Chapter 106: First Victory Over the Qiang Cavalry

(Page 1 of 3)

Taking advantage of the brief opening before the Qiang cavalrymen could thrust again, Qi Jun quickly reached out as he fell, seized one rider’s spear, and yanked it backward. Caught off guard, the Qiang soldier was dragged from his horse.

The remaining Qiang riders exchanged several words in a language Qi Jun could not understand, then once again closed in from both sides.

Unlike before, the rider on his left raised his spear several inches higher, aiming at Qi Jun’s neck and chest, while the rider on his right lowered his weapon, targeting his abdomen and legs.

“These Qiang bandits are harder to deal with than I expected!” Qi Jun recognized their intent and cursed inwardly.

The sabers carried by the county soldiers under his command were useful only at close range, where there was a chance of striking their enemies. The only weapons he could use now were his bow and crossbow, but reloading while on horseback was no easy task.

One of the Qiang riders shouted an order, and all the spears thrust toward him once more.

Qi Jun’s heart jolted. He hurriedly bent low and rolled to the horse’s left side, avoiding the spearhead aimed at his neck, while swinging his saber downward to knock aside the attack directed at his abdomen.

The Qiang riders grew furious after failing to hit him twice. Two of them split away from Qi Jun’s flanks, galloping around to meet him head-on. Then, adjusting their positions atop their horses, they turned their spearheads backward and aimed them at Qi Jun.

As soon as they reined in their horses together, they would be able to attack him from three directions.

Qi Jun had already guessed their new plan the moment the two riders broke away from his sides.

Before the Qiang cavalrymen could prepare their attack, Qi Jun unexpectedly brought his horse to a sudden halt, then swiftly wheeled around and galloped back toward the city gate.

The Qiang riders had never imagined that he would turn and flee. They hastily reined in their horses, somewhat flustered as they turned around and extended their spears to pursue him.

Taking advantage of the brief opening, Qi Jun removed his crossbow and nervously loaded it. Behind him, the Qiang riders cursed as they closed in again, their sharp spearheads leveled at his back.

Perhaps eager to claim the kill, one of the Qiang soldiers lashed his horse repeatedly and surged forward. With his spear about to pierce Qi Jun, a contemptuous smile appeared on the rider’s face.

Qi Jun turned his head slightly and caught the threat behind him from the corner of his eye. He immediately leaned to the right, narrowly avoiding the spearhead, while at the same time raising his crossbow toward the Qiang soldier.

The attack missed. But when the soldier saw the crossbow pointed at him, his pupils suddenly contracted.

Whoosh!

With the sharp sound of the bolt tearing through the air, the Qiang soldier’s head jerked violently. His body tilted, and he fell from his horse.

Seeing yet another comrade killed, the Qiang riders behind him let out anguished roars. They whipped their horses forward, closing the distance and thrusting their spears at Qi Jun.

But before their weapons could reach him, arrows rained down from the city wall. Enraged, the Qiang riders had pursued Qi Jun with all their strength and forgotten that they had already entered the range of the county soldiers’ bows.

(Page 1 of 3)

(Page 2 of 3)

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh…

A storm of arrows swept over them. Several of the Qiang soldiers at the front were instantly shot from their horses.

Only then did the remaining riders realize the danger posed by the city wall. They abandoned their companions and turned to flee.

The county soldiers had no intention of letting them escape. They loosed another volley at the backs of the fleeing riders. Of the dozen or more Qiang cavalrymen, only three ultimately managed to get beyond bowshot.

The county soldiers atop the wall and the scattered refugees erupted in victorious cheers. The refugees rushed toward the Qiang soldiers lying on the ground, trampling and kicking their corpses to vent the hatred in their hearts.

The county soldiers opened the city gate again and let Qi Jun inside. They stood in two lines on either side, watching him with eyes filled with reverence. The refugees who had entered the city earlier knelt in a vast throng, weeping as they thanked Qi Jun for saving their lives by allowing them inside.

After witnessing the Qiang soldiers slaughter civilians with abandon, not a single county soldier was free of hatred or anger. Though they feared the Qiang, fear could not suppress the hatred burning in their hearts.

“Brother Jun! Are you all right? My heart nearly stopped!” Deng Fang hurried over, helped Qi Jun down from his horse, and looked him up and down.

Earlier, when Qi Jun had decided to ride out and confront the Qiang cavalry, Deng Fang had tried to stop him.

One man taking on more than a dozen Qiang riders—Deng Fang thought that the sight of the Qiang slaughtering refugees had driven Qi Jun into a rage, and he feared that Qi Jun would recklessly ride out to die.

From atop the wall, Deng Fang had watched Qi Jun challenge the Qiang riders alone. He had wanted to mount a horse and ride out to help, but the refugees were packed tightly across the gate. Without Qi Jun’s order, the county soldiers did not dare open it again. No matter how frantic he became, Deng Fang could do nothing but shout encouragement and pray for him from the wall.

“Brother Jun, if anything like this happens again, I forbid you from charging out alone! You have to take me with you. If we’re going to die, then we’ll die together! We’re brothers!” Deng Fang gripped Qi Jun’s shoulders tightly, tears glimmering in the corners of his eyes.

Qi Jun knew that he had indeed acted somewhat recklessly this time. Fortunately, although the battle had been perilous, he had suffered no more than a few scratches. His clothes, however, had been slashed in several places by the sharp spearheads.

Seeing the burly Deng Fang—who stood a head taller than him—with reddened eyes from worry, Qi Jun was deeply moved. To have a brother so utterly sincere, someone willing to face danger alongside him, made Qi Jun feel that even if he had died just then, it would have been worth it.

The people and city he had risked his life to protect had not broken his heart.

“What are you crying for? I’m perfectly fine, aren’t I? All right, big brother was wrong. Next time I’m going to throw my life away, I’ll be sure to bring you along!” Qi Jun patted Deng Fang’s sturdy arm reassuringly.

“I got a bug in my eye… Tch, who said I wanted to die with you? I haven’t even taken a wife yet…” Deng Fang rubbed his eyes, pretending not to care as he tilted his head toward the sky.

“All right. You and these county soldiers keep watch here. The city can’t hold any more refugees from outside. Send them to Panlong Ridge and East Ridge Village to hide for now. The Qiang came this time for Peaceful Qiang City, so the regions east of the county seat should be relatively safe.” Qi Jun considered the matter as he gave his instructions, then smiled and thumped Deng Fang lightly in the chest.

“Then… what about that red gate you mentioned?” Deng Fang nodded, but when he thought of the Qiang soldiers dead outside the city, he could not help wondering whether Qi Jun’s plan could still be carried out.

“The Qiang riders who escaped will tell their leaders about the resistance they encountered today. The Red Gate Feast is no longer going to be a feast.” Qi Jun shook his head helplessly. They could only make every effort to prepare for the defense of the city and face the Qiang army.

“I understand, Brother Jun. Leave things here to me. You just go prepare that kill plan of yours. It’s a great name—may it leave every Qiang soldier dead! That’s what it means, right?” Deng Fang shook his fist and said bitterly.

(Page 2 of 3)

(Page 3 of 3)

Qi Jun was briefly stunned. Speechless, he rubbed his forehead and nodded. After giving Deng Fang a few more instructions, he turned, mounted his horse, and rode toward the county garrison.

On the street, he happened to encounter Li Hua leading several commandery soldiers on swift horses toward the North Gate, all of them looking hurried and anxious. Qi Jun quickly rode over, cupped his hands, and asked, “Captain Li, what are you…”

“County Lieutenant Qi, Magistrate Feng has told me everything. I’m counting on you to hold the city for several days. I’m riding back to the commandery seat at once to report the enemy situation to the Commandery Lieutenant!” Li Hua halted his horse and spoke to Qi Jun.

“And what of Song Xi? Didn’t you come here to arrest him?” Qi Jun had not seen Song Xi being escorted among the commandery soldiers. Remembering the brutal beating Song Xi had given him and the exploitation he had inflicted on the people, Qi Jun wished he could tear the corrupt official’s skin from his body.

He could deal with bandits and men such as Meng Wanhé himself, but no matter what, he could not act against Song Xi without authorization.

Though Song Xi had treated human lives as worthless and his crimes were monstrous, he was nevertheless an actual imperial official. Only the imperial court had the authority to decide his fate and judge his crimes.

Before the court issued an arrest warrant, even if his crimes were known to everyone and the evidence was conclusive, anyone who killed or tortured him without permission would themselves be sentenced and punished by the court.

Qi Jun could only force himself to wait for the court’s ruling. Fortunately, the Great Liang court’s handling of the matter did not disappoint him.

“The fighting broke out unexpectedly. Song Xi will remain under temporary detention here. We can deal with him after the Qiang invasion has passed.” After speaking, Li Hua clasped his hands toward Qi Jun, then led the commandery soldiers onward.

Earlier, after Feng Qinian accepted the bribe money, he had immediately told Li Hua that He Wenxing had colluded with the Qiang, asking him to send word to the Commandery Lieutenant and request reinforcements.

Li Hua had been shocked. He no longer had the time to deal with Song Xi. Fearing that the Qiang might surround him and prevent his return to the commandery seat, he had not dared delay for even a moment and had immediately spurred his horse back at full speed.

Watching Li Hua and the others hurry away, Qi Jun felt a sense of relief. If the commandery seat received the message and sent reinforcements, he was confident that he could hold the city and meet the enemy.

(Page 3 of 3)