Refusing the Marriage Alliance, I Founded a Dynasty - chapter 13

Yet Rouran had been a threat to Great Yin for nearly a hundred years. Though the incompetence of its rulers played a part, Rouran’s underlying strength could not be underestimated.

The fifteen cities of Great Liang had already been plundered by Rouran several times, leaving little behind. Although my surprise attack this time inflicted heavy losses on them, their strength was formidable. They quickly regrouped and brought forth an army of a hundred thousand to press against our borders.

Rouran was known for its cavalry, fierce and brave, backed by the Silk Road, giving them a tremendous advantage.

As for me, I patrolled the City Tower, watching the garrisoned soldiers whose faces had already turned pale from hunger.

The second batch of provisions was still nowhere to be seen. I had sent people to urge its delivery several times, but to no avail.

The army’s meals had been reduced from three a day to just one, and even that was becoming more meager. It was already spring; I ordered people to open up new fields for planting, to hunt in the mountains, and went everywhere persuading wealthy families to donate grain. But it was like a cup of water on a burning cart-far from enough to solve our current predicament.

Returning to my tent, Aman set out my meal: just two coarse grain buns and a bowl of thin porridge.

I hardened my expression and ordered Aman to take the food away and give it to the soldiers who had been wounded defending the city the day before.

Aman’s round face was already sunken from hunger. She cried, “Young Lady, you haven’t eaten properly for two days. Every day it’s just cold water and thin porridge. If you don’t eat, you won’t last much longer.”

I wiped away her tears and said, “Don’t be afraid. I am one who bears the Mandate of Heaven. I will surely turn misfortune into blessing, and danger into safety. You must hold on too. There is great fortune waiting for us in the capital!”

Aman left with the food, still crying.

Late at night, I climbed the City Tower and looked out at the Rouran camp, filled with laughter and the aroma of meat and wine drifting over. I racked my brains for a way to defeat the enemy.

I had intended to wear Rouran down by waiting, but somehow they had managed to bring in more provisions, and now their supplies were abundant. The situation between attacker and defender had reversed.

The next day, Rouran launched another assault.

I commanded the defense calmly, but could not help the sorrow rising in my heart.

Could it be that Heaven truly wished to destroy me?

There was only enough grain in the city to last three more days.

The soldiers were so hungry their faces were pale, and some had begun to swell from malnutrition.

How could such soldiers resist a foreign enemy?

Though Rouran was repelled, our losses were also severe.

Of the thirty thousand troops I had brought, only a little over ten thousand remained.

I sat down against the city wall, heated my dagger over a fire, and dug out the arrow embedded in my calf. It was a bloody business, but my expression did not change.

A young soldier beside me asked, “General, doesn’t it hurt?”

I told him, “Not at all.”

He was very young, about the same age as my Fourth Younger Brother. He asked, “General, the brothers all say you’re the Imperial Daughter. Why aren’t you enjoying life in the Imperial City? Why come here and suffer?”

I touched his forehead-it was burning hot. I said, “Because the people here are bullied by Rouran. Great Yin doesn’t care about them, but Great Liang does. My Father sent me to save them.”

The young soldier grinned, showing white teeth, his eyes bright: “General, you’re a good general, better than those corrupt officials.”

He said, “General, if we win, does that mean we won’t have to fight anymore?”

I said, “Yes, no more fighting. If you want to study, I’ll send you to school. If you want to farm, I’ll buy you dozens of acres of land. If you want to do business, I’ll give you capital. If you want to be an official, I’ll help you become one, so your parents can be proud and become honored elders.”

The young soldier said, “General, my parents are both dead. Starved to death.”

He said, “General, I want to go home and farm, marry a wife, and have a child who can follow you, General.”

He said, “General, we’re almost winning.”

His voice was full of hope, happiness, and longing. He believed his General would lead them to victory, so he could go home, use his saved wages to buy a few acres of land, build a house, buy some cattle, and marry a virtuous wife. His voice grew weaker in the wind, until it faded away completely.

That night, the north wind brought yellow sand and the sounds of Rouran’s songs and dances.

I ordered the young soldier’s body to be taken away, wiped my face, and found it covered in mud and tears.