Chapter 4: Cultivation
Only after gaining a comprehensive understanding did Xu Haifeng finally feel at ease. The thought of the forthcoming wealth and glory made his heart leap with excitement. Days flew by in a state of impatience and unease. Before Xu Haifeng could await the summons from the ancient road's beard, he first encountered an old friend, General Ming Pian, from the direction of the Northern Red Ocean Corps.
Due to the extensive injuries sustained by all personnel, they were able to return to the rear for recuperation in Xijing City. Among these individuals, Xu Haifeng had the least severe injuries, as he was merely suffering from excessive blood loss. The more than one hundred people returning this time were treated like heroes, enjoying the best food, accommodation, and medical care. After several days of rest, Xu Haifeng had already recovered significantly; however, the blood he had lost could not be replenished immediately, so he would have to wait and gradually recuperate later.
More than a hundred miles away, at the first line of defense along the border of the two nations, there stood a military camp that withstood the relentless bombardment from the forces of Caesar for a full twenty days, remaining steadfast and unyielding. This camp was like a sharp blade embedded in the heart of Caesar's forces, causing them great unease. Consequently, they repeatedly mobilized troops, seeking to remove this thorn in their side, yet no matter how hard they tried, they saw no results. Instead, they lost tens of thousands of elite troops, leading to delays in their overall plans and further exacerbating their manpower shortages. Thus, they repeatedly mobilized troops, seeking to remove this thorn in their side, yet no matter how hard they tried, they saw no results. Instead, they lost tens of thousands of elite troops, leading to delays in their overall plans and further exacerbating their manpower shortages.
In fact, during the more than twenty days they were besieged, almost everyone suffered fatal injuries, rendering them completely incapable of fighting. However, as long as there was still a breath of life, drinking Xu Haifeng's blood wine would allow them to recover fully within an hour, revitalized and spirited; otherwise, it would have been impossible for them to achieve such a miracle.
Direction did not dodge or evade, smilingly accepting this courtesy, and then helped Xu Haifeng up, saying: "Well, today I can make you this brother, it is not in vain that I traveled thousands of miles from the northern frontier to assist."
Through Tong Yifeng's explanation, Xu Haifeng finally gained a general understanding of the events that had transpired in recent days
"Hehe, this is not a military camp; we need not address each other by rank." After a pause, he said seriously, "You are one of the few brave men in the world. Why be so wishy-washy? Be a man and just say it straightforwardly."
Receiving them at the rear was a deputy general from the logistics department. Such high-level treatment left them astonished. Xu Haifeng felt uneasy and secretly ordered everyone not to disperse, not to cause trouble, and to focus entirely on recovery. Although resources were abundant and medicinal materials were complete, compared to the miraculous effects of his blood wine, the recovery speed of the others could only be described as slow as a snail.
With a victory of 3,000 against 30,000, such remarkable achievements stirred the entire army, greatly boosting the morale of the Han soldiers, which had previously been diminished by a surprise attack from the Caesar forces. In stark contrast, the morale of the Caesar troops plummeted severely, having lost a total of 80,000 elite warriors right in front of this military camp. Ultimately, faced with insufficient manpower and dire straits, they had no choice but to retreat.
After multiple interrogations, they finally confirmed the accuracy of this information
"Elder brother, this is General Tong Yifeng from the Logistics Department. We have all returned thanks to his meticulous care, which allowed us to recover smoothly." Xu Haifeng quickly introduced Tong Yifeng to Fang Xiangming: "General Tong, this is Lord Fang Xiangming, the former camp commander of the Red Ocean in the Northern Frontier Camp."
I am flattered, but if we are to discuss the foremost general of our time, it seems that only my brother's valiant warrior, Qin Yong, is truly deserving of such a title. " Fang Xiangming said, giving Xu Haifeng a light pat on the back and chuckling softly. His dismissive attitude made it clear that he did not take Tong Yifeng seriously.
I have long admired your esteemed name. Lord Fang's reputation is renowned throughout the army. Half a month ago, with three thousand iron cavalry, he decisively defeated Caesar's thirty thousand troops, earning the title of the foremost general of our time. Tong Yifeng quickly greeted him, as he was well-informed and had already heard of Fang Xiangming's achievements. Although they were not acquainted, he seized this opportunity to formally introduce himself, while simultaneously sending over a horse.
In the end, Caesar's forces did not launch another siege, as the reinforcements of the Han army soon arrived. This was a true relief force, with tens of thousands of troops stationed near the camp, engaging in a standoff with Caesar's men for several days. After more than ten skirmishes, the Han army finally drove Caesar's forces back beyond the national border. However, these events were not witnessed by Xu Haifeng himself; he learned of them through hearsay.
Gu Dao Ran had been a soldier his entire life and immediately recognized the importance of this intelligence. He decisively ordered that the matter be reported to the entire army and promptly formulated a comprehensive counterattack plan. As the saying goes, heroes admire heroes; what soldiers respect most is this kind of indomitable spirit and the iron-blooded man of unparalleled bravery. At that moment, many elite units volunteered to take on the vanguard mission, vowing to rescue these soldiers who had upheld the great might of the Han army.
However, no one could have anticipated that Xu Haifeng and his companions not only had ample defense but also possessed offensive capabilities. Upon witnessing the cavalry in the red sea, Qin Yong was ordered to engage, charging with just over a hundred men against an army of ten thousand. Facing an enemy that outnumbered them a hundredfold, they showed no fear, even causing extreme chaos among their opponents, forcing them to adjust their formation. In this context, Xiang Fangming and others were filled with fervor, which was the primary reason why Xiang Fangming could decisively issue the command for a full-scale attack when confronted by an enemy ten times their number.
Fortunately, Direction Ming issued the order in a timely manner; otherwise, by the time the Caesar troops completed their formation adjustments, he might not have been able to achieve such a brilliant victory
Among all the armies, it is the cavalry from the Northern Red Ocean Legion that possesses the fastest speed. Therefore, Gu Daoran appointed them as the vanguard to provide the first reinforcements. According to Gu Daoran, the fact that the camp has been able to hold out for so many days means that, even if it can be preserved, it is certainly at the end of its strength. Thus, he only requested that the direction be advanced swiftly, saving as many as possible, even if it meant abandoning the camp.
Marshal Gu Dao Ran has been operating in the West for many years, renowned for his integrity and fairness, thus his achievements are as certain as nails on a board. During wartime, military merit is of utmost importance, and the rewards for such merit are bound to be substantial.
The turning point of this battle lay in the clash between the Red Ocean Cavalry and the Caesar Legion. The greatest contributors to their victory were undoubtedly Xu Haifeng and others who held the city walls for over twenty days. Therefore, when Xu Haifeng and his companions returned to the rear, the lavish reception they received was only to be expected. Although they did not receive any immediate rewards, the merits they established in this campaign were indeed significant; even a fool would know that once this battle comes to a close, the greatest rewards will surely belong to them
"Alas, where do all these formalities come from?" Xiang Ming rushed over, grabbing Xu Haifeng, and said loudly, "On that day, the military situation was urgent, and I could not take the time to discuss in detail with you, my younger brother. However, among the current gentlemen, there are very few whom I truly admire, but you are definitely one of them. If you still find this rough man pleasing to the eye, then please call me 'big brother'"
It has been a few days since we last met, and you seem to be in great spirits
"I pay my respects to you, General." Xu Haifeng immediately stood up, clasped his fists, and bowed deeply. Although the deputy general held the lowest rank among generals, he was still part of the general ranks, which was worlds apart from Xu Haifeng's status as a mere soldier. Xu Haifeng certainly did not dare to neglect the formalities.
A month ago, the Caesar people suddenly launched a large-scale military operation, initiating a full-scale war. Although the soldiers of the Han Empire fought tenaciously, they were forced to retreat a hundred miles due to being caught off guard. However, at this moment, the Han army, led by the ancient general, suddenly discovered that there were issues with the Caesar people's deployment, hinting at a sense of dwindling follow-up strength. This change left them in a state of uncertainty; after all, since the Caesar people dared to launch such a large-scale attack, it was evident that the planning and preparation had not been done in just a day or two. How could such a significant error occur? Their behavior was so peculiar that most believed it to be a trap.
How could a humble official dare to accept this? Xu Haifeng could not fathom the true intentions behind Fang Ming's words, but judging by his demeanor, it was clear that he was not being insincere; his words were entirely heartfelt. Xu felt a warmth in his heart. Fortunately, he had been getting along well with Tong Yifeng in recent days, who had informed him of some common practices in officialdom, so he was momentarily hesitant to make any rash commitments.
In recent days, a letter from Tong has arrived daily, with various fresh fruits from the logistics department continuously delivered to their courtyard. In response to Xu Haifeng's various inquiries, they answered every question without reservation, leaving nothing concealed
The officer named Tong Yifeng is in his early fifties. Unlike Hong Sehai and the *Tu* Shuyang, who have gained their ranks through military achievements, he has ascended to the position of general through his exceptional accounting skills and by enduring the passage of time. Such individuals are often referred to as seasoned veterans. However, this seasoned veteran is particularly well-informed about the latest news and is adept at navigating the currents of power. He understands that Xu Haifeng and others have made significant contributions this time, and more importantly, they have gained the favor of Marshal Gu Dao Ran, which promises a bright future for their careers. At this moment, as their military achievements have yet to be recognized and their status remains lowly, it is the perfect opportunity to invest in relationships.
It has been a month since parting ways with the direction of the Red Sea.
Within the span of one month, both sides exchanged offensive and defensive positions. The Han army not only regained all lost territories but also advanced significantly, expanding their borders by nearly one hundred miles. Due to the urgent military situation at the front, the opportunity was rare. As the saying goes, opportunities must not be missed, for they do not come again. Therefore, the generals led by the ancient commander Dao Ran personally arrived at the front lines to direct the operations, striving to maximize the fruits of victory.
At this point, to continue to decline would be pretentious, or perhaps a sign of genuine disdain for others. Xu Haifeng was unwilling to hold a grudge against anyone for this reason. Most importantly, he held great admiration for Fang Ming in his heart. Now that he had the opportunity to make an acquaintance, it was certainly something he had long desired. He deeply bowed and said, "Since it is so, I, your younger brother, have come to pay my respects to you, elder brother"
At this moment, the Red Ocean Corps, borrowed from the north, has successfully arrived, and along the way, they also conducted a surprise attack on the Caesar people's camp. From the mouths of the captives, they learned the truth
While accompanying Tong in the courtyard, Xu Haifeng was surprised to look up and immediately saw the honest, rectangular face of Xiang Ming, which was radiating a genuine smile. Noticing his dusty appearance, with yellow sand on his clothes, it was clear that he had just returned from the front lines and had come to find Xu Haifeng without even taking the time to freshen up.