Water Margin: Lu Bu sits on Mount Liang

The night was as dark as ink, with a crescent moon hanging in the night sky.

The procession, with torches lit, moved forward, the horses' hooves clattering on the city streets, the plates of their armor making a slight knocking sound, the horses occasionally snorting, and voices could be heard as they moved.

Zhou Jin, leading his warhorse, turned around and scolded, "Keep your voices down." The voices behind him weakened, and he moved closer to the figure in front of him: "Master, I didn't expect that the guy surnamed Li would let us follow Zong Anfu Envoy and actually get to fight in a battle. Once we achieve some merit, we'll go back and make a good laugh at that bastard."

“Li Dujian is morally corrupt, and I look down on him, but he’s good to his subordinates.” Suo Chao turned around and glanced at his apprentice, looking at the figures walking under the torches ahead: “I look down on him, and he’s annoyed that I’m always embarrassing him. Handing us over to Zong Xiang is a kind of protection, otherwise, if we were thrown into the suicide squad, we would be dead in no time.”

"You're so kind, even speaking up for him..." Zhou Jin opened her mouth, muttering helplessly.

"I'm not speaking up for him." Suo Chao turned his head and slapped Zhou Jin on the head: "Think about it carefully, why didn't he send us to other places, but instead recommended us to the Grand Chancellor? Isn't it because he was afraid of burying our talents?"

Zhou Jin pouted: "Master, I think you've been brainwashed by that guy surnamed Li recently, you're talking nonsense."

"Get lost—" Suo Chao kicked him, stroking his chin: "I've finally figured out some ways of officialdom these past two years, you bastard, stop contradicting me."

Zhou Jin shrank back and muttered softly, "Master, I believe you when you talk about figuring out how to fight a war, but figuring out how to navigate the officialdom..."

Seeing that Suo Chao did not turn around, he continued, "You finally got promoted to the position of Yuhou, but I'm afraid you're going back to the regular army."

"Shut up!" Suo Chao suddenly turned around and slapped Zhou Jin hard on the head. The latter cried out "Ouch!" and shut up, not daring to say another word.

The footsteps faded, and in the darkness, the soldiers carrying torches gathered. Yue Fei, who was waiting in the barbican, saw them approaching and quickly stepped forward to greet them, clasping his hands in a fist salute: "Are you brothers from the Garrison Command? I am Yue Fei. I thank you all for coming out of the city with me tonight."

"Not at all, we are all working together for the country." Suo Chao quickly stepped forward, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and bowed his head respectfully, saying, "In this battle, we are willing to follow General Yue's orders."

"Good!" Yue Fei was also pleased to hear this, and waved his hand, saying, "We should leave the city tonight without delay. Please do not light torches. The soldiers in the rear should just follow those in front."

Suo Chao didn't hesitate. He immediately ordered all the torches to be extinguished. Then, a group of people, with cloth wrapped around their horses' hooves and copper bells removed, and soldiers biting wooden sticks in their mouths, ran out as the city gate opened.

Although the moon hangs in the sky tonight, it is too small and its light cannot dispel the darkness of the fields.

The army of just over two thousand men moved silently and swiftly through the night. Tang Huai led scouts scattered across the area, occasionally emitting strange cries to signal that the army behind them was safe.

In the surging darkness, Qi army sentries blocked the road. Fortunately, due to the scorched earth policy, there were no trees to provide cover nearby. The Song soldiers, who had sneaked out from the darkness, lay down on the ground, adjusted their posture, and raised their crossbows.

"shoot--"

At the whispered command, the crossbow bolts were pulled almost simultaneously, and the sound of metal piercing flesh rang out in front. The Qi soldiers who had been hit by arrows made sounds of "uh..." and "uh..." The Song soldiers who had put down their crossbows were somewhat nervous. Under normal circumstances, they would not have blinked an eye when killing a few people, but now they were afraid of making the slightest mistake.

The area outside the city is open; if we attract enemy cavalry, we're doomed.

Someone stepped forward and dragged away the Qi army's hidden sentries, while those behind loaded their crossbows and continued to advance in the dark.

For them, it may be a long night.

Five miles from the city gate, the dispersed scouts began to report back on the situation ahead.

After dodging several patrols of cavalry in the darkness and crossing several hills, Yue Fei, leading his troops, glanced at the sky and slowly stopped to allow his soldiers to rest.

Under the dim moonlight, the red embroidered robe he wore appeared to have changed color. After adjusting his iron helmet, Yue Fei took out a water pouch, took a sip, and gestured to the distant firelight: "The Qi army's rear camp is just ahead."

"General Yue, just tell me what to do." Suo Chao wiped a trace of sweat or water from his beard. "I will lead the vanguard."

"Lord Suo Yuhou is so heroic." Yue Fei looked up at the sky again and said softly, "Let's wait here for now. Although it's past midnight, there's still some time before dawn. Let's also let our brothers wake up."

He turned his head to the back and said, "Tang Huai, Zhang Xian, you two take scouts up to check the situation, and be careful not to be spotted by the enemy's patrols."

The two burly men readily agreed and then led the scouts into the night. Only then did Yue Fei and his men rest for a while before heading out of the city gate to the enemy's rear camp. The straight-line distance was no more than twenty li, but their journey was arduous and tense, and each of them looked exhausted.

……

Ugly time.

A cool night breeze rustled through the grass, occasionally punctuated by the flapping of wings of night birds, and the sound of horses' hooves passing by.

"The smell of blood!" Under the torchlight, the squad leader on horseback raised his hand to signal the soldiers in black clothes and armor to stop: "I remember there was a sentry post ahead. Send two men to check what's going on."

Three soldiers rode out on warhorses, and soon after, a sharp bamboo whistle rang out.

"Something's happened, let's go!"

The horse galloped back, its hooves pounding the ground.

At the same moment, Zhang Xian and Tang Huai, who had returned from their reconnaissance mission, squatted down in front of Yue Fei, Wang Gui, and Suo Chao, scratching the ground with wooden sticks in their hands.

“The Qi army camp is surrounded by barricades, guarded by about fifty men. There are watchtowers around the perimeter, each manned by three men. It’s not easy to attack.” Zhang Xian was the speaker.

"There are several cavalry patrols outside the camp. Judging from the number of torches, each patrol has about forty or fifty men. They just passed by the camp gate and will probably come back in about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea."

Those who had stopped talking, along with the others, turned their gazes toward Yue Fei, waiting for him to make a decision.

"If that weren't the case, there would have been no need for the Prime Minister to send us out for a night raid."

Yue Fei clenched his fists slightly and gritted his teeth: "Prepare strong bows and crossbows to cover the infantry as they move the barricades and chevaux-de-frise outside. We have fewer cavalry, so once we kick open the camp gates, we'll charge in immediately, set fire to the city, and burn the Qi army's cannons and siege equipment. Don't linger in battle. After we're done, don't return to the city by the same route; take a detour to the south."

The generals exchanged glances and nodded firmly: "Yes."

Yue Fei took a breath, stood up, and said, "Gentlemen, let's go! May Heaven bless the Song Dynasty!"

"May Heaven bless the Great Song Dynasty!"

Soon after, the figures lurking in the darkness rose and moved, slowly raising their weapons. Someone nocked an arrow and adjusted their breathing.

Fortunately, they were not discovered as they traveled along the way.

A large number of figures began to rush forward.

Yue Fei, mounted on his horse, raised his spear and gave a low shout: "Ready—"

A command rang out from the darkness: "Shoot—"

hum-

A bowstring trembled.

……

In front of the Qi army's front camp.

The torchlight shone on the faces of the soldiers guarding the camp gate. The men blinked, looking somewhat drowsy, and occasionally moved around to keep themselves awake.

crackling——

The burning torches burst open with a loud bang, followed by the familiar sound of horses' hooves approaching from afar.

"what's the situation?"

The centurion standing in front of the camp gate immediately became alert, looked up and shouted, "What's going on outside?"

Someone poked their head out from above: "It looks like a patrol of cavalry is returning."

The people below frowned even more, walked to the wooden fence next to the camp gate and looked out, and saw the tiny flames gradually growing bigger and getting closer.

"Report—" The drawn-out voice stopped in front of the camp: "The sentry post near Daming Prefecture has been taken down, and it is suspected that enemy troops have left the city!"

"Open the door and let him in." The centurion felt a chill run down his spine. He barked and watched as his men opened the door a crack. The squad leader on horseback entered, and the man pointed and said, "You come with me!"

As night deepened and sleepiness settled, Lü Bu was suddenly awakened by Yu Cheng's shout. He opened his eyes and sat up abruptly: "What is it?"

“A letter came from the front army camp that the sentry posts outside the city had been taken down and all the sentry soldiers had been killed.”

Lu Bu's spirits lifted, and he stretched out of bed, stepping onto his shoes: "Several sentry posts have been taken down. Is there any news of an enemy attack on the camp?"

Yu Cheng lowered his head: "No one has attacked the camp yet, but many sentry posts have been taken down."

"Nothing?" Lü Bu narrowed his eyes and snorted. "If it's not the vanguard, and there's no movement from either side, then it must be the rearguard..."

Order Wanyan Loushi to quickly reinforce the rear army camp.

With guards by his side, he turned and ran away.

Lu Bu thought for a moment and then said, "Order Niu Gao of the Left Army and Yang Zaixing of the Right Army to prepare troops. If they encounter enemy forces, intercept and kill them on the way. The rest of the troops should continue to rest and not panic."

"Here!"

However, soon, the sound of a golden bell rang out outside. Lü Bu walked to the tent entrance, lifted the tent flap and looked out. There was a slight commotion in the quiet military camp. After identifying the direction, he said, "It is indeed the rear army."

"Keep the troops calm. Even if the Song army leaves the camp, it's only a small portion of their elite troops; there's no need to panic."

Turning to go back, he paused, tilting his head slightly: "Send orders to Xu Wen and Su Yi, instructing them to lead the Right Guard soldiers to guard the firearms camp."

The guard beside him agreed and immediately relayed the order to his subordinates.

Lu Bu then stepped inside, muttering to himself, "A good idea..." The sound reverberated in the air.

Then troops began to move.

……

The sky remained pitch black, and the world should have been silent.

Meanwhile, the Qi army's rear was thrown into turmoil by the crossbow fire, and a chorus of pitiful screams rang out. Wang Gui brandished his broadsword and charged forward: "Move away these barricades, quickly—"

Amidst the screams of the Qi soldiers at the camp gate, the Song infantrymen who followed rushed over one by one, lifting up the chevaux-de-frise. Those Qi soldiers on the watchtower who had not been killed by arrows first sounded the warning gong, and then someone stood up and shot an arrow downwards.

"what--"

A Song soldier fell to the ground. Zhang Xian drew his bow and shot an arrow at the man who had poked his head out. The body fell from the height.

"Fire quickly! Fire quickly!"

Amidst the anxious shouts, more archers drew their bows and pulled back their swords, unleashing a rain of arrows towards several nearby watchtowers.

Ahead, Song infantrymen were quickly clearing away the obstructing roadblocks.

Warhorses pounded the ground behind them as the elite cavalry, composed of troops from Cizhou and Daming Prefecture, began to move, their hooves, wrapped in cloth, making a dull thud.

boom--

Two or three riders in front crashed into the camp gate one after another, blood and flesh splattering into the air with the sound of bones cracking. The huge camp gate shook, and the following cavalry charged forward without hesitation.

bang——

The wooden camp gate tilted downwards and collapsed. Yue Fei raised his Liquan Divine Spear: "Charge in and burn the camp!"

"Come with me!"

Suo Chao raised his golden-tipped axe, and his snow leopard horse, smeared with mud, galloped into the camp. The cavalrymen who swarmed in split into two groups, one following Yue Fei and the other following Suo Chao, like two forked streams.

Soldiers, awakened by the sound of the gong, didn't have time to put on their armor. They grabbed someone's weapon, lifted the tent flap, and stepped out. In their sight, cavalrymen were rushing towards them at high speed.

While driving, they came across a burning brazier, and Suo Chao swung his large axe and struck it hard.

bang——

The iron axe slammed into the iron basin, causing the black fire basin to tumble in the air, scattering sparks. Burning wooden strips spun in the air, forming rings of fire, before crashing heavily onto the tent.

Bear--

Flames erupted in an instant, and someone seized the opportunity to shoot an arrow. The arrow pierced through the tent and struck someone, who let out a scream.

"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"

Panic cries erupted from the bare-chested soldiers. Suo Chao, riding his warhorse, cleaved a man in two with an axe. Amidst loud laughter, he led his cavalry past, scattering torches and burning clothing in all directions.

Flames spread through the camp.

Beneath countless rushing figures, weapons slashed wildly at the tents, collapsing tents and burying soldiers beneath them. The area near the camp gate instantly descended into chaos, then was ignited by flames thrown by the Song army, spreading in two straight arcs, with pitiful screams and the acrid smell of burning filling the air.

Several naked soldiers formed a small formation in front. The cavalry attacked, kicking up dust. On horseback, the Liquan Divine Spear swept across, knocking the figures to the ground. Yue Fei pulled the spearhead from a corpse and pierced through a troop leader who was rushing towards him. Blood and some bone fragments splattered from the wound.

At the same time, several tents in the rear camp of the Qi army were opened, and Shi Bao, holding his wind-splitting sword, shouted loudly: "Quickly assemble the army, archers, come over and shoot arrows at the cavalry's path ahead, don't let them pass through the camp."

Several guards hurriedly draped armor over him, but the ruthless man yanked on the reins and leaped onto the horse, saying, "Tell General Bian that I'll go up and hold them off first."

"General, wait for me!"

Behind them, Sun Li, Xu Ning, Sun Xin, and Le He each came out with weapons, hurriedly putting on their armor.

Shi Bao didn't even wait for them to get dressed before patting his warhorse and saying, "Follow behind."

It sped away.

The cavalry rampaged through the camp, engulfing most of the tents in flames. Piteous screams echoed from within the inferno, as people would occasionally run out and desperately charge at the galloping cavalry, only to be pinned to the ground by spears. A few cavalrymen, unable to react in time, were tackled from their horses and burned along with their riders, trampled into a bloody pulp amidst their screams.

"Turn around, turn around, kill your way to the edge, the edge!"

As Yue Fei galloped along, he surveyed the surroundings and saw only soldiers' camps, with no siege equipment in sight. He became somewhat anxious and quickly pulled on the reins, heading towards the wooden palisade.

A cavalryman sounded his horn, and Suo Chao, who was in the ranks, immediately raised his great axe and shouted, "Go that way, quick!"

The cavalry immediately turned with him.

Warhorses kicked up a cloud of dust in the military camp, and countless swords gleamed in the firelight. Suo Chao galloped to one side, hearing a loud shout from behind: "You good-for-nothing, where do you think you're going?"

Turning around, they saw several riders galloping towards them from the direction where the fire hadn't started. The lead general raised his broadsword and roared, "Raid the camp? You're asking for death—"

"Master, keep going, I'm going to kill him!"

In the procession, Zhou Jin roared and led his entourage onto the horse.

Shi Bao raised the knife in his hand. (End of this chapter)