Chapter 56 Counterattack: What I've Never Wanted Is the Throne

The northern night was bitterly cold, the wind biting like a knife. Jia Xuanyu, with only one arm, rode his horse under the moonlight to the Northern Di camp.

At the camp gate, the Left Wise King Wanyan Lie had been waiting for a long time, a meaningful smile on his rugged face.

"The Third Prince is indeed true to his word." Wanyan Lie patted Jia Xuanyu's shoulder, but his gaze fell on his empty right sleeve. "I just wonder, how can someone who can't even hold a sword steadily help my Northern Di take Phoenix Dance City?"

Jia Xuanyu's face was ashen as she took out a sheepskin map from her bosom and spread it out on the table. Under the candlelight, the markings on the map were clearly visible: "This is a defense map of Fengwu City and the surrounding hundred miles. The red marks are the intervals when the garrison changes shifts, with a three-quarters-hour gap at midnight every day; the blue marks are the entrances to secret passages that lead directly to the inner palace."

His single finger precisely traced several key locations: "At midnight three days from now, the garrison will change shifts, which will be the perfect opportunity. If we break through from here, we can reach the walls of Fengwu City within a day."

Wanyan Lie narrowed his eyes, his thick fingers stroking the map: "Why are you helping us? As far as I know, Jia Fengtian is your biological father."

“Father?” Jia Xuanyu sneered, his empty sleeves fluttering in the cold wind. “He doesn’t have a son like me.” His voice suddenly turned cold: “What I wanted was never the throne, but for all those who betrayed me to pay the price.” He met Wanyan Lie’s gaze. “So, what does the Left Wise King think of this good deal?”

A sharp glint flashed in Wanyan Lie's eyes. "Very good! Our fierce generals of the Northern Di will surely help the Third Prince achieve his wish!"

-

Under the same bright moon, the candlelight flickered in the study of the Eastern Palace. Jialuolin unfolded a secret letter, her brow furrowed. The letter had been sent urgently from the northern frontier three days ago, containing only a few words: "The Northern Barbarians are making strange moves; there may be unforeseen changes."

"Go and invite General Bai to see me immediately!" Galo Lin ordered without thinking too much.

Shortly after, Bai Lian's voice came from outside the door, "Your Highness!" She had removed her daytime military uniform and was only wearing a dark-colored casual dress, which made her look even more solemn.

Galo Lin pushed the secret letter in front of her. "What do you think of the news from the Northern Frontier?"

Bai Lian quickly scanned the letter, her fingertips pausing on the words "unusual activity in the Northern Barbarians": "Ever since Jia Xuanyu returned to Luoyang, the borders of the Northern Barbarians have been unusually quiet, which is unusual in itself."

She walked to the hanging military map and traced the route from the northern frontier to Luoyang with her finger: "If the Northern Barbarians really want to go south, they will definitely go through Luoyan Valley. The terrain there is treacherous, easy to defend and difficult to attack, making it a good place to set up an ambush."

“But we have no troops to deploy right now,” Galo Lin sighed. “The military power in Phoenix Dance City is entirely in the hands of the Imperial Guard Commander. My father has never given me any real power…”

A glint of light flashed in Bai Lian's eyes: "Does Your Highness still remember the light cavalry unit I was ordered to reorganize when I was in the Northern Frontier?"

Galorin suddenly looked up: "You mean... the Tiger Legion?"

“Exactly.” Bai Lian nodded. “The Tiger Legion has been officially disbanded, but three thousand of its elite troops have been stationed at Blackwater Village, which is located on the border between the northern frontier and the capital, under the guise of agricultural settlement troops. These are all veterans who have fought with me in the Northern Barbarians for many years and are most familiar with the Northern Barbarians’ tactics.”

Galorin stood up and paced around the study: "But mobilizing them requires a military tally..."

“No military tally is needed.” Bai Lian took out a bronze token from her bosom. “This is an ‘emergency mobilization order’ specially bestowed by His Majesty back then, which can be used to urgently mobilize all the garrison troops within 500 li of the border in the event of a foreign invasion.”

In the candlelight, the phoenix pattern on the token was clearly visible. Galo Lin stared at the token, finally making up his mind: "In that case, you shall immediately go to Blackwater Village in secret." He looked up at Bai Lian, his eyes filled with helplessness and worry, "I cannot travel with you, you... be careful."

"Your Highness, rest assured." Bai Lian put away the token. "I will depart tonight."

Bai Lian leaped onto her horse, whipped it, and galloped away, while Jia Luolin immediately set off for Jinyang Palace.

Inside Jinyang Palace, Jia Fengtian frowned deeply, his gaze intense. Just now, Jia Luolin had reported to him on the movements of the Northern Di. The source of all the variables pointed to one person: Jia Xuanyu.

"It seems I underestimated him." Jia Fengtian sighed. He had indeed been too confident in his control over Jia Xuanyu and underestimated the destructive power of a desperate criminal.

"Your subject believes that the deal between Jia Xuanyu and the Northern Di people is nothing more than this half of the country. Therefore, he will not kill Fengwu City."

“I’m afraid he doesn’t want anything, he just wants to perish together with everyone else.” Jia Fengtian stood up and walked to Jia Luolin’s side. Jia Luolin fell silent upon hearing this.

"Tell me, how do you intend to deal with this?" Jia Fengtian turned and asked.

"Your Majesty, I have already sent General Bai to Blackwater Village to gather three thousand elite troops from the Northern Frontier, so that we can defend the route along the Northern Barbarians as soon as possible. I hope Your Majesty will give the order to quickly deploy defenses in the city!" Galuo Lin clasped his hands in supplication.

Jia Fengtian nodded, "This time you will lead the troops in my stead, commanding ten thousand Imperial Guards to defend Fengwu City!"

"Your subject obeys! Furthermore, your subject has another request." Jia Luolin looked intently at Jia Fengtian, solemnly requesting permission, "The vast majority of the border troops guarding Luoyang have been dispatched to battle. Jia Xuanyu's alliance with the Northern Di at this time indicates he knows our forces are insufficient. Your subject thinks…"

"The Imperial Guards must not leave Phoenix Dance City!" Jia Fengtian immediately interrupted Jia Luolin's thoughts. "Phoenix Dance City is the location of our Jia clan's dragon vein. As for Luoyang City, let Bai Moyuan and his son guard it!"

But what could they use to defend it? Jialuolin stood there, unconsciously clenching his fists. He bowed slightly in greeting and strode out of Jinyang Palace.

-

After a night of driving, Bai Lian arrived at Blackwater Village. The commander, Cheng Huan, was her old subordinate. Upon seeing the token, he immediately mustered his troops and prepared for battle.

"General, the three thousand soldiers of the Tiger Warriors are ready to be deployed at any time!" Cheng Huan's voice was firm and powerful.

Bai Lian stood on the command platform, looking at the familiar faces below: "The Northern Barbarians are about to march south. We must ambush them at Luoyan Valley. Remember, this battle is a matter of life and death for Luoyang. Victory is the only option!"

She gave detailed instructions: "Cheng Huan, you take a thousand men to prepare for a fire attack on the cliff top; Zhao Qing, you take five hundred archers to ambush at the pass; the rest of you follow me to set up defenses at the valley entrance."

"How can the general be so sure that the Northern Barbarians will leave Luoyan Valley?" Cheng Huan asked.

Bai Lian's gaze was deep: "Because the person leading the way is Jia Xuanyu."

Bai Lian stood before the sand table, her finger lightly tracing the location of Luoyan Valley. The terrain here was treacherous, with steep cliffs on both sides, making it a crucial passage to Luoyang. As a shortcut for the Northern Di army, the narrow terrain made it difficult for a large army to deploy, making it an ideal location for an ambush.

Bai Lian's gaze never left the sand table: "Given Jia Xuanyu's character, having endured humiliation and hardship for so many years, he would never willingly be manipulated by others. He may appear to be surrendering, but he must be making moves in secret. If we set up an ambush here, he can use this opportunity to eliminate his rivals. If we don't, it won't affect his smooth passage."

Cheng Huan suddenly realized, "General Bai, then we'll split into two groups. I'll lead the attack to engage them and disperse the Northern Di army's firepower! You can pursue Jia Xuanyu with peace of mind!"

Bai Lian nodded. "Pass down the order: prepare for battle!"

The darkness before dawn is the deepest. Before the first rays of sunlight pierced the sky, the Northern Di cavalry had already pressed in like ghosts. Led by Jia Xuanyu, the 30,000 cavalrymen indeed galloped straight towards Luoyan Valley.

Iron hooves shattered the morning mist, raising clouds of dust. Jia Xuanyu led the way, controlling the reins with one arm, his black cloak fluttering in the wind. He gazed at the faint outline of Luoyang in the distance, a cold smile playing on his lips.

"Wait!" Jia Xuanyu dismounted and bowed slightly to Wanyan Lie. "Ahead lies a shortcut to Luoyang, but the road is narrow, and our troops may not be able to pass through all at once."

"If it's a shortcut, what are you still spouting nonsense about! Don't even think about slowing us down!" With that, Wanyan Lie, under the protection of an elite guard, hurriedly rushed towards Luoyan Valley.

However, as they entered Luoyan Valley, torches suddenly blazed atop both cliffs. Cheng Huan, clad in silver armor, stood atop the cliff, his longsword drawn, his clear, cold voice echoing through the valley: "Release!"

In an instant, oil poured down, followed by a hail of rockets. The valley was engulfed in flames, the Northern Di army's formation was thrown into chaos, warhorses neighed in terror, and soldiers screamed incessantly.

"We've fallen for their trap!" Wanyan Lie roared as he turned to face Jia Xuanyu, his eyes blazing with fury. "You dare to scheme against us?"

Jia Xuanyu's expression remained unchanged. He reined in his frightened warhorse with his single arm, a sinister smile spreading across his face: "I said everyone would pay the price. That naturally includes you!"

Wanyan Lie and several of his personal guards slowly burned to ashes in the firelight, while the remaining Northern Di soldiers reined in their horses at the valley entrance. Jia Xuanyu, at the head of the ranks, shouted, "Your king is dead! If you want to live, you must obey me! If we win the battle, Luoyang will still be yours!"

He dispatched two squadrons into the valley to continue the battle, then suddenly turned his horse around and led the army toward another road leading to Luoyang.

"As expected, let's give chase!" Bai Lian, who was prepared at the valley entrance, immediately led her troops in pursuit upon seeing this.

Outside the gates of Luoyang, Bai Ziyuan, having received the news, was already on high alert.

In Luoyang, the garrison was almost wiped out. The soldiers of the Bai family and all the able-bodied men in the city fought back. The people spontaneously organized themselves to help the defenders move logs and stones. Everyone wanted to do their part.

An elderly man with white hair shakily climbed the city wall and said to the general guarding the city, "General, we have lived here for generations. Even if it costs me my life, I will not let the northern barbarians trample on our homeland!"

The scene of soldiers and civilians united as one greatly boosted the morale of the defending troops, who vowed to live and die with Luoyang.

War drums thundered atop Luoyang city walls, and the iron hooves of the Northern Di army surged forth like a tidal wave. Although the ambush at Luoyan Valley had severely damaged several Northern Di vanguard units, the army still numbered over 20,000.

As Jia Xuanyu rode his horse, he was secretly delighted. He was certain to win this game!