Chapter 00011: Bad News from the Frontline
# Bad News from the Frontline
Chapter 11
Novel: After the Immortals Disappeared
Chapter 11: Bad News from the Frontline
Outside the Suhong Hall was a small garden.
As the father and son duo passed through the garden gate, they happened to see two figures inside the hall.
He Chunhua slightly tilted his head and whispered, "Are these the two people we saw in the street the other day?"
He Lingchuan also noticed the guests and quickly nodded, "Yes, it's them!"
Back then, these two had been galloping through the bustling market, nearly trampling a child, before heading northeast out of the city gates.
He Chunhua hadn't returned home for the past couple of days, so He Lingchuan hadn't had a chance to report the incident.
He was surprised that his father already knew about it.
Who had informed him?
Most likely, it was Uncle Hao.
Once again, He Lingchuan felt the meticulous control his father exerted, whether over his two sons or over Blackwater City.
It was somewhat terrifying.
As they entered the hall, He Chunhua looked at the two unexpected guests and asked, "May I ask where you are from?"
The white-robed young man He Lingchuan had seen the other day was now dressed in a lake-green brocade robe, with silk embroidery adorning his shoulders and lapels.
Dressing so formally was a sign of respect for the local host.
He Lingchuan finally got a clear look at the gray-clad man.
The man was nearly sixty, tall and thin, with graying hair and beard.
Yet, his eyes were sharp, as if they could peer into one's soul and uncover the deepest secrets.
The young man smiled and said, "I am Nian Songyu, the Yangwu Commandant of Yue City in Xunzhou, sent here by my father, Nian Zanli!" He then introduced his companion, "This is the Grand State Preceptor of Dayuan, Sun Fuping!"
Even with his composure, He Chunhua couldn't help but be shocked.
"What!"
Nian Songyu was one thing; he already knew that the Governor of Xunzhou, Nian Zanli, had sent someone.
He just hadn't expected it to be Nian Zanli's second son.
As for the appearance of the Grand State Preceptor, that was truly beyond his expectations.
The Grand State Preceptor!
There were only three Grand State Preceptors in Dayuan, each possessing unfathomable abilities.
They usually assisted the monarch in regulating the nation's fortunes, and during wartime, they were the most terrifying weapons.
Given the right opportunity, they could even turn the tide of battle with a single strike.
As the ultimate aspiration of many practitioners, this Grand State Preceptor, Sun Fuping, should have been enjoying his life in the capital.
What was he doing in this remote place?
He Chunhua, disregarding decorum, scrutinized Sun Fuping for a while before exhaling, "It truly is Grand State Preceptor Sun. I apologize for my rudeness!"
Sun Fuping smiled faintly, "Twenty years ago, during the grand sacrificial ceremony, I remember seeing you, He Jijiu, with your three grandsons. That was you!"
"Times have changed," He Chunhua sighed slightly, then turned and pointed to his eldest son, "My son, He Lingchuan."
He had lived in the capital for over a decade and had seen this Grand State Preceptor on various occasions.
Twenty years had passed, and though Sun Fuping had aged, his features remained recognizable.
He Lingchuan had no choice but to step forward and pay his respects.
Nian Songyu smiled at him, "We meet again so soon."
"Indeed," He Lingchuan responded with a brighter smile, sensing the underlying meaning in Nian Songyu's words.
"It seems Commandant Nian and I are fated to meet."
He Chunhua looked surprised, "What? You've met before?"
Before Nian Songyu could speak, He Lingchuan quickly explained, "Father, you didn't know. The other day, while I was eating by the street, I happened to see these two distinguished guests passing by. The street was crowded, and Commandant Nian even saved a child from being trampled!"
Just as Uncle Hao stepped into the back hall, he twitched at these words.
He Chunhua nodded, "I see. Commandant Nian is young and capable, and it's rare to find someone so kind-hearted."
The four of them smiled, each pretending not to notice the underlying tension.
He Lingchuan, however, was well aware that Nian Songyu outranked him, and Nian Songyu's father outranked his own.
The minor incident from the other day had to be glossed over quickly to get to the main topic.
After all, he had a feeling that the main topic wouldn't be pleasant either.
Nian Songyu smiled and, as expected, didn't bring up the incident again, "Lord He, the Grand State Preceptor and I are on an urgent mission. We've been traveling for three days and nights to get here."
He Chunhua was considerate, "You must be exhausted from your journey. Please stay at the White Stone Tower tonight; it's the best guesthouse in Blackwater City."
He then called for a servant to bring fresh tea for the guests.
Seeing that He Chunhua wasn't asking questions, Nian Songyu had to continue, "This mission may require your assistance, Lord He."
He Chunhua nodded, "Please, go on."
Nian Songyu spoke gravely, "Lord He, are you aware that Woling Pass has fallen?"
He Chunhua was shocked, nearly jumping to his feet.
He forgot all about decorum, "What! Woling Pass has been breached?"
Woling Pass? He Lingchuan quickly searched his memory for this location.
The original owner of his body didn't seem to pay much attention to such matters, but he vaguely remembered it being somewhere in central Dayuan, near rivers and mountains.
"How is that possible?" He Chunhua said solemnly, "I heard that the rebel forces from Buxin and Hongchuan joined forces in May and began attacking Woling Pass. But Woling Pass is a natural stronghold, fortified over the years and extremely difficult to breach. Moreover, the defending general, Zhao Ronglue, known as the 'Iron Bucket General,' had well-trained troops and ample supplies. How could the rebels breach it so easily?"
In his estimation, Woling Pass should have held out for at least a year or two, by which time the rebel threat would have naturally dissipated.
"Lord He, though you are far away in Jinzhou, your understanding of the central war situation surpasses that of many nobles in the capital," Nian Songyu said quietly, "Unfortunately, the 'Iron Bucket General' was injured in the right eye during the chaos and died from his wounds. With his death, the army's morale collapsed, and the generals began infighting. The rebels took advantage and stormed the pass. Half a month ago, a traitor opened the gates, letting the rebels in."
Such a crucial stronghold had fallen without a fight.
The Suhong Hall fell silent, only the sound of He Chunhua's heavy breathing could be heard.
"You know the importance of Woling Pass to the central region of Dayuan," Nian Songyu said, staring at him, "It controls the Fengling Crossing, the most important ferry on the Hongchuan River. Now, during the flood season, with several heavy rains this summer, the river is raging. If the rebels follow the river downstream, they can bypass the numerous land checkpoints and land directly at Shihuan City downstream—"
He spoke each word clearly, "That place is only fifteen miles from the capital!"
Fifteen miles—for cavalry at full speed, it would take no time at all.
He explained it so clearly that even He Lingchuan, who wasn't very familiar with Dayuan's geography, could sense the gravity of the situation.
His family was stationed at the border, guarding the nation for the emperor.
But if the capital fell, what was the point of guarding the border?
He Chunhua felt as if the air he exhaled was cold, "Where are the rebels now?"
"They are still at Woling Pass."
Huh? Both He Chunhua and He Lingchuan were puzzled.
The rebels had finally taken Woling Pass but hadn't pressed their advantage? Speed was crucial in warfare.
But He Chunhua quickly realized, "There's a problem with the waterways?"
"Zhao Ronglue's deputy, Xu Dayou, gathered the remaining troops as the city fell and burned all the boats in the docks. Even though the rebels took Woling Pass, they have no boats to use. With the recent rains, it would take at least fifty days to cut down trees and build new boats."
"At least heaven has granted us this bit of time. Armies from all over are rushing to Woling Pass, but the situation is not optimistic," Grand State Preceptor Sun Fuping added, "The fate of Dayuan may depend on these fifty days."
(End of Chapter)