Chapter 533

First Volume, Chapter 533: Those Who Can Stand Shoulder to Shoulder with Qin Qianhu

Chen Si's decision to retreat caused not the slightest ripple among the Northern Di military command, nor did it meet any resistance—everyone had grown weary of this long and brutal war.

Moreover, every offensive against the Bian Jun Zhong Zhen incurred massive casualties; to this day, not even the City Wall of the border stronghold had been breached, and no one knew how many defenders remained inside.

Like a tidal wave, the Enemy Army withdrew from the Bian Jun Zhong Zhen, leaving behind countless corpses as they moved northward.

Qin Feng slumped to the ground, back against the Jianbing, watching the retreating Enemy Army; as his taut nerves gradually relaxed, the accumulated strength in his body vanished in an instant.

At this moment, Qin Feng could barely move his fingers; he slowly closed his eyes and let out a long breath.

"It's over… finally over…"

If this war continued, no one could bear it—not even Qin Feng.

The Bian Jun Zhong Zhen lay utterly silent, no cheers to be heard; from the Former General down to the common Soldiers, all lay sprawled across the City Wall, gasping for air.

The cool night wind carried the heavy stench of blood into every nostril.

Their eyes held the relief of a battle ended, but mostly, they held sorrow.

Brothers who had fought side by side had spilled their blood on the Battlefield; familiar comrades now lay separated by life and death.

Perhaps on paper, Liang Kingdom had ultimately won this Military Victory, but for the Generals and Soldiers who had fought on the First Line, there were no winners.

Everyone had lost too much… too much…

Silence…

A deathly silence.

With some strength regained, Qin Feng slowly peeled off his heavy Armor, only then realizing his entire body was covered in countless tiny wounds.

Though none of these wounds were deep or fatal, the dense pattern of scars still sent a shiver down Qin Feng's spine.

On the Battlefield, no one could remain undefeated.

For anyone, the only way to survive on the Battlefield was to never fight at all.

Ning Hu had fewer wounds, but had exhausted every ounce of strength; he collapsed beside Qin Feng and was already snoring soundly.

The Former General counted the numbers.

Of all the living Soldiers in the entire Bian Jun Zhong Zhen—including the severely wounded—only four hundred and ninety-five remained.

That night, everyone slept on the City Wall.

The next morning, as dawn barely broke, a heavy trampling sound jolted Qin Feng awake.

When he rose, he found Ning Hu and the others had already woken.

"Why didn't you wake me?" Qin Feng rubbed his head, staggering to his feet, his tone slightly reproachful.

Ning Hu grinned upward: "You were sleeping so soundly, I thought to let you rest longer, so I didn't call you."

"Brother Qin, look outside the City Wall."

Qin Feng leaned over the Jianbing and glanced out—his back instantly broke into a cold sweat.

The Elite Cavalry of the Beidi Eagle Brigade and the Snow Wolf Brigade were forming a dense Formation, stationed less than three li beyond the City Wall.

Had the war not ended…?

Only after closer inspection did Qin Feng finally exhale in relief.

The Northern Di Elite Cavalry were merely passing through this area, slowly moving northward.

Clearly, other Northern Di Frontline Combat Units were also beginning to withdraw across the border.

This unit must have been the force that had spearheaded the assault on the Piaoqi General's DefensiveLine.

Only when the Combat Units withdrew did it mean the war had truly ended.

…

In Jingdu, the Grand Hall, the Civil and Military Officials were discussing Logistics matters.

At that moment, the Ministry of War Scribe rushed in, clutching the Beixi County War Report.

"Your Majesty, great good news!"

Under the gaze of all, the Ministry of War Scribe knelt on both knees, unfurled the war report, and read aloud.

"The Chariot and Cavalry General personally signed this report: after two months of fierce battle, the Northern Di have been routed on all fronts, and our forces have emerged victorious. Through the bloody valor of the Northern Border Generals, not a single City or territory on the Northern Border has been lost."

"The Enemy Main General, Chen Si, has led his remaining troops out of our borders; our Imperial Spies stationed along the Border have tracked and monitored them—this is not Zha Xiang; after returning to their homeland, their forces dispersed and were redeployed, receiving Grain and Forage support from county cities across their territory."

Just moments ago, the Liang Emperor and the ministers had been anxious over the unending war on the Northern Border.

They had feared the Northern Border Troops could not halt Chen Si's Army—yet now, they learned the war had already ended.

With this report arriving, calculations showed the Northern Di had already retreated four days prior.

The entire Grand Hall fell silent for a moment, then erupted into loud cheers.

"Excellent! Since the founding of Shedynasty, though we've clashed with the Northern Di many times, we've lost more than we've won. Now, after a desperate, all-out struggle, we've repelled the Northern Di—this alone will proclaim the might of Shedynasty!"

"The Northern Border Generals have worked hard!"

"Those North Di Barbarians now know the strength of Shedynasty! Haha, I say we should immediately launch troops, pursue them in victory, and seize their Northern Di Territory and Cities!"

"Your Excellencies, though we have crushed the Northern Di, we must not let joy cloud our judgment. After successive brutal battles, the Northern Border Generals are surely utterly exhausted—they must be allowed to rest."

As the ministers debated fiercely, the Liang Emperor himself was secretly overjoyed.

No one knew the Liang Emperor had already prepared for the worst: should the Northern Border DefensiveLine fall, the Central Plains Imperial Party would immediately march northward for a final, decisive battle against the Enemy Army.

Faced with this sudden victory, even the Liang Emperor, who normally concealed his emotions, could not help but flush with color, a smile involuntarily curling at his lips.

"Excellent! Qin Feng has truly lived up to the ImperialCommand!"

Hearing the Liang Emperor's remark, Qin Tianhu's head nearly lifted into the sky; the Pro-War Faction and Taolin Party ministers could not help but flush with excitement.

After this battle, Qin Feng's position within the military was now unshakable—and these court ministers would naturally benefit from his glory.

"Qin Official, congratulations!"

"Hahaha! The Qin Family truly has a tiger for a father and no Quan Lang for a son! When Qin Tianhu once defended the Rong Border, he dealt a crushing blow to the arrogant North Di Barbarians; now Qin Feng has driven them back completely, proclaiming the glory of Shedynasty. Shedynasty is truly blessed to have the Qin Family!"

"Different! Since the founding of Shedynasty, when have we ever achieved such a Military Victory? Every major war was won by relying on the strength of our city walls, grinding down the Enemy Army until they had Plundered enough and left our borders with full coffers—only then did the fighting end. But now, Commander Qin has led our soldiers to drive the Northern Di army out outright—this is an unparalleled achievement!"

"Indeed! Only the founding meritorious officials can match Commander Qin!"

The ministers lavished congratulations upon Qin Tianhu without restraint.

Qin Tianhu responded to each one in turn, constantly observing the Liang Emperor's reaction—yet the Liang Emperor's expression remained smiling, and Qin Tianhu quietly exhaled in relief.

Although the Liang Emperor disliked the words of the Taolin Party members, with the National War won and this such a joyous day, the Liang Emperor naturally chose to turn a blind eye…