After learning that the Northern Qiang would arrive in just a few days, it seemed that nearly everyone was affected by an inescapable sense of solemnity. The only one unaffected by this atmosphere was Xue Niang, who remained indifferent to such matters as per usual.
However, she was not entirely ignorant. When alone with Xue Qiming, she looked up at the man who told her to call him her master and asked, "Xue Qiming, are we going to die here?"
Xue Qiming smiled, ruffled the little girl's hair, and said, "How could that be? Just watch when the time comes. See how your master beheads the enemy general in the middle of tens of thousands of soldiers."
"Mm..." Xue Niang nodded seriously. "I'll watch."
Afterward, Xue Qiming sought out Ye Beizhi for a private conversation.
On the afternoon of the second day after Songqing's surrender to the enemy, a light drizzle began to fall, the moisture clinging to the skin brought a slight chill.
Xue Qiming and Ye Beizhi stood side by side under the eaves, gazing at the somewhat overcast sky.
"You're not stupid," Xue Qiming said lightly, "I don't believe you'd plan to throw your life away here for nothing."
"Mm," Ye Beizhi grunted.
Xue Qiming helplessly covered his forehead. "Mm, what? What are you thinking? Tell me."
Ye Beizhi stared at the hazy expanse of the sky and murmured, "They'll send their cavalry..."
"We still have time," Qi Zongbi said, sitting in the command tent. A map filled with dense markings lay before him. Ying Gutong sat beside him, and several other generals were also present.
Qi Zongbi looked unwell lately. It was unclear whether it was due to stress or repeated setbacks in the war, but his temperament was clearly unstable. Now, a circle of cold sores had formed at the corners of his mouth, and his once neatly groomed beard appeared disheveled from lack of care.
Qi Zongbi's eyes were bloodshot, evidence of a pattern of sleepless nights. He pointed to the line that connected Songqing to Liangzhou Prefecture and said grimly, "We still have time. The Northern Qiang are ambitious. This time, they are undoubtedly targeting Liangzhou Prefecture's canal waterways.
"However, their main army, burdened with supplies and siege equipment, cannot move quickly. Thus, they can only send cavalry ahead to besiege Liangzhou Prefecture. This is our opportunity. Their cavalry may be fast but it will be poor at sieges.
"Liangzhou Prefecture has strong defenses, and if they can hold off the cavalry, it's possible the city may endure until we arrive... but we must move faster, much faster."
"What if they can't hold out?" Ying Gutong asked, casting a sidelong glance at Qi Zongbi. He still resented Qi Zongbi for seizing his military command.
"If they can't hold out"—Qi Zongbi's eyes dimmed—"then the Ruen Dynasty must consider relocating the capital..."
The tent fell silent. This issue had crossed many minds before, but no one dared to voice it aloud. If the Northern Qiang captured Liangzhou Prefecture and controlled the canal grain routes, they could directly threaten Tianjing. At that point, relocating the capital might become the only option.
"That's why Liangzhou Prefecture must be defended," Qi Zongbi said through gritted teeth.
A young junior general suddenly chimed in, "Prime Minister Qi! What if we split our forces too? We could send cavalry ahead to reinforce Liangzhou."
Ying Gutong frowned at the young general.
Before Qi Zongbi could respond, the tent erupted in a commotion.
"How could that work?"
Qi Zongbi shook his head. "Indeed, this is not feasible... We are currently trailing closely behind the Northern Qiang. If we were to dispatch a cavalry force to reinforce Liangzhou Prefecture, a small contingent would be ineffective.
"Meanwhile a slightly larger force risks being detected by the Northern Qiang's scouts and subsequently being annihilated. Every soldier is invaluable to us now.
"The Northern Qiang have overwhelming numbers, and wasting even a fraction of our strength increases the likelihood of future failure."
The young deputy general bit his lip, speaking stubbornly. "But... but it’s not guaranteed that their scouts would spot us. We could avoid them by taking a detour... even if it is longer, the cavalry would still be faster than our current marching pace.
"Although it’s risky, with Prime Minister Qi mobilizing the army to confront the Northern Qiang, Liangzhou has already withdrawn its stationed forces. The city now only has fifty thousand defenders.
"Even if they manage to hold off the Northern Qiang's cavalry, I fear they won’t last half a day when the main forces arrive! I... I am willing to pledge my life and personally lead fifty thousand cavalry to reinforce them."
Qi Zongbi squinted at the young deputy general and, after a moment, said, "If I’m not mistaken, your name is Jiang Chao?"
The young deputy general was surprised that Qi Zongbi recognized him. For a moment, he was overwhelmed with excitement. There were at least eighty or a hundred deputy generals in the army after all. He didn’t even have a seat in the tent at the meeting and had to stand behind his commanding officer.
Jiang Chao stuttered, "Yes, yes that's me."
"Where are you from?" Qi Zongbi asked with a squint.
Jiang Chao paused briefly before replying in a deep voice, "I... am from Liangzhou."
"Do you have family in Liangzhou Prefecture?" Qi Zongbi continued.
Jiang Chao lowered his head. "My parents live in Liangzhou."
"Hmm..." Qi Zongbi nodded slightly, contemplated for a moment, and then said, "Go. You are permitted to take fifty thousand cavalry. Plan your route carefully and report back promptly. If the Northern Qiang's scouts discover you... don’t bother returning."
Overjoyed, Jiang Chao quickly knelt and cupped his hands. "Thank you, Lord Qi!"
Qi Zongbi waved his hand, signaling Jiang Chao to leave. The other generals in the tent all turned their eyes to Qi Zongbi, awaiting his explanation.
Qi Zongbi rubbed his forehead and said, "He didn't say anything wrong... but even if he takes fifty thousand cavalry to Liangzhou Prefecture, it would hardly make a difference against an army a million strong.
"What matters to me isn’t how many people he can bring to Liangzhou, but simply the message that reinforcements will arrive. That alone will reassure them, letting them know that more reinforcements are on their way. With that, they’ll have the hope needed to keep holding the line."
The rain intensified, large raindrops pelting the eaves with loud splashes.
"Of course I know their cavalry will be coming." Xue Qiming scratched the back of his head. "That’s not what I’m asking..."
"None of us will die." Ye Beizhi casually grabbed a bamboo hat from the wall, placed the hat on his head, and walked into the rain.
"Hey..." Xue Qiming called after him. Seeing that Ye Beizhi didn’t turn back, he hurriedly grabbed a hat and followed, shouting, "At least make yourself clear!"
"Where are you going?" Xue Qiming quickened his pace to catch up, grabbing Ye Beizhi’s shoulder.
Ye Beizhi’s eyes were obscured beneath the bamboo hat, making them unreadable. His words drifted through the rain. "To the city gates... It’s about time."
Xue Qiming froze. "You mean... they're here?"
As soon as the words left his mouth, the ground beneath their feet began to tremble slightly. The vibrations grew more pronounced.
Ye Beizhi lifted his head slightly, gazing toward the city outskirts.
The deafening roar seemed to come from beyond the heavens. It was the sound of tens of thousands of galloping horses.
From the direction of the city gate came a hoarse, desperate cry from a lookout soldier.
"Enemy forces! Are attacking!!!"