The daughters of the Han family are both chaste and brave, so why would they be afraid of the wind and sand?

The desert is filled with solitary smoke, and the long river is filled with round sunset.

Shanshan City is located in this vast and magnificent area. The city wall is made of rammed earth. It is not high, but it is the most solid support in this Gobi Desert.

The city's population exceeded 10,000, mostly border residents who had lived there for generations, and caravans traveling east and west stopped here for supplies. Since its annexation to the Southern Dynasty two years ago, the war had subsided, and Ning Lingyi's policies of reducing taxes and encouraging commerce had benefited the city, and the city had slowly regained its vitality.

Although the street is not wide, it is lined with shops, the sound of camel bells, and curls of smoke, exuding a sense of tranquility after surviving a disaster.

At dusk that day, the defenders on the city wall were about to change shifts when they suddenly saw dust billowing in the distance and a group of cavalry rushing towards them like lightning.

The captain of the defending army squinted his eyes and when he saw the bright words "Pearl" on the black flag that was covered with dust, he shuddered all over and could hardly believe his eyes.

"It's Your Majesty! Open the city gates! Welcome!"

The city gate creaked open, and Ning Lingyi led the remaining two thousand cavalrymen and galloped in.

The war horses were emitting thick white smoke, the knights had damaged armor and looked exhausted, but they still maintained strict military discipline.

The news spread throughout the town like the wind, and the people flocked to the streets, shocked and worried, kneeling to greet them.

They recognized the flag and the princess. It was the royal army under her command that drove away the Western Qiang people, allowing them to breathe and start a new life.

Ning Lingyi had no time to accept the worship of the people and went straight into the government office.

Zhou Huaian, the governor of Shanshan City, was a man in his forties, his face full of marks left by the wind and sand of the frontier.

He quickly stepped forward and knelt on one knee, his voice trembling slightly with nervousness: "I, Zhou Huaian, the governor of Shanshan City, pay my respects to Your Majesty! I was unaware of your arrival and was unable to greet you from afar. Please forgive me, Your Majesty!"

"Zhou Zhenshou, please rise. This is an emergency, so please don't be polite." Ning Lingyi's voice was a little hoarse, but still calm. "I was ambushed on the way and separated from the main force. Beishu Khan Tuoba Hong is personally leading 10,000 cavalrymen and is pursuing us. They will arrive soon."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Huaian's face turned pale. He looked up and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured. Although Shanshan City is small, we will never betray you. I will issue an order immediately. The entire city will be under martial law. The military and the people will be united as one. We swear to live and die with Your Majesty and with Shanshan City!"

Ning Lingyi saw the determination in his eyes, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart, yet it was also heavy. "Zhou Zhenshou, Tuoba Hongzhi depends on me alone. I don't want to implicate the people of the entire city. Would you be willing to prepare fast horses and food for me? I will leave immediately, perhaps diverting the pursuers..."

"Your Majesty!" Zhou Huaian interrupted her excitedly, his eyes red. "Your Majesty, what you said is to put our Shanshan City in a state of disloyalty and injustice! We, the border people, although crude, have served our country. If the city falls, we will die. How can we be so cowardly as to watch Your Majesty take such a risk alone? I beg Your Majesty to allow us to protect Your Majesty and hold the city!"

Before Ning Lingyi could say anything more, he hurried out.

Soon, the sound of martial law horns resounded throughout the city. Zhou Huaian climbed onto the top of the city wall and loudly announced the news that His Majesty was in danger and the Beishuo army was approaching.

The soldiers and civilians in the city shouted:

"Protect His Majesty!"

"Fight with Beishuo dog!"

"Without Your Majesty, we wouldn't have the good life we ​​have today! Even if I had to risk my life for it, it would be worth it!"

There was no panic, no soldiers or civilians fled. This city was accustomed to war. The young and strong took up any available weapons and climbed the city walls, while women, children, and the elderly were busy carrying rolling logs and stones, boiling hot oil, and reinforcing the city gates.

In the crowd, a young girl wearing half-worn Hu clothing was helping her mother carry water to the top of the city wall.

Her name is Zhou Yingxue. She is the only daughter of the owner of Changshun Trading Company in the city. She has traveled around the country with her father since she was young, and her knowledge is far broader than that of ordinary girls.

She listened to what Zhou Zhenshou said, looked at the boiling scene in the city, and began to think unconsciously.

She returned to the courtyard of her family's business and found her father, brow furrowed, counting the inventory in the warehouse.

"Father," Zhou Yingxue's voice was not loud, but very clear, "We can't just wait and defend the city."

The old boss raised his head and sighed, "What else can we do if we don't defend the city? Your Majesty is kind and benevolent. We will do our best to defend the city and repay His Majesty. That will be our duty. You are just a girl, don't let your imagination run wild. Stay in the backyard. If it really comes to that... Dad will protect you at the risk of his life."

"Father!" Zhou Yingxue's tone became anxious. "If the city falls, who can protect whom? How can anyone survive under the Beishuo cavalry? Sitting there and waiting to be killed is nothing but surrendering! Although I am a girl, I have some education and have traveled the trade routes with you, so I have seen the world. I have a plan that may give Your Majesty a chance of survival!"

The old boss was startled, sizing up his always opinionated daughter. "What's your plan? Military matters are too important to be trifled with. If this plan fails, angering Bei Shuo or even His Majesty, the consequences will be disastrous!"

Zhou Yingxue's eyes were blazing, and she showed no fear. "Father, you often taught me that business isn't always guaranteed to yield profits; risks and opportunities inherently coexist. This concerns His Majesty's safety. How can I shrink back from this due to fear of risk? I'm willing to guarantee this plan with my own life! Please, Father, take me to see His Majesty."

The old boss was shocked when he saw his daughter's determined eyes.

He knew very well that his daughter had been smart and decisive since childhood, sometimes even better than boys.

After hesitating for a long time, he stamped his feet and said, "Okay! Daddy will play with you on this one! Come with me!"

In the government office, Ning Lingyi was discussing the details of defending the city with Zhou Huaian and several generals. When he heard that a father and daughter from the countryside had an urgent matter and wanted to see him, although he was surprised, he still called them in.

Zhou Yingxue followed behind her father. Although she was a little nervous, she remained calm. After kneeling and bowing, she laid out her plan in a neither humble nor arrogant manner.

The hall fell silent for a moment. Zhou Huaian and the others looked skeptical, feeling that this plan was too bold and risky, even a little... unbelievable.

Ning Lingyi remained silent for a long time, her gaze fixed on Zhou Yingxue, carefully examining this daughter of a merchant from a border town. She saw in her eyes a wisdom and courage that didn't belong to her age.

Zhou Yingxue raised her head, meeting Ning Lingyi's gaze. Her voice was clear and firm, "Your Majesty, the world always says that women are weak and ignorant, and can only rely on their fathers, brothers, and husbands. But Your Majesty, you are clear proof that women can also rule the world and protect the people. Although I am a humble woman, I am willing to follow Your Majesty's example and do my best to protect those who should be protected. If this plan succeeds, we may be able to temporarily delay the enemy. If it fails, I will only die."

Ning Lingyi was shocked.

Many times, she couldn't help but feel complacent. She could turn the world upside down because of her ability.

But what she saw today made her realize that there were as many beautiful and talented girls in this world as stars, but most of them were trapped in the inner chambers and could not see the light of day.

If we talk about women who are not afraid of death and have strategies and courage, there are at least tens of millions of them in the world, and the one in front of me is one of them.

Through the person in front of her, she also saw a tremendous power that came from the woman's heart. This power was not shown in the court, not heard in the history books, but it shone brightly in this critical moment.

"good."

Ning Lingyi finally spoke, "I will grant your request and fully cooperate with you and act according to your plan!"

*

The next afternoon, there was a thick cloud of smoke and dust on the horizon, like a dark cloud approaching.

Tuoba Hong personally led 10,000 elite cavalry and finally appeared outside Shanshan City.

Looking at the low earthen city, Tuoba Hong couldn't help feeling complacent. Ning Lingyi, Ning Lingyi, you are finally in my hands.

How can two thousand remnant soldiers and an isolated city resist my fierce and powerful army?

He was about to order an attack on the city when he saw the city gate open and a horseman flew out. The girl on the horse was heroic and it was Ning Lingyao.

"Great Khan Tuoba!" Ning Lingyao reined in her horse and shouted, "My sister is in the city. She is willing to submit to you, Great Khan, but with one condition! Please ask your army to retreat five miles, and my sister will lead her troops out of the city to surrender. Please ensure that the people of Shanshan City are not harmed in the slightest! Otherwise, my sister would rather die in glory than live in disgrace!"

When Tuoba Hong heard this, a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes, but then he was relieved.

Yes, this is what Ning Lingyi would do. Even when she was in a desperate situation, she still did not forget to protect the people. He felt even more proud. If he could capture Ning Lingyi without bloodshed, it would be the best choice.

"Okay, I promise you!" Tuoba Hong waved his hand, "The entire army retreats five miles!"

The Beishuo army retreated like a tide.

Soon, the city gate opened again, and a woman in gorgeous clothes, with a veil covering her face, rode a majestic horse. Surrounded by nearly a hundred guards, she slowly walked out and headed towards the Beishuo army.

Tuoba Hong looked intently, and the figure and the mount were undoubtedly Ning Lingyi.

But just as the team was about to approach, something strange happened!

Suddenly, dozens of teams rushed out from all directions of Shanshan City. Each team was closely guarding a woman riding a horse who was similar to Ning Lingyi and also had a veil covering her face. They fled frantically in different directions!

"Not good!" Tuoba Hong was angry.

"Ning Lingyi, you are indeed cunning! Divide your forces and chase after them. Stop all the fleeing troops and capture Ning Lingyi!"

He concluded that Ning Lingyi must be in one of the teams, trying to sneak in and escape during the chaos, but it didn't matter, he just needed to catch them all. Ning Lingyi, you can't escape.

The army split into dozens of groups and pounced on the fleeing troops like a pack of wolves, causing chaos.

At this moment, the "Ning Lingyi" who had first surrendered and was brought to his horse suddenly pulled off her veil, revealing a young and pretty face.

She screamed in a mixture of sobbing Qiang language and awkward Chinese: "Great Khan, spare me! Spare me! I'm not a princess! I was forced! The princess has no intention of surrendering! She's still in the city, hiding in the dungeon! She said she won't come out until you're far away!"

It’s Zhou Yingxue!

Tuoba Hong suddenly pulled the reins of his horse and looked towards Shanshan City in surprise and doubt.

What was going on? Was this part of Ning Lingyi's scheme? Or was this woman afraid of death and revealing the truth? Ning Lingyi was incredibly cunning, so perhaps she was actually going against her will, hiding in the most dangerous place?

He didn't dare to take the risk.

"Bayan! Take your men and enter the city immediately. Search! Turn the dungeon upside down for me!" Tuoba Hong ordered sternly, and whipped his horse's buttocks. "The rest of you, follow me and continue chasing!"

He must catch Ning Lingyi and never let her slip through his fingers again!

The army was divided again.

Tuoba Hong personally led a group to chase after the team he judged to be the most likely.

Standing there, Zhou Yingxue watched the Beishuo army as it turned into dozens of puffs of dust and rushed in all directions like a torn piece of cloth. She slowly wiped away the tears that had been forced out of her face, her eyes calm and determined.

She succeeded.

Tuoba Hong's army of tens of thousands had been cleverly divided, and each pursuing force had been greatly weakened. Behind this strategy of dividing the troops were those women who resolutely acted as bait, those border town daughters who, like her, were willing to die for His Majesty...

Zhou Yingxue looked at the dust rising in the distance. A Han girl is both chaste and brave, so why would she be afraid of the wind and sand?

I hope the time these daughters buy can help Your Majesty escape.