Chapter 159 (1/2)
Chapter 159
Translator: Nyoi-Bo StudioEditor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
”General.” He Xiao's vice general, Ge Qi, was a young man of about 20 years old. Like the majority of the soldiers, his father was a soldier that had defected towards the royal capital. He had grown up in Yan Bei since young. Presently, he returned to this place, determined and brave, with the hope of restoring the disgraced name of his father. ”General, the Xia troops are nearing.”
Chu Qiao remained silent. Ge Qi remarked, ”Chidu City won't be opened. Let's go.”
Chu Qiao was unfazed. She stared at the city gates of Chidu and replied calmly, ”Let's wait a while more.”
Time passed ever so slowly. The wind roared like a savage beast. The surroundings were silent but appeared noisy. The eagles circled in the sky, spreading their giant, white wings which were seemingly sufficient to cover half the sky.
Ge Qi frowned, seemingly hearing the warhorses of the Xia Army in the distance. He stepped up and said, ”General, if we go now, we can still make it.”
”Let's wait a while more.”
”General, the forces from Xia are too strong. If we clash head-on with them on the plains, we won't be able to resist them.”
”Let's wait a while more.”
Chu Qiao was calm. The wind lifted her hat slightly, revealing her beautiful face. Her horse stamped its feet on the ground, making crisp sounds. Time passed so slowly while waiting. The wind blew across the land, scattering the loose blades of grass beneath the snowy ground. Her heart felt warm; she could feel the intense beats of her pulse. One, two, three times…
”General!” a voice suddenly echoed out. A scout, dressed in yellow, sprinted towards her while continuing, ”The Xia troops have bypassed Helan Mountains and are advancing towards Chiyuan Crossing at full steam! They have 20,000 light cavalry soldiers at the frontline, followed by large amounts of heavy cavalry soldiers and many infantry battalions. Their numbers are unclear. General, they have killed tens of armies guarding Chiyuan Crossing and discovered our scout. They have picked up their pace and advanced over the first strait!”
Cries of panic echoed amongst the crowd. Was the enemy really that fast? 20,000 light cavalry soldiers, countless heavy cavalry soldiers, close to 100,000 soldiers on foot… The numbers were intimidating. If they were to clash here, the Southwest Emissary's garrison would definitely be wiped out without a sound.
”General,” Ge Qi frowned and said, ”where there is life…”
”General! Take a look!” a section leader suddenly exclaimed, pointing his finger towards the city gates of Chidu. Everyone turned their heads around. A white and red flag flew in the air, above the high city walls. The reinforced city gates of Chidu were slowly let down to the surprise of everyone.
The gates of Chidu City had opened!
”Yes!” the soldiers exclaimed together in joy.
Chu Qiao heaved a sigh of relief. She whipped her horse and galloped forward, saying loudly, ”Into the city!”
As the city gates closed, a black line appeared on the horizon. From the Chishui River, which was located far out, a low rumbling sound echoed out, drifting to their ears slowly.
”Who are you? Cough, cough… I am the soldier in charge of protecting Chidu City of Yan Bei. Prince Yan… cough, cough… personally issued a hand-written statement to grant me the rank of a third level official. I am a top scholar from the batch in year 748. My title has been recognized in front of the palace. How could you be so brazen in broad daylight, and so uncultured? Cough, cough, cough…” A man of about 60 to 70 years old droned on loudly, his clothes wrinkled by being forcibly held down by the soldiers. His hat had slanted to one direction, while he had only one boot on. The other boot was dragged along by his other foot. Two soldiers from the Southwest Emissary's garrison held him down to prevent him from making any rash movements. What was disappointing was that the man had tens of soldiers guarding the city, but they did not move all along. They crept in one corner, wanting to remove the uniforms that they wore. Evidently, they did not intend to participate in any combat.
Chu Qiao felt angry, knowing that a city that held such strategic importance was handed over to these good-for-nothings. However, ironically, she knew that if not for this, she would not have been able to enter Chidu City.