The Rebellious Officials and Traitors of the Late Han Dynasty

Chapter 595 If the enemy can go, I can go too!

The moment the great banner fell, the Xianbei army's morale shattered like a broken string. Their once-solid defensive line crumbled under the Tang army's overwhelming onslaught. Zhang He led a surprise attack like a sharp knife piercing the enemy's flank, Xu Huang led the main force in a frontal assault, and Huang Zhong directed the archers in suppressive fire. These three offensives closed in like iron pincers, completely tearing apart the chaotic Xianbei defenders.

"All troops, charge!" Qin Shou ordered from the high ground, brandishing his sword, as the last reserve force was thrown into battle.

The rout was swift and devastating. The Xianbei soldiers abandoned their armor and weapons, fleeing for their lives, with countless dying from trampling on one another. Kebineng, under the desperate protection of his personal guards, fled north in panic, even abandoning the golden tent, a symbol of royal power, on the battlefield.

After the battle, Qin Shou personally poured wine for Huang Zhong at the victory banquet:
"The old general's three arrows sealed the victory; how magnificent!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Huang Zhong was visibly excited.

"Your Majesty, Kebineng has already been defeated. Our army should continue the pursuit and not give the enemy a chance to breathe." Zhao Yun was eager to try and couldn't wait to chase after Kebineng.

The generals also spoke up one after another.

"The army will rest for two days. Qin Feng will leave the camp to search for Kebineng's whereabouts. Two days later, we will find Kebineng for a decisive battle," Qin Shou instructed his generals.

"promise!"

The generals were overjoyed.

As dusk settled, the Xianbei camp was filled with the dejection of a defeated army. Kebineng, having shed the disheveled state of his daytime panicked flight, sat imposingly on a wolf-skin rug, his eyes as sinister as those of a wounded alpha wolf on the grasslands.
He surveyed the dejected tribal leaders in the tent, his voice hoarse yet carrying an undeniable ruthlessness.

"The Tang army is at the height of its power, its advance unstoppable. Issue the order: all tribes shall immediately break camp and head north, deep into the heart of the grasslands!"

"The Han people are skilled at fighting in formations and rely on their baggage train. Let's give them this vast grassland! Let Qin Shou come after us, let him drag tens of thousands of troops to experience the wind, snow, quicksand, and thirst of our grassland!"

"We must be like a pack of wolves, dragging them along, dulling their claws, and exhausting their strength. Then, when the grass is lush and the horses are fat next year, we'll turn back and bite their throats!"

The tribal leaders looked at each other in bewilderment. Having already suffered defeats in two major battles, they were terrified. Now, upon hearing that they could temporarily avoid the onslaught, no one dared to object, and they all bowed and patted their chests.

"We will obey the Great Chanyu's orders!"

That night, the Xianbei camp was filled with shouts and the neighing of horses, the flickering flames of fire. The various tribes, with their remaining soldiers, women, children, and livestock, silently disappeared into the deep darkness of the north, like a receding tide. They abandoned their fixed encampments, dispersed, and migrated deeper into the grasslands, determined to trade the vastness of the land for a chance to regroup.

Two days later, in the central command tent of the Tang army camp.

Jia Mu, covered in dust from his journey, strode in and knelt on one knee before Qin Shou, who was seated in the main seat.

"Your Majesty, I have ascertained that Kebineng has led the remaining tribes and fled north with his entire army. Their tracks are scattered, but they all point in the direction of the Gonglu River in the northern desert. They are moving extremely fast, and small groups of tribes are constantly joining them along the way, so it seems they are determined to flee far away."

"Trying to run?" Before Qin Shou could speak, Zhao Yun, sitting below him, could no longer contain himself. He abruptly stood up, clasped his hands, and volunteered for command:

"Your Majesty, the Xianbei have just suffered a defeat, their morale is low, and they have abandoned a great deal of baggage. They are also carrying a large number of troops, so their marching speed will certainly be slow. Please grant me a light cavalry force. I am willing to be the vanguard and march day and night. I will surely catch up with them before they reach the Gonglu River and entangle them!"

Xu Huang, being more cautious, pondered for a moment and said, "Zilong is brave and fierce, but although the enemy has been defeated, they still have tens of thousands of troops. Moreover, Kebineng is not an incompetent ruler and must have a rearguard plan. Advancing with light cavalry could lead to an ambush. Our army has won a great victory, and although morale is high, continuous fighting has exhausted our men and horses, and our supply lines have been stretched. In my opinion, it would be better to proceed steadily and cautiously, advancing northward step by step, gradually compressing their living space." Zhang He also said, "Gongming's words are reasonable. In grassland warfare, supplies are crucial. If our army ventures deep into enemy territory alone, our supply lines will be in danger. The Xianbei are familiar with the terrain and move like the wind. If they cut off our supply lines, our army will be in grave danger."

Huang Zhong stroked his long, white beard, his eyes sharp, and said, “Kebineng’s strategy is to imitate the way the Xiongnu dealt with the Han Dynasty, trying to exhaust our army in the desert. But times have changed. Our army’s morale is high. How can we allow them to attack again next year? However, we need a foolproof plan for the pursuit.”

Inside the tent, the generals were in an uproar, each holding their own opinion, some advocating for war and others for a more measured approach.

Qin Shou listened quietly for a moment, his fingers lightly tapping on the command desk. His gaze swept across the vast grassland on the map, which represented the unknown and danger. Finally, he spoke slowly, his voice steady and firm.

“Kebineng wants to use the grasslands to wear us down, waiting for an opportunity to make a comeback. I will not give him that chance.”

"If the enemy can go, so can I! Emperor Wu of Han was able to seal the Wolf-Dwelling Mountain, and today, I will utterly break the spine of the Xianbei deep in these grasslands!"

"Zhao Yun, listen to my command!"

"Your subordinate is here!" Zhao Yun's spirits lifted, and he stepped forward.

"You are hereby ordered to lead five thousand elite light cavalry, each with two horses and half a month's worth of rations, and set off immediately to pursue the main force of the Xianbei. Your mission is not a decisive battle, but to follow them like a shadow and keep them pinned down! Ascertain their exact movements, harass their logistics, hunt down their scouts, keep them on edge, and slow their northward retreat. If you encounter a large enemy force, do not linger in battle; report back immediately!"

"Yes, sir! This subordinate obeys!" Zhao Yun's eyes flashed with excitement. He bowed to receive the order, turned around, and strode out of the tent to muster the troops.

"Xu Huang, Zhang He, listen to my command!"

"Your subordinate is here!" the two generals replied in unison.

"I hereby appoint you two to command the main force of the central army. Streamline unnecessary baggage, sustain yourselves through war, and carry two months' worth of provisions. Follow behind. Establish temporary outposts at strategic locations along the way to ensure unimpeded supply lines. Advance cautiously, but do not slow down. You must form a pincer movement with Zilong south of the Gonglu River!"

"Your Majesty, we obey!" Xu Huang and Zhang He accepted the order.

"General Huang."

"The old minister is here."

"Logistics and provisions are the lifeblood of an army. I hereby order you to take charge of the rear, supervise the laborers, ensure the safety of the supply lines, and ensure that the front lines have no worries about supplies. At the same time, recruit guides familiar with the grassland routes, draw more detailed maps, and send them to the front lines continuously."

"Your Majesty, this old minister will certainly not fail your trust!" Huang Zhong replied solemnly.

With the military order given, the massive war machine of the Tang army once again began to operate efficiently. In less than half a day, Zhao Yun had led five thousand light cavalry, like arrows released from a bow, charging out of the camp, raising clouds of dust, and disappearing into the vast northern horizon.

The days that followed became a contest of willpower and speed.

Zhao Yun's light cavalry made full use of their mobility, traveling day and night. They followed the abandoned camps of the Xianbei army and the tracks of dead livestock, heading north.

Along the way, they repeatedly encountered Xianbei rearguard and small cavalry units. The Tang cavalry were well-equipped, well-trained, and skilled in archery and horsemanship. They often launched swift attacks, slaughtering the Xianbei before quickly disengaging and never engaging them in prolonged combat. The Xianbei, still shaken and exhausted by this relentless pursuit, found their marching speed severely hampered.

(End of this chapter)