Fish Meat – Chapter 98
by Little PandaThe Ninth Year of Shenchu
Conspiring for Power (8)
“Master Xie?” Seeing Xie Fuchen’s strange demeanor, standing in place without mounting his horse and muttering non-stop, the attendant had never seen him in such a distracted state and couldn’t help but call out to him.
“Mm, mm.” Xie Fuchen’s face was deathly pale, his hand trembling as he supported himself on the carriage. He sat in the carriage, his mind heavy with thoughts.
The attendant cracked the whip and returned to the Xie Mansion. Xie Fuchen did nothing but enter the study alone, found that book, and searched for the grass ring.
The grass ring was still there, not lost.
After so many years, it seemed unchanged.
Caressing the grass ring, Xie Fuchen was reluctant to let go for a long time.
At this point, he understood everything, realizing how perilous his situation was, and that his opponent’s intentions far exceeded his imagination.
He carefully placed the grass ring in his sleeve, pushed open the door, and asked, “Where’s Ah Xun?”
The servant immediately called for Ah Xun.
Xie Fuchen and Ah Xun stayed alone in the room, where he inquired in detail about the matters concerning Xiaoshi and Alai. Ah Xun didn’t know why Xie Fuchen was suddenly so interested in these two people and was really unwilling to say much, so she just mentioned a few things casually. However, Xie Fuchen wouldn’t let it go, insisting that she tell him all the details, wanting her to explain clearly how Xiaoshi came to the Xie Mansion and how the two of them disappeared afterward.
Regarding the old news of Xiaoshi seeking refuge at the Xie Mansion, and later becoming involved with her father and giving birth to Alai, Ah Xun had only heard these stories from the elders in the family. As for why Alai later served Wei Tingxu and became “Zhen Wenjun,” she had overheard a conversation between Xie Suishan and Alai while at Nanya, giving her a general idea but unclear on the details.
Xie Fuchen had long ago learned from Xie Taixing about why Alai had gone to Wei Tingxu’s side. Now, connecting everything, he went through all that had happened over the past twenty years in his mind. Xie Fuchen gave a bitter laugh and sat down in the chair, his head lowered.
Ah Xun didn’t know what was wrong with him, why he suddenly became so dejected.
“Go and call Ge Liu in,” Xie Fuchen said.
Ah Xun left, and Ge Liu entered the room.
“The Xiaoshi woman you mentioned, where is her body buried now?” Xie Fuchen asked, holding a teacup and rubbing it back and forth.
“Xiaoshi’s corpse was burned to ashes and has been thrown into a mass grave,” Ge Liu replied.
“…Take me there.”
“Huh? Master Xie, how can you go to such a place?”
Xie Fuchen ignored him completely, stood up with a grim face, and walked out. Ge Liu had no choice but to follow and quickly prepare the carriage.
On the way to the mass grave, Xie Fuchen had drawn blood from the web between his thumb and forefinger, and his mouth was also bitten through.
So it was like this… So it was like this!
In the carriage, he sorted through the various events of these days, finally understanding all the connections. He had never underestimated his opponent, even though she was a woman, he had never been careless, but he never thought he would stumble on this matter… It was truly unexpected. “A woman’s heart is the most poisonous,” this saying was not wrong.
Upon reaching the mass grave, a hundred paces away they could already smell the overwhelming stench. Ge Liu covered his nose and hesitantly looked at Xie Fuchen, seeing him stride down without any hesitation, Ge Liu had no choice but to follow.
The mass grave was filled with unclaimed corpses, most of which had become unrecognizable after days of rain, presenting a horrifying sight. This place was the most terrifying and desolate area outside Runing City. Xie Fuchen stepped into the mud mixed with corpse fluids, turning over each body to examine it. In the distance, several starving wild dogs, disturbed by this activity, hesitated whether to flee or not.
“Master Xie… This, this is no place for you to be. Let me search!” Ge Liu picked up a thick branch and laboriously poked at the bodies. Xie Fuchen said nothing and didn’t stop, continuing to turn over the bodies one by one with his hands, head lowered.
I absolutely cannot let you stay in such a place.
In early winter, Xie Fuchen worked up a sweat in the foul-smelling mass grave, constantly telling himself: I absolutely cannot!
After searching for nearly an hour, they finally found the few charred corpses, which had been gnawed beyond recognition by wild dogs.
“This must be it.” Ge Liu felt nauseous and wanted to vomit. Xie Fuchen identified one of the female corpses and stared at it for a long time. The body was charred black and trampled, completely unrecognizable. Ge Liu’s face turned ashen as he fought back his nausea, but to his surprise, Xie Fuchen embraced the corpse and wept uncontrollably.
“Master… Master Xie…” Ge Liu really didn’t know what had come over him, and his attempts to console him were in vain, so he could only stay by his side.
After crying for a long time, Xie Fuchen finally calmed down and actually picked up the corpse to take it back to the mansion.
Ge Liu followed behind him with his head lowered, utterly perplexed.
On the way back, Xie Fuchen insisted on bringing the corpse into the carriage compartment. Ge Liu drove the carriage, shuddering at Xie Fuchen’s every move.
The corpse stayed in the Xie Mansion for one night. The next day, Xie Fuchen placed it in a golden silk nanmu coffin, along with numerous jewels, jade artifacts, and a long sword that had always hung in his bedroom.
After returning yesterday, Ge Liu had already informed the household manager and a couple of servants about Master Xie’s strange behavior. Word spread quickly, and soon the entire Xie household knew. Today, everyone was prepared for whatever odd things Xie Fuchen might do, finding it unsurprising – it’s worth noting that this coffin was the type of high-quality casket used only for burying the direct line of the Xie family, not to mention the lavish burial goods and his personally treasured sword that no one else was allowed to touch.
Just before sealing the coffin, Xie Fuchen took a grass ring from his sleeve, examined the bird’s head on it repeatedly, and then reluctantly placed it in the coffin.
The peak of Liaosi Mountain in Runing offered an excellent view, overlooking the myriad lights of the city below.
Xie Fuchen buried the coffin at the top of Liaosi Mountain, between two tall cypress trees.
The tombstone read “The Grave of My Old Friend Aqiong.” Xie Fuchen sat with the small, lonely grave for an entire day, staring at these six characters, seeming to have aged ten years overnight.
He would have to leave eventually; he had many things to do and couldn’t linger too long, just like many years ago.
When packing for the journey, Lingbi folded five or six sets of clothes for Zhen Wenjun, along with two newly made padded jackets, a fur cape, three pairs of shoes for different seasons, a large amount of medicinal herbs, and a heart-protecting mirror. All of this was far too much to fit into one bundle.
“Sister Lingbi, stop packing, this is too much. I’m going to fight in the northern frontier, not to enjoy myself. I don’t need so many clothes; two sets are enough to wear,” Zhen Wenjun said, trying to stop her as she continued to pack, seemingly wanting to fill an entire cart to send with her.
“How is this too much? It’s barely enough! Come, come here and try on this belt.” Lingbi pulled her over to show her how to use the belt. It was a specially made wide leather belt that could offer protection and had several slots to securely hang daggers at the waist. There was also a pair of military boots, warm and breathable with thick soles, suitable for climbing mountains and fording rivers. And then there was this hat and that helmet… Zhen Wenjun stood in the room like a display model as Lingbi hung item after item on her to see if they fit. After trying for a while, everything fit perfectly, so it was all packed.
Zhen Wenjun’s attempts to dissuade her were futile. Lingbi packed five bundles, telling her to hang one on each shoulder, two on her arms, and wrap one around her waist – perfect.
Wei Tingxu and Xiaohua entered the room. Seeing Zhen Wenjun in this state, Wei Tingxu couldn’t help but laugh out loud, and even Xiaohua’s mouth twitched, revealing an “amused” expression.
“Look, Sister Lingbi! I told you this is too much!”
“But…”
Zhen Wenjun sat Lingbi down in a chair, put down the bundles, rolled up her sleeves, and showed her the iron bracers: “I don’t need anything else, this is enough! See how powerful it is? With just one bracer, I can deflect knives, spears, sticks, and clubs!”
Lingbi wanted to say something more, but didn’t. She tried to force a smile, but couldn’t. In the end, her eyes reddened again.
Seeing Lingbi like this, Zhen Wenjun was at a loss. She quickly grabbed a handkerchief to wipe Lingbi’s tears, crouching in front of her and saying, “Sister Lingbi, why are you acting like an old mother, crying at the drop of a hat? I’m going to kill barbarians, you should be sending me off with joy and celebration.”
“That sounds nice, killing barbarians! Everyone in Da Yu knows how fierce the Chongjin barbarians are! Why do you…” Lingbi really didn’t want Zhen Wenjun to go. Although she had followed Wei Tingxu for many years, and Wei Tingxu’s goal was to promote a female emperor, Lingbi didn’t find it strange. However, in her mind, going to the battlefield to fight enemies was still a man’s job.
“You’re only seventeen, and you’ve been injured quite a bit these past few years. With your careless nature, forget about repelling enemies, you can’t even make your bed properly in daily life. How can you compete with the barbarians?”
“…Sister Lingbi, I’m not a three-year-old child anymore. I may not like making beds, but I’m not sloppy when it comes to fighting enemies. Besides, I have more important things to do.” Zhen Wenjun spoke very firmly. Lingbi couldn’t say anything more, but she was still extremely reluctant to let her go. How many able-bodied men are sent to the northern frontier each year, and how many can return alive? Even those who return are mostly missing arms or legs. Now that Chongjin is at the height of its power, the battle situation is dire. Thinking about the circumstances Zhen Wenjun would be in, Lingbi was extremely worried. But she was just a servant of the Wei family; what position did she have to say “no” to something that both the Eldest Princess and the young lady had agreed to?
“Lingbi, don’t worry too much. With Sister Wenjun’s wit, she’ll be fine,” Wei Tingxu also comforted her.
Lingbi said nothing, just nodded faintly.
Tomorrow was the day of departure, and tonight the Wei family had prepared a banquet to send off Zhen Wenjun.
Zhen Wenjun ate heartily from the table full of good wine and food. She knew that once she reached the northern front, it would be uncertain when she could eat meat again. Wei Lun personally toasted her, saying many words urging her to be careful. The Zhangsun family also came, taking turns to toast her. She held her wine cup and drank more than ten cups in succession, her face gradually flushing from the alcohol.
“Drink less, you still have to travel tomorrow,” Wei Tingxu said, unable to watch any longer and intervening.
Wei Tingxu’s words always carried great weight in the family. Once she spoke, no one else was tactless enough to continue, and they all returned to their seats. Zhen Wenjun sat down, swaying. Wei Tingxu noticed some wine residue at the corner of her mouth and helped wipe it off.
Zhen Wenjun looked at Wei Tingxu’s face, feeling a flutter in her heart, and couldn’t help but grasp her hand.
The gazes of Wei Lun’s family and the Zhangsun family quickly latched onto them. Zhen Wenjun knew she was being somewhat presumptuous, but she didn’t want to let go.
Comforting Lingbi was one thing, but being honest with herself was another.
Would she be able to return alive? It was very, very difficult.
Perhaps she would never be able to return to Wei Tingxu’s side, never be able to drink freely like today again. Her life was different from others. Because of Wei Tingxu’s portrait, her life path had completely changed. Not being able to save her mother was due to her lack of ability, but to this day, she didn’t regret it.
Being able to meet Wei Tingxu was an immense blessing, and having gained her favor made this life worth living without regrets.
She held Wei Tingxu’s hand, her burning gaze lingering on Wei Tingxu’s eyes, brows, lips, and nose.
“Sister, there’s something I want to tell you…”
Zhen Wenjun wanted to tell her everything: where it all began, how the many emotions along this journey had developed, the tenderness and admiration for her, all bottled up in her heart. Zhen Wenjun wanted her to know.
Just as she was about to speak, Wei Tingxu’s fingertip touched her lips, stopping her from continuing.
“Don’t tell me now.” The softness and affection deep in Wei Tingxu’s eyes were genuine, caught clearly by Zhen Wenjun.
“Wait until you return safely to tell me. When the wandering flowers in the garden bloom, we’ll drink and celebrate together. Then you can tell me what you’re thinking and feeling today, alright?”
Zhen Wenjun’s heart surged with emotion, tears streaming down her face.
“Alright… alright. Sister, I will definitely, definitely come back alive.”
The moon was bright and the stars were sparse; tomorrow should be good weather.
After the banquet dispersed, Zhen Wenjun sat by the corridor looking at the moon. The cool, crisp wind blew on her face, dissipating much of the effects of the alcohol.
Feeling someone approaching from behind, Zhen Wenjun thought it was Lingbi. When she turned to look, it was actually Wei Tingxu.
Wei Tingxu was supporting herself on a vermilion-lacquered pillar, standing on her own legs behind her.
“Sister, your legs…”
Wei Tingxu smiled gently and said, “Thanks to your daily massages, although I can’t walk for long, my leg injury has improved a lot.”
Zhen Wenjun was happy, yet also a bit sad, as this meant Wei Tingxu would no longer need her embrace.
Wei Tingxu sat down beside her, and they looked at the moon together.
Neither of them said anything, but Zhen Wenjun straightened her back a little.
Wei Tingxu leaned on her shoulder.
“You don’t need to worry about me. Focus on your task. I… will wait for your return.”
The expeditionary army was neatly arranged beneath the city gates of Runing. Everyone wore sturdy armor, flashing with a sharp brilliance under the sunlight. At a casual glance, one would only see orderly ranks, all elite troops in fine armor. But upon closer inspection, among the ranks were not only young lords of thirteen or fourteen years old, but also many women, and even white-haired elderly stood among them. There was no fear on their faces; their stern expressions were inspiring.
The Sima, Xie Fuchen, stood at the front of the ranks, holding a bowl of wine, and spoke loudly:
“Soldiers! The barbarians have been harassing our Da Yu borders for a long time, killing our compatriots and trampling our mountains and rivers! Now the battle situation is intense, and only you can protect Da Yu’s realm! Drink this bowl of wine, and slay all the barbarians under heaven!”
“Kill! Kill! Kill!” Three deep battle cries shook the heavens.
Xie Fuchen drained the wine in one gulp and smashed the bowl on the ground.
The new recruits also tilted their heads back to drink. After finishing this bowl of wine, they would leave their homeland to protect their homes and loved ones, each with their own considerations. What would await them at the front lines? Would they be able to return alive to see Runing’s tall city walls again? To reunite with their families? All of these were unknowns. But they had no other choice; they could only use their flesh and blood to plug the already broken gaps of Da Yu.
Zhen Wenjun wore a heavy helmet and silver armor, looking valiant and spirited. As she marched along the official road with the ranks, she frequently looked back. Runing’s city walls grew smaller and smaller, and her heart became more and more bitter.
This time, she was going to the northern frontier with the mindset of certain death, but Wei Tingxu’s words had held onto her will to live, making her yearn for the mortal world once again.
This was an unprecedented feeling.
Under her mother’s protection, she had never thought about matters of life and death. After her mother’s incident, the only persistence left in her life was to rescue her mother.
Now she had a new direction, a new attachment.
It was Wei Tingxu who had pulled her back from the abyss; it was this light that illuminated a new path.
Wait for my return. Zhen Wenjun looked at Runing’s azure sky, gazing in the direction of Mount Wangjun, and thought to herself: I will definitely return alive.
This time, the Da Yu army had a full thirty thousand people, the youngest being eleven and the oldest sixty-one. They marched day and night towards Qianhai Pass to support the frontline troops. Chongjin could launch a counterattack at any time, so they had to seize every moment to reach the front lines and guard Da Yu’s most crucial chokepoint, absolutely not allowing Chongjin to advance another step.
Because the Emperor was leading from behind, the soldiers were extremely encouraged.
Li Ju personally rode his horse at the very front of the ranks. The military supervisor repeatedly advised him, saying it was too dangerous to be at the forefront of the army, and that His Majesty should return to the middle of the ranks. Li Ju completely ignored his words, continuing to do as he pleased at the front, riding horses and drinking with the soldiers.
After ten days of eating in the wind and sleeping in the dew, he finally fell ill. The military supervisor didn’t know whether to be anxious or relieved.
Upon hearing this news, most people in the army felt sorry for the Emperor, thinking it was admirable that Li Ju, despite being the true dragon, could share joys and sorrows with everyone. Zhen Wenjun, however, was utterly contemptuous, thinking he was just a fool who couldn’t even put on a good show. Nevertheless, she took note of all these techniques for winning people’s hearts. She understood that on the battlefield where swords and spears have no eyes, it’s a realm of slaughter, and anyone could meet with misfortune. It would be difficult to survive on her strength alone; she needed comrades who could fight alongside her.
Because Li Ju had caught a cold, the army was divided into two groups. The vanguard rushed ahead to Qianhai Pass, while over two thousand people remained with Li Ju, waiting to regroup at the front line after he recovered. This vanguard was further divided by gender into male and female armies, with men in front and women behind. The male division traveled light, rushing towards Qianhai Pass with all their might, leaving all the supplies to the female division, who were specifically responsible for transportation.
“What battle can these little girls fight! Wait until I kill all the barbarians, then you can come and sleep with me! Hahaha!”
When the male division left, they left behind such words, which made Zhen Wenjun feel utterly disgusted.
She also wanted to rush to the front lines and fight to her heart’s content, making these men look at her with new eyes. But those supplies and provisions were also extremely important. Her mother had once said, “Before troops and horses move, supplies go first.” Supplies are fundamental to winning battles. She didn’t know who was commanding the Yu army now, but it seemed there were truly no capable generals, as the entire marching strategy was quite chaotic. If supplies couldn’t keep up, it would be hard to maintain morale. Moreover, leaving five thousand women and children to transport supplies, what if they were intercepted by enemy forces? The northern front was extremely cold; without warm clothing, how could they fight when they might freeze to death? Zhen Wenjun felt displeased but knew she had to prioritize the overall situation. She could only stay behind calmly, striving to advance the supplies as quickly as possible to reach Qianhai Pass soon.
When the female division arrived at Qianhai Pass, heavy snow was falling, freezing these new recruits who had just come from the south to the point of losing their souls. Just then, over a thousand battered soldiers retreating from the front lines returned to the camp through the wind and snow, looking from afar like a group of beasts that had been starving for an entire winter.
Zhen Wenjun stirred the newly arrived millet porridge in a large copper pot with a wooden stick, listening to these battered soldiers describe how fierce the Chongjin were, with bear waists and tiger backs, panther heads with ringed eyes, able to stand on galloping horses to shoot, firing ten arrows at once, each arrow capable of piercing through a person’s head.
“That scary?” Ah Xi from the Zhong family, who came with Zhen Wenjun to the female division, stopped her action of grinding medicine in fright. “No wonder only you survived out of the ten thousand who went.”
When Ah Xi mentioned this, a group of people gathered around the fire, starting to talk about how formidable these barbarians were, how they had barely managed to fight the barbarians to a draw through desperate resistance, how the slightly weaker ones had all been killed, and that those who managed to return alive, though heavily wounded, were all exceptional individuals.
Zhen Wenjun silently ladled porridge for them, not exposing the fact that most of these people had arrows in their backs from when they were fleeing in panic. She just listened to see how far they would boast.
A large pot of porridge was drunk clean, the medicine applied, and the boasting finished. Suddenly, a command came from afar, and these seasoned soldiers immediately stood up, hurriedly adjusting their armor, and stood in a circle around the fire. Zhen Wenjun stood at the back of the crowd, seeing from the commotion that some important figure must be coming.
Walking along the path between the camps in the snow came a man wearing black armor and a silver helmet with red feathers. This man had thick eyebrows, star-like eyes, and a long beard reaching his chest. He was of imposing stature, with one arm resting on the large sword at his waist, walking like a gust of strong wind.
“General Wei!” Everyone suddenly shouted in unison, startling Zhen Wenjun.
General Wei? Is he from the Wei family?
The current court structure is such that high-born families hold high positions, while those from humble backgrounds find it difficult to advance. Essentially, the children of great clans form a web-like power structure by recommending each other, able to cooperate and support one another to balance against opposing clans. Whenever you hear of an official surnamed Xie, they’re surely a relative of Xie Fuchen, and when you hear of a key minister surnamed Wei, they’re certainly a descendant of Wei Lun’s clan. The same applies to those surnamed Yan, Zuo, Lin, and others. The Feng clan used to be quite active, but under Hong Ai’s implication, they’ve been mostly wiped out.
So, the possibility of this General Wei being a relative of Wei Tingxu is extremely high, although the pillar-like general bears no physical resemblance to Wei Tingxu.
This man is Wei Yun, the eldest son of Wei Lun’s elder brother. When Xie Fuchen’s younger son, Xie Changliu, was stripped of his military power, Wei Yun, who had been stationed 400 li west of Qianhai Pass, received military orders to immediately lead his troops to Qianhai Pass to resist Chongjin’s fierce southward advance. At that time, Wei Yun had less than 15,000 garrison troops, yet had to march 400 li to Qianhai Pass to resist the enemy. Wasn’t this absurd? Already exhausted from marching day and night, facing the valiant Chongjin, Wei Yun had prepared himself for death upon receiving this order. Unexpectedly, although Xie Changliu had been dismissed and stripped of his position, he hadn’t given up Qianhai Pass and led his men to strike Chongjin fiercely from behind. Wei Yun seized the opportunity to coordinate with Xie Changliu, attacking from both front and rear, and only then did the Chongjin army reluctantly retreat, though Wei Yun lost an arm in the process.
Accompanying Wei Yun is the Military Advisor Zhangsun Yi. The two are walking side by side, quietly discussing something, while the Gate Commander Lin Jian waves for all soldiers to gather at the main camp one li ahead. The main camp can accommodate a thousand people, covered with a thatched roof, surrounded by cloth walls, with carpets and small tables inside, and fire baskets hanging on the walls.
Zhen Wenjun and other low-ranking soldiers were not qualified to enter the main camp, and could only stand outside, tiptoeing to look inside.
Zhangsun Yi spoke first, informing everyone of the current battle situation at Qianhai Pass.
Last night, the Chongjin army launched a surprise attack on the pass without any warning. The Yu army resisted stubbornly but ultimately suffered a crushing defeat. Now the mountain pass has been occupied by the Chongjin army, and the current situation is extremely perilous. They must find a breakthrough to recapture the pass. Regardless of gender, age, or battle experience, anyone who wants to survive at the front lines must follow orders.
Wei Yun stepped forward to speak. Although he was inside the main camp, his bell-like voice could be clearly heard by everyone outside the camp, even the female division standing at the outermost edge of the crowd could hear every word distinctly.
“We have no time to catch our breath! Tonight, we will launch a surprise attack!” Wei Yun’s voice came cutting through the wind, his hoarse yet deep voice making everyone’s eardrums ache. “This is our only chance! The barbarians certainly won’t expect us to dare to counterattack right after suffering a defeat! Yes, that’s exactly what they won’t expect! This is a risk! We’re betting with our lives! But we have no other choice! Once Qianhai Pass falls, you all know the fate that awaits Da Yu! Your parents will be disemboweled! Your wives and children will be trampled like pigs and dogs! Are you willing to see all this happen? Do you want to be slaves of a fallen country? If not, then take up your swords and spears, and follow this general to the front lines! Recapture the pass!”
Wei Yun’s few sentences quickly ignited the hearts of the new recruits. Whether inside or outside the main camp, shouts of “Kill!” resounded to the heavens.
Zhen Wenjun didn’t see Li Ju, not knowing if he was still unwell. She had thought that having just arrived at the northern front, these elderly, weak, women, and children would need at least a few days of training before they could fight the enemy. She never expected they would launch a surprise attack tonight! Zhen Wenjun’s heart was pounding, both excited and nervous. Although she wore armor, she didn’t have a suitable weapon. She had the Golden Cicada Knife and a dagger, but these weren’t blades capable of killing enemies.
Just as she was wondering if the female division would again be left in the camp to guard the provisions, Wei Yun ordered weapons to be distributed to the new recruits. Zhen Wenjun was given a half-rusted spear, its tip crooked and full of cracks, the red tassel had turned black, clearly dug out from some pile of corpses.
Wei Yun stepped onto the wooden platform where the camp’s large flag was planted, looking down from above, using the light from the fire baskets to ensure everyone could see him clearly.
“Whether you are male or female, whoever you were before today, I only hope that when tomorrow’s sun rises, you will be heroes who have slain the barbarians! This bowl of wine! I toast to all of you!” After speaking, Wei Yun tilted his head back and drained the wine, then smashed the wine bowl heavily on the ground.
Zhen Wenjun was also given a bowl of wine. After drinking it, her whole body felt hot, her heart surging with passionate blood! Looking at this rusty spear, she silently vowed to herself that she must personally slay the cruel barbarians and avenge the tragically fallen soldiers and civilians of their great Yu!
Gate Commander Lin Jian stepped onto the wooden platform behind Wei Yun. Wei Yun turned his ear to listen to his report on military intelligence. Lin Jian didn’t speak, but instead took out a knife and slit Wei Yun’s throat.
In the firelight, Wei Yun didn’t even have time to cry out before he fell to the ground convulsing, clutching his neck as blood gushed out. Everyone witnessed what happened on the high platform, but for a moment, they couldn’t react. Lin Jian, his face covered in blood, laughed loudly. Military Advisor Zhangsun Yi pointed at Lin Jian and shouted:
“Seize him!”
Clearly, Zhangsun Yi hadn’t expected such a thing to happen either. Just as the soldiers were about to charge up the high platform with their weapons to bring down Lin Jian, suddenly, from the outskirts, the thunderous sound of horse hooves and battle cries erupted!
The battered soldiers who had just escaped with their lives from the front lines heard the terrifying sound of horse hooves, turning pale with fright and crying out loudly:
“The barbarians are here! The barbarians are here!”
This was Zhen Wenjun’s first night at the front lines, and it was a night she would never forget.
The Chongjin army stormed into the Yu army’s main camp, slaughtering them until not a single soldier remained. All soldiers threw away their helmets and armor, the fighting spirit that had just been ignited completely vanished.
This was war.
As Zhen Wenjun fled in all directions with her head covered, she truly understood that this was not a game, not a story from her mother’s lips, but a war where blood flowed like rivers and death could come at any moment.
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