Chapter Forty-Nine: The Camp of the Wandering Warriors

“No! Have all the loyal ministers and valiant generals of the Great Tang perished? Is it now left to a greenhorn like you to lead troops into battle?” Upon hearing the news, Qingqing immediately declared her stance. As the eighteenth figure of the Lang Battalion, her words bore significant influence on the others.

The members of the Lang Battalion were divided in their opinions. The martial spirit of the Great Tang was strong, and there was a saying that none of the twenty-four heroes honored in the Hall of Lingyan were mere scholars. Some saw this as an opportunity to earn glory on horseback, sharpening their blades with anticipation, while others believed the risks were too great—Hu Rongwei Ming, such a famed general, had already fallen into the trap of the Tibetan Grand Master. Reinforcements from the Lang Battalion and the Western Capital might suffer the same fate at the hands of the Tibetans.

After everyone had spoken, Yu Lang continued, “Senior Brother Huangfu is only besieged, not defeated by the Tibetan Grand Master. This mission may not be as perilous as you imagine. As long as we proceed steadily and avoid rashness, working inside and out, we should win easily. As for the Tibetan Grand Master Kudoza, you need not worry. Should he appear, Senior Brother Nan Jiyun and I will join forces against him. With our skills, even if we lose, he won’t gain much.”

“However,” Yu Lang’s tone shifted, “the battlefield is unpredictable. The strategies we learned from our instructors have yet to be tested in real combat. I can’t guarantee absolute victory. Whether you stay or go, brothers, the choice is yours.”

Xie Zhiqian and Li Chun stepped forward first. “I am willing to go!”

Qingqing mocked Li Chun, “Won’t you send a letter to Chang’an first to ask your father and brother for their opinion?”

Li Chun was usually shy; whenever others invited him to do anything, he would first send a report to Chang’an, even if Yu Lang merely suggested visiting a brothel for wine and music. It had become a running joke.

Blushing but resolute, Li Chun replied, “This time, I can decide for myself. If I fail, it will at least redeem some of my father and brother’s sins.”

Though still innocent, Li Chun was no longer the naive youth he had been when he first met Yu Lang. He knew his father and brother were not good officials and that his family had committed many wrongful deeds. Yet, he held little sway in the Li household, rarely seeing his father Li Linfu even once a year, powerless to change anything.

Zhang Chengxing stepped forward unhurriedly. “Of course I won’t miss out on a battle. I grew up in the barracks; scenes like this are nothing new. There’s nothing to fear. When we depart in two days, I’ll bring along two family generals.”

Xue Wenyang, Yang Xu, and Dai Yang did not say much, but followed Zhang Chengxing.

The remaining members hesitated. They had come to the Moon-Washing Academy to study, with bright futures ahead, and it wasn’t worth risking their lives.

Yu Lang frowned. He had expected the Lang Battalion brothers to be united, at most one or two unwilling to go, but hadn’t anticipated so many wavering.

Li Dahuo stepped out. “Brothers of the Lang Battalion, listen up! All seventeen of us will leave the Moon-Washing Academy together to support General Huangfu Weiming. I, Li Dahuo, will never die behind any of you. If the Tibetan scimitars threaten my brothers, I’ll be there to block them!”

The Lang Battalion brothers were stirred by his spirit and responded in unison, pledging to follow Yu Lang into battle.

Yu Lang looked at Li Dahuo with gratitude. He dared not make such a bold vow, but Li Dahuo took it upon himself. The unity of the Lang Battalion owed much to him.

Qingqing slapped the table in anger. “Yu Lang, let me make it clear: you have two choices. Either you step over my dead body to Tibet, or you take me with you to fight!”

With those words, Qingqing stormed off, giving Yu Lang no chance to persuade her.

The brothers patted Yu Lang’s shoulder sympathetically, then returned home to report the news.

Once everyone had dispersed, Li Dahuo asked Yu Lang, somewhat suspicious, “We’re heading to the frontier, a journey of three or four thousand miles. Even with forced marches, it’ll take twenty days. Plus, the news itself took twenty days to reach us. Can distant water really extinguish a nearby fire?”

Yu Lang replied, “Hongji City is a critical gathering point for the Tibetan army, with abundant provisions. That’s why Senior Brother Huangfu is so eager to capture it. If the Great Tang takes this city, it’s like thrusting a dagger into Tibet’s heart, making it difficult for them to muster troops to harass our borders. With ample supplies and ten thousand elite soldiers under Senior Brother Huangfu’s command, supported by a dozen fierce generals, holding out for half a year won’t be a problem.”

Li Dahuo nodded. “I thought Senior Brother Huangfu was reckless in seeking glory, but it seems he acted after careful consideration. He knew it was a trap and entered anyway, hoping to seize the opportunity and take Hongji City for good.”

“Exactly. Both sides are playing openly; it all depends on whose fist is stronger. The Tibetan rebels hold two advantages. First, Grand Master Kudoza’s martial prowess is unmatched. Among the Tang forces in Hongji City, the foremost warrior is General Zhang Nande, whose skill is only at the peak of the Void-Breaking realm. Even a formidable general like him stands little chance against Kudoza. The second advantage of the rebels…” Yu Lang sighed, hesitant to continue.

Li Dahuo finished, “The second advantage is the disunity among Tang border generals. Everyone seeks military merit and reward, hoping their peers suffer misfortune. With Li Linfu sowing discord at court, unity is lacking.”

Yu Lang smiled. “As long as our Lang Battalion stands united, that is enough.”

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Two days later, Yu Lang had no choice but to set out with Qingqing.

At the farewell banquet, Qingqing tied her hair and donned men’s attire, strikingly bold, embodying the spirit of ‘Who can tell if I am male or female?’ She addressed the Lang Battalion brothers, “You don’t need to look after me specially. Treat me as one of your own.”

The Lang Battalion students, including Qingqing, numbered eighteen. With their family generals, guards, and servants, the group totaled over a hundred.

Chen Wuning praised the Lang Battalion students but discouraged them from bringing their guards. With over a hundred armored men, they formed a formidable force, likely to provoke suspicion from the newly appointed chief official of the Grand Governor’s Office of Yangzhou. Besides, the situation was urgent, requiring round-the-clock marches. Each person needed at least two warhorses; the Moon-Washing Academy could provide forty or fifty, but two or three hundred was nearly impossible. Even the Tang regular army had a low horse-to-soldier ratio.

Obaba, who helped Yu Lang manage the tavern, insisted on joining when he learned Yu Lang and Qingqing were heading to the frontier. Loyal and capable, Obaba was entrusted with Qingqing’s safety.

Nineteen people, with over forty horses, departed the city in grand procession. Yu Lang glanced back at the distant Yangzhou, now a tiny black dot, filled with mixed emotions. It was his first time leaving Yangzhou for such a long, far journey.

Not only Yu Lang, but the other students were also venturing out alone for the first time. Even a simple outing beyond the city had always been accompanied by a retinue of servants. Now, for the first time, they felt the vastness of the world and the freedom it held.

Zhang Chengxing led the charge with a wild roar. The brothers echoed him, spurring their horses onward, advancing toward the frontier.