Zhao Muyun, dressed in a black military uniform with a black fox fur cloak, rode at the head of the procession, his face calm, his gaze occasionally sweeping over the villages, fortified villages and beacon towers along the way.
Han Zhong led dozens of riders closely behind, pointing out the defenses of various passes along the way.
"Grand Commander, ahead lies Shiling Pass, a vital passage controlling the northern route out of the Taiyuan Basin. Guarding this place is..."
Han Zhong's words were interrupted by the sound of rapid hoofbeats.
A messenger on horseback, carrying a small red triangular flag on his back, caught up from behind, reined in his horse, and, panting, handed Zhao Muyun an urgent document:
"Reporting to the Grand Commander! Governor Tian of Yunzhou has sent an urgent message over 800 li!"
Zhao Muyun reined in his horse, took the document, and tore off the sealing wax.
Han Zhong also came closer, looking nervous.
The letter was written by Tian Qing himself, and it was even more hasty and sloppy than the previous one:
"...Your humble servant Tian Qing bows again: The other day, I received your order and immediately dispatched my valiant general Li Mao with 1,200 newly trained elite cavalry and 300 veteran soldiers as guides to go out of Shahu Pass and patrol northward."
"Yesterday at noon, Li Mao's troops encountered a large Tartar force at Baicaotan on the northern foot of Daqingshan Mountain! They were not ordinary cavalrymen, but elite cavalrymen in armor and with bows, numbering about three thousand. Their banners were mixed, and they seemed to be a coalition of several groups."
"Li Mao led his troops into battle, initially relying on the advantage of crossbows to thwart their vanguard. However, the Tatar cavalry were numerous and their tactics were fierce, flanking them from both sides."
"Our army consisted mostly of new recruits, and their formation gradually became chaotic. After an hour of fierce fighting, Li Mao fought bravely but was wounded. He had no choice but to lead his troops in a breakout to the south, pursued by the Tartar cavalry for twenty li before retreating..."
"In this battle, our army suffered more than 400 cavalrymen, nearly 200 wounded, and lost 500 warhorses; we killed or wounded about 500 or 600 Tartars... The enemy's numbers and strength far exceeded our expectations!"
"Their main force is probably still behind. Yunzhou City is under martial law, and beacon fires are lit everywhere. I fear that the Tartars have a large army plotting against us, so I am reporting this to the Grand Commander and Military Governor Han."
"how so!"
After reading it, Han Zhong couldn't help but curse under his breath, his face a mixture of anger and frustration. "Tian Qing made a mistake! Li Mao underestimated the enemy! I told you long ago, how can newly trained troops be brought to the brink of a major battle? Now we've suffered heavy losses and alerted the enemy!"
However, he did not blame Zhao Muyun for making a mistake in decision-making.
Zhao Muyun held the military report in his hand, not speaking immediately, but casting his gaze northward, as if trying to pierce through the mountains and see the white grass beach that had just been stained with blood.
More than four hundred lives lost, five hundred warhorses... the price was indeed high.
Tian Qing's anxiety and fear were conveyed through his handwriting; Yunzhou seemed to be truly in grave danger.
"Is Li Mao still alive?" he suddenly asked.
The courier hurriedly replied, "According to the messenger, General Li suffered three wounds, but he has been brought back to the pass and is currently receiving treatment."
Zhao Muyun nodded and handed the letter to Han Zhong: "What do you think? Is Wuzhu really trying to take advantage of the chaos?"
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