Starting with a Wei Wu soldier

Chapter 297 Urgent Report from the Border

The fifth year of Qiming, the ninth day of the third month. The Awakening of Insects has passed, and the Spring Equinox is approaching.

The willows in Chang'an have sprouted tender yellow buds, the ice in the Imperial River has completely melted, and ducks are swimming leisurely on the water. The people are beginning to prepare for spring plowing, and busy figures can be seen everywhere in the fields.

However, the atmosphere at the court meetings in the Taiji Hall grew more and more somber each day.

Since Ashina Mo went north, urgent reports from the border have been pouring in like snowflakes—

On February 23, the vanguard of the Snow Wolf Khan's tribe arrived at Baidaochuan and confronted the defending troops.

On February 28th, the garrison commander of Baidaochuan urgently reported: the enemy force had increased to 50,000 and their supply lines had been cut off.

On the second day of the third month, the garrison commander of Yunzhong was killed in battle, and Yunzhong City was besieged.

On the fifth day of the third month, the garrison commander of Yanmen Pass urgently reported: a small group of enemy troops had been spotted on reconnaissance, and they were suspected of intending to move south.

Each urgent report sparked a debate in the court. The voices of the war faction grew louder, while those of the peace faction grew weaker. Even the most cautious veteran officials began to waver.

"Your Majesty," the Minister of War stepped forward for the third time, his voice hoarse, "Yunzhong has been besieged for ten days, and its supplies are running low. If we do not send troops soon, Yunzhong will surely fall. If Yunzhong falls, Yanmen will be in danger; if Yanmen is in danger, Taiyuan will be in danger; if Taiyuan is in danger, the gateway to the Central Plains will be wide open!"

Chen Xing sat upright on the throne, his expression calm and composed. But his fingers were slightly clenched inside his sleeves.

He looked at Jia Wen.

Jia Wen stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, I believe that sending troops is inevitable. However, how to send troops, how many troops to send, and when to send troops need to be carefully considered."

Chen Xing nodded: "Speak."

Jia Wendao said, "The northern desert is vast, and the enemy's army comes and goes like the wind. If our main force penetrates deep into the desert, they will surely flee far away; if we retreat, they will come again. This back and forth will only waste the country's strength. I believe that we should firmly defend the border with a large army, while at the same time sending a detachment to intercept them beyond the border, cut off their supply lines, and harass their rear. When they are exhausted, we can then plan a decisive battle."

Dian Xiong couldn't help but say, "Prime Minister Jia, your method is too slow! By the time they're exhausted, Yunzhong will be long gone!"

Jia Wen said calmly, "General Dian, if Yunzhong is lost, it can be recaptured. But if our army rashly ventures deep into enemy territory and falls into an ambush, it will be our dynasty's strength that is lost."

Dian Xiong wanted to argue further, but Chen Xing raised his hand to stop him.

"What Jia Xiang said makes sense. But Yunzhong must be saved."

He stood up and stepped down from the throne.

"My mind is made up—I will personally lead the expedition."

The hall was silent for a moment, then erupted in uproar.

"His Majesty!"

"No!"

"Absolutely not!"

The courtiers knelt on the ground, pleading with the officials to dissuade them.

Chen Xing looked at them calmly.

"I'm not going to my death. I'm going to tell that wolf cub—my border is not a place he can come and go as he pleases."

He paused, his voice turning deep:

"By imperial decree: Chen Wei is to oversee logistics, Dian Xiong to lead the vanguard, and Jia Wen to serve as military advisor. From this day forth, assemble troops from the capital region and various circuits, and within half a month, march on Yanmen Pass!"

On March 12th, banners fluttered and war drums thundered on the drill ground outside Chang'an.

Fifty thousand troops are assembling. These are elite soldiers drawn from the imperial guards of the capital region and rotating troops from various provinces; every man is clad in bright armor and their morale is high.

Chen Xing stood on the command platform, looking down at the dark mass of troops.

Behind him stood Murong Mingyue, Su Xiaoxiao, Lin Wan'er, and Lan Fenghuang.

Murong Mingyue wasn't wearing an elaborate gown today, but rather a simple, close-fitting outfit, a long sword at her waist, exuding a commanding presence. She walked to Chen Xing's side and whispered:

"Your Majesty, I request permission to accompany the army on the expedition."

Chen Xing turned his head and looked at her.

"Zitong, Chang'an needs you."

Murong Mingyue remained silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.

"I understand."

Su Xiaoxiao stepped forward and presented a thick booklet.

"Your Majesty, this is the military supplies list approved by me and the Ministry of Revenue. Food, weapons, medicine, and rewards are all ready. The prefectures and counties along the route are also prepared to provide support."

Chen Xing took it, flipped through it, and nodded.

"Thanks a lot."

Su Xiaoxiao smiled slightly: "It is my duty."

Lin Wan'er stepped forward and presented a scroll of documents.

"Your Majesty, this is the 'Letter to the Tribes of the Northern Desert' that I have drafted, which has been translated into Turkic and Uyghur languages. If we can make contact with Prince Ashina Mo, we can distribute it to the various tribes to demoralize the enemy."

Chen Xing took it, examined it carefully, and nodded approvingly.

"Okay. Wan'er, you always think things through."

Lin Wan'er lowered her eyes: "Your Majesty, I only wish for your safe return."

Lan Fenghuang was the last to step forward, holding a small cloth bag in her hands.

"Brother Xing," she whispered, "this is some new medicine I made. It has hemostatic, antidote, and cold medicine. Take it with you, in case... in case you get hurt, remember to use it."

Chen Xing took the cloth bag and gently patted her shoulder.

"Phoenix, I understand. Don't worry."

Lan Fenghuang's eyes were slightly red, but she held back her tears.

Chen Xing turned around, facing the 50,000 soldiers, took a deep breath, and shouted in a deep voice:

"All soldiers, listen to my command—!"

"exist!"

The voices of fifty thousand people merged into a thunderclap, shaking the very earth.

"On this journey to the northern deserts, I will live and die with you. If we win, I will share your glory; if we lose, I will be buried with you on the battlefield!"

"I am willing to fight to the death alongside Your Majesty!"

The war drums sounded again, and the banners fluttered in the wind.

The army set off.

On the evening of March 12th, Murong Mingyue stood alone on the city wall, watching the army gradually disappear into the distance.

As the sun set, it bathed the entire city of Chang'an in a golden-red hue. The army marched north along that golden-red official road, northward, until it disappeared from sight.

Su Xiaoxiao appeared behind her without her noticing.

"Your Majesty, it's time to go back."

Murong Mingyue did not move.

"Xiaoxiao," she suddenly asked, "do you think His Majesty can win this time?"

Su Xiaoxiao was silent for a moment, then said:

"able."

Murong Mingyue turned around and looked at her.

Su Xiaoxiao met that gaze calmly and said:

"Because he is His Majesty."

Murong Mingyue stared at her for a long time, then suddenly smiled.

That smile contained relief, bitterness, and a hint of inexplicable relief.

"You're right," she said softly, "because he is His Majesty."

She turned and stepped down from the city wall.

Behind them, the setting sun gradually sank below the horizon, and the lights of every household in Chang'an City began to illuminate one by one.

March 15th, Yanmen Pass.

Chen Xing stood atop the fortress, gazing northwards.

There, on the vast grasslands, under the boundless sky, lay the impending war.

Nobuo stood beside him and said in a deep voice:

"Your Majesty, scouts report that the main force of the Snow Wolf Khan is still outside Yunzhong City. Should we go directly to relieve the siege of Yunzhong, or...?"

Chen Xing shook his head.

"No rush. Let him linger outside Cloud City. The longer he lingers, the less food he'll have, and the lower his morale will be."

He paused, gazing at the faint smoke of war rising in the north.

"Order the scouts to keep a close watch on his rear. I need to know where his supply lines are and where his reinforcements will come from."

Dian Xiong clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Yes, sir!"

Chen Xing turned around and looked south.

That's the direction of Chang'an.

His wives, his sons, and his subjects were all there waiting for him.

"Let's go," he said. "It's time to meet that wolf cub."