Tiger Guards

Chapter 159 Zhao Ji Steals the Horse
The front line was so calm that it seemed unlike a front line. The Han army gave up digging trenches and instead began to dredge the Xintian ditches.

This peaceful time seemed a bit long, and was actually a bit torturous for Zhao Ji.

But for the lower classes on both sides, this peace seemed too short-lived.

The next day, the weather was still sunny, but the wind was strong.

The Han army's battle flags were blown by the wind, and Zhao Ji went out of the camp to inspect again.

Today, the wounded soldiers in the camp with scabby wounds had their dressings changed and were transferred to the city to recuperate.

Just like yesterday, Zhao Ji did not enter the city, and no one from the court sent anyone to summon him, as if they all ignored him.

On the south bank of the Fen River, the south wind blew, and Zhao Ji's cloak spread out on his back. The wind seemed to be able to penetrate the gaps in his armor, bringing him coolness.

Jia Xu rode side by side with him, and both of them looked relaxed.

With the wind blowing like this, the Huns would not take the initiative to fight.

When shooting at each other, the power of the Xiongnu's bows and arrows decreased by at least ten steps, while that of the Han army increased by more than ten steps.

Not to mention the blinding sand and dust, which was very unfavorable to the Huns.

While they were inspecting, a group of scouts came with a report: "Minister, the Xiongnu in Xingcheng have closed their camp and are not coming out. Judging from their appearance, there are only about a thousand miscellaneous Hu people and slaves working on the deer horns, and there are more than a hundred cavalry supervising them."

"Explore again."

Zhao Ji waved his hand and asked Jia Xu, "Mr. Wenhe, how are the horses on the other side?"

The Huns who were grazing horses on the other side of the river had adapted to the current environment. Except for a few people who were still riding horses, most of them were sleeping on piles of harvested and dried seedlings. Some Huns were fishing, casting nets, or fishing.

Some people dug puddles on the mudflats of the north shore and set up fish traps, giving the impression of survival in the wilderness.

Even some young people who participated in horse herding would dig up some plant roots or wild vegetables by the river.

The wild vegetables along the river bank are particularly abundant.

There were no fishermen in the Han army. Some of them were resting in the camp or working in the new field area west of the camp.

Jia Xu raised his hand to shade his brows, looking at the horses on the north bank that had already eaten and were sleeping or fighting before noon, and nodded involuntarily: "If we can get it, the offensive and defensive situation will change."

Zhao Ji added, "Xu Gongming has dispatched capable men to conduct reconnaissance along the Chen Pass. If they see any troops from Henei, they will light signal fire."

Jia Xu turned to look at Zhao Ji: "Could it be that the Minister intends to defeat the Xiongnu alone before the Henei troops arrive?"

"Yes, I became passive after the Hanoi soldiers arrived."

Zhao Ji honestly admitted that as the saying goes, times have changed. For two consecutive days, the court lived next to him but ignored his existence.

There could be too many reasons, and he was too lazy to guess or verify them one by one.

Zhao Ji smiled as he spoke, "The soldiers in the camp have been away from their families and are already anxious, but there are still military laws to restrain them. If men can control themselves, how can horses be restrained?"

As he spoke, he reached into his harness and pulled out a flag, waving it in the direction of the southwest cavalry camp.

More than 700 mares were driven there, their hooves trampling up a lot of dust, which was swallowed up by the water before it flew over the Fen River.

The horses approached, some foraged on the ancient embankment, and some took a detour to the mudflats to drink water.

The horses on both sides of the river neighed incessantly, and the scent of some mares drifted northward with the wind, making the horses on the north bank increasingly agitated.

The Fen River during the dry season is actually just like that.

Jia Xu already knew what Zhao Ji was going to do, so he restrained his expression and stared at the north bank seriously.

If we empty them all in one fell swoop... even if we trick seven or eight thousand horses from the north bank, the offensive and defensive situations will change!

The horse herders on the north bank cracked their whips one after another, unable to control the agitated horses. Soon, driven by instinct, several stallions bravely jumped into the Fen River and swam towards the south bank.

Behind them, the herds of horses were encouraged and no longer afraid of the seemingly wide Fen River, and they all jumped in.

In an instant, the surface of the Fen River was filled with horses' heads.

Even the waterline on the banks of the Fen River shows a rising trend.

Zhao Ji reined in his horse and gritted his teeth, "They have no choice now. Either they cross the river and attack us to get our horses back. Otherwise, I will defeat the Xiongnu in Xingcheng and cross the river upstream. Then they will be dead!"

As he spoke, Zhao Ji raised his hand and whipped Jia Xu's horse on its butt. Jia Xu was startled and reined in his horse to go east. Zhao Ji also drove his horse to follow him. The knights around him dared not stay any longer.

They followed suit, and dozens of riders quickly fled from the shore.

The first stallion to swim across ran joyfully towards the mares, shaking his head and tossing his mane. Many of the stallions that reached shore also shook their heads, sending up so many splashes of water that a rainbow appeared over the herd.

The stallions that came ashore couldn't wait to rush towards the group of mares. The mares were frightened and ran away, and the stallions chased them closely, one after another.

The mudflats on the shore were quickly trampled into mud and washed away by the Fen River, turning the surface of the river downstream yellow.

Zhao Ji ran more than 200 steps before reining in his horse. Looking back, he saw a rainbow above the shore and couldn't help laughing.

Jia Xu was an expert horseman, and after Zhao Ji had finished laughing with pride, he said, "The Minister is truly a prodigy."

Zhao Ji just waved his hand and said, "It's just a few more stories. It's nothing."

The riders around all stood up straight, stretched their necks to watch the moving herd of horses, and smiled foolishly, looking happier than seeing thousands of women.

Zhao Ji stared blankly at the countless herds of horses, his eyes shining.

With so many horses, I don’t have to worry about anyone’s mood anymore!

With so many horses being divided up, most of them would naturally become the Zhao Family Army!
How many knight battalions does Zhang Yang have among his Hanoi soldiers?

Jia Xu observed Zhao Ji's profile and he didn't want to stand against Zhao Ji.

It’s not that I’m afraid of Zhao Ji, but people like Zhao Ji are difficult to deal with.

He was unreasonable in the face of battle and just pulled out the spine of the Huns. Not only are the Huns now in a dilemma, they are actually on the brink of ethnic extinction!

That’s right, Jia Xu is not afraid of brave generals, but he is afraid of unreasonable brave generals.

All the plans and arrangements were destroyed by the opponent's punch at the critical moment. This feeling is helpless and dangerous.

On the wall of Jiangyi City, the guards on duty were horrified when they saw this.

Guanqiu Xing leaned on his iron halberd and looked stupidly at the dense and gradually spreading herd of black and red horses on the shore, with beads of sweat oozing from his face.

Upon hearing the news, Pei Mao quickly climbed up the city wall and went directly to the enemy tower in the northwest corner, also with a look of idiocy on his face.

After coming back to his senses, he saw that Guanqiu Yi looked dejected, while the guards were generally happy.

Soon, Sima Lang quickly followed Sima Fang up to the enemy tower, without even having time to greet Pei Mao.

Sima Fang's eyes almost popped out of his head. "Juguang, how could this be? How did the Xiongnu's horse end up in the hands of Minister Zhao?"

His body swayed, and as Jia Xu had expected, the Henei troops had already set off.

With the Wei family's treasury, the current Xiongnu horses, and the court's instigation, Sima Fang has already seen a terrible scene.

I can't even say it, it's too shocking.

Sima Lang could only support Sima Fang to prevent him from shaking and falling from the enemy tower.

"The Huns are finished."

Pei Mao turned his head to look at the north bank, where the Huns were gathering more and more, and he could only stare blankly.

Given the Huns' character and customs, before dark, the envoys who came to surrender and negotiate could kneel before Zhao Ji and beg for forgiveness and understanding!
In three days at the fastest and five days at the slowest, the Huns on the north bank and Xingcheng would either leave or be annexed by Zhao Ji and Qu Bei!
There is no need to fight anymore, the Huns' fundamental goal is just survival.

When survival is threatened, they will naturally give up the arrogant idea of annexing Hedong.

What should the court do?
What should I do?
How should I report this matter to Fu Wan and the emperor now?
"Long live!"

"Long live!"

In the military camp outside the city, the officers and soldiers were overjoyed and shouted "Long live the city!" They rushed out of the camp and cooperated with the Hedong and Xiongnu knights to restrain the horses and drive the messy horses into the camp.

Even if there is a layer of horse manure in the camp, the Tiger Infantry can sleep soundly!
Amidst the faint shouts of "Long live the city", some guards turned around and went down the city wall, opened the city gate without authorization, and went to join Zhao Ji.

Several officials from the same hometown pulled Guanqiu Xing's arm, but Guanqiu Xing lowered his head and did not move.

Seeing his stubbornness, these officials from Wenxi threw away their hats and caps, and hurried down the steps with their spears and halberds, scrambling to join the camp outside the city.

Teams of knights scattered outside the city, drove away and repelled the horses that trampled on the young crops, and rushed into the camp one after another.

The shouts of "Long live the emperor" were gradually drowned out by the neighing of horses. Pei Mao, Sima Fang and Guanqiu Yi had never seen so many horses in their lives!

The battle flag of the Huben Zhonglang Jiang fluttered in the camp, making a rustling sound, and the copper fork with the word "mountain" on the top of the flagpole pointed straight to the sky.

(End of this chapter)