Chapter 676: The Army Sets Out and Fierce Encounter

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Daoist masters ascend to the heavens and descend into the earth, capable of taking a head from a thousand li away. Buddhist Bodhisattvas lower their brows in anger, a mere lift of their hand capable of shaking Kunlun. Who dares say scholars lack spirit? In a fit of rage, they can make even the Emperor tremble. Treading rivers, treading lakes, treading songs, I possess a sword that brings immortals to their knees. Wielding a saber, wielding a sword, raising a cup of wine, three hundred thousand iron cavalry conquer the heavens. Welcome to Fenghuo Xizhuhou's Readers Tieba.

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By Gong Zhulu

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By Gong Zhulu

Author: Fenghuo Xizhuhou [Read Full Text]Last Updated: 2014-09-23 02:47:17 Word Count: 3900

During the Spring and Autumn Period's conflicts, scouts, as the most sensitive feelers of an army, rarely deployed in large formations of half a unit or a full unit. However, on the Liang-Mang border, the opposite was true: scouts seldom went out alone to gather intelligence. The reason was simple: both sides had perfected the use of scouts to an extreme degree. The level of importance placed on them, and their rate of attrition, far surpassed anything seen in the Central Plains, reaching a point that Central Plains generals would consider exaggerated. Once opposing scout parties encountered each other, it often meant one side was destined for annihilation. When both sides' individual combat skills and coordinated teamwork were roughly equal, numbers alone determined who would leave the battlefield with crucial intelligence.

The Northern Liang border army was renowned throughout the land for its Roving Crossbowmen, and Northern Mang was no less formidable. Dong Zhuo's Crow Cages, Huang Songpu's Far-Roving Scouts personally trained years ago, and General Liu Gui's Black Fox Cages, often referred to as his "personal sons," were all among the most outstanding scout teams of their era. Zhu Geng, the commander of a Roving Crossbowmen unit, led fifty cavalry deep into the desert. It was a combination of luck and skill that, after deducing intelligence from their observations, they were ambushed on their return by a unit of Black Fox Cages. Subsequently, not only did a second unit of Black Fox Cages quickly join the pursuit, but Liu Gui, one of the Southern Dynasty border army commanders, upon learning of the engagement, unhesitatingly dispatched three hundred light cavalry from nearby, determined to capture this "fish that slipped through the net."

As the biting wind howled and battle flags flapped, General Liu Gui sat with a furrowed brow inside a heavily guarded military tent. He was crouched by a pot about to boil. For some time now, he had barely glanced at the Northern Liang border map, a map bought with the blood and lives of countless spies. It wasn't that Liu Gui had lost his authority, nor that this renowned general underestimated the Northern Liang iron cavalry. Rather, even he, the border commander, had no idea, until three days prior, where their main offensive would strike, or which unfortunate state among Northern Liang's three northern states would serve as the army's breakthrough point. Dong, the "Fatty," was behaving childishly and carelessly. Although the Murong and Yelü clans were preoccupied by instability in their northern grasslands, the old noble families of Longguan, one of the Southern Dynasty's two main pillars, had always been at odds with the military's new elites represented by Liu Gui and Yang Yuanzan. This time, they were even more furious, stomping their feet and cursing in the Xijing imperial court, collectively attacking Dong Zhuo and pleading with the Emperor to revoke his military command. Huang Songpu had already retired to his hometown, yet he was nearly dragged out and "flogged" by these enraged noble clans, showing the extent of the chaos in the Southern Dynasty at the time. Crucially, Commander Dong Zhuo had been secretive and evasive, seemingly determined to let the nearly million-strong army waste provisions for nothing. Even Liu Gui and Yang Yuanzan, wanting to speak in his defense, found it impossible, as it would only add fuel to the fire. Liu Gui was temporarily in charge of all border defense matters for Gusai State's military garrisons. During wartime, even Jiejieling (commanders with similar official ranks) were to obey him. This was an unprecedented exception in Northern Mang's history, a tremendous privilege granted by the Emperor to Commander Dong Zhuo. It was important to remember that Northern Mang differed from Liyang's Central Plains; a Jiejieling wielding a powerful army was definitely not just a military governor or a provincial governor.

Thinking of this, Liu Gui already smelled the unique rich aroma of brick tea, goat milk, and ghee-infused tea. Lifting the lid, the general, who hailed from a Central Plains aristocratic family, found his mood improving. He grabbed a handful of salt and threw it into the pot. Unlike General Yang Yuanzan, who was of slave origin, and Huang Songpu, whose ancestors were illustrious, Liu Gui's family was unremarkable among the northern refugees. However, after arriving in Northern Mang's Southern Dynasty, they were not treated as mere livestock to be wantonly slaughtered by the Mang people. Liu Gui owed his current status to his diligent studies in his youth in his former homeland and to the military strategies and tactics he gleaned from books. The Liu family experienced a second spring in Northern Mang because of him, and he became the well-deserved restorer of his clan in their genealogy. However, after achieving success and fame, Liu Gui, unlike many nostalgic Spring and Autumn refugees or extravagant Northern Mang nobles, never partook of the famous Central Plains teas, which cost "a leaf for a gold coin." After arriving in Northern Mang, Liu Gui grew fond of the milk tea in the pot before him, relishing its strong, gamey scent derived from goat and mare milk.

After ladling out a bowl of tea, Liu Gui brought it to his nose for a sniff, then slowly rotated it, cradling the bowl in one hand. His family's younger generation seemed to be drinking a famous tea from Spring God Lake, spending fortunes on it. Some even boasted that once they conquered the Central Plains, they would establish their own tea plantations on the islands of Spring God Lake. The general chuckled. "These children, they don't know the immensity of heaven and earth," he mused. "Do they really think the Central Plains are made of paper? Even if the Central Plains were easy to bully, how would we cross the threshold of Northern Liang? I fear that by then, Northern Mang might have to cross with a broken leg." He continued, "Furthermore, to the south, there's Chen Zhibao, who commands impregnable strategic passes. This man can turn decay into magic with his military tactics; give him thirty thousand troops, and they're worth a hundred thousand elite soldiers. And on the eastern front, there's Gu Jiantang, a famous general from the Spring and Autumn Period. This time, with the internal strife in Guangling Dao, the eastern forces, observing from afar, remained completely unscathed." Liu Gui stopped rotating his tea bowl and muttered to himself, "Ultimately, the true enemies of Northern Mang's million-strong army are three: Xu Fengnian, Chen Zhibao, and Gu Jiantang. Is any one of them an easy target?"

Liu Gui took a sip of tea. It tasted bland, so he grabbed some more salt and tossed it in. Then he called out, "Lin Fu!"

A strong, imposing general who had been waiting outside lifted the tent flap and entered. Liu Gui raised the tea bowl in his hand. "Care for a bowl? I might not be in the mood for this later."

The middle-aged general shook his head. Liu Gui didn't press the matter. This man was his trusted confidant and favorite general, and had once been the commander of the Black Fox Cages. Later, Liu Gui felt he was being underutilized and offered him two paths: to serve as a high-ranking general with real authority (a third-rank official) in his own army, continuing a life of battle and danger; or to become a Vice Minister of War in Xijing, living a stable life as an official. However, this fellow chose neither, stubbornly insisting on remaining a common personal guard. Liu Gui sighed inwardly. How could a man who had faced life and death countless times be unable to let go of such a meaningless sentimentality? "My daughter is long married, and my grandchildren are practically a basketful; what good is it for you, Lin Fu, to stay by an old man like me?" Yet, Liu Gui, who was never one for emotional talk, knew these thoughts would be too hurtful to voice aloud.

Liu Gui asked, "What about that unit of Northern Liang Roving Crossbowmen?"

Lin Fu replied gravely, "Don't worry, they won't escape back to Northern Liang. Even if they were lucky enough to uncover something, they would only assume our army is mobilizing to launch an all-out attack on Liuzhou."

Liu Gui raised his head, his expression solemn, seemingly devoid of his earlier amiability, but without deliberately projecting authority.

Yet, Lin Fu instantly broke into a sweat, lowering his head as he said, "Great General, in addition to one unit of Black Fox Cages and three hundred personal cavalry joining the pursuit, your subordinate also requested a Small Grandmaster expert from the army's Spiderweb intelligence agents. There's also news that Princess Honghu, daughter of the Jiejieling of Yuchan State, has quietly followed along."

Liu Gui let out a soft "hmm," then glared at him. "Good thing you didn't freeload that bowl of tea, or I'd whip you ten times!"

Lin Fu, a highly renowned younger general in the Southern Dynasty military, gave an awkward smile, like a child apprentice who had made a mistake and was about to be disciplined by a strict teacher.

Liu Gui took a sip of his strong tea and said softly, "As a general, a single lapse in judgment can lead to many more deaths. Lin Fu, do you know why the King of Northern Liang is called the 'Butcher' yet doesn't care? Do you know what this great general would feel guilt over?"

Lin Fu shook his head. "Your humble subordinate cannot fathom the King of Northern Liang's thoughts."

Liu Gui said softly, "'Butcher' is a title for someone who has killed millions of enemies. For a commander, being called that is inconsequential, much like me whipping you ten times. However, if one's own oversight leads to the deaths of subordinates who could have otherwise survived, that is what truly troubles the conscience."

Lin Fu whispered, "Great General, I'm just a small personal guard. You should tell that to Dong, the 'Fatty,' the King of the Northern Court."

Liu Gui was both exasperated and amused. He said helplessly, "I know you guys aren't convinced by Dong Zhuo, but he truly does possess real capabilities. In the future, you rascals had better stop speaking so sarcastically. Now, scram!"

Lin Fu exited the tent.

From behind him, Liu Gui's military order came: "Issue the command: the commander's tent is to move south, following the main army to Liuzhou."

Lin Fu turned around and asked, "Great General, aren't you going to finish that pot of tea?"

Liu Gui asked plainly, "Then how many fewer heads would my 'Liu' army soldiers have to chop off?"

Without another word, Lin Fu sprinted like the wind to relay the order, shouting loudly as he ran, "Great General, from now on I'm not being your personal guard! Last time you agreed to make me a third-rank general, so besides the twenty thousand troops, those Black Fox Cages should all be under my command... If you don't say anything, I'll take that as your consent!"

Liu Gui smiled and quickly drank another bowl of tea.

Over the past month, various forces had continuously departed their original stations to garrison the borders of Gusai and Longyao states. After their arrival, the Xijing Ministry of War remained silent for a long time, leading to widespread complaints. However, three days ago, Dong Zhuo, the King of the Southern Court, finally began to act. And when he moved, he did so with such dazzling speed and unexpectedness that even Liu Gui was taken by surprise.

Border Commander Liu Gui's personal army mobilized, heading to Liuzhou.

A captivating woman, who treated a bloody chase as a leisurely outing, stood on a high slope, raising an eyebrow.

Beside her stood a distinguished old man in brocade robes.

His nickname was "Dragon King."

He was ranked ninth among Northern Mang's "Demons," but the Northern Mang Jianghu (martial world) universally agreed that this old man's ranking was far too low. The Northern Mang noblewoman with the sable-covered forehead was even more convinced. An old man whom even the six "Great Hook-Bearers" of the Spiderweb had to respectfully address as "Martial Uncle"? Ninth? What a joke!

She was Princess Hongyan, famed for her beauty throughout the Northern Mang royal court, rumored to have countless male companions. Her father was the Jiejieling of Yuchan State, but he had incurred the Emperor's displeasure through a misspoken word, making him seemingly the most aggrieved among the eight Jiejielings. However, she remained one of Empress Murong's most cherished juniors. When she was still a little girl, accompanying her father to the capital for an audience with the Empress, the Empress, whose hands had not yet been cleansed of the blood of those Yelü clan princes and descendants, would smile and scoop Princess Hongyan into her arms, letting the child stand on her knees. That scene remained unforgettable for many royal elders of the Yelü and Murong families. Only then did people remember that the woman was, indeed, a woman.

This notorious proud daughter of heaven had once personally gone to Liuxia City to deliver a message to City Magistrate Tao Qianzhi: "It is not advisable to travel during the Qingming period."

However, Tao Qianzhi did not heed the warning, and indeed died in a heavy Qingming rain.

She gazed at the distant confrontation, where numbers were vastly disproportionate, and asked, "Old Dragon King, why does that figure look so familiar?"

The old man in brocade robes chuckled. "Judging only by his physique, he bears some resemblance to that handsome young master whom Your Highness teased on Daomaguan Street back then."

Princess Hongyan, with the sable over her forehead, laughed heartily. "I remember now! He does look a bit like that fellow. I even patted his backside!"

In the distance, a solitary figure, gripping a saber, showed no signs of evasion, instead striding directly towards the charging Black Fox Cages and two hundred light cavalry.

The old man in brocade robes narrowed his eyes. "But his aura, that's a world apart. Unless Your Highness believes this old servant's eyes are failing him, we should turn around and leave now, putting as much distance between us as possible."

Princess Hongyan's face showed shock. "That young man is already a master of the Zhihuan (Finger Profound) realm? But even if he is Zhihuan, he might not be able to escape from you, old man, and nearly four hundred cavalry, right?"

Princess Hongyan asked, "Heavenly Phenomenon? Is there such a person in Northern Liang? Yuan Baixiong is older than him, isn't he? And he wouldn't have the leisure to wander around here."

The old man in brocade robes shook his head. "If I'm not mistaken, it's that fellow."

Then the old man began to turn and leave.

Princess Hongyan, however, did not move, for she knew who the "fellow" the Old Dragon King spoke of was.

On the contrary, she wanted to leave even less.

The old man stopped, frowning as he said, "Your Highness, you will truly die! That person has already spotted us. If this old servant leaves, it's merely doing what's humanly possible and leaving the rest to fate, so that person knows we have no intention of interfering."

The woman with the sable-covered forehead, her back to the Dragon King in brocade, waved her hand with a smile. "Old Dragon King, you go your way. I must witness this legendary figure with my own eyes. I need to confirm: if it truly is that young master I took liberties with back then, even if I die here today, it will have been worth it! And Old Dragon King, don't even think about knocking me out!"

The old man sighed. Since Princess Hongyan insisted on staying, his leaving would be meaningless. He had indeed considered knocking her unconscious just moments ago.

She murmured, "The show is starting, Old Dragon King. Do you truly not want to witness this person's grandeur with your own eyes? Perhaps missing this once means missing it for a lifetime."

The old man did not speak, but he had already moved to Princess Hongyan's side, and together they looked into the distance.

The Black Fox Cages had over seventy cavalry, and General Liu's iron-clad personal cavalry numbered a full three hundred.

In the eyes of this cavalry force, the lone figure blocking their path was merely an ant to be crushed with a single charge. Their true mission was to intercept and kill the fourteen Roving Crossbowmen.

Xu Fengnian consistently held the saber in his left hand, but did not draw a saber with his right.

He stopped.

With a flick of his wrist.

The Liang Saber in his left hand was unsheathed, and the scabbard plunged straight into the sand beside him.

He gripped the saber with a reverse grip in his left hand.

Gong Zhulu

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