Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

Chapter 211 Famous General
Although Sun En was defeated by Liu Xuanzhi, he still controlled cities such as Jiakou, Yuyao, and Shangyu.

Of the cities surrounding Shanyin, only Xingpu remains. This city is located 35 li north of Shanyin and is a vital passage connecting the north with the three Wu regions. Taking this place would sever the connection between Kuaiji and Jiangzuo.

After Xie Yan defeated Sun En's 50,000-strong army, he became complacent and did not press his advantage to expand the victory. Instead, he neither comforted the people nor cared for his soldiers in the city.

A few days later, Sun En launched a counterattack, with 20,000 troops advancing directly towards Xingpu, north of Shanyin County.

The momentum was much weaker than the last time.

"The return of the bandits must be suspicious. I suggest we hold our ground and observe the situation. The bandits have come from afar and their supplies are running out, so they will not last long."

As a member of the Gao family, Gao Xun had influence with Xie Yan.

Originally a veteran of the Northern Expedition, he had followed Liu Daogui in numerous battles, which broadened his horizons.

General Huan Bao of Guangwu said, “The powerful bandits are at sea and can come and go as they please. They have been entrenched in Kuaiji for many years and their familiarity with the terrain is superior to ours. It is not advisable to engage them in open battle. We should be on high alert and set up a naval camp on South Lake as a precaution.”

Kuaiji South Lake is connected to the sea, and the Celestial Masters sect is ubiquitous, having thoroughly mastered the terrain of this area.

Many members of the Longkang Huan clan also served the Sima clan. Intermarriage among aristocratic families was commonplace.

All the suggestions were good suggestions. Many of the soldiers under Xie Yan's command in the Northern Army also noticed that the Celestial Masters Sect was somewhat unusual.

Sun En had over 200,000 able-bodied men under his command; it was impossible that he only had 20,000 troops.

But even the best advice must be heeded by the commander-in-chief. Xie Yan snorted coldly: "Fu Jian's million-strong army was defeated by me, let alone a mere demon bandit? I can wipe them out with a flick of my wrist. All generals, listen to my command, come out of the city and fight me!"

The group looked at each other in bewilderment, not expecting it to have the opposite effect.

This made Xie Yan even more arrogant.

Zhang Qianshuo, the governor of Shangdang, said, "The soldiers have not eaten yet. Why not give them a big feast and then fight the decisive battle tomorrow?"

"We must first destroy this enemy before we eat! No need for further words, let's go out of the city for a decisive battle. Anyone who disobeys will be executed!" Xie Yan, already dressed in armor and holding his sword, walked out with his two sons, Xie Zhao and Xie Jun, his face full of arrogance.

Xie Yan held the power of acting as an imperial envoy, which allowed him to execute officers and generals who disobeyed military orders during wartime.

Left with no other choice, the generals could only raise their troops and join Xie Yan in the campaign.

The soldiers were hungry and had not received any rewards, so they had no will to fight.

Furthermore, since Xie Yan took charge of the Eastern Prefecture, he neither stockpiled grain nor improved military preparedness. Many soldiers were not fully armored when they followed Xie Yan out of the city.

The only one still possessing fighting spirit was General Huan Bao of Guangwu, whose eight hundred elite soldiers from the Western Prefecture were vigorous and fierce, leading the vanguard.

Upon reaching Qianqiu Pavilion, one encounters interconnected rivers and ponds, forming a dense network of waterways, and the road gradually narrows.

A spring rain fell, and the misty waters shrouded the sky and the earth.

The Sanwu region has entered a period of high humidity, making everything damp and causing the soldiers to feel even more uncomfortable.

Xie Yan was also very agitated, and his warhorse neighed restlessly.

Gao Xun couldn't bear to watch any longer and stepped forward to plead, "The rebels have been in Kuaiji for a long time. They are treacherous and cunning, and they know the terrain and climate. The people of Beifu are all northerners and cannot tolerate dampness. It would be better to temporarily set up camp here, send out scouts to explore the surrounding situation, and then make further plans."

Scouts are the eyes and ears of an army, but the Northern Army consists entirely of infantry and cavalry, and they cannot maneuver around Kuaiji in this kind of weather.

"When two armies meet on a narrow path, the brave shall prevail. If these treacherous villains dare to ambush us, it is as if Heaven is not supporting traitors to the country, and is sending them to their deaths!" Xie Yan's stubbornness and self-will had penetrated to the bone.

From a young age, he was praised by Xie An as having "the talent to command troops and govern the country." During the Battle of Fei River, he strongly urged Xie Shi to heed Zhu Xu's advice and take the initiative to cross the river and launch an attack.

From then on, he became unstoppable, considering himself a famous general and gaining favor from the imperial court.

Born into a top-tier family, he had a smooth and successful life, always being praised and flattered wherever he went. He had never experienced setbacks, so naturally he was arrogant and unaware of the hardships of the world.

Gao Xun sighed and said nothing more.

Sure enough, less than half an hour later, a cry of alarm rang out, "The bandits are here!" The enemy ships were faintly visible in the mist, and a black line blocked the river ahead, obstructing the soldiers' path.

The figures of the bandits gradually appeared in the mist, densely packed.

The eight thousand soldiers of the Northern Garrison were like a small boat in a raging storm, and the soldiers grew increasingly fearful.

There was still a chance to retreat at this point, as the river network could not block all roads. However, Xie Yan drew his sword and shouted, "Why should the soldiers cherish their lives? They should be willing to die for their country! The entire army, advance!"

During the Battle of Fei River, he commanded his soldiers to cross to the other side in the same way, and then the Di-Qin army inexplicably collapsed.

Therefore, Xie Yan simply did not believe that the demon bandits could be stronger than the Di-Qin army.

However, despite his impassioned demeanor, the soldiers around him reacted indifferently.

Nobody was rushing forward.

Xie Yan was furious, "I am not afraid of death, so why are you lowly wretch so timid and hesitant? If you do not comply, behead me!"

The soldiers then charged forward listlessly.

This delay allowed the enemy's warships to approach, and arrows flew like locusts from the mist. The Northern Army was attacked from both sides, and a large number of them immediately fell.

The demon bandits ahead had already formed a battle array, their long spears stretching as far as the eye could see, like the reeds along the riverbank.

These demonic bandits were clearly not a rabble; their ranks were solemn, their eyes were resolute, and they were clad in armor.

Although they numbered less than two thousand, they were more elite than the Northern Army.

Flags bearing the names of Shen, Lu, Gu, and others were planted in front of the formation.

Behind this elite bandit army, a dark mass of people stood silently in the mist and spring rain, as still as mountains, creating an inexplicable sense of oppression.

In just six months, the Celestial Masters Sect had built an elite force.

"We can't charge!" Commander Zhang Mengzi cried, on the verge of tears.

This was not a battle, but a one-sided massacre. The Northern Army soldiers who managed to charge forward were also stabbed to death by the enemy's long spears.

In the blink of an eye, a faint blush rose from the mist.

Against the backdrop of endless shadows, it resembles a traditional Chinese ink painting from the Jiangnan region, full of poetic charm...

With a sharp crack, Xie Yan lashed Zhang Mengzi's face with his whip, leaving a bloody mark. "Han Xin's ten thousand exhausted troops fought with their backs to the river and were still able to defeat the two hundred thousand Zhao troops. I have eight thousand elite Beifu soldiers. What do I have to fear from twenty or thirty thousand demonic bandits? Enough talk. All troops, advance with all your might!"

He urged others to strive forward, but he himself remained motionless.

The soldiers became increasingly hesitant.

Xie Yan lashed Zhang Mengzi with his whip, shouting, "If we lose this battle, I will surely cut off your head!"

Zhang Mengzi trembled all over.

Gao Xun, who was standing to the side, could no longer bear it and shouted, "Things have come to this point, there is no turning back, kill!"

The eyes of the men around him immediately turned red, and they rushed forward with Gao Xun.

General Huan Bao of Guangwu also brandished his long spear, shouting, "My men, break through the enemy!"

After saying this, he charged into the enemy ranks first, taking several arrows with him, but he did not retreat an inch.

Morale finally returned somewhat, and they fought a bloody battle with the enemy. Elite troops are indeed elite troops; they managed to tear through the enemy's formation and inflict heavy casualties.

(End of this chapter)