Records of Mysterious Things in the Southern Dynasties

Chapter 423 A Day in Shouyang
With the cavalry charging into the city, the outcome of the battle was already decided.

Liang's soldiers firmly occupied the area around the South Gate, repelling the defenders' repeated but futile counterattacks.

At dusk, Chen Qingzhi led his main force into Shouyang, marking the complete defeat of the Wei army.

Soon, the Wei army was forced back to the area around the north gate by the Liang army.

The three generals guarding the city gate were all wounded and defeated. They stood on the city gate tower, dejectedly discussing countermeasures.

"What should we do?" Huli Zhi changed into a new robe, but his hair and beard were all singed, making him look comical and disheveled.

"I'm not the commander-in-chief, how would I know what to do?" Tuoba Lie said irritably, "It's all that murderous Li Xian's fault. If he hadn't let the wolf into the house, we wouldn't be in such a sorry state!"

"If he hadn't been trying to give his son some experience by sending one of us to guard Shuangcheng Village, things wouldn't have come to this." Murong Yan spat fiercely.

"Let's scold him later, what time is it now?" Huli Zhi stamped her feet in frustration. "Let's think about where to get reinforcements?"

"Where would reinforcements come from? The nearest friendly forces are two hundred miles away. Even if they receive an urgent report and send troops immediately, it will be three days later..." Tuoba Lie said dejectedly.
Do we look like we can hold out for three days?

“Suspended…” Huli Zhi said dejectedly.

"What's the suspense? There's absolutely no chance!" Murong Yan said honestly, "Our army has suffered a crushing defeat, while the enemy has the opportunity to make history. Their morale is sky-high. We won't even make it through tonight."

"Report!" At this moment, the Wolf Fang scouts brought even worse news. "Wei Fang has led an army of 50,000 and has approached to within 20 miles northeast of the city."

Now the three generals had no more hesitation; if they didn't run, they'd be surrounded and killed...

"Let's retreat." Tuoba Lie closed his eyes in anguish. Although he was not a member of the royal family, he still considered himself the master of the house, so he was naturally heartbroken.

"Alright!" The other two took off running, fearing they'd be left behind to cover their retreat...

When Tuoba Lie finished his lament and opened his eyes, he found himself all alone and couldn't help but curse, "Damn it, two ungrateful bastards."

Now he'll have to cover the rear, even if he doesn't immediately follow...

~~
As soon as the city gates opened, soldiers and civilians fled desperately, many of them not even bothering to take their food and valuables, just to escape this calamity.

In this era, there are no civilized teachers; tigers in the east mountains eat people, and wolves in the west mountains are no vegetarians either.

"Do not stop the army from leaving the city." Chen Qingzhi did not stop them from leaving the city, but only sent cavalry to pursue them after the Northern Dynasty army and civilians withdrew from Shouyang City.

Of course, Ren Yuan and the other white-robed soldiers don't need to do any of this... They have already made great contributions and should take a rest, leaving some credit for others.

"Commander Chen!" Ren Yuan, along with Hu Longya, A Yao, and his soldiers, greeted Chen Qingzhi on the city wall.

"Great!" Chen Qingzhi nodded with satisfaction, patted Ren Yuan's shoulder hard, and said happily, "I knew you could do it!"

"It was all thanks to Commander Chen's brilliant planning; we were merely following orders," Ren Yuan hurriedly said modestly.

"Haha, all the credit belongs to the soldiers! I, the commander, will certainly inform the Emperor and reward them handsomely!" Chen Qingzhi announced loudly. "Roar!" The soldiers cheered joyfully, celebrating their victory.

"Have you caught Li Xian and his son?" Chen Qingzhi asked again.

"They've all been captured." Ren Yuan nodded and ordered his men to bring the prisoners forward.

In fact, Li Xian had the opportunity to escape, but firstly, he could not bear the responsibility of losing Shouyang, and secondly, he was worried about his son, so he obediently became a prisoner of the Liang army.

"Heh." Unfortunately, Li Changjun didn't appreciate it. As soon as he saw his father, he said sarcastically, "Are you still laughing at me for losing Shuangcheng Village after all this time?"

"..." Li Xian wished he could slap him to death.

~~
The next day, Wei Fang also arrived at the city of Shouyang. When he led his army into the city, he saw the Liang banner fluttering in the wind on the city wall and the Liang soldiers lined up neatly under it. He couldn't help but pinch his thigh hard.

"Haha, what is the matter, Lord Marquis?" Chen Qingzhi personally went out of the city to greet him and asked with a smile upon seeing this.

"Let's see if we're dreaming." Wei Fang sighed, led his generals to dismount, and prostrated themselves, saying, "General Chen's swift capture of Shouyang is truly a stroke of genius; we are far beyond his reach!"

"Hey, everyone, please rise quickly." Chen Qingzhi hurriedly dismounted and helped Wei Fang up, showing no arrogance on his face. He said, "It's not about being a brilliant strategist; it's mainly that the time is ripe to capture Shouyang. We have the right timing, the right place, and the right people. How could we not win?"

"General Chen is too modest. Overcoming difficulties, defying public opinion, and dispatching troops at the first opportunity—that's the ability of a great general." Wei Fang was truly impressed and moved to tears.
"You have shown us kindness as if you were our second life!"

"Yes, it's like being given a second life!" The last sentence seemed abrupt, but the generals all said emotionally, "We will never forget your great kindness and virtue!"

They knew the state of the Northern Expeditionary Army they had led. Although the Emperor might not punish them severely due to their military lineage, he would certainly sideline them and never reuse them again.

Chen Qingzhi, however, led them to capture Shouyang in the blink of an eye... Although they only played a supporting role, and only a small number of elite troops followed Chen Qingzhi into Shouyang. But as sons of military families, as long as they win a battle, there will naturally be people to sing their praises, and in the end, when it comes to the emperor, they will definitely receive a lot of credit.

"Please don't be like this, everyone. It's not time for concluding remarks yet." Although Chen Qingzhi was good at dealing with powerful people, he was actually very disgusted with them, but he didn't show it at all. He said, "Although Shouyang has fallen, the battle has only just begun. The entire Yuzhou is still waiting for us to take over. You all must guard against arrogance and impetuosity and continue your efforts."

"Yes! We will remember Commander Chen's teachings." The generals' spirits lifted, and they were immediately full of energy, eager to take up their swords and mount their horses to reclaim all of Yuzhou!
In truth, everyone knew very well that once Shouyang fell, the defeat of the Wei army in Yuzhou was inevitable, and all that remained was to crush them... Commander Chen was simply handing them credit.

After receiving their respective tasks, they couldn't wait to lead their troops out to reap the rewards of victory.

Chen Qingzhi personally escorted them to the city gate, watching as the various armies disappeared into the dust and smoke.

At this moment, only his trusted confidants remained on the city wall. Seeing the resentful expressions on their faces, Chen Qingzhi asked with a smile, "What's wrong?"

"Commander Chen, why are they getting all the credit while we're left to guard Shouyang?" Yuchi Bei said indignantly. Unlike Ren Yuan and Hu Longya, he hadn't yet had a chance to shine in the Battle of Shouyang.

“Because the world revolves around them.” Before Chen Qingzhi could speak, Gongsun Luxian sneered, “We can only do what they can’t do or are unwilling to do.”

"Gongsun, don't put it so harshly." Chen Qingzhi couldn't help but smile wryly, but he didn't deny Gongsun Lu's point of view.

(End of this chapter)