Xie Ming

In the darkness, beacon fires are sent from post stations, the sound of hooves shattering the moonlight.

The wind and frost have hardened my armor; my life and death are entrusted to my sovereign.

In this chaotic and turbulent time, Hangzhou underwent a major upheaval, and Zhi Zhong was imprisoned. In order to send a message urgently northward, the old monk Yao Zuyin personally sent his disciple Huineng to flee the city in a panic.

Unexpectedly, ten miles outside the city, he bumped into a scout on patrol. He narrowly escaped but was seriously injured. An arrow pierced his chest and lungs, and he coughed up blood. It seemed that he would not live much longer.

With no other option, he gritted his teeth and sent a fast horse northward to continue the urgent message.

Forget about traveling 800 li a day; that's probably not possible now. But if we rush 600 li at a speed, that should be quite impressive.

On the way, Ye was spotted by Yuan Ping's troops who were patrolling and deploying troops in Yuhang.

Having heard of this shocking event, and knowing the seriousness of the situation, I dare not be troubled for even a moment.

He then forced a march, with a troop of elite cavalry following closely behind, including Yuan Ping himself, who also personally escorted the novice monk Huineng as they pursued Nanjing.

So it is, and so it is.

It wasn't until around noon on the fifteenth that they managed to deliver the message to Xiao Lang with all their might.

Looking at him again, the young novice monk Huineng, who had been seriously injured since the previous night, was now vomiting blood and hanging by a thread.

Intermittently, after reciting the message entrusted to him by his master, Huineng suddenly lost his breath and coughed up blood, dying on the spot.

With no chance of survival and no hope of recovery, Xiao Jingchuan was extremely anxious. Even after having the army doctor examine him, there was no longer any need for treatment.

It's all so frustrating now. The dead can't be brought back to life, but the living still have a lot to do right now.

Therefore, sighing and lamenting are not worthwhile.

Upon hearing the news of the dramatic changes in Hangzhou, Xiao Lang did not hesitate for a moment.

In a moment of quick thinking, he hastily gathered Yuan Ping, Chang Ting, Sangmenxing, and Liu Erye, among others, to discuss a solution.

After a brief assessment, Xiao Jingchuan decided to act quickly and decisively, taking the initiative to strike first.

He then urgently ordered a secret transfer and dispatched military orders.

Firstly, speed is of the essence in war, so led by Xiao, Yuan Ping, Gu Changting, Sangmenxing, Liu Erye and others set off immediately, heading straight for the Hangzhou line.

Yuan Ping's troops, along the way through Chaozhou and Yuhang, gathered elite cavalry and took as many as they could with them, and marched south together.

Secondly, there was concern that Hangzhou, being the capital, still had at least ten thousand guards stationed there. With its high walls and wide moats, if the defenses were too strong, Yuan Ping's forces might not be able to capture it quickly.

Therefore, they immediately sent people to investigate Xu Jizu's troops who were resting in the Taiping and Sanshan areas.

His troops, after fighting on the north bank of Sheshan three months ago, have been reorganizing and preparing for future battles here. The total number of soldiers is about 10,000.

At this critical juncture, it is precisely the right thing to do.

The Duke of Jingguo secretly dispatched troops, led by Ji Zu himself, to break camp immediately and march directly to the Qiantang River estuary southeast of Hangzhou to assemble, guarding against the possibility of Fujian warships at sea causing trouble and launching a surprise attack ashore.

Xiao Jingchuan hurriedly issued orders.

The generals gathered before him did not hesitate.

This journey will not stop for even a moment, for the decision has been made and the deployment has been made.

Therefore, following the established procedures, he mounted his horse at the front of the government office and led his troops straight to Hangzhou.

On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, August 15th, in the second year of the Hongguang reign.

A round autumn shadow turns into golden waves, and the flying mirror is polished anew.

Raising a cup of wine, I ask Chang'e: What can I do about my white hair, which is so deceiving?
Riding the wind, soaring through the vast sky, I gaze down upon the mountains and rivers.

Cut down the cassia tree, and people say that the clear light will shine even brighter.

At this time of day, it is a time for families to reunite and enjoy the moon together.

But in chaotic times, under the cover of night, amidst the rapid march of troops, how many can find peace?

They came in a hurry and left in a hurry.

Under the moonlight that night, Xiao Jun's three thousand elite cavalry, with men carrying straw and horses with gags in their mouths, galloped forward with a clear goal, chasing the stars and the moon, heading straight for Hangzhou.

They would likely arrive around 9 PM, this elite and sharp-sworded army, their vanguard already approaching the ten-mile-slope outside the north gate of Hangzhou city.

The troops had been rushing along the road almost without rest, so that they could be fully prepared for the upcoming battle and siege. They also had to stop here to rest and catch their breath, as they were worried that the soldiers and horses would get tired.

Open flames are not permitted in the open fields on the outskirts of the city.

After the cavalry were properly settled, Yuan Ping busied himself with the work. After inspecting the gathering of men and horses, he strode back with a serious expression and then returned to the small stream near the earthen slope.

At this moment, Xiao Lang, along with Lai Changting, Sangmenxing, and Liu Erye, used the tinder they had lit while crouching behind the slope in the wind to draw a map of Hangzhou's defenses on the ground.

"Hey, Ogawa."

"Everyone has been counted. Not counting those who fell behind, my unit has gathered a total of over 3,200 heads." "We've also spread the word along the way, and another two or three thousand men are expected to arrive here soon."

"Ready to obey your orders at any time."

"Tell me, what's your strategy?"

Yuan Ping quickly stepped forward, crouching down as well, and crouched down beside Xiao Chuan, reporting the situation with eyes full of fighting spirit.

Under the moonlight, Xiao Lang turned his head to look around, but his expression showed no sign of relief.

He then exhaled a long, stale breath and let out a sigh.

"OK."

"There's no other way, time is too tight."

"To be honest, these three thousand-plus people are all cavalry, and they are not equipped with siege weapons."

"If we were to use heavy cavalry and strong archery to launch a powerful attack, we would probably find it difficult to capture the city, and we would suffer too many casualties."

Seeing that the army had rushed here, with the arrow already on the bowstring, Xiao Lang was also in a difficult position and could not give the order.

Then he continued his narration.

"Well, although speed is of the essence in war, delay can lead to unforeseen circumstances."

"We've come all this way to the gates of Hangzhou, risking our lives, hoping to cut the Gordian knot quickly."

"But, in the end, there are public and private matters involved."

“My brother Qiu Zhizhong, whom I, Xiao Jingchuan, have risked my life for, is currently in a precarious situation and has been imprisoned in the city.”

"And then there's Xiao'e's place."

"Oh, I'm so anxious, I wish I could sprout wings and fly in."

"But then again, no matter how anxious I am, I cannot let my men's lives be wasted like this."

"For a siege, these few troops are definitely not enough in a short time."

“They are all born of parents and raised by parents. If I really cripple your elite cavalry, Brother Yuan, how could I not feel heartbroken?”

Xiao Jingchuan barely managed to utter a word, seemingly trying to change the subject.

Seeing his dawdling, Yuan Ping became stubborn.

"Hey, stop, stop!"

"Xiao Chuan, what the hell are you talking about right now!"

"My sister-in-law is six months pregnant and is currently in the city."

"Can this kind of thing be delayed?"

"We'll take them by surprise and fight them with ruthless determination."

"Where would you find the time to worry about this and dawdle over that?"

"The safest approach is to attack the city step by step, but what about Xiao'e?"

"And your unborn child."

"Stop with all that useless stuff."

"When soldiers fight, they must obey orders. Just watch my soldiers, Yuan Ping."

"Even if we crawl into the city one by one tonight, we'll tear a hole in your path!"

Yuan Ping was furious, but he took responsibility and acted like an elder brother for the sake of Xiao Chuan and Xiao E.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingchuan wanted to argue further.

However, Yuan Ping clearly didn't give him that chance, and with a wave of his hand, he continued to criticize.

"Hey, what's there to worry about?"

"Ji Zu's troops are also rushing here in a hurry."

"Let's launch a night raid and set off some firecrackers."

"Even if we can't take the city, we'll launch a second strong attack tomorrow morning when Jizu arrives."

"It's just Hangzhou. I'll see how long it can hold out against me."

(End of this chapter)