Chapter 243: Northern Frontier Scoundrels, How Dare You Bully Me Like This
The Qilian Mountains’ snow peaks that never melt year-round stand like a silver-gray barrier across the horizon, yet at the foot of the mountains flows another kind of deathly silence.
The Hexi Corridor is squeezed between icy peaks and sandy seas, narrowest at just seven or eight li, like a wound torn in the land.
Wind blows, clouds drift across the deep blue sky, ice mountain snowmelt flows, dispelling the land’s desolation and bursting forth with vibrant life.
Vast expanses of grass begin to sprout, but life on this land remains pitifully scarce.
Villages are visible only every great distance, their mud houses collapsed or fallen, faded prayer flags still fluttering on the walls, no one knows how many years they’ve hung there.
The common people have passed down their lineage generation after generation in this harsh environment, struggling desperately to survive.
The twenty thousand Ganzhou Army departed Ganzhou City under the gaze of the snow mountains, following the Blackwater River northwestward.
The infantry carry half-worn cowhide packs on their backs, shouldering spears, large knives, and all sorts of weapons.
Wearing straw sandals, their frostbitten feet tread the gravel road, the “swish” of footsteps mixing with the clink of armor, echoing long across the vast Gobi Desert.
The cavalry horses hang their heads low, slowly marching before and after the infantry, hooves kicking up sand that patters onto the Ganzhou Army flags.
The column stops every ten-odd li for rest, soldiers pulling out hard highland barley cakes to gnaw, washing them down with icy river water.
Some new recruits casually set their spears on the ground, unable to hold back complaints: “We’ve been marching three days and still haven’t left Ganzhou Prefecture. On just our two legs, how long to reach Heishui City?”
With that, he cast an envious look at the distant cavalry: “When can we ride horses too?”
Though Western Xia has large-scale horse farms, a good war horse isn’t something ordinary people can afford.
People like them, who just set down their hoes to answer the call for military service, fare little better than ordinary civilian laborers.
All self-equipped with weapons, shouldering a spearhead or knife blade to join the army and become an honored infantryman.
“Want to be cavalry? Heh, you gotta earn merit first, become a regular soldier, then maybe have a shot~ not guaranteed though.”
A gap-toothed veteran chuckled.
“Hoof” means cavalry, while infantry are called “soles,” after the feet.
“Anyone who becomes cavalry has backing, right?”
“Us with no connections, to become cavalry, gotta risk our lives for it.”
Though Western Xia has official horse farms, its cavalry numbers are few, far from matching the grassland.
Thus, cavalry slots are especially precious; aside from those with real skill, most are generals’ confidants.
“I heard all Northern Frontier barbarians are cavalry, tens of thousands strong!”
“Our cavalry’s under five thousand. How we gonna fight?” the new recruit grumbled. On his first military service, he felt insecure deep down.
The veteran snorted: “You’re really underestimating us. Not to boast, but our over ten thousand big soles—if we really meet Northern Frontier barbarians, we can knock out their teeth.”
When grain and water aren’t short, cavalry aren’t guaranteed to break infantry’s turtle formation.
After all, not all cavalry are fearless, daring to charge with their lives.
“I’d say, better to be soles. If cavalry, gotta go real swords and guns against Northern Frontier barbarians.”
“But as soles, if we can’t win, just flop on the ground and play dead, or kneel and surrender—no shame.”
“Just, a month’s pay is just a few hundred cash, all pocketed by those officials. Why risk our lives?”
Western Xia soldiers are all good men, but the system is rotten, corrupt officials rampant, embezzling military pay and skimping on military merit happens all the time.
That’s why soldiers’ combat strength weakens ever more; every campaign is just to muddle through military service.
After rest, the generals’ shouts rang out: “Up, up, all you bastards get up, stop playing dead.”
“Keep marching, camp by the Great Wall tonight.”
But just as soldiers grumbled to their feet, urgent gong beats suddenly rang from the vanguard.
“Dong dong dong dong dong~”
At the sound, every soldier tensed instantly—it signaled danger, raise alert.
The infantry who’d been griping moments before hurriedly clustered, each to their duties, ready to fight or flee anytime.
The new recruit’s hands gripped his spear, trembling slightly, visibly tense.
Veterans fared better but still flinched: “Damn, didn’t think I’d jinx it?”
“Really ran into Northern Frontier barbarians?”
But he glanced around—this was still Ganzhou Prefecture, hadn’t even passed the Han Great Wall.
Weren’t the Northern Frontier barbarians at Heishui City?
In the central army, Mi Qin Tiele, clad in sheepskin, frowned at the gong sounds.
He barked at his personal guard: “Go check immediately, what’s happened?”
This was his turf, hadn’t even left Ganzhou Prefecture.
With twenty thousand troops at hand, how could danger arise?
Absurd.
But before the personal guard could scout, a cavalryman rushed from the vanguard, urgently reporting: “Commander, Northern Frontier cavalry spotted on the hillside two li ahead.”
At this, Mi Qin Tiele froze, instinctively doubting if they’d misseen.
Northern Frontier Army was still besieging Heishui City—how could they reach Ganzhou Prefecture?
“Confirmed Northern Frontier barbarians?” Mi Qin Tiele asked sternly.
“Definitely Northern Frontier cavalry. Our scouts clashed with them—most killed or wounded, only a battered remnant escaped to report.” The cavalryman said.
At these words, Mi Qin Tiele was stunned.
“What?”
Meanwhile, directly ahead of the Ganzhou Army, atop a hillside, a dozen cavalry in yellow armor stood against the wind, watching the Ganzhou Army from afar.
This was two squads of Northern Frontier scouts linked up.
Beside them, a dozen riderless Hexi horses.
Each with a head hung from its back, faces hideous, eyes filled with fear.
These heads were Ganzhou Army scouts.
They’d met Northern Frontier Army scouts, fought fiercely; most Ganzhou scouts slain, heads severed, war horses taken as spoils.
The Northern Frontier scouts tailed the surviving few fleeing Ganzhou scouts right to the Ganzhou Army main force.
Holding a telescope, they observed the Ganzhou Army’s outline from two li away.
A squad leader said softly: “Troops about twenty thousand plus, cavalry under five thousand.”
Another squad leader nodded lightly: “Those rear infantry look low in spirit.”
“Probably hastily levied civilian laborers.”
The two squad leaders stood side by side, discussing their view of the Ganzhou Army.
Soon, distant Ganzhou cavalry moved out; a hundred-strong detachment broke from the main body, charging toward the Northern Frontier scouts.
“Xia Army’s dropping honor—time we go.”
With that, the dozen cavalry wheeled their mounts, spurring hard to flee the area.
Ganzhou cavalry pursued over ten li but failed to catch up, forced to return to the main force.
By then, Mi Qin Tiele was hearing scout reports.
“Where’d you spot the Northern Frontier scouts?”
“Northwest, over ten li, a place called Guanzi Village.”
“How many Northern Frontier scouts? How many of you?”
“Them~ a dozen or so, us under, under twenty~” The scout knelt, voice trembling.
At this, Mi Qin Tiele’s eyes widened in disbelief: “What?”
“Twenty men, and only you few back?”
Such a loss ratio baffled him.
Scouts are military elites, future officer seeds—how such a disastrous defeat?
“I-I-I~”
The scout’s lips quivered, face growing more panicked, reliving the clash with Northern Frontier scouts.
“Northern Frontier cavalry had three war horses per man: two for travel, one strongest for charging—their speed’s incredible.”
“And their weapons sharp, piercing our leather armor effortlessly~”
“Ours, even striking them head-on, blocked by that canvas-like armor.”
“Especially their arrows, even sharper…” the scout said, trembling.
In sum: Northern Frontier scouts’ war horses fast, weapons sharp, armor tough.
Even equal numbers, no match.
These words shocked Mi Qin Tiele; he murmured in disbelief: “Impossible?”
“Fast~ tough armor, how both at once?”
Everyone knows fast means light cavalry, tough means armored cavalry, but cotton armor blends both strengths, shattering Mi Qin Tiele’s worldview.
Then he dismissed the scout, summoning all generals to deliberate.
His opening: “We’ve been fooled—Heishui City likely in peril.”
Northern Frontier scouts here in Ganzhou Prefecture meant main Northern Frontier forces ahead.
Heishui City probably fallen.
Other generals’ faces darkened too.
“But we know nothing of Northern Frontier barbarians’ strength—their troop count, cavalry numbers, main force position…”
The deputy general said gravely.
Laughable: this their home turf, yet enemy situation unknown.
Key issue: government officials’ control over base villages limited.
“So we can’t advance further, or we’ll fall into Northern Frontier barbarians’ encirclement.”
“Return to Ganzhou City immediately.” Mi Qin Tiele said firmly.
True to his “turtle to the end” nature, first thought on danger: self-preservation.
Other generals nodded: “Right, Northern Frontier troops unknown—blind advance risks disaster.”
“Wait till Duke Zhengze leads main army force to Ganzhou, then plan.”
……
Meanwhile, thirty li ahead of Ganzhou Army, Northern Frontier Army marched steadily toward Ganzhou City.
Iron cavalry roared, war horses thundered, the snaking army like a golden giant dragon dancing across Hexi land.
Villages encountered en route none escaped— all looted by Northern Frontier Army.
In central army, Li Xiao rode a tall war horse, in dark gold cotton armor, cavalry saber sheathed, eyes on a dilapidated village at the horizon.
He clearly saw Northern Frontier cavalry rampaging inside, looting freely, some herding many common people toward the army.
Beside Li Xiao, Second Myriad Commander Qin Chunsheng reported on the village.
“Great Protector, Twelfth Centurion’s unit looted that manor ahead, captured over two hundred common people, seized over a hundred shi grain from the sole landlord’s home, plus some gold, silver, calligraphy, and painting.”
“Interrogation revealed the landlord has kin official in Ganzhou City; surrounding hundreds of mu land all his.”
……
Soldiers eat grain—only natural.
Li Xiao too wanted to train elites rivaling Yue Family Army or Qi Family Army.
Freeze to death before dismantling houses, starve before looting—truly admirable discipline.
But such discipline for Northern Frontier Army? Pure fantasy.
Yue and Qi armies’ strict discipline key due to ample grain pay, exceeding era’s ordinary soldier standards.
Northern Frontier Army’s money and grain from where?
Northern Frontier’s meager crops? Nascent commerce?
Besides Wuwei Army, other military towns lack fixed military pay; sole path is war spoils.
If Li Xiao banned looting, Northern Frontier Army would soon lose combat strength, leading to disobeyed orders, generals carving fiefs, rebellion.
So Li Xiao tightened military discipline but spared officers and soldiers’ core interests.
“This manor mostly women?” Li Xiao asked.
“Men all levied for military service, mostly ahead of us now.” Qin Chunsheng smiled.
Li Xiao nodded: “Send all in the manor to prisoner of war camp. In a few days against Ganzhou Army, might prove useful.”
Base common people too poor, squeezed dry by Western Xia government officials and landlords—no money or grain, homes without surplus, many near starvation.
Northern Frontier gains little grain or money, even subsidizes.
No choice—Northern Frontier lacks population.
Man or woman, all detained in prisoner of war camp, to be taken back to Northern Frontier post-war.
Here, at least they get a meal, won’t starve.
What fattens officers and soldiers are landlord and official homes.
Looting one landlord yields more than ten-odd villages’ common people.
“Yes, sir!”
Qin Chunsheng nodded, about to arrange looting of next manor, when Wuwei Army Deputy Myriad Commander Thin Monkey rode up.
Saluting: “Great Protector, scouts report.”
“Thirty li ahead, Ganzhou Army main force spotted—about five thousand cavalry, fifteen thousand infantry.”
“But Mi Qin Tiele seems to have spotted us too—looks like he’s fleeing.”
Hearing this, Li Xiao nodded lightly: “Trying to run now—too late?”
Face turning stern: “Order all units: army advance, cut off Ganzhou Army retreat.”
“Absolutely prevent return to Ganzhou City.”
“Yes, sir.”
Northern Frontier all cavalry; Ganzhou Army mixed foot and horse, far slower.
In just over an hour, Northern Frontier Army overtook them.
“Commander, behind us—massive cavalry behind~”
Central army, hearing rear camp report, Mi Qin Tiele paled in shock.
“What? So soon?”
He felt the sand beneath tremble faintly, like countless tentacles scratching underground.
He rushed atop a hill, scanning northwest from the height.
Heavens clear, under blue sky, northwest horizon suddenly sprouted a bright yellow line.
Line widened rapidly, in a blink to an oily yellow band.
Northern Frontier First Garrison!
“All cavalry, at least ten thousand.”
Mi Qin Tiele’s face horror-struck, voice shocked.
Just from the visible army outline, Northern Frontier Army numbered no less than ten thousand.
Farther beyond sight, likely more.
“Ten thousand cavalry—here in Gobi Desert, no obstructions~”
His personal guard paled too, grasping the dire straits.
In view, ten thousand cavalry surged steadily, speed moderate yet always edging Ganzhou Army’s.
From afar, like a sweeping yellow sandstorm, massive roar blanketing heaven and earth.
Ganzhou Army new recruits seeing this all blanched, legs trembling faintly.
“This momentum—where cavalry? Clearly heaven-sent yellow storm to devour us.”
Ganzhou cavalry palms sweated, reins slipping.
This not battle—suicide on blades!
Mi Qin Tiele grasped severity, bellowing at all generals: “Form up, array.”
“Slowly withdraw toward Ganzhou City.”
Amid more urgent gongs, Ganzhou Army shifted formation.
Many new recruits panicked, errors galore, but under generals’ curses and whips, found positions.
A loose turtle formation finally took shape.
Shield bearers outermost, axemen and spearmen rear, archers ready to loose.
Five thousand cavalry like turtle’s four legs, tightly guarding flanks.
Per Mi Qin Tiele’s plan, cavalry never strike out; safely escorting army to Ganzhou City greatest victory.
Orange-red sunset hung across the sky.
In Northern Frontier Army, Li Xiao eyed the turtle formation’s slow creep, sneering disdainfully.
“Mi Qin Tiele’s quite the talent.”
Two years ago, Jin Prefecture’s first Western Xia campaign, this guy hung back till Jin army withdrew to claim merits.
Ruining Li Xiao’s ambush.
Now, even more turtle-like.
Avoids hard fights, wants merits for lying down.
“Day’s late—rest tonight, fight tomorrow.”
Back to sunset, Li Xiao ordered gravely.
Tens of thousands’ war not started on whim.
Northern Frontier Army marched hard, needed rest.
Crucially, nightfall; night battle highly risky.
If Northern Frontier weak, Li Xiao would night-fight for reversal.
But now absolute advantage—no needless risks.
At dusk, Northern Frontier and Ganzhou armies camped ten li apart.
Midnight, urgent gongs in Ganzhou Army camp.
Shouts: “Enemy attack, enemy attack.”
“Commander orders: engage immediately.”
Ganzhou soldiers jolted awake.
Some were prepared.
“Commander’s divine strategy, modern martial sage.” A rear general flattered.
Drawing Mi Qin Tiele’s smug smile: “Trifling barbarian tricks, beneath notice.”
“Order all units per military order prepare, ensure we trap the invaders.”
Mi Qin Tiele anticipated Northern Frontier night raid, had ambushes set in camp.
But soon scouts reported: Northern Frontier withdrew, no attack on camp.
“What?” Mi Qin Tiele surprised.
Quickly composed, sneering: “They know better.”
“Else this commander captures Li Xiao alive.”
Left alert troops, sent others to rest.
An hour later, gongs again.
As Mi Qin Tiele rallied for counterattack, word came: Northern Frontier retreated again.
Enraged, he roared: “Scoundrels dare toy with me?”
Clear now: no real night raid, just feigned to exhaust troops.
Next dawn, Ganzhou Army formed tight array, advanced.
Northern Frontier cavalry shadowed immediately, no attack.
Trailing behind or flanking, paralleling Ganzhou Army.
By late morning, Ganzhou gongs rang; flanking Northern Frontier cavalry formed charge array.
“Roar roar roar!”
Thousands of Northern Frontier cavalry thundered across land like stars.
Nearing Ganzhou Army, they split two ways, fanning out.
“Swish~”
Countless arrows rained into Ganzhou array.
One volley of long-range shots, then Northern Frontier cavalry withdrew to safety.
“Bastards!”
Watching calm-retreating Northern Frontier cavalry, panicked chaotic Ganzhou soldiers—Mi Qin Tiele near exploded.
Northern Frontier bandits, daring such bullying!
“Order: cavalry charge, kill them.” Mi Qin Tiele bellowed.
Soon Ganzhou cavalry sortied toward Northern Frontier cavalry.
Northern Frontier cavalry no lingering, retreated promptly.
Luring Ganzhou cavalry from main force.
Soon Ganzhou cavalry fled back disheveled.
Ambushed by Northern Frontier cavalry encirclement; commander quick retreat spared greater loss.
Stunned Mi Qin Tiele further.
Realized Northern Frontier Army’s terror beyond his cope.
Thenceforth, Northern Frontier Army rotated small detachments for nightly harassment.
Days, flanked shadowing, feinting attacks.
Exhausting Ganzhou Army.
Original three-day return to Ganzhou City.
Now five days, not halfway.
Ganzhou Army top to bottom weary, nerves taut— one spark to collapse.
Fifth day, sixty li from Ganzhou City, Li Xiao ordered general assault.
In dark gold dragon-pattern cotton armor, golden cloak draped, “shing” drew cavalry saber.
Resilient face cold, bellowed: “Banner forward!”
“Attack!”
