Marrying a Disabled General and be His Wife

Jiangnan had been lost, and only the small land of Jing Kingdom had not been invaded. Refugees were pouring in from all directions, and the pressure on food had increased sharply.

If they continued to stand still, even if Cui Yuanqing did not send troops, they might eventually be swallowed up by refugees.

Tan Chuyan could not allow so many people to freeze and starve to death, but it was even more difficult to take the initiative to send troops. They could not cross the Lingjiang River.

It would be great if they also had the flying ship.

But they didn’t.

Tan Chuyan worked hard day and night, which made his already weak body even worse.

But he could not fall; they must win this war.

After drinking the medicine, Tan Chuyan turned his head to look at Xiao Yutang and asked, “Is there any movement in the south of the Yangtze River?”

“Not yet.” Xiao Yutang shook his head. “He probably wants to drag us to death with refugees.”

What a sly and cunning fox, who had completely figured out their weakness.

Xiao Yutang picked up the medicine bowl and said, “Young master, we can’t be dragged along any longer. I’ve calculated if we stop recruiting refugees and use the food we have now and live frugally, we should be able to ensure that we survive the winter successfully.”

“Then,” Tan Chuyan tightened his cloak and blew on his red fingertips against his lips, “watch the remaining refugees die?”

“But…”

Tan Chuyan raised a hand: “There is no ‘but’. If the gate of Tianyou City is closed, what is the difference between us and Cui Yuanqing?”

Xiao Yutang swallowed the rest of his words, and finally just sighed. “I understand. I will obey the order of the young master.”

Tan Chuyan leaned back and asked, “What’s going on in the military camp?”

“Everything is as usual,” Xiao Yutang said. “The general has added all the refugees who are willing to join the military camp and organized them into a separate camp for training. The military and Wolf Eagle Cavalry continue to build fire arms. We already have ten guns and cannons. Even if Cui Yuanqing sends troops, we can resist for a while.”

“Got it.” Tan Chuyan rubbed his eyebrows. “Go down.”

Fire guns, thunder bombs and cannons were their strength. It was probably because of these things that Cui Yuanqing did not send troops rashly and planned to use the refugees to drag them to death.

But just as Xiao Yutang said, they couldn’t continue to delay, otherwise, there would be only a dead end.

What to do?

What should he do next?

The endless flow of refugees, the imminent war, and the traitors secretly stabbing people in the back.

The feeling of being attacked from both sides made Tan Chuyan breathless. He put his hand on his cracking forehead to adjust his breathing.

If Cui Yuanqing could not sit still one day, how long could they resist?

Tan Chuyan gritted his teeth.

Persevere, persevere, and once the harsh winter was over, life would come.

But would their enemies give them this chance?

The answer was obvious, no.

.

Cui Yuanqing calculated the timing perfectly and launched the attack the moment their food ran out.

Three cloud boats came from afar, covering the sky and the sun.

Arrows rained down, and the land was devastated.

Tan Chuyan stood behind the cannon, lit the last fuse, and watched as it hit the flying ship, setting off blinding sparks.

The flying ship shook violently in the air and finally, like a bird with broken wings, swung down to the earth crookedly.

In an instant, dust flew into the air and black smoke rose into the sky.

Destroyed, finally destroyed!

But so, what? They had exhausted all their artillery and only managed to shoot down this one flying boat. What would they do with the remaining two?

Cui Yuanqing was too cunning, and the Xiyi people were too cunning. They had added fine steel to the flying ship for protection, making all attacks look as weak as a mantis trying to stop a chariot.

Tan Chuyan stepped onto the tower wearing tattered clothes.

He looked down and saw Feng Chilie leading countless soldiers to fight heroically. One after another, the soldiers were pierced through the chest by the enemy’s sword and fell in battle.

Although people kept dying, no one backed down, and everyone was fighting with all their strength.

Because they knew very well that once defeated, their families would be destroyed, and their lands would be shattered.

They didn’t have to fight for their country, but they had to fight for their families. This was a responsibility they couldn’t shirk in this life.

From the moment they took the oath, they bore this responsibility on their shoulders willingly. Even if they died in battle, they would have no regrets in their lives.

No matter what, they must win this battle, and they could only win.

But… what would they win with?

The broken body, the broken sword in hand.

They couldn’t win.

But people were always a little stubborn, always unwilling to give up until the last moment.

Before the war started, Tan Chuyan knew the final result might be like his body—a direct collapse.

But he was unwilling to give up easily and still wanted to try his best to hold on to this last hope. Even if he could no longer be as brave as he once was, he could use his broken body to clear the way for Feng Chilie or fight alongside him.

He just refused to surrender and wanted to hold on a little longer.

He didn’t want to squat in the tower like a tortoise and wait for a decided outcome. He just wanted to witness everything with his own eyes.

.

The soldiers fought hand to hand, the cannons exploded, and almost half of the sky was dyed red.

Suddenly, the drum beater of the Wolf Eagle Cavalry was shot through the throat by an arrow. The drumbeat stopped suddenly, and even the soldiers’ morale seemed to decline.

Tan Chuyan turned to look at Tianbao and asked, “Did I bring my xun?”

Tianbao took it out and handed it to him: “I brought it.”

This was Tan Hongchen’s first birthday gift to Tan Chuyan, a cherished item.

However, since Tan Hongchen passed away, Tan Chuyan never touched it and handed it over to Tianbao for safekeeping.

Because he was a timid person, he could not see the belongings of his old friends without being filled with sorrowful thoughts.

Tan Chuyan’s fingertips trembled as he took the item he had not touched for a long time. Every word Tan Hongchen had said to him during his lifetime echoed in his mind.

“Yanyan…”

Some of those words were vague, some unforgettable.

Tan Chuyan put the xun to his lips and started playing.

…

… …

…

It was said that the sound of the xun was the cause of blessing and ambition. He hoped that after this battle, their lands would be safe and the lights would be on.

Note

Xun is type of flute. It looks like this.