The river was tens of zhang wide, connected by a sturdy stone bridge that had stood for thirty to forty years, enduring wind and rain without collapse.
"This Lan Shui River is a natural barrier for the Northern Di people who are unfamiliar with water. The surface appears calm, but the undercurrents are treacherous. Ordinary boats would struggle to cross here, let alone the Northern Di army with their warhorses," Xiao Muqian said to Deputy General Zhen, as he was familiar with the terrain.
Deputy General Zhen nodded. He had patrolled the banks of the Lan Shui River many times when he served with General Su in the northwest and knew its power.
"It is strange, though. The Lan Shui River nourishes Ganzhou, but it has completely bypassed Liangzhou. Otherwise, Liangzhou city wouldn't be so desperate for water."
"Over a decade ago, a great earthquake in the northwest altered the river's course. Liangzhou, once fertile, became this way after losing the nourishment of the Lan Shui River. However, the city's wells are still abundant, and they are constantly guarded to prevent poisoning."
This practice was ordered by Xiao Ji over a decade ago, with guards posted at the wells daily. Thus, things had been peaceful for years.
"With General Xiao Ji in Liangzhou, it is truly like having an anchor." Deputy General Zhen said with emotion.
He was the second son of Prince Kang, a noble of the highest caliber who could have easily been granted a princedom after a brief period of training. Yet, he chose to suffer in the northwest. Not only did he endure hardship himself, but he also brought his nephew along, and they had been there for over a decade. It was truly extraordinary!
Hearing this, Xiao Muqian felt it was quite reasonable. Now, he could only hope his uncle could hold on a little longer. Once they crossed the Lan Shui River, it would only be twenty li to Liangzhou city.
The two stood by the river for a short while before returning to the main army. After a brief rest, many had regained their composure. Knowing the urgency of the situation, they could not delay further. Commander Cheng spoke up, "Brothers, let's quicken our pace. The people of Liangzhou city are waiting for us. They have parents, wives, and children. We cannot let those barbaric Northern Di destroy our Great Jin people's homes! Right!"
"Right! Right! Right!" His encouraging words greatly boosted morale. Both cavalry and infantry were ready to march at any moment.
Xiao Muqian looked at Commander Cheng with gratitude, nodded his thanks, and then shouted, "March!"
Thus, the mighty reinforcement army began its rapid advance.
By the Lan Shui River, beside the Stone Aperture Bridge. The army was crossing the Lan Shui River one by one. The Central Plains army was not unfamiliar with rivers, but they had never seen one so wide and powerful. It was a pity that it was not a good time to admire the scenery, otherwise, they would have loved to stay and appreciate it.
Just as Xiao Muqian was leading the army across the stone bridge, a spy who had been lurking in the army for years seized the opportunity. A transport vehicle carrying a large quantity of fire thunder suddenly broke an axle, scattering its contents across the ground. It appeared accidental, but it was skillfully placed at the weak points of the stone bridge.
The cavalry had already crossed, and the infantry had also passed through the majority. Now, with the transport vehicle blocking their path, some soldiers in the rear grew impatient at the delay and urged them to move the vehicle quickly.
Unexpectedly, the person transporting the goods was the leader of the spies. He bowed obsequiously towards the fire thunder, then reached out with a fire starter and ignited the interconnected fire thunder that had already been tampered with.
In an instant, the stone bridge was blown apart by continuous roars. The Jiuzhou army on both banks were unharmed, though their ears were ringing. However, those still on the bridge were not so fortunate. Those near the fire thunder were killed instantly, while others fell into the Lan Shui River when the stone bridge collapsed.
As Xiao Muqian had said, the undercurrents were fierce. Before they could even struggle, they were swept away by the river, their whereabouts unknown.
"Save them!" Xiao Muqian's eyes turned red. They had not yet reached Liangzhou, and they had already suffered a severe blow. Looking at the fallen Jiuzhou soldiers, his hatred intensified.
Those close to the bank were pulled ashore, but many were half-blinded. Now, with the dead and injured, and the unknown situation within Liangzhou city, they were in a dilemma. This effectively cut off their retreat!
Without a doubt, it had to be the Northern Di spies lurking within the army! They were loyal indeed, willing to sacrifice their lives to blow up the bridge!
The morale of the fifty thousand troops, which had been high moments before, instantly fell into disarray. They came from Jiuzhou. Although they trained daily for national defense, most of them hoped to achieve merit and return home to bring honor to their ancestors. They had not expected to lose their lives in Liangzhou city. Now that their retreat was cut off, it meant that their journey was essentially a one-way trip. Either they would defeat the Northern Di, repair the bridge, and return, or they would perish in Liangzhou, with no hope of returning home.
Someone uttered a word of fear, and many soldiers' legs turned to jelly. Before the battle had even begun, the army's morale had wavered, a grave mistake.
Deputy General Zhen decisively said, "General, you take the cavalry to assist General Xiao Ji. I will handle things here."
Xiao Muqian gritted his teeth, unable to think further. He immediately shouted to the terrified Jiuzhou cavalry behind him. "Sons! The Northern Di have left us no retreat. Since that is the case, then charge with me and kill them all! Let their corpses be the bridge that carries us home!"
His words ignited the passion of many. Though not many at first, with a few taking the lead, the rest began to shout.
"Annihilate them!"
"Annihilate them!"
Their shouts bolstered their courage. Through the long night, the reinforcement cavalry accelerated their advance with Xiao Muqian.
As dawn was about to break, the reinforcement army, after a long and arduous journey, finally arrived outside Liangzhou city. General Xiao Ji's heart finally settled when he heard that his nephew, Xiao Muqian, was leading the troops.
"Let's go and see the reinforcements!" They had received a reply from the Eastern Capital, stating that the Emperor had sent twenty thousand Jiuzhou troops for support. With these soldiers, even if the city walls could not hold back the cavalry, they could fight them down with sheer numbers, preventing them from crossing the Lan Shui River.
With a smile, they arrived at the city gate, only to see about ten thousand cavalry behind Xiao Muqian. All of them looked exhausted but were in good spirits.
"Second Uncle!"
"Qian'er!"
The uncle and nephew finally met. Xiao Muqian had been worried for so long, and it was fortunate that his uncle was safe and Liangzhou city was also safe!
"Where is the Ninth Prince?" He had known that the Ninth Prince was leading the troops today, but why hadn't he appeared?
Xiao Muqian looked at his uncle's expectant gaze and felt a pang of reluctance to tell him the truth.