Legend of the Female General

Chapter 263 Grand Finale (3)

After Grain Rain passed, it wouldn’t be long before the start of summer.

In Shuojing, this season should be marked by continuous rain. But in Nine Rivers, the desert stretched endlessly, already carrying the scorching heat of summer. The days were long and sun-baked, leaving the soldiers’ lips chapped and peeling.

The battle was exceptionally fierce.

Since their triumphant first engagement over a month ago, He Yan had led the Pacify Yue Army into multiple clashes with the Wutuo People. Having repeatedly suffered losses at the hands of the Marquis of Wu’an, the Wutuo gradually came to realize that the Marquis was no incompetent figure who merely held a title by chance or relied on empty appearances. The ingenuity of her formations, her valor on the battlefield, and even the mastery of her swordsmanship reminded the Wutuo of the legendary Flying Goose General from tales of old.

And so it was.

After several engagements, He Yan had largely discerned the Wutuo’s combat patterns and began to launch counterattacks. She was extremely patient, in no rush to storm the city. Instead, she employed tactics of “defending when the enemy attacks, pursuing when they retreat; displaying strength by day, raiding their camps by night.” Unable to endure such frequent “harassment,” the Wutuo’s morale had long been low, filled with frustration and exhaustion, visibly weakening with each successive battle.

Today was the day to storm the city.

The woman clad in crimson armor galloped across the battlefield on her steed, amidst thunderous drums and the glint of blades. The battle formations moved like agile dragons under her command, surging toward the enemy camp with overwhelming killing intent.

Her sword advanced unwaveringly.

Where the two armies clashed, the earth was stained red for miles.

Xiao Mai was locked in combat with a burly Wutuo warrior. Though young and strong, he was no match for Shitou in skill, yet he fought with all his might. Suddenly, he kicked his opponent’s knee, causing the man to stagger. Seizing the moment, Xiao Mai slashed his blade across the man’s throat.

As his foe fell, a flicker of relief washed over him, but before a smile could form, someone tackled him to the ground, and they rolled twice in the dirt. Xiao Mai’s heart tightened, and he instinctively looked up to see Shitou shielding him, a black arrow embedded deep in his back, only its fletching visible.

Shitou’s lips moved, managing only two words: “Be careful.”

Another arrow pierced through his back.

The young man spat out a mouthful of blood. “…Go, quickly!”

“Big brother—” Xiao Mai cried out in anguish. Seeing this from afar, Wang Ba charged toward two Wutuo archers lying in ambush, engaging them in a fierce struggle.

The usually cheerful, smiling youth now wore a face full of panic, tears falling in large drops as he knelt beside Shitou, crying, “Big brother, don’t scare me, big brother…”

Shitou struggled to look at his younger brother. Two arrows had struck his chest, and his strength was fading bit by bit. The battlefield was chaotic, and Xiao Mai was in grave danger here.

“Go… don’t stay here…” he rasped with difficulty. “Dangerous…”

Then, the light in his eyes went out.

Xiao Mai let out a heart-wrenching wail, but this was the battlefield—no one paid attention to his grief.

Death was happening everywhere, at any moment.

Huang Xiong’s armor had been hacked to pieces, and he bore numerous wounds on his body and face. He was already quite old; while dealing with ordinary bandits was more than enough, facing these fierce and cunning Wutuo warriors was proving challenging.The Wutuo man before him was locked in a fierce struggle. A slash had torn open the flesh at the base of his thumb, leaving a bloody mess. Each time he gripped his blade, a piercing pain shot through him, and his strength was slowly draining away. Even the golden-backed broadsword that had accompanied him for years now felt unusually heavy, as if it had become difficult to wield.

His exhaustion did not escape his opponent’s notice. The Wutuo man laughed loudly, “He’s done for! This big fellow is finished!”

Perhaps because of his imposing stature and the eye-catching golden blade, the Wutuo man paid him extra attention, shouting, “That blade is mine now!”

Huang Xiong replied in a low voice, “In your dreams.”

He gripped his broadsword and clashed with his opponent’s blade. At that moment, a sudden chill pierced his back—a gleaming long knife had been thrust through his chest from behind, staggering him.

The Wutuo man behind him burst into unrestrained laughter.

But the laughter was cut short halfway. The burly man roared, spun around, and ignoring the wound in his body, raised his broadsword. In an instant, he severed the head of the Wutuo man behind him. The triumphant laughter from the other side also ceased abruptly as a flash of golden light took his life.

The armor on his body had been completely pierced by the blade. He gripped the hilt and yanked it out, but the moment he did, he could no longer hold on and collapsed to the ground.

In his hand, he still tightly clutched that golden-backed broadsword.

For so many years, this blade had brought him hardship and displacement, yet it was also this blade that had accompanied him across thousands of miles, helping him exact vengeance on his enemies. Now, alone and unburdened, with only this long-time companion by his side in death, he felt no regret.

Only…

The sturdy man gazed up at the vast sky. The prayer beads on his chest, smooth and dark, seemed to evoke a vision of his mother praying gently in the temple for her wandering son’s safe return, his sisters bustling about preparing steaming meals, and his elder brother in the courtyard asking his young nephew about the day’s lessons…

So peaceful, so serene.

He closed his eyes with a sense of peace, his expression more tranquil than ever before.

Having wandered for so long, the prodigal son could finally return home.

…

The city had fallen.

Armor was discarded, weapons laid down, and bleached bones littered the fields. The soldiers cheered for this hard-won victory, their faces alight with joy.

The woman leading them was spirited and showed no sign of fatigue. She was always like this, as if she never had a moment of weakness. It was precisely because of her that the morale of the Pacify Yue Army grew stronger day by day.

The Wutuo people had been driven out of the city in defeat, and at last, Nine Rivers had been reclaimed by Great Wei.

He Yan’s face was still stained with blood she had yet to wipe away. As she was about to assess the battle’s outcome, she saw Wang Ba approaching her with a grave expression.

The smile on her lips instantly faded.

“Come and see,” he said.

After days of continuous warfare, death had become a constant companion. The men from Liangzhou Guard had finally come to realize that this time was different from all the others. War had forced them to mature quickly, making them taciturn, resolute, and composed. Wang Ba was no longer the man who used to shout and bellow at every turn. In recent days, he had grown much calmer.

He Yan followed him forward.

The fallen soldiers could only be buried where they lay, while the survivors carefully checked their bodies for any personal tokens. If found, these would be taken back to Shuojing and given to their families. Most soldiers here carried a letter with them before heading into battle. If they died in combat, their comrades would bring these final letters back to their loved ones.He Yan saw Shitou and Huang Xiong.

She had understood long ago that when one goes to the battlefield, they cannot decide their own life or death. The moment they don their armor, they are prepared to give their lives. Those who survive to the end, not particularly fortunate, inevitably watch their comrades fall one by one.

First Hong Shan, now Shitou and Huang Xiong.

Shitou died from an arrow wound. The arrow had been pulled out, and the clothing over his chest was stained crimson. Huang Xiong fell by the blade. It was said that in his final moments, he took two Wutuo people with him. When they found him, he was still gripping his sword tightly.

He Yan knelt before the two of them, carefully straightening their tattered clothing.

Xiao Mai wept silently nearby, his eyes red and swollen. He Yan still remembered the first time she met Shitou and Xiao Mai—brothers who had grown up as hunters in the mountains, telling her of their aspirations to join the army. Xiao Mai was lively and naive, fond of food and fun, while Shitou was quiet and steady, meticulous in his ways.

War had changed all of that.

A soldier asked, "Commander, Huang's sword..."

Such a fine sword would be coveted on the battlefield.

"He had no family. This sword was his family, accompanying him all these years. Let it be buried with him." He Yan looked at the man on the ground—the older brother who always lost his way, wandering in circles. Seeing the peaceful smile on his face, she thought he had finally found his way home.

She stood up, her sorrow fleeting, and said, "Call them to my tent. We have matters of war to discuss."

Her steps were firm, and she did not look back.

...

As if to celebrate the victory of retaking Nine Rivers, the moon emerged late at night.

The woman in the tent made the final stroke on the map, rubbed her eyes, stood up, and walked out.

She climbed the city tower and gazed into the distance, toward the direction beyond the city walls. A vast expanse of yellow sand stretched out, with beacon fires reflecting on the plains of Changping. The desolate Gobi stretched endlessly, and the white city tower stood here like a lone boat in a deep sea.

A crescent moon hung in the night sky, casting a faint, melancholic light.

She sat down on the ground, and her stomach rumbled softly. Only then did she realize that since the battle ended, she had not eaten a single bite.

A dry biscuit was handed to her. He Yan was slightly taken aback as Jiang Jiao walked over from behind and sat down beside her. "I figured you probably hadn’t eaten, so I saved this for you."

He Yan smiled faintly. "Thank you."

She took a bite of the dry biscuit. The coarse grain filled her stomach, bringing a genuine sense of fullness.

Jiang Jiao handed her a water flask. She tilted her head back and took a large gulp, her movements bold and unrestrained. Her face was still smeared with unwashed mud and blood, making her look particularly disheveled. Only her eyes remained as bright as stars.

He suddenly felt a pang of emotion.

In the Pacify Yue Army, everyone said He Yan was naturally fearless, a brilliant strategist who never seemed to tire. Even the men needed rest after such a great battle, but she had been tallying the results, arranging the next pursuit, and analyzing the enemy’s movements since leaving the battlefield. Until now, she had not changed her clothes or eaten. Only here, on the deserted city tower, sitting on the ground, did she allow a hint of her own exhaustion to show.

He heard He Yan’s voice: "How is Xiao Mai?"

"Not well. Wang Ba has been staying with him." Jiang Jiao’s voice grew somber.Half of the brothers from Liangzhou Guard had already departed. As for who would be the next to leave, and who would make it to the end, returning alive to Shuojing—no one could say for sure.

He Yan tilted her head back and took a gulp of water, her voice still calm. "We need to help him move on quickly."

The words were harsh, but Jiang Jiao understood—this was the battlefield, and the battlefield allowed no time for grief.

Though He Yan shed no tears, it didn’t mean she wasn’t grieving. After all, she was a woman, left alone here, watching those around her depart one by one. It must have felt utterly powerless.

"Brother He," Jiang Jiao asked, "do you miss the Commander?"

Silence answered him.

After a while, He Yan lifted her head and gazed into the distance beyond the city wall.

In the vast, desolate wilderness, only a silver crescent moon hung quietly in the night sky.

"No," she replied, a faint smile curling at the corners of her lips, as if she could see another person through the crescent moon before her.

"I know he’s here."

The cawing of crows echoed from afar, and the cold night wind made the torches flicker like swaying stars. The young female general stood up, patted the shoulder of the person beside her, and said, "Let’s head back early. There’s a tough battle to fight tomorrow."

With that, she turned and left.

…

It had been raining continuously in Ji County. The rain washed away the mud and bloodstains on the ground, and if not for the scattered weapons and corpses, one could hardly tell that a fierce battle had just taken place here.

In the tent, a man dressed in coarse hemp clothes stared at the commander seated inside, his expression a mix of shock and anger. "Yan Nanguang, have you lost your mind?"

His last white robe had ultimately not escaped the fate of being cut into strips. From then on, he wore the coarse hemp clothes of ordinary civilians as he moved through the Yan family army’s camp. Now, the once elegant and graceful young master of the Lin family was no more. Out of the twelve hours in a day, his face was smeared with dirt for ten, and his hands were stained with blood.

The war grew more intense by the day, and the number of wounded soldiers kept increasing. There were far too few military doctors, and here, he was the most skilled and the most reassuring presence.

But now, only Lin Shuanghe himself knew how uneasy he felt inside.

Yan He paid him no mind, instead furrowing his brow as he tallied the results of last night’s battle. The Yan family army had dealt a crushing blow to the Wutuo People, killing ten thousand enemies and capturing over a thousand fine horses—a victory worthy of celebration.

"Yan Nanguang, are you even listening to me?" Lin Shuanghe pressed anxiously.

"I heard you," Yan He replied impatiently.

"Then do you realize how dangerous your condition is?" Lin Shuanghe lowered his voice. "You’ll lose your life!"

That day, Yan He had intervened to rescue a father of two children from the hands of the Wutuo People but was injured by a hidden archer among them. Though the wound wasn’t fatal—only piercing his arm—the attacker had targeted him specifically, and the arrow was coated with poison.

Lin Shuanghe couldn’t neutralize the poison.

On the battlefield, there were no medicinal herbs for him to slowly develop an antidote.

The poison spread day by day. If an antidote wasn’t found soon, Yan He would die. But as he fought and battled day after day, the traces of poison around his wound spread faster and deeper, making Lin Shuanghe’s heart race with fear. If Yan He could temporarily set aside the war, the poison’s effects might slow, perhaps buying him more time. But now, if things continued like this, he might not even make it back to Shuojing.

"Have you developed the antidote yet?" Yan He asked, frowning.Lin Shuanghe was taken aback, replying dejectedly, "No."

"Since it's death either way, why bother with so much?" Yan He said dismissively.

He seemed utterly unconcerned, as if speaking of someone else's life. He didn't even appear worried. Lin Shuanghe asked, "Are you really going to continue like this?"

"Lin Shuanghe, this is the battlefield," Yan He's voice turned solemn. "We've been reporting victories one after another recently, and the Wutuo people's morale has been severely damaged. If we keep this up, we'll soon recapture Ji County. At a time like this, we must strike while the iron is hot. If we don't seize the opportunity when morale is at its peak, it'll be difficult to wait for such a chance again in the future. On the battlefield, there's no time to stop."

Lin Shuanghe closed his eyes.

He knew Yan He was right, that he was speaking the truth. But as a physician, he understood even more clearly that if things continued this way, even the slimmest chance of survival would become impossible.

"You must know..." he began with difficulty, "if you keep going like this without resting, at most... three months."

"Three months," Yan He said. "Then we'll finish this war within three months."

Even now, what occupied his thoughts was still the outcome of this war. Lin Shuanghe couldn't help but say, "Even if you don't care about yourself, don't you think of Chengxiu? Yan Nanguang, your child is still waiting for you to return!"

Yan He's fingers trembled slightly, but his expression remained unchanged. He said nonchalantly, "Since you know, hurry up and develop an antidote for me. Otherwise, what use are you here? If you're a miracle doctor, can you only treat women and not men?"

Under normal circumstances, Lin Shuanghe would have stepped forward to argue upon hearing such words questioning his medical skills. But now, he simply looked at Yan He and suddenly understood that even if this man knew he had only one day left to live, he would spend that last day being a good commander.

On the battlefield, he was not Xia Chengxiu's husband, nor was he Yan Muxia's father. He was the leader of the Yan Family Army, a general of Great Wei, and nothing more.

"I understand," Lin Shuanghe said, giving him a deep look. "I'll do my best."

He turned and walked out. At the table, Yan He looked up, watching Lin Shuanghe's retreating figure, and suddenly coughed up a mass of dark blood.

The poison not only drained his life but also subjected him to excruciating pain. Yet this could not be revealed in front of others. The Yan Family Army needed a pillar of strength. Before this war was won, he could never fall.

Yan He casually grabbed a cloth nearby, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, dispelled the pained expression, and refocused his gaze on the military defense map before him.

Three months...

He had to end this quickly.

...

In the academy, pink buds began to emerge on the emerald lotus leaves in the pond. Dragonflies skimmed the water's surface, their glass-like wings leaving faint ripples.

After the Beginning of Summer, the days grew longer, and the wind carried the warmth of the sun.

In the academy on a sunny afternoon, the young students sat dozing off, as beautiful moments always seemed to stretch on endlessly.

Someone rushed in from outside, brimming with joyful excitement, and leaped onto a table in one breath, announcing, "Good news, good news! The Pacify Yue Army led by Marquis of Wu'an, Lord He, has recaptured Nine Rivers and dealt a crushing blow to the Wutuo bandits—"

The previously dull afternoon was instantly awakened by this news.

"Really? They recaptured Nine Rivers so quickly?""It's true, it's spreading everywhere outside! I just came back from out there."

"That Marquis of Wu'an is truly formidable. With the four great generals leading their troops separately, it was actually the Pacify Yue Army, led by a woman, that first captured the city."

"What does it matter if it's a woman? Wasn't the former leader of the Pacify Yue Army, the Flying Goose General, also a woman? I see the Marquis of Wu'an as a heroine as well. Perhaps when she returns to the capital, the Emperor will grant her a high-ranking position. In the future, she might even become General Wu'an!"

In the corner of the academy, a young man sat with a dazed expression. Hearing this news, he still found it somewhat unbelievable.

He Yan had won? Had she already recaptured Nine Rivers?

As he was lost in thought, a group of people suddenly swarmed around him.

"He Yun Sheng, your sister is really amazing, achieving merit so quickly! I think your He family will only rise higher from now on."

"Hey, hey, Brother He, Brother He, from today onward, we are good brothers. Just promise that when you prosper in the future, don't forget to give me a hand."

"Pah! All of you were just gossiping behind He Yan's back, saying she relied entirely on Commander Xiao's influence and had no real ability of her own. Now you've all been proven wrong! He Yan led troops alone to Nine Rivers, yet she sent back news of victory before General Yan, Commander Xiao, or General Huwei. That shows she truly has real skill."

"Yes, yes, real skill. I was blind and failed to recognize her talent. Brother Yun Sheng, Brother Yun Sheng..."

Surrounded by his classmates, He Yun Sheng was not swept away by their enthusiastic flattery. Only one thought occupied his mind: He Yan had won, she was safe...

The young man tilted his head slightly, unable to suppress a smile at the corner of his mouth. He thought to himself, at least she kept her promise this time.

...

In Xiao Manor, the pomegranate tree became the best spot for shade in the summer.

A yellow dog lay beneath the tree, lazily squinting its eyes. Qingmei added water to its trough, wiped the sweat from her forehead, and was about to return indoors when a figure suddenly bounded in from outside, exclaiming cheerfully, "Sister Qingmei, Sister Qingmei!"

Startled, Qingmei saw Bai Guo rushing over like a gust of wind and quickly steadied her. "What is it? Why are you so happy?"

"I just went outside and heard everyone saying that the Second Young Mistress has won a battle, leading the Pacify Yue Army to recapture Nine Rivers! Sister Qingmei, the Second Young Mistress has earned merit!"

Ermao, infected by Bai Guo's excitement, jumped up and circled around her twice.

Bai Rongwei, supported by a maid, walked over, her voice unable to conceal her delight. "Is it true?"

"It's true," Bai Guo said happily. "They say the Second Young Mistress is amazing. Even though it was her first time leading troops alone, she won battle after battle and recaptured Nine Rivers so quickly. I heard people say that when the Second Young Mistress returns, the Emperor will surely reward her generously! Our manor might even produce another general!"

Bai Rongwei laughed at her words, chiding gently, "You really know how to talk." Then, shaking her head with a smile, she added, "Merits and rewards aren't important. As long as Ah He is safe and sound, everyone will be happy."Her belly had gradually begun to swell, yet with the ongoing battles at the border, Xiao Rubi was also busy every day. Whenever Bai Rongwei was alone, she couldn’t help but worry about Xiao Jue and He Yan. It would have been better if the two of them were together, able to look out for each other, but they were stationed in opposite directions. Xiao Jue was fine—he often went to the battlefield, and the Southern Garrison Troops had originally been led by Xiao Zhongwu. He Yan, however, was different. This was her first time leading troops, and not everyone in the Pacify Yue Army might respect her. As a woman, she faced many inconveniences. Bai Rongwei’s heart had been worn thin with worry, but now she could finally breathe a little easier.

"I think it won’t be long before Uncle He returns," Bai Rongwei said with a smile. "If he hears the news of Ah Yan’s victory, he’ll surely be delighted."

Since He Yan and Xiao Jue left the capital, Bai Rongwei and Xiao Jing had been visiting He Sui's home more frequently. For one, the residence Xiao Jue bought for them was close to the Xiao family—just a street away—making it convenient to come and go. For another, Bai Rongwei thought that if she, as a sister-in-law, was so worried, He Sui, as the biological father, must have his heart constantly hanging in suspense. He Yun Sheng, being a seventeen- or eighteen-year-old boy, was not as considerate as a daughter. Since Xiao Zhongwu and his wife had passed away early, He Sui, as He Yan's father, was also their father. Thus, the couple often went over to chat with He Sui and keep him company, making their in-law relationship more harmonious than most families in Shuojing City.

"The eldest young master will be back soon," Bai Guo chirped. "Madam, since today is a joyous occasion, this servant will go and have the small kitchen prepare some good dishes to celebrate!"

"Alright," Bai Rongwei smiled. "Qingmei, you also go to the He family and invite Uncle He and Yun Sheng to come for dinner tonight."

Upon hearing this, Qingmei broke into a wide smile. "Yes, this servant will go right away."

...

In the palace, in the imperial study, Emperor Zhaokang looked at the memorial before him and couldn't help but reveal a gratified smile.

Since ascending the throne, this was probably the most joyous event.

The eunuch, observing the emperor's expression, tactfully said, "Her Majesty the Empress Dowager came by this morning, but Your Majesty was busy with state affairs. Now it is already late."

Emperor Zhaokang stood up. "I will go see Mother."

In Qinglan Palace, Consort Lan—now Her Majesty the Empress Dowager—was reclining on a soft couch reading a book. Although she had been elevated to Empress Dowager, she had not moved from her palace and conducted herself much as she had before.

"Mother," Emperor Zhaokang called as he approached.

The Empress Dowager set down the book in her hands and looked at the person before her, smiling slightly. "The Emperor seems in high spirits today. Is it because of the victory report from Nine Rivers?"

In front of his mother, Emperor Zhaokang finally showed genuine delight, laughing, "Of course! I never expected the Marquis of Wu'an to be so brave and valiant, even surpassing Yan He and Xiao Huaijin to capture the city first!"

Although he had previously given military authority to He Yan, it was largely due to Xiao Jue's influence. As for He Yan's abilities, he had only heard others speak of them and did not know how she would lead troops in battle. Now, the victory report had finally put his mind at ease. This woman was even more outstanding than he had imagined.

"It seems that until recently, Your Majesty still underestimated her and did not truly believe the Marquis of Wu'an could gallop across the battlefield," the Empress Dowager understood.

Emperor Zhaokang felt somewhat embarrassed. "I just never thought there would be a second woman like the Flying Goose General."

The original "Flying Goose General" was already one in ten thousand. The loss of such talent was lamentable, and now, to have such a fortunate general appear again—who could say this was not Heaven's blessing upon Great Wei?

"I have long told you," the Empress Dowager said softly, "do not underestimate women. Among the millions of women in Great Wei, who knows if there will be a third or fourth Flying Goose General."

"Mother's lesson is correct."

"The Marquis of Wu'an is an upright person with a pure and sincere heart. Such a virtuous minister is hard to come by. Since Your Majesty has encountered her, you must do your best to recruit her. This time, she has recaptured Nine Rivers and achieved a great merit. The He family has no background. Has Your Majesty considered how to reward the Marquis of Wu'an?"Upon hearing this, Emperor Zhaokang smiled and said, "There is no need for you to worry about this, Mother Empress. I have already decided that upon her return to court, I will confer upon her the title of a true military commander. From then on, her name will be recorded in the annals of Great Wei."

Just like the Flying Goose General of old.

(End of Chapter)