Chapter 1081 Martyrdom
The sky is vast and blue, the wilderness boundless and expansive.
The wind blew across the grass, creating waves of green. The wind carried the fragrance of grass and soil, which was originally incredibly refreshing. But now, the wind was also swirling with a strong, pungent smell of blood, as if it could materialize at any moment, making people feel nauseous.
Even so, Shang Ruyi forced down the churning sensation in her throat and then swallowed the chewed dry biscuit.
Wo Xue, who was standing nearby, immediately offered a water pouch: "Your Highness, please have some water."
Shang Ruyi took the biscuit and gulped down two mouthfuls, finally managing to rinse the dry biscuit with water. However, she choked so much that her eyes rolled back. Wo Xue quickly reached out and gently patted her back twice, then rubbed her back to help her catch her breath. She finally caught her breath and waved her hand, saying, "Eat yours, don't worry about me."
Wo Xue nodded, but still just held the cake in her hands, looking at her without saying a word.
On the other hand, Green Silk was much more relaxed. She drank water and ate cakes, as if the dry cakes that could hurt her throat were no different from delicacies to her. After finishing, she washed her hands with water from her water bag, wiped her sideburns, and combed her somewhat messy hair neatly.
Even though she cared a lot about her appearance, after these past few days of turmoil, she didn't look good at all. Everyone here was covered in dirt, with messy hair and bloodshot eyes. Not to mention, Wo Xue had several wounds on her face, but she didn't care at all. She was too lazy to even apply medicine to these minor injuries, just letting the wounds bleed and scab over, leaving two scars on her forehead and chin.
Of course, this is already considered good.
Around them, on the mountaintops on both sides of the valley, the soldiers were exhausted. Some held biscuits in their hands and fell asleep while eating, while others could not eat anything at all. They were covered in wounds, and the blood flowing from their wounds flowed to the ground, staining the mountaintops with mottled bloodstains, as if the earth itself was also injured.
But in the valley below, the scene was utterly devastating.
Huyang Valley is a very narrow valley, originally only wide enough for one sheep to pass through, hence its name. Later, it was widened slightly by wind and rain and the passage of pedestrians. It is not a smooth road, but it is a vital passage. Passing through this valley, one can smoothly enter Fukou Pass. Therefore, although this place is not a strategic military location, it has played an extremely important role in several major battles throughout history.
Now, Shang Ruyi has sent people to guard this valley. There are guards inside the valley, and she and her men are fighting on the mountaintop with thunderstones and rolling logs. They have repelled several attacks by the enemy three days ago, but their casualties have been very heavy. Although Shang Ruyi brought well-trained heavy cavalry, they only used the advantage of heavy cavalry charges when they faced the enemy on the wide grassland outside Hu Yang Valley three days ago. After that, when guarding the valley, the advantage of cavalry was completely abandoned. If it weren't for the advantageous terrain of Hu Yang Valley, which is easy to defend and difficult to attack, they would not have been able to hold out for three days.
Of course, the other party didn't fare well either.
In their first encounter, these three hundred heavily armored cavalrymen dealt a heavy blow to the enemy. Shang Ruyi estimated that they killed at least eight hundred enemies. After three days of fierce fighting, the enemy was unable to advance any further. Both sides suffered losses, and the camp far outside the valley was now completely silent.
Shang Ruyi stood up and walked to the northeast corner of the mountaintop to look at the opposite side.
Because of the fierce fighting these past few days, they had cut down almost all the pine trees on the mountaintop and thrown down large rocks. The mountaintops on both sides were bare, offering an unobstructed view of the distance. However, because she had barely slept for the past few days and was feeling dizzy, her vision was somewhat blurred, and she could only vaguely make out the outline of the enemy camp.
Banners fluttered in the wind, and fortifications stood in imposing array.
Having accompanied Yuwen Ye on several military campaigns before, and having been influenced by her father since childhood, she had some understanding of military camps. She could tell that the enemy's camp was well-organized and disciplined. Although the attacks over the past few days had not yielded much benefit, there was no sign of defeat or disarray.
If she hadn't seen it with her own eyes, she would have found it hard to believe that such a large force was actually commanded by a female general.
"rare……"
Just as she sighed softly, a gentle voice came from behind her: "What did you say was rare?"
Shang Ruyi turned around and saw Lüxiao slowly walking up. She hadn't participated in the battle, but she had been climbing mountains and trees with them these past few days, getting all disheveled and exhausted. Yet, she still possessed an indescribable charm, and even the wisp of hair hanging down behind her head exuded a messy yet languid beauty.
Shang Ruyi smiled and said, "I was referring to the other side's general."
Mentioning that nameless yet awe-inspiring female general who stood before the two armies like a proud plum blossom in the cold, Green Silk's willow-leaf eyebrows furrowed slightly, then relaxed again, and she smiled calmly: "In this world, you can't be the only useful woman."
Shang Ruyi said, "I never said it was just me."
As she spoke, she sighed softly and groped her way to a large rock to sit down. This rock was stuck underground and had been dug out for a long time without success. Wo Xue cleaned the rock and laid a soft cushion on it for her to sit on. After Shang Ruyi sat down, she looked into the distance and murmured, "I wonder where Xiao Yuansui found such a powerful person."
Green Silk frowned again.
Shang Ruyi turned back to look at her again: "If possible, I really want you to help me find out."
Green Silk said, "If you really want to know, why don't you let me go?"
Shang Ruyi smiled and shook her head: "Not now."
"..."
"Although I don't have many people here, how to arrange them is an art. If you go over and say a few more words, the other side will know all my weaknesses. I'm afraid I won't be able to hold out tonight."
"..."
"So, I'm sorry, I'll have to keep you here for at least a few more days."
"..."
"But you can rest assured, if I really lose, I will definitely not kill you to vent my anger. When that time comes, you can go find Xiao Yuansui if you want."
She spoke of life and death with such nonchalance, causing Green Silk's expression to grow serious. After a long silence, she finally said, "This matter has nothing to do with you. You only need to use this place to go to Luoyang to find your Prince Qin. Why risk your life here?"
"..."
“You’re clearly not that kind of person.”
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi turned to look at her, a half-smile on her face, and said, "Oh? What kind of person am I, then what kind of person am I?"
Green Silk looked at her for a while and said, "You may die for love, but you will not die for your country."
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