The Reticent Blade

Zhou Tong, the commander of Liangzhou, smiled bitterly. "Whether we are facing five hundred thousand or a million, what difference is there for us?"

Jiang Chao glanced around cautiously and lowered his voice. "Lord Zhou, may I have a word in private?"

Zhou Tong narrowed his eyes slightly and gestured inward. "Please, General."

Jiang Chao cupped his hands in salute and followed Zhou Tong into the Command Post.

The two entered the building and walked to the inner hall. After the servants brought tea, Zhou Tong waved them away and said, "General, speak freely."

Jiang Chao moistened his dry lips and began, "To be honest, my lord, apart from being ordered to assist Liangzhou Prefecture, I also brought a directive from External Prime Minister Qi."

Zhou Tong raised an eyebrow. "A directive... What directive?" fгeewebnovёl.com

Jiang Chao swallowed and said, "Minister Qi anticipated that the Northern Qiang army would arrive ahead of schedule and that Liangzhou Prefecture would be in grave danger. So, he instructed me to deliver this plan.

"There are tens of thousands of civilians in the city. If the situation becomes dire, they can be ordered to assist in defending the walls."

"What!" Zhou Tong’s eyes widened. "How can this be?!"

"Minister Qi said..." Jiang Chao stared into Zhou Tong’s eyes and recounted slowly, "Liangzhou Prefecture cannot fall. The Northern Qiang’s attack on Liangzhou will eventually target the capital. If Liangzhou holds, you, Lord Zhou, will be a hero of the Ruen Dynasty. But if it doesn’t..."

Jiang Chao left the sentence unfinished, simply staring intently at Zhou Tong.

Zhou Tong smiled bitterly. "I understand... If we fail to hold, I’ll be the criminal who failed his nation. By then, there will be no need for Minister Qi to punish me. The day Liangzhou falls will be the day I take my own life."

Jiang Chao didn’t comment on Zhou Tong’s statement. Instead, he added, "Minister Qi knows the position the citizens will be in, but we must depend on you, my lord. Even if you have to put a blade to their throats... you must make them fight."

Zhou Tong gritted his teeth, his jaw muscles trembling. After a long pause, he nodded solemnly. "I understand. I’ll take care of it."

Jiang Chao took a sip of tea and sighed. "Lord Zhou, to be honest, I also found it hard to accept this directive at first. I’m actually from Liangzhou myself."

Hearing this, Zhou Tong looked up at Jiang Chao in astonishment.

Jiang Chao continued, "But there’s no other way. As soldiers, we know better than anyone... we're in this together.

"If the civilians don’t help defend the city, they’ll still face death when the city falls. Do you think the Northern Qiang soldiers will let them live? Forcing them to fight is actually giving them a chance to save their own lives."

Zhou Tong nodded silently. "I understand."

Jiang Chao shook his head and looked at Zhou Tong. "Let’s not dwell on this. External Prime Minister Qi has another directive for you."

Zhou Tong straightened his posture. "Please tell me, General."

Jiang Chao’s expression grew grave. "He said the main force of the Northern Qiang army has a full array of siege weapons. If there’s truly no turning back, then when the city falls, gather the remaining civilians onto transport ships and send them south.

"Our Ruen Dynasty soldiers will then destroy all remaining ships, without leaving a single sail for the invaders.This is the last way we can help buy the capital some time."

Zhou Tong’s face changed drastically. "What does Minister Qi mean? He’s already planned for this eventuality? Has he given up on Liangzhou?!"

Jiang Chao quickly waved his hands to calm him. "Of course, that’s not what the directive means! Don’t worry, Lord Zhou. If Minister Qi truly thought that way, why would he send me here?"

Only then did Zhou Tong’s expression soften.

Jiang Chao continued, "Minister Qi holds a high position and naturally has to consider all contingencies."

Zhou Tong was about to reply when a soldier outside suddenly reported, "My lord! This is bad! The Northern Qiang are attacking the city again!"

Zhou Tong and Jiang Chao’s faces both changed. They exchanged a glance and quickly headed for the door.

"What’s going on?" Zhou Tong asked as he pushed open the door. "Quick, how many troops are coming?"

The kneeling soldier outside hurriedly answered, "The entire enemy camp has been mobilized!"

As the soldier spoke, Jiang Chao had already sprinted out of the Command Post. Zhou Tong heard him shouting orders outside.

"Everyone dismount! Follow me to the walls!"

Zhou Tong kicked a soldier kneeling before him. "What are you waiting for? To the walls!"

Zhou Tong strode toward the city walls, shouting orders as he ran. "Get the logs and boulders to the walls! Quickly, quickly! Set up more cauldrons! Get the oil boiling!"

The moment Zhou Tong reached the ramparts, he leaned on the parapet and looked down. In the distance, a massive formation of cavalry was advancing toward the walls. However, they weren't charging. They spread out into a formation instead.

"That distance is perfect for a charge, so why are they taking their time?"

Zhou Tong turned around and realized Jiang Chao was talking to him.

Zhou Tong shook his head. "I’m not entirely sure... Maybe they know we won’t leave the city, so they’re just trying to demoralize our troops?"

Jiang Chao squinted his eyes. "I don't know either... Let’s see what they do."

The Northern Qiang cavalry stopped just outside the range of the archers on the city walls. Their two hundred thousand riders formed a serpentine line, strangling Liangzhou.

The defenders on the walls were on high alert. Some gulped nervously, wiping the sweat from their palms before tightening their grips on their weapons.

As everyone wondered what the Northern Qiang were planning, one rider emerged from their ranks and galloped toward the wall, shouting loudly, "People of the Ruen Dynasty! Is there anyone on the wall who can speak for you all?"

Zhou Tong’s face darkened, but he stepped forward and shouted back, "Zhou Tong, commander of Liangzhou Prefecture, is here! Speak quickly!"

The rider laughed loudly and proclaimed, "Listen well! Liangzhou Prefecture’s fall is inevitable. My general is unwilling to see unnecessary bloodshed, so he has kindly allowed you to surrender.

"We, the sons of the steppes, never kill those who surrender. Why don’t you quickly open the gates and welcome us?"

"How dare you insult me?!" Zhou Tong bellowed with rage, "We are the loyal subjects of the Ruen Dynasty and swear to live and die with Liangzhou! Shoot him down!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the arrows whistled through the air. Several bolts plunged into the rider, killing him instantly.

Wang Yuepi watched the scene from the Northern Qiang ranks, sneering coldly. He casually gave the order, "Looks like they want to do this the hard way! Attack Liangzhou!"