CCWAD – Chapter 33

Chapter 33

Volume IV: Phoenix Dances in the Nine Heavens, Azure Robes Pay Homage to the Purple Palace

Prologue:

“When Liangshan’s banners were planted on the walls of Bianjing, Li Shishi unfurled a roll of yellow silk in the deep palace. I knew this moment had been a long time coming. She took my hand and placed it on the dragon throne: ‘This empire needs a change of color.'”

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Chapter 33: Smoke and Fire on Liangshan Marsh

Epigraph:

“As Tong Guan’s warships ignited in the reed marsh, I saw the last line of Li Shishi’s secret letter: ‘It can be replaced.’ Ruan Xiao’er emerged from the water: ‘Brother, it’s time to cast the net.'”

—

Autumn deepened, and the eight hundred li of reed marsh at Liangshan Marsh had turned a desolate yellow. Tong Guan, personally leading twenty thousand troops, had regrouped outside Golden Sand Port. This time, he would not underestimate his enemy. Warships gathered like clouds, casting cold reflections on the autumn water. Newly built tower ships, three stories high and clad in iron at the prow, appeared indestructible.

The veteran general, who had fought for years, stood at the bow of his flagship, his gaze fixed on the distant, hazy ramparts of Liangshan. His face was so grim it seemed water could drip from it. When the news of Wang Bing’s complete annihilation arrived, he smashed his most beloved inkstone. Eight thousand elite Western Army soldiers, defeated by a group of women – this was an unfathomable humiliation.

“Pass the order,” his voice was like quenched ice, “Maintain formation, advance slowly. Kill any enemy encountered, leave no survivors. I want Liangshan Marsh utterly destroyed!”

The副将 (fùjiàng – deputy general) cautiously asked, “Grand Marshal, should we send scouts to reconnoiter the waterways first? I hear the channels of Liangshan Marsh are complex and filled with hidden reefs…”

“No need!” Tong Guan waved his hand decisively, “What capability can mere water bandits possess? Order all troops: today, we will flatten Liangshan!”

Scouts rushed the news of Tong Guan’s movements to the Hall of Righteous Gathering. Yan Qing, looking at the blue flags representing the imperial army on the sand table, a cold smile played on her lips, “It seems Grand Marshal Tong is determined to fight us to the death.”

Wu Yong gently fanned himself, his brow furrowed. “Tong Guan has learned his lesson this time. He’s not dividing his forces for rash advances, but proceeding steadily. Advancing by land and water simultaneously, this is a tactic to gain ground inch by inch and trap us in the marsh. Look at his fleet formation, each ship supporting the next, left and right in coordination. He truly is a seasoned general.”

“Trap us?” Yan Qing chuckled, “Then we shall see who gets trapped first.”

She turned to Ruan Xiao’er, “Second Brother Ruan, how are the preparations underwater?”

Ruan Xiao’er grinned, revealing teeth bleached white by the water. “We’ve been ready for a long time. Three hundred water ghosts are lurking in the key channels, waiting for Brother’s command. We’ve placed submerged stakes and iron chains in the main waterways, guaranteed to make Tong Guan’s tower ships unable to move an inch.”

“Good.” Yan Qing took out a command flag. “Pass the order: all camps act according to the plan. Remember, what I want is not to repel them, but to annihilate them!”

She turned to Yang Bamei, “Sister Bamei, the Flying Phoenix Camp has the most critical mission. You will cut off and kill any fleeing remnants on the shore. Not one shall be spared.”

Yang Bamei struck her silver spear on the ground. “Your subordinate accepts the order!”

Night fell, and Liangshan Marsh was enveloped in an eerie silence. Tong Guan stood at the bow, gazing at the vague silhouette of the mountain stronghold in the darkness. A strange unease settled in his heart. It was too quiet, unnervingly so. Even the usual sounds of frogs and insects were absent, as if the entire marsh held its breath in anticipation.

“Grand Marshal,” the deputy general whispered, “Tonight is too quiet. I fear there’s a trap. Perhaps we should retreat for now and fight again tomorrow?”

Tong Guan snorted coldly, “What trap could mere water bandits set? Order all ships to strengthen their vigilance and continue forward!”

However, before his words had even finished, a deafening roar echoed from afar, followed by towering flames!

“What’s happening?” Tong Guan demanded sternly.

“Report! Forward warships have struck reefs and caught fire!”

“Report! The left flank fleet is under attack by water ghosts, and multiple warships are taking on water!”

“Report! Large underwater obstacles have been discovered on the right flank, preventing advance or retreat!”

Bad news followed in quick succession. Only then did Tong Guan realize he had fallen into a meticulously laid trap. He hastily ordered, “Retreat! Retreat immediately!”

But it was too late. Countless torches suddenly blazed in the darkness, and Liangshan’s warships converged from all directions. These ships were not large, but they were agile and maneuverable, darting freely through the narrow waterways. On the leading ship, Yan Qing, clad in azure robes, held a longbow, appearing like a celestial being in the torchlight.

“Grand Marshal Tong,” her voice carried clearly on the night wind, “Since you have come, why the haste to leave?”

Tong Guan, shocked and enraged, exclaimed, “Yan Qing! You dare…”

His words were interrupted by the whistling of arrows. A flaming arrow accurately struck the main sail of the flagship, and the fire spread instantly. This seemed to be a signal, and in an instant, countless flaming arrows streaked across the night sky like meteors, raining down on the imperial fleet.

“Protect the Grand Marshal!” His personal guards frantically escorted Tong Guan to a smaller boat.

However, no matter where they fled, Liangshan’s warships pursued them like shadows. The Ruan brothers, leading the water ghosts, appeared and disappeared, continuously drilling holes in the imperial ships’ hulls. Lin Chong and Qin Ming led their own fleets in flanking attacks. Yang Bamei’s Flying Phoenix Camp intercepted fleeing remnants on the shore.

This battle was a cataclysm. Flames reddened half the sky, and the roars of battle were deafening. Although the imperial forces outnumbered the enemy, they could not effectively deploy in the narrow waterways. Instead, their large, cumbersome ships became easy targets.

Tong Guan, protected by his guards, fled in disarray. Looking back, he saw his twenty thousand strong army engulfed in flames. Warships capsized one after another, and the screams of soldiers falling into the water were incessant.

“Heaven is destroying me!” He sighed to the sky, spat out a mouthful of blood, and fainted.

As dawn broke, the battle had ended. The water was littered with the wreckage of warships and corpses, and blood stained the eight hundred li of marsh. The surviving imperial soldiers knelt at the bows of their ships, begging for surrender, their cries echoing endlessly.

Yan Qing stood at the bow, gazing at the tragic scene. There was no joy in her heart. Although this battle was a great victory, the price paid was also heavy. More than half of Liangshan’s warships were damaged, and casualties were not few.

“Brother,” Ruan Xiao’er emerged from the water, a tired smile on his face, “That old villain Tong Guan has been captured, but he’s unconscious.”

Yan Qing nodded. “Take him back and guard him well. He still has his uses.”

She turned to the scarred Liangshan soldiers behind her and announced loudly, “We have won this battle! From today on, no one will dare to underestimate our Liangshan!”

Cheers erupted, shaking the heavens and lasting for a long time. The soldiers brandished their weapons, their faces radiating the joy of victory. Even the usually stern Lin Chong showed a smile.

However, at this moment of victory, a swift horse galloped towards them. The messenger on horseback was covered in blood. He stumbled before Yan Qing:

“Brother… it’s bad… Great Lady Li Shishi… something has happened to her in the capital!”

Yan Qing’s heart sank. She took the secret letter from the messenger. It contained only a few hastily scrawled words:

“The secret is out, rescue quickly.”

Her hands trembled slightly. This day, it had finally come. Li Shishi had operated in the capital for years, and now that her secret was exposed, she would undoubtedly be purged.

“Pass the order to all camps,” her voice was as cold as ice, “Immediately assemble the troops and prepare to march!”

Lu Junyi was startled. “Xiao Yi, you intend to…”

“I am going to the capital.” Yan Qing’s gaze swept westward, towards Bianjing. “Some debts need to be settled.”

Wu Yong pondered. “To march at this time, isn’t it too hasty? Our army has just gone through a major battle and needs to rest…”

“We can’t wait.” Yan Qing interrupted him. “The longer Shishi stays in the capital, the greater the danger. Besides…”

She paused, a determined glint in her eyes. “News of Tong Guan’s complete annihilation will undoubtedly shock the capital. Marching now can catch them completely off guard.”

The smoke and fire on Liangshan had barely subsided when a greater storm began to brew. This time, their target was no longer self-preservation, but that supreme position.

Yan Qing looked westward, as if she could already see Liangshan’s banners fluttering over the walls of Bianjing.

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(End of Chapter 33)