Chapter Five: Setting a Trap for Huangfu Song
He immediately clasped his fists in gratitude and said: "Thank you, my lord, for your guidance"
With the death of Huangfu Song, this battle also came to a close
The pit is covered with branches and green grass, making it difficult to discern from a distance that it is a trap
However, this time, Han Xin did not intend to use fire attacks
At this point, Liao Hua already understood what Han Xin meant by having people capture those birds and beasts
Currently, Han Xin commands 2,000 sword and shield soldiers, 2,000 spear soldiers, 800 archers, and an additional 200 cavalry.
Chirp chirp—tweet tweet—coo coo—cuckoo—cuckoo
The entire cavalry unit quickened its pace under the command of Huangfu Song
Including his command value, synergy bonus, and the enhancements from two passive skills—Vampiric Aura and Durability Aura
Yuan Jian must have read military texts; any place set for an ambush must have its dangers. As a commanding general, one would mostly send scouts to patrol those perilous areas.
Liao Hua nodded slightly
Boom—Boom—
The sound of hooves grew increasingly closer, startling the birds and beasts on either side into a frenzy, while the little birds with their feet bound flapped about chaotically among the treetops
This day's time difference has altered the course of the entire war
Huangfu Song, who was running in the middle of the ranks, narrowly escaped a calamity. Seeing the cavalry falling in droves ahead, Huangfu Song was filled with grief and indignation, shouting in anger.
Upon receiving the news, the soldiers in the forest held their breath, tightly gripping their weapons, and stood ready in formation
Being told by others that he has the potential of a famous general, Liao Hua was greatly encouraged. He finally began to contemplate that the lord's actions must have profound significance. The reason that I and others cannot comprehend it is that we are simply too foolish
Cavalry without speed is inferior to infantry, not to mention when ambushed, where intentions may be thwarted. In such harsh conditions, it is not only the renowned Han general Huangfu Song who would struggle, but even Sun Wu would be of no use.
The pit is scattered with debris, covering the mountain path through the forest for a hundred meters
Yuan Jian, in my view, you possess the potential to become a renowned general. In the future, when you command troops independently, you will not only be responsible for your own safety but also for the safety of the soldiers under your command. A general must always think thrice before acting. Now, I ask you again, why must I do this
The team surrounding Huangfu Song made way, and Han Xin stepped forward
Good, they have finally arrived. Are there three thousand people? Huangfu Song, I hope you are among them
When you step into the trap, the outcome is already determined
Hahaha, I, an old man, do not feel wronged in my defeat, Your Majesty... I beg your pardon, but I cannot serve you faithfully.
At that moment, a soldier assigned by Han Xin to observe the beacon tower hurriedly ran over
It is me
Sometimes, being one step ahead can establish a significant advantage
This time, the beacon tower is not ignited with fireworks, but instead replaced with small trees
Watching the troops pass swiftly before him, Han Xin calculated the time it would take for the cavalry to fall into the trap
Liao Hua thought for a moment but could not understand, and finally replied with some embarrassment
Han Xin smiled indifferently, straightened his body, and offered his guidance. As the first person to follow him, Liao Hua, who is historically known by name, was still someone he appreciated and valued.
———
After completing these tasks, Han Xin then assigned several clever scouts to set up beacon towers on the mountains ahead
He then had people catch wild beasts and small birds in the forest; however, these birds and beasts were not meant for consumption. The small birds had their legs bound with unraveled hemp threads and were released at random in the woods
Although he knew the possibility was slim, he still spoke up to persuade the surrender: "General Huangfu, would you be willing to surrender?"
Finally arrived, the feeling of waiting is not pleasant
The initiator of this event is Liao Hua. Without Liao Hua's recommendation for him to become a leader of the Yellow Turbans, he would not have so swiftly embarked on the fast track of development
Han Xin looked at Huangfu Song, who was struggling desperately within the encirclement, and let out a quiet sigh
Han Xin was reclining under a large tree with his legs crossed, enjoying the cool shade. He saw Liao Hua approaching, adorned with a grass ring that had several droppings on it, and he chuckled to himself.
"All soldiers, quicken your pace; we must cross Bawang Slope before nightfall," ordered Huangfu Song as he looked up at the sky.
After completing these tasks, Han Xin ordered a rest period
Kill
All troops halt, be cautious, there is an ambush
Both sides of the battle came to a halt simultaneously, with the remaining soldiers hoarse and tearful, and a few loyal ones drew their swords to take their own lives.
Marquis of Huaiyin, Han Xin
General
At this time, the three thousand cavalry led by Huangfu Song were exactly one day's journey away from Bowang Slope
Han Xin smiled faintly, feeling that this pretense could earn a perfect score
Arrived
The cavalry galloping ahead suddenly felt a jolt, and in the next moment, they were thrown forward. Before they could register the pain, the corpses of the horses that had been thrown up from behind crushed them into a pulp.
The army will inevitably delay when it comes to a halt, so those experienced generals will observe the surroundings and assign scouts to patrol the areas most likely to be ambushed
What terrified Huangfu Song and others even more was that at the same time the cavalry was thrown into chaos, a unified shout echoed from both sides of the mountains and forests
Turn and leave
"My lord, although I understand that we must not open fire in the ambush set in the forest, why have we not driven away these birds and beasts? As you can see, the ground is now filled with the stench of excrement and urine, which is truly unpleasant. I fear that many of the soldiers may also have grievances." Liao Hua said with a gloomy expression.
Finally, Han Xin assigned two hundred soldiers to take turns observing the mountaintop where the beacon tower was set up, to notify him whenever the trees were cut down
As for the beasts, they are also tied to the trees to prevent them from eating
Since their debut, they have been accompanied by this group of rabble, breaking the siege of Huaiyin and, with a slight application of strategy, beheading the renowned general of the Han, Zhu Jun
Roar roar—woo woo—
However, how could the cavalry, galloping at full speed, possibly stop on command? The cavalry in front, noticing a trap, instinctively pulled their horses to a halt, while the cavalry behind could not stop in time and crashed into those ahead.
However, at this time, Liao Hua was still too young and lacked experience; he was not yet the vanguard of Shu who would later travel extensively, following Liu Bei for decades and participating in hundreds of battles.
"It is of no consequence; military texts are lifeless, while people are alive. As a commander, one must draw inferences from one instance to another, and remember not to let written materials confine one's thinking."
Da—da—da—
The man referred to as Li Sima by Huangfu Song pondered for a moment and indeed nodded in agreement, feeling a sense of relief
No one spoke at https://m.hetushu.com, and the generals on both sides cupped their fists in salute to Han Xin before taking their respective positions
Han Xin nodded slightly
Upon arriving at Bowang Slope, Han Xin first located a narrow mountain path through the forest, and then dispatched a portion of his men to dig soil pits approximately half a meter deep along the path.
As one of the essential routes for the northern forces to advance south to Jingzhou, Zhuge Liang's first battle upon his emergence was the burning of Xiahou Dun at Bowang Slope
Perhaps in the future, he will even personally kill those celebrities he once admired immensely
These grass rings are not used for shading, but rather to shield against bird droppings falling from above
Just as we lie in ambush along the forest path, where there are many birds and beasts in the mountains, if there are too many people, it will scare away those birds and beasts. An experienced general, upon hearing that there are no bird or beast calls in the woods, will know that there is an ambush here
The entire cavalry unit was thrown into chaos in an instant
Yet he is powerless; countless bones lie beneath the success of a general. On the path to supremacy, Zhu Jun and Huangfu Song will certainly not be the only two who perish at his hands
To be honest, his current development over the past few days is closely related to the listing under the guise of the Yellow Turbans.
On both sides of the mountain path in the forest, more than 2,000 troops were ambushed, each wearing a grass ring woven from branches on their heads
I estimate that at this moment, the people below are probably cursing me in their hearts
A military officer at the front of the troop observed that the road ahead was becoming increasingly narrow, with dense forests flanking both sides, and thus slowed his horse's pace. When Huangfu Song caught up, he said: "General, the road ahead is narrow and the terrain is perilous; there may be ambushes. Allow me to lead the troops ahead to scout the area."
———
Report, my lord, three trees have fallen on the beacon tower
Han Xin instructed the scouts to first plant 10 small trees on the mountaintop, and then observe from above whether any troops were approaching. For every additional 1,000 soldiers, one tree should be cut down.
Thank you for your generous praise, my lord. I am truly humbled and beg your forgiveness for my ignorance, as I do not comprehend the profound intentions behind your arrangements.
Han Xin let out a quiet sigh and left behind a statement, "Give General Huangfu a proper burial for me"
Liao Hua was suddenly taken aback upon hearing this; he did not expect Han Xin to value him so highly. Who was Han Xin, after all, if not the legendary military god who was undefeated in a hundred battles in history
First, a rain of arrows shot towards the chaotic cavalry unit, and then Liao transformed into the vanguard, leading his soldiers to charge at the cavalry.
However, the gap in strength is evident; after a period of fierce fighting, there are few left who can still resist
Looking at the young general before him, who was remarkably valiant, Huangfu Song asked with his sword drawn, his tone a mix of inquiry and affirmation
The border cavalry led by Huangfu Song displayed a high level of loyalty to him, and even in such harsh conditions, they rose up in resistance, with very few surrendering
Moreover, after the battle of Zhu Jun, everyone was fully equipped and was no longer the disorganized crowd that had previously used wooden poles tied with spearheads to serve as soldiers
Bowang Slope is also quite famous in the history of the Three Kingdoms
No
Han Xin leaped up from the ground and commanded, "All soldiers, heed my orders. The enemy is approaching. From this moment on, no noise is allowed, no movement is permitted, and everyone must act according to the plan"
Huangfu Song, upon hearing this, smiled and said: "Li Sima, do not worry. Have you not heard that when all the beasts are silent, there must be hidden troops? Now, with the birds and beasts in the woods on both sides making a commotion, how could there be any ambush here"
Huangfu Song laughed in a panic, straightened his body, looked around in all directions, and finally drew his sword to take his own life