In April, the Southern Court launched a two-pronged attack northward, with one route joining the Huainan army to attack Xuzhou, and the other combining with Xiangzhou and Northern Yan armies to surround Chang’an.
May 16th, at the foot of Rooster Cry Mountain, Tangli Town. Only a small contingent of Dache troops remained, easily swept away by the Northern Yan army. Near Tangli Town, a deep river called the Ziyang River flowed eastward into the Han River. Fu Shen led a cavalry unit to patrol along the river, confirming no enemy ambush. When looking into the opposite forest, he saw moving shadows and heard horse hooves approaching the riverbank. He beckoned a young soldier: “Go around to the other side and investigate who they are.”
Just as the soldier was about to obey, someone from the opposite side seemed impatient and rode out from the forest. Fu Shen turned at the sound and unexpectedly met the eyes of the rider.
His mind went blank.
Yan Xiaohan froze like a wooden stake, unconsciously pulling the reins. The horse neighed sharply, nearly throwing him off.
Fu Shen squeezed his horse’s sides, approaching the riverbank, about to call out for identification when he saw Yan Xiaohan, like a wandering spirit, ride to the river’s edge and step into the water. As the horse feared the deep water, Yan Xiaohan dismounted, quickly shed his heavy clothing, and dove into the swift current.
Fu Shen almost went mad: “Yan Menggui! Are you trying to get yourself killed?”
He dismounted, rushed to the riverbank, and ordered his soldiers to bring a rope.
Fortunately, it wasn’t summer, and the river wasn’t swollen. Yan Xiaohan, with decent swimming skills, grabbed the rope Fu Shen threw and was pulled ashore. Exhausted, his chest heaving, unable to speak or even breathe easily, he stared fixedly at Fu Shen, his eyes bloodshot, looking like they might bleed.
Before Fu Shen could feel joy, he was startled. He had never seen such an impulsive approach.
Harsh words were already in his throat, but the moment he moved, Yan Xiaohan suddenly lunged, clinging to him tightly as if afraid he would escape, wet and desperate.
His raging fire instantly burned down to a weak wisp of white smoke.
