Chapter 838 Zhao Sanniu and Ruan Mingzhu Escape
In early winter, the grass and trees wither and turn yellow.
Zhao Sanniu and Ruan Mingzhu lay prone in the grass, carefully observing the movements ahead.
“There are twelve people patrolling this western line. They turn back at the river mouth and return about fifteen minutes later,” Nguyen Minh Chau said in a low voice. “Can we cross this border in fifteen minutes?”
Zhao Sanniu shook his head: "It's possible, but there are watchtowers in the distance. If we appear on horseback, we'll be spotted. We can only move at night."
Nguyen Minh Chau nodded, and the two quietly left the meadow and entered a small grove in the distance, where two horses were tethered to small trees and grazing.
Zhao Sanniu took out the dry food and water bottle, and he and Ruan Mingzhu each ate a few bites to fill their stomachs.
Neither of them were the type to stay still, and they grew increasingly impatient while waiting. However, they knew they couldn't rush things, so they patiently waited for nightfall.
Finally, dusk slowly fell, and lights came on at the garrison.
Zhao Sanniu and Ruan Mingzhu led their horses, moving very quietly as they slowly approached the river mouth to the west.
Before we even got close, we saw a group of Western Rong people carrying large buckets to fetch water from the river, muttering something in a foreign language.
As soon as the group left with their buckets, another group arrived shortly afterward. Their buckets contained mutton and beef, and they squatted by the river, carefully washing them.
Several large buckets of meat, I don't know how long it will take to wash them like this.
Ruan Mingzhu handed the reins to Zhao Sanniu and whispered, "I'll go check what's going on over there."
She was petite and seemed to disappear as she lay in the grass, slowly moving toward the main group. Although she couldn't understand the Xirong language, she could tell what they were doing. She glanced around and quickly turned back.
"It seems they've plundered a wealthy town of the Yuezhi tribe and are celebrating," she said in a low voice. "They've lit a bonfire over there; I reckon they'll be making a ruckus all night. We probably won't be able to leave tonight."
People come and go here, and the sound of their horses' hooves could alert the garrison. If that alerts them, we're doomed.
Zhao Sanniu pursed his lips: "I don't know what the situation is with my mother yet. Every day we wait is another day of danger. We must leave Xirong tonight and reach the garrison in Beijiang tomorrow."
“Well—” Nguyen Minh Chau’s eyes darted around, “Since they’re so happy, why not give them a little push?”
The two exchanged a glance, and a plan was quickly devised.
The Xirong Kingdom has a garrison of about five or six thousand men, located at the border of the Xirong, Dayu, and Yuezhi kingdoms. They occasionally have minor skirmishes with the Dayu Kingdom, and frequently send a thousand-man force to raid the Yuezhi Kingdom for food. The Yuezhi Kingdom is too weak, and they can return fully loaded about eight out of ten times.
After each time they returned with a bunch of good stuff, they would celebrate wildly.
The bonfire blazed high, the wine was fragrant, and the beef and mutton were tender and juicy. Thousands of people sang and danced in celebration at the camp.
"The Yuezhi tribe is too poor; they have nothing of value left."
"If I could go to the Great Yu Kingdom and plunder it, I don't know how awesome that would be."
"The west of the Great Yu Kingdom is not rich, but the east is incredibly wealthy. Once our Western Rong cavalry breaches the gates of the Great Yu Kingdom, all those good things will be ours."
"Hahaha, that day will come sooner or later. Come on, let's drink and eat!"
As the group was lost in their thoughts, suddenly, flames shot into the western sky, turning half of the horizon red.
"Boss, something terrible has happened! The granary is on fire!"
"Help! The fire is burning! The grain supplies are going to burn!"
"Damn, how could it possibly catch fire..."
The soldiers of the Western Rong had no time to drink or eat meat; they all grabbed buckets and basins to fetch water to put out the fire.
Amidst the chaos, Zhao Sanniu and Ruan Mingzhu rode their horses swiftly along the western path towards the territory of the Dayu Kingdom.
"Someone deliberately set the fire!"
"Don't let them get away, chase them!"
"Are they from the Great Yu Kingdom or the Yuezhi tribe? How dare they trespass into the territory of the Western Rong? Damn them, kill them all!"
The soldiers of the Western Rong Kingdom quickly assembled into a squad of a hundred and chased after Zhao Sanniu and Ruan Mingzhu.
They both knew that no matter what method they used to return to the Great Yu Kingdom via this route, it would alert the garrison. Neither of them dared to look back, and they kicked their horses' bellies with all their might, urging them to charge forward recklessly. Once they reached the territory of the Great Yu Kingdom, the Western Rong would become more subdued...
The pursuers are getting closer and closer.
"Ruan Cheng, you go quickly, I'll cover the rear!"
Zhao Sanniu pulled on the reins, and his horse instantly fell behind by a step.
He reached into the bundle and started rummaging through things.
Ruan Mingzhu gritted her teeth: "If we're going to leave, we'll leave together. I also have things that Aunt Wanwan prepared!"
She had already moved the items to her waist. She reached down and pulled out a bomb with a fuse. She bit off the fuse and threw it without hesitation.
"Bang!"
With a deafening roar, people and horses were thrown about, and many people from the Western Rong Kingdom were blown away.
Ruan Mingzhu was incredulous. This thing was far too powerful. How did Aunt Wanwan make it?
Zhao Sanniu was also stunned. He thought this thing was similar to throwing stones, and whoever it hit would be unlucky and injured. He never expected it could blow up a large number of people.
He immediately gained confidence, took out two at the same time, bit off the fuses, and threw them out.
"Bang bang bang!"
The loud explosions continued. The cavalry of the Western Rong Kingdom had never seen such a sight before. A large number of soldiers were killed in front, and those behind dared not approach any further.
"Hmph, you little punks!" Ruan Mingzhu curled her lips smugly. "Let's see if we can't blow you up! Come on, come on again!"
Zhao Sanniu pulled on the reins: "Don't waste time with them, let's go!"
Nguyen Minh Chu knew she couldn't linger here, since the enemy had five or six thousand men, and even if she threw all the bombs, she couldn't kill that many.
The two turned their horses around and continued on their way.
The Western Rong cavalry were furious. Their granaries had been burned and they had lost at least forty or fifty men. How could they let them go so easily?
"Archers, prepare!"
At a command, hundreds of cavalrymen drew their bows and arrows from their backs, the arrowheads ignited, and fired in unison at the backs of Zhao Sanniu and Ruan Mingzhu.
A hundred arrows were fired simultaneously, accompanied by fierce flames. Even if they were inaccurate, at least one arrow would hit the target.
Nguyen Minh Chu's horse let out a miserable cry and collapsed to the ground.
An arrow struck the horse's rump, its mane caught fire, and the horse neighed in pain on the ground.
Zhao Sanniu reached out to Ruan Mingzhu, who had fallen to the ground, and said, "Get on the horse quickly!"
Nguyen Minh Chu took his hand and sat down in front of him with a flip.
Zhao Sanniu was in charge of urging the horse forward at full speed, while she kept rummaging through her bundle. Now that they were quite far away, throwing bombs would be a waste, so she took out smoke grenades and threw ten at once. Instantly, smoke filled the air. The darkness combined with the smoke was enough to impair visibility. Once the people of the Western Rong Kingdom could no longer see them, their flaming arrows lost their aim and fell to the side...
"Aunt Wanwan's things are amazing! If we used them in the army, we'd never have to worry about defeating those bastards from the Western Rong!" Ruan Mingzhu exclaimed in amazement, then paused, "Zhao Jingyu, why does this horse seem to be getting slower and slower? Don't think the Western Rong will give up chasing us. Speed up..."
“Ruan Cheng…” Zhao Sanniu suddenly gasped, “Quickly grab the reins, I…I can’t take it anymore…”
What do you mean by "it's no longer working"?
Ruan Mingzhu turned around and saw Zhao Sanniu falling backward.
She quickly grabbed his arm and pulled him back. As she did so, her hand became wet. She quickly touched his back and found two arrows sticking out of it.
The fire on the arrow had gone out, but the clothes were almost completely burned off, and blood was gushing out...
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