Wuxia: The Super Slave Master

Page 377

“It wasn’t us…” Shaha corrected, “It was General Zhao Cheng. Because I was just an observer and didn’t participate in any command. I accidentally saw the Steppe Wolf Legion, and General Zhao Cheng, considering that I was an old general, didn’t kill me, but just detained me. That’s how I was fortunate enough to witness the whole battle.” Shaha cleverly explained why he was with Zhao Cheng, so as not to arouse further suspicion from Zhong Ping.

“But as an observer, this is easy to explain. The Steppe Wolf Legion’s secrecy was so good that Luo Chen’s army only found out how many Steppe Wolves were in Hexi at the last minute,” Shaha said proudly. “The Steppe Wolf Legion’s secrecy is the strategy I admire most. Luo Chen never knew that the Steppe Wolf Legion had hundreds of thousands of troops, otherwise he would never have done something like splitting his forces.”

Zhong Ping nodded slightly, as if agreeing with his point of view.

“However, after Yesuo was captured, Luo Chen should have known the size of our army, otherwise he wouldn’t have reacted so quickly and led his troops to rescue Lü Bu…” Zhao Cheng added, seizing the opportunity while Zhong Ping was in a good mood. He also told Zhong Ping an important piece of information—Yesuo was suspected of betrayal. Zhong Ping understood perfectly well; his expression changed slightly, but he quickly returned to normal, as if he hadn’t heard Zhao Cheng’s words at all, and simply gestured for Shaha to continue.

"General Zhao Cheng has made appropriate arrangements regarding Luo Chen's reinforcements. He dispatched a detachment of over ten thousand men to intercept Luo Chen's forces," Shaha said calmly, glancing at Zhao Cheng. "According to the plan, the intercepting detachment will fight back step by step, delaying the enemy for an hour. During this hour, the Steppe Wolf Legion will defeat or even annihilate Lü Bu's main force, severely damaging Luo Chen's Hexi cavalry. If the plan is implemented, it means that one of Luo Chen's tiger teeth has been removed from the Hexi cavalry. With Lü Bu eliminated, the other will be easier to deal with, and the victory for Hexi will be basically secured."

This was indeed an excellent battle plan, consistent with Yesso's combat guidelines. More importantly, Zhao Cheng successfully found an opportunity to divide and annihilate a portion of the fallen army. Even Zhong Ping had to admit that this battle plan was flawless.

"And then the Grassland Wolf Legion betrayed us?" Zhong Ping asked coldly. Otherwise, how could such a good plan not only fail to defeat the Luo Army, but also result in the annihilation of his entire army and the loss of Hexi?

“Yes,” Shaha said with regret. “Unfortunately, the enemy commander was none other than Luo Chen. Luo Chen easily controlled the steppe wolves and arrived at the battlefield in less than a quarter of an hour. He not only rescued Lü Bu but also controlled all the steppe wolves on the battlefield. In the end, General Zhao Cheng and I, along with my two guards, could only flee in panic. If Luo Chen hadn’t fainted from blood loss and caused chaos, we might not have been able to escape.”

Zhong Ping did not ask any further questions, but remained silent for a long time.

"How do you know that Yesso and Luochen have a special attraction to wolves? Are you so sure?" Zhong Ping suddenly asked again. As he spoke, his sharp eyes were fixed on Shaha.

Shaha was taken aback. This Zhong Ping was indeed cunning and shrewd. Like a fox, he keenly sensed every suspicious detail, until he unearthed everything he wanted. Throughout the conversation, Shaha had been completely at ease and in control. Now, facing Zhong Ping's cunning, cold gaze, Shaha even felt a chill run down his spine. He wondered if cold beads of sweat were forming on his forehead. Yes, cold—it was all chilling, a bone-chilling cold, not a fever.

“The observer sees most clearly,” Shah said simply. The less he said, the less his knots, trembling, and nervousness would be revealed.

"The bystander sees most of the game?" Zhong Ping repeated, as if dissatisfied with this overly simplistic explanation.

“Yes, bystanders see things more clearly,” Shaha repeated. He quickly adjusted himself; Shaha knew this was an unsolvable problem. As long as he insisted that bystanders saw things more clearly, Zhong Ping could only accept this explanation.

Of course, Shaha's knowledge wasn't simply a matter of "the onlooker sees most of the game." In fact, Shaha was one of those who could control a wolf pack. He clearly felt his attraction to the wolves, and he could easily control and command them. Even before the great war broke out, when Yesso was transferred from his command position in the Steppe Wolf Legion, he realized this. He could even communicate with the wolves. Of course, Yesso and Luochen probably could too.

During that day's battle, Shaha did try to control the wolf legion to fight against Luo Chen. However, he sadly discovered that his control was far inferior to Luo Chen's. He could only control a few wolves around him, while Luo Chen could easily control the hundreds of thousands of wolves, no matter how far apart they were lined up. He only needed a low command. No words, no gestures, nothing at all; the wolf legion seemed to be able to relay Luo Chen's orders themselves, and soon, all the wolves moved. Of course, he wouldn't say any of this; saying it would put him in danger. Zhong Ping was an extremely suspicious person.

Zhong Ping was still staring at him, but Shaha had quickly composed himself and appeared calm.

“Alright…” Zhong Ping had no choice but to change the subject again, “You said there’s a problem with my personnel transfer, so should we ask Yesso to come back?”

Shaha sneered. Zhong Ping looked at him with some annoyance; Shaha seemed to disdain to answer his question.

“General Yesso, no matter how talented, is already out of the game. You won’t let him participate again, and he wouldn’t want to either,” Shaha said coldly, as if he knew Zhong Ping’s thoughts perfectly well.

Chapter 192 No Prospect

When the Grand General met with the Chanyu, the Vanguard General Guang and the Right General Shiqi's army separately took the eastern route. Some lost their way and later attacked the Chanyu. The Grand General led his troops back south of the desert, where he captured the Vanguard General and the Right General. The Grand General wanted to send an envoy back to report, so he ordered his chief clerk to reprimand the Vanguard General Guang, who then committed suicide. The Right General arrived, was imprisoned, and redeemed as a commoner. The Grand General's army entered the pass, and in total, 19,000 heads were taken or captured.

—From the Records of the Grand Historian, Biography of the Xiongnu

It was as if Shaha had directly exposed Zhongping's thoughts. Zhongping was very displeased, got up, and left in a huff.

Zhao Cheng looked at Shaha, unsure of what was going on... He was still obediently lying on the ground awaiting instructions, and Zhao Cheng wondered if Zhong Ping intended to kill him. Shaha simply smiled and said, "You can leave now." He then walked out of the tent.

Zhao Cheng was completely bewildered. Although he had Shaha's instructions, he still didn't dare to move. After waiting for a while, still no one came to inform him. Zhao Cheng steeled himself. "What the hell is this all about making me wait here? I'm leaving!" he thought, walking out of the tent without anyone stopping him. As for Zhong Ping, he was nowhere to be seen either. Zhao Cheng saw a group of people roasting meat and eating lunch. "Damn it, I was terrified all morning. I knelt for a full hour, not daring to lift my head. I'm exhausted!" he thought, and joined the soldiers to eat meat.

In the afternoon, news spread through the camp that General Shaha had been reinstated as Grand General. The veterans eagerly recalled his wisdom and bravery, how they had never suffered a loss fighting under him. The atmosphere in the camp instantly lifted. Zhao Cheng, while gnawing on some meat, pondered, "Since Shaha has become Grand General, it means my explanation was correct. There's still no news about my fate; it seems my life is spared. A near-death experience, thank goodness!"

Although he had survived, Zhao Cheng was acutely aware of the strength of the Xiongnu army. Two generals were dead, and he himself was on the verge of death. The Shaha was merely a figurehead, used to stabilize morale, at most offering advice, but with absolutely no real military authority. This small force would undoubtedly be under Zhong Ping's direct command from now on. The army, at most, numbered 50,000. Don't be fooled by their current good rest and rosy complexions; once Luo Chen's army arrived, the cannons roared, the steppe wolves unleashed, and they were all finished! They were simply not on the same level. It's no exaggeration to say that Luo Chen's army could easily crush them. Not to mention Xu Da's main force of 400,000, eight times their current strength. If the Hexi cavalry and steppe wolves joined the battle, they might as well surrender immediately.

Zhao Cheng figured that there was no future for this Xiongnu man; he had almost lost his life just now…

That evening, Zhao Cheng was summoned to a meeting. It was Zhong Ping's preferred small meeting. There were only three people: Zhong Ping, Shaha, and Zhao Cheng. Zhao Cheng felt a little scared. He remembered how Zhong Ting, Erlu, and Yesuo had all left before. He, a Han Chinese, had unexpectedly become the one to stay with Zhong Ping until the end. Luckily, Shaha had joined in; otherwise, just imagining Zhong Ping having a meeting with him alone would have been terrifying.

"Luo Chen has withdrawn his troops," Zhong Ping said briefly. "According to the latest news, Luo Chen has led his main cavalry force south to Guanzhong to rest and regroup."

"It seems we won't be attacked from both sides by the Luo army from Hexi..." Zhao Cheng thought with some relief, but he quickly realized that even if the cavalry left, there were still wolves.

"Where are the wolves?" Shaha asked. He had indeed thought of the same thing.

Zhong Ping shook his head with a wry smile: "I don't know." This army should be top secret in anyone's hands; how could anyone easily discover where they went...?

"Could we take this opportunity to enter Hexi?" Zhao Cheng tried to appear positive and proactive, considering the feasibility of a plan to infiltrate. In reality, he knew that marching into Hexi was wishful thinking! It would be good enough to remain hidden deep in the plateau; the moment they showed themselves, hundreds of thousands of troops would come to annihilate them, conveniently providing artillery ammunition, and they might even encounter wolves around the corner—how wonderful!

However, Zhong Ping still quite liked his attitude. Whether it was feasible or not was another matter; having an enterprising attitude was good... "It probably won't work... According to observations, after Luo Chen left Hexi, approximately 100,000 cavalrymen immediately entered Hexi, commanded by Pang De from Shicheng, a general under Ma Teng. Hexi's defenses remain tight."

"Oh..." Zhao Cheng feigned regret, but he wasn't surprised at all.

As Zhao Cheng listened to this boring meeting, he realized more and more that Zhong Ping was truly hopeless!

Speaking of Ma Teng and Luo Chen's southward retreat, General Ma Teng, who had been traveling day and night, actually encountered Luo Chen at the Great Wall. Luo Chen received Ma Teng and Pang De while sitting on the Great Wall. Luo Chen noticed how suddenly Ma Teng had aged; only six months had passed since he last saw him. Ma Teng seemed to have aged considerably, with more wrinkles on his face and much more white hair.

"General," Luo Chen stood up, took Ma Teng's hands, and helped him sit down, showing the utmost respect. Although Luo Chen's mind was made up, although the plan had already been implemented, and although he knew why Ma Teng had come, he still followed protocol and used the highest level of protocol to express considerable respect. Several high-ranking generals, Lü Bu, Chang Yuchun, and Yan Qing, were all present, ready to answer the old general Ma Teng's questions. Guards lined up along the Great Wall. Although they were in the open field, the procession of a high-ranking official paying homage to his lord was strictly arranged.

"My lord! Your army is retreating south, which is giving up a great opportunity. We could have wiped out the Qiang forces in one fell swoop!" Ma Teng said impatiently as soon as he saw Luo Chen.

Luo Chen smiled and said, "General, you must have seen it when you came. My main cavalry force is now reduced to beggars! They are not eating well, not dressing well, and not getting enough rest. If the troops don't get some rest, they will rebel against me!"

Ma Teng still wanted to talk about the Qiang people: "At this rate, who knows how long this will last..."

Luo Chen didn't answer. He knew that Shicheng had been on the defensive for far too long. The reason they hadn't been able to gain an overwhelming advantage over the Qiang was because their main forces hadn't been deployed. Liangzhou was a vast territory, and they simply couldn't defend it all. Ma Teng had no choice but to concentrate his forces in Shicheng, and much of Liangzhou's land had been ceded. This prolonged conflict naturally left the old general feeling very frustrated.

"General... now Cao Cao's million-strong army is pressing on Jiangnan. We must fight a battle in the south that concerns the fate of the nation!" Yan Qing spoke up for Luo Chen.

“We haven’t wiped out the Xiongnu in the north either. If we launch an attack on the Qiang people now, we’ll be attacking from all sides! That would be disadvantageous for us!” Chang Yuchun added.

Ma Teng watched the young generals chattering amongst themselves and could only sigh helplessly.

Chapter 193 Regional Governor

Many years passed quickly for Ma Teng at the military garrison in Shicheng. Luo Chen, too, had grown from a slightly green youth into a resolute and calm commander. Those who met Luo Chen in the past were often amazed, thinking, "This commanding commander is so young!" But as time went by, such sentiments gradually diminished, and no one dared to doubt the meticulousness and strategic brilliance behind that resolute face.

Ma Teng's proposal was rejected. Indeed, while the long-term defensive posture in the west was unpleasant, compared to other areas, the west clearly did not require the deployment of more troops, especially the main force. The Xiongnu had not yet been completely eradicated, a major battle had broken out in the southeast, and the Luo army's forces in the southeast were extremely weak. All of this necessitated an immediate southward advance of the main force. Moreover, after continuous high-intensity fighting, these troops desperately needed rest and recuperation.

"Take care, General... If conditions in Liangzhou Stone City are difficult, you can return to Chang'an to rest and recuperate at any time," Luo Chen said.

"This..." Ma Teng raised his head, looking at him with a puzzled expression. Luo Chen was taken aback, wondering if he had said something wrong. He immediately realized that "returning to the capital to recuperate" was not a good thing for a high-ranking official, especially since it usually meant that the lord thought the official was no longer fit for the job.

"Oh, 787 didn't mean that..." Luo Chen smiled awkwardly, "I'm only at ease with the old general stationed in Xiliang."

"Thank you, my lord," Ma Teng said reservedly.

Luo Chen felt a pang of sorrow and desolation. As long as there are hierarchical power structures, complete trust is impossible; a state of utter trustlessness is never possible. This is especially true in a feudal dynasty. Luo Chen increasingly realized that even his trusted advisors, those who had followed him for years, from humble beginnings to power, held him in more awe than anything else. Important ministers like Zhuge Liang and Xu Shu, despite Luo Chen's exceptional courtesy and respect, still maintained an extreme degree of caution.

"General, you've been stationed here for several years. What's the current situation with the army and food supplies?" Luo Chen changed the subject.

"Since the troops were stationed here a few years ago, the population of Shicheng, Anding and other places has increased significantly. The army is divided into five large camps, each with about 40,000 to 50,000 people. These 40,000 to 50,000 people are divided into two groups, taking turns to undertake agricultural reclamation and combat tasks."

"So, the Western Liang army now numbers between 200,000 and 250,000?" Chang Yuchun asked from behind, sounding quite surprised, as this could be considered a formidable force.

"To be precise, it's 230,000 men, with about 110,000 in active duty and ready for battle. Since our lord has transferred 50,000 cavalry from Guanzhong, the remaining troops in Xiliang now number 280,000," Ma Teng replied. "Regarding food, current grain reserves can supply an army of 200,000 for more than three years."

"The state of our army and food supplies is excellent," Luo Chen said to Yan Qing, Chang Yuchun, and Lü Bu beside him. "Especially our grain reserves, which already exceed those of most armies in the country." Indeed, due to the large-scale war against the Xiongnu, large quantities of grain and laborers were being sent north daily to maintain the fragile supply lines. Even a slight disruption to the supply lines could put Xu Da's troops at the front in danger of starvation. However, with Xu Da's major victories at the front, the situation has greatly improved. They can now requisition grain from the Xiongnu tribes, solving their food problem locally. Moreover, after the major battle, Xu Da led his troops in an emergency firefighting effort, capturing a considerable amount of grain from the Xiongnu army.

The situation in Hexi was much worse. Hexi was too barren to support a large army. Specialized grain transport troops set out from Guanzhong, using horses, mules, and carts to maintain a fragile supply line. Due to the long distance and the fragility of the supply line, they could not transport much more. It was already late autumn, and the soldiers were still wearing thin summer uniforms.

The ragged army marched merrily past the Great Wall, singing at the top of their lungs. They would soon be able to return home to rest. Although the soldiers shivered in the cold wind, their joyful spirit seemed to offset their hunger and chill.

"The soldiers have returned to Guanzhong to rest, but the rest of us are still heading north," Luo Chen said with a smile to the generals behind him. The senior officers nodded in understanding. After all, Xu Da's forces hadn't been completely wiped out yet.

"Isn't your army proactive enough?" Luo Chen meant the meeting was over, but Chang Yuchun couldn't suppress his doubts and couldn't help but ask.

According to regulations, generals of Chang Yuchun's rank were not qualified to question Ma Teng. They were merely Luo Chen's decision-making advisors; if Luo Chen overlooked any details, they would provide those details. Regional officials only spoke with their lord. However, Ma Teng smiled, unconcerned: "The Western Liang region is vast, and the enemy situation is extremely complex. Our lord mobilized nearly 600,000 troops, all elite forces, to fight the Xiongnu. It still took almost a year, and the hardship was immense. Our army also faces defensive challenges. With only 200,000 local troops, we cannot launch a full-scale counterattack against the Qiang. However, since Lord Luo Chen has approved our ability to launch a proactive attack, provided we defend our own territory well, we must fight several battles in the near future to support Lord Luo Chen's victories in Hexi and the north."

"Okay, but don't force yourself. Ensuring the safety of this defense zone is the top priority." Luo Chen nodded in agreement.

“Pang De is only a Commandant, his rank is too low, I’m afraid he’s not qualified to be an independent frontier general,” Ma Teng said to Luo Chen. Indeed, according to regulations, one must at least reach the rank of Lieutenant General to independently command troops and garrison a region. For example, Huang Zhong independently garrisoned Shangyong and other places with 100,000 cavalry. Previously, Xiahou Yuan garrisoned Hanzhong with 100,000 cavalry. Now, Pang De is being asked to command 100,000 troops and garrison Hexi, but his rank clearly doesn’t meet the requirement. This would be considered an exceptional command, which is against the rules. As Pang De’s superior, others might be hesitant to say it, but Ma Teng insisted on bringing it up; that’s what a qualified superior should do. “My lord could consider appointing another general to be the commander-in-chief of Hexi.”

"I will consider the old general's suggestion." Luo Chen said simply, "There are many battles and few generals at the moment. All fronts are lacking generals. I will temporarily appoint Pang De as the commander of the Hexi army, and will transfer him as appropriate in the future."

In fact, Luo Chen had never treated Pang De very well. Both were generals under Ma Teng, but Ma Dai had long been stationed in Luo Chen's core areas of control, such as Tongguan and Guanzhong, while Pang De was confined to Xiliang and never had the opportunity to demonstrate his abilities. This was probably because Luo Chen had read the Romance of the Three Kingdoms and didn't have a good impression of Pang De, unconsciously neglecting him.

Chapter 194 The First Artillery Unit

The artillery fire from the north shocked the entire nation. Whether it was the Xiongnu, the people of the Central Plains, or those from Jiangdong, everyone was filled with great curiosity about this thing, yet also panicked by its powerful destructive force, unsure whether it was true or not.

However, Cao Cao believed it to be true, as his army had personally experienced the powerful explosion and spread of gunpowder. The Cao army suffered heavy losses as a result, with even a fortified city reduced to ashes.

This incident reignited Cao Cao's anxieties. With Guo Jia gone, Cao Cao had no one to consult, making him even more anxious. Now, with the north and south locked in a stalemate, Cao Cao's navy was too weak, and Eastern Wu's resistance was resolute. He couldn't take Jiangdong for the time being, and with Luo Chen's campaign against the Xiongnu nearing its end, how could Cao Cao not be anxious!

In just half a month, Zhang Juzheng had apprehended a company full of spies. They came from Jiangdong, the Xiongnu, and Cao Cao, with Cao Cao's spies being the most numerous. Zhang Juzheng initially wanted to publicly announce this, but Zhuge Liang stopped him, saying it would be detrimental to the overall situation and that it was best not to openly break with Cao Cao for the time being. Although Zhang Juzheng was unhappy, he couldn't resist Zhuge Liang's position as regent, which gave him more power. Zhang Juzheng was an arrogant man, but also quite capable. In just two months in office, he had established over eighty liaison stations in the Central Plains and Southwest, covering almost all important towns. He had drawn elite soldiers from the Luo Chen Imperial Guard to form the core of his intelligence agency. He had also sent people to infiltrate Jiangdong, Cao Cao's Central Plains, and the Xiongnu territory. With Sun Yuanhua's cannons firing in the north, many spies were already restless, and their lords were eager to know the situation regarding Luo Chen's cannons, so many risked their lives to give orders to the spies. Little did they know that Zhang Juzheng had already laid a trap for them. They arrested people every day, wiping out entire groups, achieving the most brilliant results since the intelligence agency was established.

The second batch of artillery pieces, under heavy guard, was transported into Xu Da's camp. Based on this, Sun Yuanhua formally established the first artillery unit of the Luo Chen army, with approximately three thousand members. More than half of them were responsible for transportation and maintenance. The artillery unit was equipped with over sixty cannons. The combat-tested artillery clearly reassured Sun Yuanhua and Zhuge Liang, and in a joint letter to Luo Chen, they planned to immediately cast three hundred cannons. Luo Chen immediately approved this plan.

Since the end of the Great Steppe War, the Xiongnu army had successively advanced into most of the grasslands and occupied most of the water sources. They had clearly seized control of the lifeline of the steppe. Xiahou Yuan mobilized 50,000 cavalry, moving from west to east, to take over the Xiongnu royal court and the left wing of the Xiongnu. Wherever they went, they saw only devastation and poverty. The Xiongnu had given almost everything to defend the steppe, yet they had still failed. The resources spent on the war had left the steppe extremely impoverished, and many people were starving. Xiahou Yuan neither distributed grain nor requisitioned grain as originally planned; the grain captured after the Great Steppe War could still supply them for a while.

As the Luo Jun cavalry slowly traversed the grasslands and settlements, they made no attempt to establish local armies to control these villages. Their generals were dispatched to various surrounding settlements and villages, summoning local elders and sheriffs to announce that the area had been occupied by Lord Luo Chen. Xiahou Yuan, meanwhile, rode leisurely, a chill running down his spine as these dark-skinned farmers and herders looked at him with calm eyes. Their expressions were wooden; he had no idea what they were thinking. If their faces were filled with anger, he wouldn't be afraid, but these faces were filled with restraint and calm. It was as if they had already made up their minds to do something quietly. Weren't these kinds of people terrifying? Nobody knew what they were up to.

At Xiahou Yuan's insistence, Sun Yuanhua dispatched five cannons and over two hundred soldiers to bolster Xiahou Yuan's cavalry. In reality, Xiahou Yuan simply wanted to experience the thrill of possessing such powerful weaponry. He argued vehemently, "Since I was sent to the royal court and the left wing of the Xiongnu to establish order and announce Lord Luochen's occupation, it means I, Xiahou Yuan, am a general dispatched by Lord Luochen. Such a general should obviously be equipped with the most advanced weapons of the Luochen army, so as to fully represent Lord Luochen and General Xu Da..." Xiahou Yuan imagined the five cannons roaring simultaneously, blasting the enemy's walls and cavalry to smithereens. But nothing happened. The war had severely weakened the Xiongnu, and even if they wanted to, they lacked the ability to organize any decent resistance. Many died, especially the men. Many Xiongnu soldiers had been captured in the grassland battles, and now many Xiongnu awaited the prisoner-of-war policy. They all hoped not to be killed, but... according to the Xiongnu's official propaganda portraying them as ferocious and ruthless Han Chinese who had plundered their homes, they would surely kill their husbands and sons. These people remained silent, as if suppressing immense grief and anger.

· 0 flowers requested ···· ····

Xiahou Yuan stroked the cold steel pipe as the soldier explained how to operate it. Of course, that was all there was to it; they naturally didn't understand why.

"Great stuff! Amazing stuff! Mr. Sun is truly a genius!" Xiahou Yuan exclaimed with admiration at the end.

Soon the officers returned and reported on the surrounding situation. "There is a small castle about ten miles away, which seems to have been built by the Xiongnu," one of the officers reported.

......... ....... ...

"You've been requisitioned. Two thousand troops will be stationed here, and you'll be the commander," Xiahou Yuan said immediately. "Go to the dispatch office and sign your name. You've become a commander in the Xiongnu defense zone."

"This..." The general looked clearly troubled. "I don't want to stay here as a commander. I want to fight alongside the army and then go back to the Central Plains after the war... this godforsaken place..."

"Bullshit!" Xiahou Yuan roared, his eyes widening, startling his subordinate. "Letting you be a mountain king here, with food and drink and no fighting, what's wrong with that! And your rank is high too, if you were an officer, your rank wouldn't be this high! Besides, do you think you'll stay here forever? Once the enemy forces on the Xiongnu side are wiped out, Zhongping is captured, and the security situation improves, I'll transfer you back!"

Upon hearing that he was to be transferred back, the general shut his mouth and said nothing more.

Xiahou Yuan turned to his dozens of generals and numerous subordinate officers and said, “Listen up! Our column… and the other columns, the 50,000 men that General Xu Da has drawn are here to maintain the stability of the Xiongnu royal court and the left wing, and to suppress rebellions! You will all lead about a thousand soldiers to garrison the area until Zhong Ping is captured! Don’t give me any more complaints, or I’ll beat your butts with military sticks!”

The officers and generals dared not utter a sound upon hearing this.

Chapter 195 Nighttime on the Grassland

After reprimanding his men, Xiahou Yuan immediately set off. The army's sweeping speed was comparable to a march, because the Xiongnu territory was so vast, and the population was sparse, with few villages and vast lands.

Eight large horses pulled a wagon carrying cannons, galloping with a whooshing sound—a truly grand gift. The fast horses raced across the grassland, the first column numbering over ten thousand men spreading out in a horizontal line, raising a huge cloud of dust across the vast grassland.

"Spread out the combat battalions, so the soldiers don't inhale too much dust; it's bad for their health!" Xiahou Yuan said to the messenger, who coughed and nodded before leaving. The army spread out over a large distance, the more than ten thousand men appearing like a hundred thousand, their movements shaking the ground. Of course, if the main force of the Xiongnu hadn't been defeated, Xiahou Yuan wouldn't have dared to spread his soldiers so widely. Being dispersed during a surprise attack makes them vulnerable to being divided, surrounded, or routed.

Autumn nights fall quickly, the wind howls, and the temperature drops sharply; the horse's mane, soaked with sweat, is even covered with a layer of frost. Truly a fine steed, it maintains its speed and stamina. Only the rider is shivering with cold.

According to the advance team's report, there was a sheltered spot and a water source ahead, suitable for setting up camp and resting. A logistics team had already rushed ahead and was preparing tents and setting up a fire. Such a good place couldn't be uninhabited; sure enough, a village was there, with herders having pitched sturdy yurts, seemingly intending to stay for a long time.

Sure enough, before long, the soldiers saw faint lights, scattered like stars. It seemed that someone lived there, and that someone was carrying torches. Xiahou Yuan was not surprised by this, because it seemed that respected elders often organized self-defense militias in the Xiongnu settlements. Soon, large areas of firelight rose up, indicating that the logistics team had arrived and was making arrangements.

The soldiers cheered as they ran into the valley, where the low hills blocked the strong winds, making it much more comfortable, though the temperature remained low. The troops on the northern front had better logistics, with important military towns like Shuofang serving as transit points, supplying them with a considerable amount of provisions. Among these were thicker blankets, almost one for each soldier. Some soldiers had already received cotton-padded coats sent from their families, as well as winter clothing provided by the army, with thin cotton wadding inside.

Each battalion dispatched patrols and sentries in their assigned directions. Without a word, these brave warriors ran into the pitch-black night in small groups. Under the command of their patrol captains and the overall coordination of the combat battalion, they would conduct thorough surveillance and observation in every direction. If danger was detected, they would issue a timely warning. Some were on visible posts, carrying torches, while others were hidden sentries, lurking in the shadows. They would patrol for an hour, a short time, as these men had also been on a march and needed rest. They would be relieved quickly; three shifts of sentries would be rotated throughout the night.

The logistics department marked out the positions for each battalion, and they entered their respective areas in an orderly fashion. They set up their own tents, usually around firelight; if they felt it wasn't bright enough, they could light their own fires. Since the main force of the Xiongnu had been defeated, completely dark camps were no longer an option, as there were no large main forces nearby, so there was no need for hiding. If they needed to defend against attacks, they could simply deploy more sentries. The tents set up by the logistics department were naturally for the first patrol and sentry soldiers, as well as the central and battalion command tents. The soldiers lit fires to cook, some even bringing game they had hunted during the day. They used this to treat themselves to a meat feast. Of course, the Xiongnu had many sheep, and while the local army occasionally requisitioned some, they mostly didn't touch the herders' property. Mutton and pork would be transported from the rear; the pork had a strong smell and wasn't very palatable. The meat from the rear wasn't very fresh and wasn't as delicious as what they hunted.

Soon, the camp quieted down as the soldiers quickly ate their dinner and began to rest. The day's march had been tiring. Of course, this was considered a good thing; no one had shed blood. Since the main force of the Xiongnu had been defeated, everything had changed dramatically, and the bloodshed seemed to be over.

Xiahou Yuan didn't go on patrol; he trusted that this well-trained elite force could handle the tight sentry duties. Only a few messengers and civilian staff were in a corner of the central command tent, while a few guards rested in small tents outside. Xiahou Yuan removed his armor, placed his sword beside him, leaned his long weapon against the side, wrapped himself in a blanket, and went to sleep. A fire burning in the center of the tent gradually dimmed, emitting only a faint red glow—the last glimmer of light from the embers.

He slept very soundly, only being awakened by loud noises. This was his weakness, though others were unaware of it, and Xiahou Yuan rarely spoke of it to anyone. However, once awakened, he would immediately become alert.

The noise and shouts woke him up.

Xiahou Yuan sat up and immediately gripped the sword beside him. Several messengers also woke up, looking at him blankly. Two guards entered the tent, swords in hand, to prevent anyone from breaking in and assassinating their commander.

"Which side are the sounds and firelight coming from?" Xiahou Yuan asked as he got up and was about to leave the tent.

“To the southeast,” the guard said.

Xiahou Yuan paused for a moment. The herdsmen's village was located to the north of the camp. To the south were small hills. If it were a herdsmen attacking, it would most likely be from the north... unless the attackers were well-trained skirmishers.

"Then I heard soldiers shouting in the central army... What's going on!" Xiahou Yuan said impatiently. "Tell the soldiers in other directions to go to sleep!" "Understood..." The messenger, seeing that Xiahou Yuan didn't take him seriously at all, wasn't in such a hurry anymore.

Sure enough, a short while later, a messenger from the Third Battalion, responsible for the eastern flank, came to report. Fifty or sixty men had attacked a corner of the camp; two tents belonging to a combat team had been burned, several men were dead, and others were wounded. The battalion commander was now organizing a pursuit in all directions to capture the attackers.

"What are these sentry posts good for!" Xiahou Yuan said with dissatisfaction.

"These people seem to know the terrain quite well... They sneaked in through a secret passage we didn't know about," the messenger said.

That's possible...it also seems to suggest that these attackers are indeed herdsmen. Xiahou Yuan felt a little relieved, but simply asked, "Where is your battalion commander?"

"We're leading the pursuit now," the messenger said.

"How could a few petty thieves go there personally!" Xiahou Yuan was not very satisfied. "If that was just a decoy, and now a large force is coming from the southeast to raid the camp, won't you be in chaos?" The messenger lowered his head and dared not speak.

"When he returns, tell him to come to the central command!"