Qiang Jin Jiu (Author : Tang Jiuqing 唐酒卿)

Chapter 129 : Graveyard Of Dreams

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Initially, the guard had already left the camp when he saw the men from the Imperial Army charging in like wolves and tigers. This squad was more excited than afraid; to date, they had never fought a battle to their hearts’ content, having been held in check back in Qudu and Zhongbo. It had not been easy for them to encounter the Eight Great Training Divisions lead by Han Jin, but the other party was like dough that shrunk back at just a squeeze, and now, they finally got to come face to face with the Biansha soldiers. With a frenzied spurt of energy and vigor, the Imperial Army drew their blades and charged. 

Not many men from the Biansha Liaoying Tribe had come, since they were relying on the stone catapults to take the Bianbo Camp by surprise. It seemed as if victory was within their reach, but they were caught off-guard by these troops that came killing out of nowhere. 

The Imperial Army resided in Qudu all year round, and the battles they fought were all street fights. Their blades were not as long as the Libei Armored Cavalry, yet they were artful in wielding them. They were an incomplete squad before Xiao Chiye took up the post of the Imperial Army Viceroy, and their main force had another name in Qudu, called “the military oilmen”; they were the best at mucking around and loafing on the job. In other words, this was a ‘slippery’ squad. They were not an organized wall like the Libei Armored Cavalry was. As long as they could stab their blades through the enemy forces, they would even resort to using low-down means.

And now, the Biansha soldiers had become the target of a surprise attack. The guard who had turned back cut off their retreat route. The men at the periphery quickly withdrew with the stone catapults, while the Biansha soldiers who were still inside the Bianbo Camp could only fight to the death with the Imperial Army. 

By the time Wu Ziyu was able to get up, the fire had abated some. With his blade in his hand, Chen Yang checked the corpses and reported to Xiao Chiye, “Master, they are indeed from the Liaoying Tribe.”   

“The stone catapults, being heavy equipment, are inconvenient to move around. If they want to take it with them when they flee, they won’t be able to run fast.” Xiao Chiye said to Tantai Hu, “Laohu, lead the cavalry and give chase.” 

On seeing this, Wu Ziyu immediately said, “My horse can still run. Buddy, take mine.” 

Tantai Hu said his thanks and flipped onto the horse. Gu Jin turned his horse around. “Laohu, follow me. We’ll go after them together.” 

They led the men away. Half of Bianbo Camp had already been razed by the fire. Xiao Chiye was looking at the horse stables and granary. Wu Ziyu followed close behind him and called out, “Second Young Master…” 

“Although Bianbo Camp is a patrol camp, it’s also a camp where reserves are stored. This place is still a distance away from the boundary line. There’s Shasan Camp to the east acting as a shield, and there are also sentry posts and checks along the way.” Xiao Chiye squinted his eyes from the glare of the sun. He looked at Wu Ziyu again. “Yet they made their way this far back. Where is your patrol squad?”  

Wu Ziyu recognized Xiao Chiye. In his early years, he was picked along with Zhao Hui and Chen Yang to serve as Xiao Jiming’s guard in the Prince’s residence, and that was when he saw Xiao Chiye. But the Xiao Chiye back then and the Xiao Chiye at present were just like two different people. His excessively tall stature meant he was always looking down from above, and being gazed at in such a way made Wu Ziyu feel a lot smaller for no reason. 

Wu Ziyu averted his gaze. “The patrol squad that went out last night did not return.” 

“The patrol squad that went out last night did not return, and yet you, as the commanding general, sensed nothing odd about it even when noon came around.” Xiao Chiye looked as if he was just engaging in idle chatter. He had an intimidating presence that gave others great pressure, but his attitude was quite mild and calm. “Shayi Camp is the battlefield, while Bianbo Camp is the resource supply site for Shasan Camp. Every slight disturbance here will affect the battle at the frontline. You’re really quite the laidback one.”