Sweep Yuan

Chapter 203 The General Returns to Hezhou

The lower reaches of the Hezhou section of the Yangtze River waterway.

The early autumn river breeze, carrying a slight chill of moisture, made the sails of the boats flutter. The wide river surface shimmered in the afternoon sun, with the green mountains on both banks like dark eyebrows and the rice fields displaying a blend of green and yellow hues.

Standing at the bow of the boat, Zhou Wendao gazed at the gradually clear outline of the riverbank in the northwest, and couldn't help but feel his heart surge with emotion.

He was from Dangtu, and in the past, every time he traveled by boat along this waterway, it was to transport goods.

They had to be on edge at all times, feigning compliance with the government troops and local strongmen who set up checkpoints along the way, guarding against bandits and mountain thieves who would rob them on the road, and haggling back and forth with the penny-pinching merchants at the docks. Every trip was exhausting, all for the sake of earning that meager hard-earned money.

Even though he had visited Hezhou many times, he always felt like a passerby, with a strong sense of alienation from this land, as if separated by an invisible barrier.

But ever since he joined Marshal Shi's forces and began taking on the serious task of killing heads, Zhou Wendao gradually came to see himself as a part of Jiangbei. Haozhou, Dingyuan, Chuzhou, Hezhou... every piece of land under the jurisdiction of the Red Flag Battalion felt incredibly familiar to him.

Especially at this moment, seeing the familiar village outlines on the north bank in the distance, and thinking that I will soon see the fluttering red flags and soldiers in red robes, a warm feeling of "returning home" surges into my heart.

After months of wandering and traveling thousands of miles, venturing deep into Yidu Road to bring back the Marshal's family, this mission was finally nearing its end. Once he landed in Hezhou and safely delivered the Marshal's family, he would be able to officially take charge of the Veterans' Society and thus become deeply involved in the grand cause of the Red Flag Battalion.

This weighty trust and bright future filled Zhou Wendao with pride, and the fatigue of the past few days seemed to vanish.

"Manager Zhou! Manager Zhou!"

The boatman's slightly anxious call interrupted Zhou Wendao's reverie.

"Huh? What's the matter?"

Zhou Wendao snapped out of his daze and looked at the boatman who was hurrying over with some confusion.

The boat captain, his dark face grave, pointed northwest and said:
"Look! The Hezhou Wharf... I'm afraid we can't dock there!"

Zhou Wendao looked in the direction he was pointing, and his heart tightened suddenly.

I was so caught up in my feelings that I didn't notice that several thick black plumes of smoke were billowing up from the northwest direction of Hezhou Wharf!
At first, the smoke was too far away to be clearly seen due to the mist on the river, but as the large ship cut through the waves and got closer, the smoke column became clearer and thicker.

What's this? A war has struck!
This thought flashed through Zhou Wendao's mind in an instant.

Hezhou is located at a strategic point on the Yangtze River, guarding the main channel. The Yuan court was unwilling to give it up easily and repeatedly sent troops to harass it, which was to be expected.

Zhou Wendao was mentally prepared for this.

The ship was carrying Marshal Shi's closest relatives and family members, who were extremely precious and could not be allowed to be harmed in the slightest. They absolutely could not be involved in the battle.

If we can't land at Hezhou, then we'll continue sailing west. There are always relatively safe docks upstream, such as Yuxikou and Zhajiangkou, where we can land.

"The large ship should sail towards the south bank and stay away from the north bank!"

Zhou Wendao decided to change his plans, his voice calm as he suppressed a hint of unease.

Although the Yangtze River in Hezhou is wide, it is ultimately finite.

The large ship has a deep draft, so in order to avoid the shallows and reefs on the south bank, it cannot really sail close to the south bank. In fact, it is still not far from the north bank. After adjusting its course, it continues to sail along the south side of the river.

After sailing for a while, the scenery on the shore gradually became clear.

Shouts of battle, the clash of weapons, and even faint screams drifted on the river breeze!

The battle at the docks was now imminent.

To be precise, the battle appears to be nearing its end.

Dozens of small Red Flag Battalion boats, as agile as swimming fish, surrounded more than ten Yuan army ships of varying sizes on the north bank, much like a pack of wolves hunting a clumsy buffalo.

Among them, the sails of several large Yuan army ships had been set ablaze, burning fiercely, losing power and helplessly spinning on the river; others had been successfully boarded by Red Flag Battalion warriors, and the soldiers of both sides were engaged in fierce close combat on the swaying decks.

Amidst the flashing blades and splattering blood, figures screamed as they fell into the river.

Bian Yuanheng was also drawn by the intense commotion on the north bank. He stepped out of his cabin and came to Zhou Wendao's side. He was tall and had excellent eyesight. His sharp gaze swept across the battlefield, quickly capturing more details.

"Brother Zhou, please take a look."

He pointed to the small boats darting back and forth, his tone tinged with excitement, and said:
"The soldiers on the small boats are all dressed in red robes. Our Red Flag Battalion has won this battle!"

Although he had not yet formally met Marshal Shi and received his appointment, Bian Yuanheng had already devoted his heart to the Red Flag Battalion and Marshal Shi ever since he declined Zhang Shicheng's offer in Beisha Town. The words "our Red Flag Battalion" came out of his mouth naturally and firmly, without any hesitation.

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Wendao's spirits lifted, and upon closer inspection, he found it to be true.

I had only seen plumes of smoke and chaos, but after Bian Yuanheng pointed it out, I could finally see the bright red robes and fluttering red flags on those small boats, and most of my worries immediately disappeared.

"Come closer! Quick, get closer and take a look!"

Zhou Wendao immediately changed his mind. Some of the marshal's relatives on the ship were suffering from severe seasickness and were in great pain. If the battle on the shore had indeed ended and the Red Flag Battalion had taken control of the situation, landing near Hezhou would undoubtedly spare these elderly, weak, women, and children who had been suffering from the turbulent journey a great deal of suffering.

The large ship adjusted its course and cautiously approached the battlefield to the northwest.

The battlefield panorama gradually unfolded before their eyes: the small boats of the Red Flag Battalion's navy were skillfully dividing and encircling the remaining enemy forces, with Yuan soldiers constantly surrendering or being killed and falling into the water; victory was now a foregone conclusion.

At this moment, a sudden change occurred!
A long, narrow, and extremely fast Yuan army scout ship suddenly burst out from the gap in the encirclement. It used both oars and sails, and like a startled swordfish, it fled in panic toward the south bank.

The Yuan soldiers on the ship were rowing frantically, their faces filled with the ecstatic joy of surviving a calamity.

However, four small boats from the Red Flag Battalion were hot on their heels, their oars churning up white waves.

Seeing that the fleeing Yuan army's fast boat was about to pass Zhou Wendao's large ship, the captain's face changed drastically. Experienced as he was, he knew the devastating impact of a collision between such a high-speed small boat and the ship. He hurriedly shouted at the top of his lungs:
"Turn the mainsail to three notches to reduce wind pressure; stern rudder, full port, quick! Avoid it! Head oar, go into deep water and stabilize the bow!"

A series of urgent and professional instructions were uttered, and the large ship began to clumsily turn.

"No need to turn around!"

A clear and resolute voice rang out. Bian Yuanheng had returned to the cabin at some point, then quickly turned back, now holding a large, simple-looking ox-horn bow with a thick, sturdy bow.

He drew his bow and nocked an arrow, the sharp arrowhead coldly pointing at the boat captain. Although he had no intention of killing him, the invisible pressure made the boat captain instantly fall silent.

Bian Yuanheng's gaze sharpened as he locked onto the approaching Yuan army fast ship, and he said in a deep voice:
"Keep going this way and crash into it!"

The captain had a bitter look on his face. This job of transporting people was well paid, but it was deep in the rebel-controlled area and the risks were great. What he valued most was that he really didn't want his precious ship to be damaged in any way.

While he was still hesitating, Zhou Wendao strode forward and decisively made the decision:
"Listen to Brother Bian, crash into it! If you damage it, Zhou will pay for it exactly as it was, not a single penny less!"

With Zhou Wendao's assurance, the captain steeled himself, gritted his teeth, and roared at all the sailors and passengers on deck:
"Hold on tight! Hold on tight! Prepare for a collision!"

The large ship maintained its original course, like a silent behemoth, heading straight towards the panicked Yuan army speedboat!
The officers on the Yuan army's fast ships also spotted the large ship that showed no sign of giving way. Terrified, they screamed at the top of their lungs:

"Right! Quickly move to the right! Avoid it! Avoid it!"

The rowers on the speedboat exerted all their strength, and the helmsman swerved sharply. At the critical moment, the speedboat, thanks to its agile nature, narrowly missed the bow of the large ship in a thrilling arc.

The Yuan soldiers on the fast boat had just recovered from their shock and were about to catch their breath when they heard a sharp "whoosh" sound overhead.

A long, white-feathered arrow pierced the air like lightning, striking the crucial load-bearing cable at the top of the mainsail with perfect accuracy.

Boom!
The crisp sound of the rope snapping was clearly audible. The heavy sails, now free, cascaded down like a giant curtain, instantly covering the Yuan soldiers who were maneuvering the sails.

The weight of the canvas, combined with the sudden darkness, terrified the Yuan soldiers, who screamed in terror and struggled desperately under the canvas. The fast boat immediately lost its main power and its speed decreased sharply.

"Quick! Row faster! Don't stop!"

The Yuan officer looked in horror at the tall figure on the ship, who was holding a giant bow and wearing a plain white robe. He felt a chill run from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. He urged the rowers to hurry up with all his might.

The words have not yet been spoken!

Another deadly "whoosh!"

Before the sound had faded, a sharp arrow had already pierced the officer's throat like a venomous snake.

All his words came to an abrupt halt. His eyes widened in disbelief and terror. His body swayed, like a heavy sandbag, and he plunged into the murky river with a "plop," leaving only a rapidly spreading ripple of blood.

"Run away!"

"It's an archer! Jump into the water!"

The Yuan soldiers on the speedboat were on the verge of collapse. They were surrounded by killers and pursuers. Jumping into the water might be their only chance of survival.
But looking at the rushing river, they hesitated.

In the midst of this brief chaos, the white-clad figure on the large ship made a move that left everyone speechless.

Bian Yuanheng casually handed the incredibly powerful ox-horn bow to Zhou Wendao beside him, and, judging the closest distance between the two ships, suddenly grabbed a thick rope hanging from the mast of the large ship.

He took a deep breath, pushed off the gunwale with both feet, and with the help of the swaying ropes, his body, like a light swan, drew a graceful arc and landed steadily on the bow of the still rocking Yuan army fast ship, right before everyone's eyes.

The entire process was fluid and graceful.

"Kill him! Kill him quickly!"

The Yuan soldiers, recovering from their shock, realized this was their only way to survive.
Without any orders, the nearest Yuan soldiers, some brandishing their short spears and others brandishing their sabers, charged forward with strange cries! The fast boat was not large to begin with, and with more than thirty people moving at the same time, the boat immediately began to rock violently.

Bian Yuanheng, however, seemed to be rooted to the spot. His body naturally tilted and swayed slightly with the swing of the speedboat, but his center of gravity remained as steady as a rock, without the slightest stumble.

Just as a short sword was about to strike his ribs, Bian Yuanheng moved with ghostly speed to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack. Simultaneously, his left hand flashed out, precisely seizing the soldier's wrist and twisting it with a swift pull. *Snap!*

A sickening cracking sound rang out, and before the soldier could even scream, Bian Yuanheng's right hand gripped his neck like an iron clamp. With a seemingly casual twist, the soldier's screams came to an abrupt halt, and his body went limp.

Bian Yuanheng caught the short knife that had slipped from his hand with a smooth motion, as if he had practiced it a thousand times.

Zhou Wendao stood on the high side of the ship, his heart in his throat. When he first saw Bian Yuanheng jump off the fast ship alone and face more than thirty fierce-looking Yuan soldiers, he was so frightened that he broke out in a cold sweat. His subconscious thought was to rush back to the cabin to call Hua Yun, who was resting due to seasickness, to help him fight.

But after only a few breaths, he was deeply shocked by what he saw and could no longer look away.

If Hua Yun's fighting style is thunderous and powerful, with each strike carrying the momentum to split mountains and shatter rocks, it is a violent aesthetic of every spear and every knife cutting into flesh.
Bian Yuanheng's fighting style was like that of a master embroiderer working with flying needles and thread, or a highly skilled dancer performing a dance of life and death in a small space. His control over power, his grasp of timing, and his use of every muscle in his body had reached a state of exquisite perfection.

He was seen:
Or, with a seemingly casual parry of his short sword, he would deflect the thrusting spear, the blade sliding down the shaft to precisely slice across his opponent's neck. Just as blood was about to splatter, he would spin and deliver a swift side kick, sending his enemy flying into the river like a broken sack.

As if he had eyes in the back of his head, the moment the two Yuan soldiers pounced at the same time, he suddenly took a step back and spun around. His elbow, like a venomous dragon emerging from its cave, slammed into the jaw of the attacker behind him with a dull thud. The sound of bones shattering was clearly audible. The attacker fell backward without even uttering a sound.

Bian Yuanheng didn't stop moving. His short sword flashed in a cold arc, and another Yuan soldier who rushed forward immediately coughed up blood. He had already turned in another direction.

His movements were graceful and agile, with an indescribable sense of rhythm. He moved freely amidst the flashing swords, his white robes fluttering, yet he remained completely untouched by dust or blood.

Every dodge was perfectly timed, and every strike was concise and deadly.

This is not a brutal fight, but more like a meticulously choreographed dance of death, where every move is deadly.

Zhou Wendao was mesmerized by the sight. In a daze, he recalled the peerless beauty of Gongsun Da Niang's sword dance recorded in ancient books, which was described as "coming like thunder and calming the raging storm, ending like the clear light of the ocean." He thought that this was probably no more than that.
Just as Zhou Wendao was immersed in this thrilling and artistic scene of carnage, the battle on the clipper was nearing its end.

The Yuan soldiers were not fearless puppets after all. In just a dozen breaths, more than ten of their comrades died in various tragic ways at the hands of the white-clad killing god, without even a drop of blood getting on him! How could they possibly contend with such an existence?
"Grandpa, spare me!"

"We surrender! We surrender!"

"We're just lowly soldiers trying to make a living, please spare our lives, Grandpa!"

The remaining dozen or so Yuan soldiers completely collapsed, throwing away their weapons and kowtowing and begging for mercy like pounding garlic, tears streaming down their faces, displaying their most shameful behavior.

Duh!
Bian Yuanheng casually tossed the short sword in his hand, which was stained with the blood of several people. The short sword turned into a cold light and accurately nailed to the deck in front of the kneeling Yuan soldier. Shockingly, the blade was completely embedded in the deck, leaving only the hilt sticking out.

The terrifying power and precise control left the Yuan soldiers dumbfounded, so much so that they forgot to kowtow.

"stand up!"

Bian Yuanheng's voice was calm, but to the Yuan soldiers, it was an order they dared not disobey.

"Grab your oars, turn around, and row towards the north bank! Go where you belong!"

The Yuan soldiers, as if granted a pardon, scrambled to their feet, grabbed their oars in a flurry, and desperately turned their boats around, rowing towards the Red Flag Camp navy on the north bank.

Bian Yuanheng stood with his hands behind his back at the bow of the boat, dressed in white, his clothes fluttering in the river breeze, looking like a fairy from a painting.

The terrifying massacre that had just taken place seemed as if it had never happened.

Before long, four speedboats from the Red Flag Battalion came speeding towards them from the north like flying fish.

At the bow of the small boat stood a lean and wiry young general with eyes as sharp as an eagle.

He had witnessed Bian Yuanheng's superb archery skills and his unparalleled skill in the ship's combat, and was deeply impressed. Now, from a distance of several dozen feet, he clasped his hands in a fist salute to Bian Yuanheng and laughed loudly, his laughter filled with hearty admiration and respect.

"Hahaha! What skill, what archery, what courage! I, Liao Yongzhong, have truly broadened my horizons today. I admire you greatly! May I ask your esteemed name, sir?"

Before Marshal Shi set out for Xuzhou, considering the Yuan army's frequent raids on key riverside locations such as Hezhou and Wuwei, he specially dispatched a portion of the elite naval forces southward to strengthen defenses. Liao Yongzhong was ordered to lead his troops to Hezhou at that time.

Because of the small size of its ships and the limited number of soldiers, it was difficult for it to directly confront the main force of the Yuan navy. So it remained hidden in the Sancha River, waiting for an opportunity to strike.

Upon discovering that the Yuan army had landed and harassed them again, he decisively led his troops to attack, successfully raiding and destroying the Yuan army's troop transport fleet, but the extremely fast scout ship escaped.

Liao Yongzhong knew that if the ship escaped and sent a message back, it would reveal that the navy had already entered Hezhou, which would cause endless trouble. Therefore, he led his team to pursue it closely.

Seeing that the fast boat was using both oars and sails and was far faster than his own small boat, and he was in a state of great anxiety, Bian Yuanheng appeared like a god descending from the sky, cut the mooring with an arrow, and single-handedly seized the boat, solving his biggest problem!

The Red Flag Battalion's navy was full of skilled fighters, and Commander Xu Da was even more outstanding.

Liao Yongzhong considered himself a man of the world, but after witnessing Bian Yuanheng's unparalleled skill in killing with ease and without a drop of blood on his body, dressed in white, he realized that there are always people more capable than oneself, and that there is always something beyond one's reach. He immediately felt a desire to befriend him.

Bian Yuanheng had always intended to show off his skills in front of the naval officers and soldiers in order to make a name for himself in the Red Flag Battalion. Upon hearing this, he replied loudly:

"Bian Yuanheng of Yancheng!" The clear voice pierced through the river breeze.

Then, he realized that his earlier actions might have seemed too aloof and arrogant, which would be detrimental to his future relationships with these comrades. So he returned the greeting with clasped hands, his tone becoming gentler and more approachable.
"May I ask if the people on the other side are our Red Flag Battalion brothers?"

Our Red Flag Battalion?
Liao Yongzhong keenly sensed the sense of belonging in Bian Yuanheng's words, and was even more pleased, but was puzzled that the other party did not seem to recognize the naval flag.

He was originally a rough and tough man who made a living on the water. Seeing that Bian Yuanheng, though exceptionally skilled and with an extraordinary demeanor, spoke without arrogance but rather with friendliness, he immediately felt a sense of goodwill and quickly said:

"Indeed! I am Liao Yongzhong, deputy commander of the Third Battalion of the Navy. Brother Bian, with such remarkable skills, may I ask which garrison you serve in?"

At this moment, the small boat had approached the speedboat.

Bian Yuanheng knew his mission was special and couldn't be discussed in detail here and now, but he needed to give an explanation to Liao Yongzhong in response to his questions. He waved to Zhou Wendao, who was looking over anxiously from the large ship, to indicate that everything was alright, and then smiled candidly at Liao Yongzhong:
"Brother Liao, to be honest, Yuanheng came to Hezhou this time to go to Hefei to serve Marshal Shi. I have not yet paid my respects to the Marshal, so I have no duties yet."

"oh?!"

When Liao Yongzhong heard that Bian Yuanheng had not yet officially joined the army, his eyes lit up. This was a great opportunity to recruit a general for the navy!

He tapped the bow of the boat with the bamboo pole in his hand, and using the water's momentum and the pole's elasticity, he leaped up as lightly as a large bird, drawing a graceful arc in the air, and landed steadily on the bow of the fast boat, which was more than three zhang away.

This impressive pole vault also showcased his remarkable skill.

Liao Yongzhong showed off his skills for a moment, then eagerly leaned closer and said:

"Brother Bian! Your skills are unparalleled in the world. There are already nine guards on the shore, with strong and well-equipped soldiers. Our navy has only just formed one guard, and we are in dire need of manpower. We will definitely expand in the future."

"Brother Bian, if you were willing to join the navy, with your skills and courage, you would surely be able to display your talents and command respect independently. Your future as a marquis and general would be just around the corner!"

Bian Yuanheng had his own plans; how could he decide on his destination so hastily? Besides, the final decision rested with Marshal Shi. However, faced with Liao Yongzhong's sincere and enthusiastic invitation, he couldn't very well refuse directly and offend the other party.

He smiled slightly, gestured for him to proceed, and moved with an air of nonchalance.
"Brother Liao, sit down and let's talk."

Having said that, Bian Yuanheng casually lifted the hem of his white shirt and sat down on the bow deck. Liao Yongzhong, also a straightforward man, laughed and sat down cross-legged as well.

The two then sat at the swaying bow of the boat, facing the river breeze, and began to chat.

Bian Yuanheng naturally wouldn't reveal the secret mission of escorting the marshal's relatives. He simply followed Liao Yongzhong's words and inquired about the current size of the navy, its warships, main generals, and daily defenses, while also learning about the battles on land.

According to Liao Yongzhong, about five or six hundred Yuan troops successfully landed and launched an attack today.

"Don't worry, Brother Bian!"

Liao Yongzhong patted his chest and guaranteed, saying:

"Commander Shao Rong received the news long ago, and his elite infantry have already marched over. By now, those Yuan bastards who have landed are probably already crushed to pieces by our men!"

Nevertheless, Byun Won-hyung still harbored a degree of caution.

He worried that the remnants of the Yuan army on the shore had not yet been eliminated, and if they disturbed the marshal's family who were about to land, it would be a dereliction of duty on his part.

After the ship docked, Bian Yuanheng discussed with Zhou Wendao that he and Hua Yun would disembark first to check the situation on the shore and ensure that everything was in order before the marshal's relatives landed.

Zhou Wendao wholeheartedly agreed. They had already entered the Red Flag Battalion's controlled area, and at this crucial moment, they couldn't afford any unforeseen complications. He immediately agreed with Bian Yuanheng's suggestion.

After bidding farewell to Liao Yongzhong, who had extended a warm invitation, Bian Yuanheng called Hua Yun, who had regained some of her energy after disembarking.

Upon hearing that a battle was about to break out, Hua Yun immediately perked up, picked up his spear, and headed towards the inland area of ​​Hezhou with Bian Yuanheng.

The two walked along the riverbank for a short while before they heard shouts coming from ahead.

Turning past a grove of trees, one could see hundreds of Red Flag Battalion soldiers busily working on a chaotic battlefield.

Some were binding dejected prisoners, some were collecting the remains of fallen comrades, and others were cleaning up scattered weapons and armor.

Clearly, as Liao Yongzhong said, the battle is over.

The leading general was exhausted. He was taking off his heavy helmet and wiping the sweat from his forehead, revealing a rather eye-catching head of short hair.

The short-haired general immediately spotted Bian Yuanheng and Hua Yun. The two were extremely tall and clearly no ordinary people. He quickly put his helmet back on and led a group of soldiers to greet them.

His eyes were sharp and wary, his hand already on the hilt of the knife at his waist, and he asked in a deep voice:

"Stop! Who are you?"

Hua Yun didn't waste any words, directly taking out a specially made brass token from his pocket and tossing it to the other party, saying:
"By order of Marshal, we are to carry out a special mission. We are now assigning a squad of soldiers from your unit to accompany me to the dock."

The token reflected a dim light in the afternoon sun, and the front was clearly engraved with several seal characters: "Red Flag Battalion Marshal's Office - Special Envoy".

The short-haired general took the token, glanced at it briefly, and his expression instantly turned extremely serious. He straightened up abruptly, slammed his right fist heavily onto his left breastplate with a dull thud, and responded in a loud and firm voice:

"Commander Zhu Chongba of the Sixth Battalion of the Fujun Guard, receive the order!"

(End of this chapter)