The Golden Family, rising from the Western Regions

Chapter 260 Sister and Brother Reunited

At dawn, the snow on the Qilian Mountains had not yet lost its chill, and the Northern Frontier Camp slowly awoke like a beast that had been dormant all night.

Wisps of smoke rose from the chimneys, warhorses neighed and roared, and soldiers laughed and cursed throughout the camp, seemingly oblivious to the pressure of war and death.

For them, all they had to do was wait for the divine cannons to blast down the walls of Liangzhou, then they could rush into the city in their armor to loot and slaughter.

War seems to be that simple.

Meanwhile, the garrison on the walls of Liangzhou had long since become frightened.

Some young soldiers stayed up all night, huddled behind the city wall, their faces pale.

Even the most experienced veterans had their knuckles white as they gripped the battlements, their faces grave and panicked as they gazed at the overwhelming yellow and white battle flags outside the city.

Just then, the sound of rapid hoofbeats broke the deathly silence on the city wall.

A soldier from the northern frontier arrived at the city walls, his saber pointing directly at the top.

Dark red scabs seeped from his yellow cotton armor, gleaming with a menacing aura in the morning light.

"Listen up, you rats of Liangzhou!" His voice, carried on the morning breeze, was like a rusty knife scraping across the city wall.

"You have half an hour left. Open the city gates, surrender, and offer up the gifts of peace. My Grand Protector will spare your lives!"

"If anyone dares to resist, on the day the city falls, I will make sure Liangzhou is awash in blood! Not a single chicken or dog will be spared!"

Having said that, the northern soldier suddenly pulled on the reins, and the warhorse reared up, its forelegs drawing a dangerous arc in the air:
He glanced disdainfully at the Western Xia battle flag atop the city wall, then turned his horse around and swaggered away.

But his words were like a poisoned dagger, piercing the hearts of every soldier guarding the city.

The defenders gripped their weapons tightly, their knuckles slipping in cold sweat.

"Would they really massacre the city?" New recruit Zhao Xiaoliu gripped the broken spear shaft, his Adam's apple bobbing, his voice weaker than the wind blowing through the cracks in the city wall.

The sergeant beside him spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva, but his trembling fingers betrayed his composure: "Those damned barbarians from the northern frontier, when they attacked Suzhou before, they didn't even spare the nursing infants."

"I heard that the entire city of Shanle was burned to the ground by them."

"Those barbarians really dare to massacre an entire city."

"Shall we fight to the death? We'll take a few down with us!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than an older veteran beside him said bitterly, "What are we going to fight with? Are we going to risk our lives with just three thousand ragtag soldiers?"

He gazed at the dense array of yellow and white battle flags outside the city and murmured, "My wife is pregnant. What if the city falls?"

"stop fighting!"

Centurion Wang Tie's roar echoed across the city wall, but the tremor in his voice at the end was unmistakable.

But things had come to this point, and the officials and generals' authority had been reduced to its lowest point. Someone continued, "Why don't we just open the gates and surrender!"

"At least, it'll save my life!"

Everyone knew that the officials in the city had already sent people to contact the Northern Frontier Army, but the Northern Frontier Protector General demanded that all the land be handed over.

The officials are reluctant to part with it and haven't made up their minds yet.

But these soldiers didn't have any farmland, so when things got really critical, saving their lives was the most important thing.

"Ho ho ho~"

Soon after, a chorus of shouts erupted from the northern frontier military camp outside the city. The sound waves shook the city walls slightly, and the sun and moon battle flags fluttered like a forest, while the dust they raised obscured half the sky.

After a hearty meal, the Northern Frontier cavalry surged forth from the east and west like a rolling torrent of steel.

"Boom boom boom~"

The cavalrymen in yellow cotton armor were like burning flames, while the knights in white cotton armor were like surging waves. Amidst the interplay of yellow and white, the sun and moon battle banners fluttered in the wind.

Li Xiao, dressed in dark gold dragon-patterned cotton armor and wearing a helmet with sun, moon, mountains, and rivers on its tassels, rode on his warhorse, his calm gaze fixed on the distant Liangzhou City.

"It seems the parasites in the city still haven't made up their minds."

"The land in their hands is indeed more important than the lives of all the people in the city."

Having said that, he suddenly drew his cavalry saber from his waist and shouted in a cold, sharp voice, "Attack the city!"

"Woooooooo~"

A deep horn sounded across the land, like a war song from ancient times, full of desolation and solemnity.

At the forefront of the army, ten mighty cannons stood as if they were standing on the earth, their dark muzzles piercing the sky.

Wu Damao drew his cavalry saber and roared with a ferocious expression, "Fire!"

"Boom boom boom~"

A tremendous roar resounded between heaven and earth, and the ten cannons, like ancient ferocious beasts, spewed out blazing flames that instantly engulfed the space within several feet of their muzzles.

Feeling the tremors of the city wall beneath their feet, the soldiers on the wall were completely shocked.

"Thor, Thor is angry."

"The gods are all on the side of the barbarians in the north, we're doomed."

"This is not a god, it's a gunpowder weapon from the barbarians of the northern frontier. Everyone calm down, don't panic."

For the generals of Liangzhou City, the Northern Frontier Artillery was no secret, but for many of them, it was the first time they had witnessed its power firsthand.

Greatly shocked.

Could there really be such a terrifying thing in the world? Could it really be a gift from the gods to the people of the northern frontier?

"Heavens! Why do you favor the barbarians of the northern frontier so much?" a Liangzhou city official cried out in terror.

With him were other officials, generals, and nobles.

At this moment, they were utterly terrified and finally abandoned any hope of getting away with it.

The towering walls of Liangzhou could not protect them, and Xingqing Prefecture was too far away to send reinforcements. There was only one outcome awaiting them.

"Give up!"

Wang Hongchang shouted at the others with all his might.

But before they could react, a loud shout rang out from afar: "The city gates are open!"

"The gates are open."

Upon hearing this, Supinaluo, Wang Hongchang, and the others all turned pale.

It must have been the soldiers guarding the city who opened the city gates without authorization.

Seeing the city gates wide open, Li Xiao slowly lowered his telescope and shouted in a deep voice, "Order the Divine Machine Battalion to cease bombardment."

A single salvo of artillery fire terrified the people in the city; it seemed they had once again chosen their lives over the land.

Li Xiao was happy with this arrangement, as it saved on artillery shells and reduced casualties among the soldiers in the northern border region.

More importantly, it preserved the integrity of the Liangzhou city wall and its defensive fortifications, which the Northern Frontier Army could use immediately.

"Order all departments to enter the city."

The events in Shanle City were unique and unlikely to happen in Liangzhou City. Moreover, according to the scouts, the city's garrison numbered no more than three thousand, so Li Xiao was not afraid of them feigning surrender.

With this, Liangzhou, the last major town on the Hexi Corridor, fell.

The entire Hexi Corridor was subjugated by the iron cavalry of the northern frontier.

"The city has fallen! The city has fallen!"

"The barbarians from the northern frontier have entered the city."

Hearing the shouts coming from the street outside, Wei Daya's face changed drastically. She gripped the door, her vision blurred, and her body swayed.

He muttered to himself, "My lord~"

Su Renli was conscripted into the army, and now the city gates have been breached. She doesn't know what happened to her husband.

But right now, the most important thing is to protect your own safety and that of your child.

"Mother, you take Erpang and Damei into the cellar first, I'm going to find Father."

Su Wuji rushed out of the inner room with a short bow in his hand, looking fierce and ready to fight the barbarians of the Northern Frontier.

Since he was old enough to understand things, he has loved playing with swords and spears and has a lot of energy. Not long ago, he became obsessed with archery, so he begged Wei Daya to get him a small bow.

Although the bow is short, its pulling force is considerable, amounting to four dou (a unit of dry measure).

"Stop! Don't go out."

Wei Daya grabbed Su Wuji's shoulder.

This kid inherited the physique of the Wei family. He's young but strong. When he runs, even Wei Daya almost loses her grip.

"It's dangerous outside. What good would it do you if you went?"

"Quickly, hide in the cellar."

As she spoke, she handed her youngest son to Su Wuji, and then picked up her youngest daughter from the side and carried her to the cellar entrance in the kitchen.

The mother and her three children lifted the wooden planks and crawled inside.

Shortly after, a loud 'bang' was heard from inside the courtyard, and the courtyard gate was violently kicked open.

Five disheveled soldiers rushed in, their eyes filled with greed and fear.

"Quick, quick, look for it."

"Take all the valuables with you; the barbarians from the northern frontier are coming soon."

The lead soldier brandished his scimitar and shouted loudly.

The other four didn't dare to delay either, and rushed into each room to search for valuables and food.

Every great upheaval is inevitably accompanied by human calamity.

These five men were originally local ruffians in Liangzhou City, and were conscripted into the army.

But seeing the situation was not good, he secretly slipped back on the city wall.

Their goal was clear: to make a fortune amidst the chaos.

They weren't interested in ordinary families because those people had no money.

They dared not be interested in those wealthy households, because those households would surely have servants and guards hidden inside, and it would be difficult for the five of them alone.

Therefore, their target is these moderately wealthy families.

The Su family immediately came into their view.

Su Renli is still guarding the city walls, leaving only a woman and three children at home, making it the perfect time to take action.

"Found it, lots of silver."

Suddenly, a soldier in the bedroom shouted excitedly. He found a hole under the bed, took out a jar, and found more than two hundred taels of silver.

"Alright, I knew it! Su Renli's family definitely has the goods," said Wang Er, the leader of the rogues, grinning broadly.

He quickly found a piece of clothing and stuffed all the silver into it.

But just then, a sound came from outside the door again.

"Da Ya, Da Ya, Da Pang."

It's Su Renli!

He carried a long wooden spear, wore a tattered leather coat, and had a piece of scrap iron tied to his chest with a rope—this was his homemade armor.

Although it was rudimentary, it was a valuable item in Liangzhou City today; even Wang Er and his group did not have such equipment.

Because he was worried about his wife and children at home, he took advantage of the chaos to escape back.

But when he saw the scene in the courtyard, he was instantly stunned.

Everything was a mess, with many things scattered and crooked on the ground, and even the door looked like it had been violently kicked open.

Su Renli panicked instantly, gripped his spear tightly, and rushed inside, shouting frantically, "Da Ya, Da Pang, Er Pang!"

However, the next second they saw Wang Er and his group, one carrying silver and the other four carrying grain, preparing to leave.

"Wang Er?"

Su Renli was stunned.

They all lived in this area, and Wang Er was a notorious rogue on the street, so he naturally knew him.

However, as a scholar who had passed the imperial examinations, he felt superior to others wherever he went and looked down on people like Wang Er.

But to my utter surprise, I ran into them in my own home, and then I saw the bulging things they were carrying.

Su Renli's heart sank, a bad premonition arose in his mind, and he asked in a trembling voice, "Wang Er, what have you done to my wife and children?"

"Su Renli, if you know what's good for you, get out of here. I don't have time to waste with you today."

Wang Er's heart tightened when he saw Su Renli.

After all, he was a successful candidate in the imperial examinations and knew many people in official circles. Some of his classmates had even become officials in the prefectural government. Naturally, he dared not offend Su Renli on ordinary days.

But Wang Er's mind raced. What time is it now? The governor might be finished, so who cares about a mere scholar like him?

After saying this, Wang Er prepared to leave with the silver and grain, but Su Renli was already in a state of panic.

"Stop right there and hand over my wife and children."

Su Renli shouted loudly, and with a surge of courage from who knows where, he gripped the gun with both hands and stabbed at Wang Er.

Wang Er was used to fighting and brawling in the market, so his physical fitness was naturally far superior to Su Renli's.

He easily dodged the gun tip by turning slightly to the side, and then suddenly kicked Su Renli away.

"Ahhhhh~"

Su Renli screamed and flew backward two or three meters, his face bloodshot, and he fell to the ground screaming in agony.

His actions completely ignited Wang Er's ferocity. He handed the silver in his pocket to his underling, his expression becoming increasingly ruthless.

"Su Renli, I never intended to bother with you, but I didn't expect you to be so shameless."

"I'm not going to let you off the hook today."

Having said that, he took out his curved knife and strode toward Su Renli, preparing to slit his throat and bleed him out.

But just then, his underling behind him suddenly shouted, "Boss, watch out!"

Wang Er suddenly turned around, only to find a child appearing at the kitchen doorway.

"Su Renli's eldest son?"

Wang Er recognized Su Wuji, but didn't know his full name, only that he was called Da Pang (Big Fatty) and was the king of the kids on the surrounding streets.

Most importantly, he was also holding a bow and arrow.

"Chi~"

Wang Er scoffed, just about to laugh at this five or six-year-old brat for not knowing how to play with a bow and arrow.
The next second, Su Wuji's bow and arrow shot out instantly.

"簌~"

With a slight whooshing sound, the arrow struck Wang Er squarely in the chest.

"Ah~"

A scream rang out, and Wang Er collapsed to the ground.

Staring incredulously at the short arrow lodged in his chest, he never imagined that he had actually been hit.

Su Renli's eldest son is only five or six years old, right?
How could a child of that age be so ruthless as to shoot an arrow at himself?
And how was he even able to draw the bow?
Wang Er was dumbfounded. He screamed in pain and after catching his breath for a few moments, he shouted at his four henchmen, "Kill them! Kill them all!"

Su Wuji's short bow was still too weak. Although it hit Wang Er, it only pierced through his flesh.

Instead of killing him completely, it ignited his ferocity: "Kill the entire Su family!"

Upon hearing this, the younger brother immediately rushed towards Su Wuji in front of the kitchen door.

He rushed forward, taking two steps at a time, but just as he was about to reach the door, a long spear suddenly appeared from the kitchen.

"Pfft~"

A muffled thud rang out, piercing flesh, and the soldier at the forefront froze instantly.

He stared blankly down at his chest and saw that a red-tasseled spear had already pierced his heart. Blood gushed out like a fountain, quickly forming a pool of blood on the ground.

"You, you, you~"

The soldier looked up at the person holding the gun, who turned out to be a woman in her twenties, very tall and well-built—none other than Su Renli's wife.

The rumors were actually true!
This woman really single-handedly stormed into the bandits' lair, killed the bandit leader, and rescued Su Renli.
"collapse!"

The soldier fell heavily to the ground, startling the three soldiers behind him who quickly retreated, looking at Wei Daya and her son with horrified expressions.

"Hmph, you're all courting death."

Daya gripped her spear tightly and strode out, her fierce aura filled with rage.

If these defeated soldiers had just looted the silver and left, she wouldn't have said anything, but these people actually wanted to kill her man.

Da Ya has to work her hardest.

She wanted Su Wuji to stay in the cellar and not move, but the boy was very good at digging and ran out with a bow and arrow.

There was no other way but for the mother and son to fight side by side.

But Da Ya really didn't want Su Wuji to experience such a bloody thing so early.

Are you all idiots?

"You were scared by this old woman and this little kid?"

"Charge! Kill them all, then divide the money among yourselves, and everyone can live a good life!" Wang Er roared angrily.

But in the next second, another scream rang out.

He was shot in the chest by Su Wuji again, but he still didn't die, though it hurt terribly.

Seeing this, Er Ya said coldly, "Fatty, aim for their eyes next time."

"You can also aim for their groin and shoot."

Upon hearing this, Su Wuji immediately nodded: "Understood, Mother!"

Having said that, he drew his bow again and aimed an arrow at a soldier's eye.

Feeling threatened by this little brat, the soldier was genuinely afraid.

He dared not gamble on whether the little brat could shoot accurately; if he went blind, he would be doomed.

"Wait, wait a minute," the soldier quickly called out.

“We’ll take the silver and leave now, and from this day forward we will be gone from Liangzhou City.”

"If you still won't let this go, then we'll all die together."

As he spoke, the soldier pointed his gun at Su Renli, who was lying on the ground, saying, "Even if I die, I'll take someone down with me."

Wei Daya considered for a moment, then nodded slightly: "Okay, you can take the money."

The most cost-effective thing would be to pay these people off, since money can be earned back.

But just as the two sides were about to reach a settlement, a sudden, loud sound of horses' hooves echoed through the street.

"Boom boom boom~"

The roaring power made one feel as if their heart was being squeezed tightly, and Wei Daya's expression changed drastically upon hearing the sound.

Having grown up in northern Xinjiang, he was very familiar with the sound of warhorses.

Judging from the sounds, there were at least twenty warhorses on the street.

The imperial army was defeated, and now only the Northern Frontier Army can be seen on the streets.

"Quick, Fatty, hide in the cellar and don't come out. You have to take good care of your younger brother and sister from now on." Daya said in a panic, shoving Su Wuji into the kitchen.

Although she is also from northern Xinjiang, the Han Chinese in northern Xinjiang are ultimately only a minority.

These northern border troops were probably composed of nomadic peoples such as the Khitans and Turks.

There would be absolutely no sense of kinship between him and Wei Daya.

Therefore, at this moment she was prepared to die.

Upon hearing this devilish voice, Wang Er and his fleeing soldiers became even more panicked.

"They're here, they're here, those barbarians from the northern frontier are here."

"Quick, help me up!"

"Where in your house can you hide something?"

These soldiers were in a panic; facing the barbarians of the northern frontier who were like savage demons, they had absolutely no will to resist.

Meanwhile, Wei Xuan led his cavalry guards through the streets.

He only remembered that his grandfather had brought him to his eldest sister's house once when she got married. He was very young at the time, and his memory of it was already hazy.

Fortunately, there haven't been any major changes in Liangzhou City over the years, and the layout remains the same.

Following his hazy memories, Wei Xuan arrived outside the Su family's residence.

"Whoa~"

"It should be here, right?"

Wei Xuan reined in his horse and turned to look at the small courtyard next to him, which matched the house of his eldest sister that he remembered.

But at this moment, the courtyard gate was wide open, as if it had been violently smashed open.

Wei Xuan's face instantly darkened, and he had a bad feeling.

He rushed over with his men as soon as he entered the city, worried that the soldiers in the city, or the northern border soldiers who were unaware of the truth, might harm his elder sister's family.

But was he still a step too late?
"Big sister~"

"Gee~"

Ignoring everything else, Wei Xuan spurred his horse and charged into the courtyard, followed closely by his personal guards.

The moment he saw the scene in the courtyard clearly, his eyes widened in fury.

Blood, corpses, defeated soldiers, and scattered grain and silver on the ground.
Everything tells a story of the danger facing the eldest sister's family.

"Big sister, big sister~"

Wei Xuan's face was contorted with rage as he shouted, but there was no response.

This was because at that moment, Daya was hiding Su Wuji in the kitchen cellar.

"Take them down!"

Wei Xuan grew increasingly anxious, brandishing his spear and pointing it at Wang Er and the others.

Although killing these defeated soldiers was as easy as killing chickens, we still needed to use them to inquire about our elder sister's whereabouts.

Even Su Renli, who was lying on the ground, was not recognized by Wei Xuan at first. He was mistaken for a defeated soldier and prepared to take him down as well.

After all, I only met him once, and my memory of it is already a bit hazy.

"Follow your orders~"

The guards behind him shouted, mounted on their horses, brandishing their spears and striking the defeated soldiers hard.

"Ahhh~ Spare me, spare me~"

"We don't dare anymore."

"Have mercy!"

The three defeated soldiers screamed and begged for mercy. They were a bunch of scoundrels who were always bullying the weak and fearing the strong.

They were just thinking of abandoning Wang Er and running away with the silver, leaving the other three behind.

Just as a guard was about to grab Su Renli, Daya rushed out of the kitchen and blocked his way.

"What are you doing? I told you not to come out!" Su Renli said, squatting on the ground with a miserable expression.

He had just told Daya to hide with the children, but why wouldn't this wretched woman listen?

Daya shook her head firmly: "We are husband and wife, one. If you die, where can I hide?"

Having said that, a fighting spirit appeared on his heroic face, and he pointed his spear at Wei Xuan.

She had already witnessed the elite of the Northern Frontier cavalry. Putting aside the Northern Frontier soldiers' most formidable archery skills, their armor alone was something that Wei Daya's spear could not penetrate.

So she already had a premonition that she and her husband might be in trouble today.

The only thing I can't let go of is my three children.

"Big Fatty, you must take good care of your younger brother and sister!"

With a death wish, Daya looked at Wei Xuan, wondering if she could take this northern general with her before she died.

But they didn't notice Wei Xuan's appearance at all.

Wei Xuan was just a child back then, but now he has grown up and changed a lot.

At this moment, Wei Xuan looked at Daya's appearance and felt so familiar. He was so excited that his eyes became moist.

Yes, this is my eldest sister.

His appearance hasn't changed, his temper hasn't changed, and even the ruthlessness he displays when killing is exactly the same as before.

Wei Xuan smiled, opened his mouth, and murmured, "Big Sister~"

"Miss!"

(End of this chapter)