Chapter 265: Enemy Attack
Pei Qinghe took in all the changes in Lu Feng’s expression, sneering coldly in her heart while keeping her face impassive, and continued, “The Xiongnu Barbarians have occupied Changli County as barracks, so we also need to find a place to settle.”
She pointed at the map: “This is Tuhe County, more than eighty li from Liaoxi Commandery and over a hundred li from Changli County. We’ll settle here.”
From the map, Changli County, Tuhe County, and Liaoxi Commandery formed an oblique triangle. Strategically, settling the army in Tuhe County was very suitable.
To guard against raids by the Xiongnu Barbarians, the army had to take a detour, estimated to add two or three days of travel.
More than twenty thousand troops marching together could not be silent. They had to reach Tuhe County before alarming the Xiongnu Barbarians’ army.
Yang Hu volunteered to lead the vanguard: “I’ll take troops ahead to Tuhe and persuade them to open the city gate to welcome the army.”
Yang Hu had a smooth temperament, adaptable and quick with words.
Pei Qinghe nodded: “Good, General Yang, go ahead first. I’ll lead the army to bring up the rear. If the Xiongnu Barbarians send troops to encircle and pursue, I’ll lead troops to resist the enemy. You don’t need to worry about that—just take Tuhe County in the shortest time possible.”
The army needed a settlement as soon as possible; temporary camping could only provide shelter and could not resist cavalry raids.
It would be best to persuade Tuhe County to open the city gate. If persuasion failed, they would have to use force to break open the city gate.
War was inherently cruel and allowed no mercy.
Yang Hu and Yang Huai clearly understood Pei Qinghe’s implication, exchanged a glance, and gravely accepted the order.
Half a shichen later, Yang Hu and Yang Huai led the Guangning Army to set off first.
The rest packed tents and prepared gear, setting off half a day later. More than twenty thousand troops, with cavalry, infantry, and long lines of grain transport teams and supply wagons. Like a giant snake, it was impossible to pass silently without anyone noticing.
The next day, a band of Xiongnu Cavalry that had been roaming and plundering charged over.
This band of Xiongnu Cavalry was not large, just a few hundred men. They suddenly charged from the diagonal rear, hundreds of Xiongnu Barbarians raising curved sabers together, shouting incoherently. Horse hooves and shouts accompanied rolling dust, followed by cries of alarm and screams.
The section hit by the Xiongnu Barbarians happened to be the Fanyang Army led by Lu Feng.
The Xiongnu Barbarians were not fools; they had trailed for half a day and targeted the army’s weakest point. The front cavalry were spirited, the following infantry high-spirited, the rear grain carriages wide and sturdy. Looking around, this infantry section had the loosest military discipline and poorest spirit.
Under this wave of impact, at least dozens of Fanyang Army soldiers were knocked over and trampled. The Xiongnu Barbarians had rampaged through Youzhou for over a hundred years, invincible wherever they went. All Soldiers were filled with fear and panic; some directly threw down their weapons and fled.
Lu Feng was both shocked and angry, shouting loudly for all Soldiers to form a military formation to resist. Seeing more fleeing, Lu Feng in anger wielded a saber and cut down two, finally stopping the all Soldiers’ fleeing in disorder.
The rear convoy halted alertly, even the cart drivers holding sabers in hand. Zhao Hai had gained experience, facing the Xiongnu Barbarians’ raid without panic, and did not allow the cart drivers to rush out to fight: “Everyone, don’t move recklessly—protect the grain carts.”
The front army reacted swiftly; the daily strict training showed its benefit at this moment. Teams of ten quickly assembled into military formations, ten teams per camp, each moving toward their camp’s leader.
On the battlefield, no matter how powerful the commander, he could not direct everyone. It depended on each camp’s leaders.
Feng Chang unhesitatingly led troops to support the Fanyang Army.
Gu Lian moved faster than Feng Chang, charging over with cavalry.
The Xiongnu Barbarians had skilled horsemanship, especially powerful in horse combat. Facing large reinforcements, they showed no fear, grinning fiercely as they rode to charge.
Cavalry clashes were the cruelest scene on the battlefield. After shrill neighs and screams, either riders fell from warhorses or warhorses were cut down—a scene of blood.
Dust rose everywhere, obscuring the specific battle situation. But from the screams alone, it was clear the Pei Family Army’s cavalry were at a disadvantage.
Pei Zhi, Pei Xuan, and Pei Feng could not restrain themselves and wanted to rush over.
Pei Qinghe’s face was as cold as water: “Pass this general’s military order: continue marching.”
Everyone was startled and looked up sharply.
Pei Qinghe had no time to explain and no intention to, blowing the bamboo whistle to order everyone to continue marching. Pei Zhi, Pei Xuan, and the others had no choice but to proceed.
Pei Yan felt uneasy inside and asked in a low voice what she thought: “What if they can’t stop the Xiongnu Barbarians?”
Pei Zhi and the others pricked up their ears.
Pei Qinghe said coldly: “Just a few hundred Xiongnu Cavalry—if they can’t even stop that, no need to fight the war.”
Pei Qinghe’s voice was cold, unusually laced with anger.
Pei Yan shrank her neck, not daring to say more.
Pei Qinghe’s heart was like a rock; she really ignored the battle behind and kept marching forward. After thirty li, at nightfall, she ordered to set up camp.
The grain transport carts were in the rear, but fortunately everyone carried military rations to stave off hunger.
Pei Yun sat beside Pei Qinghe, a trace of worry in her eyes, and said softly: “Should we send someone to check the battle situation?”
“No need.” Pei Qinghe said lowly: “The Fanyang Army has three thousand men, and Feng Chang and Gu Lian each led several hundred to support. Several thousand could grind down a few hundred Xiongnu soldiers even by attrition.”
“We must maintain fast marching to reach Tuhe sooner. If delayed en route, more than just these few hundred will catch up.”
They had to reach Tuhe County before the Xiongnu army caught up.
Pei Yun knew the priorities, nodded, and said no more.
After midnight, noisy voices arose.
Pei Qinghe, sleeping in her clothes, suddenly opened her eyes and rose. Pei Yan rubbed her eyes hard, leaped up, and followed Pei Qinghe’s steps.
Gu Lian, Feng Chang, and Lu Feng appeared before them.
Lu Feng was covered in blood, his face full of shame.
Gu Lian and Feng Chang were similarly splattered with bloodstains, unclear if their own or the enemy’s.
Pei Qinghe glanced at them: “You two, are you injured?”
“My left leg has a minor wound; Feng Chang took a saber to the back, but medicine has been applied,” Gu Lian replied. “Young General Lu is also somewhat injured, but nothing serious.”
“We had quite a few casualties, but the Xiongnu Barbarians didn’t get off easy either—we surrounded and killed most of them,” Feng Chang continued. “Unfortunately, we didn’t kill them all; over a hundred escaped.”
“General, we must march faster to avoid the Xiongnu army hearing and pursuing.”
Pei Qinghe nodded slightly and looked at Lu Feng: “Infantry against cavalry are naturally at a disadvantage. Exchanging two or three for one is still our victory.”
Lu Feng grew even more ashamed, lowering his head and not daring to meet Pei Qinghe’s gaze: “The Fanyang Army was scared witless by the Xiongnu Barbarians; it was too chaotic then, with many still fleeing in disorder. Fortunately, Leader Gu and Leader Feng arrived in time to help.”
