Chapter 155: Chapter 154: After Three Generations of Imperial Map, Wanggang Seizes the People’s Livelihood
The small Yanmen City, having gone through a great battle, naturally lay in ruins.
However, the townspeople showed resilience; even the city gate, which was severely damaged, was repaired in no time. Soon, the roofs and walls shattered by the arrows of the Turkic soldiers were covered with new bricks and tiles, and the blood-soaked city walls were doused with barrels of water to clean them. Even the faces filled with panic gradually calmed down, adorned with a new expression.
Shang Ruyi, not wishing to return, asked Tushere to accompany her to explore the city. To her surprise, Yanmen County, battered by warfare, had recovered so quickly.
Tushere commented, "How strange that after just completing a battle, everyone seems to be energized."
She turned to Shang Ruyi, asking, "Miss, do you know why?"
"..."
Shang Ruyi gently shook her head.
Seeing her still somewhat forlorn, Tushere quickly supported her, "Miss, is your wound still hurting?"
"..."
"I told you it wasn’t right to go out. The wound hasn’t healed, and if it gets knocked or bumped, it could open up again."
Shang Ruyi smiled helplessly, "Alright, stop nagging. Let’s find a place to have some tea and rest for a bit."
Tushere quickly led her to a small tea shop in the city.
Yanmen City, being small and sparsely populated, didn’t have the bustling atmosphere of the Eastern Capital. The town hardly boasted any proper taverns or tea houses, so with a couple of wooden tables set under a roadside tree, a few cups, and a simple little pot to warm tea, a tea shop was formed. They walked over and sat down, and the tea shop owner promptly brought them two cups of tea and a plate of snacks.
Shang Ruyi picked up her cup and took a sip.
Just as her lips and tongue were moistened, there was a sudden loud slap behind them, startling the two. Turning around, they saw several tea guests at another table gathered discussing the recent battle. As the conversation heated up, they excitedly slapped the table.
A middle-aged man among them said, "I said it before, Second Young Master Yu Wen is no ordinary man!"
"Indeed,"
another person echoed, "With fewer than two thousand soldiers, they actually forced the retreat of ten thousand Turkic soldiers. How could a mere human accomplish such a feat?"
"Sure, did anyone see the bow he carried yesterday? I heard it was the Divine Arm Bow!"
"Divine Arm Bow, what’s that?"
"It’s a bow that only deities can pull—he hit Shali Khan with an arrow from several miles away yesterday. To hit from such a distance, isn’t that a divine bow!"
Sitting next to them, Shang Ruyi’s expression darkened when she heard the words "Second Young Master Yu Wen," thinking she had escaped the government office only to hear about him again. Yet upon hearing their remarks, she couldn’t help but smile.
She clearly remembered Yu Wenye shooting an arrow at Ashina Shali from about three hundred paces away, which was indeed double the usual bow range, only achievable by the Divine Arm Bow. But to the common people’s mouths, it became "several miles."
This way, Yu Wenye was almost turning into a deity in their eyes.
Tushere whispered to Shang Ruyi, "They surely exaggerate..."
Her voice was low, but being close, those around heard and promptly turned toward her, "Young girl, we’re not exaggerating. The entire populace of Yanmen City was saved by Second Young Master Yu Wen. Don’t you think so?"
Tushere hadn’t expected such trouble from a light remark.
She looked at Shang Ruyi, who signaled her with a glance, clearly wishing to keep her identity undisclosed. Thus, she replied, "I don’t deny it, but the city’s preservation also owes much to the soldiers who defended it. How did that become solely his achievement?"
The tea guest smirked, "Though it wasn’t solely his effort, without him, do you think we could sit here having tea now?"
"..."
This statement left Tushere at a loss for words.
Indeed, one cannot deny that fact.
In truth, the battle situation yesterday almost reached a dead-end; unless the Da Ye Dynasty had troops several times that of the enemy, they could not avert the crisis of Yanmen County. However, all court troops were dispatched to Liaodong, and those traveling alongside the Imperial Carriage suffered heavy casualties during a previous ambush, thus lacking the capacity to defend Yanmen City.
Tushere said, "But—"
Her words were cut off by the other party, "This Second Young Master not only repelled the Turkic soldiers, but with fewer than two thousand troops drove back ten thousand cavalry of the enemy. Do you think that’s something an ordinary person can accomplish?"
Those nearby, hearing this, also stirred with excitement.
"Indeed, this was a spectacular battle, never seen before nor likely seen after!"
"If not a deity, I can’t imagine who else could achieve it."
...
Listening to these words, Shang Ruyi’s mind was slightly stirred.
Even though her emotions were somewhat gloomy earlier, discussing Yu Wenye’s battle truly was unprecedentedly thrilling; she couldn’t even fathom how such a turnaround was possible under those circumstances.
The Turkic’s ten thousand army was at the gates, and even as the city gate was breached, in such moments, he remained fearless, deploying his forces by splitting into two routes from both sides outside Yanmen County, severing the enemy’s rear. Later, he charged out from the city, initially freeing the Emperor from encirclement, then with several dozen brave soldiers forming wedge formations, stormed through the gate directly into the enemy’s ranks.
But at such a time, this was merely battle tactics; repelling ten thousand troops was still impossible.
Nonetheless, the true victory lay in him!
He clearly understood one principle: if the enemy chief was struck down, ten thousand troops would crumble without a fight. Thus, leaning on the Divine Arm Bow, he ventured deep into the enemy’s ranks, engaging in an arrow duel with Ashina Shali.
One arrow, determined victory!
Such bravery, or perhaps spirit, certainly isn’t possessed by ordinary individuals.
Her previously dim mood, upon recalling that scene from yesterday, seemed somewhat lifted by the stirring emotions.
With a gentle smile, she said, "You’re right, that Second Young Master is indeed remarkable."
Everyone promptly said, "Exactly."
Shang Ruyi smiled, signaling Tushere to finish her tea ready to leave, not intending to engage further. Just then, an elderly voice from the crowd said, "Do any of you remember the song that spread across the land years ago?"
The crowd was collectively stunned.
Shang Ruyi turned back, spotting a ragged old man in the corner gazing at them.
Several tea guests exchanged glances, and one older man began, "I recall two lines."
Others asked, "How does it go?"
He slowly said, "Three Generations of Imperial Map, Wanggang seized the people’s mouths. Phoenix Cry on Xiao Mountain’s side, look still at Mizhou..."