Chapter 901

First Volume, Chapter 901: Kill All the Way

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 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 could be seen along the Official Road, yet occasionally, a few frozen corpses lay buried in the snow-covered wastelands on either side.

Not even ordinary Common People could be found; even Qin Feng's carriage struggled through the deep snow, and though it should have reached Wang Du in one day and night, after two days and nights, 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 were safe from hunger and cold, while Common People could only endure this apocalyptic winter by burning their own body fat.

A brazier burned inside the carriage, and thick cotton quilts covered their legs, making it extremely warm—utterly unlike the world outside.

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

"The Bo Bing Du Wu of Northern Di have finally felt the cost of war."

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

"The Common People are innocent; no one knows how many will forever sleep through next spring."

Sensing Li Xiaolan's sorrowful gaze, Qin Feng also sighed softly.

"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 ambushes by powerful enemies. 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."

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

"Still, our Shedynasty's situation is no better. Though this snowstorm did not sweep across Shedynasty's territory, according to reports from the Anwu Guard, Shedynasty is also enduring a rare severe winter; though economic and People's Livelihood activity has not fully halted, it has 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 well, they would 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—he had feared this moment would come.

News of Northern Di's King summoning 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 became inevitable.

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

"Brother Qin, word comes from ahead: over a hundred men are approaching this way."

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

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 the hundred or so enemies 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, cavalry's mobility means they can gather a thousand men in short order."

"To fight outnumbered is not rational."

Liu Ming's meaning was clear: defeating the hundred or so 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 to Wang Du, or abandon the carriage and other burdens, mount warhorses, and move swiftly to reach Wang Du as fast as possible.

Qin Feng pondered inwardly: since Lü Li had already moved, even greater actions must follow!

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

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, signaling the cavalry to halt. He glanced ahead at the Official Road, then turned to glance at the wasteland to the right.

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

Qin Feng nodded: "Yes, we can reach Wang Du this way, but this path is far from the Official Road and rarely traveled. Since they've set up Guan Ka all along the road, they're deliberately forcing us onto this route. If I'm not mistaken, there are heavy ambushes waiting."

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

"Marquis Qin, what is your order?"

Qin Feng did not hesitate: "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, raised his hand, and shouted: "Comrades, follow me!"

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

Ten li away, at the Official Road Guan Ka, Zhang Feng stood with hands tucked in his sleeves, exhaling white vapor, pacing nervously in the cold as he stared down the distant road.

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

Zhang Feng smiled easily: "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 instantly relaxed—so they were suppressing a Rebel Army? Then there was nothing to fear.