The Xili army realized too late they had fallen into an ambush. After the boulders came a rain of arrows. Meng Rang roared for retreat, but their path was already cut off by the falling stones. From both sides the hidden troops charged down with thunderous cries. Pursuers from behind blocked the rear, cavalry ahead wheeled around to strike—the Xili force had become turtles trapped in a jar.
“My king, we must think of retreat! There are still tens of thousands of foot soldiers behind—we can still cut our way out!”
“Yes, my king! We’ll cover you!”
Meng Rang had no wish to die. He leapt from his horse to climb the rock blocking the road, when suddenly a despairing cry came from behind: “My king—it’s Xing Muzheng! Xing Muzheng is leading men in pursuit!”
Meng Rang gnashed his teeth. Knowing all was lost, he bellowed, “Kill! Kill them all! Whoever slays Xing Muzheng—I will reward with ten thousand taels of gold!”
But no matter how the Xili soldiers resisted, nothing could overturn the Xie dynasty’s resounding victory.
Qian Jiaoniang was escorted to safety. Xia Yi and Qiu Wu urged her to leave the battlefield, but she wished to wait for word of Meng Rang’s capture or death. A messenger rode up from the front, delivering an order for her to withdraw immediately.
“Whose order is this?” Qian Jiaoniang frowned—what general would dare command her? A sudden unease pricked her heart.
“Reporting to Madam, by command of the Grand Marshal—you are to depart at once!”
“The Grand Marshal? Your Grand Marshal has returned?” Qian Jiaoniang straightened sharply, gazing toward the fierce battlefield. “Where is he?”
“The Grand Marshal rushed back and met with General Xu. They came with reinforcements, and are now at the rear,” the messenger explained. “Madam, you must return to safety at once!”
Qian Jiaoniang still strained to catch sight of Xing Muzheng. “I understand. Go to the Marshal and tell him I am safe—beg him to be careful!”
She dared not linger longer. Under guard, she took a safe route around the mountain back toward the city. Even after leaving the valley, faintly she could hear the screams of battle. Looking back, she saw smoke still billowing.
“Madam, marvelous! Your plan has trapped the Xili king himself!” Qiu Wu could not hide his joy. “Once he is captured, how much longer can their barbarian state last?”
Qian Jiaoniang sighed lightly. “If there were no war, it would be best of all. The dead are all living souls.” Enemy or ally, aside from the few who lived only for bloodshed, most were just common folk hoping for peaceful days.
“True enough. In every age, all people wish for nothing more than a flourishing peace, where none dare invade.”
“A flourishing peace… is it?”
Though she had won a great victory, Qian Jiaoniang felt no elation. She knew an even greater battle awaited.
The war of rebellion.
She wished to fight that war—not merely for her family, but for all the people under heaven. Such an emperor, petty and jealous of his meritorious ministers, selfish and cruel, would never think of the common folk. He would only harm the loyal to secure his throne. When that time came, who would be left to serve the people’s welfare?
By nightfall, news came back: Meng Rang’s army of Xili was defeated at last. Meng Rang himself led the surrender. At Wuyou Valley, thirty thousand enemies were slain, twenty thousand captured.
By the third watch, Xing Muzheng returned to the command tent. Qian Jiaoniang had not gone back to the city. Fighting off her exhaustion, she remained in the tent, tending the wounded while waiting for his return. Thus, when Xing Muzheng entered, his armor drenched with blood, Qian Jiaoniang saw him immediately. Their eyes met, and in that instant her weariness vanished. She stepped forward, looking him up and down. “Are you hurt?”
Xing Muzheng took a step back, keeping his bloodied armor from touching her. “I’m fine. Just a scratch.” Removing his helmet and armor, he washed his face and hands as a soldier brought water. Only when Qian Jiaoniang saw he was truly unharmed did she breathe a sigh of relief.
Xing Muzheng, in turn, looked her over, seeing she was whole. He leaned close to her ear and scolded low, “Disobedient. I’ll deal with you later.”
Hearing the steel in his tone, Qian Jiaoniang knew she was in for it. She forced a guilty smile and asked, “Why did you come back?”
“I knew you’d feign obedience and go against me—and indeed you did.” Xing Muzheng pinched her chin, dangerous light flashing in his black eyes.
Qian Jiaoniang cursed her luck. Just then, other generals entered, faces beaming with victory. She quickly pulled back from him. They reported Meng Rang’s surrender and praised her for the victory, crediting it to her stratagem.
Xing Muzheng seated her at the place of honor, swiftly assigned the aftermath duties to his men, and then led her back into the city.
Once inside their quarters, Xing Muzheng flung Qian Jiaoniang onto the bed and immediately kissed her hard.
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