Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

Chapter 235 Enduring

Unable to capture Lucheng, Murong Shao instead fortified his camp with deep trenches and high walls, remaining inactive.

At Siqiao in the southwest, Murong Long also chose to confront him.

With the Si River separating them, everyone was able to live in peace.

But Liu Daogui was the one who was frustrated. He had originally planned to take over one or two counties to expand his living space, but the other side didn't even have the slightest ambition to take revenge, which was really disappointing.

Previously, they thought that the Sishui River was their advantage, but now it seems that the winding Sishui River has become a shackle that restricts them.

With their superior numbers, the Yan army was able to turn the tables and encircle Liu Daogui.

"Let's go all out and do something big, like last time, let's have our whole army cross the Si River!" Whenever there was a situation, Liu Zun had the most ideas, but none of them worked; they were all just empty talk.

Liu Daogui glanced at him sideways, "Before, we only had two thousand men, and Murong Long didn't implement a scorched-earth policy. We could eat wherever we went. Now, with eight or nine thousand men, where will our food supplies come from once we cross the Si River? Have you thought about it? If Murong Long uses his cavalry advantage to harass our supply lines, we'll collapse without a fight."

The three armies have not moved, and the food and grass go first.

Often, a major battle is not about whose soldiers are elite, but about whether their supplies can hold out.

During the Three Kingdoms period, Zhuge Liang launched several Northern Expeditions, but was forced to retreat on multiple occasions due to food and supplies problems, leaving his grand ambitions unfulfilled.

The Murong family excelled at pursuit. When Huan Wen launched his northern expedition against the Former Yan, he stationed his troops at Fangtou, which was only a step away from Yecheng.

This was the Jin dynasty's most likely successful northern expedition. Murong Wei was even preparing to move the capital and flee back to Liaoxi for refuge, but was dissuaded by Murong Chui.

Later, a drought struck the Central Plains, and the Jin army could not get food supplies from the rear. Huan Wen lacked the courage to fight a decisive battle and chose to retreat, which led to Murong Chui's defeat.

Murong Long, as the son of Murong Chui, is quite like his father, as steady as an old dog.

"It's not easy for us to come out here, and it would be a huge loss if we went back empty-handed." Liu Zun blinked his big, round eyes.

"It's too early to say whether it will succeed or fail. Now that things have stabilized in Lucheng, let's go to Siqiao and meet with Murong Long!"

There's no point in staying here; we might as well head to the front lines and maybe find an opportunity.

Having defeated Murong Long before, Liu Daogui still has some psychological advantage when dealing with him.

The army set up camp and marched south along the Si River, arriving at Siqiao.

Murong Long deliberately left a large open space, about four or five hundred paces in diameter, on the other side of the bridge.

The Yan army's camp, with its antler-shaped trenches, formed a semi-circle, allowing them to launch a three-pronged attack once the Jin army crossed the river.

Large fortified villages were also built along the upper and lower reaches of the river on the west bank, occupying strategic locations.

The opposite bank of Siqiao Bridge has been turned into a pocket formation.

"There must be more than 18,000 Yan troops on this side, right?" Liu Daogui looked at the layers of tents, the banners stretching endlessly, and the cavalry moving back and forth among them, their tall horses making them quite imposing.

Wang Yuande cupped his hands and said, "Murong Longping conscripted more than 10,000 laborers, which is why the fortifications were built so quickly."

Liu Zun, spittle flying, said, "Why not cross the river at Pei County downstream? I refuse to believe that Murong Long can block the entire Si River!"

Tan Daoji, who was standing to the side, said, "The Yan army has many scouts who come and go like the wind. Our army consists of infantry. Even if we cross the Si River, we will be in a disadvantageous situation."

The cavalry's strategic advantages were fully demonstrated.

They may not be a match for well-trained elite infantry on the main battlefield, but they are able to move quickly, launch surprise attacks, outflank, pursue, and harass, which puts infantry at a great disadvantage.

Liu Daogui's eight hundred cavalrymen could handle a small, localized battle, but they would hardly be a deterrent force in the vast Sishui River basin.

Once engaged by the Yan cavalry, they risk being overthrown.

The problem now is that the infantry are at a severe disadvantage in the plains on both sides of the Si River due to their poor mobility.

"What should we do?" Liu Zun scratched the back of his head.

"Endure it!" Liu Daogui said calmly.

As the commander-in-chief, one must have the composure to remain unmoved even if Mount Tai collapses before one.

Murong Long had been famous for a long time, and the Yan army was large in number. It was already quite difficult to stand against them.

Wang Yuande said, "Why not make a big show of it and invite the Yan army to cross the river for a decisive battle? If Murong Long comes, our army can wipe him out in one fell swoop. If he doesn't come, it will deplete the morale of the Yan army."

“Okay!” Liu Daogui nodded in agreement.

The fortifications on the east bank of the Si River were no less formidable than those on the west bank; the fortified village behind it alone was enough to deter the Yan army.

If Murong Long does not cross the river, the morale of the Yan army will definitely be affected.

In a standoff between two armies, even the slightest advantage is crucial.

"It's just swearing, right? I'm good at that!" Liu Zun chuckled.

"Then let's see what you can do."

Liu Daogui and Wang Yuande exchanged a knowing smile.

Not long after, Liu Zun led more than a hundred armored soldiers onto the Siqiao Bridge.

The bridge is narrow, allowing only four people to walk side by side. The stone pillars are mottled, weathered by countless years of wind and rain, leaving fine cracks that give it a unique sense of vicissitude.

"Listen, Murong brat! Your sons were Fu Jian's male concubines, and your daughters were his bed-warming maids. The siblings shared one husband, enjoying boundless favor. Why have you turned your back on your former master, Fu Jian?"

Liu Zun's sharp tongue seemed to be blessed; as soon as he opened his mouth, he went straight for the Murong family's Achilles' heel.

The two banks of the river fell silent, but he grew even more smug. Holding a gong, he banged it rhythmically and shouted, "Back then, you, Murong Chui, were like a stray dog, living in constant fear, fleeing to the Di and Qin. Fu Jian disregarded past grievances and treated you like a brother. You shared a bed with your mistress, Consort Duan. How happy you were! You were truly like family. Why have you turned your back on us now, seizing our cities and lands and slaughtering our people?"

It has to be said that he has a special talent for cursing.

His voice was loud and clear, and his face was full of self-righteousness.

Crucially, everything he said was true. Fu Jian not only coveted Murong Chong and his sister, but also Murong Chui's wife, Lady Duan, who became his concubine, indulging in daily revelry. Zhao Zheng, a court official of the Di-Qin state, could no longer tolerate this and wrote a poem satirizing Fu Jian's debauchery: "No sparrows are seen entering the swallow's nest, only floating clouds obscure the white sun..."

The soldiers shouted in unison as Liu Zun had instructed, every word clearly audible to everyone on both sides of the strait.

"Hahaha……"

The laughter from the east bank was deafening.

The cavalrymen on the west bank remained motionless, staring blankly at Liu Zun on the stone bridge.

If looks could kill, Liu Zun would have been torn to pieces long ago.

Who is Murong Chui?
His life story is legendary, and he is famous throughout the world. He is almost a god in the hearts of all Murong Xianbei people.

But this "god" also has many indelible stains on his body.

"what……"

Someone from the Yan army on the opposite side shouted.

Then, hundreds of armored cavalrymen rushed out from their camps and headed toward Liu Zun on the stone bridge.

A hail of arrows immediately rained down from the east bank, but the enemy was armored cavalry, and with a distance of over a hundred paces between them, they couldn't be harmed at all.

The armored cavalry charged forward with such force that it seemed as if the sky were about to collapse and the earth was about to split open; it was truly terrifying.

More than three hundred riders arrived in a rage, their momentum even stronger, causing the stone bridge to tremble.

In such narrow terrain, heavily armored cavalry would have no way to avoid a charge.

“My goodness…” Liu Zun threw down the gong and turned to leave.

The soldiers around him scattered in panic, and those who couldn't escape jumped into the Sishui River.

"You scoundrel, prepare to die!"

The armored cavalrymen were already bloodthirsty, staring intently at Liu Zun.

Just as they were about to catch up, Wang Yuande led two hundred armored soldiers forward in formation, raising their spears to support Liu Zun.

The dozen or so riders at the front charged headlong into the enemy without regard for anything else.

Call——

The warhorse let out a shrill cry as it was pierced by seven or eight spears, but its momentum did not diminish, knocking away three or four of its own soldiers.

The armored cavalry behind them charged forward one after another through the gap.

Wang Yuande's infantry formation was unable to withstand the attack and was breached. However, there was a trench behind the infantry formation, and dozens of riders immediately fell to the ground.

Liu Daogui seized the opportunity and ordered the left and right flanks to encircle the cavalry, intending to capture them.

But the cavalry immediately reined in their horses and headed southwest, then broke out from the gap on the left flank, turned north, and retreated back to Siqiao Bridge.

The entire battle lasted only the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

The enemy came and retreated quickly, and Liu Daogui's infantry had no time to encircle them. Instead, they suffered more than two hundred casualties.

However, the enemy also suffered more than seventy casualties, making the match roughly even.

On the stone bridge, a general reined in his horse and turned back, pointing his spear at Liu Daogui's banner. "Feng Ba of Shangdang is here! How dare this Jin traitor be so disrespectful!"

This man exudes an air of grandeur; he doesn't wear a braid, and the collar of his armor is fastened on the right, clearly indicating he is from the Jin Dynasty.

But it was precisely because he was a Jin person that he turned around and called Jin traitors, which Liu Daogui found absurd.

This is also the current situation for many Jin people who remained in the north; they no longer identify with the Jin dynasty.

"How dare you!" Tan Daoji led dozens of Tan family retainers forward.

But Feng Ba just laughed loudly, turned around and left, leaving Tan Daoji empty-handed.

On the opposite bank, the Yan army had already formed ranks, their long spears like thorns and their bows and arrows like a forest. Six thousand seven thousand cavalrymen were lined up on the high slope to the north, in a staggered formation, just waiting for the Jin army to charge through.

Murong Long may be despicable, but his skill in troop deployment is not bad.

Liu Daogui naturally couldn't charge forward, so he had no choice but to sound the retreat.

The trial was a mixed bag, with both sides gaining and losing. If you include the twenty-three captured warhorses, the more than one hundred dead horses, and the seventy-five sets of armored horse suits, the outcome was actually slightly better.

Previously, when fighting against the Yan army, we had never seen them deploy armored cavalry, so this must be Murong Long's trump card.

If Murong Long were to suddenly unleash such an elite force during the decisive battle between the two sides, Liu Daogui would likely suffer a great loss.

Now that I've seen it, I'm mentally prepared.

The intention was to demoralize the Yan army, but this was thwarted by the outstanding performance of the Yan general named Feng Ba.

Liu Daogui could only send Liu Zun to continue challenging the enemy, but it had no effect as before. The Yan army seemed to have gotten used to it and remained inactive.

"Since challenging them is useless, why not select some daredevils and launch a night raid!" Wang Yuande continued to offer his advice.

Liu Daogui glanced at the antler-shaped trenches and fortifications on the opposite bank, shook his head, and said, "Murong Long is a seasoned warrior, cautious by nature, and acts in a conventional manner. He must be on guard, but it hasn't come to that yet."

Continuing to endure this won't be a big deal; the Yan army on the other side has at least 30,000 troops, and food supplies are a major problem.

Murong Long adopted a scorched-earth policy, relocating civilians and leaving fields barren. Grain and fodder were transported from Huatai, 600 li away.

Liu Daogui, on the other hand, had stored a large amount of grain and fodder in Pingyang City, and had fewer troops, which gave him a certain advantage.

(End of this chapter)