Chapter Seventeen: The Northern Barbarians Strike

The most feared event throughout Wangjiang City, and indeed the entire northern region of Daliang, had finally arrived.

A vast, dark mass of cavalry gathered along the northern bank of the Nu River.

A burly man clad in a luxurious cotton robe, deliberately adorned with a tiger pelt tied across his chest to display his might, rode forward, cutting through the crowd.

“Everyone, take a good look! The people of Nanliang are nothing but cowards!”

“They claim to be the true heirs of the Central Plains and care for their people, yet tens of thousands of displaced civilians have gathered outside Wangjiang City, and all they do is let them stay outside the walls, not daring to send a single soldier to face us.”

“Tell me, if your own kin were trapped in such a plight, what would you do?”

“That goes without saying! We must fight desperately for our people and never be like the Liang, who hide like turtles!”

A few shrewd tribal leaders approached to offer counsel.

“Chief Lianda, although the Liang’s actions reveal their cowardice, this is not entirely to our advantage.”

“Wangjiang City was built and fortified over generations by the Liang dynasty. Our tribes have never been skilled at siege warfare. If they truly retreat behind their walls, we won’t be able to engage their forces in open battle, much less capture the city.”

The “Northern Barbarians” were not a single tribe but a coalition of the nine most powerful tribes on the steppe.

Together, they had chosen a Grand Khan and established a royal court, binding all the smaller tribes on the grasslands to their command.

Thus, these nine tribes not only possessed formidable power but also held a lofty status, each controlling numerous subordinate tribes who lived at their mercy.

Lianda was the leader of one of these nine great tribes—the Tianheng tribe—ranking just below the Grand Khan among the tribal lords of the steppe.

Amid the advice from several minor chieftains, a woman’s voice suddenly cut through, dousing Lianda’s enthusiasm.

“Lianda, do not forget that for this battle, our tribes have almost exhausted all their able-bodied men to form this southern army. If we fail to breach Wangjiang or seize sufficient spoils, many tribes will be gravely weakened, and worse still, face future retribution from Daliang!”

Upon hearing this, Lianda did not grow angry; instead, he turned with a playful smile.

A female warrior of the Northern Barbarians appeared before him, filling his heart with delight.

“Helian Yue, why the worry? The Liang army’s response is exactly as I predicted!”

Helian Yue was the only daughter of the former Helian tribe chief and, more importantly, recognized as the brightest moon on the steppe.

Her beauty rivaled the snow lotus of the Tianshan Mountains, with skin even fairer and more delicate than the captured beauties from the Central Plains—a woman who bore no mark of the harsh winds of the steppe.

Lianda and other influential tribal leaders had long coveted her.

As one of the nine chieftains, Lianda held the esteemed title of “Khan.”

“Lu Xiaoyuan may come from a noble lineage, but he is far inferior to his ancestors. I have never taken him seriously!”

“The Liang claim to have gathered one hundred thousand troops in Wangjiang City, thinking we cannot break through or dare to divide their forces to plunder. How naïve!”

“I intend to slaughter these tens of thousands of Liang civilians outside the city walls before their ‘hundred thousand’ army’s eyes, to show them that they are nothing but a worthless rabble!”

“As long as this battle terrifies the Liang forces and crushes their morale, I will calmly organize a display of military might. The other tribes will seize every opportunity to plunder. Even if Lu Xiaoyuan truly commands a hundred thousand troops, they will be little more than chickens and dogs—no concern of ours!”

Lianda proudly revealed his plan, drawing praise from the other tribal leaders.

Their flattery was not entirely insincere—they understood why Lianda had driven the refugees from all over to this place: to wage psychological warfare against the defenders of Wangjiang.

Lianda laughed heartily and took the chance to move closer to Helian Yue.

“Helian Yue, you need not worry about your Helian tribe lacking spoils. Just give the word, and I will immediately deliver thirty percent of Tianheng’s southern campaign spoils to your camp. How does that sound?”

“All the men of Helian have perished; it is too harsh for a young woman like you to lead the tribe into battle. Even I feel a pang of sorrow.”

Helian Yue’s face darkened.

Lianda’s words were blunt and deeply insulting to her and the Helian tribe.

Yet, considering the Helian tribe’s current predicament and Tianheng’s dominant power on the steppe, she could only endure in silence.

“The great battle is imminent. Lord Lianda, you should focus on the current situation. If there is a chance to intimidate Wangjiang City and unleash your troops to plunder, then we can discuss other matters.”

Lianda burst into loud laughter.

“A great battle? Helian Yue, you truly are a woman. How can this be called a great battle?”

“The nature of the Liang is well known. Seeing our army here and without official soldiers to protect them, their courage has long since crumbled. Even if our warriors brandish their sabers and beckon them to lay their necks before us, they lack the nerve to resist!”

Lianda’s words drew mocking laughter from the other tribal lords.

Indeed, Lianda was arrogant and contemptuous, but their understanding of the Central Plains people was accurate.

The people of the Central Plains were all cowards—easily intimidated into submission.

That such faint-hearted folk occupied the richest lands under heaven was a great injustice.

The Central Plains should be their northern barbarians’ pastures, supplying the best fodder for their warhorses… and, of course, offering the fairest, most delicate women!

Women like Helian Yue.

Helian Yue’s special status meant only powerful tribal lords like Lianda could claim her, but the smaller leaders had long held their own hopes for the women of the Central Plains.

Seeing Helian Yue’s disapproving gaze, though silent, irked Lianda.

He was determined not only to use this battle to intimidate Lu Xiaoyuan and establish his own renown on the steppe but also to conquer Helian Yue’s heart and prove the wisdom of his schemes.

“Tianheng warriors! Who will lead the vanguard, cross the Nu River, and trample these Liang to death?”

Under Lianda’s banner, the warriors Su Hai and Wan Long simultaneously stepped forward.

“I volunteer!” they declared.

Lianda nodded with satisfaction. “Good! Each of you will lead a thousand cavalrymen to charge across the Nu River and slaughter them mercilessly. If possible, force the Wangjiang defenders to sally forth!”

Though he commanded tens of thousands of armored horsemen, Lianda intended to use them only to massacre the refugees, sparing his main forces.

He hoped Lu Xiaoyuan would lose his composure and send his troops out, granting him a decisive battle—so the main force must remain in reserve.

“Wait!”

At that moment, Helian Yue spoke again, pointing toward the opposite shore with a hint of hesitation.

“Chieftains, look closely. Don’t you find something strange about the Liang outside Wangjiang City?”