Ganzhou troops

Eighteen days after Cao Qian and Bai Lichang left Yanzhou Prefecture, the expected attacking army finally arrived—not the anti-rebellion forces or Northern Di cavalry, but Ganzhou troops.

Bai Yingchun, newly appointed governor of Ganzhou at the beginning of the year, had been a sycophant to Emperor Cui Jie. Learning that Ganzhou received substantial funds and supplies annually due to frequent conflicts, he sought to profit, volunteering to take over Ganzhou's affairs and earning praise from the emperor.

Arriving mid-year, however, he found neither money nor Northern Di invaders, making it impossible to earn merit. Unlike other governors fearing conflict, he longed for it, sending patrols beyond the border to provoke battles. During one such patrol, they discovered the two thousand Yanzhou troops waiting near Seleng River to rendezvous with Yang Qiong.

Bai Yingchun wondered why Yanzhou troops were here. With King Wu and the emperor clashing in central China, these soldiers weren't hunting; something else must be happening.

Before he could figure it out, news arrived that Cao Qian had marched south with twenty thousand troops. Suddenly, Bai Yingchun understood King Wu's desperation to confront the emperor. With Cao Qian absent, Yanzhou Prefecture was defenseless.

Instead of alerting the emperor, Bai Yingchun decided to seize Yanzhou Prefecture, hoping to present it as a fait accompli for merit. Thus, ten thousand Ganzhou troops besieged the city, catching Chuying completely off guard.

Initially considering evacuation, she learned the attacking force numbered only ten thousand. Laughing, she reassured her people, "Yanzhou can withstand an attack by ten thousand. We must defend it! Look at my prowess!"

"Fields need farmers, and soldiers need defenders. With our men away fighting, every one of us must become a soldier!"

"Men are fighting elsewhere; our duty is to protect our homes until they return!"

Chuying shouted, "Now, Yan Prefecture needs everyone's strength! The prefectural armory holds three hundred barrels of rapeseed oil and pine resin, harvested earlier this year. Let's use them to repel the invaders!"

Most remaining citizens were women, inspired by Chuying's calm demeanor and preparedness. They quickly organized nearly a thousand brave women to help defend the city.

Due to the success of using boiling oil during the Tiger Rush Pass battle, Chuying had troops plant extensive rapeseed fields. By August, they had harvested enough oil for both civilian consumption and stockpiling for future defenses.

Women, usually confined to domestic duties, showed remarkable bravery, carrying oil barrels to the walls, soldiers pouring it over attackers, archers lighting arrows dipped in alcohol, and catapults launching flaming pine resin. Flames engulfed the battlefield, burning Ganzhou troops alive.

Chuying commanded from atop the walls, exuding confidence equal to any general. Ganzhou troops, facing relentless flames, retreated, suffering heavy losses.

Zhong Luiping brought food to Chuying, smiling, "August is hot enough; this fire makes it unbearable. Be careful not to get heat rash in your armor."

Chuying removed her helmet, laughing confidently, "If getting heat rash ensures Yan Prefecture's safety, it's worth it."

Over several days, Ganzhou troops persisted, becoming increasingly fearful of the fiery defenses, fleeing at the sight of boiling oil.

Then Yang Qiong and Cheng Fengyi returned.

Yang Qiong's return bolstered Yan Prefecture's morale, ensuring Ganzhou's defeat. For Chuying, Cheng Fengyi's return held greater significance. Rescued from captivity, she symbolized King Wu's superiority over Emperor Cui Jie.

With Northern Di leader Hu Erhana dead, internal strife would plague the northern tribes, preventing further interference in central China.

Chuying immediately sent word to Shan Jian, urging him to leverage Cheng Fengyi's return to undermine Emperor Cui Jie's public support.

Cheng Fengyi appeared thinner, with hollow cheeks and streaks of gray hair, far older than her twenties. Chuying, overwhelmed with guilt and longing, embraced her, sobbing, "Sister Cheng... I'm sorry... It's all my fault... You suffered because of me..."

Cheng Fengyi comforted her, "Don't blame yourself. This was my fate. Without your rescue, I'd have lived as a soulless shell among barbarians."

Chuying caught Miao Qiong's distant gaze, realizing he hid his feelings. Cheng Fengyi saw him merely as a rescuer sent by Chuying.

Deeply devoted yet fated to miss each other, failing to meet Cheng Fengyi sooner was Miao Qiong's lifelong regret.

"Sister Cheng... You've returned safely. What are your plans next?" Chuying asked.

Miao Qiong mechanically recited his rehearsed answer, "Send her back to the capital, reunite with her family."

Chuying sighed sympathetically, "You really won't say anything? You risked your life twice to save her. If she knew, perhaps..."

"No," Miao Qiong interrupted softly, "I never expected anything in return."

Not expecting anything in return, indeed.

Holding Ying thought of his widowed sister-in-law in the capital, a widow whom he had to be cautious about as she was his elder brother's wife. Not to mention that Zhai Rang was still alive and had a daughter with Concubine Cheng. Morality was like an invisible shackle; those who didn't care were unrestrained and bold, openly snatching other men's wives. But those who cared were forever shackled by it, unable to find joy. "If that's how it is, then do as you wish," Holding Ying said, knowing it was impossible to persuade him, and nodded reluctantly.