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South Gate is the farthest road from Jicheng, but it is also the weakest point. The commander at South Gate is named Dong Yan, who was originally from Qi but later submitted to the State of Chu. Because of this background, he has always been somewhat ostracized in the army and may not put forth his full effort in the siege. However, it must be noted that this chosen position is actually the most advantageous. Furthermore, Dong Yan has a fiery temper and cannot tolerate provocation; if he encounters someone using baiting tactics, it would be most effective.
San Chun's eyes lit up upon hearing this; she knew she had come to the right place. She was aware that Young Master Rong had knowledge of affairs in various states, but she did not expect him to understand them so deeply, even knowing a commander within the Chu Army so well.
Young Master Rong knew what she was thinking and couldn't help but smile, saying, "It's just a coincidence that I know about Dong Yan, as he has an old connection with one of my family elders."
San Chun bowed deeply, saying, "Hearing your words is better than studying for ten years. Thank you very much today, Young Master."
"You don't need to thank me; I am also half a Yan Ren. How could I not serve my own country?" His father was a Yan Ren, while his mother was a Wei Person.
"However..." he paused for a moment before continuing, "if we want to resolve the issue of building the city, we actually do not need to wait for reinforcements from Jicheng. The nearest garrison can arrive in just three days."
San Chun was surprised. "Is there still a garrison within the territory of Yan?"
"It's not in Yan; it's in the Wei Kingdom. After Wei Kingdom Chengyang Jun defeated Qi State, his army has not yet returned to the capital and is stationed at the border of Wei Chu. If we can seek assistance from Chengyang Jun, the siege on the city will surely be lifted. However, this Chengyang Jun is always calculating and has long coveted Yan; I'm afraid that if we drive away the wolves, we might attract tigers instead, which would be counterproductive."
San Chun sighed. He indeed understood Zhong Xue very well. Zhong Xue is just that kind of person who disregards all emotions when it comes to interests.
As long as she is willing to step forward, he should lead his army here. But doing so would incur a huge favor from him, and it would likely be impossible to avoid entanglement in the future.
After leaving Young Master Rong, it was just getting dark, and feeling hungry, she walked to a nearby Noodle Stall to have a bowl of noodles.
At this time of impending war, there were no people on the street; it was completely deserted except for her and the old man at the Noodle Stall.
She ordered a bowl of Yangchun Noodles and sat down to eat heartily. Perhaps the noodles were too delicious; after finishing one bowl, she couldn't help but order another.
The old man kept staring at her, probably wondering how she could have such a good appetite at this hour.
She smiled and asked, "Sir, the shops are all closed at this hour. Why are you still out here selling?"
The old man sighed, "In these chaotic times, there’s fighting everywhere. Today it’s occupied by this side, tomorrow by that side; I’ve long gotten used to it. We common folks are pitiful. If we set up a stall, we might get killed; if we don’t, we wait to starve. Whether we set up a stall or not, we’re bound to die; it’s just a matter of dying a little earlier."
San Chun felt a shiver run through her, suddenly feeling a bit ashamed. In the past few days, she had only thought about her own grievances and ignored what was happening outside. Now that she thought about it, her grievances were nothing compared to the disasters faced by the common people. She had been too narrow-minded; even if her love was ruined, she still had family ties and the people of Yan Kingdom. She had to live for them. Even if she was no longer the Crown Prince, it couldn’t change the fact that she once was. At least, she was still a Yan People.
After eating two bowls of noodles and letting out a satisfied burp, she tossed a silver ingot to the old man.
The old man hurriedly said, "You’ve given too much."
San Chun smiled slightly and turned to leave. Compared to the relief brought by his words, this little money was truly nothing.
Riding back to the military camp, Feng Liang had not yet come out.
She returned to her tent, packed the weapons she needed to take, changed into her usual clothes, and tucked in the vest as well as the map Young Master Rong had given her.
Once everything was ready and she stepped out again, Feng Liang was already waiting for her at the camp gate. Upon seeing her, he coldly said, "Since the Governor has given orders, this general will not leave you behind. But remember one thing: if you hold us back, I will behead you first."
San Chun grinned; as expected of Feng Taishou's nephew, he was indeed imposing. It seemed that not only did she have to worry about the swords of the Chu Army, but also about his sword potentially cutting off her neck.
The two exited the military camp and found a group of soldiers waiting at the south city gate. There were about three hundred of them, meant to protect them but in reality serving as bait. San Chun knew that none of them might survive, but that was how war worked; if they didn’t sacrifice themselves, more people would have to.
Perhaps she should be grateful that she was chosen to be protected rather than being one of those three hundred. However, her mission was also to protect Feng Liang, so in essence, she was also one of those expendable ones.
The city gate swung open wide, and the three hundred men went out first. They quietly crept towards the direction of the Chu Army, with San Chun and Feng Liang following behind. Both their horses were wrapped in soft cloths, running silently without a sound.
Midnight has arrived, and all is quiet.
From a distance, the Chu Army camp can be seen, with most areas brightly lit, and soldiers occasionally walking back and forth.
Feng Liang ordered the soldiers to find a concealed spot to observe, but after waiting for a long time, there was no sign of the Chu Army guards relaxing their vigilance.
San Chun speculated that they probably guessed that the city Governor would send someone to break out, so they ordered the troops to stay alert and strengthen their defenses.
Half an hour passed, and Feng Liang grew somewhat impatient, ordering that they charge in regardless.
San Chun knew this was unwise and hurriedly stopped him, "General, you must not act recklessly. At this time of night, just before dawn, people are usually in deep sleep. It would be better to wait until they are fatigued before charging out; we might catch them off guard."
Feng Liang sneered, "How do you know that this is when people are in deep sleep?"
"It is... based on experience."
Feng Liang replied, "Fine, we'll do as you say. If it turns out wrong, I'll have you executed for jeopardizing the army's mission."
San Chun smiled; people's spirits are always tense. As dawn approaches, there will inevitably be some relaxation among them—this is human nature. It's surprising that Feng Liang does not understand this.
They were on a steep slope where they could temporarily use it as a bed; the soldiers looking over wouldn't see anyone here.
After resting for a while, seeing the people in the opposite camp beginning to doze off with their eyelids drooping, Feng Liang gave the order, and three hundred men charged forward with a sudden roar of battle cries.
The three hundred men rushing into the enemy camp was like scattering a handful of rice on a mountain; more and more soldiers surrounded them. Feng Liang and San Chun exchanged glances and then quickly charged in another direction.
They rode fine horses, charging straight from the infantry camp, causing the infantry to scatter immediately. A few long spears crossed in front of them but could not stop the momentum of the two horses. They burst out of the military camp and headed straight for a nearby forest.
More hoofbeats echoed behind them, as if cavalry were closing in. Though chaotic, they were getting closer with each step, and several cold arrows whistled through the night air, embedding themselves in the trees beside them.
San Chun silently cursed, realizing that the cavalry of the State of Chu was alarmingly quick to regroup and pursue them.
The two steeds galloped through the woods, their hooves crushing the thick layer of fallen leaves. Night Ravens flapped their wings and cried out as they flew by.
Crows have always been omens of disaster, as if they knew calamity was about to strike. Just then, Feng Liang's horse suddenly reared up and let out a fierce neigh; it must have been hit by an arrow.
San Chun felt a chill run down her spine, sensing that their forced escape might end badly. The galloping steeds and whistling arrows were drawing nearer. Anxiously, she pulled Feng Liang up from the ground and ran with him.
Feng Liang had been struck in his right leg by an arrow and stumbled after taking a few steps, knowing he couldn't go any further. Gasping for breath, he handed her a piece of silk wrapped in oiled paper. "The situation is critical. Leave me behind and take this letter to Jicheng to see General Pang Wan."
San Chun hesitated; although Feng Liang had never liked her, they were both part of the Yan Army. Could she really abandon him?
"Go now!" Feng Liang shouted angrily before suddenly rolling off his horse. It was clear he had jumped off himself.
Without daring to delay any longer, San Chun urged her horse forward at full speed. Looking back, she saw Feng Liang already standing up, brandishing a long spear across his chest to block the path of their pursuers.
She heard him shout loudly, "Dare you approach? Retreat at once!"
In that moment, his silhouette appeared extraordinarily tall, like a giant standing firm against the world. San Chun spurred her horse even faster; the wind whipped past her as she faintly heard screams behind her. She gritted her teeth, knowing that Feng Liang would likely not survive.
But there was no time for sorrow; she had to leave—she had to hurry away.
Steed galloped for more than ten miles before the pursuers gradually lost sight of her. Suddenly, a fork in the road appeared ahead. To avoid getting lost, she had memorized the routes on the map clearly. At this moment, she rode without hesitation, but after traveling several dozen miles, she realized that sometimes memory can be unreliable; she had taken the wrong path.
This was not the way to Jicheng, but rather towards the border of Wei Chu. She considered turning back, but time was pressing, and she feared that even if she reached Jicheng, it would be too late.
Thinking of Gongzi Zhongxue being here made her hesitate about whether to take a chance.
She circled back and forth on the road, her mind filled with recent events. She thought of Feng Liang's tragic death and the old man selling noodles in Jiancheng. There were still many people in Jiancheng who needed her help; compared to that, her own grievances seemed trivial.
After all, she was already entangled with him and should not be afraid this time!
With determination, she urged her horse to move quickly and soon spotted the high-flying flag of Wei Kingdom in the distance. She couldn't help but sigh several times, feeling as if her heart was breaking.
She carried a military token from the Flying Tiger Army, which allowed her easy access to the military camp. When questioned by the soldiers on guard, she claimed to be a scout sent out to gather information.
The soldiers were quite excited upon hearing this and smiled as they said, "You're just in time; Lord Jun has been waiting for you for a long time."
San Chun's eyelids twitched. Was Zhong Xue a deity? How could he know she was coming to see him while she was disguised in this ugly manner?
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