As the day was approaching dusk, a group of light cavalry rushed into the city of Jinyang before the gates were locked. It was neither wartime nor a courier, yet they freely maneuvered their horses in the city. Although it was forbidden to ride horses in the city, they skillfully navigated between riding and hurrying, and their horse team swiftly entered the Governor’s Mansion without hindrance. The leading knight dismounted and gave a brief command to the others before heading towards the rear courtyard.
The Governor’s Mansion’s rear courtyard was guarded meticulously, yet without the need for any announcement, he strode through the corridors as if returning to his own home, reaching the main residence where the Governor resided. Under the guidance of the attendants, he entered the room illuminated by candles.
“Back already? How is the new recruits’ camp?” In front of a table, a man was reading a scroll, casually greeting. Like his attire, he exuded comfort and nonchalance.
After a journey of more than half a day, covered in dust and weariness evident on his face, the man responded with a simple answer, “The new recruits are acceptable. In another three months, we can lead them out to suppress the bandits.” Yiyan replied.
“Good.” Liang Feng nodded, then turned to a maid, “Help General Yi remove his armor.”
Two maids immediately led Yiyan behind a screen to remove his armor and freshen up. Soon, wearing the same attire as Liang Feng, Yiyan walked to Liang Feng’s side and took a seat on the side seat.
As preparations for the war intensified, his tasks became more demanding. Patrols were needed in various locations, requiring several days for each journey. Rebuilding the cavalry camp also required considerable effort. However, every time he dealt with official matters, he would tirelessly return to the city. After all, the war had not yet begun, and he could manage to squeeze out some leisure time. When the actual mobilization occurred, he wouldn’t have such “leisure.”
The document in Liang Feng’s hands seemed quite important, and he was still multitasking, “Have you had your meal? The kitchen made some pancakes today; they taste not bad…”
Before he finished speaking, Yiyan’s stomach growled. Liang Feng couldn’t help but laugh and instructed, “Bring some porridge and pancakes.”
The meal was served promptly. The porridge was made from millet, with added vegetables. The pancakes, although called “burnt cakes,” were essentially no different from filled pies. The dough contained marrow fat, wrapped with green onions and lamb, sprinkled with sesame seeds, and baked to perfection. The fragrance was enticing, making one’s appetite soar.
Normally, it was improper for one person to dine while another observed, especially given Liang Feng’s high status. However, Yiyan did not refuse and began eating. He swiftly devoured the pancakes, and the vegetable porridge was quickly consumed. Despite his busy schedule, he managed to maintain decent table manners; it wasn’t bad at all.
This way of eating was especially appetizing. Even though Liang Feng had already had dinner, he couldn’t help but pick up a pancake from the plate and take a bite. When the meat filling reached his mouth, he chuckled, “Seeing you enjoy it so much, I thought there was something special about these pancakes.”
With that, he handed the bitten piece of meat pancake back. Yiyan took it effortlessly, showing no disdain, and finished it quickly. In a moment, both the porridge and the pancakes were devoured. A maid promptly offered a handkerchief and fragrant tea for them to wipe their hands and rinse their mouths.
With a satisfied stomach and a relaxed atmosphere, Yiyan’s expression also eased. Without disturbing Liang Feng’s work, he quietly adjusted his posture. Having just recovered from his injuries and now bustling around, he still found it quite challenging. In such a peaceful room, it unexpectedly induced a sense of weariness.
Having sat quietly for a while, Yiyan suddenly heard a voice by his ear, “Xinling has news, that person Zhang Dian, he’s in Liu Yao’s army.”
Yiyan abruptly opened his eyes, a fierce killing intent flashing in his gaze, “Have you found him?”
“Yes.” Liang Feng’s expression remained unchanged, “This person has been in Yong County, managing political affairs for Liu Yao. He only returned to Pingyang recently.”
“I will take his life!” There was a deep-seated hatred in Yiyan’s voice. Upon returning from Ji City, he reported this matter to his lord. The intent was straightforward; even if that vile slave hid at the ends of the earth, he would dig him out and tear him into pieces! How could he easily let go of the enemy who almost caused his lord’s untimely death?
“There will be an opportunity.” Liang Feng’s tone remained calm. The incident with the Cold Food Powder had caused him quite a bit of trouble. This despicable person must not be let off. However, more importantly, as a confidant of Liu Yao, Zhang Dian’s return to Pingyang likely held some significance. The war in Yu County had been ongoing for quite some time, and it was time to decide whether to withdraw or seek another solution.
And this news didn’t sound like good tidings.
“The Military Arsenal has developed a new type of bed crossbow, with three bows and the ability to shoot three iron bolts at once. The maximum range is seven hundred steps, and the reloading time is only half of the big yellow crossbow,” Liang Feng continued.
Upon hearing this, Yiyan’s spirits lifted, “Are they going to replace the crossbow machines on the city walls?”
Such a powerful weapon naturally took precedence in city defense. Although the Thunderbolt Cannons had an extremely long range and great power, they took too much time to prepare, often allowing only one or two rounds in a single siege. Once the enemy was on guard, the deterrent effect far outweighed its practical use. But with the new bed crossbows, it was different. They could play a role in the continuous city siege without any breaks. Moreover, with such a long range, if the enemy used siege equipment like cloud ladders and siege engines, they could use rockets to damage them. Once all the cities and fortresses in Bing County were equipped with such effective weapons, it would be difficult for the enemy to capture the cities.
“Exactly.” Liang Feng put down the documents in his hand and sighed lightly, “Defending Shangdang should not be a big problem. I’m just worried the disaster is not in Shangdang.”
Yiyan naturally understood what Liang Feng was concerned about and whispered, “With the mountain pass in hand and the presence of Ye City, there will always be a way.”
Liang Feng nodded and added, “Have these days of traveling tired you out?”
“Fortunately,” Yiyan wouldn’t admit to any hardship, simply answering.
Liang Feng smiled, not pressing further, “It’s been a long time since I played the zither. How about listening to a piece?”
Yiyan immediately nodded.
Liang Feng got up and walked into the room. Without changing his position, he sat at the edge of the zither platform and played an ancient melody. The music flowed gently, like a mountain stream or a boat passing through a gorge. Yiyan also entered the room, leaned on the couch, listened to the soothing melody, and soon his eyelids grew heavy. After struggling a few times, he couldn’t resist.
Seeing the other gradually falling asleep, Liang Feng stopped playing the zither, smiling, “If you’re tired, rest.”
After all, after days of traveling, Yiyan couldn’t hold on any longer. He nodded, took off his outer garment, and lay down on the couch. But his eyes stubbornly refused to close. The meaning behind it was self-evident.
Liang Feng, also busy throughout the day, couldn’t help but smile. He got up, extinguished the candles in the room, took off his outer robe, and lay down on the couch. In the cold winter, due to his frailty, his hands and feet were often cold, but the person beside him was like a large warm stove emitting heat from inside out.
Comfortably adjusting his posture, Liang Feng allowed the other to hold him close and closed his eyes.
※
“The heavens seem to bring calamity, the state is on the verge of collapse,” Liu Yao gazed at the sun in the sky and let out a light sigh.
Only the sun hanging in the sky was missing a large chunk. The black shadow, like a monstrous creature devouring the sun, gradually eroded this source of all things. The daylight dimmed, and drums and gongs sounded. Although three solar eclipses had occurred in the past year, no one could get used to it. Instead, the frequent occurrences of these phenomena heightened the fear.
Comparatively, Liu Yao, the guy who once seized a city during a solar eclipse, appeared calm. He could not help but lament the frequent solar eclipses as if it were an omen that the end of Jin was imminent.
Beside him, a clear voice spoke, “The Sima clan’s rise to power was illegitimate, and there is divine punishment for it. This phenomenon should be an auspicious sign for our Han dynasty.”
Liu Yao turned his head and looked at the elegant and extraordinary scholar by his side. This young man, named Zhang Dian, was recently brought into his camp as an advisor. Thanks to Zhang Dian’s counsel, Liu Yao broke through Chang’an twice within a year and was bestowed the title of Prince of Qin. Liu Yao naturally valued such a confidant. Therefore, at this moment, he had summoned him back to Pingyang.
“What Shuya said is not wrong. With such a phenomenon, the hearts of the Jin army will surely be in turmoil. His Majesty, this time, when he deploys the troops, he should be able to capture Luoyang in one fell swoop!”
The major battle in Yu County has been going on for more than two months. The commotion caused by Wang Mi was indeed significant. Qing County changed hands temporarily, and most of Yan County was also taken. However, the Jin state brought in the Xianbei from the Duan clan of You County, barely repelling Wang Mi’s large army. Fortunately, not many cavalry from You County came, and they couldn’t gain too many benefits. They lingered for a month and withdrew cleanly. Wang Mi, the cunning fellow, took advantage of the situation to station troops on the border of Jing and Yu, allowing Cao Ji to continue causing trouble in Qing County, forcing Gou Xi to return to defend.
This was not a withdrawal but rather a preparation before the major battle, and finally, everything was in order.
After two months of fierce battles, Gou Xi’s troops suffered losses, and they were all exhausted soldiers. Moreover, regions like Henan Commandery and Xingyang Commandery, the hinterland of Si County adjacent to Yu County, were greatly affected. The entire Jin state was like a drum that had been struck more than a hundred times, and with one more heavy blow, it could be shattered!
Luoyang, the capital of the emperor, was their target!
Because the major battle was imminent, Liu Yao brought Zhang Dian back. However, he was not the only one who came.
“Can the Di and Qiang people be used?” Liu Yao asked.
Previously, Shi Le had captured many miscellaneous Hu strongholds in Yong County, and among them, there was a group of Qiang and Hu people who claimed to be Di people. Seeing the situation, they willingly surrendered to Liu Yao. Although they were a small tribe, they had 20,000 households, and among them, there were 8,000 combat-ready soldiers. For such insightful individuals, Liu Yao naturally treated them generously, appointing their leader as the General of Ningxi and commanding over 20,000 Di and Qiang soldiers.
And this force was entirely brought by him to Pingyang. The purpose was to seize the first achievements in this upcoming major battle!
“Pu Hong is a man of great courage and strength, with the demeanor of a great general. All the Di and Qiang people who surrendered to him obeyed his orders. Your Highness has given him an opportunity, and how could he miss it?” Zhang Dian answered with a smile.
Indeed, for these newly surrendered Di and Qiang people, the most important thing was to please Liu Yao, their new master, and quickly gain military achievements. However, they had not expected the direction they would be attacking in this upcoming major battle.
Hearing Zhang Dian’s words, Liu Yao also smiled, “However, in this battle, caution is still advisable. Shuya, you will go with Pu Hong’s troops. If you can’t take Shangdang, it doesn’t matter, but you must delay the troops of Bing County!”
Upon hearing this, Zhang Dian hesitated for a moment. But soon, his expression calmed down, “I will definitely keep an eye on Bing County for Your Highness.”
He had some old grudges with that sickly guy, but the other party might not know his identity. Bing County was ultimately a hurdle that Han State could not bypass. If he could make achievements in Shangdang, not only Liu Yao but even Liu Yuan should view him highly. His goal was not just to be a staff officer or a marshal. In the Han State court where no one was prominent, there was always a chance to rise. If he could help Liu Yao ascend to the throne, that would be even better…
With various thoughts in his mind, Zhang Dian maintained a serious expression on his face. Watching the other person’s earnest expression, Liu Yao nodded in satisfaction, “This battle is indeed the decisive moment…”
Author’s note:
Pu Hong is a Di person. Well, you guessed it right; he later changed his surname to Fu, and he has a son named Fu Jian.
