Han Ji

Chapter 131 Stopping the War with Killing

The third village was a small settlement with a dozen or so households. The Qiang cavalry broke down the doors, looted grain and salt, and abducted seventeen able-bodied men and women, as well as hundreds of cattle and sheep.

As dawn broke, three hundred Qiang cavalrymen returned north with their spoils. The one-eyed wolf led the way, glancing back at the Han Chinese village to the south, and spat, "Han dogs!"

The news reached Nanzheng at noon.

The courier was covered in blood. His horse ran to the gate of the military camp and collapsed. His personal guards helped him up. In his hand, he was clutching a piece of sheepskin, on which the number and direction of the Qiang cavalry were drawn in charcoal.

Liu Bei was watching Zhang Wu drill his personal guards at the training ground when he received the report. He unfolded the sheepskin and glanced at it.

"In Ju County, two fortifications were burned, one garrison was looted, nine people died, seventeen were captured, and hundreds of cattle and sheep were lost." After reading this, he looked up and asked, "How many Qiang cavalry were there?"

"Three, three hundred..." the courier said weakly.

"Where is Yun Chang now?"

"We stayed overnight at Yangping Pass yesterday; we should head back this morning."

Liu Bei turned around and said, "Gather the troops. Guan Yu's force consists of two hundred cavalry, Zhang Fei's force consists of two hundred infantry, and a hundred crossbowmen are to be recruited. They should be lightly armed and carry three days' worth of dry rations. They shall depart immediately."

As he walked, he gave orders: "Jian Yong, guard Nanzheng and keep an eye on Sugu. Li Shun, investigate the county troops. Who is in charge of the defense of Ju County? Why was there no warning?"

"yes!"

Half an hour later, five hundred cavalry and infantrymen emerged from the city, their horses' hooves wrapped in cloth, and they galloped swiftly with gags in their mouths. Liu Bei, in black armor and riding a red horse, led the way; Guan Yu, in a green robe and wielding a crescent-shaped blade, was on the left; Zhang Fei, in black armor and carrying a ten-foot spear, was on the right. Behind them was the crossbowmen, their bows and crossbows nocked and their quivers full.

Before sunset, go to the Ju River.

The river water was murky yellow, and in the shallows, one could still see hoofprints, cart tracks, and blood, congealed on the sand in a dark hue. On the north bank stood a burnt-down mud house, its charred wood emitting wisps of smoke.

Zhang Fei dismounted to inspect the damage, then returned cursing, "You beast! You even smashed the stove!"

Guan Yu squinted at the mountain shadows to the north: "Chase?"

"Pursue them!" Liu Bei mounted his horse. "The Qiang cavalry are carrying their spoils and can't move fast. Let's take the eastern route and intercept their return journey."

He ordered Qian Zhao to unfold the map, and drew an arc with his finger: "Go through here and cut into Heifengyu. That's the only way back to the Qiang territory. The slopes on both sides are gentle, perfect for ambushes."

"What if the Qiang cavalry don't go through Black Wind Valley?" Guan Yu asked.

"With One-Eyed Wolf around, he knows the way." Liu Bei rolled up the map. "He's in a hurry to get back and claim credit, so he'll definitely take the shortcut."

The team took a detour overnight.

The mountain path was difficult, and the horses stumbled several times. Some soldiers fell down the slope, but were pulled up by their comrades and continued walking without a sound. The veteran soldiers who came down from Guangzong were used to it.

At dawn the next day, we arrived at Black Wind Valley.

The valley is a narrow passage between two mountains, about two miles long and only a dozen feet wide. The slopes on both sides are covered with shrubs, which are not yet fully green at this time of year and cannot hide people.

Liu Bei ordered Guan Yu to lead 200 cavalry to lie in ambush on the left slope, and Zhang Fei to lead 200 infantrymen to lie in ambush on the right slope. He himself, along with Qian Zhao, led a hundred-man crossbow team to block the valley entrance.

"Remember," he told the crowd, "shoot the horse first, then the man. The Qiang people are skilled in mounted archery; once they fall from their horses, their fighting strength is halved."

"Yes, sir!"

Not long after they lay down, the sound of horses' hooves came from the north.

At first, they were sporadic, but gradually they became more frequent. Dust rose as three hundred Qiang cavalry appeared at the valley entrance, their horses carrying sacks of grain and salt, along with weeping Han people, all tied together with ropes.

The one-eyed wolf was in front, talking to Ehe and gesturing wildly.

Ehe's face darkened. He reined in his horse, looked at the silent valley road, and frowned.

"It's too quiet," he said.

The one-eyed wolf laughed: "Great Chieftain, you're overthinking it! The Han soldiers are all in the south, here..."

Before he could finish speaking, a short whistle rang out from the left slope.

He's expression changed drastically: "There's an ambush! Retreat!"

late.

The first volley of arrows poured down from the left, targeting the horses' legs. The Qiang cavalry were thrown into chaos; horses neighed and fell to the ground, men tumbling about in disarray. Infantry charged down the right slope, a forest of spears blocking their retreat.

At the valley entrance, Liu Bei appeared with his crossbowmen, three rows of powerful crossbows pointing straight ahead.

"Those who surrender will be spared!" he shouted.

The Qiang cavalry struggled to fight back. But once they fell from their horses, their bows lost their aim. The Han army's crossbow bolts rained down like locusts, felling dozens in a short time.

The one-eyed wolf's eyes turned red, and he drew his sword, lunging at Liu Bei. Guan Yu leaped down the slope, his Green Dragon Crescent Blade slashing down to meet him.

With a flash of light, the one-eyed wolf was cut in two, along with the knife.

Blood splattered all over Russia's face.

Ehe froze, his sword clattering to the ground. He looked around; half of the three hundred riders had fallen, and the rest were trapped in the valley, unable to advance or retreat.

Liu Bei raised his hand, and the crossbowmen stopped firing.

The valley fell silent, save for the groans of the wounded and the mournful cries of the horses.

Liu Bei dismounted and walked to the front of the battle formation. His personal guards wanted to follow, but he waved them off.

"Chief of Ehe!" he called out, his voice echoing through the valley, "Liu Bei, the Commandant of Hanzhong, is here. Dare to come down and speak?"

Ehe stared at him for a long time, then dismounted as well. The two walked to a clearing in the valley, about ten paces apart.

Two stones were brought over by his personal guards. Liu Bei sat down and pointed to the stone opposite him, saying, "Please."

He sat down, his hand on the hilt of his knife.

"Han officials," he gritted his teeth, "kill them if you must!"

"I won't kill you," Liu Bei said. "If I kill you, the Bai Ma Qiang will have a new chieftain, and the feud will be over. They'll keep harassing the border year after year, it'll never end."

Russia was stunned.

Liu Bei beckoned. His personal guards brought in ten bags of salt and five baskets of tea, placing them between the two men.

"This is not ransom, but a gift to make friends," Liu Bei said. "You lack salt. You lack tea. Hanzhong has no shortage of salt or tea, but it lacks peace on the border."

He stared at the salt bag, his Adam's apple bobbing.

"You hit me for the sake of salt and tea," Liu Bei continued. "I hit you to protect the people. But after the fight, you hate me, I'm wary of you, and you'll come back to rob me next year, and I'll have to fight again. What's the point?"

He picked up a pinch of salt and spread it in his palm: "How about we become friends? I'll open a trade market, you sell horses, and I'll sell salt, tea, and cloth. Fair trade, each getting what we need."

Ehe remained silent, looking around. The Han army's crossbows were still pointed, the bowstrings half-drawn.

He then looked at the salt and tea. The salt was top-quality green salt, and the tea was spring tea, its aroma wafting over.

"That one-eyed wolf said," he said in a hoarse voice, "that you killed the Qiang people."

"I killed a bandit," Liu Bei said, pointing to the one-eyed wolf's corpse. "He instigated you to plunder for personal revenge. If the Qiang people abide by the law and trade with us, they are our Han people's friendly neighbors. The bandits are stirring things up, but the chieftain is wise enough to discern the truth."

He lowered his head, and after a long while, he stood up.

He walked up to the remnants of the Qiang cavalry and roared a string of words in Qiang language. The crowd stirred, and several men glared at him, only to be lashed out with his whip.

He turned to Liu Bei and said, "I will return the captives to you. As for the salt and tea... I'll keep half."

"Take it," Liu Bei said, rising to his feet. "But remember this: if you dare to plunder Hanzhong again, I will slaughter all the Baima Qiang."

He looked at him intently, then suddenly drew a dagger from his waist, slashed his palm, and dripped blood onto the salt bag.

"The Bai Ma Qiang, E He, swore an oath with Liu Bei, the Commandant of Hanzhong: After autumn, a market will be established on the banks of the Ju River, and the Han and Qiang will not invade each other's borders. Those who violate this oath will be punished by Heaven!"

Liu Bei also cut his hand, and blood dripped onto one spot.

"Liu Bei, the Commandant of Hanzhong, and Ehe, the chieftain of the Baima Qiang, swore an oath: to open trade, facilitate the exchange of goods, and protect the borders and the people. Those who violate this oath will be punished by both gods and men!"

The two high-fived.

After the alliance was concluded, Ehe ordered the release of the captured Han Chinese, and then pointed to the one-eyed wolf's corpse: "You can do whatever you want with this corpse."

Liu Bei nodded to Zhang Fei. Zhang Fei stepped forward, beheaded the man with a single stroke, and then used a spear to stick the severed head into the valley entrance.