Tang Dynasty Bandits

Chapter 79 Farewell at Yishui
"What happened?"

A moderate and peaceful voice was heard from the enemy camp. It was Li Fu, the governor of Shannan East Road.

He quickly learned of the commotion ahead and rushed over from the rear. After hearing the Xuanwu Army officers tell him about the previous farce, this governor, who was from the Longxi Li clan and had ties to the royal family, could not help but laugh or cry.

Although the Xuanwu and Xiangyang armies didn't receive much spoils when they annihilated most of Wang Xianzhi's Cao army, the Xiangyang army still received significantly more in rewards than the Xuanwu army. After all, the Xiangyang army's 500 Shatuo cavalry had made a significant contribution.

Flame Marshal's method of distributing rewards based on actual battlefield performance was, in a sense, quite fair, but troops with mediocre performance would be extremely dissatisfied.

It was for this reason that Mu Renyu requested to lead the pursuit. He already owed the Xuanwu Army three months' wages, and he needed to collect more spoils to make up for his declining prestige within the army.

Fortunately, there were 5,000 elite soldiers, all riding horses, chasing the defeated more than 10,000 Cao soldiers. This was a matter of course. Mu Renyu's death would not have any impact on the overall situation.

Originally, General Yan had only used half the Yu Cao army's strength to annihilate Wang Xianzhi's 50,000-man army. Furthermore, the Cao army was now in retreat, with the vast majority of the infantry "rolling up their armor" and carrying their armor on their chariots, which greatly affected their combat effectiveness.

Even though the Grass Army cavalry at the rear seemed difficult to deal with, as long as our side followed them like a vulture smelling rotten meat, we would always find an opportunity to tear the enemy formation apart in one fell swoop.

"I will transfer the 500 Shatuo cavalrymen from the Shannan East Road to the front line," Li Fu said to the Xuanwu Army generals. "Besides, the Xuanwu Army will still be the main force in the front line. I will remain in the front line to command and ensure that you are leaderless."

As he spoke, Li Fu, the governor, ordered his personal guards to distribute money and silk in the battlefield to reward and appease the Xuanwu Army soldiers. The amount was not much, only two pieces of silk per person, but it made the Xuanwu Army soldiers burst into tears of gratitude.

Look at what the Jiedushi did. He paid for it himself and gave it to our friendly soldiers!

In this way, after Mu Renyu's death, it was natural for the Xuanwu Army to be commanded by Li Fu.

Of course, Li Fu's own Xiangyang soldiers were not treated unfairly, each receiving three bolts of cloth. These were all paid in IOUs, to be paid after the battle was over. This was Li Jiedu's own reward for the soldiers' hard work.

Regardless of his military proficiency, Li Fu, the governor of Shannan East Road, was considered a capable official of the country.

This veteran, now over sixty, was no mere pushover who only knew how to give out money without managing his troops. Originally a scholar with no military experience, he was demoted after his defeat against the Nanzhao. Afterward, he reflected on his mistakes, believing that not only was his own military prowess inadequate, but also that corruption and untrained local soldiers were a major contributing factor.

After assuming office in Shannan East Circuit, Li Fu aggressively eliminated vacancies in the Xiangyang Army, eliminated incompetent troops, and decisively crushed several mutinies and assassination attempts against him. He executed those who committed crimes within the city walls, leaving blood running deep. He also recruited numerous local militias, selecting the bravest among them. This transformed the once rotten Xiangyang town into a force of both infantry and cavalry, enabling them to defeat Wang Xianzhi's rogue army several times.

"The situation isn't looking good..." Zhu Wen said to Shang Rang, "Li Fu is much more difficult to deal with than Mu Renyu. I should have known better than to kill Mu Renyu."

Just like the final moments of the Songzhou battle, if Meng Kai hadn't fired that volley of muskets, severely injuring Song Wei, the power to defeat the bandits might not have fallen into the hands of Yan Shuai. Judging from the fact that Xue Shuai Qi Kerang was held back by Song Wei, Yan Shuai Zhen Ranyu's previous refusal to cooperate with Song Wei in battle was extremely wise.

As a wise general, Shang Rang was also aware of Zhu Wen's concerns: "If we continue to follow like this, when we reach narrow mountain roads, it will be easy for the enemy to find a loophole and then charge in with their entire army..."

"Also..." Zhu Wen asked, "Did you see the 'Thief Turtle' during the entire battle?"

Shang Rang and the others were stunned for a moment before realizing that the thief was actually Wang Jian of the Zhongwu Army. This guy was indeed the most troublesome character among the young generation of the official army.

"No." Shang Rang was in command and did not fight on the front line, but the generals who had been to the front line said one after another.

"We continue our march north, but we don't know where Wang Jian is hiding. The enemy is in the dark, while we are in the light, a threat we face all around us." Zhu Wen sighed. "If we can't defeat these 5,000 enemy cavalry first, once Wang Jian arrives, I'm afraid these 10,000-plus brothers will be destroyed."

Meng Kai said, "Why not order all the infantry to put on armor and fight the enemy to the death?"

Zhu Wen shook his head. "A decisive battle involving a group of defeated soldiers facing an enemy force of mounted men is far too risky. A battle like this, where we haven't even surveyed the terrain, doesn't even offer much strategy."

This may sound depressing, but it is an extremely wise judgment.

Even though the death of alliance leader Wang Xianzhi made them feel sad and heroic, it was not enough to overcome the fear brought by the tragic defeat.

Remember, during the Warring States Period, after the bloody Battle of Changping, where 400,000 Zhao soldiers were killed, the Zhao army was given a year's respite, transforming their grief into strength and successfully resisting the Qin army. Even the assassin Bai Qi believed that if they attacked Handan immediately after the Battle of Changping, they would have a good chance of destroying Zhao in one fell swoop!
The remaining generals of Wang Xianzhi's army already knew what Zhu Wen meant.

A gecko cuts off its tail, a warrior cuts off his wrist. To preserve the entire army, someone must stay behind and sacrifice.

More than a thousand cavalrymen of Huang Chao's army came from afar to rescue the remaining troops of Wang Xianzhi. They have done their best and there is no way they can serve as a blocking force.

So they have to choose the victim from within.

Shang Rang's mouth twitched and a look of pain appeared in his eyes, but he didn't say anything in the end.

The first person to speak was a deep and hoarse male voice.

"Lord Zhu Wen, I was involved in setting you up on Mount Tai. I'm so sorry."

It was Cao Shixiong, who was known as the best master of Taishan School.

He is also the son of the late Taishan Sect leader, Master Cao Zixiu. Of course, according to Master Cao, they are nephews, and they just happen to have the same surname.

Cao Shixiong was only in his twenties, but he had a thick beard, dark skin, and a firm look in his eyes. At first glance, he looked completely different from his father Cao Zixiu, who had a fair complexion and no beard.

But if you look closely, you will find that the facial features of the father and son are actually quite similar.

Zhu Wen nodded with a gentle look in his eyes: "It's okay." If Cao Shixiong wanted to seek revenge on him, Shang Rang and others would never allow it, so there was only one other possibility for Cao Shixiong to say this.

Cao Shixiong sighed, "I was taught from a young age not to call Grandpa 'father', so that he could pass on everything in the Taishan Sect to me. Mountains of wealth, endless palaces, and countless beauties—it sounds wonderful, right? But the path he arranged for me is not what I want."

"Leader Wang asked me to go to him. My grandfather was very unhappy, thinking that he was taking his only son as a hostage. But I was delighted, thinking that I could finally go to the side of the great man I admired most."

"Yan Jingming is my friend. I'm really upset that you killed him. Plus, my grandfather sent me a letter asking me to do this, so I organized that conspiracy. Although it was against my will, it was also not fair and honest."

Cao Shixiong took full responsibility for the conspiracy to collude with the imperial court and capture Zhu Wen at Mount Tai. However, Zhu Wen knew that such a task could not be accomplished by one person alone. He needed the advice of several generals in Wang Xianzhi's camp to persuade Wang Xianzhi to make a decision and send a letter to Huang Chao requesting that he be sent to Mount Tai.

At least Zhu Wen was certain that the gossipy lawyer Liu Hanhong must be involved in this matter.

"Can Lord Zhu Wen forgive the mistakes I made?" Cao Shixiong asked.

"Of course I'm annoyed by this kind of infighting, but there's no need for me to argue with someone who's about to die."

Cao Shixiong showed a look of relief: "Alliance Leader Wang is gone, and Deputy Alliance Leader Liu is gone too. They already have many brothers accompanying them, but I still want to accompany them on the road to the underworld."

"I, Cao Shixiong, am not even thirty years old yet. I am full of passion and fearlessness. If I were any older, I would probably become too afraid of death and drag a group of my brothers into defecting to the government army in the middle of a battle."

"While I am still not afraid of death, attending this once-in-a-lifetime feast is the most meaningful thing for me, Cao Shixiong, to do in my life."

As they were speaking, a mountain wind suddenly whistled past, blowing through the army's flags and banners, creating a rather tragic and desolate atmosphere.

Generals Wang Zhongyin and Xu Tangju were Shang Junchang's trusted subordinates. After Shang Junchang's death, they had already begun to resolve to die with him. Inspired by Cao Shixiong, they immediately declared in unison, "We two are also willing to follow General Cao and go on this journey together. Let those lackeys of the imperial court see the courage of men like us, the dragons and snakes of the wild land!"

The generals looked solemnly at the three men with admiration and poured wine to bid them farewell.

The wind whistles and the Yishui River is cold; the hero leaves and never returns. This must have been the mood Prince Dan felt when he bid farewell to Jing Ke at the Yishui River.

Zhu Wen walked up to Cao Shixiong, suddenly opened his arms and hugged him tightly.

At this point, there is no hatred left to talk about.

Cao Shixiong smiled warmly: "Are we friends now?"

Zhu Wen nodded: "Okay."

Cao Shixiong said, "I hope that many years later, you will still remember me as your friend."

"Of course." Zhu Wen patted Cao Shixiong on the shoulder.

In a narrow place, the army left behind a thousand infantry and fifty cavalry. The infantry put on helmets and armor, unhooked the oxen and donkeys from the chariots, formed a circle, and waited for the enemy with powerful crossbows.

In addition, there was sufficient dry food and water, as well as a large number of arrows.

Fighting until the last man standing is the fate of these warriors.

The setting sun cast a lingering crimson light across the simple camp fortifications, like blood splattered on the ground. The mountain wind howled, rustling the flags and banners like a song of no return.

Looking back, the government troops had already started fighting with Cao Shixiong and others. Five hundred Shatuo cavalrymen walked through the dangers as if they were nothing, shooting a continuous rain of arrows on the mountain road, and the Cao army responded with the whistling of powerful crossbows.

Splashes of blood exploded inside and outside the position.

A proud figure stood within the ranks, bowing northeastward toward Mount Tai. "Forgive my unfilial nature for not following Grandfather's wishes. Today, I can only determine my own fate through my own choices."

Afterwards, Cao Shixiong braved the arrows and stones and threw himself into the fierce battle with the government troops...

"A thousand men can hold off Li Fu's five thousand troops for more than three days?" Tian Jun asked, puzzled. "If we can do that, why don't we just lead our army to fight them, or let Li Fu follow us?"

"They can't win. Those who are willing to die are already the most motivated group right now." Zhu Wen sighed. "If they really hold out for three days, then Zhen Ranyu's team should have rested and the main force will be in pursuit."

"In other words, if we don't sacrifice this group of people, it will be our main force that will be caught up by Marshal Yan's army."

Zhu Wen was by no means a coward. Otherwise, he would not have immediately requested to meet with Huang Chao and led cavalry to rescue Wang Xianzhi's troops.

But his seemingly cowardly decision was obviously the best way to save more people.

"I agree with Zhu Wen's commander's assessment. During a retreat, only a small number of men can be sacrificed to cover the rear, and these men must be brave warriors who are ready to face death." Despite his crushing defeat at the hands of Commander Yan, Shang Rang was still recognized as the think tank within Wang Xianzhi's faction. His remarks convinced the generals that Zhu Wen had not intentionally sent Cao Shixiong and the others to their deaths.

A kind man cannot command an army. In war, such cruel decisions often have to be made.

(End of this chapter)