Speaking of this, Pei Jie also felt lingering fear. Recalling the scene he witnessed upon arrival—only a few dozen men still fighting valiantly, clearly prepared to die on the battlefield—he felt both admiration and lingering dread. Thus, with mixed feelings, he said…
"It is Han Zhongyu, the governor of Tai'an Prefecture, and the famous owner of Yuquan Villa, Princess Jingde!"
There were also the guards of the Eighteenth Prince, and some righteous people from the common people.
They led their respective soldiers, guards, and righteous people in a desperate fight to resist.
When I arrived, they had already suffered heavy losses, with Lord Han also seriously injured. As for Princess Jingde, I heard that almost everyone around her had been killed or injured, and she was unconscious and had to be carried out by Prince Xiaoyao. Her fate is now uncertain.
On this battlefield, life and death are decided in an instant. It's one thing for men to defend their country, but the princess and her maids are truly remarkable women, fierce and loyal, which is truly admirable!
They say that like leader, like soldier, and that's exactly what the people of Tai'an Prefecture are like!
Pei Jie said, giving a thumbs-up in appreciation.
When Xiao Yi heard this, it was like a thunderclap in his ears; his mind was filled with only one voice.
"The city is being defended by Han Zhongyu and Xie Yushu. Xie Yushu's fate is currently unknown."
After being stunned for a while, Xiao Yi asked incredulously.
Why Xie Yushu?
How could it be Xie Yushu?
Who gave women permission to go to war?
Where is she?
Where is she now?
Pei Jie was somewhat bewildered by Xiao Yi's sudden madness.
He had been leading troops in the field and was unaware of the feud between Xiao Yi and Xie Yushu. He only learned of Xie Yushu's reputation because of the crossbow, antibiotics, alcohol, and surgical sutures.
However, seeing that Xiao Yi was genuinely anxious, Pei Jie assumed that their past relationship might be related to old grievances or that they were relatives or friends, so he didn't hold it against him and instead said...
"When I arrived, Han Zhongyu and Xiaoyao Wang covered her retreat. They were so badly injured that they shouldn't have gone far. You can go to the rescue team at the North Gate to check."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yi ran frantically towards the medical team outside the city.
After this battle, the number of wounded increased exponentially. Medical staff were extremely busy, and the ground was covered with wounded people who looked like gourds of blood. Some were bandaging each other, while others were groaning in pain.
As Xiao Yi searched, he called Xie Yushu's name. A medic heard him and said...
"The princess is guarding the city and hasn't come out yet!"
Doctor Liu and two medics have gone into the city. Go and look for them; you might find them. The princess is very lucky; she'll be alright.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yi immediately ran back to the city and searched every alley and lane.
When Xiao Yi found her, Xie Yushu was being supported by Xuan Yuanche and Han Zhongyu as she slowly knelt down in front of the corpses that filled the alley, bowing her head to the ground.
Seeing this, the others also knelt down.
In the end, only Xuanyuan Che remained standing.
Hundreds of vibrant lives, who came out with her, turned into corpses in just four or five days, lying there silently.
It turns out she only kneels before Heaven, Earth, the Emperor, Parents, and Teacher.
But these were all brave young men who died for their country. If kneeling is the highest form of respect, why shouldn't she kneel to see them off?
Xie Yushu had no more tears left. Despite her immense grief, she could only speak in a hoarse but firm voice to the remains of her brothers.
"At this moment, I, Xie Yushu, am not a princess, but only a family member, to see you brothers off on your journey."
It is my greatest honor to travel with you all.
Today, you bravely fight the enemy and sacrifice your lives for your country. You are heroes in life and heroes in death. I am proud of you.
I was fortunate enough to survive thanks to your protection. Today, in front of you, I assure you that your relatives are my relatives, and I will take good care of them.
For those of you who have no living relatives, we are your family. As long as we live, no one will forget you!
Brothers, rest in peace!
After Xie Yushu finished speaking, she poured a glass of wine onto the ground.
Seeing that she had spoken her mind, Han Zhongyu felt a little better, but fearing that her injuries would worsen, he and Xuan Yuanche helped her up.
The number of casualties was too high, and it was impossible to transport them all back to Tai'an Prefecture. The only option was to ask the prefect of Tianshui City to designate a piece of mountain land outside the city specifically for burying these fallen soldiers.
That mountain was named Hero's Tomb.
Commemorating those who sacrificed their lives in Tianshui during this battle.
The bodies of everyone else were taken away, but Chunyu, Hongmei, and Zhaotu were left behind by Xie Yushu. These two girls longed to be with them forever, and she was determined to bring them back no matter what.
In the past few days, too many people have died, and the coffin shops in the city have long been empty. So Liu Qiang found some straw mats and settled Chunyu and the others in them.
Xiao Yi stood not far away, quietly watching Xie Yushu see off the guards, watching her carefully wipe the faces and hands of the two maids, straighten their clothes, and then cover them with straw mats.
There was no loud crying, but it was even more heartbreaking, making it hard to breathe.
Many men couldn't help but feel a lump in their throats and shed tears.
Xie Tianqi recalled how every time he went to the villa, the two girls would joke and play with him, and then cry their hearts out.
Of the three hundred Divine Eagle Guards that Xuanyuan Che once brought with him, only thirty-odd remain.
Han Zhongyu's bodyguards and secret guards, in total, numbered twenty.
On Xie Yushu's side, only Nanxing, Qu Xiaodie, Zhao Humu Li, and about twenty of Zhao Hu's men remained.
Depressing, oppressive, grief-stricken, sorrowful, numb with pain!
They were all seventeen or eighteen years old, in their early twenties. With passion and courage, they came to Tianshui City and shouldered a heavy burden. They had thought about dying, but they did not expect the scene to be so tragic.
I don't even know how to comfort anyone; anything I say seems so pale and powerless.
Only by thinking about doing something more for them can I feel better and find a reason and motivation to live.
Xiao Yi watched all this in silence, hesitant to step forward.
If he had arrived earlier, perhaps Tianshui City wouldn't have fallen, the Tatars wouldn't have been able to enter, and some of these people might have survived!
She wouldn't have been so badly injured, nor would she have been so heartbroken.
At this moment, he hated himself even more. Why hadn't he received the military order and set off immediately? Would he have been able to salvage many things if he had?
The narrow pass is only a little over a hundred miles from here. If we sleep for an hour, march quickly, and rest for half an hour in between, we should arrive before dawn today.
Even if they rested for two hours, Xie Yushu wouldn't have fought to the point of being killed or injured.
Why does he insist on sleeping for three hours? Three hours is an absolute luxury!
Xiao Yi was filled with unbearable regret. Whenever he thought about how Xie Yushu had fought so hard that even her personal maid had fallen, and how he himself had been injured, he wished he could turn back time.
He will definitely arrive very early.
He always thought he would have a chance to make up for it, to do his best to treat her well, to make up for what he owed her, but he missed the opportunity time and time again.
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