The strategic frontier city of Xue Lin in Yanbei.
Upon the towering city walls, banners of various colors fluttered in the wind. Beneath the banners were siege engines such as ballistae, catapults, battering rams, lances, grappling hooks, yakshas, listening devices, falling rocks, and rolling logs. Beside the siege engines stood countless Yan soldiers, armed with various weapons, positioned between the battlements, filling the entire city wall. Apart from a few generals relaying orders, almost no one spoke, all maintaining a state of strict readiness, guarding against a possible Hunnic assault.
The strict discipline of the Yan border army's commander, Hu Yan Sheng, was evident.
While the city wall exuded an atmosphere of grim determination, the plains beyond presented a desolate scene.
Beneath the dark clouds, eagles, vultures, crows, jackals, and other scavengers gathered in flocks, their sole purpose to feast on corpses. Across the snowy plains, amidst scattered rocks and sparse vegetation, lay broken weapons and fragmented bodies. Arrowheads, like a field of young crops, pierced the ground in dense profusion. The air was thick with the acrid stench of burnt corpses and blood, nauseatingly pungent.
Not long ago, a fierce battle had resulted in heavy losses for the Huns.
"Greetings, Great Commander!"
As Hu Yan Sheng, the Duke of Ning Shuo, the Left General, and the Great Commander of the three passes of Guigu, Qilin, and Xue Lin, ascended the wall in his armor, over a hundred Yan generals bowed in unison, the clinking of armor and weapons creating a symphony.
"You are all dismissed!" During engagements with the Hunnic army, Hu Yan Sheng rarely smiled. Today, however, he addressed his generals with a smile, "For days, these Hunnic brigands have harassed our borders, denying us peace and rest. Our soldiers have toiled hard and suffered many casualties. This Commander thanks you all."
"Great Commander, you labor for the nation. We deserve no thanks," the generals replied in unison.
Hu Yan Sheng nodded and continued, "However, there is no need for such heightened tension at the moment. You may rest a while, but do not become complacent. Maintain constant vigilance over the movements of the Hunnic army."
The generals exchanged glances and began to murmur amongst themselves.
Just two days ago, there had been a large contingent of Hunnic cavalry outside the city, and all the Yan soldiers had been on edge. Why was Great Commander Hu Yan Sheng now telling them to rest?
"Great Commander, the Hunnic army is camped over twenty li away. There is still a possibility they may attack Xue Lin City again. Why then do you suggest we rest?" asked Hou Luo Qi with surprise.
"They are merely putting on a show of force. This Commander predicts they will withdraw soon," Hu Yan Sheng said with a cold laugh.
"Withdraw? Why would they withdraw? Is it because of the minor defeat a few days ago?" Hou Luo Qi inquired further.
Hu Yan Sheng shook his head slightly and said to Hou Luo Qi and Fan Gu Xi, "You two, come with me."
......
"Zhou Fugui? Causing havoc in the Hunnic royal court?" Inside the city gate tower, Hou Luo Qi exclaimed with delight, "Zhou Fugui, General Zhou! I was right about him. He is indeed a young hero, exceptionally capable! I shall report this to the imperial court and request commendation for him!"
So, it was Zhou Fugui who had caused trouble in the Hunnic royal court, making the Hunnic army lose the will to fight and consider withdrawing. Hou Luo Qi mused inwardly, the key now was how to claim this great merit for himself. Of course, he would need to embellish the official report.
Hu Yan Sheng and Fan Gu Xi exchanged a look, their hearts filled with disdain and speechlessness.
This was still just a tentative rumor, and he was already preparing to claim credit? Hu Yan Sheng and Fan Gu Xi both thought this.
Whether Zhou Fugui's news was true or false, Hu Yan Sheng and the others could not ascertain at this moment. However, the matter of Zhou Fugui was likely true. Even if the Huns were attempting a deception, they would not use the name of an insignificant soldier like Zhou Fugui.
Even if Zhou Fugui's affair was true, whether the Hunnic army would withdraw, or if they would use this to lure Yan forces out of the city for a decisive battle by feigning an opening of the Xue Lin city gates, all these possibilities existed.
A decisive battle in the open field was the Huns' advantage. Regardless of whether Zhou Fugui's news was true or false, holding fast to the fortified city and refusing to sally forth was the best strategy.
Therefore, after much deliberation, Hu Yan Sheng stated, "Eunuch Hou, the truth of this matter is still uncertain. We must not act rashly."
"You said the Hunnic army would withdraw, yet why are you acting like this?" Hou Luo Qi asked with some displeasure.
"This Commander merely instructed the soldiers to rest a while," Hu Yan Sheng replied.
"Great Commander..." Fan Gu Xi asked, "If the Hunnic army truly retreats, and we do not pursue them, will we not miss a great opportunity?"
"Indeed! If the Hunnic army retreats, and we pursue them, we will surely achieve a great victory," Hou Luo Qi exclaimed, slapping his thigh.
Having fought fiercely with the Hunnic army for over two months, the Huns' brutal demeanor had kept Hou Luo Qi holed up indoors, constantly reciting "Amitabha Buddha." Now that the Huns were on the verge of defeat, he was invigorated and eager to achieve merit.
"The northern frontier of the Great Yan nation is guarded by three crucial passes. This Commander will not permit these three passes to fall. Therefore, when the enemy's situation is unclear, this Commander will not sally forth to engage the enemy." Hu Yan Sheng said calmly.
Hu Yan Sheng's military tactics were exceptionally cautious, so much so that they were almost rigid. Even the Hunnic Great Chieftain, Duo Yong Jian, found him to be a great headache.
"In that case... isn't General Zhou in danger? Does the Great Commander not wish to save him?" Fan Gu Xi asked again.
If Hu Yan Sheng were to dispatch troops to pursue or engage the Hunnic army, perhaps he could save Zhou Fugui's life. But if Hu Yan Sheng were to stubbornly defend Xue Lin City and refuse to leave, then Zhou Fugui would be doomed. At least, that was what Fan Gu Xi and the others believed.
Hou Luo Qi nodded in agreement.
Hou Luo Qi did not actually wish to save Zhou Fugui. What concern was it of his whether Zhou Fugui lived or died? Hou Luo Qi merely wished to use Zhou Fugui for his own purposes.
"Save him? How? Shall we sacrifice ten thousand lives to save just one?" Hu Yan Sheng retorted.
Fan Gu Xi was instantly rendered speechless.
Zhou Fugui was far away in the Hunnic royal court. Even if Hu Yan Sheng wanted to save him, as he himself had said, how could he? Sending troops out of the city would likely result in an ambush by the Huns en route, leading to heavy losses. They would never reach the Hunnic royal court, and the three passes might even fall to the Huns.
This was precisely the meaning of "distant water cannot quench a nearby fire."
Hu Yan Sheng certainly wanted to save Zhou Fugui, for whatever reason. After all, Zhou Fugui and his companions had been dispatched by Hu Yan Sheng. But weighing the pros and cons, he could only feel the desire but lack the ability.
As a chief official of a region and the commander of an army, one must always weigh the advantages and disadvantages, remain calm and clear-headed at all times, and never act on impulse. This was the most basic requirement, otherwise, one could not be a successful general, and if they were, they would merely be a mediocre one.
Silly boy, why did you have to go so far away? And cause such a ruckus in the Hunnic royal court? Were you afraid things weren't chaotic enough? Hu Yan Sheng thought bitterly. It's not that I don't want to save you, but it's truly impossible. You can only rely on your own good fortune.
......
"You, pick two units, equip them with the fastest horses and the finest weapons. Depart the city under the cover of night. You will lead the troops personally," Hu Yan Sheng instructed Tu Ti Si when no one else was around.
A large army could not sally forth when the enemy's situation was unclear, but sending out small detachments was feasible. This was all Hu Yan Sheng could do to help Zhou Fugui.
"Your subordinate obeys the order!" Tu Ti Si responded, then asked, "After leaving the city, what should we do? Head straight north to the Hunnic royal court?"
"Do you think the Hunnic royal court is a place one can simply visit?" Hu Yan Sheng glared at Tu Ti Si. "The Hunnic royal court is a dragon's lair and a tiger's den. How did that chaotic boy manage to get there? After leaving the city, you can march under my banner, make a show of force, and then scout the enemy's situation. If possible... find Duo Yong Jian and tell him that if he allows that chaotic boy to return, this Commander will grant him safe passage."
Hu Yan Sheng was cautious, but it did not mean he would never attack or dispatch troops to pursue the Huns. As long as the conditions allowed, and it was confirmed that the Hunnic army was indeed retreating in haste, Hu Yan Sheng would unhesitatingly sally forth to pursue and slay the Huns.
However, for Zhou Fugui's sake at this moment, the condition Hu Yan Sheng offered was to make a show of force by feigning an attack on the retreating Hunnic army, allowing the majority of them to return to the grasslands.
Once Hu Yan Sheng decided to sally forth and pursue the enemy, it would be with absolute certainty and overwhelming force.
"Your subordinate obeys!" Tu Ti Si nodded upon hearing this.
......
The Imperial Palace in Youzhou, the capital of Yan.
"Crack! Crack! Crack!"
"Give me back my child! You vile servant, give me back my child!"
In the Yan imperial palace, Emperor Murong Xi of Yan personally wielded a long whip, lashing General Da Ye Jian, a key general of the Great Yan nation, again and again. In a moment, Da Ye Jian's skin split open, and he wailed loudly, his cries piercing the roof and echoing through the palace.
This year was the second year of the Huangming reign in the Great Yan. Huangming Year Two was a year of unrest for Yan. Emperor Murong Xi had suddenly become capricious and tyrannical, his temperament growing increasingly violent and unpredictable. He had ordered the execution of many high-ranking officials, members of the imperial clan, and veteran generals. After executing Prince Chang Murong Sheng, according to Xianbei custom, Murong Xi incorporated Prince Chang's wives and concubines into his harem, confiscated all their property, and bestowed it upon his brother, Murong Hu Da. Murong Hu Da was overjoyed at this unexpected windfall, but unfortunately, he did not enjoy it for more than two days before Murong Xi had him executed for lacking familial affection, and his property was also confiscated.
After executing Prince Chang Murong Sheng and Murong Hu Da, Murong Xi then executed Murong Jue, Murong Ta, and others. In this manner, Murong Xi had wantonly killed many members of the imperial family.
According to Murong Xi's reasoning, these actions were to consolidate imperial power and ensure the smooth succession of his son to the throne.
However, the result was that Murong Xi's youngest son, the child of his most beloved imperial concubine, Murong Lu, who was only two years old, tragically died.
The Crown Prince Murong Cheng was dull-witted. Murong Xi disliked his second son, Murong Yi, even despising his mother, and consequently extending that hatred to his son, despite him being his own flesh and blood. Therefore, Murong Xi had intended to pass the throne to Murong Lu, but Murong Lu's untimely death had made Murong Xi increasingly capricious and tyrannical. In the words of the common people, he had gone mad.
Thus, Murong Xi intensified his beatings, and even Da Ye Jian, the son of a founding father of the Great Yan and a key general, did not escape. In the Golden Luang Hall, Murong Xi brutally beat Da Ye Jian in public. The reason for the beating was that during Murong Lu's illness, Da Ye Jian had taken a beautiful concubine, thereby causing Murong Lu's death.
Initially, Murong Xi had ordered the Jinwu Guards present in the hall to beat Da Ye Jian. Feeling unsatisfied, he then took matters into his own hands and personally whipped Da Ye Jian severely.