Dapeng's Time Travel Life

Chapter 9 The Turning Point of Fate

The Prince's mansion returned to peace, its courtyard bursting with flowers and fluttering with bees and butterflies, as if it had never been shrouded in the shadow of conspiracy. Zhang Peng summoned the best doctor in the city to carefully treat Xia Lijuan. With his constant companionship and care, Xia Lijuan's injuries gradually improved.

One warm afternoon, Xia Lijuan sat idly on a stone bench in the courtyard, gently stroking a white dove she had rescued after it was injured. Zhang Peng came over and sat down beside her, his gaze tender: "Lijuan, once you've fully recovered, how about we go to the estate outside the city and stay for a while?" Xia Lijuan looked up, her eyes full of expectation, and nodded in agreement.

However, the peaceful days did not last long. One day, Zhang Peng received a secret letter from the palace. The handwriting was messy and the words were urgent, urging him to go to the palace immediately. Zhang Peng's heart tightened, sensing that something was about to happen. He hurriedly gave Xia Lijuan a few instructions and then rushed to the palace with the eunuch who delivered the imperial decree.

Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the Emperor paced back and forth, his face filled with worry. Upon seeing Zhang Peng enter, the Emperor immediately stopped, his voice tinged with anxiety: "My dear minister, the border war is critical; the enemy's advance is fierce, and there are no capable generals to send. What should I do?" Zhang Peng was startled. Although he was well-versed in military strategy and had some martial arts skills, he had never actually been on a battlefield. But seeing the Emperor's distress, he did not hesitate for a moment, kneeling and pleading: "Your Majesty, I am willing to lead the troops into battle to protect the territory of our Great Qing!"

A hint of satisfaction flashed in the Emperor's eyes, and he nodded in agreement: "Very well, I hereby appoint you as the General Who Conquers the North. Immediately organize the troops and march to the border." Zhang Peng accepted the order and, after leaving the Hall of Mental Cultivation, immediately began preparations for the expedition.

Back at the Prince's residence, Xia Lijuan noticed his solemn expression and inquired about the matter, learning the truth. Her heart was filled with worry, but she forced herself to remain calm: "Prince, the journey to the border is perilous; you must be extremely careful. Lijuan will stay here and pray for you every day." Zhang Peng grasped her hand and solemnly said, "Lijuan, when I return, we'll go to the estate and live a simple life."

On the day of the expedition, outside the Prince's mansion, Zhang Peng, dressed in military attire, sat majestically astride his tall horse. Xia Lijuan stood to the side, tears welling in her eyes. She took out a sachet she had embroidered herself from her bosom and handed it to Zhang Peng: "Prince, keep this sachet with you; it will protect you." Zhang Peng took the sachet, put it in his bosom, gave her a deep look, and then turned to lead his army away.

On the border battlefield, yellow sand filled the sky, and the shouts of battle were deafening. Zhang Peng, leading troops for the first time, was fearless. Holding a long spear, he charged ahead, inspiring his soldiers' morale. However, the enemy was cunning and had set up numerous ambushes, plunging the Qing army into a bitter struggle.

One day, while patrolling the camp, Zhang Peng noticed a suspicious soldier. Sensing something amiss, he secretly sent men to keep an eye on him. Sure enough, late at night, the soldier sneaked out of the camp to contact the enemy. Zhang Peng immediately led his men to capture him. After interrogation, they learned that the enemy planned a general offensive the next day and had even poisoned the Qing army's water supply.

Zhang Peng was greatly alarmed. He knew that if the water problem was not resolved in time, the Qing army would be defeated without a fight. He urgently summoned his generals to discuss countermeasures and finally decided to launch a surprise attack on the enemy's water source under the cover of night to regain control of the water source.

Late at night, Zhang Peng led an elite force, stealthily approaching the enemy's water source. Under the moonlight, the enemy camp was heavily guarded, with patrolling soldiers moving back and forth. Zhang Peng and his men cautiously approached, waiting for the opportune moment to launch a sudden attack. In an instant, swords flashed and shouts of battle pierced the silent night.

After a fierce battle, the Qing army successfully recaptured the water source and disrupted the enemy's offensive plan. However, during the retreat, Zhang Peng, while covering his soldiers, was unfortunately shot by an enemy arrow and fell from his horse.

The soldiers risked their lives to rescue him and bring him back to camp, where the medic provided emergency treatment. While unconscious, Zhang Peng kept seeing Xia Lijuan's face in his mind. He clung to life, with only one thought in his mind: he must return alive to Xia Lijuan's side.

Meanwhile, far away in the capital, in the Prince's mansion, Xia Lijuan was restless. Gazing at the night sky outside her window, a sense of unease settled in her heart. She was unaware that Zhang Peng was undergoing a life-or-death ordeal at the border, and how their fates would be altered in this brutal war.