Weird Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3830 Working from dawn till dusk (Bonus Chapter)
When people are united, even Mount Tai can be moved.

After about an hour and a half, or at most two hours, when the scouts ahead send back a safety signal, these dispersed teams will take a short rest at a pre-scouted, well-concealed location.

Rest time is extremely precious, mainly used to restore the physical strength of both people and horses, replenish water and a small amount of food, and handle personal emergencies.

With excellent military discipline as a foundation, these scattered cavalry units did not become disorganized or chaotic during the rest period, even without the supervision of their generals. Instead, they maintained a high degree of order.

At a supply point that has been slightly modified from a natural cave, several torches are placed deep inside the cave, partly to drive away insects and snakes, and partly to ensure air circulation.

Although people in the Han Dynasty might not have known about carbon dioxide poisoning or other problems in many cases, the training manuals for the General of the Cavalry contained some basic knowledge about water and fire, which naturally helped these ordinary soldiers avoid many troubles.

Boil water before drinking it, and heat the ground before sleeping. These seemingly simple things are actually not so simple to do.

It requires dedicated personnel for maintenance, as well as everyone's conscious commitment.

Inside the cave, two support staff dressed as woodcutters were responsible for maintenance. They had been waiting there for quite some time.

After the village chief leading the team stepped forward and confirmed the unit and number of people with the logistics personnel, the logistics personnel took out the corresponding supplies from the neatly stacked sacks and pottery jars in the cave and began to distribute them according to the predetermined quota.

Each member of the cavalry received about two small handfuls of fried rice, two steamed buns, a piece of dried meat about half the size of a palm, and a small handful of pickled vegetables wrapped in dried leaves.

The whole process was quick and quiet.

The cavalrymen stepped forward one by one to collect their share.

No one would stare at the pile of supplies inside the cave, and no one would say that he hadn't received enough and wanted more...

During the transportation and distribution process, supplies would occasionally be accidentally scattered on the ground. However, the soldiers nearby would pick them up and not put them in their own pockets, but would hand them back to the logistics personnel distributing the supplies.

Even if these cavalrymen hadn't received their orders yet, they were hungry.

A shared sense of rules, deeply rooted in the community, is on full display at this moment.

"Rules are rules, rules set by the General."

A dark-skinned, steady-looking veteran, carefully munching on small bites of dried meat and swallowing a steamed bun, whispered to a new recruit beside him, "If those in front are greedy and take more than their share, the brothers following behind might have to march on an empty stomach, or even fight on an empty stomach. How can we fight then? Take your share, eat quickly, and then take a nap as soon as you're done. The journey is long."

This is not instinct.

On the contrary, this is suppressing instincts.

This kind of discipline cannot be cultivated overnight.

Most importantly, it is not about preaching from a high platform, but about teaching by example in the ranks.

It originated from the concepts formed through long-term indoctrination and strict practice within the Flying Cavalry system, as well as a set of rules and regulations that were completely different from those of the old Han army and were strictly enforced down to the smallest detail.

In the Flying Cavalry, embezzling military rations, mistreating soldiers, and seizing supplies were serious crimes almost on par with desertion in the face of battle. Once verified, they would be dealt with without leniency and would almost always result in execution.

At the same time, ensuring the basic survival needs of soldiers, distributing resources fairly and orderly, and maintaining the smooth operation of the logistics system are core responsibilities that everyone from junior military academies to senior generals must fulfill, and these responsibilities are directly linked to their performance evaluations and promotions.

The military judges have further strengthened the defenses against "evil"...

Even so, constant vigilance and maintenance are still necessary. If there is even the slightest damage, it will be like the broken windows theory, causing everyone to unleash the 'evil' within them.

This precisely touches upon the most fundamental and stubborn paradox in the operation of power throughout history and across the world.

Rulers are not unaware of this principle, yet they can still become "window breakers," or even be the first to break windows...

When a person holds power but lacks effective checks and balances, their perception of "rules" undergoes a fundamental change.

Power knows no bounds, even the power to distribute resources, as is the case today.

Who gets the distribution first, and who gets it last?
Who gets the better ones, and who gets the worse ones?

When those who wield this subtle power begin to try to "cut in line" without being stopped or punished, they naturally develop the illusion that "since I can make and modify the rules, I can naturally be above the rules," thus becoming "exceptional" in the rules.

This is a fatal conflict between human weaknesses and political principles.

Understanding principles is a matter of cognition.

Restraining desires is a matter of mindset and institutional factors.

The reason why the Flying Cavalry Army has been able to achieve its current status is because there is a firm belief from top to bottom that as long as they strictly abide by the rules, their superiors and the entire system will never treat them unfairly, and they will be rewarded with merits and achievements.

This mutual trust, built upon institutional safeguards, is the invisible pillar that enables this army to maintain a high degree of cohesion and potential combat effectiveness even under extremely harsh and secretive conditions. It is also the source of Fei Qian's confidence in carrying out such high-risk strategic operations.

Such dispersed marches are not without difficulties, but how to deal with difficulties is a key factor affecting the success or failure of the overall operation.

At another temporary rest stop, when a unit arrived, the commander found that the water supply seemed to be less than planned.

After a brief inquiry, the logistics staff who remained explained that the weather had been unusually dry and rainless in the past few days, and the water volume of the mountain stream that was originally the main water source had decreased sharply. Although they tried their best to store water, they still failed to reach the expected storage level.

Upon learning of the situation, the commander did not hesitate or complain. Instead, he immediately checked the troops' condition and issued clear orders: all water should be prioritized for the few soldiers showing slight signs of dehydration due to the strenuous march, ensuring their rapid recovery. Then, drinking water for the horses would be provided. The remaining soldiers, whose physical condition was still relatively good, would receive a smaller reduction in water. Most of the soldiers would need to endure and persevere for a while longer, aiming to reach the next water source marked with more abundant water before dawn for a full supply.

Including the team leader himself.

The order was quickly relayed to every soldier.

This adjustment, which concerns everyone's basic needs, did not cause any obvious disturbance in the team.

The remaining cavalrymen sat quietly on the ground, using this precious rest time to recover their strength or carefully inspect their weapons and shoes.

No one whispered among themselves, no one complained in hushed tones, and no one questioned the superiors' decisions.

Because the team leader also reduced the amount of water.

Trust in a group stems from trust in its leader.

They believed that the commander had given such an order for a reason, and that it was the best option at the moment, and that the next water source would surely quench their thirst.

This absolute trust in collective decision-making and the restraint that transcends personal suffering stand in stark contrast to the turmoil, looting, and even mutiny and collapse that easily occurred in the old Han army when faced with supply difficulties.

The entire long-range maneuver, traversing the complex terrain of western Hanoi, functioned like a sophisticated measuring instrument far ahead of its time, operating with remarkable stability. As these units moved stealthily and dispersed, the Flying Cavalry continued their advance southwest, drawing ever closer to their ultimate objective…

……

……

The autumn sun, carrying a weak warmth, shone on the dilapidated city walls of Gongxian and the newly fortified Cao army camp.

Cao Hong gripped the hilt of the ring-pommel sword at his waist, his brow furrowed.

The Cao army soldiers in front of him, who were digging trenches, erecting fences, and repairing fortifications, seemed no different from before, still moving around like ants. But Cao Hong always felt that something was wrong.

Besides the dust and various stenches of sweat and decay, there seemed to be an indescribable sense of tension in the air.

Cao Hong had just received an order from Cao Cao's camp in Luoyang, written in his own hand, instructing him to make "complete preparations" in Gong County.

"Complete preparations" indeed...

Cao Hong couldn't help but feel a sense of emotion.

Although Cao Cao didn't say anything explicitly, his words revealed deep concern about the situation in the Heluo region, even hinting at contingency plans for the worst. Yique, Taigu—could something have gone wrong?
Or had Cao Cao lost confidence in conquering Luoyang?
Cao Hong pondered the four characters written by Cao Cao, a heavy pressure pressing down on his shoulders.

His forces were not sufficient, and most of them were infantry, brought from Sishui Pass.

After the cavalry withdrew from Sishui Pass, Cao Hong led his troops back to Gong County.

This is nothing to be proud of...

In Cao Hong's mind, it was like picking up a bone left behind by the Flying Cavalry.

Gongxian was originally intended as the front line of defense for Sishui Pass, and Cao Hong originally planned to use it to defend against the Flying Cavalry...

Comparing yourself to others will only make you miserable.

Comparing cities will only make you more and more frustrated...

Why are there such big differences between Gongxian and Luoyang?
Although Shanjin is currently under attack from the Flying Cavalry, other areas are relatively calm. Moreover, with Xun Yu stationed at Shanjin, the Flying Cavalry from Hedong will not be able to cross the river so easily...

Moreover, Shaanxi and Tianjin are quite far from Luoyang.

We are now in Luoyang City...

Why are they able to persevere?
It is said that Cao Cao also used gunpowder, but it seems that the effect was not good.

Cao Hong sighed softly.

Although he still had some doubts, Cao Hong strictly followed the orders.

He dispatched more scouts to scout westward and northward, focusing on patrolling the Mengjin and Xiaopingjin ferry crossings, as well as the sentry posts guarding the Beiman Mountain north of Luoyang, which had excellent visibility, to see if there was anything unusual.

Soon after, the dispatched teams all returned...

"Report! General, no large enemy force has been spotted in the direction of Mengjin, only a few scattered boats patrolling. The coastal defenses are as usual!"

"Report! The garrison at Xiaopingjin reports that everything is calm and there are no signs of enemy troops crossing the river!"

Report! All signal towers and sentry posts on Beiman Mountain are functioning normally; no unusual smoke or dust has been detected!

A series of reports seemed to confirm the apparent calm.

Hearing this news, Cao Hong's tense nerves relaxed slightly.

Perhaps my brother is overthinking things. The main force of the Flying Cavalry should still be entangled in Ji Province, or as some rumors say, it has already turned towards Yan and Yu Provinces.

However, Cao Hong was unaware that at the very moment he received these "peaceful" messages, the real threat had already silently slipped into his blind spot.

Beiman Mountain, this mountain range stretching north of Luoyang, appears desolate and silent under the autumn sun.

The sentry posts that Cao Jun originally set up on the mountain were intended to supplement surveillance of the Yellow River to the north, but neither Cao Hong nor Cao Cao expected that one of the eyes on Mount Beiman was already out of their control...

The soldiers of Cao Cao's army stationed at these outposts were not the most important troops in Cao Cao's army. Their lives there were monotonous and arduous, and supplies were often insufficient.

Originally, Cao Jun's platoon leader Li Qi surrendered, which allowed Zhu Ling to learn the communication codes between the sentries and the patrol methods. Under Li Qi's cover, several waves of patrols were perfectly dealt with.

As dusk approached, the setting sun painted the mountains with a poignant orange-red hue.

A cavalryman on lookout duty spotted a concealed signal being transmitted via sunlight reflection from the north bank of the Yellow River in the distance. He immediately found Zhu Ling and reported the discovery of the communication signal.

Zhu Ling immediately confirmed it again.

Once Zhu Ling confirmed that it was a signal and not a misjudgment, he couldn't help but get excited, because it meant that the vanguard of the Flying Cavalry had reached the designated position on the north bank!

The time has come!

The ability to cut off Cao Cao's scouts' intelligence network is crucial to ensuring the main force of the Flying Cavalry can cross the river discreetly and gain more time...

The first priority is to resolve the issues at the other two outposts on Beiman Mountain.

Zhu Ling found Li Qi resting behind a rock and asked if there was any way to take down Cao Cao's sentry post without alerting the other Cao soldiers.

Especially the sentry post at the highest peak, which is the core of this operation, would surely alert Cao Cao's army in Luoyang if the sentry post were to light a signal fire.

After much deliberation, Li Qi finally came up with a solution...

……

……

The central outpost on Beiman Mountain was relatively large, located on a relatively flat hillside, with a simple watchtower and several huts built of wood. There were sentry posts on both sides of the makeshift camp, and the total number of people was also more than that of Li Qi's group, totaling about 150 to 160.

At a sentry post in the direction Li Qi had come from, four or five Cao soldiers were sitting or standing listlessly, waiting for nightfall. When they saw Li Qi and his group coming from the side peak, they were initially wary, but once they realized they were "their own people," especially after recognizing Li Qi, their guard was relaxed considerably.

"Brother Wang! We're all here!" Li Qi raised the wild rabbit in his hand, forcing a warm smile. "We're lucky today, got some meat! How about we get some firewood and roast it for a treat? We're almost out of salt, want to trade some with you?"

"What are you doing here, kid? This isn't the rule... and there's only one rabbit, who's going to eat that?" The squad leader, known as Old Wang, was a thin, middle-aged man with a sallow complexion. His eyes lit up when he saw the plump rabbit, and he swallowed hard. "And, ah... well, what are you trading for salt? Heh, I can tell, you're definitely not here to trade for salt..."

Li Qi was stunned for a moment, and his whole body stiffened.

Zhu Ling, following behind Li Qi, also slightly hunched her back, preparing to make a move, but then heard the old sergeant continue, "I think you're planning to find another place, aren't you?"

"Change...change the location?" Li Qi was a little confused, then stammered, "How...how did you know?"

"Hey! What's so hard to tell?" the old sergeant said. "Come on up... Who wants to stay in this godforsaken place? I'm telling you, a rabbit definitely won't do..."

Li Qi caught his breath. "There's more... This one's for you..."

"Anything else?" Old Wang's gaze swept over Zhu Ling and the others. Seeing that they were silent but dressed appropriately, he didn't suspect anything, his attention mostly drawn to the game. "That's great! You still have some conscience! I just managed to get a small bag of coarse salt today, I'll trade it for a fat rabbit! Brothers, someone go get some firewood!"

One of Cao's soldiers responded with a smile and then turned to gather firewood from the nearby woods.

Li Qi and Zhu Ling slowly walked up.

Old Wang also took a few steps forward, happily preparing to take the rabbit that Li Qi handed over.

Li Qi pretended to accidentally let go, and the rabbit immediately fell to the ground.

Old Wang subconsciously looked down, his attention focused on the rabbit that had fallen to the ground, and almost instinctively reached out to grab it...

Li Qi lunged forward, covering Old Wang's mouth tightly with one hand and grabbing his arm with the other, dragging him down violently!
At the same time, Zhu Ling sprang up like lightning, his short blade turning into a cold light, piercing the throat of the Cao army soldier next to him who had not yet reacted!
The remaining cavalrymen also acted simultaneously, using either short blades or nooses, and almost instantly wiped out all of Cao's troops within the outer perimeter of the outpost!
The whole process happened in the blink of an eye; apart from the muffled groan of someone being covered and the sound of their body falling to the ground, there was almost no other major noise.

The Cao army soldier who went to collect firewood had just turned around when he saw this horrifying scene. He was so frightened that his soul almost left his body. Just as he was about to shout, a cavalryman was already close by and slashed his neck with a knife!
Li Qi, holding the terrified Old Wang by the back of his hand, pressed a short blade against his neck. "Don't scream! If you scream, I'll stab you to death! Blink if you want to live!"

The reason Li Qi and Zhu Ling didn't kill Old Wang wasn't because they were soft-hearted, but because it would be easier to get closer to the topmost small camp with Old Wang alive.

Old Wang blinked frantically.

Li Qi slowly released his hand from Old Wang's mouth.

Old Wang, panting, glanced at Zhu Ling. "I knew it...you, you brat, you didn't want to trade for the salt...No, don't do it! I, ah, I want to trade too..."