Chapter 153: 'Reeds” of the Frontier

Chapter 153: “Reeds” of the Frontier

The dark night amplified the sounds and shadows from the other side, deepening suspicions and fears. The wilderness below the mountain seemed to be filled with Xiongnu warriors, howling like a pack of wolves without end.

Ninety-plus Chu soldiers on the hillside all paled. Facing enemies ten times their number, they had no means of retreat, and reinforcements wouldnt arrive for at least two days. No one knew how to persevere.

The howling from below suddenly intensified, countless arrows rained down, leaving eerie shadows on the ground illuminated by firelight. They looked like heavy arrows fired from ballistas. Many in the first row raised their shields. Du Chuanyun was uneasy too, but he cast a glance at the Weary Marquis, and especially at the veteran general Fang Daye.

Fang Daye had arrows nocked but hadnt drawn the bowstring, standing still without even looking up at the sky, his gaze fixed on the figures below.

So Du Chuanyun remained still as well.

Those arrows were just a bluff, falling to the ground halfway. They did not cover the sky as feared, and numbered only about a dozen in total.

Fang Daye suddenly drew back the bowstring, and the soldiers in the rear rows followed suit, their arms trembling slightly, unable to find clear targets, so they aimed at the burning fire pits.

Han Ruzi gripped his sword, loudly commanding, Except for General Fang, no one is to shoot arrows without my order!

The men obeyed, but none spoke in response.

The Xiongnu war cries gradually died down, and a clear voice came from below the mountain, Chu people, calm down. I am a messenger from the Xiongnu, not a warrior.

After a while, a horseman rode into the range of the firelight, arms outstretched to show he wasnt there to challenge.

Han Ruzi said to the adjutant beside Du Chuanyun, Ask him his purpose.

The adjutant nodded, shield protecting his chest, took a few steps forward, and loudly demanded, Who goes there, state your name.

The Xiongnu man who spoke Chinese didnt give his name, constantly scanning the area above, Which general leads your troops?

The adjutant glanced back, then shouted, Speak if you have business, or He wanted to provoke a fight but couldnt bring himself to say it.

The Xiongnu man chuckled, The identity of the general doesnt matter. Im here to tell you, the Xiongnu army has surrounded you. Surrender now and you may escape death, otherwise

Fang Daye shot an arrow, grazing the horses side, startling it, kicking up its hooves, almost throwing the rider off.

The Xiongnu messenger lay low on the horses back, then turned and fled.

Moments later, Xiongnu cavalry roared in, passing the fire pits, charging halfway up the mountain.

Fang Daye drew his bow, his archery vastly different from Jin Chuiduos. His movements were slow and deliberate, his posture with the bow not standard due to his long arms. He resembled a youth who had just picked up a bow and arrow shooting at a rabbit several steps away. But his arrows were long-ranged and powerful, surpassing ordinary soldiers and even Jin Chuiduo in strength.

From his elevated position, his arrows flew straight for a hundred paces, each hitting its mark, either man or horse.

Yet the Xiongnu cavalry kept charging, even as the veteran general shot three arrows, dozens of riders already reached within fifty paces.

Han Ruzi, despite having some battle experience, faced the Xiongnu for the first time. He still felt nervous, a stifling sensation in his chest, as if Meng E poking him with a finger. Since Fang Daye released the first arrow, he had wanted to order a counterattack, but he understood not everyone possessed the skills of the veteran general. He had to wait.

But this time, the arrows they faced were fewer, yet surprisingly accurate. Six arrows came, and one or two always hit either a man or a horse.

The Xiongnu quickly retreated. After testing once more, they realized the Chu army was conserving arrows. So when they attacked again, they charged to within thirty or forty paces. For someone who was already afraid, the enemy seemed like they were almost within arms reach. Du Chuanyun forcefully planted the flag into the ground, drew his waist sword, and the others prepared themselves, thinking they were about to engage in close combat.

The Xiongnu seemed to have the upper hand, but they were reluctant to risk close combat. After shooting a batch of arrows, they retreated once again.

Fang Daye and the other five archers managed to shoot down five Xiongnu warriors, but more than a dozen of their own fell. The distance was too close; shields couldnt protect their whole bodies.

The dead and wounded were dragged to the rear, screams echoing incessantly. Those remaining grew even more fearful. A noble youth behind Han Ruzi muttered quietly, Were doomed, absolutely doomed this time

Fang Daye didnt give up. Methodically, he nocked another arrow. Whenever the enemy wasnt charging up, he appeared despondent, almost sleepy. Even when the Xiongnu pressed closer, he remained calm. If he hit someone, there was no elation.

Han Ruzi didnt want to give up either. Despite being tense from head to toe, his fighting spirit remained undiminished.

As the night deepened, moonlight spilled across the land, unusually bright. The Xiongnu below reminded Han Ruzi of the reeds along the banks of Guaizi Lake, swaying in the wind. Only, the reeds of the northern border moved faster and were more ferocious.

Almost there, Fang Daye lifted his head, gazing into the distance. The Xiongnus patience is almost spent. They should be sending infantry.

Han Ruzi turned, rallying more than thirty of his soldiers. Follow me. If the Xiongnu use infantry, well use cavalry.'

Do we charge down? Du Chuanyuns eyes lit up. Half a day of fighting, yet he hadnt swung his sword once. He felt frustrated.

The horses shall charge, not the men, Han Ruzi had already devised a plan.

Over a hundred horses grazed on the slope behind, paying no attention to human conflicts. They only flicked their tails impatiently when the shouting grew too loud.

Han Ruzi and his men gathered the horses together, remaining in the rear to avoid tipping off the enemy.

Du Chuanyun still had to protect the flag. Like Fang Daye, he sighed heavily, thinking he probably wouldnt have a chance to distinguish himself.

The Xiongnu cavalry came two more times, but with fewer numbers and insufficient pressure, showing signs of perfunctoriness.

As the moon reached its zenith, an odd formation appeared at the foot of the mountain. It looked like a group of infantry steadily advancing, yet resembled a massive creature wriggling forward.

The fires below had long gone out. The monster reached the foot of the mountain. The Chu troops finally saw clearly. It was a group of shield-bearing infantry, not only blocking the front but also covering overhead. The soldiers at the front could only peer outward through gaps, slowing their pace significantly.

No number of arrows could break through this shield formation.

The Xiongnu indeed have infantry. I thought they only knew mounted archery, Du Chuanyun, reminded of the warning, was still somewhat surprised.

They didnt before. After surrendering to the Chu empire for so many years, they must have learned. Theyre just reluctant to use them, Fang Dayes voice was as heavy as that of a long-term patient. After a pause, he continued, Using past tactics against the Xiongnu in battle would be disastrous.

This was exactly what Han Ruzi feared. Chai Yue was clever, but his knowledge of the Xiongnu came solely from records during the Martial Emperors reign. Although he and Grand General Han Xing were in agreement, using such tactics to counter Xiongnu nobles who had settled along the river for decades might have significant flaws.

But this wasnt the immediate problem. He had to break through the Xiongnus shield formation with the horses. If this battle failed, it would truly be a rout. As for what he was to do after exhausting the horses, he had no idea.

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CH 152