Historically, this city has changed hands frequently in several surrounding countries.

Yin Jin'an wasn't in a hurry at all about attacking Blackwater City tomorrow.

The army was stationed by the Blackwater Lake. Zhang Xiangshan came with the supply battalion, which now also used horse-drawn carriages, so their speed was not very slow.

We set up camp by the lake, built a simple shed, and worked together to collect pebbles and bricks to build a stove.

Yin Jin'an and Gu Bahuang, along with other generals, discussed battle plans in their tents, while Jiutian followed Zhang Xiangshan and others to gather firewood and cook.

She happily gathered firewood by the water's edge, constantly glancing at the lake to see if there were any fish.

There was no fresh fish or meat in the dry rations we brought. If there were fish in the lake, we could catch a few to make soup for my second uncle.

Because of the war, the fields near Blackwater Lake were abandoned, and the crops were overgrown with weeds. No one took care of them, and the crops were swallowed up by the weeds.

It's mid-April (lunar calendar) now. Beans and soybeans ripen in June. Zhang Xiangshan held Jiutian's little hand and said, "Let's go to the field to find beans and soybeans. The green soybeans should be ready to eat."

Five members of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry immediately stepped forward and silently followed behind Jiutian.

When Zhang Xiangshan saw them following Jiutian, he belatedly realized that Jiutian was no longer the little Taoist priest she once was, but the most noble princess of Qi.

He stammered, "Princess, I'm sorry..."

Jiutian said with a grin, "Stop calling me princess, let's hurry up and find the beans."

The weeds in the field were very tall, and the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry were not very good at agriculture. Zhang Xiangshan knew this, and soon he happily called out, "Princess, Princess, come here quickly."

A large patch of miscellaneous rice seedlings. Jiutian got excited and asked, "Can all of these be eaten?"

Zhang Xiangshan pointed to the pea pods on a large clump of pea plants and said to Jiutian, "These are all edible. I'll pick them for you."

He picked pea pods, and Jiutian also started picking them. Several members of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry silently went forward to pick them, and soon they had picked a large handful.

Zhang Xiangshan then pointed to the intertwined mung beans and red beans, saying that they were also delicious and that making soup with them could relieve the summer heat.

The group picked a lot of beans, and finally found some soybeans, but they weren't fully grown yet, so it was a pity to pick them.

Just as they were struggling with this, they suddenly heard the rapid clatter of hooves ahead, followed by someone saying "Hey!" and then shouting "Help! Help!" It was a woman's voice.

The group stood up and saw a girl and a boy on horseback fleeing in a sorry state on the path ahead, pursued by five or six fierce Liao soldiers, who were carrying arrows on their shoulders and brandishing ring-bladed swords.

Zhang Xiangshan wasn't carrying any weapons, but he couldn't bear to watch the Liao army kill civilians, so he picked up two bricks at random.

The Tiger and Leopard Cavalry followed Jiutian expressionlessly.

Their goal is to protect the Nine Heavens; the lives of others are none of their concern.

However, Zhang Xiangshan's two broken bricks were no match for the Liao army; throwing them would have been suicide.

Jiutian pulled Zhang Xiangshan back.

Zhang Xiangshan looked at her and said anxiously in a low voice, "Princess, those are Liao bandits, you should go back quickly."

"You go back too."

"Sigh, let's go quickly..." Zhang Xiangshan was conflicted. He felt guilty for not helping, but Jiutian's safety was more important.

The group turned and ran. Jiutian secretly made a hand seal and placed a taboo on the two civilians, preventing the Liao soldiers from getting any closer.

She held Zhang Xiangshan's hand, took the bean pods she had picked, and whispered, "Go back quickly, don't look, and don't go near."

Zhang Xiangshan looked at her suspiciously. Jiutian's safety was of utmost importance, so the five Tiger and Leopard Cavalry guards escorted them back.

Back at the camp, Zhang Xiangshan and Jiutian dropped the beans and immediately went to report to Gu Bahuang and Yin Jin'an that Liao soldiers were chasing two civilians.

"Second Uncle, the Liao army and those two girls are probably in cahoots. They came out to find out about us."

Zhang Xiangshan said, "A girl and a boy."

Jiutian said with certainty, "That boy was also a girl. What woman would walk on foot in the wilderness? Besides, how could six Liao soldiers not capture two women? It's obviously an act."

Just then, the two girls carrying bundles ran to the camp, but were stopped by the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry at the outer perimeter: "Girls, please take a detour!"

The woman dressed as a boy smiled and said, "My name is Zhao Qiaoqiao. I went to Lingzhou to seek refuge with relatives, but I was robbed by the Liao army. May I rest for the night near your camp? I promise I will not enter your camp."

She wasn't very tall, but she had a fair, smooth, rosy, and translucent face, and her hair was as shiny as black lacquer.

But her clothes were tight-fitting, revealing a full bust and a waist as slender as a willow branch.

She was a noble lady, generous and independent, with bright, expressive eyes.

She exudes a bewitching aura, possessing a captivating charm that makes any man's mouth dry at first glance.