Thank you to Beverly for the ko-fi~ ♡⸜(˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶)⸝♡
Entering Yu County from Yan County, the light cavalry traveled at an extremely fast pace. Even within his own territory, Shi Le did not neglect precautions. He dispatched a hundred scouts who thoroughly investigated an area within a five-li radius. Moreover, they never pushed through the night, carefully choosing camping locations each evening to avoid potential nighttime ambushes.
Traveling this way took a bit longer, but they gathered a considerable amount of supplies from the Wubo along the way, stabilizing the troops’ morale. There was no sign of pursuers from the direction of Jiju County. Should they abandon the interception or prepare to dispatch troops to block after entering Henan Command? Shi Le couldn’t discern the intentions of Bing County, but they undoubtedly wouldn’t allow him to easily rush to Pingyang.
However, Shi Le wasn’t afraid of enemy tricks this time, as he had brought only cavalry. As long as scouts were present, foot soldiers would find it challenging to catch up with his large army, and an equal-sized cavalry force couldn’t hide no matter what. The risk of ambush might only arise once they entered Hedong, where the terrain became more complex.
“Grand General, ahead is the Xifeng Ridge. Do we go through the valley, directly into Si County, or take a detour through the pipeline?”
Upon hearing the scout’s report, Shi Le hesitated only for a moment before saying, “Through the valley!”
Taking a detour would add two more days to the journey. Si County was just ahead, and with limited supplies, the longer they wasted time, the greater the risk of encountering danger. The river valley of Xifeng Ridge had mountains on one side and water on the other. It wasn’t very long, and with shallow water and high mountains, it wasn’t suitable for an ambush. As long as more scouts were dispatched to ensure there were no hidden enemies, the over ten thousand cavalry passing through the river valley would take only a moment.
If such terrain made him fearful, should they continue on this path?
With the commander’s order, the troops did not halt, moving towards the river valley ahead.
It was not yet noon, and the scorching sun illuminated the river valley, leaving no place for even the slightest concealment. Scouts returned in waves to report that there were no ambushes from the front, back, or sides. Only then did Shi Le relax, ordering the army to pass through.
Ten thousand cavalry could almost fill this small river valley. The riverbed had long dried up, and pebbles covered the ground. To avoid injuring the horses’ hooves, most of the horses walked on the relatively flat riverbank near the mountain. They weren’t moving too fast, but certainly not too slow either. Seeing that they safely passed more than half, the soldiers, who had been tense, gradually relaxed. Some even had their horses move closer to the mountain wall to seek shade from the scorching sun.
The desiccated ground raised dust under the pounding hooves of the horses. Unbeknownst to anyone, a small spark was rapidly shooting forward along a fine string. Various scattered rocks obstructed any potential detection until, with a whooshing sound, the spark vanished into a crevice at the foot of the mountain.
It seemed he hadn’t made a wrong judgment. The valley entrance was right in front of him, and Shi Le breathed a sigh of relief. Even though they hadn’t entered Si County yet, Bing County, as formidable as it was, couldn’t possibly set up an ambush here. However, everything would be different once they entered Si County. He had to be vigilant and not fall for enemy tricks.
Only a victory could extricate him from the current predicament.
His mount took another step forward, and the hooves clattered on the hard stones, making a crisp sound. This noise didn’t attract much attention because, in front and behind him, thousands of horses were moving in the same way. If one were far enough, one might even hear the thunderous rolling sound, a unique auditory spectacle of cavalry that inspired both fear and joy.
In the next instant, the hoofbeats suddenly stopped. No, not stop; they were replaced by an actual thunderous roar!
A deafening sound erupted from the side of the mountain, overwhelming all other noises in the valley and distorting the natural colors of the sky and earth. Shi Le felt his ears buzzing as if struck by a heavy hammer. His head shook, and his eardrums felt like they were tearing! Yet, it wasn’t over; his beloved steed beneath him went mad, surging forward like a frenzy, hooves stomping and neighing like a maniac!
What’s happening?! At this moment, Shi Le, not thrown off his horse, displayed his superb riding skills. Despite feeling dizzy, he tightly held onto the reins, attempting to control the startled horse. However, while he managed to stay steady, others might not be as fortunate. In all directions, countless soldiers fell off their horses. In such a dense formation, well-trained warhorses turned into deadly weapons. Hooves flew, and blood streamed!
Control the horses! Calm the army down!
Shi Le wanted to say something, but the even more heart-wrenching shouts, penetrating the terrifying thunder, reached everyone’s ears: “The mountain is collapsing! The mountain is collapsing!”
To their left, a massive cliff collapsed, and large chunks of rocks fell like rain, slamming into the chaotic military formation. This immediately led to a chorus of wailing. Some people, without even a scream, were crushed beneath the falling rocks.
Break through! Shi Le’s eyes bulged, and he shouted, “Charge forward! Quickly leave the river valley!”
The mountain collapse was confined to the central part of the river valley, yet it hadn’t spread to their vicinity. Only by quickly breaking out of the valley could they secure a chance of survival. However, amidst such chaos, how many could hear his orders to control their horses and move forward?
Shi Le didn’t care about that. He fiercely spurred his horse, urging it to gallop wildly. His actions prompted his personal guards, hundreds of riders accelerate together, charging forward. Like fierce beasts trying to break through turbulent waters, this group of riders collided with soldiers in their path who couldn’t dodge in time, resulting in even more horrifying screams. Flesh and blood were trampled alive in the crevices, staining the valley red.
A brisk wind blew across their faces, but it couldn’t dispel the biting cold. Shi Le lay low on his horse, not daring to lift his head. Collisions, evasions, and trampling – a path of survival unfolded along with the flow of blood. It wasn’t until suddenly opening up ahead, with scorching sunlight shining on his face, that he gradually pulled on the reins.
Behind him, the collapse had not yet ceased, and the earth still trembled slightly. Those who managed to escape from the deadly situation were also trembling. Why did a thunderous mountain collapse occur? Why did they encounter such a strange event?
Shi Le was the first to snap out of it. He suddenly raised his voice, “This must be an enemy ambush! Be vigilant!”
This shout brought many back to their senses. An ambush, right, perhaps it was a bizarre tactic employed by the enemy. After all, they had managed to escape; as long as they remained vigilant, they might be able to avoid it.
However, the word “ambush” uttered by Shi Le didn’t materialize. Even until the last piece of rock fell to the ground, and the dust settled, no enemy figures appeared.
Several hundred steps away, the wailing still hadn’t ceased, faintly drifting with the wind. Silence enveloped the side of Shi Le.
Where were the ambushers? And who could set up such a formation just for an ambush?
“It’s divine punishment…”
A faint sob echoed from behind. Shi Le’s whole body jolted, and he angrily shouted, “Who is trying to sow discord among my troops?”
All around, everyone lowered their heads, afraid to meet his gaze directly. Shi Le felt his heart sinking. Who said it and whether it was important or not? This sudden and unexpected turn of events not only tore through his army but also completely shattered the courage of these people. Just as they were about to enter Si County, they encountered such a disaster. What if they were truly opposed to the Buddhist disciples? That was the incarnation of Medicine Buddha. Offending him might result in being consumed by karmic fire even after death in the underworld!
Shi Le knew what they were thinking; he had heard it countless times from his mother. Even at that moment, he felt a bit shaken, a bit fearful. What if the words of the Buddhist disciples were not a deception? Was he already beyond redemption?
However, as this thought crossed his mind, he clenched the reins tightly. “Let’s go back to Changshe!”
He needed to go back to reorganize his troops. In the Li family’s Wubao in Changshe County, there was still a considerable amount of stored provisions, and perhaps he could also recruit more soldiers. Whether to go to Si County in the next step was no longer important. The immediate priority was how to boost morale again and stabilize his old camp.
Upon hearing Shi Le’s order to leave, many people breathed a sigh of relief. They dared not look again at the valley filled with scattered rocks and hurriedly departed.
※
“Chief, do we really have to follow the instructions given by Lord Zu?”
At the same moment, within the Li family’s fortress, a few people gathered in a private room for a discussion.
Two months earlier, the magistrate of Henan, Zu Ti, had secretly sent an emissary to persuade them to abandon Shi Le and return to the imperial court. Unlike Si County, Henan had experienced too much turmoil in the past two years. The lords of various Wubao were no longer obedient to the imperial decree. With emperors and capitals changing constantly, who would dare risk their lives and fortunes to uphold loyalty and righteousness for the entire clan?
Therefore, they submitted to Wang Mi when Wang Mi came and submitted to Shi Le when Shi Le arrived. Even if these bandits engaged in widespread tyranny, it wouldn’t necessarily destroy the foundation. As long as they could get a breathing opportunity, they could barely survive for some time in this chaotic era.
However, this year was different from the past. Severe drought devastated many of the fields and villages that the Wubao relied on for survival. Shi Le, with his insatiable appetite, demanded a significant amount of grain. If this continued, even if they surrendered, what difference would it make? They might still not see the sun of a prosperous tomorrow.
Therefore, the nearby Si County became an enviable existence. If Zu Ti’s words were accurate, and there was indeed an inclination to accept them, what if they sought refuge in Si County? Would it be better than the current situation?
Despite these considerations, no one dared to act rashly. Just then, news came that Bing County was mobilizing its forces to attack Pingyang. With this information, many people’s minds became active. If Bing County could truly capture Pingyang and reclaim Hedong, it meant that the power of the Duke of Lian was further expanding. Wouldn’t it be increasingly worthwhile to pledge allegiance?
At the same time, the news of Shi Le leading troops to reinforce also made the lords of the Wubao uneasy. If that scoundrel looted the Wubao again to raise military funds, could they still hold on?
The balance was already precarious, waiting for the final move.
“Let’s wait and see…” Chief Li pondered for a long time before answering, “If the bandit Shi is defeated, we can change allegiance to Si County.”
“But what if Shi the bandit wins?” someone couldn’t contain their anxiety and whispered, “Are we going to endure the oppression of these barbarians?”
“I think he’s going to lose. The troops from Bing County are strong and robust, especially during this harsh season…” someone murmured.
“Wait, wait, wait! When will we find the right opportunity? Why not take the initiative now!”
Opinions varied, and each person’s words seemed reasonable. Chief Li’s brow furrowed even deeper as he pondered, and just then, a servant hurriedly entered, “Lord of the fortress! General Shi has returned! He just sent someone to instruct us to open the gates!”
“What?!” Everyone was shocked. Didn’t Shi Le just lead his troops to Si County? How could he return so quickly?
Chief Li was quicker to react and asked, “How many people did he bring back?”
“Less than a thousand riders!”
Only a thousand people? Did he encounter an ambush on the way?
“A thousand people. Could it be that he encountered an ambush on the way?!” someone exclaimed.
Did Shi Le lose? Did he lose so quickly?
Chief Li slammed the table in front of him and stood up abruptly, “Go and find out, what’s the appearance of the incoming army?”
If Shi Le had truly suffered defeat and fled back to their territory, wouldn’t it be a heaven-sent opportunity? Their combined forces were not substantial, but a thousand riders didn’t seem threatening.
If they could get hold of Shi Le’s head and present it to Zu Ti for a reward, it would be a tremendous accomplishment. With the protection of Si County, why should they fear these unruly bandits?
※
Ahead was the Li family’s Wubao. They could soon enter the city to rest, but the turmoil in Shi Le’s heart had not diminished.
Along the way, within just a dozen miles, over a hundred people quietly left. Some pretended to lag behind, others took advantage of the situation and slipped away, disappearing without a trace. By the time they returned to Yan County, how many of these people would remain? Or perhaps, should he find a way to kill them all and silence them, preventing news of the bizarre mountain collapse from reaching Yan County?
Countless thoughts churned in his mind, and Shi Le dared not linger for a moment, racing towards the Wubao ahead. Everything could be decided once he entered the city. As long as he preserved his life, there would always be an opportunity to revive his forces. Wasn’t that how Han Gaozu did it? After repeated defeats, he ultimately seized the world. From commanding only eighteen riders to leading a force of one hundred thousand, Shi Le could undoubtedly rebuild a powerful army!
In the distance, the gate of the Wubao was already open. Shi Le slowed down, escorted by his guards, and entered the gate slowly. Nowadays, the major fortresses in Yu County have two sets of gates, internal and external, resembling an inverted small jar. Even if the enemy broke into the outer city, the inner city gates could be promptly closed, using the narrow jar-like structure to ambush the enemy and defend the city.
However, these tactics were not to be revealed in front of Shi Le. As soon as the large army arrived, the gates of the inner city would swing open, and even the patriarch of a clan would stand below the city, respectfully welcoming his arrival.
However, today was different.
As the vanguard entered the jar-like structure, Shi Le suddenly noticed that the small gate in front of the inner city was tightly shut, showing no sign of opening.
Bad! He fell into a trap!
His reaction was swift, intending to order a retreat. However, with a thunderous sound, the outer city gate had already closed. On the wall, countless figures with bows and crossbows emerged.
They’ve rebelled? How dare they rebel?! Shi Le’s lips trembled. Could this small city really stop his elite troops?
However, someone on the city wall shouted loudly, “Kill Shi Le! Kill Shi Le, and mercy will be granted!”
The cries echoed within the small jar-like structure. Shi Le’s expression changed. In front and behind him, others also had changed their expressions.
To kill him, to survive! To be forgiven by the Buddha! All the misfortunes, all the disasters, were because of him!
In the deathly silence, Shi Le burst into mad laughter, “You dare, you scoundrels!”
He drew his long knife. The blade, stained black and shiny by the blood of countless enemies and officials, blocked the oncoming blades. One clash, one strike, blood sprayed!
“Break out! Kill for me!” Shi Le’s voice was desperate, like a roar, like a beast’s howl. In the dimming sunset, his figure seemed like a crazed, trapped animal.
Yet, this cry, this attempt, didn’t evoke any response. More and more blades swung towards him. Helmets fell, blood splattered, and even his hair bun came undone.
How could he willingly accept this fate? He tried to charge out…
“Release the arrows!”
A voice sounded from a distance. Arrows flew like locusts.
The horse beneath him fell, crushing his right leg. Ignoring the pain, Shi Le struggled to hide behind the horse’s corpse. However, from all directions, there was no escape from the arrow rain coming from the city walls.
A piercing arrow forcefully pierced his neck. Shi Le swayed lightly and collapsed to the ground. The hand, stained with fresh blood, reached towards the knife in front, and with great effort, even the fingertips dug into the soil.
A long bloodstain, eventually, stopped midway.
