The Splendor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 66 First Battle

Chapter 66 First Battle (Seeking First Subscription)

Along the official road, banners fluttered like a forest, and the procession stretched for miles.

Under a banner that read "Twentieth Commander of the Left Wing of the Cavalry," Xiao Yi rode his horse along. Sometimes his gaze would fall on the number that had been hastily written with a brush, but he felt that it was really not impressive.

Anyone with eyes can tell that it is a newly formed team.

Whenever an old soldier passed by, he couldn't help but laugh.

"Oh, here comes the youngest one."

"Haha, this flag... is drawn quite well."

It's common for generals these days to create far more impressive unit numbers than their actual troops, either to intimidate or to embezzle funds. But the soldiers in the army won't respect Xiao Yi's banner just because he's a benefactor of the Guo family; they only have awe for the elite troops commanded by the first to fifth divisions.

Here, merit in battle determines one's standing.

The group under the command of the 20th Battalion called themselves the "20th Battalion," vowing to make those who looked down on them look at them with new respect sooner or later.

They followed the left wing, with He Fujin as the commander and Li Rong as the deputy commander.

Even though it was a rapid march, the speed of the infantry still had to be considered. When Xiao Yi had a spare moment, he would ask Fan Si for advice on riding and archery.

He was not ashamed to ask questions, and Fan Si was flattered and flattered, so he taught him all his best skills.

"Actually, the commander's archery skills are already quite good. His posture is beautiful and his horsemanship is really excellent. It's just that his accuracy is a bit lacking."

"Speak the truth."

"Alright, to make your arrows accurate, you must first train your horse to be docile. Make sure the horse isn't afraid of the sound of arrows, so fire more whistling arrows at it. If it stays still, give it a piece of salt."

"anything else?"

"Practice nocking arrows, hang the quiver on your right waist, and point the arrows at yourself. Don't look when drawing the arrow, just rely on your feel to put it into the string groove. Only when you can nock the arrow smoothly with your eyes closed can you be considered proficient."

Xiao Yi tried it, but it didn't work; he couldn't get the pieces right.

Fan Yi said, "When drawing a bow, you need to use your waist strength. If the horse is running, even if your arms are thick, you can't draw it steadily. So, twist your body a little to the left, use your waist and abdomen, like twisting a rope. The force must be smooth, following the momentum of the horse's movement, not fighting against the horse. Your aim is poor, so I'll teach you an ancestral trick."

He pointed to a tree fifty paces away and said, “For example, when shooting at it, don’t aim at the trunk of the tree. Aim at a hoofbeat’s distance in front of it. As the horse gallops and the arrow darts, you have to give the arrow time to dart. This is called ‘aim one step ahead, and the arrow will fall an inch!’”

Xiao Yi didn't say anything, but kicked the horse's belly, increasing its speed.

Nock the arrow, aim, and shoot decisively.

"Whoosh!"

The arrow almost hit the tree trunk, but was blown sideways by the strong wind and fell to the ground.

"Hehe, let's practice some more, Commander."

Fan Si urged his horse forward and said, "I'm not trying to flatter you, but your talent in archery and command is truly exceptional. The most crucial thing is one word: 'courage.' On the battlefield, with horses galloping, gongs and flags waving wildly, and arrows raining down all around, you still need to stay calm and steady. That's what courage is all about."

Xiao Yi said, "I don't have any other skills, but I have a calm mind and steady hands."

Suddenly, a low shout came from behind.

"Watch your distance! Don't squeeze in!"

Fan Si quickly pulled on the reins, causing the horses to separate.

Xiao Yi looked back and saw Li Rong, the left-wing deputy general, weaving through the ranks like a peregrine falcon, riding his horse toward them.

He then clasped his hands in a fist and said, "General Li, I am new to the army and have been too lax. I will be more careful in the future."

"So it's Commander Xiao. You're a good rider, so you can decide for yourself. I'm worried that those weak soldiers' horses might get spooked and kick out."

Xiao Yi, filled with curiosity, asked, "I heard that General Li once joined forces with General He to drive the Khitans out of Zhenzhou?"

"Ha, you actually know about this?!"

Li Rong was surprised, but his eyes lit up; clearly, this was the proudest moment of his life.

Xiao Yi said, "I was originally the adopted son of Prime Minister Li Gongsong, and later served the Grand Tutor. I saw General He's resume in the study of the Shi family."

“Li Song’s adopted son? Haha, he was also in Zhenzhou at the time, joining Emperor Gaozu with us.”

"Is that so?" Xiao Yi exclaimed in surprise. "It's a pity I only heard a few words and don't know the specifics of what happened."

"Let me explain in detail."

Li Rong pulled on the reins, moved closer to Xiao Yi, and began to speak eloquently.

"About three or four years ago, the Khitans withdrew from the Central Plains. General He, along with civil officials like Feng Dao and Li Song, were all in the Khitan army. When we reached Luancheng, the Khitan ruler died, so we stayed in Zhenzhou. That night, General He told me that if we rebelled against the Khitans, we would gather forty strong men and agree to use the Buddhist bell as a signal to launch a surprise attack on eight hundred Khitan soldiers, seize the armory, distribute weapons and armor to the people, and drive back the Khitans. Not long after, the Khitans returned and slaughtered two thousand civilians. Feng Dao and Li Song then led several thousand villagers to make a commotion outside Zhenzhou, pretending to seize the Khitans' supplies, women, and children, which frightened the Khitans into retreating north."

"So there's such a magnificent story behind it." Xiao Yi said, "The general is loyal and brave for the country, a role model for us all."

"A tiny achievement, not worth mentioning."

Li Rong said this, but there was an air of pride in his expression.

This is a fierce and unruly man.

"General He!" Li Rong spurred his horse and galloped towards He Fujin's location, shouting, "Xiao Yi is Li Song's adopted son, one of our own..."

During the subsequent march, Xiao Yi often rode alongside He Fujin and Li Rong, chatting.

Xiao Yi had observed carefully that the two generals had very different personalities. One was experienced and meticulous, while the other was proud, stubborn, and impulsive. However, they were old acquaintances and could complement each other quite well.

He Fujin was over sixty years old and had old injuries on his shoulders and back, so he did not wear heavy Mingguang armor, but instead wore light leather armor. He did not wear a helmet, but a turban. His eyebrows were gray under the turban, and his eyes were always half-closed, as if he was thinking about military affairs. He looked quite weathered, but he still had the fierce courage of a warrior.

Li Rong was only forty years old. He was broad-shouldered and thick-waisted, as burly as a bear, and half a head taller than the average soldier. He was rough and unruly, with a fierce face like a blackened block of iron, covered in scars. He wore bright armor, the breastplate of which was dented all over, and a black pheasant feather was stuck in his iron helmet. A string of teeth hung from his waist, jingling as he walked, clearly showing off his war achievements.

After two days of rapid marching, on the evening of November 13th, they approached Huazhou, a major town on the north bank of the Yellow River, less than forty li from its seat, Baima County.

This speed is not unpleasant.

By this time, the army had covered two-thirds of the distance and was only about 180 li away from Kaifeng.

The Huzi River stretched out in front of the army like a gray-yellow ribbon.

It is a tributary of the Yellow River and the northern barrier of Huazhou City. Once the army crosses the river, it will be as if they have knocked on the north gate of Huazhou. Only by taking Huazhou can they cross the Yellow River at will.

Guo Wei halted his banner and ordered a rest while awaiting news from the scouts.

Xiao Yi happened to be with He Fujin. The two dismounted and went to the riverbank to check the terrain.

Upon reaching the riverbank, I saw that the water surface about three feet from the shore was covered with a thin layer of ice, while the current in the center of the river was still swift.

The water officer measured the depth with a probe and loudly reported, "General, it's about twelve feet deep; cavalry cannot swim across."

"Hmm," He Fujin groaned.

"This section of the river is about 30 zhang wide, and the mudflats are 5 zhang wide. The soil is mostly sandy, which is large enough for soldiers to line up in formation."

"I know."

He Fujin squatted down, grabbed a handful of sand from the mudflats, and it clumped together when he squeezed it, but crumbled when he released it.

He looked at Xiao Yi and said, "This is frozen sand. It thaws during the day and becomes soft on the surface, then freezes again at night and hardens, making it perfect for setting up camp." Xiao Yi countered, "General, if we send light cavalry to storm the city gates before they close, wouldn't that save more time than setting up camp?"

He Fujin laughed and said, "What's the rush? To conquer a city, you need a bridge first."

As they were talking, a scout came galloping in from afar to report.

Li Rong, Guo Xin, and others had somehow gathered together, intercepted the scout, and, having overheard the news, rushed over here.

"General," Li Rong said, "there is a wooden bridge about six or seven miles downstream. We are closest to it. Please give the order immediately so that I may seize the bridge."

He Fujin glanced at the river again and made a decision immediately.

"Li Rong!"

"exist!"

"I order you to lead three hundred cavalrymen, rush downstream, seize the bridge, hold your ground, and wait for my infantry to arrive!"

"Order!"

Li Rong immediately ordered his cavalry to assemble.

He Fujin then said, "Guo Xin, the Left Commander-in-Chief, report to the Commander-in-Chief immediately..."

"I will not be a messenger; I will fight alongside General Li! Giddy up!"

After Guo Xin finished speaking, he spurred his horse and chased after Li Rong.

He Fujin frowned, feeling helpless. He instructed Xiao Yi to lead men to catch up and protect Guo Xin, while also warning him not to act rashly.

He then sent another messenger to inform Guo Wei.

Soon, the three hundred riders had assembled.

The 20th Battalion was among them.

Commander Chen Guanghui was in the center, while Xiao Yi, as the deputy commander, was on the left.

Guo Xin, Zhang Mantun, Hua Nong, Lü You, Fan Si, Wei Liang, Lao Pan, Xi Hou, Hu Deng, Wu Gouzi and others all unconsciously moved closer to Xiao Yi.

They traveled only six or seven li, and instead of a spare horse, they brought fifty archers and twenty crossbows.

Xiao Yi also asked for a bow, which Fan Si had chosen for him. It was a short bow made of yellow birch wood, only three feet and two inches long, so as not to affect the horses.

This is a 20-jin bow, referring to the force required to draw it. The bow itself weighs about four jin, which is considered the most common configuration at the time, capable of killing enemies wearing light armor.

For him, the bow was very light and easy to use, ensuring stability when learning mounted archery for the first time, and its lethality was sufficient for now.

"set off!"

The horses galloped wildly, heading straight downstream.

The setting sun cast long shadows, and the horses' hooves pounded on the riverbank, making a crisp sound as the frozen earth crackled.

After running for a quarter of an hour, several scouts on horseback returned with news.

"Report! About a thousand infantrymen from Huazhou are dismantling a bridge three miles ahead at Bianqiao!"

"Straight bitch!"

Li Rong first cursed angrily, then burst into laughter.

"My lads, follow me to seize the bridge! Those who behead enemies and earn merit will be rewarded with five strings of cash!"

"Here!"

"Immediately divide into three groups: Team A, I will personally lead the elite troops as the spearhead to break through the enemy's formation; Team B, Chen Guanghui, you lead the best men to kill the enemy and expand the victory; Team C, guerrilla fire and guard."

The cavalrymen, instead, slowed down, letting their horses rest, holding the reins in one hand and picking up a single sword or short spear in the other.

The 20th Battalion then split into two: Chen Guanghui led a group to charge forward; Xiao Yi, Fan Si, and Wei Liang provided cover fire; Hua Nong raised the flag to relay the order; and Lao Pan supervised the troops.

Fifty archers raised their bows, and twenty crossbowmen raised their crossbows.

Xiao Yi slowed his horse down, but out of the corner of his eye he saw someone overtake him by half a horse's length from behind; it was Guo Xin.

"Guo Xin, wait a minute! Infantrymen will bring barricades when they dismantle bridges. If they charge straight through, casualties are inevitable. Wait until the archers suppress them before you charge."

"Oh."

Guo Xin never listened to what others said, but he would listen to him alone, pulling on the reins and obediently following behind him.

really.

Further ahead, on the riverbank beside the bridge, a row of chevaux-de-frise made of wooden poles stood, with enemy archers lying behind them, occasionally looking up to peek out.

On the bridge, the soldiers of Huazhou were cutting and chiseling.

"Archers! Charge within 100 paces and fire your arrows at the enemy archers behind the barricades!"

Li Rong also saw the barricades and raised his hand to signal the cavalry to slow down.

"Everyone else, adjust your formation. Once the archers have suppressed the enemy, charge with me!"

Xiao Yi held the reins with his left hand, gripped the bow, and kept his eyes straight ahead, nocking the arrow by feel with his right hand. The arrow's fletching was firmly on the string.

But Li Rong did not order the arrows to be fired.

The enemy's first volley of arrows came flying in.

"clang."

Xiao Yi lowered his head slightly, and an arrow landed weakly on his shoulder armor, causing no harm.

The horses continued charging forward, eighty paces, seventy paces...

"put!"

Li Rong finally shouted.

Xiao Yi stared at an enemy soldier, leaving half a step between them, and decisively let go.

"Whoosh."

The man screamed and rolled down, crushing two barricades beside him.

It feels very smooth.

Without any unnecessary movements, Xiao Yi directly nocked an arrow and aimed it at the eye of another enemy soldier.