After Grain Rain, it won’t be long before the Beginning of Summer comes.

At this time of year in Shuojing, it should be raining non-stop. But in Jiuchuan, the desert is endless and the summer heat is already here. The sun is long and hot, and the soldiers' lips are dry and cracked.

The fighting was extremely fierce.

After the victory in the first battle, He Yan led the Suyue Army to fight the Wutuo people several times in the past month. The Wutuo people suffered repeatedly at the hands of Wu'an Hou, and gradually realized that Wu'an Hou was definitely not an incompetent person who was lucky enough to be in office. Her exquisite deployment of troops, her bravery in battle, and even her proficiency in swordsmanship reminded the Wutuo people of the legendary General Feihong.

The same is true.

After several rounds of fighting, He Yan roughly understood the combat style of the Wutuo people and began to counterattack. She was very patient and was not in a hurry to attack the city. She only used the tactics of "defending when the enemy came, chasing when the enemy left; showing off the troops during the day, and attacking their camp at night". The Wutuo people could not stand such frequent "harassment". For a long time, their morale was low, they were frustrated and tired, and they were losing more and more.

Today is the time to attack the city.

A woman in red armor rode a sturdy horse on the battlefield, with flags and drums shaking the sky and swords flashing. The soldiers followed her command like a swift dragon, rushing towards the enemy camp with a murderous aura.

Her sword is unstoppable.

The two armies fought, and the land was covered with blood.

Xiao Mai was fighting with a Wutuo strongman. Although he was young and strong, he was not as good as Shitou in terms of skills. At this moment, he was trying his best. Suddenly, he kicked the knee of the man in front of him. The man staggered. Xiao Mai took this opportunity to cut his neck with a knife.

The opponent fell down, and he was relieved. Before he could smile happily, he was suddenly thrown to the ground by someone and rolled twice on the ground. Xiao Mai's heart tightened, and he subconsciously raised his head and saw Shitou holding him, with his back blocking him. A black arrow had penetrated his back, with only a little feather exposed.

Shitou's lips moved, but he only had time to say two words: "Be careful."

Another arrow pierced his back.

The young man spat out a mouthful of blood, "...Go!"

"Brother--" Xiao Mai cried out in grief. Seeing this, Wang Ba on the other side raised his sword and rushed towards the two Uto archers who were ambushing in the dark, and fought with them.

The always smiling and lively boy was now full of panic, with tears falling down his face. He knelt down beside him and shouted, "Brother, don't scare me, brother..."

Shitou looked at his younger brother in front of him with great effort. Two arrows hit him in the chest. His strength was slipping away little by little. The battlefield was so chaotic and Xiaomai was in great danger.

"Let's go... don't stay here..." He said with difficulty, "It's dangerous..."

Then the light in his eyes went out.

Xiao Mai let out a painful howl, but unfortunately, this was a battlefield and no one paid attention to his sadness at the moment.

Death happens everywhere and at any time.

Huang Xiong's armor had been chopped to pieces, and he also had many wounds on his body and face. He was already quite old, so he was more than capable of dealing with ordinary thieves, but it was a bit difficult for him to deal with these tough and cunning Wutuo people.

The Wutuo people in front of him were struggling with him. He was stabbed in the palm of his hand, and his flesh and blood were blurred. When he held the knife, he felt a piercing pain and his strength gradually drained away. Even the golden knife that had been in his hand for many years became extremely heavy, as if it was difficult to swing.

His fatigue was seen by the other party, and the Uto laughed and said, "It's no good, this big guy is no good!"

Perhaps because of his majestic appearance and the particularly eye-catching golden sword, the Utuo people paid close attention to him and shouted, "This sword belongs to me!"

Huang Xiong said in a deep voice: "Dream."

He held a big knife in his hand and chopped at the opponent's blade. At this moment, he suddenly felt a chill on his back. A long, sharp knife pierced through his chest from behind, causing him to stagger.

The Uto people behind him burst into laughter.

However, the smile was only halfway through when the bear-like man shouted loudly, turned around abruptly, and regardless of the wounds on his body, he raised the big knife in his hand and chopped off the head of the Wutu man behind him in an instant. The smug laughter on the other side also stopped abruptly when a ray of golden light took his life.

The armor on his body was completely pierced by the tip of the knife. He grasped the handle of the knife and pulled it out violently. The moment he pulled it out, he finally couldn't hold on and fell to the ground.

In his hand, he still held the golden-backed broadsword tightly.

For so many years, he had been exiled because of this sword, but it was also this sword that accompanied him to travel thousands of miles and kill his enemies. Now he was alone, without any worries, and before he died, he had only this close friend who had been with him for many years to accompany him, so it was not a regret.

only……

The sturdy man looked up at the sky, the Buddhist beads on his chest were warm and dark. He vaguely saw his mother praying tenderly in front of the Buddhist temple for her son who was far away to return soon. His sisters were preparing steaming hot meals, and his brother was asking his little nephew about the lessons he had just learned in the yard...

So peaceful, so comfortable.

He closed his eyes in peace, his expression more peaceful than ever before.

The prodigal son had been wandering for so long, and now, at last, he could return home.

…

The city was broken.

Armours were laid down, bones were exposed in the fields. Soldiers cheered for this hard-won victory, and every survivor had a happy smile on his face.

The leading woman was full of energy and did not look tired at all. She was always like this, as if she would never show any weakness. It was because of her presence that the morale of the Yue army would become stronger day by day.

The Wutuo people were defeated and had to abandon the city and flee. Thus, Jiuchuan was finally recaptured by the Wei Dynasty.

There was still blood on He Yan's face that she hadn't wiped off in time. Just as she was about to count the results of the battle, she saw Wang Ba walking towards her with a serious expression.

The smile on her lips disappeared immediately.

"Come and have a look," he said.

In the wars that have been going on for days, people have been dying continuously. The men from Liangzhouwei finally realized that this time was different from every time before. The war made them grow up quickly, and made them taciturn, firm and calm. Wang Ba was no longer the man who used to shout and yell. He had been much calmer these days.

He Yan followed him and walked forward.

Soldiers who died in battle could only be buried on the spot, while the surviving soldiers checked them one by one to see if they had any keepsakes. If they could find any, they would return to Shuojing and give them to their families. Before each soldier went to the battlefield, most of them had a letter on their body. If they died in battle, their comrades would bring the letters back to their families.

He Yan saw Shitou and Huang Xiong.

She understood long ago that when a person goes to the battlefield, he cannot decide his own life or death. The moment he puts on the armor, he is ready to sacrifice his life. Those who survive to the end are not very lucky, and they will inevitably watch their comrades around them leave one by one.

First it was Hongshan, now it is Shitou and Huang Xiong.

Shitou was shot with an arrow, the arrow was pulled out, and the shirt on his chest was stained red. Huang Xiong was killed by a knife, and it was said that he died with the two Wutuo people. When he was finally found, he was still holding the knife tightly in his hand.

He Yan half-knelt down in front of the two of them and carefully tidied up their clothes that were shredded.

Xiaomai cried until she was hoarse, her eyes were red. He Yan still remembered the first time she met Shitou and Xiaomai. The hunter brothers who grew up in the mountains told her about their ambition to join the army. Xiaomai was lively and innocent, greedy and playful, while Shitou was taciturn, steady and careful.

The war changed all that.

A soldier asked: "Sir, Brother Huang's knife..."

Such a good knife, if used on the battlefield, would also be eye-catching.

"He has no family. This knife is his family. It has been with him for so many years. Let it be buried with him." He Yan looked at the man on the ground, the old man who could not tell the direction and was lost wandering around. Seeing the calm smile on his face, he thought that he had found his way home.

She stood up, her grief only lasting a moment, and then she said, "Tell them to come to my tent, and we will discuss the war."

Take firm steps and never look back.

…

As if to celebrate the victory of regaining Jiuchuan, the moon came out late at night.

The woman in the tent put the last stroke on the map, rubbed her eyes, stood up and walked out.

She climbed up the city tower and looked into the distance. Outside the city, there was a vast expanse of yellow sand. In the distance, beacon fires reflected the Changping ground. The Gobi Desert was desolate, and the white city tower stood here like a lone boat in the deep sea.

A crescent moon hung in the night sky, temporarily illuminating the desolateness.

She sat down on the ground and her stomach growled slightly. She realized that she had not eaten a single bite since the end of the war.

A dry biscuit was handed over to He Yan. She was slightly startled. Jiang Jiao came over from behind and sat down next to her. He said, "I knew you probably didn't eat it, so I specially left it for you."

He Yan smiled slightly: "Thank you."

She took a bite of the dry biscuit, and the coarse food filled her stomach, bringing her real satisfaction.

Jiang Jiao handed her the water bottle, and she raised her head and took a big sip, with a cheerful attitude. Her face was still covered with mud and blood, and she looked particularly wolfish, but her eyes were still as bright as stars.

He suddenly felt a little emotional.

In the Fuyue army, everyone said that He Yan was born brave, a master of military tactics, and never tired. Even the men needed to rest after this great battle. However, she had not changed her clothes or eaten any dry food since she left the battlefield, counting the results of the battle, arranging the command of the next pursuit, and re-analyzing the enemy situation. Only at this moment, sitting on the ground on the empty city tower, did she reveal a little bit of her own fatigue.

He heard He Yan's voice: "How's Xiao Mai?"

"Not so good, Wang Ba has been with him all the time." Jiang Jiao's voice became low.

Half of the Liangzhou Wei brothers have already left. No one can say for sure who will be the next to leave, and who will be able to reach the end and return to Shuojing alive.

He Yan raised his head and took a sip of water, his voice still calm, "We have to get him out quickly."

These words sounded cruel, but Jiang Jiao knew in his heart that this was a battlefield, and the battlefield would not give people time to be sad.

Although He Yan didn't cry, it didn't mean she wasn't sad. After all, she was a woman, and she must have felt powerless staying here alone, watching the people around her leave one by one.

"Brother He," Jiang Jiao asked, "Do you want to be the governor?"

He was answered by silence.

After a while, He Yan raised his head and looked towards the distance of the city tower.

In the lonely desert, there is only the silver crescent moon, hanging quietly in the night.

"No." She raised the corners of her mouth slightly, as if she saw another person through the crescent moon in front of her.

"I know he is there."

The sound of crows came from afar. The cold wind at night made the torches flicker like stars. The young female general stood up and patted the shoulder of someone beside her: "Go back early. There is another tough battle tomorrow."

turned and left.

…

It had been raining in Ji County for several days, and the rain washed away the mud and blood on the ground. If it were not for the scattered weapons and corpses, the soldiers would not have been able to tell that a fierce battle had just taken place here.

In the tent, the man in linen clothes looked at the commander sitting in the tent and said angrily: "Yan Nanguang, you want to die!"

The last white robe he wore was eventually cut into strips of cloth. From then on, he walked around the camp of the Yan Family Army wearing the linen clothes that ordinary people wore. And now, the young master of the Lin Family no longer looked elegant and graceful. For ten out of the twelve hours a day, his face was dirty and his hands were stained with blood.

The war is getting more and more intense, the number of wounded soldiers is increasing, and there are not enough military doctors. But he is the most powerful and reassuring one here.

But now, only Lin Shuanghe himself knows how uneasy he feels.

Yan He ignored him and just frowned as he counted the results of last night's battle. Last night, the Yan army defeated the Wutuo people, killed 10,000 enemies, and captured more than a thousand horses. It was a good thing enough to celebrate.

"Yan Nanguang, did you hear what I said?" Lin Shuanghe asked anxiously.

"I heard it." Yan He replied impatiently.

"Then do you know that you are in danger now!" Lin Shuanghe lowered his voice, "You will die!"

That day, Yan He rescued the father of a son and daughter from the Wutuo people, but was shot by an arrow from the Wutuo people. The arrow did not hit his vital parts but only stabbed his arm. However, the arrow was directed at him in the first place and was coated with poison.

Lin Shuanghe couldn't cure the poison.

There were no medicinal herbs on the battlefield that could help him slowly develop an antidote.

The poison spreads more and more day by day. If the antidote is not found soon, Yan He will die. However, the poison in his wounds has spread faster and deeper due to the fighting in recent days, which makes Lin Shuanghe's heart throb. If Yan He can temporarily put aside the war, the poison will spread more slowly and he may be able to hold on longer, but now, if it continues like this, maybe... he will not be able to wait until he returns to Shuojing.

"Have you developed an antidote?" Yan He asked with a frown.

Lin Shuanghe was startled and answered bluntly: "No."

"Since we're all going to die, why bother yourself so much?" Yan He said disapprovingly.

He didn't seem to care at all, as if he was talking about someone else's life. He didn't even seem to be worried about it. Lin Shuanghe asked, "Do you really want to continue like this?"

"Lin Shuanghe, we are on the battlefield." Yan He said solemnly, "We have won many victories in recent days. The morale of the Wutuo people has been greatly damaged. If we continue, we will soon be able to take back Ji County. At this time, we must strike while the iron is hot. If we don't take it down in one fell swoop when the morale is at its highest, it will be difficult to wait for this opportunity in the future. On the battlefield, there is no time to stop."

Lin Shuanghe closed his eyes.

He knew that what Yan He said was right and true. But as a doctor, he knew that if he continued like this, the glimmer of hope would become completely impossible.

"You have to know..." He began with difficulty, "If you continue like this without stopping to rest, it will only take at most... three months."

"March," Yan He said, "Then finish this battle within March."

Until now, he was still thinking about the outcome of this battle. Lin Shuanghe couldn't help but said, "Even if you don't care, don't you want to think about Chengxiu? Yan Nanguang, your child is still waiting for you to come back!"

Yan He's fingers trembled slightly, but his face remained calm. He said nonchalantly, "Since you know, go and develop an antidote for me. Otherwise, what's the point of you coming here? Since you are a miracle doctor, can you only treat women and not men?"

Under normal circumstances, when Lin Shuanghe heard such words questioning his medical skills, he would definitely step forward to argue, but now, he just looked at Yan He, and suddenly understood in his heart that even if the man in front of him knew that he only had one day to live, he would use this last day to be a good general.

On the battlefield, he is not Xia Chengxiu's husband, nor is he Yan Mucha's father. He is the leader of the Yan family army and the general of the Great Wei, that's all.

"I understand." Lin Shuanghe looked at him deeply, "I will do my best."

He turned and walked out. In front of the table, Yan He raised his eyes, looked at Lin Shuanghe's back, and suddenly vomited a ball of black blood.

The poison would not only cause him to lose his life, but also make him suffer from torment and pain. However, this could not be revealed in front of others. The Yan family army needed a backbone, and he must never fall before winning this battle.

Yan He casually grabbed a towel and wiped the blood from the corner of his lips. He put away his painful expression and looked back at the military defense map in front of him.

Three months...

He had to act quickly.

…

In the academy, pink buds began to emerge on the emerald lotus leaves in the pond. Dragonflies flew over the water, their glass-like wings drawing a faint ripple.

After the beginning of summer, the days become longer and the wind brings the warm sunlight.

In the afternoon in the school, the sun was shining brightly and the teenagers were dozing off while sitting. Good times always last a long time.

Someone ran in from outside, jumped onto the table with joy and excitement, and said in one breath: "Good news, good news, the Yue army led by Lord Wu'an Hou He has recaptured Jiuchuan and defeated the Wutuo thieves--"

The originally dull afternoon was suddenly awakened by this news.

"Really? Did they take back Jiuchuan so quickly?"

"It's true. It's all over the place! I just came back from outside."

"That Marquis Wu'an was really powerful. The four generals sent out their troops separately, but it was the Suyue Army led by a woman that took the city first."

"So what if she's a woman? Wasn't the original leader of the Suyue Army, General Feihong, also a woman? I think Marquis Wu'an is also a heroine. Who knows, after returning to the capital, the emperor may appoint her as a high official, and she may become General Wu'an in the future!"

In the corner of the school, a young man was sitting with a dazed look in his eyes. He was still a little bit unbelieving when he heard the letter.

He Yan won? Has he taken back Jiuchuan?

Just as I was thinking about it, a group of people surrounded me.

"He Yunsheng, your sister is amazing. She has achieved great success so quickly! I think your He family will continue to rise in the future."

"Hey, He, Brother He, from today on, we are good brothers. Whenever you become successful in the future, don't forget to mention me."

"Bah! All of you were talking behind his back, saying that Lord He was just relying on Governor Xiao's help and that you have no real ability. Now you've all been slapped in the face! Lord He went to Jiuchuan alone with his troops, but he reported victory earlier than General Yan, Governor Xiao, and General Hu Wei. This shows that he is really capable."

"Yes, yes, yes, you are really capable. It's my fault that I didn't recognize the real thing. Brother Yunsheng, Brother Yunsheng..."

He Yunsheng was surrounded by people, but was not overwhelmed by the enthusiastic compliments from his classmates. He only had one thought in his mind: He Yan won, and she was safe...

The young man turned his head slightly, and couldn't help but curl up the corners of his mouth. He thought, she has kept her promise this time.

…

The pomegranate tree in the Xiao Mansion became the best place to provide shade in summer.

The yellow dog lay under the tree, squinting lazily. Qingmei filled its water tank with water, wiped the sweat off her forehead, and was about to go back to the house when a shadow suddenly jumped in from outside, saying cheerfully, "Sister Qingmei, Sister Qingmei!"

Qingmei was startled. Seeing Baiguo running over like a gust of wind, she hurriedly supported her. "What's the matter? Why are you so happy?"

"I just went outside and heard people saying that the Second Young Master's wife won a battle and led the Vietnamese army to recapture Jiuchuan! Sister Qingmei, the Second Young Master's wife has made a great contribution!"

Ermao was also infected by Baiguo's excitement. He jumped up and circled around Baiguo twice.

Bai Rongwei came over with the help of her maid, her voice full of surprise: "Really?"

"It's true." Bai Guo said happily, "It is said that the Second Young Master's wife is very powerful. Although it was her first time leading troops alone, she won battles one after another and took back Jiuchuan so quickly. I heard from people that when the Second Young Master's wife comes back, the emperor will definitely reward her handsomely! Who knows, our family may produce another general!"

Bai Rongwei was amused by her and said angrily, "You are the only one who knows how to talk." Then he shook his head and smiled, "Rewards for meritorious service are not important. As long as Ah He is safe and sound, we will be happy."

Her belly is gradually bulging, but there is a war on the border, and Xiao Rubai is also very busy every day. When Bai Rongwei is alone, she can't help but worry about Xiao Jue and He Yan. It would be fine if they were both in the same place, so they could take care of each other, but they are in opposite directions. Xiao Jue is fine, as he is always on the battlefield, and the Southern Army was led by Xiao Zhongwu, but He Yan is different. It's her first time leading troops, and not everyone in the Yue army will be convinced. She is also a woman, so there are always many inconveniences. Bai Rongwei is worried to death, but now she can finally breathe a sigh of relief.

"I think Uncle He will be back soon." Bai Rong smiled and said, "If he knew that Ah He had won the battle, he would be very happy."

Since He Yan and Xiao Jue left Beijing, Bai Rongwei and Xiao Jing have been going to He Sui's house more often. First, the house that Xiao Jue bought for them was originally close to Xiao's house, just one street away, so it was convenient to go back and forth. Second, Bai Rongwei thought that if she, as a sister-in-law, was so worried, He Sui, as a father, must be even more worried. He Yunsheng was only a teenager of seventeen or eighteen years old, and he was not as caring as his daughter. Xiao Zhongwu and his wife passed away early, and He Sui was not only He Yan's father, but also their father. Therefore, the couple often went to talk to He Sui and accompany him to relieve his boredom. The in-laws were more harmonious than other families in Shuojing City.

"The eldest young master will be back soon," Bai Guo chirped, "Madam, since today is a happy occasion, I will ask the small kitchen to prepare some delicious dishes for us to celebrate!"

"Okay," Bai Rong said with a smile, "Qingmei, you should also go to the He family and ask Uncle He and Yunsheng to come over for dinner in the evening."

Qingmei smiled broadly upon hearing this, "Okay, I'll go right away."

…

Inside the palace, in the study, Emperor Zhaokang looked at the memorial in front of him and couldn't help but smile with satisfaction.

This is probably the happiest thing since I ascended the throne.

The eunuch looked at the expression on the emperor's face and said with a shrewd look, "The Empress Dowager came this morning, but Your Majesty is busy with government affairs, and it's already late."

Emperor Zhaokang stood up and said, "I will go see my mother."

In the Qinglan Palace, Concubine Lan, who should now be the Empress Dowager, was leaning on a couch reading a book. Although she was now the Empress Dowager, she did not move out of the palace and acted the same as before.

"Mother." Emperor Zhaokang walked closer and called her.

The Queen Mother put down the scroll in her hand, looked at the person in front of her, and smiled slightly: "Your Majesty seems to be in a good mood today. Are you happy about the good news from Jiuchuan?"

Emperor Zhaokang finally showed his genuine joy in front of his mother and said with a smile: "Of course, I didn't expect that Marquis Wu'an would be so brave and brave, even better than Yan He and Xiao Huaijin, and would be the first to capture the city!"

Although he originally gave the military power to He Yan, it was mostly for Xiao Jue's sake. He had only heard of He Yan's abilities, but he didn't know how good she was at leading troops in battle. Now, the good news finally put his mind at ease. This woman was even better than he had imagined.

"It seems that the emperor still underestimated her a few days ago and did not think that Marquis Wu'an could really fight on the battlefield." The empress dowager understood.

Emperor Zhaokang was a little embarrassed, "I just didn't expect that there would be another woman like General Feihong in the world."

The "Feihong General" at that time was one in ten thousand. It was a pity to see such a talent disappear. But now, there is another lucky general. Who can not say that this is God's blessing on the Wei Dynasty?

"I have already told you," the Queen Mother said softly, "Don't look down on women. There are tens of thousands of women in the Wei Dynasty. Who knows there will be a third or fourth Feihong general?"

"That's what my mother taught me."

"Marquis Wu'an is a pure-minded and upright person. Such a good minister is hard to come by. Since Your Majesty has met him, you must recruit him well. This time she has taken back Jiuchuan, which is a great achievement. The He family has no background. Your Majesty, have you thought about how to reward Marquis Wu'an?"

Emperor Zhaokang heard this and smiled, saying, "Don't worry about this, mother. I have already made up my mind. When she returns to the court, I will confer her the title of a true military commander. From now on, there will be a record of her in the history of the Wei Dynasty."

Just like General Feihong back then.