The north wind howled, swirling with goose feather-like snow that blotted out the moon. Eagles circled above the clouds, emitting piercing shrieks. The world was a vast expanse of white, making it impossible to distinguish directions.
Yet in this bone-chilling cold, an endless stream of people moved slowly like a giant serpent. The wind, like a salt-coated blade, roared and lashed at their faces. Though they could barely keep their eyes open, their fighting spirit remained undiminished. The people of Yanbei, having received the Second Army General Cao's conscription order to defend their homeland, were rushing toward Beishuo City with homemade curved blades and their strongest horses, ready to offer their loyalty to the utopia they dreamed of.
This was a rugged people, all skilled in archery and horsemanship from childhood. Chu Qiao knew that with minimal training, this land could birth an incomparably powerful army. But now, watching these confident men braving the snow while singing Yanbei war songs, her heart ached with sorrow. When she tried to stop them, she only received scornful glances. Some who saw her and Xue Zhiyuan heading west spat fiercely and shouted, "Deserters!"
"My lady, we must hurry," urged the personal guard Yan Xun had left behind, turning back anxiously.
Just then, Chu Qiao's eyebrows twitched slightly as she sharply pulled the reins, bringing her horse to an abrupt halt. The guard rode another twenty paces before stopping and turning back. "My lady, what is it?"
Chu Qiao frowned, tilting her head as she turned to Xue Zhiyuan beside her. "Do you hear that?"
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
A low, thunderous rumble gradually grew louder, seeming to rise from beneath the earth, crawling up through their soles and along their spines.
Xue Zhiyuan's eyebrows shot up as he leaped from his saddle. The young officer ran up a nearby slope and gazed into the distance. Instantly, he froze, staring motionless toward the west.
Soon, several villagers who had also heard the noise climbed up to stand on the snowy plain.
Silence—deathly silence. Then someone turned back as if from a nightmare, looking around and pointing westward. "An army? Is it our troops?"
The thunder of countless hooves came from the west as a faint dark line appeared on the horizon. It widened into a massive formation—thousands strong—galloping from the distant Sunset Mountains like rolling thunder!
"Run!"
A sharp female voice cut through the air. Everyone turned to see a woman in military attire on horseback, her drawn sword pointing westward as she shouted, "It's the Daxia army! Run! Head for Beishuo!"
Panic immediately swept through the crowd, but soon someone questioned, "How could Daxia troops be deep in Yanbei?"
"Yeah," another echoed, "They're supposed to be outside Beishuo Pass!"But it was already too late. The familiar way they controlled their horses, the familiar slashing and charging methods—it was clear they were the well-trained border troops of Daxia. Chu Qiao’s face turned pale, her palms sweating as she gripped her blade. Who were these people? How had they broken through Beishuo Pass and appeared deep within Yanbei’s heartland? There wasn’t a single regular army unit here. If they charged into Yanbei’s rear, what kind of chaos would they unleash?
In an instant, all these thoughts flashed through her mind like lightning. Chu Qiao raised her sword high and shouted, "I am Chu Qiao, a senior officer of the Yanbei Staff Department! Everyone, follow my orders!"
The howling wind scattered her voice into the northern gale. Ahead, a mass of dark figures charged in a dense formation, thousands strong, sweeping forward like a tidal wave, unstoppable as a storm.
"How is this possible?"
A sudden cry of agony erupted from the crowd. The men of Yanbei, who had traveled great distances to answer the call to enlist and defend their homeland, were thrown into chaos by the sudden enemy assault.
"Run!"
But it was already too late to flee. In a panicked rout, they would only be mercilessly slaughtered. Chu Qiao turned around and yelled, "Don’t run! Intercept them!"
No one paid her any heed. Her guards rushed forward, grabbing her horse’s reins and shouting, "My lady, run!"
"We must alert the Beishuo headquarters immediately!"
"My lady! There’s no time!"
As if to confirm his words, the battle cry of "Kill the enemy!" thundered through the air—undoubtedly the charge slogan of Daxia’s regular army.
The chaotic hooves closed in swiftly, catching up to the panicked civilians in the blink of an eye. Like a flash of lightning, blades were drawn in an instant. Before the people of Yanbei could even react, a flurry of gleaming steel flashed before their eyes. Blood sprayed like fountains, heads severed from necks soaring into the air, and crimson splattered across the pure white snow.
In close combat, against the enemy’s swift horses and precise, ruthless blade work, the people of Yanbei had no chance to fight back—nor did they even know how. Piercing screams were drowned out by the thunder of hooves. One by one, they fell from their horses, trampled by hundreds of galloping steeds.
Chu Qiao’s eyes burned with fury. The sudden enemy assault had thrown her into disarray. Against such a ferocious onslaught, an individual’s efforts seemed pitifully insignificant. A young man riding ahead was decapitated by a pursuing enemy soldier, his blood splattering across Chu Qiao’s heavy fur coat. She thrust her sword into the Daxia soldier’s chest, the gleaming blade drawing a trail of blood.
"Xue Zhiyuan! Return at once! Warn the headquarters!"
The cavalry numbered around a thousand, all clad in the blue-and-white uniforms of Daxia’s regular army. Busy chasing down the fleeing civilians, they had yet to notice the few who could still fight back. Xue Zhiyuan was surrounded by three Daxia soldiers. Chu Qiao swung her sword to break through the encirclement, shouting, "Go, now!"
"Let a woman cover for me? I won’t do it!"
Xue Zhiyuan, a seasoned elite soldier, moved with swift, efficient precision. There was no flourish to his movements—just a swift raise and fall of his blade, and a Daxia soldier’s head rolled to the ground. His movements were as fierce and relentless as a tiger’s.Chu Qiao's brow furrowed tightly as she suddenly tore off her heavy fur cloak and flung it to the ground. Spurring her horse forward, she shouted, "Shameless scum! Slaughtering civilians! You deserve death!" With that, she dug her heels into her warhorse, raised her sword high, and charged resolutely toward the Daxia Army's formation.
"My lord!" The personal guard's eyes nearly bulged with rage as he sprinted forward, following closely behind Chu Qiao.
Two people roaring as they charged toward an army of thousands—the scene appeared as absurd as a comic strip, yet no one could laugh at this moment. The Daxia officers and soldiers seemed to notice Chu Qiao only then. Spotting her uniform, someone yelled, "There's an officer here!"
Instantly, encirclement surged from all directions like a tidal wave. Compared to those disorganized civilians, a Yanbei Army officer held extraordinary significance.
Xue Zhiyuan stood dumbfounded, watching as the soldiers besieging him instantly abandoned him. He felt a surge of hot blood raging in his chest. He knew Chu Qiao was buying him this chance to escape with her life—not for any so-called camaraderie, but for the millions of soldiers and civilians in Beishuo City!
In the howling north wind, his eyes reddened as he let out a hoarse, furious roar. Wheeling his horse around, he galloped desperately toward Beishuo City.
He fled too quickly. Had he waited just a moment longer, he might have witnessed a different scene. But fate works in mysterious ways—the very instant he turned, from that same distant northwest direction, an iron-gray line emerged once more. The earth trembled, the wind howled, and a bloodthirsty aura permeated the air, saturating every inch of the snowy plains and every strand of moonlight. A motley crew clad in assorted civilian clothes swept across the land like a hurricane, overwhelming everything in their path!
"Which army approaches? State your designation and commander's name!"
A deep voice pierced through the biting wind, striking the eardrums. In the midst of battle, Chu Qiao cut down a Daxia soldier and abruptly lifted her head—the voice in the wind sounded strikingly familiar.
"State your designation and commander's name!"
The opposing force numbered at least five thousand, and their formation alone revealed their ferocity. The Daxia soldiers had to halt their slaughter of civilians. A forward officer turned and shouted, "We are the 21st Squadron of the 18th District, Daxia Garrison of Yanbei! Who approaches?"
Garrison troops from Yanbei's interior?
In an instant, Chu Qiao pieced everything together. Yanbei's independence had been a coup launched overnight across provinces and counties. Within less than half a month, the original Daxia garrison troops in Yanbei had been driven beyond the borders, dead or wounded. However, because Yanbei's independence had come so swiftly and Daxia's military response followed immediately, there had been no time to thoroughly purge the interior. This left scattered remnants of Daxia cavalry still lurking within.
These must be Daxia troops defeated during the uprising. Now, seeing Daxia's northern expedition, they had gathered to coordinate from within and claim the first merit. Unexpectedly, they had encountered civilians conscripted under the Second Army's recruitment order. To prevent information leaks, they had initiated this massacre.
The origins of this group were now clear. But who were those on the other side?After the Daxia Army announced their identity, the opposing side suddenly fell into an eerie silence. The wind whistled sharply across the vast, desolate land. The moon hung pale in the sky, and though the heavy snowfall had ceased, the accumulated snow on the ground was whipped up by the wind, swirling and drifting as if another storm had begun.
"Charge!"
A clear, unified battle cry suddenly erupted—distinctly the charge slogan of the Daxia regular army, nearly identical to that of this Daxia unit. Yet, their gleaming sabers and thundering hooves left no doubt about their hostility. The Daxia soldiers panicked. Their commander rushed forward, shouting, "We are the Imperial Army of Daxia stationed in Yanbei! Who are you? Are you imperial troops? Halt your advance! Halt at once!"
With a sharp "whoosh," a powerful arrow shot forth, piercing straight through the chest of the Daxia commander. A spray of blood soared into the air as the officer collapsed heavily to the ground.
"Prepare for battle! Prepare for battle!"
They frantically brandished their weapons and scrambled to reform their ranks, but it was already too late. At such close range, with the enemy's swift cavalry and overwhelming numerical superiority, the Daxia Army was outmatched both in momentum and numbers. Retribution came swiftly—the slaughter they had just inflicted was now reversed, with roles completely switched. The clashing of blades echoed across the field. Though the attackers wore varied attire, their sword skills were masterful, their equipment superior, and their strikes precise and lethal!
The battlefield turned into a sea of gleaming blades, white as snow. Under such a fierce assault, the Daxia soldiers scattered like autumn leaves in the wind. In less than half the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, their formation shattered, and they were utterly routed!
The gale cut like sharp blades. Beneath the gloomy, overcast sky, snowflakes danced wildly amid silvery flashes of steel. The motley army's combat prowess was terrifyingly astonishing—the air filled with the sounds of clashing weapons and fierce cries. On the snow plains less than fifty li from Beishuo City, a fierce battle raged intensely.
"Report!"
A voice suddenly called out from outside a hastily erected tent, where a commander paced back and forth, as if awaiting someone.
The messenger entered and announced loudly, "Sir, there is a prisoner who surrendered voluntarily and demands to see you."
The man was still young, quite handsome with narrow eyes and thin lips—a single glance revealed his resilience and decisiveness. Yet, at this moment, he seemed slightly agitated. Frowning, he asked, "A prisoner from the Daxia Army? What does she want? Has that soldier from Yanbei returned yet?"
"Not yet, Sir. As for the prisoner, she refuses to speak and insists on seeing you in person."
The commander waved a hand dismissively. "Bring her in."
As Chu Qiao entered, the commander was politely addressing three women seated in the tent: "How is the young lady's health?"
"She's in good health, just rather unlucky—she accidentally ended up as someone else's prisoner."
The moment the words were spoken, the man stiffened, whipping around abruptly. Then, this nearly thirty-year-old veteran stood dumbfounded, rushing forward a few steps, stammering almost speechlessly.
"He Xiao, you called me all this way—surely not just to stand here in silence?""Miss! How is it you?" He Xiao's face was covered in dust, yet it couldn't conceal the genuine joy radiating from his expression.
Chu Qiao swiftly removed her wind hood, smiling as she said, "I was about to ask you the same thing! What's going on with you? A proper soldier abandoning his post to lead troops into becoming bandits? I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes."
"Miss, with you not here, how could we dare return with peace of mind?"
He Xiao sighed. Chu Qiao knew he still carried lingering fears about Yan Xun abandoning the Southwest Garrison Commander in Zhenhuang City back then. Without addressing it directly, she patted his shoulder and said, "Now that I'm back, you can finally rest assured, right?"
"Indeed. Otherwise, we wouldn't have gone through such great lengths to find you, Miss. We didn't dare approach Beishuo City, fearing it might cause misunderstandings. This was the only method we could use to reach you—please don't take offense."
He Xiao spoke with utmost respect. Chu Qiao laughed, "He Xiao, since when have you become so formal with me? We're comrades who've faced life and death together, shared meals in the same trenches, and forged bonds through mortal danger. For you to return at such a time—I'm truly grateful."
"Is Miss back?"
"Is Miss inside?"
Suddenly, soldiers' voices came from outside the door. Chu Qiao realized she'd been spotted by familiar faces when she arrived. He Xiao, his face flushed with excitement, said, "Miss, come out and say a few words to everyone. We've all missed you dearly. When we heard you were in trouble in Biantang, we were ready to rescue you, but halfway there, we learned you'd returned, so we rushed back without stopping."
Chu Qiao felt deeply moved. Her initial rescue of the Southwest Garrison Commander had been purely strategic, yet that single act of kindness had won her the genuine loyalty and affection of these soldiers. She walked to the door, pulled aside the curtain, and a gust of wind swept in, chilling her face. Outside, torches blazed as soldiers crowded together in a dark mass, their faces familiar and filled with excitement, all pushing forward just to catch a glimpse of her. At the sight of her figure, the ranks erupted in thunderous cheers.
"Miss is back! It's really her!"
The soldiers shouted in unison, waving their sabers to express their exhilaration.
Chu Qiao raised her hand in a gesture for silence, and the crowd instantly quieted, all eyes fixed on her. The slender young woman climbed a high slope beside the camp, where a large banner with red clouds against a white background fluttered in the wind. On the military standard, crimson fire clouds blazed fiercely—this was the flag of the Southwest Garrison Commander, symbolizing not only their origins in Yanbei but also the history and achievements of this army.
The long wind swept through, making Chu Qiao's black uniform appear especially tall and heroic in the cold air. She extended her hands, her gaze sincere, and declared clearly, "Soldiers of the Southwest Garrison Commander! I am Chu Qiao from the Beishuo Headquarters Command in Yanbei, your former comrade. And now, it is I who speak to you.""Today, I am overjoyed to see you all here. You have proven the correctness of my initial decision through your actions, and demonstrated your loyalty and courage through your deeds. With Daxia's powerful army at our doorstep and Yanbei in turmoil, witnessing your resolute stand at this critical moment is my, Chu Qiao's, fortune, Yanbei's fortune, and the fortune of all living beings under heaven! On behalf of the people of Beishuo City, Crown Prince Yan Xun, and the land of Yanbei, I welcome you home!"
"Long live!"
The crowd erupted instantly. Seven thousand soldiers roared in unison, shaking the very earth beneath them. These soldiers who had rebelled against Daxia and endured displacement shouted excitedly, gripping their sabers and crying out: "We pledge to follow you unto death!"
"My lady!" He Xiao stepped forward, holding the military banner of the Southwest Garrison, and walked step by step to Chu Qiao's side. Suddenly, he dropped to one knee, looked up, and said solemnly: "My lady once single-handedly, fearless of death, turned the tide and saved four thousand officers and soldiers of our Southwest Garrison from certain doom. That day in Zhenhuang City, we already swore to follow you for life, obey your commands, follow your blade, and never betray you! Today, I, He Xiao, voluntarily surrender command of the Southwest Garrison - four thousand local troops and three thousand new recruits - to you. We ask you to lead us, to guide us. From this day forward, we of the Southwest Garrison shall be your war blade. Wherever your whip points, we shall strike. We will never abandon you, never waver in our loyalty!"
"Crash!"
Sabers were drawn in unison. Seven thousand officers and soldiers of the Southwest Garrison dropped to one knee simultaneously, kneeling on the ground, looking up at the young woman standing on high ground, and shouted together: "We will never abandon you! Never waver in our loyalty!"
She was still so young, even somewhat childish in appearance. Yet there are people in this world who, no matter how fragile they may seem, possess a spirit and vision that burns like flame. Merely approaching them fills one with boundless strength. They inspire joyful submission, willing allegiance - and Chu Qiao was precisely such a person. When you looked at her, you could completely disregard her age, her experience, her background, her status - because she was truly worthy, because she had everyone's confidence!
"Commander He," Chu Qiao stepped forward, her gaze resolute, her expression solemn. She slowly extended her hand: "On behalf of Yanbei's king, I accept your army, your banner, and your allegiance!"
"Long live! Long live our lady! Long live Yanbei!"
The soldiers surged forward like a tidal wave, crowding around Chu Qiao, happily waving their sabers and roaring. Above their heads, the white banner with red clouds whipped fiercely in the wind!On the evening of October 21, 775, on the snow plains fifty li away from Beishuo City, the future King Xiuli established her first armed force. For the first time, the white banner with red clouds openly fluttered over the Yanbei plateau. Seven thousand officers and soldiers of the Southwest Garrison Command witnessed this historic moment. That day, they did not know their own fate, nor did they understand how the events of this day would bring earth-shaking upheavals to the ancient land of Ximeng. The wheel of history began to turn slowly, and no one could halt its advance. In the near future, this banner would be planted across every inch of land—the ancient and solemn Biantang, the iron-blooded and formidable Daxia, the prosperous and bustling Huai Song, the vast and ethereal East Sea, the mysterious and perilous Southern Hills, and the lush, thousand-mile grasslands beyond the passes! These elite soldiers would dedicate their entire lives to the oath they swore that day, achieving their glorious and heroic sacred name!
At midnight, under Chu Qiao’s leadership, this elite force composed entirely of light cavalry set out from the snow plains, advancing at full speed toward Beishuo City, resolutely heading toward the battlefield that was about to erupt.
————Divider————
What follows will be the first minor climax of the "Yanbei Volume." Let’s pause here for now. I will pick up the pace, aiming for daily updates of nearly ten thousand words per chapter from here on.
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