Chapter 217: Martial Virtue From Inside Out
In the 3rd year, 6th month of the Tong Zheng Calendar, in the Wu Family’s official records, Xuan Chong led the army in battle against the rebelling Horned People in this region at Da Po. Hence it is called the “Battle of Da Po”.
The accompanying military historian recorded: “In the Battle of Da Po, Gold Horn gathered his forces to attack, but they were no match for the Yao Army; corpses littered dozens of miles, and they retreated in disarray to Storm City.”
Along the way, Wu Ling led the cavalry troops in relentless pursuit attacks. This young man from the North was now extremely proactive in performing. He experimented with several cavalry battle tactics he had learned in school before, and now he was using the “Wolf Attack” battle tactic,
Compared to the wall-style charge that hard-collides to crush the opponent, the Wolf Attack battle tactic is a tactic specialized in driving away fleeing soldiers, that is, constantly sticking behind the enemy, occasionally performing pincer attacks from both flanks, creating a sense of urgency of “encircle three, leave one open”, making the enemy continuously abandon their comrades and flee quickly.
After chasing for five kilometers, Wu Ling no longer used bow and arrow. Arrows were too expensive; he directly led the troops using horsepower to charge to within five meters behind the enemy and throw javelins.
On horseback, Wu Ling held his head high, narrowed his eyes with the spear tip as the point, aimed at the target, then slowly raised the spear tip.
A five-meter-tall giant Horned Person was staggering ahead in flight; this Horned Person’s calf was already full of a series of bloody holes, and as the hooves approached, this huge Horned Person turned in fear, wildly swinging a wooden plank unknown from somewhere, trying to block the long spear whistling from behind.
However, it did not block it; Wu Ling had strong arm strength, and the javelin pierced into its calf again. It directly knelt down.
A group of cavalry split into two columns and flanked to its sides, and in fearful roars, five long spears pierced solidly into him.
Before the Horned Person could retaliate in pain, the cavalry galloped away, and the weapon thrown by the Horned Person smashed into empty space. Immediately after, the Horned Person struggled to pull out the long spears from his body, and blood flowed out like opening the cap of a mineral water bottle.
After another hundred steps, it fell down. Wu Ling had everyone thrust a few more times with long spears. Then he whistled for the military police behind to come count, while he led the cavalry to continue the strong assault.
And under such merit counting, Gold Horn hastily retreated back to Storm City.
…Opening…
Ten days later, at the Griffin City Alliance, large numbers of Feather Tribe members who had fled from Storm City and Griffin City arrived at Griffin City.
For a time, the docks outside Griffin City were piled full of large numbers of small boats from the seaside, just like dead fish piled up on the shore due to lake eutrophication.
These Feather Tribe commoners coming ashore needed fresh water and firewood, so as long as a city could provide them such shelter, they would return. The few days of drifting at sea had filled their bodies with a fishy smell.
Large numbers of Feather Tribe commoners were a bit uneasy about Griffin City now being occupied by foreign races. But their fresh water was running low, and some leaves they had to chew were also insufficient, so they had to come ashore.
Mu Yun Kuohai, leading the noble team he had gathered, lightly leaped on the ship masts, spread silk wings to signal the Feather Tribe kin: each should dock their ships in the dock area without crowding.
The Feather Tribe commoners saw these wings that could hover independently and cheered for the king. They did not know what Mu Yun Kuohai’s background was, nor where the original kingly family of Griffin City and Storm City had gone after the chaos; they only knew that wings spread over four zhang and able to freely hover meant a king.
These Feather Tribe members cheered one after another that Griffin City would be led forward by a new king.
With Mu Yun Kuohai’s passionate and uplifting speech announcing that the army would reclaim Storm City, these Feather Tribe commoners also expressed they wanted to join in. Of course, the commoners were also curious why Mu Yun Kuohai and the nobles were with the foreign race’s army corps?
But what of it? As long as Storm City could be reclaimed and everyone could return to live in their own cities, Mu Yun Kuohai was the new king.
…Wings flapping on the seaport, bricks and tiles being built on the east side of Griffin City…
In Griffin City, a brick and tile structured merchant guild was being built. In the year Xuan Chong broke through Thorn Ridge, he rode mecha multiple times returning north during farming seasons, each appearance throwing out news of southern region produce.
Northern merchants heard about the extreme southern situation. After a year of preparation, the merchant groups began transporting prepared materials to Lingnan and slowly bringing silk and ceramics all the way south to here.
Now merchants appeared on Feather Tribe territory; these merchants looked around in the Feather Tribe city-states, then carefully stepped into the Feather Tribe city-state markets wearing toothed wooden clogs.
Why wear wooden clogs? Feather Tribe gathering areas have no ground tiles; their streets are a large net made of thick ropes, and Feathered People move back and forth stepping on the net. As for garbage, it’s all thrown under the net ropes; and every day the Feather Tribe lets in seawater with the tide, accumulated in puddles upstream of the market, periodically flushing, so the garbage on the streets washes into the sea.
Yao Person merchants naturally lack the ability to walk steadily on the net, but using wooden clogs they can repeatedly lift and place on the grid to slowly walk.
For Yao Person merchants, doing business in foreign lands means when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Everyone is here for the “jewelry”, “exotic shells”, and “dragon bone”.
In the two-story merchant guild built of red bricks, Xuan Chong went upstairs, with Wu Ling accompanying at the side.
Xuan Chong favored this guy very much because he was very tall and burly, a good seedling similar to Wu Hengyu; for this, Xuan Chong gave him a courtesy name: Hongguang.
Xuan Chong: “Hongguang, are you used to the food here?”
Wu Ling: “Replying to my lord, although it’s all fish food here, I can eat it.”
Xuan Chong: “As long as you can eat it, eat well. By the way, among the merchants coming south this time, is anyone coming through your channels?”
Wu Ling paused; he had heard at home that Wu Fei separated the army from local commerce and did not like them mixing together.
Wu Ling: “My lord, some people came to me, but I refused them all.”
Xuan Chong: “In this foreign country, you don’t need to avoid nepotism in recommending talent; recommend a few people to me, I’m short a few regular envoys here.”
Wu Ling scratched his head: “My lord, I have no ability to recognize people.”
Xuan Chong: “Then appoint by favoritism; tell me whoever you find pleasing to the eye, and I’ll select.” Then he added, “I can’t drag you over to be governor; your family would curse me to death.”
Wu Ling: “Uh, me? Me.”
Xuan Chong: “In a few months, I’ll take you back north. You, pick a griffin here as your mount. To be honest, the most appealing resource here to me is griffins, and lightwood (materials for wind-riding flying ships and sky boats).”
For this place, after crushing the Horned People, leaving an embassy, the entire southward strategy line could be wrapped up.
Xuan Chong looked at the distant Da Yao merchants holding their heads high and chatting and laughing. And this proud posture was the greatest achievement of this southward expedition!
In Da Yao that place, no matter how badly the under heaven fought, as the core group of the “deer-chasing victors” continuously expanded, the cake grew bit by bit, and Zhao Cheng’s group’s morale kept rising.
In contrast, his side, occupying several provinces had accumulated a large population, but the internal group’s morale was weak.
Xuan Chong: What is most important for a corner of land to withstand under heaven! A corner of land must have the morale to contend with under heaven! With this morale, it will not degenerate.
For this, Xuan Chong continuously expanded southward. By advancing the front lines outward, increasing trade scale, arranging large numbers of administrative personnel and substantial military ranks tied to land, letting his hundreds of core members, tens of thousands of mid-tier, and millions of citizens also feel that their side’s “momentum” was growing.
In short, in the eastern chicken dinner circle, simply holing up at home waiting for everywhere to fight to mutual destruction is impossible.
During the process of squatting and holing up, although you can develop one place’s economy; but because when holing up, the group internally lacks positions for development, leading to insufficient reserves of administrative and military talent, the reserve cadres originally for “holing up” will run to other families, preparing to gain positions governing local areas by defecting.
That is, “fighting into Chang’an” is easier than “examining into Chang’an”.
A force to ensure its own talent reserves are “prosperous” — those raised only by economy are just official advisors like “Shaoxing masters” to handle officialdom matters. True talent reserves are “practical tempering”.
Xuan Chong was a southward push all the way. Don’t think now it’s reached the advance limit, with only four hundred soldiers following him to watch the sea.
But along the way arranging merchant stations, expanding land for farming, involving migration of hundreds of thousands of people, life paths for millions. Disciples from poor families in multiple western provinces were bound to the expansion of related industry and commerce, rather than in vain pursuits like harsh officials “managing the countryside”.
These capable people are now all working for Xuan Chong! Accepting merit evaluations. Accompanying Xuan Chong, waiting together for Xuan Chong to stun the world.
…Pursue the remaining brave to chase the exhausted enemy…
July 5th, Xuan Chong led two thousand Feather Tribe allied army, among which three hundred were his own Yao Tribe troops, the rest all gathered Feathered People.
Mu Yun Kuohai was responsible for restraining these cannon-fodder Feather Tribe troops, making them hold longbows with light arrows, carry shields and stand far off; their main task was still to prompt the army how to take Storm City.
And the Feather Tribe side also knew the Yao Person situation. Facing the strong allied army, some local Feather Tribe noble forces had “begun” to recognize Da Yao this northern ally.
However, just as these noble forces were preparing to “equally” interact with the northern foreign people, their mindset was reshaped again by War Kui’s appearance.
Two War Kuis were sent by Gongshu Wang and charged into the Storm City battlefield.
Many Feather Tribe members were horrified watching this single-track, two landing gear big wheels, steaming monster advancing with a whoosh.
Under Storm City, as Horned People bared claws and teeth on the city wall, the steam monster advanced firmly under shooting from various trebuchets and ballistas.
As friendly Feather Tribe members watched, the specialized siege War Kui swung a five hundred kilogram big iron ball, one after another, like rat incisors gnawing a threshold, demolishing the city wall.
Among the Horned People, a few tried to swarm the steam monster relying on numbers to find its weakness, but ended up driven back by cavalry with firearms.
After the city wall collapsed, War Kui broke through the wall, Horned People fled in chaos, the Yao Army did not go to the breach but carried ladders to the city wall with troops.
Feather Tribe cities are different from Da Yao, not centered on city walls but on towers, their city walls are very thin. The top is only a goat path, Horned People on it were like walking a tightrope.
After seeing the city wall breached, Xuan Chong held back Wu Ling who wanted to charge straight in, first set up ladders on the wall, Feather Tribe allies climbed up, then along the wall connections, attacked those few towers.
Feather Tribe cities are adapted for Feather Tribe members; most of their wings cannot fly, but on this small city wall they can maintain balance. As for why Yao Army carries ladders! Feather Tribe stamina is poor, execution too slow.
Mu Yun Kuohai then received orders, raised the flag high, letting the Feather Tribe ranks charge up to seize other sections of the city wall.
Those Feather Tribe allied soldiers, seeing Horned People unable to withstand a single blow under War Kui’s assault, had greatly boosted morale. And hearing that those who climbed the wall to fight would be rewarded one silver coin, they flocked to join Mu Yun Kuohai’s team, flapping wings to climb up the ladders set by the Yao Army.
Feather Tribe members swarmed, flapping wings to glide onto the city wall, then climbed to the high buildings on the city wall to fight Horned People; this black mass like hornets from the nest, on the aerial high towers, Horned People were all kicked down by Feathered People. And even if Feather Tribe fell off the city wall, they could still flap to maintain balance and land steadily.
Xuan Chong’s corps ignored the Feather People and Horned People killing on the city wall, thrusting into the city like a dagger.
After Storm City’s defensive works were all taken, Xuan Chong dispatched the cavalry corps to charge into the city, openly raising the Wu Family’s “Vermilion Bird Star Phase” great flag.
Gold Horn’s troops were gradually compressed within the city.
…Another force with uncertain friendliness…
At this time on the sea outside Storm City, there was a fleet of five ships; this was the fleet sent by the Southern Feather People Alliance, and Ka Wu was here.
The two princes were also in the fleet. They were now “suspicious-looking” reinforcements.
Half a month ago, the Southern Alliance endlessly quarreled over “whether to send troops north” because the Horned People rebellion scale was too large, and they were also in rebellion.
The kings of various city-states repeatedly discussed the question of “how many troops to dispatch here?” because sending few was simply unwinnable.
But after the Southern Feather People Alliance heard that the “newly risen king” Mu Yun Kuohai and northern allies were allying at Griffin City Alliance to strike Gold Horn together, and began assembling forces to press on Storm City, they immediately sent a corps to take a look.
Mi Ke gazed at the northern Vermilion Bird flags rising on the distant city battlement, and Griffin City’s flags, muttering: “They’ve already taken it?”
Xun Feier: “Since that’s the case, we should also take a look.”
Before coming, the two had already decided: if Mu Yun Kuohai failed to take Storm City, they would immediately appear, in alliance name win over Griffin City nobles to detach from Mu Yun Kuohai and welcome back Lu Er Ge.
If Mu Yun Kuohai took the city but was mutually wounded with Horned People, then they would appear to apply pressure, acknowledging the status of the Kaier Family (Lu Er Ge’s family).
But if Mu Yun Kuohai took the city and his forces remained very strong; then give praise and pull this emerging force into their own camp.
This was the complex “noble conspiracy” tradition among Feather Tribe city-states, a culture vastly different from the ritual law strict Da Yao.
In Da Yao, private conspiring between local forces was disloyal behavior; even if there was conspiring, if not closely reliable interests like children’s marriages or family interest ties, there was worry of leaks during private conspiring.
Over time, in Da Yao, “private plotting” was “shameful”; even if there were real private ties, they were covered up, not admitted, outwardly proclaiming “gentlemen are open and upright”.
Xuan Chong himself maintained the “public”, dispatching Security Bureau to watch the mutual hookups below.
But Feather Tribe city-states never had a “central rule” concept; even in historical periods with extremely powerful city-states as leaders, they could not control private conspiring below.
…Sunshine shining everywhere…
When the city was thoroughly breached, Xuan Chong’s side also discovered the sea situation, immediately summoning Xi Yuan, that is, Lu Er Ge’s sister, who was the one who earlier sought aid here and promised to help tame griffins.
On the matter of marrying Mu Yun Kuohai, Xi Yuan showed resistance, but Xuan Chong promised her a kingly bloodline reward once, and she agreed.
Of course the Feather Tribe side was very open; her agreement was limited to bearing one son with Mu Yun Kuohai to inherit Griffin City, and after completing this task, she would choose her own free life.
Xuan Chong was “extremely shocked” by this but showed understanding. Don’t expect such a “bloodline supreme” culture that even allows blood relative marriages to have any concept of ethics or chastity. At least not yet like Sassanid Persia with “sacred marriage” customs.
Xi Yuan, with her large wings folded, knelt before Xuan Chong, and after confirming he was a divine envoy, she revered him just like that.
By the way, at first she wanted to kiss his toes, but was stopped by Xuan Chong.
Xuan Chong: “That fleet on the sea might be your allies; signal them to come over.”
Xi Yuan looked at those sails and flags on the sea and said to Xuan Chong: “They are families from the Southern Alliance; their purpose in coming here is not to help us.”
Xi Yuan raised her head and gazed at Xuan Chong with pure eyes; to this Xuan Chong stroked her forehead and said: “I don’t hope they help, but let them first recognize the situation.”
Xuan Chong issued the order: “Invite them over to properly see how Storm City was reclaimed.”
…Deterrence…
When Mi Ke sailed the ships closer, nine-headed birds flew over from the city side.
These five ships of one hundred to two hundred tons immediately maneuvered sails to form a ship formation. And used onboard ballistas to stand guard.
Ka Wu rode a griffin to meet them, but saw Guiche stop a thousand steps away, and the handler on Guiche’s back jumped down, spreading huge wings to approach.
Ka Wu stared fixedly at his home kingdom’s princess’s dazed expression.
Xi Yuan’s wings grew larger; this was the feature of royal bloodline awakening. He saluted the princess he was loyal to. Then glanced at the giant bird hovering in the distance, worrying if the princess had been hijacked.
Xi Yuan gazed at this knight who had protected her since childhood, and following his gaze said: “You don’t need to worry; this is my war beast.”
Xi Yuan: “Have the Langjuan Family and Taiyangci Family people come over; the divine envoy lord hopes you directly witness how Storm City was reclaimed.”
