Nirvana in Fire 2: The Wind Blows in Chang Lin Episode 27 Recap
> Nirvana in Fire 2: The Wind Blows in Chang Lin Recap
Da Yu troops exited Yinshan Pass, and the "March Scimitar" formation was already complete. Ningzhou, where the Changlin King was located, was the first to be completely surrounded. The Liang army on the city walls could only hold on desperately. The Changlin King heard reports from his subordinates that all retreat routes were cut off, and even military orders to mobilize reinforcements could not be sent out.
He initially thought it was Bei Yan's doing, but his general reported that it was precisely the Da Yu Imperial Army that appeared in the rear. The Changlin King pondered for a moment and immediately understood the crux of the matter. With a resolute expression, he decided that even if the entire main camp were to perish, Da Yu must never be allowed to recreate the "March Scimitar" of that year in the northern border.
The so-called "March Scimitar" military formation was a battle example from nearly a hundred years ago. At that time, the allied forces of Da Yu, Bei Yan, and Donghai intended to jointly attack Daliang. Da Yu attacked the northern front, Bei Yan crossed Yinshan, and the battle lines connected north and south, resembling a scimitar, and it happened in early spring, hence earning the name "March Scimitar".
The outcome of that year's battle was that Daliang's northern defense line was completely shattered, and the flames of war penetrated deep into the heartland, approaching the imperial capital. Fortunately, the envoy sent by the imperial court that year entered the enemy camp alone, showing extraordinary wisdom and bravery.
He exploited the inherent internal conflicts of the allied forces, which prioritized self-interest, and with his eloquent tongue, he repelled a million soldiers, ultimately allowing Daliang to defeat the enemy forces one by one. Even so, it took Daliang a full ten years to recover from the scorched earth left by the "Scimitar" offensive. Xun Feizhan listened to Xiao Pingjing's explanation above and still felt a shiver down his spine, even after a hundred years.
However, Xiao Pingjing judged that although the "March Scimitar" was indeed formidable, its offense, rhythm, and coordination were difficult to command without a heaven-sent genius, and it also required the participation of skilled generals from both Yan and Yu to form. Therefore, that battle was a unique masterpiece, impossible to recreate. Xiao Pingjing deduced that Da Yu thought they had surrounded Ningzhou, but they didn't expect Xiao Pingzhang's reinforcements to arrive so quickly.
Therefore, the key to this battle should be Lusai. After he recovered, he immediately rushed to the front line with Lin Xi. Xiao Yuanqi caught up and expressed his willingness to go with them. Xiao Pingjing gladly agreed, and the three galloped on horseback, heading straight for Daliang's northern border. The army led by Xiao Pingzhang had already departed.
He judged that although the Bei Yan court was now dealing with the devil, giving Da Yu the chance to recreate the "Scimitar" offensive, the Da Yu Imperial Army was wielding the blade alone; though its form resembled the original, its momentum was insufficient. The Changlin King's main camp forces should be able to hold out for another month.
He also felt that since the enemy's intention had been determined, they should not rush directly to Ningzhou but instead march towards Lusai. Beneath the vast sky, iron cavalry resembled a sea, and spearheads formed a forest. Xiao Pingzhang galloped to the front of his army, shouting that the victory or defeat of this battle depended on this single engagement. The Changlin cavalry cheered continuously, their battle cries shaking the heavens.
As the horses charged and galloped, dust obscured the sun. At the same time, the Ningzhou defenders also surged out of the city gates like a bloody flood, attacking from two sides. The Changlin King sat atop a high vantage point, overlooking the battlefield. The Da Yu Imperial Army possessed extraordinary combat strength, and their spear and shield formations were skillfully trained, causing heavy losses to the Liang army.
For a time, the fighting was inseparable, and corpses lay strewn across the battlefield. At this moment, the Changlin army flag suddenly rose from the flank; it was precisely Xiao Pingzhang's elite cavalry that had arrived. Their neat cavalry formation charged into the Da Yu army array, sweeping everything before them, piercing the Da Yu army's rear like a blood-red blade.
Xiao Pingzhang, in golden armor and wielding a silver spear, urged his warhorse to charge left and right, slaying generals and enemies as easily as taking something from his pocket. With just his spear and a single horse, he cut through the Da Yu army array until he was not far from the Changlin King's front line. However, this fierce struggle also exhausted all the meager strength he had left after his blood transfusion.
He gazed at his father from horseback, and finally, unable to hold on, he fell from his horse. Xiao Pingjing, who was camping in the wilderness, suddenly awoke from a nightmare, feeling restless, and gazed into the distance alone. Xiao Yuanqi woke up and walked over to him, comforting him not to worry too much.
Not long ago, they had encountered General Jin, who was ordered to clear out the remnants of the intercepted Da Yu vanguard, so presumably, the battle in Ningzhou was not as bad as imagined. The three arrived at the battlefield, but what met their eyes were only corpses strewn everywhere after the great battle. In the Daliang military camp, Xiao Pingzhang lay flat in the main tent, his life hanging by a thread.
The Changlin King did not understand why, during the Battle of Ganzhou years ago, Xiao Pingzhang's injuries were several times more severe than now, yet he wasn't as despairing as he was currently. Xiao Pingzhang temporarily woke up and bid farewell to his father and wife. Meng Qianxue's tears fell like rain as she held Xiao Pingzhang, unwilling to let go for a long time. Xiao Pingzhang passed away in his wife's embrace.
For his father and younger brother, he finally gave his all, his life extinguished only when it had completely burned out. He died a worthy death for his country and family. Xiao Pingjing finally arrived at the military camp, only to find the entire camp filled with grieving soldiers. He questioned Dongqing why he was sobbing uncontrollably, but in his heart, he already knew the answer.
Xiao Pingzhang's body lay in the main tent, and the Changlin King sat beside him, his gaze blank, silent in his grief. Xiao Pingjing embraced his elder brother's body, his mind replaying Xiao Pingzhang's voice, appearance, and smiles from the past. He buried his head and wept bitterly. The sharp pain went straight to his heart, as if his heart had been dug out. Lin Xi knew the truth of the matter, and her tears flowed uncontrollably.
Grief is not eternal; sorrow ferments in the heart, ultimately transforming into boundless motivation. Xiao Pingjing took his elder brother's spear and led all the Changlin army soldiers, who were wearing mourning attire, in a loud farewell chant of "Yi Xing" for his elder brother. Ten thousand people chanted in unison, their voices shaking the wilderness. At this moment, Xiao Pingjing's figure merged with Xiao Pingzhang's.
The pain made him grow, made him follow in his elder brother's footsteps, and made him take on the heavy burden on his elder brother's shoulders. In the imperial capital, the Emperor received the report of Xiao Pingzhang's death in battle, trembling as he took it, and wept uncontrollably. Xun Feizhan, as entrusted by Xiao Pingzhang before his death, returned the late Emperor's imperial decree to the Emperor. Empress Xun met with Xun Baishui.
Xun Baishui told the Empress to forget about the plague. But seeing the Crown Prince crying while copying a eulogy for Xiao Pingzhang in a bright red robe, he reminded the Empress to change the Crown Prince into a more subdued everyday attire. However, the Empress was reluctant. Xun Baishui blamed the Empress, asking why she had to displease His Majesty right after the Changlin Heir's recent passing. The Empress reluctantly complied.
Xiao Pingzhang's coffin, escorted by the Changlin army, returned to Jinling for burial. Xiao Pingjing kept vigil for another seven days and seven nights after the burial, becoming significantly thinner. Xiao Yuanqi deliberately waited for him on his way back to the capital, asking about the Changlin King's situation. He then said that Xiao Pingzhang's death in battle was merely a more acceptable explanation for the Changlin King.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Pingjing was instantly enraged, pointing at Xiao Yuanqi and demanding he explain clearly, or he would never be done with him. Xiao Yuanqi stammered, bringing up Xiao Pingzhang's mountain encirclement and the Xuanchi snake gall, and deliberately mentioned that Lin Xi knew more. Xiao Pingjing immediately turned his horse around to find Lin Xi. Lin Xi had been waiting for him for a long time.
Although Xiao Pingzhang had told her not to speak, Lin Xi decided to tell Xiao Pingjing the truth. Upon learning the truth, Xiao Pingjing blamed Lin Xi, saying that if she had done nothing, Xiao Pingzhang might not have died. Lin Xi guessed that Xiao Pingjing might never forgive her.
