Chapter 4, Resurgence in Desperation

Yang Jin studied the map for a long time, analyzing the layout of the Hu people based on the distribution of mountains and rivers. Finally, he pointed to a spot on the map and said in a deep voice: "The plain outside Yuncheng is vast and unobstructed. If one wishes to conceal their movements, this is the only place behind the shadow of the mountain. If the Hu people intend to invade, there is an eight or nine out of ten chance they are hiding here"

"Nonsense," Gu Yong retorted first, shouting loudly, "The whole world is the territory of our Great Qin, who dares to say we are weak!"

However, the range of crossbows is not as far as that of longbows. Compared to the bows of the Hu people, their ranges are similar, but bows are primarily used for projectile shooting, while crossbows can shoot directly, making their accuracy significantly higher than that of the opponent. The drawback, however, is that the reloading speed of crossbows cannot match that of bows. Therefore, before the two sides made contact, both armies engaged in a preliminary exchange of arrows from a distance, with countless black lines drawn across the grassland by the arrows. After a round of shooting, around seventy to eighty cavalrymen from the Hu people fell from their horses due to arrows, temporarily disrupting the momentum of the Hu cavalry's charge led by Yang Jin. Thus, before the two sides made contact, both armies engaged in a preliminary exchange of arrows from a distance, with countless black lines drawn across the grassland by the arrows. After a round of shooting, around seventy to eighty cavalrymen from the Hu people fell from their horses due to arrows, temporarily disrupting the momentum of the Hu cavalry's charge.

Unfortunately, this time Yang Jin was not so fortunate; the dagger did not pierce the chest of the barbarian leader, but instead struck his lower abdomen. Both of them fell from their horses and rolled on the grass.

"General," Yang Jin suddenly recalled something and called out to Meng Tian, "You have fought many battles in the south and are well-versed in history. Have you ever heard of a feudal lord in history who was known by the name of Zeng?"

Yang Jin knelt on the ground, placing the bundle in front of him, his voice neither servile nor arrogant: "I have come to accept my punishment."

General Meng's emotions were not visibly expressed, leaving the crowd puzzled about his intentions. However, it seemed that the charge of unauthorized military action would not be pursued. The crowd quickly assisted Yang Jin in leaving.

Yang Jin's tone suddenly rose, her arm extended straight out, pointing at the crowd: "You! Do you have parents? You! Do you have siblings? Even if not, don't you all want a piece of land to call your own?"

When will there be no more warfare? The question that has been troubling Yang Jin reemerges as he gently strokes the warhorse, which lets out a comfortable snort

Yang Jin's face did not display the joy of turning defeat into victory; instead, it revealed a sparse sadness, as if her soul were still lingering on the battlefield, where countless lives had been lost.

It is a bit old, "Tao Su smiled cheerfully as he brushed the dust off the map, "Third Brother, it will do for now."

"It was not the Hu people who came last night," Yang Jin anxiously argued, "It must be that the Hu people learned of our city's night attack, and thus set up a feigned army to lure General Meng out of the city, taking advantage of the opportunity to attack our city."

The setting sun sank below the earth, leaving only a half-circle halo on the horizon. The dark shadows at the edge of the sky advanced rapidly, the sound of hooves trembled across the grassland, and the unique howls of the Hu people came with the wind. Yang Jin circled his horse, turning from facing the numerous guards to confronting the overwhelming enemy cavalry charging from afar. He raised his bow, lifted his arm, and shouted: "For our families, for our homeland, charge forward!"

"Are we facing an enemy?" Meng Tian glanced at Sun Yi, who was at a loss beside him, and said, "Didn’t the guards report that everything is normal and there is no sign of an enemy?"

A soldier asked: "Will we die?"

Meng Tian led his troops to encircle and eliminate the Hu people. Until dusk, he sensed something unusual and worried that the Hu might be plotting a surprise attack, so he withdrew his troops back to the city. However, he found the city to be safe and sound. Although he felt deeply puzzled, there had been no enemy attack, so he naturally did not pay it much mind. Just as he had let out a sigh of relief, Yang Jin suddenly limped into the command tent, his battle robe stained with blood, his body covered in wounds, and in his hand, he carried a blood-soaked bundle, which evidently contained a freshly severed human head.

The commander of the guard in Yuncheng is named Sun Yi, who is currently overwhelmed and in a state of distress due to the reorganization of the troops, showing no signs of good humor. Yang Jin is not concerned about this; after reporting in, he proceeds to inspect the troops at the camp and is astonished to find Tao Su among them, along with several familiar faces from the battles fought side by side at night.

"So you are guilty of withholding information?" Meng Tian replied with a slight smile, "Withholding information and acting without authorization, that would be adding crime upon crime"

Meng Tian smiled and said, "I also have a younger brother"

"If you are afraid of death, then go home and suck your mother's milk!" The soldiers nearby were deeply inspired by Yang Jin's words, and immediately cast disdainful glances, shouting, "We are all men of the Great Qin. Since we have come to guard the border, how can we be afraid of death!"

The leader of the Hu people saw Yang Jin gradually falling into his tactical plan, and in an instant, he shifted from defense to offense, wielding his curved blade in conjunction with a short dagger, leaving Yang Jin no room to catch his breath. Yang Jin's strength and reason were already at their limits, and faced with the onslaught of cold glints, he was immediately flustered and unable to respond effectively. The leader of the Hu people suddenly launched a kick, striking Yang Jin's injured right leg, and before Yang Jin could react, he followed up with another kick that landed solidly on Yang Jin's cheek.

While the brothers were conversing, a person entered the room, and it turned out to be Meng Tian. Yang Jin quickly called for Yang Xu to help him to his feet, preparing to pay his respects

"When did it become your place, a mere soldier, to teach me how to conduct myself?" Sun Yi's tone was neither warm nor cold, as he tapped his fingers on the table, "Even if you have been personally promoted by the general, do not forget your own identity"

"Last night, the monsters attacked. The Hu people must have received the news and lured General Meng out of the city. Meanwhile, a large force is likely to launch a surprise attack on our army while we are vulnerable," Yang Jin said with concern. "I suspect the Hu people are not far from the city now and are very likely to come in full force at dusk when they prepare their meals."

Yang Jin's body flew out like a kite with a broken string, and he only felt the world spinning around him. The chaotic darkness was almost about to swallow the little vision he had left. A salty and metallic taste filled his mouth, and blood uncontrollably gushed from his lips. His body was covered in wounds, as if thousands of ants were gnawing at him, causing unbearable pain

... ...

A line of dark shadows emerged from the horizon, the afterglow of the sun casting a hazy golden edge around them, slowly advancing across the grassland where blue and yellow met. As the shadows drew closer to the team led by Yang Jin, he could clearly hear the increasingly heavy breaths beside him, as if an invisible thread had appeared between the two groups, tightly binding the hearts of the young Qin soldiers. Yang Jin looked at the young faces around him, and a surge of uncontainable heat suddenly welled up in his heart. He rode out, standing face to face with the others.

"Wasn't it the Hu people last night?" Sun Yi let out a cold laugh, "Then what was it?"

"The common people do not dare," Yang Jin quickly replied, "but it is likely that General Meng is leading the army to pursue the Hu people, and there may be a deception involved."

"You can lie down." Meng Tian gestured for Yang Jin not to get up and smiled as he sat down beside him

Tao Su is a smooth and sociable person, adept at interacting with others. He has always been well-informed and is able to grasp the happenings within the military camp with remarkable detail in the shortest time possible. After reporting to Yang Jin about the whereabouts of the other brothers, Tao Su, still feeling unsatisfied, went on to discuss General Meng Tian personally leading a large army across the river to encircle the remaining Hu forces.

"Why must you blame my third brother?" Gu Yong charged into the barracks, his eyes filled with rage, "If it weren't for my third brother, who knows how many people would die in Yunzhong City tonight!"

Yang Jin also shed tears and choked with emotion as she said: "I know!"

Yang Jin remembers that when they were young, Yang Xu was bullied by the neighbor's child. He avenged his brother by beating up that child. The strength that supported Yang Jin came from the hatred brought about by Yang Xu's bullying. But from the very beginning, why did that child bully Yang Xu? Was it simply because Yang Xu was weak?

Ultimately, it returns to the question of why there is war. On the battlefield, at the command of a general, two armies charge and confront each other, weapons drawn, without even knowing the name of the opponent, yet they seek to take each other's lives. Upon careful reflection, one might even find such behavior somewhat incomprehensible

The plan to harass the Hu people's flanks by Tian Rui and his team quickly fell into encirclement. Gu Yong's squad charged directly into the enemy's center, inadvertently slowing down the Hu's advance. The Hu people put away their longbows and engaged in combat with swords and spears. Although the Hu outnumbered the Qin army by dozens of times, the movement of warhorses required space. Only three or four could simultaneously surround the Qin army and face them directly with blades. Ultimately, they were outnumbered, and the Hu people, taking advantage of their overwhelming numbers, launched a war of attrition. Gu Yong and his team found themselves in a precarious situation.

The rapidly changing situation on the battlefield made Yang Jin begin to feel his own naivety, and it was also destroying the confidence he had built after repelling the monsters. He had indeed read military texts, and he had rehearsed the tactics for ambushing the Hu people many times in his mind, but unfortunately, without the real experience of struggling on the battlefield, it was merely theoretical. At this moment, Yang Jin could no longer grasp the situation of the battle; he could only do his best, after all, he was not Meng Tian, and the mere hundred or so men following him were not the elite troops that accompanied Meng Tian in his campaigns.

The border areas are not like the peaceful and prosperous Central Plains, where numerous unexpected events frequently occur. The mobilization of soldiers is much easier, and moreover, Yang Jin's troops are all garrison soldiers, which cannot yet be considered as the regular army of the Great Qin. Naturally, military discipline is somewhat lax, and it is not uncommon for the soldiers engaged in farming to leave without permission to go hunting. Furthermore, after the demon attack last night, there are countless matters to attend to, with a hundred or so people coming and going, making it a common sight. Therefore, although some saw Yang Jin leading his troops away, no one paid any attention.

The leader of the Hu people charged forward with all his might, raising his blade to strike down, but his body suddenly swayed. Yang Jin's blade smoothly glided through his throat. Yang Jin gazed at the blood dripping from the edge of the sword. The Hu leader dropped his weapon, clutching his throat with both hands, yet the pulsating arteries forced blood to spurt out between his fingers

Use fire

Retreat! Seeing the clouds at the horizon gradually dimming, as red as blood, Yang Jin was overjoyed

Yang Jin saw Sun Yi in a fit of rage, and he had no arguments to persuade him, so he could only retreat helplessly. As he walked out of the camp, he vaguely heard Sun Yi's sarcastic remarks about him—"utterly nonsensical." Yang Jin originally thought that such bureaucratic habits were prevalent only in the Central Plains, but to his surprise, they also appeared in the renowned disciplined army of Meng Tian. He secretly cursed why such a guard did not perish in last night's monster raid, feeling suffocated and filled with resentment as he returned to the camp. Tao Su noticed Yang Jin's furrowed brow and could not help but approach him to inquire.

Scatter! We aim to thwart the enemy!" Yang Jin shouted loudly as he watched his already meager team suffer losses

This... I... truly do not... " Sun Yi was left speechless, unsure of how to respond. If he were to say that he truly did not know, it was indeed true that Yang Jin had notified him in the afternoon. However, if he were to reveal the truth, the general would surely blame him.

Yang Jin suddenly halted his warhorse, turned around, and shouted: "Reinforcements have arrived, the Hu people shall die!"

Across the horse's head, Gu Yong grabbed Tao Suyi by the collar: "Was it Third Brother who asked you to do this?"

"There is no need to say anything until you have healed your wounds," Meng Tian said, patting Yang Jin on the shoulder in a comforting manner. "Tonight, you have slain the leader of the Hu people, and according to military merit, you will be granted the title of Gongshi, receiving one hectare of land, a residence, and a servant. I have already instructed someone to report this immediately."

Yang Jin anxiously glanced at the last trace of twilight on the horizon. In this instance, he not only underestimated the combat strength of the Hu people but also the brutality of war itself. How could a little over one hundred men possibly confront thousands of Hu cavalry? This is war, not the heroic tales he told his younger brother Yang Xu.

As they spoke, Wu Zhuo arrived with another twenty people from a different direction. Gu Yong pushed aside Tao Su and, without further ado, spurred his horse to chase after Yang Jin

Yang Jin seemed completely immersed in memories of the past, murmuring to herself: "In the end, he still went! That person was named Jing Ke"

"It is!" a deeply moved young man answered hoarsely, resonating with the hearts of everyone present

The city of Yuncheng was as calm as usual, and no one was aware that while the townspeople and those residing beneath the city walls were enjoying their dinner, a group of young people was engaged in an unimaginable fierce battle with the Hu people deep in the grasslands outside the city. Fewer than twenty survived, among whom more than ten were seriously injured

Yang, lacking in talent, would like to express my gratitude to all of you for your support. Yang Jin clasped his fists towards everyone, stating, "I am fundamentally someone who does not wish to witness war"

"What is the clever plan?" Meng Tian's expression was neither happy nor angry as he continued to inquire

In the conflict between two armies, the brave emerge victorious; however, recklessness that disregards one's life is not courage but folly. With each swing of his blade, Yang Jin's rationality diminished. The leader of the Hu people wore a cold smile, his arms waving as the cold light flashed up and down, flawlessly neutralizing Yang Jin's offensive.

"If not, why would the Hu people dare to invade our territory repeatedly?" Yang Jin retorted lightly, leaving everyone speechless. He continued, "At the very least, we are not strong enough; we have not reached a level that instills fear in them, making them hesitant to attack!"

Bold! Sun Yi was already afraid of the truth being exposed. Seeing so many people burst in, he displayed his official authority, "Do you still have any military regulations in your eyes?"

Recalling those anxious and terrified faces, Yang Jin hoped never to witness the tragic scene of last night again

"You left in such a hurry just now, and now you have returned in a fit of anger," Tao Su approached Yang Jin and inquired with concern, "What on earth happened?"

"Elder brother will not die," Yang Jinqiang smiled, "Elder brother still needs to protect Xu'er"

What should we do now? Tao Suwen, upon hearing Yang Jin's well-reasoned analysis, couldn't help but feel worried. "Does the guard not trust Third Brother's words?"

Yang Jin said: "I am originally a disciple of the Mo family. Our Mo family doctrine advocates universal love and non-aggression, but I... find it quite difficult..."

Yang Jin fell to the ground, spitting out blood-tinged foam, remaining silent

"Brother San's clever strategy to repel the enemy! Even if there have been past mistakes, one should make amends for them!" Tao Su spoke frankly and boldly in response.

Yang Jin rode a magnificent steed, its four hooves soaring in the air, closely pursuing the rear of the Hu cavalry. Leaning on the horse's back, Yang Jin heard the wind whistling past his ears, the air thick with a bloodstained scent that seemed eternally unshakeable. A dying warhorse struggled to raise its head amidst the corpses strewn across the grassland, letting out a final neigh towards the starry sky, as if bidding a last farewell to this world. The bodies clad in Qin army uniforms appeared to Yang Jin as if each one was Tian Ruihe, and he recalled the youth who had asked, "Will we die?" before their departure, perhaps he too lay silently there. Yang Jin remembered the scene of Kuafu searching for the true sun; perhaps before dawn, he too would become a corpse abandoned on the grassland. If he were to die once more, he wondered if he would encounter those strange individuals again. In Yang Jin's sight, there was only the Hu leader, the distance between them growing ever closer, the breath of death drawing near.

Yang Jin pondered for a long time, suddenly stamped his foot and exclaimed: "Oh no!"

In times of peace, benevolence is essential; in times of chaos, ambition and iron-bloodedness are required

Yang Jin's warhorse, battle-hardened, maneuvered swiftly to the left and right, its four hooves galloping rapidly, the mane billowing in the wind, resembling a dragon soaring and a tiger leaping. Arrows whistled past above Yang Jin's head and around him, yet over twenty men lay dead behind him, while the warhorse, wounded by arrows, struggled and cried out on the grass.

However, the situation on the battlefield soon changed, and the Hu people began to show their strength. For every arrow shot by the Qin army, the Hu could shoot two in return. Although the arrows were shot at a distance, their accuracy was limited, yet more than ten men from Yang Jin's troop were still struck by arrows and fell from their horses

Tao Su, amidst the anger of the crowd, revealed how Yang Jin saw through the treacherous schemes of the Hu people, how he reported the military situation, and how Sun Hujun did not accept his report. Yang Jin, feeling helpless, devised a strategy to hold back the enemy forces despite the significant disparity in troop strength. During this time, Tian Rui fought valiantly and died in battle. Subsequently, the strategy of feigned retreat proved effective, luring the Hu troops into a trap. It was not until Yang Jin, with his own strength, furiously beheaded the leader of the Hu that the situation turned around, and he detailed the events that transpired.

The leader of the Hu people moved with a steady and powerful stride, his blade vibrating in his hand as he quickened his pace towards Yang Jin. The body, honed in a harsh environment of survival, displayed an overwhelming advantage, and it was evident that he intended to bring this unbalanced duel to an end

Yang Jin was left at a disadvantage, completely falling into a precarious situation. With each attack he faced, it was a life-and-death crisis. The leader of the Hu people seemed weary of relentless assaults and gestured for Yang Jin to take the initiative, his disdainful gaze completely disregarding Yang Jin as a rival. Yang Jin let out a furious roar and unceremoniously swung his blade at the Hu leader, the glint of the blade flashing in succession. The Hu leader easily countered, using his right hand to block Yang Jin's blade with his curved sword, deflecting the force of the strike with the curve of his weapon. He smoothly turned his body, sweeping out with his left hand's short knife. Yang Jin roared again, unceremoniously raising his blade to strike at the Hu leader, the flashing blade glinting in succession. The Hu leader met the attack effortlessly, using his right hand's curved sword to block Yang Jin's blade, deflecting the force of the strike with the curve of his weapon, and smoothly turning his body to sweep out with his left hand's short knife.

Yang Jin's eyes were filled with tears as the soldiers who accompanied him into battle were successively overwhelmed by the hooves of the Hu people, yet the Hu suffered no significant losses. Gu Yong's armor was shattered, his clothing torn, and he had sustained several knife wounds, yet he remained oblivious to his injuries, rising to fight the enemy. He ultimately led more than ten men back to Yang Jin's side, protecting her while fighting and retreating.

"General, I have an ungrateful request to make," Yang Jin said, stroking Yang Xu's head. "I will accept the residence and the servants, so that Yang Xu has a place to settle down. As for the fields, I intend to transfer them to Tian Rui and my parents."

Yang Jin slightly shook her head, emphatically delivering each word into the ears of the crowd: "Because we are weak"

The bright moon hung high in the sky, and Yang Jin was panting heavily, already feeling overwhelmed. Yet, he stubbornly gripped his battle knife, even as the figure of the barbarian leader in his line of sight swayed indistinctly under the moonlight

"What clever plan?" Tao Su asked curiously

Yang Jin entered the camp, saluted Sun Yi with military courtesy, and solemnly said: "Please, my lord, give the order for the troops to be on alert, as the Hu people may be coming to attack the city"

General ... ... " Yang Jin did not know how to explain, " The ones who attacked the city last night were not the Hu people, but ... ... "

Thank you for your guidance, General. Yang Jin bowed in gratitude

However, ... ... General ... ... " Yang Jin hesitated over whether to voice his suspicions

Meng Tian smiled and said: "Do your own thing well, and as long as you have a clear conscience, that is enough! There is plenty of time ahead, so you should focus on recovering from your injuries for now"

The pursuing Hu people, confused, pulled on their reins. A person who appeared to be a leader stepped out from the path cleared by the crowd, looking curiously at Yang Jin in the distance, not understanding why he did not continue to flee but instead chose to fight like a cornered beast.

The Hu people grew up on the grasslands, and throughout their youth, they experienced countless falls from horses. The leader of the Hu steadied himself against the rolling momentum, twisted his body to kneel partially on the ground, and drew a short knife from his abdomen, still maintaining a calm demeanor, which revealed his ferocity. Yang Jin, naturally, did not possess the agility of the Hu, and he struggled to stand up, propping himself up with his injured leg, while the Hu leader, wielding a curved knife, had already closed in.

Gu Yong turned his gaze in the direction of the sound and saw Tao Su riding a warhorse alone, with a thick burning hemp rope trailing behind. The rope was over ten zhang long, and every two feet there was a knot, with a torch inserted into each knot.

Under the starry sky, a prolonged sound of impact erupted, with sparks flying between the blades. Although Yang Jin managed to block the curved saber swung by the leader of the Hu people, the opponent's formidable strength pressed down on his injured right leg, causing Yang Jin to retreat several steps, stabilizing his stance with his battle knife on the ground. The knives on the grasslands do not emphasize elaborate techniques; they are solely practical. The Hu leader moved with steady steps, each strike leveraging instantaneous explosive power as a fulcrum, combining speed and strength, akin to a thunderclap in clear skies.

Then why didn't he tell me?" Gu Yong asked sharply

I wonder if anyone has ever thought about why the Hu people want to seize our territory

"I should have died." Yang Jin replied sadly

If by that time General Meng has already led his troops back to the city, and with the lessons learned from previous experiences, the night watch will be extremely strict, Yang Jin confidently stated, "Apart from taking advantage of our troops during mealtime when their guard is down, the Hu people will have no other opportunities."

Yang Jin's shout was completely unheard on the battlefield where the iron hooves thundered. The young soldiers had already engaged in their own battles. The team led by Tian Rui, consisting of several dozen men, had brushed past the flank of the Hu people, attacking the enemy's rear. Gu Yong, on the other hand, led his men straight into the heart of the enemy forces

What will Xu'er do if brother dies?" Yang Xu cried and shouted

As the setting sun descends in the west, the great river meanders through the grasslands, its surface sparkling like scattered gold. The crimson evening clouds float at the horizon, creating a scene of delightful beauty. Had it not been for the looming threat of the enemy, Yang Jin would have long immersed himself in this tranquil evening landscape, with the evening breeze whispering in his ears and the mane of his warhorse billowing beneath him

Sun Yi's head struck down heavily

Gu Yong's voice was as loud as a bell, clearly audible from outside the door. Unable to contain themselves, Wu Zhuo, Tao Su, and others disregarded etiquette and rushed in one after another, each with a fierce expression, their battle robes stained with blood, standing menacingly behind Yang Jin and Gu Yong

Yang Jin could not understand why the leader of the Hu people suddenly lost control of his footing, allowing him to seize the fleeting moment and deliver a fatal blow. Under the reflection of the moonlight, a glimmer of metallic sheen flickered in the grass. Yang Jin, supporting his seemingly shattered body, stepped forward to pick up the unknown object from the grass—it was the bronze artifact that Yang Xu had found.

What shall we do? After last night's battle, Tao Su is filled with confidence in Yang Jin's command and coordination.

How can the third brother be sure that they will not wait until nightfall? Tao Su asked curiously

The strategy you devised comes at the cost of the brothers' lives!" Gu Yong stepped forward to continue beating Yang Jin

"Tao Su, go find me a map," Yang Jin suddenly spoke, as if having made up her mind

"Why is it referred to as the remnants?" Yang Jin asked in confusion, "The night raid last night was not carried out by the Hu people."

My name is Gu Yong, and I am a new recruit. Gu Yong raised his head and said, "If the general wishes to punish my third brother, please punish me as well! Because I also participated in tonight's battle!"

It has gotten dark! Yang Jin had just endured the pain of pulling an arrow from his arm, and only then did he notice that the sky had completely darkened

Yang Jin wanted to answer that it was a monster, but unless one had seen it with their own eyes, who could believe such a fact

Yang Jin saw Tian Ruihe in the battle group, wounded by arrows, with the surrounding soldiers cut off from contact by the Hu people, each fighting independently. Tian Ruihe, with disheveled hair and fierce eyes, fought valiantly. Although among the brothers he and Gu Yong possessed the highest martial skills, he was now like a solitary tree unable to withstand the storm, surrounded by flashing blades and perilous situations, while Gu Yong's whereabouts were unknown.

The blood surged to the cheeks of the young men, more vivid than the crimson glow cast by the evening clouds. Their hands either gripped the reins of their warhorses tightly or pressed firmly against their battle blades. The fierce and fearless spirit was ignited, coursing through their veins beneath their skin. Although their years of life had not yet reached the age of twenty, they were indeed at the age where a young calf fears not the tiger. As Yang Jin said, they did not come from noble backgrounds, nor did they have the mighty Qin army as their backing, but they were determined to defend everything they desired with their own hands. The fierce and fearless spirit was ignited, coursing through their veins beneath their skin. Although their years of life had not yet reached the age of twenty, they were indeed at the age where a young calf fears not the tiger. As Yang Jin said, they did not come from noble backgrounds, nor did they have the mighty Qin army as their backing, but they were determined to defend everything they desired with their own hands

Tao Suyi pointed to the bundle placed on the ground by Yang Jin and said: "The enemy general's head is here; if the general does not believe it, he may open it to verify for himself"

"It is a monster!" Meng Tian spoke on behalf of Yang Jin, "At first, I also thought it was just the Hu people playing tricks, but upon seeing the corpses... it is indeed not human. However, this matter cannot be disclosed! Regardless of whether it is a demon or a monster, or an enemy, no one can stop us from transforming this desolate land into a peaceful territory!"

Tao Su reached out to Yang Jin's forehead and said: "Third Brother, are you sick and talking nonsense? A hundred people against thousands, one has to fight dozens, even Fourth Brother cannot accomplish that."

"Last night, the Hu people suffered a great defeat, yet they are merely remnants of their army. Where does this deception come from?" Sun Yi questioned Yang Jin with a displeased expression.

You should contact the elder brother, the second brother, and Gu Yong to see how many people they can bring

"What are you doing?" Tao Su was nearly pulled off his horse by Gu Yong. "Of course, it is his strategy. He instructed me to bring twenty men to lie in ambush here, waiting for sunset and darkness, to follow his command, ignite the ropes, and the Hu people will naturally retreat.

The Hu cavalry in the front has already run far away, while Gu Yong and others in the rear have yet to arrive. It seems that only Yang Jin and the Hu leader remain on the grassland

The reorganized border defense troops and the displaced refugees are gathering in Cloud City. Within the city, the sound of carriages and horses is incessant, and a late-night battle has thrown the citizens into a state of panic. Although Meng Tian's reputation instills fear, Yang Jin observes that everyone he encounters wears a look of dread. Remembering the innocent people who were slaughtered by monsters at night, a wave of sorrow rises in Yang Jin's heart. One may ask the people of the world, who does not wish for a life free from worries, who does not desire to live in peace? But when will the world truly be at peace?

Of course, there is no intention to kill the enemy," Tao Su said with a pout, "this is clearly going to meet death

Tao Su was still waiting for Yang Jin to explain how things had gone wrong. Seeing that Yang Jin had hurriedly left, heading straight for the military camp, Sun Yi, who had just finished organizing military affairs and had not yet had a moment to catch his breath, recalled after a long time that Yang Jin was the person who had reported in before noon. At that time, Sun Yi had not even lifted his head and was unaware of Yang Jin's appearance.

Everyone fell silent. After a while, Wu Zhuo vaguely understood Yang Jin's meaning and said in a deep voice: "Third brother is right. Some may be compelled to serve, while others simply want to have a meal. However, enlisting and guarding the borders ultimately serves to maintain peace in the world. The brothers who have died did so for the greater good of the world, and they died with honor"

Yang Jin brushed off Tao Su's hand and said, "I do not seek to kill the enemy."

I understand! Meng Tian looked at the people who were still bleeding and said, "You all should step back and quickly tend to your wounds"

But who can withdraw? They are like a solitary sailboat trapped in the whirlpool of the sea, and Yang Jin has completely lost control of the situation. Tian Ruihe has already fallen from his horse, and it is unknown how many serious injuries he has sustained, resembling someone crawling out of a pool of blood, with a broken arrow lodged in his shoulder, yet he continues to wield his battle knife. Several mounted Hu people surround him, laughing maniacally, taking turns to charge past him, slashing at him as they go. Clearly, they could kill him, but they deliberately hold back, as if in their eyes, Tian Ruihe is nothing more than a prey that has fallen into a trap and poses no threat, and they are toying with him.

This is the "reinforcements" that just saved everyone from peril, Gu Yong instantly understood; no wonder they had to wait until nightfall, otherwise, this vast and unobstructed grassland would not be able to conceal them from the Hu people

Gu Yong had a straightforward personality, placing great importance on loyalty and affection. He wept bitterly, exclaiming: "But Er Ge is dead! Er Ge is dead!"

Including Gu Yong, everyone looked at Yang Jin in confusion. These individuals had mostly come out of admiration for Yang Jin's reputation, but unexpectedly, with the great battle imminent, the leader not only failed to inspire the morale of the troops but instead uttered inexplicable words of discouragement

After a moment of silence, a somewhat timid voice said: "Because our Central Plains are vast and rich in resources, while theirs are not, they come to seize what we have."

Oh? Which crime are you guilty of?" Meng Tian, upon seeing Yang Jin, already had a general idea in his heart

Before Gu Yong's words had finished, no one expected that Yang Jin would clamp her legs around the horse's belly, and the warhorse, like an arrow released from a bow, charged straight towards the direction of the Hu people's retreat.

I am concerned that as long as there are people, there will be war Yang Jinqi sighed deeply

Is it human nature to destroy the weak? Yang Jin had once casually crushed ants under a tree, and even found amusement in competing with his brother Yang Xu to see who could crush more ants. Is destruction truly an inherent aspect of human nature? This thought frightened Yang Jin, prompting him to hurriedly clear his mind of various distractions, not daring to think any further.

Yang Jin lay quietly down, with the greatest task before him being to heal his injuries. He sensed that a threat even greater than the Hu people had yet to surface

The leader of the Hu people sensed someone pursuing him from behind, drew a short knife from his boot, and threw it. Yang Jin felt a sharp pain in his right leg, gritted his teeth, and pulled out the short knife, gripping it tightly in his hand. There was less than a horse's length between Yang Jin and the leader of the Hu people. The leader of the Hu people held his curved blade, and when Yang Jin's warhorse appeared in his peripheral vision, he struck down with force.

Meng Tian scrutinized Yang Jin for a long time before speaking: "I understand your feelings, but the fallen soldiers are not limited to Tian Rui alone; you cannot attend to them all. They will receive their own rewards."

"Third Brother, you are not dead?" Gu Yong exclaimed in surprise as he looked up and down at Yang Jin.

Yang Jin recalled what her father once said to her: "The benevolent are those whom the hearts of the people follow, yet unfortunately, the benevolent cannot attain the world"

Including those we can manage, there are only about one hundred or so people. How can we resist the vast army of the Hu people? After making a rough estimate in his mind, Tao Su felt quite troubled

The seemingly delicate fingers appear to wield boundless magical power, igniting the fervent fighting spirit of the youth. Indeed, each of their strengths may be insignificant, but to underestimate such seemingly small power could exact a terrible price

Meng Tian pondered for a moment, as if coming to a realization: "Zeng Guo? Zeng Hou? Or something else related to Zeng? I vaguely remember seeing this name in the miscellaneous histories of Ye Ji, but there is no record of it in historical texts, and now I can no longer recall clearly"

Yang Jin let out a heavy sigh, while Tao Su was at a loss, pacing back and forth. On the way to Yunzhong City, Yang Jin saw many surviving civilians, unaware of their destination. At least the city could not accommodate so many displaced people, and it was likely that they would have to rest against the city walls tonight. If the Hu people came, they would naturally be the first to suffer, inevitably falling victim to the iron hooves and blades of the Hu.

But I have implicated so many brothers. Yang Jin was lost in thought.

Blood gushed from Yang Jin's chest as the blade precisely severed the rope connecting the armor plates, simultaneously slicing through the small gap into Yang Jin's body. Instead of retreating, Yang Jin advanced, gritting his teeth, and lunged towards his opponent with a limp leg, pouring every ounce of strength from his body into the arm gripping the knife, each move a desperate fight to the death.

On the tranquil grassland, the shouts rose to the sky like a whirlwind. A team of no more than one hundred people resolutely faced the surging army of a thousand, as if a stone were thrown into the rushing tide

Tao Su heard Yang Jin's instructions and realized that he must have devised a strategy. He dashed out and soon returned, clutching a worn-out map.

After Yang Jin hinted to Tao Su, Tao Su suddenly realized and immediately went out to prepare for the battle. At dusk, Yang Jin quietly left, and not long after, Gu Yong and others gathered a team of over 100 people, also quietly leaving the camp

Hmm! That kid, when he was young, was just as uselessly clingy to me! Now, however, he has surpassed me in capability, having been appointed as a high-ranking official, and the First Emperor trusts him greatly, sharing the same carriage when he goes out and attending to him closely when he is indoors... Meng Tian fell silent, having been busy with military affairs at the frontier for a long time, it is naturally difficult to gather with his brothers. Now, seeing Brother Yang Jin, he couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions upon reminiscing. After a long while, he continued, "Sun Yi has delayed military matters, and I have already dealt with it."

In the distance, the flickering flames indicated the arrival of Gu Yong and others. Yang Jin finally relaxed his taut nerves and collapsed weakly onto the ground. Unaware of Yang Jin's fate, Gu Yong impulsively jumped off his horse, threw himself onto Yang Jin, and cried out loudly, pressing Yang Jin to the point of losing his voice.

Wu Zhuo returned Yang Xu to Yang Jin's side. Yang Xu watched as the doctor treated his brother's injuries, tears streaming down his face. It was not until the doctor had given instructions on how to care for him and left that Yang Xu could no longer hold back and threw himself into Yang Jin's arms, crying uncontrollably.

This self-contradictory statement once left Yang Jin feeling perplexed. Were not the ancient Yao and Shun the ones whom the people supported? They must have been benevolent rulers. Now, Yang Jin vaguely begins to discern the deeper meaning in his father's words: in times of chaos, to gain the world, one must inevitably wage war, yet the benevolent will never take the initiative to provoke conflict

"Third Brother, they have arrived." Gu Yong pointed sharply into the distance

As everyone left, the tent was empty. Meng Tian cast a faint glance at Sun Yi. Sun Yi's knees buckled, and he fell to the ground: "I, a humble general, have been foolish and nearly committed a grave mistake. I implore the great general to punish me!"

At this moment, General Mengda has likely not yet returned to the city, but he must be on his way back. They have delayed for a while, and if they escape now, even if the Hu people catch up, it should be just in time to encounter General Mengda. Once they come across the battle-hardened lion of General Mengda, how could this raiding party of Hu people possibly be a match?

What has San Ge been up to? " Tao Su's voice came through

Yang Jin gently touched Yang Xu's head and said apologetically, "Younger brother is ignorant, and has caused the general to laugh."

Yang Jin said with a heavy voice: "Nowadays, the Hu people have used cunning to lure General Meng away, leaving the city vulnerable. And my younger brother is right there! We are all soldiers, all of us came to the clouds with our families, and we all have loved ones that need protection"

"Without receiving military orders, I acted independently to confront the enemy outside the city." Yang Jin replied in a firm and powerful manner

Yang Jin's warhorse seemed to sense the danger and suddenly accelerated. The blade struck against Yang Jin's back armor, but due to the horse's full-speed gallop, the strike was unstable and bounced off Yang Jin's back. Taking advantage of the momentum, Yang Jin charged towards the leader of the Hu people, just as he had done the previous night when he charged at the creature that attacked Yang Xu

The guards were not informed. Yang Jin's response was beyond Sun Yi's expectations

"In war, there will always be casualties; it cannot be said that one person implicates another. Since we have donned this armor, we must do what needs to be done!" Meng Tian advised Yang Jin, expressing that he felt this matter more deeply than Yang Jin did. "In the past, during the years of war among the seven states, the number of casualties reached millions. Our Meng family has fought for the Great Qin for three generations. My grandfather once said, 'We are now leading troops into battle, killing countless people, for the sake of ensuring that future generations will no longer have to fight, and that no one will die in war. Now that the Great Qin has unified the world and there are no longer any wars in the Central Plains, as long as we stabilize the borders, it will naturally lead to a prosperous and peaceful era.'"

Even Second Brother has fallen in battle," Gu Yong's voice choked with emotion, as he swung his battle knife downwards, shouting, "We are heroes, follow me, let us avenge our fallen brothers!

It turned out that just now, during Yang Jin's fall and roll, the bronze artifact fell from his bosom, and the Hu leader stepped on it, affecting his movements. Was it this artifact that saved my life? Yang Jin revealed a hint of a bitter smile, unsure whether to thank good fortune or to thank his younger brother

What do you mean by this? Since there are so many people, why not let them come out earlier, instead of allowing our brothers to sacrifice in vain? When reinforcements arrived, Gu Yong was instead filled with anger

"As long as I can lure the Hu people to the sunset," Yang Jin smiled faintly, "I have my own clever plan to repel the enemy"

My father once told me a story from the past, a time before I was born. Yang Jin lay on the ground, his pupils reflecting the starlight above. My father had a close friend who was about to undertake a certain task. My father kindly tried to dissuade him, but the man asked my father, "If my death could bring peace to the world, should I go through with it?"

The Hu people do not aim to capture the city, but rather to undermine the morale of General Meng's troops. They are bound to march rapidly, striving for a swift resolution, and their numbers should not exceed several thousand troops. Yang Jin paid no attention to Tao Su's despondency and confidently analyzed the situation.

Yang Jin was accompanied by more than ten riders. He discarded his shield, drew his crossbow, and shot arrows, attempting to break through the encirclement of the enemy forces surrounding Tian Rui. However, he was unable to shake off the encroaching Hu people. Fortunately, the more than ten riders beside him fought desperately.

Meng Tian curiously asked, "Is this your idea?"

"That is true," Tao Su said, scratching his head in confusion, unable to come up with an explanation for the moment. "However, there are reconnaissance reports indicating that remnants of the Hu people have indeed been found gathering on the northern bank of the river."

Gu Yong, who was waiting outside the door, could not see the situation inside the room. Upon hearing Meng Tian say the phrase "adding crime upon crime," he was instantly filled with rage. He had originally thought that after returning victorious, he would be rewarded for his contributions, but unexpectedly, despite risking his life, he found himself in a situation where he was blamed for having done nothing.

"Who are you?" Meng Tian's expression darkened as he scrutinized the young man who had boldly entered the general's tent. Clearly, someone who could return with a reputation under the blades of the Hu people was not an ordinary individual.

Gu Yong's expression suddenly changed, and without any warning, he struck Yang Jin hard in the face with a punch: "You have long been prepared to let the brothers die, haven't you?"

Death... How could there be a war without casualties? Yang Jin fell silent for a moment, turned to gaze into the depths of the grassland, and slowly replied: "If we can hold out until dark, I will find a way to repel the enemy"

It is dark, it is dark! Third Brother, didn't you say that when it gets dark, reinforcements will arrive? Gu Yong wiped the bloodstains from his face and shouted anxiously.

General Meng Yi

The autumn wind is bleak, and the sound of the wind rises as the arrows of the Hu people come flying. Unlike the crossbows of the Great Qin, the Hu people use longbows made of hardwood, which require exceptional strength to draw and shoot flat. The level of civilization in Great Qin surpasses that of the Hu people, as they employ powerful crossbows that instill fear across the world and among the six states.

Yang Jin's expression was grave: "The Lord of the Guards does not believe my words, and is even unwilling to strengthen the defenses. I have no other choice but to resort to this desperate measure! We have only a little over one hundred men, and they are all newly enlisted soldiers. Compared to the thousands of strong enemies, we are very weak! Yet, even the weakest force is still a force. With just us, we certainly cannot stop the iron hooves of the Hu people, but as long as we can hinder their advance and delay until General Meng returns, victory will be ours!"

The Hu people rarely have anyone who understands Chinese, but the current situation more forcefully conveyed to them their predicament, causing panic among the troops. The leader of the Hu made a decisive call, and the troops immediately turned around and fled towards the gap illuminated by the fire

"Our army has long set an ambush, yet you still refuse to surrender!" Yang Jin said sharply and sternly

"The third brother said to be suspicious of the troops, and naturally, one must be suspicious. If all our own people are aware, they will not fight with full strength against the enemy," Tao Su replied in Yang Jin's tone.

Yang Jin's voice echoed across the wilderness, and as the sound drifted away, burning torches suddenly emerged from all directions, numbering in the thousands. The flames blazed fiercely and the momentum was grand, moving rapidly under the night sky, forming a siege against the Hu people.

Third brother also fought bravely on the battlefield, he has always been with his brothers. Wu Zhuochong rushed forward and tightly embraced Gu Yong, saying, "Calm down, where is there a battle without casualties?"

"Utter nonsense, you know not what you speak!" Seeing Yang Jin at a loss for words, Sun Yi suddenly slammed the table in anger, "If it were not for General Meng's sake, I would certainly deal with you according to military law! Hurry up and get out of my sight!"