Chapter 900: First Volume, Chapter 900: One Step, One Obstacle

First Volume, Chapter 900: One Step, One Obstacle

Shen Qingci and the two maids remained temporarily in Changshui County; the next morning, Qin Feng, accompanied by Liu Ming, set out for Wang Du with Li Xiaolan, while Ning Hu stayed behind in Changshui County to oversee affairs.

On the journey from Changshui County to Wang Du, they passed through several Jingji county territories, where everything they saw could be described as "all things withered."

Almost no one was visible along the Official Road, yet occasionally, a few frozen corpses could be seen piled beneath the snow on either side of the road.

Not even ordinary Common People could be seen; even Qin Feng's carriage struggled through the deep snow, and though it should have taken only one day and night to reach Wang Du, after two days and one night, they still had not entered Wang Du's territory.

This once-in-a-century snowstorm was an unprecedented trial for everyone.

Nearly all economic activity had halted; Officials, clerks, and Common People had all hidden indoors, the difference being that Officials had no shortage of food or warmth, while Common People could only rely on their subcutaneous fat to endure this apocalyptic winter.

Inside the carriage, a fire stove burned, and thick cotton quilts covered their legs, making it extremely warm—utterly unlike the scene outside.

Li Xiaolan leaned against Qin Feng, lifted the curtain, gazed at the outside, and sighed bitterly.

"The war-mongering Northern Di have finally tasted the cost of war."

"Had this National War not been fought, even with this once-in-a-century snowstorm, the Northern Di's National Strength would have sustained them—but alas…"

"The Common People are innocent; no one knows how many will sleep forever when spring comes next year…"

Sensing Li Xiaolan's sorrowful gaze, Qin Feng also let out a quiet sigh.

"Those who love war will perish; those who forget war will be in peril. War is a nation's last resort—it must always be prepared for, to resist enemy ambushes—but if the entire populace becomes soldiers, if Bo Bing Du Wu leads to economic and People's Livelihood decline or collapse, this is the result."

"The Northern Di are skilled at betting their national fate on war—this time, they lost."

"But speaking of it, our Shedynasty's situation is no more optimistic. Though this snowstorm did not sweep across Shedynasty territory, according to reports from the Anwu Guard, Shedynasty is also enduring a rare severe winter; though economic and People's Livelihood conditions have not fully collapsed, they have suffered considerable damage."

"Under natural disaster, all beings are equal."

At this point, half a day's journey remained before reaching Wang Du's territory; if all went smoothly, they could arrive before nightfall.

Just then, the carriage suddenly stopped.

Immediately, Liu Ming's voice came from outside the carriage.

"Marquis Qin, the advance scouts have been ambushed!"

Hearing this, Qin Feng frowned—his greatest fear had finally come to pass.

The Northern Di King's summons to Qin Feng must have spread through court and countryside; and with Lü Li's Faction as the leading hawks, they surely understood that if Qin Feng met the Northern Di King, it would deal an immeasurable blow to Lü Li's Faction—thus, Lü Li striking first was inevitable.

At that moment, Liu Ming's voice sounded again.

"Brother Qin, word has come that over a hundred men are approaching this way."

Qin Feng remained calm and asked casually: "Do we have the advantage?"

Liu Ming replied quickly: "Since Changshui County is close to Wang Du, we brought only fifty Anwu Guards, thirty Tianji Camp Guards, and two hundred Beixi Soldiers."

"Two hundred and eighty men can annihilate their hundred-plus in one incense stick time."

"But they must have come prepared; since they chose to strike here, they surely have reinforcements waiting—if they gamble everything and summon cavalry for total annihilation, their mobility allows them to gather a thousand within a short time."

"To fight outnumbered is not rational."

Liu Ming's meaning was clear: defeating these hundred-odd enemies was no challenge, but the situation remained perilous; for safety, they must either return immediately to Changshui County to gather a large force and proceed again, or abandon the carriage and other burdens, mount warhorses, and move swiftly to Wang Du.

Qin Feng silently weighed his options: since Lü Li had already moved, even greater actions would follow!

If he failed to meet the Northern Di King now, it might become harder than climbing to heaven to meet him later.

Thinking this, Qin Feng decisively chose to abandon the carriage; he and Li Xiaolan donned their overcoats, mounted fast horses, and were escorted by thirty Tianji Camp Guards as they raced toward Wang Du.

The remaining Anwu Guards and Beixi Soldiers followed closely behind, ready for any contingency.

To reach Wang Du as quickly as possible, Qin Feng chose to gallop along the Official Road—but less than one incense stick time later, an Anwu Guard scout blocked their path.

"My Lord, over two hundred men have set up a Guan Ka ahead; though dressed as County Soldiers, they carry shields and Bow and Arrow—they are clearly not patrolling Common People, but are prepared for battle."

Hearing this, Qin Feng yanked the reins hard, halting the cavalry; he glanced ahead at the Official Road, then turned to glance at the right-side wasteland.

At that moment, Li Xiaolan whispered: "Feng'er, if we cross the Huang Ye, can we Yuan Hui to Wang Du?"

Qin Feng nodded: "Yes, this route does lead to Wang Du, but it strays far from the Official Road and is rarely traveled. Since they've set up checkpoints all along, they're deliberately forcing us onto this path—if I'm not mistaken, it's filled with ambushes."

Saying this, Qin Feng fixed his gaze on the Official Road ahead and waved his hand; the Captain of Tianji Camp, Zhang Zhenhai, rode forward.

"Marquis Qin, what is your order?"

Without hesitation, Qin Feng declared: "I have been summoned by the Northern Di King—I shall enter through the main gate with honor. No one shall drive me off the Official Road!"

Hearing this, Zhang Zhenhai did not hesitate; he raised his hand: "Comrades, follow me!"

Zhang Zhenhai led the thirty Tianji Camp Guards straight toward the front Guan Ka, while Liu Ming and the Anwu Guards followed close behind.

Ten li away at the Official Road Guan Ka, Zhang Feng, the Leader, had his hands tucked in his sleeves, exhaling white vapor as he paced back and forth from the cold.

His Deputy rubbed his hands and asked quietly: "Leader, who exactly are we waiting for?"

Zhang Feng looked relaxed: "Why ask so much? You'll know when they arrive. Just remember one thing: if any large force passes here, charge and kill them."

Seeing his Deputy and several Little Leaders look uneasy, Zhang Feng reluctantly explained: "According to reliable intelligence, a rebel army from Sangzhou will pass through here!"

At these words, the Deputy and Little Leaders immediately relaxed—so they were suppressing a Rebel Army? Then there was nothing to fear.