gnovel Chapter 21: Swords Pointed at the Eastern Barbarians, Troops Divided into Three Routes
Chapter 21: Swords Pointed at the Eastern Barbarians, Troops Divided into Three Routes
The iron cavalry charged forward, raising clouds of dust that blotted out the sun.
Tian Heng and Huangfu Gong rode side by side, their warhorses galloping, their hooves pounding the frost on the withered grass of early winter, heading northeast towards Beique Pass.
Eight thousand iron cavalry split into two torrents, while three thousand Zhaowu Guards, all clad in black lamellar armor, stood like a forest of spears and crossbows at their sides, their formation disciplined and menacing.
The five thousand Southern cavalrymen wore red lacquered armor with mountain patterns, saddles with horn bows, and curved swords and maces at their waists. When they charged, red waves rolled and their killing intent filled the fields.
Although the two armies were of different styles, their hooves pounded in unison, kicking up clouds of yellow dust.
"Your Highness, it is still more than 320 li to Beique Pass. The route is mostly hilly and shallow. If we maintain our current speed and both men and horses exert themselves, we can arrive in three days." Huangfu Gong rode closer, his voice still clear amidst the neighing of the wind and the neighing of the horses.
His face beneath the helmet plume was sharply defined, and his eyes held the sharpness of someone who had spent years guarding the frontier.
Tian Heng nodded, his gaze sweeping over the exhausted but still striving column behind him.
The white foam spewed from the mouths and noses of many warhorses had soaked their breast straps, and the soldiers had long since discarded unnecessary baggage along the way in order to lighten their burden.
"Beique Pass is the lifeline of Youzhou; every moment of delay increases the danger."
The order is given: the entire army must not remove their armor, nor enter any cities or post stations. They must only stop at pre-arranged supply points along the route to change horses, obtain rations, and drink water. They must reach the pass as quickly as possible!
"This subordinate obeys!" Huangfu Gong replied loudly, his heart trembling slightly.
He had been prepared to advise the young prince to be considerate of Ma Li, but the prince had unexpectedly issued the most severe order for a forced march, and had even taken into account the supply points along the way.
This decisiveness and meticulousness made him put aside the last trace of disdain he felt for the other party's royal status, and he turned around and ordered them to give the order.
As military orders were relayed down through the ranks, the cavalry surged even faster, the sound of hooves creating a continuous rumble of thunder that startled birds in the forest along the way.
Officials in various prefectures and counties had already received orders to set up simple wooden platforms along the official roads, piled high with flatbread, dried meat, and buckets of water, while laborers brought in sturdy horses for backup.
The army swept past like a whirlwind, with riders reaching out to grab food bags and water pouches as they galloped. Skilled riders could even change horses in a matter of breaths. The whole process was as smooth as if it had been practiced a hundred times, which showed that the Zhaowu Guard and the Southern Army were well-trained.
By late on the second night, both men and horses were nearing their limits. Many soldiers were teetering on the brink of collapse in their saddles, held together only by their willpower and the leather straps binding them.
A long line of torches snaked across the dark wilderness, illuminating young faces soaked with dust and sweat.
Just then, a scout on horseback shot towards the enemy like an arrow, the sound of his hooves as rapid as a sudden downpour.
The scout galloped to within a few feet of Tian Heng's horse, then abruptly reined in his horse. The warhorse reared up, neighing loudly. The scout dismounted, knelt on one knee, and spoke in a hoarse but chilling voice:
"Report! Flames are shooting into the sky from the direction of Beique Pass, and the sounds of battle can be faintly heard! The Eastern Barbarians seem to be launching a fierce attack throughout the night!"
Tian Heng's heart tightened suddenly, but he did not panic. He looked up at the northern night sky and saw that the horizon was tinged with an abnormal dark red.
How far are we from the pass?
"Less than thirty li!"
"All troops, accelerate! Vanguard scouts, spread out to reconnoiter; the rest of you, follow me straight to the pass! We must penetrate the battlefield before dawn!"
Tian Heng's voice was resolute, and he suddenly spurred his horse. His prized steed neighed loudly and charged forward with all its might.
Half an hour later, the army quietly stopped behind a low, sheltered slope.
The sounds of battle could be clearly heard from afar—a terrifying cacophony of clashing weapons, shouts, roars, and dying wails, carried by the north wind.
Tian Heng stood atop the slope, gazing out in the dim starlight and the firelight on the distant gate wall.
The North Gate Pass stood majestically between two mountains, its walls like a crouching black beast, with flames stretching like a sea below—the camp and siege force of the Eastern Yi army.
The shadows of siege ladders and battering rams writhed in the firelight, and arrows flew like locusts across the city walls and below. Every few moments, huge stones or burning oil canisters would fall from the city walls, bursting into flames and chaos in the enemy ranks.
Huangfu Gong strode up the hillside, his black armor covered in frost.
He abruptly removed his helmet, revealing an anxious face: "Your Highness! The city walls have not yet fallen! This humble general requests permission to immediately lead the cavalry in a charge, cutting off the enemy's attack in half, and coordinating with the defenders inside the city. This will surely inflict heavy losses on the Eastern Barbarians!"
Tian Heng slowly shook his head, his gaze calmly sweeping over the soldiers behind him.
Many men, after dismounting, could barely stand, leaning on their horses to catch their breath, their hands trembling slightly as they held the reins. The warhorses were drenched in sweat, their mouths and nostrils spewing heavy white vapor.
"General Huangfu, do you think our soldiers are still strong enough to immediately charge into battle?"
Huangfu Gong followed his gaze and his throat tightened.
These battle-hardened elites were indeed exhausted at this moment. If they were to force their way into the enemy's formation, their own formation would likely fall apart before they even touched the enemy's front.
Tian Heng continued, "The scouts report that Tian Rangju, the general guarding Beique Pass, is a veteran of many battles. The pass is well-stocked with food and weapons. The Eastern Barbarians launched a fierce attack but failed to break through, and their morale has been low. Their soldiers are also exhausted."
At this moment, both sides are exhausted, fighting for their last breath. Our army, however, is the freshest force, and this breath must be used in the most critical moment.
Ji Dan also rode up at this moment, wearing a green robe with a fur cloak for warmth over it, but his expression remained calm.
He stroked his beard and said:
"Your Highness is wise. Military strategy dictates: wait for the enemy at close range, and wait for them to tire themselves out. The Eastern Barbarians have failed to capture the city, and their morale has waned. This is precisely the time for them to become anxious. What's even more ingenious is—"
He pointed to the sky, "At the end of Yin and the beginning of Mao, people are most tired, and the soldiers on night watch will inevitably relax. If our troops rest for an hour, we can launch a surprise attack in the darkest hour before dawn, which can be very effective."
"Does the gentleman already have a plan?" Tian Heng's eyes gleamed.
Ji Dan nodded, picked up a dry twig, and began to draw a simple diagram on the spot:
"The army besieging Beique Pass was 50,000 Dongyi troops led by Nurha, the leader of the Aisin Gioro tribe of the Dongyi."
He had four famous and fierce generals under his command: Seth was skilled in riding and archery, Aqina was strong and brave, Baturu was cunning and deceitful, and there was also a man named Aobai, who was rumored to be brave enough to fight ten thousand men.
However, the military system of the Eastern Yi was loose, and soldiers from various tribes were mixed together. Nurhaci could only directly command his own force of more than 20,000 men.
The other tribal armies advance when they see an advantage, but hesitate and observe when they encounter setbacks; this is their fatal flaw.
He pointed to a branch and said, "Our army can advance on three fronts simultaneously."
The first route will be led by a bold and meticulous general, commanding over a thousand of the most elite cavalry, mostly armed with bows, crossbows, and fire starters. They will maneuver through the western mountain passes, reaching the enemy camp's rear supply depot. Once the main battle begins, they will set fire to the supplies, shouting warnings to create the illusion of a rearguard action, thus disrupting the enemy's morale.
Scratch the branches again:
"The second group will select several hundred men to set up many flags and light many bonfires behind the slope where our army is currently located. After nightfall, they will be ordered to move around quietly with their horses' hooves wrapped in cloth, creating the illusion that a large army is still arriving in droves. The Eastern barbarian scouts will be intimidated by this."
Finally, the branch thudded heavily:
"The third route, which is also the main force, will be commanded by His Highness, with General Huangfu and General Xuanyuan as the vanguard. Before dawn, they will launch a full-scale attack on the enemy camp's front!"
The target is Nurhaci's central banner! Seeing their central army under attack, the various Eastern Yi tribes will react inconsistently, and their ranks will fall into chaos!
Upon hearing this, Tian Heng's eyes shone brightly: "What a brilliant combination of deception and reality, striking straight at the heart of the enemy! We shall follow your plan, sir! Xuanyuan Tianshang!"
"Your subordinate is here!" A black shadow flashed, and the cold and iron-like general appeared silently beside Tian Heng, as if he had always been standing there.
"I hereby appoint you and General Huangfu as vanguard commanders, leading five thousand Southern cavalry. At dawn, you will charge straight into the enemy camp's center! If those four fierce generals of the Eastern Barbarians dare to block our path, you shall be the one to slay them and seize their flags!"
Xuanyuan Tianshang knelt on one knee, his armor plates clanging. He didn't shout his reply, but simply raised his face, his eyes like two cold stars in the darkness: "This subordinate obeys."
His voice was calm, yet it carried a chilling, murderous aura.
"Your Highness!" Ji Dan hurriedly stepped forward, lowering his voice, "The emperor's body should not stand under a dangerous wall. Charging into battle is the duty of generals and officers. Your Highness should take command from the center and control the overall situation! Besides, if His Majesty knew..."
Tian Heng raised his hand to stop him from speaking, turned to look at the soldiers resting on their horses in the darkness, and spoke in a low voice, yet clearly carried on the wind:
"Sir, look at these young men. When they left the capital, their parents, wives and children saw them off. Now they have traveled hundreds of miles, exhausted and weary, yet they are ready to fight against an enemy many times their size for the sake of the Tian family's empire and the people of Youzhou."
He turned around, his gaze intense: "If I were to sit here now, how could I face them? How could I call myself the Grand Commander of Youzhou?"
Only when the commander-in-chief is personally present amidst the arrows and stones will the army fight with all its might. This battle concerns the survival of Youzhou; I! must be at the forefront!
He paused, looked at Xuan Yuan Tian Shang, and even a very faint smile appeared on his lips: "Besides, isn't Tian Shang still here?"