Volume One: The Hidden Dragon in the Abyss Chapter 76: The Surprise Attack
The soldiers of Wei watched enviously as the cavalry thundered past, saying to their companions, “Look at our Luocheng troops—finest soldiers in the realm! Even if the enemy outnumbers us tenfold, they won’t withstand us. It won’t be long before we drive the Jin army into utter rout, never to return!”
His companion remained silent, appearing young, almost like a mere boy. He waited until the cavalry had passed before voicing his discontent. “Where were they when we were being chased and battered by the Jin army?”
“Haven’t they been pursuing the Jin all along?” the older soldier nearly slapped him for his words. “You don’t realize the Jin army fears us—they avoid fighting our cavalry. Once we catch up, their bravado will vanish.”
“Hurry, let’s keep up!”
Cavalry led, infantry followed, all in pursuit of the Jin forces.
The commanding officer glanced at the darkening sky, anxiety growing, urging the troops to march faster.
But what he feared finally occurred: rain began to fall, light but persistent, carried by a fierce northern wind that made it impossible to keep one’s eyes open.
“General?”
An aide approached, seeking instructions but hesitating to speak his mind. The weather was so harsh, marching was difficult.
“Advance!” the general decided grimly. “The Jin army will find it even harder to move now. Tell the men we’re sending the Jin on their final journey!”
He gripped his long saber, resolve hardening.
The cavalry at the front shared the same spirit—Wei’s Luocheng troops bore their pride proudly.
In such weather, the Jin army would struggle even more. The pursuit was close; no one complained.
Yet, with the pace, they began to outstrip the infantry, leaving more and more behind.
Every ten miles, they had to leave cavalry behind to cover the infantry, ready to mobilize them if anything happened.
As dusk threatened to fall, a lone rider galloped from the rear, drenched, splattering water as he went, displaying a flag from afar.
“Scout from Chuzhou forces! Urgent military report!”
The soldiers quickly cleared a path, and a general stepped forward, eyeing the rider. “What’s the matter?”
“General, there’s enemy movement in the rear,” the scout reported hurriedly. “The Jin army crossed the Clearwater from the south, striking our infantry directly!”
“The south? Impossible!” the general exclaimed in shock.
They’d followed the Jin tracks north, certain they hadn’t made a mistake. How could the Jin suddenly appear behind them, crossing the river yet again? Was this military intelligence reliable?
He reluctantly went to report to the commander.
The grand commander, a man in his forties, held the command token and led the entire army.
Clearly, the Wei forces held the advantage—favorable weather, terrain, and morale—yet they always seemed to fall behind the Jin army.
He now realized the problem: he hadn’t mastered Duan Changfeng’s tactics.
The man’s methods were treacherous!
Strangely, they seemed to know Wei’s movements intimately, truly knowing both themselves and their enemy.
Now, the Jin army was supposedly behind them? But what had they been pursuing? Their scouts had dogged the Jin like snakes, never letting up—how could they have made a mistake?
How could the Jin army be behind them, crossing the Clearwater River yet again? The river was sixty miles away.
The commander’s eyes widened suddenly. “Where is that scout?”
The guards looked around, but the scout seemed to have vanished without a trace.
Rain still fell, but the general beside him felt sweat soaking his body.
The grand commander slowed his speech, asking again, “Where is that scout?”
No answer.
His men were at a loss, finally shaking their heads. When the report came, everyone thought the scout looked familiar, but now none could recall his face.
One man, one horse—gone without a trace.
“General, it’s a ruse!” a general said urgently.
“March! Continue pursuing the Jin!” The commander understood, quickly ordering a forced march.
The rain had delayed them, and the Jin army, disguised as their own scout, had tried to sow confusion. If they hesitated, the Jin in front would escape.
“Send more scouts to check the Clearwater, urge the infantry to move faster!” he ordered.
Just in case, he sent men to investigate behind, then added, “Where are the Chuzhou troops? Order them to join us immediately!”
Luocheng’s troops were here, the Western forces—gathered from several counties in western Qingzhou—had suffered terribly from the Jin army’s assaults, but their elite infantry and cavalry had joined him.
Only the Chuzhou forces seemed to remain stationary, never showing up.
He’d nearly fallen for the Jin army’s trick, disguised as a scout, almost creating an opening.
“General, that’s not wise. We’re enough to pursue the Jin,” an officer pleaded. “Chuzhou troops have done well; the west is our last barrier. If the Jin break through Qingzhou, they’ll march straight to Jin. We must also guard against Jin forces at Yangcheng joining the fight.”
He understood, though he couldn’t accept it.
“If the Jin escape, will the emperor blame them or blame me?” the commander raged.
He understood, but the pressure weighed heavier on him.
He was the commander—the leader of three armies!
“General, just three more days—give us three days!” the officer urged earnestly. “Maybe less; the Jin are right ahead. We’ll destroy them completely!”
Wei’s troops knew the Jin had only ten days’ supplies; now only three days remained.
The Chuzhou governor had explained after receiving orders: his duty was to hold the western line for ten days.
If the Jin weren’t destroyed in that time, they might have found supplies and forced Chuzhou’s army to move.
The Jin had broken the western forces, had a chance to invade Yu, but didn’t—they knew returning would be even harder.
Wei and Tang armies still blocked the way.
Only the eastern army must not be broken; if the Jin crushed Chuzhou’s troops, they could run straight home.
Duan Changfeng hadn’t attacked the eastern forces—clearly he lacked confidence.
Ridiculous, pretending to attack Luocheng to lure them into a rescue?
Unnecessary.
The commander’s strategy had always been to encircle with four armies, annihilate the Jin. No matter how strong, their army would vanish.
They’d been shrinking the circle, success within reach.
But the Chuzhou troops refused to cooperate, leaving a gaping hole for the Jin to slip through…
Were they fools or traitors?
Don’t forget, he was the chief commander!
The Jin army—they were right ahead.
Scouts returned frequently, letting him track their movements ever more closely.
It was indeed the Jin army, waiting just ahead, said to be holding a valley.
Did they really think he had no options left?
Were they preparing for a desperate last stand?
“General, should we make camp and fortify, conserving strength?” a subordinate reported. “With the Jin so close, there’s no need to hurry—they should worry, not us.”
“The Jin hold the terrain. If we assault, our losses will be heavy.”
Other officers agreed, all wanting to rest and regroup.
If the Jin fled, they would pursue!
If the Jin rested, they would attack!
If the Jin abandoned their position to attack, then battle would be joined!
Luocheng’s ten thousand elite cavalry, plus forces from several prefectures and Qingzhou, numbering sixty thousand horsemen!
This explained why Duan Changfeng avoided direct confrontation, turning pursuit into a chase.
Chuzhou’s army likely had twenty thousand cavalry, but not a single rider had joined them, infuriating the commander.
Fine. He would leave them out of the credit for crushing the Jin army, and would certainly report their conduct.
“We still need to wait for the infantry and archers,” the officer persuaded.
Once the infantry joined, Wei’s forces could exert their full strength.
Very well.
The commander nodded in agreement. “Give the order…”
“General!” A cavalryman rushed in. “The Jin army—they’re attacking our rear, striking our infantry!”
What?
Everyone instinctively stared at the messenger’s face, examining it closely.
He was truly one of their own scouts; no mistake.
That section was managed by a certain officer.
Then, more scouts galloped in. “The Jin circled from the east, crossed the Clearwater, and are attacking our rear!”
Damn!
Several generals were shocked in that instant.
“How many?”
“About ten thousand.”
“The Jin split their forces!” The commander glanced forward, immediately realizing.
With so few troops, they dared to divide?
The Jin army—they were right ahead.
Scouts returned frequently, letting him track their movements ever more closely.
It was indeed the Jin army, waiting just ahead, said to be holding a valley.
Did they really think he had no options left?
Were they preparing for a desperate last stand?
“General, should we make camp and fortify, conserving strength?” a subordinate reported. “With the Jin so close, there’s no need to hurry—they should worry, not us.”
“The Jin hold the terrain. If we assault, our losses will be heavy.”
Other officers agreed, all wanting to rest and regroup.
If the Jin fled, they would pursue!
If the Jin rested, they would attack!
If the Jin abandoned their position to attack, then battle would be joined!
Luocheng’s ten thousand elite cavalry, plus forces from several prefectures and Qingzhou, numbering sixty thousand horsemen!
This explained why Duan Changfeng avoided direct confrontation, turning pursuit into a chase.
Chuzhou’s army likely had twenty thousand cavalry, but not a single rider had joined them, infuriating the commander.
Fine. He would leave them out of the credit for crushing the Jin army, and would certainly report their conduct.
“We still need to wait for the infantry and archers,” the officer persuaded.
Once the infantry joined, Wei’s forces could exert their full strength.
Very well.
The commander nodded in agreement. “Give the order…”
“General!” A cavalryman rushed in. “The Jin army—they’re attacking our rear, striking our infantry!”
What?
Everyone instinctively stared at the messenger’s face, examining it closely.
He was truly one of their own scouts; no mistake.
That section was managed by a certain officer.
Then, more scouts galloped in.