Chapter 21: The Clansmen’s Arrival
Just then, another series of rapid hooves was gaining on them.
The resulting flying dust did not clear for a long time, and when it did, was to the appearance of at least four or five thousand people.
Before they could realize what was happening, flying flags with a wolf-head coat of arms were coming into sight. “The Hu…” dozens of Hans cried out.
These mere two words revealed how terrified they felt.
At this moment, that large army burst into cackles. A man shouted using a strange Han accent: “They are Hans. So many Han nobles. Bwahahaha.”
His laughter was extremely disrespectful.
Unwittingly, the nobles turned to Ran Min, their expressions were those of panic and apprehension, and mostly despair. They knew what ‘five thousand elite Hu soldiers’ meant. Ran Min’s army only had 800 soldiers, how could he rival the other party? Not only him, but even 100,000 Jin soldiers would end in total defeat were they to confront 5,000 Hu.
Ran Min’s expression was that of indifference as he faced the crowd’s full attention. A cold light flashed from his blazing dark eyes. He looked in that direction nonchalantly, then blithely turned his head and continued to ride forward.
In a moment’s time, that large team had come within five hundred paces of the nobles.
Once again, the soldiers raised their bows and aimed their arrows at the sky.
“Fire!”
Whoosh.
In the blink of an eye, hundreds of arrows pierced through the sky and landed in front of the barbarians’ horseshoes.
Being superb riders, the Hu simultaneously reined their horses and, after the animals gave long neighs, came to a halt.
A young Hu, who was masked, rode out and demanded: “Who are you people?”
He was, of course, asking about the clans’ escort.
Again, the soldiers replied in unison: “Our general is the Heavenly Prince Shi Min!”
The masked Hu was visibly stunned. He pulled on the rein, repeating: “Heavenly Prince Shi Min?”
“That’s right.”
He frowned upon hearing this. At a glance, he could see the nobles’ escorting team was composed of less than a thousand soldiers while he had five thousand behind him!
This translation belongs to hamster428.
Noticing the Hu’s hesitation, the nobles became unnerved. They all turned their heads anxiously watching Ran Min.
They were met with his back as he leisurely continued to ride forward as though none of this mattered to him.
Yes, of course he doesn’t care. Even if we really clashed with the Hu, he could very well leave us. As this thought passed through their minds, the young nobles’ dismay heightened significantly.
At this point, another Hu rushed his horse forward and started whispering: “Fourth brother, why are you hesitating? There are so many carriages, all of them filled with treasures. These are nothing but stupid Jin slaves, what are you afraid of?”
“He’s Heavenly Prince Shi Min!” the masked man coldly replied.
At the same time, he raised his clasped hands toward the man in question and spoke: “I did not know you are the Heavenly Prince. Do accept my apology. Retreat!”
Upon his words, the elite army began to change direction, slowly and orderly receding.
Only until they were two or three miles away and the dust their horses left diminished to mere specks did the nobles turn to look at Ran Min.
Ran Min continued on in his leisure pace, his red stallion’s hooves clopping on the ground in an extremely relaxed manner.
“This man can actually frighten the barbarians so?” Wang Zhuo muttered quietly, his voice full of disbelief.
In reality, all of them were staring in disbelief at Ran Min while their murmurs filled the air.
Nonetheless, they relaxed much more visibly after this experience. He did not take a second look at the 5,000 elite Hu soldiers though he only had 800 men. With this kind of escort, what were they afraid of?
The team kept their pace going forward. At this time, an extremely handsome boy rushed his horse to Ran Min’s side as he said something to the other man.
The Wangs and Yus knew this lad as the young gentleman from the Sun house who had been traveling with Ah Rong of the Chen house. They wondered what it was he had to say to Ran Min.
Curious, they kept looking to the two of them.
This translation belongs to hamster428.
Not long after, they saw Sun Yan trotting on and retreating behind Ran Min, following him.
After encountering the barbarians twice, the road was pronouncedly quieter.
They went on like this for two days. By the third day, the cavalcade had gone nearly a hundred miles from the Yellow River.
Just then, a burst of excitement gave sound. Amid the noises, Wang Wulang shouted: “Ah Rong of the Chen house, come out, come out quickly. Your clansmen are here!”
Clansmen?
That’s right, they should be arriving at about this time!
Chen Rong faintly smiled and drew her curtain.
From the other side of the drapery, Wang Wulang seemed to her very happy. He looked at Chen Rong with sparkles in his eyes, smiled and said, “It’s another branch from your clan. Isn’t that great?”
Great? Why is it great?
Seeing Chen Rong stock-still, he turned and told Old Shang: “Quick, take your lady to see her family.”
“Aye, sir.”
Chen Rong’s carriage drove forth and squeezed through the crowd, toward the group that had just joined in the front.
At this time, several elders from that group were circling Ran Min. Fifty paces away from them, a beautiful and frail girl about Chen Rong’s age was staring silly at him. Her eyes were gleaming with joy, ardency, and even desire.
Chen Rong closed her eyes upon seeing this scene.
Meanwhile, Nurse Ping, who was walking beside her carriage looked to Wang Wulang while happily telling her: “Miss, I think Wulang of the Wang house really likes you. Look how happy he is to know that your family has come. Perhaps he will even ask for your hand tonight.”