The Blood Crown - Chapter 222

Feng Ye sent Cao Yu with a large army to challenge the city of Taiyuan. This time, instead of hurling vulgar insults, Yan Sikong gave them a single phrase to shout in unison.

As a result, every day, Luo Ruoxin, the General Commander of Taiyuan, would hear the thunderous roars from outside the city, making his blood boil—”Thank you, General Luo, for escorting the captives a hundred miles!”

After several days of this, one night, Feng Ye suddenly dispatched 30,000 troops to launch a surprise attack on the granary at Rongyuan Mountain near Taiyuan.

The granary was guarded by 20,000 heavily armed soldiers, and the terrain was treacherous, with narrow mountain paths that were easy to defend and difficult to attack. Taking this granary would be as challenging as capturing the city of Taiyuan itself.

Naturally, Luo Ruoxin sent reinforcements to defend the granary, and as expected, he dispatched Wang Mei as the commanding officer.

After Wang Mei’s forces clashed with Qian Cunxi’s 30,000-strong army, a fierce battle ensued. Qian Cunxi, realizing he was outmatched, quickly retreated without lingering, sounding the gong to withdraw and returning to Yanzhou.

Soon after, word spread that Wang Mei had been seriously injured by an arrow during the skirmish and was bedridden.

Feng Ye immediately offered a substantial bribe to one of Wang Mei’s trusted aides, attempting to persuade Wang Mei to defect, promising him titles and rewards.

Wang Mei, knowing full well that Luo Ruoxin had likely intended to kill him in the chaos of battle, understood that surviving this time did not guarantee his safety in the future. The court officials were currently embroiled in a heated debate over how to punish Luo Ruoxin. Unless the emperor removed Luo Ruoxin from his post, how many more ambushes could Wang Mei escape? However, changing commanders during battle is a major taboo in military strategy, and given the Luo family’s illustrious military history, it would be difficult to punish him arbitrarily.

Yan Sikong, writing on behalf of Feng Ye, penned a heartfelt letter to Wang Mei, expressing his loyalty to the righteous cause and his desire to save the world from peril.

Yet Wang Mei did not respond. From his trusted aide, Yan Sikong learned that Wang Mei was hesitant, unwilling to become a traitor, and was waiting for the court’s judgment. If the court indeed removed Luo Ruoxin, Wang Mei would gain control of Taiyuan’s military forces. But if not, there was no way Wang Mei could avoid feeling threatened.

However, the court’s final decision on Luo Ruoxin’s fate was beyond Yan Sikong’s foresight. In his and Feng Ye’s view, whether Luo Ruoxin stayed or left, they would benefit either way.

Not long after, the imperial decree arrived in Taiyuan. Luo Ruoxin was demoted three ranks and had his salary docked for three years. However, he was allowed to retain his hereditary title and his position as General Commander, with the expectation that he would make amends through meritorious service.

This punishment was effectively no punishment at all. Feng Ye was delighted by this turn of events. As expected, a few days later, they received a letter from Wang Mei, filled with bitterness and tears, condemning Luo Ruoxin for his persecution and the court for its injustice, and expressing his willingness to follow King Chu and Feng Ye.

Thus, they made a pact with Wang Mei for a full moon night. On that night, Feng Ye would lead his army to Taiyuan and, upon receiving Wang Mei’s signal that the city gates had been opened, would launch an all-out assault on Taiyuan, coordinating with Wang Mei’s forces from within to capture the city.

In the blazing heat of summer, Feng Ye secretly prepared for this great battle. He was full of ambition, his heart swelling with the desire to conquer the Central Plains.

Finally, they awaited the last full moon night before autumn. Feng Ye personally led a massive force of 70,000 soldiers on a grand march.

When they reached the outskirts of Taiyuan, dark clouds obscured the moon, and the world was pitch black. Only the lanterns hanging from the city walls faintly outlined the city’s silhouette.

Taiyuan’s high walls were surrounded by deep moats and dotted with watchtowers. The city stood five zhang tall, extending for several li, with walls more than a zhang thick, housing tens of thousands of soldiers. The moat itself was several zhang wide. Such a massive, impregnable fortress was the most formidable city they had ever encountered. Without an army of at least 200,000, no one would dare to lay siege to such a well-defended city.

Gazing at the dark silhouette of the towering city, Feng Ye’s eyes burned with intense fire.

Yan Sikong also stared ahead. As the battle loomed, his heart raced uncontrollably. Victory or defeat would be decided this night. If they could capture Taiyuan, they would truly possess the power to march on the capital. When Feng Ye stomped his foot, the whole world would tremble.

On the city wall of Taiyuan, the southernmost lantern suddenly went out, then relit, repeating this pattern twice. This was the signal from Wang Mei to begin the attack.

Feng Ye glanced at Yan Sikong. Yan Sikong said, “Send Zhang Rong as the vanguard to scout the situation and guard against deception.”

“Zhang Rong,” Feng Ye called out.

“At your command.”

“Lead 5,000 troops to scout the way for the main army.”

“Yes!”

Zhang Rong led 5,000 troops down the mountain in a charge, with Feng Ye and the others following behind. The city of Taiyuan immediately erupted into chaos, with soldiers rushing to the city walls and drawing their bows to fire arrows. However, the sporadic arrows could not stop the overwhelming force of the advancing army.

As Zhang Rong neared the city, the drawbridge was slowly lowered, and the city gates opened from within. Zhang Rong led the charge, crossing the drawbridge and storming into the city!

Feng Ye was overjoyed and ordered the army to advance at full speed. In the darkness of night, the war drums thundered, and the cries of battle filled the air. To them, the now-opened gates of Taiyuan appeared like a herd of sheep with its pen thrown open. They would charge in and seize the first great fortress of the Central Plains!

As they charged toward the city gates, the interior of the city had already turned into a scene of carnage. Feng Ye ordered Yan Sikong to stay outside with the troops to guard the rear while he personally led the charge into the fray.

Yan Sikong looked up at the towering walls of Taiyuan before him and suddenly felt something strange.

The army continued to surge into the city, with Feng Ye riding his horse across the drawbridge. But just as he was about to enter the city, he suddenly pulled back on the reins, looking around warily.

Feng Ye turned to scan the ranks of the army, searching for Yan Sikong, while Yan Sikong’s gaze never left him. At that moment, under the flickering firelight, the two of them, separated by the moat, seemed to lock eyes, sensing each other’s expressions despite the distance.

As they were about to enter the city, they both noticed something suspicious. First, the city gates had opened far too easily, arousing suspicion. Second, it was the height of summer, yet there were no swarms of mosquitoes around the lanterns on the city walls. Mosquitoes are usually attracted to firelight, visible even from afar, forming dark clusters. But despite the numerous lanterns, only a few scattered mosquitoes were present. The only explanation was that the mosquitoes had been drawn to large numbers of living people elsewhere.

Feng Ye roared, “It’s an ambush! Retreat!”

At the same time, Yan Sikong ordered, “There’s a trap inside the city! Sound the retreat!”

The sound of the retreat drum had just echoed when the battle drums resounded through the night sky in the next instant. The city walls, which previously had only sparse troops, suddenly revealed countless heads. Each person wielded a crossbow, and a rain of arrows poured down. Inside the city, the sound of firearms also rang out, and the screams of the wounded were endless.

The suspension bridge’s ropes made a creaking sound as the bridge was slowly drawn up. Fenghun let out an anxious howl and, without hesitation, charged towards the moat. 

Yan Sikong shouted at the top of his lungs, “Feng Ye, come back—”

Feng Ye spurred his horse forward, and Zuihong, braving the rain of arrows, dashed madly towards the suspension bridge. By now, the bridge had been raised more than a man’s height. Zuihong, with all four hooves exerting force, splintered the edge of the bridge, leaping into the air like a giant bird with wings, carrying Feng Ye across the moat and landing nimbly on the other side.

Feng Ye brandished his spear, knocking down the arrows that were shot towards him, but one arrow pierced right through his chest armor.

“Protect the Wolf King, protect the Wolf King!” Yan Sikong, ignoring the arrows whizzing past him, shouted hoarsely, his eyes bloodshot.

Heavily armored soldiers raised their shields and surrounded Feng Ye and Fenghun, shielding them from harm. The drumbeat grew increasingly urgent and loud. The army, like a tidal wave, came and went, retreating in utter defeat. Those who were ambushed and trapped within Taiyuan City would likely never see the light of another day.

The rain of arrows did not cease, and now the sound of cannon fire erupted from behind. Explosions rained down, causing chaos among the Feng family’s army.

Despite the pain, Feng Ye roared commands, organizing a strategic retreat. He knew there were ambushers ahead and pursuers behind. He ordered Wang Shen to lead elite troops to clear the way, while he personally led the rear guard.

As expected, they encountered an ambush on the way. Wang Shen fought valiantly, leading the Feng Wolf Riders—each one of them capable of taking on ten foes—carving a bloody path for the army.

Meanwhile, Feng Ye and Yan Sikong at the rear also saw that Taiyuan City had sent out pursuit troops. They were prepared for this and ordered the musket unit to counter the pursuers. Both sides fought fiercely, leaving corpses strewn across the field. The Feng family’s army suffered heavy losses, but the pursuers from Taiyuan also paid dearly and retreated after a few miles.

After clearing out the ambush and pursuers, Feng Ye’s face was ashen, and blood was pouring from his shoulder. Yet he forced himself to stay upright. He was the banner of the Feng family army; if he fell, the entire army would collapse.

Yan Sikong, heart aching, ordered the troops to make way, allowing Zuihong to carry Feng Ye back to Yan Prefecture for treatment as quickly as possible.

What Yan Sikong never expected was that, after retreating a few miles, the Taiyuan pursuers returned once more, launching another deadly attack on their rearguard. This time, they were caught off guard, suffering heavy casualties, leaving a trail of bloodied bodies in their wake as they fled.

By the time they returned to Yan Prefecture, the Feng family army was in a wretched state—battered, with many wounded and disabled. Each soldier looked as defeated as a rooster after a fight, their once-proud and high spirits reduced to a mere shadow of their former selves.

“Hurry, call a doctor!” Yan Sikong personally helped Feng Ye off his horse. Fenghun guarded Feng Ye’s side, baring his teeth and not allowing anyone else near.

Inside the military tent, Yan Sikong’s hands trembled as he removed Feng Ye’s armor.

Feng Ye’s face was covered in cold sweat. He half-closed his eyes and said softly, “I’m fine… Go, go and organize the troops…”

“With General Wang Shen in charge, your only task now is to heal,” Yan Sikong carefully removed Feng Ye’s chest armor, only to find it stuck on the arrowhead. Seeing the continuous flow of blood from Feng Ye’s shoulder and chest, his eyes immediately reddened.

Yan Sikong was filled with remorse. It was their eagerness for quick success, their arrogance and underestimation of the enemy, that led them into this trap. Not only did they suffer this defeat, but Feng Ye was also wounded.

He couldn’t bear to think what might have happened if they had been slower to realize something was amiss, if Zuihong hadn’t managed to carry Feng Ye across the moat, or if Feng Ye, like Zhang Rong and thousands of soldiers, had been trapped within Taiyuan City. What would he do then?

Feng Ye reached out and gently wiped the moisture from his eyes, whispering, “Don’t be afraid. I’m fine. Today, I, Feng Ye, suffered a defeat here, but I will definitely… take back what’s owed.”

The doctor hurried in with his medicine chest.

Fenghun bristled, baring his sharp fangs.

“Hun’er, stand down!” Yan Sikong ordered sternly.

Fenghun whimpered, hesitated for a moment, then retreated back to Feng Ye’s side, resting his head against Feng Ye’s leg and letting out soft whimpers.

The doctor cut the arrowhead with a knife and tore the inner garment. He said in a deep voice, “Wolf King, I need to pull out the arrow.”

Feng Ye said expressionlessly, “Do it.”

The doctor grasped the arrow and yanked it out.

Feng Ye merely frowned, not making a sound, but Yan Sikong felt as if the arrow had pierced his own chest.

Blood gushed out, soaking the bed beneath him. The doctor took out silver needles, sealing the surrounding acupuncture points one by one, then gave Feng Ye some anesthetic before tending to the wound.

Yan Sikong stood by, holding Feng Ye’s hand, his heart wrenching at the sight of the gaping wound in Feng Ye’s chest.

After drinking the anesthetic, Feng Ye’s mind began to cloud. He whispered, “There’s a master inside Taiyuan City.” Then he fainted.

AN – Let’s look at it from another angle—I think I updated quite early this time, didn’t I? (End of the chapter)