Chapter 329: Xie Yan Rushes to Aid

Chapter 329: Xie Yan Races to the Rescue

The messenger hesitated doubtfully, saying, "General Qiao, you go first."

General Xie's orders were to deliver news of the Left Wise King of the Northern Hu leading troops to attack the city to Shengyan Pass and urge General Liu Jingyuan to send reinforcements.

They hadn't even reached Shengyan Pass, let alone met General Liu.

"Never mind - just go," Xie Yan said.

It didn't matter - the messengers would be protected.

Digging his heels in, he galloped off.

Half the messengers followed Xie Yan to Zhenzhi Pass, while the other half continued toward Shengyan Pass.

Xie Yan called over the messenger riding with him and asked, "What was happening in Zhenzhi Pass when you left?"

The messenger gripped the reins tightly, his hands unconsciously clenching, his voice trembling with fear.

Struggling to suppress his panic, he answered urgently without delay, "It's bad - really bad."

"Gao Fuyan defected with the defense map and switched sides with the Northern Hu court. Before the Left Wise King's army even reached the city, Commander Qin of Zhenzhi Pass fled with his personal guards upon hearing the news."

"The bandits recruited by Commander Qin went wild, breaking out of the military camp and looting and killing like the Northern Hu themselves."

"Many households have already suffered. Young men who resisted were killed, and women were raped."

"Before the Northern Hu army arrived, Zhenzhi Pass had already collapsed into anarchy."

"General Xie stepped up in the crisis, having the rebel leaders executed to intimidate the rest, then gathered the remaining defenders and able-bodied civilians to resist the Northern Hu forces together."

"The elderly, weak, women, and children were sent by General Xie's order to hide in the mountains behind Zhenzhi Pass."

"General Qiao, the situation in Zhenzhi Pass is very grim."

"I'm afraid..."

He feared that the elderly General Xie and the people of Zhenzhi Pass might not hold out until reinforcements arrived.

"We'll make it in time," Xie Yan declared firmly.

His grandfather had commanded countless battles in his lifetime, many against impossible odds.

In this battle, even if the odds were overwhelmingly against them, his grandfather would find a way to hold the line and wait for reinforcements as long as possible.

And Gao Fuyan...

Gao Fuyan had committed treason...

Gao Fuyan was the capable and loyal minister praised by his elder brothers. Emperor Jingxiang had even privately remarked that Gao Fuyan was prime minister material and destined for high office.

A rare minister with integrity, skill, and common sense.

A Vice Minister of War in his thirties...

If not for the palace coup back then, given time, Gao Fuyan would have become Chancellor among civil officials.

A man like Gao Fuyan was driven to join the enemy forces.

What a tragedy.

Back then, the incident was sudden, and he was overwhelmed and alone, unable to spare any extra thought or effort to protect Gao Fuyan’s family.

Not to mention, the current emperor deliberately targeted the loyal ministers of Emperor Jingxiang’s reign.

Xie Yan sighed faintly, he thought.

In the end, it was the Xie family who implicated him.

On the battlefield, how should he face Gao Fuyan, who once shared drinks and were close as brothers with his elder brothers?

To be honest, he had considered drastic measures as well.

He understood his pain, hence his hesitation.

An official who should have risen through the ranks, bringing prosperity to the people of Daqian.

Xie Yan’s heart grew heavier.

He knew that even if he spared Gao Fuyan’s life, Gao Fuyan would not choose to live with the shame.

A death sentence either way.

Unless Gao Fuyan’s mother, younger brother, wife, and children could come back to life.

"Pick up the pace!"

"The Northern Frontier Army has upheld its discipline for decades—steady as a mountain, fast as lightning."

"Do not dishonor their legacy."

"Yes!"

The response roared to the skies.

The soldiers under Qiao Song’s command felt something strange stirring in their hearts.

The frontier army requires absolute faith and passion.

Otherwise, over time, it will become utterly corrupt.

Just like today's Northern Frontier Army.

To restore its former glory, one must take drastic measures.

Otherwise, it will spread like wildfire, infecting ten, then a hundred.

Meanwhile, the messengers continuing to Shengyan Pass to deliver the news also whispered among themselves as they hurried along.

"General Qiao Song doesn’t seem as hateful as the rumors say—instead, he proves himself loyal and brave."

"The signal fires of Zhenzhi Pass haven’t summoned reinforcements in nearly four years."

"This is the first time."

"Is this some kind of trap?"

"In a life-or-death situation, whether there's a conspiracy or not, we're doomed anyway. Might as well put our faith in General Qiao Song for once."

"A last-ditch effort."

"Let’s not waste any more time."

If Qiao Song were alive and knew someone praised him for his loyalty and courage, he wouldn’t know whether to be amused or exasperated.

...

As they drew closer to Zhenzhi Pass, the wind carried the clashing of battle, and the night air carried a faint metallic tang of blood.

"Where are the flag bearers?"

"Unfurl the flags."

"Pound the war drums, blow the alarm horns."

Zhenzhi Pass still stood.

His grandfather and Zhenzhi Pass’s people were still waiting for reinforcements.

At a time like this, seeing reinforcements from Shengyan Pass even a moment earlier meant a little more will to hold on.

Just hang in there.

Zhenzhi Pass.

Gao Fuyan was exchanging pleasantries with the Left Wise King of the Northern Hu when he suddenly froze.

His ears pricked up slightly, he turned his head, stunned, and stared in disbelief toward the direction of the sound.

What… was that sound?

It was the unmistakable beat of war drums and blare of alarm horns unique to the Xie family's army.

He knew that sound.

How could the current Northern Frontier Army...

Was he imagining things?

Gao Fuyan stood frozen for a long moment.

"Your Highness, did you hear that just now?" Gao Fuyan turned back and asked urgently.

The Left Wise King replied carelessly, "The Xie army’s horns—what’s the big deal?"

"Probably just that old fox trying to spook us."

"Don’t you Daqian people talk about empty fort ruses and jumping at shadows?"

"Odds are, it’s just a bluff to make me back off."

"Without the Xie clan’s Northern Frontier Army, they’re no threat."

"Besides, even if that old fox sent riders both ways for backup, Shengyan Pass’s troops couldn’t have gotten here this fast."

"What were we just talking about?"

"Ah yes, now I recall."

"If you serve as my advisor, I will offer you gold, silver, treasures, and women of every kind."

"My ranks lack a devious and ruthless schemer like you."

Gao Fuyan's mind wandered.

He didn’t even notice the Left Wise King’s strange compliment.

Was it General Xie laying a trap?

Probably.

Otherwise, why would war drums and alarm horns sound again?

Gao Fuyan mocked himself.

Mocking his refusal to accept reality, mocking the pathetic naivety he clung to after losing everything.

"Gao Fuyan, what's that look for?"

"Disappointed?"

The Left Wise King studied him with suspicion, his gaze fixed. "You’re not pretending to surrender, are you?"

Gao Fuyan kept his cool. "Of course not."

"Just mourning."

"Mourning that the Xie family, loyal and patriotic, was wiped out completely."

"An empire like Daqian should have fallen long ago."

"As for being an advisor..."

"If the Left Wise King doesn’t mind, I’d be honored to accept."

"As for gold, silver, treasures, and beauties, they are unnecessary. I have few material desires and no taste for carnal pleasures."

"I have only one request. If the Left Wise King agrees, I pledge my eternal loyalty and will devise strategies tirelessly for you."

Hearing this, the Left Wise King was delighted.

He adopted a gracious manner. "Fuyan, name your terms. I will grant whatever you ask."

With such a cunning schemer as his advisor, what could possibly threaten him in the Northern Hu?

"With vengeance for my country at stake..." he thought.