Wait, please don't call me Emperor Zhaolie

Chapter 95: I will not return until I defeat the Huns

On the 24th, after the messenger holding Yuan Shao's military order arrived at Wen Chou's military camp, men and horses galloped back and forth between the river banks, and food, fodder and equipment were gradually transported back.

Liu Bei saw some knights tie up their armor and weapons on the backs of horses and lead the horses across the river.

It was easy for Wen Chou to transport the army there, but difficult to withdraw it.

In ancient times, many armies suffered defeats because they failed to retreat properly, and were caught by the enemy at their weak points, causing their deaths.

At present, Yin An still has the Hengqiang Battalion and more than 2,600 auxiliary soldiers who have fought in the battlefield. The lesson of Yan Liang is before him, and it would be incompetent for Wen Chou to still despise them.

No matter how much Yuan Shao liked to use his confidants to command his troops, he would never put someone as stupid as a pig in the position of chief general.

Liu Bei led his men to observe secretly, then clapped his hands and said with a smile: "The troops have not moved yet, but the food and fodder have gone first. Wen Chou was afraid that I didn't bring enough food and fodder with me from such a long distance, so he specially transported the food and fodder across the river to help me out of my urgent need. What a man!"

After counting the grain carts one by one, they found that there were more than twice as many as those in Yan Liang’s military camp.

Liu Bei estimated that there were still several thousand Huns.

When Yuan Shao invited the Xiongnu Chanyu to send people to help, he certainly would not promise to reward them by plundering the people of Jizhou, but could only reward them with money and food.

This group of Xiongnu people who fled to Henei County looted ironware, food, and women from the surrounding counties, and often became bandits and harassed the local area.

At present, Hanoi shares a border with Dongjun, and being neighbors with the predatory Xiongnu, we need to take precautions early.

Lu Fengxian, who stationed his troops in Liyang, was undoubtedly the best candidate to stop the Huns for Dongjun.

On his way back, Liu Bei reined in his horse and thought for a while.

I originally wanted to find a chance to send Fengxian on his way so that I could capture Zhang Liao. But now it seems that the Huns who are wreaking havoc in Hedong and Henei are unwilling to give me a chance!

At present, the only person in the Central Plains who can mobilize hundreds of cavalry to eliminate Liu Bei is Lu Bu.

Rather than wiping out the cavalry under Lu Bu's command, it would be better to let him play some role.

We need to discuss this with Wen Ruo, Gong Da and others. Although Lu Fengxian is useful, he is also ruthless when it comes to stabbing his allies in the back, and he will never do anything unless the victim is fatal.

Less than two hours after Liu Bei returned to the camp, a scout came to report: a large number of Huns were driving sheep and cattle to prepare to cross the river.

Liu Bei, who was trying to boost morale, was stunned when he heard this. His deployment was disrupted.

If the Xiongnu cavalry were allowed to cross the river safely, not only would they be unable to ambush Wen Chou's troops, they would also be put in a passive position.

He immediately sent military officers to call Guan Yu, Taishi Ci, and all the military marquises and military secretaries to the tent to discuss the matter.

Liu Bei said solemnly to his dozen officers, "When going into battle, one should adapt to local conditions. Now a large number of Xiongnu cavalry want to cross the Huan River. If we allow them to cross the river safely, our army will be attacked from both sides due to the lack of cavalry, and we may be defeated and lose our generals."

"I have made up my mind, and I will strike immediately!"

"The victory or failure will be in your hands. If this battle is won, I will lead you to return home in triumph with music. If we lose, Liu Xuande will be buried with the soldiers in the Huan River."

"I will not turn back or return home until I defeat the Xiongnu in this battle."

"Where is Military Sima Liu Ping?"

"exist!"

"I order you to temporarily lead the A camp to cut off the enemy forces in the north. If you let a single person or a single horse pass through your chariot formation before I return, you will be beheaded."

"As ordered!"

"Xu Ju, Rong Guang."

"exist!"

"You will be the first to advance, and when the cavalry engages, form a five-man formation with swords and shields and attack the Hu cavalry fiercely."

"As ordered!"

"Yun Chang, Zi Yi."

"exist!"

"Both of you will lead the cavalry in armor and charge at the Xiongnu cavalry. Kill anyone who blows the horn or commands the battle. When the infantry arrives, immediately head north and burn the remaining wooden bridges. Don't hesitate to run away, even if it means your horses are killed." "Understood!"

"I will use auxiliary soldiers and pack horses to feint an attack, so that the Hu people will think that a large group of cavalry is behind them and will not dare to engage in close combat."

"You have all been fighting against Yuan until now, and the outcome will depend on this one battle." Liu Bei said seriously.

All the generals said in unison: "We are willing to defeat the barbarians together with you!"

As soon as the military order was issued, all the camps moved together.

Before leaving, Guan Yu came to say goodbye and whispered: "It is not a pity for us to die in battle. Brother is a descendant of the imperial family. The people of the world look forward to you like sweet dew. You should put your own safety first. If things are hopeless, you should evacuate early and don't worry about me."

Liu Bei patted his shoulder, straightened his collar for him, and reminded him: "Yun Chang, this is what I want to tell you. The battlefield is dangerous and no one can predict everything. If the Hu cavalry counterattacks fiercely, keep your body and I won't blame you."

"Brother." Guan Yu was deeply moved. He held Liu Bei's arm tightly and was unable to speak.

"Remember what I said, and go."

Guan Yu lifted his armor, knelt down and said, "I will defeat the Hu cavalry for you, and I will not return until I win!"

After Guan Yu left the tent, Taishi Ci also counted his men and horses, then hurried over, the blades of his iron armor clattering.

As soon as he entered the tent, he clasped his hands and said, "Sir, I have been treated so well by you. I will take up my sword to repay the kindness of the Golden Terrace. Even if I have to die on the horse's hide and return to Donglai, I will be willing to do so."

"If things change, I am willing to hold the bow and spear and cover your retreat alone!"

After hearing this, Liu Bei quickly comforted him, "Don't worry, Ziyi. I am also brave in the rear army. You should focus on yourself first. Although this battle is risky, our army is well prepared to attack the enemy unexpectedly. We only need to dispatch auxiliary soldiers to create a huge momentum, and the Xiongnu who have crossed the river will not dare to fight."

"Zi Yi still has a lot to accomplish, how can it be ruined here? Don't worry."

Liu Bei looked at Taishi Ci's departing back and felt a little moved. He used two hundred cavalrymen to attack the Huns first, and the infantry abandoned the chariot formation and took the initiative to attack. It seemed very dangerous no matter how you looked at it.

However, Liu Bei mobilized the Xiandeng Battalion, which was on par with the Jia Battalion among the combat troops. Whether in terms of shield formation coordination or marching speed, it was far superior to the Liangdu Battalion and the Hengqiang Battalion. Even the Shengshe Battalion was slightly inferior.

When they collided with the same number of unarmored Hu cavalry, with feint soldiers behind them, they seemed to have a good chance of winning.

The greatest pressure actually came from the two hundred cavalry led by Guan Yu and Taishi Ci, because they had to both entangle the enemy and disrupt the Huns' deployment.

That's why Liu Bei reminded people to put their safety first. If they killed their generals for the sake of the Huns, the Huns' Chanyu would laugh to death.

After a while, Liu Bei sighed to the sky: "I don't know where Zilong and his cavalry have gone, but I have already set out to attack the Xiongnu. Not only have hundreds of cavalrymen made a wasted trip, but a lot of food and grass in the treasury have also been consumed."

Yuan Benchu ​​had many talented people under his command, and they used them to lure our troops into a state of exhaustion, so that the soldiers were not allowed to take off their armor and the horses were not allowed to remove their saddles.

Come a few more times, and it will take at least half a year to recover.

……

On the banks of the Huanshui River, Xiongnu herdsmen drove their cattle and sheep across the river. Although they had been subordinate to the Han court for a long time, their nomadic habits had not changed.

They still liked to take cattle and sheep into battle, grazing them with grass and using it as rations to sustain the fighting time.

The army did not attach as much importance to food supply as the Han army.

The one who came to help Yuan Shao this time was the son of Chanyu Yufuluo, who was currently appointed by Chanyu as the Left Grand Commandant and commanded a thousand cavalry.

"My lord, now the General of Chariots and Cavalry wants us to take a detour and rush back to rescue them. It would be hard to justify it if we don't reward them with gold, silk, and ironware, right?"

The Hun man with deep eyes, high nose and a pointed conical felt hat rode on horseback and bowed his head respectfully and smiled at the left captain.

The nobleman, wearing a brocade robe with colorful patterns and a gold and silver belt around his waist, sneered and said, "You have had little contact with Han officials in Bingzhou, so how can you understand their twists and turns? If you want to get what you need, you can't just rely on others to give it to you, you have to get it yourself. Whether it's money, armor or women, as long as your tribe is strong, you can get what you want from them."

"We have previously robbed many noble women, and Yuan Benchu ​​still needs to unite with us to fight against Liu Bei."

The Left Grand Commandant sighed and said quietly, "It's a pity that there are too few Han noble women in Henei. I heard that the ministers and officials in Guanzhong and Chang'an not only have many beautiful maids, but also their wives and daughters are as warm and fragrant as jade, white and smooth. If you can capture one, you should reward it for everyone to see."

The eyes of the other Huns suddenly lit up, and they all bowed their heads to thank the nobleman.

They also drooled over these Han women and girls.

(End of this chapter)