Chapter 322 West of Yumen
They rested all night and all day, and only when the sun set did He Zhaojun let them pack their bags and prepare to set out. They planned to take advantage of the cover of night to reach Yumen Pass on the border of Liangzhou.
It was only late July, but the nights were already very cold, the chill reaching their bones. Fortunately, Huhanye Chanyu was very familiar with the climate and had reminded them to prepare warm clothes early on.
The north wind was filled with moisture. He Zhaojun knew that this was a tributary of the Yellow River. If they continued walking at this speed for another night, they would see endless yellow sand.
"Shao Shang, don't fall asleep. How about I read a poem for you?" He Zhaojun wrapped Shao Shang tightly in fox fur and touched her cheek with her cool fingers.
Shao Shang groaned muffledly after a long while, clearly dozing off from exhaustion. She drowsily opened her eyes, but the sight before her shocked her so much that all her sleepiness vanished.
He Zhaojun's cold voice rang in her ears: "The Yellow River flows far away, a patch of white clouds, a lonely city on a thousand-foot mountain; why complain about the Qiang flute, the willows and spring breeze, but it won't pass the Yumen Pass... Shaoshang, hold on a little longer, we'll be there soon."
Shao Shang, surprised, reached out from his cloak, braving the cold wind, and put the telescope to his eyes, peering carefully: "Good poem, good poem! Is it the custom of Yumen Pass to release Kongming lanterns?"
"What kind of Kongming lantern is this?" He Zhaojun wondered. She took a telescope and took a closer look, but was shocked. "How can this be a Kongming lantern? It's a torch used by the Northern Huns when they attacked the city!"
"Report! Zhizhi Chanyu attacked Yumen at night! General Huo is in critical condition!" The spy in front reported back as promised, and Shao Shang couldn't help but grab He Zhaojun's clothes tightly.
Everyone dismounted, and the leaders quickly gathered around. "Yumen Pass is strategically located, and the walls are strong, but the cavalry commanded by Chanyu Zhizhi are highly skilled in archery. Long-range archers pose a significant threat to the defenders. If a gap is formed, they could be exploited."
Wen Ziduan frowned and said, "Are there other cities nearby? I'll go get reinforcements. With my status and speed, I should be there by daybreak."
Huhanye Chanyu shook his head repeatedly, "Absolutely not. The closest pass to Yumen Pass is Jiayu Pass. Not only is the journey long during the day and support is insufficient, but at night, wolves stalk the area, and the road is difficult. Even I wouldn't be able to leave safely at night."
"I will lead the charge. I hope the Third Prince will give me a written order and I will go to Jiuquan and Jiayuguan to request troops!" Shao Shang didn't care about all this. She couldn't allow herself to see Zisheng in danger and do nothing.
He Zhaojun stopped her, a mad and dangerous plan forming in her mind. He Zhaojun sighed, "Shao Shang, could you please go with Huhanye Chanyu and enter Yumen Pass first? Have General Huo personally guard the leftmost crenel. If you see the light signal, immediately lower the rope."
No one knew what He Zhaojun was going to do, except Wen Ziduan, who looked solemn. He Zhaojun then turned to Huhanye Chanyu and said, "Please tell me the exact location where the wolves will appear."
"What are you going to do?" Huhanye Chanyu shook his head repeatedly. He thought this plan was extremely crazy.
He Zhaojun smiled. "When I killed Hu Yanju, Long Feibai had concocted a drug that could drive animals crazy upon sniffing it. I used this method to tamper with Hu Yanju's mount, so that he could be beheaded by a mere silk thread."
She climbed onto her horse and smiled at Tihoushan, "You said your brother Zhizhi Chanyu's men were all extremely brave. I wonder how they would fare if they encountered a pack of wolves?"
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