Chapter 199: Going into danger alone
Chapter 199: Going into danger alone
Fan Yanmu was unwilling to sit and wait for death, so he took a deep breath, stretched out his body, and jumped onto the city wall.
Under the city wall, the dark mass of Dongchu cavalry was like a dark cloud pressing down on the sky. The defenders and reinforcements of Zhangzhou were fighting a desperate battle with them, and many warriors fell under the enemy's blade.
Fan Yanmu's face was solemn, and he was about to join the bloody battle, but was hurriedly stopped by Pei Ming, the governor of the prefecture.
"Prince Fan, please stay!"
Pei Ming's face was filled with anxiety as he walked quickly forward. In all his years of career in the provincial government, he had never faced such a severe challenge.
Although there were frequent wars on the border, Zhangzhou had always been as solid as a rock. Now that the border had been lost and the East Chu army was attacking like a flood and a beast, Pei Ming was heartbroken over the sacrifice of his subordinates and even more worried about his own fate.
As a civil servant, he knew very well that he was unable to directly fight the enemy, and the battle situation outside the city made him extremely anxious.
When he saw Fan Yanmu, he felt like he had grabbed a life-saving straw and hurried forward to stop him.
Fan Yanmu narrowed his eyes slightly and examined Pei Ming. He could see the other person's anxiety and helplessness.
"Mr. Fan, what do you think we should do about this?"
Pei Ming's voice was full of urgency, but he didn't dare to let Fan Yanmu take the risk alone.
Fan Yanmu was also anxious, as every attack by the enemy meant more casualties.
Faced with Pei Ming's questioning, he fell into deep thought. The fate of Zhangzhou and his own safety were both hanging by a thread.
There was a hint of urgency in Fan Yanmu's eyes. He knew very well that time was running out and every minute and every second could affect the fate of Zhangzhou City.
Upon seeing this, Pei Ming immediately understood what he meant, nodded in agreement, then turned around and told his men to prepare the car.
"Go and bring my carriage here quickly and safely."
There was unquestionable firmness in Pei Ming's voice. His men took action immediately upon hearing his voice, not daring to be negligent in the slightest.
While waiting for the carriage, Fan Yanmu stared at the unconscious Du Xuwei with mixed feelings.
This enemy, who had once been at loggerheads with him on the battlefield, has now become a trump card in his hand, but the price of this victory seems too heavy.
He couldn't help but wonder when this endless war would truly end and allow the people of this land to live in peace.
Not long after, a carriage with simple decoration but sturdy and durable appearance slowly drove over and stopped in front of Fan Yanmu.
The driver jumped off his horse and waited respectfully by the side.
Pei Ming walked forward and personally opened the car door for Fan Yanmu, his actions revealing his respect and trust for the young general.
"Prince Fan, please."
Pei Ming's words were concise and powerful, as if silently conveying his trust and support for Fan Yanmu.
Fan Yanmu nodded slightly to express his thanks, then worked together with Ying Yi and Ying Er to lift Du Xuwei onto the carriage.
The car was covered with soft blankets to minimize the discomfort caused by the bumps to Du Xuwei.
After settling Du Xuwei, Fan Yanmu also got into the car and sat next to Du Xuwei, looking at this former rival with complicated eyes.
With the driver's whip, the carriage started slowly and headed towards the depths of Zhangzhou City.
The sound of the rolling wheels seemed particularly clear in the silent night, as if it was the hum of the wheel of history, foreshadowing the coming of new changes.
Inside the car, Fan Yanmu had a lot of thoughts in his mind. He knew very well that although he had temporarily forced back the Dong Chu army, this was only temporary peace.
The real test is how to use Du Xuwei's identity and influence to fundamentally resolve the conflicts between the two countries.
The night breeze blew in through the slightly opened car window, bringing a bit of coolness but also making people feel sober.
Fan Yanmu closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and silently planned his next move in his mind.
Pei Ming saw that the battle was over. His tense nerves gradually began to ripple like a lake in the spring breeze. The heavy weight in his heart also fell to the ground and turned into a relaxed smile.
"Of course I will ask someone to prepare the carriage right away."
There was a cheerfulness in his words, as if a long drought had finally come to an end; every word revealed a sense of relief and heroism.
As the order was given, the servants moved quickly to prepare for the upcoming victorious return.
Soon, the city gates flew open, and the sun shone through the clouds, shining on the reinforcements and officials who were full of glory and exhaustion.
They walked slowly into Zhangzhou City with firm steps and the joy of victory. Each of their faces was filled with gratitude and pride for surviving the disaster.
Pei Ming had already made all the arrangements. A carriage with simple but steady decorations slowly drove over. Fan Yanmu stepped onto the carriage with a nimble figure. His movements revealed a majesty and composure that could not be ignored.
Ying Er followed closely behind, holding Du Xuwei tightly with one hand. Although the latter was unable to move himself, his eyes flashed with unwillingness and cunning.
Yingyi rode his horse and whipped it, leading the way in front with a heroic look, leading the direction for the team.
Guo Mo looked at the departing figure, and his worry for his master surged in his heart. Without hesitation, he chased after him at a brisk pace, shouting as he ran, "I'll go back with you."
Before he finished speaking, he had nimbly jumped onto the carriage and was walking side by side with everyone else.
And the reinforcements he brought found a temporary shelter under Pei Ming's proper arrangement, and waited for the situation to stabilize before returning to their positions.
Inside the carriage, Du Xuwei was suffering from the merciless torture of toxins in his body. Beads of sweat the size of beans slid down his pale face, and every inch of his skin silently told of pain and despair.
Fan Yanmu closed his eyes and rested, as if he was adjusting his breathing, or thinking about some far-reaching plan, while Guo Mo stood guard vigilantly by his side, with sharp eyes, always paying attention to everything going on around him.
Ying Er drove the carriage, the wheels rolling, moving steadily towards the old house.
The scenery along the way passed by quickly, but no one had the heart to appreciate it. Everyone had their own thoughts and plans in their hearts.
The moment she arrived at the old house, Xiao Zhixue heard the sound of a carriage almost at the same time. Her heart skipped a beat and she quickly walked out, anxiety and anticipation intertwined in her heart.
When she saw Fan Yanmu and others return safely, her heart was finally at ease and a long-lost smile appeared on her face.
She eagerly stepped forward and asked with concern, "Has Zhangzhou City been defended?"
Fan Yanmu nodded gently, his eyes showing both relief and deepness: "We have secured him, but we cannot let him go yet."
His gaze passed over the crowd and fell on Du Xuwei, who had just stepped off the carriage and looked very weak. There was something meaningful in his gaze.
Xiao Zhixue understood clearly that Du Xuwei's identity was special. He was both a threat and a chess piece. In the future confrontation with Dong Chu, he would be an indispensable part.
Du Xuwei looked at Xiao Zhixue with a cunning look in his eyes. He knew very well that she was the only one who could cure the poison in his body, and this dependence became his only bargaining chip.
Seeing this, Fan Yanmu decisively ordered Ying Yi and Ying Er: "Take him to the woodshed and don't let him run away."
The two men responded respectfully and were about to carry out the order, but Du Xuwei turned around at this moment and saw that Xiao Zhixue was concentrating on Fan Yanmu. He suddenly felt a mixture of jealousy and pain in his heart, which made him almost unable to control himself.
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