Heading to the Capital

The night before, Gao Changgong's tent was quiet, but he couldn't sleep. He felt like he was under a heavy burden, tossing and turning, with countless thoughts in his mind. He knew that after setting off tomorrow, he would officially embark on this road of no return. Whether he won or lost, history would write an indelible chapter for him.

He recalled the experiences of the past few days: from Bai Lian's rescue to the assembly of the troops, everything seemed to happen in a dream, but every detail was so real. Even though he told himself that he was ready to face everything, the unrelieved worry in his heart still made it difficult for him to sleep. As a battle-hardened general, he had faced countless life-and-death moments, but this time the enemy was not a foreign race, but the Northern Qi court to which he had sworn allegiance. This change of identity made him feel deeply uneasy.

His thoughts could not help but return to those soldiers. The soldiers who followed him were loyal, fearless, and willing to take risks with him at this critical moment. However, he was worried that he could not guarantee that these people would eventually return home safely. He turned and looked out the window. The wind and rain had stopped, and the moon was faintly shining through the clouds. He sighed deeply and thought to himself: Maybe tomorrow will be a turning point, maybe the haze of war will eventually dissipate.

The first ray of sunlight at dawn illuminated the entire camp. The weather had turned sunny, and the haze of last night seemed to have been swept away. This seemed to be a good sign. Gao Changgong put on his armor, walked out of the tent, and felt the warmth of the sun. The soldiers were ready to go, and the sun reflected a dazzling light on their armor. After a few days of running-in, small groups of people have joined one after another, and they have gathered into a team whose combat effectiveness cannot be underestimated. Gao Changgong felt that a force was gathering among them, and he knew that this was an army that could be trusted.

At his command, the army began to set off. The flags fluttered in the wind, the war horses stepped in neat steps, and the team slowly moved forward in the sun. The scouts at the outpost had already set out. They rode on strong horses and galloped away to investigate the road conditions ahead to ensure the smooth progress of the army. Gao Changgong rode on a warhorse, staring ahead, still feeling a little uneasy, but at this moment, he had to remain calm and strong, knowing that everyone was relying on him to make the right decision.

The people along the way saw Gao Changgong's army give way one after another. Some of them bowed their heads and remained silent, while others secretly looked at the once invincible general. In the eyes of these people, Gao Changgong is still the hero, even though he is now accused of treason by the court. Many people still remember his merits in guarding the Northern Qi on the border, and they are full of awe and expectations for him. The farmers working in the fields stopped their tools and quietly watched the army pass by. The children hid behind their mothers and secretly glanced at the fully armed soldiers.

The team moved very smoothly on the road. Everyone was silent, with only the neighing of war horses and the sound of armor colliding. Gao Changgong felt the silent determination of the soldiers. They knew that the success or failure of this operation was not only related to Gao Changgong's fate, but also to the future of the entire Northern Qi. Every step they took was heavy and firm, because this was a battle of life and death.

The scouts in front returned from time to time to report the situation: "There is nothing unusual in front, and the road is unobstructed." Gao Changgong nodded and breathed a sigh of relief. He knew that on the battlefield, any small mistake could have fatal consequences. At this moment, although the weather was clear and the sun was shining on the earth, the shadow in his heart had not yet dissipated. Every step was like stepping on the tip of a knife.

After passing through several villages, the army gradually walked out of the mountains, the valley in front gradually became wider, and the humidity in the air decreased. Although the sky had cleared, the air was still a little cold. Although the soldiers looked calm, they all knew that every step ahead was full of unknown dangers.

As the team continued to move forward, Gao Changgong's heart became more and more determined. He knew that in this decisive battle, he must remain calm and decisive.