Chapter 157: Conquest Of Yan Land
In the 7th month of the first year of the Tian You Calendar, summer, the conservative forces of the Hao State were unrelenting about losing Yan Land; this was, after all, the starting area they occupied after first descending. When they came through from the Haotian Realm, the large amount of implements they brought were also placed in the palace and city built in Yan Land now.
Ten years ago they had few troops, but from this place they clashed southward with a dozen troops of Da Yao, winning more than losing. How did it turn into “troops at the city gate” just ten short years later?
Thus, the Dragon Descendant military leaders in Yan Land were all unconvinced and indignant: “I don’t understand why everyone is talking about withdrawing west like bereft dogs, as if our great Hao encounters any setback and can only flee helter-skelter, no matter what, it’s fifty thousand troops against ten thousand, the advantage is ours.”
As the Dragon Descendant masters of the Hao State rode horses to various farms issuing orders, groups of laborers pushed wooden ox and flowing horse carts lacking grease protection, driving horses toward the direction ordered by the general.
After the 8th month, the Hao State forces in Yan Land held their breath and issued a mobilization order, assembling four to five thousand people.
On Wu Hengyu’s side? He also assembled five thousand people (not ten thousand) preparing to attack.
In this battle, generals from the Eastern Market Army and Wu Family Northern Army gathered, including Wu Fei himself who arrived in Yan Land, planning logistics lines.
…Zhao Cheng is not here, time to feast big time.…
Ascending Dragon City is a fortress in Yan Land. The entire Ascending Dragon City is surrounded by a “U” shape, with the opening of this “U” on the east side. Although the terrain is flat, twenty kilometers away is a river, and the river then turns east another eighty to one hundred kilometers to merge into the sea. Easy to defend and hard to attack is its innate attribute.
But Wu Hengyu took it down in ten hours, the few hundred local laborers in Ascending Dragon City had never seen this humanoid giant like Wu Hengyu.
Before entering Yan Land, Wu Fei conducted repeated calculations for the entire Yan Land territory, ultimately determining this was the best logistics point, the “Imperial Aura” point calculated by Gongshu Wang with the compass matched Wu Fei’s judgment.
Outside the city, personnel from Wu Fei and Wu Hengyu’s corps interacted frequently. Troops under Wu Hengyu needing rest would be arranged to rest here with Wu Fei.
In the Ascending Dragon City area, groups of wooden ox and flowing horse trains were slowly entering the city, Wu Hengyu asked: “You picked well setting up a base in this city.” — Meanwhile, his troops were swapping emaciated war horses with war horses transported by Wu Fei.
Wu Fei to Wu Hengyu: “You have to enfeoff a heavy minister to garrison this city.”
Wu Hengyu, preparing to leave with his troops, slightly turned his head: “Oh?”
Wu Fei: “This place has Imperial Aura. Remember, in the future, don’t be stingy with ranks and rewards for this city, otherwise, if the officers and soldiers here rebel against you, you’ll have a real headache.”
Wu Hengyu turned to look at the city, seeming to take it in, but also seeming not to.
The reason this place has “Imperial Aura” is because Wu Fei discovered in his calculations that Sheng Long Pass has this characteristic — its distance to other reclamation fortress points is the shortest, according to the principle of the most convenient “resource concentration area resources,” this is the future prefecture here.
Of course, the reason the place is still a fortress is that in summer, the river branches have excessive water volume, spreading out to form a large marsh barrier.
Regarding this issue, Wu Fei determined: as long as over ten thousand civilian laborers are invested to build a few water channels, the marsh water can be diverted into the river.
At that time, if the garrison general of Ascending Dragon City is not given a position as “duke or minister under the king” and the position of “town garrison general,” it will be impossible to win over the hearts here.
Zhao Cheng had once commented on this point, that holding it firm could persist for two years. But in fact Wu Hengyu took it in ten days, Wu Fei felt this city was taken too easily.
Zhao Cheng’s two years was actually correct, but that was under the premise that the Yao Army had no buffs from Wu Fei and Wu Hengyu.
No need to mention Wu Hengyu, he is a humanoid monster who can charge to the city battlement alone; if there are few people on the city battlement, and the garrison doesn’t react, he can lift a squad up to the city first.
Wu Fei’s side was clever in planning, he scouted all cities in Yan Land, preparing various equipment targeted for each city; siege weapons complete and every one effective, without wasting military supplies, the surplus military supplies allowing more troops to participate in the siege.
Wu Fei’s intelligence was precise to the point of how many dog holes the small cities in Yan Land had. And the blasting wooden boxes in Wu Fei’s hands for the siege could just fill those dog holes perfectly.
If there was a ditch in front of the city gate, the wooden planks sent over to cross the ditch were just carryable by one person and could cover the ditch.
As the saying goes, “If a worker wishes to do a good job, he must first sharpen his tools,” Wu Fei’s various preparations allowed perfectly fitting equipment in the siege battle to save hundreds of lives. It also greatly increased the speed of Wu Hengyu capturing cities.
…Yan Land due to cold soil and water, always carries a wild aura…
After Wu Fei used this city as a major base for stockpiling food and grass, the Hao State was like slapped in the face.
And the frequent movements of the Hao Army also let Wu Fei predict that the decisive battle had arrived.
On the second day after capturing Ascending Dragon City, Wu Fei moved all soldiers in the city except the wounded outside the city.
Wu Fei called in logistics teams to cooperate, chopping down all the upstream woods, first to prevent the Hao Army from cutting trees to build ladders, second to leave the Hao Army with no firewood to burn when attacking, forcing them to rush forward hastily.
Xuan Chong knew clearly the current supply situation of the Hao Army: the Hao Army now lacks food and grass, how could the generals consume animal power carrying “useless items” in a rapid march.
Wu Fei had ninety percent confidence to ensure the Hao Army couldn’t breach Ascending Dragon City, but still calculated based on the city defense map using geometry coverage, building temporary watchtowers and barricades and reinforcing all city walls of Ascending Dragon City. — This extra layer of insurance was to reassure the garrison fighting outside the city.
The Hao Army lacked Zhao Cheng’s intelligence capability using “agents” for scouting; when attacking Ascending Dragon City, they would properly learn from Wu Fei about a model battle of “plains defensive counterattack.”
As for Zhao Cheng? The perspective shifts to the frontline at the junction of Sha Prefecture and Yuhuazhou thousands of miles away.
In Yan Land, Zhao Cheng had completely given up.
…On the Hao Army side in Yan Land…
In the left flank sequence of the Hao Army, Dragon Descendant Wu Gao was leading his troops south, he was stunned upon hearing Ascending Dragon City had been taken.
Between the 3rd and 6th months, Wu Hengyu led three thousand troops rampaging through Yan Land, the Hao Army had already experienced his valor unmatched by ten thousand.
Of course it wasn’t just Wu Hengyu’s bravery alone, the soldiers under him were all strong men selected from within Da Yao, they were elite soldiers.
No matter where, there are people with large builds; also those with stunted growth and small builds. Because not having enough to eat everywhere in Da Yao now is the norm. Although the Hao State now assembled many troops, ninety percent are serfs, Wu Hengyu these three months brought a batch of well-nourished, tall elites charging over, like bulldozers! Not to mention Wu Fei providing thick armor and good medical care.
This gap is like fighting dogs trained by humans wearing spiked collars biting wild wolves to death.
Wu Gao was originally garrisoned at the mountain pass on the west side of Yan Land, against the desert Tatars. His troops had much fur, from their clothing one could see his army style had barbarized, as for food, also.
Back then he most rejected Zhao Cheng, among the large group in the Hao State hoping to kick Zhao Cheng out of Gu Shou Pass, he ranked at the front.
Because he raised his army relying on fur trade, and his fur goods these years upon reaching Gu Shou Pass were all detained by Zhao Cheng.
But once Zhao Cheng left, his corps under him was charged by Wu Hengyu’s iron cavalry in Yan Land until crying for father and mother, now he regretted immensely.
Back to now, after learning Ascending Dragon City was taken by Wu Hengyu, the four scouts who came to report also brought another message, that after Wu Hengyu took Ascending Dragon City, he didn’t rest, directly handed the city to another Yao Army corps that “happened to arrive,” then continued north with his troops.
Wu Gao, right in the path of Wu Hengyu’s northward advance, calculated his own six thousand troops under him, feeling no confidence, he immediately sought help from Yuwen Li to the east. He was counting on his teammate to come for a group fight.
…A sea eagle with a parchment letter tied to its leg flew away…
And in the right flank army, Yuwen Li led soldiers hurrying over. Having just learned Ascending Dragon City was taken, he rode his jade lion whipping the fleeing soldiers from Sheng Long Pass. But after hearing captives say the city gate now was heavily damaged by catapults, Yuwen Li suddenly thought: such short time, the city walls definitely not repaired.
The troops he brought this time numbered five thousand, it seemed, perhaps, he could retake the city, just worrying about encountering Wu Hengyu’s ambush during the siege.
At this time Wu Gao’s sea eagle delivered the letter, he laughed heartily after reading, immediately replying to Wu Gao to wait in place for him to link up.
However, after sending the letter, he decided to lead his troops straight for Ascending Dragon City, “opportunity not to be missed, time not to come again, unparalleled merit ahead!”, these thoughts emerged like karmic fire devouring reason.
Afterwards, Wu Fei interrogated captives, reviewing the reasons for Yuwen Li’s combat decisions, upon learning Yuwen Li was such a “decisive” type, Wu Fei greatly admired this Dragon Descendant’s bold and striving spirit, and encouraged this prisoner: if not encountering him, ninety-nine percent it would have succeeded.
…Everything in the “agents'” reports…
Under the private heart of establishing merit, Yuwen Li led the whole army toward Ascending Dragon City, resulting in the whole army panting.
However, just as they arrived half a li outside Sheng Long Pass, preparing to catch their breath before attacking.
The foremost Hao Army scouts discovered: the damaged Ascending Dragon City gate wide open, even merchants driving furry donkeys fleeing south out of the city madly. The idea of “first come first grab” took over. After all, Wu Gao’s troops had barbarized, Yuwen Li’s subordinates in these few months had also learned the “grassland principles.”
The generals under Yuwen Li all urged to push harder and charge over.
Yuwen Li felt his arrival had panicked the Yao Army in the city, laughing heartily he ordered attack. At this time the deputy general beside advised: “General, our army is utterly exhausted. We cannot—”
But before finishing, he was whipped, Yuwen Li said: “The enemy has not yet prepared defenses, miss this chance, to establish merit later, how many officers and soldiers will it cost me. Anyone speaking of retreat again will be executed without mercy.”
Thus Yuwen Li ordered, the corps formed an offensive posture. Cavalry in front, infantry behind, crossbowmen in formation, deploying from the side.
Of course Yuwen Li himself didn’t wait for the troops to deploy, directly charging toward the city with the cavalry.
Just as his troops appeared five hundred paces outside the city gate, war drums boomed from the southwest.
Just like a gazelle encountering a tiger by the river, Yuwen Li’s troops abruptly halted.
Immediately after, in Yuwen Li’s view, opposite came a thousand armored soldiers and crossbowmen from behind the “U” mountain body, marching in a large formation, neatly rushing over.
One thousand against five thousand seems pretty fake. But these five thousand were hastily rushed over, strung out over a li; while the one thousand had just eaten, waiting at ease for the fatigued.
Wu Fei didn’t station the main combat troops inside Ascending Dragon City at all, because once entering the city, redeploying outside would take at least an hour; many places inside Ascending Dragon City are very narrow, extracting troops would be like drawing silk from a cocoon.
After confirming the enemy was disorganized from forced march, Wu Fei directly arrayed outside the city for rapid engagement.
As for daring to fight directly? Because Yuwen Li’s march was utterly undisciplined, just like bandits. Encountering benefit, crazily forward.
See, Yuwen Li’s vanguard was only a hundred men, heading to seize the city gate.
Because this unrepaired city gate could at most accommodate about a hundred fighting.
Yuwen Li’s thinking wasn’t wrong. After a hundred seize the city gate, subsequent arriving soldiers catch breath. Probably after one incense stick, recover five hundred combat power to rush into the city, then during the five hundred fighting to seize the city, more subsequent troops can just catch breath, slowly batches arriving intact, joining the city seizure battle.
Wu Fei: But why should I fight you “hundred against hundred” at the city gate? Why not my one thousand crush your hundred, not giving you a chance to catch that breath?
Now Wu Fei’s thousand ambushed on both sides of Ascending Dragon City formed eight square formations neatly advancing, emitting “hey ha, hey ha” battle cries.
“Hold steady, hold steady!” Yuwen Li had the troops stop, plant feet, prepare to withstand the first wave, then after his numerous reinforcements arrive behind, fight properly.
But Wu Fei didn’t give him the chance, a Guiche rose from the city, claws grasping the huge “Feather” flag rising into the air.
“Wu Hengyu?” Yuwen Li’s subordinates’ legs shook. Then Yuwen Li shouted: “Wu Hengyu excels at mounted combat, impossible in this group of infantry!”
However at that moment, on the battlefield flank. Cavalry flying Wu Hengyu’s flag appeared on the horizon, and in the sky a flying mount, plus a group of thirty-two Dragon Horse Cavalry.
From the armor wear, this unit had long been at leisure waiting, actually since early morning sitting waiting, even ate dry rations midway.
Yuwen Li rode wanting to turn and flee, but the horse now extremely tired, no longer obeying.
Front of the city one thousand Yao Army advanced in formation, pressing like a great tide; flank that two hundred cavalry raising the “Wu Hengyu” great flag charged directly, Yuwen Li’s vanguard hundred-odd collapsed.
Yuwen Li was utterly astonished why Wu Hengyu here, wasn’t he at Wu Gao’s?
This “Wu Hengyu” troop was actually led by Zhao Xian Zhong. Zhao Xian Zhong’s combat power gap with Wu Hengyu is large, normal charge couldn’t break through, but Yuwen Li’s troops’ morale had collapsed.
The foremost Heavenly Dragon Guards’ morale crumbled like snowflakes, yet locust-like arrow rain didn’t spare them, dying everywhere on the escape route, as the dagger tip of the whole army, now like butter hitting a red-hot iron plate, melting instantly. And two hundred paces behind, following running over, originally preparing to charge into the city together, the Hao Army Jade Brave, inexplicably felt the front defeated, morale also mutinied.
Defend? Form army formation on the spot to defend? Having fought barbarians many times, no such “fortify and hard fight” style, long developed “guerrilla habits.”
Yuwen Li’s subordinates all stared tightly at the left “Wu Hengyu” flag cavalry charging over.
This group of Haotian generals from half a year’s blood and tears concluded: even less than five hundred, even forming position, not enough for Wu Hengyu to charge. As long as “Wu Hengyu” condenses the killing intent great hammer of the army formation, everyone would be scattered like bean sprouts.
As for fleeing? How to flee, which way to flee? In that ambushing force outside the city, the wooden ox and flowing horse war chariots charging out had already used hand cannon teams to take out the flag bearers, all troops starting to chaos, could only follow Yuwen Li in chaotic withdrawal. Such withdrawal encountered Wu Family Army pursuit. The army constantly trotting forward, square formations crushing any slow groups, and in the square formations, crossbowmen ranks divided into twenty files, each file twenty men, in column infiltrating from the close combat square formations, and after exiting the square formation immediately line abreast for shooting.
Two hours later, Yuwen Li dragged his two-li marching column, sheared from head to tail. The “hurrying over” troops were sheared into “scattered rout,” then turned into “continuously fleeing withdrawal.”
Yuwen Li’s Hao Army didn’t fight two blows; and rest? Didn’t even catch one breath, always running.
Finally Wu Fei mounted the arriving Nine Phoenix, raising his own flag, leading five hundred troops blocking Yuwen Li at the river mouth.
And Yuwen Li realizing the one attacking him wasn’t Wu Hengyu but Wu Fei, this Dragon Descendant spat a mouthful of blood in rage.
Yuwen Li pointed at Wu Fei cursing: “Wu Yuanchang you are at least a famous general, impersonating others’ banners, not ashamed?”
In these times first-rate famous generals all have pride, like Zhang Fei in battle wouldn’t impersonate Zhao Yun, Guan Yu even less would raise Zhuge Liang’s banner.
But Wu Fei didn’t think so, he was famous for intellect and schemes, far inferior to Wu Hengyu in charge formations, if he raised his own banner for countercharge, some hothead might lead charging against him for a fight; if so, might inspire many to muster remaining courage for a wave, but if raising Wu Hengyu’s banner, they wouldn’t even have courage for a fight.
Wu Hengyu this half year riding Wuzhui rampaging north, harshly disciplining various unconvinced troops of Hao State Yan Land, belonging to brush injury kill on touch, such prestige not to be wasted.
Facing the defeated general’s indignant accusation, Wu Fei pointed at him: “Who told you to be cowardly, why didn’t you dare clash with my big brother. Men, bind him for me.”
Rolling river water crashing on the bank, recording Wu Fei’s wild laughter on Nine Phoenix’s back.
Groups of soldiers took ropes binding him tight, as for after binding?
Wu Hengyu’s side impossible to keep them, Wu Fei didn’t want to kill captives, distant sailboats were sailing, that was Yu Li’s fleet. Wu Fei had this sister-in-law throw these Dragon Descendants onto an island, after some days when he returned, bring them back to Southern Border in batches. His subordinates already had various ethnicities, not lacking this one.
…Li Kui, Li Ghost…
On the other side, Wu Gao waiting left and right for Yuwen Li to link up troops didn’t wait, suddenly a soldier lay on the ground listening with ear to ground, then abruptly stood reporting to Wu Gao: “General! Cavalry raiding from the north.”
Wu Gao hearing this hurriedly grabbed the small soldier: “You heard clearly?! Not from the west?! (West is Yuwen Li’s main force direction)”
The small soldier fearfully stammered: “Yes, yes, north, sir, heard correctly.”
At this time dust rose on the northern horizon, “Feather” flag appeared, waving with the wind on the horizon. This time the real deal arrived.
