Chapter 439
The surging floodwaters charged into the city like a horde of fierce beasts, rushing in all directions, with waves crashing loudly, deafening.
“Floodwaters!” shouted the Liang soldier. He turned to run but was knocked down by the flood after only two steps, and soon he was swallowed by it.
The Jin Army standing on the mountain saw the lights in Longyang City gradually go out. They knew the flood had arrived. Soon, the previously brightly lit Longyang City was engulfed in darkness.
Fu Ruoxi gripped the sword at her waist tightly, unable to suppress her cheer. “I think I can already hear the screams of the Liang Army. How delightful!”
The flood was like a fierce beast. Even good swimmers could have a hard time surviving in such rapid and turbulent waters, not to mention the many rocks and wooden debris in the flood. The situation in the water was extremely complex, compounded by the furniture and floating wood washed out from the city.
Bai Qingyan did not expect Xun Tianzhang to strike so ruthlessly. Back then, when Xun Tianzhang ordered the canal to be dug, he probably had a heavy heart, thinking that the two-zhang high walls of Longyang City would trap most of the Jin Army, so the dam had to be opened wide.
Now, he was reaping what he had sown.
After daybreak, the torrential rain had not ceased. The flood at the foot of the mountain where Bai Qingyan and others were stationed brought numerous corpses of Liang soldiers.
Longyang City had become a vast expanse of water.
Seeing this, General Fu said to Bai Qingyan, “General Bai, I think it’s already flooded to this extent. We might as well retreat! The rain hasn’t stopped, and the flood will continue to rise. We need to leave here as soon as possible to avoid any unforeseen accidents.”
Bai Qingyan nodded. Given the current situation, there was no need to hit a man when he’s down.
“Retreat!” Bai Qingyan ordered.
Tianlan Mountain.
As they approached Tianlan Mountain, the rainfall wasn’t as intense as in Longyang City. The Jin Army camped at the broad terrain of Tianlan Mountain, where they joined forces with reinforcements from Dadu.
Liu Hong stood at the entrance of the command tent, watching the drizzling rain outside, repeatedly pondering Bai Qingyan’s words.
If they spared the Liang Army this time and didn’t set up an ambush between Longyang City and Puwen City, allowing the Liang Army to retreat to Puwen City and combine forces, their siege would become significantly more challenging. Engaging in a protracted battle with the Liang Army would be disadvantageous for the Jin Kingdom, which had already exhausted much of its military strength in the southern border.
After much contemplation, Liu Hong suddenly clenched his fists behind his back and shouted, “Summon General Lin Kangle!”
Soon, Lin Kangle entered the command tent.
Liu Hong relayed Bai Qingyan’s thoughts to Lin Kangle. After hearing this, Lin Kangle was silent for a moment. “I believe General Bai’s concerns are very accurate! During the southern border war, General Bai’s words were always prophetic. I trust General Bai! If the commander permits, I am willing to personally lead troops to ambush at the Longmu River near Longyang City on the way to Puwen City.”
With even Lin Kangle saying this, Liu Hong had no further doubts. “I command you to lead twenty thousand troops and set up an ambush. If enemy Commander Xun Tianzhang is still alive, make sure to capture him alive!”
“Rest assured, Commander!” Lin Kangle responded.
After daybreak, Bai Qingyan and Fu Ruoxi returned to the camp.
Upon hearing that the commander had ordered General Lin Kangle to lead twenty thousand soldiers to ambush on the route from Longyang City to Puwen City, Bai Qingyan decided not to disturb him and took a rest.
As long as Liu Hong was determined to annihilate the defeated Liang Army on the way from Longyang City to Puwen City, Puwen City and Chunmu City would be easily reclaimed next. The war would be over soon. She could then take her little sister and Shen Qingzhu home.
She returned to the tent to check on Bai Jinzhi and Shen Qingzhu. Neither of them had woken up yet.
Upon seeing Bai Qingyan enter the tent, Ji Langhua, who had just finished changing Shen Qingzhu’s medicine, got up in surprise. Noticing Bai Qingyan drenched, she hurriedly said, “Eldest Young Lady! I’ll get you a clean set of clothes. Have you gotten injured? Do you need me to take a look?”
“It’s nothing!” Bai Qingyan reassured. After checking on Shen Qingzhu and Bai Jinzhi, she went behind the screen to remove her armor and wet clothes and boots. Her feet were swollen and pale from being soaked. Her legs were rubbed raw by the saddle, causing her to bleed, with her white undergarments sticking to her flesh, making it difficult to separate them. freewebnøvel.com
Ji Langhua heated a small knife over the fire and used it to carefully separate the clothes from the flesh. The wounds on Bai Qingyan’s leg were ghastly, making Ji Langhua reluctant to look directly at them. Suppressing her tears, she applied medicine to Bai Qingyan’s injuries and bandaged them with fine cotton cloth.
From the outside, Bai Qingyan appeared to be in high spirits and invincible. But no one knew that her body was covered with scars, old and new, interwoven, creating a horrifying sight.
After helping Bai Qingyan change into clean clothes, Ji Langhua, with reddened eyes, said, “I will apply some medicine to your hands later.”
“No need, you’ve worked hard taking care of Jinzhi and Qingzhu! Go get some rest!” Bai Qingyan said as she buttoned her clothes.
Ji Langhua shook her head. “Eldest Young Lady should get some rest. I am here to monitor the conditions of Fourth Young Lady and Miss Shen.”
Bai Qingyan did not insist. After changing into dry clothes, she felt much more comfortable. She had some hot soup and porridge. Hearing Bai Jinzhi mutter “Eldest Young Lady” in her sleep, she felt a pain in her heart and went to the bedside to sit down. She held Bai Jinzhi’s hand and whispered, “Eldest Young Lady is here!”
Hearing Bai Qingyan’s voice, Bai Jinzhi’s tense body slowly relaxed, but she still held Bai Qingyan’s hand tightly.
Bai Qingyan touched Bai Jinzhi’s forehead. She was slightly feverish but not serious, probably from being frightened.
On the way here, Bai Qingyan had sworn countless times in her heart. Once she found this reckless girl, Bai Jinzhi, she would grab her arm and give her a good slap for her boldness. But seeing Bai Jinzhi now, all she felt was a heartache.
She looked down at Bai Jinzhi’s face scratched by branches and her hands wrapped in fine cotton cloth. She gently stroked them, feeling a deep sense of fear.
If she had been just a few moments late… the consequences would have been unthinkable.
Fortunately, she arrived in time…
She would never again entrust her family members’ safety to anyone else. Never.
“Fourth Young Lady is just startled and has a slight fever. She will be fine. Miss Shen’s condition has stabilized, and both of them are asleep because they are exhausted. A good sleep for a day or two, and they’ll be fine!” Ji Langhua reassured Bai Qingyan, her eyes fixed on Shen Qingzhu’s face. “However, Miss Shen’s condition would benefit from returning home to recuperate. If this war continues, it would be best not to let Miss Shen overexert herself.”
Bai Qingyan nodded, her voice calm but very certain. “This war won’t drag on much longer. It will end soon.”
Like a prophecy, Bai Qingyan’s words soon came true. In the battle of the flood in Longyang City, Xun Tianzhang’s son died in the flood. Zhao Sheng, who fled with the remnants to Puwen City, was captured alive while covering Xun Tianzhang’s escape.
Afterward, the Jin Army took Puwen City and then Chunmu City. When news reached the imperial capital of the Liang Kingdom, King Liang was shocked. The Liangting court debated between continuing the war or making peace.
The Emperor of the Jin Kingdom sent Liu Rushi as a special envoy to the Liang Kingdom, presenting a peace treaty first.