Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 346 The North Has No Great Wilderness

Erzhu Zhao led an army of 60,000 northerners out of Huo County and arrived in the Pingyang area.

Outside Pingyang City, large tents soon appeared, stretching for miles, densely packed together.

On the city wall, Erzhu Fulugui, carrying Erzhu Zhao's message, once again found Li Shuang.

"Third Uncle, Erzhu Zhao told me that he would make peace as long as you cede Pingyang County!"

Li Shuang looked at Erzhu Fulugui and asked:
"Does he seem to be trying to make peace?"

Erzhu Fulugui listened and thought Erzhu Zhao was right, so his tone became a bit more forceful.

“Third Uncle, as you know, Erzhu Zhao has this kind of temper. Pingyang County is right next to Taiyuan. If he doesn't have it in his hands, Erzhu Zhao won't feel at ease!”

Li Shuang looked around, then pulled Erzhu Fulugui along and whispered:
"To be honest, I don't really want to fight either. You know we both come from humble backgrounds in the North. We've finally made it this far, with money and women. What's the point of fighting?"

When General Tianzhu was in power, he harbored ambitions to unify the world, so I had no choice but to fight him. I don't think Erzhu Zhao has that intention; we're all relatives, what's the point of fighting each other? Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could establish our own independent kingdoms?

Erzhu Fulu listened and finally believed Erzhu Zhao's reasoning.

Ohno Sawa was indeed scared!

"Third Uncle is right!"

Li Shuang nodded and then said:
"But with so many brothers watching, I can't just say it out loud even if I want to back down."

Erzhu Fulu Guiyi thought about it and agreed.

"What about that?"

"Here's what we'll do: in three days, have Erzhu Zhao line up his troops outside Pingyang City. Think about it, over 60,000 men arrayed in front—it'll be quite a sight. My brothers in the city will surely be tempted to retreat when they see the might of your army. What do you think?"

Erzhu Fulu listened, but was somewhat undecided.

“But if I say that, Erzhu Zhao might not believe me. How about Uncle San gives me a token?”

Li Shuang was already prepared and clapped his hands.

A person walked out from the side.

Prime Minister Wang!

Erzhu Fulu was greatly surprised.

Because of Wang Xiang's words, Erzhu Zhao was to be stationed in Jinyang, and the position of head of the Erzhu clan would be illegitimate.

Erzhu Zhao deeply resented it!

Or rather, whoever becomes the head of this household will hate the Prime Minister.

Seeing that Li Shuang had handed over the Prime Minister, Erzhu Fulu Gui finally believed in Li Shuang's intention to make peace.

“Alright, as long as Third Uncle allows me to bring Prime Minister Wang back, I will definitely accomplish this.”

"Go and prepare. I need to speak with Prime Minister Wang!"

Erzhu Fulu returned without suspecting anything, after all, the person was going to be taken away anyway, what harm was there in saying a few words?

After Erzhu Fulu returned to the city wall, Li Shuang looked at Prime Minister Wang and said:
"I know you are loyal and brave. This journey is uncertain, so if you live, you will be promoted three ranks. If you die, I will let your son inherit your title!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Xiang knelt on the ground and bowed with both hands.

"I am willing to die for Your Majesty!"

……

Erzhu's main camp.

"What did you say!"

Inside the main tent, Erzhu Zhao and a group of northern leaders were feasting when they heard that Erzhu Fulu had brought back the prime minister.

"It's true, Ohno Sawa is really scared and doesn't want to fight anymore!"

Erzhu Zhao couldn't wait any longer and said:

"Bring them in!"

Wang Xiang was brought into the tent bound. Erzhu Zhao excitedly stepped down from the commander's seat, came to Wang Xiang, patted his face, then patted his own face, and laughed heartily.

"Prime Minister Wang, General Tianzhu has treated you very well! You traitor, you followed Da Yeshuang and got sold out!"

Wang Xiang remained silent, only keeping his eyes closed.

"Take him away and deal with him when we get back to Jinyang. Keep a close watch on him. If he escapes, I'll kill your whole family."

Erzhu Zhao was extremely excited at this moment. With Wang Xiang, his position as the head of the Erzhu clan was secure.

At this moment, Erzhu Zhao finally believed that Li Shuang really didn't want to fight anymore.

The fact that Li Shuang didn't even want the position of Prime Minister shows that he had no intention of competing with him for the Erzhu clan's throne.

Erzhu Zhao did not kill Wang Xiang immediately, but planned to hold a ceremony and kill Wang Xiang in front of the Erzhu clan after returning to Jinyang.

"What did Ohno Sawa say?"

He said we all came from poor backgrounds in the north, and we've finally made it this far. Now we have money and women, so why are we still fighting?

Upon hearing this, the northern chieftains in the main tent all nodded in agreement, finding it quite reasonable.

Erzhu Zhao asked:
"Would he then withdraw his troops and hand over Pingyang City?"

"Da Ye Shuang said he didn't want to fight either, but it wouldn't be good to explain to his subordinates if he just withdrew like this. He wanted Yingchuan Gong to line up outside the city three days later, so that the troops in the city could see the strength of our army and he could persuade his subordinates to withdraw!"

Erzhu Zhao thought for a moment and said:

"Okay, I agree!"

The North is a place where the strong prey on the weak, and it's common for people to cause trouble by bringing others to settle scores.

After speaking, Erzhu Zhao looked at the group of northern chieftains in the tent and boasted:
"I told you all not to worry about this and that all the time. Look, before the battle has even started, Ohno Sou is already retreating."

At this moment, no one in the main tent dared to utter a word of dissent or go against Erzhu Zhao's wishes; instead, they all praised him.

Lord Yingchuan is truly a hero!

……

Three days later, the weather was clear, with a light breeze and no clouds.

Early in the morning, Erzhu Zhao made all the northerners get up, have breakfast, and then take their weapons and armor and go out of the camp to form ranks.

Of these 60,000 men, the armor rate was not high, and even fewer wore iron armor; most wore leather armor. However, the horse ownership rate was very high, with an infantry-to-cavalry ratio of three to one.

They belonged to different factions and marched out of their camp in groups according to their respective forces. It took them two hours to finally form ranks outside Pingyang City.

The army of 60,000 men was so large that its banners blotted out the sun.

This lineup is enough to intimidate most people in the world.

Erzhu Zhao rode his horse, glanced at the sun in the sky, and looked at Erzhu Fulu Gui beside him.

"Why is there still no movement from Pingyang City? What does Da Ye Shuang have to say? Go and ask him!"

Erzhu Fulu received the order and rode his horse toward Pingyang City, entering the city under Erzhu Zhao's watchful eye.

On the city wall, in the same spot as before, Erzhu Fulugui met Li Shuang. Beside him stood a general.

Wang Sizheng!

"Third Uncle, Erzhu Zhao has set up the military formation as you wished. When are you going to withdraw?"

"I've spoken with my men for the past three days, and they finally agreed to withdraw. However, there's something difficult to handle!"

"What's the matter?"

Li Shuang sighed:

“It’s not that I don’t trust you, but Erzhu Zhao’s army is too close to the city. What if they suddenly attack when our army leaves the city? Here’s what we’ll do: have them retreat three miles so I can lead my army away.”

Wang Sizheng was almost stunned when he heard this.

What surprised him even more was that Erzhu Fulu Gui actually agreed.

"Then I'll talk to Erzhu Zhao!"

"Go!"

Wang Sizheng watched Erzhu Fulugui's retreating figure, then looked at Li Shuang, and finally couldn't help but say:
"Your Majesty, surely Erzhu Zhao wouldn't do that? Doesn't he know how Fu Jian lost the Battle of Fei River?"

Li Shuang smiled, glanced at Wang Sizheng, and said:

“Back then, Erzhu Rong asked me to teach the Erzhu clan’s children, but in the end, only Erzhu Tianguang and Erzhu Dulu remained. Not to mention the Battle of Fei River, he probably doesn’t even know how to write the name Fu Jian.” Just then, Li Shuang walked down from the city wall, with Wang Sizheng following behind him.

Beneath the city walls, troop after troop of soldiers emerged and began to assemble.

With the help of Hulü Guang, Li Shuang put on his armor and walked in front of the generals.

"Houmochen Chong, Daxi Wu, Ruogan Hui, Liang Yu, Wang Xiong!"

"The general is here!"

"Each of you shall lead one hundred cavalry as the left flank!"

"I will obey your orders!"

"Li Yuan, Hou Mochenshun, Li Biao, Tian Hong, Xin Wei."

"The general is here!"

"Each of you shall lead one hundred cavalry as the right wing!"

"I will obey your orders!"

"Wang Sizheng, Pei Qingsun, Xue Xiuyi!"

"The general is here!"

"Each of you shall lead a thousand soldiers to flank the cavalry and charge into battle!"

"I will obey your orders!"

"The rest of the generals, each lead your troops and wait for me to lead the vanguard out of the city. Then, according to the plan, exit through your respective gates and follow the army to launch a surprise attack!"

As he spoke, Li Shuang looked at Murong Shaozong, who cupped his hands and lowered his head.

"promise!"

As Li Shuang rode on his horse, the city gates opened, and in the distance, Erzhu Zhao's 60,000-strong northern army came into view.

……

Erzhu Fulu returned with Li Shuang's words, and Erzhu Zhao listened and agreed.

The order for Erzhu Zhao to retreat had just been given when, at the crucial moment, someone came to dissuade him. Erzhu Zhao was uneducated, but those around him were not.

"Lord Yingchuan, we cannot retreat!"

Erzhu Zhao frowned and asked:
"Why?"

"We must not fail to consider the matter of Fu Jian!"

Erzhu Zhao glanced at Erzhu Fulu Gui, as if asking who Fu Jian was.

Erzhu Fulugui thought for a moment and whispered a reminder:

"What General Tianzhu once told us is a great taboo for a general!"

Erzhu Zhao did not study the military strategies taught by Erzhu Rong very seriously.

There's no other reason than that he doesn't need many of them.

He was a tactical commander and a cavalry commander. Cavalry is known for its swift movement, using tactics like luring the enemy forward and ambushing them from behind. Erzhu Zhao had no experience commanding large armies.

Hearing this now, I felt a bit suspicious.

"You mean Ohno Sawa is playing a trick on me?"

The city gates of Pingyang were now open, and Li Shuang led a thousand cavalrymen out of the gate, followed by the three thousand soldiers.

After the battle formation was completed, there was no further movement from Pingyang City.

Upon seeing this, Erzhu Zhao laughed and said:

"See, I told you you were overthinking it. If Ohno Sawa was trying to mess with me, would he have dared to come out with such a small group of people?"

After Erzhu Zhao finished speaking, he addressed Erzhu Fulugui:

“Go tell Ohno Sō that I will step back and tell him not to worry.”

Erzhu Fulu received the order and rode away.

Erzhu Zhao continued:

"No matter how arrogant Ohno So is, does he dare to charge at my army of 60,000 with only 1,000 cavalry?"

As a cavalry commander, Erzhu Zhao did not include the three thousand heavily armored soldiers in his calculations. They were unnecessary for a charge.

Before Erzhu Zhao could finish speaking, his subordinates loudly reminded him:

"Lord Yingchuan, look!"

Erzhu Zhao looked around, and before Erzhu Fuli could get close on horseback, a murderous intent suddenly arose.

A general rushed out from Li Shuang's army and cut him down from his horse.

Blood was everywhere, and Erzhu Zhao's eyes widened in horror at the sight.

But then, to his horror, Li Shuang led his thousand cavalry and charged straight at them!

Just as the thousand cavalry charged forward, drums suddenly sounded throughout Pingyang City.

A large number of soldiers also rushed out.

When Erzhu Zhao saw the thousand heavily armored cavalrymen charging towards him, his mind was completely blank, devoid of any ideas.

In just a few seconds, Erzhu Zhao's instincts as a general awakened him.

"Defend the enemy!"

After the order was given, Erzhu Zhao suddenly realized that as the commander-in-chief, there was not much he could do anymore.

He couldn't even lead his own Qihu cavalry into the battle; he could only watch as Li Shuang led his cavalry into the enemy lines.

The central command system of this 60,000-strong northern army was somewhat chaotic, but their fighting instincts remained.

However, the outcome was already clear the moment these thousand heavy cavalrymen clashed with the 60,000-strong northern army.

The 60,000-strong army had been standing still all morning, and their formation was now loosening. They were no match for the heavily armored cavalry led by Li Shuang.

Li Shuang led his troops and broke through the entire formation in just a quarter of an hour.

With the banners of the sun, moon, and stars fluttering, and seeing the invincible armored cavalry personally led by Li Shuang, the three thousand heavily armored soldiers charging into battle, and the light cavalry continuously pouring out of Pingyang City, these northerners once again felt immense fear.

Whether at Hulao Pass, amidst the towering mountains of the north, or by the banks of a great river, the 60,000-strong northern army collapsed the moment Li Shuang pierced through their ranks!
The moment the 60,000-strong army saw the Three Stars Banner behind their formation, the ranks crumbled piece by piece, from near to far, centered on a line of blood formed by the heavy cavalry charge, and then spread outwards.

It took Erzhu Zhao several hours to assemble his 60,000-strong army into battle formation, but it only took a moment for them to collapse.

At that moment, Erzhu Zhao suddenly understood something.

Commanding 60,000 men is no more advantageous than commanding 3,000 cavalry!
Looking around, no one was following his orders anymore; everyone just wanted to leave the battlefield and escape.

In fact, in their haste to escape, some troops even fought each other for horses.

At the moment when the army's formation collapsed, the fear spread by the troops of the Six Garrisons and the Dai people prevented even Erzhu Zhao's own Qihu cavalry from exerting their fighting power.

He could only helplessly watch a magnificent defeat unfold!

"Lord Yingchuan, run away quickly!"

Just then, someone beside Erzhu Zhao reminded him.

"escape?"

As Erzhu Zhao read the word, a hope for escape welled up in his heart. He was not prepared to die on the battlefield; his thoughts were of escaping back to Jinyang and rebuilding his forces.

"escape!"

The moment Erzhu Zhao decided to flee, the outcome of the battle was already decided!
The army poured out of Pingyang City one after another, reaping the fruits of victory.

On this day, on the banks of the Fen River, the once-powerful Northern army fled in panic, hoping to escape back to where they came from as soon as possible.

Blood splattered everywhere, warhorses neighed, armor and weapons lay scattered on the ground, the scorching sun was replaced by the cold of the night, and the battlefield was littered with corpses.

The order that had been re-established after the North was shattered was destined to collapse once again after this war.

The world situation is turbulent and unpredictable!

Only the Three Stars Banner remains unfallen!

……

(End of this chapter)