Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 278 Ambush
The magnificent clouds on the horizon gradually disappeared.

This was a large, gently sloping area. Ten thousand infantrymen lay in ambush, gripping their weapons tightly, waiting silently.

Pei Qinghe was behind, biting a bamboo whistle in her mouth.

Pei Yun and Yang Hu were on her left and right respectively.

The cavalry sent by the Pingyang army came in handy today, and Song Dalang also went to lure the enemy.

The Fanyang army eventually arrived as well. The Pei family army was the main force in this ambush, and all the Guangning army troops that could be deployed were also present. Lü Feng led over a thousand infantrymen, lying in ambush in the rear. This meant that the Fanyang army would only be deployed if the Xiongnu barbarians broke through the Pei family and Guangning armies.

Lü Feng did not feel humiliated; his heart was filled with overwhelming shame and an urgent desire to achieve merit.

The ground began to tremble slightly.

Pei Yan and Yang Huai successfully lured the enemy into a trap.

I wonder if Pei Yan and Yang Huai have returned alive and well.

Pei Qinghe suppressed her anxiety. In the clash of armies, life and death could be decided in the blink of an eye. She couldn't afford to be distracted or overthink things.

The tactics had been planned three days ago. Now that the time had come, there was no need for further words; we were ready to fight to the death and kill the enemy.

It's getting darker.

The Pei-character banner appeared crookedly in sight. A group of people galloping wildly on horseback, like stray dogs, were relentlessly pursued by a large number of Xiongnu cavalry behind them.

The plan to lure the enemy has succeeded!
Now, it remains to be seen whether the infantry she has painstakingly trained can kill the Xiongnu barbarians' cavalry.

A sharp, cold glint flashed in Pei Qinghe's eyes as she blew the bamboo whistle. The shrill whistles echoed continuously in the ears of the soldiers.

Their trembling hearts suddenly calmed down.

Most of them were destitute refugees. Pei Qinghe took them in and provided them with food and clothing. They had been training hard in Pei Family Village, and now was their time to fight to the death.

The sound of bamboo whistles reached Pei Yan's ears as she frantically rode her horse.

Pei Yan grinned and roared, "Scatter and run!"

Yang Huai was also roaring.

The fleeing cavalrymen quickly dispersed and fled in different directions.

The Xiongnu barbarians grinned maliciously as they pursued.

Puff puff!
The galloping warhorse was tripped by a tripwire that appeared out of nowhere. The horse lost its balance and was knocked down by the horse behind it. The horse fell, and the Xiongnu barbarian rider on it also fell heavily off.

Pei Yan grinned broadly.

The tripwires had been set up beforehand, buried shallowly in the ground. Once she led her cavalry across, the soldiers on either side of the tripwires suddenly pulled hard, and the tripwires emerged from the ground, instantly becoming deadly weapons.

For a time, cries of agony echoed across the hillside.

The Xiongnu barbarians behind were very alert. Seeing that they were ambushed ahead, they immediately slowed their horses down. Some even quickly drew their bows and fired arrows.

The soldiers who pulled the tripwire were shot dead.

However, even more Xiongnu barbarians were shot dead. Archers appeared out of nowhere, firing arrows incessantly. Arrows rained down, relentlessly reaping the lives of the Xiongnu barbarians.

Only then did the Xiongnu barbarians realize that they had fallen into an ambush set by the Pei family army.

However, they were not alarmed. All they could see were infantry. These were warriors on horseback, unafraid of infantry. Even if they were truly outmatched, they could always flee on horseback.

and many more!

Where is this smoke coming from?
A pungent, foul odor quickly enraged the warhorses. Several Xiongnu warriors were thrown from their horses and trampled to death by the frenzied steeds. The Xiongnu finally panicked and began shouting wildly. All the leaders in Pei's army were diligently learning the Xiongnu language, and one with keen hearing excitedly shouted, "The Xiongnu are running away!"

Lu Dongqing has made a great contribution!
Pei Qinghe relaxed her brows.

This was Lu Dongqing's plan: a medicinal packet made from over a dozen herbs that, when burned, would drive warhorses mad. This smoke, however, could also be harmful to humans. But with the battle raging, such minor flaws couldn't be considered. After the battle, everyone could simply brew the herbal remedy and drink it for a few days to recuperate.

Pei Qinghe continued to blow the bamboo whistle.

Pei Yun led six thousand infantrymen to charge forward.

Pei Yun fought with fierce courage, in no way inferior to Pei Yan. She shouted loudly, and the infantry behind her quickly formed a battle formation. The Xiongnu barbarians were thrown about by their maddened warhorses, and had no choice but to dismount to save their lives. Before they could catch their breath, Pei family soldiers, armed with various weapons, surrounded them.

While on high alert, the Xiongnu barbarians, having lost their advantage in warhorses, were suddenly overwhelmed by the Pei family army, which surged like a tidal wave.

Pei Qinghe blew the bamboo whistle again, and Yang Hu led three thousand infantrymen to charge forward.

Pei Qinghe usually leads troops into battle, but this is the first time he has commanded a battle from the rear.

This was also due to the strong request from Pei Yun, Yang Hu, and others. Infantry fighting cavalry is naturally at a disadvantage, and their losses would certainly be staggering. Being caught in the middle of it is like being swept up in a raging torrent, where one could be crushed to pieces at any moment.

"I'll lead the charge, and you'll command from the rear. The Pei family army wouldn't exist without you. If any of us die in battle, it won't affect the overall situation. Only you cannot be allowed to suffer any mishaps."

"Even if we lose this battle, as long as you live, the banner of the Pei family army will not fall. With your prestige, you can recruit new soldiers at any time and make a comeback."

"Your life no longer belongs to you alone, but to all the people of Youzhou. Only you can fight against the Xiongnu barbarians and protect the people."

Pei Qinghe remained silent for a moment, then nodded.

She stood at the very back, deliberately positioned on high ground to oversee the entire situation. Once the infantry and the Xiongnu barbarians engaged in close combat, she stopped whistling.

Warfare is like chess; she painstakingly set up the game, and all the pieces were in place. Now she had to wait for the outcome.

Lü Feng, leading a thousand infantrymen, surrounded Pei Qinghe. Seeing the fierce fighting ahead, Lü Feng's blood boiled, and he became restless.

He glanced at Pei Qinghe from time to time, but Pei Qinghe was focused on the battlefield and he had no intention of sending Fanyang troops into battle.

The sky has completely darkened.

"Lu Feng, light the fire."

Pei Qinghe gave the order in a deep voice.

Lu Feng's spirits lifted, and he responded loudly, quickly lighting his torch. A thousand Fanyang soldiers followed suit, lighting their torches and scattering in all directions at Lu Feng's command, illuminating the battlefield like fiery dragons.

The Pei family army usually ate plenty of salt, so they could usually see clearly in the firelight. They also practiced night fighting.

Many of the Xiongnu barbarians had poor vision at night. With this shift in power, the Pei family army gained a complete advantage.

"We are going to win this battle."

Lu Feng's eyes gleamed with excitement.

Pei Qinghe replied, "No, the real battle is just beginning."

Lu Feng was taken aback and looked at Pei Qinghe.

In the firelight, Pei Qinghe remained expressionless, his voice deep and resonant: "I used cavalry as bait to lure the Xiongnu cavalry here. Pu Nu isn't a fool; he must have realized something was amiss by now."

"Perhaps he has already led the elite Xiongnu troops here."

The ground trembled again as soon as he finished speaking.

(End of this chapter)