Chapter 7: The Defense and Offense of the Chaste Woman

Within the military, there are military doctors. In the group of masters from the Western Regions, there is a clever Kyrgyz named Le Zhuanpeng, who is a renowned shaman and is skilled in traditional healing methods. Of course, there is also the infamous Dr. Longying.

A little more than half an hour before dawn, the sound of hooves suddenly erupted, shaking the northwestern edge of the oasis, and quickly moving towards the enemy camp located seven to eight miles away

Long Ying leisurely took out the folded bow he had stored in his sheepskin coat, and with his empty hand received the four exquisite long arrows exclusively crafted by the Tianshan clan, saying: "Your Excellency is very modest"

At the moment when the standoff continued until dawn, a large stone connected to a rope fell from the sky, striking violently above the nearest lookout, on the cover made of wooden branches

Long Ying said to Jun Huai Pu: "Brother Jun, please allow me to express the thoughts in my heart on behalf of my younger brother."

The opponent's main force has also begun to advance, employing a correct strategy by leveraging superior troop strength to first reclaim three strategic high grounds

The lid shattered into four or five pieces, killing one person below. The other two attempted to crawl out, but two arrows fell silently from above, piercing the sides of their heads, killing them instantly.

The Wilderness Dance: "Indeed, it is a clever move. When the enemy's main general realizes that we have abruptly halted in the middle of the oasis, he may think we are resting to catch our breath, which could lead to a significant possibility of his troops launching an attack."

In an instant, the enemy had no idea what had happened, nor did they know how to respond

The Dragon Eagle displayed his signature skill of single-handedly wielding an arrow, saying: "Everyone look! In the back, there is a big bearded man who is the only one speaking, while no one else dares to utter a word; he must be the commander. Everyone stay put; I will go alone to take his head. Ha! I misspoke! The young master is on the left flank, and Brother Mi is on the right flank. Yuan Wu, Huai Pu, Brother Yi, and Yi Fu will take on the heavy responsibility of guarding the rear."

The horses took the opportunity to graze, enjoying their meal heartily. The fresh and tender green grass here is certainly far superior to the hay they carry, and it is imbued with the moisture from the earth below

Lin Zhuang said: "You consider us brothers, so what is there to fear or not fear? Back in the day, when I was just a small fry running around, Lord Eagle and the Young Master already regarded me as a brother."

At the moment when the Turkic warriors were all drawing their bows, nocking arrows, and holding spears and halberds in preparation for the impending strong attack from the enemy, the sound of hooves suddenly ceased, leaving one perplexed

After pondering for a moment, he said: "First, we will hold this critical strategic point and establish a strong formation. Then, we will create the illusion of a large force coming from the northwest with empty horses. The enemy will surely mobilize their entire army and prepare for battle. The next step is to lure them into attacking, thereby reversing the situation of host and guest."

Long Ying laughed heartily and said, "How can we allow them to wait until that moment?"

Everyone looked at Jun Huai with surprise, not expecting him to be so talented in military affairs

From this, it can be inferred that the situation regarding the crossbow should be similar to that of the border, and if circumstances permit, there will be a rebellion against the Turks to establish independence

With a whoosh, the first arrow was released from the fully drawn bow, followed by three more in quick succession, the sound of the strings snapping like firecrackers, seemingly without any time interval in between. Even Feng Guoting and Mi Nantian, who were well aware of his archery skills, felt dizzy and entranced, while the others could hardly believe their eyes. Only the phrase "extraordinarily skillful" could barely describe it.

At this time, there are still two hours until dawn. They set off one hour before sunset from the sunlit well on the other side of the oasis, making their way around to this side of the oasis. After walking for a full three hours, they endured the transition between the desert's heat and cold. Fortunately, they had rested sufficiently and had also covered the horses with sheepskin for warmth; otherwise, the horses might not have made it here.

The dragon eagle gazed at you with a simple heart and laughed, saying: "You've seen through this guy again!"

The battle cry changed, and the enemy cavalry unleashed their horses at full speed, sweeping across the mountains and fields to engage in combat. Although arrows fell to the ground among the people and horses, it did not in the slightest affect their momentum

As anticipated by the Dragon Eagle, the enemy commander, unable to comprehend their intricacies, surprisingly refrained from launching a direct and decisive attack against this "exhausted army." This was despite the fact that, in terms of terrain and troop strength, the enemy still held an overwhelming advantage.

An even more shocking event occurred for the Turks, as the same incident took place at two other lookout points. The Dragon Eagles and others ascended the hill closest to the enemy's defenses, less than three hundred zhang from the opposing front line

The camp of the Turks was immediately filled with the sound of alarm horns, and the warriors emerged from their tents swiftly and orderly, their morale soaring like a rainbow, living up to their formidable reputation

The road ahead will not be easy, but they have already made a very good start

The number of bandits is around 3,000, which is 2,000 fewer than the intelligence they received from the Tianshan tribe. It can be inferred that Bian Ao has dispatched a division, crossing a vast distance directly towards Hu'er

Long Ying exclaimed: "I have exposed you with a single sentence"

Ding Fumin spoke with great familiarity: "This is 'Yanyue Camp', located on the hillside, facing the plain, arranged along the river, forming a semicircle that protrudes towards us. Each part is interconnected, so no matter which side we attack from, there will be support from behind, making it convenient to defend the entire perimeter from any direction."

General Ding is highly skilled in military affairs

Long Ying pondered that Ding Fumin came from a military family, speaking of military strategy as a poet recites verses, as naturally as one discusses eating and sleeping.

At the command of the dragon eagle, arrows were released like rain, targeting the enemy who had approached within a distance of over one thousand steps

Four anguished cries rang out simultaneously, originating from four individuals positioned more than ten steps behind the front line, each situated in different locations, swaying east and west.

Fighting in the desert is the most arduous task; during the day, the heat is unbearable, and at night, the cold is so intense it feels like one might perish. The setting sun at the edge of the desert marks the watershed between day and night, with the temperature differences and sudden changes being distinctly clear.

Upon seeing the Dragon Eagle, everyone felt a sense of clarity and their heavy hearts were lifted, patiently awaiting further instructions

The wind passed through the courtyard, and in a bad mood, he said: "Could you say it more straightforwardly? Damn it!"

Everyone burst into laughter

Everyone carefully observes the enemy's situation

Long Eagle Path: "Because the sentry is hidden underground, do you see? On the nearest high hill from here lies a crucial stronghold that guards the throat. The Turks have dug a small pit that can accommodate several people, which should be lined with warm materials like sheepskin, covered with a lid, leaving only a gap for observation in all directions. They take turns on watch, and even the fish swimming in the Virgin River below cannot escape their notice"

Two thousand Turkic troops remained stationed at the camp of the virtuous maiden, with their tents concentrated in the broad southeastern area. Three days of desert travel had left the Turks utterly exhausted. After resting for several days, they barely recovered, and believing that the allied forces of the Great Zhou and Tubo had already fled to Hohhot, they set up sentries in various locations, seemingly waiting for instructions from above

This checkpoint is not easy to pass. There are two more high points in the distance; if there are similar facilities, the three hidden sentries can support each other. No wonder the enemy is so confident, as most of the camps are without lights

Mi Nan Tian narrowed his eyes, observing the enemy with a sharp glint. He said: "The enemy is on the move. We are prepared to counterattack immediately at dawn. The first target is the hilltop we occupy, and they will also cut off our reinforcements while feigning an attack on the other two high points"

Ding Fumin quickly showed humility and deference

Ding Fumin stated: "By merely observing the opponent's encampment, backed by a ridge that rises along the outer edge, with their tents set across the river, and in front, a slope with two camps situated between the riverbanks, one can discern that the opposing commander is well-versed in military strategy. They have established a camp within a camp and a formation within a formation, allowing for rapid response in the event of any changes."

Mi Nán Tiān Yà said: "Why is it that from here to the nearest tent, a full 3 miles away, there are no sentries to be seen?"

The desolate wilderness dance later stated: "Huaipu has never been a humble person; only Lord Eagle can make him humble"

The breeze passes through the courtyard, faintly saying: "You are quite perceptive."

The Virgin Oasis is located at the eastern edge of the Great Sand Sea, separated by hilly terrain, gravel plains, and honeycomb-like deserts, and is only a three-day camel ride from the grasslands where the elite troops are camped. The oasis is elongated in the shape of a gourd, approximately ten miles long, with its narrow end facing northwest, measuring only half a mile wide, while the broader southeastern end curves towards the grasslands, reaching a width of three miles. The Virgin River emerges from the ground near the narrow end, winding southeast and forming one large and two small lakes, surrounded by lush vegetation. The lakes are home to fish, and during spring and summer, they serve as a habitat for flocks of birds. The Virgin River collects from several underground water sources, ensuring a continuous flow of water throughout the year.

Dada said with a sigh: "I understand now."

Dada casually inquired, "Is there any significance to this method of establishing a camp?"

The wind passed by the courtyard and shook its head, saying: "What an exaggeration"

After grasping the situation at the oasis, Long Ying returned to Rizhao Well to deploy the battle for the oasis, treating it as a warm-up match before the tenfold attack on the Kandas Fortress, providing the young soldiers with another opportunity for real combat, with the goal of ensuring that not a single person from their side is lost. If this can be achieved, it would be more uplifting for morale than anything else

Jun Huaipiao nodded and said, "Understood!"

The Huer Oasis is located southwest of the Virgin, eighteen days' camel journey away. It lies in the center of the Great Sand Sea. Although it is deep within the desert, it is twice the size of the Virgin, circular in shape, and surrounded by mountain ranges that block the wind and sand

Long Ying felt fortunate in his heart as he observed the number of people and camels. The speed at which Xue Yantuo's strength was increasing was indeed astonishing. However, after suffering two heavy blows, his own momentum had been completely lost, significantly damaging the invincible image of Bian Ao. At least in terms of military strength, it had plummeted from a peak of over 7,000 to below 5,000, not accounting for future losses during the desert march. In the battle of the ancient castle, most of the soldiers lost by Bian Ao were his core elite, which was a heavy blow that was difficult to bear both in terms of strength and psychology. At least in terms of military strength, it had plummeted from a peak of over 7,000 to below 5,000, not accounting for future losses during the desert march. In the battle of the ancient castle, most of the soldiers lost by Bian Ao were his core elite, which was a heavy blow that was difficult to bear both in terms of strength and psychology.

The five hundred cavalry in the middle raised their shields and advanced at a slow pace, emitting eerie howls and roars like wolves and beasts, exuding a terrifying presence

Lord Eagle must have caused them to lose their patience, forcing them to adopt an offensive strategy instead of a defensive one

As soon as the words were spoken, the first long arrow was nocked onto the folding bow

Long Ying, Feng Guo Ting, Mi Nan Tian, Huang Yuan Wu, Jun Huai Pu, Guan Yi Fu, Hu Yi, Lin Zhuang, Ding Fu Min, and Da Da, ten individuals, left their horses behind, departed from the sparse forest area, braving the biting cold wind, stealthily made their way to a high ridge from which the enemy camp could be observed, crouching in the darkness to spy on the enemy's movements

The grain and water caravan was severely plundered, dealing a significant blow to the Xue Yantuo bandits. Long Ying could clearly sense the pervasive feelings of frustration among the thieves. It is hardly surprising; in the past, it was only the bandits who raided others, and it was unthinkable for them to be forcibly robbed. When such life-threatening incidents occurred to the Xue Yantuo bandits themselves, it was particularly intolerable

Some people were taken aback upon hearing this and turned to look at him

The remarkable aspect of Longying Gaoming is that it makes the opponent understand that merely retreating a few steps does not allow one to escape the range of the enemy's arrows, unless one makes a hasty withdrawal.

Each person is secretly praising the danger; this group of people, which is indeed twice the number of the *Tu* *Shu*, demonstrates the formidable strength of the Turks, showcasing an indomitable spirit and a fierce willingness to fight. To launch a strong attack against such a powerful force, even with numerous experts and the presence of the Dragon Eagle, it is likely that success would still be elusive

On both flanks, the enemy launched a cavalry unit consisting of 200 men, charging in from the outer sides.

The crowd hurriedly led their horses into the narrow end of the grassland, taking refuge in a wooded area. The trees shielded them from the wind and sand coming from the desert, providing warmth and an opportunity for both people and horses to rest

This judgment is of utmost importance. Once the virgin is lost, the primary objective of the bandits will be survival, and the pursuit of the dragon eagle will become secondary. Apart from hastily heading to Hu'er, there is nothing else that can be done. Only upon reaching Hu'er will there be a possibility for regrouping. For the side of the dragon eagle, being adrift equates to a temporary loss of martial prowess.

Our forces left the horses behind and occupied three high ground positions, forming a powerful battle formation of one hundred men each, equipped with shields, spears, and strong arrows, thereby gaining a significant advantage from a higher elevation.

From the perspective of standing on the edge, such a reckless gamble is not what a wise person would do. However, under the pressure from the Turks, one is compelled to take such risks. Therefore, although it appears on the surface that the Xue Yantuo people seem to fully support Mo Chuo, they are aware of their own hardships and can only conceal their dissatisfaction deep within their hearts

The enemy's torches illuminated the sky, yet beyond the reach of the flames, there was nothing but utter darkness. Coupled with the howling cold wind, it masked the sound of the strings and the whistling of the powerful arrows.

The tense emotions of the crowd continued to relax, and under his influence, victory seemed to be within their grasp

The desert offers no cover or concealment, making it impossible to take advantage of the terrain. Therefore, one must first ascend to the oasis to have the opportunity to engage the opponent under the same conditions. However, this is only a general statement; the reality is that the best strategic stronghold has already fallen into the hands of the Turkic army, which is twice their number, and they are waiting in a position of ease. The only consolation is that the opposing forces are not sufficient to place the entire oasis under strong defense; otherwise, they would have no choice but to retreat to the grasslands and reconsider how to break through the main enemy forces stationed there.

The Dragon Eagle stood at the edge of the post, gazing at the enemy's position. He smiled at Jun Huai Pu and said, "To be honest, I can only think of methods to attack the enemy from a distance; I never considered the tactic of feigning a long-distance expedition. Brother Jun, your idea is truly brilliant. As long as I shoot one more arrow, I can guarantee that the enemy will not sit idly by any longer"

The Dragon Eagle reached out and rested his hand on Feng Guo Ting's shoulder, sighing: "What could be more difficult than stating the year, month, day, and hour of the Moon Spirit, and still being able to call her name? My political fortune may be lacking, but my luck in war seems quite remarkable. It is all thanks to the support of my elder brothers; otherwise, I would certainly not be here tonight, squatting in the cold wind."

The Dragon Eagle and the Wind passed through the courtyard, returning to their own side in the darkness and sandstorm outside the narrow end of the Northwest region, where the elite troops were waiting. The former said: "We have dealt with the three sentries in this area. Damn it! What kind of sentry duty is this? It's more like dozing off under a sheepskin cover. Let's go!"

This is a blessing in disguise

Long Ying laughed and said: "There is no city that cannot be breached, nor any camp that cannot be conquered. Moreover, this is merely the weakly defended Yanyue Camp of his grandmother. Ha! I have said that we will not lose a single person, and we will not lose a single person. However, remember that those who are severely injured must be rescued immediately"

Does Lord Eagle in his heart contemplate the strategy of distant offense and close defense

After the four arrows were released, they vanished into the dark night sky, with only the dragon eagle's senses still tracking the arrows.

Jun Huaipu gave a bitter smile and said, "How could I dare to do that?"

The three frontline sentinels are extremely important, as they communicate the enemy's movements and actions to the rear troops through signal lights. Losing them is equivalent to being blind with open eyes

Jun Huai Pu smiled and said: "There are also Young Master, Brother Mi, Brother Huang, and General Lin who are aware of this."

Resolving the three hidden sentinels is by no means easy. Even if we manage to accomplish it, we must still disperse our forces to launch an attack from both sides. Once the enemy's reinforcements counterattack, we may still achieve victory, but it will undoubtedly come at a tremendous cost

For several consecutive days, Long Ying personally visited the Virgin Oasis to assess the enemy situation. As expected, on the morning of the following day, Xue Yantuo's caravan departed from the Virgin, heading towards Huo'er. Bian Ao did not dare to travel at night, not only because there was no need, but also out of fear that Long Ying would employ the same tactics again to ambush them.

The sound of the horn rises

The loss of the large caravan of grain and water camels was a severe blow to the border region, with significant repercussions. Although it was possible to make some meager replenishments in Zhengnv, this greatly increased the burden on the camels. If they encountered a sandstorm along the way, any further mishap would mean that it would be a stroke of luck for even half of the people and camels to reach Hohhot.

Long Ying said in a low voice: "However, at that time, there were at most half an hour left until dawn. If I were the other party, I would not have the patience to wait until dawn to launch a strong attack. In this darkness, it is certainly advantageous for defense and disadvantageous for offense."

God is He, and so is the ghost

Long Ying smiled and said: "To err and yet be able to correct oneself is the greatest virtue."

Having spoken, he led the way down the slope to kill.

The dragon eagle leaped onto the excited warhorse, Snow, led by his subordinate. Seeing the wind pass through the courtyard, they all mounted their horses. With a wave of the Tianhong in his hand, he shouted: "The war against the Turks begins with this battle."

In terms of comparable strengths between the two parties, the side defending the oasis holds a significant advantage. If the attackers choose to advance from the desert, the soft sand will hinder their ability to launch a swift assault, and the unpredictable winds of the desert will only turn them into live targets for the enemy

Jun Huaipiao's face flushed red as he said, "How could Huaipiao dare to compare himself with Lord Eagle?"