"Kill, kill!"
"Discard your weapons and surrender, and you will be spared!"
In the fifth year of Yongping in Yan and the third year of Yuanjia in Xia, the Battle of Niuzhu ended with a crushing defeat for the Yan army and a great victory for the Xia army. What followed was the Xia army relentlessly pursuing and slaughtering the retreating Yan forces. The primary objectives of the Xia army's pursuit were twofold: first, to expel the northern barbarians and reclaim lost territories; and second, to seize wealth, provisions, and armaments.
The Yan army, routed, fled northward in desperation, abandoning countless amounts of money, goods, food, horses, and military equipment along the way. At such a moment, when their very lives were at stake, who could still care about these material possessions?
Of course, there were exceptions – those who valued wealth above all else.
The Xia army commenced a thousand-li pursuit, joined by many ordinary Xia citizens. Their motivations for joining the chase were also twofold: first, a deep hatred for the Yan soldiers who had plundered and burned, leading to an urge for swift retribution; and second, the lure of wealth. Horses, for instance, were scarce in the south. Capturing a warhorse could fetch more than a hundred diao, enough to sustain an ordinary Xia family for several years. Truly, "Man dies for wealth, birds die for food."
However, the pursuit of the Yan army was not without its dangers and uncertainties.
As a detachment of Xia soldiers was gleefully chasing the fleeing Yan forces, a sudden ambush sprung from the woods. A volley of arrows rained down, felling numerous Xia soldiers, followed by two hundred cavalry who charged, cleaving the Xia army in two and severing their ability to coordinate. Caught off guard, the Xia army descended into chaos. Attempts to rally a counterattack were thwarted by the Yan forces, who held the advantageous higher ground and surrounded them with menacing intent.
"Woooo... Woooo... Woooo..."
Following three trumpet blasts, a Yan general, flanked by over a hundred Yan soldiers, emerged from the woods on horseback. The general was tall and imposing, with a heroic countenance. He wielded a powerful bow, and behind him, a white tiger banner fluttered in the wind.
"My heavens, so many of them!"
The Yan general was none other than Zhou Fugui, commander of the White Tiger Battalion of Yan. As he surveyed the vast expanse of Xia soldiers, flag-bearer Xu Mancang was astonished.
Zhou Fugui had originally intended to ambush a small detachment of Xia soldiers for his own purposes. He had not anticipated such a massive force, numbering at least five thousand.
"They may be numerous, but we are more!" Zhou Fugui shot Xu Mancang a glare before spurring his horse forward.
The woods on the slope were filled with soldiers of the White Tiger Battalion, armed with bows, crossbows, swords, and spears, their menacing gaze fixed on the surrounding Xia army, deterring any rash movements. Dust billowed from the slope, banners waved, and the sounds of hooves, shouts, and footsteps filled the air. Judging by the spectacle, the Yan forces appeared to number well over ten thousand.
Min Wuyan was adept at employing feints, and Zhou Fugui was equally skilled, perhaps even more so.
"I am Zhou Fugui of Yan!" Zhou Fugui shouted at the Xia army as he rode forward, displaying a might reminiscent of Zhang Fei of the Three Kingdoms. However, Zhou Fugui's name was far less resonant than Zhang Fei's, and Zhang Fei's thunderous roar at Changban Bridge had reportedly terrified Xiahou Jie to death and routed Cao Cao's million-strong army.
Zhou Fugui, on the other hand, faced only five thousand Xia soldiers, and it was unlikely any amount of shouting would scare anyone to death.
"One relies on parents at home, and friends when abroad!" Zhou Fugui's words were utterly unexpected, a far cry from Zhang Fei's defiant roar. Zhou Fugui loudly addressed the Xia army: "More friends mean more paths, this has always been my principle! Though we are Yan soldiers, we are also ordinary people of the north. Why do you pursue us so relentlessly? Today, you have fallen into my hands, but you need not worry excessively. Your lives will be spared. I only require one item from you. If you obediently hand it over, you will be allowed to depart."
"What does the General require?" a bold Xia soldier asked.
"Armor!" Zhou Fugui replied with a smile. "This is not an unreasonable request, is it? If you comply, you may leave. Otherwise..."
Zhou Fugui suddenly drew his bow and fired an arrow. It struck the throat of a Xia officer who had just raised his bow and crossbow to shoot at Zhou Fugui, causing him to fall from his horse.
Zhou Fugui sat on his horse on the high ground, observing the Xia army. Despite their numbers, they were clearly visible. Zhou Fugui had already noticed something amiss with this particular Xia officer and decided to strike first. He drew his bow and shot an arrow, piercing the officer's throat and killing him instantly.
Zhou Fugui's bow and arrow were specially modified, akin to modern competition bows, making him exceptionally proficient and his archery skills even more refined.
With the Jingju Yuegong bow in hand, he felt invincible.
"Anyone who dares to move shall be killed! Anyone who dares to move shall be killed! Anyone who dares to move shall be killed!"
Three thousand soldiers of the White Tiger Battalion, armed with bows, crossbows, swords, and spears, advanced with each step uttering a fierce cry, striking fear into the hearts of the Xia army, which included many ordinary citizens. They dared not move and could only wait for these strange Yan soldiers to strip them of their armor, hoping that the young Yan general with his extraordinary archery skills would keep his word.
"Bind them! Strip their armor!" Zhou Fugui, true to his word, ordered loudly.
Thus, five thousand Xia soldiers disarmed themselves, their armor stripped by the White Tiger Battalion and their hands bound. They were then abandoned in the mountain hollow. During this process, the White Tiger Battalion also pilfered a considerable amount of wealth and provisions from the Xia soldiers, which Zhou Fugui pretended not to notice.
Zhou Fugui and his men's actions unexpectedly resulted in a victory, or perhaps a feat of arms. While the Yan army had been routed and fled north, among all Yan forces, only Zhou Fugui's White Tiger Battalion had executed a counter-ambush against the Xia army and succeeded. Following this incident, Zhou Fugui and his White Tiger Battalion's renown grew even further.
...
"Brothers, how do I look in this getup?"
Zhou Fugui wore a cast-iron helmet with a tall crown, a green tassel inserted in its plume... This was the only aspect that made Zhou Fugui inwardly ponder – wasn't this a "green hat" (a symbol of cuckoldry)? However, Zhou Fugui currently had neither a wife nor a lover, so it didn't matter. Even if he had one in the future, who would dare to cuckold him?
He was clad in Xia's Liangdang armor – a style of armor that reached the knees. The upper body consisted of chest and back plates, sometimes interwoven with small plates. The armor was divided into front and back pieces, secured with straps at the shoulders and sides. A chest plate gleamed under the sunlight, and he wore a pair of white, knee-high boots. Astride a tall horse, dressed as a Xia general, Zhou Fugui asked those around him.
"Our Commander is magnificent and dignified!"
"Our Commander is like a god descended from heaven!"
"He kills those who stand in his way, and tramples those who block him!"
"..."
His subordinates showered him with flattery.
"He kills those who stand in his way, and tramples those who block him? Damn it, you'd even kill a Buddha? How audacious!" Zhou Fugui cursed with a smile.
"Even if we were ten times bolder, we couldn't match you, Commander!" Li Qing said with a laugh. "Your 'Hide the Sky and Cross the Sea' stratagem is truly awe-inspiring!"
Zhou Fugui's objective in ambushing the Xia army and stripping them of their armor was to disguise themselves as Xia soldiers and travel openly along the main roads towards Guangling Commandery.
At this time, the Yan army was like rats on the street, with the White Tiger Battalion not daring to travel on the main roads. They had to take circuitous routes through mountain paths, which gave Zhou Fugui the idea for his stratagem, a blend of "hide the sky and cross the sea" and "muddling through."
Along the way, Zhou Fugui and his men successfully deceived several Xia patrols.
The Xia army had methods for identifying friend from foe, such as secret passwords and signals, which were not difficult for Zhou Fugui to acquire. He simply captured a few Xia officers and interrogated them thoroughly. Currently, there were several Xia individuals within the White Tiger Battalion. Zhou Fugui had promised to release them with generous rewards upon reaching Guangling Commandery. Whether for their own safety or the allure of riches, these Xia individuals reluctantly agreed to comply.
As for the Xia soldiers in the mountain hollow, by the time they managed to break free, Zhou Fugui and the White Tiger Battalion would have long since escaped.
Pan Jian Gui had previously suggested that they all be killed, but Zhou Fugui, as always, could not bring himself to do it.
Along the way, Zhou Fugui and his men talked and laughed loudly, swaggering ostentatiously. This was part of Zhou Fugui's plan: the more brazen they appeared, the less suspicion they would arouse from the Xia army. As for their northern accents, they were too far away to be clearly heard. When they got closer, the Xia individuals within the group were forced to help answer questions.
Unfortunately, despite Zhou Fugui's meticulous planning, there were always unforeseen complications.
"Giddy-up... Giddy-up... Giddy-up..."
Just as Zhou Fugui and the White Tiger Battalion were swaggering along the road, another Xia army appeared from behind. The sound of hooves and footsteps grew louder, indicating a significant force approaching.
"Who are you? Which unit are you from?"
Indeed, the main road was teeming with Xia pursuers. Zhou Fugui cursed inwardly and nodded to Dian Meng, Xu Mancang, Suo Dacheng, and others to prepare for battle. Two White Tiger Battalion soldiers pressed their sharp blades against the backs of two Xia men, ordering them to answer.
"And who are you all?" the approaching soldiers asked in return.
"We are troops under the command of Cui Shangcheng, the Prefect of Luling Commandery, in pursuit of the barbarians," replied the Xia men within the White Tiger Battalion.
To resist the large-scale invasion of the Yan army, Xia had mobilized troops from all regions.
"Ah, troops under Prefect Cui. We are under the command of Commander Zhang. When will the barbarian threat be pacified?" the other side inquired.
"The people yearn for peace after a long war!" the Xia men within the White Tiger Battalion replied.
After exchanging a few secret phrases, a large group of Xia soldiers approached.
"Be careful, they are setting a trap!"
As the Xia army drew closer, seemingly encircling them in a fan formation, Zhou Fugui whispered urgently to Dian Meng, Xu Mancang, Suo Dacheng, and others. Their bows, crossbows, swords, and spears remained at the ready, and the atmosphere was tense.
Just as Zhou Fugui and his men prepared to fight, the Xia army neither retreated nor attacked. Instead, they merged with the White Tiger Battalion and proceeded together, as if intending to join the pursuit of the Yan army.
"Truly, we meet everywhere under the heavens!" At this moment, a Xia officer rode up to Zhou Fugui's side and said.
"It's you?" Seeing the Xia officer, Zhou Fugui's heart suddenly sank.