《Silent Vengeance》


 Prolog: First Mission

    The city of Xiapi was the last remaining city of the warlord Lu Bu. In a desperate attempt for an alliance with Yuan Shu, another warlord to the south, Lu Bu agreeded to sending his daughter Lu Lingqi to him. Originally, he wanted to strapped her to him and ride out, but his officers and advisors agrued against it, so he relunctantly sent her out with a small force. He ordered his military advisor, Gao Shun to prepare the escort while he go talk to his daughter.Gao Shun order for a small handful of soldiers to gather near the south gate. He had summoned his son to the south gate as well.


    "Father, did you summon me?" a voice called out from behind Gao Shun. He turns to see a young man wearing armor.


    "Gao Xing, good, you''ve arrived." Gao Shun said as he patted Gao Xing''s shoulder. "You have come to the age fifteen where you can serve our lord now. I have a mission I need you to complete at all costs."


    Yes, Father." Gao Xing replied, as he bowed to accept his first order.


    "I need you to escort our lord''s daughter to Yuan Shu''s forces in Shouchun." Gao Shun continued. "You MUST protect her at all costs."


    "I will Father." Gao Xing replied, still keeping his head down.


    Gao Shun stared at his son for a moment without saying a word. He placed his hands on Gao Xing''s shoulder once more and left it there. Gao Xing looked up at his father confusingly.


    "Is something wrong Father?" Gao Xing asks, worried with how his father was acting. His father usually showed a stoic expression and never express himself.


    "Nothing." Gao Shun said as he smiled, something that Gao Xing had rarely seen his father do. "Have you been maintaining your armor? What about your weapons?"


    "Yes Father, I have. I checked them just before coming here." Gao Xing replied. He pulls out his sword that was hoisted on his waist to show his father.


    "Good. The worst thing that can happen in battle is your weapon breaking. You must remember to properly maintain them." Gao Shun replied, nodding with approval for the state of his son''s sword. "One more thing. Here." Gao Shun motions for one of his men to bring over a horse. "This horse is for you. Her name is Yinglong. Treat her well."Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    Gao Xing was estactic. His father rarely spoiled him, and was usually strict. He could not believe his good fortune of recieving a horse as his first gift from his father.


    "Yes Father. I will." Gao Xing shouted in excitment. He reached out to pet the horses head. He then notice hagging on the saddle was a spear. He looked at it and was about to ask about it when his father spoke first.


    "That spear is also a gift. A sword is good, but a spear is far better when fighting in battle as it has a much longer range." Gao Shun said as he walked over to pick up the spear and handed it over to Gao Xing. "I didn''t think we would be at war before I got to teach you how to properly use on, but I know you will manage. Make sure to pratice with it whenever you have time to get used to it."


    Gao Xing nodded and grabs the spear from his father. Dispite how it looked, it was fairly light and easy to carry. He turns to give a few thrusts in front of him into the air to test it. Seems easy enough to him. He then notice another man approaching them, wearing an officer''s armor. He stood up straight.


    "Master Zhang Liao!" Gao Xing called out. He then bowed to show respect to the officer.


    "Gao Xing. Are you preparing for battle?" Zhang Liao asked.


    "Yes. I am to be escorting our lord''s daughter to Yuan Shu''s forces." Gao Xing replied.


    "Oh ho. So you are finally old enough that Master Gao Shun can send you out to carry out orders now?" Zhang Liao asked. He patted Gao Xing''s shoulder and smiled. "You must prove yourself here Gao Xing."


    "I will Master Zhang Liao." Gao Xing replied confidently.


    "It is good to be confident, but you must remember to never underestimate your enemies." Zhang Liao warned. "For it would be too late to react when they are more than you had thought them to be."


    "I will remember that Master Zhang Liao." Gao Xing replied meekly.


    Zhang Liao laughed, and then walked over to Gao Shun to greet him. Gao Shun looked over to his son and called out.


    "Go check your men. Make sure they are prepare. Afterwards go check the provisions for the trip."


    "Yes Father." Gao Xing replied and hurried over to Yinglong, and pulled her away towards the gathering of soldiers.


    "Are you worried Master Gao Shun?" Zhang Liao asked while watching Gao Xing run off.


    "What father wouldn''t worry for their son''s first battle." Gao Shun replied as watching Gao Xing.


    "What is there to worry about. Have you not make him read Sun Tzu''s Art of War and Wu Qi''s Wuzi?" Zhang Liao asked.


    "I have. But knowing it and executing it are two different things Master Zhang Liao." Gao Shun replied. "It will be his first time leading men in battle. Scrolls can''t teach about emotions on the battlefield."


    "That is true. But I believe he may have talent. And his marital powess is good for someone so young." Zhang Liao replied.


    The two remained quiet for a moment and watched as Gao Xing addressed his men. Zhang Liao taps Gao Shun on the shoulder, and motions for them to head back and walked back the way he came. Gao Shun followed. He peeked back once more at his son, and then walked away.

 Chapter 1: Ambushed

    Gao Xing inspected his troops before the arrival of the target of their escort. He lecture some soldier, who''s gear were poorly maintain. Under normal circumstances, he would punished them, but seeing as war is upon them, he can not afford injuring his men, even if it was to be light. He was a fair bit nervous as he had never command troops before, and here he is commanding a little over a thousand men.


    "All officers, step forth." Gao Xing called out. "I wished to learn your faces.


    Twelve individuals step forth. There were ten hundred man commanders and two five-hundred man commanders. Gao Xing carefully inspected them. Most of them were older, and had years of experience.


    "I am Gao Xing. I will be your commanding officer for this task." Gao Xing said as he bowed his head to show respect to his seniors. "I hope that you will guide me through this task as I have much to learn."


    The two five-hundred commanders step forth and kneeled down and bowed as well.


    "This one is named Feng Ji." One of them said. He was older, but still fairly young as well. Most likely to be in his early twenties.


    "This one is called Meng Bao." The seconded one said. He was a much older man. Clearly he has had much experience, as you can see on his worn out expression.


    "Thank you both." Gao Xing said, nodding in approvement of the two. "The two of you are my lieutenants, and be in command of five one-hundred commanders and their soldiers each. Meng Bao, I''ll ask for you to take the front. With your experience, I believe that you can better spot ambushes and would be able to command your men in such an event. Feng Ji, I''ll ask you to cover our rear. In case of an attack, I want you to be able to secure us an escape route should we be pushed back."


    "Yes sir. We obey your command." Both Feng Ji and Meng Bao shouted.


    Gao Xing was happy that he cower while giving out commands. Especially since they are veterans and his seniors. He continued to assign the five one-hundred commanders to them. Just as he finished, someone came up behind him.


    "Hmph, so Gao Shun made you the commanding officer for my daughter''s escorts?" The man bellowed.


    Gao Xing turned around. The man was large and in fully body armor. His gaze pierce through Gao Xing, and his pressence intimidated him to no end. Gao Xing recognized the man as his lord, Lu Bu. He quickly kneel down and bowed his head. His men followed suit.


    "Yes, my lord." Gao Xing answered meekly.


    "Stand." Lu Bu ordered, and Gao Xing rose up to his feet. "This is a very important mission. I do not care if you failed in reaching Yuan Shu or not. All I care about is my daughter''s safely. If you come under attack, you WILL protect her with you life. Understood?"


    Gao Xing nodded and didn''t mutter a word.


    "Good. You must protect her until you reach Yuan Shu, or returned her home safetly. That is your one mission." Lu Bu continued. "If you failed in protecting her, I don''t care if you are Gao Shun''s own child, I''ll kill you myself."


    "Father, please don''t intimidate my escorts before we set off. It''ll lower their morale." A voice called out behind Lu Bu.


    Gao Xing peeked out to see who it was. It was a beautiful lady. Her short hair that barely reach her neck. She was wearing some light armor and carrying her own sword. This puzzled Gao Xing, as it was very uncommon for women to wear armor, wield weapons, and had short hair.


    "Lingqi! How many times have I told you to wear your dress?! Why won''t you change out of that armor?!" Lu Bu shouted at his daughter.


    "Am I not heading out into possible danger? Why would I not protect myself with armor?" Lu Lingqi snapped back. Only she would dared yelled back at Lu Bu, who is a well known fierce warrior.


    Gao Xing watched in fear. Someone who would dare speak out against their lord is possible a hard to deal with person. But he remaind quiet, and continued to watch the two bicker.


    "Fine! Wear it!." Lu Bu finally gave in to his daughter. He turn to look at Gao Xing. "Do your job quickly." He stomped off into the distance.


    "I guess I''ll be in your care Gao Xing." Lu Lingqi said, looking at Gao Xing now.


    Gao Xing stared at her for a moment before answering.


    "Y-yes, my lady." Gao Xing let out meekly.


    "You don''t have to be so formal Gao Xing. We''ve known each other since we were young." Lu Lingqi replied with a small grin.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Gao Xing had met Lu Lingqi when they were still kids, but at the time he did not know who she was. He had thought she was the daughter of one of the officials. The two of them would study together and practice together when they sneak out of the house. She had longer hair back then, but Gao Xing had always thought she was a bit more... boyish than the other boys he had met.


    "Forgive me, my lady. I did not recognized who you were before. I will also have to continued addressing you this way, as you are my lord''s daughter." Gao Xing finally replied.


    "Fine. If thats how you want to be." Lu Lingqi replied. "Now, quickly take me to my carriage. Are your soldiers ready?"


    "Yes, my lady." Gao Xing replied. "Your carriage is over here. The soldiers stand ready. We can leave once you get in your carriage."


    Gao Xing leads Lu Lingqi to her carriage. Once she got in, he he order his men into formation and inspected the carriage once more. Once he was satisfied, he got on Yinglong.


    "Open the gate!" Gao Xing shouted towards the gate captain. The gates slowly opened. "Move out!"


    The soldiers marched out the gate and headed south. The trip would take a few days. The first day ended without much happening as they are still within their own territory. On the third day, they reached the borders between Lu Bu''s and Yuan Shu''s territory. The road was covered in hills. Gao Xing thought it would be a great location for an ambush, and order his men on high alert. As his men continued walking, a large group rose up from the hills, and held up banners. The banner flew Cao Cao''s colors and the character Yue.


    "AMBUSH!" Meng Bao shouted back towards Gao Xing. The enemies fired a volly of arrows at their men.


    "Form a defensive circle! Quickly! Protect the carriage!" Gao Xing hollered out. "Meng Bao! Take some men and circle around them!"


    Meng Bao ordered for two hundred of his light infantry to follow him and leaving his heavy infantry and archers behind for Gao Xing to use. Recognizing the character, he now knows who he is facing. Yue Jin of Cao Cao''s army. A well known and talented man.


    "Heavy infantry, raise shields! Cover your fellow archers from the incoming arrows! Archers! Fire at will towards the enemies! You don''t have to hit them! Just distract them to buy time for Meng Bao!"


    Gao Xing''s men followed his orders, and his archers randomly fired at the enemies. His own guards formed a smaller circle around the carriage and protected it with shields. After a short while of back and forth arrow volleys, Gao Xing heard shouting coming from the side of the enemies. It looks like Meng Bao had reached them.


    "Archers! Cease fire! Meng Bao has reached the enemies! Feng Ji! Take your calvery and go assist Meng Bao in routing the enemies!" Gao Xing ordered and was pointing towards the sound of the fighting.


    Feng Ji and his calvery charged forth towards the enemies. After a short battle, Yue Jin''s forces sounded a retreat and ran off into the west.


    "Regroup! Sound the regroup! Let Meng Bao and Feng Ji know to return and not persue them!" Gao Xing called out. The drums signal for a regroup sounded off loud and clearly for Meng Bao and Feng Ji. The two rejoin the rest of the army.


    "Commander, why did we not persue them and wipe them out?" Feng Ji asked, dissappointed in the order.


    "There could be more ambush lying in wait where they are retreating to. And our orders are to reach Yuan Shu, not to engage and wipe out enemy forces." Gao Xing replied. "What''s our casualty?"


    Meng Bao looked around quickly before answering. "About a hundred commander. But only a few deaths from the looks of it. I''ll get a more accurate count soon."


    "Good. Treat the wounded quickly. We have to keep moving before more shows up." Gao Xing ordered. He turn to check in on the carriage. "My lady? Are you ok? Did any arrows get through?"


    "I am fine, Gao Xing." Lingqi called out from inside the carriage.


    "Very well. Please remain in the carriage. We will continued on momentarily." Gao Xing replied before turning to check up on his men. He checked on his officers while they checked on their men. They finish quickly and continued on. He ordered two of his men to scout ahead for any signs of enemies. Making it pass they hills they came into an open field. Gao Xing became anxious now. If theres another enemy force around, they will most likely used calvery now. The open fields will allow them to run freely. One of his scouts returned alone, filled with arrows.


    "C...commander... large enemy force... ahead..." The scout said before falling off his horse and collasping on the ground.


    Gao Xing rushed over to check on the scout, but he was dead. "You have done well in informing us before you departed." Gao Xing got up and called Meng Bao over. Feng Ji was staying back a little distance away from the main army as he was covering the rear.


    "Meng Bao, what do you think we should do?" Gao Xing asked.


    "Commander, it might be better to retreat. If there''s a large army in front of us, we can''t them on with our small army." Meng Bao replied. "We will have to fail this task, but at least our lord''s daughter will be safe."


    "That was my thought as well. We can''t take on a larger enemy force in open field." Gao Xing quietly replied.


    Just then one of Feng Ji''s men came by on a horse. "Commander! Report! Large enemy approaching from behind. They are flying Cao Cao''s banners with the Character''s for Li."


    Gao Xing was shocked. "They really want to stop us from forming an alliance with Yuan Shu..." He said quietly. "Go back and tell Feng Ji to meet us five li east from here. We are pulling back."


    The soldier bowed and then ran back towards Feng Ji''s unit. Gao Xing turned back towards his men who were waiting for his command.


    "We... are pulling back. This alliance with Yuan Shu is a failure." Gao Xing called out. "We will regroup with Feng Ji five li east of here, and then head back towards Xiapi."


    The men look at each other confusingly, but followed the order and prepare to march east. After a quick march they reached their destination. Feng Ji had already reached the location and was awaiting them.


    "Commander, what will we do from here on?" Feng Ji asked, unaware of what they are currently doing now.


    "We are heading back to Xiapi." Gao Xing replied. "Get your men ready quickly. We have to move fast before we are surrounded."


    "What? Retreat?" Feng Ji shouted.


    "Yes. There''s a large army between us and Yuan Shu. And an army approaching us from behind." Gao Xing replied calmly. "We have to quickly return before we get surrounded. Our main mission to form an alliance with Yuan Shu is a failure, but we must still protect our lord''s daughter."


    Feng Ji remained quiet, and then turned to order his men to get ready. After some quick preparation the small army marched northeast, taking a detour that would take longer to reach Xiapi but by doing so, would avoid the forces of Cao Cao.

 Chapter 2: A mission to resupply

    Gao Xing anxiously look around his surrounding. To the east, he can see Hongze Lake off into the distance. While to the west was a open field. He look to the sky to see that the sun was starting to set soon.


    "Commander." Meng Bao called out as he rode back towards the center from the front. "The sun is setting. It would be wise to set up camp soon before it gets dark."


    Gao Xing nodded in agreement. He pointed at the open field. Meng Bao looked around the field then nodded and rode off to issue orders for the men to make camp. Gao Xing turned towards the carriage.


    "My lady. It is getting dark so we are setting up camp here." Gao Xing informed Lingqi.


    "Very well." Lingqi answered.


    As the men was setting up camp, Gao Xing went to check on the provisions. Originally, the trip was suppose to take around five days. It is the end of the second day, and who knows when they will be able to return back to Xiapi, and this worried Gao Xing. Meng Bao walks up behind him and called out.


    "Commander?" Meng Bao asked. "Are you worried about supplies?"


    "Yes, Meng Bao." Gao Xing answered quietly. "We currently still have enough for a few days. Three at the most. With so many enemies around, we may end up losing more than we can afford to, and I don''t know if we would be able to resupply anywhere until Xiapi."


    "Commander, if I may?" Meng Bao added. "if you will take a look at this map." He pulls out a map and layed it out on the ground for Gao Xing to see. "Since we are near Hongze Lake, we should be around here at the moment. If we go a little Northeast of here, we will reach one of our forification between the borders of our lord and Yuan Shu. From there we can resupply and leave our injured there."


    "That sounds good Meng Bao." Gao Xing answered happily. "How long will it take to reach it?"


    "About a day and a half commander." Meng Bao answered. "But it will take about three days from there to Xiapi."


    "Hmm..." Gao Xing paused to think for a moment. "Either we go striaght back to Xiapi and take at most two days, or head towards the fortification to resupply and it''ll take a total of about four days. I am worried that if we come into contact with the enemy, we may not make it back to Xiapi before we run out of provisions." Gao Xing paused for a bit again before speaking. "Where is Feng Ji?"


    "He is inspecting the injured and setting up guards around the camp." Meng Bao replied. "Shall I call for him?"


    "Yes, if you would please." Gao Xing answered still looking at the map. Meng Bao ordered one of his men to go fetch Feng Ji. After a short while Feng Ji appears.


    "You summoned me commander?" Feng Ji asked, after bowing.


    "Yes I want Meng Bao''s and your opinion." Gao Xing replied. After he explained the situation to Feng Ji, he await his answer.


    "I believe it might be better to go resupply." Feng Ji replied after giving it some thought. "We can even pull some soldiers from there as well."


    "Pull soldiers from one of our fortification?" Meng Bao asked.


    "Yes." Feng Ji replied. "From the looks of it, it was made to defend against Yuan Shu, but seeing as he is not our primary enemy at this moment, I think taking some soldiers would not be bad. Besides, with so many enemy around out here on the borders between us and Yuan Shu, I doubt he would attack us. And if we reach Xiapi and it is under attack, we can provide better support with a larger army."


    "I see." Gao Xing answered quietly. "What is your opinion Meng Bao?"


    "Feng Ji has some very solid points. I will have to agree with him on that as well. I originally wanted to go supply there, but getting more soldiers would not be a bad idea."


    "Very well." Gao Xing replied. "We will head towards the fortification early morning tommorow. Tonight, everyone rest well."


    Meng Bao and Feng Ji bowed and walked off to the set of tents. Gao Xing however walked towards the tent setup for Lingqi. Upon reaching it, he could see light from a latern inside the tent. He took a moment to explain the situation and the plan for tommorrow to her. After he finish he turned to return to his tent when she called out to him.


    "Ah, Gao Xing, please wait."


    Gao Xing turned back towards Lingqi''s tent, and answered. "Yes, my lady?"


    "Won''t you stay and chat with me for awhile?" Lingqi asked. "It has been awhile since we got to spend some time together."


    Gao Xing tought for a bit before answering. "Yes, my lady." He remained outside the tent, facing away, while Lingqi remainded inside. The two talked for a long time, reminiscing about their childhood and about how life seemed much more carefree and easier. Eventually their talking slowed down, and then it became silent.


    "Gao Xing... What do you think about my marriage to Yuan Shu''s son?" Lingqi asked.


    Gao Xing didn''t answered. He remeined silent for a minute before speaking. "I am sorry my lady, but I must return to my duties now. Please get some rest." He bowed and then walked away.


    "Sleep well Gao Xing..." Lingqi said quietly.


    The marched towards the fortification took two and a half days, longer than Gao Xing and Meng Bao had thought it would take. Upon reaching the fortification, Gao Xing gave it a quick inspection. It had small wooden walls and a gate on the north and south side. He rode up to the front of the gate.


    "I am Gao Xing, son of Gao Shun!" Gao Xing shouted. "Open the gate!"


    The gate opens and a man in a officer''s armor runs forth to Gao Xing and bowed. "I am Li Gong, the garrison commander. What brings Master Gao Xing here?"


    "We need some supplies for our return to Xiapi." Gao Xing replied. "Do you have any to spare?"


    Li Gong looked at Gao Xing confusingly. "Master Gao Xing... Xiapi is under seige by Cao Cao."


    Gao Xing showed a shocked expression. "When did Cao Cao arrive?!"


    "A few days ago." Li Gong answered. "We''ve had been ordered to hold position here."


    Meng Bao rides up to the two. "Commander, is something wrong?"


    Gao Xing turned to Meng Bao. "Xiapi is under seige by Cao Cao..."Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    "What?!" Meng Bao let out. "But that would explain the large forces of Cao Cao''s being this deep into our lord''s territory. For now, we should move all our injured into the base."


    Gao Xing agreed and looked at Li Gong. Li Gong moved aside lead the way for them. Gao Xing turned and order his men to go into the base. Once inside Gao Xing called for all the officers to gathered to determine their next move.


    "How many men do you have here Li Gong?" Gao Xing asked. "And how much days of provisions do you have once you include the thousand men with me?"


    Li Gong thought for a moment before answering. "I have three hundred heavy infantry, two hundred light infantry, and three hundred archers. A total of eight hundred. With your men, I reckon we have enough supplies for thirteen days."


    "Thirteen days..." Gao Xing said quietly to himself, lost in thought, worried about the seige. Should he wait here and wait for further news about the seige, or take his men to go assist in the defence of Xiapi. He looked at all the other officers in the room. "Meng Bao, let me see that map again please." Meng Bao walks over and hand the map over to Gao Xing. He looks at the map over and came to a decision. "Li Gong. Can I ask you and your men to abandon this location and follow me back to assist Xiapi?"


    "I am sorry master Gao Xing. Master Chen Gong had instructed me to hold this location until further notice or until I can no longer hold this location." Li Gong answered quickly and sternly.


    "I see." Gao Xing replied quietly. "Then may I asked to borrow some supplies for my men and leave my injured here?"


    "That I can do master Gao Xing." Li Gong answered. He pointed at one of his men. "You, go ready some supply cart for master Gao Xing. Enough for fifteen days."


    "Yes sir!" The officer replied and ran off.


    Gao Xing was about to dismiss all the other officers before one of Li Gong''s soldiers came running in. "Commander! We are under attack!"


    "What?! Now?!" Li Gong answered. "Quickly, get the men in order." He turns to Gao Xing. "My apologies Master Gao Xing, may I ask for your assistance?"


    "No need to ask Li Gong." Gao Xing answered quickly. "Feng Ji, order then men into formation."


    "Yes sir." Feng Ji ran out shouting orders. The men outside quickly gathered into formation.


    "How many enemies do you see?" Gao Xing asked the soldier.


    "B-by quick count, at least five thousand sir!" The soldier answered.


    "More than twice our numbers." Meng Bao said. "But may have walls, but they are not sturdy, and looked makeshift. They can fall quickly if we don''t stop the enemy advance."


    "Meng Bao, can I ask you to lead our calvary to slow the enemy advance to buy us some time?" Gao Xing ordered.


    "Yes commander." Meng Bao said as he rushed out. "I''ll buy us as much time as I can."


    "Li Gong, have your men form a concave aroundthe gate from the inside." Gao Xing ordered. "Your archers will rain arrows on the enemies once Meng Bao returns."


    "Yes commander." Li Gong ordered his officers to carry out the order quickly.


    Gao Xing feels a little bad for taking over command, but seeing as he is the ranking officer, he figured it was fine. He quickly grabbed his spear and ran to Yinglong. He started shouting out orders to the men to quickly form up. He looked around and saw that Meng Bao and the calvary had already went out the gate. He saw that the infantry had gathered around the gate already with the heavy in front and the light behind them. The archers on the other hand around scattered and was running about in a panic.


    "All of you! Hurry up! The enemy are upon us!" Gao Xing shouted. The archers stopped in their tracks to look at him. "Some of our men are outside to buy us time! But it will not be for long. Quickly form up and get ready to release your arrows once they return."


    The soldiers then calmed down and quickly got into formation. Meng Bao and his men ran back into the base.


    "Archers fire!" Li Gong ordered. The archers started firing over the walls. Cao Cao''s solders started raming at the walls. Their own archers fied down on Gao Xing''s men. Some their archers go down while their infantry was fine due to them raising their shields to defend themselves. Thinking quickly, Feng Ji ordered for some of the light infantry to fall back to the archers to help defend against the arrows. A short moment later, Cao Cao''s forces tears down the gate and through the gate, meeting the concave of Feng Ji''s infantry.


    Feng Ji and his men were able to keep the enemy at bay while Li Gong''s archer rained arrows upon the enemies still outside the walls. After they saw that they weren''t going to get in, Cao Cao''s troops called a retreat. Before Gao Xing and the rest of his officers could relax, Feng Ji spots more of Cao Cao''s soldiers in the distance. He rode out on his horse to go scout. He was shocked to see the large number of soldiers there. By his quick count, he saw almost five thousand. And he saw that Cao Cao''s calvary was moving foward. If they charged into the base, they will easily break through the concave and open a path for their infantry to pour in.


    Feng Ji rushed back to warn Gao Xing. Gao Xing pondered for a moment, and turned towards Li Gong. "Li Gong, we can not hold this position for long if they attack us with their full force."


    "What do we do then?" Li Gong asked.


    "We will have to abandon this location." Gao Xing ordered. "We will try to head back to Xiapi, and find a way back into the city."


    Li Gong pondered the thought for a while. He agreed hesitantly. Gao Xing ordered for the soldiers to prepare to retreat, taking what supplies they can, and buring the rest. He ordered for the injured to be moved first and for Feng Ji to hold the concave until the injured and supplies had been move before retreating. He ordered Meng Bao to go first to ensure that there was no enemies waiting outside the south gate.


    The soldiers quickly packed supplies into wagons and pulled it out the south gate. Cao Cao''s soldiers had reached the gate and broke through the concave with their calvry. Cao Cao''s infantry then quickly poured in, killing everyone that they can.


    "Feng Ji! Pull out now!" Gao Xing shouted, while he stand at the south gate. Feng Ji''s men started pulling away from Cao Cao''s troops, but was pursued and cut down as they ran. "Calvary! On me!" Gao Xing shouted and charged towards them to aid Feng Ji''s retreat. He quickly reached their location and cut down a few of Cao Cao''s soldiers. He found Feng Ji surrounded by enemy soldiers. He rushes over and cut one down. "Grab on!" Gao Xing reaches a hand out towards Feng Ji and he grabs hold of it. Gao Xing pulls him onto Yinglong and rode off.


    "What about our solders that are left behind?!" Feng Ji shouted, looking back at the soldiers. The other calvary each grabbed a soldier and rode after Gao Xing. Feng Ji breath a sigh of relieve that some of them were rescue, but was sadden that the rest were left behind as they rode out the south gate.


    Gao Xing, Feng Ji, and the his calvary regroup with Meng Bao several lis south of the fortification. When Meng Bao saw Gao Xing''s group, he rushed over.


    "Commander, are you ok?" Meng Bao asked worriedly.


    "I am fine, Meng Bao." Gao Xing answered. He looked back at the soldiers that accompany him, and then at the group the left before him. "How... many men do we have left? What about our lady?"


    Meng Bao hesitated before he answered. "Some of our men got lost in the retreat. I did a count before you arrive, and we have a thousand and two hundred men here."


    Gao Xing then looked back and gave a quick count of the men that followed him. About five hundred. "A thousand and seven hundred men..."


    "Our lady is safe my lord." Meng Bao added. "But she seems shaken when she didn''t see you. I recommend going to see her first."


    "Very well." Gao Xing replied. "Meng Bao, Feng Ji, check on our provisions and treat our wounded." Gao Xing rode towards the carriage to see Lingqi. "My lady, it''s Gao Xing."


    "Gao Xing?!" Lingqi called out. She pops out of her carriage to see him. "You''re safe..."


    "Yes, my lady." Gao Xing replied. "I am sorry for worrying you."


    "As long as you are safe, that is all that matters." Lingqi replied before going back into her carriage.


    "Don''t worry my lady." Gao Xing added. "I will stay alive long enough to bring you back to your father. Now, please excuse me as I have to go discuss our next step with the others."


    "Very well. You are dismissed." Lingqi replied. She breath a sigh of relieve out of view to Gao Xing as he rode away from the carriage.


    Gao Xing returned back to Meng Bao and Feng Ji. "How is our provision? And our soldiers?"


    Meng Bao turned to answer. "I think we have enough supplies for at least ten days."


    "The treatment for our soldiers are going ok, but..." Feng Ji added, but paused.


    "Go on, Feng Ji." Gao Xing said, worried that it was something bad.


    Feng Ji looked at Gao Xing and quietly answered. "We don''t have enough bandages for the wounded. At the same time, a lot of our wounded are too severe to treat on the field. They might not make it back to Xiapi."


    Gao Xing pondered for a moment. "Please treat the more severely injured first. We can''t risk losing any more men."


    "Yes, commander." Feng Ji answered.


    "Commander, what do you plan to do from here?" Li Gong asked as he walked up to them.


    Gao Xing turned to look at him. "Li Gong... I am sorry I couldn''t help you defend your fortification..."


    "Do not worry about it commander." Li Gong answered. "If not for you, my men and I may not have made it."


    "Thank you, Li Gong." Gao Xing answered. "I plan to return to Xiapi to possible help with defending it. I ask that you and your men join me."


    "Yes, commander. I would be happy to." Li Gong answered. Gao Xing smiled and pat his shoulder.


    "Everyone, up camp for tonight." Gao Xing ordered. "Tommorrow we make our way back to Xiapi."