Chapter 264 - Qi Zongbi’s Strategy
The sudden battle finally ended as the first glow of dawn shone over the horizon. In the distance, the sound of gongs echoed across the battlefield, and the Northern Qiang soldiers retreated like a receding tide, leaving behind a landscape littered with corpses.
The morning sun rose slowly. After a night of fierce fighting, many soldiers on the wall slumped down against the parapet with their weapons tossed aside carelessly, as if they might fall asleep at any moment.
Qi Zongbi’s face showed unmistakable fatigue, but he still forced himself to stay composed. He cupped his hands toward Qi Yanzhu and said, "General Qi, I will take my leave to prepare for my departure to Ningye immediately."
Seeing that Qi Yanzhu seemed to want to say something, Qi Zongbi cut him off. "No need to try to dissuade me, General Qi. The war is urgent, and I can rest in the carriage along the way.
"Since His Majesty personally appointed you to defend Liangzhou Prefecture, he must have confidence in you. Therefore, Liangzhou Prefecture is now in your hands. I hope you will not disappoint His Majesty or the people."
Qi Zongbi bid farewell to Qi Yanzhu and descended the wall with two of his guards without hesitation.
Qi Yanzhu watched Qi Zongbi disappear around the corner, a glint of light flashing in his eyes. "A clever man indeed," he muttered.
"General?" A personal guard heard Qi Yanzhu saying something and thought he had been given instructions. He stepped forward and asked, "Are you referring to Minister Qi?"
Qi Yanzhu’s lips curled into a faint smile. "Who else? After all, he is the External Prime Minister of our dynasty—his mind is frighteningly meticulous."
"This... What do you mean by that?" The guard looked puzzled.
Qi Yanzhu grinned. "If you could figure it out, you wouldn’t still be a mere captain."