Chapter Twenty-Six: A Turn for the Better

Li Guang stood atop the city wall, his face darkening as he watched the arrogant, swaggering posture of the Left Wise King. Especially after realizing the Left Wise King’s sinister intentions, Li Guang understood that this opponent was truly not easy to deal with.

Sunlight rose from behind the mountains and forest, dazzling but not harsh, casting its brilliance over the ramparts of Qiansang City.

After the Left Wise King shouted his defiant challenge and saw that Li Guang did not respond, he snorted coldly and said no more. By now, the Left Wise King had no need for further words; he merely awaited the passing of the allotted time—no more than the burning of an incense stick.

At this moment, a tacit silence descended over both sides. In front of the city, Xiongnu warhorses occasionally snorted, breaking the stillness.

Under different circumstances, the infantry concealed deep within the woods could have charged out now and loosed a volley at the Xiongnu rear, inflicting significant casualties. Yet, the Left Wise King had placed Han prisoners at the front of his formation, and even if the soldiers in the woods wished to act, Li Guang would not give the signal.

The battlefield was deadlocked.

Nearly a hundred Han prisoners, already on the verge of death, now lowered their heads one by one. They desired to live, but knew that, at this point, the chance of survival was almost nonexistent.

Qin Cheng glanced at Li Guang and could plainly see the struggle in his heart. With a silent sigh, Qin Cheng realized that these Han captives were unlikely to escape their grim fate. What was even more disheartening was that, even with their deaths, the defenders of Qiansang City lacked the strength to avenge them.

Li Guang initially wanted to seek advice from Qin Cheng, but upon seeing the latter’s pensive expression, he understood that, given the current situation, there was little hope of finding a solution.

“The time is up,” the Left Wise King reined in his horse, pacing back and forth before the Xiongnu ranks, his voice cold. “Li Guang, since you care nothing for your subordinates’ lives, do not blame me for being merciless!”

With that, he waved his hand and uttered a chilling command: “Kill!”

The Xiongnu soldiers guarding the Han captives raised their long blades without hesitation, ready in an instant to sever the heads of these Han warriors.

“Wait!” A sudden shout thundered from atop the city walls.

Li Guang looked toward Qin Cheng, surprise and delight mingling in his eyes. He knew that if Qin Cheng had spoken up, he must have conceived a countermeasure—although Li Guang himself could not imagine what plan might succeed now.

Li Guang’s face was alight with hope, but when he looked at Qin Cheng, he saw the same expression mirrored there.

“Qin Lang, have you found a way?” Li Guang asked urgently.

“General, listen.”

Li Guang, unsure what Qin Cheng meant, quieted himself and strained his ears, but heard nothing.

“There’s nothing unusual,” Li Guang said.

Qin Cheng, seeing Li Guang’s confusion, said no more, but signaled toward the northeast of Qiansang City. Li Guang followed his gaze, watching carefully. At last, he detected a faint anomaly—and instantly grew excited.

“Good! Then our Han soldiers may yet be saved!” Li Guang exclaimed with joy.

The soldiers nearby also noticed the subtle shift, and smiles broke out on their faces.

“Li Guang, do you have something to say? Or are you merely toying with me?” The Left Wise King had halted the execution upon Qin Cheng’s shout, aware that killing the prisoners outright would not force Li Guang to open the gates, and that failing to enter the city would render his efforts futile. So, he forced himself to wait for Li Guang’s answer.

But after watching for a long while, he saw only Li Guang whispering with his subordinates, which made the Left Wise King furious, and he could not help but bark out a rebuke.

“Left Wise King, I have a proposal,” Li Guang said slowly, striving to keep his tone even and reveal nothing of his true intentions. “Would you care to hear it?”

While Li Guang held the Left Wise King’s attention, he covertly ordered Ji Zhu to lead Li Hu and others down from the wall to muster the cavalry.

Qin Cheng followed Ji Zhu down as well.

“Qin Lang, come back and help me parley with the Left Wise King. There’s no need for you to ride out and fight,” Li Guang called as he saw Qin Cheng heading downstairs.

But Qin Cheng clasped his fists in salute. “General, I long for battle. I wish to stand and fight alongside the cavalry, to slay the Xiongnu! As for outwitting the Left Wise King, you alone are more than sufficient. There is no need for me to speak further. I ask your permission.”

Qin Cheng understood Li Guang’s character well, and his words were subtly calculated to appeal to it.

Sure enough, Li Guang pondered a moment, then waved his hand. “Very well. If that is your wish, go and ride out with Ji Zhu and the others.”

“Yes, sir!” Qin Cheng saluted, then turned and descended the wall.

“Qin Cheng!” Li Guang suddenly called out.

“Do you have further orders, General?” Qin Cheng turned back.

“I will await your triumphant return. When that time comes, let us drink and rejoice together!” Li Guang said solemnly.

“It is my honor to obey!” Qin Cheng replied with a faint smile, then strode away, resolute, down the stairs.

“Li Guang, unless you open the gate, there’s no point in saying more!” The Left Wise King watched the Han officers depart from the ramparts, delight swelling in his chest. He knew Li Guang could not resist riding out to rescue the prisoners, and he saw through the delaying tactics—but he played along, his voice cold.

“It is impossible to open the gates!” Li Guang declared firmly. “But I am willing to trade something for the lives of my soldiers. What say you?”

The Left Wise King sneered but did not expose Li Guang’s lie. “Oh? What would you offer?”

“Grain, livestock, iron tools—does that please you?” Knowing the Left Wise King would never get what he asked, Li Guang simply made empty promises.

The Left Wise King burst out laughing, exchanging false pleasantries as he prepared his cavalry to counter any Han sortie. “Li Guang, do you take me for a child? If you gave me such supplies, would the emperor of Han ever spare your life?”

“Hmph!” Li Guang snorted. “I have been a soldier all my life—do you think I fear death? Just say yes or no; why waste words?”

The Left Wise King was about to answer when he suddenly noticed something amiss. He listened intently, and a rumble rose from beneath his feet. At the sound, his expression changed dramatically, and he wheeled his horse toward the relay road at the rear right of the formation.

The road was not long; a bend lay not far off, limiting his view. Yet, though nothing could be seen, his lifelong familiarity with the sound of hooves told him that a large body of cavalry was charging around that distant bend.

Indeed, the thunder from the ground was the sound of cavalry approaching!

“Li Guang!” Only now did the Left Wise King realize he had been tricked. He pointed his whip at the city wall, ready to curse Li Guang, but saw the general standing on the rampart, bow in hand, arrow nocked, aiming straight at him!

The Left Wise King knew well Li Guang’s skill with the bow. Though he was presently just beyond range, Li Guang could easily shoot this distance. The Left Wise King had only ridden so close to the city for the sake of provocation, but now, looking into the cold gleam of Li Guang’s iron arrow, he bitterly regretted his recklessness.

Was this not a case of trying to steal a chicken and losing the rice instead?

Now, the only thought in the Left Wise King’s mind was to order the slaughter of the Han prisoners at once!

At that instant, the gates of Qiansang City burst open with a thunderous roar, and a black tide of Han soldiers surged forth!