Chapter Sixteen: Tomorrow

Xue Chengqian and Luo Fang were organizing the refugees when Wang Huzi arrived with a group of men.

“Boss, we’ve brought the people,” Wang Huzi reported.

“But these folks are proud and not easily convinced by us,” he added.

Though often reckless, Wang Huzi had been with Luo Fang long enough to develop some insight.

Upon hearing that Xue Chengqian truly had a plan to confront the northern barbarians, Luo Fang’s spirit revived considerably.

Since a fight was inevitable, no matter how clever Xue Chengqian’s strategy, they first needed to “know their enemy.”

So Luo Fang instructed his men to select some of the more perceptive newcomers among the refugees, aiming to glean from them what kind of forces the invading northern barbarians were.

Having followed Luo Fang for some time, Wang Huzi not only picked out targets but also sized up their temperaments fairly well.

“I am Xiang Rui, a horse trader from the Northern Frontier! Are you the commander of the Zhenyi Battalion?”

Xiang Rui was tall and carried an imposing presence with every gesture.

Luo Fang and his men, being local militia, knew well that these so-called Northern Frontier “horse traders” were likely part-time horse bandits.

Seeing Xiang Rui’s forceful demeanor, Luo Fang grew cautious.

He was uncertain, for without the threat of the northern barbarians, if Xiang Rui and his men had arrived outside Wangjiang City now, they might very well become competitors rather than allies.

However, Luo Fang held the advantage of being the “first to arrive,” a status Xiang Rui could not match.

“That’s right! The city’s defender, Lord Lu, has reported to the court, appointing me as captain. Not only do I command the Zhenyi Battalion, but I also oversee the deployment of all refugees outside Wangjiang City to resist the northern barbarian cavalry!” Luo Fang deliberately raised his stance.

Just as Xue Chengqian had advised.

Lord Lu Xiaoyuan was indeed using them deliberately, even sending them to their deaths to solve the refugee problem all at once, and then pinning the blame on their incompetence.

But now, they could turn Lu Xiaoyuan’s promises and official appointments to their own advantage.

At first, Xiang Rui looked at Luo Fang’s plain clothes and the rough men around him with suspicion and disdain.

Yet, upon hearing Luo Fang openly claim his identity, they reluctantly suppressed their desire to seize control.

The saying “the people do not fight the officials” held true; they feared the government, especially with a greater enemy looming.

They would be foolish to pick a fight outside Wangjiang City now.

When the northern barbarians arrived, survival was uncertain; ruling over the refugees then held little meaning.

Their chief concern was how Luo Fang—or rather, Wangjiang City—planned to face the northern barbarians.

“If you’re truly the commander of the Zhenyi Battalion, why not quickly enter the city to find Lord Lu and request reinforcements? What good is it to gather us here otherwise?”

Xue Chengqian spoke bluntly.

“We don’t need Lord Lu to send any reinforcements. We, the brothers here, will hold back the northern barbarians ourselves. Bringing you here was to learn about the enemy’s movements and the character of their commander.”

“What? Are you mad?” Xiang Rui stared at them in shock.

Behind him, his subordinate Hong Dang angrily retorted, “Do you think we’re blind? Your so-called Zhenyi Battalion barely has a few men, and among all these refugees, few have decent weapons or armor—some don’t even have proper clothes! Do you really think you can provoke the northern barbarians like this?”

“Boss, don’t listen to these madmen; we should run south while we still can!” another urged.

“Heh, and who do you think you’re talking to?” Luo Fang and Wang Huzi hesitated, but Xue Chengqian’s expression darkened as he suddenly challenged them.

“Our leader Luo has already declared his identity: he is tasked by Lord Lu to manage the refugees outside the city. You come seeking shelter here but refuse to cooperate in fighting the invaders—what are your intentions?”

This was ridiculous!

Only the original refugees like Yapozi knew they had surrendered their weapons; no one else suspected the whole thing was a sham.

Their secret rivalry with Lu Xiaoyuan was unknown to outsiders.

Xiang Rui and Hong Dang were both shocked and angry, instinctively glancing at the troops stationed on the city walls of Wangjiang.

Xiang Rui’s tone softened as he explained, “We would never hinder the defense, but if Lord Lu commits the entire garrison, there might still be a chance. Relying only on your few men is just sending the refugees to their deaths!”

In the past, Xiang Rui’s words might have resonated deeply with Luo Fang.

But now, with Xue Chengqian advising him, Luo Fang felt much bolder and revealed his true heroic nature.

With a grand gesture, he declared confidently, “How we deploy our forces is none of your concern. Just share what you know of the enemy for our reference.”

Seeing their stubbornness, Xiang Rui reluctantly shared what he had observed along the way.

“The northern barbarians are all cavalry, moving swiftly back and forth. They deliberately drive the refugees to sow fear in Wangjiang City, hoping to create chaos themselves.”

“Based on timing, the northern cavalry will arrive by tomorrow at the latest!”

“Tomorrow!”

Even though they were mentally prepared, Wang Huzi and the others couldn’t help but grimace.

Xiang Rui said coldly, “Yes, tomorrow! The Nu River is already frozen, and since the northern barbarians are mostly cavalry, they may directly charge to the walls of Wangjiang City.”

“If you still have any sense, your best move now is to convince Lord Lu to dispatch troops—or else flee immediately!”

Xue Chengqian smiled faintly. “As you said, the northern barbarians are all cavalry. With the Nu River frozen over, which of the smaller rivers and streams hasn’t frozen as well?”

“Northern cavalry can move freely; can you really outrun the four legs of a horse?”

“Wangjiang City is high and well-fortified, and the imperial army is gathered there. If even this place cannot block the barbarians, do you think fleeing elsewhere will save your lives?”

With every word from Xue Chengqian, Xiang Rui and his men grew more sullen, unsure how to respond.

But Hong Dang, simpler-minded than even Wang Huzi, bitterly retorted, “If we weren’t seeking a chance at survival, why would we have fled to Wangjiang?”

“But now, what do you expect us to do? If the imperial troops won’t protect the refugees outside the city, should we just wait here to die?”

Xue Chengqian answered proudly, “We are the imperial army of Daliang now! With us here, how can you say the refugees have no protection?”

“If you truly refuse to be slaughtered passively, then stand with us to face the enemy!”

“You said the northern barbarians won’t give us much time and may attack across the ice tomorrow? Good. Tomorrow, we shall break the enemy!”

Xiang Rui and the others stared at Xue Chengqian as if he were mad.

Not only them, even Luo Fang’s men lacked strong confidence but dared not show it before their leader, offering only bitter smiles.

In contrast, Kang Yu, standing at the back, looked at Xue Chengqian with a different expression altogether.