Chapter 1, Sharpening the Sword (7)
In the mottled light and shadow, row after row of foot soldiers fell like wheat straw in a torrential rain, their blood quickly pooling into small streams that flowed down the hillside
The first round of probing has concluded
More arrows flew into the breach, taking down more soldiers. However, it only took two or three breaths for the soldiers clad in black armor to regroup and seal the gaps in their formation. Before the crossbow on the hillside could be reloaded, the infantry commander in charge of the front line decisively issued a counterattack order, "Eighty paces ahead, prepare—fire!"
In the mottled light and shadow, clusters of soldiers in black uniforms crouched down like reeds swept by a fierce wind. Scarlet mist swirled upwards, carried by the moisture of the mountains, tinting the morning sky red
The sound of the horn was like the furious roar of the north wind, and the sound of the war drums resembled the rumble of thunder. Amidst the howling wind and the thunderous noise, approximately six crossbowmen hurriedly moved from the left flank to the front of their own formation. Aiming at the approaching enemy, they exerted themselves to shoot arrows and bolts.
The slaughter of today has only just begun
Once again, a wave of arrows and crossbow bolts flew from the hillside to the foot of the mountain. The pitch-black shield wall was shaken violently. "Boom!" "Boom!" "Boom!" Several ballistae positioned halfway up the mountain also began to exert their remaining power, shooting giant arrows over two zhang long and as thick as a bowl towards the enemy.
Most of the giant arrows veered off course, futilely sweeping over the heads of the enemy troops, eliciting waves of gasps. Only two or three struck the shield wall directly, impaling the dark green shields and the soldiers behind them together, continuing to fly backward. One, two, three, until all the accumulated force was dissipated by flesh, they crashed to the ground with a thunderous sound, leaving a bloody gash along the path they traversed
Wei City Camp, White Deer Camp, Lingqiu Camp, all advance forward, use bows and arrows to hold the formation! Yanjin Camp, Jizhou Camp, raise shields and move forward to protect our formation! The commander of the Wuying Army, Han Pu, turned a deaf ear to the cries and skillfully raised one brand new command flag after another
As the saying goes, when enemies meet, their eyes turn red with hatred. If it had not been for Zhao Yanshou leading the Khitan people, who then allied with Shi Jingtang to destroy the Later Tang, Wu Ruofu would not have abandoned his promising career as an officer in the Imperial Guard to become the leader of the Wagang stronghold. Moreover, if Han Pu had not previously served in the "Tang army" and had only surrendered to Liu Zhiyuan when he found himself in a desperate situation, he would not have remained unused for so many years. After finally securing the position of the Chief Commander, he ended up leading a group of makeshift bandits and outlaws.
Both sides exchanged blows without yielding to each other. The sky above grew increasingly dim and bright.
Ten years ago, both he and Wu Ruofu were among the "Ten Generals" of the Imperial Guard under the late Tang Emperor Li Congke, while Han Youding served as a "Dutou" under the rebel Zhao Yanshou. The two sides had engaged in fierce battles outside the city of Luoyang for several days, their battle robes stained crimson with the blood of enemies and comrades alike. Now, as the "old friends" meet again, Han Youding has become the commander overseeing a contingent of troops, while he and Wu Ruofu find themselves in contrasting positions: one still lingering in the role of a cavalry general, and the other having outright become a bandit leader ruling over a mountain.
Recently, he has been accompanying his father all day long, running around everywhere, making it quite rare for him to encounter a peer. Therefore, after discovering that the chubby boy's skills were not very refined and his reactions were rather slow, he secretly pleaded with his father, hoping that the latter would give Ning Yanzhang special consideration during battles. However, Han Pu, upon hearing this, gave him a severe reprimand and refused to show any leniency.
The effectiveness of the shooting was generally mediocre, but the attack rhythm of the Black Crow Army was clearly disrupted. Soon, a deep sound of a bullhorn echoed from behind the shields. Immediately, the entire formation quickly widened and thinned. More shields were raised above their heads, rapidly forming a black shield wall at the forefront. Behind the shield wall, thousands of crossbows were swiftly drawn back.
However, in front of the two armies, it is certainly not a suitable place to teach one's own son. Soon, Han Pu's attention was drawn to the distant troop that had come from afar.
Before me, the soldiers clad in black appeared, under the somber crimson clouds, resembling a flock of crows vying for carrion, overwhelming in their numbers. Within the ranks, the banners of various divisions—battalions, armies, commands, and units—were layered upon one another, distinctly marked by their hierarchical order.
General Han has issued an order! The entire archery and crossbow unit of the Chenzhou camp is to engage in battle!
Knock knock knock, knock knock knock, knock knock knock
Swish swish swish swish swish swish
General Han has issued an order! The entire archery and crossbow unit of the Chenzhou camp is to engage in battle!
Hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo
Note 1: During the Five Dynasties period, due to the rapid succession of dynasties, there was a mixture of Han and Hu cultures. Consequently, the military system was exceptionally chaotic. Generally, under the Jiedushi (military governor), there were cavalry or infantry units, and beneath these, there were left and right flanks. Below the flanks, there were divisions referred to as "the * army" or "** army". Under the army, there were commanders; beneath the commanders, there were "Du" units, and under the "Du" units, there were "Huo" or "Shi" units. However, each dynasty and each Jiedushi had its own system, which varied significantly. Under the army, there were commanders; beneath the commanders, there were "Du" units, and under the "Du" units, there were "Huo" or "Shi" units. However, each dynasty and each Jiedushi had its own system, which varied significantly.
"As you command!" Han Chongyun replied cheerfully, riding closer to Ning Yanzhang, his face displaying the unique enthusiasm of youth
The sky at the foot of the mountain suddenly darkened. The approaching enemy troops clearly paused for a moment, then raised countless shields covered with cowhide. In an instant, the front shields were filled with dense arrows, resembling a wheat field just harvested in midsummer. Following this, wails arose on both sides of the shields, blood splattered, and a dozen lives fell to the ground.
Call!
The black rain of arrows suddenly came to a halt, and the deep sound of the horn resounded once more, "Woo woo woo woo—woo woo woo—woo woo woo!"
Ah—! "" Ya—! "" Spare my life—! "" The cries of despair were incessant. Dozens of soldiers who had narrowly escaped death under the enemy's arrows quickly became the victims of the executioners.
Call!
Perhaps just a brief quarter of an hour
... ...
Two hundred carefully selected sword and shield soldiers quickly formed ranks and advanced forward, encountering the panicked and disoriented fleeing soldiers, they struck them down with a single blow.
He did not dare to complain about Han Puxin's ruthlessness, for there are laws of the state and rules of the family. Even in a bandit camp, those who flee in the face of danger will not meet a good end. However, in this wave, all those who died were brothers he had worked hard for many years to gather, including two chieftains who were his sworn friends. The brothers had originally thought they could seek wealth and honor together, but unexpectedly, in the blink of an eye, they were separated by life and death.
Swish swish swish swish swish swish
The newcomer is not to be trifled with! Wu Ruofu, the commander of the Wagang Camp, turned around and reminded with a hint of unease. He was an old soldier, and he could almost discern the weight of a certain army at a glance.
For both sides, it feels as long as ten thousand years of time
"Supervisory Combat Team, clear the front line, uphold military discipline!" Han Pu's face showed not a trace of frustration. He raised his eyes to look ahead at the formation and shouted loudly
Brothers, come here, come here! No, please don't kill, don't kill! I beg you, don't, don't kill, don't breach our formation!" He Sanwei, the commander of the Chenzhou camp, rode his horse to the side of the supervising troops, crying and shouting.
Wuwuwu, wuwu, wuwuwu—! Right across, there are also sobbing sounds harmonizing with the cries. The troops of Weicheng, Bailu, Lingqiu, Yanjin, and Jizhou, who have just transformed from green forest heroes into the valiant soldiers of the Han army, are also slowly retreating, leaving behind a dazzling expanse of red
***
Having said that, he seized a brown-yellow regimental flag and a triangular flag adorned with a bow and arrow from the arms of his bodyguard, raising them high above his head and waving them left and right
"It is Han Youding, our old acquaintance. Ten years ago, we had a confrontation with him outside the city of Luoyang!" Han Pu smirked and revealed with a smile. "The scouts had already informed me it was him. How many incense sticks have I burned before the Buddha, just to finally await the day to confront him again!"
Swish swish swish swish swish swish
Wuwuwu, wuwuwu, wuwuwu
Ah! Dozens of archers lie in pools of blood, rolling and wailing. Scarlet blood splashes everywhere through the thin leather armor, gushing like a spring.
The surrounding comrades were taken aback by the sudden blow, rendered speechless and unsure whether to rescue their own partners or continue firing at the enemy. Meanwhile, those leaders, both big and small, who were filled with ambitions of achieving great deeds, turned pale, their eyes glazed over, and their legs trembled uncontrollably as if they had been struck by a cramp
The named camp leader swiftly stepped forward, either raising a wooden shield that was more than half a person tall to block the black feathered arrows flying from the mountains below, or drawing a horn bow, a bamboo bow, and various types of single-person crossbows to shoot vengeful arrows at the enemy troops
The black army slowly retreated, leaving behind hundreds of corpses with unclosed eyes
Goodness, a rabbit has been raised in the weasel's den. What sins did I, Han, commit in my past life? Looking at his son’s joyful demeanor, Wu Yingjun, the commanding officer Han Pu, couldn't help but gently furrow his brow
He certainly would not give special care to Ning Yanzhang simply because of the budding friendship between the two youths. In fact, at this moment, in his eyes, all of the more than 6,000 green forest heroes under his command combined are not as important as the young Fatty alone. And even if he were to unfortunately lose this battle, even if he were to lose all his troops, as long as he could return to Taiyuan with Fatty, he would undoubtedly be credited with merit and have no faults.
Wuwuwu, wuwuwu, wuwuwu
A chilling roar echoed from the foot of the mountain, a devilish exhalation. More black feathered arrows soared into the air, then swiftly descended. Nearly one-third of the soldiers of the Chenzhou camp fell into pools of blood. The remaining soldiers, without any prompting, let out a cry of despair and fled in panic.
Knock knock knock, knock knock knock, knock knock knock
A loud roar echoed, as if a devil were exhaling, followed by a violent gust of wind sweeping across the entire hillside. Black feathered arrows poured down like a deluge from the foot of the mountain to the ridge, shattering the Chenzhou camp, which was preparing to launch its third round of attacks into pieces.
More than twenty trusted aides brought by Han Pu from Taiyuan raised their voices, repeatedly echoing the commander’s orders. Meanwhile, the messenger urged the steeds along the specially designated passage to deliver the command arrows to the left wing of the army, the Chenzhou camp. The drummers raised their horns and waved their drumsticks, spreading the fervent battle call throughout the entire army
At last, the dark clouds in the sky could no longer tolerate the bloody scent rising from the ground. Suddenly, with a "whoosh," they scattered in all directions. A myriad of rays of dawn light suddenly shot down from above, scorching the eyes of everyone present
At this moment, the call to emphasize military discipline finally echoed behind the督战队. Cold and harsh, devoid of any human emotion, "Clear the front, retreat to the camp. Those who dare to shout and rush about will be killed without mercy"
Hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo
Swish swish swish swish swish swish
Note 2: The cavalry commander, referred to as the "rider commander," typically commands four hundred cavalrymen. Each infantry commander oversees five hundred infantry soldiers. The ten commanders, known as the "ten generals," are the lowest-ranking officers.
He had originally been in despair, preparing to secretly find a way within his means to provide some protection for the chubby boy. However, he never expected that his father would ultimately soften his heart and change his mind at the last moment.
Their arms have begun to tremble, their eyes have become dry and painful, yet none of them is willing to give up. They are all betting, gritting their teeth and wagering that the other will collapse before they do, that the other will flee in panic before they do
Old grievances and new hatreds surged in his eyes, as Wu Ruofu shook the reins of his warhorse, preparing to take the initiative to charge into battle. However, Han Pu, the commander of the Wuying Army, stepped in first with a hand gesture to stop him, and once again spoke in a low voice: "Do not rush, good steel must be used on the blade. The cavalry should remain still; let the archers of the Chenzhou Camp test the enemy's strength first"
No one has the time to count how many people have died in this moment on both sides No one can predict when this face-to-face shooting will come to an end The archers on the mountains and in the valleys are gritting their teeth, continuously sending their arrows into the air Relentlessly killing each other or being killed by the other side