The Blood Crown - Chapter 15

It was a late night.

Yuan Sikong was deep in sleep when he was suddenly awakened by a loud commotion. He jolted upright, wide-eyed, drenched in sweat, his mind hovering between wakefulness and drowsiness.

After a moment of stillness, he carefully identified the noise and realized that it wasn’t a dream; there was indeed a commotion outside.

Since the outbreak of the war, Guangning had already imposed a curfew to prevent spies from entering the city. There shouldn’t have been anyone making noise outside at this hour unless something had gone terribly wrong.

Yuan Sikong leaped out of bed, hastily dressed, and rushed outside.

As he opened the doors to the courtyard, the scene before him was etched into his memory forever.

Torches lit up the night, and people were swarming the streets. Countless wounded and battered soldiers, with desolation in their eyes and bloodied appearances, marched through the streets of Guangning like living corpses. They left muddy and bloody footprints in their wake. The strong scent of blood mixed with the chilling coldness assaulted Yuan Sikong’s senses, making him tremble. He stood shivering, and only by holding onto the door frame did he manage to remain standing.

The sight was overwhelming. Yuan Sikong saw people covered in blood, those missing limbs, others with eyes hanging from their jaws, and a blurry figure lying on a wooden plank, teetering between life and death.

For the first time, he witnessed the aftermath of a defeated army, the first time he confronted such gruesome injuries and death, and the first time he felt the suffocating despair that could crush a person.

“Sikong!”

A familiar voice cut through the chaos and reached his ears. He turned and saw Xu Hu running towards him, pushing him back into the courtyard.

“What are you doing outside? Go back!” Xu Hu urged.

Yuan Sikong grabbed Xu Hu’s chestplate and demanded, “Xu Bo, what’s happening? What’s going on?”

“General Han and the Jin invaders clashed at Maor Gu and suffered a devastating defeat. The entire army was annihilated, except for General Chen Yulong and around two thousand soldiers who managed to retreat to Guangning…” Xu Hu sighed heavily. “It’s a total disaster.”

Although he had suspected as much, hearing it confirmed by Xu Hu brought an icy chill that pierced through Yuan Sikong. He quivered as he asked, “What about my father?”

“Captain Yuan is currently attending to the wounded and deploying troops to strengthen the city’s defenses.”

“He’s where? I’m going to find him.”

“Oh, Sikong, going there now would only cause chaos. Why don’t you stay and help me care for the wounded?”

“All right.”

Yuan Sikong was about to leave when he heard a call from behind, “Second Brother.”

Yuan Nanyu appeared with a crutch, seemingly out of nowhere, and even Yuan Weiling hurried over.

Yuan Sikong couldn’t hold back and said, “Yu’er, go rest immediately. Your leg hasn’t healed. Don’t…”

“Have we lost?” Yuan Nanyu grabbed Yuan Sikong’s arm and a look of fear crossed his face. “Are the Jin invaders going to breach Guangning City?”

Yuan Weiling scolded, “Don’t talk nonsense. We have Father defending Guangning. The Jin invaders can’t breach it!” Her clear voice carried a hint of tremor.

Yuan Sikong took a deep breath and reassured them, “Big Sister is right. Guangning has Father. You don’t need to be afraid.” Then he turned to Yuan Weiling, “Sister, please make sure to stay with Mother. The onset of winter is when her old illness tends to flare up. Don’t let her get anxious.”

“Don’t worry.” Yuan Weiling took Yuan Nanyu with her. “Yu’er, I’ll escort you back to your room.”

“Second Brother, where are you going?”

“I’m going to help with treating the wounded.” Without looking back, Yuan Sikong rushed out of the mansion, following Xu Hu.

Yuan Weiling temporarily housed the wounded soldiers in the homes of the city’s residents and had all the local physicians tend to them. Yuan Sikong wasn’t a qualified physician, and his medical knowledge was limited, but since most of the soldiers’ injuries were external, he was able to help to some extent.

In addition to this, he meticulously recorded the residence, injuries, wounds, and treatments for over four hundred wounded soldiers, categorizing them based on the severity and urgency of their injuries. He had multiple copies made to distribute to the attending physicians.

When Yuan Mao found him, Yuan Sikong had been working tirelessly for a day and night without sleep.

Yuan Mao pulled him aside and spoke sternly, “Who told you to come here?”

“Sikong wanted to help. With so many wounded soldiers, Sikong…”

“This is not where a filial son should be!” Yuan Mao scolded him harshly. “Go home immediately.”

This time, Yuan Sikong wasn’t afraid of Yuan Mao and spoke with conviction, “Father, Guangning is in dire straits, everyone is in danger, and if I can contribute even a little, how can I stand idly by?”

“You’re still young, do you know that warfare is not child’s play?”

Yuan Sikong stared into Yuan Cong’s eyes, his own filled with determination. He argued, “At the age of twelve, Yue Yun joined the army. At twelve, Gan Luo served Zhao. Luo Shixin led a rebellion at the age of fourteen. Determination is not limited by age. Father, how can you say it’s child’s play for me?!”

“You…” Yuan Mao looked at the resolute determination in Yuan Sikong’s eyes, unable to find words to respond.

“Father,” Yuan Sikong held Yuan Cong’s hand and said sincerely, “I want to share your burdens. I’ve learned more than you think. Do you not trust me?”

Yuan Mao lowered his gaze and spoke softly, “I don’t want you to witness the cruelty of the world too soon.”

“If Guangning falls, it won’t be a matter of just ‘witnessing.’ The entire city, including its people, won’t escape the Jin invaders’ swords.” Yuan Sikong’s voice quivered. “In any case, we must defend Guangning. I will do everything in my power.”

Yuan Mao let out a sigh and patted Yuan Sikong’s head, “You’re a good child. Very well, you can stay here to help with the wounded. But remember to rest and don’t overexert yourself.”

“I understand.” Yuan Sikong asked in return, “Father, what’s the current military situation?”

“General Han is ambushed in Maor Valley, his fate is uncertain. Many of our soldiers are either dead or captured. Among those who returned to Guangning, there are only about two thousand remaining, and many are wounded.” Yuan Cong’s gaze involuntarily drifted northward. “The Jin invaders are advancing with a massive army, and the military situation is dire.”

Yuan Sikong clenched his fists tightly, “How many troops can we muster?”

Yuan Mao lowered his head and remained silent.

“Dad, what’s the use of hiding things from me?”

“Adding the two thousand troops Chen Yulong brought back, we have only four thousand.”

Seventy thousand against four thousand, Yuan Sikong felt a chill in his bones.

“Lord Li has already sent for reinforcements. The Left Garrison Battalion might bring another two thousand. With six thousand troops, and if we have enough provisions in the city, we shouldn’t fear the Jin invaders.”

“Dad, as long as there’s enough food and supplies in the city, we can hold it for sure!”

Yuan Mao nodded, “We have enough food and supplies to last for a year.”

Yuan Sikong felt somewhat reassured. There were plenty of historical examples of defending against large armies with a small force. Despite the dire situation, it wasn’t necessarily hopeless.

Although the city was filled with wounded soldiers, Yuan Mao managed things efficiently, and order was maintained. However, rumors spread throughout the city, and fear pervaded the populace.

A few days later, they received even worse news: the two thousand reinforcements from the Left Garrison Battalion were ambushed by the Jin forces and completely annihilated.

On the 28th of October in the 16th year of Zhaowu, Prince Zuoletai of the Jurchens led seventy thousand troops with ambitions to conquer Liaodong. They crossed the Huangshui River and advanced towards Guangning Garrison.

No one could have predicted that this battle would occupy a significant place in the grand history of the Sheng Dynasty.

On the day the enemy army approached, a sudden blizzard struck. The biting cold winds covered every inch of frozen soil in Liaodong with a white blanket, except for the countless figures that couldn’t be buried beneath it. These weren’t just seventy thousand men; they were seventy thousand sharp blades, seventy thousand hungry wolves, seventy thousand demons. If they breached the city gates, Guangning would run red with blood, and no one would be spared.

Yuan Mao stood on the city walls, staring at Zuoletai’s blood-red banner fluttering fiercely in the snowstorm, unmoving.

“Captain, a scout reports that Zuoletai has set up camp ten miles outside the city.”

“Keep a close eye on him.”

“Yes.”

Yuan Shaoxu said, “Dad, we don’t know how long this heavy snow will last. If it melts, Zuoletai may attack.”

“With his forces, a direct assault would result in heavy casualties. I’ve heard he’s both brave and cunning; he’s unlikely to be so reckless. Let’s wait for developments.”

“Besides the Left Garrison Battalion, where else can we seek reinforcements…”

Yuan Mao frowned. He couldn’t hold out hope for additional reinforcements. The abandonment of the seven northern provinces already indicated the court’s stance. If they couldn’t hold Liaodong, it might be treated as a discarded child.

A nation’s greatest desire lies in its territorial integrity. When a dynasty starts conceding its territories, it may be a sign of its decline. Of course, Yuan Mao could only ponder this in his heart. He was just a fifth-ranked garrison commander and dared not speculate on the emperor’s intentions. His only wish was to defend Guangning, to protect his homeland.

This heavy snowfall seemed like a stroke of luck, persisting for three days, with snow accumulating knee-deep, making movement difficult.

Yuan Mao and Yuan Shaoxu hadn’t returned home for several days, and Yue Qingfrost worried about her husband and son. She prepared a hot meal and asked Yuan Sikong to deliver it.

Yuan Sikong trod through the deep snow, passing through Guangning’s once-bustling streets. In the past, these streets were filled with shops and bustling with people, but now nearly all the stores were closed. Those who had relatives to shelter with had left the city early for safety. The streets were desolate, and it weighed heavily on the hearts of those who remained.

When Yuan Sikong found Yuan Mao, he was discussing military matters, and a large map of Liaodong lay spread out on a massive table.

Yuan Sikong quietly entered, and Yuan Mao gave him a brief glance before continuing his conversation with Chen Yulong.

Though Chen Yulong outranked Yuan Mao, he was a commander in the Han army and couldn’t interfere in the defense of Guangning. With Li Boyun absent and Qian Anrong, a mere civilian official, unfamiliar with military matters, the actual highest authority in charge of Guangning Garrison was Yuan Mao.

Yuan Sikong placed the food down, approached, and tried to sneak a look at the map. Being of a smaller stature, he went unnoticed.

At that moment, they heard a soldier urgently shouting, “Report!” as he rushed into the room.

“Captain, General Han… General Han is back!”

Everyone in the room was taken aback.