Chapter 154: No Wind
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
These fifty people, when they first accepted the task assigned by Cui Yuezhi, never thought of returning alive. At this moment, when they heard what He Yan said, they all stood there in a daze.
After a while, someone asked, “Is this… feasible?”
“I will attract the attention of the Wutuo people in front,” He Yan said, “but your boats also need to be arranged according to my plan.” She had never set up a water formation before, but she couldn’t afford to worry about that now. However, He Yan looked at the distant sky, and at the end of the sky, there was a faint line of light. The day was about to dawn, but would there be wind today?
Would the heavens be on their side?
But no matter what, the battle was their destiny.
“Raise the blades in your hands and follow me,” she said.
…
The day finally broke, the last bit of darkness dissipated, and a red sun rose from the front of the canal, accompanied by clouds and mist, casting a golden light over the entire river, with Jiyang City bathed in a brilliant glow.
The soldiers on the city tower blew their horns, and on the riverbank, the Jiyang army was ready for battle, with boats lined up closely like dense black iron.
However, in the distance, a dark spot gradually appeared, growing larger and larger. It started as a thin line, then widened and lengthened until it covered a large area of the canal. It became clear to everyone that these were Wutuo people’s boats.
Wutuo people’s boats were incredibly tall and large, with Wutuo soldiers standing at the bow, wearing leather armor, and small round hats made of black lamb’s skin on their heads, with two red ribbons trailing from the back of the hats. They were all tall and strong, and even before getting close, they began to laugh loudly, intimidating the Jiyang army on their side.
“Commander,” a deputy whispered behind, his voice trembling slightly, “their numbers…”
“At least one hundred and fifty thousand,” Xiao Jue replied.
Twenty thousand against one hundred and fifty thousand, this was no longer a matter of winning against the odds; the overwhelming difference was terrifying, and it made people feel desperate.
“Follow me onto the boat,” Xiao Jue stepped onto a small boat on the riverbank.
Compared to the Wutuo people’s boats, the boats of the Jiyang City army were excessively small. The Wutuo soldiers had come from the north of the canal, and their journey was long. Their boats were large and sturdy, built with some precious wood, and it was unclear what kind of wood was used, but it was undoubtedly valuable. Over the years, the Great Wei had been busy suppressing rebellions in the Western Qiang and the Southern Barbarians, which had given the Wutuo people an opportunity to amass wealth without being noticed. Their national treasury might not be much smaller than that of the Great Wei.
The Jiyang City army followed Xiao Jue onto the boat, and the boats headed in the direction of the Wutuo army.
The leader who had brought the troops to Jiyang this time was the Wutuo general, Maka. Maka was not particularly tall, in fact, he seemed quite short compared to the soldiers around him. He wasn’t very old either, having just reached adulthood, but he was already well-known in the Wutuo country due to his expertise in surprise attacks. Moreover, he was the cousin of the Wutuo country’s ruler, who had entrusted him with one hundred and fifty thousand troops to make the first strike against the Great Wei in this campaign.
For Maka, victory in Jiyang was almost certain.
The spies lurking in Jiyang City had already gathered detailed information about the city’s current situation. As a vassal territory of a prince, it had very few troops, and in recent years, it had been excessively peaceful and tranquil. Seizing such a city would be a piece of cake. The only slightly troublesome factor was Jiyang’s princess, Mu Hongjin. This woman was very cunning, but ultimately, she was just a woman. However, in recent days, it seemed that there were more people in Jiyang City, and there were rumors of a swordsman in white clothing hunting Wutuo spies. To avoid getting caught in the act, the civilians of Jiyang City had started evacuating early, fearing the nightmares, and this was why they had decided to act ahead of schedule.
“Is the one leading the troops Cui Yuezhi?” Maka asked. “I heard he was a fierce general when he was young, but now he’s getting older. I wonder if he can still wield a sword?”
His entourage laughed and said, “No one can match the general’s sword!”
Maka’s hand brushed against the sheath of his long blade at his waist. “If he dies by my blade, it will be his honor!”
The laughter carried to the surface of the river and reached the Jiyang City army from afar.
Xiao Jue stood at the front of the boat, watching more and more Wutuo boats appearing in the distance. After a moment, he smiled and muttered, “Fools.”
“What?” the deputy soldier asked, puzzled.
“All of the Wutuo boats are connected end to end; it seems like they’re not scared of dying fast enough,” Xiao Jue stood up and walked inside the boat, picking up a cloak stolen from a Wutuo soldier’s hand and fastened it around himself. He sneered, “Try to stay on the water as long as possible. Let those who want to die rush in; there’s no need to stop them.”
….
Meanwhile, He Yan also boarded a boat smeared with oil.
The boats were tightly covered with thick hemp cloth that concealed the oil and firewood, making them look no different from the ordinary Jiyang City army boats, with flags flying above. The fifty people were divided into ten groups of five.
He Yan and Mu Yi were on the same boat. She said to the others, “Stay far behind me, don’t get too close.” She took a piece of paper from her pocket and quickly drew a map on the ground with a piece of charcoal. “Look at this.”
The map depicted several boats, with the one in the middle circled by He Yan. “I will use this boat to attract the Wutuo people’s attention. The rest of your boats should be arranged as I have drawn. Listen to my instructions when the time comes, and when I give the signal, be sure to set the boats on fire and jump into the water.”
“Can you do it, Miss He?” one person expressed concern. “Maybe we should switch with you.”
It’s too dangerous to be the bait for the Wutuo people. One small mistake could cost her her life. While no one wants to die, they can’t just watch a young lady go into danger on her own.
“Don’t worry, I have my own arrangements,” He Yan tightened the whip at her waist, and then walked towards the boat, saying, “The Commander has already boarded the ship; let’s set off!”
The boats met on the canal in front of the city gate.
The Jiyang City army looked tiny as ants in the midst of countless Wutuo boats. However, the young man standing at the very front of the boat was clad in black armor. His figure was as sharp as a sword, his appearance was exquisite and striking, and he held a long sword with a cold and imposing aura. The morning sunlight cast a radiant glow on him, making him unapproachable.
This was an unfamiliar man, and Maka was slightly surprised. He hesitated and asked those around him, “This isn’t Cui Yuezhi? Who is this man?”
Cui Yuezhi was a stout man, not a handsome one. But if Cui Yuezhi wasn’t here, where did this man come from? Was he a rising star in Jiyang City in recent years? But the intelligence sent back by Wutuo spies had never mentioned this figure. If he wasn’t anything special, how could Mu Hongjin have entrusted the small Jiyang City army to him?
“I’ve never seen this person,” one of his subordinates hesitated and said, “Perhaps Cui Yuezhi is no longer capable, and there was no one else in Jiyang City, so Mu Hongjin randomly picked someone to fill in. This young man is no match for the general!”
Maka didn’t say anything, but as a commander, he had a certain instinct about whether the other side was just a figurehead or had real skills. This person didn’t seem ordinary at all. Maka was puzzled, but he didn’t have time to think further. He slowly drew the long blade from his waist, pointed it forward, and shouted, “Warriors, follow me!”
For a moment, the sounds of battle and shouting were deafening.
The Wutuo people also knew that once they landed, there would be nothing to stop them. Jiyang City was as weak as paper, and twenty thousand people were not enough to challenge them. To protect the civilians, the Jiyang City army had no choice but to fight more on the water.
Fighting on the water didn’t mean much; their boats were large and sturdy. Killing on a boat only caused slight swaying, nothing more.
The encounter between the large and small boats resembled the meeting of a big fish and a small fish, brutal and intense. The large boats almost crushed the small ones, but the small boats, being more agile and aware of the submerged rocks, skillfully avoided collisions. The two armies clashed on the boats.
Capture the leader first. Maka’s target was the young man wearing black armor and holding a precious sword on the opposite boat. When the two boats drew near, he stood at the bow, gazing at the figure at the opposite boat’s bow.
“Commander!” someone shouted from beside him.
Maka narrowed his eyes and asked, “Commander? Who are you?”
“Xiao Huaijin.”
Maka felt that the name was somewhat familiar, but he was usually quite arrogant and indifferent to other people’s names. Names were just names to him, and he would forget them in an instant. And no one had expected Xiao Huaijin to appear in this place. At that moment, he simply said, “Never heard of it!”
However, one of his subordinates, with a bewildered expression, spoke up, “Xiao Huaijin, isn’t he General Fengyun of Great Wei?”
General Fengyun?
Maka was taken aback and looked at the person in front of him. Just by mentioning General Fengyun, the Right Army Commander, even if he was usually extremely arrogant and looked down on others, he knew who he was dealing with. Xiao Huaijin was renowned for his undefeated military prowess, and even if they had never crossed swords, it was enough to intimidate the Wutuo people.
“Are you General Fengyun of Great Wei?” he asked.
Xiao Jue gazed calmly at him and replied coldly, “That’s right.”
Maka suddenly sheathed his sword, and his relaxed expression abruptly changed.
Although he wasn’t sure if it was true, hearing it from the young man in front of him made Maka believe it about ninety percent! This person had a remarkable presence, and if he wasn’t truly such a formidable figure, why would Mu Hongjin entrust the Jiyang City army to him and let Xiao Huaijin take command? Not even her trusted subordinate, Cui Yuezhi, was used.
There was no mention of this in the intelligence sent back by Wutuo spies!
Maka became anxious, but amidst his anxiety, he felt a faint eagerness. Xiao Huaijin was undoubtedly extraordinary, but he had only twenty thousand men.
Twenty thousand against one hundred and fifty thousand, no matter how formidable Xiao Huaijin might be, it didn’t seem like he could win. What could a heroic general do? Just with these few insignificant boats?
If he led the Wutuo people to defeat Xiao Huaijin, he would be the one who defeated General Fengyun of the Great Wei. In the Wutuo country, he would bask in the glory for the rest of his life.
For a moment, Maka’s blood boiled, and he roared, “Warriors, kill them all! Seize their city, take their wealth, and enjoy their women! Kill!”
“Kill! Kill! Kill!”
The earth-shaking battle cries rang out and spread across the canal. The Wutuo people were naturally cunning and ruthless, and they loved killing. Stirred by Maka’s words, they raised their weapons and charged forward.
In the midst of the close combat, they fought valiantly, drenched in blood.
The sound of the battle reached He Yan’s ears, and she looked towards the distance, where the two armies were standing together on the river.
Mu Yi asked, “Commander Xiao has already started. Should we move closer to them now?”
He Yan shook her head and looked at the sky.
The sky was clear, without a single cloud, and there was not a breath of wind. Her heart gradually sank. The people from the Astral Observatory had said that today might or might not have wind, but even if there was wind, it wouldn’t be at this moment. However… with such a clear sky, would there really be wind?
Would the heavens truly be on Jiyang City’s side?
She looked at the Wutuo boats in the distance, which were huge and heavy, making them especially conspicuous on the canal. As she watched, she suddenly froze, and after a moment, a smile appeared on her lips.
Mu Yi asked, “What’s wrong, Miss He? Why are you smiling?”
“I’m laughing at how ignorant the Wutuo people are,” she said. “Look at the front and back of their boats; they’re all connected.”
Unlike Jiyang, Wutuo was not a water-rich region, and their soldiers were not skilled in water warfare. Therefore, all their large boats were connected by iron chains. The Wutuo people probably thought this would save them a lot of effort and ensure that no boat would fall behind the formation, creating the appearance of a fleet.
This method of connecting boats head to tail was common when transporting goods at sea. However, in this situation, it seemed cumbersome. Especially on this day, when they intended to use a fire attack.
Mu Yi’s eyes lit up. “As long as we set one of their ships on fire, it’ll be enough.” But soon, he became worried. “Their large ships are all linked together. Once the small boat goes in, it’s like a lamb entering the lion’s mouth. I’m afraid we’ll be surrounded by the Wutuo people before we can set the ship on fire.”
“No worries,” He Yan called the others to board the boat and said, “You stay where I indicated on the map. I’ll take one boat and lure them over.”
“Lure them over?” Mu Yi asked, “How are you going to lure them?”
The Wutuo people didn’t need to chase after a single boat. It might have been possible before, but now with all these ships strung together, they would likely focus on fighting Xiao Huaijin’s Jiyang City army.
“I have my ways,” He Yan said.
Just as she finished speaking, a man’s voice reached them. “Ah He.”
He Yan turned around and saw Chu Zhao, slightly surprised.
“I had Cui Jiao go to the palace to get Her Highness’s clothes. It’s not safe outside, so I told her to go back to Cui’s house and I brought them for you,” Chu Zhao said with a smile. “I was lucky to catch up.”
“Why is Brother Chu still in Jiyang City?” He Yan asked. “It’s not safe here. You should have left with the evacuating civilians.”
This man had no martial skills at all. If… if the Wutuo people entered the city, he would probably be in grave danger.
“Even His Highness has stayed at the palace without leaving. I’m not as good as you, Ah He, but I won’t leave alone. I’ll stay with my friend, no matter how good or bad the situation is,” Chu Zhao replied.
“But you have no martial skills,” He Yan thought for a moment. “Well, wait here.”
She jumped off the boat and walked to a nearby tent. After a brief moment inside, she came out and handed Chu Zhao a bundle of clothing.
“I bought this at the embroidery shop in Jiyang. The fabric is made of mermaid silk, and the young man who sold it to me said it was blade- and fire-resistant. Although I don’t know if it’s true, you can wear it just in case. It might offer some protection if anything goes wrong,” He Yan sighed. She had originally planned to wear this dress under her armor, thinking it was better than nothing.
In this moment, seeing Chu Zhao standing there so frail and vulnerable, He Yan felt that giving him the dress might be a better choice. Although she wasn’t sure if he was friend or foe, his act of having Cui Jiao return to Cui’s mansion and then following her here demonstrated loyalty.
Chu Zhao was momentarily stunned and was about to say something when he saw the young woman turn and lead her group back onto the boat. Her graceful figure made her quickly blend in with the others as the boat gradually pulled away from the shore, heading towards the center of the river, where the battle raged with flashing blades and flickering flames.
The small boat appeared to be drawn to the chaos like a moth to a flame, swaying unsteadily, but the people on board were resolute, with no hint of hesitation.
Chu Zhao lowered his head and looked at the fabric in his hands. It appeared to have just been taken off a woman, still carrying a faint warmth. It was quite inappropriate, but he slowly lifted it, and the long hem revealed that it was a woman’s dress.
He was puzzled for a moment, then shook his head and smiled.
….
In the city, the citizens hid in their homes, tightly closing their doors and windows, holding their young ones in their arms, and staring at the doors as if they were watching for any glimmer of hope.
Time passed slowly.
There was not a single person on the streets, and the bustling Jiyang City, which was usually so lively, was now eerily quiet, like a city of the dead. In the royal palace, Princess Mu Hongjin sat in the hall, gazing at the outside.
The windows were wide open, and the willow branches swayed gently, the sky was clear with not a cloud in sight, and there was no wind today.
She lowered her eyes and her fingertips slowly sank into the soft backrest of the high seat.
No wind today.
…..
Near the Hulou mouth, hidden soldiers laid in the shadows like stones, silent and still. Archers hid in the darkness, waiting for the Wutuo people to come ashore to launch an ambush.
Cui Yuezhi stood behind a tree, his usually cheerful face weighed down with a heavy burden. With 150,000 Wutuo people approaching, there was no need to engage them in battle; once they entered the city, there would be no escape for the remaining inhabitants. If the Wutuo people arrived earlier, it would spell disaster for the people who were still fleeing along the roads.
Cui Yuezhi had brought a portion of the Jiyang City’s defenders here to prevent the Wutuo people from coming ashore and becoming the last line of defense in front of the city gates. However, if Xiao Huaijin couldn’t eliminate the Wutuo people’s main forces, it would be impossible for them to hold off the wolf pack headed for the city with just their troops.
The only way to deal with this situation, as He Yan had suggested the previous night, was to use fire to annihilate the Wutuo people, ensuring that any stragglers would be stopped here. But the question was, could they really use fire as a weapon?
A Jiyang City soldier laid hidden in the grass, carried a bow and arrow on his back. The long grass covered his face, tickling him slightly, but he didn’t make a move or scratch his itch.
It wasn’t just the people who were still; the wild grass in front of him, the flowers on the roadside, the calm water’s surface, and the delicate dandelions—all remained perfectly still.
Today, there was no wind.
Cui Yuezhi’s heart sank further. Today’s lack of wind and unfavorable weather made it precarious. Relying solely on Xiao Huaijin’s army of less than twenty thousand soldiers, they might not be able to withstand the Wutuo people without the use of fire. Their supposed ambush here could easily turn into a situation where they became the prey of the Wutuo people.
But how could there be no wind?
Xiao Huaijin’s martial arts master, the formidable swordsman in white, had been absolutely confident when he assured him, “Don’t worry, there will definitely be wind today.”
The officials at the Si Tian Observatory had stated that today’s weather was equally likely to be windy or not. However, Lui Buwang had insisted, “Prepare for the ambush, there will definitely be wind today.”
The fact that Lui Buwang was known to divine led them to believe him wholeheartedly. It might have been self-deception, but they desperately wanted to believe his words. However, it seemed that there was no wind at the moment.
Speaking of which, where was Lui Buwang?
It was only now that Cui Yuezhi remembered that, since early morning when he had woken up and left the Cui residence for the camp, he hadn’t seen Lui Buwang.
…..
The water’s surface rippled slightly, not from the wind, but from the movement of fish below.
Along the riverbank, where spring grass was lush and wildflowers bloomed, someone sat on the ground with a zither placed before them. The person wore white robes, their attire clean and free from dust. Their demeanor was exceptionally graceful, and a sword hung from their waist, giving them the air of a dashing martial artist.
Lui Buwang gazed at the sky.
Sunlight filtered through the trees, casting golden shadows. It wasn’t too hot, the warmth just right. It was a lively spring day, with every bit of new greenery carrying the essence of spring. Everything blended gently into this tranquil waterside setting.
In the distance, the sounds of battle contrasted starkly with the peaceful surroundings. Not far away, the boundary between water and land was distinct.
The wind had yet to arrive, but Lui Buwang knew that, whether it came earlier or later, the wind would undoubtedly come.
Years ago, he had witnessed a situation that seemed irredeemable, and years later, divining, he had discovered a glimmer of hope. At first, he didn’t know whose shadows those were, but now, it was highly likely that it was his disciple, He Yan, and the young and heroic Commander-in-Chief of the Right Army, Xiao Huaijin.
These two leaders, who had spent years on the battlefield, had quietly saved many lives. This was their merit. People with such merit were not severely tested by heaven. They would be blessed wherever they went. Perhaps it was because of their righteousness and light that Jiyang City’s dire situation now had a glimmer of hope.
These two individuals are capable of turning a losing game into a winning one.
Even though they cannot see the outcome, they may catch a glimmer of hope. As long as there is hope, it means the road is not a dead end. So the wind will come, even if it may not arrive too soon. But the wind will come.
What he needs to do is to firmly grasp that glimmer of hope and help these two individuals completely turn the game around.
The sounds of battle in the distance seem to be getting closer, and this is not an illusion. Liu Buwang looked ahead, several large boats… are approaching this way.
The Wutuo people are not fools. They won’t let themselves be delayed by Xiao Jue. While their main force is engaging with the Jiyang City troops led by Xiao Jue, another group sneaks ashore in the confusion. Once ashore and in control of the entire Jiyang City, the victory in the naval battle is only a matter of time.
Cui Yuezhi’s troops at Hulu mouth are still some distance away from this location. They believe they are the first line of defense, but in reality, it is not so. Liu Buwang is the true first line of defense.
The art of Qimen Dunjia, among the seven disciples of Master Yunji Daoist back then, he was the best at it. In recent years, he has rarely used this art because it is extremely exhausting and damages his physical strength. He is no longer the young man he used to be, despite his elegant white attire, his hair has already turned slightly gray.
However, he will continue to stand guard here, protecting her city.
Liu Buwang plucked the strings of the ancient zither.
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
