Chapter 23: Claiming Credit

According to the Sky Shaman, Lianda had no choice but to swallow the bitter pill of today's defeat.

Not only that, he would have to personally report it to the other tribes, which would be a total loss of face. Every tribe on the grassland would mock his incompetence in this battle. However, thinking of the Great Khan’s terrifying methods, Lianda gulped, not daring to conceal the truth. Besides, with members of other tribes present, it would be impossible to hide it even if he wanted to.

"Fine, all right!"

"But we cannot simply retreat. The Angry River separates us, and the army in Wangjiang City cannot cross the floating ice to attack us either."

"We can still detach small cavalry units to monitor the movements of Wangjiang City, while the rest of the cavalry raids the surrounding areas; we might at least secure some spoils of war."

Lianda’s final order was an attempt to salvage whatever dignity he could. This division of forces, even if it yielded some loot, could not possibly compensate for the loss of his elite Tiger Cavalry! Nevertheless, no one else dared to challenge him further, and they all bowed in obedience.

"Let’s go! Withdraw ten miles and set up camp!"

"Hya!"

Lianda whipped his horse with vent-like ferocity, urging his mount to turn and leave the banks of the Angry River first. Helian Yue deliberately stayed at the back.

Lianda’s desperate order was exactly what she had hoped for. Once the army was split, she could lead the warriors of her own Helian tribe away from Lianda’s direct control, allowing her to secure more spoils for her people to survive the harsh winter and secretly bolster their strength. At the same time, she could quietly carry out the plan of "that person."

With her thoughts clear, Helian Yue waved her hand, signaling her tribal cavalry to turn and depart. Before leaving, however, she cast a deep glance toward the opposite bank of the Angry River.

"Among the Liang people, there are indeed talents. They must not be underestimated!"

She would never be like Lianda, disregarding reality and making excuses just to preserve her ego. She acknowledged that today’s battle was a defeat for the Northern Barbarians and a victory for the Liang army. This encounter forced her to be vigilant, abandoning any lingering contempt for the people of the Central Plains.

"Wei Nan, notify our spies embedded within Liang territory. I must find out exactly who devised today’s strategy in Wangjiang City! I want all information on that person within a month!"

A general dressed in Northern Barbarian attire, but with the features of a Central Plains native, quickly complied and galloped away, disappearing into the distance.

...

"Kang Yu, speak quickly! What happened? Did that corrupt official Lu Xiaoyuan really keep the city gates tightly shut and not send a single soldier?"

Luo Fang already understood the situation upon seeing Kang Yu return alone, but he pressed for confirmation.

Kang Yu, filled with both grievance and resentment, replied, "I didn't even get to see that dog official surnamed Lu. He sent that Captain Huang from before to speak with me."

"I told them that some Northern Barbarian cavalry had broken through and that we refugees wouldn't be able to hold them off, asking them to send troops to rescue us."

"But that man surnamed Huang only said that the City Governor had entrusted the refugees outside to you and that boy Xue, and that we must fight to the death to stop them. If any mishap occurred, the Governor would surely execute us to appease the public anger."

"What!"

Although Luo Fang had been somewhat prepared, he was still furious at Kang Yu's response. Xue Chengqian’s expression also darkened.

He had created such an advantageous situation, yet Lu Xiaoyuan was still so stingy with his troops, unwilling to suffer any losses. Beyond Lu Xiaoyuan’s fear of the main Northern Barbarian force, it was clear that he did not see them as human beings at all. As he had previously analyzed with Luo Fang, even if something went wrong outside the city, Lu Xiaoyuan could easily shirk the responsibility. As long as the Governor refused to take charge, he wanted to ignore everything, and sending troops to rescue them was out of the question.

Just as they were about to curse, a commotion erupted from the direction of Wangjiang City.

After all the Northern Barbarian cavalry on the north bank of the Angry River had retreated, the gates of Wangjiang City had actually opened!

Xue Chengqian and Luo Fang stood up in astonishment and looked into the distance. The other brothers, having noticed the anomaly, also gathered around.

From Wangjiang City, a contingent of the Imperial Guard emerged in perfect formation, displaying two large banners in the center, inscribed with the characters "Lu" and "Liang" respectively.

"It’s Lu Xiaoyuan!"

Luo Fang and the others remained suspicious and uneasy, but Xue Chengqian’s expression turned grim. He did not know what Lu Xiaoyuan’s intention was in leaving the city now, but based on what Kang Yu had just reported, he was certain that Lu Xiaoyuan harbored no good intentions toward them.

"Hahaha, you two are truly the heroes of the Great Liang’s northern frontier! I, Lu Xiaoyuan, was not mistaken about you."

While still at a distance, Lu Xiaoyuan let out a hearty laugh, praising Luo Fang and Xue Chengqian before the crowd.

"I recognized your courage and insight, which is why I entrusted you with the heavy responsibility of organizing the soldiers and civilians outside the city. Your ability to restrain the enemy and join me in forcing back the Northern Barbarian army is a great merit indeed. I believe the Imperial Court will not be stingy with its rewards."

Luo Fang realized what was happening and couldn't help but sneer.

What did he mean by "join me" in forcing back the Northern Barbarian army?

Just when they were begging for reinforcements, Wangjiang City hadn't even cracked its gates open. It seemed that Lu Xiaoyuan had seen from afar that the Northern Barbarians had truly retreated and had come out now to snatch the credit!

The soldiers on the front lines fought for their lives, while the superior officer snatched the glory afterward... Luo Fang had seen such things often enough in the borderlands. However, Lu Xiaoyuan’s greed was far too unsightly.

This confirmed that in Lu Xiaoyuan’s heart, he still did not respect the refugees outside the city, including Luo Fang and Xue Chengqian. Even though Luo Fang knew the vast gap in their status, he could not help but respond with anger.

"Governor! You are the head of the Wangjiang Commandery, shouldering the duty to protect the land and its people. Yet, I wonder, where were you when we were facing the onslaught of the Northern Barbarian cavalry? Where were the Wangjiang garrison troops?"

"If I, Luo Fang, had not fought to the death, I wonder how many people would still be alive to hear your praises now?"

"Bold! Insolent!"

Captain Huang, standing nearby, turned livid and placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.

Lu Xiaoyuan, however, merely narrowed his eyes, the "smile" on his face not fading in the slightest.

"Captain Luo, are you complaining to me? Are you trying to speak for the people? If that is the case, I have a few things I would like to consult with you about as well."

Luo Fang felt a jolt of alarm. Xue Chengqian knew that Luo Fang had spoken too rashly, but in front of everyone, he had no chance to stop him and could only play it by ear.

"Your position as a Captain in the Imperial Court was requested by me in a memorial to the Emperor, and it was I who appointed you to organize the soldiers and civilians outside the city to resist the Northern Barbarians, is that not so?"

"You mobilized the people, digging earth, laying mud, and building high platforms, and you only had the strength to fight the Northern Barbarian cavalry because of the grain I allocated to you, is that not so?"

"Why is it that from what I just heard, the defeat of the Northern Barbarians was entirely due to your merit, Luo Fang? Do the common people think so too?"

Xue Chengqian knew that Lu Xiaoyuan’s words were sophistry, but he could not refute him openly. Luo Fang was left speechless, his face flushing deep red.

As Lu Xiaoyuan deliberately shouted his final question, a voice suddenly rang out from the crowd.

"Of course not!"

"Luo Fang, aren't you the one trying to claim all the credit? Were you and your brothers the only ones fighting the Northern Barbarians? Do you think we are all dead!"