132. Going to War (1)
News from the border trickled in day by day, and the atmosphere in the entire imperial court grew increasingly heavy. Xiling's formidable army had conquered three cities in succession within half a month, rapidly approaching Xinyang. On the ninth day of the ninth month, word arrived that the hundred-thousand-strong army led by General Leng Qingcang and the Heir of South Marquis, who had just rushed to provide aid, was ambushed en route by the Southern Garrison Prince of Xiling himself with fifty thousand troops. They suffered heavy losses, and the surviving remnants retreated to defend Xinyang.
