Chapter 121: Coordinated Inside and Outside Assistance

Not long after, Ma Teng, Jia Xu, Pang De, and Shi A arrived at the city gate.

Looking down at his soldiers, Ma Teng shouted at the top of his lungs, "Brothers! I have news for you. I, Ma Teng, have long since pledged my allegiance to General of the Cavalry and Governor of You Province, Lord Liu Yao. My arrival here at Jincheng was to serve as an inside agent for my lord."

As soon as these words left Ma Teng's lips, they struck the Xiliang cavalry like a tidal wave. Suddenly, the Xiliang soldiers were filled with wild ecstasy. They had harbored grievances regarding Ma Teng’s decision to rescue Han Sui, and with the current food shortages and the inevitable defeat of the Qiang army, many had begun to feel that this campaign was a pointless death trap.

The next moment, the Xiliang cavalry erupted in cheers. It was like being transported from hell to heaven. They were not here to aid the Qiang rebels, but had instead joined the ranks of Liu Yao. Liu Yao was a household name throughout the Han Empire, practically a national idol. To serve under such a man was an honor. Furthermore, word had spread that the pay for soldiers in You Province was at least two or three times higher than anywhere else. That alone was enough to stir their hearts, and the morale of the Xiliang cavalry soared.

"Soldiers, follow me to open the gates and welcome our lord into the city!" Following Ma Teng’s command, the north gate of Jincheng slowly creaked open.

Seeing this, Liu Yao led his army directly into the city.

"Ma Teng pays his respects to my lord." Upon seeing the young man in iron armor at the forefront, Ma Teng immediately recognized him as Liu Yao, the General of the Cavalry of the Han. He quickly cupped his hands in a formal salute.

"General Shoucheng, no need for formalities. This is not the time for idle talk. Lead the way quickly. Follow me to slay Han Sui and his cohorts; do not let them escape," Liu Yao commanded.

"Understood!" Ma Teng replied, taking the lead as they charged into the city. Liu Yao, along with the five-thousand-strong Vanguard Battalion and the ten-thousand-strong Xiliang cavalry, followed closely behind, rushing toward the governor’s mansion.

Inside the Jincheng governor's mansion, Han Sui was pacing anxiously, waiting for the arrival of Li Wenhou and Beigong Boyu. Yan Xing stood by, sweating profusely as he watched his father-in-law.

"Wenyue! Wenyue! What has happened? Has that brat Liu Yao broken through?" Li Wenhou burst in, gasping for air. He had run the entire way and was utterly exhausted.

"Wenhou, hurry! Both of you, go and rally your troops! News of the food shortage has spread, and the army's morale is shattered. I fear Jincheng cannot hold much longer. We must gather our forces and flee while the city still stands," Han Sui said helplessly.

"Report to the Commander! Ma Teng has opened the gates and let the Han army in!" A messenger crawled in, using both hands and feet, screaming in terror.

"Damn you! Ma Teng, you brat, how dare you deceive me!" Han Sui roared at the heavens. He drew his sword and struck the messenger down. By now, he realized that Ma Teng was indeed one of Liu Yao's men. The so-called aid was merely a ploy to plant a mole. It was laughable how easily he had been deceived.

Han Sui felt a mixture of hatred and grudging respect for Liu Yao. Liu Yao’s plans were layered, one after another, accounting for every variable. Against such an opponent, Han Sui felt powerless.

"Ma Teng opened the gates, the Han army is inside, Jincheng has fallen!" Beigong Boyu muttered in disbelief. He then lunged forward, grabbing Han Sui’s robes and roaring, "Han Sui, you brat! You brought Ma Teng here—and you claimed this had nothing to do with you!" With their lives at stake, even the usually calm Beigong Boyu lost his temper.

Han Sui, already agitated, had no patience left. He shoved Beigong Boyu aside and shouted, "If I had done this, I would have left long ago instead of coming back to warn you two idiots!"

Realizing the truth in his words, Li Wenhou and Beigong Boyu apologized. "Wenyue, let’s not argue. We must flee! The east, west, and north walls are under siege, but the south is clear. Let’s lead our army out through the south!"

"Wait!" Han Sui, relying on the few military manuals he had read, acted clever. "Military strategy dictates that when three sides are surrounded, the fourth is left open as a trap. We cannot flee south; that scoundrel Liu Yao must have prepared an ambush there." He was no different from Zhao Kuo, merely reciting theories on paper.

"Then what are we to do?" Li Wenhou asked.

"To the north! We will force a breakthrough to the north; perhaps we will have a glimmer of hope," Han Sui said through gritted teeth.

Neither Li Wenhou nor Beigong Boyu understood strategy, which was why they had chosen Han Sui as their commander in the first place. Despite the conflict between them, they had no choice but to follow his plan. At least Han Sui would not intentionally sacrifice his own life.

The three men rallied their remaining forces. Excluding the guards on the walls and those who had deserted or mutinied, they had about thirty thousand Qiang soldiers left. Han Sui felt a flicker of hope—with thirty thousand men, even with low morale, there was a chance to escape.

Meanwhile, Liu Yao led his troops toward the governor's mansion, only to find the armies of Han Sui, Li Wenhou, and Beigong Boyu charging directly toward them. Both sides ground to a halt, facing one another.

Liu Yao smiled, thinking, "As Guo Jia predicted, Han Sui did not flee south but came straight for me. Now, let’s see where you can run." Although Liu Yao had only fifteen thousand cavalry against twice that number, his Vanguard Battalion were each worth ten men, and Ma Teng’s Xiliang cavalry were formidable. The Qiang army, a mix of infantry and cavalry with shattered morale, was no match for his forces.

Seeing Liu Yao and Ma Teng, Han Sui glared with burning rage. "Liu Yao! Ma Teng! I will kill you both today!"

Liu Yao flashed that familiar smile and laughed loudly. "Hahaha! Wenyue, you don’t need to pretend anymore. You’ve worked hard! Leading those two idiots, Li Wenhou and Beigong Boyu, right here to me, all while they thought you were their ally. Why wait? Slay them both now! I will grant you a great reward; when we return, I will have my father, the Emperor, appoint you as the Inspector of Liang Province and a Marquis of ten thousand households!"

Han Sui was stunned by this nonsensical barrage of words, unable to react.

However, Li Wenhou understood perfectly. "Han Sui, you scoundrel! You really did conspire with that brat Liu Yao to lead us to our deaths! Die!" He leveled his spear and charged at Han Sui. Beigong Boyu also attacked, though he was blocked by the one-armed Yan Xing. With the commanders clashing, their respective troops immediately fell into chaos and battle.

"Wait! Both of you, listen to me! This is..." Han Sui stammered, dodging desperately.

"Full charge! Support our ally, Commander Han Sui, and slaughter the Qiang rebels!" Liu Yao roared, fanning the flames.