Chapter 0006: The Application of Iron Thorn
In Xiao Ming's memory, this Li Kaiyuan had an ordinary appearance, with a flat nose and a big mouth. This person had no particular skills, was somewhat slick, but was very obedient
However, when faced with the actual war, Li Kaiyuan completely turned out to be a coward
As he approached the East Gate, Lu Fei glanced up at the city wall, where not a single figure could be seen. He thought to himself: "This King of Qi has always harbored resentment against me; could it be that he is luring me out of the city to kill me by the hand of another? If that is the case, once I shake off these brutes, I will certainly take up my sword and slay him, turning to banditry myself"
The East Gate swung wide open, and the city guards, armed with swords and shields, shouted as they charged towards the barbarian cavalry
They are merely a weak territory, and they have no way to take the initiative to strike back and seek revenge.
This Zhu Bajie and this Sun Wukong went out to tease the common folk and oppress the people, and this Li Kaiyuan still finds it useful
The soldiers lying in ambush on the city wall immediately had their gazes turn fierce
Xiao Ming led his soldiers, armed with iron caltrops, to the east gate, which was guarded by Li Kaiyuan, the resolute captain from Qingzhou.
However, this matter cannot be entirely blamed on Lu Fei and Li Kaiyuan, as the notorious reputation of the barbarian cavalry has deeply penetrated the hearts of every citizen of the Great Yu Kingdom
Li Kaiyuan saw that the fierce barbarian cavalry had become easy prey, and immediately devised a plan, realizing that this merit was too good to pass up.
During this period, the barbarians instilled fear in the people of the Great Yu Kingdom. Three years ago, the city of Cangzhou fell, not due to the inadequacy of its fortifications, but because the commanding officer of the city was so terrified by a thousand barbarian cavalry that he abandoned the city and fled.
During this period, the tribes experienced unprecedented development and growth, and the tribes that migrated to the Changbai Mountain area settled nearby, achieving a semi-nomadic and semi-agricultural lifestyle, leading to a stable increase in population
Therefore, when Xiao Ming needs to mobilize troops, he would rather seek Li Kaiyuan than Lu Fei
Your Highness, the barbarian cavalry is just outside the city. It is too dangerous here. For the sake of Your Highness's safety, it would be best for you to return to the royal residence and rest
The shield bearers who charged out immediately formed a tight shield wall, pressing towards the barbarian cavalry
At that moment, Xiao Ming shouted from behind the city wall.
The powerful barbarians began their continuous invasions of the Great Yu Kingdom, engaging in no fewer than a hundred battles of various scales over the course of a century
Staring in astonishment at Xiao Ming as he methodically commanded the soldiers, Qian Dafu slapped himself hard, wincing in pain, and muttered to himself, "This is not a dream"
Your Highness ... ... this ... ... '' Li Kaiyuan's voice trembled
Before the cavalry at the back could react, nine soldiers stood on the city wall, continuously scattering iron caltrops from bamboo baskets in their hands towards them, completely sealing off the retreat behind.
Three years ago, Lu Fei fought a bloody battle against these barbarian cavalry and is well aware of their ferocity
At that moment, a sharp arrow grazed past Li Kaiyuan's shoulder
Otherwise, when in Chang'an, Xiao Wenxuan would not merely have whipped him, but would have directly severed his head.
Capture them
The position is precisely behind him
The Great Yu Kingdom experienced more defeats than victories, having completely lost the regions of Youzhou, Shuozhou, and Lingzhou. According to today's map, it has essentially lost all the land north of the Great Wall.
Your Highness, what Lieutenant Li said is reasonable. The iron caltrops are ready; let Lieutenant Li arrange them and ambush the soldiers to capture the barbarians.
With a grand spirit and a mighty roar, he charged out with his sword raised high
The barbarian cavalry could not control their steeds, continuously falling to the ground along with their horses.
The barbarian cavalry, unaware of the trap, continued to pursue relentlessly. Just before reaching the eastern gate, the lead barbarian cavalry horse suddenly neighed loudly and fell to the ground
As for Li Kaiyuan, Xiao Ming did not expect him to stand on his own; he was purely promoted to the position of Guogan School Lieutenant to annoy Lu Fei
Li Kaiyuan was also quite surprised. After a moment of astonishment, he jogged a couple of steps to catch up with Xiao Ming, "Hehe, Your Highness is truly wise and mighty, a veritable god of war reborn. I am utterly in awe, my admiration is as bright as the full moon illuminating the great river, a sentiment that can be witnessed by heaven and earth..."
Just as this thought passed, he suddenly saw a soldier standing at the city gate, and the iron caltrops fell from the sky like snowflakes.
The only remaining thirty elite cavalry of Qingzhou were cursing alongside Lu Fei.
Xiao Ming directly commanded ten soldiers to ambush on the city tower. As soon as the cavalry led by Lu Fei passed by, they would scatter iron caltrops from above, blocking all the routes in front and behind the barbarian cavalry.
The barbarian cavalry pursued relentlessly, occasionally drawing their bows to shoot arrows, clearly provoked and enraged by the taunts of Lu Fei and others
"Fool, are you seeking death? Form a circular shield formation!" Lu Fei shouted loudly
The barbarian soldiers who fell to the ground were stepping on the iron caltrops, and their thin leather boots could not withstand the sharp iron spikes, resulting in continuous cries of agony
Xiao Ming sighed, and this is also why Lu Fei is a thorny character, yet Xiao Ming still chooses to keep Lu Fei around
In the final years of the dynasty, during the chaotic period of over twenty states engaged in warfare, the Central Plains were embroiled in constant internal strife, leaving no time to attend to the barbarian tribes on the northern grasslands
He then ordered the remaining sword and shield bearers to ambush behind the city gate. When a signal was given from the city wall, they would immediately rush out to beat up these barbarians
Three years ago, the barbarian massacre of the six provinces remains fresh in the memories of these local soldiers, and the deep-seated hatred has not faded for a moment in their hearts
Outside the city, Lu Fei led the charge on horseback, shooting arrows while turning back to hurl insults at the barbarian cavalry, greeting their entire family.
During this period, a tribe called Batu'er among the barbarians flourished under the leadership of their chief, Zhatubato. Gradually, they annexed other tribes and established their own kingdom in the vast northern grasslands extending to the Changbai Mountains.
I remember that year when Lu Fei led the remaining five cities and three thousand soldiers in a bloody battle, reclaiming Cangzhou City before the barbarian reinforcements arrived; otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable
Upon seeing Xiao Ming arrive at the East Gate, Li Kaiyuan approached with his usual ingratiating smile and said
Your Highness, please observe the battle from the city as I capture all these barbarians!
"Let Colonel Lu lead the cavalry to immediately confront the enemy and attract the barbarian cavalry. After a feigned attack, retreat to the south. I will scatter iron caltrops at the eastern gate in the middle, and our ambushing soldiers will encircle the barbarian cavalry," said Xiao Ming to the soldiers.
One hundred soldiers are stationed at the East Gate, all of whom are equipped with swords and shields. Unlike the soldiers at the North Gate, who are of various types and are all elite troops.
Otherwise, the barbarian cavalry would not have been able to penetrate deep into Dengzhou
The soldier responded with a "yes" and rode north towards the city.
At this moment, Lu Fei sent someone to report to Xiao Ming that the barbarian cavalry seemed to be about to leave
Upon uttering these words, Li Kaiyuan's expression was far more remarkable than that of Lu Fei. Lu Fei merely changed his complexion, while Li Kaiyuan turned pale, his legs trembling, seemingly on the verge of losing control out of fear
The Equipment Division is not far from the Qi Wangfu, being closest to the East Gate
The distance from the North Gate to the East Gate is merely ten miles, and as Li Kaiyuan was excessively flattering, the sound of hooves could be heard approaching from afar
At this moment, Lu Fei, who was responsible for luring the enemy, also turned back. Upon seeing Li Kaiyuan charging ahead, he rode over and kicked him aside.
The twelve craftsmen could not rest for a moment, and in one hour, they produced three hundred iron caltrops.