When these 50 people first accepted Cui Yuezhi's orders, they never thought that they would come back alive. When they heard He Yan's words, they froze on the spot.
After a while, someone asked, "Is this … feasible?"
"I'll attract the Uto's attention from the front," He Yan said. "However, your boats will need to be arranged according to my arrangements." She had never set up a formation on the water before, but she couldn't care less at the moment. However, He Yan looked at the distant sky. There was a ray of light at the end of the sky. The sky was about to brighten. Would there be any wind today?
Would the heavens be on their side?
But no matter what, fighting was their destiny.
"Pick up the sabers in your hands and follow me," she said.
Dawn finally broke, and the last bit of darkness dissipated. A red sun rose from the front of the canal, accompanied by clouds and mist. Golden light spread across the entire river, and Jiyang City was enveloped in a splendid glow.
The soldiers on the city tower blew the horn. At the embankment, the Jiyang army was ready to set off. Their boats docked at the shore like dense black iron.
A dark spot gradually appeared in the distance. Slowly, the dark spot grew bigger and bigger. At first, it was a flat line. Then, the line became wider and longer until it covered a large area of the canal. Everyone could see clearly that it was the Uto's boats.
The Uto's boats were extremely tall. At the bow of the boats stood the Uto soldiers. They were all wearing leather robes and small round hats made of black lamb's skin. Two red belts were attached to the back of the hats. They were all tall and strong. Before they even got close, they laughed loudly and intimidated the Jiyang army.
"Commander-in-chief," a deputy soldier behind her said in a trembling voice, "their men …"
"At least 150,000," Xiao Jue said.
20,000 against 150,000. This was no longer a battle of numbers. The disparity was so big that it made people feel desperate.
"Follow me onto the boat." Xiao Jue took the lead and stepped onto the small boat on the shore.
Compared to the Uto's ships, the Jiyang City Army's ships were too small. The Uto soldiers had come up from the north of the canal, and it was a long journey. The ships were large and sturdy, and it was unknown what kind of wood they were made of, but it should be very precious. In recent years, Da Wei had been busy quelling the chaos in the Western Qiang and Southern Barbarians, giving the Uto an opportunity. Unknowingly, the wealth of the Uto Kingdom was not to be underestimated. Its treasury might not be any weaker than that of Da Wei.
The soldiers of Jiyang City followed the Xiao Jue onto the ship, and the ship headed in the direction of the Wu Tuo Army.
The leader who led the troops to Jiyang this time was the Utuo General Maka. Maka was actually not very tall. In fact, compared to the bodyguards around him, he was rather short. He was not very old and had just stood up, but he was already very famous in the Utopia Kingdom. This was because he was extremely adept at sneak attacks. Furthermore, because he was the cousin of the king of Wutuo Kingdom, the king had entrusted him with an army of 150,000 soldiers, allowing him to fight his first battle in Da Wei.
Maka was determined to win over Jiyang.
The spies hidden in Jiyang City had already found out about the current situation in Jiyang City. The territory of a vassal king did not have many soldiers and horses, and it had been peaceful and happy all these years. Conquering such a city was actually a piece of cake. The only problem was the princess of Jiyang, Mu Hongjin. This woman was very cunning, but she was only a woman. However, there seemed to be more people in Jiyang City these days. It was said that a white-clothed swordsman was chasing after the spies of the Utopia Kingdom. It was unknown if the news had been leaked, but the commoners of Jiyang City had already begun to evacuate. In order to avoid any more trouble, they decided to take action in advance.
"Is the one leading the troops this time Cui Yuezhi?" Maka asked. "I heard that he was also a fierce general when he was young, but now that he's old, I wonder if he still wants to use his blade?"
His trusted aides around him roared with laughter. "He can't compare to the general's blade!"
Maka stroked the scabbard on his waist. "If he really dies under my blade, it'll be his glory!"
His laughter drifted over the river and landed in the midst of Jiyang City's army.
Xiao Jue stood at the bow of the boat and watched as more and more Utopia soldiers appeared in the distance. After a moment, she curled her lips. "Idiots."
"What?" The deputy soldier was puzzled.
"All the Utopia soldiers are lined up at the bow and stern. Looks like they're afraid they won't die quickly enough." Xiao Jue stood up and walked inside. She grabbed the cloak in Chi Wu's hands and tied it around herself. "Try to stay on the water for as long as possible. There's no need to stop someone who's rushing to their death."
At the same time, He Yan also boarded a small boat filled with ointment.
The ointment and firewood on the boat were tightly covered with thick linen cloth. It looked no different from the ordinary boats of Jiyang City's army, and there was a military flag on top of it. 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, "Follow me from afar. Don't come close." She took out a piece of paper from her bosom and casually picked up a charcoal pen from the ground to draw a picture. "Look at this."
There were a few boats drawn on the map, and the one in the middle was circled by He Yan. "I'll use this boat to attract the attention of the Wutuo people. The rest of your boats will be arranged according to the directions I drew. When I give the signal, you must burn the boat and jump into the water. "
"Can you do it? Miss He, "someone said worriedly." Why don't we do it instead? "
It was too dangerous to act as the Uto's bait. If they weren't careful, they could lose their lives. Although no one was willing to die, they couldn't watch a girl take the lead and face danger alone.
"Don't worry, I have my own plans." He Yan tightened the whip around her waist and took the lead to walk towards the boat. "The commander-in-chief has already boarded the boat. Let's set off too!"
The boats met at the canal in front of the city gate.
Jiyang City's army looked as small as ants against the countless Uto boats. However, the youth standing at the front of the boat was dressed in black armor. His posture was as straight as a sword, and he was as beautiful as a spring willow. However, he held a long sword in his hand, and his aura was as cold as a blade. The morning sun shone on his body, giving off a myriad of brilliance. He was so cold that one couldn't look at him directly.
This was an unfamiliar man. Maka was slightly stunned. She asked the person beside her hesitantly, "This isn't Cui Yuezhi. Who is he?"
Cui Yuezhi was a fatty, not a handsome man. However, Cui Yuezhi wasn't here. Where did this person come from? Was he a new talent in Jiyang City? However, the secret letter sent back by the Uto spies never mentioned this person. Since he was not an outstanding person, why would Mu Hongjin hand over the small number of city guards to him?
"I've never seen this person before." The subordinate beside her said hesitantly, "Maybe Cui Yuezhi can't do it anymore. There's no one in Jiyang City, so Mu Hongjin found someone to replace him. This person is so young. It's obvious that he's not a match for the general! "
Maka didn't say anything. As a general, he naturally had an intuition as to whether the other party was an embroidered pillow or a real person. This person didn't look ordinary. Maka was puzzled, but he didn't have time to think about it. He slowly pulled out the long sword at his waist, pointed it forward, and shouted, "Warriors, follow me!"
For a moment, the shouts of fighting shook the sky.
Uto also knew that once they went ashore, there would be nothing that could stop them. Jiyang City was as fragile as paper. Twenty thousand people weren't even enough for them to play with. In order to protect the civilians, Jiyang City's soldiers could only fight more on the water.
Fighting on the water was nothing. Their boats were big and sturdy. Killing people on the boats only caused them to shake a little.
When the big boat met the small one, it was like a big fish meeting a small fish. It was cruel and intense. The big boat almost smashed the small one. However, the small one was nimble and knew that there were reefs hidden in the water, so it cleverly avoided them. The two armies fought on the boats.
To catch bandits, first catch the leader. Maka's target was the young man wearing black armor and holding a sword. When the two boats approached each other, he stood at the bow of the boat and looked at the person on the opposite boat.
"Commander in chief!" Someone shouted beside him.
Maka narrowed his eyes, "Commander in chief? Who are you? "
"Xiao Huaijin."
Maka felt that this name was familiar. However, he was usually extremely arrogant. Other people's names were just names in his ears. He would forget them after hearing them for a moment. Moreover, no one would have thought that Xiao Huaijin would appear in this place. For a moment, he only said, "Never heard of him!"
However, one of his subordinates said with uncertainty, "Xiao Huaijin, is he Da Wei's General Fengyun?"
General Fengyun?
Maka was startled and looked at the person in front of him. As long as he mentioned General Fengyun, the Commander-In-Chief of the Right Army, no matter how arrogant he usually was and how he looked down on these soldiers of the Great Wei, he still knew who the other party was. Xiao Huaijin had never lost a battle. He was brave and fierce. Even if they hadn't fought, it was enough to intimidate Uto.
"Are you Da Wei's General Fengyun?" He asked.
Xiao Jue looked at him calmly and said coldly, "Yes."
Maka suddenly held his blade in front of his eyes. His relaxed expression suddenly disappeared.
Although he didn't know if it was true, but from the young man in front of him, Maka believed 90% of it! This person had an extraordinary aura. Moreover, if he wasn't such a person, how could Mu Hongjin be willing to hand the Jiyang City Army to him and let Xiao Huaijin command it? He didn't even use his trusted aide Cui Yuezhi.
In the letter sent back by Uto's spies, there was no mention of this!
Maka was flustered and exasperated. Amidst his uneasiness, there was a faint eagerness to try. Xiao Huaijin was indeed not simple. However, he only had twenty thousand men.
Twenty thousand against one hundred and fifty thousand. No matter how he looked at it, he didn't look like he was going to win. So what if he was a brave general? Just based on these shrimp soldiers and crab generals? These pitifully small boats?
If he led the Uto to defeat Xiao Huaijin, he would be the one who defeated Da Wei's General Fengyun. In the Uto Kingdom, he would be bathed in glory for the rest of his life.
For a moment, Maka's blood boiled. He roared, "Brave warriors, kill them all! Occupy their cities, take their wealth, and enjoy their women! Kill! "
"Kill! Kill! Kill! "
Deafening shouts rang out, spreading across the canal. The Uto were cunning and cruel. They were addicted to killing. At this moment, they were provoked by Maka's words. They raised their blades and charged forward.
Close quarters combat, bathed in blood.
The shouts reached He Yan's ears. He Yan looked into the distance. On the surface of the river, two armies stood together.
Mu Yi asked, "Military Governor Xiao has already made his move. We should approach them now."
He Yan shook his head and looked at the sky.
At this moment, the sky was clear and cloudless. There was not even a trace of wind. Her heart gradually sank. The people from the Directorate of Heavens had said that there might be no wind today, but even if there was wind, it would not be at this time. But … would there really be wind in this kind of weather?
Would the heavens really stand on Jiyang City's side?
She looked at the Uto Kingdom's ships in the distance. The Uto Kingdom's ships were huge and heavy. They were especially famous above the canal. As she looked, she was suddenly startled. A moment later, a smile appeared on her lips.
Mu Yi asked, "What's wrong? Miss He, what are you smiling about? "
"I'm laughing at the Uto's stupidity." She said, "Look at the heads and tails of those ships. They're all linked together."
The Uto Kingdom was not a water town like Jiyang, and the soldiers were not good at water. Therefore, all the ships were chained together at the head and the stern. The Uto probably felt that this would save them a lot of effort. It would also prevent one of the ships from being unable to keep up with the rest. At a glance, it looked like a fleet.
When sea merchants were transporting goods, this was a common method. However, it was a bit cumbersome to use it here. Especially today, they wanted to use fire to attack.
Mu Yi's eyes lit up. "We just need to set fire to one of their ships." But soon, he became worried again. "Their ships are chained together. Once a small boat enters, it'll be like a sheep entering a tiger's den. I'm afraid that the Uto will surround the boat before it can be burned."
"Don't worry." He Yan called for the rest of the people to board the ship. "Stay where you are on the map. I'll bring a ship and lure them over."
"Lure them over?" Mu Yi asked, "How?"
It was not worthwhile for the Uto to chase after a single ship. It was possible before, but now that so many ships were chained together, they would probably keep an eye on the Xiao Jue's Jiyang Army.
"I have my ways," He Yan said.
Just as he finished speaking, a man's voice was heard. "A He."
He Yan turned his head. When he saw that it was Chu Zhao, he was slightly startled.
"You asked Cui Jiao to go to the Prince's Mansion to get His Highness's clothes. It's not safe outside, so I asked Cui Jiao to go back to the Cui Mansion first and bring it to you." Chu Zhao smiled. "Fortunately, I made it in time."
"Brother Chu, why are you still in Jiyang City?" He Yan asked. "It's not safe here. You should have left with the evacuating people."
This person did not even have the ability to protect himself. If … if the Uto entered the city, he would probably be in danger.
"Even His Highness stayed in the Prince's Mansion. How could I abandon my comrades? Jiyang is also Da Wei's land. A He can protect the people in Jiyang. Although I'm not as good as A He, I won't run away alone. I'll advance and retreat with my friends. "
"But you don't know martial arts." He Yan thought for a moment. "Forget it. Wait a moment."
She jumped off the boat and walked towards a tent by the shore. She went in for a moment, then jumped out again. She was holding something that looked like a piece of clothing. She stuffed it into Chu Zhao's hands.
"I bought this from the embroidery workshop in Jiyang City. It's made of mermaid yarn. I heard from the shop assistant that it's invulnerable to swords and spears. Although I don't know if it's true, if you wear it, it'll be able to protect you. " He Yan sighed in her heart. She originally wore the clothes under her armor because she thought that it was better than nothing. If it really was a treasure, she would just treat it as wearing two sets of armor.
However, when she saw Chu Zhao standing there so weakly that even a gust of wind could blow him away, she felt that it would be better to give the clothes to him. Although she did not know if this person was an enemy or not, he asked Cui Jiao to go back to the Cui Mansion first and did not leave alone. He was loyal.
Chu Zhao was stunned. Just as he was about to speak, he saw that the girl had already turned around and followed the crowd onto the boat. Her back view looked extremely elegant, and she was quickly drowned out by the people around her.
The boat gradually left the shore and headed towards the center of the river where the battle cries were the loudest. There, the light of swords and the flames of war swirled.
The boat was like a moth flying into a flame. It swayed and swayed, but there was no turning back.
Chu Zhao looked down at the clothes in his hands. It seemed that the clothes in his hands had just been taken off a woman's body. It was still warm. She really did not care about trifles. However … he slowly lifted the clothes. The skirt was long. It was a woman's dress.
He was stunned for a moment. Then, he shook his head and laughed.
The people in the city hid in their houses. They closed the doors and windows tightly. The young were held in the arms of the old. They stared at the doors of their houses as if they were staring at all their hope.
Time slowly passed.
There was not a single person on the streets. Jiyang City, which was usually bustling, was as quiet as a ghost town today. In the prince's mansion, Mu Hongjin sat in the hall and looked outside.
The windows were wide open. The willow branches were as gentle as usual. The sky was clear and there was no wind today.
She lowered her eyes. Her fingertips gradually dug into the soft cushions of the high seat.
There was no wind today.
At the mouth of the bottle gourd, the soldiers hiding in the dark were like Shi Tou. They were silent and quiet. The archers were hiding in the dark. They were waiting for the Uto to come ashore to ambush them.
Cui Yuezhi stood behind a tree. His face, which was always smiling, was unusually solemn today. There were 150,000 Uto. They did not even need to fight. Once they entered the city, the remaining people in the city, old and young, would have no way to survive. If they rushed a little faster, the people who were still fleeing on the road would also face a disaster.
He had brought a portion of Jiyang City's soldiers here to prevent them from coming ashore and entering the city. He wanted to become the last line of defense in front of the city gate. However, if the Xiao Jue could not eliminate the main force of the Uto, most of the Uto would make it here. They would definitely not be able to stop the vicious wolves heading into the city with just the few of them.
They could only do as He Yan had said last night. They could use fire to wipe out all the Uto in one fell swoop. Only then would they be able to stop the remaining Uto that had escaped the net. However, could the fire attack technique … really work?
A Jiyang City's soldier was lying in the grass with a bow and arrow on his back. The long grass covered his face and made his face slightly itchy. However, he still remained motionless and did not even have the intention to scratch it.
He was not the only one who remained motionless. The grass in front of him, the flowers blooming by the roadside, the calm water surface, and the soft dandelions … all remained motionless.
There was no wind today.
Cui Yuezhi's heart gradually sank. There was no wind today, and the weather was not good. With less than 20,000 soldiers in the Xiao Jue's hands, he was afraid that they would not be able to compete with the Uto without using fire. Their so-called ambush here might end up becoming the prey of the Uto.
But why was there no wind today?
The Xiao Jue's master, the white-clothed swordsman who looked very powerful, said to him with certainty, "Don't worry. There will definitely be wind today."
The people from the Directorate of Astronomy said that there was a 50% chance that there would be wind today. However, Liu Buwang said, "Arrange an ambush. There will definitely be wind today."
They had heard that Lay Buddhist Liu Buwang could perform divination, so they believed him without a doubt. Or perhaps, they were deceiving themselves and hoping that he was telling the truth, so they believed him. But now, there was no wind.
By the way, where was Liu Buwang?
Only then did Cui Yuezhi remember that he had not seen Liu Buwang since he woke up early this morning and left the Cui Mansion for the tent in the Martial Arts Practice Field.
There were slight waves on the water surface. It was not the wind, but the fish in the water.
The spring grass by the embankment was red and green. Deep in the forest with strange stones, someone was sitting on the ground with a guqin in front of him. The man was dressed in white, and his robe was clean and spotless. His appearance was particularly elegant, and there was a sword at his waist. He looked like a chic Jianghu swordsman.
Liu Buwang looked up at the sky.
The sunlight shone in the woods, casting a golden shadow. It didn't make people feel hot, and the warmth was just right. This was a spring day brimming with vitality. Every new patch of green carried the feeling of spring as it fell into the gentle land of water.
The sounds of fighting in the distance were in sharp contrast to the tranquility here. Not far away, there was a clear distinction.
The wind hadn't come yet, but Liu Buwang knew that the wind would definitely come whether it came earlier or later.
Many years ago, there was no chance of survival in the dead end. Many years later, there was a glimmer of hope. At first, he didn't know who those two shadows were, but now it seemed that they were most likely his disciple, He Yan, and the young and valiant Right Military Governor, Xiao Huaijin.
These two people were generals who had fought on the battlefield for many years. They had already saved many people's lives, which was a merit. Heaven would not treat people with merit too harshly. Wherever they went, they would be blessed by good fortune. Perhaps it was because of their righteousness and light, even the death chess game in Jiyang City had a glimmer of hope.
These two people could bring the death chess game back to life.
Although they couldn't see the end, they could see a glimmer of hope. Since there was hope, it meant that the road wasn't a dead end. Therefore, the wind would definitely come. Although it might not come too early, the wind would definitely come.
What he had to do was to grasp that chance of survival tightly and help these two people completely revive this chess game.
The sounds of fighting in the distance seemed to be getting closer. This wasn't an illusion. Liu Buwang looked forward. Several large ships … were sailing this way.
Uto wasn't a fool. He wouldn't be hindered by Xiao Jue all the time. While their main force was fighting with the Jiyang City army led by Xiao Jue, another team took advantage of the chaos to sneak ashore. As long as they got ashore and took control of the entire Jiyang City, it was only a matter of time before they won the naval battle.
Cui Yuezhi's men were at the mouth of the calabash, which was still some distance away. They thought they were the first line of defense, but in fact, they weren't. Liu Buwang was the first line of defense.
Among Daoist Yunji's seven disciples, he was the best at the art of Qimen Dunjia. Over the years, he rarely used this technique because it was extremely energy-consuming and damaged his body. He was no longer the young man from back then. Even though his white clothes were fluttering in the wind, his hair had already turned white.
However, he would always stay here and guard her city.
Liu Buwang plucked the zither strings.
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