Chapter 37

Dare-to-Die Corps was destined to disappoint Qin Feng, for they did not flee but instead retreated all the way back to Anyang City according to his arrangements.

At this moment, the news of the Western Border Army being ambushed and completely annihilated in the Luoying Mountains was spreading throughout the county at an astonishing speed. The entire Anyang County was in chaos. Those closer to the inner regions of the Great Chu Empire packed their valuables and immediately fled, while those near the Luoying Mountains had only one place to go: Anyang City.

When the entire Dare-to-Die Corps, consisting of two thousand men, arrived at Anyang City, they saw a dense crowd of refugees gathered below the city walls. At the city gate, several rows of fully armed Anyang County soldiers stood guard. The refugees were entering the city in an orderly manner, and the condition for entry was simple: ten taels of silver per person.

Regardless of whether they were young, old, men, women, or children, everyone had to pay ten taels of silver to enter the city, with no exceptions.

Upon hearing the report from the soldiers at the front, both Jian Dao and the monk were extremely angry. At such a critical time, these people were still not forgetting to make a fortune from the national crisis.

"Damn it, I may be a monk who enjoys women, but I look more noble than they do," the monk spat on the ground, angrily saying, "I risk my life every month for just twenty taels of silver, and these county soldiers have already collected thousands or even tens of thousands of taels in just a short time. I should become a county soldier in the future." Suddenly, he laughed, "When I become a county soldier, I won't have to owe money to the brothels anymore."

Jian Dao rolled his eyes, having nothing to say to this peculiar colleague. This monk truly had no other hobbies besides this. Every month, he would send all his salary, including the rewards and spoils from battles, to the brothels. In Jingjing Pass, this monk was the most favored by the brothel girls.

"Have you informed their commander that we want to enter the city?" Jian Dao, ignoring the monk, asked the returning soldier.

"Deputy Captain, the guard at the city gate is the deputy general of the county soldiers, Su Xiang. He said we cannot enter the city," the soldier replied.

"What?" Jian Dao could hardly believe his ears, "Su Xiang won't let us enter the city?"

"Yes," the soldier nodded heavily, "He said we are the border army, and our duty is to defend the border. Anyang City is their defense zone."

"Damn it, he's afraid we'll cut off his source of wealth once we enter!" Jian Dao was furious, shouting, "Tell the brothers to get ready. What is Su Xiang anyway, to dare block us? If he doesn't let us in, we'll fight our way in."

What kind of people were the Dare-to-Die Corps? They were a group that even their fellow border army soldiers didn't dare to provoke, always seeking trouble. The soldiers, upon hearing Jian Dao's words, immediately had a gleam in their eyes and howled as they drew their iron knives.

The monk also nodded with a smile. Of course, he wanted to enter the city. The brothel girls in the city were of a much higher class than those in Jingjing Pass, though the prices were also much higher. But in such chaotic times, he was at least a soldier's leader. Once inside the city, he might encounter some girls who would offer themselves for free, which would be a great bargain.

"Jian Dao, don't act rashly," Shu Chang shouted, "What time is it now? Can we still fight? Don't forget that tens of thousands of Western Qin soldiers are already here. If we fight, we won't be able to enter the city, and then we'll have no way out. Think about your brothers."

"Doctor Shu, but they won't let us enter the city, what should we do?" Jian Dao, with red eyes, asked angrily.

"This is probably the decision of the county soldiers. I don't think Governor Cheng knows about it. Let's go into the city and meet Governor Cheng first. With the Western Qin army attacking, the Dare-to-Die Corps is famous for its combat power. I don't believe Governor Cheng would let us, a fresh force, go to waste," Shu Chang said. "Monk, you stay here and manage the troops. There are many refugees here. Keep all the soldiers in line. If anyone dares to cause trouble, I'll deal with you before your leader Qin comes back. Do you believe I can make you impotent for life?"

The monk's face changed, "Doctor Shu, don't scare me. Don't worry, anyone who dares to take advantage of these refugees, I'll cut off their heads and feed them to the dogs."

At the city gate, Deputy General Su Xiang of the county soldiers tilted his head to look at Jian Dao. His rank was higher than Jian Dao's, even though the county soldiers' ranks were generally lower than the border army's, Su Xiang was still higher than Jian Dao.

"What are you looking at? Do I also need to pay ten taels of silver to enter the city?" Jian Dao glared at Su Xiang.

Seeing Jian Dao's angry expression, Su Xiang laughed, "You two don't need to pay to enter the city, but I advise you not to waste your time. Governor Cheng won't let your Dare-to-Die Corps enter the city. I suggest you run away quickly. If you run too slowly, you might be beheaded by the Western Qin soldiers. Your Dare-to-Die Corps is their great enemy."

Jian Dao was furious, his hand slowly reaching for his sword. Su Xiang sneered, "Want to fight? I'm not afraid of you." If the entire Dare-to-Die Corps fought the county soldiers, the county soldiers would be no match. But in a one-on-one fight, Su Xiang's personal abilities were not to be underestimated.

Shu Chang gave Jian Dao a stern look and bowed to Su Xiang, "Thank you, Deputy General Su." He then dragged Jian Dao into the city.

At this moment, inside the Anyang County government, Governor Cheng Pingzhi was discussing the defense of Anyang City with the county soldiers' commander, Yang Yi. The news of the Western Border Army's complete annihilation had shocked the entire county. Cheng Pingzhi was sending urgent messages to the capital for reinforcements while preparing the city's defenses and ordering the county soldiers to get ready for battle. He was also recruiting able-bodied men to form a militia, though how effective these militia would be was anyone's guess.

"Governor Cheng, absolutely do not let the Dare-to-Die Corps enter the city!" Yang Yi, upon hearing the report from the city gate, immediately shouted at Cheng Pingzhi, who was smiling with relief.

Cheng Pingzhi was taken aback. The previous news was that the Western Border Army had been completely annihilated, and he had already given up hope. But now, the Dare-to-Die Corps had returned. The Dare-to-Die Corps was a famous elite force. If they helped defend the city, Anyang City might be saved. Saving Anyang City would be a great achievement.

"What do you mean?" Cheng Pingzhi looked at Yang Yi with dissatisfaction, thinking, "At such a critical time, you're still thinking about taking credit. Do you think you can stop the Western Qin soldiers? Compared to the Dare-to-Die Corps, your county soldiers are just a bunch of rabble. Why would I use a weak force when I have a strong one?"

The county soldiers were under the direct command of the governor, and Yang Yi was technically Cheng Pingzhi's subordinate. However, Cheng Pingzhi did not dare to offend him. Yang Yi was a distant relative of the Left Chancellor Yang, though the exact relationship was unclear. He owed his position as the county soldiers' commander to Chancellor Yang. Most of the county soldiers' officers in Anyang City were placed there by powerful officials to gain credit, and very few of them were actually capable of fighting. Although Cheng Pingzhi knew this, he was helpless. Who in the capital could he offend? With the border army under Zuo Lixing in the past, he didn't have to worry. Now, with his own life and career at stake, it was a different matter.

Yang Yi moved closer to Cheng Pingzhi and whispered, "Governor Cheng, this concerns the lives of everyone in the city. If you let the Dare-to-Die Corps enter the city, the Western Qin soldiers might really attack. The Dare-to-Die Corps, no matter how strong, can't stand against tens of thousands of Western Qin soldiers. Even General Zuo was defeated, and his fate is unknown. How can a single Dare-to-Die Corps fare any better?"

"Are you saying that if we don't let the Dare-to-Die Corps enter the city, the Western Qin soldiers won't attack Anyang City?" Cheng Pingzhi said angrily.

"Exactly," Yang Yi chuckled, "For hundreds of years, the Western Qin soldiers have invaded countless times, but they have never attacked Anyang City. They always raid and then leave. They want money and food, not lives. If they turn Anyang County into a bloodbath and a no-man's land, where will they get their food in the future?"

"What does this have to do with the Dare-to-Die Corps?"

"Governor Cheng, it has a lot to do with them. The Dare-to-Die Corps and the Western Qin soldiers are mortal enemies. How many Western Qin soldiers have they killed over the years? Just their commander, Qin Feng, has killed eight or nine members of the Bian family. Do you know who is leading the Western Qin army this time? Bian Wushuang, the head of the Bian family. If the Dare-to-Die Corps enters the city, he might order an attack to take personal revenge. Then we're really in trouble."

"You mean, leave the Dare-to-Die Corps outside for Bian Wushuang to deal with?"

"If Bian Wushuang kills the Dare-to-Die Corps, his anger will be satisfied, and he won't be interested in Anyang City anymore. We can just send some silver to make them retreat. Everyone can be happy. If they really want to attack, what use is one more Dare-to-Die Corps?" Yang Yi said with a sinister smile.

Cheng Pingzhi took a deep breath, looking at Yang Yi as if he didn't recognize him. This was too sinister.

"Governor Cheng, I am thinking of you and the people in the city. As long as Anyang City is not breached, you will have an explanation to give to the court. The loss of other places and the plundering will be the fault of the border army, not yours!"

"I heard that Qin Feng has a violent temper and even dared to overturn General Zuo's table!" Cheng Pingzhi was hesitant, "What if he forces his way into the city?"

"Qin Feng is not here. If he were, he wouldn't even bother to talk to us," Yang Yi laughed, "There are only a few deputy captains. Qin Feng has disappeared. Governor Cheng, you need to make a decision. If we defend the city successfully, I will speak to Chancellor Yang on your behalf. We can both be transferred from this place. With the Western Border Army gone, Anyang County is no longer a place for one person to stay. We need to leave as soon as possible."

Cheng Pingzhi took a deep breath and nodded slightly.