Chapter 1316 – Defeating Huang Song, Dongqing United (Fifty-Eight)
Huang Song’s expression flickered constantly, seemingly in the throes of a fierce struggle.
Yes, sending Feng Jue back to guard Hao Prefecture would stabilize the situation there, but that wasn’t what Huang Song desired.
“Yumo, I know your suggestion aims for stability, but that’s not what I’m seeking,” he refused in a deep voice, not waiting for Cheng Jing to speak before continuing, “Lan Ting has many soldiers, and it would be difficult to defend Zhonghe County. If we fail, we will have to retreat to Hejian County or even Hao Prefecture, and then Hao Prefecture would become an isolated island surrounded by enemies. I— I do not wish to be a caged beast, fighting desperately for survival—”
The current situation was extremely unfavorable for Huang Song, and he had no confidence against Jiang Pengji’s overwhelming numbers. Sure, historical records had numerous examples of overcoming odds, but those circumstances were exceedingly rare. Under normal conditions, it was mostly a matter of being crushed by sheer numbers and strength.
If Zhonghe County fell, Huang Song would face a scenario where he could only defend Hao Prefecture, truly trapped like a desperate beast.
His temperament wasn’t as haughty as that of nobility, but he had his own pride and dignity. He was absolutely unwilling to find himself in such a predicament.
Cheng Jing grasped this, returning the question to Huang Song, “So, does this mean…?”
Huang Song pondered for a moment, his tone grave, “Order Huai Yan to bring troops here for the meeting—if time allows—”
Jiang Pengji would strike within the next few days. By the time Huang Song’s news reached Feng Jue, and Feng Jue gathered his troops, it would take at least seven or eight days.
Cheng Jing detected despondency and despair in Huang Song’s words, while also being struck by Huang Song’s determination.
Ordering Feng Jue to gather troops was a psychological preparation for a decisive confrontation.
The two forces would face off directly, staking everything and blocking any retreat—either Jiang Pengji would die, or Huang Song would.
Regardless of who lived or died, this battle would mark the end for one and a new beginning for the other.
Cheng Jing was at a loss for arguments against this and could only sigh in agreement after deep contemplation.
“I shall draft the dispatch right away, my lord.”
Huang Song replied, “Mm.”
Huang Song’s wife, Qi Chaolan, was a strong-willed woman. While her husband fought on the front lines, she would follow closely with a few hundred loyal guards, residing nearby to help him with what she could and share his burdens. Over time, the couple’s relationship had only grown stronger.
Thinking of this, Huang Song couldn’t help but smile bitterly. He used to worry about his wife braving the front lines and encountering danger, always reminding her not to follow whenever he went to battle. Now, however, he saw the benefit in her coming along; at least they could see each other and avoid the regret of a final parting.
Qi Chaolan looked at him with concern and asked, “Why does my young master look troubled?”
Huang Song replied, “It’s just external matters; telling my wife will only cause unnecessary worry.”
Though they were not far apart, it had been almost half a year since Huang Song had seen her, and he had a thousand words to express.
When he opened his mouth to speak, however, he found it hard to voice, unsure of what to say.
Qi Chaolan said, “Even without words, I can guess seven or eight parts of it.”
In her eyes, Huang Song was an optimistic person who would quickly recover even after setbacks. He disliked bringing work home; even if he faced many troubles outside, he maintained an indifferent facade when at home, lest it worry his family. Qi Chaolan knew him well, yet seeing such obvious distress from him indicated that this was no trivial matter—it likely related to life and death.
Huang Song thought for a moment and whispered, “If I cannot provide you with the highest glory, would you be sad?”
Having suffered enough for his birth status in his youth and experienced disdain and unfairness, he knew that feeling well and naturally didn’t want his children to repeat his life’s struggles. After starting a family, Huang Song placed even more emphasis on this, making sure his children would not suffer the same indignities.
Were it not for his character suddenly winning the favor of his father-in-law, he would not have married Qi Chaolan.
She had married down for him, and Huang Song couldn’t bare to see her suffer alongside him.
With the chaos in Dongqing, his ambitions had only grown, and during midnight reveries, he had envisioned that lofty position.
He wanted Qi Chaolan to share it with him.
Qi Chaolan smiled and said, “As long as my young master is here, even plain food can look like a feast. Why should we be saddened?”
She spoke so frankly that Huang Song was at a loss for how to respond.
Qi Chaolan added, “Regardless of win or lose, you must stay alive; that is the most precious thing to me. No glory or status can change that.”
Huang Song was momentarily speechless, his throat tight with emotion.
Looking at him, Qi Chaolan’s heart ached with pangs of sorrow.
She had accompanied Huang Song from youth into young adulthood, and as he stood on the brink of middle age, she longed to continue walking alongside him, to grow old together.
“How could I bear to see you suffer?” Qi Chaolan sighed, “Just do whatever your heart desires.”
They were not a couple who sought to maintain ice-like respect for one another, so she did not wish to bind Huang Song’s choices out of concern for herself and the children.
Huang Song choked up, unsure of what to do.
His extended hands hovered in mid-air before he finally wiped away the annoying tears with his fingertips.
He spoke softly, “Stop crying; these tears don’t belong on your face; they clearly drip onto my heart.”
Huang Song had been married for many years, and he had only seen her eyes go red once before, when Meng Zhan suggested promising a clan girl to him as a concubine, hoping to curry favor. Now, however, to see her truly reduced to tears stirred something deep within him.
To his shock, instead of stopping, Qi Chaolan cried even harder.
When someone who rarely cries finally does, the floodgates open and can’t be closed. Huang Song was terrified.
He could only embrace her, soothing her like a child, showering her with words of comfort.
“…I’m not so rigid of a character. A true man can bend and stretch; I will never resort to sword self-destruction if I face defeat. You are still so young, and our child is still so small. If I lose my protection, I would even crawl back from the underworld.” Huang Song was aware that committing suicide in defeat would have been the best protection for his family, but Qi Chaolan’s tears shattered his rationality. “… Moreover, I may not lose… What if I win? That would be a joyous outcome for everyone!”
Even dried fish have dreams, let alone a person.
The despair and gloom had all been swept away by Qi Chaolan’s tears, and Huang Song felt revitalized.
He needed to pull himself together; the situation was not hopeless.
After much coaxing, Huang Song finally got her to stop crying.
That day, they shared warmth for a long time, and Huang Song woke before dawn the next morning.
He thought he had risen early, only to find that Qi Chaolan had risen even earlier.
Or perhaps she hadn’t slept at all that night.
“My lady, return to Hao Prefecture with the people; wait for my return.”
She helped Huang Song dress, lowering her head and replying, “Mm, okay!”
Watching as Huang Song and his men departed, slowly fading into small dark dots, her emotions spiraled towards a breakdown once more.
However, this time she quickly regained her composure, directing the servants to pack up and prepare to return to Hao Prefecture.
