The following days were unexpectedly calm both inside and outside the city, like the calm before the storm. Everyone was uneasy with the temporary tranquility.
The Northern Qiang army outside the city seemed somewhat cautious after the battle a few days prior. They neither attacked the city nor moved their troops, simply remaining stationed outside. If not for the smoke constantly rising from their campfires at mealtimes, Zhou Tong might have thought they had already abandoned their camp...
News of the Northern Qiang’s failed first assault had already spread throughout the city under the deliberate guidance of the authorities. The townspeople found hope, and the once lifeless streets began to welcome scattered groups of people.
Today, Ye Beizhi and the others were having lunch. Baili Gucheng’s room was too cramped, so they opened the inn’s main door and sat in the main hall to rest. Chi Nanwei carried the dishes to the back kitchen to wash them.
Xue Qiming propped one foot on a stool, picking his teeth with a wooden toothpick. "The Northern Qiang barbarians haven’t made a move these past few days. Who knows what kind of mischief they’re brewing."
Ye Beizhi knew the remark was directed at him. He looked up at Xue Qiming and replied slowly, "They are getting ready for a decisive attack."
Xue Qiming licked his lips and leaned back against the table, staring at the ceiling. "Regathering morale to strike with overwhelming force, huh? You seem to know a lot about warfare?"
Ye Beizhi remained silent for a moment before answering, "When you see enough, you'll understand."
As they spoke, footsteps came from the stairs. The two turned to look and saw Rao Shuang coming down with a box of food.
Noticing the three in the main hall staring at her, Rao Shuang complained, "He didn’t touch the porridge I brought this morning and said he wouldn’t eat lunch either. All he said was that it’s a critical moment and not to disturb him... At this rate, I think he’ll starve to death before he finishes brewing the medicine."
Xue Qiming waved dismissively. "He values his life too much to starve himself, if he gets too hungry, he’ll eat. You don’t need to worry."
Clip clop, Clip Clop, Clip Clop—
The rapid sound of hoofbeats came from afar.
The people in the hall all froze at the sound.
"Who dares to gallop on horseback in the city during a siege?" Rao Shuang asked, puzzled.
Xue Qiming frowned as well. "Sounds like there are quite a few of them."
Ye Beizhi quickly walked to the front door and left it slightly ajar, peeking outside through the crack. Xue Qiming hurried over to observe the situation with him.
Rao Shuang, not wanting to join the two, took the food box to the back kitchen. Before leaving, she reminded Xue Niang, "Little girl, don't play here, go upstairs."
Xue Niang glanced at Rao Shuang, then at Xue Qiming, who waved her off. She obediently went upstairs.
The hoofbeats grew closer, louder, and the ground seemed to tremble.
"Could the Northern Qiang have sneaked in and attacked?" Xue Qiming whispered.
Ye Beizhi shook his head. "Impossible... These people are coming from the southern gate."
As he spoke, the hoofbeats were right at their ears. They saw a blur outside as steeds galloped past the door. Each rider wore gleaming armor and carried a standard-issue long blade at their waist. It was unclear how large this force was, but countless cavalry passed in a long line, with no end in sight.
"It’s the Ruen Dynasty army," Ye Beizhi said.
"They’ve come to support Liangzhou!" Xue Qiming exclaimed in sudden realization, then frowned in confusion. "But wait... I heard that eight out of ten of the nation’s soldiers were sent to the border for this war.
"Most cities and prefectures only have minimal garrison troops left. Where did this cavalry come from? Could the Imperial Guards have rushed in from the capital? Tsk, no... the timing doesn’t fit. Cavalry from the capital couldn’t have arrived this quickly..."
Ye Beizhi narrowed his eyes slightly and said in a low voice, "They came from the north."
"The north?" Xue Qiming was momentarily stunned, then suddenly realized. "They were sent by Qi Zongbi!"
Ye Beizhi nodded slightly. "It's a cavalry vanguard... matching Northern Qiang."
Xue Qiming’s eyes flickered as he pieced it together. He raised an eyebrow and said, "Hmm, does that mean that the Ruen Dynasty’s main army is also close?"
Outside, the last cavalryman finally disappeared around the corner.
Ye Beizhi pushed open the door and stepped out. A few townspeople slowly emerged onto the street, pointing and discussing in the direction the cavalry had disappeared. Clearly, Ye Beizhi and his group weren’t the only ones who had been observing from behind doors.
The townspeople’s faces were filled with unconcealable glee. One of them exclaimed, "Liangzhou is saved!"
"They’re heading to the Command Post," Ye Beizhi murmured.
Behind him, Xue Qiming said, "The commander of the Liangzhou defense has been stationed at the Command Post in the northern part of the city these past few days. It makes sense that the cavalry would report to him as soon as they arrive."
Ye Beizhi silently stared northward.
Xue Qiming stepped forward and patted his shoulder. "What are you spacing out about now?"
Ye Beizhi slowly replied, "Perhaps this isn’t good news."
"What do you mean?" Xue Qiming tilted his head.
"The Northern Qiang army... must be arriving soon."
Zhou Tong had received reports from his soldiers as soon as the cavalry entered the southern gate. He was waiting outside the Command Post for their arrival.
As the sound of hoofbeats drew closer, the fifty thousand cavalry soon made their way to the northern part of the city.
The leading young knight dismounted fluidly upon reaching the gate, his movements smooth as flowing water. He cupped his hands and bowed to Zhou Tong. "Are you Lord Zhou Tong, the commander of Liangzhou Prefecture?"
Zhou Tong returned the gesture. "Indeed, I am. May I ask your name, General?"
The young general straightened his posture and said firmly, "I am Jiang Chao, Right General of righteousness and virtue of the Xuanwei Battalion. By order of External Prime Minister Qi, I have led fifty thousand cavalry to aid Liangzhou! We greet Lord Zhou!"
After speaking, Jiang Chao knelt on one knee and saluted Zhou Tong solemnly. As he knelt, the fifty thousand cavalry behind him followed suit, shouting in unison, "Greetings Lord Zhou!"
Zhou Tong hurriedly stepped forward to help Jiang Chao up.
"Please rise, General. You’ve brought fifty thousand elite troops to save Liangzhou Prefecture from peril. I am grateful beyond words and do not dare to accept such a grand salute. It would be far too much!"
Despite Zhou Tong's humility, Jiang Chao’s salute wasn’t misplaced. His position as the Right General of the Xuanwei Battalion had a rank of junior sixth grade, while Zhou Tong, as the commander of Liangzhou Prefecture, held the senior fifth grade rank. Dressed in his blue robe embroidered with a bear insignia, Zhou Tong was well-deserving of such respect.
Zhou Tong, excited by the arrival of reinforcements, helped Jiang Chao up. He couldn’t hold back the question he was dying to ask.
"The External Prime Minister... and our Ruen Dynasty army... how soon until they arrive?"
Jiang Chao’s expression darkened slightly as he replied, "To be honest, my lord, Prime Minister Qi’s main force is still en route. At their current pace, they will likely need another four or five days to reach us."
"Four to five days..." Zhou Tong drew in a sharp breath. As someone with a military background, he understood the realities of marching. Trembling slightly, he asked another burning question, "Then the Northern Qiang army... when will they arrive?"
The muscles in Jiang Chao’s face twitched as he gritted his teeth and replied, "Within two days."
Zhou Tong’s body trembled, and he retreated two steps involuntarily. "Two... two days..."
Jiang Chao nodded silently and explained, "To avoid a head-on clash with the Northern Qiang army, we took an alternate route. However, we did pass near them. I risked sending scouts to investigate, and they reported the position of the Northern Qiang army. That army is fully equipped with siege weapons, including ladders and battering rams.
"The only good news is that they seem to have less than three hundred thousand troops en route. Including the cavalry camped outside the city, their total number of troops should be no more than five hundred thousand.
"That’s only half of their total forces. After careful consideration, I believe they’ve split their forces to attack Jibei and Ningye, aiming to feint and divide us. I’ve already sent this information back to Minister Qi."
Zhou Tong let out a horrified, bitter laugh.
"Five hundred thousand... General Jiang, combining our forces in the city still barely amounts to one hundred thousand men. Whether we are facing five hundred thousand or a million, what difference is there for us?"