A military courier's horse came galloping urgently toward her, passing close by Verdant Green Maiden.
Amid the wind and dust, Verdant Green Maiden held down her skirt and turned to look at the command pennant.
They were here!
The army of Great Song.
Who would be commanding them this time?
She wanted to meet him.
The messenger reached Xiao Pass, swiftly dismounted, and read out the military orders. The Imperial Guard dispatched to suppress the Tangut rebels would arrive at Xiao Pass in three days. The imperial decree ordered the garrison to prepare immediately to receive them and assist the Imperial Guard in subduing the rebels in Hexi.
At these words, the soldiers of Xiao Pass grew excited!
Putting down the rebellion!
That meant Great Song had not abandoned the Hexi Corridor.
It also meant they could join in and win honors for themselves!
Though the chances of that were slim.
Still, having something to hope for was far better than standing guard at Xiao Pass forever, watching people come in search of their families only to be turned away in disappointment.
Thus, after receiving the military orders, the commander of Xiao Pass and his garrison sprang into action.
A hundred and fifty li from Xiao Pass.
The ranks of the Imperial Guard stretched into the distance.
Di Qing led the vanguard at the head of the army.
Mounted on a tall, powerful horse, he was easy to recognize. Verdant Green Maiden stood on a hill, gazing at the Imperial Guard approaching in the distance.
The Imperial Guard's scouts spotted her as well and reported her presence to Di Qing.
"General, look!"
"There's someone over there!"
Di Qing looked toward Verdant Green Maiden. Seeing her standing alone on the hill in green robes, with only an ox beside her,