The Child Emperor-Chapter 348: Looking from Atop the Walls

The Xiongnu horns blew complex and varied patterns that the Chu people could not understand, but the Xiongnu all grasped their meaning. Thus they retreated in an orderly fashion, as if they had grown tired of fighting and decided to rest for a while, completely disregarding their enemies’ reactions and feelings.

The Chu army’s officers and soldiers pursued them to the breach in the city wall, then consciously stopped, gazing bewildered at the distant dust clouds. When they turned back to look at the half-ruined city, it felt like a dream. There was no cheering, no questioning – they feared such a scene would vanish in an instant and the Xiongnu would turn back to launch an even more powerful assault.

Han Ruzi still had not engaged the enemy directly, and his heart was equally bewildered. Gripping his long spear and protected by Cai Xinghai, he pushed through the crowd to stand before everyone. Suddenly turning around, he commanded: “Soldiers, extinguish the fires. Citizens of the northern district who can still walk, come help repair the city walls. Do not move the obstacles in the streets.”

Even when coming from the Emperor himself, an order would not execute automatically. Cai Xinghai immediately commanded soldiers to find generals and military officers to swiftly relay the imperial edict.

No one believed the battle had ended, so no one dared relax. Little fires remained in the city, and after the soldiers extinguished it, they rested where they stood. The military officers broke down the orders more specifically, assigning some women to cook, which was then brought to supply the soldiers.

Repairing the city walls took considerable time. Past noon, they barely managed to plug the various breaches, but these could not withstand impact – they merely took rough shape to stabilize military morale.

The eunuchs and guards regrouped around the Emperor.

The highly skilled martial guards were indeed unsuited for this type of large-scale melee combat. Casualties had been severe, with only a dozen or so remaining, all bearing wounds. Wang He’s injuries were particularly serious – upon seeing the Emperor, he collapsed directly and was carried by soldiers to the rear for treatment.

Meng E was also wounded, though not severely. All her techniques for covert attacks had proven useless, and at critical moments, she had relied entirely on her agility to dodge one deadly danger after another.

Except for Cai Xinghai, most eunuchs had not participated in combat. Han Ruzi dispatched Liu Jie and others to the rear to direct civilians in caring for the wounded.

Only half of the Prince Dai’s mansion remained, and the surviving buildings all stood precariously. The only safe place was the front courtyard, where Han Ruzi now summoned his ministers.

More than half the military generals could not come – either killed in battle or too severely wounded. Fan Zhuangshan had paid the price for his valor, bearing over a dozen wounds and remaining unconscious. Han Ruzi reappointed officers, promoting dozens from among the surviving sons of nobility to take charge of different districts within the city, preparing to meet the next death struggle.

The civilian officials’ casualties were even more severe. Everyone had believed this was the final battle and thus charged forward courageously, falling in the streets and alleys. Judicial Official Zhang Jing was among them – though the Emperor had never given him complete trust, he still died loyal to his duty.

This time there was no shouting of “Long live,” no planning of strategy. Everyone came silently, silently received their orders, and silently obeyed. It was not that they had criticisms about the Emperor, but rather they dared not harbor any attitude – no one wanted to constantly think about death, nor did anyone want joy to turn to sorrow, so they simply thought of nothing.

Han Ruzi personally arranged everything. He had to think, and think deeply.

Why exactly had the Xiongnu withdrawn?

Cui Teng had charged to the front lines this time and suffered severe wounds, also being sent to the rear. Prince Donghai came running to see the Emperor, his entire body filthy, carrying a long spear and standing behind the Emperor in a guard’s posture. After the generals departed, he asked: “The Xiongnu… why did they stop fighting?”

Han Ruzi shook his head. “Let’s go and see.”

Prince Donghai and several guards followed. Along the way, Prince Donghai quietly defended himself: “I did participate in battle. I was trapped in an empty courtyard, and in the darkness, after wandering around for quite a while, I even stabbed a Xiongnu warrior…”

Han Ruzi smiled at him. “Not bad. We didn’t even touch a single Xiongnu.”

Prince Donghai breathed a long sigh of relief and also smiled.

In a battle destined for defeat and death, everyone had the right to be timid and retreat. Han Ruzi would not blame anyone.

The group climbed onto a relatively intact section of the city wall. The civilians repairing the breach stopped their work and knelt before the Emperor, shouting “Long live.” As those being protected, they did not feel the enemy’s presence so directly, so hope burned stronger in their hearts. Many believed the Emperor had just won a great victory.

The soldiers were resting, and the city walls were empty except for the banners that had been erected earlier, still fluttering in the wind.

The Xiongnu had not retreated far and still guarded near their siege engines. Han Ruzi could not make out their expressions clearly, but he sensed they seemed somewhat hesitant.

“Ah… what are they waiting for?” Prince Donghai wiped the sweat from his forehead and leaned his spear against the city wall. “What exactly are they waiting for?”

No one could answer his question.

Officers from within the city climbed up one after another to report the situation. The civilians had retreated to the northern part of the city, the soldiers had rested enough and could fight again, though their numbers were relatively few. They feared they could not defend all the streets, so some suggested blocking certain roads and leaving only a few open to ensure concentrated forces.

Han Ruzi agreed.

Everyone could not help but glance toward the area outside the city, harboring the same doubts as Prince Donghai in their hearts, but dared not voice them.

“The Xiongnu leaders are discussing something,” Han Ruzi murmured. Only this could explain the Xiongnu soldiers’ indecision.

“Yes, discussing what?” Prince Donghai felt his palms were clammy, and his heart felt as uncomfortable as if cats were clawing at it. “I guess… I guess…”

He did not need to guess anymore. The Xiongnu soldiers surged like waves but did not launch an attack. Instead, they cleared a passage, and a group of Xiongnu quickly rode toward Jincheng City, looking like a delegation of envoys.

They truly were envoys, and moreover, envoys from Great Chu.

Great Chu had sent several groups of envoys to the Xiongnu. One group had come from Jincheng City – Qiao Wanfu and others had left the city but no news had come from them since. The envoy from the Capital, Feng Ju, had not even seen them among the Xiongnu.

Qiao Wanfu finally came to see the Emperor, alone, with only Xiongnu soldiers behind him.

Most of the moat south of the city had been filled in by the Xiongnu. Qiao Wanfu saw people on the city walls from afar and ran toward them. After confirming that it was indeed the Emperor himself, he tumbled from his horse, prostrated himself on the ground and kowtowed, then rose and moved forward. When he felt the distance was appropriate, he called out loudly: “The Great Chanyu wishes to see Your Majesty.”

The people on the city walls were startled. Prince Donghai asked on behalf of the Emperor: “The Great Chanyu is outside the city?”

Qiao Wanfu nodded. “He arrived last night.”

Although it was only a small city that could surely be conquered, the Great Chanyu had come personally to command.

“First have the Xiongnu withdraw their troops, then we can discuss meeting,” Prince Donghai called out loudly, feeling they should at least set some conditions first.

Qiao Wanfu shook his head. “The Great Chanyu wants to see Your Majesty right now, in the Xiongnu army camp.”

Prince Donghai immediately said in a low voice: “This fellow has surrendered. Listen to his tone – he sounds as if he’s one of the Xiongnu himself.”

Han Ruzi spoke up and asked: “What does the Great Chanyu wish to discuss?”

“An alliance. He says the Chu army has proven its strength and can join with the Xiongnu to face powerful enemies together.” Qiao Wanfu paused. “Your humble servant believes the Great Chanyu is sincere in wanting to negotiate.”

“Ha, you believe?” Prince Donghai was quite disdainful.

Han Ruzi thought for a while. “Go back. After an hour… tell the Great Chanyu to wait an hour.”

Qiao Wanfu kowtowed again, mounted his horse, and returned with the Xiongnu along the same route.

Prince Donghai looked shocked. “After an hour, what does Your Majesty intend to do?”

“What can We do?” Han Ruzi turned to look at the damaged city. “We must go see the Great Chanyu.”

“But…”

“Everyone has their duties. It is time for Us to fulfill Our responsibilities.”

“But… but… if the Xiongnu imprison Your Majesty and force Your Majesty to issue edicts…”

“We are prepared. Go summon Cai Xinghai and Liu Jie.” Han Ruzi signaled for Prince Donghai and the guards to withdraw, leaving only Meng E.

Prince Donghai was the last to leave, several times wanting to speak words of persuasion, but held back each time.

Only two people remained on the city walls. Han Ruzi said: “That poison – there is still some left, is there not?”

Meng E nodded.

“Do you have it with you?”

Meng E shook her head. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

“Go get it. We…”

Meng E nodded again. She already understood the Emperor’s intention and turned to descend from the city walls without a single unnecessary word.

Han Ruzi remained alone on the city walls, and the Martial Emperor’s words came to mind again – We are alone. No matter how great Our power, how many loyal ministers We have, or how vast Our territory, beyond ten steps and within a thousand li, there are always great matters beyond Ourselves that require the Emperor to personally handle.

Cai Xinghai and Liu Jie arrived.

The Emperor assigned them a task: “Hide the imperial seal well. It must never fall into Xiongnu hands.”

The two men knelt down, and several more officers came uninvited and knelt beside the two eunuchs.

Han Ruzi laughed and said, “We have already fought the most brutal battle—what is there left to fear? Gentlemen, keep working hard. We entrust Jincheng to you.”

The crowd only kowtowed, having nothing to say.

Meng E returned, and Han Ruzi ordered everyone to withdraw.

The poison was a packet of white powder, much like crushed salt, with a slightly bitter taste. It needed to be both ingested and inhaled.

After Han Ruzi took the poison, Meng E did the same, then threw the remaining poison down from the city walls.

“Why must you…” Han Ruzi suddenly didn’t want to say anything more. Many things were better left understood in the heart—speaking them aloud would only seem hypocritical. He smiled, turned to gaze into the distance, his eyes looking past the Xiongnu to see only the mountains and sky.

Meng E stood beside him, also gazing into the distance.

The two stood shoulder to shoulder like this for a while, neither speaking.

Han Ruzi felt enough time had passed and asked with a smile, “You still have the antidote, don’t you?”

“Yes.”

“Then you cannot come with me.”

“I have hidden the antidote in a safe place within the city. Unless we return together, no one will be able to find it.”

“Very well. Find three more guards, and we’ll go meet the Great Chanyu.”

The people in the city had already heard of the Emperor’s decision and had nearly all crowded into the streets. Han Ruzi mounted his horse and deliberately made a half-circle, then faced the crowd and raised his voice as much as possible: “We will not be a monarch of a fallen kingdom, nor will We become a slave to the Xiongnu. On this journey, We will never disgrace your desperate fight to the death!”

The cries of “Long live!” were deafening.

Han Ruzi waited for the shouting to subside slightly, then appointed a general to command all forces within the city. He himself, accompanied by four guards, rode out through the city gates toward the forest-like Xiongnu army.

The setting sun shone upon the earth, making the five galloping riders appear even more solitary.

For a moment, the Xiongnu army held firm and motionless, as if they would crush the five bold Chu men to pieces. But when the Emperor drew near, they parted, and many even nodded in acknowledgment.

Before the great tent knelt a group of Chu men—all envoys. Han Ruzi was surprised to see Qu Zixi among them.

The Emperor dismounted, and the envoys rushed forward to support him as he walked. Qu Zixi pushed aside Minister of Personnel Feng Ju and whispered to the Emperor, “News came this morning: Deng Cui is leading troops eastward.”

Han Ruzi nodded gratefully to Qu Zixi. A great doubt in his heart was resolved, and with it, a massive weight fell from his shoulders.

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