On the thirteenth day of the tenth month, the first heavy snow of winter fell across the Yanbei Plateau. The blizzard lasted three days and three nights, accumulating over a foot deep. The northern wind howled, and a cold front swiftly swept across the entire northwestern region. The world grew bitterly cold, freezing water into ice. Fierce winds whipped snow pellets like hailstones, and even at noon, one could not see the sun overhead—only a dim, yellowish streak. The biting wind stung faces, making every step a struggle.
This rare snowstorm froze countless cattle, sheep, and sturdy horses on the Yanbei Plateau, toppled innumerable tents and houses, and left countless Yanbei people homeless. Simultaneously, it forced the aggressively advancing Daxia Army to halt its northward march, setting up camp in Bailin Province in the inland northwest to wait out the storm. The two armies, primed for a major confrontation, were thus locked in a tense standoff amid the cold.
Through the vast, swirling snow, a cavalry troop of over twenty riders galloped along the post road outside Beishuo City, their horses—sturdy and well-fed, heads armored in leather—fearlessly charging through the storm. Hooves churned up snow as they raced swiftly forward. Soon, the troop approached the city, where a squad of scouts rode out to meet them, shouting, "Who goes there?"
No one in the troop answered. The leading standard-bearer raised a small red flag, startling the scouts. They immediately retreated, clearing the way.
The cavalry continued their gallop, vanishing in an instant into the vast, snow-covered plains.
"Brother Xun, whose troop was that? So imposing?" asked a young scout, his face flushed red from the cold beneath a bear-fur hat.
"Don't speak nonsense," the scout leader scolded, cautiously glancing around as if afraid those ahead might hear. "That's the Blood Banner of the Second Army."
His voice was hushed, but everyone in the squad heard clearly. A chill ran down their spines, and they turned in unison to gaze in the direction the Second Army had disappeared. There, the lights of Beishuo City glimmered through the thick snowfall, casting an eerie glow.
With the Daxia Army's threat looming large, the new King of Yanbei had issued a mobilization order in Beishuo City seven days prior. Now, even the farthest troops from Meilin Pass had arrived.
Despite the impending battle, Beishuo's city gates were crowded with refugees. The blizzard had destroyed homes and livestock, and within just three days, hundreds had frozen or starved to death. These desperate souls gathered at the gates, hoping to enter the city and escape the sudden disaster. However, with war against Daxia imminent, Beishuo had already entered a state of high alert. Though the number of refugees swelled, Yan Xun had ordered the gates tightly sealed to prevent spies from infiltrating. Thousands of soldiers stood guard in shifts, and the majestic Beishuo Gate echoed with the cries of commoners and the wails of women and children.
"Make way!"
The sound of urgent hoofbeats suddenly erupted, accompanied by the crack of whips lashing at the civilians on either side. The Second Army's vanguard cavalry raced to the foot of Beishuo Gate. A general in a dark red cloak waved a blood-red military banner, shouting, "We are the vanguard of the Second Army! I am Xue Zhiyuan! Open the gates!"
Soon, a long line of torches ascended the city wall like a serpent. A voice called down, "General Xue, do you have a letter from General Cao?"
Xue Zhiyuan replied, "The letter is here!"A bamboo basket was slowly lowered from the city tower. One of Xue Zhiyuan's cavalrymen rode forward and placed a letter inside. Soon after, torches blazed brightly on the battlements, and with a creak, the city gates swung open, completely unguarded.
"Ah! The gates are open!"
A sudden cheer erupted. Thousands of refugees rejoiced, clamoring in unison as they shuffled their frozen limbs and surged chaotically toward the entrance like a boiling flood, instantly scattering the Second Army's vanguard unit.
"Fools!" A general in a dark red fur cloak cursed from the crowd and immediately dismounted.
"Quick! Stop them!" Only then did the defending officer, Commander Cui, realize the gravity of the situation. He shouted urgently, and his soldiers rushed out of the gate, yelling, "Anyone who dares cause trouble will be shot! Back off! All of you, back off!"
The north wind howled, the soldiers' voices as faint as mosquitoes in the crowd. Staying outside meant certain death, and the refugees, their eyes wild with desperation, now saw a chance to survive. Who would willingly wait to die? They fearlessly charged forward, shouting, "Let us in! We are the people of Yanbei! Let us in!"
"General Xue! General Xue!" Commander Cui, terrified that allied forces might come to harm in the chaos, cried out in panic.
Just then, a spray of blood shot into the air. A young officer swiftly drew his saber and slashed it across a refugee's shoulder blade. The strike was fierce and ruthless, instantly felling the man. Blood splattered across the pristine snow, forming small crimson whirlpools. These poor commoners had never witnessed such brutality. Faced with the soldiers' bloodstained blades, they screamed in terror and scrambled back, keeping their distance.
Commander Cui was stunned that anyone would actually resort to violence. As he prepared to speak, the young officer strode calmly through the crowd, his expression icy, and said in a steady tone, "I am Xue Zhiyuan."
Commander Cui was taken aback and about to reply when a heart-wrenching wail rose from the refugees. A woman wept hysterically, "Husband! Husband, wake up!"
"Murder! Murder! The army is killing people!"
Like a stone tossed into a pond, the outcry stirred a riot. Driven to desperation, the people roared in fury. An elderly man in his seventies charged to the front, shouting, "What right do you have to kill? What right? All three of my sons serve in the army, fighting alongside you against the Xia dogs! And now you won't let us into the city? I want to enter! We want to live!"
"Let us in! We want to live!"
Despite the bitter cold, sweat beaded on Commander Cui's forehead. He stood helpless, unsure what to do.
Xue Zhiyuan's youthful brow furrowed slightly as he said gravely, "Time is running short. I urge your forces to make a decision swiftly."
"Ah?" Commander Cui gaped blankly. He had once been a blacksmith, promoted to squad leader for his bravery in combat after killing over a dozen enemies. Tonight, his unit happened to be on duty, and he possessed no strategic acumen. Staring dumbfounded at the tall, young man before him, he asked, "What did you say?"Seeing the refugees surging forward, the Beishuo city guards proved utterly inept. A mere dozen guards were subdued by the refugees, who seized control of the gate. Xue Zhiyuan’s gaze turned icy as he said in a low voice, "Archers, ready!"
At his command, over twenty soldiers from the Second Army swiftly dismounted and took up their bows. Before the Cui commander could even blink in astonishment, a volley of arrows shot forth—aiming at legs, not heads. Instantly, cries of agony filled the air as the refugees panicked, their horrified screams echoing to the heavens.
"Charge!"
The young man’s voice was like the low growl of a leopard. The soldiers felled a swath of refugees with their arrows, intimidating the crowd further away. They then discarded their bows, drew their sabers, and charged forward. Though they fought with the backs of their blades, their strikes were ruthless and drew blood. The heavy, cold-iron scabbards crashed down on heads, and within moments, more than ten refugees lay on the ground.
"Everyone, move aside!"
As the soldiers and refugees clashed in chaos, the Yanbei Army inside the city walls sounded the alarm. A large contingent rushed from the city but found themselves trapped by the chaotic crowd at the gate, unable to advance.
Just then, the distant, vast snow plains echoed with the rapid thunder of hoofbeats, as if a large force was approaching. The horses advanced with astonishing speed. A short soldier in black, leading the charge, leaped from his saddle. Though his voice carried a slightly feminine tone, it was filled with formidable authority as he shouted, "Who’s causing trouble here?"
Over a hundred soldiers dismounted behind him. The short commander rushed forward, his sharp eyes scanning the scene. He drew the saber at his waist and said coldly, "Attack! Beat those soldiers down!"
This fresh force moved with exceptional skill—swift, precise, and formidable. Like wolves and tigers, they plunged into the crowd, surrounding the Second Army soldiers who had been striking the refugees. Working in groups of three or five, they quickly subdued the soldiers. Seeing someone stand up for them, the refugees cheered in unison, and order was swiftly restored.
Thirty or forty injured refugees lay scattered on the ground, some motionless, their condition unknown. The short commander frowned, his iron-gray cloak wrapped tightly around him. He turned and said in a low voice, "Summon the medics immediately to treat the wounded."
"Who are you? How dare you—"
Xue Zhiyuan, enraged, strode forward. But before he could finish, the short commander struck him with a sharp slap across the face. Before Xue Zhiyuan could react, another slap landed from the opposite side.
"You are a soldier of Yanbei! Your blade should be turned against Daxia, not against the people of Yanbei!"
The commander’s voice rang out, clear and sharp as shattered metal. Xue Zhiyuan, furious, his eyes blazing with rage, roared and charged forward with a punch. But the short commander moved like a swift leopard, leaping into the air. In a flash, his scabbard struck hard against Xue Zhiyuan’s shoulder, and with a sweeping kick, he sent the young general crashing to the ground.
"Tie him up! Hand him over to His Highness for judgment!"A wave of cheers erupted among the refugees. The short-statured officer turned around and shouted to the civilians, "People of Beishuo, the city is about to face war, and it's too dangerous for you here. His Highness has built temporary shelters at the foot of Sunset Mountain to the west, where there is food and warm clothing. Please follow my subordinates there immediately."
The crowd stirred as several soldiers who had arrived with the short officer stepped forward to restore order. Shortly after, a few military doctors hurried out from the city. The short officer approached and, upon closer inspection, discovered that thirteen civilians had died in the earlier chaos. He frowned slightly, his expression grim.
About half an hour later, the civilians finally set off westward under the soldiers' guidance. The short officer entered the city, and the gates slowly closed, blocking out all the noise from outside. Even the wind and snow seemed less fierce now. After exchanging a few words with the nervous Commander Cui, he walked toward the carriage where Xue Zhiyuan and the others were being held.
"General Xue, my apologies for the offense earlier."
The short officer removed his wind hood, revealing a sharp, thin face with delicate features and bright eyes—it was actually a very pretty young girl.
"Who are you?" Xue Zhiyuan's cheeks were still swollen, and the spot where she had kicked him still ached. He had initially intended to ignore her, but her appearance startled him.
"This is Lady Chu from the Staff Office," Commander Cui quickly introduced. "My lady, this is General Xue Zhiyuan, captain of the vanguard unit from the Second Army here to support Beishuo."
Chu Qiao's cheeks were flushed red from the cold, and her lips were slightly chapped. She nodded and said kindly, "General Xue, you've traveled a long distance in such harsh weather. You must be exhausted."
Xue Zhiyuan frowned deeply, completely unaware of where this Lady Chu had come from. He glared fiercely at Chu Qiao, suddenly let out a cold snort, and said in a low voice, "What happened today won't be forgotten."
"Of course not," Chu Qiao smiled slightly, but there was no warmth in her eyes. "With over a dozen people dead at the city gates and more than forty injured, such a matter won't be easily dismissed." She added calmly, "However, since you were acting out of urgency to protect the city and a major battle is imminent, I'll temporarily refrain from reporting your actions to the Military Administration to hold you accountable."
"You!"
"General Xue, since you rushed here in such haste, you must have important business. If you have time to spare, I must take my leave."
Xue Zhiyuan took a deep breath, shot Chu Qiao one last fierce glare, snorted coldly, and stormed off with his subordinates.
Commander Cui wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and asked Chu Qiao, "My lady, are you all right?"
Chu Qiao slowly furrowed her brow and sighed helplessly. "If I had known he was from the Second Army, I wouldn't have slapped him twice. Now we're in trouble."
"Ah?" Commander Cui was taken aback."What are you 'ah'-ing about!" Chu Qiao turned around and said angrily, "If it weren't for the Second Army just now, the city gate would have nearly fallen. Do you know what would happen if scouts got into the city at this time? The entire Yanbei's army of over a million would be annihilated! Beishuo is Yanbei's gateway, yet you're so careless. Although Xue Zhiyuan's random slaughter of civilians was wrong just now, you're gambling with the fate of all Yanbei!"
The Cui officer's face turned pale, his legs trembling with fear. His eyes darted around shiftily, like a thief caught red-handed, then suddenly he fell to his knees with a thud and cried out loudly, "My lord, I deserve death, I deserve ten thousand deaths. Please spare this dog's life, my lord."
Chu Qiao slowly furrowed her brows. That such a person had managed to become a squad leader guarding the city - she didn't know who to hold responsible. At this moment, she only felt deeply powerless.
"Report to the Military Administration Office yourself."
After tossing out this casual remark, Chu Qiao turned and left. The heavy snow continued to fall, showing no signs of stopping.
Opening the door, a wave of warm air greeted her. Chu Qiao took off her heavy fur coat and looked around, but didn't see Yan Xun. She turned toward the study, and on the way met A Jing who was hurrying back. Before she could speak, she heard A Jing panting, "Miss, His Highness wants you."
Chu Qiao raised an eyebrow, "Where is he? What happened?"
"Representatives from the Second Army have arrived. His Highness is waiting for you to attend the meeting."
Before even entering the room, she heard a hoarse, duck-like voice shouting loudly, "We have over a million troops, why should we fear Daxia? We can definitely confront them on the plains!"
Hearing this, Chu Qiao's brows immediately furrowed tightly - these days, frowning might be the expression she made most often.
"That's right! Our Yanbei army fights for justice, we're not afraid of the Daxia dogs!"
"Report!" a soldier outside called, "Staff Officer Chu has arrived."
"Come in."
Chu Qiao entered the room and greeted everyone present. She noticed there were many more attendees than last time - besides those from before, there were military representatives from the First and Second Armies, deputy generals from the Third Army, hall masters from the Great Alliance Society's covert division, influential elders of the Great Alliance Society, representatives from other border troops, militia forces, self-defense armies, and tribal chieftains from the Yanbei plateau. The room was packed with a dark mass of people, almost filling the conference hall to capacity. Chu Qiao knew that almost all of Yanbei's armed forces had gathered today. She walked in with her head held high, went straight to sit beside Yan Xun, and said to everyone with a smile, "My apologies for being late."
"How did it go?" Yan Xun's complexion didn't look good, clearly quite angered by these people. He looked at Chu Qiao and asked solemnly.
"Everything went smoothly. The civilian shelters are already built, sufficient to weather this period.""I object!" A sharp voice suddenly rang out. Deputy Commander Liu Ou, the quartermaster of Beishuo, stood up with an unpleasant expression and said, "Why should we use our military materials to supply those refugees? These materials could clearly raise the city walls by ten feet, which would greatly help in defending against Daxia. Also, why should we distribute our provisions to refugees? Does Commander Chu know what situation we're currently in? With Daxia's massive army pressing at our borders and war about to begin, it's uncertain whether we can even supply our own troops with food, yet you're taking provisions to aid refugees?"
"Deputy Commander Liu Ou, if I recall correctly, when I began brick-making ten days ago, you didn't offer me the slightest support. The entire Beishuo army didn't send a single soldier, while nearby civilians actively helped. Otherwise, your city walls wouldn't be twenty feet higher now. Additionally, I must remind you that wall height has regulations. Our current walls are already sufficiently high. If we build them any higher, our soldiers' arrow accuracy will suffer significantly, greatly diminishing our defensive advantage. Therefore, I suggest those unfamiliar with military matters should speak cautiously on such topics."
Chu Qiao's expression was cold, no longer displaying her previous good temper. She stared coldly at this quartermaster and said icily, "Moreover, I want to add one more thing: we liberated Yanbei to fight for the freedom of Yanbei's people. If all the common people die, then this war becomes meaningless."
Liu Ou's face turned ashen as he stubbornly argued, "We've always managed this way before. There are heavy snowstorms every year. Daxia never deducted military provisions to support civilians, and throughout thousands of years, we haven't seen common people starve to death."
"You're absolutely right," the young woman spread her hands and shrugged, "which is exactly why Daxia was driven out of Yanbei. The Daxia troops stationed in Yanbei were all transferred from inland, and they all received military pay issued by their army. May I ask Deputy Commander Liu Ou, when have you ever paid your troops? Why do your soldiers follow you without compensation? Are you trying to make your troops follow you through life-and-death situations while their parents, wives, and children starve and freeze to death at home?"
The meeting room immediately fell into an awkward, dead silence. No one spoke, only the sound of wind roaring outside like a wild beast could be heard.
Yan Xun's voice was cold as he slowly said, "Let's return to the main topic. Who was speaking just now?"It was me," said Lu Jie, commander of the Third Army Corps, his voice low. He was relatively young, around thirty years old, with a thick beard and typical highland features, his face ruddy. He spoke in a muffled voice: "I don't understand why we need to hide and skulk around, why we have to turtle up in Beishuo City like cowards. We have over a million troops, while Daxia's vanguard only numbers three hundred thousand. With four of us against one of them, how could we possibly lose?"
Chen Xi, commander of Beishuo City's Second Cavalry Regiment, also chimed in: "Who made this plan? It's an insult to our glorious Yanbei warriors! We need battle! We need to face the enemy in an honorable, decisive fight!"
"That's right!" the tribal chieftains excitedly shouted one after another: "All Yanbei men are true warriors! We have no cowards who hide and skulk around!"Chu Qiao suddenly felt a wave of disgust. Recalling the tragic scenes she had witnessed outside the city earlier, she found these people as irritating as vultures. She lifted her head, her gaze sharp as an eagle's, and said in a low voice, "I devised the battle plan. Does anyone object?"
The crowd immediately fell silent. Ten days had passed, and no one dared to look down upon this young girl as they once had. In just a few days, she had not only reorganized the military structure and streamlined the management system of the headquarters, greatly improving efficiency, but she had also miraculously produced a type of red stone called "bricks." Though not as sturdy as natural stone, these bricks allowed for incredibly rapid city construction. To further fortify the walls, she had extracted large quantities of ice from the nearby Chishui River, swiftly building a secondary wall over thirty feet high outside the main city wall. This not only strengthened the defenses but also effectively prevented enemy forces from scaling the walls.
Utilizing her exceptional military tactics, she had set up numerous horse traps and pitfalls outside the city. Now, Beishuo had transformed into an iron-blooded fortress, a far cry from its former fragile state that seemed as if it would collapse at the slightest breeze.
Thus, even if some harbored dissatisfaction, no one dared to voice it openly, especially after her recent achievement in resolving the refugee crisis. Her prestige within the army was no longer what it had been before.
"I have an objection." A low voice slowly rang out, and everyone turned their heads simultaneously to look—it was actually the vanguard representative of the Second Army.
Xue Zhiyuan stared coldly at Chu Qiao, his tone deep as he said, "For this war, we have prepared for eight years." During these eight years, we have actively worked hard, gathered manpower and resources, secretly trained troops, and integrated military strength. We have not forgotten the humiliation of Huolei Plain. The fire cloud flowers growing on the flesh and blood of our ancestors are still blooming, waiting for us to avenge their disgrace. Yet after eight years of silent waiting, what have we gained? Is it hiding and shrinking back?His gaze was gloomy and icy, his eyes faintly glancing toward Yan Xun sitting in the main seat as he said coldly, "Where has the Yan clan's spirit of fearing no death gone?" Has the prosperity of the imperial capital scorched Your Highness's bones?"
As soon as his words fell, the meeting room plunged into a terrifying silence. Yan Xun, dressed in black robes with long eyebrows and light eyes, had been leaning back in his chair. Upon hearing this, he slightly raised an eyebrow, his eyes lightly sweeping over Xue Zhiyuan. The corner of his mouth twitched as he let out a淡漠轻笑, but the sound was as chilling as ice and snow in the twelfth month, sending shivers down one's spine.
Yu Xin, the deputy general of the Second Army sitting at the same table, immediately stood up and hurriedly said, "Zhiyuan is rash by nature, but please forgive him, Your Highness. He is only concerned for Yanbei and acts for the public good. Do not hold it against him."
Xia An, the city lord of Beishuo City, also stood and said, "Although General Xue's words were inappropriate, everything was for the sake of Yanbei's war situation and victory. Please consider his years of risking life and death, his illustrious military achievements, and his tremendous contributions to Yanbei's independence. Spare him this once."
Upon hearing this, other generals also rose one after another to plead for Xue Zhiyuan. Only the military representatives of the First Army remained unmoved, their expressions somewhat gloomy, as if uncertain what to do.
"General Xue is straightforward and speaks his mind—I quite like that.Yan Xun narrowed his narrow eyes slightly and said淡淡, "Please rise, everyone." You are all meritorious officials of Yanbei. That I, Yan Xun, can have your assistance is my blessing. How could I unjustly blame those with achievements? Moreover, General Xue was merely stating his own thoughts and meant no disrespect toward me. What crime is there in that, General Xue, don't you agree?Yan Xun's voice was extremely indifferent, his eyes cold and sharp with restrained intensity. Xue Zhiyuan had no choice but to stand up and say in a low voice, "Your Highness is wise. This humble general is dull and does not express himself well. I meant no offense to Your Highness and beg for your forgiveness."
Upon hearing this, everyone exclaimed, "Your Highness is wise!" and tremblingly rose to their feet, returning to their seats.
At that moment, however, Xue Zhiyuan did not sit down but instead turned to face Chu Qiao and said in a deep voice, "The question I raised earlier, I ask Lord Chu to provide some explanation.""
As soon as these words were spoken, even Yu Xin of the Second Army frowned. Just moments ago, he had spoken out against Yan Xun, and Yan Xun had already let it slide, yet he persisted relentlessly. Yan Xun was, after all, the nominal leader of Yanbei. If this continued, it would greatly disadvantage the Second Army.
Before he could stand up to smooth things over, he saw Chu Qiao's face turn cold as she slowly rose to her feet. Her eyes coldly looked at Xue Zhiyuan as she said淡淡, "General Xue, I never expected it would be you who raised such a childish question." I am truly disappointed."Xue Zhiyuan's eyes turned cold, just as he was about to speak, Chu Qiao's expression instantly darkened as she said sternly: "War is not an arithmetic problem! In conventional warfare, the balance of power between two sides is not simply a comparison of numbers! There are many factors that determine victory—numbers are only one aspect of advantage. The morale of both sides, the combat effectiveness of the soldiers, the overall strength level, the comparison of weapons, the accuracy of intelligence, the speed of information transmission, the personal ability of the commanding generals, the soldiers' practical experience in major battles, the terrain of the battlefield, the logistics and supplies—all of these can significantly influence the overall strategic situation. To simplistically judge victory or defeat based on numbers, and to obsess over shallow questions like how many fight how many, is a fundamental mistake only made by complete amateurs who know nothing about war!"
The young woman's disdainful rebuke was like a bucket of cold water poured over everyone's heads. Her words almost encompassed everyone present. Deputy General Chen Xi snorted coldly, stood up, and said: "So we are all amateurs in war, and only you, Lord Chu, are a strategic expert, is that right? I have fought across Yanbei for over ten years and have never encountered someone as arrogant as you."
"History has long taught us that those who constantly dwell on past achievements and victories have no future prospects for development. Moreover, some people's past accomplishments may not even be worth remembering in the first place."
Chu Qiao retorted mercilessly: "I urge everyone to recognize the situation we are facing. We are not merely confronting a single battle—the outcome of one battle is insignificant to the overall situation. To Daxia, we are nothing more than a local rebellion on the border. They hold Hongchuan and can dispatch hundreds of thousands, even millions, of troops to suppress us at any time. Once Zhenhuang issues a conscription order, they can gather a hundred thousand troops in less than two days. And what about us? We are staking our entire lives and fortunes in a decisive battle against Daxia. What kind of path lies before us? Victory means we continue to survive; defeat means we all die. We are not afraid of death, but we cannot die meaninglessly. A partial victory has no impact on the overall situation. In the battle of Beishuo City, what we seek is not tactical victory—what we need is an opportunity to turn the tide of the war!"
Clenching her fist, Chu Qiao forcefully gestured in front of her, her gaze resolute as she declared: "What we want is not to crush the Daxia Army in one or two battles. What we want is to wear them down, exhaust them, and then strike decisively to annihilate them completely."
A murmur of surprise rippled through the crowd. Yan Xun stood up, looking down at everyone present. He was dressed in a black robe, his dark hair tied back, his eyes like those of a hawk soaring high in the sky. His voice was low, carrying a suppressed intensity as he spoke slowly, word by word:"Gentlemen, since ancient times, Yanbei has endured hellish suffering—snow disasters, famines, wars, plagues. To the north, savage Quanrong People raid our borders; to the east, Daxia oppresses us with heavy taxes and harsh labor. We are a land baptized in blood and tears. For a century, we have sought a way out—until my father, who introduced the sacred light of the Datong ideology, kindled the spark of hope across Yanbei, striving to lead us out of this abyss of suffering. Yet he failed. Yanbei suffered immense losses; we paid a grievous price. Our warriors fought valiantly, but ultimately could not escape the fate of death on the battlefield.
But we will not yield! A nation's path to freedom demands its due price. We have waited eight years—a few more days mean nothing. The fate of all Yanbei rests on our shoulders; the entire land of Ximeng watches with bated breath. The hope of Yanbei lies with us, and our task is arduous. Now, as the people of Yanbei have longed for, I have returned. I will inherit my father's legacy, leading you to fight on. I ask you to support me, follow me, and believe in me, just as you once did for my father! War is upon us—Daxia has raised its butcher's blade over our heads. Will we bicker internally or prepare for battle? Will we scramble for power or ready ourselves against the enemy? I trust you all hold firm convictions."
Yan Xun's expression remained calm as he gazed at those present, his eyes like a deep sea where fierce waves churned beneath a placid surface. His voice was even, yet within that calmness seemed to harbor immense power: "The survival of Yanbei lies in your hands. Behind us is Yanbei—our homeland, our loved ones, our parents, wives, children, and elders. Soldiers, we have nowhere left to retreat."
Facing the crowd, Yan Xun bent at the waist and bowed deeply. The assembly was momentarily stunned, then a clatter rang out as Yanbei's renowned general Yan Honghuan knelt, tears in his eyes, and proclaimed loudly: "Long live Yanbei! Long live freedom!"
Following suit, representatives of the First Army knelt before Yan Xun and chorused: "We pledge to follow you unto death, Your Highness!"
Like an autumn breeze sweeping across fields, generals of the Third Army, militia leaders, self-defense corps commanders, tribal chieftains, officers of Beishuo City, and even Second Army generals knelt one by one at Yan Xun's feet, shouting in unison: "Long live Yanbei! Long live freedom!"
In that moment, factional strife vanished, vain comparisons dissolved. Faced with life and death, before the righteousness of their nation, all armed forces of the Yanbei plateau submitted to Yan Xun. Chu Qiao too knelt, listening to the generals' fervent cries for freedom, feeling her blood surge with fierce passion.The north wind howled. On this day, the sixteenth of October, in an unremarkable small meeting room in Beishuo City on the Yanbei Plateau, a group of farmers, peddlers, bandits, merchants, anti-government sects, and chieftains of small tribes gathered together. They pledged their loyalty to Yanbei's new generation king, who was wanted by Daxia. At that time, no one knew how powerful this voice would become, but in the years to come, this force would shake Yanbei, shake Daxia, and shake the entire land of Ximeng.
History, perhaps, changed at this very moment. Those who witnessed it were destined to rise tenaciously alongside that glittering name.
Let history remember this moment, for from this moment on, the bloodline and strength that had slumbered in Yanbei for eight years finally awakened.
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