, knowing the truth in Guo Xin's words. Shule Town, inherently isolated by geography, relied on trade and taxation of passing merchants for sustenance. The outbreak of war has cut off its trade routes. Once bustling, the town's population has dwindled, now barely numbering a hundred.
Seeing the thin girl bow her head in silence, Guo Xin understands she has grasped the gravity of the situation.
"We'll prepare to leave and retreat to Kucha after nightfall," Guo Xin says gently.
Xiao Fan: (._.)
"No!" Xiao Fan speaks towards the ecological box.
Yao Xi trembles slightly, then suddenly raises her head to convey the divine decree of the Lord of Heaven to Guo Xin: "General Guo Xin, both the Lord of Heaven and I understand your considerations, but abandoning Shule Town is not a wise choice. If we give up Shule Town today, it could be Yanqi Town and Yutian Town tomorrow, leaving us with nowhere to retreat. Anxi's land is limited, but the Tibetan Empire's greed is endless. Without a fight, the strong and the weak are already distinguished, and a great battle with the Tibetan Empire is inevitable!" Yao Xi states firmly.
After hearing this, Guo Xin looks at the young girl in astonishment. She had used Su Xun's "Discourse on the Six States" to counter his argument, a profound insight coming from a poor young girl!
"Have you studied?" Guo Xin asks in disbelief.
"I've only learned some basic literacy. These words were taught by the Lord of Heaven," Yao Xi replies.
Guo Xin lifts his gaze to the sky, where nothing is visible except the afterglow of the setting sun. "I truly wish I could have a face-to-face debate with this Lord of Heaven."
Yao Xi continues to convey the words of the Lord of Heaven: "Thirty thousand li east of the river flows into the sea, five thousand feet high in the mountains reaching to the sky. The remnants weep amidst the dust of the barbarians, looking southward for the imperial army for yet another year. Although the Beiting Protectorate has fallen, there are still a million people of the Great Tang persevering, hoping for the return of the Tang army. If we retreat now, where will their hope lie?"
"And moreover, your uncle, the great general Guo Ziyi, never retreated in the face of an enemy several times his size during the An Lushan Rebellion. As his nephew, how can you retreat in front of his heroic spirit?" Yao Xi becomes more impassioned as she speaks, tears filling her eyes.
Guo Xin is stunned. He is indeed Guo Ziyi's nephew, a fact known by very few. How could this girl, who has never left Shule Town, know all this, unless the Lord of Heaven truly exists!
Despite being shaken, Guo Xin still holds his ground: "Your Lord of Heaven speaks well, but Shule Town lacks water sources. How are we to survive?"
Yao Xi understands Guo Xin's concerns. Indeed, the area is too arid. Except for the divine rain brought by the Lord of Heaven recently, there has been no rainfall for a long time, and the previously collected divine rain is almost exhausted. Without a water source, they cannot survive.
Xiao Fan: @(￣-￣)@
Xiao Fan sighs deeply.
"Then, I will create a celestial river for Shule Town!" Xiao Fan declares confidently at this moment.
Upon hearing this, Yao Xi looks up at the sky incredulously, gazing at the handsome young figure appearing in the sky. Could he really create a celestial river, bringing hope for survival to the people of Shule Town and the entire Anxi region of the Tang Dynasty?
"The Lord of Heaven... the Lord of Heaven says he will create a celestial river for Shule Town!" Yao Xi repeats excitedly, echoing the words of the Lord of Heaven.
Guo Xin pauses, watching Yao Xi's excited expression. The girl's words do not seem to be mere nonsense.
Outside the ecological-box, Xiao Fan takes out tools from a plastic bag. On his way home, he had researched historical records online, learning that Shule Town was established over an underground river in the Tarim Basin. However, due to years of drought, the underground river had dried up. Yet, the divine rain previously brought by Xiao Fan had reconnected the underground river. Now, only a little assistance was needed...
Xiao Fan takes out a straw and a rubber suction ball, assembling them together before filling it with water from a pool.
With everything ready, the critical moment arrives.
"Yao Xi, tell them to stay away from that well!" Xiao Fan instructs.
Yao Xi immediately orders the Tang soldiers near the dried-up well to move away. She doesn't understand how the Lord of Heaven could make water flow from a well that had been dry for years.
"Step back! The Lord of Heaven is about to perform a miracle!" Lu Yang shouts loudly.
Suddenly, a gigantic object descends from the sky, cylindrical in shape, resembling the legendary "Sea-Calming Needle."
Xiao Fan inserts the water-filled straw into the dry well and squeezes the suction ball forcefully. The immense pressure sends the water from the straw into the well. Immediately afterward, he feels a strong counterforce.
The underground river is connected! Using this counterforce, Xiao Fan swiftly pulls out the straw. The previously dry well now gushes forth with clear water, shooting skywards like a fountain, resembling a celestial river amidst the evening glow!
Xiao Fan reveals a triumphant smile: "Hehe, it worked!"
Xiao Fan: o(≧v≦)o