Fighting Bloody Battles To Defend The Border, The Love-Brained Empress Ordered The Troops To Withdraw? - Chapter 10

“What?”

Li Yunfei froze, momentarily stunned.

The devastation they’d seen on the way—burned-out homes, shattered paths, and the unmistakable trails of hoofprints—clearly pointed to a barbarian raid.

So how…

How could this old woman be saying nothing had happened?

Even if those surface clues had somehow been faked, the sheer number of tracks alone ruled out the possibility of it being caused by villagers or their livestock.

A chilling suspicion crept into his mind—was she lying to protect the enemy? Could she be one of them?

But as he studied her face—sun-darkened, deeply wrinkled, her clothes threadbare—it was clear she was just a peasant who had weathered many harsh seasons. Not the type to play games of treachery.

He spoke slowly and with patience, “Auntie, I understand. Perhaps you think my planning fell short and that your suffering could have been avoided. I don’t blame you for being upset.”

“But I’ve come here today to make things right. If there’s anything you can tell me—any truth at all—I hope you’ll share it.”

The old woman panicked at his words and waved her hands in denial. “No, General Li, please, that’s not it at all. We’re not angry at you. How could we be?”

“We’re deeply grateful. Really.”

Her voice trembled. Her smile, forced and shaky, couldn’t quite hide the sadness in her eyes. She looked torn—struggling to say what she wanted while trying to stay quiet at the same time.

But Li Yunfei was no fool.

He let out a quiet sigh and said gently, “Auntie… I saw the flames still smoldering in your village. I heard the cries from afar. This place has been ravaged.”

“Please, don’t keep silent. If something happened, I need to know.”

“Did someone tell you not to speak? Are you afraid?”

Before she could answer, a young boy darted over, no older than seven or eight.

“Grandma, why won’t you tell him the truth?” he shouted.

His voice was high-pitched and full of innocent outrage. “The barbarians were here! They stole our food! They hurt people! They even took Wang Er-jie! You said so yourself!”

Before the child could finish, a loud slap cracked through the air.

The old woman struck the boy across the face. His cheek immediately reddened, marked by her fingers.

Tears welled up in his eyes.

“But it’s true…” he cried, sniffing. “You said it was true… You said General Li saved Shanhe City and we should always be grateful… So why lie to him?”

The old woman raised her hand again, but this time, Li Yunfei stepped in.

He gently pulled the boy into his arms, murmuring soft words to calm him. The child’s sobs slowly quieted.

Li Yunfei looked at the woman again.

It was obvious—she was hiding something.

But not out of malice. Her fear was real. Her grief, raw.

He didn’t press her, but spoke with quiet sorrow.

“Auntie, it’s not your fault. If your village suffered under my watch, then the blame lies with me.”

“I’ve failed in my duty to protect you. I promise I will reflect on that.”

Before he could continue, the old woman’s composure cracked.

“General, please… don’t say that!”

Tears streamed down her face as she fell to her knees again.

“It’s us who are useless!”

Her voice broke.

Behind her, more villagers appeared—silent at first, then kneeling one by one, joining her on the dusty road.

Their faces were pale. Their expressions full of worry, of desperation.

“It’s not that we don’t want to tell you, General,” the old woman sobbed.

“We were afraid.”

“Afraid that if you knew how bad things had gotten… you’d leave.”

“You’ve done more than anyone ever has. We know how exhausted you are, how much you’ve sacrificed to hold the city walls.”

“We also heard that the imperial court has ordered you back… to give up Shanhe City and march the troops elsewhere.”

“But if you go…”

Her voice broke again. “If Shanhe City is abandoned, we’re as good as dead.”

“I’m old—I’ve lived my life. I don’t care what happens to me anymore. But the children… someone has to survive.”

“General, I beg you…” She clutched at his legs with both arms. “Please don’t go.”

“We won’t be a burden. We’ll survive however we can. Just… please stay.”

More voices joined in from behind her:

“General Li, don’t leave us! We won’t cause you trouble!”

“We can bear anything—just don’t abandon the city!”

“General Li, those barbarians… they’re monsters. If Shanhe City falls into their hands, we’ll have nothing left but despair.”

“Please, General. We’ve seen other commanders come and go. None of them cared about us. You’re the first to treat us like people!”

“If you leave, we might as well throw ourselves against a wall now and end it!”

“We know we’re weak and helpless, and we can’t offer you anything. But please… don’t give up on us.”

Li Yunfei felt as though something were pounding against his chest over and over.

These people—

They weren’t nobles. Not soldiers. Just villagers.

And yet, they were willing to be trampled underfoot rather than cause him even the smallest inconvenience.

Because all they wanted was the right to live.

To survive.

And they were terrified… that he might not think they were worth protecting.

That their lives weren’t worth the cost.

How could it have come to this?

He had given his all to defend Shanhe City.

Yet in the hearts of the people, even now—they weren’t sure if he would stay.

That was his failing.

Li Yunfei clenched his jaw, choking back emotion. Then, with solemn care, he bent down and helped the old woman to her feet—along with the rest of the kneeling villagers.

Facing them, his voice rang clear and unwavering:

“Everyone… listen to me.”

“I, Li Yunfei, make a vow today—right here, right now.”

“As long as I draw breath, as long as I wear this armor and bear this sword, I will not abandon Shanhe City.”

“I will not abandon you.”

“No matter what commands come from the capital… no matter what dangers await…”

“I swear to you—I will stand my ground, even if I’m the last one left standing.”

“This is my oath.”

“And I will keep it until my dying day.”