Chapter 10: The Summit Showdown (Part One)

  Five hundred men took turns holding guns and unfolded, with the same dark golden armor, their movements were smooth and fluent, as if one person was acting. The first person stepped forward a few steps and said: "I heard that Marquis Changsun has come to supervise the army, please show your supervisor's seal."

  Zhao Mou led his horse forward and arrived beside Jin Linwei, handing over the tiger tally to General Jin Linwei. This general had a handsome face, piercing eyes, and a strong spirit, but his temples were flecked with white, indicating that he was an old veteran of many battles. His name was Liang Fangxu, styled Feixuan. He was steady and capable, originally a member of the Changde Army, with outstanding military achievements, and should have been promoted to high office. Unfortunately, his straightforward personality had offended the powerful officials in the court, so he ended up as a reserve general of the Imperial Guard.

  "In the presence of General Liang Fangxu, we are dressed in battle attire and cannot kneel down. Please forgive us, Your Highness. I don't know what brings you to Jinlin Barracks today." Liang Fangxu said in a loud and clear voice.

  "The general also knows that the foreign wolves are now eyeing our borders, constantly attacking our Great Xia's border towns. Our Great Song Dynasty's sons must fight them once and for all, to show off the grand ambitions of our Xia men. Therefore, by order of His Majesty, we will hold a martial arts competition with the soldiers from each school. The winning side will gain control over the opponent's territory, while the losing side not only loses their territory but also has to feed the horses for a week. You may now be aware."

  Although Liang Fangxu was puzzled, he did not refute it and asked: "Then, Lord Changsun, what are the rules for this duel? Please make it clear."

  Zhao Kan secretly rejoiced in his heart, thinking that if this general was a stubborn person who had to report to the superior and wait for orders, he would definitely not be able to get away with it. Zhao Kan's face remained expressionless as he calmly said: "Actually, it's very simple. One side defends the city, while the other side attacks it. The goal is to investigate how many soldiers are defending the city within half an hour. Before the battle begins, you can freely adjust the number of troops, but the number cannot exceed 500. The defenders will use a specified number of bows and arrows, remove the arrowheads, and apply stone powder. Both sides' soldiers will hold wooden sticks with stone powder at the tip. Those who are hit by the stone powder and leave marks will be considered dead and can no longer take action. General, do you have any further questions?"

  Liang Fangxu furrowed his brow, feeling that something was off, but still cupped his fists and said, "Yes, sir."

  "General Liang, you and I will be the judges, how do you think this whole competition is going?" Zhao Yan asked.

  "It's all up to Your Highness." Liang Fangxu.

  Li Fangxu called over a subordinate general and gave him some low-voiced instructions. Zhao Jie, on the other hand, summoned Xue Yue and said loudly: "General Xue, this time I'm going to witness the bravery of the border army's officers and men, but also be careful not to let the lime hurt your eyes." Just wait and see, in a moment it will be the true strength of my Western Army. Thinking about fighting against the Golden Scales Guard is really exciting!"

  Taking advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention, Zhao Yi quietly pulled Xue Yue to one side and whispered: "Later when we attack the city, quietly send a soldier over to me, remember."

  "Yes, Your Highness." Xue Yue had absolute trust in Zhao Yan.

  Zhaobu knew that forced seizure would never work, so he let Jinlinwei lose graciously, and even if they wanted to take revenge in the future, they wouldn't have any excuse.

  The soldiers of the two armies quickly set up a simple viewing platform, and Zhao Jiong and Liang Fangxu went up one after another. Liang Fangxu refused to sit down and stood on one side, so Zhao Jiong had no choice but to stand with him and watch the two armies face off.

  The Western army officers had already replaced the cavalry equipment with infantry short guns and wooden shields. Xue Yue inspected each soldier before the battle and walked to the front of the whole army, saying passionately: "Brothers, today we are going to fight against the Golden Scales Guard, who claims to be invincible in close combat. To be honest, I'm afraid, afraid of being easily defeated by them. They were my idols for so many years as a soldier. Although this is just a competition, we must show the courage of real combat. We are warriors who have come out of the knife and sword shadows, wrapped in horse leather to protect our homeland, which is our destiny and responsibility. In the future, we may face ten or a hundred times more enemies, but we must believe that we will eventually be the victorious army. We are the strongest, we are the Imperial Forest Army! This is an unyielding spirit that can take away our lives but not our souls. The Imperial Forest Army will surely win!"

  Hundreds of people shouted in unison: "The Imperial Forest Army will surely win! The Imperial Forest Army will surely win!"

  The attack began soon, with hundreds of people carrying siege ladders and holding round wooden shields, charging towards the Golden Scales Field. Xue Yue led the charge on horseback, holding a short gun and using his shield to deflect incoming arrows. Zhao Jian saw a Western soldier in the distance. Under the pretext of going to the restroom, Zhao Jian left and looked around to make sure no one was watching before taking out a thermal imaging display device from his body and scanning the field, confirming after which he put it back and quietly met up with the Western soldier.

  Yang Zhi knelt down immediately upon seeing Zhao Zilong and the Western army soldiers, saying: "Your Highness, I am Yang Zhi. I have come under the orders of General Xue."

  Zhou Tong immediately helped Yang Zhi up and said seriously, "Hurry back and tell General Xue that after the battle is over, when asked how many defenders there are, answer 481 people. Also, remember not to let the Golden Scales Guards climb up to the city head during the defense."

  "It is Your Highness." Yang Zhi took advantage of the situation and quietly returned to Xue Yue's side, who had already retreated. After hearing Yang Zhi's report, Xue Yue looked at Zhao Jie with a surprised expression, and Zhao Jie gave him a reassuring gesture.

  The battle is ongoing, Xue Yue is relatively helpless at this time. His attire is slightly different from that of ordinary soldiers, so he receives extra care. Several soldiers have already "died" protecting him, all with multiple arrows in their bodies and seven or eight white spots on them, standing together with other "dead" Imperial Guards. At this point, the Imperial Guards are left with less than a hundred people, while the Golden Scales Guard, relying on their advantageous terrain and fierce combat power, have only tens of people "killed".

  Soldiers on both sides stood facing each other, the Golden Scales Guard's combat strength was far inferior to that of the Imperial Forest Army. In fact, the Imperial Forest Army had always been weak in cavalry siege warfare, and now they were up against the Golden Scales Guard, who excelled at defensive battles, so the outcome was predictable. However, the Imperial Forest Army soldiers were from the Western army, and having spent years wading through blood and water, they were fierce and fearless of death. Charging onto the city walls, they launched a frenzied massacre, dragging many Golden Scales Guards into the water.

  The Yu Lin army charged at the city wall again, and Xue Yue was about to climb up when the cloud ladder was pushed down. Xue Yue gritted his teeth and pounced on a Golden Scaled Guard with a golden helmet, whose face he couldn't see clearly. The two of them rolled into a ball, and the surrounding Golden Scaled Guards immediately stabbed Xue Yue with their short guns as he struggled to get up.

  Xue Yue stood up, smiled at the Golden Scaled Guard he had pounced on, and saw that his chest had already been pierced by a short gun. Xue Yue laughed and said, "Even in death, I'll take someone down with me." The Golden Scaled Guard trembled all over as he stood up, walked to Xue Yue's side, slapped him in the face, turned around angrily, and left the city.

  Xue Yue was stunned, this is worse than being killed in a duel, what's going on. However, Xue Yue soon realized that the slap he received was unjust and he must take revenge. Just then, the sound of drums echoed. The remaining dozens of Imperial Guards retreated slowly and formed an array in front of the observation platform. Liang Fangxu walked to the front of the platform and asked Xue Yue: "General Xue, do you know how many people are defending the city?"

  Xue Yue was also acting sufficiently, burying his head in thought, as if recalling with great difficulty. Just when Liang Fangxu was about to reveal a smile, Xue Yue said: "It should be four hundred and eighty-one people."

  Li Fangxu's expression was frozen in a state of helplessness, Li Fangxu helplessly waved his hand, and a general beside him immediately stepped forward to receive orders. Li Fangxu said helplessly: "Let the Golden Scales Guard return to formation."

  "Roger."

  Jinlinwei arrived at the observation deck shortly after receiving the order. Zhao Jiong counted them and indeed there were 481 people. Zhao Jiong smiled and said to Liang Fangxu, "General Liang, my Imperial Forest Army was lucky enough to win this round, I hope that in the subsequent battles, Jinlin Army can show mercy."

  "Your Highness, why be so humble? We admit defeat, but in the next battle, my Golden Scale warriors will surely show their strength." Liang Fangxu said helplessly.

  "I'm eagerly waiting." Zhao Yan said with a smile.

  "Why don't we do it this way? Both armies suffered heavy casualties just now. Let's have another contest tomorrow, what does General Liang think?" Zhao asked.

  "It's all up to Your Excellency, you and the Imperial Forest Army officers have come from afar, I've already ordered people to prepare wine, water, and food, please follow me back to the school field to taste the big chef's craftsmanship." Liang Fangxu had an ulterior motive, if the Imperial Forest Army officers got drunk tonight and were hungover tomorrow, they would definitely not be able to withstand a single blow during the battle, and it wouldn't be difficult to capture them one by one. He had originally heard that this cavalry was going to defeat his Golden Scale Guard, but he didn't care at all, but now if he lost in the competition on the school field, his future would be in jeopardy, so he could only resort to this inferior strategy.

  Zhaoyong, with a clear conscience, smiled and said loudly: "General Liang may not know that I have always eaten and drunk with the soldiers, never having any special privileges. Please join me in having a meal with the soldiers today."

  Li Fangxu awkwardly said: "Your Highness misunderstood, I have never enjoyed special privileges, and I am equal to the soldiers."

  "General Liang, don't misunderstand me, I also love soldiers like sons. Let's get drunk tonight and forget about returning."

  The soldiers of the Imperial Guard were deeply moved by Zhao Yan's conversation with Liang Fangxu, and they all shouted: "Long live Your Highness!"

  Zhao Yun couldn't find Xue Yue, but found the team leader named Yang Zhi, and ordered him to keep an eye on the soldiers and not allow them to drink excessively, otherwise they would be severely punished. After receiving the order, Yang Zhi walked into the midst of the soldiers and disappeared from view.

  Xue Yue was holding a wine bottle and drinking wildly, while searching for the warrior with a golden helmet. Because this warrior was not tall and big, but rather gave Xue Yue a feeling of being somewhat weak. Good things come to those who wait, in a corner that warrior with a golden helmet was sitting in the corner staring at the bonfire in a daze. When Xue Yue saw him, he couldn't help but shout: "Finally found you little brat, come on, let's have a big fight of three hundred rounds."

  That warrior didn't wear a golden helmet, was scolded by Xue Yue, glanced at Xue Yue, stood up and left.

  "You little scamp still wants to run, watch me teach you a lesson." Xue Yue said as he rushed over, raising his hand to give him a slap on the mouth, but in the end Xue Yue couldn't bring himself to do it.

  All that can be seen is that this golden scale warrior has shoulder-length long hair, beautiful facial features, and eyes that are gazing at Xue Yue with a faint gaze.

  "You... you're a girl." Xue Yue was extremely embarrassed.

  The woman looked at Xue Yue's cold expression and said, "Are you going to hit me or not? If not, I'm leaving."

  "Ah, whatever." Xue Yue put down his hand with a huff.

  The woman snorted and turned away, muttering to herself: "Not a real man."

  "Who are you saying is not a man? Tell me clearly." Xue Yue said angrily.

  "Whoever answers is the one who's going, I'm in a hurry." With that, he strode away.

  Xue Yue was stunned on the spot and didn't know what to do.