Three Kingdoms: A Million Soldiers Grown from the Fields

Chapter 132 Yun is furious (My wife is so cute, so I'm adding an extra chapter!)

Zhang Xian's grain route went from Lüchi through Loufan to Mayi.

More than a month has passed, and now this grain route has been extended once again.

The Fengzi Battalion, which had been deployed outside Mayi City, advanced eighty li north again to protect Zhao Yun's troops who were roaming near Qiangyin.

Similarly, the Second Battalion of Forest Fire, which was deployed to Loufan, also sent out a contingent to continue guarding the Loufan camp.

Huang Zhong's army moved into the original grain and fodder transfer camp outside Mayi City to ensure the proper supply of grain for the campaign against the Hu.

Strong Yin Cavalry Camp.

The military tents were scattered, and the stables and mangers were placed everywhere.

In the large camp, which could accommodate more than two thousand people, sheep were being slaughtered, skinned, and smoked into strips of meat everywhere.

In the central command tent, Zhang Liao, who had distinguished himself in battle and been promoted to cavalry marquis, was discussing the next strategic objectives with Zhao Yun.

"Our sweep through the northern grasslands was successful. Leveraging our superior cavalry archery, a three-round volley of arrows from a distance was enough to stabilize the battle. Even if any resisters remained, a subsequent cavalry charge would be enough to finish them off."

"Our troops have only been in Bingbei for a little over a month, and we have already swept away no fewer than twenty-three small tribes. We have basically made a killing every day. Now, the cattle, sheep and horses in the camp are almost too many to hold. I think we should send two garrisons of soldiers back to the rear to send the livestock. Our troops should continue to seize the time to sweep and strive to achieve even greater results before the Bingbei Hu cavalry can react!"

Zhang Liao spoke at a moderate pace, and although he was young, his strategic vision had already made considerable progress.

Zhao Yun listened quietly, nodding occasionally: "Good, inform your troops to leave us with ten days' worth of supplies, and send the rest of the cattle and sheep back to the rear for transit as soon as possible! Tomorrow, continue clearing the northern grasslands!"

"promise!"

……

For more than a month thereafter, the small and medium-sized tribes on the northern grasslands were plunged into an endless nightmare.

Zhao Yun's cavalry unit of a hundred men was like a ghost, specializing in attacking scattered and lax nomadic settlements and small migrating groups.

The Bingbei Grassland is not like the desert grassland. Although the people of Bingzhou did not fully control this area, they had some understanding of the pastures and water systems suitable for grazing.

They also have the advantage of fighting on familiar terrain in Bingbei.

The offensive tactics were simple yet deadly: archer cavalry used ranged attacks to destroy resistance, while cavalry charges crushed and swept through the enemy lines.

Every battle ended quickly. The cavalry took no prisoners, following the battle orders left by their lord: kill the steppe people, build mounds of corpses, and leave no survivors!

Panic spread like a plague.

"Han Chinese arrows can pierce the thickest leather shields!"

"That white-horse general is a jinx sent by the gods!"

"The pasture has burned down... Our winter food is gone... What are we going to do..."

Desperate cries drifted in the night wind.

Panic began to breed anger.

Initially, many tribal leaders had doubts when faced with the messenger from the Bone Kingdom. Some were reluctant to give up their independent pastures, while others were afraid of being swallowed up by the majority of the tribe.

But as Zhao Yun's cavalry swept across the northern grasslands like razors time and time again, the fear of death severed all hesitation and wishful thinking.

More and more leaders, driven by the will to survive, gathered together.

Murong Han, like a skilled weaver, silently wove these things into an invisible net.

As more units joined, the activity range, attack frequency, plunder targets, and return routes of Zhao Yun's troops were meticulously marked on increasingly detailed animal hide maps.

In the center of the map, the place name repeatedly outlined in charcoal stands out: White River Valley.

The valley is wide, the Baihe River is shallow, and the pebble beaches are conducive to the deployment of cavalry. To its west, it is connected to a narrow and long valley road, Yingchou Gorge.

"The fish have had their fill of sweetness; it's time to haul in the net."

Murong Han's withered fingers tapped heavily on the White River Valley, a cold smile on his face like a venomous snake locking onto its prey.

……

In late spring, the weather on the Bingbei Grassland is unpredictable.

A sudden cold rain fell, and a thin mist filled the damp, chilly air, like a light veil shrouding the low-lying areas of the valley.

In a secluded bend in the lower reaches of the Baihe River, a caravan was stuck deep in the muddy riverbed.

The tired horse snorted restlessly. Beside dozens of large carts, the "guards" shouted and pushed the wheels, occasionally revealing the strong muscles under their leather armor and the gleaming hilts of their swords as they nervously scanned the thin mist.

In the bushes on the high slope by the river, Murong Han, wrapped tightly in a black robe, stood like a stone statue blending into the shadows. His hawk-like gaze pierced through the thin mist, coldly looking down at the "caravan" waiting to be slaughtered below and the mist-shrouded hills in the distance.

"Is everything settled?" A deep, imposing voice sounded from behind.

Gu Qi, draped in a bearskin cloak with hunched shoulders, walked over, his hand resting on the hilt of a sword; his brass-colored armor gleamed eerily in the mist.

"Don't worry, Chanyu." Murong Han's voice was completely calm: "My warriors will surely lure General Baima here."

After nearly two months of dealings with Zhao Yun and receiving a constant stream of intelligence from the Han Chinese, he had already figured out Zhao Yun's character: skilled in battle but not in strategy, and harboring an inexplicable hostility towards the steppe people, always ready to attack whenever he received intelligence.

Therefore, within an hour at most, Murong Han was certain that Zhao Yun's horse hooves would trample this place to pieces.

His calloused fingers pointed to the hills shrouded in mist on both sides of the riverbank: "On the left flank, the Chanyu's elite troops are lying in ambush behind the tall grass."

On the right flank, my Xianbei cavalry are hiding in the bushes on the western hillside.

Once the main force of the Han cavalry was firmly engaged by the 'caravan' and caught in a fierce battle..." His hand suddenly slashed downwards, resolute and chilling.

"Let's attack from both wings, block the valley entrance, and trap them like turtles in a jar!"

Following his gaze, Gu Qi saw only deathly silence in the thick fog.

He licked his chapped lips, his eyes burning with a bloodthirsty rage. He slowly drew his scimitar halfway out, the blade reflecting his ferocious face.

"Good! Murong Han, you deserve the greatest credit for this! I'll give you half of the grasslands in the northern plains!"

A thin mist, carrying a chill, flowed silently across the valley.

The chants of the caravan pushing their carts on the riverbank were monotonous and eerie; time seemed to stand still in this place shrouded in the shadow of death.

Only Murong Han's deep, icy gaze pierced through the mist, locking onto the southeast, waiting for the cavalry destined to fall into his trap, waiting for the horn of destruction to sound.

……

Zhao Yun reined in his horse and stopped on a mound, took off his armor, and took a deep breath of the cold, grassy air.

Zhang Liao rode closer, his face grave: "General, it's too quiet. The Hu horses have completely disappeared in the last two days. I think we can temporarily withdraw and return to our infantry camp. Sweeping through Bingbei is a long battle, and we should take some time to digest our recent gains."

Zhao Yun frowned deeply: "It is indeed strange."

"Order! All teams close the distance and double the vigilance! Send scouts another ten miles further!"

"promise!"

Command flags and horns conveyed the orders, and the scattered cavalry slowly drew together, their formation becoming more compact.

More light cavalry scouts shot into the depths of the grassland like sharp arrows.

The silence remained.

"Report—!" A hoarse, urgent cry pierced the oppressive air!

A scout galloped in from the northwest, his horse foaming at the mouth, and a cut on his left arm was bleeding, staining his leather armor red.

"General! Fifteen miles northwest! In Baihe Valley! A large force of Hu cavalry, nearly two thousand men! is besieging the caravan!"

"Have you seen the leader clearly?" Zhang Liao asked urgently, his hand already on the hilt of his sword.

"The fog in the valley is too thick... I could only see the wolf-head banner!"

The scout gasped for breath as he recalled.

Zhao Yun's sharp eyes swept over the faint black smoke rising in the northwest, and his mind quickly weighed the situation: the wolf-head banner had appeared, and the opportunity to fight was fleeting.

If they are allowed to succeed, the morale of the grassland people may be rekindled, leading to endless troubles.

The Lüsi cavalry is well-equipped and has strong combat capabilities. Even if there is an ambush, it is not impossible to defeat them in one battle!
"General! The terrain is unclear; we must not venture too far!" Zhang Liao, alarmed, hurriedly advised.

“Wen Yuan’s concerns are valid!” Zhao Yun’s voice was deep yet carried an undeniable resolve. “However, the appearance of the Chanyu’s main force to besiege our merchants is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and it is also our duty! How can we shrink back because of potential danger? Order the entire army to prepare the wedge formation, target Baihe Valley, and rush to its aid at full speed! Crush the barbarians and rescue the merchants!” He looked at Zhang Liao and added, “Quickly dispatch fast horses to report the enemy situation to the central army! Tell them that our troops have already gone to the rescue and request that they send reinforcements immediately!”

This was his last safeguard.

Zhang Liao bowed and accepted the order, then pulled over several scouts and instructed them, "Return to the main camp immediately and report! The troops must not rest!"

"promise"

Several scouts accepted the order.

The earth groaned under the iron hooves.

The iron cavalry carried a raging inferno.

Zhao Yun took the lead, his silver spear gleaming with a chilling light in the sunlight.

The fifteen-mile journey flew by under the hooves of the charging horses.

The smell of burning and blood filled the air, and the mournful cries and the whistles of the barbarians gradually became clearer.

As we rushed up a low ridge, the horrific scene in the valley suddenly came into view!
The Baihe River is shallow, and the pebble beach has been transformed into a bloody hell. Dozens of carts have overturned and burned, their goods scattered and in disarray, and corpses lying haphazardly on the beach and in the shallow water. The blood of guards, laborers, and workers has stained the pebbles and the murky water.

In the middle of the riverbank, the few dozen remaining young guards clung to a low wall made of a few unfallen carts and piles of goods, desperately facing the surging Hu cavalry.

The besieging Hu cavalry split into two groups. On the outer perimeter were hundreds of light Hun cavalry, who circled around like a pack of wolves, shouting incomprehensible gibberish and raining down arrows to suppress the defenders.

Inside, a hundred or so mounted cavalrymen surrounded the people inside like a cage.

On a high slope by the river in the distance, Murong Han, dressed in black, stood on his horse, his hawk-like eyes coldly surveying the entire scene.

The white warhorse stopped on the high slope.

Watching the cat-and-mouse game of slaughter below, Zhao Yun's fists hardened.

He looked around and the scene before him was almost identical to what the scouts had reported.

The surrounding cavalrymen were also eager to fight. Their continuous victories over the past two months had made them somewhat underestimate the steppe people below.

Zhao Yun raised his hand and swung it down.

"Wedge formation! Target the center! Break through them! Rescue the merchants and civilians! Kill—!"

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

More than a thousand elite cavalrymen roared and instantly formed a massive arrowhead formation, using Zhao Yun's white light as the sharpest arrowheads, crashing into the chaotic riverbed like a flood bursting its banks!

Zhang Liao, half a step behind, saw the cavalry charging into the valley and quickly surveyed the terrain.

He waved his command flag, and hundreds of archers reined in their horses.

"Clear the retreat route!" Zhang Liao ordered, pointing to the river valley passages on both sides.

“But what about the general and his men?” A mounted archer hesitated, looking at the cavalry that had already charged into the valley.

"obey orders!"

"Nono!"

Hundreds of archers obeyed the order and split to the flanks.

Going down the slope is easy, but rushing up the valley is quite difficult, so Zhang Liao must confirm the safety of the valley passages on both sides!
Blood and mud splattered from the horses' hooves!

Facing the charging Han cavalry, Naguqi grinned maliciously: "The Han dogs have fallen into the net! Warriors, slaughter the Han dogs!"

"Kill the Han dogs!"

"Kill the Han dogs!"

The careful planning took effect, and the morale of the Xiongnu and Xianbei people soared. They quickly changed their formation, transforming what was originally an encirclement of the chariots and horses into an outward attack.

Zhao Yun charged forward like a whirlwind! His silver spear transformed into a deadly, cold star, precise and cunning.

Like a dazzling silver star.

The Xianbei cavalry blocking the way swung their giant axes, but I lightly flicked my spear tip to deflect them, and like a venomous snake, I burrowed into his throat!

A Xiongnu cavalryman shot an arrow from the flank, but I used my left hand to swing my ring-pommel sword and deflect the arrow!

"Those who block my way shall die!" His roar shook the surrounding area.

Between thrusts and stabs, six or seven grassland people died on the spot!
"May the general be victorious!"

"May the general be victorious!"

With their commander in front of them, the morale of the cavalry was high. In the past two months, they had already won over the young general with his white horse and silver spear.

He always led the charge in every battle, always the first to achieve victory, and always the last to retreat.

Naguqi led his elite personal guards in a separate light cavalry charge towards the Han army.

The moment he appeared, a silver-armored white-clad rider was already in front of him, his iron spear piercing his heart with a chilling glint!
"Good dog!" Gu Qi was not surprised but delighted, his bloodthirsty glint flashing in his eyes!
With a roar, he dodged the spearhead to the side, and the heavy scimitar, accompanied by a shrill sound of tearing through the air, swept down in a swift motion, carrying blood and bone fragments!

"Clang—!" The deafening clang of metal clashing together was deafening! Sparks flew everywhere!

Zhao Yun felt a tremendous force travel up the shaft of his spear, his arms went numb, and his white warhorse neighed loudly!
"Han dog! State your name!" Gu Qi grinned maliciously, licking away the blood splattered on his lips, and raised his scimitar again.

"Zhao Yun of Changshan!" Zhao Yun suppressed his surging blood and qi, his spear thrusts becoming faster and more cunning, aiming only for vital points!
The cavalry surged towards the embankment like a flood, instantly engulfing the area and plunging it into chaos.

The guards behind Gu Qi also scattered and joined the charging cavalry in a bloody melee.

Gunfire and sword flashes mingled together!
The two generals fought each other on the spot.

The Lüchi cavalry were well-equipped, and their charge was unmatched! Upon contact, the front-line Xianbei cavalrymen were thrown to the ground! The ring-pommel swords, propelled by the speed of their horses, tore through the leather armor, and blood rained down!
"Hold on!!" The captain of the Bone-Bone Guard's eyes were bloodshot!
But the onslaught of the Qi Tu cavalry was getting stronger and stronger!
At the same time, Zhang Liao's archer cavalry also rushed towards the eastern entrance of the valley.

Buzz—! The bowstrings sang in unison like a swarm of deadly bees! Hundreds of feathered arrows soared into the air, tracing deadly arcs that precisely covered the area hidden by grass and trees.

Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! The dull thud of arrows piercing flesh was like a sudden downpour!

The grassland people, who were preparing to ambush from the tall grass and bushes, were wounded by the rain of arrows and charged out one by one without waiting for orders.

"There is indeed an ambush!"

Zhang Liao's expression tightened, and he waved his command flag: "Loop fire, don't get close!"

More than a thousand grassland people rushed out from one of the valley entrances, and the battlefield instantly turned from one place into two.

Looking at the cavalry charge in the center of the valley, Zhang Liao could only grit his teeth and choose to maneuver!

"Get moving! Get moving! Quickly!"

The arrowhead formation of the Lüchi cavalry, like a red-hot dagger cutting into solidified butter, swiftly pierced through the Hu cavalry's central army, tearing the entire riverbank battlefield in two!
Just as the cavalry that had broken through were about to turn around and try again, they saw more than a thousand steppe cavalry charge out from the valley entrance on this side.

"Damn it! An ambush! Don't stop! Keep charging forward!"

The cavalry commander reacted quickly, turning his horse around and charging towards the steppe cavalry.

The battle between Zhao Yun and Gu Qi had reached a fever pitch! Zhao Yun's spear skills were exquisite, repeatedly leaving wounds on the brass armor. His left shoulder armor was also pierced, and blood was gushing out. But Gu Qi's physique was like that of a raging bull, and his ferocity was even more intense! Ignoring his injuries, his sword strikes were fierce and desperate! His curved blade almost grazed Zhao Yun's helmet and breastplate, and the strong wind stung his cheeks!
"General!" a blood-soaked guard cried out hoarsely.

"...It seems our retreat is blocked!" He pointed towards the valley entrances on both sides, where the cavalry that should have been charging back were now entangled in a fierce battle, and the same was true on the other side!
Their retreat was cut off! This news was like the last straw! Morale began to waver!
'We've fallen for their trap!'

"Hold on! Move closer to me!" Zhao Yun knew he had been ambushed, and a nameless anger rose in his heart.

Hearing the sounds of battle coming from the valley entrance, Gu Qi laughed wildly: "Han dogs, your death is near!" Then he spurred his horse and galloped to the sides, ceasing all fighting.

Zhao Yun sheathed his spear, his face ashen.
"Form a defensive formation!"

"promise!"

The cavalry stranded in the middle of the valley quickly regrouped at Zhao Yun's command, using their horses as a wall to defend the area.

"Hold this position at all costs! No one is to break out without orders!"

"promise!"

After giving the order, Zhao Yun rode out alone and charged towards the disengaged Gu Qi.

Yun is furious!
How dare you run away?
(End of this chapter)