The Blood Crown - Chapter 77

After Yan Sikong finished counting the casualties and settled the soldiers, he found Feng Ye. Feng Ye was ** being treated by a physician, who was bandaging his wounds.

Yan Sikong stood aside, quietly watching Feng Ye for a long time. He saw numerous old and new scars clearly visible on the young man’s body. He watched as Feng Ye furrowed his brows, lips tightly pressed together, sweat covering his forehead, enduring the pain silently, yet his gaze remained fixed ahead, not uttering a word.

Yan Sikong instinctively wanted to cover his trembling hands with his sleeves but realized he was in military attire and had nowhere to hide. He tightly clenched his hands instead.

The scene of Feng Ye leading the troops into the valley flashed before his eyes again, the sight of Feng Ye covered in blood, deeply entrenched in the enemy formation, still made him palpitate with fear.

Although later he learned that most of that blood was from the enemy.

He had seen countless people, but a young hero like Feng Ye was rare in his lifetime.

He walked over.

Feng Ye heard the footsteps, lifted his head, and seeing Yan Sikong, the furrowed brows on his forehead instantly relaxed. “Lord Yan, come.”

Yan Sikong bowed slightly and sat beside him, carefully examining his injuries. “How does the general feel?”

“Minor injuries, nothing serious.” Feng Ye heaved a sigh of relief, as if a burden had been lifted from his shoulders. “Lord Yan is uninjured, that’s what matters.”

“I have been guarding the rear, naturally unharmed.” Yan Sikong said in a deep voice, “General’s bravery is the fortune of our army, but charging into the fray and putting oneself in danger without the wisdom of a commander is lacking.”

“Today’s situation forced my hand.” Feng Ye raised his hand, pointing to the empty front, as if the chaotic valley and narrow passageway with layers of enemy troops blocking their way were still visible before his eyes. “Anyone would fear death. If I didn’t lead the charge, how could the soldiers advance so boldly?”

Yan Sikong grabbed Feng Ye’s hand. “If the commander is lost, the army will be without a leader. What’s the use of talking about advancing boldly? General, you are passionate, but you must also consider the soldiers. You cannot venture into danger like this again.”

Feng Ye finally realized that Yan Sikong was suppressing his anger. He looked at the bloody clothes on the ground and knew that Yan Sikong must be very worried. Feeling warm in his heart, he followed his words, “If it weren’t for the situation, I would also cherish my life. Lord Yan is right. I will need Lord Yan’s guidance in the future.”

“I dare not. I only hope that our army will be victorious and return in triumph, not to let down the grace of the emperor.” 

“I…ah…” Feng Ye twitched, unable to help but gasp in pain.

The physician gentled his movements. “General, bear with it a little longer until I stitch up this wound.”

“Why don’t you let me do it?” Yan Sikong reached out.

“Lord Yan also knows medicine?”

“I have some knowledge. This kind of external injury is nothing.” 

After getting Feng Ye’s consent, the physician stepped back, and Yan Sikong gently held the delicate silver needle, saying softly, “It may sting a bit, bear with it.”

“I’m not afraid of pain.” Feng Ye grinned, “Pain is the best test of one’s will. Since I was young, I admired the story of Guan Erye scraping bones and curing poison. What are these superficial wounds?”

“If we weren’t in a hurry, I would definitely pour anesthesia down your throat,” Yan Sikong said softly, “I hate it when you show off your reckless bravery.”

Feng Ye chuckled, “If you worry about me like this, I’m happy. It doesn’t…uh…hurt anymore.”

Yan Sikong quickly inserted the needle into the muscles, stitching up the torn flesh inch by inch. He hadn’t practiced medicine in many years, but fortunately, his skills hadn’t deteriorated. At least he was much faster than the young physician.

Feng Ye focused on Yan Sikong, finding his serious and attentive expression quite pleasing. He whispered, “Yan’er, I never thought you would accompany me to the battlefield one day.”

Yan Sikong glanced at him sideways, “It was you who asked me to be the army’s secretary.”

“Yes, a secretary. You should have followed the main army, stationed in the main camp, rather than being brought into the deep mountains by me, through dangerous valleys, allowing the enemy’s blades and arrows to come so close to you.” Feng Ye raised his hand, wanting to touch Yan Sikong’s cheek, but then remembered there were soldiers all around, so he reluctantly put it down. “You look so heroic in armor, but I still prefer to see you in court dress.”

“The rise and fall of the world is the responsibility of every man. Moreover, I am a subject of the country. In times of crisis, I have no choice but to fulfill my duty. Feng Ye, I am very grateful to you for bringing me here, allowing me to demonstrate my abilities.”

“Fulfilling your duty? You always oppose me.” 

“We have our differences, but we unite against the enemy in the end. We successfully repelled the enemy. Isn’t that right?”

Feng Ye nodded, wishing he could embrace Yan Sikong now. He leaned over, almost face to face with Yan Sikong. “When I was young, I fantasized that you and I, one in literary arts and the other in martial arts, could roam freely and dominate the world. Now, your talent exceeds my expectations. Yan’er, you are truly a remarkable person.”

Yan Sikong said lightly, “You overestimate me. There are many scholars in the Imperial Academy like me. It’s just that you haven’t come into contact with them.”

“I don’t believe it. Even if someone’s knowledge surpasses yours, they won’t have your talent, won’t be as… ” Feng Ye looked at Yan Sikong with deep emotion, speaking in a very low voice, “captivating.”

Yan Sikong murmured ambiguously, “We’ll talk about the rest later.”

“General.” Wang Moxiu walked over, seeing the two almost about to stick together, curiously poking his head forward.

Yan Sikong stepped aside and said, “General, your injuries have been taken care of. Put on your clothes.” With that, he shook out the clothing.

Feng Ye slid his arm into the sleeve. “General Wang, please speak.”

“The soldiers have been rested, how are the general’s injuries?”

“No problem, it’s urgent to get on the road.” Feng Ye stood up. “Let’s go.”

Leading the remaining nearly three thousand soldiers, they traveled day and night, crossing the deep mountains of Nan Yue, rushing over four hundred miles, and finally arrived in Yueyang before Prince Liang’s army.

Yueyang had already received reports that the rebel army was only two or three days’ journey away. Their early arrival made them breathe a sigh of relief.

Feng Ye proudly said to Yan Sikong, “Did you hear that? If we had followed your conservative plan and taken a detour, not only would our provisions have been exhausted, but the rebel army might have arrived before us.”

Yan Sikong calmly smiled. “The general is wise and decisive.”

Feng Ye snorted. “You’re mocking me again. I’ll deal with you sooner or later.”

They entered the city and set up camp, using the city’s defenses to resist the rebel army. Although the garrison in Yueyang was weak, they were not very worried because Zhao Fuyi’s army was behind them. Once Prince Liang’s army left, they would attack the city. At that time, the rebel army would be caught between them, whether they returned to rescue Jingzhou or directly attacked Yueyang, they would have to divide their forces and weaken their strength.

With this plan of Yan Sikong’s, Prince Liang was forced to mobilize his army to Yueyang several months earlier. If Prince Liang didn’t take Yueyang early, once the reinforcements arrived, he would be trapped in Jingzhou. But once he mobilized his army, he would know about the crisis in Jingzhou. His only way out would be to delay Zhao Fuyi with Jingzhou and attack Yueyang urgently. Once Yueyang was taken, controlling the Dongting Lake area, his rebellion would be halfway successful.

For them, successfully crossing the Nan Yue Mountain was also half the battle to suppress the rebellion. The other half depended on how long they could hold Yueyang. As long as they held out until Zhao Fuyi captured Jingzhou, they would win. If Zhao Fuyi couldn’t capture it, where their heads would fall was not up to them.

Feng Ye stood on the walls of Yueyang, listening to the city’s defense commander Xue Lang explain the military situation. He squinted at the vast wilderness outside the city and suddenly interjected, “Compared to battles, I’m better at defending the city.”

Xue Lang paused. “What the young master said is extremely true. The Great Tong Defensive Line is the most solid defense line of the Da Sheng. For thirty years, it has been guarded by the Feng family’s army, preventing the barbarians from threatening our Central Plains subjects.”

Feng Ye smiled. “The Wala tribe launches a major attack every few years, and there are constant raids by light cavalry on weekdays. My father mostly chooses to defend without going out, wearing them out. Defending the city is always better than attacking it. I will hold it until General Zhao captures Jingzhou!”

Yan Sikong looked into the distance and recalled the time when he and Yuan Mao defended Guangning. The conditions in Guangning were worse than in Yueyang, yet they managed to hold out. But holding onto the city was easy; holding onto the loyalty and righteousness was not. He also had plenty of experience in defending the city, but more importantly, painful memories.

Feng Ye saw his pale face. “Lord Yan, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

Yan Sikong shook his head. “It’s just the wind on the wall, a bit chilly.”

“Then let’s go down.”

Yan Sikong shook his head again. “I want to watch for a while longer.” He closed his eyes, as if he could still see Zuo Letai’s seventy thousand troops, the forest of long spears, the waving banners…

Feng Ye thought for a moment and said, “General Xue, can you leave me and Lord Yan to look around?”

Xue Lang said, “Please, young master, I won’t disturb you.” He left with his attendants.

Feng Ye moved to Yan Sikong’s right side, blocking the wind for him. “Yan’er, are you thinking of Guangning again?”

Yan Sikong blinked, softly murmuring, “Hmm.” It wasn’t just “again”; he thought of Guangning all the time.

“This isn’t Guangning, and you still have me.”

Yan Sikong leaned against Feng Ye, gazing into the distance. “Speaking of defending the city, I’m also good at it.”

“Oh?”

Yan Sikong pointed to the vast wilderness ahead. “Back then, the Jin Emperor’s eldest son, Zuo Letai, led seventy thousand troops across the Huangshui River into Liaodong, vowing to capture Guangning. I stood on the city walls, watching that overwhelming army, and my legs went weak with fear.”

Feng Ye listened silently.

“Guangning had few soldiers, but my father vowed to defend it to the death for the sake of the city’s forty thousand citizens. It was…,” Yan Sikong’s voice trembled, “it was my suggestion. He led the entire city’s soldiers and civilians to defend together. I watched as the enemy army approached, as Guangning was on the brink of danger time and time again, but we always managed to persevere. I witnessed everything.”

Guangning and the Yuan family had always been a taboo in Yan Sikong’s heart, something Feng Ye never brought up lightly, fearing it would touch on a painful subject. Yet this was the first time Yan Sikong had voluntarily brought up the old matter, and he felt uneasy.

Yan Sikong took a deep breath. Whenever he felt suppressed and unbearable, he always wanted to confide something to Feng Ye. This was a sign of trusting and relying on someone, but he couldn’t and didn’t need to. So he forcibly suppressed the desire to confide once again, burying it deep inside, and his voice quickly returned to calm. “So, I’m also good at defending the city. With you and me working together, we will surely make it difficult for the rebel army to advance.” With that, he turned and left.

Feng Ye watched Yan Sikong’s back, unable to hide his disappointment.