Chapter 60: The Army at the Gates
Entering the room, Di Luoxi was studying the defense map.
“Captain Zhang, are you all right?”
Di Luoxi noticed Zhang Qian’s flushed face and her awkward walking posture.
Zhang Qian quickly replied, “I’m fine, really.”
Di Luoxi frowned at Long Chen, questioning, “Little Dragon, what did you do this time?”
Long Chen answered truthfully, “Nothing much, just tickled her. She laughed so hard she lost her breath.”
Di Luoxi looked at Zhang Qian, who nodded, confirming his words, nothing else.
“Did you come for something?”
Di Luoxi handed the defense map to Long Chen.
After examining it, Long Chen said, “Although the north is bordered by the great river and opposite lies the Fishing City, we still need to guard against a surprise attack from the Nanliang navy.”
Di Luoxi smiled, “Exactly what I thought. I’ve already spoken to Xian Nan, and she’s arranging defenses on the northern side.”
Long Chen put away the map. “Though we’re defending the city, we can’t just focus on defense. We need to turn defense into offense.”
Di Luoxi asked, “How do we turn defense into offense?”
Long Chen replied, “Kill! Eliminate Nanliang’s elite, their generals and soldiers. Not just defeat them—destroy them entirely.”
Di Luoxi pondered for a moment and said, “You’re right. With their men dead, their military strength will naturally weaken. But... it’s not that easy.”
Long Chen leaned in and whispered his plan in her ear. Di Luoxi listened intently.
“Is it feasible?” she asked.
Long Chen shook his head. “I don’t know. That’s the plan, but battlefield conditions change quickly—who knows what will happen in the end.”
Di Luoxi said, “All right, we’ll do as you say.”
...
Stone Gathering City.
Feng He hurried into Shangguan Xiu’s room, unable to contain his excitement.
“General, I’ve found out.”
“The one who delivered the defense map to us is from the Eastern Zhou Grand General’s Mansion, a man named Jing Heng.”
A few days earlier, someone had handed Feng He a defense map of Linjiang City.
Shangguan Xiu couldn’t believe it and sent Feng He to investigate the messenger’s identity. Now it was confirmed.
“Jing Heng, the youngest son of Jing Tianlie. I’ve heard he fancies Di Luoxi and bears a grudge against Long Cheng’en. He must have sent us the defense map to exact revenge on Long Cheng’en.”
The matter between Long Cheng’en and the Jing family had become widely known throughout the Nanliang court, and Shangguan Xiu was aware of it.
“I think so too. I also sent men to scout—the troop deployments match the map pretty closely.”
Not only had Feng He discovered the messenger’s identity, he had also scouted Linjiang City’s defenses.
“Excellent!”
Shangguan Xiu, overjoyed, took the defense map and entered Shangguan Wei’s room.
“Father, a few days ago someone sent a defense map of Linjiang City. I had Feng He investigate; the messenger was one of Jing Heng’s men.”
“Feng He also scouted Linjiang City’s defenses, and they closely match this map.”
Shangguan Wei examined the defense map carefully, his eyebrows arching like an eagle’s wings. He laughed loudly, “Who would have thought that Jing Tianlie would have such a son? Looks like Long Cheng’en’s arrogance has provoked the Jing family.”
They were all old foxes in the court. Shangguan Wei immediately recognized this as political infighting.
When personal grudges come into play, all notions of family and nation become meaningless.
“Have the soldiers assemble. Tomorrow we attack Linjiang City—let’s give them notice.”
Shangguan Wei analyzed the map, considering how to launch tomorrow’s assault.
Shangguan Xiu went out at once to give orders, and the forty thousand troops in Stone Gathering City began mobilizing.
...
Linjiang City.
Li Xiannan hurried into Di Luoxi’s room. “Princess, Shangguan Wei has moved. He’s expected to attack tomorrow.”
Di Luoxi slowly opened her eyes, calming her martial energy.
“Good. Prepare to meet the enemy.”
“And bring Long Cheng’en to me.”
Li Xiannan went to find Long Chen.
Soon after, Long Chen entered the room.
“Shangguan Wei will likely attack tomorrow. Are you ready?”
“I’m ready. Tomorrow I’ll act as the situation demands.”
“Good. Come with me.”
Di Luoxi led Long Chen to the main hall. Li Xiannan summoned the military officers. Xuan Yi, Qing Yue, and Zhang Qian stood at the front.
“The scouts report that Nanliang’s Shangguan Wei will attack tomorrow. Everyone, follow the original plan.”
“Remember, our objective is to defend the city. Take full advantage of its fortifications. No one is to leave the city to engage the enemy without permission.”
Li Xiannan swept her gaze across the hall. After speaking, she turned to Di Luoxi for further instructions.
Di Luoxi said, “Last time, we wiped out 200,000 of the Shangguan family here. This time, we’ll wipe out 400,000. Kill them mercilessly!”
The officers below shouted in unison, “Leave them not a single scrap of armor!”
“Let them come and never return!”
“Shangguan old man is nothing special!”
Though their cries were spirited, Long Chen could see their underlying worry.
Shangguan Wei was a seasoned general, with twice the manpower. This campaign carried the emperor’s decree; victory was a must. Tomorrow would certainly be a fierce battle.
...
“Good, we’ll drink the victory wine tomorrow.”
Di Luoxi rose, and the officers followed, heading out to make preparations.
...
The next day, atop Linjiang City’s walls.
Di Luoxi wore silver armor, grasping a mighty spear. Xuan Yi and Qing Yue, armored and sword-bearing, stood on either side. Zhang Qian had switched weapons, abandoning her dagger for her own long spear.
Li Xiannan still wielded her massive hammer. Long Chen felt she resembled a powerful, enhanced version of a game character.
Long Chen himself wore light armor beneath his cloth garments, holding an iron spear.
Wu Jian stood not far behind, clutching a broad blade.
From the southeast came the muffled thunder of hooves. Flags filled the field as troops pressed forward in a dark mass.
At the front, a military banner emblazoned with the character “Wei” flew high.
This was the Tianwei Legion’s hallmark—not a family surname, but Shangguan Wei’s given name as their standard.
Beneath the banner, Shangguan Wei wore black armor. Shangguan Xiu and Shangguan Mu flanked him, with five family guards behind.
The Shangguan family originally had seven guards, known as the Seven Beauties. Two had fallen in the last Linjiang battle; now only five remained.
Seeing these guards, Di Luoxi’s brow creased. She realized she hadn’t accounted for the Shangguan family guards in her calculations for the duel.
Li Xiannan noticed Di Luoxi’s concern. “Let our own generals face them.”
Di Luoxi nodded. “That’s all we can do.”
The troops arrived outside the city. Shangguan Xiu established the camp, and Shangguan Wei led officers to the walls to challenge.
“Princess, won’t you come out to meet us?” Shangguan Wei called, atop his horse, looking up at Di Luoxi with a smile.
Di Luoxi sneered and descended from the wall, mounted her horse, and led Long Chen and the others outside.
“Shangguan Wei, you’re an old man. Why come here to die?”
Di Luoxi’s laugh was cold.
“Rubbish! We’re here to kill you!” Shangguan Mu roared in fury.
Shangguan Wei, however, laughed heartily. “I may be old, but I believe I can still fight. I won’t die so easily.”
“If you surrender the city, I’ll let you leave alive.”
Di Luoxi retorted coldly, “Surrender the city? Linjiang is the homeland of Eastern Zhou. Why should I give it to you?”
Shangguan Wei laughed, “Enough. Words are not for rough soldiers like us. Let’s settle it in battle.”
Di Luoxi smiled as well. “Well said. Let battle decide!”