Chapter 717 The Wind Rises
Three days passed in a flash, and the atmosphere in Kaiyuan County gradually became tense and depressing. Although the herdsmen still insisted on grazing, they were all like grass growing in their hearts. They were suspicious all day long. At the slightest sign of trouble, they wanted to grow wings and fly to the city.
On the morning of January 12, the second year of the Jianyuan period of the Han tribe, the long-lost storm finally broke the tranquility of the grassland.
A team of scouts and rangers from the Han tribe were on routine patrols, and suddenly found a billowing smoke and dust in the southwest, which seemed to be a scene of doomsday. People were terrified.
However, in order to obtain more accurate intelligence, this group of rangers risked their lives to get close to reconnaissance.
But before they could get close to the main force of the enemy, they were discovered by the scouts on the periphery of the enemy. The rangers of both sides showed their skills, and a small-scale battle of hundreds of cavalry soon broke out on this grassland.
Some of the Han tribe were covering from behind, while some scouts rode back on horseback, running towards the direction of the camp while blowing the horn hanging on their chests.
The blew horn sounded desolate and oppressive, spreading all the way to the surrounding land. The herdsmen heard the warning and hurriedly waved their whips to drive the livestock, running towards the city with their herds. When they met other herdsmen, they did not forget to inform each other and warn each other. The periphery of Kaiyuan City soon became a mess.
The smoke and dust in the distance were still approaching quickly. The rangers of the Han tribe rode and shot, constantly shooting arrows at the pursuers behind them, in order to get rid of the enemy's pursuit.
Those soldiers who ran back first finally returned to the camp outside the city, but before they could report the news, they saw tens of thousands of soldiers in the camp lining up.
"Report that Maodun's tens of thousands of troops are attacking, and they are less than fifteen miles southwest."
The scout blew the horn all the way, and his face was red because he was nervous and afraid or because he was short of breath. He galloped all the way to the camp, lifted his iron armor, turned over and dismounted, and held the scout's flag and reported to several chief officers.
"Come here, raise the beacon fire and warn Kaiyuan City."
"Understood."
After hearing the scout's alarm, Chai Duoduo of Qianniuwei also took the lead in ordering the city to be alerted, and asked them to close the city gates first.
"Have you found out how many troops the enemy has?" Xue Tu also stared at the scout and asked.
"Reporting to the commander, no, we only saw the enemy's horses galloping, with flags covering the sun, most of which were Maodun's yellow flags."
Xue Tu was a little unhappy, but it was impossible to expect them to find out more information after just meeting them. It was the first time to see so many enemies, and it was good that they didn't die of fright on the spot, so he simply ordered to scout again.
The scout went out again soon. In order to get more information, Xue Tu and Chai Duoduo sent more scouts to scout, including many recruited herdsmen cavalry. They knew the forces on the grassland better, and they might be able to find out more information.
In the camp of Kaiyuan County, Xue Tu and Chai Duoduo also led their troops out of the camp quickly, and set up artillery positions and chariots outside the camp. The army lined up behind the chariots, ready to attack.
On the battlefield ahead, the cavalry of both sides were still fighting each other. The two sides came and went, and feather arrows flew across the border like locusts. From time to time, people were shot off their horses.
The Han tribe was well-equipped, with a full set of iron armor and standard composite bows, with iron arrowheads and solid wood arrow shafts. Whether it was penetration or range, or the defense of the cavalry, they were not comparable to Maodun's army.
However, the cavalry selected by Maodun were undoubtedly the elite of the elite, and their equipment was also the most luxurious leather armor and bamboo armor double layer protection, war horses equipped with double stirrups, superb horsemanship and superb horse archery. Although it was difficult to shoot the cavalry of the Han tribe to death on the spot, they shot many horses to death.
The Han cavalry, without horses, were eventually drowned under the enemy's horses' hooves amid the blood and tears of their comrades. However, overall, the Han tribe had a better casualty ratio. Although it was not one Han against five barbarians, two or three were still worthy of it.
As waves of cavalry risked their lives to conduct reconnaissance, the intelligence gathered by the rear camp became more and more complete.
"It is reported that Maodun's coalition army of 60,000 is coming, and there are hundreds of bamboo and wooden ladders in the army, which can reach the top of the city."
"Report that the animal skin flag of the Snow Wolf Tribe appeared on the right wing of the enemy army, with a strength of about 5,000." "Report
to the commander, there are 3,000 yellow-clad bamboo-armored soldiers on the left wing of the enemy army, and they are flying the flag of the Xin tribe." "Report, the enemy army has
about a thousand baggage convoys, carrying more than 10,000 livestock."
"Report, the enemy army has 30,000 light cavalry, one man
riding two horses, with strong bows and sufficient arrows, and most of them wearing leather armor." "Report to the commander, the enemy army has 10,000 heavy armored spear cavalry, stationed
in the center army, with armor on both men and horses, and many with round shields." Under the central army flag of the Han tribe, one scout after another sent back information, but the surrounding personal soldiers were frightened. Good guy, such luxurious equipment, it sounds like it is not much weaker than the Han tribe, this is really a life-and-death battle.
Xue Tu and Chai Duoduo also had different expressions. Chai Duoduo kept a straight face and said nothing, but Xue Tu's face flushed with excitement.
At this time, two more scouts returned to the camp together, and they started shouting as soon as they returned to the camp.
"No, no, that bastard Su Ritu is coming too."
Xue Tu's face suddenly turned black, and he pointed at the Ranger and shouted.
"He is talking nonsense in the camp and confusing the army. Take him down and behead him."
"Yes."
Several personal soldiers rushed up and pulled the man off his horse. Before he could shout that he was wronged, his head was chopped off with a "pop".
"Tell me what happened. If you dare to talk nonsense again, you will end up like him." Xue Tu looked at another Ranger and asked.
"Report, report to the commander, Su Ritu led 10,000 light cavalry from the north and has now lined up ten miles in front of the battle to watch."
"Did he tell me why he came?" Chai Duoduo also asked from the side.
"He said, he said he came to help us." The scout said weakly.
"What a joke, help? Why didn't you say hello in advance? Why didn't you come directly to my camp to join my soldiers?" Xue Tu was amused by this answer and couldn't help but questioning again and again.
"I think this guy has ulterior motives and has no good intentions, but he probably doesn't dare to fight us. At most, he will just wait and see. He is another fence-sitter. If we lose this battle, I'm afraid he will help Maodun fight us." Chai Duoduo also cursed indignantly.
"First send a team of cavalry to warn him not to make trouble, otherwise I will fight him too. Keep an eye on his movements and report back if there is any situation."
"Yes."
Xue Tu didn't take Su Ritu seriously. This guy was even worse than Maodun. Maodun at least dared to fight the Han tribe, but this fence-sitter Su Ritu was the most disgusting. If you come to show your loyalty, then come directly.
(End of this chapter)
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