Chapter 204 (1/2)
Chapter 204
Translator: Nyoi-Bo StudioEditor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Indeed, He Xiao was still with her. The Xiuli Army was still with her. She was not without help. But before long, from the direction of the Yanming Pass came a large cloud of dust. Scouts rushed back, reporting, ”Master, about 10 kilometers away, Zhao Yang has led a force of 100,000 strong, and is heading our way! As long as we leave Longyin Pass, we will surely be ambushed.”
At this moment, Chu Qiao almost wanted to laugh out loud.
Yan Xun, Yan Xun, what an amazing move you just pulled on me!
To open the pass and let her through, he had not wasted a single soldier. Using civilians to slow her down, he completely destroyed her advantage of speed. Using Xia forces, he blocked off her path. Even if the Xia Empire suspected that something was amiss, they could not afford to risk letting a Yan Bei military leader like Chu Qiao enter their borders. Even if they knew that Yan Xun might be plotting something, this battle could not be avoided.
Perhaps, in small battles, Chu Qiao could make use of tactics and strategy to defeat Yan Xun, but when it came to calculating other people, and to play forces against each other, she would never match up to Yan Xun.
The citizens had also noticed the flying dust in the distance, and fear started to spread in the crowd. Although many were full of confidence—after all, Master Chu was around—yet, when they logically thought about the humongous army of the Xia Empire fighting with the Xiuli Army of barely 5,000, they shuddered and started to hesitate.
He Xiao returned to the foot of Longyin Pass, and some of his soldiers shouted, ”Garrison, please open the gates for the civilians to enter!”
Only after shouting three times, a carefree voice replied to them, ”Orders from the Emperor, if they wish to enter the city, Xiuli Army must enter first.”
”The Xia Army is arriving soon! Please let the civilians in!”
”Orders from the Emperor, the Xiuli Army must enter first.” Echoes resounded in the winds, with dust being carried up by the winds. Lifting up her head, Chu Qiao clenched her fist as she glanced at the Black Eagle Flag that decorated the city walls.
”Master?” There were some soldiers that asked for her instructions.
”Master!” The voices of people increased in volume as they all crowded around Chu Qiao for instructions.
”Master, what should we do?” There were civilians who started to utter in panic. Terrified by the atmosphere, children started to cry, as the scene descended into a cacophonic chaos.
”Master, what should we do?”
”Master, the enemy is coming.”
”Master, return to the city. It will be good to avoid conflict.”
”Master, return and apologize to His Majesty. I am sure he will forgive you.”
”Master, we will fight to the end! Just give us the order!”
”Master, Master, Master…”
Yan Xun, so this is what you desired? Looking up at the sky, even the last bit of hope she had for him was crushed.
What do you hope to see? That I am alone without help? That I am surrounded by enemies? That I would helplessly escape, miserably to return to you for help?
Yan Xun, you underestimate me.
”Warriors, you have already witnessed all that has happened in recent days.” Sitting atop her horse, Chu Qiao started her speech, as she stretched out her hand to mute the bustling. With a deep, serious tone, she continued, ”Our King, the Emperor of Yan Bei, abandoned his past promises, and betrayed the words we had sworn before the Yan Bei lands and Hui Hui Mountain. Civilians in Changqing became nothing more than skeletons and food for the vultures, and Da Tong is being massacred by a force that was only loyal to His Majesty. Mister Wu is dead, Lady Yu is dead, Princess Huanhuan is dead, General Xiaohe is dead, General Biancang is dead, General Xirui is dead, General AhDu is dead. All of them were killed by an ambitious man who merely wishes to expand his empire and consolidate his power. Right now, a guillotine hangs over our heads. Warriors, before you, is a 100,000 strong Xia Army, waiting for us, ready to finish us. Behind us is the Yan Bei Army that have already started to rot. They have readied themselves to spit on us the moment we head back and tell us that we are cowards. Beside us, there are civilians who have been abandoned by their country. Warriors, what should we do?” Her cold, emotionless voice was the only sound that could be heard in the vast plains. No one spoke, and all merely gazed upon her figure with fanatical fervor.
Chu Qiao jumped off her horse. Pointing at the soldiers, she shouted, ”Are we going to head back and become a slave to a dictator, and be ridiculed by those betrayers who turned back on their promises? Or are we going to abandon these civilians, and try to escape? Are we going to face off with an enemy that numbers more than 20 times us, and display the pride and honor that a soldier should have?” Chu Qiao roared, ”Warriors, do you want to live?
”Yes!” Voices of soldiers and civilians alike replied to her in a bellow, piercing through the clouds, sending the birds scurrying off.