Chapter 265 Grand Finale (5)
On the first day of the sixth month, the tightly shut gates of Ji County finally opened.
Two thousand Great Wei soldiers entered the city first, surrendering to the Wutuo troops.
After the death of Guide Central General Yan He, the remaining Yan family army became scattered and disorganized, unable to cope with the several attacks launched by the Wutuo People. Now, with only remnants of defeated troops and no external reinforcements, surrender was inevitable. The Wutuo People harbored no suspicions; the Wutuo soldiers on both sides of the city gates all held their blades, mocking and ridiculing the weakness of the Great Wei soldiers.
Among the ranks of the Great Wei troops, He Yan hid herself. Her face was smeared with dust, obscuring her original appearance, as she blended in with the soldiers.
These two thousand soldiers were personally selected by He Yan, most of them from the Pacify Yue Army. It wasn’t for any particular reason—the Yan family army had not yet integrated with her, while the Pacify Yue Army had fought alongside her for some time, and they shared a mutual understanding. Entering the city now was extremely dangerous, and not a single mistake could be allowed.
After Yan He’s death, the only one in the Yan family army who could speak with authority was his deputy, Chen Cheng. At the end of the road, the Wutuo commander, Shajite, watched as Chen Cheng stepped forward and burst into laughter, saying, “The cowards of Great Wei are nothing more than this!”
Chen Cheng lowered his head and asked, “If our army surrenders completely to Wutuo, can you spare the lives of our soldiers?”
“Of course, of course,” Shajite, a burly man, replied mockingly. “Since you have surrendered to Wutuo, from now on, you are Wutuo People. We will not harm our own!”
“Then please, Commander Shajite, open the city gates and accept the surrender of our Great Wei troops,” Chen Cheng responded.
A glint flashed in Shajite’s eyes. “Opening the gates is a small matter, but those surrendering soldiers must be like you,” he pointed to the troops, “disarmed and bound at the wrists. Only then will it be acceptable.”
After all, he still did not trust Great Wei.
Chen Cheng said, “That is not a problem.” He added, “Please allow me to send one person back to relay this message.”
Shajite replied, “Good!”
Chen Cheng walked over to a soldier and whispered a few words in his ear. The soldier nodded, turned, and headed toward the city gates. Halfway there, a Wutuo soldier standing nearby suddenly drew his bow and shot an arrow, piercing the chest of the messenger soldier.
The soldier didn’t even have time to cry out before he fell to the ground, motionless. Chen Cheng was furious. “What is the meaning of this? Wasn’t he supposed to go back and deliver the message?”
“You are prisoners now. How dare you make demands of us?” the Wutuo archer said disdainfully. “If you keep talking, we’ll kill you too!”
Shajite smiled and spoke up, “Why get angry? It’s just an ordinary soldier. Send another one, isn’t that enough?”
Their attitude was clearly intended to provoke the Great Wei soldiers. He Yan thought to herself that this was bad, but before she could warn anyone, a soldier from the Yan family army suddenly lunged at the Wutuo soldier in front of him, shouting, “A soldier would rather die than be humiliated! Let’s fight them to the death—”
He Yan sighed inwardly.
A commander’s style influences the entire army’s behavior. Yan He was direct and fierce, and his soldiers were the same—easily provoked. Now, with this outburst, all the previous preparations had been rendered useless.
But what did it matter?The soldiers before them had already engaged with the Wutuo People. Before entering the city, they had disarmed themselves, and now could only seize blades from their opponents with bare hands.
It was brutal and perilous.
He Yan kicked away a Wutuo soldier charging toward her, snatched the long blade from his hand, and shouted, "Men, follow me!"
...
On the battlefield outside Yunzi City, the clash of weapons and the thunder of hooves echoed, and blood flowed like rivers.
The Wutuo soldiers outside the city were beaten into a frantic, disorganized retreat. The reason why the "Slaughter General" was called the "Slaughter General," the "Nine Banners Battalion" was called the "Nine Banners Battalion," and the "Southern Garrison Troops" were called the "Southern Garrison Troops" was that most who faced them in battle met their end on the battlefield. Others could only learn of this force's unmatched valor from the mouths of the few who survived, but only when confronting them directly on the battlefield did they realize that the rumors fell far short of the truth.
Amidst the thousands of soldiers and horses, a young man in black armor, wielding a long sword, moved like a reaper of souls risen from hell. His sword was as cold and indifferent as his gaze, and his jade-like demeanor carried an endless aura of killing intent.
Yet he was not fighting alone.
The iron cavalry behind him served as both his shield and his spear, making this army appear invincible and striking fear into the hearts of all who beheld them.
A single soldier, fierce as wolves and tigers, swift as wind and rain, mighty as thunder and lightning, shaking the heavens and earth, striking awe across the land.
This was a crucial battle, the final siege. Victory here would mean reclaiming Yunzi, and the rest would merely be a matter of cleaning up the remnants.
But for this battle, Xiao Jue and the Southern Garrison Troops had waited a long time.
The Wutuo People in Yunzi refused to open the city gates and face the Southern Garrison Troops directly, fearing their reputation and that of the Nine Banners Battalion, hoping to wear them down from within. Inside Yunzi, they still had supplies, while the Great Wei troops camped outside the city would eventually run out of provisions.
Day after day, Xiao Jue ordered soldiers to carry grain past the city walls, deliberately allowing Wutuo scouts to see. One or two days might not raise suspicion, but over time, the Wutuo People grew wary. Seeing the Great Wei side well-supplied and morale high, they could not help but feel fear and doubt, their own morale waning.
But this was not all.
Long before arriving at Yunzi, Xiao Jue had arranged for several skilled craftsmen to accompany the Southern Garrison Troops. Upon reaching Yunzi, he sent soldiers and craftsmen to secretly dig tunnels leading into the city. At the same time, he ordered crossbowmen to fire stone-tipped arrows into the city daily, harassing the Wutuo People. Over time, the Wutuo soldiers lived in constant fear, and even though their leaders forbade leaving the city, their resolve had already begun to waver.
In the battle of wits between commanders, it often came down to who could remain patient the longest. The one who faltered first would lose.
In the end, the Wutuo People occupying Yunzi fell for Xiao Jue’s psychological warfare. On this morning, they ventured out of the city to face the Southern Garrison Troops head-on.
The long preparations made this victory inevitable.
Tens of thousands of enemy soldiers were captured, countless horses and weapons were seized, and the small remaining force of Wutuo soldiers fled in panic, no longer a threat.
Thus, the fate of Yunzi was sealed.The Southern Garrison Troops were celebrating in the city, a rare moment of joy. From spring to the edge of autumn, nearly half a year had passed. Though it seemed easy on the surface, only they knew how difficult those days had truly been. Yunzi was near the sea, damp at night, and many soldiers had developed red rashes that itched unbearably after dark. As for military rations, they had long been insufficient. The single sack of white rice the Wutuo people saw every day was actually the same one, reused.
"Finally, we can go home!" a younger Southern Garrison soldier grinned. "I've had enough of Yunzi. Time to return to the capital!"
Chi Wu passed by him and was about to scold him, but the words died on his lips. Instead, he couldn't help but smile as well.
Being able to return home alive—it sounded like a truly joyous thing.
Inside the tent, the military physician was treating the commander's wounds.
The young man's inner robe had been pulled down to his shoulders, his chest wrapped in thick bandages. As the Right Army Commander, he was the focal point of all the Wutuo people's attacks—both overt and covert—and had inevitably been wounded. However, his black armor concealed the injuries, and no one had seen him bleed. Thus, others always assumed that General Feng Yun was invulnerable.
"Commander, avoid strenuous movements these next few days," the white-bearded old physician advised. "Although the arrow didn't hit any vital organs, the wound is deep. It's best to rest for a few more days to avoid complications later."
Xiao Jue pulled his outer robe over the wound and nodded. "Thank you."
As soon as the old physician left, someone else entered—Fei Nu, holding a letter and walking quickly, his expression unusually anxious. "Young Master, a letter has arrived from Ji County."
Ji County was far from Yunzi, and by the time the letter arrived, some time had already passed. The last letter from Ji County had brought news of Yan He's death. With victory reported in Nine Rivers, Ji County had lost its commander, and He Yan led the Pacify Yue Army to provide support.
This letter must be about what happened after He Yan arrived in Ji County.
Fei Nu handed the letter to Xiao Jue, his expression grim. Though he hadn't opened it, he had already learned the news from the messenger.
It was far from good news.
Ji County was easy to defend but difficult to attack. With the Yan family army now leaderless and morale unstable, prolonging the war would only disadvantage Great Wei. He Yan had led two thousand soldiers to feign surrender and enter the city, attempting to break the Wutuo formation from within. Once chaos erupted inside, they planned to open the city gates, allowing the Pacify Yue Army and the remaining Yan family troops to coordinate from within and outside, catching the Wutuo people off guard.
The plan itself was sound, but unfortunately, during its execution, one of the Yan family soldiers, provoked by the Wutuo people, couldn't restrain himself and struck out prematurely. The plan was disrupted. He Yan and the Great Wei soldiers fought the Wutuo inside the city. Though they eventually opened the gates and won the battle, He Yan was severely wounded, and her condition was very grave.
Xiao Jue stared at the letter before him.
It was written by Lin Shuanghe, the handwriting hasty and messy, a clear sign of the urgency when he penned it. Though it didn't specify exactly how "grave" the situation was, it was easy to imagine.
Two thousand soldiers entering the city—once they acted prematurely, it was like lambs entering a tiger's den. Without weapons, they were already at a disadvantage, and with two fists unable to fend off four hands...What was more serious was that although they had won this battle, once the Wutuo People learned that their main commander was injured, they would inevitably counterattack. Lin Shuanghe did not understand the battle situation, and the letter was unclear, so it was impossible to know exactly how severe the situation was.
Fei Nu observed Xiao Jue's expression.
To be honest, the letter had arrived at an inopportune time. The battlefield in Yunzi only needed to be wrapped up, and this letter was bound to disturb Xiao Jue's mind. However, Yunzi and Ji County were in completely different directions. Even if they turned around now to aid Ji County, it would be too late.
They could only watch helplessly—how agonizing.
"Young Master, should we set off for Ji County..."
"No need." Xiao Jue interrupted him.
Fei Nu dared not speak further.
Xiao Jue stood up and walked out of the tent.
Outside, the west wind blew against his face. Autumn was approaching, and the night had shed all its heat, leaving only a desolate chill.
In the distance, the vast sea stretched endlessly, the sound of waves surging fiercely. The clear moon reflected in the clouds, dyeing the seawater into a silvery ribbon.
Nights on the frontier were always like this—the days cold, the grass short, the moon bitter, and the frost white. But what difference was there, really, between the moonlight in the desert and the moonlight by the sea?
A faint pain stirred in his chest—whether from his wound or something else, he did not know. He raised his eyes, quietly gazing at the cold moon in the sky, as a woman's bright and cheerful voice echoed in his ears.
"I want you to promise me that if there is news, no matter what it is, do what you must. Do not let it affect the greater situation, do not linger—keep moving forward."
Keep moving forward.
A moment later, he withdrew his gaze, turned, and walked back toward the tent.
The deputy general approached hesitantly and asked, "Commander, what should we do next..."
"At dawn, head north to mop up the remaining enemy troops," he replied.
...
The summer heat of Jiyang was finally dispelled by a night of autumn wind and rain.
In the early morning, beneath the phoenix tree outside the hall, a thick layer of golden leaves had gathered. A few drifted into the pond, and occasionally, a fish would rise to the surface, gently nudging one before swiftly swimming away, leaving only ripples stirred by its tail.
Mu Hongjin walked into the courtyard.
A maid said, "Your Highness, Lord Cui is here."
Cui Yuezhi entered from outside. Over these days, he had grown much thinner, yet he appeared more spirited than before. The Wutuo People had invaded the territory of Great Wei, and the Jiyang City Army was not strong to begin with. Previously, thanks to Xiao Jue and He Yan, they had turned defeat into victory despite being outnumbered. Now, Xiao Jue and He Yan had each gone to the battlefield. Although Jiyang was currently safe, the previous incident served as a lesson. After the New Year, Cui Yuezhi spent every day at the Martial Arts Field, training the Jiyang City Army, so that if enemies ever came again, they would have the strength to face them.
He bowed to Mu Hongjin and presented a scroll. "Your Highness, this is the battle report from Ji County and Yunzi."
Mu Hongjin reached out and took it.
She, too, had aged, but now she no longer had her maids pluck the newly grown white hairs from her head each day. Thus, among her pinned-up hair, specks of white were visible. However, she did not mind. Mu Xiaolou was gradually growing up, and Jiyang City would eventually be handed over to the new Princess.
Everyone grows old, and aging should not be a frightening thing.
She opened the scroll, her gaze lingering on the words inside for a long time. Then, she closed it and sighed.
"Nine Rivers and Yunzi have both been reclaimed, Bing River is safe, and good news has also come from Ji County. Is Your Highness worried about Miss He?" Cui Yuezhi asked.He Yan's fate remained unknown, a matter of deep concern. Cui Yuezhi still remembered the last time he saw He Yan. When she wasn't holding a weapon, she was like any ordinary girl—bright, cheerful, and exceptionally spirited. But when she took up arms, it was as if she were born for the battlefield. Even then, they all understood that He Yan was no ordinary woman. Yet, when they learned she had led the Pacify Yue Army alone to Nine Rivers, they couldn't help but be astonished.
Back then, the young Flying Goose General was also a woman—one in ten thousand, but she was no longer in this world. How fortunate they were to witness another such woman in their lifetime.
But now, was this female general also destined to fall early, just like the Flying Goose General?
The woman in wide-sleeved red robes shook her head gently, her gaze tinged with melancholy. "I just don’t want..."
She didn’t want to see lovers suffer the same fate as hers, denied a happy ending.
In this world, achieving perfection was too difficult. Having experienced it herself, she couldn’t bear to see her beloved’s disciple walk the same path of separation between heaven and earth.
...
In the Buddhist temple within Rundu, the golden Buddha gazed down upon all living beings with a benevolent expression. Inside the hall, women knelt on straw mats, eyes closed, praying for those far away.
These were the female captives rescued by He Yan from the Wutuo People during the Battle of Rundu. If not for He Yan’s intervention, they would have long turned to bones, with no chance of today. After He Yan left Rundu, County Magistrate Zhao Shiming, entrusted by He Yan, took care of these women. Most were not accepted by their families, and some had lost their families to the Wutuo People. Zhao Shiming found them a place in an embroidery workshop within the city, where they made a living through needlework.
For these women, this was already an unexpected blessing. Though they hadn’t fully overcome their self-doubt, they had mustered the courage to face the future again.
When news of He Yan leading troops to aid Ji County and suffering severe injuries reached Rundu, these women were frantic with worry. They wished they were men, able to join the battlefield and fight alongside the heroine. Now, all they could do was pray earnestly in the temple, hoping the brave young woman would recover soon and return safely.
Outside the hall, the robed magistrate sighed. "Look how devout they are. In their hearts, they truly revere Little He Lady."
Beside him, Li Kuang watched the women in silence, saying nothing.
It had been nearly a year since Qiluo’s passing. Even now, he sometimes found himself instinctively searching for her delicate figure in his words and actions. Countless nights, he woke from dreams, always recalling the look in Qiluo’s eyes that day.
No resentment, only confusion and bewilderment.
He Yan was right—he had indeed been wrong. Since then, he had devoted more time to training Rundu’s city guards. The mistakes he made could not be undone, but he could at least ensure they would not happen again.
"Lord Li, you see now—they survived, and they are living well," Zhao Shiming said.Back when He Yan saved these women, everyone believed she was merely wasting her effort. It was thought that women who had been violated by enemy soldiers, even if they survived by chance, could never withstand the judgmental gaze of society. The whispers and mockery behind their backs would become the final straw that crushed them, and leaving this world would be their inevitable choice.
Before she departed, He Yan told Zhao Shiming how to settle these women and even left behind a sum of silver herself. She genuinely cared for those women. And now, those women have not let her down.
Li Kuang lowered his head and smiled self-deprecatingly, "I am not as good as her."
"How many people in this world can compare to someone like Little He Lady?" Zhao Shiming stroked his beard. "I hope Little He Lady can turn misfortune into blessing in Ji County. If she were here, these women would have a place to call home in their hearts."
Zhao Shiming gazed at the distant sky, where a line of autumn geese flew past. After watching for a while, he murmured softly, "I hope so."
The tactics of feigning grain transport and digging tunnels were inspired by Li Guangbi.
(End of Chapter)
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