Hearing the shout, Wang Lei poked his head down and saw several people he recognized standing below the city walls; they were the captain of Prince Xiao Jingyun's guards, Zhou Quan.
"Oh, it's brother Zhou Quan."
Zhou Quan cupped his hands and said, "General Wang, you are already surrounded. His Highness the Prince says if you surrender the city, you will not be punished and can keep your original position."
After hearing Zhou Quan's words, Wang Lei couldn't help but let out a cold snort, a hint of disdain in his tone.
But it was only for an instant. He quickly put on a smile again, "Brother Zhou Quan, this matter has come too suddenly. Please allow me some time to think and then I will give you a reply, alright?"
Zhou Quan was not in a hurry. He agreed and turned his horse to leave.
Watching Zhou Quan depart, Wang Lei slammed his fist hard against the city wall.
"Hmph, what kind of dog dares to promise me a title? I will be a founding duke soon."
Just then, the urgent sound of hooves approached, and a man hurried up the stairs.
"General, someone is challenging us outside the east gate. It's an old man with white hair and beard, and he says his name is Liu Junyu."
Upon hearing Liu Junyu, Wang Lei couldn't help but laugh, "This old fellow is already over seventy years old. Does he want to come here and die? Then I shall oblige him."
After taking two steps, someone beside him stopped him, "General, don't be hasty. Please listen to a few words."
This was his副将 (fùjiàng - deputy general), named Wang Heng.
Wang Lei nodded, "What is it? Speak your mind."
"General, Liu Junyu is a marquis of our Great Cang Kingdom. He is over seventy years old. Even if you go out to fight him, it would be an unfair victory. If you injure or kill him, you will surely be pursued by the entire Liu family."
"And if, by chance, you are defeated by him, your lifelong reputation will be ruined."
After hearing Wang Heng's words, Wang Lei nodded slightly, "You have a point. But he has come to challenge us, I cannot simply refuse to fight."
"General, have you forgotten? Zhu Jianyü is still locked up in the backyard. You can order him to redeem his crimes."
Upon hearing this, Wang Lei's eyes lit up, and he looked at Wang Heng with approval, "Well said! How could I have forgotten him? Go and issue my military order. Tell Zhu Jianyü to go out and meet the enemy. He must win, not lose. If he loses, he will be dealt with by military law."
Wang Heng nodded and quickly left. He went to the backyard of the county office and ordered the door to be opened, where he found Zhu Jianyü.
Seeing Wang Heng arrive, Zhu Jianyü suddenly had a premonition that something had happened.
Indeed, Wang Heng forced a smile twice, "Brother Jianyü, you have been wronged these past couple of days."
Since Wang Heng was being polite, Zhu Jianyü naturally could not look dejected. He cupped his fist and said, "General Wang, I will stake my head on it, General Wang Long was not killed by anyone I sent."
Wang Heng nodded, "I believe General Zhu would not do such a thing. But we are afraid the Commander-in-Chief might not believe it."
Zhu Jianyü's expression immediately became melancholic, "Alas, my sincerity, heaven can bear witness."
Wang Heng patted Zhu Jianyü on the shoulder, "Now there is an opportunity to prove your sincerity."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Jianyü's expression stirred, and a spark of excitement flashed in his eyes.
"Oh? General Wang, what method do you suggest?"
Wang Heng pointed to the east, "Liu Junyu is outside the city, provoking us and hurling insults. General, you go out and cut down this old rascal, and the Commander-in-Chief will naturally believe you."
Zhu Jianyü was stunned upon hearing this.
"You mean Liu Junyu is outside?"
Wang Heng nodded, "Yes. To be frank, our Qingniu County city has been surrounded by a large army."
"They are challenging us from all sides. General Wang Lei has already engaged with the Prince's captain of the guards, Zhou Quan."
Hearing this, Zhu Jianyü's heart tightened.
"Oh, then where is the Commander-in-Chief? Why is he not coming to support us?"
Wang Heng sighed, "The Commander-in-Chief led his men down the mountain yesterday. Perhaps he has other arrangements."
He turned to look at Zhu Jianyü again, "General, please hasten to leave the city. I also need to go out and fight."
After speaking, Wang Heng hurried away. After leaving the county office, he beckoned to someone by his side and said, "Keep an eye on Zhu Jianyü. Report any unusual activity immediately."
Meanwhile, Zhu Jianyü was lost in thought in his room.
Seeing his silence, the guards beside him couldn't help but speak up, "General, Old Marquis Liu is highly respected. Do you really have the heart to fight against him?"
Hearing this, Zhu Jianyü let out a long sigh, "Yes, the Liu family has great influence in Hedong. If I injure him, it would be like poking a hornet's nest."
"But if we don't go out to meet the enemy, we cannot account for ourselves to the Commander-in-Chief."
At this moment, a guard beside him cupped his fist and said, "General, why not take this opportunity to defect to the Prince with your troops? Then all problems will be solved."
Hearing this, Zhu Jianyü fell silent again.
Then another person said, "Yes, General. Since the Commander-in-Chief already suspects us, it will be difficult for him to treat us sincerely. It would be better to go to the Prince than to stay here and be subjected to indignities."
Listening to their discussions, Zhu Jianyü nodded slightly.
"Very well. You may go and prepare. Inform the brothers in advance, so they know what to expect."
"Also, no one is to bring any unnecessary items, lest they be discovered."
Everyone immediately dispersed and began to prepare.
Zhu Jianyü returned to his quarters, changed his clothes, and carefully put on his armor. He surveyed the room, feeling a sense of reluctance, wondering when he would be able to return.
Zhu Jianyü had only two thousand personal soldiers. He assembled them and led them slowly towards the east gate.
On the city wall of the east gate, Wang Lei and Wang Heng watched Zhu Jianyü lead his troops slowly approaching from a corner. They exchanged glances and smiled.
Outside the city gate, Liu Junyu stood before the two armies. Seeing no one answering the challenge from the city wall, he felt a sense of disappointment. He had been here for so long without achieving anything. Although Xiao Jingyun had strongly opposed his challenge today, he was still a bit arrogant. The Liu family's swordsmanship was famous throughout the land.
Rumble, the city gate opened, and Zhu Jianyü led two thousand soldiers charging out.
Liu Junyu did not recognize Zhu Jianyü. He raised his saber and shouted loudly at Zhu Jianyü, "State your name, for I do not kill nameless ghosts!"
Zhu Jianyü flicked his spear and shouted back at Liu Junyu, "My name is Zhu Jianyü, and I have come to meet the old Marquis!"
Liu Junyu laughed heartily, "You nameless scoundrel, come and die!"
Zhu Jianyü spurred his warhorse and charged forward.
Seeing Zhu Jianyü's proactive and eager approach, Wang Lei and Wang Heng on the city wall exchanged knowing smiles.
Wang Lei rested his hand on the city wall, a gloating expression on his face, "Excellent, now there will be a good show."
Zhu Jianyü galloped his horse and reached Liu Junyu, flicking his spear and thrusting it towards Liu Junyu's face.
Liu Junyu dodged to the side and countered with a saber strike.
Zhu Jianyü quickly parried with his spear.
As they drew close, Zhu Jianyü whispered, "Old Marquis, I have brought my troops out to surrender. Later, I will pretend to be defeated, and you can capture me."