Chapter 265 Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

　　As news of the outbreak of fighting reached the command tent, even the usually calm and collected Chu Qiao, who was planning her army’s tactics, could not help but feel a little panicked.

　　Frowning, a Tang general suggested, “Your Highness, we should provide assistance for them to retreat. We did not make any preparations, and Tiexian River is close to the Yan Bei command base. We have to take precautions.”

　　Instead, Chu Qiao shook her head, replying sternly, “Are we the only ones unprepared? Based on field intelligence, this battle was completely spontaneous. Neither side was prepared to engage.”

　　“But…”

　　“He Qi, I want you to immediately lead 20,000 infantry troops towards Tiexian River. I’m counting on you to lead our army’s first battle.”

　　Stunned, He Qi asked, “20,000 infantry troops?”

　　Chu Qiao nodded. “Correct.”

　　“But, General, the bulk of our forces are made of light cavalry and heavy armored units. We have less than 8,000 infantry troops.”

　　“Leave the horses behind then. Remember, I want each soldier to have a battle sword with at least three blades. Ditch the heavy gear, and fight with the light but mobile armor.”

　　He Qi frowned, but as he realized her serious intent, he nodded before walking out with his battle sword.

　　As He Qi stepped out, the Tang general could not help but ask, “Your Highness, is 20,000 people enough? Why don’t we deploy more troops? After all, the command base of Yan Bei is near Tiexian River. The enemy will be able to reinforce at a faster rate than us.”

　　Chu Qiao shook her head and replied calmly, “No need. 20,000 will suffice.”

　　As the thunderous sounds of horses’ hooves rumbled across the land, a giant formation of troops assembled, whipping out their battle swords for their impending battle.

　　Several days of continuous torrential rain had turned what was once rock-solid soil into a huge sticky pool of mud, greatly hindering the mobility and agility of the warhorses. Regardless, both sides clashed in the heavy mud and exchanged blows with each other as the sounds of battle roared across the land.

　　At over 70 years old, with only white hair on his head, Mo Xu rode on his horse and wielded a battle sword, his face red with rage. As his guards dragged the reins of his horse, they screamed, “Sir! Run!”, before being knocked onto the floor by him. The senior yet veteran guardian raised his sword and charged forward on his horse as he shouted, “Kill the enemy for my country!”, leading the attack even after having been struck by ten arrows. Behind him were his troops, including his son, his grandson who was just over 30 years old, and his great-grandson who could not have been more than 16.

　　By the time He Qi and his troops arrived, the battle was already reaching its conclusion. The officials and soldiers of Wuling County, inspired by the bravery of their military leaders, had resisted valiantly against the tens of thousands of cavalry troops. Presently, they were approaching their limits. He Qi did not say anything, dashing straight into the battlefield with his troops. The previous battle had all but turned the area around Tiexian River into a mud pool, hindering the movements of the horses of the cavalry troops. The heavily armored Yan Bei soldiers on horseback were forced to jump down and engage in close combat. The specialty of cavalry troops was the complete opposite, as they excelled in fighting over long distances on massive plains. The heavy armor combined with the thick mud meant that the soldiers’ movements were heavily restricted.

　　The widespread killings and sound of screams swarmed the skies, as blood seeped the earth, the land turning red slowly.

　　Having realized their disadvantage, some of the Yan Bei soldiers attempted to remove their heavy armor. Yet, such attempts wasted precious seconds in the heat of battle, as He Qi’s troops were able to slaughter them without resistance.

　　The close proximity to Tiexian River meant that any updates on the battle would be first given to Yan Xun and his subordinates, who were in the command tent. Yet, this also meant that as the base guards heard the clashes and cries of the fighting, they mistook the sounds heard as an attempt to attack the base, leading them to send more troops out as reinforcements.

　　By the time Yan Xun ordered the cavalry back, it was too late, for they were already engulfed in the chaos of the battlefield.

　　The generals in the base had initially mocked the Xiuli Army for being over-ambitious. Yet, as updates on the battle streamed in, their expressions became more and more troubled. A request to reinforce with light infantry was denied by Yan Xun as he shook his head. He realized that it was already too late, as the narrow terrain along Tiexian River meant that over 50,000 troops and horses were concentrated on a small piece of land that acted as a choke point. Any more reinforcements or attempts would lead to further bloodshed and losses that would only end in vain.

　　Yet, he refused to let the matter slide. The first battle at Hanshui was of utmost importance, as defeat would severely affect troop morale, which would then further affect the outcome of future battles.

　　Immediately, Yan Xun ordered a full deployment of his forces towards Weiliao for an all-out attack.

　　As the moon began to rise along with the darkness of night that enshrouded the land, a young Yan Bei officer once again stressed his opinion that being the defensive side meant that Yan Bei forces should hold concentrate around Hanshui Pass to preserve their forces.

　　Initially ignoring him, Yan Xun would become so frustrated with him that he ordered him to be thrown into a cell. Without his annoying reminders, Yan Xun was finally able to calm down and think about this inglorious option.

　　The military strategist, the soldiers and even the generals that had stood by him through numerous battles were all perplexed at his present intentions.

　　Indeed, the purpose of the Xiuli Army was to reach the Tang capital to assist the emperor against Princess Jingan’s siege. In order to do so, them passing through Hanshui Pass was an absolute certainty. This meant that as long as they concentrated their forces in Hanshui Pass, a showdown with the Xiuli Army was a certainty. Being on the defensive also meant that they were guaranteed to suffer much fewer casualties and losses against their enemy.

　　The sudden decision to lead his forces for an attack and lose such a critical advantage puzzled many in his army.

　　Yet, only he himself understood the situation that he was currently facing. Being the largest and most populous city in Tang with over a million people, Hanshui Pass was Tang’s most important city. The only reasons that allowed Yan Bei to occupy the city without any resistance were the chaos caused by the bandits raiding the city beforehand and the shock and awe factor of Yan Xun personally leading his undefeated army, as he marched into the city.

　　He knew that even with the combined strength of himself and Princess Jingan’s, he would never be able to overwhelm the entire military might of the Tang Empire. Even the king of Luo had failed with his coup, losing to Li Ce, despite having plotted it for over ten years. How was it possible to wipe out a thousand-year-old empire on his own? He was all too aware that in the region west of Hanshui Pass, several other armies were watching and waiting for the showdown between Yan Bei and Xiuli Army, ready to capitalize on any signs of fatigue.

　　All these only served to highlight the significance of the battle at Tiexian River. Even though it was only a small skirmish, it was a battle that Yan Bei could not afford to lose. Leading an attack would mean that he was able to cover up this fact while giving him the strategic initiative and show the true capabilities of the Yan Bei Army.

　　“AhChu, the battle at Tiexian River may have been unintentional, but your thought process is on another level.” In the darkness, Yan Xun sat in his royal carriage, dressed in his black robe as he looked at the distant city lights. In front of him, a convoy of eight battle horses marched on.

　　A dancer half-squatted on his carriage rut, her skin smooth as silk, a figure as thin as that of a flower. Raising her head and toasting with a glass of wine, she said, “I wish Your Majesty a stunning victory, may the deplorables in the city be decimated, glory to Yan Bei!”

　　Yan Xun looked at her in silence as he smirked, “Are you from Yan Bei?”

　　The dancer, taken aback, immediately replied, “I am from Hanshui. But, I have revered Your Majesty for a long time. Now that I’m beside you, I am now yours. Naturally, I belong to Yan Bei!”

　　Yan Xun smiled ever deeper. “I have invaded your land and murdered your citizens. To say you are mine speaks highly of your loyalty to me.”

　　Excited at him being impressed, the dancer hurriedly replied, “Of course I belong to you, Your Majesty. So long as you request, I will do anything for you.”

　　“Anything?” Yan Xun raised his eyebrows slightly and replied.

　　“Yes,” the dancer answered seductively as she rested her chest on his lap, before biting her lower lip and whispering, “Anything.”

　　Yan Xun erupted in laughter before he turned to his servants beside him and said, “She says she’ll do anything for me. When we attack the city of Weiliao later, put her on the frontline.”

　　Almost immediately, his bodyguards grabbed the dancer. Her face turned pale as if she had been drained of blood. Frantically, she screamed in panic, “Your Majesty! Please have mercy! I’m just a normal lady! I can’t fight a battle! Please have mercy!”

　　She was dragged away while she struggled. Yan Xun leaned back on his seat as he silently shook the glass of wine in his hand, muttering as he did so, “Anything?” Then, he gave out a cold, mocking laugh.

　　Meanwhile, another frail lady stood in Weiliao City. She was covered in armor as she stood on the towering city blocks, looking down at the military formations below. Thousands of lit torches seemed to turn night into day, as streaks of light flashed across the horizon. She was all too aware that Yan Xun was somewhere amongst the thousands of torches. Having not seen each other for a long time, this day was the day that they would be reunited with each other. Perhaps, the arrival of this day had been expected. After all, like a stubborn child, fate would always find its way to catch up.

　　Standing on the towering city blocks, Chu Qiao raised her head ever so slightly, the wind rustling her hair as the fires below lit the night sky red. Many years ago, they stood shoulder to shoulder, whipping their knives to break the prison locks, leaving a trail of blood behind them as they rampaged their way out. Would they have done the same thing then, had they known what was awaiting them today?

　　She closed her eyes as she maintained her resolute expression, her mind in flux. No one knew when the next waves of attacks would occur. As she held her sword tightly, a man descended from the heavens towards her, silently looking at her. In that instant, she was seemingly brought back to that season, where the crabapple flowers were in full bloom.

　　Li Ce, I will guard this place for you.

　　A thunderous boom suddenly erupted, a shirtless man stood under the red light on the towering platform, banging his drums. The echoes of the drums drilled into everyone’s chest, as if the earth itself was moving.

　　He Xiao then raised his bow, pulling it to its maximum tension. As he released it, a fiery arrow shot out, lighting up the sky like a meteor shower. Yet almost immediately, the enemy responded with their own fiery arrow, its faster speed smashing He Xiao’s arrow into smithereens before relentlessly continuing its journey.

　　Seeing this, Chu Qiao whipped out her battle sword and deflected the arrow away, causing both objects to fall onto the ground.

　　Both armies then simultaneously cheered, before a sudden wave of warcries were heard approaching. As everybody looked down, the Yan Bei army had commenced with their first wave of attacks. To everyone’s surprise, a group of infantry troops, instead of cavalry troops, led the attack.