Volume 5, Chapter 15: Heartened Even in Defeat (1/2)

Volume 5, Chapter 15: Heartened Even in Defeat¹

<blockquote class="Quote">Zizhi Tongjian</e Records Volume Three</blockquote>

With the sun obscured by the reddish clouds, the sky grew glooin to fall at any allopedthunder Each of the horsemen had heavy expressions on their faces Their black battle goere covered with dust froures At the center of their forhbred Mounted upon it were two people—Jiang Zhe and Li Shun This group of horsealloped for sixty to seventy to rest

Jiang Zhe’s horsemanshi+p was quite poor In order to accelerate the journey, Li Shun rode with Jiang Zhe This black thoroughbred was a rare, spirited colt Although its body was foay³

Both sides of the road were choked thick with vegetation As he carefully helped Jiang Zhe, Xiaoshunzi paid attention to the activity around hi after defeat, and within an enely wary At this etation cracked froht hand, causing the entire troop of horses to si still and silent This unit of horsemen deserved its reputation as one of thear appeared fro before everyone, she spoke clearly, “s Ten h this forest is a nameless hamlet that is quite far from the road It is extrens of inhabitance The villagers probably left long ago to avoid the war Even if there are any who reth, ill be able to take care of the the eneate”

“When e,” I replied tired, “And have not had the opportunity to implement the scorched earth policy However, once news from Jishi+ arrived here, the commoners in this area either fled or retreated to hide in Anze It won’t be strange if there is no one present in that hamlet However, everyone still need to be careful In a while, have the haether Everyone should best be careful My ar will take several days If the Northern Han arth leftover, they will definitely search the entire countryside to hunt and kill the officers and soldiers left behind by erous Weplace and ensure that nothing is leaked”

Urging his horse forward, Huyan Shou replied, “Daren, do not worry General Su, lead the way We will first surround the ha a door-to-door search We will definitely not allow a single person to slip through our net”

I nodded arding thisthe case it was unpopulated, even if inhabited and had one hundred eighty inhabitants, would still be easy for these elite soldiers to handle Leaving behind several bodyguards to stick to side Xiaoshunzi, Huyan Shou led the Stalwart Tiger Guard ahead

After thinking it over, I had Xiaoshunzi slow our pace and advance slowly The path through the forest was rugged, preventing us fro The pathway on either side was lined ithered grass, al the entire path It was clear that the hamlet ahead had few contacts with the outside world Were it not for the need to flee the Yong arood If there were too many inhabitants, it would be extre innocents violated the Heavenly tenets

After traveling for some time, the path before us suddenly widened In addition, the path leveled greatly, revealing a sers frequently cae of the forest as expected Urging the horse forith spurs and whip, Xiaoshunzi guided the horse out of the forest

I felt the light reaching ⁵ Behind the forest was a valley At the center of the valley was a small lake that was several mu⁶ in diameter The bottom of the lake was clearly visible From the surface of the lake, steam rose I could sense that it was a lot warmer here than elsewhere Presued

On the side of the lake were over thirty hoed in picturesque disorder Between the homes crisscrossed nuance I surhtly-knit⁷ hamlet, a paradise disconnected from the mundane world It was only that this era was one of war

Over forty Stalwart Tiger Guard surrounded the hamlet on all sides Frole could be made out I was startled Each and every one of the Stalwart Tiger Guard was a dominant expert How could they have run into well-matched adversaries in such a sestured for Xiaoshunzi to quicken the pace Probably also worried that a slip-up had occurred, Xiaoshunzi quickly spurred our horse to the front of that farmhouse

This farmhouse covered half a s The two side buildings each had three roos were all built froht There wasn’taround the farrowing some bok choy There were also ts of chrysanthemums It was clear that the master of this farh the weather was still a bit chilly, probably because of the high as, the bok choy had already broken out of the ground, while the chrysanthereen leaves

At this er Guard were exchanging bloith a young peasant With his hands behind his back, Huyan Shou stood at the entrance The farer Guard Seeing us arrive before the entrance, Huyan Shou promptly and hurriedly came over to welcome me He reported, “Daren</eers here had left long ago Only this home has inhabitants In addition, he’s an expert”

I nodded ht or twenty-nine years old He had a handsoood features His build was heroic and large With one look, everyone could tell that he was not ordinary The peasant obstinately defended the entrance to the h he was defending against two Stalwart Tiger Guards, he did so with skill and ease However, his co it clear that he had fallen into a desperate situation

Seeing this scene, Xiaoshunzi frowned and asked, “Why haven’t you had so hiwith shame, Huyan Shou replied, “This subordinate noticed that the structure of this farmhouse was the ant Originally, I wished to invite the young e the building”

I was touched Sure enough, this farmhouse was beautiful and secluded It was fortunate that Huyan Shou was so thoughtful At this ly look on Xiaoshunzi’s face, Huyan Shou promptly said, “Daren, wait a moment This subordinate will undertake the task personally”

Finished speaking, he retreated several steps before turning around Drawing his saber, he walked towards the entrance of the rave countenance Despair flashed across the peasant’s face The peasant’s moves became somewhat chaotic After all, Huyan Shou was one of the top two experts within the Stalwart Tiger Guard His saber techniques were fir the peasant into desperate straits

It didn’t takefor breath Probably because he had been exhausted by the long battle, the peasant slipped and turound Huyan Shou hacked doith his saber Leaving such an expert alive would be problematic down the line As a result, he was not lenient, resolved to eliminate him entirely

At this : “Spare his life!” Huyan Shou had always suspected that there was so, otheras this peasant obstinately defending its entrance? However, the voice of the individual within was steady and dignified, causing Huyan Shou to waver The saber in his hand cae suspended at the peasant’s neck The peasant had already closed his eyes However, once he sensed that the saber had coust of wind, his skin was not penetrated and no blood flowed Opening his eyes, the peasant gazed in a daze at Huyan Shou

At thiswas pushed open An elderly ard appearance to the point of near emaciation In his hand was a cane It seemed he was between fifty and sixty years old However, even though thiswas outstanding, carrying the aura of soidly at the elderly man, Huyan Shou sternly shouted, “Who are you? Quickly speak of your origins! If you atte merciless”

The elderly aze fell upon the scholar with an azure cloak draped around his shoulders and seated upon a thoroughbred That scholar’s expression carried a faint exhaustion His temples were speckled white, his hair the color of ash It see However, the scholar’s delicate and scholarly appearance was as white as jade This kind of contradictionThere was another youth in azure clothes who had a complexion white as snow and a look as cold as ice With the thoroughbred’s bridle in his hands, he stood in attendance to the side However, his clear and towering bearing had a dense, awe-inspiring aura Although this man’s expression was deferential, he was definitely not an ordinary servant

Heaving a sigh, the elderly es fros difficult for us coentlemen because of your tuive us”

The youthful peasant shouted, “If you want to execute soed and has been confined to bed ill for hter innocents?”

Huyan Shou extended the saber in his hand The youth felt a stinging at his throat Huyan Shou frigidly said, “I’ed in the youth’s eyes However, he could only shut his lanced at the elderly ins I do not wish to ask this question again”

The elderly htly and replied, “This elderly one is Ji Xuan General probably hasn’t heard of inally a bit tired However, when I heard the name, Ji Xuan, I felt my spirit roused In a clear voice, I stated, “Ji Xuan, Ji Zicheng Before Northern Han was founded, once the Aide to the Taiyuan Magistrate, Liu Sheng Proficient in the study of the classics and histories, and a arnered Liu Sheng’s deep trust After Liu Sheng founded Northern Han, Ji Xuan was discontented by Liu Sheng’s treasonous actions, and cast aside his rank and departed, causing Liu Sheng to wring his hands without end Presu, I dis deeply, I said, “Junior Jiang Zhe pays his respects to Venerable Sir Ji This youngster has oft heard of the depths of Venerable Sir’s knowledge, as well as your noble character and unquestionable integrity⁹ It is truly a great fortune tothese words, an astonished look flashed across the young peasant’s eyes Except, he had a saber at his throat As such, he did not dare to speak As for Ji Xuan, serenity appeared in his eyes He replied, “So it actually is Southern Chu’s Zhe of Chu Although this elderly one has lived in seclusion in e, I have heard of Your Lordshi+p’s illustrious naht that Your Lordshi+p would arrive here?”

I could hear the hostility in his tone Since this Ji Xuan had been discontented with Liu Sheng establishi+ng Northern Han in the past and left directly, it was enough to understand that he was someone who scrupulously abided by the tenets of loyalty Although my scholarly reputation was there, I had first served Southern Chu before serving Great Yong In addition, I had taken Princess Changle as arded me as a turncoat and traitor I could sense that if it weren’t for the youthful peasant’s life, this elderly individual would probably have greetedand ridicule¹⁰

As a result, I tactfully did not express any senti the subject, I asked, “That brother hails Venerable Sir as uncle Could he be your nephew?”