Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 404 Great Victory (Part Two)

Meng Liulang and Lü Feng, returning victorious, were in high spirits and beaming with joy. When they were about ten miles away from Liaoxi City, they suddenly received a report from a scout.

"The Xiongnu barbarians have dispatched a large force of cavalry and are pursuing us."

"The number of cavalry is so large that it is impossible to count them."

"They must have suffered a defeat and are now enraged, coming to hunt us down. They are still fifty li away from us. At the speed of cavalry, they can catch up with us in two hours."

The scout's face turned pale, and his voice trembled.

Meng Liulang and Lü Feng both gasped, then quickly exchanged a glance: "What do we do?"

"Run! Let's get back to the city and talk!"

"Infantry first, I'll lead the cavalry to cover the rear!" Meng Liulang gritted his teeth and made a wise decision: "Don't dawdle, move quickly! Otherwise, our great victory today will become a joke!"

Lu Feng had no time for empty words of gratitude or praise for Meng Liu's righteousness. He nodded hastily and shouted for the infantry to speed up their march.

Throw away all heavy objects and everyone jog forward.

Some soldiers, reluctant to part with their spoils, struggled forward carrying large bundles. After only a few steps, they were kicked to the ground by an enraged Lü Feng: "Didn't you hear what I said? Throw away your bundles now! If the Xiongnu barbarians catch up, you'll lose your life. What do you want gold and silver treasures for then!"

The soldier grinned, threw down his bundle, and limped after the army.

Of the three thousand cavalrymen, more than eight hundred died in battle, and more than two hundred were wounded. The remaining one thousand nine hundred rode their warhorses behind the main army, shouldering the heavy responsibility of holding the line and guarding against the enemy.

Although Meng Liulang was young, he was very experienced in battle. He suppressed his worries and anxieties and rode forward at a leisurely pace.

The news has already reached Liaoxi City.

Yang Hu immediately ordered the two side gates to be opened. The main city gates, of course, remained closed. In case the Xiongnu cavalry charged too aggressively, it would be like opening the gates to meet the enemy.

"What if they don't make it back to the city in time and are caught up by the Xiongnu barbarians?" Li Chi, who stayed behind with Yang Hu, couldn't help but ask.

Yang Hu said in a deep voice, "We need to be prepared to send troops to provide support. Go and immediately muster five thousand elite soldiers, ready to attack at any time."

Among the victorious allied forces returning from outside the city are elite troops from four armies, including Meng Liulang and Lü Feng. They cannot be abandoned lightly.

Yang Hu made his stance clear, and Li Chi breathed a sigh of relief, immediately rushing to muster his troops.

Half an hour later, the soldiers, who had run almost all the way back, were all red-faced and covered in sweat. There was some slight chaos when they entered the city.

Yang Hu personally led his personal guards to the city gate, beheaded two soldiers who tried to rush into the city first, and shouted angrily with a cold face: "Don't panic, line up and enter the city one by one!"

The chaotic crowd then returned to order.

Once all the infantry had entered the city, Yang Hu, who had been holding his breath, breathed a sigh of relief and then asked Lü Feng, "Where are the cavalry led by Meng Liu?"

Lü Feng sighed, "Meng Liu said he would cover our retreat. He probably led his cavalry to block the vanguard of the Xiongnu barbarians from the rear."

Yang Hu remained silent for a moment, then sighed, "Meng Liulang is indeed a hero!"

Lü Feng sighed, "Indeed! I, Lü Feng, am completely convinced today! Every soldier in the Beiping Army is brave and fearless. Commander Meng Liulang is far superior to me!"

"Let's not talk about that now," Yang Hu urged. "Hurry into the city and settle the wounded soldiers. I'll go and lead men to defend the city!"

Li Chi, who had mustered his elite troops, also came over: "I'll lead men out of the city to meet Meng Liu."

No sooner had he finished speaking than billowing smoke and dust appeared in the distance. The flags of the Beiping Army came into view first.

It was Meng Liulang who returned with his men.

Everyone's spirits lifted, and they quickly made way.

The cavalrymen spurred their horses swiftly, entering the city one after another. The side gates on either side were large enough for two horses to enter simultaneously. Meng Liulang brought up the rear, being the last to enter through one of the gates.

This bravery is truly astonishing.

Lu Feng sighed sincerely, "Meng Liu, from this day forward, I am completely convinced of your abilities. Of our four garrison forces, the Beiping Army is the most formidable. Among the four of us, you are undoubtedly the best."

Yang Hu and Li Chi nodded in unison.

Meng Liulang looked down at the three men from his horse, his expression infuriating: "Is there any need to say such an obvious fact?"

Yang Hu and the other two were amused by their anger.

The arrogant and smug Meng Liulang revealed his true colors the next moment. He scrambled off his horse, baring his teeth and nearly collapsing to the ground. Fortunately, his personal guards reacted quickly and caught their general, saving Meng Liulang from further embarrassment.

No one laughed at Meng Liulang. They all saw that Meng Liulang's back and legs were bleeding.

Yang Hu's expression turned serious: "Don't be reckless, go and get your wounds bandaged!"

Meng Liulang hummed in agreement.

The city gates were closed. Before long, the rumble of a large cavalry force approaching from outside the city could be heard.

Fortunately, with its sturdy city gates and tall walls, the Xiongnu cavalry, no matter how formidable, couldn't break through in a short time. Yang Hu and Li Chi went up to the city wall together.

Meng Liulang, who was injured, was helped by his personal guards to get treatment.

Lu Feng's injuries were less severe, but he still needed medicine and bandages. He sat next to Meng Liulang, occasionally grimacing. Meng Liulang, on the other hand, remained silent throughout. Only when the pain was at its worst did he call out, "Xiao Mo, bring me some water."

No one responded.

Those familiar faces are gone forever.

Meng Liulang closed his eyes, his eyes slightly moist.

Lü Feng was also very upset and turned his head to the side.

……

After suffering several defeats in succession, even the usually shrewd Xiongnu general, Punu, was completely enraged. Under his orders, the Xiongnu cavalry arrayed themselves outside Liaoxi City and launched a major attack.

Yang Hu ordered all the archers to go up the city wall and keep firing arrows, using the rain of arrows to block the first wave of attack from the Xiongnu barbarians.

"Li Chi, have someone prepare rolling stones and hot oil, and also prepare the golden juice!"

Li Chi immediately accepted the order and sent his trusted subordinates to prepare. Occasionally, some Liaoxi army officers complained: "This is Liaoxi City. The defense of the city should be decided by the general. How come General Yang of the Guangning army got the upper hand and started assigning us the tasks?"

Upon hearing this, Li Chi's face immediately darkened, and he said coldly, "I admire General Yang's strategic planning and command of the war. What, is there anything you disagree with?"

Faced with a ruthless man who dared to kill even his own uncle, the military officer immediately shrank back, his voice weak and feeble: "I was just saying it offhand, General, please calm down."

Li Chi sneered: "If you dare to say such unsettling things again, you will be dealt with according to military law!"

The military officers were terrified and obediently followed orders.

After reprimanding his subordinates, Li Chi returned to the city wall with a calm expression and stood behind Yang Hu.

Yang Hu stared at the commotion below the city walls, his brows furrowing. He continued in a deep voice, issuing the order: "We are short-handed in the northwest corner. Send one hundred archers over there."

Li Chi responded and immediately mustered his troops to block the small gap in the northwest corner.

(End of this chapter)