Nightfall

Farmers' Counterattack

Under the leadership of Prince Long Qing, cavalries from the Left King’s Palace and the Coalition Army of countries such as Yan, Song and Qi, crossed Tang’s border and drove straight in. They did not encounter any resistance for the first few days.

The Northeast Border Military of the Tang Empire had been destroyed. Although many Tang soldiers were still alive, they strived hard every day under the pursuit of the Yan army and people. Even if they escaped back to Tang, they would not have any military capability.

The Coalition Army invading Tang, especially the grassland cavalries from the Wilderness, went rampant and committed all sorts of crimes. With gold and silver in their arms and excited expressions on their faces, they urged their mounts to run back and forth on the state highway.

Looking at the scene down the hill, Long Qing frowned slightly. Coldly, he said, “Get the army in order. Don’t waste time in this hinterland. We have to arrive in Chang’an as soon as possible.”

While his subordinate left with his order, some of the generals held different views.

Tang’s reputation as a nation undefeated in the last millennium left eternal fear in the hearts of these generals. Although the war was going well at present, they, including the grassland cavalries, had never expected to really break through Chang’an. They thought it would be better to withdraw after plundering to their hearts’ content on Tang’s land, in case the Tang people retaliated.

“Tang is not what it was before. The sister and brother in Chang’an keep making mistakes. Of course, even if they didn’t make mistakes they would not persevere because it’s god’s will to destroy Tang.”

“Tang is under attack from all directions now.” Long Qing said. “There is no army in our way and the city is unprotected. This is a golden chance given by Haotian. We will be cursed if we miss this opportunity.”

A general said, “Even if we manage to reach the gate of Chang’an… it will be useless. We all know Chang’an is impossible to break through. What other option do we have?”

“There is no unbreakable city in this world.”

Long Qing did not make further explanation. Only a few people in the world besides him knew the real plan of the West-Hill Divine Palace. The Golden Palace’s southward move and the invasion of Tang were deceptive tricks, means to weigh down the Tang Army. What the West-Hill Divine Palace really wanted was for Chang’an to be unprotected.

Everything was for the Array Eye Pestle.

The West-Hill Divine Palace had the confidence to get it.

The Tang Army and inhabitants all thought that their city was unbreakable, so the army was sent to other places. The West-Hill Divine Palace got the Array Eye Pestle and broke the God-stunning Array, causing an approaching massacre in Chang’an.

Long Qing lifted the reins lightly and headed down the hill.

The ears of wheat in the farmland hung heavily and vast as a golden ocean in the autumn wind.

It was a beautiful scene.

The farmhouses adjacent were ablaze. As the black smoke gradually rose, faint screams could be heard.

Long Qing thought of the day years ago when he had left Chang’an in silence after failing to make it to the Second floor of the Academy.

On that day, he had seen the beautiful pastoral scenery of Tang. He had seen farmhouses painted in various colors and people living in peace and happiness. He had vowed to come back and one day burn everything to the ground.