Chapter 84: Entering The City
In the afternoon, sunlight shone on the moat, its icy surface reflecting brilliantly.
Choosing the South Gate was a decision Xiao Yi had made long ago.
The North Gate faced the battlefield directly, so the Imperial Court would surely be vigilant and heavily fortified. The South Gate was far from the battlefield, and more importantly, the commander guarding the South Gate was someone he happened to know, someone who had even invited him for tea on the City Tower.
He had left from the North Gate last time and had never been here before. Looking around, the moat was twenty meters wide, with a barbican extending from the opposite bank. The iron-clad city gate was tightly shut. The three large characters “Xunfeng Gate” looked quite new, but people generally referred to it as “Weishi Gate” out of habit from the Tang dynasty.
The city wall was about eight meters high. Guards stood with bows between the battlements, appearing to be in strict defense.
Xiao Yi raised his hand, and the contingent behind him immediately halted.
“Dismount and rest for a while.”
“Hu Deng, you don’t need to go in. Take two men to wait outside the city for backup. Act according to my signal. If things go awry, immediately seek reinforcements.”
“Understood.”
“Hua Nong, see if Sun Zhong is still guarding the South City.”
“Yes.”
“Your eyesight is bad, how can you tell so quickly?”
“I don’t need to look to recognize the large banner of the third command of the Imperial Guard’s Left Wing Infantry. The small banner of the fourth regiment is on the city tower; those are Sun Zhong’s confidantes, guarding the most comfortable position.”
“Tell everyone about Sun Zhong.”
“Yes, he has the fierce look of a butcher. In his early years, he worked as a guard for powerful families, later earning the nickname ‘Shankong Tu’ (Soft-Legged Butcher). When he couldn’t make it, he was conscripted. At that time, my father was a Captain and thought he was a fierce general, so he kept him by his side. He knew how to please people, feeding horses, fetching water, warming his bed. During the years the Khitan occupied the Central Plains, he even learned some Khitan language and was promoted to Captain. When the current dynasty was founded, he earned military merit, and through constant maneuvering, he became a Commander…”
Xiao Yi said, “This man is not difficult to subdue, but we need to prepare for both eventualities. Let’s discuss the defenses of the South City.”
Hua Nong picked up a branch and drew on the ground.
“The third command of the Imperial Guard officially has five hundred soldiers, but in reality, fewer than three hundred and fifty. The Commander resides on the City Tower, overseeing all defenses, assisted by the Deputy Commander and the Left and Right Commanders on rotation. The barbican guardhouse is inside the city gate, with four men to inspect documents and register incoming and outgoing supplies. There are four arrow towers, each with four men. There are eight men on each side of the city gate. There are two winch rooms for the drawbridge, each with six men. The city wall’s horse path is guarded by six teams, each with twelve men. Six men are stationed in the underground storage caves below the inner city wall to guard arrows and grain and fodder. There are also eight messengers to shuttle between the Sub-City camp. Guard duty changes at Chenshi (7-9 AM) and Weishi (1-3 PM). There are three keys to the city gate, which by law are kept by the Commander, the City Tower, and the Sub-City camp. Two keys are required to open the gate, but the keys are always kept together.”
Liu Tingrang calculated and said, “More than a hundred and twenty men per shift.”
Xiao Yi asked, “How is their combat strength?”
Hua Nong glanced at Zhang Mantun a few steps away and lowered his voice, saying, “The Imperial Guard was originally elite, but since Shi Hongzhao took office as Assisting the State, he has been strict in oppressing the people but lenient in managing the army. The soldiers’ exploitation of civilian wealth has become even more rampant, with widespread indulgence in drinking, gambling, and women. The discipline has deteriorated, and they even sell military grain.”
Cui Yanjin sneered, “Once we get into the city, it won’t be difficult to eliminate them all.”
“No need,” Hua Nong said. “I know almost all of these men. It won’t be difficult to persuade them to surrender. With the great victory of the royal army, Sun Zhong will be the first to surrender.”
“He informed on you and had people pursue you, don’t you hate him?”
“The bigger picture is more important,” Hua Nong said. “There are the second and fourth commands of the Imperial Guard on the eastern and western sections of the city wall; we shouldn’t alert them.”
“Well done,” Li Chongjin said. “I just fear they won’t let us into the city.”
Xiao Yi looked up at the city from afar and said, “No additional personnel have been deployed today. This indicates that the outcome of yesterday evening’s battle has not yet reached Sun Zhong’s level. Otherwise, Kaifeng would not be so peaceful.”
After they had finished discussing and reaching an agreement, he began to assign tasks.
“Once we enter the city, Hua Nong and I will go to the City Tower to persuade Sun Zhong to surrender. Guo Xin, you will lead the group to guard the city gate. Listen for my signal and, depending on the situation, seize the city gate.”
“Understood.”
“Once we make a move, Lü You, Wei Liang, you will take the city gate.”
“Understood!”
“Fan Si, you will lead men to take the arrow towers at that time.”
“Understood…”
Preparations were complete.
Zhang Mantun spurred his horse forward, preparing to call out at the gate.
“Whoosh.”
An arrow landed in front of his horse.
“Brothers on the city wall, listen!” Zhang Mantun shouted in a loud voice. “We are from the Imperial Guard, returning from Chigang, and have an important matter to discuss with the Imperial Uncle.”
A moment later, a soldier poked his head out and shouted, “Do you have any documents or credentials? Where is your waist token?”
Xiao Yi calmly handed his waist token to Fan Si, who tied it to an arrow. Fan Si then spurred his horse forward and shot it into the city wall.
He thought to himself, if Sun Zhong realized the situation was unfavorable and refused to let these “Imperial Guards” into the city, it would mean he intended to surrender to Guo Wei, which would be even easier to handle.
Unfortunately, after about a quarter of an hour, the city gate opened just enough for a single rider to pass, and the drawbridge slowly lowered.
“Enter the city.”
Xiao Yi urged his white horse forward, stepping onto the drawbridge first, while Hua Nong wrapped a cloth around his face.
The gate passage was cold and dim, with a heavy smell of dust and mold, indicating the city gate had not been opened for a long time.
The guards looked expressionless, without the tension of impending battle; instead, they had a sense of bewildered uncertainty about the future, which formed a stark contrast with the spirit of their more than forty men.
“Bang!”
The city gate closed, abatis were deployed, and the sound of the drawbridge being put back in place could be heard.
In the barbican, Sun Zhong was waiting. His official lamellar armor as an Imperial Guard Commander was new, which only highlighted his unease; the pride he had felt upon his recent promotion was gone from his eyes.
“Commander Sun, we meet again.”
Xiao Yi’s voice was steady, polite yet with a fitting hint of reserve. Although a Deputy Commander held a lower rank, the Control Crane Guard was considered more distinguished.
Sun Zhong narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at him, a friendly smile appearing on his butcher-like face.
“It really is Commander Xiao. It’s been many days since we last met at the Imperial Guard Headquarters. Hmm, are these soldiers behind you from the garrisons?”
“Brought back some useless soldiers from the Taining Army,” Xiao Yi said. “May I trouble Brother Sun for a cup of hot water?”
Sun Zhong was flattered and said with a smile, “I couldn’t be happier. As long as Brother Xiao isn’t in a hurry to see the Imperial Uncle.”
“We’ve been frozen all the way here. How can errands be more important than warming ourselves… than our brotherhood?”
“Hahaha, please! Bring some hot soup for the brothers of the Control Crane Guard, oh, and the Taining Army too.”
Xiao Yi gave Guo Xin and the others a barely perceptible glance, instructing them to take up advantageous positions, while only letting the masked Hua Nong, carrying a wooden box, follow behind.
He walked alongside Sun Zhong towards the city tower.
“Alas,” Sun Zhong suddenly sighed, “Seeing how calm Brother Xiao looks, what is the situation outside the city?”
“Brother Sun doesn’t know yet?”
“I only know that the Imperial Court and the Northern Army are facing each other at Liu Zibei, but it’s difficult to get specific details.”
“It seems Marshal Hou is worried about stirring up unrest and hasn’t sent back the news.”
“What news?!”
“The battle at Liu Zibei was a great defeat. Murong Yanchao is dead, and the five thousand Shatuo cavalry have scattered.”
“This, this, this…”
Sun Zhong’s lips trembled, and he couldn’t speak.
Xiao Yi judged that this man would surely surrender, and his heart was set.
Just then, the sound of horses’ hooves suddenly came from the long street. The hooves thudded on the firm, frozen earth, becoming denser and more resonant, likely from over a hundred horses.
Xiao Yi calmly turned his head and gestured to his subordinates, signaling them not to act rashly.
The sound of hooves grew closer, half of them riderless horses, about forty men in total.
The leader was dressed in a brocade robe, with beautiful lamellar armor over it.
“Who is that?”
“A favorite of the Emperor, the Flying Dragon Envoy, who manages the imperial horses. His name is Hou Kuangzan, and he’s at odds with General Nie.”
Sun Zhong seemed to have no mood to maintain his usual deference to high officials today. He whispered, “A son of a whore. After he got rich, many people claimed to be his father. He’s an entertainer, with a good voice. The Emperor likes to use pretty faces. They suffered a major defeat… Oh, Brother, I don’t mean you, truly I don’t. Brother Xiao has real abilities.”
Xiao Yi waved his hand, saying, “It’s alright, I am different from him.”
Sun Zhong rubbed his butcher-like face, forced a smile, and stepped forward two paces.
“Whoa!”
Hou Kuangzan reined in his horse.
He was indeed handsome, with a light dusting of powder on his face. He glanced at Sun Zhong and ordered, “I am here under orders to recruit soldiers outside the city. Open the city gate.”
“Understood!”
Sun Zhong quickly handed over two keys and ordered his men to open the city gate, but they were snatched away by Hou Kuangzan’s men.
The next moment, Hou Kuangzan’s gaze fell upon Xiao Yi’s face, and his brow furrowed slightly.
“Who is this?”
“Replying to the Envoy,” Sun Zhong said. “This is Xiao Yi, Deputy Commander of the third regiment of the Left Wing of the Control Crane Guard.”
“The Control Crane Guard is always under my nose, how could I not know him?!”
Xiao Yi said, “I was personally appointed by the Imperial Uncle half a month ago. The Commander is Cao Dang.”
A soldier behind Hou Kuangzan stepped forward and whispered something in his ear. Only then did he nod, looking deeply at Xiao Yi with eyes full of suspicion and scrutiny.
“What did the Imperial Uncle order you to do?”
Xiao Yi pondered for a moment and said concisely, “Deliver a letter.”
“To whom?”
“To the Imperial Uncle’s elder brother.”
Hou Kuangzan exclaimed, “You went to Shaan Prefecture?!”
Xiao Yi remained silent, considering whether he meant “Chan Prefecture” or “Shaan Prefecture.”
“I’m asking you! Do you think you can put on airs in front of me, a mere youngster still wet behind the ears?!”
“It’s not about putting on airs,” Xiao Yi said, having already decided on his response. “It’s just that this matter is confidential and not suitable for discussion in public.”
“Envoy,” Sun Zhong quickly smoothed things over. “Commander Xiao has just returned from outside the city, frozen all the way. I was just inviting him to the City Tower for a bowl of hot soup and to inquire about some matters.”
“Perfect, I’ll listen in as well.”
Hou Kuangzan cracked his whip, urging his horse onto the horse path of the city wall. He dismounted and entered the City Tower first, sitting directly in the main seat.
Xiao Yi and Sun Zhong followed him inside.
He noticed that Hou Kuangzan had brought eight men onto the tower: four guarded the entrance to the City Tower, two flanked him, and two stood behind Xiao Yi and Hua Nong.
“Speak,” Hou Kuangzan said with arrogance. “What tricks are you playing?”
Sun Zhong said, “Your subordinate was merely inquiring about the battle outside the city…”
“Not asking you,” Hou Kuangzan turned to Xiao Yi and said, “Speak! What task did Li Ye assign you? What did he tell Li Hongxin? What did you and Cao Dang escort?”
Xiao Yi didn’t know why he cared about Li Hongxin of Shaan Prefecture; he was clearly looking for Li Hongwei of Chan Prefecture.
There was no time to think deeply. His gaze swept around, completing his assessment of the surroundings. He thought, if it came to a fight, he could draw Sun Zhong’s saber, leaving Sun Zhong unarmed.
Hou Kuangzan’s face was full of anger, but his eyes grew more excited. He pointed at Hua Nong and said, “Take off the mask and open the wooden box.”
Hua Nong became a little flustered. “Xiao Lang?”
“It’s alright, let them see.”
“Yes.”
Hua Nong removed the cloth mask from his face.
“You?!!” Sun Zhong was startled and exclaimed, “How could it be you? I thought you looked familiar!”
“Clink.”
The wooden box was opened.
Murong Yanchao’s head emerged, his face dark, eyes wide open, his expression ferocious, as if he were about to devour someone.
“Ah!”
Sun Zhong flinched, shivered, and instinctively took two steps back, his lips trembling, speaking incoherently.
“This, this, this… Murong… he, he… head… head, how is his head here?”
“Clang.”
In an instant, Xiao Yi sprang forward like a startled bird towards Hou Kuangzan, simultaneously drawing Sun Zhong’s saber from his waist.
It was so fast it was almost imperceptible.
The guard soldiers in the room were still staring blankly at the hair of Murong Yanchao’s head, and Xiao Yi had already reached Hou Kuangzan, swinging his saber.
“Swish.”
The saber light was as clear as a deep pool, swift as lightning.
An unavoidable blow.
But… it missed.
How was this possible?
Xiao Yi lowered his eyes and his gaze sharpened.
He saw that Hou Kuangzan had already fallen to his knees, trembling.
