Tiger Guards

Chapter 633 Southern Commandant
Zhang He's military tactics were steady, and Yan Xing, the vanguard of the pursuing troops, was also very composed.

When they reached the fence erected by Zhang He, Yan Xing assigned men to search for boats near the Tao River, and also sent men into the dense forest on the east side to search for possible ambushes or hidden paths.

Zhang He's army was composed of members of his clan and hometown, and so was Yan Xing's.

In particular, the able-bodied men and women of Jincheng who had pursued the enemy here abandoned their plans to launch a strong attack after seeing the wooden fence erected by Zhang He in the road.

They also feared that once Han Sui's main force arrived, it would drive them to participate in a strong attack.

Therefore, some timid and cautious villagers took the initiative to withdraw, and under their influence, the teams that had made some gains in extinguishing fires and clearing obstacles also withdrew.

Yan Xing had no intention of dealing with these scattered troops who were withdrawing.

These are nothing more than a pack of wolves following his intention to carve up flesh and blood. Let alone commanding these people to carry out tactics, even getting them to set up camp according to plan or to contribute to the construction of the camp would require a clear price tag and payment.

When things are going well, Yan Xing is comfortable with more of these wolf packs; but if the war is not going well, or if it enters a stalemate, Yan Xing hopes that these unstable factors will decrease.

After all, Yan Xing's army was also filled with relatives and fellow villagers, and he couldn't afford to lose.

If he suffers a crushing defeat, he will never be able to return to his hometown, and even his parents will be unable to hold their heads high.

Therefore, Zhang He's Jin army, known for its fierce fighting, fought steadily and even betrayed its own allies; Yan Xing, the vanguard of the Liang rebels, who was also famous for his bravery, was unusually rigid and hesitant.

Yan Xing even took the initiative to retreat five miles before setting up camp, establishing a stronghold in the middle of the road to defend against a surprise attack by the Jin army.

When Cheng Gongying's central army arrived at midnight, they went directly into the safe camp and were able to rest quickly.

At this point, Zhang He began setting fire to the fences and watchtowers that he had painstakingly built during the day, and even sent people to set fire to the upwind side of the dense forest.

In early winter, when a fire breaks out in the pine forest, the scent of pine resin spreads southward with the wind. Wherever the wind carries this scent, the pine forest, rich in resin, burns.

The small fire that Zhang He set up in his camp initially attracted the attention of the pursuing troops.

But in the latter half of the night, at dawn, the dense forests on the northeast side of the mountain burned fiercely, turning half the sky red and even the clouds in the sky red.

Flames soared into the sky, no longer needing the north wind to fuel them.

The fiercely burning dense forest drew air from the surroundings, and in Yan Xing's camp, the flags that had been fluttering southward in the north wind were now swaying towards the center of the flames.

Under such circumstances, how could the pursuers dare to give chase?

Standing atop the city tower of Didao, Ma Teng gazed at the crimson clouds in the sky at the far north, remaining silent for a long time.

Throughout the city of Didao, officials and commoners alike began to help the elderly and children, pushing carts loaded with grain or some of their family property, slowly making their way south along the road.

Outside the north gate of Didao, Ma Chao led his expanded army of 8,000 infantry and cavalry in formation, waiting for the enemy.

The officers and soldiers of Zhu Ling's troops who had retreated here received baggage carts transferred by Zhang He. They reloaded their armor, spears, halberds, heavy crossbows, and other equipment onto the carts, allowing the soldiers to travel light.

Zhu's officers and soldiers either rode on horseback in armor or walked on foot, supporting their carts, moving relatively quickly through the middle of Ma Chao's army formation.

Not only Zhang He, but even Ma Chao was wary of Zhu Ling's betrayal.

Therefore, the military formations on both sides of the road were subtly wary, but under the supervision of their officers, they maintained their composure and watched Zhu Ling's troops leave with their eyes.

After Zhu Ling's troops withdrew, seven thousand auxiliary soldiers were recruited from the four prefectures of Hexi. These auxiliary soldiers wore simple short leather jackets with embroidered square sheepskin patches on their vests, bearing the character "辅" (auxiliary).

They were roughly organized into fourteen battalions, each with five hundred men, and were currently moving quickly, carrying their personal tools and guards.

As long as safety can be guaranteed, both civilians and auxiliary troops can maintain a stable operational order.

After the auxiliary troops withdrew, it was Zhang He's troops who arrived.

Ma Chao, spear in hand, stood on his horse to the side of the road. Seeing Zhang He's battle flag approaching, he spurred his horse forward and asked, "Is the vanguard of the enemy army Yan Xing?"

"If there are no other generals with the surname Yan in the rebel army, then it must be this man."

Zhang He sheathed his spear and hung it on the hook, then cupped his hands towards Ma Chao: "Ma Chao, have you received any orders from the Grand Tutor?"

"No," Ma Chao replied, then turned his horse to leave, but Zhang He called out, "Servant, please wait!"

Ma Chao slowly turned around, his entire being brimming with killing intent: "What is it?"

"Someone set fire to the forest, and the fire spread... It is really difficult for the enemy soldiers to reach this place today."

As Zhang He spoke, seeing that Ma Chao's expression was becoming increasingly hostile, he continued, "You might as well rest and reorganize your officers and soldiers, and wait for another opportunity to fight."

"It's alright, I want to see if he dares to come."

After saying this, Ma Chao lifted his leg and rubbed against the saddle. His fine steed spurred its four hooves and carried Ma Chao back to the banner.

The sun had just risen, and under its golden rays, Ma Chao's battle flag was extraordinary, bearing the inscription "Commander-in-Chief".

Theoretically speaking, if Ma Chao were to present a military order written in advance by Zhao Ji and announce it, Zhang He would have to obey.

It's hard to say exactly how to obey or carry out the orders, but on the surface, you must obey.

However, Yan Xing's performance disappointed Ma Chao. He was no longer the sixteen-year-old boy who almost had his neck broken by Yan Xing with a broken spear. Yan Xing had also passed the age of wantonly killing the wives and daughters of his enemies.

Yan Xing now has a wife and children. Although he cannot escape the arrogant and conceited nature of Liangzhou warriors, Yan Xing is trying to overcome these shortcomings. He only wants to make a name for himself in Dongzhou, escape from Liangzhou, this hell, and live a peaceful life with his family.

As the fire set by Zhang He burned for a day and a night and gradually died down, Yan Xingcai and Cheng Gongying advanced with their combined forces.

Within a single day and night, Han and Hu leaders on both sides of the lower reaches of the Tao River rose up in rebellion, some with only a few dozen able-bodied men from their villages, while others numbered in the hundreds.

The pursuing vanguard swelled to several thousand men and marched in a mighty procession to Didao.

At the same time, the gates of the city, the seat of Longxi Prefecture, were closed, and a fire was burning inside the city.

Almost without Yan Xing or Cheng Gongying giving any orders, these Han and Hu chieftains who had joined halfway through the journey led their troops forward, scaled the city walls with ropes, opened the city gates, and allowed their army to enter the city to begin looting the abandoned city of Didao, which had been abandoned by Ma Teng.

The poor Xin clan of Longxi had not accomplished anything yet, and their clansmen and servants in the city were forced to relocate.

The Xin family's businesses were spread throughout Longxi and surrounding counties. Now, with no ability to resist, they were taken away by Ma Teng along with their core population.

If nothing unexpected happens, without the consolidation of the direct line of the Xin family, the Xin family's businesses in various regions will either be merged, decline, or become independent.

If any member of the Xin family can hold an important position under Zhao Ji, or demonstrate great potential, then these properties will be able to survive tenaciously and await the return of their master.

As for Xin Pi, the governor of Dunhuang appointed by Yuan Shao, he was also mixed in with the Zhao family's group at this time, migrating on foot with a bitter face.

The previous collection of fodder and the like was a complete scam targeting the powerful families of Longxi.

Not only Zhang He and Ma Chao were setting fires, but also various hay storage areas were set on fire under Ma Chao's orders. The rebels must not be allowed to obtain these winter fodder.

Two days later, Ma Chao and Zhang He took turns providing cover, and finally arrived at Zhang County.

Having retreated to this point, we finally no longer need to retreat.

As Ma Chao retreated, he set fires wildly, wishing that all the mountains and forests in Longxi would be burned to ashes.

So much so that when Ma Chao arrived at the military camp outside Zhang County, it was snowing with dust in the air, and at first glance it looked like white snow.

But after you grab a handful of it and it dissolves, what's left in your hand is a grayish-black dirty water.

"Southern Commandant?"

Upon entering the camp, Ma Chao received a new order from Zhao Ji, appointing Pang De, an official of Longxi Commandery, as the Southern Commandant of Longxi, to defend Lintao, south of Zhang County.

Ma Chao didn't think Pang De had anything worth his attention; Ma Chao felt he could do better than Pang De could.

Feeling somewhat puzzled by Pound's entry into officialdom, he casually passed the order to Ma Dai, asking him to convey it.

(End of this chapter)