Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 186 Even the Hu people bleed.

Jingzhou and Binzhou together are also known as Longdong.

The Longdong region today cannot yet be called the Loess Plateau. In this era, if viewed from the air, the Longdong region is not a barren, yellowish-brown expanse; its forest vegetation coverage is quite high.

The Jing River has numerous tributaries in its upper reaches, irrigating large tracts of land in the Longdong region.

The Longdong region is home to the world's first plateau, formerly known as Bin, and has long been called the granary, making its strategic location extremely important.

During the pre-Qin period, the Qin army fought against the Yiqu here.

In the early Han Dynasty, the Han army and the Xiongnu fought over this area.

When the Northern Wei Dynasty unified the Northern Dynasties, it established a defense system in the Longdong region to defend against the Rouran.

Like the Six Garrisons, key nodes in the Northwest Defense System, such as Bogulu Garrison and Gaoping Garrison, collapsed on their own with the passage of time.

What was once a fortress defending against the Rouran became a bridgehead for advancing into Guanzhong and attacking the Northern Wei.

Starting from the Forbidden Garden in Chang'an, Li Shuang led an army of over ten thousand across the plains north of the Wei River, then up the Jing River, and entered Jingzhou along the river valley.

When the 10,000-strong army arrived at Qianshuiyuan, Li Shuang set up camp there.

This is because the place is located at the crossroads of waterway transportation. To the west, one can go to Anding, the stronghold of Yuchi Bodhisattva, and to the north, one can go to Binzhou.

Inside the main tent, Li Shuang summoned his generals.

Hou Mochen Chong was somewhat excited to be in the tent for the first time as a general, rather than as Li Shuang's close attendant.

However, Li Shuang did not pay attention to him immediately, but looked at Gao Ang instead.

“Ao Cao, you will take 1,500 cavalrymen to Binzhou and pacify the prefecture and counties.”

After the Northern Wei government forces withdrew from Binzhou and Jingzhou, the lands of the two prefectures where the fighting was most intense were quickly swallowed up by the rebels.

However, this does not mean that Wanqi Chounu can easily take over these territories.

Over the years, Wanqi Chounu and Suqin Mingda have run rampant in Bin and Jing, plundering without restraint and offending countless locals.

Gao Ang accepted the order, but he was somewhat worried. It wasn't that he was worried that the 1,500 cavalrymen wouldn't be enough, but rather that he was worried about Li Shuang's situation.

They brought a total of two thousand cavalry with them this time, and the rest were newly recruited soldiers from Guanzhong.

These soldiers had a rather weak fighting spirit.

Gao Ang was somewhat worried about whether they could successfully protect the camp and complete the mission.

"My lord, why don't you give me three thousand soldiers? I can still take over Binzhou."

Li Shuang did not adopt Gao Yuan's suggestion.

It's a very simple principle: even if the locals don't welcome Wanqi Chounu, it doesn't mean they welcome Li Shuang.

It could even be said that Li Shuang's actions in Guanzhong aroused considerable disgust among the Qiang and Di tribes in Bin and Jing prefectures. They also worried that after Li Shuang occupied Bin and Jing prefectures, he might be labeled a traitor and driven out, just like the other Hu tribes in Guanzhong.

Therefore, it is necessary to maintain sufficient deterrence in order to quickly pacify Binzhou.

The reason Li Shuang set up camp at Qianshuiyuan and controlled the waterway for the grain transport, instead of heading directly to Anding, was also because he took into account the attitudes of the local Qiang and Di tribes.

Li Shuang said:
“The ‘good citizens’ of Guanzhong will eventually have to shed blood, otherwise it will just be a waste of money and grain.”

Li Shuang knew all too well the condition of his men. They had been lying low in Guanzhong for far too long, and although they were now armed, they lacked courage.

Li Shuang's words made all the generals present laugh.

"The last general takes command!"

Gao Ang led his elite cavalry and a dozen generals out of the camp, heading north along a tributary of the Jing River, and entered Binzhou.

Hidden among the mountains and rivers, the cavalrymen disappeared from sight, and Hou Mochen Chongcai, who had come to see them off, returned.

Hou Mochen Chong returned to the camp and saw the group of soldiers in the camp. He was disappointed and did not understand why Li Shuang, who was always decisive in his military tactics, would bring these farmers in military uniforms with him.

Houmo Chenchong, who came from places like Wuchuan Town, had witnessed too many elite soldiers and generals since childhood. These local soldiers simply did not possess the qualities that soldiers should have. Houmo Chenchong's question remained unanswered. A few days later, Yuchi Pusa arrived with 20,000 troops guarding Anding and set up camp in a small town northwest of their camp.

It was clear that Yuchi Pusa had received military news that Gao Ang had led his cavalry to Binzhou. If he didn't want to watch Li Shuang take Binzhou, he had to defeat the 10,000 garrison troops stationed there.

After Yuchi Pusa led his army here, he issued a challenge, but Li Shuang did not agree to fight and instead held his camp.

After failing to secure a battle, Yuchi Bodhisattva no longer hesitated and prepared for a full-scale attack the next day.

As dawn broke, a bugle call echoed throughout the camp at Qianshuiyuan.

A war is about to begin.

Before the battle, Li Shuang summoned more than one hundred centurions to the front of the main tent.

Many of these people were familiar faces, including many local party leaders in Huazhou, whom Li Shuang had already met.

Are you afraid of dying?

Li Shuang's opening remarks were very cliché, and the responses from the group of officials were also very cliché.

"Not afraid!"

Li Shuang laughed and said:

"Are you really not afraid of death? How have you survived until now?"

The assembled commanders exchanged glances and fell silent. How could they not be afraid of death? If they weren't, they wouldn't have had to submit to the tyranny of the barbarians.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re afraid of death!” Li Shuang’s expression turned serious. “It’s just that military law is merciless. No matter why you initially chose to become soldiers, now that you’ve taken the job, it’s impossible for you to back down.”

Upon hearing this, the assembled commanders were filled with awe and reverence.

Now that they have become soldiers of this prefecture, if they desert, their neighbors, wives, and children back home will all suffer collateral damage.

Thinking of this, their hearts hardened.

"We will certainly protect the Duke!"

"It's not for me, but for your parents, wives, children, and your future."

Li Shuang spoke a very true statement, which put everyone present at ease.

Someone asked:
"The Duke is renowned for his unparalleled military prowess. As we prepare for battle, would you be so kind as to grant us your advice and strategies for dealing with the enemy?"

Li Shuang smiled and said:

"Remember, even the barbarians bleed."

……

After Li Shuang said this, the group of centurions were quite confused. Whether they understood or not, they all had to leave.

Before long, Yuchi Pusa's barbarian troops will attack.

Hou Mochen Chong stood beside Li Shuang, somewhat worried.

"My lord, I have prepared the fastest warhorse. If these men cannot hold out, I will escort you away."

Li Shuang's smile widened after hearing Hou Mochenchong's words.

"You have absolutely no faith in these people?"

"My lord, it's not that I'm underestimating them, but they're not soldiers at all!"

Li Shuang said slowly:
"Not yet, but it will be soon!"

The wind blew by, and outside the camp, the sound of horses' hooves thundered. Yuchi Bodhisattva's vanguard had arrived!