Chapter 1021 – Dominating the North (Part One)
The edge of the blade pointed fiercely, unstoppable.
With a commanding shout from Jiang Pengji, an army surged with overwhelming momentum, launching a powerful assault on the city walls.
The Northern Border was home to nomadic tribes, and the vast grasslands were their stage for dominance.
Though they attempted to mimic the Central Plains Han dynasty in building their royal city, its defenses were laughably inadequate by “capital” standards.
Nearly trash construction met with the fierce offensive skills of seasoned besiegers, resulting in the Northern Border’s predictable and rapid defeat.
Even with the advantage of elevated city terrain, they couldn’t hold out for long.
Under the relentless bombardment of the catapults, the city walls crumbled, and the guards at the gates couldn’t withstand the ceaseless rain of arrows coming from below.
In just a quarter of an hour, the Northern Border’s royal city gates fell, and Jiang Pengji led her troops atop the walls, opening four gates wide.
“Report—Dai Wang, the Liu Thief has already breached the city gates—attacking the royal court—”
“Report—Liu Thief attacks the royal court, one gate has fallen—”
“Report—”
Bad news poured in one after another, while the Sixth Prince, draped in the “dragon robe” only worn by the Northern Border King, sat dazed on the throne, seemingly oblivious to what the messenger was saying, his vacant gaze fixed ahead as if he awaited someone.
The court officials had scattered at some point, and numerous palace maids rushed about, frantically packing valuables to escape.
Everyone was worried about themselves, with no time to spare for anyone else.
The war cries of the enemy grew closer, and the Eldest and Fifth Princes donned armor, leading the remaining soldiers for a final stand.
As the royal court neared collapse, the Sixth Prince seemed to sense something and finally came to his senses, his pale, tired face twisting into a maniacal expression.
He rose from the throne and walked down the steps, pouring candle oil all over the tent and the lavish decorations.
With a ghastly grin, the Sixth Prince murmured,
“I—will always be the king of the Northern Border—”
He knocked over the bronze lamp used for lighting, and the falling flames ignited the oil, causing a blazing inferno to spread rapidly.
He doused himself in lamp oil, transforming into a human torch in no time.
With flames engulfing him, the Sixth Prince let out horrendous screams, sounding like a ghost in torment.
The horrifying wails would send chills down anyone’s spine.
After a fierce battle, the Eldest and Fifth Princes were left bleeding from numerous wounds, their breaths growing shallow.
Yet, no matter how fiercely they fought or how desperately they tried to break through, the enemy felt endless, forcing them deeper into retreat.
“The royal court—” The Eldest Prince caught a glimpse of the raging flames in the direction of the court, his heart sinking. “Old Sixth—he—”
He had thought that given the Sixth Prince’s nature, he would beg for mercy from the enemy, but instead, he chose to go up in flames.
Lost in thought, the Eldest Prince barely noticed that his enemies were closing in.
Surrounded by a dozen soldiers armed with long spears, they had lost all power to resist.
Thud—
Thud thud—
The sound of spearheads piercing flesh echoed.
The Eldest and Fifth Princes backed against each other, spears jutting out in every direction, their bodies riddled with wounds, blood gushing freely.
Swallowing their last breaths, they closed their eyes in unwilling despair, carrying away their final attachments to this world.
Meanwhile, Jiang Pengji spent the night studying the topography of the Northern Border royal city, mapping out the residences of various nobles.
After capturing the royal city, she swiftly dispatched people to surround these places and intercept any escaping Northern Border aristocrats.
People could die, but their wealth must remain.
Climbing atop the damaged city walls, Qi Guanrang squinted slightly, with a glint in his eyes that others couldn’t quite decipher.
“All these years, I never thought I would one day stand upon these walls, looking down at the once arrogant and invincible Northern Border.”
He tightened his grip on the feather fan hidden within his sleeves, as it was the only way to suppress his urge to let loose all his pent-up feelings.
The Northern Border weighed heavily on his heart, and each remembrance made it hard for him to breathe.
Now, stepping on it entirely, he turned to look back at what was once like a towering mountain—the Northern Border seemed far less imposing now.
Among Jiang Pengji’s officials, his background and social status were slightly higher than Xu Ke.
He was the son of a Han woman and a Northern Border horse bandit, born a dirty mix.
The Han people looked down on him, and the Northern Border wouldn’t accept him. If it weren’t for his intelligence and careful thoughts, how could he have survived?
In the end, Qi Guanrang still leaned towards the Central Plains.
Because of a mother who compromised, a mentor who imparted wisdom, a devoted wife, and a charming daughter… Qi Guanrang chose his stance; the existence of the Northern Border was like a thorn in his heart, constantly reminding him of his shameful beginnings.
“There will never be a Northern Border again.”
Wei Ci spotted Qi Guanrang secretly climbing the city walls, fearing something might happen, and quietly followed to keep an eye on him.
Upon hearing Wei Ci’s voice, Qi Guanrang showed no surprise, and without directly responding to Wei Ci, he merely said calmly, “As long as the Northern Border exists, there will always be new herders—they will become the new Northern Border—”
The savagery and bloodthirst of the Northern Border has never been about bloodlines.
Even if Han people live in the Northern Border, they must adapt to the environment here, eventually being transformed into horseback-riding nomads.
If this fundamental change doesn’t occur, perhaps in a few hundred years, a new Northern Border will again threaten the Central Plains folk.
“Doesn’t our Lord know this?” Wei Ci smiled lightly, “She is aware.”
Qi Guanrang tilted his eyes, his gaze flashing towards Wei Ci, as if appraising something.
After a moment, he replied, “Ultimately, is it her that knows, or is it you that knows?”
Wei Ci’s heart skipped; he maintained a composed face and said, “What does this mean, Wen Zheng?”
Qi Guanrang placed his hands within his sleeves, adopting a calm demeanor, though the upward curve of his lips lacked warmth.
He said, “The Lord will always be the Lord. If she discovers you harbor treasonous intentions, Wei Zixiao—there will definitely be conflict between us.”
Wei Ci suddenly recalled the warning sign of the meteor from his past life and looked at Qi Guanrang’s expressionless face, vaguely starting to understand.
“No one is more loyal to her than Ci.”
Qi Guanrang snorted lightly, noncommittal.
Although Wei Ci was warmhearted, Qi Guanrang was suspicious by nature, keeping a distance from everyone except family and the Lord.
There was one thing Qi Guanrang had yet to understand.
What exactly spurred Wei Ci to ally himself with the Lord?
In the beginning, only he and Xu Ke were by the Lord’s side, no need to elaborate on the reasons, while Feng Jin had to join due to the upheaval in the capital.
At that time, the Lord was poor and nameless; how could she attract Wei Ci from miles away to join her?
Unable to make sense of it, Qi Guanrang had yet to diminish his suspicions of Wei Ci.
As the two descended from the walls, the sounds of battle within the city had gradually quieted, the air heavy with the scent of burning.
Qi Guanrang collected his thoughts and regained his usual calm.
However, when he saw his Lord seated confidently atop mounds of gold and jewels, his expression suddenly cracked, making it hard to remain composed.
