Chapter 44 Steal it from him

Qi Rong and his group happily placed the deer on the horses' backs, preparing to carry it back for a meal that evening.

Just as they were about to return to the city, Zhiqi suddenly pointed in a direction: "Commander, do you see a tribe over there?"

Qi Rong reined in his horse and looked towards the place where the grassland and dense forest intersected. Rivers meandered down the rolling hills, and wisps of smoke rose into the sky from where the streams met, illuminated by the setting sun.

Lin Changning looked closely and could vaguely see the yurts scattered across the grassland, with wisps of smoke rising from them, and the laughter of women and the shouts of men echoing across the grassland.

Qi Rong squinted, seemingly lost in thought, but a flicker of eagerness flashed in his eyes: "Command? Us?"

Qi Rong shook his head: "Let's retreat, we'll talk about it when we get back."

Lin Changning rode Moyun to block Qi Rong's path, his eyes fixed intently on Qi Rong: "It's getting dark, so take command. Ride back and bring men; it'll be perfect for an ambush."

Qi Rong stared at Lin Changning without saying a word. Lin Changning coughed and said, "If you're short of money, then command. The biggest tent belongs to a tribal chief. If we rob him, everyone can have meat to eat this year."

Zhiqi chimed in, "Yes, Commander, these are our battle achievements that are on the surface."

Lin Changning gritted his teeth: "Instead of waiting for them to rob us during the autumn harvest, let's launch a surprise attack today and rob them all of their cattle, sheep, and horses!!"

Qi Rong rubbed his aching temples: "Sixth Brother, you're a soldier, not a bandit. Never mind. Wenzhi, go back and bring a thousand cavalry. We'll ambush them tonight!"

He was overjoyed upon hearing this: "Yes, Commander!"

After saying that, he rode his horse and galloped into the city.

Above the commander is the governor. The discovery of the enemy's stronghold was too sudden, and there was no time to report it. Without the governor's permission, he mobilized troops privately. He was afraid that he would be in trouble when he returned. Many people were watching his position, and he could be brought down if things went wrong.

But opportunities are fleeting, and one shouldn't refuse a victory that comes knocking on their door.

Qi Rong sighed. Ever since he took this kid in, he had become increasingly reckless. He couldn't help but be tempted when he heard about robbing the remnants of the Northern Yuan.

That makes sense, though. Why should the Tartars be allowed to rob them, but they can't rob the Tartars?

Qi Rong waved his hand and led his men to hide in a secluded spot. By the time they arrived, it was already quite dark. As long as they remained well hidden, their victory for the day was practically guaranteed.

After Qi Rong and his men hid, Zhiqi quietly crept over and returned almost an hour later.

"Commander, there are nearly two thousand people in total. Half of them are old, weak, women and children, and there are also dozens of Han shepherds. Less than a thousand can carry knives and mount horses."

Qi Rong nodded: "Once night falls, we'll launch a surprise attack. Leave no man, no nobleman, and no women or children..."

Qi Rong hesitated. It is generally said that captured women and children are either resettled or made into slaves, and many are killed on the spot. Don't underestimate these people just because they are women and children. Most of them can take up a knife and ride a horse to fight. The Tartars are martial, and no matter how fierce they are, regardless of age or gender, they are very fierce. In the years he has been on the border, he has seen many people who were resettled but still rebelled and killed their masters.

Qi Rong's eyes darkened, and he said coldly, "Enough, no need to take them back. Cut the weeds and eliminate the roots. Kill the women and children on the spot! Otherwise, they'll just become bandits again in a few years!"

Lin Changning stroked his chin: "How about we take him back? He can be used as a laborer."

Zhiqi shook his head and explained, "Many tribesmen are vicious, and we can't be careless even with children. It's better to kill them to save trouble."

This time, they really stumbled upon the dead rat by sheer chance. On the dark grassland, Lin Changning pressed his ear to the ground, the grass roots making his face itch. Their people were about to arrive; he could hear the sound of horses galloping as he lay on the ground.

However, the Tartars in the camp seemed completely unaware of this, and even if they did notice, they wouldn't care. After all, the Han people had never attacked them. In their minds, it was only when they went down to plunder things that the Han people resisted; no Han army had ever come to the grasslands to fight them.

They are a nomadic people who frequently change pastures. Capturing them on the grasslands is already incredibly difficult, let alone during this month when Han Chinese are busy with farming and wouldn't bother going to the grasslands for no reason.

Night had fallen, and a thousand cavalrymen had already assembled on the leeward slope. Qi Rong stared at the three large cowhide tents in the center under the moonlight, feeling a surge of excitement: "Knowing they'll flank us to the left, and knowing they'll hold their rear, Changping, follow me in the charge! Leave no one alive who draws a sword inside these tents!!"

The armor creaked and scraped. Qi Rong waved his hand, and after the cavalrymen took their positions, three crimson flames shot straight into the sky.

"rush!!!"

At a command, the three sides charged down simultaneously. Qi Rong, leading Lin Changning, took the lead and rushed into the camp. Wherever they passed, swords flashed and blood stained the ground.

The golden tent was suddenly flung open, and Arutai, clad in armor, leaped onto his horse, attempting to organize a counterattack. He charged towards Qi Rong with his golden wolf scimitar amidst the soaring flames.

This Tartar nobleman clearly understood Chinese, and he charged forward, roaring and cursing: "Despicable villain!! You attacked my camp!! Do you dare to fight me one-on-one!"

Lin Changning cursed, "Bullshit! When you ambushed us to gather hay, why didn't you admit your despicable and shameless ways! You bastards in the felt tent, descendants of the Quanrong, yellow-bearded, blue-eyed barbarians, what are you yelling about? Wait till I take your head off and use it as a football for Gouwa, then go cry to your Xianbei father in Yinshan!!!"

Qi Rong was stunned for a moment, then killed a Tartar with a single stroke. Upon hearing this, the cavalry around Lin Changning paused for a second before drawing their swords.

Qi Rong gave Lin Changning a complicated look, then turned and charged at the others.

That was really vulgar. You really have to be a scholar; you have so many words in your head.

Arutai was so angry he almost choked. He roared and was about to kill Lin Changning, not caring about his old acquaintance Qi Rong. He brandished his golden knife, ready to kill Lin Changning. No wonder, scholars' cursing is both unpleasant and down-to-earth, and he was blinded by rage.

Lin Changning narrowed his phoenix eyes, cursing as he rode Moyun forward, slashing at Arutai with his sword. The sword flashed like a bolt of lightning, and after more than a dozen moves, Arutai's hand was slightly numb from the shock.

Before he could react, Lin Changning swung his hand and slashed again, the long blade grazing past Arutai's armor, creating a series of sparks.

Two warhorses passed each other. Lin Changning parried Arutai's slash and, with a backhand motion, thrust another standard-issue waist knife into Arutai's heart.

The saber plunged straight into the wolfskin robe. Before Arutai could react, another slash cut across his neck. His eyes widened as he crashed to the ground, extinguishing a small flame on the ground.

The cavalrymen surrounding Lin Changning exclaimed in celebration, "Commander! Awesome! How did you do that?"

Lin Changning flipped a Tartar down with a flick of his wrist and raised an eyebrow: "Dual-sword style, never seen that before, have you!"

As dawn broke, the small-scale battle was over. Some of the Tartars were dead, while others fled. The smell of blood attracted flocks of vultures. Qi Rong opened the tent flap, revealing twenty sandalwood chests filled with agate, jewels, gold, silver, and jade.

Lin Changning wiped the blood from his face, grinned, squatted on the ground, and patted the gold with glee: "Commander! We've struck it rich! No wonder the Tartars like to rob things. It feels so good to get something for nothing."

Listening to Lin Changning's money-grubbing remarks, Qi Rong shook his head and chuckled, genuinely in a very good mood: "After we take the seized gold and silver jewelry back and count it, we'll hand over half of it, and the rest will be distributed as rewards based on our merits!"

Suddenly, Zhiqi entered and said, "Commander, we've found fifty-two Han Chinese shepherds. We've questioned them thoroughly, and two of them are from Qingshui County..."

Zhiqi paused for a moment and looked at Lin Changning: "Sixth Brother, there are two people who say they know you."