Chapter Nine, Sanqi

Draw the knife

The sound of blades clashing, the metallic clang, the sound of knives piercing flesh, the "thud" of blood spraying, all resound incessantly. The stalemate on the battlefield is gradually being broken, and the scales of victory are slowly tilting towards the barbarian soldiers

Looking at the brilliant fireworks, each burst illuminated half the sky, while the soldiers on the city wall also raised their heads one by one to watch the colorful display of fireworks.

A general of the border troops shouted loudly, "Retreat"

Distant place, Liaodong Province, Pingzhou City

Fu Bayu Ji realized that General Sangqi's decision to send him to the South Gate was already an appropriation of Tubar's military achievements. Pursuing further would undoubtedly be a greater mistake, as it could lead to a standoff between the two forces. Therefore, Fu Bayu Ji chose not to pursue and instead led his subordinates to clear the remaining troops at the South Gate

With a swing of the sword, they blocked and countered. If that did not work, two barbarian soldiers would simultaneously strike at the border troops. The northern gate became a one-sided massacre, as more border soldiers offered only slight resistance before being slain by the two barbarian warriors

Fu Bayu replied "Yes" and immediately went down to organize his subordinates to head to the South Gate

The sound of fireworks has become the dominant tone of the entire sky, as if it is telling people that happiness is not far away. This brilliant red also seems to foreshadow a prosperous year ahead.

The people on the street were finally frightened by the rampaging barbarian soldiers. The sharp cries, accompanied by the flash of blades swung down by the barbarians in disdain, instantly became the dominant tone of the entire street. A heavy scent of blood permeated throughout Changli City, and with this pervasive stench, more and more barbarian soldiers surged into the city. The piercing cries of children and the helpless wails of adults echoed through the city amidst the blizzard, while the fireworks finally came to an end. However, the red that stained the entire night sky did not cease. A series of shadows with white light fell, heads rolled to the ground, and the snow revealed a patch of pure white.

Sangqi looked at Tuba, a young noble from the Rouran White Head clan, who was able to command a thousand men and hold the position of a thousand-man leader at such a young age; this was indeed a talent. However, he still had some shortcomings, such as this: "Today is the New Year's Eve for the Southern people, a time of national celebration. With divine troops descending, do you think the Southern people will be defeated?"

When Fuba Yujie led his subordinates to the southern gate, Tuba's troops were in a stalemate with the border soldiers. Without hesitation, Fuba Yujie quickly joined the battle. The increase in the number of barbarian soldiers made the already difficult situation for the border troops even more unbearable.

Border soldiers fell one by one in the wind and snow, and more and more border soldiers chose to escape down from the city walls

Upon hearing this, the generals immediately stood up and said, "We will follow the general's orders"

A young general stood up and said, "General Sang, the heavy snow is pressing down on us now, and the journey is likely to be difficult."

It is now New Year's Eve, with heavy snow falling and the cold wind biting, yet this does not dampen the festive spirit of the people. The streets are bustling with crowds, significantly more than usual. The taverns are already packed to capacity, with many people lingering at the temple fairs and workshops. Children are clamoring for candied hawthorn, while adults are purchasing new clothes for themselves. The elderly watch the passersby on the street, sitting together in the tavern, drinking and laughing.

With the shout of "Enemy attack," more people around reacted, and more voices cried out, "Enemy attack!"

The West Gate and East Gate essentially faced no resistance. The soldiers who entered via the siege ladders outside the city, along with the barbarian troops that surged in after the North Gate fell, caused the entire West Gate and East Gate to collapse almost immediately. In the southern part of the city, the military command and stationed troops were primarily engaged in slaughter—undoubtedly, slaughter. Soldiers who were watching the fireworks had no time to return for their weapons; those who donned their armor became victims of the blade. Many more soldiers were asleep in their beds, dreaming of embracing beautiful women, their moans in dreams transformed into cries of anguish in hell. In the southern part of the city, the military command and stationed troops were primarily engaged in slaughter—undoubtedly, slaughter. Soldiers who were watching the fireworks had no time to return for their weapons; those who donned their armor became victims of the blade. Many more soldiers were asleep in their beds, dreaming of embracing beautiful women, their moans in dreams transformed into cries of anguish in hell.

Bodies fell onto the thick layer of snow, their striking crimson blood quickly melting the surrounding snow. In the vast expanse of white, each drop of red appeared so glaringly conspicuous. However, before long, more blood splattered onto that patch of white snow, instantly transforming the entire snowy landscape into a vivid tableau of white and red.

A flash of white light streaked by, and a thick, blood-red liquid gushed forth, harmonizing with the red flames on the horizon. The border soldiers looked proudly at the crimson sky, ready to cheer, when suddenly they felt a chill around their necks. Before they could comprehend what was happening, their heads rolled to the ground, blood staining the snow, rolling towards another border soldier. The border soldiers looked proudly at the crimson sky, ready to cheer, when suddenly they felt a chill around their necks. Before they could comprehend what was happening, their heads rolled to the ground, blood staining the snow, rolling towards another border soldier

A tall, middle-aged general clad in armor stood beside Sangqi and said, "General, your subordinate is here."

"Where is Tuba?" Sang Qi suddenly turned to the person beside him and said

Changli Prefecture, located on the eastern edge of Youyun Province, has become the frontline for repelling the Northern Barbarians since the fall of Pingzhou. A garrison of troops is stationed throughout the entire city of Changli.

The people in the distance were also taken aback, but as more and more barbarian soldiers appeared on the city walls, many border troops were caught off guard and met with a tragic fate.

As night falls, the sound of firecrackers echoes over Changli City. Families have begun to return home to enjoy the New Year's Eve dinner and the festive meal. Those who are having dinner are already holding fireworks, illuminating the entire night sky with brilliance. The vibrant sounds that resonate throughout the heavens and the earth cover the harshness of the wind and snow, while the bustling joy of people showcases the simplicity of the local customs.

Crawling

The sound of fireworks inevitably drowned out the howling wind and snow, as well as the clashing of armor. Outside the distant city walls, soldiers densely filled three sides. Indeed, it was the Northern Barbarians

A middle-aged man, with a full beard and a square face, dressed in a fox fur coat, sits solemnly in the elevated seat of the hall, his right hand resting on the sword he is about to speak of, calmly observing everything below. It is evident at a glance that he is a barbarian

Tuba looked at Fubayujili, who wanted to lead his subordinates out to pursue, and said sternly, "Are you trying to take my job?!"

At the same time, Changli Prefecture, Qian'an County, Lulong County, and Funing County also fell into the hands of Sangqi's forces

Sangqi showed no reaction after hearing this, as if everything was anticipated. He waved his hand to send the soldier back and continued walking forward

After considering it for a moment, Tuba felt that Sangqi made a valid point, so he said nothing further, returned to his seat, and sat down

Sangqi looked down at all the generals. As the commander of the Eastern Army in this expedition, he had been stuck in Liaodong City for over ten days. This was indeed due to the continuous heavy snow, which had blocked the mountains and made the roads impassable. However, the situation was different now; it was a festive season for the southern people, and it was likely that they were indulging in revelry. Such a great opportunity could not be missed. For Sangqi, this was a chance to lead all the troops and march southward. Saying this, he drew his sword and pointed towards the south. It was a festive season for the southern people, and it was likely that they were indulging in revelry. Such a great opportunity could not be missed. For Sangqi, this was a chance to lead all the troops and march southward. Saying this, he drew his sword and pointed towards the south

Sangqi listened to the man's words, pondered for a while, and said, "Fuba Yujie"

Yes, the one sitting above is Sangqi, the commander of the Eastern Army of the Rouyuan Khitan Allied Forces. And the book.

Swords clashed, warm liquid spilled across the ground, mingled with endless wind and snow. As the pervasive humidity fell, more border troops drew their swords to confront the barbarian soldiers

The barbarian soldiers set up a siege ladder

Sang Qi calmly looked at the young general and after a while, spoke up, "Tuba, do you know what festival the Southerners are celebrating today?"

Tens of thousands of troops began to break camp, dividing into three grand columns as they commenced their march southward

Previously, the joy of the people, along with their prayers for a prosperous year, has indeed become a reality, and the city is now vividly depicted in shades of crimson.

The middle-aged man seated above stood up, drew his sword, and shouted, "Let the southerners experience our might."

"Report, General, the Southern Army's headquarters has already been occupied." A messenger ran in and knelt on one knee before Sangqi.

Amidst the swirling snow and wind, illuminating the weary night, people come and go, desperately chasing the unknown. As they weave through the streets during the Spring Festival, the feeling is so intense. Who will arrive at this moment of celebration

Tuba was momentarily speechless. For a Rouran person, it was sufficient to remember their own festivals; why should they concern themselves with the festivals of the Southern people? The festivals of the Southerners had no impact on them. "General, what does this have to do with fighting?"

The soldier felt something on his foot and looked down. He then saw the red flames melting the surrounding white snow at a visibly rapid pace. The soldier was momentarily stunned and quickly raised his head to look not far away, where a body lay, along with a soldier dressed in barbarian military attire. He shouted, "Enemy attack!"

Gradually, border soldiers began to rush out from the southern gate, and the fighting at the southern gate slowly ceased. More border soldiers surged out of the southern gate

The fireworks in the city are in full bloom, and the soldiers are looking up, even applauding in appreciation

What accompanied the fall of his voice was not the awakening of the entire city, but his own liberation. A spray of blood gushed from his neck, and a faint metallic scent spread through the air with the wind and snow

A soldier immediately replied, "General, Captain Tubar is currently attacking the southern gate, and I believe it will be taken soon."

Sangqi, clad in full armor, coldly gazed at the Southern people reveling within the city. With a wave of his hand, the barbarian soldiers carrying the siege ladders swiftly charged towards the city walls under the cover of the howling wind and snow, in lines and pairs.

This is a hall, surrounded by seats, densely occupied by dozens of individuals, all uniformly dressed in armor, who are the northern barbarian generals

This is a military conference

The heavy scent of blood permeated the night sky, dissipating with the cold wind

After continuous battles, the troops of Tuba were exhausted, and naturally, none of the border soldiers who wished to survive could escape. Thus, Tuba hopelessly returned to Changli City

"You are to lead your troops to the southern gate immediately and ensure that it is captured at once," Sangqi said to Fuba Yuj.

The barbarian troops surged into Changli City like a tidal wave, swiftly occupying the entire northern gate area. The one-sided massacre came to an end as the barbarian forces advanced towards the western gate, eastern gate, and southern gate

Sangqi entered Changli City through the north gate, observing the place that had just experienced slaughter. He forcefully kicked the head of a border soldier blocking his path and continued walking forward

The barbarian soldiers charged down from the city tower alongside the border troops, with more barbarians attacking the border soldiers. The northern city gate swung open, and the waiting barbarians surged into the city like a tide.

Blood splattered everywhere, landing on the corner of the barbarian's mouth. The barbarian licked the moist warmth from the corner of his mouth with his tongue, a faint taste, slightly salty and fishy. He smiled with satisfaction and charged forward with his sword raised.