BXG - 72

◎ A Great Victory ◎

In the first few days, the people of Ruozhou did not feel that this Western Shao offensive was any different from previous ones. It was only when the number of refugees in Ruozhou increased dramatically that some began to sense something amiss.

Between former and latter Liangzhou and Ruozhou lay three cities, and one had to cross the western great river. Why would refugees insist on coming to Ruozhou for safety?

Moreover, the residents of the eleven states should know best that if war broke out, Ruozhou would be the frontline against the Western Shaos—it might not be safer than other regions.

The same doubts had been raised by Zhou Tan on the very first day the refugees entered the city. He and He Yuankai visited the refugees and found, just as Qu You had suspected, that someone had deliberately spread rumors in Liangzhou. The message claimed that the western camp would deploy all its forces to defend Ruozhou.

As the Liangzhou populace migrated northward, they spread this rumor, prompting many border residents to flee to Ruozhou in advance—after all, Ruozhou’s walls were high and strong, and it had never fallen in years past, a fact well-known across the eleven states.

Wang Juqian sighed repeatedly inside the command tent.

The public only knew that Ruozhou was firmly defended, unaware of the tremendous sacrifices behind it—greater than those of all eleven states combined.

Along the border between Da Yin and Western Shao stretched mountains and rivers. Ruozhou’s significance lay in being the only non-natural boundary.

The great river rushed past a few miles outside Ruozhou, making it akin to an oasis where the desert met the mountains. The Western Shaos’ covetousness for this fertile land was understandable.

The prolonged pacification campaigns of the west years ago saw countless battles fought near Ruozhou and the neighboring Gelila Mountains. Xiao Yue and Chu Lin expended immense effort to drive the Western Shaos beyond Shaoguan Pass, after which they never breached the border again. However, time wore on; Xiao Yue passed away, and Chu Lin grew old. Their deterrent effect on the Western Shaos waned with each passing day.

Wang Juqian, hailing from the western camp, earned his reputation through illustrious military achievements before being assigned to guard Ruozhou—a tough but promising post. For years, he remained vigilant day and night, relying on the support of the western camp to maintain Ruozhou’s impenetrable defenses.

But after the fall of former Liangzhou, troops from the western camp were first redirected to Liangzhou.

He Yuankai and Zhou Tan deliberated together and unanimously concluded that the Western Shaos forcing the eleven states’ populace into Ruozhou must signal a major move.

The young lord of the Western Shaos was ambitious, having lain low for several years. This could very well be his all-out assault. Attacking former Liangzhou first was a diversionary tactic. Unaware of Ruozhou’s situation, the western camp naturally assumed the Western Shaos would attack from Liangzhou. Convincing them to redirect their forces here in the short term would be challenging.

Yet, with ten cities in the eleven states nearly empty, if the Western Shaos succeeded in capturing Ruozhou, they could sweep through effortlessly.

Sensing the impending battle, Ruozhou enforced earlier curfews at night. Qu You visited the city gates during the day and noticed men, women, and children carrying weapons as they moved about.

Refugees who hadn’t yet entered the city camped outside the gates, lighting fires. Climbing the city wall, Qu You saw Zhou Tan standing in the dark, looking down.

The distant firelight outlined his silhouette. Following his gaze, she saw a mother holding her child, sitting on a large rock outside the city, singing songs in a language Qu You couldn’t understand.

“I abolished the Tanghua Decree hoping there would never be any displaced people,” Zhou Tan said quietly. “But unless I came to the border, I would never have understood that as long as national strength isn’t sufficient, displaced people will always exist.”

The wind atop the city wall whipped their robes fiercely.

Qu You held onto his arm and sighed. “Da Yin’s strength may not be insufficient. Yet even with national power, without strict laws and benevolent rulers, there will always be wanderers.”

Zhou Tan chuckled softly. “You’re so wise—you must surely guess what I’m thinking now.”

“The hidden forces of Lingxiao have lain dormant for years, meant to be my trump card.” Qu You paused thoughtfully. “If I reveal this card, I’ll have no retreat. But if I don’t, relying solely on General Wang, it might be impossible to hold Ruozhou.”

“If troops from the Bian capital camp were coming, they should have arrived days ago.” Zhou Tan forced a bitter smile. “But I received word that the Crown Prince sent them to Tianhan State instead, claiming the Western Shaos wouldn’t dare attack Ruozhou, so they should fortify weaker areas first. If Ruozhou is in trouble, they’ll come to assist.”

Qu You frowned deeply.

“Both the western and Bian capital camps are focused on the city gates. But Xu Shu, Xiaoyan, and I think they might attempt a sneak attack through the abandoned Lishao Pass. Prefect He and General Wang have done their best to fortify the walls. Ruozhou is easy to defend but hard to attack. Holding out for a while shouldn’t be a problem... but these refugees outside the city—what then? The Crown Prince wants to wait until I’m desperate to sell me a favor. I can play along, but what about those outside?”

Understanding Song Shiyu’s historical reputation, Qu You empathized with Zhou Tan. His mind was consumed with power struggles; the lives of these commoners likely never figured into his calculations.

In Bian capital, Zhou Tan had refused the Crown Prince’s recruitment.

Now, with the Crown Prince’s uncle leading troops to the west, the deliberate redirection aimed to force Zhou Tan to owe him a debt.

While they were still speaking, a guard rushed up from the city gate, whispering urgently for Zhou Tan to visit Lord Xiangning’s residence.

Qu You and Zhou Tan rode swiftly to the location. Upon arrival, they learned that last night, Yan Fu had stolen Xu Zhi’s orders, secretly mobilizing five thousand elite Lingxiao troops out of Ruozhou.

His departure was swift and covert—even Xu Zhi didn’t know where they had gone.

Yan Fu’s move strangely calmed Qu You. Watching Xu Zhi pace anxiously in the hall, she couldn’t help but console him. “My Lord, worry not. General Xiaoyan is a prodigy; perhaps he can save Ruozhou from peril.”

Xu Zhi slammed the table repeatedly. “What prodigy? That boy only knows how to follow generals into battle; when has he ever led troops himself? I’ve spoiled him too much...”

But he never expected Qu You’s prediction to come true.

The next day, Zhou Tan opened the city gates, allowing all the refugees outside to enter. Qu You entrusted the elders of Ruozhou at the porridge tents to monitor the refugees closely. To her surprise, they were highly diligent, catching several individuals without any relatives or friends within half a day.

He Yuankai searched these people and found detailed maps of the western defenses and hastily scribbled notes. It confirmed their earlier suspicions—the Western Shaos planned to lure the populace of the eleven states into Ruozhou, create chaos in the prefecture, and launch a surprise attack through Lishao Pass to avenge their past humiliation.

Xu Zhi, leading the Lingxiao army, stood ready at the western gate, exposing Lingxiao’s full strength under Bian capital’s watchful eyes to protect Ruozhou’s citizens. Yet before the main army could move, a victory report unexpectedly arrived from the front lines.

Yan Fu, with his five thousand men, had ambushed the Western Shaos’ main camp stationed outside Lishao Pass.

The new lord of the Western Shaos excelled in training troops. The forces sent to Liangzhou were merely vanguards; the true elite had stealthily gathered at the edge of the desert behind Lishao Pass. They traveled three miles daily without lighting lamps at night, planning to catch Ruozhou off guard.

Knowing the Western Shaos’ fondness for raw meat, Yan Fu brought several fierce dogs, tracking scents in the dark for two days before lying in ambush for another. Finally, taking advantage of the enemy’s lax vigilance, he infiltrated the main tent.

The Western Shaos’ army numbered fifty thousand but were massacred in their sleep by five thousand men. Casualties were uncountable. Yan Fu captured their young commander and retreated intact from the Western Shaos’ heartland with fewer than a thousand casualties.

Even Xu Zhi, let alone Zhou Tan, was deeply shocked.

Qu You watched from the long-abandoned western gate as the young general returned, spearing the enemy commander’s head on his spear. Behind him stretched a vast army. Though numerous, they were far fewer than the Western Shaos.

It was hard to imagine how history’s famous battles of outnumbered victories were fought. But she knew Yan Fu would rise to fame after this battle. Later, under Song Shixuan’s reign, he governed the western territories for over a decade, nearly annihilating the once-menacing Western Shao tribes.

She stood amidst history, witnessing the radiant stars.

In the following days, remnants of the Western Shaos attempted several attacks. But with their vanguard commander dead, morale was low, and their meticulously planned strategy collapsed entirely. Success was unlikely.

Even the new lord of the Western Shaos probably never imagined that his carefully laid plans since taking power would be destroyed by an obscure youth leading troops for the first time.

Though these remaining forces were formidable, they weren’t to be underestimated. At their most severe, they reached the city gates.

Zhou Tan and He Yuankai busied themselves transporting weapons and setting traps. Qu You helped treat the wounded within the city. Used to such scenes, Ruozhou’s citizens willingly assisted her. Women emerged from their homes to help, disregarding traditional gender barriers—saving lives was paramount.

Kneeling in a makeshift tent, Qu You faintly heard the sounds of fighting beyond the walls and occasional distant military horns. Initially startled by soldiers’ dying cries, she gradually grew accustomed to it under others’ reassurance.

Wang Yiran bandaged a young soldier whose legs had been severed beside her, shaking her head and sighing. “I told you you’d be scared, and you didn’t believe me. Such things happen often in Ruozhou. Fortunately, our gates have never opened. No matter how deafening the noise, we remain unshaken.”

Li Wei arrived late with the Bian capital camp’s army, helping Wang Juqian secure a few minor victories as the Western Shaos nearly retreated completely.

Zhou Tan claimed Yan Fu’s five thousand elites were Wang Juqian’s men, casually spinning tales about their ambush being Ruozhou’s last gamble. During those days, the city lacked defenders, and no one dared sleep soundly.

Xu Zhi didn’t appear. Li Wei, unable to fathom where else troops could come from, believed the story and hurried back to Bian capital.

According to Ai Di’s letter, upon returning, Li Wei removed his hat and awaited punishment, kneeling before Xuande Hall for a day. Tears streamed down his aged face as he confessed his misjudgment, admitting he had nearly endangered Ruozhou.

However, Ruozhou had held firm. Song Chang, far away, remained unaware of the scale of the Western Shaos’ attack. He simply docked Li Wei’s salary for two months, heavily rewarded Yan Fu, and granted him Ningzhou as a fief.

The Crown Prince had hoped that even if Zhou Tan managed to defend Ruozhou, he’d be severely weakened, allowing Li Wei to reap the benefits.

But Yan Fu gave him no such chance, directly claiming the credit for slaying the enemy commander.

Song Shiyu listened to Li Wei’s report at his desk. This youth named Zhou Yan was hailed as a “prodigy” and “young god of war.” Even Chu Lin, upon hearing, hastily settled affairs in Liangzhou and rushed to Ruozhou to see the man.

Song Shiyu slammed an entire set of Dayu porcelain.

Guessing the Crown Prince’s current state from Ai Di’s letter, Qu You laughed all afternoon in her room.