Chapter 14 Battle of Han River
In stark contrast to the atmosphere in Wang Jun's army, the Chu capital was filled with laughter and joy.
Xiong Dun said happily in the palace: "I never thought that Ji Wan would actually fall for the trick. He is not even as good as his father. He is so stupid that I..."
Xiong Dun seemed to be thinking about what words could express his complicated feelings at the moment. Xiong Lin, who was watching from the side, said tentatively, "Amazing?"
"Breathtaking?" Xiong Dun was stunned, then laughed loudly: "Hahaha, Ah Lin, you are right, it is breathtaking."
Xiong Lin smiled as he filled his own glass of wine. Xiong Dun even called out "A Lin", whom he had only called since childhood. My position as the second-highest man in the State of Chu has become more secure.
Xiong Dun was so happy that the atmosphere in the entire Chu Palace became even more lively. Everyone was talking about this great victory. After all, this was not a conquest of the southern barbarians, but a conquest of the emperor's six armies!
That was the most elite army in the whole world, but unexpectedly it was so vulnerable. Even the ministers who had been worried about a large-scale attack by the king's army were relieved.
Xiong Dun was a natural commander. He knew very well that this great victory was a rare opportunity and that it was entirely due to the stupidity of the Zhou emperor.
Judging from the battle reports from the front, these troops are indeed elite and can organize effective counterattacks even under various unfavorable circumstances. Xiong Dun thought that after this disastrous defeat, no matter how stupid the Zhou emperor was, he should be able to control his own strength and not interfere with the army again.
The banquet ended with Xiong Dun announcing the mobilization of troops from all over the country and his declaration to lead the army in person.
The war machine of Chu State started to move, and all the feudal lords of Chu State had led their armies to the capital of Chu.
…
After a short rest, Ji Wan personally led the army across the Han River. The Chu army retreated directly after a slight obstruction. Ji Wan couldn't help feeling proud.
After the previous battles, the generals who had looked down on the Chu army realized that the Chu army was indeed powerful. Although it was not as strong as the Wang army, the one leading the army was Ji Wan. They had no confidence at all. In order not to die in the chaos, these people began to advise the Chu army.
"Your Majesty, the Chu army is not weak. Such a hasty retreat must be a trick to lure the enemy deeper into our territory. Our army is not familiar with these geographical conditions. We must be careful and send more scouts to investigate."
Although Ji Wan felt that these people were useless, he couldn't possibly scold all of these important officials, so he waved his hand and said impatiently, "I understand."
Han Hou knew Ji Wan too well. He knew from his attitude that he didn't take it to heart. After what happened last time, he didn't try to persuade him. Instead, he whispered to Yu Boxiu, "Yu Bo, the king may not take it to heart. You should send Ji Wan to the army. Be careful and don't fall into the trap of the Chu army again."
"I understand." Yu Boxiu left immediately. The other two commanders did the same thing as Yu Boxiu. The emperor was unreliable. In order to protect their lives and property, they could only work hard on their own.
However, this time Xiong Dun did not think of an ambush, because he never expected that Ji Wan would dare to lead the troops!
Xiong Dun did not even hide the traces of his army, but exposed himself directly in front of Wang Jun. He was ready to defeat Ji Wan in a field battle and win the war.
After this period of negotiations, the main forces of the Zhou army and the Chu army finally met on this rare plain in the south.
Although it is called a plain, the actual range for activities is still relatively narrow because a large number of thorn bushes have not been cleared. This is why Xiong Dun chose to fight here.
At the place where the two armies fought, the Zhou army occupied the northeast side, and the Chu army occupied the southwest side. Behind the Zhou army was the Han River, and countless warships were docked on the shore.
To the south and north of the battlefield were large areas of thorn bushes, shrubs, and sparse woods, among which were many tributaries of the Han River. There were also many such streams between the two armies, and the deepest was basically no deeper than the knee. However, chariots could not be used in this terrain, so both armies were mainly composed of infantry.
The Zhou army had 80,000 main combat troops, of which 60,000 were the royal emperor's troops, and the remaining 20,000 were the troops brought by the princes. These troops had a relatively high rate of armor wearing, and basically every sixth level had a piece of half-body armor.
The Chu army has 30,000 combat soldiers, and the strongest and most armored troops are the 15,000 troops directly under his command. The armor these troops wear is made of a unique plant in the south. It is extremely hard and can withstand being cut by a knife.
It was only after Xiong Dun had accumulated so much over the years that he gradually equipped his subordinates with the remaining 15,000 troops. The other 15,000 troops were from the feudal lords of the Chu State, and their combat effectiveness was at the normal level of the princes.
The Chu State implemented the feudal system very thoroughly, and especially the Xia Jun Yi Min policy very firmly. This policy was extremely progressive in this era, so the Chu State was able to mobilize so many troops with just a small corner of the country.
On the surface, the number of troops on both sides is very different and there is no comparison at all, but Xiong Dun does not think so.
First of all, the two sides were facing different situations. The only high point on the battlefield had been occupied by themselves. Although chariots could not be used, Xiong Dun not only placed archers on the high point, but also rolling logs, raw stones, and even a lot of livestock, which were enough to cause a huge impact on the Zhou army.
In addition, the Chu army occupied the southwest side, with the country behind them, so they had no worries about food and fodder. There were also strongholds on the south side near the Han River. It was impossible for the Zhou army to attack from behind.
The Zhou army was just the opposite. The Chu army could bypass the forest and attack their food routes along the Han River by boat. The Zhou army had to send a large number of troops to ensure the smooth flow of food routes.
Otherwise, once the food supply was cut off, the Zhou army would have no choice but to return to the five countries on the other side by boat.
Finally, there was the place where the two armies fought. The 80,000-strong army could not be deployed at all. Most of the troops were piled together. The front army had already started fighting, and there was no one to be seen in the rear army. The Chu army was able to rotate, but the Zhou army could not even do so. The front army could only keep charging.
In Xiong Dun's view, the initiative of this war is completely in his own hands. He can fight however he wants. Even if he doesn't want to fight anymore, he can just withdraw his troops and cover the army's retreat into the city. At that time, he can just hang up the white flag of no war and let the Zhou army also taste the feeling of being humiliated.
Ji Wan sat in the large chariot of the central army. The large banner belonging to the Zhou emperor was next to the chariot. Looking at the neat army, Ji Wan once again showed a confident smile.
The armies of both sides moved forward slowly, and as they got closer, the atmosphere became more and more solemn. Archers on both sides began to concentrate their energy and spirit, and then both armies stopped at the same time, outside the range of the bows and arrows.
Xiong Dun rode out of the Chu army, wearing thick armor, and shouted at the Zhou army camp: "Ji Wan, haven't you learned a lesson from the recent defeat? Today I will capture you and bring you to my Chu State. I will choose a princess for you to marry. It will be a good thing for the emperor of Zhou to be my son-in-law."
As soon as Xiong Dun finished speaking, the entire Chu army laughed mockingly and shouted in unison: "Capture Ji Wan alive!"
The master humiliates the minister and he dies!
Immediately, the nobles and officials requested to go to war to teach Xiong Dun a lesson.
"Traitor, carry me to the front of the battle!"
Ji Wan was so angry that his face turned blue. He pushed away the minister in front of him and walked from the central army to the front army.
When they arrived at the battlefront, Ji Wan stood on the chariot, feeling quite superior. He drew his sword and shouted at Xiong Dun, "Xiong Dun, when King Su enfeoffed you twice, your ancestor was still a Yuanshi. How kind of a favor was it that the former king enfeoffed your ancestor as a vassal?
You did not think about serving the Zhou State, but instead you took the initiative to raise an army and plunder the vassal states of the Zhou State, and even usurped the throne, completely ignoring the ritual and music system established by the Su King. It is unreasonable for a traitor like you not to be punished by the heavens."
Hearing Ji Wan's scolding, Xiong Dun was not angry at all, but just sneered: "Ji Wan, you are just confusing right and wrong. King Su once commented on King Wu's revolution, saying, 'I have never heard of regicide, but I have heard of the execution of a tyrant Zhou.'
King Su once said that the princes are respected based on blood relationship, but the dukedom must be based on talent first.
How many meritorious services did our Chu State perform for the Zhou State? How much wealth did it offer to Luoyi every year? And how respectful was it to the emperor?
Even if King Su were still alive, he would praise Chu as the country among the Xia that respected the rites of Zhou.
But how did you and your father treat a loyal minister of Bang Zhou?
They often despised and humiliated us, and slandered us as a barbaric country that had no etiquette.
If King Su were still alive, he would first teach you, the King of Jie and Zhou, a lesson for such behavior.
Since you say that my Chu is a barbarian country, I will use my Chu's elite soldiers today to ask you, the king of Jie and Zhou, whether Chu is one of the various states!"
No one expected that Xiong Dun would directly scold Ji Wan as the king Jie and Zhou in front of the battle line, and the princes who followed Ji Wan all changed color.
The Marquis of Handan was even more angry, and cursed Xiong Dun in his heart for having no sense of confidentiality. Even if it was the truth, how could he say it in public!
Before Ji Wan could reply with an order, Xiong Dun shouted, "Take my arrow!"
He took out an extremely huge bow from his horse. Such a huge bow might be difficult for ordinary people to pull, but it fit perfectly in the hands of the huge Xiong Dun.
The generals of the Zhou army were all horrified. Could it be that Xiong Dun wanted to shoot the king directly?
The distance between the two was a full one hundred and fifty steps!
Those who can shoot an arrow through the target from a hundred paces away are world-famous sharpshooters. Could it be that Xiong Dun can also shoot people from such a distance?
But looking at the strong bow and Xiong Dun's mighty figure, no one dared to bet on this matter. The Marquis of Handan directly pulled Ji Wan down and no longer allowed him to stand on the chariot.
A loud noise was heard, and Xiong Dun's arrow actually flew towards Ji Wan's carriage. The guards on the carriage and the guards under the carriage all raised their shields.
The arrow traveled a distance of one hundred and fifty steps and actually penetrated a soldier's shield directly, passing through his body, with the head of the arrow slightly deformed.
"hiss."
Everyone gasped, and Ji Wan was so frightened that he trembled, no longer daring to think about cursing back. He hurriedly said with a trembling voice: "Help me to the back, don't ride on the chariot, Xiong Dun will definitely shoot again."
This time he was right. Xiong Dun shot three arrows in a row, killing three enemies directly!
The Chu army's prestige was greatly boosted, and they recalled the days when they followed Xiong Dun and were invincible everywhere, and they all clamored to fight a decisive battle with the Zhou army.
The Zhou army was extremely shocked. After Ji Zhao's reform, the Zhou Dynasty no longer worshipped ghosts and gods like the Shang Dynasty did. However, people like Xiong Dun who were beyond ordinary people's imagination would still be labeled mysterious.
An arrow could shoot over a distance of more than 150 steps and could penetrate both the shield and the person. The martial arts of this person was beyond human imagination, and reminded them of the King Wu in the dynasty legend, who was such a god of war.
Xiong Dun's three arrows frightened the Zhou army. He pulled down the shield on his face and did not retreat. Instead, he swung his sword forward and shouted, "Charge for me and defeat the Zhou army!"
As the flags were waved, the Chu army rushed forward quickly. The Zhou army also woke up as if from a dream and quickly raised their weapons and marched forward. However, the emperor was shot by Xiong Dun and dared not fight again, and the incident still left a mark on their minds.
Holy Son of Heaven!
The supreme being blessed by God!
How come he is not as good as the rebel leader on the opposite side?
This is the question lingering in the minds of all Zhou soldiers. It is difficult to establish holiness, but it may only take one thing to pull down the altar.
Xiong Dun stood in the center of the army, constantly adjusting the layout of the entire battlefield based on what he saw and the reports from the messengers. Reserve troops were constantly being dispatched by him skillfully, and the entire Chu army's front was as solid as a rock.
After all, the Chu army was small in number, but Xiong Dun keenly discovered that there were problems in the Zhou army's dispatch. It was obvious that the military orders were not connected. He immediately thought that Ji Wan might not have set up a commander-in-chief on the battlefield. He kept an eye on the battle situation, waiting for the Zhou army to make a mistake.
God helps those who work hard. The Zhou army soon showed flaws. Their command system was not smooth enough, and there were weak points in their defense. The opportunity to fight was fleeting. Xiong Dun was such a talented person that he immediately led his guards to charge forward.
The three thousand most elite men in the Chu army were all broad and fat, with thick layers of fat on their bodies. They were not wearing ordinary leather armor, but leather armor inside and a layer of bronze armor outside. The bronze armor was also wrapped with a layer of tough vines, providing defense with no blind spots.
Ordinary soldiers wearing this kind of uniform would be tired even from standing, let alone fighting, but these people were able to charge forward. The reason why Xiong Dun never lost a single battle was not only because of his own bravery, but also because of these brave warriors.
“We will win!”
Xiong Dun shouted loudly.
“We will win!”
Countless dull voices came from under the vine mask.
“Boom boom boom!”
A heavy voice was heard, and the Zhou army, which was in a somewhat chaotic handover, saw these majestic warriors rushing towards them. They raised their shields reflexively, and the spearmen stabbed the tips of their spears through the gaps in the shields. The tips of the spears pierced the thick shields, and then a huge force directly bent the tips of the spears back.
"Hold the formation!"
The Zhou army was also elite. Several low-ranking officers realized that this Chu army was not simple, so they immediately stopped the handover and began to organize their own soldiers.
(End of this chapter)
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