Chapter 114: Exchange

"So, this is the one the Qiang intend to trade for." Qi Jun smiled, walking over to Feng Qinian’s side to peer down at the city wall. Seeing Deng Fang and the others surrounded by Qiang soldiers in the distance, his expression darkened. "Why is it them? Who gave them permission to leave the city?!"

"County Lieutenant Qi, Young Master Deng and the others insisted on going out themselves. We couldn't stop them..." Seeing Qi Jun’s rebuke, Xiao Ming hurried forward to explain.

"Yes, that’s right. The situation was critical, and it was Young Master Deng who stepped forward to fight the Qiang thieves, and that’s why..." Zhao Gui quickly interjected, attempting to defend them before Feng Qinian.

"County Lieutenant Qi, there is no need for further blame. Just take this Qiang soldier out and bring Fang and the others back!" Feng Qinian interrupted Zhao Gui, anxiously cupping his hands to Qi Jun.

Qi Jun did not reply, bowing his head in silent contemplation.

If the Qiang were willing to trade four Liang people for one Qiang, it meant this captive held significant influence among them. Valuable intelligence might be extracted from him; to hand him over so easily would be a grave loss.

"County Lieutenant Qi, don't hesitate! I am begging you—it is only one Qiang captive, just send him out!" Seeing Qi Jun lost in thought, Feng Qinian raised his voice, pressing him again.

"Magistrate Feng, have the messengers been sent to Minzhou to request reinforcements?" Qi Jun asked, looking up.

"They have! I sent them out the moment you left! I sent them to Ding’an and Minzhou both! Do you think I would be careless about asking for help?" Feng Qinian was clearly dissatisfied with Qi Jun’s question, sensing that the repeated inquiries implied a lack of trust.

Qi Jun nodded and shouted to the Qiang commander below: "Bring our people over, and we will send him out now."

The Qiang commander was overjoyed, the weight in his heart lifting. Compared to the safety of Fannuo, these few Liang people were of no consequence.

His only concern now was that this noble Qiang youth should not come to harm under his watch. If anything were to happen to Fannuo, he would likely lose his own head.

Compared to his own career and life, the city of Anqiang was of little importance. He could bear the responsibility of a failed siege, but he dared not face the consequences of Fannuo’s death.

He glanced back at Deng Fang and the others, then put his fingers to his mouth and whistled to the soldiers surrounding them.

The Qiang soldiers understood the situation, raising their blades to form two lines on either side of the captives, herding them toward the city gate.

At that moment, the western city gate opened from within. Guarded by a group of county soldiers, Qi Jun emerged, gripping a rope and shoving Fannuo forward.

Noticing Fannuo’s pained gait, the Qiang commander was struck with alarm. He quickly signaled his men to lower their bows and javelins, terrified of accidentally wounding the captive.

The two sides stopped in the open space before the city wall, soldiers from both camps gripping their weapons, glaring at one another with bared blades.

Qi Jun, however, appeared composed. He looked at the Qiang commander and asked, "Is this the one you want?"

"Indeed! I propose that our soldiers each retreat twenty paces, and we allow our people and yours to return on their own. How is that?" The commander’s proposal was standard for such an exchange, but Qi Jun had no intention of making it easy for them.

"That won't do. We have four men. If you harbor hidden motives and ambush us while they are returning, wouldn't we be at a great disadvantage?" As Qi Jun spoke, he gave the rope a defiant tug. Fannuo, the movement aggravating his abdominal wound, stumbled and grimaced in pain.

"Then tell me, how do you want to trade!" Though the commander was seething with rage, he was forced to adopt a conciliatory tone.

"It’s simple. We are forty paces apart. For every one of our men who returns, this Qiang will walk forward ten paces. Once all our people are safely back, he will be returned to you. How is that?" Qi Jun smiled, his certainty about the captive’s value growing as he watched the worry on the commander’s face.

Though he made this proposal, Qi Jun had other plans in mind.

"Fine! We will do as you say!" The commander gritted his teeth and gestured to Deng Fang and the others behind him. "Hey, send one over!"

Seeing a glimmer of hope for survival, Deng Fang and his companions felt a surge of relief.

"Master, the Qiang barbarian has spoken. You go first!" The others exchanged a look and signaled to Deng Fang.

"No, I am your master; there is no reason for me to abandon my disciples. Xu Sheng, you are the youngest, go first! Lei Fu second, Zhang Wei third, and I shall be last." Deng Fang shook his head, pushing Xu Sheng forward.

Seeing them hesitate, the commander lost his patience. He walked over, pointed his blade at Xu Sheng, and shouted, "You! Come here!"

Xu Sheng looked at the three behind him, bowed solemnly, and turned to walk toward Qi Jun.

"Brother Jun..." Xu Sheng reached Qi Jun’s side and gave him a look of gratitude.

"Go back first, they will all make it back," Qi Jun patted Xu Sheng on the shoulder, then looked at the commander and pushed Fannuo forward.

Fannuo shot a hateful glare at Qi Jun, his eyes filled with warning and malice.

Though he said nothing, Qi Jun read the message clearly: *Wait, all of you. Once I return, I will break this city and make you wish you were dead.*

Qi Jun smiled meaningfully and ignored him, silently counting steps as he held the rope.

"One, two, three... ten!" At the count of ten, Qi Jun yanked the rope hard. Fannuo, attempting to take another step, nearly collapsed, stumbling to his knees.

As the grandson of a Qiang tribal elder, being led and toyed with like a dog by a Liang man filled him with profound hatred and shame.

Fannuo turned back, glaring viciously at Qi Jun as he struggled to stand.

The Qiang commander watched this with burning resentment, yet he was forced to suppress the urge to kill Qi Jun, gesturing impatiently for the others to move.

As Lei Fu and Zhang Wei returned safely, Fannuo was only ten paces from his commander. He gave a slight nod to the commander, then shot a final, lethal look at Qi Jun.

He swore inwardly that he would repay the humiliation he suffered today a hundredfold to this detestable Liang man.

Deng Fang walked up to Fannuo, cast a look of disdain his way, and began walking toward Qi Jun.

The exchange ceremony seemed to be drawing to a successful close. The Qiang commander had already summoned a shaman to tend to Fannuo’s wounds, his mind already calculating how to launch a third assault to raze the city.

However, the Qiang did not anticipate the trick Qi Jun had prepared for them.

Just as Deng Fang brushed past Fannuo, Qi Jun suddenly pulled the rope with all his might and shouted to Deng Fang, "Run!"

Deng Fang froze for a split second before lunging forward, rolling across the ground and sprinting toward Qi Jun with all his might.

As Fannuo was violently yanked to the ground, the county soldiers beside Qi Jun immediately grabbed the rope, pulling the captive back with everything they had.

"The Liang are cheating! Seize him back!" The commander, never expecting such a turn, hesitated for a moment before ordering his men to charge.

The county soldiers on the wall had long been prepared; seeing the Qiang charge, they immediately rose and unleashed a volley of bolts and arrows.

Over a dozen charging Qiang soldiers were struck down in an instant, and those behind them scrambled to escape the range of the archers.

Deng Fang reached Qi Jun safely and immediately helped pull the rope to drag Fannuo back.

The Qiang archers, fearing they might hit Fannuo and face retribution, hesitated to return fire.

Watching his freedom vanish as he was dragged back into enemy hands, Fannuo roared in fury, cursing the treacherous Liang in his native tongue, his voice filled with impotent rage.