The Blood Crown - Chapter 16

When Chen Yulong brought back the news that Han Zhaoxing’s fate was uncertain, they had already assumed the worst. Now that he had returned unexpectedly, the mood among the people was complex.

Even his subordinate Chen Yulong didn’t seem overtly pleased.

Because the reason Han Zhaoxing could have escaped death was most likely because he had been captured and subsequently released, which raised many questions.

Han Zhaoxing rode back to the city alone, and while his horse remained the same, it seemed as if the horse had lost its spirit, just like a defeated soldier. The soldiers died in battle, while the commander survived – it was a disgrace.

“Lord Yuan, should we open the city gates?” asked the gatekeeper with respect.

Yuan Mao stood on the city wall, watching the restless horse pacing back and forth in the snow and the disheveled Han Zhaoxing. He felt a hint of hesitation. He recognized that horse; it wasn’t a Liaodong or Qin horse but a pure-blooded Jurchen horse they had captured earlier. It was, without a doubt, one of the best horses in Liaodong. Naturally, it had been acquired by General Han. However, even this fine horse seemed to have lost its Jurchen spirit and now exuded the same desolation as Han Zhaoxing.

As the current commander of Guangning, Yuan Mao had every reason not to open the city gates when Han Zhaoxing returned alone, as there were suspicions of collusion. However, by not opening the gates, Han Zhaoxing would have no way in except the path of death, and everyone around was watching.

Yuan Sikong had followed closely, anxiously muttering to himself, “Don’t open, don’t open.”

Yuan Mao closed his eyes briefly and then spoke firmly, “Open the city gates.”

“Dad!” Yuan Shaoxu was anxious.

With Han Zhaoxing’s return, the authority over Guangning’s military would no longer be in Yuan Mao’s hands.

“Sir, this…,” the gatekeeper hesitated.

Yuan Mao waved off those trying to dissuade him, saying, “I served as a general alongside General Han. We defended Liaodong together. Even though he has suffered a defeat this time, refusing him at the city gates after his defeat will only demoralize our other soldiers. Besides, General Han undoubtedly has a better understanding of the enemy’s situation than our scouts. Open the gates.”

“Dad, what if he’s colluding with the enemy?” Yuan Shaoxu protested.

Yuan Mao’s eyes flashed with resolve. “If he’s colluding, I will personally execute him. Once this battle is over, I will plead guilty to the court.” Yuan Mao’s resolute and upright voice cut through the biting cold wind, making it clear that dissent would not be tolerated.

Reluctantly, the gatekeeper called out, “Open the gates, welcome General Han back to the city.”

Yuan Mao headed towards the staircase, and as he passed by Yuan Shaoxu, he solemnly patted his shoulder, saying, “You have entered the military life, and beyond our home, there is only a relationship of superior and subordinate, not father and son.”

“…Yes,” Yuan Shaoxu bowed, his expression filled with reluctance.

Yuan Sikong, being a person of little stature and less standing, didn’t even have the privilege to express his discontent. He merely clenched his little fist and glared fiercely at Han Zhaoxing.

Yuan Mao was a highly capable man, known for his integrity and skillful leadership. The only reason he hadn’t risen higher in rank was that he hadn’t had the opportunity for battle. In contrast, Han Zhaoxing, despite holding the position of the Commander-in-Chief of Liaodong, had a track record of repeated failures. He lost Qingzhou first, then Huangshui, and half of Liaodong had suffered under his command. If he were to take charge of the defense of Guangning, even Guangning itself might not be safe.

Yuan Sikong, unaware of Han Zhaoxing’s background as the Lord Yuan didn’t mention it, found it bewildering that such an incompetent person held a position of authority, causing harm to the Central Plains.

Yuan Mao personally went to receive Han Zhaoxing. When Han Zhaoxing entered the city, he wept uncontrollably, his face filled with remorse and self-blame. Yuan Mao offered no consolation, only waiting for his emotions to stabilize before inquiring about the details of the battle that day and how he managed to return to the city.

It was only then that Han Zhaoxing confessed that Zuoletai had captured him and over four thousand of his soldiers. Zuoletai had released him alone as a messenger to persuade Guangning to surrender.

Tears welled up in Han Zhaoxing’s eyes as he said, “If it weren’t for the four thousand soldiers still in the hands of the Jin invaders, how could I have the face to live in this world?”

Yuan Mao asked for guidance, “General, what should we do in the current situation?”

“Where is Lord Li?”

“Lord Li has gone to the capital to seek reinforcements.”

“What is the current status of our provisions, troops, and armaments within the city?”

Yuan Mao reported the situation truthfully. There were still four thousand soldiers in the city, but among them, six hundred were wounded. There were also several hundred personnel responsible for managing provisions, logistics, vehicles, armor, and clothing, and even the guards from the officials’ mansions had been integrated, totaling about three thousand troops. The only reassuring aspect was that there was an ample supply of provisions, enough to sustain them for a year.

After listening, Han Zhaoxing fell into deep silence, and after a while, he said, “Zuoletai leads seventy thousand troops. He will likely besiege us on ten fronts, attack on five, with the enemy outnumbering us twentyfold. The cold weather and frozen ground are not favorable for prolonged siege warfare; he will certainly choose to attack.”

“With such unfavorable weather conditions for battle and a siege being a less ideal choice, I believe that Zuoletai may be seeking a negotiation, and his release of you could be a signal,” Chen Yulong suggested.

“He released me to persuade us to surrender,” Han Zhaoxing rubbed his forehead, “If I don’t surrender, those four thousand soldiers won’t survive for long. Instead, we should think of a plan to deceive him.”

Chen Yulong added, “If we surrender immediately, Zuoletai will surely be suspicious. It might be better to have him release one or two thousand soldiers first to show our sincerity.”

Implicitly, the rest of the soldiers would be left to their fate.

Yuan Mao immediately opposed, “No, if Zuoletai places spies among them, it will lead to a disaster.” Even if one or two thousand were released, there was a high risk that they could be bought over by Zuoletai.

“Is there a better plan?” Han Zhaoxing looked around at everyone.

A moment of silence followed.

Han Zhaoxing raised his voice, “Do you mean to say that I should just let my soldiers live or die on their own?”

Yuan Mao replied, “General, let us consider them as already fallen at Moro Valley.”

Yuan Sikong nodded appreciatively; this situation had no perfect solution. To preserve Guangning, they had to sacrifice them.

Han Zhaoxing slammed the table in frustration, his beard trembling with anger. He stared at Yuan Mao but couldn’t find words to retort. Yuan Mao’s words were sarcastic, yet difficult to dispute.

The room fell silent again, clearly concurring with Yuan Mao’s stance. After all, except for Han Zhaoxing and Chen Yulong, everyone present was a subordinate of Guangning Garrison and had little respect for Han Zhaoxing.

Han Zhaoxing also pondered for a moment before saying, “What if I feign surrender, lure Zuoletai into the city, and then set up an ambush to capture him?”

“This is a plan,” Yuan Mao replied, “But as Mr. Chen mentioned, it’s a risky surrender, and Zuoletai is unlikely to trust it. If we are to feign surrender, the timing must be right.”

“What do you mean by the right timing?”

“After a battle where both sides are injured, that’s when we can convincingly feign surrender,” Yuan Mao explained.

Han Zhaoxing’s cheeks moved as he lowered his head, deep in thought. “In the end, we must defend.”

“Yes.”

“Good!” Han Zhaoxing stood up. “We pledge to live or die with Guangning!”

The officers and soldiers shouted in unison, “We pledge to live or die with Guangning!”

“Yuan Mao.”

“I’m here.”

“Accompany me to inspect the city’s defenses.”

“Yes.”

Han Zhaoxing left the meeting room first, with Yuan Mao following closely.

As they reached the doorway, Han Zhaoxing noticed Yuan Sikong hiding in a corner. “Where did this little boy come from?”

“He is my son, here to deliver food.”

Han Zhaoxing vaguely remembered seeing him on the training grounds, but he didn’t pay much attention and hurried away.

Yuan Mao said, “Sikong, you should go back.”

“Dad, Mom is worried about you and my brother, and the food…”

“Put it somewhere.” Yuan Mao had no appetite for food and walked away without looking back.

Yuan Sikong watched everyone in the room getting busy with their tasks, holding the food container in his hands, feeling uneasy. If only he were three years older, he could join the military. Now, he had the enthusiasm and knowledge of military tactics but no place to use them.

As he watched Han Zhaoxing’s retreating figure, Yuan Sikong’s gaze became even more profound. This man was indecisive, with average talent. If he died at the hands of the Jin invaders, it might be a mercy, but Yuan Sikong couldn’t help but suspect that Zuoletai had released Han Zhaoxing precisely because of his incompetence. He hoped that Han Zhaoxing wouldn’t lead Guangning down the same path as Qingzhou.

Yuan Sikong clenched his teeth and couldn’t put his mind at ease. He picked up the food container and followed after them.

Beneath the city wall, Yuan Shaoxu noticed him first and pulled him aside, frowning. “Didn’t your father tell you to go back? Why do you always sneak around where important matters are taking place?”

Yuan Sikong wore a troubled expression. “Big brother, you and dad haven’t been home for several days. Mom worries day and night, and she can’t eat or sleep in peace. She told me to make sure you both eat your meals.”

Yuan Shaoxu looked slightly guilty. “You shouldn’t have come all the way here. Go back to the meeting room.”

Just as Yuan Sikong was about to come up with another excuse, a commotion came from the city wall. The sentinels blew their horns in a short-long-short pattern, signaling an enemy attack.

Yuan Shaoxu left him behind and rushed up the wall.

Yuan Sikong set the food container aside and followed a few soldiers. Everyone knew he was Yuan Mao’s son, and nobody stopped him.

Hiding in the most inconspicuous spot, Yuan Sikong looked out and saw a group of Jurchen horsemen approaching through the snow. Their horses weren’t particularly fast, and upon closer inspection, each horse was dragging a Sheng army soldier who was running behind, stumbling and falling.

When they reached a point out of arrow range, the horsemen halted. The lead officer cleared his throat and shouted loudly, full of vigor, “I am General Mang Hua’er, the Vanguard General of the Jin Dynasty. Han Zhaoxing, will you surrender or not?”

Han Zhaoxing’s face turned ashen, but he didn’t respond.

Mang Hua’er repeated his question three times, shouting louder each time.

Seeing no response, he burst into maniacal laughter. “With my Jin army of one hundred thousand, we can conquer your puny eggshell of a city at any moment. I, leading the Great Crown Prince Hong’en, have come to inform you: surrender, and you won’t be killed!”

Han Zhaoxing signaled Chen Yulong.

Chen Yulong yelled, “You uncivilized barbarians! You dare to speak so boldly? Get off your horses and kneel before the might of our Great Sheng Emperor!”

“Lowly savages, how dare you speak of valor? Hahaha!”

Chen Yulong was furious, his face contorted in anger.

Mang Hua’er signaled to his men.

The soldiers dismounted, cut the ropes binding the Sheng soldiers, who were stumbling and falling, and herded them together. Then, they began to douse them with lamp oil.

Next, the flames engulfed them in an instant.

The captured Sheng soldiers screamed and cried out in agony, their cries and wails chilling to the bone, carried away by the cold wind and seeping into the very marrow.

The people on the city wall were filled with shock, anger, and pity. Their eyes seemed ready to bleed, and many soldiers showed signs of fear.

Yuan Sikong stared blankly at the Sheng soldiers, now engulfed in flames, writhing in desperation. His body trembled uncontrollably.

Just a moment ago, they were living, breathing individuals, fathers, husbands, sons, each with their own smiles, tears, memories, and stories. Now, they had all turned into horrifying, charred remains.

The cruelty and brutality of this scene were beyond comprehension.

Mang Hua’er rode his horse, circling around the burning Sheng soldiers in mockery, shouting arrogantly, “Surrender or not be killed! Otherwise, I’ll use the bodies of your four thousand soldiers as human ladders to climb your walls, kill all your men, and take your women away! Hahaha!”

The Jin cavalry followed suit, chanting, “Surrender or not be killed! Surrender or not be killed! Surrender or not be killed!”

Yuan Sikong’s legs gave way, and he sat down against the city wall, his eyes bloodshot. Alongside the trembling and fear, there burned a fierce, unquenchable anger.