Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 407 Melee ()

Warfare is like chess; the general commanding the battle is like the flag bearer, who, once a move is made, cannot take it back. He can only wait for the outcome.

Pei Qinghe stayed in Liaoxi City and waited for three or four days. The first to return were Pei Yan and Yang Huai's cavalry battalion.

Seeing the smoke and dust in the distance, Pei Qinghe suppressed her excitement and trepidation, and calmly descended the city gate to personally greet them.

The first to enter the city gate was the imposing and majestic Pei Yan. She looked around, like a proud eagle, and said loudly in front of the guards, "General, we caught up with a group of more than a thousand Xiongnu cavalry. After the two sides clashed, we gained the upper hand. The Xiongnu barbarians fled, and we chased them for half a day, leaving more than three hundred behind. I brought back their heads."

Judging by the number of cavalrymen killed alone, it doesn't seem like a large number. However, this was the Pei family's cavalry battalion fighting against the Xiongnu cavalry alone, and they had virtually no numerical advantage. Such a result is truly astonishing.

On that day, Meng Liulang also led cavalry to fight against the Xiongnu barbarians. He only managed to win by sending twice as many cavalry as the Xiongnu barbarians. In terms of casualties, he had more than the Xiongnu barbarians.

By comparing the two, one can understand the true value of Pei Yan's victory this time. It also shows that the elite cavalry that Pei Yan had painstakingly trained over the years was indeed capable of fighting against the Xiongnu cavalry.

Pei Qinghe, who had been on edge for days, suddenly relaxed and smiled as she praised Pei Yan. Pei Yan, looking smug, glanced at Meng Liulang.

Who is the true number one warrior in the north under General Pei?

Meng Liulang never yielded to anyone; he curled the corners of his mouth in a haughty response.

Pei Qinghe ignored Pei Yan and Meng Liulang, those two childish brats, and gently inquired about Yang Huai, who was slightly injured: "How are your injuries?"

Yang Huai replied, "I was stabbed in the left shoulder, but it's protected by soft armor. The injury isn't serious; I'll be fine after a few days of rest."

Injuries are not uncommon on the battlefield. Since Yang Huai officially joined the Pei family's army after marrying into their family, he has fought alongside Pei Yan. Minor injuries like this are really nothing to worry about.

Besides Yang Huai, there were two or three hundred wounded soldiers of varying degrees of injury. The military doctors were prepared and immediately began working as soon as the wounded arrived.

Another day passed, and Gu Lian returned with his troops. Infantry fighting cavalry was extremely difficult. To hold off the cavalry charge and tie down the Xiongnu barbarians with battle formations, there was no chance of victory. For the past few years, the Pei family army had been diligently training battle formations to counter cavalry. Infantry such as spearmen, chain-wielding swordsmen, and shieldmen were specifically trained to deal with the Xiongnu barbarians.

On that day, Yang Hu, outnumbered and outgunned, won a great battle against the Xiongnu cavalry with a combination of cavalry and infantry, relying on the skills he had honed over the past few years.

Compared to the Guangning Army, the Pei family army's meticulously trained battle formations were clearly more formidable.

Gu Lian raised his head and reported, "General, I led four thousand infantrymen and caught up with a group of over a thousand Xiongnu barbarians. The battle was extremely fierce. In the end, we won. We killed a large portion of them, but the majority escaped on horseback. We simply couldn't catch up and had to return."

Even with infantry against cavalry, a three-on-one advantage, victory is still achievable.

The Pei family's method of training troops was correct.

Pei Qinghe felt completely at ease and said with a smile, "Well done! I'll give you credit for this. Quickly send the wounded to the wounded camp for treatment."

Gu Lian bowed and accepted the order, then calmly left.

In the afternoon, Feng Chang also returned.

Compared to Gu Lian's composure, Feng Chang's situation was far more dire. Of the four thousand men who went out, only half returned, along with many wounded soldiers—clearly a defeated army. Feng Chang, covered in dust and grime, mustered his spirits and reported, "The cavalry we encountered numbered about two thousand. We formed a battle formation, but the cavalry charged back and forth several times, and we were eventually scattered. Many were killed or wounded."

"I have failed the general's trust and high expectations, and I am truly ashamed of myself."

Pei Qinghe did not reprimand him, but inquired carefully about the details of the battle. However, he sighed and said, "To win a battle against cavalry, you need at least three times the number of troops. You led four thousand men, but you encountered two thousand cavalry, less than twice their number. It is quite remarkable that you did not suffer a rout and were able to gather so many men back. There is no need to blame yourself for this."

"Our Pei family army is not afraid of being defeated. As long as we don't lose morale, we can fight back in the future."

That's what they say, but Pei Yan and Yang Huai won the battle, and Gu Lian also won, while he alone suffered a defeat and lost many soldiers. It was truly an ugly sight.

Feng Chang barely mustered his spirits to answer. He himself was also injured, and after going to the wounded soldiers' camp, Army Doctor Lu personally treated his wounds.

A familiar face, whom I hadn't seen in a long time, came over: "Boss Feng, how badly are you hurt?"

Feng Chang gave a wry smile: "I won't die."

Wang Erhe, who was neither tall nor handsome but rather agile, sat down next to Feng Chang and whispered to comfort him, "Winning and losing are common occurrences in war. You can't be blamed for the defeat. Infantry against cavalry, it's already good enough if they can hold out without collapsing."

Feng Chang said sullenly, "General Pei has never lost a battle."

Wang Erhe chuckled: "Your ambitions are quite impressive, almost on par with the general's?"

Wang Erhe was always humorous, and Feng Chang was amused as well, his mood easing slightly: "You're right. I really shouldn't have compared myself to the general. It's just that I didn't beat Gu Yidao, so I'm feeling frustrated."

Feng Chang and Gu Lian have been rivals for many years. They always have to compete with each other. Speaking of which, Feng Chang's luck has been mediocre. For the past few years, he had been stationed with troops and had not participated in several major battles against the Xiongnu. It wasn't until last year, when Pei Qinghe launched an attack on the Zhang family of Bohai, that Feng Chang was able to join the campaign.

This defeat against the Xiongnu cavalry was due to various disadvantages of infantry fighting cavalry, but his lack of relevant combat experience was also a significant factor.

Gu Lian had been stationed with Pei Yun in Beiping County and was far more experienced in fighting enemies. This time, they encountered far fewer cavalrymen and won a clean and decisive victory.

Feng Chang's jealousy was almost overflowing.

Wang Erhe chuckled: "Boss Feng, this is fate. You've been outmaneuvered by her from the very beginning, so you'll just have to be your number two from now on."

Feng Chang angrily kicked him: "Pah! Are you here to comfort me, or to swagger around on behalf of Gu Yidao? Get out!"

Wang Erhe was originally Feng Chang's capable subordinate. Several years ago, he left Feng Chang to follow Gu Lian. Now he is Gu Lian's trusted confidant.

Wang Erhe wasn't angry at being kicked; instead, he said gleefully, "It took me several years to get her approval. After this battle, she'll take me as her son-in-law."

So, they're not just here to show off their power, they're also here to stuff a mouthful of dog food into his mouth.

"Pah! What's so great about marrying into a family?" Feng Chang laughed and scolded, but he was genuinely happy for his brother. "Remember to set up a few tables when the time comes. I'll bring the old brothers from back then to give you face."

(End of this chapter)