"Commander Xiao, we meet again."
As the city gates opened, Lu Chao greeted Xiao Zheng with a casual wave.
It had to be said—armor truly was a man's best cosmetic. Clad in heavy plate, Xiao Zheng looked both dashing and formidable!
"And you are...?"
If memory served, Xiao Zheng recalled this frail-looking scholar as one of Prince Kang's advisors.
"My apologies for not introducing myself earlier. I am Lu Chao, His Highness Prince Kang's junior brother."
At these words, Xiao Zheng's expression flickered imperceptibly. His gaze swept over Lu Chao as he pressed his lips together, suppressing a surge of shock and delight.
"Lu Chao? Yingge? That—!"
Zhang Hu looked even more stunned than Xiao Zheng, but before he could finish, Xiao Zheng clamped a hand over his mouth.
The mention of Yingge made Lu Chao's eyes brighten instantly.
"You've seen Yingge? Where is he? Is he alright?"
Xiao Zheng shot Zhang Hu a warning glance before replying, "Yes, he's fine. He's... still in Shuozhou City."
Relief washed over Lu Chao at the confirmation of Yingge's safety. But now wasn't the time for further questions. He composed himself and relayed Prince Kang's intentions to Xiao Zheng.
"Commander Xiao, how do you propose we deliver these provisions into Shuozhou?"
The recent string of good news had all come from the man before him. Xiao Zheng forced a tired smile.
"To be frank, my original plan was to lead these two thousand soldiers in a feint attack on the enemy's rear camp. We’d make them believe imperial reinforcements had arrived, then strike from within and without during the chaos. The goal was to push the Tartars back to Yanmen Pass and buy Shuozhou some breathing room."
And the surrounding counties too. With Yangcheng and Jiaohe already fallen, every town had barricaded its gates, gripped by fear.
This had been their best-case scenario—with a mere thirty percent chance of success.
But now, as Xiao Zheng surveyed the five thousand troops behind Lu Chao, along with the provisions, their odds had risen to sixty percent.
"The Tartars and the Cossacks are likely as strapped for supplies as we are. If they hear the imperial court has sent provisions, they’ll move to intercept. There’s a valley about fifty li from here—a strategically perfect spot."
Lu Chao’s brow arched as he recalled the treacherous pass he’d crossed at dawn, heart pounding the whole way.
"Oh? You mean Qianchi Valley?"
Lu Chao shrugged. He had no idea what the place was called.
"Not sure of the name. It’s roughly fifty li from here, flanked by steep hills with the official road running through the middle. The undergrowth is waist-high."
"That’s Qianchi Valley, alright. So you’re suggesting a diversion?"
Lu Chao nodded. It was refreshing to work with someone sharp—a single hint was all it took.
"The hills on either side are unstable. A single misstep could trigger a landslide."
Xiao Zheng bit back a grin, his eyes alight with admiration and pride. He nearly raised his hand for a celebratory clap before remembering his cover and lowering it. With this plan, their chances soared to eighty percent.
Zhou Qingyuan frowned and stepped protectively in front of Lu Chao.
What was this guy’s problem? Talking was one thing, but why the sudden urge to touch?
Lu Chao studied the two thousand exhausted soldiers and thought of Xiao Huan. He opened his mouth, then closed it—better not to raise false hopes.
"Where’s Lord Yang?"
"Here! Right here!"
Lord Yang shuffled forward, dark circles under his eyes.
"Gather the townsfolk—bring shovels! We’re pulling off something big tonight! Reward: mutton stew for all!"
"Shuozhou is in your hands! I’ll take two thousand horses. Stay safe—see you by nightfall!"
Xiao Zheng flashed a rare, carefree smile, his gaunt face making his eyes seem even brighter.
Lu Chao mirrored his grin, buoyed by the trust in that gaze.
"You stay safe too!"
Zhou Qingyuan: "Wait—are we done? I’m still lost."
"Later, alright? Commander Zhang Qing—where are you?"
Lu Chao gave Zhou Qingyuan’s shoulder a reassuring pat while barking orders.
"Here, sir!"
"Unload the provisions. Replace them with rocks."
"Yes, sir!"
Tartar Camp.
Prince Chi Na and General Nuo Lan lounged with beauties in their arms, drinking deeply when a scout burst in.
"Your Highness! Our spies report a heavy convoy heading toward Shuozhou two hundred li out—likely grain shipments from the Great Yuan court!"
"Oh?"
Chi Na licked his lips. He’d received no word of this. Were they being played?
"Two sentries were killed south of here today. Could reinforcements have slipped through?"
Nuo Lan sat upright.
Ignoring the question, Chi Na asked instead, "How’s the Xiao Army in Shuozhou today?"
"Morale’s oddly high. They even reeked faintly of liquor."
With Cossack supplies dwindling and village raids yielding too little, the prospect of seizing this bounty was irresistible.
"Prince Chi Na! These Central Plains folk are cunning—perhaps your ‘partner’ changed his mind? Or is this shipment from another garrison? We’ve blockaded Shuozhou—no Xiao troops could’ve left. If we hold the gates, those supplies are ours!"
Chi Na hesitated.
"If you’re not interested, my Cossacks will take them. You stay and guard Shuozhou."
Nuo Lan’s meaning was clear: if he acted alone, the Tartars got nothing.
"Strike before the Xiao Army catches wind. Who knows—they might burn the supplies if spooked."
"Fine. General Abu will join you with thirty thousand troops. The rest hold Shuozhou."
Nuo Lan drained his cup and thumped his chest.
"Leave it to me!"
As Chi Na’s right eye twitched, he took another swig.
His peace envoy was already en route. Soon... very soon.
Nightfall brought a biting cold.
Lu Chao shivered under his cloak, crouched in a hollow as he watched the distant valley.
"I told you to wait in the city, yet here you are!"
Zhou Qingyuan grumbled behind him while shielding Lu Chao from the wind.
"Quit whining. I’m field-testing my fire crossbow."
Below, hundreds of tents stood silent under the moonlit sky, their silhouettes flickering in the lamplight.
"Shh—they’re coming."
Nuo Lan’s forces crept along the ridgelines, eyes gleaming at the sight of the convoy.
Hah! Fortune favors the bold!
"Aim for the tents! Loose arrows!"
As the soldiers knelt to shoot, the earth beneath them groaned—
CRACK! BOOM!
The earth on both sides loosened and collapsed! People on both sides fell into the valley one after another, and their shrill screams were especially clear in the late - night!
No one came out of the tents at the bottom of the valley. At this moment, Nuo Lan sensed something was wrong and shouted sternly.
"Fall back!! Don't step forward!"
Lu Chao picked up his fire crossbow and aimed at the mountaintop.
The lit arrows landed on the withered grass, quickly igniting the oil on the ground. The tongues of fire raged, and the enemy soldiers rolled on the ground, howling in pain.
Fires blazed from all directions. Zhang Qing raised his long spear.
"Charge!!"
The dark night seemed as bright as day. Finally, Lu Chao could see clearly that big Russian who was nearly two meters tall!
He picked up the fire crossbow again, aimed in the right direction and shot. Hearing the sound, Nuo Lan quickly dodged and looked sharply in the direction where Lu Chao was hiding.
"Damn it, I was still a bit slow!"
Lu Chao felt a bit regretful and aimed at the opposite side again.
Zhang Qing was so excited that his hands were shaking. If he could take the head of this Russian general, then, by God, the ancestral grave of his Zhang family would start to emit auspicious smoke!
"Warriors!! Lord Lu has promised!! One silver tael for each enemy head!! And a hundred silver taels for each one wearing red - crested armor!! Charge!!!"
County Magistrate Yang picked up his knife tremblingly, with his eyes brighter than ever!
"This is really fucking exhilarating!!! Hahaha!! I'll go and get a few more myself!!"
As he laughed, tears welled up in his eyes. He was a local. Since childhood, he had been hiding from the Tartars' tyranny. He didn't know how many of his relatives and friends had lost their lives under the Tartars' iron hooves. Now, he could finally avenge his family with his own hands!
