As mid-autumn approached, the scorching sun had started to wane. A light breeze in the evening brought a hint of autumn’s crisp coolness, settling people’s hearts somewhat.
Ji Yuluo had been in Shunde Prefecture for four or five days. Unlike the previous prefectures where she had taken her time to rebuild the disaster areas, she hastened the deployment of troops upon her arrival here. She re-established watchtowers at several city gates, set up archer and crossbow platforms, opened the treasury, and distributed all remaining weapons and equipment. She even utilized the leftover soldiers, almost squeezing Shunde Prefecture dry.
She wasn’t adept at military strategy, but there were those who were.
Xie Subai never kept useless people. Cuixue Tower was full of talented individuals, each with their own strengths.
At this moment, Zhou Baihu spread out the military defense map from Shunde Prefecture to Taiyuan Prefecture and said, “The mountain road between the two prefectures is rugged. I’ve scouted it, and it’s easy to attack but hard to defend. It won’t be of much benefit to us, but if we lay down the first line of defense there and strike when they retreat, we can weaken their forces appropriately.”
Zhou Baihu, who used to be a bandit leader, often dealt with government troops and was especially skilled in mountain warfare. Over the years, he hadn’t had the chance to showcase his skills at Cuixue Tower. Now, as he spoke, his enthusiasm was palpable.
After he finished speaking, he slapped the table confidently and said, “I think this plan is the best!”
As he said this, Ji Yuluo looked at the military map with a faintly indifferent gaze, her eyes revealing a cold detachment.
Zhou Baihu felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured over him, freezing his fervor instantly.
In recent days, Ji Yuluo had acted decisively and efficiently. Unlike Xie Subai, who reasoned with people, she killed anyone with ulterior motives without hesitation, severely intimidating those who caused trouble.
In reality, they might have been able to deal with this young girl if they joined forces. However, the key issue was that these “talented individuals” taken in by Xie Subai were not united. Ji Yuluo seemed to have noticed this, and by killing a few as a warning and negotiating, she slowly won over many hearts.
Moreover, people gradually realized that the master sought a pure reputation. They, being people from all walks of life, would eventually be discarded. If they didn’t cling to Ji Yuluo’s leg now, when would they?
For a time, the wind direction changed drastically, and her prestige soared.
But Zhou Baihu often forgot these things when facing this girl. He realized he had overstepped only after slapping the table.
Embarrassed, he retracted his fist and slowly said, “Miss Yuluo, do you think this plan is feasible?”
Ji Yuluo looked at him, her eyes gradually softening with a smile. She said gently, “The master said that Uncle Zhou is skilled in military matters, and it’s true. The defense of Shunde Prefecture will rely heavily on you, Uncle Zhou.”
Zhou Baihu felt relieved and waved his hand, saying, “Not at all. In that case, I’ll hurry to set up the defenses. But… Miss, are you sure that the traitor Xiao will really turn back?”
Ji Yuluo paused, “I am sure.”
In that moment of hesitation, she thought of Huo Xian, standing by the window, not raising his head as he said, “Stop at Shunde if you catch up.”
Several thousand Jinyiwei Guards against tens of thousands of soldiers—there was no chance of winning. But Huo Xian had a magical power; he always made people believe in him, as if his tall figure could truly hold up the sky.
He said he could do it, and Ji Yuluo believed he could.
It seemed like she had never trusted anyone this much before.
After saying a few more words, Zhou Baihu left. Ji Yuluo clutched the bead in her hand, staring blankly at the sunset sky.
The bead pressed into her palm painfully, bringing her back to reality.
She really missed Huo Xian.
During dinner, Chaolu invited her to eat, but she had no appetite. She rested her chin on one hand at the table, idly rolling the golden bead between her fingers, letting it roll back and forth.
Later in the evening, someone reported that the crossbow platform on the city wall had been completed. Only then did Ji Yuluo collect her thoughts.
After this battle, Shunde Prefecture suffered heavy casualties, with ruins and debris scattered everywhere, making it even more desolate than the previous prefectures.
Initially, the court did not react quickly, and the previous prefectures allowed the rebels to invade for self-preservation. It was only later that the court decreed that those who surrendered without a fight would be treated as rebel accomplices.
Shunde Prefecture had no choice but to fight to the death, holding out for five days before the city gate was breached.
As she walked through the desolate long street and ascended the city wall, she found someone had arrived before her.
It was Fang Kejin, the prefect of Shunde.
He was observing the weapons set up on the city wall, sighing continuously. When he saw Ji Yuluo, he quickly spoke in halting official dialect, “The rebels have left. Why spend so much effort and resources deploying troops? The city has suffered great losses, and the people have no place to live. Why, why bother!”
Ji Yuluo had been hearing these complaints ever since she entered the city.
She had emptied the treasury, causing Fang Kejin much distress, as he did not understand that the rebels might return.
Ji Yuluo touched the crossbow, shaking it vigorously to confirm it was not shoddily made, and said, “I said, just in case, we need to prepare in advance.”
But Fang Kejin did not believe in this ‘just in case.’ He only thought Ji Yuluo was wasting money, but he dared not say much, still remembering the knife that had been placed against his neck when he refused to open the armory a few days ago. The thought of it still made him shudder.
So, he just sighed lightly to express his discontent.
However, this discontent quickly vanished with the urgent reports from Taiyuan Prefecture.
Within two days, military reports from Taiyuan Prefecture came flying in like bamboo shoots after the rain.
The battles between Taiyuan Prefecture and the rebels went through several rounds.
In the 102nd round, even before Xiao Cheng could lead his men over the hills, the enemy seemed to have anticipated that Xiao’s troops would make a slight correction in the last valley. The only stream in the valley had cannons and gunpowder buried along its banks. Once stepped on, the rocks collapsed, costing them several soldiers in vain.
Although the loss was small, a few lives in an army of tens of thousands seemed insignificant, but it was enough to shake the soldiers’ morale.
For a moment, fear spread among the troops, and they dared not advance.
Xiao Cheng did not give them a chance to retreat, and Mu Lei scornfully said, “It’s just a minor trick. They resorted to this because they had no other means!”
Thus, the group abandoned their rest and continued forward.
However, when they approached the city, they saw countless shields erected on the walls of Taiyuan Prefecture, indicating a state of full defense.
From inside the city gate came a roar and a thundering noise, the sound of weapons striking the ground, with a momentum like a rainbow. Judging by the sound, there were tens of thousands of people inside.
But how could Taiyuan Prefecture have so many people?
Xiao Cheng hesitated slightly, and Mu Lei seized the moment, saying, “What are you afraid of! The imperial troops can’t possibly arrive this quickly, remember, there’s no emperor in the capital yet!”
Mu Lei shouted, “We can’t retreat; they must be bluffing!”
At his command, the soldiers had no choice but to charge forward.
However, the battle did not go well.
The city gate had two lines of fire set up, more powerful than those in the valley. After the explosives were detonated, the soldiers in the front holding shields were immediately overturned. Arrows followed closely, leaving no time for adjustment, and the catapults were ready to block any enemy attempting to climb the city wall.
The entire city wall was like it was armored, with defenses everywhere. The only way out was to quickly break through the gate.
But Xiao Cheng had no idea how many troops were inside the gate. Being a cautious person, he couldn’t just charge forward recklessly like Mu Lei.
Mu Lei said the imperial troops couldn’t arrive so quickly, but what if someone leaked the information in advance?
Let’s not forget, there was still Huo Zhe’an, who knew everything!
What if Zhao Yong couldn’t stop him?
Initially, Xiao Cheng only speculated, but when he heard a “bang” from the city wall, his keen ears caught the sound amidst the shouts—it was a musket!
A musket only equipped by the Five Armies Camp!
If the imperial troops hadn’t arrived, how could Taiyuan Prefecture have muskets?
Xiao Cheng’s eyes widened in rage, staring in the direction of the sound, but he could only see a shield and couldn’t make out the person behind it.
Just as they were about to break through the gate, he shouted sharply, “Retreat!”
Mu Lei was incredulous, “Duke!”
Xiao Cheng’s face was grim, “I said retreat!”
Tens of thousands of troops began retreating, leaving behind a sea of corpses and blood outside the gate. However, inside the gate, only a few thousand Jinyiwei and a few thousand soldiers stood ready.
Where were the tens of thousands of troops?
It was all just a bluff. Those soldiers were even trembling, afraid that if this tactic didn’t work and the city gate was breached, they would be crushed into minced meat.
Huo Xian descended from the city wall and tossed the musket to Nanyue.
The prefect of Taiyuan had gone weak in the legs long before. Hearing the sounds of battering against the gate stop, he quivered and asked, “Did they retreat?”
Before he could finish smiling, Huo Xian said coldly, “No, not yet.”
The prefect was on the verge of tears. “But if they attack again, we won’t be able to hold out! Once they realize the city is defenseless, what will we do?”
Huo Xian bit off the binding on his arm and said, “Then let’s have a grand banquet tonight, the last meal with music and dancing. I’ve heard there are many beauties in your mansion.”
The prefect felt a chill down his spine and blacked out.
Nanyue laughed. Xiao Cheng might have retreated, but he would definitely send scouts tonight. If they were going to put on a show, they had to go all out. Nanyue understood and looked sympathetically at the prefect before catching up to Huo Xian, handing him a water pouch.
As he got closer, he noticed that Huo Xian’s face was covered in sweat.
Ji Yuluo stood on the city wall, listening to the military reports from Taiyuan Prefecture, truly feeling a pang of worry for Huo Xian. Along with the military reports, there was a letter from Huo Xian sent from the capital.
She hesitated for a moment, her hands slowing as she opened the letter, making Fang Kejin anxious. He thought the letter contained military information and leaned in, saying, “Quick, see what’s happening now!”
Ji Yuluo frowned, blocking his view protectively, and said coldly, “It’s none of your business.”
Fang Kejin: “?”
She then turned her back to him.
But the letter contained no words, only another golden bead quietly wrapped in a handkerchief.
Ji Yuluo was stunned for a long time, then looked towards the distant mountains, where an unseen city wall stood at the end.
As she gazed, it seemed as if she could see the person standing on that city wall from afar.
Ji Yuluo clutched the letter until it was crumpled, her brows softening like snow melting, bathed in the twilight, her deep emotions making Fang Kejin somewhat fearful.
