Chapter - 489 Grand Birthday Celebration (7)

Two horses dashed onto the field and their riders were two gray-robed spies Guo Jing had sent to scout the enemy's movements. Even though Guo Jing was watching the election contest, his heart was never far from thinking about military matters. As soon as he saw these riders he thought, "Ah! They are coming after all!"

Guo Jing and Guo Fu, father and daughter thought the same 'coming after all' but the daughter meant Yang Guo, while her father meant the Mongolian troops, their enemy.

The two riders stopped their horses several 'zhangs' [several meters] from the stage, and immediately paid respects to Guo Jing.

Without waiting for them to open their mouths, Guo Jing and Huang Rong looked at their faces, trying to guess what the news would be; but they didn't see worried faces. They looked so calm, more on the happy side, like they were bearing unexpectedly good news.

"Please be informed Hero Guo," said one of them, "the Mongolian troops' left wing has arrived at Xinye. They are one thousand men strong."

Guo Jing was shocked, secretly thought, "They are that quick!".

"Also the right wing has arrived at Dengzhou, another one thousand men strong," the second spy reported.

Guo Jing uttered a 'Hmm' and silently thought, "The enemy from the north divided their troops into two flanks, and they moved very fast. Truly a sharp strategy." Both Xinye and Dengzhou were only 100 li (50km / 31 miles) or so from Xiangyang. From those cities to Xiangyang, the terrain was flat, with no rivers or mountains on the way. They could reach Xiangyang in just one day.

"Something has happened there. Something strange but pleasant to us," continued the second spy. "The troops at Dengzhou, all one thousand of them, have been killed, including all the officers …"

"Is that so?" Guo Jing was more amazed.

"That was what I witnessed," the first spy confirmed. "The one thousand strong troops at Xinye have become ghosts, everybody died. The most peculiar thing was they all lost their left ears!"

"The same thing happened at Dengzhou," added the second spy, "they also lost their left ears."

Guo Jing exchanged a look with his wife. They were both surprised and pleased. The enemy was tens of thousands strong, two thousand dead would not make a dent. But the way they died could crush their spirit. Only which troops or who had destroyed the enemy's two flanking troops?

"What about the defense troops at Xinye and Dengzhou?" Guo Jing asked.

"They were still inside their cities," came the answer, "We don't think they were even aware that the enemy's troops were decimated outside their cities."

"Now go and give the report to General Lu," commanded Huang Rong, "I am sure he will be pleased and will give you some reward."

The two spies nodded and happily retreated.

Huang Rong immediately went on stage and made the announcement, which was received with loud cheering and applause by their entire army.

"The Beggar Clan has just elected a new chief, this is a very pleasing news," said Huang Rong, "but this news is even more pleasing! Elder Liang, please prepare a feast, we will make a celebration!"

A feast had indeed been prepared; therefore, they were able to move swiftly. Everybody was high in spirits, even Dunru and the others who were defeated during their matches. The Beggar Clan party did not allow tables and chairs, so they just sat on bamboo mats laid out scattered across the field. Although humble, the food and wine were sumptuous.

Guo Jing and Huang Rong were repeatedly congratulated. People thought it was their doing. No matter how they denied it, nobody believed them.

"Brother Jing, this is so strange," said Huang Rong to her husband, "we'll just ignore them and see what happens."

Madam Guo then sent eight smart beggars to run to Xinye and Dengzhou to investigate further.

In the meantime, Guo Xiang was still sitting with the Big Head Ghost and the eagle. Nobody dared to come close to them.

"I wonder why Big Brother has not come yet?" Guo Xiang asked.

"He said he will come, he'll come," answered the Big Head Ghost. He was just finishing speaking when he suddenly said, "There! Did you hear that? What's that noise?"

Guo Xiang strained her ears. From a distance she could hear animal noises, loud roars of lions and tigers, loud cries of big monkeys, and the heavy footsteps of elephants.

"The Shi Brothers are here!" Guo Xiang was delighted.

Not too long afterwards everybody could see the beasts. They were shocked and unsheathed their weapons. Panicked voices were heard everywhere, "Where did they come from? Ah! Lions! Tigers! Watch out! Wolfs! Leopards…!"

Guo Jing stayed calm. "Go to the city and summon two thousand archers!" he commanded Xiuwen.

"Yes," Xiuwen complied and was just about to move when suddenly a loud voice was heard, "The Shi Brothers from the Beastly Mountain Village are here to carry out the Eagle Hero's instructions to wish Miss Guo Xiang a very happy birthday!"

That voice did not come out of one, but from five mouths. The Shi brothers did not have a high level of internal energy, but by combining their voices, they could be heard from afar.

Even though he heard them; Huang Rong still thought that being prepared wouldn't hurt anything. She signaled Xiuwen to proceed. The Shi Brothers' intent was not yet clear.

Xiuwen worked fast. In no time he arranged the archers to defend the field in a horseshoe formation. These archers were under Guo Jing's coaching. As we remember, Guo Jing himself was a Jebeh (master archer – see LOCH). This was also one reason why Xiangyang could defend itself from the Mongolian troops for dozens of years. The archers were not inferior to the Mongolian archers who were well known throughout the world.

As soon as the archers were in formation, a big man appeared. He wore a tiger fur robe, and was accompanied by a hundred large tigers. It was the White Forehead Mountain Lord Shi Bowei. His tigers immediately sat around him in an orderly fashion.

Following him were Caring Eyesight Sage Shi Zhongmeng with his hundred leopards, Golden Claw Lion King Shi Shugang with his hundred male lions, Immortal of Giant Strength Shi Jiqiang with his hundred big elephants, and Eight Handed Monkey Immortal Shi Mengjie with his hundred big monkeys. These five groups of animals then sat around their masters in neat formations. As well-trained as they were, the animals could not be kept quiet. They kept making loud and frightening noises, which made the hearts of the people of Xiangyang tremble.

Each one of the Shi Brothers brought a leather pouch. They approached Guo Xiang and bowed, "We wish you a very happy birthday, good health and longevity!"

Guo Xiang stood up and reciprocated, "Thank you, Shi Uncles! Third Uncle Shi, is your injury healed? Fifth Uncle Shi, how about the sword wound on your chest?"

Shi Shugang and Shi Mengjie were touched, "Many thanks Miss for showing your concern, we are healed."

Shi Bowei pointed to the five pouches. "These are the first presents from the Eagle Hero to Miss Guo," he said.

"I really cannot accept it!" said Guo Xiang, giggling. "What are those? Oh, I know! Yours must be a tiger cub, and his is a leopard cub! Am I right? That would be fun!"

"No!" Shi Bowei smiled, "These are the fruits of the great effort of seven hundred Jianghu friends under the leadership of the Eagle Hero!" Then he opened his pouch.

Guo Xiang stretched her neck to see the content, she was startled, "Ears! Human ears…!"

"That's right!" answered Shi Bowei, "These five pouches contain a total of two thousand Mongolian soldiers' ears!"