Chapter 69: Cage "General! Ruining has withdrawn his troops!"...
A northerly wind whirled up the yellow sand. The white steed's mane ruffled as it leaped onto the mound. Fang Yilan abruptly tightened the reins. The official road snaked like a dying python, countless refugees crawling along its back.
A white-haired old woman staggered forward carrying a bamboo basket on her back. A lame man pulled a cart, the shaft of which made a harsh sound as it scraped against the gravel road. Two dusty children were huddled on the bus, looking around in panic.
Not far away, a mother knelt on the ground, digging a shallow hole in the hard earth with a branch, and placed the body of her baby in her arms. Corpses lay scattered along the roadside, and stray dogs were tearing at a broken corpse.
"What a sin..." Brigadier General Wang looked at the huge crowd of refugees in front of him, his brows twisted into the shape of the Chinese character "川" (Chuan), and he sighed deeply.
Fang Yilan restrained the slightly restless Jiaoyue, her amber pupils reflecting the dark mass of refugees. Her Adam's apple moved slightly: "Do we have any food to share?"
Zhuang Gu shook his head. "There really isn't any left. Even if we were on our own, we only have enough food for a month."
"General, the mountain path to the east might be able to bypass these refugees. If we delay any longer, I'm afraid..." Lieutenant General Lin rode his horse half a step closer and asked in a low voice.
Fang Yilan lowered his eyes and did not respond.
The refugees heard the neighing of the white horse and looked up woodenly. Their cloudy eyes reflected the scorching midday sun like countless pieces of dusty glass.
"Northwest Army! That's the flag of the Northwest Army!" A hoarse howl suddenly erupted among the refugees.
The lame old man suddenly fell to his knees, his forehead slamming against the gravel and blood spurting out. "General, please have mercy... give us something to eat..."
"Yeah yeah..."
The soldiers looked at Fang Yilan nervously.
Fang Yilan bit her lower lip tightly, ignoring the crowd's pleas. Suddenly, she whipped her horsewhip. The crisp sound of it breaking through the air was particularly loud in the clamor, cutting off the refugees' pleas.
"The entire army continues to march north!"
She kicked the horse's belly, Jiaoyue neighed, and ran towards the north first. The soldiers tightened their formation as if they had been pardoned, but they pulled their helmets low and did not dare to look at the refugees beside them.
Seeing Fang Yilan's disregard for their lives, the refugees began to speak furiously and frantically. Some picked up stones and hurled curses, "All the grain we pay goes to you, a bunch of ungrateful wolves!"
Stones pelted the grain carts, and more hoarse curses swirled like venomous snakes: "Last year, we collected grain, saying it would protect the country and the people, but now we're starving to death!"
"How can you be so cruel! We just want to survive!"
As they talked, they began to get excited. The refugees were suddenly seething like boiling oil and dripping water. Withered hands like claws grabbed at the grain bags. An old woman tore the hemp rope with her teeth. "Grab!"
Someone howled at the top of his lungs, and in an instant, more than twenty figures pounced madly on the grain cart at the end of the team like hungry wolves pouncing on their prey.
Seeing this, the soldiers hurriedly pointed the tips of their spears at the refugees, but their eyes were full of hesitation. After all, they were facing hungry and desperate people, and they really didn't dare to hurt anyone easily.
The refugees who first grabbed the food bags were drowned by the bodies that surged forward, struggling and shouting in the chaos. A barefoot boy finally scooped up a handful of rice from the mud, but before he could turn around and leave, a dry, sticky hand suddenly grabbed the back of his neck and yanked him back forcefully.
"Mine!" The disheveled man, with a ferocious look on his face, kicked the boy to the ground. The boy fell heavily into the mud and the rice in his hand fell to the ground.
"Stop!" Zhuang Gu was extremely anxious. He rode his horse forward and shouted at the top of his lungs. However, in the chaotic and noisy scene, his voice was instantly drowned out and no one paid any attention to him.
Seeing the situation spiral out of control, the silver-armored formation suddenly pressed forward, their gleaming spear tips mercilessly piercing the arms of the first refugees to rush forward. The injured refugee let out a scream of pain, and the crowd retreated like a receding tide.
But the hungry people in the back were still pushing and shoving frantically, pushing the people in front forward.
Witnessing this chaotic scene, Fang Yilan's expression was solemn, and he could only order: "Go around the southeast ancient road!"
The war horses raised their hooves, and the frightened refugees finally broke through a gap, and marched away quickly along the crack.
The seven-day journey was dragged out to ten days. Fang Yilan rode on his horse and looked into the distance. The Ningqiu city wall finally appeared before his eyes.
The iron chain twisted and the city gate opened.
The heavy armor clashed against the stone steps, and Huan Ying fell to one knee. His face was filled with shame, and his voice was choked with sobs. "I am incompetent! I failed to hold more cities firmly. I am truly ashamed of your trust and the heavy responsibility placed on me!"
Fang Yilan dismounted and lifted his elbow. "Ning Qiu is still alive, which is a great achievement. Stand up and talk, quickly stand up and talk. If the soldiers saw their commander kneeling like this, it would be disgraceful."
Huan Ying wiped his tears, stood up and led everyone through the arrow tower. The guards along the way saluted with their spears. Although they looked tired, they were still in order.
"Hezhou, Kangrao, and Liangzhou were reoccupied by Xiling. Thanks to Ningqiu's special city defense, they were able to hold on. As for Zeyang..."
At this point, Huan Ying's expression suddenly became complicated. He clenched his sword tightly. "Ruining has taken it, but refugees from other cities... have been kneeling outside Zeyang City for three days, begging to be let in, but Ruining has closed the gates tightly and refused to let anyone in!"
Several people walked into the meeting hall. Fang Yilan tapped the border of Hezhou with his fingers and said, "Hezhou must be taken back. The passage between Linzhong and Ningqiu is in danger of being cut off at any time."
Lieutenant General Wang looked puzzled and said, "We are closer to Liang Province now, why don't we capture Liang Province first?"
"The Ruining army is sitting still, waiting for us and Xiling to clash and suffer mutual destruction." Fang Yilan traced the ravines on the map with his finger. "The Hezhou post road is winding and twisting. Even if Ruining learns of our attack on Hezhou, it will be too late by the time they arrive."
Lieutenant General Lin and Lieutenant General Wang exchanged a glance and bowed in unison, "Understood."
...
In the darkness of night, the horses' hooves, wrapped in soft cloth, made almost no sound as they stepped on the ground. Fang Yilan led a team of people and quickly approached Hezhou City. The defenders on the city wall did not notice at all and continued to pace lazily.
She gestured behind her, and dozens of dark figures darted out, their iron hooks tearing through the frozen mist. The Xiling defenders, hearing the commotion on the wall, yawned and peered out. Fang Yilan had already leaped onto the wall. The Xiling soldier roared "enemy attack" but she shattered his throat with the tip of her spear. Blood splattered on her eyelashes, but she didn't even blink.
Fang Yilan wiped the blood off his face with his backhand and gave the signal: "Attack the city!"
The torches on the city wall suddenly lit up, illuminating the dark light armor that was climbing up continuously from below. Suddenly, there was the sound of horses' hooves hitting the ground under the city wall, and white steam came out of the horses' mouths. Ten thousand light cavalry rushed out of the pine forest, and the armored infantry followed behind the light cavalry, stepping on the pile of corpses to rush towards the city wall.
Dawn pierced through the clouds, and black flags were already standing on the top of Hezhou City, fluttering in the wind.
The celebratory wine had barely warmed when a scout arrived with a hurried report: "General, this is bad! Ruining, upon receiving the news, has sent troops to surround and seal off Ningqiu. We're running out of food supplies in Hezhou."
Fang Yilan's expression turned stern. "Issue the order to all camps: from today onwards, each camp's rations will be reduced by half."
Lieutenant General Lin frowned and said, "There isn't much food left in the city right now. If we distribute it this way, it can only last for ten days at most."
"Then let's hold on for the next ten days. We still have time to come up with a solution."
Although the soldiers learned that the food and fodder were trapped, they did not panic. After all, in these years of frequent wars, being surrounded was not uncommon.
The peace didn't last long. Within three days, the Xiling army returned with a furious vengeance. Siege engines repeatedly rammed the heavy city gates, emitting a dull thud as the Xiling army swarmed up like ants.
On the city wall, soldiers shot arrows and threw stones down desperately.
"Only three jars of kerosene left!"
"Don't pour the kerosene! Wait until the ladders are across the moat before pouring it!"
"Report—South Gate is out of arrows!"
"Beat the wood!" Wang Zhan roared hoarsely, and several skinny soldiers with pale faces carried huge oil-wrapped wood and smashed into the ladder.
"Switch!"
The dusk of the seventh day was shrouded in a deadly atmosphere. The Fang army on the walls of Hezhou leaned against the arrow embankments, unable even to clean their weapons. Ningqiu was surrounded by layers of defense, unable to break through, and Linzhong also came under fierce attack from the Ruining army.
Fang Yilan looked at the military letter and frowned. "Order to the entire army: kill the injured horses first, cook them and share the food."
Lieutenant General Lin opened his mouth, but thinking of the current situation, he remained silent.
In the camp, two new recruits with gauze wrapped around their heads huddled beside the stove. Their earthenware bowls had been licked so hard that you could see your reflection in them. They stretched their necks to count the rice porridge boiling in the pot.
The squad leader kicked them in the knees and cursed, "Don't look anymore. The higher-ups have issued a death order to cut the rations in half. Even if you keep looking, we won't give you any more."
"Why is there only so little porridge? Didn't we win the battle?" a new soldier muttered.
"The Ruining Army has surrounded Ningqiu, and food and grass can't be delivered at all. We should be thankful for having this little porridge to drink." The old soldier with a broken arm explained.
"If we continue like this, we will starve to death in the city before Xiling attacks." The new soldier's voice was hoarse, and he sat on the ground weakly with a bowl in his hand.
"How long do you think this war can last?" another recruit asked cautiously.
The old soldier didn't even look up as he continued to cut the grass roots: "No matter how long it takes, we will always be able to get through it as long as we follow the general."
The sergeant's throat moved, but he said nothing more. He pushed his bowl in front of them and said, "Eat it. What are you afraid of? I was besieged for three months and I managed to survive even by gnawing on tree bark."
At noon on the fourteenth day, a scout stumbled into the general's tent and said, "General, the Ruining army launched a fierce attack on Linzhong this morning! Zhao Huaixu fled the city to meet the enemy, but fled with 3,000 personal guards!"
Fang Yilan paused while wiping his silver spear: "Which direction did he escape to?"
"Escaped eastward."
"I've said before that the Jiang family is unreliable!" Fang Yicen plunged his forging knife into the ground. Seeing Fang Yilan's gloomy expression, he lowered his voice and said, "Let's solve the problem in Hezhou first."
Fang Yilan turned his head to stare at the military map on the wall and asked, "What's the situation in Linzhong?"
"Lu Qi, wounded, defended the South Gate to the death. Rui Ning sent 2,000 light cavalry to pursue Zhao Huaixu."
Admiral Wang paced anxiously inside the battlement: "Even if we count the remaining war horses, we can only hold out for three days at most."
There were intermittent gasps in the tent.
The setting sun filtered through the cracks in the tent, casting a sharp shadow on Fang Yilan's brow. "Hold on for another five days. After five days...open the city and prepare for battle."
...
After four more arduous days, Hezhou City felt like a prison shrouded in hunger. The defenders collapsed against the walls, while the wounded and sick huddled weakly in their tents, barely able to lift a hand.
Fang Yilan was also tortured by hunger and looked haggard. The black armor that originally fit her well now hung loosely on her body, making her look empty and lonely.
Before heading out to battle, Fang Yilan forced herself to walk towards the stables, her frail body straining. Jiaoyue had also lost considerable weight, her ribs clearly visible. Noticing her approach, Jiaoyue gently shook her head, still nuzzling Fang Yilan's shoulder affectionately, as if offering silent comfort.
Fang Yilan raised his hand and slowly stroked Jiaoyue's mane, his eyes full of pity and emotion.
"General, eat this." A hoarse and somewhat tired voice came from behind Fang Yilan.
She turned around and saw that the soldier was holding half a bowl of grass root porridge in one hand. The porridge contained more grass roots than rice grains and was very thin. In the other hand, he was holding a small piece of dried horse meat.
"Leave it to the wounded, they need it more."
Hundreds of soldiers who were originally lying or sitting on the side and could barely stand up supported each other and slowly knelt down: "Here, General! You must stay alive! The soldiers are waiting to see the day when you charge into Shangjing!"
Fang Yilan dug her fingertips deep into her palm and took the ceramic bowl. The hot mist blurred her vision, and then she tilted her head back and swallowed the hot porridge that was making her throat dry.
"good."
...
A strong wind was howling in front of the Xiling Army.
Sotai emerged from the dust, his broken right eye covered with iron, making his face look even more hideous.
He raised his head, staring straight at Fang Yilan on the city wall, and shouted in a domineering voice: "Fang Yilan, surrender quickly, and I will reward you with an intact corpse!"
The city gate suddenly opened, revealing a man and a horse.
Fang Yilan laughed and said, "Last year during the winter solstice, your right eye was also talking nonsense to me. You haven't learned your lesson. You only have your left eye left, but you still want to die."
As soon as she finished speaking, she swung her silver spear sideways, spurred her horse out of the city gate, and the tip of the spear drew a cold arc under the scorching sun.
The laughter of the Xiling Army stopped abruptly. Suo Tai's one eye bulged out. "You still have the energy to be so stubborn! I thought you were too hungry to lift your knife. I want to see if the claws of a sick cat that has been hungry for more than ten days are still sharp!"
Fang Yilan's voice was colder than the tip of a gun: "Wait until I pierce your throat, and you'll know the answer!"
The silver spear suddenly thrust out, and Suo Tai hurriedly raised his sword to block it. The collision of fine irons produced sparks, which cracked his knuckles.
Fang Yilan's strike was successful, and he seized the opportunity to spin, swiping out with the silver spear in his hand like a thick iron rod. The spear shaft, engulfed in a whirring sound, struck Suo Tai's side. With a crack, Suo Tai's armor dented, followed by the crisp sound of a rib breaking. Suo Tai groaned, his face pale, and his body staggered several times, nearly falling from his horse.
The two armies charged into battle, the battlefield a scene of purgatory on earth. With bloodshot eyes, the soldiers roared, brandishing their swords, and charged frantically at Fang Yilan's army. Blades flashed, the sound of metal clashing rang out, and blood splattered, staining the ground crimson.
Amid the sounds of fighting, there was suddenly a sound of horse hooves like thunder rolling across the west side of the battlefield. It was the Fang family's reinforcements arriving.
Huan Ying rode a fast horse, wielding a black sword in his hand, and knocked down three enemy cavalrymen in succession. He finally broke through the heavy encirclement and killed his way to the front.
"General! Ruining has withdrawn his troops!"
Before Fang Yilan could even feel surprised, Huan Ying continued, "Zhao Huaixu and his cronies attacked the palace. He is now in the Heavenly Prison, his life or death unknown..."
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