Chapter 265: The Xiongnu Invasion (Subscriptions and Votes Requested)

"Shaoyu, hurry up!" Tianming called out to Shaoyu as he skipped along.

"Wait, listen!" Shaoyu grabbed Tianming and perked up his ears to listen carefully. A chaotic shouting could be heard from afar. Shaoyu's expression changed. "The sound is coming from the direction of the Mohist stronghold. Oh no, something's wrong!"

"Big Brother Gane and the others... Let's hurry and help!" Hearing this, Tianming immediately pulled Shaoyu and ran towards the secret stronghold.

"Thud!" Suddenly, a large hand grabbed Tianming, stopping him in his tracks.

"Brother Xiao!" Tianming turned his head and saw that Xiao Xie, dressed in a black robe, had appeared out of nowhere.

Xiao Xie shook his head and said, "You two are too reckless. Gane and the others have already evacuated safely. If you rush over there now, you'll just be walking right into a trap."

"Brother Xiao, I'm sorry." Tianming and Shaoyu lowered their heads in shame. If the two of them were caught by Meng Tian and his men, it would probably stir up a whole lot of trouble.

"Alright, you don't need to blame yourselves too much. Come back to the Returning Sea Manor with me!" Xiao Xie patted the two on the shoulders and led them toward the Returning Sea Manor. Although the two were rather rash, their intentions were good.

As soon as Xiao Xie brought Tianming and Shaoyu into the Returning Sea Manor, they ran into old man Ban and the others.

"Young Master Xiao," Xiaoyao Zi greeted Xiao Xie with a bow.

"Master Xiaoyao," Xiao Xie returned the bow.

"Giant, how shall we make our arrangements next?" Old man Ban asked Xiao Xie.

Xiao Xie glanced around the room, thought for a moment, and said, "Since the Black Dragon Scroll states that Ying Zheng will come to Songhai City when the Mirage sets sail, we only need to wait quietly and keep everything as usual. Right now, Meng Tian and his men will be much more anxious than we are."

"Indeed. At this time, Meng Tian and his troops will undoubtedly use any means necessary to eradicate us and clear away any obstacles that threaten Ying Zheng's safety. Hiding ourselves and waiting for Ying Zheng to arrive in Songhai to execute a fatal strike is the best course of action," Xiaoyao Zi nodded, stroking his beard with a look of agreement.

Old man Ban and the others exchanged glances, then cupped their fists respectfully to Xiao Xie and said, "Your command, Giant!"

...

One month later, Shangdang Commandery, the Great Wall Pass. Bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun, the entire Shangdang was draped in a heavy, earthy yellow, which contrasted and blended with the fiery red sunset on the horizon. Compared to the shores of the East China Sea, it possessed a distinct and unique scenery. Atop the towering Great Wall, eight horses could gallop abreast; the massive windlasses were carved with exquisite dragon patterns, and giant ropes as thick as an arm wound downward, pulling the enormous thousand-jin bronze floodgate.

On each winding peak, groups of ten Qin soldiers were stationed within the beacon towers. Near the walls, which were tamped down with yellow earth, two pairs of Qin soldiers patrolled meticulously, the heavy crossbows in their hands flashing with glints of cold light.

Night was gradually swallowing the sunset. Beyond the Great Wall lay endless grasslands; in late autumn, the once-verdant wilderness turned into rolling layers of withered and flourishing grass swaying gently in the wind. Herders from outside the city were driving their cattle and sheep through the pass to return to the inner city, as the city gates would soon close. For the herdsmen on the Qin frontier, they had long grown accustomed to such days.

Ever since the Qin people migrated here, they had taken root, enduring through six hundred years across generations without change. With the spears in their hands, they repelled the ferocious Hu people time and time again. In the setting sun, a man in a gray robe leisurely patrolled atop the Great Wall. An ancient-looking sword hung quietly at his waist, its scabbard adorned with extremely delicate patterns. As he passed each guard post, this young general would pat the city-guarding soldiers on the shoulders, and the soldiers' gazes were filled with utmost respect, even carrying a trace of fanaticism.

He was Meng Tian's full brother, Meng Yi!

Compared to Meng Tian's awe-inspiring and formidable presence, Meng Yi appeared somewhat more scholarly and handsome. He had been transferred to the front lines from the First Emperor's imperial study, having originally served as the Inner Historian. After Meng Tian traveled east to Songhai, Meng Yi was subsequently transferred to the frontier Shangdang Commandery.

Facing the setting sun, leaning against the battlement and watching the last batch of herders safely enter the pass, Meng Yi showed a habitual, faint smile. Another peaceful day; this feeling was truly wonderful. There were no wars, no turmoil; the people abided by the law and lived in peace and contentment, reading and practicing calligraphy in their spare time. Unlike Meng Tian, who favored the martial life of horses and armor, Meng Yi preferred such a tranquil existence.

Although the Meng family was a distinguished military lineage, by the present day it had produced two great military stars, Meng Tian in literature and Meng Yi in martial arts. The First Emperor held the Meng family in supreme and unprecedented regard.

Walking slowly down the city tower, the soldiers were also successively changing shifts. In this seemingly peaceful dusk, no one noticed that dozens of dark shadows had already reached the foot of the Great Wall.

...

Xianyang, Ying Zheng's sleeping quarters. The second watch of the night had passed, and Ying Zheng, who had been reviewing memorials all day, was just preparing to rest when the bells within the forbidden palace suddenly rang out loudly—it was the warning bell.

Ever since Lord Shang's reforms in Qin, this alarm would only sound in the event of major national military affairs or urgent frontier reports.

Instantly, all sleepiness vanished from Ying Zheng. Not even bothering to put on his shoes and socks, he rushed out the door while shouting at the top of his lungs, "Someone come!"

"Your Majesty, there is military intelligence sent from the frontier." An attendant knelt down in submission beside Ying Zheng, presenting the urgent frontier report.

Ying Zheng finished reading the report at a glance, his expression turning somewhat grim as he ordered, "Copy this into a Red Dragon Scroll, send the imperial edict to Songhai at top speed, and have the Golden Fire Cavalry return at full speed without any delay!"

With a subtle movement of his gaze, feeling his shoulder grow slightly heavy, a fur cloak gently draped over his shoulders.

"Your Majesty, the autumn nights are chilly, you should return inside." The voice was extremely gentle, yet carried a hint of lingering allure.

Ying Zheng's brow relaxed involuntarily, and he patted the back of the person's hand. "Lady Hu, you go inside. I still have urgent military affairs to process, you don't need to wait."

No sooner had his voice fallen than a close attendant stepped forward to help Ying Zheng change his robe.

"Proclaim my decree: summon all ministers to the grand council hall for a meeting!"

Upon receiving the decree, the palace guards immediately rushed to the residences of various ministers to deliver the order. Not a single one of them had seen the military report, but to the people of Qin, an urgent frontier dispatch meant war. The State of Qin conferred titles based on military achievements, so the people of Qin never feared war; on the contrary, they looked forward to it.

...

Early the next morning, Xiao Xie received the message sent by Murong Feng. After reading the letter, a heavy look flashed across Xiao Xie's eyes, and he replied with a message of his own, sending it back.

"Giant, your expression looks rather grim! Did something happen?" Seeing Xiao Xie's troubled expression, Dao Zhi could not help but ask.

"The latest news: last night, the Xiongnu attacked the Great Wall Pass in Shangdang Commandery, and the frontier city has fallen," Xiao Xie said with a heavy expression as he glanced at the others.

"What?!" Old man Ban and the others exclaimed in unison upon hearing Xiao Xie's words.

Regardless of whether they sought to overthrow Ying Zheng, that was an internal grievance among the people of the Central Plains. However, an incursion by the Xiongnu constituted a foreign invasion.