Chapter 300: The Eternal Blue Sky Abandons Temüjin, Blood Stains The Onon River
“Woo woo woo woo~”
On this morning, the low ox horn sounded in the Kiyan tribe camp.
The Kiyan tribe soldiers were still gnawing on hard dried meat. They had never had such treatment before; it was only yesterday that meals began to improve, with meat at every meal.
But before they could finish eating, the horn sounded, instantly causing an uproar.
“Northern Frontier Army is coming.”
“Stop eating, Northern Frontier People’s cavalry is coming soon.”
“Quick, pick up weapons, meet the enemy.”
The camp was filled with shouts of the Northern Frontier Army’s arrival. Soldiers hurriedly stuffed the hard dried meat into their clothes or crammed it into their mouths and chewed desperately.
They scrambled to grab weapons nearby, their expressions full of undisguised panic.
“Form ranks! Form ranks now!”
Centurions from various tribes waved spears, roaring at the panicked soldiers, though their own faces were full of grimness.
After all, this was the Northern Frontier Army!
The Northern Frontier Army that destroyed the Naiman tribe, heavily crippled the Kereit tribe, and now stirred up a storm of blood and gore across the Grassland.
No Grassland soldier could remain calm.
Under the command of centurions and tribal leaders from various tribes, soldiers mounted war horses and clumsily gathered together, forming ranks on the Grassland.
They were uneven and disorganized, a complete rabble, in stark contrast to the Northern Frontier Army gradually approaching in the distance.
“Boom boom boom boom~”
The low rumble of hoofbeats grew clearer, like muffled thunder rolling in the depths of the Grassland.
Forty thousand elite iron cavalry fully armed, wearing cloth armor that gleamed with a cold aura under the sunlight, golden sun and moon battle flags fluttering in the wind, exuding supreme dignity.
Like a flood of steel, steadily advancing forward.
On both sides of the formation, over twenty thousand Grassland tribe auxiliary troops were equally high-spirited, advancing slowly in a fan formation.
This massive army stretched endlessly, covering the entire Grassland, as if it could flatten all obstacles ahead.
As the Northern Frontier Army’s golden sun and moon battle flag drew closer, like a blazing flame, it pressed down oppressively.
The faces of the Kiyan tribe allied forces soldiers were already full of grimness.
Everyone gripped their weapons tightly, eyes fixed ahead, hearts pounding wildly in their chests, as if about to burst out the next second.
After all, this was the Northern Frontier Army that terrified the Northern Desert tribes!
Whether in aura or weapon equipment, it was enough to be called the world’s top elite.
In contrast, the Grassland soldiers’ weapons were far too outdated.
Most wore tattered leather armor and crude weapons; some lacked even leather armor, fighting bare-chested.
Their weapons were just sharpened wood, a glaring gap compared to the Northern Frontier Army’s fine equipment.
Just as the Northern Frontier Army advanced to about five li, it suddenly halted.
Soldiers methodically fed fine grain to war horses, while some switched to spare combat horses.
Because they had already pinned down Temüjin’s tail, knowing this Grassland allied army was in the bag, to be taken whenever they chose.
Naturally, they would wait for their soldiers and war horses to recover to peak condition before launching the decisive battle.
In the Kiyan tribe army, Temüjin wore iron armor captured from the Kereit tribe, a white tasseled helmet on his head, gazing gravely at the distant Northern Frontier Army.
He sighed lightly to Jelme beside him: “Northern Frontier iron cavalry truly is the world’s most elite cavalry.”
“Look at their ranks—perfectly uniform in step when advancing, no disorder when halting to rest, disciplined movement, each soldier in their role.”
“Such discipline, such bearing—even the Grassland’s most elite cavalry can hardly match it.”
Jelme said nothing, as Temüjin just wanted someone to vent his emotions to, not truly discuss the Northern Frontier Army’s elite status.
With that, Temüjin slowly tilted his head to the sky, praying silently in his heart.
“Eternal Blue Sky bless us, protect these Grassland children.”
“I dare not hope to break the Northern Frontier Army head-on; I only pray the ambushes work, that the straw men can temporarily deceive them.”
“If we repel the Northern Frontier Army, I offer a hundred fattest rams, lead tribesmen to sacrifice around Burkhan Khaldun for three days.”
“If we win, the Grassland survives—our descendants can still graze this land, drink sweet horse milk wine!”
At that moment, his younger brother Hasar sent a messenger: “Great Khan, Hasar leader suggests we launch an offensive while the Northern Frontier Army rests, catching them off guard.”
Temüjin pondered, eyes sweeping over soldiers in tattered leather robes nearby, their fear plain on their faces.
At this moment, a proactive offensive could indeed restore some morale.
Perhaps even score results while the Northern Frontier Army was not yet settled.
Thus, Temüjin took a deep breath, eyes resolute: “At this point, retreat is impossible. We can only fight for it.”
“May the Eternal Blue Sky show mercy, grant us a chance at survival.”
With that, Temüjin ordered the offensive horn blown.
“Woo woo woo woo~”
The desolate, urgent horn echoed across the Grassland, like the Wolf King of the Steppe’s charge command.
Hasar drew his saber, shouting to his subordinates: “Warriors, Northern Frontier People have bullied our Grassland too long.”
“They kill our brothers, plunder our cattle and sheep, ravage our women.”
“Today is the day for revenge.”
“Kill one Northern Frontier soldier, Temüjin Great Khan rewards ten sheep.”
“Kill one Northern Frontier general, Temüjin Great Khan appoints him Noyan, eternal riches.”
“Warriors, kill!”
Words done, Hasar charged first toward the Northern Frontier Army.
Hearing these rewards, many impoverished Grassland soldiers were tempted.
Though Northern Frontier iron cavalry was demonized across the Grassland as extremely formidable, they still had two shoulders and one head.
At most, just clad in armor.
“Kill them.”
“Kill!”
“Charge, and we’ll live carefree forever.”
Grassland soldiers roared, like a flood bursting a dam, waving sabers and spears, charging fiercely at the Northern Frontier Army positions.
Hoofbeats deafening, dust blotting the sky.
They roared, trying to mask inner fear with reckless bravery, using fearless spirit to shatter the Northern Frontier Army’s lines.
“Boom boom boom boom~”
In the Northern Frontier central army, countless Wuwei Army tightly guarded, golden sun and moon battle flag fluttering in the wind, fully displaying Northern Frontier strength.
As if any enemy under this battle flag was ant-like insignificance.
Li Xiao rode beneath the battle flag, in dark gold dragon pattern cloth armor, steadily watching the oncoming Grassland cavalry.
Then, Li Donghe from the front line sent a report: “Great Protector, many straw men found in Kiyan tribe allied forces rear, seems like bluffing.”
“Straw men?”
Li Xiao’s brow furrowed slightly, using the telescope on the Kiyan tribe formation.
He saw only half the cavalry charging, the rest stayed in the rear.
Northern Frontier telescope accuracy improved, on this clear-weather, open Grassland, sights within a dozen li clear as day.
Those “soldiers” on horseback utterly still—clearly straw men.
“Bluffing, Temüjin’s ploy to feign reinforcements?”
Kiyan tribe allied forces outnumbered by Northern Frontier Army, these extra straw men cavalry could indeed fool them temporarily.
But Temüjin hadn’t anticipated Northern Frontier Army’s telescope.
This was a Mongol ploy; in the Western Expedition’s Battle of Kuitian, Mongol army used straw men to scare Jalāl al-Dīn, yet were annihilated.
Li Xiao pondered briefly, then shook his head: “No, there are ambushes.”
Whether from tribal leaders’ secret messages or Northern Frontier scouts, Temüjin’s forces numbered around thirty thousand cavalry.
Even with straw men, just over thirty thousand.
So where were the other cavalry?
Thus, Li Xiao immediately ordered: “Send more scouts, thoroughly check fifty li on our left, right flanks, and rear—no trace overlooked.”
Then, without hesitation, he ordered the vanguard to attack.
“Woo woo woo woo~”
“Dong dong dong dong~”
Northern Frontier Army horn high-pitched, war drums resounding, echoing to the skies.
At the vanguard front, Divine Machine Camp centurions and captains shouted loudly.
“Hurry hurry hurry.”
“Cannonballs, load them.”
“Rear cannonballs, prepare.”
Shouts, footsteps, iron shots rolling into cannon barrels—friction sounds rose and fell at the front, a scene of bustle.
Pursuing Temüjin on forced cavalry march, Divine Might Cannons hard to move, so only many Tiger Zun Cannons brought.
Current Tiger Zun Cannons much improved—wheels removed, two cannon mounts supporting a bare cannon barrel.
Rear barrel base directly on ground, weight down from one hundred jin to seventy jin, easier transport.
One horse carriage holds five or six, saved space for more cannonballs.
Range greatly increased, up to over six hundred meters.
【Qijia Army Tiger Zun Cannon】
All ready, Grassland cavalry nearing, dust rolling, their roars audible.
Divine Machine Camp chiliarch drew cavalry saber, raised high overhead, shouting to subordinates: “Fire!”
Words done, artillery lit fuses swiftly.
“Boom! Boom! Boom!”
Thunderous blasts shook the Grassland.
Tiger Zun Cannons spewed orange-red flames, cannonballs whistling sharply toward Grassland cavalry clusters.
“Boom~”
First explosive shell burst in cavalry cluster, instantly iron nails, iron shards, stones rained out.
Frontmost Grassland cavalry flipped over, leather armor torn gaping wounds, blood mixed with minced meat splashing.
War horses panicked, front hooves rearing, throwing riders, then pained whinnies.
Rear cavalry couldn’t dodge, tripped by fallen horses, riders and mounts tumbling, formation instant chaos.
“Boom boom boom boom~”
More shells followed, explosions continuous, each with screams.
Iron nails piercing soldier flesh, iron shards severing war horse leg bones, stones smashing into war horse eyes.
Once-fierce charge turned slaughterhouse chaos in a blink.
“Ahhhhhhh~”
“My leg! My leg~”
“Someone save me! Please!”
“Father, don’t die, hold your neck, don’t die!”
“Intestines, stuff the intestines back.”
“Eternal Blue Sky! What’s happening? I don’t want to die!”
“Tengger is angry, Tengger sends thunder to destroy us.”
“Tengger Gur Khan is Tengger’s true envoy; opposing him, Tengger will kill us all.”
Screams, cries, pleas intertwined, echoing on blood-reddened Grassland, chilling to the bone.
From distant high slope, Temüjin witnessed it, struck like lightning, frozen in place.
Eyes wide, mouth agape, face full of horror, reins-gripping hand trembling uncontrollably.
Earlier, from Kereit people, he learned Northern Frontier Army had a terrifying weapon.
“That thing needs no soldier charge; just a distant boom claims countless lives.”
“Unlike bow and arrow needing aim, saber needing close combat, it’s like Eternal Blue Sky’s wrath, mercilessly poured on Grassland children.”
Temüjin then thought Kereit exaggerated to cover defeat incompetence.
Living on Grassland years, he couldn’t grasp such fearsome weapon power—clearly beyond human.
Never seen such weapon, but now Temüjin had to believe.
“This… what is this?”
Temüjin muttered, voice trembling in disbelief: “Sorcery? Or Eternal Blue Sky’s punishment?”
Watching soldiers fall in cannon fire, once-brave cavalry shrink in fear, heart filled with unprecedented confusion.
Thought Northern Frontier armor tough, weapons sharp enough to sweep Northern Desert Grassland; didn’t expect this weapon more terrifying.
What could Grassland cavalry use against it?
“How… how can there be such a powerful thing…”
“Our charge, our courage—worthless before it?”
He shook his head, eyes full of despair.
But next second, face twisted ferocious, turned to distant Onon River, low roar: “Eternal Blue Sky will protect us.”
“Onon River will help us.”
“We will defeat Northern Frontier People, we will!”
Meanwhile, Zhamuha and others on Northern Frontier flank watched the horror, faces terrified, many instinctively shrinking necks, gripping weapons tighter.
Zha Heganbu eyes bulging, mouth slightly open, face incredulous.
First time seeing such sight, heart pounding with each blast.
Without prior knowledge of Northern Frontier mystery weapon, might think Tengger’s roar.
“This… cannon power? Too terrifying!”
Watching Mongol cavalry fall in cannon fire, heart chilled.
Glad standing with Northern Frontier Army, glad marrying daughter to Li Xiao early, or his tribesmen might suffer now.
Nearby Zhamuha relatively calm, but shock undiminished in eyes.
After Battle of Kuitian, chased by Kiyan tribe army, fortunate aided by Northern Frontier Army, witnessed cannon terror.
Seeing again, overwhelming roar and cavalry devastation still shocked him.
He breathed deep, to Zha Heganbu: “See this cannon power—already astonishing.”
“But merely one Northern Frontier cannon type; they have bigger, more powerful ones unused.”
Zha Heganbu horrified: “More powerful than this? What sight?”
Zhamuha complex smile: “So Temüjin is doomed.”
Surrounding tribal leaders buzzed, words full of cannon awe and Temüjin pity.
Hearts glad initial choice; without joining Northern Frontier Army, they’d be cannon ghosts.
Cannon fire continued, explosions like death drums pounding every Grasslander heart.
Grassland allied army under cannon barrage, heavy casualties, near collapse.
For Grasslanders, thunder most feared—like deity punishment.
This mental deterrence broke many soldiers’ courage.
Even more war horses, hearing deafening booms, panicked, refusing to advance.
As vanguard commander, Li Donghe sharply scanned battlefield.
Seeing this, he ordered gravely: “Divine Machine Camp, cease fire.”
“Black Armored Army, attack.”
Post-expansion Six Garrisons, each with heavy cavalry myriad household commander: one thousand heavy armored cavalry, two thousand light cavalry support.
This Eastern Expedition four garrisons; Gansu Fourth Garrison heavy cavalry guarded Xia Kingdom, other three brought fully.
Li Xiao held First Division heavy cavalry in reserve; two thousand heavy cavalry to front under Li Donghe command.
“Woo woo woo woo~”
Special-frequency horn blew, battlefield deafening explosions gone, only Mongol cavalry wails and war horse whinnies.
Grassland cavalry terror-stricken from cannon barrage; seeing halt, many sighed relief, thinking torment ended.
Hasar preparing to regroup for attack, suddenly heard muffled thunder hoofbeats from Northern Frontier lines.
Growing louder, as if overturning the land.
“Boom boom boom boom~”
Looking up, two thousand black armored heavy cavalry like black tide, crashing toward them.
Knights in thick black armor, even war horses covered in hard plates, only eyes gleaming coldly and nostrils snorting visible.
Spears pointed forward, chilling gleam in sunlight, momentum vast—like mobile steel fortress.
Grassland cavalry instantly soul-scattered by aura, roaring in terror: “Armored Cavalry.”
“Black Armored Iron Cavalry!”
“Run! Crushed to pulp if hit!”
“Out of way! Let me through!”
“Tengger, why send us to die?”
“To mountain hollow! Run to mountain hollow!”
Grassland cavalry charge formation totally disintegrated, turning horses, fleeing madly rearward.
Entire force collapsed instant—shouts, whinnies, chaos, shoving, trampling; many fell under own hooves before heavy cavalry neared.
Black armored heavy cavalry unrelenting, rampaging through lines unhindered.
Spears wherever—riders and mounts tumbling.
Thick armor fearless of Grassland sabers, hooves left wreckage and wails.
Flowing blood streams snaked downhill, reddening Onon River banks, even clear river water tinged faint scarlet.
Zhamuha and others on flank watched black armored heavy cavalry flood shatter Grassland lines, all stunned speechless.
Zha Heganbu shocked, muttering: “Tengger…”
“Heavy cavalry power? Too terrifying—not battle, pure crushing!”
Nearby tribal leaders gasped, faces horrified.
“If charging us, not enough of us.”
“Good we side with Northern Frontier Army, or same fate.”
Chatter full of survivor relief and Northern Frontier strength awe.
Zhamuha’s gaze complex; though seen Northern Frontier might, such devastating charge still shook him.
He breathed deep, gravely: “Eternal Blue Sky abandoned Temüjin; his defeat is sealed.”
Then, distant hoofbeats—three Wuwei Army cavalry in yellow-base red-trim cloth armor galloped up.
Lead rider upright, holding palm-sized golden command flag, sun and moon emblem shining in sun, conspicuous.
Reining in, he called clearly to Zhamuha and others: “Tengger Khan orders: Temüjin main force collapsed, you tribes pursue and kill, let not Temüjin escape.”
Zhamuha and others composed shock, chests to hearts, respectfully chorusing: “Obey Tengger Khan’s order!”
In army clashes, hardest is breaking enemy formation—often at huge cost.
But once formation breaks, enemy scatters—prime for light cavalry to reap results.
Also stage of most kills and captives.
This moment, Zhamuha and others surged with indescribable excitement.
Tengger Khan merciful!
Northern Frontier Army chewed the hard bone of breaking lines, handing them chance for massive merits.
This trust and favor moved them.
Thus, Zhamuha and others no hesitation, drew sabers, led tribesmen charging Temüjin’s routed army.
“Kill!”
“Capture Temüjin alive, enfeoff myriad household commander!”
Meanwhile, Temüjin had anticipated Northern Frontier strength.
But seeing them shatter his allied army so utterly, heart still stormed with shock.
Yet facial horror instantly turned unusual calm.
Army collapse to him like shedding heavy burden.
No hesitation, he barked: “To upper reaches of Onon River, withdraw!”
《Qizhen Yecheng·Volume Six》 records, “For each cannon placed, set telescope to scout enemy distance; barrel ends embedded glass, sights four or fifty li away like arm’s length.”
Late Ming military master Bo Jue made military telescopes, mounted on cannons, scouting four or fifty li scenes.
