Chapter 28: Chapter 27: Northern Barbarian Cavalry Enters Anning County Chapter 28: Chapter 27: Northern Barbarian Cavalry Enters Anning County Tens of thousands of Hu Clan troops scattered into groups, a few more than one hundred, many nearly a thousand, penetrated the gaps between fortified ramparts into Da Rong territory. They did not occupy lands or besiege cities, only plundering resources and slaughtering the citizens.
One after another, counties in the north of Liao State fell into chaos. The butchery and panic spread like a tide towards the south, with countless citizens abandoning their homes to flee the turmoil, only to be intercepted and massacred by Hu Clan soldiers.
In a flash, five days had passed.
Just as Yang Zhenshan was overseeing the training of the young and strong in the back mountain, a piece of bad news arrived at Yang Family Village.
Yang Zhengxiang rushed to the training ground, “Zhenshan, it’s not good, the Hu Clan has crossed our border!”
Yang Zhenshan’s expression changed slightly as he asked, “What’s the situation?”
“The county government just sent a message; Hu cavalry have entered Anning County territory,” said Yang Zhengxiang, out of breath from running.
Yang Zhenshan narrowed his eyes.
The Hu Clan had entered Anning County so soon?
“Do we know the status of Chongshan Pass? Has it been breached?”
“No, it is said that Chongshan Pass is still in a standoff with the Hu Clan’s main force. However, the county government isn’t clear on the specifics,” Yang Zhengxiang replied.
Yang Zhenshan took a deep breath.
“That’s good, that’s good!”
“As long as Chongshan Pass hasn’t been breached, that means Da Rong has not been defeated!”
He wasn’t very familiar with the border situation, but he understood the significance of Chongshan Pass. Chongshan Pass is the most important fortress city on the northeastern border of Da Rong. As long as Chongshan Pass holds, Da Rong has room to maneuver on the northeastern front.
However, with Hu cavalry already inside Anning County, they were not far from Yang Family Village.
“Clan Leader, move the grain to the mountains as soon as possible. As for the rest, we’ll see how things develop!” Yang Zhenshan said.
“Alright, alright, I’ll arrange it now!”
Yang Zhengxiang calmed down and ran back to the village in haste.
Yang Zhenshan pondered for a moment, then turned and walked to a higher spot on the training ground, shouting, “Assemble!”
The next moment, a sharp whistle sounded. The trainees quickly formed an orderly line and marched to stand before Yang Zhenshan.
Yang Zhenshan regarded the neatly standing crowd, a glint of approval in his eyes.
These young men already resembled the image of an army he had in mind; uniform, heads held high and proud. Although dressed in simple linen and holding plain long spears, they exuded an impressive aura.
All his painstaking efforts to instruct them and nurture their bodies with Spiritual Spring Water had not been in vain.
He swept his gaze over them and spoke bluntly without mincing words, “Hu cavalry have entered Anning County’s territory, and it won’t be long before they appear around Yang Family Village.”
“Currently, we do not know the specifics of the Hu cavalry. The only thing we can do is prepare for battle and ensure the safety of our parents, wives, and children, facilitating their evacuation to the mountains at a critical moment.”
“Before that, we must conduct proper scouting and stay vigilant!”
“Yang Minghui!”
“Present!” Yang Minghui immediately stepped forward in response.
“You’re in charge of the village’s defense, patrolling, and standing guard day and night without any slack!” Yang Zhenshan commanded.
“Yes, sir!”
“Yang Mingzhi!”
“Present!” Yang Mingzhi stepped forward, chest out, head held high, his eyes bright and intent.
These days, Yang Mingzhi had been training the hardest. Apart from the regular daily practices, he continued to train in Martial Arts for two hours after going home.
Probably because he felt that being the son of Yang Zhenshan, he could not afford to lose face for his father.
Of course, Yang Zhenshan was also taking care of his own son. People have their close and distant relations; naturally, he would pay more attention to his own son.
Others could only drink diluted Spiritual Spring Water, but Yang Mingzhi was able to drink the undiluted Spiritual Spring Water.
In just over a month, not only had Yang Mingzhi’s body grown much stronger, but he had even grown taller.
“You’re responsible for patrolling the rear mountain, ensuring there are no enemies infiltrating from there,” Yang Zhenshan instructed.
The rear mountain of Yang Family Village was part of Changqing Mountain, which, although just a few low hills, covered a large area.
Most importantly, the evacuation route for Yang Family Village lay through the rear mountain; thus, guarding the rear mountain was ensuring the village’s retreat pathway.
“Yes, sir!”
“Yang Mingwu!” Yang Zhenshan rested his gaze upon the tallest and most robust man in the ranks.
This fellow was the strongest in Yang Family Village, without a doubt.
Even standing before him, Yang Zhenshan was a head shorter.
He was also the fourth Martial Artist of Yang Family Village, a new Martial Artist following Yang Mingcheng.
That Yang Mingwu became a Martial Artist was both within and beyond Yang Zhenshan’s expectations.
In terms of expectations, because Yang Mingwu’s physique was much stronger than that of an average person and he had always been diligent in his training. Moreover, with the diluted Spiritual Spring Water provided by Yang Zhenshan during this period, it was not surprising for him to become a Martial Artist.
But unexpectedly, Yang Zhenshan did not foresee that Yang Mingwu would become a Martial Artist so quickly. He thought it would be Yang Mingzhi who would achieve it earlier, only to find that Yang Mingwu had taken the lead in becoming a Martial Artist.
“Present!” Yang Mingwu responded with a resonant voice.
“You will be responsible for guarding the vicinity of the village. Should you spot any enemy activity, report it immediately!” Yang Zhenshan commanded.
Yang Mingwu, eyes wide and spirited, responded with a fervent “Yes, sir!”
Compared to others, the look he gave Yang Zhenshan was filled with fanaticism and admiration.
Although the other villagers also revered Yang Zhenshan, their respect was just that, mere respect. But Yang Mingwu’s attitude towards Yang Zhenshan was akin to a die-hard fan meeting their idol.
This fanaticism made Yang Zhenshan feel quite uncomfortable.
The reason for this was that Yang Zhenshan had enabled him to become a Martial Artist.
Indeed, in his heart, it was Yang Zhenshan who made him a Martial Artist.
Having faithfully practiced for more than a decade without success, he became a Martial Artist after just training under Yang Zhenshan for a little over half a month. This made him attribute his chance to become a Martial Artist entirely to Yang Zhenshan.
In reality, while Yang Zhenshan played a part in his becoming a Martial Artist, the main credit still belonged to his accumulated efforts over those many years.
This gratitude and fanaticism were something Yang Zhenshan felt somewhat undeserving of.
After all arrangements were made, Yang Zhenshan didn’t rest. He returned home to give a few instructions, then joined Yang Mingwu in patrolling around Yang Family Village.
…
In the following days, the situation in Anning County became increasingly chaotic.
A large number of civilians fleeing the war incessantly arrived from the North, further panicking the already anxious Yang Family Village.
At the same time, these refugees brought with them plenty of news.
Northern barbarian cavalry rampaged, killing, and pillaging in the North, while the soldiers of Chongshan Town kept intercepting and resisting them.
The continuous battles were bitterly fought, and the situation was extremely tense.
The growing instability began to waver the villagers of Yang Family Village.
Some wanted to protect their homeland, others wished to hide in the mountains in advance, and there were those who wanted to follow the refugees and flee southward.
Amidst the panic, chaos was inevitable. Luckily, the elderly and composed Yang Zhengxiang kept things under control, preventing major disorder.
However, this also left Yang Zhengxiang exhausted in both body and mind. He seemed to have aged ten years; his hair, once peppered with gray, completely turned silver-white, and the wrinkles on his face deepened considerably.