Late Han Zhao Tang

Chapter 98: Protector General and Soldiers Hunting the Hu in Winter

December, the third year of Zhongping.

There was no one at Baideng Camp. Zhang Yu had already left the camp with 800 cavalrymen and headed straight for the Great Wall.

"My lord, there is no one in Baideng Village!" reported the attendant.

Yang Zan, who was writing a military newspaper, stopped holding the pen, but hesitated for a few seconds, added the last few words, and then put the pen on the pen holder.

"My lord, should we send the report to Yinguan?" the chief clerk asked.

Yang Zan sighed and said, "Send someone to keep an eye on the movements of the Great Wall. If they encounter the defeated troops, notify them immediately."

"promise!"

Yang Zan did not agree with Zhang Yu's policy of going out to the frontier to attack the Hu. He was even worried that he would be implicated in Zhang Yu's defeat, so he was ready to submit a memorial to Wang Ze, the governor of Yanmen, to impeach Zhang Yu for sending troops without authorization in order to clear himself.

But Yang Zan pondered for several days, and for various reasons, he never made a decision. Now he wrote an impeachment memorial in case Zhang Yu was defeated.

Compared to Yang Zan's wait-and-see approach, Hu Yanhe was ready to see Zhang Yu make a fool of himself.

Inside the felt tent, Hu Yanhe sneered and said sarcastically, "You little brat, you dare to lead 800 cavalrymen out of the border. Do you think you have lived too long?"

"Yu'er, it won't be long before the tribe can migrate south!"

"Why?"

Hu Yanhe enjoyed the feeling of his daughter massaging his legs and said with a smile, "The Han army is not many, and it is not easy to send 800 cavalry to Pingcheng to station there."

"If Zhang Yu fails in his expedition to the border, and angers the Xianbei people to raid the south, then it would be a natural thing for us to move south!"

"This year, Yanbei is a little colder than in previous years, Yannan is still warmer!"

Not to mention that Yang Zan and Hu Yanhe were not optimistic about Zhang Yu's going out of the border this time. But now, under the leadership of guide Zuo Nanbu, Zhang Yu has marched more than 200 miles out of the border and arrived at the edge of the Great Wall of Han.

Because the war horses were tired, Zhang Yu and his companions found a place sheltered from the wind and rested around the abandoned beacon tower.

Taking advantage of the shelter of the beacon tower, Shi Yi spread out the rough map and said, "Captain, if we go north for another 100 miles, we will reach the Rilu tribe. The Rilu tribe has only a few tents, only about 200. However, the Rilu tribe is on good terms with Kebi Neng's tribe and is close to Kebi Neng's tribe."

"According to the plan made by the captain and me, if our army attacks the Rilu tribe, we may be able to lure Kebinen to lead his cavalry to support us. If we attack the Rilu tribe with a small number of cavalry, Kebinen will not send out a large army, but will lead a small number of soldiers to support us. At that time, we may be able to follow the strategy made by the captain and carry out an ambush and encirclement."

Zhang Yu asked: "How far is the Rilu tribe from Kebineng's tribe?"

"About forty miles!"

Zhang Yu frowned slightly and said, "The two divisions are too close. If the ambush cannot be won quickly, we will be in a dilemma when the follow-up troops arrive to support us."

"Otherwise, if we go out of the border to plunder the Rilu tribe this time, Kebineng's troops are too numerous and difficult to defeat easily." Li Song said hesitantly.

Everyone looked at Zhang Yu to see how he would decide!

Seeing Zhang Yu thinking without saying anything, Zhang Liao said boldly: "Captain, you can give it a try. If you can't win quickly, you need to retreat in time. Or you can try to attack Ke Bineng's troops directly and see if you can defeat the enemy in the chaos."

Zhang Yu looked very calm and said, "Our 800 cavalrymen have only been in existence for a short time. They are not the best cavalrymen in the army. It is too dangerous to attack Kebineng's troops directly. We will be trapped in the battle. If other tribes come to help, we will definitely be defeated. According to the previous plan, we will attack and kill the Rilu tribe, and then ambush their reinforcements and fight quickly and decisively."

"promise!"
-
On December 15th, at dawn, the sky was hazy and fine snowflakes were floating.

Zhang Yu took off his clothes and reached out to take two pieces, but felt cold. It was almost New Year, and he didn't know what was going on in Chanhewu, and what Wang Ji and Li Suyi were doing.

Immediately, Zhang Yu looked at the tent of the Rilu tribe beside the stream, let out a breath, and released the uneasiness in his heart.

After traveling back to the end of the Han Dynasty, he had experienced many military battles, including one where a small force defeated a large one. But before the battle, he felt nervous and excited for some reason.
Is it because he wants to fight against Kebineng, the future overlord of the grassland?

Or was he taking a risk by daring to take the initiative to go out of the border and defeat the enemy with a small force? Or was this the key to whether he could embark on the road to hegemony?
If he fails, he will certainly be punished. The lightest punishment is imprisonment and dismissal from office, and the worst is death!
But what if he succeeds? He will be promoted to a noble, respected by the Hu tribe, and famous in the border counties.

Li Song glanced at the sky and said, "The captain needs to give orders!"

"puff!"

Zhang Yu spat and said, "Give the order to have Hao Zhao lead his troops to attack the Rilu tribe, and have Zhang Liao and Shi Yi lie in ambush in the valley."

"promise!"

I did it. Kebi Neng will be the overlord of the grassland in the future, but that doesn't mean he is the overlord of the grassland now. I am in the dark while he is in the light. Although Kebi Neng has more soldiers and horses than me, I am well prepared. It is still uncertain who will win!

If he cannot defeat Kebineng, how can he compete with Cao Cao, Yuan Shao and others in the future?
"Woo~"

The cavalry blew a dull horn, and in the biting cold wind, the sound of horse hooves was heard. A group of Han cavalry that had been waiting for a long time appeared in the lonely wilderness. They were divided into two teams of a hundred people and encircled the Rilu tribe from the left and right.

Soon, the hundred cavalrymen led by Hao Zhao broke through the crude barriers outside and rushed into the tribe. Regardless of age or children, all the Hu people who appeared in the front ranks of the cavalry were either killed by arrows or by sharp spears and swords.

"Wow!"

Hao Zhao used his horse spear to knock down the felt wherever he passed, covering the Hu people hiding in the tents. Then the cavalry took advantage of the struggle in the tents and deliberately trampled on them. As several or more than ten cavalrymen galloped, heart-wrenching screams came from under the tents.

Or they would wave torches and set fire to piles of dry grass, and the raging fire would melt the falling snow; when the torches were thrown into the fur tents, the fire would soar into the sky amid the howling north wind, almost engulfing the tents.

Zhang Yu could see with his naked eyes that the Han cavalry under Hao Zhao had turned the Rilü tribe upside down. Because the tent lacked depth, the two hundred cavalrymen who charged from the left and right had joined together and slaughtered the Hu people in the tent. The men who resisted were killed, and the women and children wailed. In the chaos of the fighting, many Hu people seized the opportunity, rode on the scattered horses, and fled to the north. It was obvious that these people were preparing to ask for help from Kebineng's troops.

Kebineng's troops were close to the border, and they were nomadic near Nanchi (now Huangqihai).

In the morning, Gui Puzhen, the son of the leader of the Rilu tribe, fled to Kebi Neng's tribe. He was very emotional and begged Kebi Neng to send troops.

Inside the big tent, the energetic and capable Ke Bineng sat on the couch and signaled Gui Puzhen not to worry.

"You said that the Han army went out of the border to plunder your tribe, but I wonder how many of them there were?" Kebineng asked.

Gui Puzhen recalled and said, "The Han army attacked from both sides with great momentum. They fought and burned tents along the way, killing many people. The specific number of people should be no less than four or five hundred, otherwise the situation in the tent would not be so chaotic!"

Ke Bineng frowned slightly and asked, "When you were escaping, were there any Han cavalry chasing you?"

"no!"

Gui Puzhen shook his head and said, “When I fled, the Han cavalry repeatedly clashed in the tribe.”

Then, Gui Puzhen kowtowed and begged, saying, "Thank you, leader, for your kindness and for saving my tribe. If we are saved, Yeye and I will repay you."

Seeing this, his younger brother, Zhu Luohou, stood up and said, "Brother, today the Lu tribe was plundered by the Han army. I am willing to lead 500 cavalrymen to the south to rescue them and defeat the invading Han army."

Ke Bineng hesitated for a moment, looked at the sad Gui Puzhen, and said, "You should step back and rest first, and let me discuss it with you."

"Yes!"

After Gui Puzhen left, Ju Luohou asked, "What are you worried about, brother?"

Ke Bineng shook his head and said, "I have no scruples. I just think that what Gui Puzhen said is unreliable."

"Why is it unreliable?" asked Zhu Luohou.

Ke Bineng pondered for a moment and said, "Gui Puzhen exaggerated the number of Han troops that plundered their tribe. If my estimate is correct, the Han cavalry is no more than 300 people."

"Good thing!"

Zhuluo Hou was ready to make a move and said, "There are only 300 Han cavalrymen. I can lead a few soldiers and horses to rescue the Rilu tribe."

Ke Bineng paced a little and said, "The Wuhuan people said that a few months ago, more than 700 Han soldiers came to Pingcheng to guard the border, and now there are 200 to 300 cavalrymen looting the Rilu tribe. Just in case, you take 800 cavalrymen with you. If there is any change, report to me quickly and I will lead other troops to support you!"

It has to be said that Ke Bineng acted cautiously. He let his younger brother lead the troops south, and he served as the subsequent support point.

"Brother, don't worry!"

Zhu Luohou was extremely confident and said, "Although the Han people have brave men, they are no match for us. We must make sure that the invaders will not return."

After a pause, Zhu Luohou hugged Ke Bineng and said with a smile: "Han women are delicate and weak. Next time you plunder Han territory, I will find a beautiful woman for you."

"I don't know the strength of the Han army, so we must be more careful this time!" Ke Bineng smiled and said.

"it is good!"

After receiving the military order from Kebineng, Zhuluo Hou immediately took Gui Puzhen and led 800 cavalrymen south.

In the afternoon, Zhu Luohou arrived at the location of the Rilu tribe. What he saw was corpses everywhere. The felt tents had been burned down, and the cattle, sheep and horses had been looted. The scene was horrific.

"Woo!"

Seeing this scene, Gui Puzhen got off the horse, knelt down on the snow and cried.

"The Han army just left not long ago!" A Hu cavalryman shouted while checking the horse manure.

"I beg the leader to save our people." Gui Puzhen said crying.

"Mount!"

Zhu Luohou sneered and said, "Since I started plundering Han territory, the Han army has not been able to take care of the border and has never dared to go out of the border to plunder my tribe. Now I must let the Han army know the strengths and weaknesses of my tribe, so as to avenge today's humiliation."

Pulling out his ring-handled sword, Zhu Luohou shouted, "Take off the Han man's head and avenge the Rilu tribe."

"revenge!"

The eight hundred Xianbei cavalry shouted loudly and, under the leadership of Zhu Luohou, chased after the traces left by the Han army.

Not long into the pursuit, Zhu Luohou's troops saw the women and children of the Rilu tribe being carried by the Han people.

There is a Hu head hanging on the horse's head, and a Hu woman is carrying behind the horse!
Seeing this, Zhu Luohou was furious and led his cavalry to chase after them. Because the Han cavalry carried a lot of spoils, they were not as fast as the Hu cavalry, and the two sides were getting closer and closer.

Seeing the approaching Hu cavalry, the Han cavalry led by Hao Zhao pushed the Hu women off their horses, causing them to cry in pain. However, the cries were soon drowned out by the sound of horse hooves, and only Gui Puzhen and a few Hu cavalry stayed behind to take care of them.

Zhu Luohou pursued closely, and Hao Zhao, according to the plan arranged by Zhang Yu, led Zhu Luohou's troops towards the hilly area.

Seeing that Zhu Luohou came as planned and entered the ambush circle, Zhang Yu narrowed his eyes and smiled.

He understood why Genghis Khan loved to feign defeat to lure the enemy, because his nomadic opponents really loved to chase!
(End of this chapter)