gnovel Chapter 88 Escaping Alone, First Encounter with Wanyan
Chapter 88 Escaping Alone, First Encounter with Wanyan
Tian Heng's eyes were sharp, and he instantly grasped the subtle situation of the entire battlefield.
Without hesitation, he pointed his whip forward:
"Zhaowu Guard, wedge formation, target! Enemy commander's banner and the junction of the two armies, advance!"
At the order, the three thousand Zhaowu Guards, who had been poised for battle, immediately changed formation, with heavy cavalry in front and elite infantry behind, like a battle hammer of black iron, forged through countless trials and tribulations, or a precise and deadly steel wedge.
With overwhelming force, they directly penetrated the most chaotic area between the offensives of Huangfu Gong's troops and Wanyan's troops, the crucial junction where the remnants of Helan's personal guards were most closely connected with the scattered Eastern Yi troops on the periphery!
This insertion was perfectly timed and exquisitely executed! In an instant, it completely and cleanly separated the core circle of the Helan personal guards, who were stubbornly resisting, from the outer Dongyi troops who were still trying to move towards the core or had lost their command and were in disarray!
"Tian Heng is here!" A clear and authoritative voice, driven by internal force, echoed distinctly across the battlefield, drowning out the clamor of battle.
"General Huangfu, Chief Wanyan, quickly eliminate the remaining enemies in front of you, surround the commander's tent, and do not allow the chief culprit to escape!"
"Understood!" Huangfu Gong and Wanyan Aguda responded almost simultaneously, their voices filled with excitement.
In an instant, the battlefield situation became completely clear, leaving no room for doubt.
The main force of Zhaowu Guard, led by Santian Heng, the surprise troops of Huangfu Gong, and the troops of Wanyan Aguda, from three directions, completed a perfect encirclement of Helan Cangfeng's command tent and his last personal guards.
The steel torrent relentlessly pressed in from all directions, and arrows fell like water into the ever-shrinking circle. Each combined infantry and cavalry charge caused the thick shield wall to cave in, crack, and eventually shatter.
The number of Helan's personal guards dwindled at a visible rate, their dying screams and the sounds of weapons breaking filled the air. The circular formation was breached in multiple places, and the hastily assembled shield carts were overturned and smashed by the Wanyan tribe's strongmen.
Jin Wuzhu took the lead, his dragon-tailed, phoenix-headed golden sparrow axe carrying a violent force, slamming it down hard on the magnificent banner of the commander!
"Crack!" The flagpole, as thick as a bowl, snapped in response, and the great banner, symbolizing the authority of Helan Cangfeng, fell to the ground, trampled by countless hooves.
Almost simultaneously, Huangfu Gong thrust his spear forward on his horse, like a silver dragon soaring through the sky. His gleaming silver spear transformed into a single, deadly star, precisely piercing the throat of the last valiant general attempting to organize the defenses, a man clad in the armor of a Helan clan general! The general clutched his bleeding neck and fell from his horse, dying instantly.
The final obstacle has been cleared.
Tian Heng urged the "Snow-Treading Flying Dragon" to slowly walk to the front of the Dongyi commander's tent, which had become a mess of ruins.
Huangfu Gong sheathed his spear and reined in his horse. His silver armor gleamed with the light of blood and fire in the flames. His face was a mixture of the joy of avenging a great enemy and the deep exhaustion after a fierce battle.
Wanyan Aguda also rode up, surrounded by his personal guards. His leather armor was torn, but his eyes were burning.
The three commanders met victoriously at the heart of this battlefield, filled with the smoke of gunpowder, bloodshed, and the scent of victory!
Tian Heng's gaze swept over Huangfu Palace, and he nodded slightly, everything understood without saying a word.
Immediately, he looked at Wanyan Aguda, his eyes deep and unfathomable, and spoke in a deep voice, his words clearly reaching the ears of everyone present:
"Chief Wanyan is a man of great righteousness. He turned against his enemy on the battlefield and delivered a fatal blow. His merits are invaluable. I will keep my word. From this day forward, you and your people are subjects of my Great Xia, under the protection of Great Xia, and enjoying the rights of subjects of Great Xia."
The heavy weight that had been hanging over Wanyan Aguda's heart for so long finally lifted, and he even felt an indescribable surge of excitement and relief.
He immediately bowed on his horse, his posture extremely respectful:
"Thank you for your great favor, Your Highness! The entire Wanyan tribe is willing to forever serve as the northern bulwark of the Great Xia, and swears to be loyal to Your Majesty and Your Highness to the death. If we harbor any disloyalty, may Heaven and Earth punish us!"
Just then, Jin Wuzhu, carrying a still-dripping battle axe, strode out of the ruins of his command tent, his face filled with confusion and urgency. He approached Wanyan Aguda and urgently said in the Dongyi language:
"Father! We've searched the entire tent, and there are only a few clerks and a scapegoat dressed in a general's robe! That old scoundrel Helan Cangfeng is nowhere to be found! He must have disguised himself and escaped during the chaos!"
"What?!" Wanyan Aguda's expression changed. Helan Cangfeng was the most important pledge and merit he planned to offer to Tian Heng. How could he let him get away?
He urged, "Hurry and send men to chase him! Search every exit and the direction the fleeing soldiers went! He can't have gone far!"
"Wait." Tian Heng's calm voice rang out, interrupting Wanyan Aguda's anxious deployment.
All eyes were on him.
Tian Heng surveyed the chaotic camp and the large number of Dongyi soldiers who had not yet fully surrendered, and said slowly:
"At this moment, the camp is in chaos, the defeated soldiers are scattered, and the smoke and dust obscure the sun. Since Helan Cangfeng intends to escape, he must have someone to meet him or have already planned an escape route."
Launching a large-scale search at this time would be like looking for a needle in a haystack, wasting military resources and time, and easily leading to unrest.
He looked at Wanyan Aguda, his tone carrying an unquestionable resolve: "The most urgent task is to quickly eliminate the remaining enemy forces, stabilize the situation, accept the surrendered soldiers, and put out the fire and set up camp."
"Chief Wanyan, you are familiar with the various tribes of the Eastern Yi. We need your help in this matter. Assist our army in recruiting and pacifying the surrendered soldiers, and end this war as soon as possible. That would be the best course of action."
"This..." Jin Wuzhu was young and impetuous, feeling that the cooked duck had flown away, and he was unwilling to give up, and wanted to say more.
"What are you talking about! His Highness's decision is wise and decisive; how dare you question it!"
Wanyan Aguda reacted quickly, knowing that any hesitation or questioning of Tian Heng's orders at this moment could lead to suspicion.
He suddenly raised his riding whip and, without any mercy, lashed it across Jin Wuzhu's unarmored shoulder and back, shouting sternly:
"His Highness's order is a military order! Go immediately to assist in gathering the surrendered soldiers and maintaining order! Any further dissent will be punished according to military law!"
The whip was swift and ruthless, causing Jin Wuzhu to stagger and his shoulder to be torn open.
He looked up in astonishment and saw the extremely stern, even warning, look in his father's eyes. He instantly understood the implications, and his resentment turned into a cold sweat. He quickly lowered his head.
"Yes! Your humble servant obeys!" He turned and hurried off to carry out the order.
Tian Heng observed all of this, a faint, perfectly measured smile appearing on his face, as if he were merely looking at a somewhat impetuous junior. He spoke gently:
"Chief Wanyan, there is no need to be angry. Zongbi is young and brave, eager for battle, and his loyalty is commendable. With a little training, he will surely become a great general."
The phrase "Zong Bi" and "young and brave" both named him, gave him face, and clearly defined the hierarchy.
Wanyan Aguda felt a chill run down his spine, realizing even more that this prince of the Great Xia was unfathomable, and quickly bowed:
"Your Highness, please forgive me. It is my fault for failing to properly educate my son. From now on, I will strictly discipline him so that he will serve Your Highness and the Great Xia with his life!"
Tian Heng said no more and turned his gaze to the battlefield, which was gradually being brought under control.
Although Helan Cangfeng's escape was a minor regret, the overall situation was already settled, and the Battle of the Onon River had ended in a complete victory for the Great Xia.
What followed was the complex post-war situation and the long-term strategic planning for the northern frontier.
A chilly north wind swept by, swirling the still-burning embers and the banner of victory.