Volume One: The Hidden Dragon Beneath the Surface Chapter Fourteen: Am I Avoiding His Edge?

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The scout came gasping, his face etched with panic. “They’re Qiang warriors! Hundreds of mounted Qiang raiders! They crossed the border from somewhere unknown and are rapidly charging toward Gaoling City! The distance… less than thirty li! Judging by their banners, they seem to be scattered tribes from the Xianling Qiang of the Northern Territories! But… but I noticed several among them dressed in Han clothing—seemingly from the Yang family! The leader looks a lot like Yang Mao, the eldest son of Yang Shen who escaped!”

“Yang Mao?” Chen Shuzhi clenched his sword tightly, his eyes flashing with murderous intent.

Liu Heng’s gaze sharpened suddenly, but then a smile curled at the corner of his mouth. “Excellent! A remnant of the Yang clan! Colluding with the Qiang barbarians to invite wolves into our midst!”

This was the muddy water of Left Fengyi indeed. They had just wiped out the entire Yang family for looting the official granaries, and now the families’ remnants strike back—by hiring Qiang warriors? They’d been living in peace for too long; these powerful families no longer distinguish Qiang from Han? They deserved a lesson. Did they really think I was made of clay?

He waved his hand sharply, his voice booming through the rear hall. “Orders! Full city alert! Xu Huang, lead three hundred armored troops supplemented by newly recruited county soldiers to defend the city walls! Chen Shuzhi, command your cavalry to stand ready inside the gates! All archers and crossbowmen to the walls! Prepare rolling logs, stones, and boiling oil! The remaining one hundred infantry, combined with a detachment of new recruits, are to hold in reserve. Any prominent local family showing suspicious activity, anyone approaching the walls without cause, or disturbing order—no questions asked, execute on sight!”

“My lord! The Qiang cavalry is fierce and approaching swiftly. Should we… should we avoid direct confrontation for now? Or send for reinforcements from Chang’an?” A young assistant officer, recently promoted, trembled slightly as he spoke.

“Huh? Avoid them?” Liu Heng spun around, eyes sweeping over the young officer’s face. “I am the Left Fengyi, appointed personally by the Son of Heaven! It is my unshirkable duty to defend the land and protect the people. Back in Liangzhou, when the Qiang rioted, the prefectures were still pacified! Now, a mere few hundred Qiang horsemen want me, Liu Heng, to abandon the city? Besides, Qiang are poor at siege warfare. With a fierce general like Chen Shuzhi by my side, what fear have I? Send for reinforcements from Chang’an? By the time they arrive, Gaoling City will be ashes and its people slaughtered!”

He strode out decisively, his dark half-armored cloak fluttering in the wind. His voice was resolute and unyielding. “I want to see whether the Qiang’s sabers are faster, or my Left Fengyi soldiers’ bows and crossbows are sharper! Trying to use the Qiang to exact revenge? These traitorous scum! Yang Mao, huh? Perfect excuse for wiping out their entire clan…”

“Jing Bo, come with me to the walls! I’ll personally oversee the battle!”

…

Dusk settled, the last rays of the setting sun stained the mottled walls of Gaoling City like dried blood. On the distant horizon, clouds of dust billowed as the thunderous sound of hooves approached.

Faint shapes of hundreds of Qiang cavalry appeared through the dust. They wore patchwork leather robes, whistling and howling in incomprehensible tongues. Sabers and bone daggers swung wildly.

At the front, a young man in Han brocade stood out—Yang Mao, eldest son of Yang Shen! His eyes bloodshot, he brandished a long saber, shouting curses in the Qiang language toward Gaoling City, his face twisted with deep-seated hatred.

On the wall, Liu Heng stood with his sword at his side, the dark armor rustling in the evening breeze. His expression was calm as he surveyed the approaching flood of Qiang riders.

A rabble! Liu Heng thought quietly. These barbarians think they can kill me? My forces are elite troops selected from the imperial garrison! Besides, I have Xu Huang and Chen Shuzhi—what fear is there that the Qiang will breach the walls? Do they think the “Five Virtuous Generals” are worthless?

At his side, Xu Huang stood unaware of Liu Heng’s thoughts, while Chen Shuzhi gripped his sword tightly, eyes locked on the enemy ranks.

On the walls, the newly conscripted county soldiers mixed with the battle-hardened retainers Liu Heng brought from Luoyang. The county troops looked nervous by comparison, but under stern officer commands and Liu Heng’s steady presence, they managed to hold formation.

Archers and crossbowmen were ready, thick crossbow arms drawn back by winches, deadly bolts gleaming as they aimed at the enemy below. Rolling logs, stones, and pots of boiling oil were prepared.

“My lord! The enemy is within crossbow range!” a sergeant shouted from his lookout.

Liu Heng’s gaze remained fixed on the Qiang. “I’m no expert at battle. I’ll leave it to you two.”

Chen Shuzhi and Xu Huang exchanged a glance. Chen Shuzhi nodded first to Xu Huang, who raised his hand, his voice carrying clearly to the walls. “Hold steady! Crossbowmen, prepare—await my command!”

The Qiang riders drew closer, their fierce faces and steaming mounts now clearly visible.

Yang Mao’s mad roar echoed: “Liu Heng, you dog traitor! For my father’s death, we are sworn enemies! Today, you will pay with your life! Kill him—!”

With his hysterical cry, the Qiang charged as if possessed, their war cries shrill as they swung sabers and bone daggers, crashing against the not-so-tall, not-so-strong walls of Gaoling City.

Their momentum was fierce, as if to swallow the small city whole.

On the walls, many county soldiers paled, their hands trembling on their spears.

“Hold steady!” Xu Huang’s voice was like an anchor, quelling the unrest on the walls. His eyes locked on the foremost Qiang, measuring the distance.

Three hundred steps… two hundred fifty… two hundred!

“Fire—!”

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The chilling twang of bowstrings sounded in rapid succession, a dense cloud of arrows rose from the walls! Thick crossbow bolts pierced deeply into the charging Qiang ranks!

Pfft! Pfft!

The dull sounds of arrows hitting flesh and the agonized screams of horses replaced the charging shouts instantly. The leading dozens of riders hit an invisible wall, tumbling from their mounts! Thick bolts easily penetrated armor and horseflesh, spraying blood rain! The momentum of the charge faltered!

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“Fire again!” Xu Huang’s voice was cold as iron.

The second and third volleys of crossbow fire rained down like a sudden storm! Below the walls, men and horses fell in heaps, screams of agony filling the air! The Qiang were fierce, but under the devastating barrage from above, their formation broke like harvested wheat.

Yet, driven mad by Yang Mao and several leaders, the remaining Qiang warriors still trampled over their fallen comrades, braving the arrow storm and surging toward the walls! Many tore off crude climbing claws tied to ropes, hurling them up to the battlements!

“Roll the logs! Toss the stones!” Chen Shuzhi barked.

Huge logs and heavy stones were pushed over the walls with a thunderous crash! The climbing Qiang fell like dumplings, limbs broken, skulls shattered!

“Boiling oil!” Xu Huang roared.

Several pots of boiling black oil were poured down! The thick, scalding liquid coated the climbing Qiang, who screamed in unnatural agony! Then, several fire arrows rained down!

Boom!

Flames leapt up beneath the walls! The burning oil ignited a fiery barrier! The Qiang engulfed in flames howled in despair, the stench of burning flesh filling the air!

The Qiang ferocity was unleashed fully. Under their leaders’ urging, they pressed on regardless of casualties. Arrows flew like locusts from below, and some defenders on the wall fell wounded. Shouts, screams, clashing blades, and crackling flames blended into a deafening cacophony!

Amid the chaos, several nimble Qiang warriors, shielded by comrades, braved the hail of stones and arrows to scramble onto the battlements!

One was a massive figure, wielding a heavy wolf’s tooth mace, face scarred—likely the Qiang leader. He roared savagely, swinging the mace in a wide arc that sent two spear-wielding defenders flying off the walls, clearing a small patch atop the battlements!

“Die, Qiang dogs!” Xu Huang bellowed, rushing forward with his great axe. The heavy weapon tore through the air with the force of a mountain cleaving rock, descending in a deadly blow!

The Qiang leader was no easy foe. Feeling the terrifying strength behind Xu Huang’s strike, he roared and strained to block the mace with his muscular arms.

Clang!

A deafening clash of metal erupted, sparks flying!

The Qiang leader felt a tremendous force surge through the mace, his arms trembling violently, the web between thumb and forefinger split open, blood pouring. He staggered back, eyes wide with shock!

Xu Huang pressed the advantage, swinging his great axe again like a relentless plague. The Qiang leader barely dodged the fatal blow, but the heavy axe blade still slammed into his ribs!

Crack!

A sickening sound of bone breaking.

“Ughhh—!” The leader screamed in unbearable agony, flying backward to slam heavily against the crenelated wall, blood spraying from his mouth. He was done for.

Like a war god, Xu Huang stood atop the walls, surveying the carnage. The Qiang assault in his vicinity stalled completely.

At that moment, amidst the chaos below, Yang Mao hid behind his guards, brandishing his long saber, frantically rallying, “Charge! Get up here! Kill Liu Heng! A thousand gold for the reward...!”

His voice abruptly cut off.

A cold crossbow bolt suddenly shot down from the walls at an impossible angle and speed, catching everyone off guard.

Pfft!

Perfectly precise! The bolt pierced Yang Mao’s throat instantly. The force threw him backward, falling from his horse. Clutching his bleeding neck in vain, his wide eyes fixed on the cold-faced figure atop the wall holding the crossbow—Chen Shuzhi.

Chen Shuzhi slowly lowered the crossbow. Yang Mao’s death drained the last trace of the Qiang’s violent resolve.

Already suffering heavy casualties and plummeting morale, the Qiang cavalry collapsed completely upon witnessing their leader felled by a single axe blow and the Han noble scion who had hired them slain by an arrow.

“The leader is dead!”

“Young Master Yang is dead!”

“Run for your lives!”

The Qiang below abandoned all else, terrified cries ringing out as they turned their mounts and fled madly in the direction they came from. The city gates opened and hidden cavalry burst forth, charging and scattering the Qiang further.

On the walls, victorious cheers erupted like thunder!

“Ten thousand victories! Long live the Marquis!”

“Commander Chen, mighty!”

“Captain Xu, mighty!”

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Liu Heng’s elite troops, seasoned in great battles, remained composed. The newly recruited county soldiers, unfamiliar with real combat, shouted with excitement upon seeing Xu Huang and Chen Shuzhi’s valor and the Qiang’s rout.

Xu Huang and Chen Shuzhi glanced at Liu Heng, who stood calmly by the wall looking into the distance.

Liu Heng raised his hand. “Send orders! Treat the wounded, extinguish remaining fires, clear the battlefield! Provide generous compensation to the fallen soldiers’ families!”

“Yes, sir!” came the thunderous response.

“Shuzhi,”

“At your command!”

“The rebellious Yang family looted official granaries. After the incident, they showed no remorse but instead colluded with the Qiang to rebel. I now order you to escort the entire Yang clan from the prison to the city walls. Regardless of age or gender, execute them! Display their heads at the city gates with a proclamation: Anyone under Left Fengyi jurisdiction who dares collude with foreign tribes will have their entire family exterminated!”

Chen Shuzhi paused, then saluted and left to carry out the order.

Liu Heng turned to face the soldiers, some still exhilarated after the battle, and smiled. His gaze then passed over the chaotic battlefield to the distant horizon, lost in thought...

“Gongming.”

“At your service!” Xu Huang said solemnly.

“Gongming, you need not be so reserved. Do you think me cruel and ruthless, wiping out entire families at the slightest provocation?”

Without hesitation, Xu Huang replied, “My lord, as the Zuo Zhuan says: ‘Those not of our tribe harbor alien hearts!’ The Qiang have always been treacherous. I have long believed leniency is futile and advocated for thunderous measures to suppress them. Now, one Yang Mao could conspire with the Qiang to invade, proving that many powerful families in Gaoling and even all of Left Fengyi are tangled with the Qiang. This is a great threat. Since your arrival, you have rightly used strict laws to warn your subordinates. I see no fault in your actions!”

“Well said! ‘Those not of our tribe harbor alien hearts’...” Liu Heng repeated thoughtfully.

After a moment, seemingly recalling something, he asked, “Gongming, you are from Hedong, correct?”

“Indeed. I hail from Yang County in Hedong.”

Liu Heng’s tone held a trace of anticipation. “Do you know Guan Yu, also from Hedong... from Xie City?”

Xu Huang looked puzzled. “I do not know this person, my lord. May I ask who Guan Yu is?”

“I once heard from an old friend in Hedong that he was skilled with bow and horse, with unmatched courage. Since you are both Hedong heroes, I asked.”

Liu Heng paid no mind to Xu Huang’s puzzled look, fabricating a ‘friend from Hedong’ without batting an eye—he certainly couldn’t admit he had read about Guan Yu in books.

A hint of regret crossed his mind: Xu Huang didn’t know him! The historical record that Guan Yu and Xu Huang were close due to shared hometown ties must have come from Guan Yu’s time serving in Cao Cao’s camp—perhaps they bonded over common origins, old friends meeting old friends with tears in their eyes.

Though aware Guan Yu now was inseparable from Liu Bei, Liu Heng still felt a small hope; after all, any connection to Guan Yu would be advantageous.

If battles came later and Guan Yu cornered him, at least if Xu Huang and Guan Yu were old acquaintances, their relationship might save him.

Knowing Guan Yu’s loyalty and sense of righteousness, perhaps there would be a tale of “Guan Yu’s righteous release of Liu Boyu”...

“The Qiang may have retreated, but powerful families like the Yangs in Left Fengyi still hold sway, commanding private troops to wreak havoc.”

Liu Heng shook off his thoughts and faced Xu Huang’s resolute features. “The retainers I brought from Luoyang are the backbone. Build on this to train a fighting, fearless county army!”

He paused. “I am no expert at training soldiers, so I entrust this fully to you and Shuzhi. Recruits may come from refugees or from reputable families, but there is one condition,”

He raised a finger. “Quality over quantity! The examination will be in August, which I will personally oversee! If they fail to meet standards, I will hold both of you accountable!”

“Yes, sir!” Xu Huang responded with a thunderous affirmation.

Liu Heng nodded and said no more, turning to stride down from the wall, Jing Bo close behind.

In the days that followed, the training grounds in the western suburbs of Gaoling City became the noisiest place on the entire plain.

As the sound of military drills echoed day after day, officials from counties under Left Fengyi’s administration arrived at Gaoling City, some uneasy, some scheming. Each one saw the row of heads hanging from the city walls—men, women, and children alike...

The newly appointed Left Fengyi, Liu Heng, wasted no time with thunderous measures: wiping out the Yang family, opening granaries to feed the people, arresting corrupt officials, repelling the Qiang, then exterminating the entire Yang clan. Such ruthless decisiveness was hardly the mark of a mere seventeen-year-old youth.

This young Marquis, bearing the glory of Han imperial kin and rising swiftly, was an enigma: was he ferocious and bloodthirsty, or harboring deeper designs? Everyone’s hearts beat uncertainly, as if drumming a restless rhythm in their chests.