Chapter One, The Suffering People of Ku County

In the fourth month of the fifth year of Yongjia during the Western Jin Dynasty, nearly 100,000 Jin troops were besieged by several thousand Hu cavalry in Ningping City of Kuxian.

Another young official tugged at his companion's sleeve and said with a sneer, "During the day, we encountered the Hu cavalry coming from all directions, and Pei Wenyue was so frightened that his liver and gallbladder shattered; it is said that he has gone mad. Why must you speak with such a fool?"

Wang Yan is a renowned contemporary metaphysician, idle talker, and sophisticator. There is an idiom "speaking carelessly and without restraint," which originally referred to this person—indicating that his theories are full of flaws. Even when others point out his mistakes, he shamelessly revises them at any time, as if erasing the written words with a substance like orpiment. This individual has failed in governance and is completely inexperienced in military affairs. No one could have anticipated that once he obtained military power, he neither dared to confront Shi Le or Guo Xi, nor was he willing to return to Luoyang to defend the city. Instead, he used the excuse of Sima Yue's last wishes to lead a large army, supporting the coffin, intending to travel a thousand miles to the Eastern Sea Kingdom for burial.

Upon hearing this news, Shi Le immediately led several thousand elite cavalry to pursue, ultimately catching up with the Jin army within the territory of Ku County. Wang Yan dispatched the general Qian Duan to engage in battle, resulting in a defeat where Qian Duan was killed. When the news of the defeat arrived, this Wang Yifu was instantly terrified, facing an enemy force that was absolutely fewer in number than his own, he was at a loss and could only weep in despair. ... With the morale of the army shattered, the command system was completely paralyzed, and they were besieged and shot at by several thousand Hu cavalry, with corpses piled like mountains and blood flowing like rivers ... When the news of the defeat arrived, this Wang Yifu was instantly terrified, facing an enemy force that was absolutely fewer in number than his own, he was at a loss and could only weep in despair. ... With the morale of the army shattered, the command system was completely paralyzed, and they were besieged and shot at by several thousand Hu cavalry, with corpses piled like mountains and blood flowing like rivers ...

Within the city, there once existed the most valiant and battle-hardened army of the Jin Dynasty. Since the establishment of the state, it had launched northern campaigns against the Xianbei and southern expeditions against Wu and Hui. Subsequently, it safeguarded the emperor during internal strife and quelled rebellions. Over the course of several decades, it fought across the east and west, achieving numerous victories. However, all these glories are like the yellow flowers of tomorrow; although their combat strength still remains, their fighting spirit has long since withered and decayed, ultimately turning to dust, deeply trampled into the blood-soaked mud. This is because the commander who once led them to steadfastly defend Luoyang and subsequently ventured out to suppress the rebellion has passed away. Most of the former generals have scattered, and regarding the new command structure...

Is it just because my real name is also Pei Gai?

Within the ruins of Ningping, outside the central military tent, at this moment, two young officials stood side by side. Both wore black caps, donned Jin Xian crowns, and were dressed in crimson silk robes, with plain silk wrapped around their waists and red tassel seal bags hanging from their belts. Their garments were quite dusty, even stained with blood, yet their faces were remarkably clean. They gazed into the distant sky, where no moonlight or starlight was visible, only the flickering torches held by the Hu cavalry passing by. Overcome with sorrow, they could not help but let out a long sigh together.

Pei had also considered fleeing alone or hiding among the corpses to avoid the Hu cavalry, but that was purely a matter of luck, equivalent to completely entrusting his fate to the heavens. Which protagonist in a time-travel novel could turn their fortunes around through such passive means

... ...

One person spoke up: "Wang Yifu is a man of frivolous charm, not a talent suited for generals and commanders. Who would have thought that in such absurd times, a hundred thousand troops would fall into his hands? A mere few thousand Hu cavalry, even if they were a hundred thousand cattle and horses, could not possibly be driven away entirely. Yet, the hundred thousand strong army scattered in an instant... Our day of demise, I fear, is likely to be tomorrow morning"

... ...

The new command post is established in the very center of the ruined city of Ningping, maintaining a distance as far as possible from the enemy positions outside the city. Unlike the soldiers who are huddled together, sleeping against the walls, a vast tent remains open, and large tallow candles are lit. Yet, the courtesans are still present, and the drumming continues, but no one has the heart to arrange a banquet overnight. At this moment, both the nominal commander and the actual leader sit facing each other, their eyes red and swollen from weeping, feeling as if the noose of fate has already been tightened around their necks, ... and it is getting tighter and tighter ...

He is also a young man whose appearance, according to the aesthetic standards of this era, can be described as handsome: first, he has a broad forehead and a well-defined jawline, with very fair skin; second, his eyebrows are sparse and well-shaped, his phoenix-like eyes are bright and clear, his nose is straight and his mouth is well-formed, and the beard on his upper lip and chin appears soft and fine because it has never been shaved.

Pei Wenyue continued to utter normal pronunciations along with peculiar vocabulary and grammar: "You are the crazy one, your entire family has completely lost their minds!"

Another person slowly shook his head: "It is too straightforward and certainly not a fine work. However, I can only come up with four lines—'Departing to Yan and Yu, hoping to pacify the barbarian atmosphere. Alas, time does not favor us, and the dead nation witnesses my loyalty.'"

Ningping City was originally the seat of Ningping County during the Han Dynasty. In the early Jin Dynasty, it was abolished and merged into the northwestern Ku County. Therefore, today's Ningping City is merely a small enclosure surrounded by a dirt wall with numerous gaps, the highest point barely reaching over 3 meters. The remaining residents within the city number only a hundred households, yet in an instant, hundreds of officials and military officers, over a thousand women and children, as well as more than ten thousand remnants of soldiers have squeezed in, with the vast majority of them hardly able to find a place to curl up and sleep.

This Pei Wenyue, whose full name is Pei Gai, although his body belongs to this era, his soul originates from two thousand years later. As the other party stated, his true self, upon witnessing the howling Hu cavalry during the day, seeing the rolling heads, the rain of arrows, and the blood-soaked ground, was so frightened that he became dumbfounded. Thus, a soul from the future inexplicably and suddenly took possession.

The blood has soaked the sand, turning it a deep crimson, and near the city walls, the blood reaches the ankles, strewn with pieces of flesh, and no one dares to venture into it lightly anymore

Both individuals were startled and hurriedly turned towards the sound. It turned out that a person, dressed very similarly to them, was curled up in the nearby shadows, having remained silent and motionless until now, which is why neither of them had noticed.

As soon as the words fell, a sudden "puff" sound was heard beside me, as if someone was laughing; however, this laughter was not pleasant, but rather filled with an indistinct sense of endless distress and resentment.

Then Pei Wenyue wore a deadpan expression, with a mouth that spoke words that were inexplicably strange: "What nonsense are you talking about?"

In particular, through careful and seemingly mad inquiries that others might dismiss as mere nonsense, combined with the remnants of memory in his mind, he managed to piece together the current situation. This is considered a rather famous battle in history—though general history enthusiasts may not necessarily pay attention to it—the annihilation of the 100,000 central troops of the Western Jin in a single battle marked the day of the complete collapse of this regime, ... the time is not far off ... This is considered a rather famous battle in history—though general history enthusiasts may not necessarily pay attention to it—the annihilation of the 100,000 central troops of the Western Jin in a single battle marked the day of the complete collapse of this regime, ... the time is not far off ...

However, upon reflection, the other party may not truly understand these words, which is akin to "casting pearls before swine"... Thus, with a firm resolve, I pushed myself up from the muddy ground, struggling to stand, pointing my finger at them, and shouted in the popular vernacular of the time: "What distinction is there between you and Wang Yifu? In life, you are of no benefit to the nation; even in death, you pose no harm to the barbarian invaders—what is the meaning of sacrificing for the country?"

However, after Pei's soul occupied the body, he surveyed his surroundings and could not help but feel like crying without tears. This might be the most miserable transmigration in history; even if it were written into a novel, unless it started with a significant twist of fate, there would be no possibility of a turnaround. Not to mention a turnaround, even the chance of survival has been almost completely cut off.

The young official who had previously reprimanded him could not help but sigh: "Everyone says that the two sons of Duke Jing of Lu, Dao Wen can inherit their father's ambitions, and Wen Yue can carry on their father's teachings. Now we are about to die for our country, and we intended to invite him to compose poetry together, so that we could leave a few records in the annals of history. Unexpectedly, he has gone mad..."

He was immediately recognized by the other party: "Pei Wenyue?"

In the other directions of Ningping's abandoned city, sparse tents were arranged. Although the majority of the Hu soldiers slept in their tents fully clothed and with their weapons as pillows, they actually slept very soundly, with snores rising like thunder. They needed to rest well to counteract the fatigue from the previous day's hundred-mile march and continuous victories, so that when the red sun rose the next day, they could sweep away the Jin army within the city with overwhelming force. In front of the tents, small groups of cavalry occasionally passed by, holding torches and whispering and laughing, completely disregarding the enemy soldiers within the city, who outnumbered them several times.

Pei Wenyue spat heavily on the ground and exclaimed: "Damn your motherland! All you know is to indulge in poetic musings; what have you actually done for this country? And yet you pretend to be loyal ministers and righteous heroes? What a bunch of nonsense!"

The root of the matter can be traced back several years, when the Xiongnu established the Huhan regime, which pressed forward step by step, reaching the outskirts of Luoyang. At this critical juncture, the ruling Donghai King Sima Yue had a conflict with the general Gou Xi, leading to mutual accusations and even armed confrontation. Ultimately, Sima Yue abandoned the emperor, independently leading the officials and the main army southward, stationed at Xiang, publicly claiming to seek an opportunity to attack the Huhan general Shi Le, while in fact targeting Gou Xi. By March of this year, Sima Yue suddenly passed away in the army due to illness, and the troops elected Xiangyang King Sima Fan as their leader. However, Sima Fan was merely a puppet, while the real power was held by the Grand Commandant Wang Yan, also known as Wang Yifu.

A young official boldly leaned in closer, bending down to carefully observe in the faint light that filtered through the large tent. At that moment, the other party, while maintaining the same posture, slowly straightened their neck and raised their head, locking eyes with him.

The young official who called out his name immediately adopted a stern expression and reprimanded, "You are the son of Duke Cheng of Julu, holding the position of Sanqi Changshi, and your title is Marquis of Nanchang. Your father has made great contributions to the state and has left a significant legacy in history... As the ancient saying goes: 'A gentleman dies without removing his cap.' Why are you so timid and fearful, sitting here all alone in a crouched position?"

In the midst of the corpses scattered across the wilderness, a path over a zhang wide was forcibly trampled out by the Hu cavalry, with blood mixed with remnants of flesh and bone, which, after being repeatedly trampled, had already turned into a thick and filthy sludge. Although it was late at night, with no light from the stars or moon, there were still Hu cavalry occasionally strolling by, holding torches high and leisurely guiding their horses, with the obvious intention of blocking the escape route of the Jin army within the city. The number of Hu cavalry was not large, averaging only a small squad of five or six riders coming and going every quarter of an hour, but even this small number was enough to intimidate the already terrified Jin army. Although it was late at night, with no light from the stars or moon, there were still Hu cavalry occasionally strolling by, holding torches high and leisurely guiding their horses, with the obvious intention of blocking the escape route of the Jin army within the city. The number of Hu cavalry was not large, averaging only a small squad of five or six riders coming and going every quarter of an hour, but even this small number was enough to intimidate the already terrified Jin army

In other words, one's destined fate is either to perish under the barrage of Hu cavalry and the trampling of hooves, or to have one's head severed after being captured. Even if one is as "fortunate" as Wang Yan, one would still be crushed by the walls, ... buried alive by the earthworks ...

Pei was also a history enthusiast before his time travel, and he had read about this historical event. He knew that the final outcome was that the hundred thousand troops of Jin were annihilated in Ningping City, and it is said that "not a single person escaped." The nobles and high officials were all captured and killed by Shi Le—Wang Yan and others barely managed to keep their bodies intact, only to be "executed by Shi Le's men that night."

The sitting posture of this person is extremely peculiar and disrespectful. In this era, the gentry are accustomed to kneeling while sitting, yet this individual has his knees bent upwards, legs crossed, and his buttocks resting directly on the filthy ground. He leans forward, with his head, adorned with a Jin Xian crown, wedged between his knees. His hands hang limply at his sides, yet his fingertips are deeply embedded in the soil.

Before my time travel, I had seen posts online that mocked the misfortunes of time travelers, who fell into dire situations. For instance, becoming Zhao Zhufu in the palace of Sha, or Yang Yuhuan at the Mawei Post, or Yue Pengju at Fengbo Pavilion, and so on. Even becoming Lin Zuoda above Wendur Khan... etc. However tragic it may be, at least one could indulge in the experience of being a famous figure before meeting their end. Yet here I am, having become a character so obscure that there are hardly any words to describe him in historical texts—who could be more unfortunate than I!

This phenomenon is referred to in later generations by a specific term, known as "soul crossing"

Because more soldiers had already perished beyond the ruins, especially within the short span of a few hundred steps from the southern wall of Ningping City to the Sha River, there lay layer upon layer of over ten thousand mutilated corpses. Only a few had arrows in their chests, while the vast majority had wounds in their backs. Some faced Ningping, attempting to squeeze into the city, while others faced the Sha River, hoping to wade to safety. Yet, in the end, they all failed to witness the arrival of nightfall and met a tragic death under the fierce arrows of the Hu cavalry. Only a few had arrows in their chests, while the vast majority had wounds in their backs. Some faced Ningping, attempting to squeeze into the city, while others faced the Sha River, hoping to wade to safety. Yet, in the end, they all failed to witness the arrival of nightfall and met a tragic death under the fierce arrows of the Hu cavalry

He once tried to approach several blood-soaked soldiers with faces full of despair, but they could not understand what he was saying and only knew to kneel and bow; he searched everywhere for lower-ranking officers, ... but the structure of the Jin army had long been shattered, and almost no officer could find their subordinates ... Then, as soon as he expressed a desire to break through the encirclement, he was regarded as a madman by the soldiers and his colleagues ... Then, as soon as he expressed a desire to break through the encirclement, he was regarded as a madman by the soldiers and his colleagues ...

Another person smiled bitterly and said: "Death is but death; everyone has life, and everyone has death. I only wish that Wang Yifu and the other officials in power would die on the same day, so that we might slightly alleviate the hatred in our hearts!" He then looked at his companion: "Now that we are about to part in death, how can we not compose a poem to express our sorrow and indignation, to convey our aspirations?"

What a tragic fate this is, but it is merely the beginning of the great chaos and division of the Chinese nation that has lasted for two hundred and fifty years, a prelude to a history filled with sorrow

The person before nodded slightly, pondered for a moment, and sighed, saying: "My heart is in turmoil, making it difficult to compose a piece; I can only think of four lines." Then, he began to recite in a melodious voice—"Whose fault is it that I am confined? On the path, it is hard to absolve blame. My attire and crown are stained with the scent of the Hu, and the elegance of culture decays alongside it."

At first, he still held onto a glimmer of hope, as the number of troops from Jin was indeed overwhelming, and their weapons and equipment were quite sophisticated. The cavalry from Hu numbered only a few thousand. If he could persuade a few hundred people to gather and fight, it should not be too difficult to break through the encirclement. However, he soon pieced together the fragmented memories of this life in his mind and roughly understood his identity—an attendant of the scattered cavalry and the Marquis of Nanchang. Although this title sounded impressive, in reality, he was merely a powerless clerk within a vast bureaucratic system, well-versed in civil affairs but ignorant of martial arts, unable even to recognize a mid-level military officer. How could he make those soldiers, who were utterly terrified, listen to him?