Starting with Intercepting and Marrying the Eldest Princess - Chapter 29

Chapter 29: “Shujing, You Must Be Well”…

In the vast, snowy plain, Zhenxue City stood like a monstrous beast.

Not far north of Xinghe Fort, three men were calming their horses.

“Slan, do you think we can succeed tonight?”

The man nodded: “Of course. The news of the Xia people’s troop rotation has long since reached the snow plains. Rotation inevitably brings chaos. We just need to take advantage of the confusion…”

After a moment of silence, Slan asserted: “The Xia people are finished!”

Zhang Sheng, the City Warden of Zhenxue City, was sleeping. He knew that after the formal handover between the North and South armies, this place would no longer be under his control.

So, he might as well get some extra sleep now!

The night was deep. A brief, low sound came from the city wall.

A few black figures lowered ropes from the city wall, and a stream of dark shapes climbed up after them.

Before long, a creaking sound came from the city gate.

“Who goes there?”

A patrol soldier heard the noise, raised the lantern in his hand, and shouted the question.

The black figures paused, and immediately over a dozen longbows were aimed in their direction.

The soldier and his comrades were alarmed to see shadows gathered at the city gate. They immediately opened their mouths and shouted loudly.

“Enemy attack!”

The shout was carried out just as the arrows whistled through the air.

The black figures looked at the fallen Xia soldiers and rushed to open the city gate together.

“Enemy attack!”

“Enemy attack!”

The mournful shouts shattered the long night. Zhang Sheng climbed out of bed, hastily put on his armor, and rushed out.

“Sir, the Snow Barbarians are inside the city!”

Zhang Sheng was trembling all over. He looked at the subordinates in front of him and said frantically: “Engage the enemy! Gather all the brothers and drive them out!”

At the city gate.

Soldiers had already gathered spontaneously to meet the enemy.

But infantry facing a cavalry charge, their small numbers were no match.

In the torchlight, the Snow Plain cavalry charged up without hesitation.

“Kill!”

The front-row soldiers waved their swords and spears, desperately hacking. Horses were cut down one after another, and the Oirats on their backs were hacked to pieces.

“Counterattack! Counterattack!”

The leading officer knew that if they didn’t counterattack now, once the enemy’s main cavalry force entered the city, the defeat would be irreversible.

So, the soldiers charged forward fearlessly, knowing they were facing death.

“Fire arrows!”

The Snow Barbarians covered the area directly with a barrage of arrows.

“Charge through!”

Looking at the remaining dozen or so soldiers, the leading Snow Barbarian said coldly: “Trample them!”

Hooves danced, and the enemy riders swung their sabers. Under the torchlight, the faces of the Snow Barbarians were contorted in savage smiles.

The remaining soldiers exchanged a look, and a tragic aura instantly erupted.

The officer turned back to look at the torches in the city, knowing that reinforcements wouldn’t arrive anytime soon.

He turned back in despair, knowing that his and his men’s final moment had arrived.

Had the final moment arrived?

The officer instantly made a decision. He opened his mouth, pouring all his strength into his chest, and roared desperately:

“My Great Xia… ugh!”

But just halfway through his shout, the company commander was precisely hit in the throat by an arrow.

“…Mighty!”

Seeing their commander fall down clutching his throat, the remaining men’s eyes turned red. They roared, held their short weapons, and charged forward without hesitation.

“Pfft!”

A saber easily sliced through a neck. The Snow Barbarian on the horse scanned his surroundings, looking for another military merit.

“Kill!”

A Great Xia soldier leaped into the air, his long saber slashing down mid-flight.

A head flew in the air, and blood spurted out, presenting a beautiful, bright color.

“Bang!”

The Great Xia soldier who had just landed was instantly knocked flying by a rapidly charging horse. Lying on the ground, the horse’s hoof was already at his chest.

It was worth it…

“Pfft!”

The entire force was wiped out, but over forty Snow Barbarians lay dead on the ground.

The Snow Barbarian general was furious. He saw the torches getting closer and closer and shouted: “Charge forward! Break through them! The wealth and women inside are all ours!”

“We can’t stop them!”

Zhang Sheng saw the cavalry continuously pouring in from the city gate and knew that a counterattack was impossible.

He turned to look at his subordinates, most of whom were deathly pale.

Zhang Sheng felt a bad premonition. Whether they could win was one thing; whether they dared to fight was another.

He took a deep breath, looked at the soldiers with varying expressions, and shouted: “Today, there is only the enemy and me! I, Zhang Sheng, will die with all of you! If anyone dares to retreat, they will be executed immediately!”

In the vast snowy plain, even if they escaped, in this weather, they would either freeze to death or be captured and brutally tortured by the Snow Barbarians.

The sound of hooves was getting closer. Zhang Sheng turned and shouted: “Form long spear array! Archers prepare!”

Squads of long spearmen stepped forward, pointing their spears toward the advancing enemy.

Archers drew their bows, ready to fire upon command.

Closer now. The long spearmen in the front could already see the faces of the Snow Barbarians.

Just then, Zhang Sheng waved his saber and shouted: “Fire arrows!”

“Fire arrows!”

“Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!”

Arrows pierced flesh. Immediately, screams of men and the whinnies of horses turned the city into a battlefield of carnage.

“Don’t stop! Charge!”

The Snow Barbarian general watched the fallen horses and soldiers in front, gritting his teeth and ordering: “Advance again! Those who retreat will be beheaded!”

They were preparing for a single-wave attack to break through the front line.

A nervous officer asked: “Slan, the Xia army has a military fort ten li away. Will they send reinforcements?”

Hearing this, Slan said contemptuously: “Our army marched at night to launch a sneak attack. By the time they discover it, setting aside whether they have time to rush here, would they dare to hastily engage our Sacred Clan in battle?”

He listened to the shouting in the city and said: “The Great Xia people cannot win!”

Inside Zhenxue City, the Great Xia army’s formation had been scattered by the cavalry. They were essentially fighting individual battles.

Zhang Sheng roared, swung his saber, and cut down a cavalryman, then kicked the enemy’s neck.

He wearily raised his head and saw that the surrounding soldiers were struggling to hold on.

Not far away, the Snow Barbarians’ second wave of attack was about to begin.

The sound of hooves was urgent. The Snow Barbarians were preparing to sweep away the last resistors, and then the entire Zhenxue City would be their spoils of war.

Countless gold, silver, and copper coins, as well as provisions and women…

These things will be ours right away!

Zhang Sheng stood there dumbfounded, his sword-gripping hand trembling.

Everyone looked ashen, staring at the approaching enemy, having almost lost the courage to resist.

Zhang Sheng suddenly roared.

“Gentlemen, please die with me!”

“My Great Xia! Mighty!”

“Kill!”

The unwilling Zhang Sheng led a few dozen men holding broadswords and charged back.

A minute later, only he remained in the front.

He propped himself up on his sword, panting, and numbly looked at his dead comrades on the ground.

“Hee-haw!”

Slan waved his hand, stopping the charge. He then arrogantly spoke to Zhang Sheng in the Great Xia language: “You are a brave warrior. Are you willing to be my servant?”

Zhang Sheng panted, then slowly smiled.

“Are you willing to be my son?”

Hearing this, Slan shook his head and prepared to wave his hand, ending the life of this stubborn fellow.

“Clang, clang, clang…”

Just then, a neat sound of footsteps came from outside.

“Clang, clang, clang!”

The footsteps were getting closer. Everyone looked at each other in confusion.

The neat footsteps were still approaching, but someone from the Snow Barbarian side suddenly shouted a few phrases, and their people became somewhat agitated.

“What is he saying?”

Zhang Sheng frowned. Although he couldn’t understand what these beasts were saying, he could tell from their expressions that the situation was unfavorable for them.

A survivor in the army who understood the Snow Barbarian language was already trembling.

The man shouted excitedly: “He said there’s an enemy attack! It’s the Zhennan Army!”

“What?”

Zhang Sheng rushed over, grabbed the man’s lapel, and demanded: “You didn’t hear wrong?”

Nearby people, including Yu Sanhuo and others, gathered around, their eyes fixed on the man.

He nodded heavily.

“No mistake. It’s the Zhennan Army!”

“The Zhennan Army…”

“The Zhennan Army!”

Zhang Sheng and the others laughed up at the sky, but the Snow Barbarians were in no mood to deal with them anymore.

Slan was furious. He lashed out at the retreating subordinates and shouted: “What is the Zhennan Army? What’s so scary about infantry? All of you, charge out! Break through them, and then we’ll deal with this place!”

Over a hundred Snow Barbarian cavalry cautiously charged out, but those in the front who got out found their path blocked by those behind.

“They are demons!”

The Snow Barbarian cavalry who had just rushed out of the fort gate suddenly reined in their horses, blocking the path, and exclaimed in horror.

Seeing his men look like they had gone mad, Slan cursed and went to the front, ready to deal with these easily startled guys.

But when he looked ahead, his entire body stiffened as if he had fallen into an ice cellar…

Outside Zhenxue City, rows of troops stood quietly.

In the darkness, the formation was silent.

“Face plate down!”

On the left side of the first row, Xue Chang, riding his horse, slowly drew his saber.

A flash of firelight, and the gleam of the saber stung the eyes of those at the city gate.

But the greater shock came later.

Following Xue Chang’s command, the silent soldiers used their left hands to pull down the plates from the top of their helmets.

“Clang!”

After the same neat sound, face plates covered their faces. Only the white vapor from their breathing proved that there were living people beneath the armor.

In the darkness, cold eyes shimmered with light.

“These are demons crawling out of hell!”

Slan casually executed the man who spread panic. He muttered: “Why aren’t they dodging my charge?”

Then, his face turned cold, and he shouted: “Form ranks…”

After a burst of commotion, the Snow Barbarian cavalry gathered outside the city gate formed into ranks.

The horses snorted and restlessly pawed the ground.

The riders, however, were full of confidence, for they had broken through many such infantry formations.

Slan waved his saber and shouted: “Charge!”

Xue Chang looked at the waving banner opposite and smiled. He said to the military clerk beside him.

“Newcomer, do you know why the Zhenbei Army has one hundred thousand men, while our Zhennan Army has only thirty thousand, yet we are equally famous?”

The military clerk shook his head.

Xue Chang pointed to the Zhennan Army banner and said.

“After this war, I think you will know.”

“This world should also know.”

Xingye City, the central city of the Snow Barbarians.

It was also the place where successive Snow Queens were crowned.

By the time the main army arrived here, it was already afternoon. Gao Changxun sent out scouts and then ordered the entire army to set up camp.

Xie Ning didn’t concern herself with the camping. Instead, she went with Pei Shujing to inspect the surrounding area.

The area was surrounded by glaciers, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack.

Xie Ning observed for a while: “Your Highness, I bet that Snow Queen never imagined we would employ the same strategy as them.”

Pei Shujing didn’t understand these matters and tried to keep her expression calm. If she showed any emotion, the Zhennan Army would endlessly interpret it.

So, Xie Ning told her to be a blank slate.

She didn’t know what a blank slate was, but Xie Ning said all she had to do was act natural.

Thus, the Zhennan Army, seeing their Highness’s calm, unwavering demeanor, secretly admired her.

After all, when they first went to the battlefield, they were so excited they trembled all over, some couldn’t even hold their swords steady.

Worthy of being Her Highness!

“Move aside!”

Just then, there was a commotion behind them. Fang Xing turned around and saw over a dozen soldiers pushing several catapults over.

Xie Ning walked over and smiled: “Is the General planning to bombard the Snow Barbarians from here?”

Gao Changxun cupped his hands: “The Snow Barbarians may not dare to leave the city, but I am merely preparing for contingencies.”

Xie Ning pondered for a moment and said admiringly: “General is truly both wise and courageous.”

Gao Changxun didn’t know how to respond to such flattery and could only smile.

He then said: “The Snow Queen is cunning, and it’s hard to discern her true intentions. However, by tomorrow, any of the Snow Queen’s schemes will probably be useless.”

“Once the great battle begins, life and death are up to fate. Your Highness must be careful.”

Pei Shujing nodded: “I will. Tell the soldiers that this Princess will personally beat the drums to cheer them on.”

Hearing this, Gao Changxun couldn’t help but smile.

“I urge Your Highness to rest early. Tomorrow, please watch how your soldiers capture the Snow Queen alive and present her to Your Highness.”

Late at night.

Xie Ning guarded the entrance to Pei Shujing’s military tent, feeling drowsy.

“Imperial Son-in-Law…”

Xie Ning was startled and quickly replied softly: “I’m here.”

The voice in the military tent was silent for a moment: “…Come in.”

Xie Ning patted the shoulders of the nearby soldiers, then lifted the curtain and walked in.

Inside the tent, Pei Shujing was sitting by the desk, waiting for her.

Xie Ning smiled and said softly: “Can’t sleep?”

Pei Shujing nodded.

She also asked softly: “Are you also going to fight with the army tomorrow?”

“Yes!”

Xie Ning answered casually.

Pei Shujing looked at her silently: “…Be careful.”

The two looked at each other and fell into silence.

Suddenly, Xie Ning gritted her teeth, pulled a letter from her chest, and placed it on the desk.

“Your Highness, if I die in battle…”

“If I die in battle, open this letter and read it. If I return safely, don’t forget to give it back to me.”

Pei Shujing looked down at the letter: “Is this a will?”

Xie Ning shrugged casually, feigning ease: “There’s a tradition in the army. I just wrote it for fun.”

“Is that so…”

Pei Shujing lifted her hand and opened the letter. Xie Ning was greatly alarmed. She started to stop her but ultimately held back.

She pursed her lips and turned to leave, but Pei Shujing said faintly: “Stay there.”

Xie Ning could only watch helplessly as she opened the letter and began to read.

Pei Shujing silently finished reading and tucked the letter into her bosom. She looked at the embarrassed Xie Ning.

“When you return, how about we exchange secrets?”

“We’ll exchange our deepest secrets.”

Xie Ning was stunned. She nodded emphatically.

“Deal!”

“Gentlemen, we stand here now!”

Xie Ning was boosting the morale of the Zhennan Army.

“Perhaps some of you have heard of me. Perhaps some of you have never met me. But it doesn’t matter. Now, we are all the same people, with the same identity: warriors fighting for Great Xia!”

Xie Ning looked at these soldiers, clad in red armor and wearing helmets. Her heart swelled with emotion, and she shouted loudly.

“Warriors! Perhaps you will die. Perhaps I will die, too. But there is no need to fear, no need to panic, because behind us are the countless common people of Great Xia!”

“They are watching us. They are watching how we defeat these barbarians who constantly covet our land!”

“Her Highness is watching us too!”

“Watching how her soldiers carry the Zhennan banner and sweep across this entire land!”

“We may die, but we will surely win!”

“To die now is death, to risk a great campaign is also death. Rather than waiting for death, should we not die for our country?!”

The silent Zhennan Army soldiers could no longer suppress the powerful emotions surging in their chests. They shouted unrestrainedly.

“Die!”

“Die!”

“Die!”

Xie Ning burst into laughter, drew her saber across the darkness, and pointed toward Xingye City in the distance.

“Then, gentlemen, proclaim the arrival of Zhennan to the world!”

“Boom—” “Boom—” “Boom—”

The stirring sound of war drums echoed in the ears of all the Zhennan Army soldiers.

“It’s Her Highness!”

Pei Shujing, with a serious face, swung the drumstick, striking the war drum heavily, blow after blow.

The drum beats struck everyone’s chest, one after another.

“For Her Highness!!!”

Xie Ning raised her long saber high and pointed toward Xingye City.

“For Her Highness!!!”

All the Zhennan Army soldiers raised their long sabers high, pointing toward Xingye City.

This was the highest form of respect and courtesy the entire Zhennan Army could offer the Grand Princess.

“Kill!!!”

The decisive battle had arrived.

Pei Shujing watched the figure of Xie Ning leading the charge. She knew Xie Ning didn’t have to do this, but Xie Ning still went.

Because Xie Ning was her Imperial Son-in-Law, and Xie Ning was fighting for her.

She remembered Xie Ning’s reaction last night when she opened the letter in front of her.

That look carried a hint of helplessness, and that smile was so resolute and determined…

And that one sentence in the letter.

“Shujing, you must be well…”

Pei Shujing felt her eyes well up. She lowered her head to conceal it. When she looked up again, Xie Ning had already reached the foot of Xingye City.

“I will wait for you to return.”