Night fell, and in an instant, the Gobi Desert in the north of the desert was enveloped in darkness.
The falcon circled in the night sky, reluctant to leave for a long time, emitting shrill screeches.
Yazebu watched the woman with her back to him walking further and further away. His eyes glinted with an unfathomable light in the darkness.
"Return it to its original owner... huh?"
Yazebu let out a laugh.
A woman was willing to take the risk of being betrayed by her relatives and friends in order to seek revenge. This path was so difficult that it was full of thorns, just like walking on a sheer cliff. One slight misstep would result in falling off the cliff and being smashed to pieces.
But Qin Huailian resolutely embarked on this path. No one understood her, no one supported her. Maybe she would even be spurned and reviled by others, but her eyes and actions were so determined.
But was this path right or wrong?
Maybe no one could understand what was on her mind.
Yazebu shook the wine jar in his hand. There was only a tiny bit of wine left in it. Without hesitation, he tilted his head back and drank the remaining wine. He wiped the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand and stared at the dark night in the distance.
He seemed to have a new appreciation for that woman.
"Humph." Yazebu let out a sneer from his nose, showing his white teeth.
According to Sikuo Ting's order, Feng Zuo and Qin Feng quickly headed towards the direction of Gengnan City.
Although Gengnan City was located at the foot of the Kunlun Mountains, it was not in the desert. Therefore, Gengnan City had sufficient grain and grass, and the climate was relatively suitable for living.
When Qin Feng was approaching Yutian, he was going to separate from Feng Zuo and march separately.
He rode his horse up to Feng Zuo and Wan Chengyan. He slapped Feng Zuo hard on the shoulder. He glanced at the two of them and said earnestly, "Xiao Zuo, you two must be careful when you go to Gengnan this time."
Feng Zuo clasped his fists and said, "General Qin, please rest assured. This subordinate will surely defend Gengnan City to the death!"
Qin Feng shook his head and said, "You should know that's not what I mean. You're going to Gengnan City by the emperor's order. But both you and I know that since the emperor has issued an imperial edict, it means this trip will surely be dangerous. When you get to Gengnan, you must make full preparations. Qian Shuyu is an old general, but he's a bit arrogant. When you get there, on the one hand, you should cooperate with his actions, and on the other hand, you shouldn't completely cooperate with him. When necessary, you should take control of the entire battlefield. Do you understand?"
Wan Chengyan was taken aback and asked, "General, what's Qian Shuyu like?"
"Don't get too close to him." Qin Feng shook his head and said, "When necessary, use your official ranks to overpower him."
Feng Zuo's eyes flickered slightly. He clasped his fists again and said, "This subordinate understands. Thank you, old general, for your advice!"
"Good lads!" Qin Feng squeezed his shoulder hard and said in a deep voice, "If the enemy attacks and their forces are too strong, report to me immediately. Yutian is not far from Gengnan City. If you defend to the death, I can lead my troops there within a day."
"Thank you, General Qin!" The two bowed gratefully.
Qin Feng gave them a few more words of advice, and then the two teams of troops went their separate ways.
The mountains and rivers were in turmoil, and war was about to break out again on the Central Plains. On the morning when Feng Zuo and Wan Chengyan arrived in Gengnan City, the Xiongnu in the north sent their troops south. They confronted Sikuo Chen and Han Yushan's troops across the city wall in the Hetao area.
Qian Shuyu opened the gate of Gengnan City. With a big smile on his face, he spread his arms and ran towards the two of them. He laughed and said, "The emperor sent me an imperial edict early on, saying that someone from the Protectorate General to Pacify the West would come to support. I didn't expect it to be General Feng Zuo."
Feng Zuo never thought he was very famous. He exchanged a glance with Wan Chengyan. Then he thought about it and knew that this man was just flattering him. So he played along and said, "General Qian Shuyu, I've long admired you."
"Hahaha!" Qian Shuyu put his arm around Feng Zuo's shoulder and pulled him towards the city.
Feng Zuo was startled. He quickly turned back to look at Wan Chengyan. Wan Chengyan blinked and pointed to the side, giving him a reassuring look.
Wan Chengyan should go to reorganize the troops first.
Feng Zuo pouted and turned back.
"General Feng, you can rest assured now that you're here. Although my Gengnan City is small, we have enough grain, grass, and troops. Moreover, the city is prosperous, and the fortifications are already complete. You can just come here for a vacation. If those barbarians from Loulan attack, they definitely won't be able to get in."
Feng Zuo looked up slightly and subtly glanced at the wooden boards and long stones nailed on the city wall. Just as Qian Shuyu said, the reinforcement of the city wall of Gengnan City was quite good. He also knew that there was no shortage of grain and grass in the city, but he still didn't dare to take it lightly.
Feng Zuo said a few polite words to him and was about to go with Wan Chengyan to check the army's logistics supplies when Qian Shuyu grabbed him.
"General Feng must be tired from the long journey. You should rest first. I've already sent someone to prepare a banquet. General, would you do me the honor?" Qian Shuyu rubbed his hands and smiled.
Feng Zuo frowned and said in a deep voice, "Commander Qian, this subordinate is here in Gengnan City to defend against the enemy by the emperor's order. How can I enjoy myself casually?"
Qian Shuyu sneered disdainfully. He pointed to the well - built city wall and said, "General Feng, don't say I'm arrogant. Look at these fortifications. Do you think those Xiongnu barbarians can break in?"
"..." Feng Zuo was silent. The reinforcement of the city wall of Gengnan City was really well - done. Although he had just taken a cursory look, he could tell that Qian Shuyu must have spent a great deal of effort on this city wall. The city wall of Gengnan City was even thicker than that of the Protectorate General to Pacify the West.
Qian Shuyu laughed. He said, "What's this hesitation for? General Feng, don't be afraid. If those barbarians from Loulan want to attack the city, there are more than 100,000 arrows in our city. We're not afraid at all. General Feng, please come with me. It's specially prepared for you."
Feng Zuo still wasn't very willing, so he made up an excuse and said, "Commander Qian, it's not that this subordinate is ungrateful. I've traveled a long way, and I'm not feeling well. I'd like to take a walk now."
Qian Shuyu was taken aback. "Oh, what's wrong with you, General Feng?"
"It's nothing serious. I'll feel better after getting some fresh air." Feng Zuo clasped his fists at him, bowed, and then took his leave.
Qian Shuyu watched Feng Zuo's back getting further and further away. He stood there for a while, snorted coldly, and whispered, "Humph, a stupid blockhead."
He flung his sleeve and quickly walked towards the banquet hall that had already been set up.
Gengnan City had always been prosperous. Coupled with its good geographical location, the flames of war generally didn't reach here. So the guards in the city were very idle. This was a common problem.
Qian Shuyu had gathered all his old subordinates this time to celebrate. Although Feng Zuo didn't know what they were celebrating, he guessed that they might be using his arrival as an excuse to have some fun.
So he refused Qian Shuyu and assigned tasks to his 20,000 soldiers, stationing them at several key locations respectively.
Seeing that Feng Zuo had taken on the tasks himself, Qian Shuyu was happy to be at ease. He simply recalled all the people he had previously arranged to guard the city wall, leaving only Feng Zuo's troops patrolling the city wall.
As soon as Wan Chengyan arrived, he led people to the warehouse to count the supplies. He also sent someone to pass a message to Feng Zuo, telling him not to take it lightly when defending the city.
Feng Zuo quickly tidied himself up, then strolled onto the city wall with his hands behind his back. He walked around casually on the city wall, looking around with his eyes.
This place was adjacent to the Kunlun Mountains, and the vegetation around was very lush. But because of the high altitude, the wind blowing over was so cold that it made people's cheeks hurt.
He placed his hands on the city wall and stared at the boundless high - altitude plain in the distance.
Just as he was relaxing and enjoying this rare tranquility, the howling north wind blew. From the winding mountains, there seemed to be a faint cry.
Feng Zuo opened his eyes.
Not far from Gengnan City on the official road, there were two overlapping figures staggering along.
"General Feng! There are two people up ahead. Judging from their clothes, they seem to be refugees." A small soldier rushed to report.
"I see." Feng Zuo squinted his eyes and looked at the two overlapping figures.
It was a boy and a girl. The elder sister was carrying the younger brother on her back. Both of them were in rags. The elder sister seemed to be crying, and the younger brother's hands hung down naturally. As the elder sister staggered forward, the younger brother didn't move at all.
There was a bow hanging on the elder sister's shoulder, and she was also carrying a quiver in her hand.
Were they hunters from the Kunlun Mountains?
The girl carried her younger brother to the city wall. She raised her dirty face, with tears in her eyes. She knelt down and cried loudly at Feng Zuo standing on the wall.
But unfortunately, as she knelt down, the motionless younger brother on her back rolled off all of a sudden. The whole person was like a dead person, lying motionless on the ground.
The girl let out a scream and quickly ran over to support the boy's shoulder and shook him hard, but the boy didn't respond at all.
"General..." The small soldier looked hesitant and asked, "Shall we let them in?"