Chapter 11: The Secret Behind TianAn
3 horses galloped across the deserted plains until they felt a sudden strong pull on their reins. They came to a sudden halt, hooves kicking up dust as they reared their front legs dangerously high in the air.
“Shush,” Luo Yue’s voice was soft and calm as she caressed the head of her horse. “You’ll catch their attention.”
The horse easily calmed down and gave a soft neigh in reply to her Master’s words.
“What… in the world is happening here?” Even if he has never fought in a war before, Xiao Liu can obviously recognise one when he sees it. Just over the horizons, a small-scale war has broken out right where their base camp was located.
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[Some time ago…]
A group of Lieutenants gathered around the sand table in the middle of the room, planning their next step of action. Wu Zhe Yan sat crossed-legs on the chair in front of them with a hand placed under his chin as he listened to them. At times like these, Qi is always glad that he can say his Master looks more serious than insane.
“We were forced into defending for years, we’ve long lost any large siege weapons. All we have now is a single ballista.”
“We’ll be annihilated before we can even make a small hole in the city gates with that. The only choice we have is to wait for the Capital to send us some weapons.”
“We made that request yesterday so it’ll still take a week for them to arrive at least. However, our supply is running out.”
“On the bright side, the enemies won’t be able to attack us recklessly without risking huge casualties. But if the South sends reinforcement at a time like this while we’re camped out here, we’re as good as dead.”
“Meanwhile,” Wu Zhe Yan finally spoke but from his mocking tone and the coldness in his eyes, Qi could already predict his next words. “Would you look at the reinforcements we’ve received?”
“What exactly is the Emperor thinking?!” the Lieutenants rose up in unison. “How can they send us a no-name strategist when the situation is already this bad?”
“We should send a letter back to-…!”
In the middle of the discussion, the curtains were suddenly drawn open as a soldier rushed in. “Report! It’s a surprise attack!”
“Is it the enemy’s reinforcement?! There’s no way they’ve come this fast!”
“How many are there?” Wu Zhe Yan has already reached for the hilt of his giant sword and was making his way outside as he asked.
“This subordinate is not sure b-but there should be around 700!”
“700? It’s not even a night attack and they’re only sending 700 people? Is this their last resort?” One end of Wu Zhe Yan's lips tilted as he commanded, "listen to me, soldiers! If you dare lose to a mere 700 people, I'll personally behead you after this. Do you hear me?"
"Yes, General!"
Wu Zhe Yan arrived before a stable where a magnificent black horse was resting. He opened the stables door, the noise making the horse lazily prying open an eye.
"What are you still sleeping for? Can't you hear all the noise outside?" Wu Zhe Yan grinned as he ruffled the mane of his horse affectionately. It neighed in reply, letting his master jump onto its back before standing up.
“Come on, Horse. It’s time to see some blood again!”
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[The current situation...]
“How did they arrive without meeting us on the way?” Shen Tian Ping frowned as he watched the scene before him.
“They must have sneaked in through the forest. And the only way to do so without us noticing is to exit from another gate at the opposite side of the City.” Luo Yue’s eyes remained lukewarm even as the chaos unfold before her. She has seen too much to be affected and even when she first entered the battlefield, she had never spared a single glance for the bodies on the ground.
‘A back gate…’
An image seemed to jog her memory.
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[Few years ago]
“Hmm…” The war with the Eastern Kingdom for the City of TianAn concluded a day ago and he was already busy making plans for the restoration of the City walls that have received damage. He has been staring at the layout for a long time and Luo Yue has just been sitting by the window, watching him silently as she drank from her jar of wine. Instead of the manor the City Lord had arduously prepared and ardently asked for them to stay in, he had wanted to go into a teahouse where he could see the whole city. All this just to make sure his plans for this city would be impeccable. Really, he doesn’t do work befitting of his status. No, it would be more accurate to say he does everything -even those none befitting of him.
She picked up the jar again only to grimace at its lightness. When did she finish this as well? She glanced up at him, noting that he was too engrossed in the paper in his hands to look at her and casually stood up to look out of the window. Then, making sure that he really wasn’t looking, she swiftly placed the empty jar right outside the lowered windowsill, along with the 3 other empty ones.
She continued standing there, pretending to admire the scenery but actually waiting until she saw the servant boy coming out from the first floor again. The servant boy looked up, saw that she has finished yet another jar, marvelled at her liquor capacity before giving her an understood sign. Then, he scurried back into the tea house and within minutes, was already out again with another pot. He quickly tied it to a pole and brought it up to her again.
‘This boy… is really tactful.’ Luo Yue praised him in her mind and dropped a gold ingot which he delightfully caught before quickly bowing.
“You’re drinking too much, Yue-Er” His voice made her straighten her back as she turned towards him. He was still mulling over his city layout as he sighed, “A jar is enough. You should stop after this.”
“…” She glanced at the 4 empty jars outside, realised that he didn’t know after all, and let out a silent breath of relief in her mind. “Understood.”
“Come and take a look at this, I want to know what you think.” He smiled as he waved her over and pointed to one part of the layout. “I’m thinking of changing the material used for this part of the wall.”
“You want to make a fake wall.” The small genius of a girl caught on immediately.
“As expected of our Yue-Er, you’re gifted in this.” Genuine pride appeared in his eyes as he patted her head. “With a fake wall, if this city is ever taken over by the enemies, the city walls will still have a weakness for us to attack.”
“However, the City of TianAn is too near to the Capital for us to take such a risk.” She pondered, “if this information is leaked to the other kingdoms, this city can fall instantly.”
“That’s why, I’m not planning to let anyone else know.” He winked, “It’ll be our secret now, Yue-Er.”
“This is a national secret.”
“Great! So this will be our national secret now.”
“…”
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“What’s wrong, Master?” Shen Tian Ping’s voice cut off her thoughts.
“Let’s go in first. I’ve remembered something important.”
“What did you remember, Lady?” Xiao Liu excitedly followed behind.
“This city,” she paused and then met his anticipative eyes emotionlessly, “has great wine.”
“…”