“Liang, how did you get back so quickly?”
Jin Feng hopped on one foot to the rock and also spotted Zhang Liang.
“We had only reached halfway when scouts discovered two thousand men approaching from the east, intending to launch a night ambush. I reckoned they were the Tubo troops blocking the north gate. Three thousand more came from the south…”
Zhang Liang briefly recounted the previous night’s fighting, concluding, “Later, when the highest alert sounded from Great Python Slope, I discussed it with the brothers and we fought our way back.”
“You were surrounded by five thousand men?”
Jin Feng was shocked. “How were the brothers’ casualties?”
Of the five hundred escorts left to guard Great Python Slope, more than half had perished, and all survivors bore wounds to some degree.
Those still capable of fighting numbered fewer than a hundred.
If the Black Armour Team had also suffered heavy losses, Jin Feng would have been heartbroken.
“A total of sixty-six male and female escorts fell in battle. In our haste to return, I hid the bodies in a safe place.”
Zhang Liang said, “A few female soldiers were injured too, but none fatally. They will recover after some rest.”
“You have all worked hard!”
Jin Feng stood up and patted Zhang Liang on the shoulder.
Qing Muluan and the Ninth Princess also looked at Zhang Liang with admiration.
Though the Black Armour Team had not directly participated in the defence, they had endured the greatest pressure.
After all, Danzhu had sent only six thousand to attack Great Python Slope, while five thousand were dispatched to pincered Zhang Liang from front and rear.
Without the flash grenades and hand grenades shattering the enemy’s psychological defences, sheer numbers alone could have overwhelmed and buried the Black Armour Team!
Even with flash grenades, hand grenades, and the superior equipment of the black armour, being surrounded by enemies ten times their number was extremely perilous.
The Black Armour Team achieving such results was almost miraculous.
No matter how good the black armour’s defence, it could not block all damage.
The joints between helmet and breastplate, as well as the face, were vulnerable spots.
And once those areas were struck, the wounds were essentially fatal.
This was why among the male escorts, there were many deaths but few wounded.
“We brothers eat from this bowl; we do not fear death, only dying without meaning.”
Zhang Liang said, “Many brothers remarked that fortunately they followed Mr Jin, gaining such fine armour and weapons. This battle was fought beautifully, enough to boast about for a lifetime!”
“Liang, you’ve learned to flatter now?” Jin Feng glanced at Zhang Liang in surprise.
Had this taciturn fellow finally opened up?
“It’s not flattery; the brothers truly said so.”
Zhang Liang continued, “Mr Jin does not know how bitterly the brothers fought in the past. Forget armour and weapons; even rations were embezzled by those young masters, leaving us half-starved.”
“Mr Jin, what Liang says is true. Once we fought the Dangxiang people; they had fewer than a hundred, while we numbered over a thousand.”
Da Liu also wore a reminiscent expression. “The Dangxiang had neither your armour nor hand grenades or flash grenades. In theory, we could have overwhelmed them with numbers alone, yet we still lost.”
“Why?” Jin Feng asked.
“Because the grain we ate the day before was all mouldy. The brothers spent the night with diarrhoea, barely able to stand, let alone fight.”
Da Liu smiled bitterly. “When the officers saw the tide turning, they mounted their horses and fled. Who then had the heart to fight desperately? We could only be chased and slaughtered at will by the Dangxiang!
I was lucky; I tripped and rolled into a ditch. The Dangxiang were too lazy to pursue down there, so I survived.”
The Ninth Princess nearby looked somewhat uncomfortable.
But it would be false to say Zhang Liang and Da Liu harboured no resentment, so they spoke openly, even deliberately for her to hear.
The Ninth Princess felt helpless about this.
She knew the two were not lying; it was extremely common for dandy officers to embezzle rations and pay.
Those like Qing Huai, who used their fief taxes to subsidise troops, were rare.
And someone like Jin Feng, who poured money desperately into equipping the escorts, was unique in all Dakang.
This was why the escorts were so loyal, willing to risk their lives for Jin Feng.
“The past is past,” Jin Feng said. “By the way, where did you hide the brothers’ bodies? Send men to retrieve them quickly. There are many wild beasts in the mountains; do not let them be desecrated.”
“I already arranged for men to go just now.” Zhang Liang pointed at Jin Feng’s foot and asked, “Mr Jin, how did you get injured too?”
Jin Feng felt somewhat embarrassed upon hearing this.
He truly could not bring himself to admit it was from being stepped on by Qin’er…
As he pondered how to change the subject, suddenly dense hoofbeats echoed from below the mountain.
Jin Feng’s heart sank. He hopped on one foot around the boulder to look down the slope.
Zhang Liang, Qing Muluan, and the others did the same, rushing over immediately.
The Ninth Princess was equally awkward.
Jin Feng hopped on one foot, while the Ninth Princess moved only her legs, daring not move her arms, appearing rather peculiar.
Below the slope, a cavalry force of about three or four hundred galloped along the official road.
The Weisheng troops at the foot of the mountain immediately tensed as if facing a great enemy, scrambling up from the ground.
Without a word, Zhang Liang turned and ran down the mountain.
At this point, the Weisheng Army was nearly crippled; the only force likely capable of countering cavalry was probably the Black Armour Team.
“Liang, do not worry; it is my brother!”
Qing Muluan recognised the cavalry’s banner and shouted towards Zhang Liang’s retreating back.
At the foot of the mountain, the Weisheng troops also identified their own and lowered their weapons one by one.
Jin Feng breathed a great sigh of relief.
Everyone was now at the end of their strength; if several hundred more cavalry arrived, even if ultimately repelled, casualties would likely have been devastating.
But if they were allies, it was another matter entirely.
They could take over defence, allowing the Weisheng Army and escorts to rest.
When Qing Xinyao reached the foot of the mountain, Meng Tianhai was already waiting by the roadside.
“My lord!” Meng Tianhai bowed in salute.
Qing Xinyao asked anxiously, “Where are Wuyang and Muluan?”
“Her Highness and Miss Muluan are both fine; they are on the mountain with Mr Jin!”
Meng Tianhai pointed towards the summit.
Hearing this, Qing Xinyao let out a long breath.
Thank goodness; the two he cared about most were safe.
“Meng Tianhai, the men I brought are under your command; arrange them as you see fit!”
Qing Xinyao turned to give instructions, then led his personal guard in a gallop up the mountain.
At the summit, he immediately sought the figures of the Ninth Princess and Qing Muluan.
Only upon confirming both were truly unharmed did the weight in his heart finally lift completely.
Seeing Qing Muluan and A Mei both covered in blood and gore, his brows furrowed involuntarily.
But confirming Qing Muluan lacked neither arms nor legs and was still lively, he asked no further questions.
He strode to the Ninth Princess, bowed, and said, “This minister arrived late to the rescue; please punish me, Your Highness!”
The battle had occurred right outside Xichuan City gates; as the chief guardian of Xichuan, failing to arrive and reinforce immediately was indeed inexcusable.
But the Ninth Princess and Qing Xinyao were close cousins; Jin Feng assumed the Ninth Princess would exchange pleasantries, go through the motions, and move on.
Yet he found her expression rather stern, her tone strictly official.
“Lord Qing, your failure to provide timely reinforcement led to heavy casualties among the officers and soldiers. For this matter, Lord Qing must give this palace an explanation!”
