Chapter 230: Lowering The Head
What?
Yang Hu’s body shook, and he blurted out: “General Pei personally killed the Xiongnu Commander?”
“Absolutely true!” The personal soldier who had rushed over to deliver the message was covered in sweat, his tone full of admiration and respect: “I was on the City Gate at the time and saw with my own eyes General Pei come down from the City Wall!”
“That Xiongnu Barbarian commander had a huge build, a full head taller than General Pei, with astonishing strength. The moment they started fighting, he was beaten by General Pei until he could not raise his head.”
“The Xiongnu Barbarians broke their word. They had agreed to a one-on-one duel between generals to decide victory. Later, they secretly fired a signal flare. General Pei wielded a saber and killed that Xiongnu Commander, then sped back to the city. Unfortunately, Miss Pei Yan was hit by two arrows…”
Yang Hu’s eyes shone brightly as Zhang Kou interrupted the personal soldier’s chatter: “Enough! No more nonsense! Pass on this general’s military order: All who can move, take up weapons and follow me to defend the City Wall!”
The personal soldier was stunned: “Today it’s the Pei Family Army defending the city. What are we going to do if we go?”
What else could they do?
Yang Hu glared impatiently: “Of course, follow General Pei’s command!”
The two armies joining forces in battle was actually quite delicate. They had to work together wholeheartedly, yet also distinguish their camps.
In this battle, it was originally the Guangning Army as the main force, with the Pei Family Army as reinforcements. Now, with this turn, the Pei Family Army had become the main force, and the Guangning Army the auxiliaries.
If they bowed their heads now, they would forever be a head lower in the future.
The personal soldier wanted to say more, but Yang Hu had already strode out.
The Guangning Army originally had eight thousand elite soldiers. Three thousand died in the Bohai Commandery battle, and of the remaining five thousand, many were killed or wounded during the lure the enemy ambush. After several days of continuous defending the city and resisting the Xiongnu Barbarians’ frenzied attacks, the casualties were a terrifying number. Now, those who could still wield a saber and fight numbered only about two thousand soldiers.
Yang Hu led these two thousand men to the City Gate. Yang Hu did not go up the City Wall but ordered someone to send a message to report, waiting below the city himself.
“General, the Guangning Army people have arrived.” Tao Feng reported in a low voice.
Pei Qinghe was somewhat surprised and turned to ask Tao Feng: “General Yang also came?”
“Yes.” Tao Feng’s eyes shone brightly: “General Yang is leading people below the city, awaiting the general’s orders!”
Captain Sun also understood the situation and exchanged a knowing smile with Tao Feng.
Pei Qinghe’s brows relaxed, and she smiled: “Pass on this general’s military order: Ask General Yang to send five hundred men up. The rest rest in place and await orders!”
Today, the Pei Family Army and Guangning Army would truly join forces to thoroughly crush the Xiongnu Barbarians!
With the addition of the Guangning Army’s elite soldiers, the pressure on the Pei Family Army defending the city eased greatly. Those with light wounds could go apply medicine and rest, no longer needing to force themselves.
An hour later, Pei Qinghe issued another military order, and Yang Hu again selected five hundred elite soldiers to go up the City Wall.
Yang Hu had been waiting below the city. Only when Pei Qinghe sent someone to call him did he go up to the City Gate.
It was now afternoon; they had fought for most of the day, everyone exhausted, sustained only by fervor. The attacking Xiongnu Barbarians had even heavier casualties and had also reached their limit.
Seeing Pei Qinghe covered in blood, Yang Hu’s heart sank, and he hurriedly whispered: “How badly is General Pei injured?”
Pei Qinghe replied briefly: “The right arm wound is not serious, but the right leg hurts badly. I can’t stand anymore; I need to rest. You take command.”
Yang Hu did not decline and immediately took over command.
Pei Qinghe did not go down to the City Gate but found a relatively clean spot on the City Wall to sit. Her right arm burned fiercely, and the spot on her right leg that had been kicked was already numb from pain.
Pei Qinghe closed her eyes and slowly exhaled.
Leading troops in battle, getting wounded on the battlefield is commonplace. She had suffered some minor wounds before. This time was the most severe injury.
However, personally beheading the Xiongnu Commander and shattering the Xiongnu morale, suffering some wounds was worth it.
Shouts of killing filled her ears incessantly.
Pei Qinghe didn’t need to open her eyes; just by listening to the sounds, she knew how the warfare was going. Xiongnu Barbarians had climbed onto the City Wall and were hacked down. The Pei Family Army was extremely brave and valiant, the Guangning Army’s combat power was somewhat inferior, but today their morale was high.
After repelling the Xiongnu Barbarians once again, the sound of horse hooves suddenly rang out below the city.
“The Xiongnu Barbarians are withdrawing troops!”
Pei Xuan excitedly rushed over and shouted jubilantly by Pei Qinghe’s ear: “General, we have a great victory! The Xiongnu Barbarians are defeated!”
Pei Qinghe opened her eyes and smiled at Pei Xuan, humming in acknowledgment.
Pei Xuan looked at Pei Qinghe’s pale face, her heart sinking: “Cousin Sister Qinghe, I’ll help you go get treated.”
Pei Qinghe mustered her spirit and said: “No rush, wait a bit more.”
Sure enough, Yang Hu came over soon. As the Commander, he had to consider the overall situation. A great victory was naturally a happy event, but next they had to consider whether to pursue in victory and beat the drowning dog.
Pei Qinghe looked at Yang Hu: “What does General Yang think?”
Yang Hu laughed: “In front of General Pei, what kind of general am I? General Pei can just call me Yang Hu from now on.”
Yang Hu took the initiative to lower his stance, the implication self-evident.
A hint of amusement flashed in Pei Qinghe’s eyes, her voice softening: “In private, I’ll call you by name. In front of others, you are the Guangning Army’s Commander, so I’ll still call you General Yang.”
Yang Hu cupped his hands: “I’ll follow the General’s lead.”
Pei Qinghe felt extremely happy.
Killing the Xiongnu Barbarians’ Commander was one achievement, and rallying the Guangning Army was another.
After the tacit surrender, the relationship between the two armies grew closer. Pei Qinghe asked again: “The Xiongnu Barbarians have been fighting unsuccessfully for a long time and have lost their Commander; nine times out of ten they will withdraw troops. How should we fight next?”
Yang Hu had already considered it: “Although the Xiongnu Barbarians have warhorses, carrying large amounts of money and grain and captives, they can’t move fast. We can attempt pursuit and set up ambush on the way. Killing more is good.”
Pei Qinghe nodded approvingly: “We can snatch back as much money and grain as possible; the most important thing is to rescue the abducted common people.”
“First withdraw troops and clean the battlefield. Let the wounded soldiers apply medicine and rest. Everyone repair, ready to strike at any time. Once the battlefield is cleaned up, lead your subordinate military generals over, and we’ll discuss together.”
Yang Hu stood solemnly and cupped his hands in agreement.
For cleaning the battlefield, Yang Hu oversaw it, while Pei Qinghe, supported by Pei Xuan, slowly descended the City Wall.
Everyone looked at Pei Qinghe with gazes of admiration.
In today’s battle, Pei Qinghe beheaded the Xiongnu Commander in full view of everyone. This scene was etched in everyone’s mind.
Their General Pei was a true hero in these chaotic times!
The Guangning Army’s soldiers also looked over with reverent gazes. Everyone admires strength, especially obvious in the barracks. Pei Qinghe subdued them with her powerful strength.
They all saw Yang Hu bowing his head and cupping his hands, and felt no discomfort. When being soldiers and
That Young Son of Heaven cowering in Bohai Commandery, along with King Qiao and General Situ locked in melee in the Capital City, were all too far away from them.
All they could see in their eyes was General Pei!
