At the second watch, urgent war drums suddenly sounded from the walls of Beishuo City. The conference room fell into silence, with commanders from various legions remaining speechless. Just moments earlier, a cavalry scout had reported: the Daxia Army had arrived and would likely launch a fierce assault on Beishuo City soon. A middle-aged man recently promoted from farmer to cavalry scout swore emphatically that the enemy possessed a powerful cavalry corps with over twenty banners, countless infantry regiments, and heavy-armored soldiers stretching beyond sight—a dark, seething mass like an ocean. Their torches blotted out the sky, winding over ten li, with vanguard troops already at the city gates and reinforcements still trudging from Huolei Plain ten li away.
Had Chu Qiao been present, she might have recognized this as a trap at a glance. Had Xue Zhiyuan been there, he might have mustered the courage to point out the intelligence’s flaws. But alas, neither was present. Cao Mengtong stroked his chin, glanced sidelong at Xia An, and asked gravely, "General Xia, what are your thoughts?"
Xia An half-closed his eyes as if suddenly stricken with senility, dazed and seemingly on the verge of sleep. He mumbled, "The General is far-sighted and peerlessly wise. Your will is our will. We are willing to follow your lead and abide by your arrangements."
A faint twitch tugged at Cao Mengtong’s eye—he inwardly cursed, "Sly old fox"—but the corners of his lips curled into a cold smile. They’ve come? Even better!
Cao Mengtong was no longer young. That someone of his background could rise to command hundreds of thousands of troops was no accident. Those familiar with him knew that over nearly a decade of warfare, he was the Yanbei Plateau’s only undefeated general, having fought over a hundred battles without a single loss—an achievement even Wu Daoya could not rival. Yet, being undefeated did not equate to victory; on the contrary, his actual triumphs were pitifully few, countable on one hand. As Miss Yu put it, the Second Army excelled at "rational strategic transfers," a grand combat strategy they practiced throughout their careers. Expecting them to confront the enemy head-on? Don’t be absurd—General Cao still had to preserve the essence of the Yanbei Army’s strength.In the past, guarding a city like Beishuo against Daxia's million elite cavalry, Cao Mengtong might have fled with his tail between his legs early on as usual. But now, he felt a surge of heroic fervor. No one wanted to bear the label of "escape king" for life. Previously, the Yanbei Army was a ragtag force—lacking funds and manpower. Now, with Yan Xun's financial support, they had their own sophisticated equipment, sharp blades, sturdy armor, countless warhorses, and nearly a million soldiers. And there was that young girl always by Yan Xun's side, who had crafted a bunch of peculiar defensive tools. Though he still didn't know how to use many of them, the few he did master were incredibly powerful. Moreover, under her direction, the city walls had been heightened and thickened, and now the outside was frozen for miles. The Daxia Army was openly exposed on the icy plains. They had traveled thousands of miles, while he held the advantage of resting troops awaiting battle, with a million soldiers, fortified walls, sharp blades, and ample supplies. Wasn't all this enough to secure a victory?
Cao Mengtong's blood began to boil in his veins. If they won this battle, his prestige in Yanbei would skyrocket! The old men of the Great Alliance Society, who always shouted themselves hoarse, would grovel at his feet, and Yan Xun—that still-wet-behind-the-ears youngster—would no longer dare to boss him around. The Yanbei regime would grow stronger, while Daxia would weaken. Even breaking out of Yanbei and marching into Zhenhuang was no longer a distant dream. The history of the Pei Luo clan storming into Hongchuan three hundred years ago, carving out territory and declaring themselves emperors, echoed in his mind once more. To rise from humble origins as a commoner, climbing step by step to the pinnacle of victory and power—what a glorious vision! And the Battle of Beishuo would be his first step on that path!
Cao Mengtong was exhilarated by his thoughts. His eyes turned slightly red, veins bulging on his forehead. Finally, he stood up abruptly and faced dozens of Yanbei generals, speaking in a low, deliberate tone: "Daxia is unjust, cruel, and tyrannical. The Battle of Beishuo is Yanbei's sacred war of self-defense! The rise or fall of Yanbei hinges on this battle. This fight is inevitable, and my decision is firm. I ask all of you to lend me your strength!"
"For freedom!"
A unified, resounding cry erupted in the meeting room. The guards at the door quietly turned their heads and saw a forest of clenched fists raised high overhead!
Thus, the Battle of Beishuo began!
The battle signal quickly spread throughout Beishuo City, the clang of war drums echoing across the camp. Just then, Xue Zhiyuan, deputy commander of the Second Army's vanguard battalion, rushed into the city in a frenzy, reporting that thousands of Daxia troops were lurking outside. Instantly, the previously wide-open western gate was sealed shut, barring all passage. Xue Zhiyuan, bearing seven or eight wounds, barely managed to convey the general situation to the city defenders before falling from his horse and losing consciousness. Following him, large numbers of Yanbei civilians fleeing the recent chaos rushed to Beishuo's gates, loudly proclaiming they were heeding the conscription call to aid the war effort. Yet, they could no longer pry open the heavy city gates.In less than two hours, over three thousand civilians had gathered beneath the city walls, shivering in the northern wind. Some cursed the defending troops loudly, while others wept and pleaded pitifully, yet all was in vain.
Approximately two hours later, the horizon began to brighten faintly. On the western horizon, a hazy dark shadow emerged. This shadow advanced with extreme speed, making no defensive formations. Across the vast snowy plains, seven thousand warhorses galloped rapidly, their black outlines barely visible through the faint white mist. In the blink of an eye, they were at the city gates. The Yanbei Army on Beishuo City's walls spread the word quickly—the enemy was attacking. Before the Daxia Army in the east had even moved, the hidden Daxia forces in the west had already drawn their blades. General Cheng Yuan, in charge of the western city defense, felt a lingering fear: had it not been for Xue Zhiyuan's prior report, they would have been caught off guard by this western enemy, thrown into chaos.
The civilians were the first to cry out in terror, panicking and rushing toward the city gates. But at this moment, who would dare open the gates for them?
A series of creaking sounds echoed from the city walls—the noise of heavy crossbows being drawn. Deputy General Cheng Yuan stood atop the wall, clad in a dark green fur coat, gripping his sword. He gazed contemptuously at the approaching troops and let out a disdainful snort. A mere ten thousand light cavalry daring to assault Beishuo City was nothing but wishful thinking. He casually ordered his subordinates, "Show no mercy. Annihilate them all. The credit for the first victory in the Battle of Beishuo must firmly remain in the hands of our local Beishuo troops!"
His subordinate Sun He frowned in confusion, somewhat troubled, and said, "But there are still many civilians down below."
Cheng Yuan's eyebrows lifted slightly, his eyes growing distant and his lips coldly set. He replied indifferently, "Civilians? I don't see any." With that, General Cheng Yuan simply left the wall and returned to his barracks to rest.
The weather was unbearably cold, and with such a small enemy force, it wasn't worth his staying on guard.
Sun He immediately understood. Turning to the mid-level officers behind him, he commanded, "The civilians below are all Daxia troops in disguise, a smokescreen meant to confuse us and prevent us from firing arrows. The moment we open the gates, these people will instantly turn into enemy soldiers, slaughter us, and raze Beishuo to the ground!"
Everyone grasped the meaning at once, exclaiming, "These Daxia dogs are so cunning, it's utterly intolerable! If we don't kill them all, we have no face to live in this world."
The city wall buzzed with noise as people gnashed their teeth and roared furiously at those below. But just then, the entire cavalry suddenly halted not far away. The lead rider, wearing a black fur coat, galloped forward, pulled off her hood, and revealed a handsome, spirited face. The woman declared clearly, "I am Chu Qiao, a military staff officer from the headquarters. Behind me is my army, the Southwest Garrison Commander. We have already eliminated the previous Daxia troops. I request the officers guarding the city to open the gates and let us in!"Her voice wasn't loud, yet every person atop the city walls heard it clearly. As soon as she finished speaking, waves of mocking laughter erupted from the battlements. If not for General Xue's prior notice, they might have truly been deceived by these impostors. Staff Officer Chu had already died for her country—how dare they use her banner to commit fraud? Southwest Garrison Commander? What kind of troop was that? Rebel leaders?
Sun He had never seen Chu Qiao face-to-face, having only glimpsed her back from a distance a few times. The distance to the army below was too great, and the heavy morning fog made it impossible to distinguish any features. With his preconceived notions and Cheng Yuan's private instructions, his courage swelled. He sneered and lightly waved his hand.
"For freedom, for battle! Kill!"
A thunderous roar instantly erupted! In response to Chu Qiao's words came the simultaneous firing of over three hundred crossbows. A massive volley of arrows blotted out the sunlight like dark clouds, descending with a deafening whistle, pouring down like a violent storm!
"Protect the Commander!"
The officers and soldiers of the Southwest Garrison roared with fury, charging forward as a dozen young warriors instantly formed a dense human wall in front of Chu Qiao. These crossbows, modified by Chu Qiao herself, could fire thirty-eight bolts in rapid succession—their power and speed made them the foremost defensive weapons of their time. Under the onslaught of countless arrows, the dark projectiles swept through like howling gales, immediately piercing through over a dozen soldiers. Their bodies twisted grotesquely like hedgehogs, flung backward by the tremendous impact!
"Protect the Commander!"
He Xiao charged forward with his sword, cleaving an incoming arrow aside. Hundreds of soldiers rushed forward without regard for their own lives, forming tight protective circles around Chu Qiao. They were light cavalry—without shields, without armor, and having followed Chu Qiao here to seek refuge, they hadn't even assumed proper defensive formations. Under the first dense volley of arrows, men and horses fell in chaos. Screams pierced the sky as blood sprayed everywhere—the thunder of hooves, whinnying horses, shrieks of pain, and the whistle of arrows filled the air. Death was everywhere.
A young soldier desperately grabbed Chu Qiao and pulled her back while arrows pierced through his chest. Blood splattered across Chu Qiao's face, yet the soldier refused to let go. "Protect the Commander! Rally to me!" he shouted hoarsely while spurring his horse into a gallop. But soon, their steed was riddled with arrows and collapsed. Without even glancing back, the soldier rolled to his feet and continued shielding Chu Qiao as they retreated.
"Enemy attack! Protect the Commander!" More and more soldiers surged forward like dark tidal waves. As one row fell, another rushed to take their place—without weakness, without fear, without retreat. When arrows flew, someone would immediately step forward to block them. Corpses piled up one after another until, when they finally escaped beyond the arrow range, the ground behind them was densely littered with fallen soldiers. They lay like severed autumn grass, all frozen in running postures.
"Hahaha!"
The Yanbei Army on the city walls erupted in roaring laughter, the sound unbearably shrill at that moment. Chu Qiao fell heavily to the ground. He Xiao pushed through the crowd and rushed to her side, urgently calling out, "Commander! Are you injured?"The soldiers scattered as He Xiao rushed in, his eyes widening as he shouted, "How dare you! How dare you disrespect the commander!" With that, he charged forward.
"General He, say no more." Chu Qiao weakly lifted her head from the young soldier's tight embrace, her voice sorrowful and low. Her face was pale, tears welling in her eyes but not falling. "He is dead. He saved me."
Breaking free from the soldier's grasp, Chu Qiao slowly stood up. A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. The soldier's back was riddled like a hedgehog with over a dozen arrows, three or four piercing his heart. Most of the shafts had snapped, evidence of how many times he had stumbled while running. His expression was fierce and frenzied, as if even in his final moments he had been sprinting—or perhaps he had died but kept running. No one could comprehend what force had driven him.
Chu Qiao removed her heavy fur cloak and, under the watchful eyes of all the officers and soldiers, draped it over the soldier's body. She knelt, gently stroked his cheek, and closed his eyes.
With a swift motion, the young woman stood and turned toward the gates of Beishuo City.
"Commander!"
The soldiers cried out in unison. He Xiao was the first to block her path, shouting, "Commander! You must not!"
Chu Qiao's eyes were icy cold, a furious fire burning in her heart. In just that brief moment, over a hundred of their comrades had died, with more than three hundred wounded. These were the men who had followed her thousands of miles, defecting from Zhenhuang to Yanbei, becoming outlaws for her sake, even nearly provoking war with Biantang. Now, they had resolutely returned for her, taking up arms without hesitation to defend the fledgling Yanbei regime in its most precarious hour.
They had once been traitors, condemned by heaven and earth, unforgivable rebels—the despised dogs of Daxia, scorned and ridiculed by thousands. Yet it was they who first raised the banner of resistance against Daxia, who followed Yan Xun to challenge the might of all Zhenhuang City. The shocking Zhenhuang Incident that stunned the world was born from their hands; the campaigns that swept through dozens of northwestern provinces and armies were launched by them. Even after being abandoned, they never forgot their duty and inner loyalty. They placed unparalleled trust in her, relied on her utterly—yet what had she brought them? A merciless slaughter the moment they showed themselves!
Her rage was unbearable. She shoved He Xiao aside and stubbornly marched forward. But He Xiao scrambled to his feet, rushed ahead, and knelt before her again, pleading loudly, "Commander! Friend or foe is unclear! Beishuo City must have misunderstood our forces. To go now is too dangerous—the outcome is unpredictable! You must not!"
With a sharp hiss, Chu Qiao drew her sword. The blade gleamed coldly as she said, "Step aside!"
"Commander! You must not!"
As soon as he spoke, the other soldiers surged forward, dozens kneeling in unison. Chu Qiao's eyebrows arched defiantly as she tried to press ahead, but the entire army suddenly prostrated themselves. Seven thousand voices roared together, "Commander! You must not!"
"If you wish to pass, Commander, you must tread over our corpses!"Chu Qiao stood dejectedly in place. She turned back to look at the young soldier whose eyes remained wide open in death, then slowly raised her head and closed her eyes. The flames of rage burned fiercely in her heart. She breathed slowly, as if trying to suppress everything—suppress it, suppress it further.
"Prepare the horses! Form an assault formation!"
A sharp whistling sound pierced through the air. The soldiers on the walls of Beishuo City were instantly startled. At such a distance, even heavy crossbows couldn't reach them, yet the enemy had used an ordinary handbow to shoot through their central army's banner. What astonishing strength!
He Xiao lowered his bow. The entire scene fell into dead silence. Even the civilians who had come to enlist in the army stopped talking in astonishment.
Chu Qiao rode forward slowly on her horse. The white banner with red clouds fluttered above her head, billowing in the wind. Standing just beyond the hundred-pace range of the crossbows, she coldly stared at the opposing side and declared clearly, "I am Chu Qiao, a military staff officer of the General Staff. I demand to see your highest-ranking commander!"
Cheng Yuan had just stepped out of the rest area, the sash of his heavy fur coat still untied. The moment he heard Chu Qiao's voice, he froze completely. In the distance, banners waved, and the white banner with red clouds looked like a blazing flame in the morning mist. The soldiers stood firm as iron, their military discipline solemn. The silent fury pressed down like a mountain. With just one glance, he knew that this army was far beyond what his ragtag forces could contend with. Aside from numbers, they had no advantage.
"I am Chu Qiao, a military staff officer of the General Staff. I demand to see your highest-ranking commander!"
Chu Qiao's words repeated. Cheng Yuan's face turned pale. Standing beside him, Sun He felt a chilling dread slowly rise in his chest as he saw his superior's expression. A terrifying thought consumed his mind—if it were true, considering this woman's relationship with His Highness, his hand gripping the sword almost trembled.
"Sir, she... she couldn't be..."
"Fool!"
Cheng Yuan narrowed his eyes slowly. "You've stirred up a hornet's nest."
"Prepare the horses! The entire army will follow me out of the city to face the enemy. If even one enemy escapes, none of us deserve to return alive!"
Cheng Yuan shouted coldly and strode down the city wall. Sun He rushed forward anxiously and said hurriedly, "Sir! If it's true, then we..."
A sharp slap echoed as Vice General Cheng struck Sun He across the face. The young general grabbed him by the collar and hissed coldly, "You idiot! Do you even know who she is? Do you know her relationship with His Highness? Now that things have come to this, if she doesn't die, we'll both be waiting for His Highness to return and sacrifice us to the army banner!"
Since things had already reached this point, the only way to survive was to burn their bridges. Since they had already declared her an imposter, they had to stick to it!
A chill ran through Cheng Yuan's heart as he said coldly, "West City Defense Army! Assemble at once!"Xue Zhiyuan was jolted awake from his sleep by the thunderous war drums echoing throughout the city. Suppressing the pain in his body, he struggled to rise. However, when he ascended the western city wall, he suddenly froze in shock. The man widened his eyes, listening to the familiar voice calling out repeatedly from the opposite side. Glancing at the formation assembling below the city, he instantly understood. Pushing aside the guards, he hurriedly rushed down the watchtower: "What are you doing? Open the gates! That's Staff Officer Chu Qiao!"
Cheng Yuan coldly stepped forward, clamping a hand over Xue Zhiyuan's mouth. Weakened by his severe injuries, the man was powerless to resist. In a low, icy voice, Cheng Yuan hissed, "If this matter comes to light, you'll be the first to face dire consequences! Falsely reporting military intelligence and causing chaos among allied forces—do you think His Highness will spare you? If you value your life, shut your mouth immediately, or I'll send you to meet your maker right now!"
With a frigid glare and murderous intent, Cheng Yuan strode away, issuing commands as he went: "Await my orders. First, we'll pretend to be allied forces and approach them. Then, Sun He will lead troops to attack their flank, while Li Lu assaults their rear. We'll encircle and annihilate them beneath the city walls—not a single one shall leave alive!"
Xue Zhiyuan stood rooted to the spot, his fervor gradually chilling. His expression turned vacant, his mind dazed. In an instant, countless memories flooded back: the hunger and cold of his youth, the exhilaration and passion when he first learned of the Datong ideology, the hardships and struggles along the way, and the weakness and exhaustion he had always refused to confront. His beliefs, his ideals, everything he held dear—crumbled into ruins at this very moment!
His face grew increasingly pale. Suddenly, staggering, he spun around and dashed toward the city wall, swift as a fierce tiger!
Cheng Yuan immediately realized what was happening and turned around, shouting sharply, "Stop him!"
Yet, in that brief moment, Xue Zhiyuan had already reached the top of the watchtower. The young man raised his voice in a desperate cry: "Chu Qiao! Run!"
"Swish, swish!" The sound instantly erupted as ten thousand arrows were unleashed simultaneously, instantly piercing the man's entire body. The arrows penetrated his torso and shoulders, emerging from his limbs in all directions. Blood splattered across the city walls, his youthful lifeblood dripping like crimson seeds from the towering ramparts, falling onto the vast white snowfield and forming tiny, vivid red swirls!
Everyone was stunned. The cold wind swept through his battle robe, brushing past his promising young frame. His eyes were clear and resolute, carrying an unyielding defiance. The oath he had sworn years ago still echoed in his ears: "I willingly dedicate my entire life to the Great Unity cause of Yanbei, forsaking self-interest and personal gain, striving tirelessly to fight for freedom!!!"
In an instant, the world became hollow and silent. His body, facing the wind, plummeted with a thunderous crash, descending along the majestic city walls to land upon the frigid earth of Yanbei!
"Boom!"
The commoners below the city walls immediately let out a chorus of terrified cries! The crowd surged like a chaotic flood, swiftly retreating from the towering ramparts. The gaze they now cast upon the soldiers on the walls was no longer one of simple trust and reliance.
Chu Qiao sat astride her horse, her eyes red-rimmed and her palms icy cold. Her gaze was as unyielding as iron, yet her chest burned with a volcanic heat and turmoil. Finally, she solemnly raised her hand and issued a crisp, sharp military command: "Retreat!"
The cavalry behind her immediately formed ranks, and the entire army turned in unison, preparing to depart. At the very last moment before leaving, the fierce young woman coldly glanced back one final time. She took in the sight of the fluttering Yanbei war banner, the densely packed defenders on the city towers, the scattered and mangled corpses strewn across the ground, and that young soldier at the base of Beishuo City whom she had once slapped across the face. She exhaled deeply, yet felt the weight in her chest grow even heavier.
"If I do not avenge this hatred, I swear I will not be human!"
The sun finally leaped over the horizon, casting golden rays in all directions, bathing the entire land in a golden hue, as if even the heavens were bestowing a crown upon this day.
With such swift speed, even if they pursued at full throttle now, the chance to encircle and annihilate the enemy had already been lost. Cheng Yuan's heart felt as if it had sunk into an ice cellar. Sun He stared blankly as the cavalry thundered away, then turned and asked, "Sir, what should we do?"
Cheng Yuan glanced at Sun He, his eyes cold and sharp, carrying a frosty clarity. He slowly turned and strode away without a word.
"What should we do?"
He silently asked himself the same question. He needed to find a way out for himself—he must, without fail!
The sky blazed with a golden sun; a new day had finally arrived!
Merely an hour later, a thick mass of dark clouds drifted over from the northern horizon, accompanied by a low, thunderous rumble. Before breakfast was even finished, an iron-gray sea slowly emerged from below the eastern horizon. It resembled an endless expanse of grass waves on a vast icy plain, blotting out the sky and expanding incessantly. Thousands of hooves trampled the earth, churning up white snowdrifts beneath their feet. The strong wind whipped up gray battle robes, like a vast flock of soaring eagles!Superb warhorses, sturdy armor, gleaming blades and spears, and orderly military formations—the Yanbei Second Army, which had spent their entire lives confronting local garrison troops, were truly witnessing for the first time the grandeur of what could be called a great army. An old soldier, terrified, slumped onto the city wall, his eyes wide and unblinking as he muttered under his breath, "The devils have arrived!"
Banners rose like a sea, swords and spears stood like a forest, and an overwhelming iron-gray hue gradually spread across the entire plain. Their battle formations were strict, orderly, and clearly defined. The central army crouched like a tiger, the flanks spread like eagles, and the rear was filled with reserve troops, each sharpening their blades and polishing their spears. Great banners fluttered as the forces stretched nearly five miles long, clearly indicating that large numbers of troops had yet to enter Huolei Plain.
Those who had not experienced it firsthand could never comprehend such a magnificent scene. In an instant, everyone’s faces turned pale with panic and fear. Over the past century, in response to repeated provocations from the Great Alliance Society, Daxia had only carried out a few suppressions and retaliations. Even when attacking Yanshicheng, they had only symbolically dispatched the Meng Family Corps. But this time, there were four regular armies, each with over a hundred thousand soldiers, not to mention the subsequent support and escort units.
Daxia was truly enraged. Faced with the first rebellious force in three hundred years to dare challenge the empire’s dignity so boldly, they were determined to defend it at all costs, even if it meant going to war.
A cold, fierce wind swept across the skies of Yanbei. As Beishuo City trembled in fear, not far away at the foot of Sunset Mountain, the banner of the Southwest Garrison Commander fluttered and snapped beneath the dark clouds. Chu Qiao, seated on her horse, faced seven thousand pairs of fervent eyes and issued the following command:
"Beishuo will not hold. Our only recourse now is to seize Chiyuan Ferry, occupy Chidu City, and establish a second line of defense in the interior of Yanbei. This is a military order! Effective immediately! All troops, advance!"
Just as the Southwest Garrison Commander raised their whips and hurried toward Chiyuan Ferry, in the central camp of Daxia, Zhao Qi frowned as he marked a circle on the military operations map, murmuring to himself, "The Fourteenth should have arrived by now."
There, three tributaries converged—the Lijiang, Zanxi River, and Wujiang—merging into the Chishui River, which traversed the entire Ximeng Continent. A solitary small city stood at this confluence, bearing a beautiful name: Chidu City.
War Eagles screeched and soared. The first Northern Expeditionary War in history had begun. The footsteps of death descended upon this frigid land. The rivers had frozen over, their surfaces blanketed in white. Both sides raced at full speed, vying for every second to seize that crucial military stronghold. Two renowned generals were about to clash, and the battle for Chidu, which would shock the world, sounded its call to arms in the bitter wind. The tide of history surged forth as Cao Mengtong stood before the Yanbei Army and waved the sacred command flag. The aged general, mustering rare courage, shouted loudly, "May heaven protect Yanbei! May we achieve victory in one battle! Warriors, for Yanbei, for freedom, fight!"
————Dividing Line————
Finally managed to post today’s update before midnight—not breaking my promise, right?
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