Chapter Twenty-One: Breaking Through the Gates

In this era, one's native land was held in the highest esteem. Even when bandits plundered, they would avoid their own hometown and ancestral roots.

Those from prominent families, no matter how many shady deeds they committed in secret, were obliged to look after their own people openly. Serving as officials in distant regions and promoting fellow townsmen was not only expected, but considered proper.

Liu Wu Zhou, however, was not born into a noble family. He first gained fame in his village for his generosity and righteous acts, later joined the Eagle Vanguard to campaign against Goguryeo, and was favored and elevated by the Emperor of Great Ye, before returning to his homeland. Because he lacked aristocratic heritage, Liu Wu Zhou was always opposed and excluded by Wang Ren Gong, who, after the Emperor’s departure to Jiangdu, had long coveted the idea of annexing Liu Wu Zhou’s forces. The Eagle Vanguard of Heng’an Prefecture suffered from shortages of money and grain, yet Liu Wu Zhou managed to maintain morale and barely contend with Wang Ren Gong solely because he hailed from Ma Yi, belonging to the local community.

Liu Wu Zhou’s good reputation arose from his ability to care for his own people. He had once acted with righteousness and generosity, solving problems for others; after taking command of Heng’an’s Eagle Vanguard, he led his troops in fierce battles against the Turks, protecting the people of Ma Yi. Thus, not only did his own Eagle Vanguard remain closely tied to him, but even many under Wang Ren Gong’s command were unwilling to fight against Liu Wu Zhou.

All advantages lay with Wang Ren Gong; what Liu Wu Zhou possessed was merely the goodwill of the people.

Although Liu Wu Zhou tacitly allowed the Eagle Vanguard to intercept merchant caravans along the mountain roads, this was justified, as these caravans were indeed evading taxes. Even if the merchants were stripped of all their goods, so long as the disturbance did not reach Liu Wu Zhou himself, he could feign ignorance. The Heng’an soldiers, hidden along the roads, would never give these small-time merchants a chance to reach Yunzhong City. Most merchants considered themselves unlucky and were grateful to escape with their lives; never had anyone dared, like Xu Le, to charge straight into Yunzhong City and demand justice from Liu Wu Zhou!

Under the gaze of the masses, Xu Le shouted out his accusation, declaring his identity as a native of Ma Yi and seeking Liu Wu Zhou to redress his grievances. If Liu Wu Zhou were to have Xu Le and his party killed on the spot, his reputation in Ma Yi would be ruined, and Wang Ren Gong would surely seize the opportunity to call him to account.

Xu Le’s cry echoed beneath the city walls, causing a stir among the people of Yunzhong. From his carriage, Liu Wen Jing squinted at the scene, unable to suppress his admiration.

In such a perilous moment, this response was flawless!

How could such a person be merely a commoner of Ma Yi? What a pity…

Were his identity not secret, if this had happened in Jinyang, Liu Wen Jing himself would have intervened, halted the gate guards, and sought to recruit such talent. A noble daughter of his own family might be out of reach, but offering a distant kinswoman to bring him into the Liu household as a retainer would certainly be worthwhile.

For now, Liu Wen Jing could only watch how events unfolded, to see if Xu Le would truly reach Liu Wu Zhou!

On the city walls, the patrol soldiers ceased their archery, waiting for their commander’s orders.

Yuan Jun Wei, who had been rapidly pursuing from behind, turned livid with rage. He had not expected such a small merchant caravan to be so audacious as to stir up trouble! No matter how this ended, it would surely reach Liu Wu Zhou, and he would be left embarrassed.

Yuan Jun Wei could have bitten through his teeth in fury, kicking his horse and shouting, “Seize them!”

Though he could not kill them on the spot, as long as they were captured and brought before Liu Ying Ji, it would be easy enough to see them dead. The key was to prevent them from actually reaching Liu Ying Ji!

As everyone was stunned by Xu Le’s words, Han Yue, heedless of danger, hurled himself forward, shield and body together, plunging into the spear formation at the city gate!

A crashing sound erupted as iron shield met spear, sparks flying across the shield’s surface. The wooden shafts could not withstand such force; half broke instantly, splinters flying.

Han Yue landed, ducked low, flipped his iron shield upward, and drove straight ahead. With a sudden heave, the remaining spears were swept aside!

Taking cover behind his shield, Han Yue advanced again, employing his familiar tactics against the exposed gate guards.

A push, a squeeze, a crash!

With these simple movements, the Eagle Vanguard formation was scattered; several soldiers staggered back, some even knocked to the ground. In that brief instant, the passage through the city gate was opened!

At that moment, every eye inside and outside the city, above and below the walls, watched intently, with many recognizing the skill on display. Seeing Han Yue’s charge, all drew sharp breaths.

Among infantry, the most difficult to train are sword-and-shield soldiers. Spear formations are too dependent on terrain, while sword-and-shield troops can lead an assault anywhere. Yet to produce a competent sword-and-shield soldier takes years.

Han Yue’s charge was flawless: his defense impenetrable, his timing perfect, and his attack decisive. Had he carried a straight sword, it would have spelled bloodshed for the Eagle Vanguard!

This was not merely the skill of an elite sword-and-shield soldier, but of a foot soldier fit to be a vanguard in breaking enemy lines!

As Han Yue crashed into the gate guards, Xu Le shouted, “Go!”

Song Bao gritted his teeth, spurred his horse forward, followed closely by several young companions, with the servants bringing up the rear. Seven or eight riders charged through the city gate. Xu Le swung his single-bladed halberd, leading Han Yue’s riderless horse behind him. As he passed through the gate, he leaned down and grabbed Han Yue, who vaulted onto his own horse and nodded heavily at Xu Le.

Xu Le smiled, swung his halberd, its blunt side striking the Eagle Vanguard’s squad leader as he struggled to rise, knocking him back to the ground. The squad leader, still stubborn, shouted, “If you’ve got the guts, kill your grandpa!”

Xu Le laughed heartily, swung his halberd, and rode side by side with Han Yue, finally entering Yunzhong City!

On the wall, the b