The Child Emperor

It was mid-autumn, and nights outside the Great Wall were already chilly. After days of marching, the soldiers could finally sleep soundly without having to keep watch or worry about waking up early the next day.

Han Ruzi couldn’t rest easy. While the soldiers were still busy moving supplies into the camp, he had already summoned the city’s defense officials to the general’s mansion, inquiring about the condition of the city. The next morning, while others were still fast asleep, he rose early and led a few men to inspect the city.

Shattered Iron City was built nearly forty years ago. Prior to its construction, facing harassment and attacks from the Xiongnu, the Chu army was on the defensive, with its forces concentrated along the Great Wall. After Martial Emperor decided to shift from defense to offense, numerous cities were built outside the border, and Shattered Iron City was one of them.

The city was situated on a low mountain ridge. To the east lay a small mountain, while half a mile to the north flowed a roaring river. The ridge extended westward, seemingly endless, while to the south stretched a barren land, with a small road leading into the mountains, connecting to Divine Hero Pass.

About three miles to the west lay another city known as Flowing Sand City, easily visible at a glance. To the east was Riverwatch City, blocked by a small mountain, with a beacon tower atop it for communication, but both small cities and the beacon tower had been abandoned for several years, left unmanned.

Han Ruzi circled the city for inspection, finding the city’s condition relatively intact, with only a few places needing repair. The issue was that the existing defenders were indeed a group of elderly, infirm, and sickly people, totaling less than a thousand. Only about twenty percent could don armor, helmets, and weapons to welcome the Northern Protection General, while the rest were either too old or bedridden and couldn’t even get up.

During its heyday, there were seven cities outside Divine Hero Pass and four on the north bank of the river. After the Xiongnu split, the importance of these cities declined, and starting from the late reign of Martial Emperor, one by one they were abandoned. Those who couldn’t leave, mostly the elderly and infirm, were almost all left in Shattered Iron City. Over time, despite the number of personnel, they had no combat effectiveness.

Han Ruzi ordered his men to bring the roster of the garrison to the general’s mansion and secretly instructed Zhang Youcai to find “Fang Daye” on it. Then he led a group out of the city to observe by the river.

The river wasn’t very wide, but the banks were steep, indeed forming a natural barrier. A few miles to the east along the riverbank was Riverwatch City, situated on a narrow passage between mountains and rivers, very small, only two hundred steps long and no more than forty to fifty steps wide. However, it directly faced a gentle riverbed, allowing cavalry from the opposite bank to easily ford the river for most of the year.

Holding Riverwatch City essentially meant blocking the Xiongnu’s river crossing.

But the city had fallen into disrepair. It still looked like a city from a distance, but upon closer inspection, most of the city walls had collapsed, and the remaining walls were unstable. The accompanying soldiers from Shattered Iron City warned the Northern Protection General not to approach, as even the rumbling of hooves might bring down a section of the wall.

“Why didn’t you maintain Riverwatch City properly in the first place?” Han Ruzi asked. If they could station troops here, resisting the Xiongnu would have been much easier.

The city’s officials looked at each other, but it was Chai Yue, who was accompanying them, who provided an answer. “When the city was built, its location was excellent. However, starting from about ten years ago, the river floods in spring and summer were several feet higher than before, washing away the city’s foundation. It couldn’t be repaired.”

Originally meant as a rear city for storing provisions and equipment, Shattered Iron City was now pushed to the forefront of resisting the Xiongnu.

On the opposite bank of the river were a series of earthworks. Han Ruzi accepted the suggestion and refrained from crossing the river to inspect, as it was said that those earthworks had been destroyed by the Xiongnu, leaving them only a few feet tall.

Han Ruzi returned to Shattered Iron City and climbed up the city walls to gaze into the distance. As far as his eyes could see, there was only dull gray and yellow hues, with hardly any greenery. Winter had not yet arrived, but here it seemed as if all four seasons had forgotten to pass.

“It must have been quite difficult to build the city in the beginning,” Han Ruzi sighed.

It was Chai Yue who responded again, “It was relatively easy to build the city back then. Several decades ago, there were plenty of trees and weeds on both sides of the riverbank, and the soil and stones were inexhaustible, readily available for construction. But as time passed, the trees and grass disappeared. Maintaining the city walls became challenging, not to mention building the city up. Everything had to be transported from inland.”

“So, this was the place you recommended to me.”

Chai Yue’s face blushed slightly. When he initially described the ambush plan to the Weary Marquis, he had embellished the situation of Shattered Iron City a bit, making the Weary Marquis believe that the city and the earthworks could be quickly repaired.

“This place is ideal for an ambush,” Chai Yue pointed in the direction of Riverwatch City. “The Xiongnu can only attack from there. Although Shattered Iron City is somewhat dilapidated, it can hold out for at least ten days. We can hide a special force at the beacon tower on the mountain peak. When the Xiongnu have crossed the river, we can block at Riverwatch City and then have the ambushers from the southern valley rush out. The Xiongnu will have nowhere to escape and will be annihilated.”

“Be wary of the Xiongnu resorting to desperate measures.”

Chai Yue then pointed to the clearly visible Flowing Sand City to the west. “Most likely, the Xiongnu will flee to the west. After the ambush troops from the southern valley emerge, twenty thousand men will head north, while ten thousand will circle around Flowing Sand City, cutting off their escape route. The Xiongnu won’t be cornered like trapped beasts and won’t escape the ambush.”

Han Ruzi also looked towards Flowing Sand City. He hadn’t been there yet, but from afar, the condition of that city seemed to be better than Riverwatch City. “Do we not need to station troops at Flowing Sand City?”

“In my humble opinion, it’s better not to station troops or to station fewer troops there. Let the Xiongnu scatter towards that direction to avoid them fighting desperately with their backs against the wall. Annihilating the Xiongnu is a credit, but reducing casualties among the Chu army is also a credit.”

Han Ruzi nodded. According to the laws of the Chu army, when assessing merits and rewards, the number of losses suffered by one’s own side should be subtracted from enemy casualties. If the losses were greater, even if victory was achieved, punishment would follow.

Morning passed, and Han Ruzi returned home for lunch. As soon as he entered the gate, Zhang Youcai, who stayed in the mansion, hurriedly approached him. “Master, you must come quickly. Young Master Cui is causing trouble again.”

The Noble Camp and the private retinue camp were both close to the general’s mansion, one on the left and one on the right. Cui Teng had been tired from his journey and slept soundly last night. He only got up when the sun was already high, had his meal, then went for a stroll. He became furious, stormed into the general’s mansion, wanting to speak to the Weary Marquis. Unable to find him, he stood in the courtyard and shouted loudly.

“What kind of place is this? No taverns, no shops. Living here feels like being slowly suffocated to death! I’m leaving, leaving right away!”

Cui Teng’s throat was hoarse from shouting. When he saw Han Ruzi entering the courtyard, he rushed over in a few strides, fists clenched, face full of anger. Then suddenly, he laughed, “Brother-in-law, you’re back! You’ve worked hard, you’ve worked hard. I won’t disturb you anymore.”

Cui Teng hastily ran out of the courtyard, leaving Zhang Youcai astonished. His gaze fell on Du Chuanyun, who had accompanied the Weary Marquis out. Suddenly, he remembered something. “Young Master Cui fears you!”

In a deserted garden in the capital, Du Chuanyun once tied Cui Teng to a tree for a while. It was one of Cui Teng’s most terrifying memories. Ever since he encountered Du Chuanyun at Divine Hero Pass two days ago, he had been avoiding him, just like today.

Du Chuanyun shrugged, seemingly indifferent.

After lunch, Han Ruzi summoned all the officials and military officers of rank seven and above. One purpose was to assign city defense tasks, and the other was to discuss how to train the troops. He didn’t want to passively wait for the Xiongnu to arrive at the city.

Fortunately, several people borrowed from the Southern Army had also arrived, including Liu Heixiong, a military instructor from the Southern Army who had previously taught martial arts in the palace. Han Ruzi had always had a good impression of him, so he specifically requested his presence. There were also three others chosen as Liu Heixiong’s deputies.

As the afternoon was about to end, Han Ruzi hosted a banquet for all the generals. However, just as the food and wine were being served, Cui Teng caused trouble again.

While all the generals and the commander were in a meeting, he unexpectedly gathered more than ten young nobles and their twenty-odd attendants, mounted their horses, and dashed out of Shattered Iron City, fleeing south.

This was a test for Han Ruzi. It was easy to pursue deserters, but the challenge was how to handle them properly.

All eyes turned to the young Northern Protection General, awaiting his command.

Han Ruzi turned to the gatekeeper who had brought the news and asked, “How many people have fled?”

The gatekeeper pondered for a moment. “Th-thirty-six people.”

“And the horses?”

“Thirty-six as well. They didn’t bring any extra mounts.”

“Did they bring any extra baggage?”

“Some… not many. Most of the horses only had riders.” The gatekeeper struggled to recall the scene to answer the general’s questions.

Han Ruzi nodded, though he wasn’t very confident. Inquiring with the gatekeeper was just a formality. His judgment was based on his understanding of Cui Teng. The Second Young Master of the Cui family was not known for careful consideration. He was always impulsive. In the Capital and within the army, he usually succeeded. However, this was the border, devoid of human habitation for miles around.

“Close the city gates. No one is to enter or leave without my command.”

“Yes, sir,” the gatekeeper retreated, looking bewildered and uneasy.

The gatekeeper was only guarding one of the gates. Official orders still needed to be sent to the other gates. Han Ruzi smiled at the remaining officers and said, “It’s all right. Before dawn tomorrow, they’ll all come back. No need to be so formal. Let’s enjoy ourselves and have a drink.”

Most people still observed formalities in front of the former emperor, now the Weary Marquis, and the Northern Protection General. Only Chao Hua and others from his private retinue ate and drank heartily.

The banquet quickly ended. Han Ruzi had to admit that he hadn’t found a way to get along with these seasoned veterans. On the other hand, Chai Yue was chatting away and getting along well with everyone, exchanging toasts and pleasantries.

Han Ruzi returned to the backyard to rest and bumped into Prince Donghai.

As Prince Donghai had a special status, he always stayed in the neighboring residence of the Weary Marquis, but he had no official position and did not attend the banquet.

“How does it feel to guard the city on the first day?” Prince Donghai asked with a smile.

“You didn’t go along with Cui Teng?” Han Ruzi retorted.

“He did come to me. I advised him that this place is sixty miles from Divine Hero Pass, with almost no places to rest along the way. Even if he reaches the pass, without proper documents, he won’t be allowed through. But he didn’t believe me. He thought that just by shouting “Grand Tutor Cui”, everything could be solved: food would fall from the sky, and the city gates would open by themselves. Ah, in his eyes, I’m truly a traitor to the Cui family.”

Grand Tutor Cui’s collusion with the Champion Marquis was unknown to outsiders, and Cui Teng himself was unaware. He thought that the bond between Prince Donghai and Grand Tutor Cui hadn’t changed at all.

Although Prince Donghai hadn’t attended the banquet, he had heard about Han Ruzi’s order to close the city gates. After sighing, he said seriously, “You’re quite bold. Cui Teng and the others won’t get far, but I’m more concerned about them not be able to return. How would you… explain it then?”

If Cui Teng were injured or dead, it would indeed be a big problem. Han Ruzi looked up at the clear night sky. “Let’s rely on luck. If there’s a mishap, I’ll just have to stay away from the Capital.”

Prince Donghai knew it was a joke but still replied, “Even if you don’t return, I must. You have an ‘Empress’ in the steppes, but I have nothing.”

Han Ruzi snorted and went back to his room.

There was an oil lamp burning on the table, and an open ledger. Zhang Youcai, who followed him in, said, “I looked for a long time. It turns out ‘Fang Daye’ is neither a soldier nor a general. He’s a prisoner.”

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