Wu Kingdom Attacks the City

Ye Fan left with the others without saying goodbye to Commander Zha.

Perhaps they would meet again someday, and it would not be long.

As the sun slanted westward, the group set out on the journey back. They no longer had to push the carts themselves, because several soldiers were behind them.

Xiao Changlin had tried several times to decline their help, but the soldiers would not hear of it. They said only that they had received orders and had to carry them out: they were to make sure the group and their cargo got back safely.

With no other choice, the group let them come along.

The group no longer had the high spirits they had enjoyed on the journey there. Ye Fan was still turning Commander Zha's words over in his mind, while the others were preoccupied with the soldiers behind them.

Chen Yunye glanced back at the soldiers pushing the carts. "Uncle Xiao, Commander Zha gave us grain seeds and supplies, and now he's even sent men to escort us. Do you think he's after something?"

Xiao Changlin glanced at him. "After something? What does Hundred Stars Village have that the commander could possibly want? What kind of nonsense fills your head all day?"

If he is after something, it must be because of Ye Fan! Xiao Changlin thought to himself.

The group reached Bright Virtue Academy toward evening.

When the villagers saw the soldiers, they did not know what was happening. They all ran out from among the haystacks. One villager could not hold back and asked, "Brother Xiao, what's going on?"

"Don't worry, everyone. The commander sent these men to escort the cargo. He said that the Qian Emperor treats his subjects well and encourages the people to farm and reclaim land. All these goods are supplies he gave us to rebuild the village!"

"Oh, long live the Qian Emperor!"

The villagers often went to Mang Village to trade for grain, so they knew a little about what went on in the outside world and were not completely cut off. That was why they could shout things like "Long live the Qian Emperor."

Having escorted them this far, the soldiers prepared to return. What the villagers did not know was that one of them had secretly studied them while unloading the carts. He swept his gaze over them in little time, making it difficult to notice.

Once everything had been put in order, the villagers wanted the soldiers to rest a while and have some tea, but the soldiers declined, saying they had to return to the city and report back.

"Old Village Chief, our mission was a complete success." Before Xiao Changlin could speak, Xiao Feng beat him to it.

"You little rascal! I'm glad it went smoothly. Hurry and find somewhere to rest your feet." The old village chief was beaming. The village had a place to rebuild, Sunset City had sent living supplies, and it had also sent plenty of grain seeds. Life was bound to get better and better from now on.

"Father, you're finally back!" After the soldiers left, Xiao Ke'er threw her arms around her father. Several of the most important people to her had gone into the city together that day, leaving only her at home. Xiao Ke'er did not even know how she had gotten through the day; in any case, she had spent it in a daze.

Xiao Changlin gently patted Ke'er on the back. "Silly girl!"

"Ke'er, did you miss your big brother?" Xiao Feng sidled over with a cheeky grin.

"Hmph..."

Only after a long while did Xiao Ke'er leave her father's embrace. "Father, you must be tired. Hurry and get some rest."

After leaving her father's embrace, Xiao Ke'er stole a glance at Ye Fan and found that he was looking at her too.

"Ke'er, you must be worn out from helping with the cooking at home!"

"Not at all. You're the one who must be tired, Brother Fan, going into the city to buy supplies!" Xiao Ke'er said as she walked toward Ye Fan.

She came to a stop in front of him and looked up at him.

"Brother Fan, did everything go smoothly on the road?"

"Mm, we didn't let everyone down. Everything went smoothly. We brought everything our little cook needed. You'll have plenty to keep you busy from now on." Looking at the lovely girl before him, he felt as though all his troubles would vanish like smoke.

"Uncle and Auntie have been waiting for you all day. Brother Fan, you should get some rest. I have to go help with the cooking!" Seeing Ye Fan's parents behind him, Xiao Ke'er tactfully made to leave.

His parents had just arrived and were standing behind him. Seeing that Xiao Ke'er wanted to leave, Father Ye hurriedly said, "No rush, no rush. Ke'er, you two chat. I just remembered there are a few bundles of hay we haven't moved yet. I'll go help!" With that, he made to leave, pulling Mother Ye along with him when she still wanted to say something.

Father Ye's words left both of them blushing. Neither spoke; they simply lowered their heads and stared at each other's toes.

Xiao Changlin: "That unreliable Ye Wangshan! If he wants my daughter as his daughter-in-law, he'll have to get past me first."

The whole village knew about the feelings between the two of them, but no one had said anything. Now, seeing how shy they looked, the villagers could not help bursting into laughter.

Xiao Ke'er's cheeks grew even redder. She rubbed her hands together, not knowing what to do, and Ye Fan was no better off. In the end, it was Auntie Chen who came to their rescue. "Ke'er, weren't you going to help me cook? Get over here! If you don't come and help soon, your Brother Fan will go hungry!"

"Auntie Chen, not you too!!!" Xiao Ke'er turned and crouched beside the stove, covering her face as she spoke shyly.

"Ke'er, I've been through it all myself. Back when I met your Uncle Chen, it was only a few days before I followed him from Mang Village to Hundred Stars Village! What's there to be embarrassed about?"

"Haha!"

Hearing Auntie Chen make fun of herself, the villagers broke into delighted laughter.

After the laughter and teasing died down, the villagers took it upon themselves to return to their tasks. There was still a little work left unfinished, and since it was not time to eat yet, they decided to finish it all. There would be new work to do tomorrow.

By the time they ate dinner, the bright moon was already hanging above the treetops, and patches of white cloud could still be seen in the blue sky. The villagers gathered around the bonfire, eating and laughing together, like a warm and peaceful painting.

Cloud Mountain Fortress, after nightfall.

"Generals, hear my orders! We attack tonight. This battle is our Wu Kingdom's first against the new Qian Emperor. We must show our might, crush the morale of the Qian army, and win glory for the Wu Kingdom!" Yan Fengxiao rallied the troops outside his tent before the battle.

"The first to reach the city gate will be rewarded with a hundred gold and made a marquis with a fief of a thousand households!"

"Glory to the Wu Kingdom! Glory to the general!"

Shouts shook the heavens inside Cloud Mountain Fortress. There was no need to worry about the Qian army finding out. Wu scouts had already searched the area around the fortress and eliminated several groups of Qian spies. All that remained was to send the troops out.

"Advance!!!" General Yan stood atop the fortress, watching the vast, dark mass of troops march toward Wuling City. Their footsteps rang out with power, their spears radiated a biting chill, the catapults were like giant beasts ready to devour a city, and the scaling ladders resembled swords aimed at the heavens.

"General Guo, what do you think of my troops?" General Yan asked.

"They have the bearing to swallow mountains and rivers!"

"Haha, you flatter me, General Guo. They are all Wu soldiers, fine young men!"

"General Yan, are you truly unwilling to follow Senior Minister Sima's advice and combine our forces? I fear..."

"Hmph, General Guo, that brat Sima is only a civil official. When it comes to leading troops and fighting battles, it still takes veteran generals like us. And then there's Chen Haoran. Riding on his father's coattails, he actually managed to be made a grand general. In this battle, I'll show that boy that being a grand general is no easy task. How can someone bear such a heavy responsibility without having been through the bloodshed of battle?"

"In that case, my army will march to Qixia City at once and strive to take it as soon as possible. We'll expand the Wu Emperor's domain and win glory! Farewell, General Yan!"

Below the fortress.

Sima Heru was frantic with worry. "General Chen, why haven't you arrived yet? Generals Yan and Guo have split their forces and marched out after all. I am a sinner!!!"