Chapter 167: Atop the City Gate

Chapter 167: Atop the City Gate

The stairway inside the tower was crowded with fully armed soldiers, forcing those climbing up to move sideways. Meng E handed over her saber before being allowed to pass.

The spacious room at the top was similarly filled with guards. Han Ruzi scanned the room but didn’t immediately see his target. At the chief clerk’s prompting, he finally spotted his cousin Han Tong in a corner behind several guards.

The two had likely met before, one sitting on the emperor’s throne and the other standing among many imperial clan members. Thus, Han Tong recognized Han Ruzi, though the latter didn’t remember his face.

The clerk, persistently busy, took a few steps forward with a sycophantic smile, “General of the Left, the travel documents...”

Han Tong waved his arms dismissively, as if swatting away annoying insects. The clerk, more persistent than an insect, stepped forward again, ” General of the Left, without the documents, I cannot leave the pass. The general...”

Han Tong suddenly strode forward, right hand gripping his sword hilt, teeth clenched, “No one leaves the pass, not even a mouse.”

The clerk paled, regretting having handed over the seal, “But... but...”

“Guards! Guards!” Han Tong shouted as if facing a grave danger.

The outburst startled both the clerk and Han Ruzi, who couldn’t understand his cousin’s extreme reaction.

“Take him away, drive him out, I don’t want to see him ever again!” Han Tong commanded.

Two guards, brought by Han Tong from the Northern Army, stepped forward, grabbed the clerk’s arms, and began to drag him out. The bewildered and fearful clerk had no idea how he had offended the General of the Left.

Han Tong, around thirty years old, looked sullen and panicked but tried to maintain a facade of authority. He clenched his fists on the desk, avoiding eye contact with Han Ruzi, addressing him with downcast eyes, “So, you finally came. I knew you would.”

Han Ruzi was puzzled, “I arrived just recently. They said you arrived slightly earlier.”

“A bit earlier? Haha, just that bit earlier, and Divine Hero Pass is mine!” Han Tong declared.

Han Ruzi glanced at Meng E, signaling her to stay put, then took a couple of steps forward.

Han Tong grew even more nervous, despite the tall, strong guards around him. He lacked confidence, fearing his teenage cousin might harm him. His fists tightened, but he refrained from shouting, keeping his gaze down.

Han Ruzi sensed his cousin’s fear. “The Xiongnu army has already reached Shattered Iron City. What are your plans, General Tong?”

“The Xiongnu... the Xiongnu... how could there be Xiongnu?” Han Tong was still in shock from the news he had received that morning, having been unaware of the Xiongnu’s approach when he was dispatched to Divine Hero Pass.

“What are your plans, General Tong?” Han Ruzi repeated.

Han Tong sat slowly, clutching his head, “Plans? The Champion Marquis didn’t mention plans... he instructed me to guard Divine Hero Pass, to let no one through...”

Han Tong raised his head, finally meeting Han Ruzi’s gaze, “Especially not to let you through the pass back to the Capital.”

Han Ruzi smiled, “I have no intention of returning to the Capital. I’m here to request reinforcements.”

Han Tong also smiled, a bit crazily, “I thought I had missed it, but I got here just in time. Haha, the Champion Marquis foresaw everything. You cannot pass! You cannot...”

After his laughter subsided, Han Ruzi said, “Divine Hero Pass is easy to defend and hard to attack. Even if the Xiongnu come, they won’t take it quickly. There’s no need to panic.”

“The Xiongnu... easy to defend... how did you enter the pass? The north gate... the north gate should be closed immediately.”

Han Tong fumbled on the desk for paper and ink. A guard, seeing his struggle, stepped forward to assist. Han Tong quickly wrote an order, stamped it with the seal from his robe, and handed it to a guard, who rushed off.

Han Ruzi watched silently. When the guard left, he said, “I’m here now, standing before you, General Tong. Open the gates to let the civilians through, then gather the troops outside the pass to support Shattered Iron City immediately.”

Han Tong looked puzzled, as if wondering why Han Ruzi was still there, “I’ve sent word to the Champion Marquis. He will decide. My task is to guard the pass, and I won’t open the gates.”

Han Ruzi’s tone grew firmer, “Shattered Iron City is in imminent danger. Anyone else would send reinforcements immediately. Please, General Tong, act decisively.”

Still hesitant, the clerk saw Cui Teng grab his collar again and quickly agreed, “Alright, alright. Please come with me, Lord Cui. Your presence carries more weight than mine.”

“Of course.” Cui Teng pushed the clerk towards the office. Han Ruzi dispatched five guards to accompany them.

He called Du Chuanyun over, “When I was upstairs, one of General Tong’s guards went downstairs to deliver orders. Did you see him?”

“I did.”

“Remember what he looked like?”

“I do.”

“Intercept him, and persuade him to take us up the tower. If he refuses...”

“I know what to do.” Du Chuanyun ran off.

Han Ruzi assigned five guards to follow, leaving him with ten guards, including Meng E, and the silent old General Fang Daye.

“Once we have the seal, you can leave, General Fang.”

“Yes.” Fang Daye said nothing more, walking away to blend in with the commoners on the street.

Han Ruzi and his guards waited. Nearby, a cart piled with bundles carried two crying children. Their parents, anxious, watched the gate, unable to comfort them.

Compared to the Martial Emperor’s era, the Chu empire had indeed declined, but it wasn’t yet powerless. Han Ruzi vowed to repel the Xiongnu, not merely defend the city.

Cui Teng and the clerk returned first, bringing over a hundred men, more than expected. It was unclear how Cui Teng had managed this.

“Let’s start the battle.” Cui Teng was eager, fearless. The soldiers and retainers, however, looked pale and anxious.

“Wait,” Han Ruzi said.

After a while, Du Chuanyun returned, “He wouldn’t cooperate, so I brought him back.” He pointed behind him, where five guards dragged the bound messenger. The street was chaotic; no one noticed the daylight kidnapping.

Just as Han Ruzi was about to issue orders, a commotion erupted at the gate. Many were shouting to open the gate, but when there was no response, they turned their anger towards the tower. A tall figure led the charge, demanding, “The gate officer is up there. Let him come out and explain!”

Fang Daye, disguised as a commoner, shouted, inciting the crowd.

Han Tong’s guards, about a hundred strong, drew their swords. But the mass of people was overwhelming, making the guards nervous.

Han Ruzi signaled for the captured messenger to call for help. The bruised and defiant messenger kept his mouth shut, shaking his head. Du Chuanyun took the lead, climbing onto a cart and pulling the messenger up, shouting, “There’s a Xiongnu spy in the north! Help is needed! Look, your man is hurt!”

The guards on and around the tower, seeing the injured messenger, panicked, further disarraying their ranks.

Han Ruzi turned to Cui Teng and the clerk, “Time to rescue the general.”

Cui Teng hesitated but quickly understood, “Yes, we must assist General Tong. Everyone, follow me! Rescue the General of the Left, and there will be rewards for all!”

Cui Teng led the men through the crowd towards the tower. The confused guards hesitated, some even moving aside to check on the situation at the north gate.

Han Ruzi watched the chaos he had created. Unlike past risky ventures, he felt genuinely calm this time, confident in victory.

Sometimes, a weak enemy can instill great confidence.

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