The Splendor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 84 Entering the City (Thanks to "Household Registration Dad" for the generous donation)

In the afternoon, the sunlight shone on the moat, making the ice surface sparkle.

Choosing the South Gate was a decision Xiao Yi had made long ago.

The north gate faces the battlefield directly, so the imperial court must be on guard and deploy heavy troops there. The south gate is far from the battlefield, and more importantly, he happens to know the south gate's commander, who has even invited him to the city tower for tea.

He had left from the North Gate last time and had never been here before. Looking around, the moat was twenty meters wide, and the barbican extended out from the opposite bank. The iron-clad city gate was tightly closed. The three large characters "Xunfeng Gate" were quite new, but people generally called it "Weishi Gate" according to the custom of the Tang Dynasty.

The city wall is about eight meters high, and guards stand between the battlements with bows in hand, making it appear heavily fortified.

Xiao Yi raised his hand, and the team behind him immediately stopped.

"Let's dismount and rest for a bit."

"Hu Deng, you don't need to go in. Take two men and wait outside the city to meet us. Follow my flag and act accordingly. If things don't go well, immediately seek reinforcements."

"Here."

"Hua Nong, see if it's still Sun Zhong guarding the south city."

"Yes."

"Your eyesight isn't good, how did you notice that so quickly?"

"I can recognize the banner of the Third Commander of the Left Wing of the Imperial Guards without even looking at it. The small banner of the Fourth Commander is planted on the city tower; that's Sun Zhong's confidant, guarding the most comfortable position."

"Let me tell you about Sun Zhong."

"Yes, he had the fierce look of a butcher. In his early years, he worked as a guard for powerful families, but later earned the nickname 'soft-legged butcher.' Unable to make a living, he was conscripted into the army. At that time, my grandfather was a captain and thought he was a fierce general, so he took him under his wing. He was good at handling things, feeding the horses, serving water, and warming the bed. During the years when the Khitans occupied the Central Plains, he even learned some Khitan language and rose to the rank of captain. He won over several good men, made military contributions when this dynasty was founded, and through bribery, he became a commander..."

Xiao Yi said, "This person is not difficult to subdue, but we need to make two preparations. Let's talk about the defense of the South City."

Hua Nong picked up a twig and scratched it on the ground.

"The Third Command of the Imperial Guards nominally has 500 soldiers, but in reality, it has less than 350. The commander is stationed on the city tower, in charge of overall defense, and the deputy commander and the left and right deputy commanders assist him on duty in shifts; the guard post of the barbican is inside the city gate, with four people, who check documents and register incoming and outgoing supplies; there are four arrow towers, each with four people; there are eight people on each side of the city gate; there are two winch rooms on the drawbridge, each with six people; there are six teams guarding the city wall ramparts, each with twelve people; there are six people guarding the hidden troop caves under the inner city wall to guard arrows and provisions; there are also eight messengers who travel back and forth to the inner city camp. The shifts are changed at 7:00 AM and 1:00 PM every day. There are three keys to the city gates, which are kept by the commander, the city tower, and the inner city camp according to the law. Two keys are needed to open the gate, but the keys are always kept in one place."

Liu Tingrang did the math and said, "There are over one hundred and twenty people in each class."

Xiao Yi asked, "How is their combat strength?"

Hua Nong glanced at Zhang Mantun a few steps away, lowered her voice, and said, "The Imperial Guards were originally elite, but since Shi Hongzhao became the regency minister, he has been strict with the people but lenient with the army. The soldiers have become increasingly ruthless in extorting money from the people, indulging in drinking, gambling, and prostitution. The atmosphere has deteriorated, their armor and weapons are neglected, and they even steal and sell military rations."

Cui Yanjin sneered, "Once we enter the city, it won't be difficult to kill them all."

“No need,” Hua Nong said. “I know almost all of these people. It won’t be difficult to persuade them to surrender. With the overwhelming victory of the royal army, Sun Zhong will surely be the first to surrender.”

"He betrayed you and had people hunt you down. Don't you hate him?"

"The overall situation is more important," Hua Nong said. "The Second and Fourth Commands of the Imperial Guards are still stationed on the east and west sections of the city wall. It's not advisable to disturb them."

"Well done," Li Chongjin said. "I'm just afraid they won't let us into the city."

Xiao Yi glanced at the city wall from afar and said, "No additional troops were sent today, which means that the results of yesterday evening's battle have not yet reached Sun Zhong's level. Otherwise, Kaifeng would not be so peaceful."

After reaching a compromise, he began assigning tasks.

"After entering the city, Hua Nong and I will go to the city tower to persuade Sun Zhong to surrender; Guo Xin, you will lead the men to guard the city gate, listen to my signal, and seize the city gate as needed."

"it is good."

"Once we make our move, Lü You and Wei Liang, you will take the city gates."

"Here!"

"Fan Si, when the time comes, you lead your men to take down the arrow tower."

"Here..."

Ready.

Zhang Mantun spurred his horse forward, ready to knock on the door.

"Whoosh."

An arrow landed in front of his horse.

"Listen up, brothers on the city wall!" Zhang Mantun shouted in a loud voice, "We are the Imperial Guards, returning from Chigang, and we have important business to discuss with the Emperor's brother-in-law."

A moment later, a soldier poked his head out and shouted, "Do you have any documents or credentials? Where is your identification badge?"

Xiao Yi calmly handed the waist token to Fan Si, who tied it to an arrow, spurred his horse forward, and shot it into the city wall.

He thought to himself that if Sun Zhong realized the situation was not good and refused to let them, the "Imperial Guards," into the city, it would mean that he intended to surrender to Guo Wei, which would make the situation easier to resolve.

Unfortunately, after about fifteen minutes, the city gate opened a narrow gap, allowing only one rider to pass through, and the drawbridge was slowly lowered.

"Enter the city."

Xiao Yi urged his white horse forward and stepped onto the suspension bridge first, while Hua Nong covered her face with a cloth.

The gate was cold and damp, with a strong smell of dust and mildew, indicating that the city gate had not been opened for a long time.

The defending soldiers had blank faces, lacking the tension expected before battle, but rather a sense of uncertainty about the future, which contrasted sharply with the spirit of the forty-odd men.

"Oh!"

The city gates closed, the barricades were deployed, and the sound of the drawbridge being put back into place could be heard.

Inside the barbican, Sun Zhong was already waiting. The imperial guard commander's standard lamellar armor was very new, which only highlighted his unease, and the smugness he had shown when he was first promoted was gone from his eyes.

"Commander Sun, we meet again."

Xiao Yi's voice was steady, polite yet with just the right amount of reserve. Although the deputy captain held a low rank, the Crane Control Guard was far more prestigious.

Sun Zhong squinted 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 those garrison soldiers behind him?"

"I brought back some useless soldiers from the Taining Army," Xiao Yi said. "May I ask Brother Sun for a cup of hot water?"

Sun Zhong was flattered and laughed, "I couldn't be happier, as long as Brother Xiao isn't in a hurry to see the Imperial Brother-in-law."

"We've been freezing all the way, but what business is there to warm us up... nothing is more important than our brotherhood."

"Hahaha, please! Bring some hot soup to the brothers of the Crane Control Guard, oh, and to the Taining Army as well."

Xiao Yi gave Guo Xin and the others a subtle wink, signaling them to take advantageous positions, while only Hua Nong, whose face was covered, followed behind carrying the box.

He walked side by side with Sun Zhong towards the city wall.

"Alas." Sun Zhong suddenly sighed and said, "Judging from Brother Xiao's calm expression, I wonder what the situation is like outside the city?"

"Brother Sun, you still don't know?"

"I only know that the imperial court and the Northern Army have deployed troops at Liuzibei, but it is difficult to find out the specific details."

"It seems that Marshal Hou was worried about causing unrest and therefore did not send the message back."

"What news?!"

"Liu Zibei suffered a crushing defeat; Murong Yanchao was killed, and five thousand Shatuo cavalrymen scattered." "This...this...this..."

Sun Zhong's lips trembled, but he couldn't speak.

Xiao Yi judged that this person would surely surrender, and he made up his mind.

Just then, the sound of horses' hooves suddenly came from the other side of the long street. The sound of hooves pounding on the frozen ground was dense and increasingly solid, probably from hundreds of horses.

Xiao Yi turned around without making a sound, raised his hand to his subordinates, and signaled them not to act rashly.

The sound of hooves grew louder as it approached; half of the horses were empty, and there were probably about forty people.

The leader was dressed in a brocade robe, covered by beautiful silver armor.

"Who is that?"

"The emperor's favorite, the Flying Dragon Envoy, who is in charge of the imperial horses, is named Hou Kuangzan, and he is at odds with General Nie."

Sun Zhong seemed to have no interest in maintaining his respect for high-ranking officials today, and whispered, "He was born of a prostitute. After he became successful, many people called him 'Grandpa.' He was an actor with a good voice. The government just loves to use good-looking people. He suffered a great defeat... Oh, brother, I'm not talking about you, really not. Brother Xiao has real talent."

Xiao Yi waved his hand and said, "It's alright, I'm different from him."

Sun Zhong rubbed his butcher-like face, forced a smile, and took two steps forward.

"Shut up!"

Later, Kuang Zan reined in his horse.

He was indeed handsome, with light pink powder on his face. He glanced at Sun Zhong and shouted, "I am ordered to go out of the city to recruit soldiers and open the city gates."

"Here!"

Sun Zhong hurriedly 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 on Xiao Yi's face, and his brows furrowed slightly.

"Who is this?"

“Reporting to Your Excellency,” Sun Zhong said, “this is Xiao Yi, the Third Deputy Commander of the Left Wing of the Crane Control Guard.”

"The Crane Control Guards are under my nose every day, how could I not recognize them?!"

Xiao Yi said, "I was personally appointed by the Emperor's brother-in-law half a month ago, and the head constable is Cao Dang."

Afterwards, a soldier stepped forward from behind Kuang Zan and whispered a few words in his ear. Only then did he nod and look deeply at Xiao Yi, his eyes full of suspicion and scrutiny.

"What did the Emperor's brother-in-law order you to do?"

Xiao Yi pondered for a moment, then said succinctly, "Send a letter."

"To whom is it given?"

"To the elder brother of the emperor's brother-in-law."

Hou Kuangzan shouted, "You went to Shanzhou?!"

Xiao Yi remained silent, pondering whether he meant "Chanzhou" or "Shanzhou".

"I'm asking you a question! You brat who hasn't even shed his baby hair yet dares to put on airs in front of me?!"

“It’s not about putting on airs.” Xiao Yi had already prepared his response, saying, “It’s just that this matter is confidential and it’s inconvenient to say it in public.”

“My lord,” Sun Zhong quickly smoothed things over, saying, “Commander Xiao just returned from outside the city, and he’s been freezing the whole way. I was just inviting him to the city tower for a bowl of hot soup and to ask him about the situation.”

"Perfect, I'll listen to both."

Hou Kuangzan cracked his whip, spurred his horse up the ramp to the top of the city wall, dismounted, entered the city tower first, and sat down directly in the main seat.

Xiao Yi and Sun Zhong then entered.

He noticed that Kuang Zan led eight people up the city wall, with four guarding the gate, two protecting his side, and two standing behind Xiao Yi and Hua Nong.

"Speak," Hou Kuangzan said arrogantly, "What tricks are you playing?"

Sun Zhongdao said, "This humble servant merely inquired about the battle situation outside the city..."

"I didn't ask you." Hou Kuangzan then turned to Xiao Yi and said, "Speak! What task did Li Ye order you to do? What did he instruct Li Hongxin to do? What did you and Cao Dang escort?"

Xiao Yi didn't know why he cared about Li Hongxin of Shanzhou; he was clearly going to find Li Hongwei of Chanzhou.

There was no time to think it through. With a quick glance, he completed his observation of the surroundings and thought to himself, "If I make a move, I can pull out Sun Zhong's knife and leave him without it."

Hou Kuangzan looked angry, but his eyes became increasingly excited. He pointed at Hua Nong and said, "Take off your face mask and open the box."

Hua Nong panicked slightly and asked, "Young Master Xiao?"

"It's alright, let them see."

"Yes."

Hua Nong removed the face mask from her face.

"Pustules?!" Sun Zhong exclaimed in surprise, "How could it be you? I thought you looked familiar!"

"despair."

The wooden box was opened.

Murong Yanchao popped his head out, his face dark, his eyes wide, his expression ferocious, as if he wanted to devour someone.

"ah!"

Sun Zhong was startled and shuddered. He instinctively took two steps back, his lips trembling, and he stammered incoherently.

"This...this...Murong...he...him...how is the leader here?"

"Clang."

In an instant, Xiao Yi pounced on Kuang Zan from behind with the speed of a rabbit and drew the sword from Sun Zhong's waist.

It was so fast that you could hardly see its afterimage.

While the guards inside were still staring blankly at Murong Yanchao's head, Xiao Yi had already arrived in front of Hou Kuangzan and swung his sword.

"Shh."

The blade flashed like a deep pool, swift as lightning.

An unavoidable blow.

But... it didn't work out.

How can it be?

Xiao Yi lowered his eyes and looked down, his gaze hardening.

But then he saw that Kuangzan had already knelt on the ground, trembling.

(End of this chapter)