Press the attack and expand the gains.
The joy of their initial victory had barely faded when Shen Qingci convened an emergency military meeting in the central command tent. A captured Xiongnu map lay spread out on the table, marked with animal blood markings indicating grain depots and troop deployments. He traced the map over Black Wind Slope, thirty li outside Yanmen Pass, and said gravely, “The Xiongnu vanguard has been annihilated. Their main force will surely be enraged, but they will also be less vigilant due to their underestimation of our army. Black Wind Slope is a key location for their grain depots, defended by only five hundred men. Tonight, we will launch a surprise attack, burn their grain supplies, cut off their logistics, and then ambush their returning reinforcements!”
"Supervisor, our army has just fought a battle, and the soldiers have not yet rested. Is this too risky?" General Li looked worried, the calluses on his palms turning white from gripping the sword hilt tightly.
"Speed is of the essence in war!" Shen Qingci's gaze was sharp as a knife. "The main force of the Xiongnu will be at the city gates tomorrow. If we don't cut off their supplies before they can establish a firm foothold, we will be put on the defensive once they encircle us. Tonight's surprise attack will not only blunt their morale but also replenish our army's supplies. This is killing two birds with one stone!"
Su Yunqing pushed open the door and entered, carrying a potion of invigorating medicine that she had brewed overnight. She distributed it to the generals, saying, "I have prepared medicine and rations. I will go with the military medic to set up a temporary medical post on the outskirts of Black Wind Slope to receive the wounded at any time." Her plain clothes were stained with the juice of herbs, but her eyes revealed a determination no less than that of a man.
Seeing this, the generals all stood up and volunteered to fight: "We are willing to go on the expedition with the supervising officer!"
At midnight, Shen Qingci led two thousand elite cavalrymen, silently departing from the military camp. Their warhorses, their hooves wrapped in cotton, galloped like ghosts in the moonlight. The north wind whipped up bits of dry grass, rustling against the soldiers' armor. Shen Qingci, clad in black armor, his long sword gleaming coldly at his waist, stared intently at the outline of Black Wind Slope ahead.
On Black Wind Slope, the Xiongnu garrison was indeed completely unprepared. The tents were dimly lit, and the sounds of snoring and drinking could be faintly heard. Shen Qingci raised his hand to signal, and the cavalry quickly split into two groups: one group, led by Colonel Zhang, circled around to the back of the slope to cut off their retreat; the other group followed him in a frontal assault.
"Kill!" Shen Qingci commanded, drawing his longsword, its cold light slicing through the night sky. The cavalrymen charged into the Xiongnu camp like tigers descending a mountain, their longswords slashing and hacking, instantly setting the tents ablaze. The Xiongnu defenders awoke with a start, their clothes disheveled, and in their panic, they were utterly unable to mount an effective resistance. Screams and the neighing of warhorses filled the air.
Shen Qingci led the charge, and wherever his sword passed, Xiongnu soldiers fell to the ground. He caught sight of a Xiongnu junior officer attempting to light a signal fire, and with a swift and decisive leap, his longsword plunged straight into the officer's throat. Seeing this, the soldiers' morale soared, and they roared as they fought bravely, flames shooting into the sky and illuminating half the night.
Su Yunqing had already prepared stretchers and medicine at the medical post outside the slope. Hearing the sounds of fighting approaching, she waited with the medical officers. Before long, several wounded soldiers were carried over; some had arrows in their arms, others had knife wounds in their legs. Su Yunqing remained calm and collected, first disinfecting the wounds with strong liquor, then applying hemostatic medicine. Her movements were swift and efficient, and she softly reassured them, "Don't be afraid, once the wounds are treated, they will recover quickly."
After a fierce battle lasting half an hour, the Xiongnu garrison at Black Wind Slope was completely annihilated. The soldiers set fire to the Xiongnu's grain and fodder camp, the flames soaring into the sky and clearly visible for dozens of miles. Shen Qingci ordered a rapid inventory of the spoils of war, loading usable grain, fodder, and weapons onto carts, and then led his troops to withdraw, heading towards the pre-arranged ambush site—Ten Mile Slope.
The Shili Slope was flanked by dense forests, with a narrow official road running through the middle, making it an ideal position to intercept the returning enemy reinforcements. Shen Qingci ordered his soldiers to lie in ambush in the forest, lower their flags and silence their drums, waiting for the main force of the Xiongnu to fall into their trap.
At dawn, the rapid sound of horses' hooves echoed in the distance. The Xiongnu Khan, enraged to learn of the burned supplies, personally led ten thousand cavalry back to reinforce them, charging forward with murderous intent. The moment they reached Shili Slope, Shen Qingci abruptly raised his command flag: "Fire!"
Arrows rained down from the jungle, and Xiongnu cavalrymen fell from their horses, many struck. Immediately afterward, rolling stones and hot oil poured down from both sides of the hillside, throwing the Xiongnu into chaos. Shen Qingci led his cavalry out of the jungle, cutting into the Xiongnu ranks like a sharp blade, his long sword flashing, unstoppable.
Su Yunqing was busy at the rear medical station, as wounded soldiers were constantly being brought in. Sweat beaded on her forehead, and her hands were stained with blood, yet she never stopped working. Suddenly, a soldier rushed in, panicked, to report: "Madam, the supervising officer has been entangled by the Xiongnu general!"
Su Yunqing's heart tightened. She looked up and saw Shen Qingci locked in fierce combat with a burly Xiongnu general in the center of the battlefield. The general wielded a spiked club and possessed immense strength. Although Shen Qingci's swordsmanship was agile, she was gradually falling into a disadvantageous position. She gritted her teeth, drew a short knife from the physician's waist, and prepared to rush forward.
"Madam, you mustn't!" The physician quickly pulled her back. "If something happens to you, what will happen to the soldiers' injuries?"
Just then, Shen Qingci seized the opportunity when the Xiongnu general swung his club, dodging to the side and thrusting his longsword into the general's abdomen. The Xiongnu general screamed and fell from his horse. Seeing this, the soldiers cheered and fought bravely, causing the Xiongnu cavalry to retreat in disarray and flee in a sorry state.
Shen Qingci reined in his warhorse, his body covered in blood, yet his eyes shone brightly. He looked towards the medical station outside the slope and saw Su Yunqing watching him with concern. He then raised the corners of his mouth, revealing a tired but relieved smile.
In this battle, the Zhenbei Army achieved a great victory, capturing over a thousand warhorses and countless provisions. This not only completely cut off the Xiongnu's logistical supply but also severely damaged their main force. The soldiers returned in triumph, and cheers resounded throughout the camp. Shen Qingci and Su Yunqing stood side-by-side at the camp gate, gazing at the army laden with spoils. They knew clearly that this victory had completely reversed the situation on the border, and their struggle against the Xiongnu had truly entered its most intense phase.
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