Chapter Thirty-Four: Sowing Discord

Page (1/3)

Since its founding, the Turan army had fought more than fifty battles, both great and small, yet it had never suffered a string of defeats.

Gulnar was not only the Grand Preceptor but also a military strategist.

More than anyone in Turan, he wanted to defeat Qin Xuan. Otherwise, Qin Xuan would remain a demon in his heart for the rest of his life.

“Grand Preceptor, what brilliant plan do you have?”

Seeing the confident smile that had not appeared on Gulnar’s face in years, Turan asked anxiously.

Gulnar smiled faintly. “The Great Qi allied forces have been pretending to attack the north gate of Beining City, but when we retreated just now, troops were clearly charging in from the east. Your Great Qi alliance must have divided its forces and tried to outflank us from that direction.”

“At the same time, to cut off our retreat, they left troops in the northwest as well.”

“The plan is not bad, but they have overestimated their own numbers and strength. How can a mere sixty thousand men hope to stop our Turan army?”

In terms of fighting power alone, even twenty thousand Turan soldiers could send sixty thousand Great Qi troops fleeing in panic. After all, this was the northern frontier, with its vast open terrain—perfect for cavalry charges.

And cavalry was precisely what the Turan army excelled at. Compared with them, the Great Qi alliance was indeed far too weak.

“But the Divine Strategy Army is right behind us. I’m afraid they may pursue us,” Turan said worriedly.

Gulnar shook his head and dismissed the possibility. “We abandoned our provisions, baggage, and siege equipment just now. If I were Qin Xuan, I would first send men to clear the battlefield. The only force that might catch up with us is the Great Qi army to the east.”

“But that army is still some distance away. So long as we do not become entangled in battle, we will certainly have enough time to cut through the Great Qi troops blocking our path.”

“If that happens, then even if we have failed this time, we will at least have an explanation to give the Emperor when we return.”

Gulnar’s final words sent a tremor through Turan’s heart. He immediately said, “Then we’ll follow the Grand Preceptor’s plan. If we can cut through the Great Qi alliance in one stroke, we may still have a chance to turn defeat into victory.”

Turan’s thoughts began to turn rapidly.

Earlier, the Divine Strategy Army had been defending the city, so Turan’s army had naturally been at a disadvantage and forced into passivity.

But now they were facing the enemy in open battle. With Turan’s own military ability and the terrifying combat strength of his army, he possessed the power to swallow an elephant whole.

“Foolish Great Qi alliance! At a time like this, you’re still putting on an act for me!”

“This time, I’ll show you what the Turan army is truly capable of.” His fighting spirit rekindled. He swiftly regrouped his forces and led them toward the Great Qi troops in the northwest.

At that moment, the north gate of Beining City was already in grave danger.

With the withdrawal of the Northwest Army and the deployment of the Azure Cloud Army, the Divine Strategy soldiers defending the city were clearly under even greater pressure.

“Quickly! Hurry! Don’t let the enemy climb up!”

Ning Yuanfeng darted back and forth along the battlements, constantly directing the remaining Divine Strategy soldiers in their desperate resistance.

To confuse Turan’s army, Qin Xuan had temporarily withdrawn twenty thousand troops from this side.

“Even if we die here, the north gate must not be lost in my hands!”

Gritting his teeth, Ning Yuanfeng roared. Gripping a long saber, he clashed with several Great Qi soldiers who had just climbed up using grappling hooks.

Page (1/3)

Page (2/3)

Similar scenes unfolded across the entire wall. Soon, siege ladders began to rise, and the scales of victory seemed to be tipping.

Inside the command tent, Sun Wei revealed a faint smile. “It seems it won’t be long before we breach the city.”

Sun Wei felt that he had orchestrated this battle flawlessly. After enduring countless hardships, he was already thinking about how to write the memorial reporting their victory.

Cao Xueguang also relaxed slightly. Although he was only the army supervisor, if the army won, he would naturally receive his share of the rewards.

“They got this victory by stepping over the corpses of my Northwest Army. When we return, I will report everything to His Highness the Third Prince.”

Liu Zhizhong said nothing, but he had already made his decision.

Just as the three men were harboring their own thoughts, a furious roar suddenly came from outside the command tent:

“Enemy attack! Enemy attack!”

“The Turan army has launched a sudden assault on our rear!”

The unexpected cries left Sun Wei and the other two completely stunned. Shock and disbelief appeared on all three faces.

“Who is spreading such lies outside? Liu Zhizhong, are these your men again?”

Sun Wei instinctively shouted angrily. Without bothering to look at Liu Zhizhong’s livid expression, he charged out of the command tent.

But the moment he saw what was happening, his heart sank to the bottom.

A great number of Turan cavalry were rampaging through their rear camp, cutting down countless soldiers where they stood.

“Supervising Commissioner Cao, what does the Turan army mean by this? Why have they suddenly betrayed and attacked us?”

While ordering his men to mount a swift counterattack, Sun Wei leapt onto a warhorse and galloped straight toward the rear defenses.

Cao Xueguang followed close behind, speaking in trepidation. “There must be some misunderstanding. I’ll go and ask them.”

With that, he spurred his horse forward and charged to the very front.

From a distance, he saw Turan’s towering figure moving across the battlefield like a heavenly warrior descended from the skies. Not a single man could withstand even one exchange with him.

“General Turan, I am Cao Xueguang, envoy of Great Qi! Why have you suddenly sent troops to attack our allied army?”

Cao Xueguang shouted at the top of his lungs.

Turan raised his head and swept him with a cold glance. “Why? You’re still putting on an act even with death at your doorstep. Turan Army, kill this damned envoy!”

At his command, a large number of Turan soldiers swarmed toward Cao Xueguang.

Cao Xueguang was so terrified that his soul nearly fled his body. Without the slightest hesitation, he pulled hard on the reins, turned his horse, and fled.

“They’re insane! They’re all insane! Turan must have lost his mind!”

Still shaken, Cao Xueguang fled for his life. What he failed to notice was that an arrow nearby had already fixed upon him in silence.

Whoosh.

A nearly inaudible sound split the air. Cao Xueguang suddenly felt a sharp pain in his neck, followed by a burst of warmth. His body toppled from the saddle.

Page (2/3)

Page (3/3)

Before he even had time to feel himself suffocating, he was trampled beneath the hooves of horses and the feet of countless soldiers.

“Supervising Commissioner Cao!”

Sun Wei threw back his head and roared in fury, but there was nothing he could do.

Beside him, Liu Zhizhong merely gave a secret, cold laugh. The hidden assassin was one of his men.

Cao Xueguang had repeatedly favored Sun Wei, and Liu Zhizhong had long since developed murderous intentions toward him. Moreover, if the army supervisor died, the commander-in-chief would bear the primary responsibility.

“These accursed Jurchens! They have betrayed their word. Since they seek death, we’ll wipe them out completely!”

Sun Wei was already consumed by rage. Raising his saber, he shouted the order.

Cao Xueguang’s death had thoroughly enraged him. After all, Cao Xueguang had another identity—the envoy of the Jurchen kingdom.

Thus, whether for the sake of the larger situation or to save his own life, Sun Wei had no choice but to wage war against the Turan army.

What he had failed to consider was that, only moments earlier, he had committed the bulk of his army to the attack on the city. Now, in confronting the Turan army, his forces no longer held the advantage in numbers.

To make matters worse, the Turan army had launched a surprise attack, while Sun Wei was forced to respond on the defensive. The outcome of such a battle was obvious.

“Report! Commander, a force of the Divine Strategy Army has suddenly appeared to our west and is preparing to charge!”

A vanguard soldier, drenched in blood, hurried over to deliver the report.

Sun Wei’s heart tightened. How could the Divine Strategy Army have appeared directly outside the city?

Could it be that the Turan army had never intended to attack the city today?

Had their true purpose been to join forces with Qin Xuan and destroy the Great Qi alliance?

The instant this thought arose, Sun Wei suddenly felt as though the fog had parted. All the inexplicable details now seemed to have a perfectly reasonable explanation.

“Damn Qin Xuan! He actually turned Turan against us. I should have been on guard long ago.” Sun Wei ground his teeth in hatred, yet he was powerless to change anything.

He looked around. The assault on the city had already become a lost cause. If they were struck from the flank by the Divine Strategy Army outside the city, the entire force would surely be annihilated.

Behind them, the Turan army had already succeeded in its surprise attack and was slaughtering soldiers at will.

Only the central army remained temporarily secure.

“Withdraw!”

At last, gritting his teeth, Sun Wei issued the humiliating order.

Page (3/3)