He had shaved his beard and washed his dusty face. As he belonged to a military family, his features had a martial countenance.

  His dignified grandeur was even more pronounced as he stood on the high platform, surrounded by fluttering flags.

  Chen Li’s eyes were filled with respect and awe. Many people held their breaths when they saw General Liu like this.

  An impressive image was easier to shape compared to the image of being close to the people. You didn’t have to tire yourself out as much. Just putting on a show was enough.

  People ate up this act more.

  Ning Shu turned her head and saw that several leaders of the army were all riding horses. Fang Yong was riding a horse as well. There was a troop of soldiers behind him.

  Fang Yong turned his head, glanced at Ning Shu and Chen Li, and looked at the group behind them. There were many acquaintances inside, all from the same village.

  Fang Yong didn’t expect that this pair of brother and sister would bring the people from the village and lead a troop of soldiers from the start, unlike him, who got to his position step by step.

  With a rein in one hand and a big bow in the other, Fang Yong suddenly said, “Can women also go to the battlefield?”


  Chen Li frowned. Who knew that it would be an acquaintance from the village who questioned him first? He said, “Why can’t women go to the battlefield? My little sister’s bravery and military might won’t lose to men.”


  “Chen Li, I just meant that the swords on the battlefield have no eyes. She is a woman, and it is not safe for her to go. She should stay behind and handle things in the barracks.” Fang Yong said, “I don’t want a woman in our midst. She can be used by the enemy to attack and mock us.”


  As soon as Fang Yong said this, many people frowned. Since ancient times, authority and battlefields had been the stages of men. There was no place for women.

  Fang Yong just said what most people thought.

  Chen Li felt that he needed the assistance of his sister. Her mind was more nimble than his. Besides, since this was his first time going to the battlefield, he lacked confidence.

  Chen Li still wanted to speak, but Ning Shu said first, “It is a man’s ambition and responsibility to protect his home and the country by taking up arms and horses. However, in these troubled times, you and I are both victims of the social upheaval. What’s the difference between us?”


  “It’s possible that you won’t see tomorrow’s sun, yet you still have time to argue over this.” Ning Shu almost rolled her eyes.

  Fang Yong narrowed his eyes and kept quiet. Instead, General Liu on the high platform said, “Set off.”


  The army slowly moved towards the city gates not far away. Ning Shu and the others were at the rear.

  When they made it to the city gates, they were shut tight. Soldiers were waiting on top of the gates, and there was the sound of drums.

  This was the largest gate of Dazhou City. If this city gate was broken through, the rebel army would have a place to rest, allowing all the troops to be supplied with food. There would be a qualitative leap in all aspects.

  Ning Shu furrowed her brows tightly. Attacking a city was much harder than defending. Moreover, they were so poor that they didn’t even have a ladder.

  Ning Shu still didn’t know how such a group could succeed in besieging a city. Could it be that the gap between their ability and victory had to be filled up with human lives?

  Ning Shu narrowed her eyes. Upon seeing bows and arrows on the city wall, even a trebuchet, her heart started pounding.

  General Liu stood on a dilapidated war chariot. Guard Zhou protected him by the side as General Liu waved the flag in his hand.

  Four groups carrying huge wooden logs rammed them towards the gate.

  Ning Shu’s eyelids jumped wildly. They were really filling the gap with human lives.

  Before the groups even reached the gate, they were shot by the rain of arrows. When one person fell down, another took his spot. The others guarded the ram to reach the gate.

  In an instant, the battlefield was covered with the wails of the fallen rebel soldiers and the whooshes of the arrows.

  General Liu ordered Ning Shu and Chen Li to replace the fallen people who were carrying the ram.

  Lifting the wooden ram meant being a living target. There was no hope for survival. General Liu had asked them to carry the ram on their first fight.

  Translator: Take

  Translator: Kaho