Chapter 86, Chapter Seventeen: Heartbreaking Scene
Since the Han Dynasty, winters have become increasingly long and cold, and in recent years, heavy snow has been a regular occurrence in the Central Plains.
Before setting off, Liu Jun and Zhang Jinghou, who was somewhat knowledgeable about celestial phenomena, did some calculations together and both predicted that it would snow in the next few days.
“In the past, Emperor Taizu…” Liu Jun immediately changed his words, “Emperor Wu of Wei built the Baima Canal, connecting the Zhang River and the Hutuo River, and also built the Lukou Canal to connect the Hutuo River and the Li River. And you all, look, the Hutuo River passes through Puwu and Dingxiang. We have now arrived at Puwu, while Shi Le’s army is in Dingxiang. If we take the official road, it will take at least ten days. But what if we take the shortcut by the river?”
"Could it be that Your Excellency means to cross the river?" a young general asked curiously.
Liu Yin immediately realized, "It's freezing cold, and we're in the north, so every river should be frozen. But we have quite a few cavalrymen, and crossing on ice might be inconvenient..."
Liu Jun smiled and tapped the overgrown weeds on the ground with his riding whip. "The infantry go first, spread the grass on the ice, and after the cavalry passes, the archers can collect the grass."
"Why take it away?" Liu Yin asked, puzzled. "Are you afraid their scouts will find out?"
"That's one thing. As for the second, you'll know when we get to Dingxiang." Liu Jun watched as the soldiers immediately began to move swiftly and said softly, "They are all elites of the Lynx Camp. I wonder how many of them will be able to escape unscathed. Don't be stingy these next few days. Give the brothers all the good food and drink you can enjoy."
Liu Yin nodded in agreement, but then he saw Liu Jun looking up at the sky with a somewhat ethereal expression.
In the past, an unexpected rainstorm extinguished the imperial reign of Cao Wei. Now, he longs for a storm and a snowstorm, but he doesn't know if he can wait for them.
Traveling day and night, Liu Jun and his men arrived in Dingxiang in just two days. Despite the bitter cold, the entire army lay in ambush in the mountainous region with its continuous ravines.
"Another brother froze to death, and two horses too." Liu Yin's face was grave.
Liu Jun nodded. "After this battle, give him a proper military funeral and provide compensation to his family. By the way, have you found the villagers I asked you to find?"
"Upon hearing that Shi Le massacred the city, few of the surrounding people escaped, leaving only a dozen or so elderly, weak, sick, and disabled people who were unable to flee."
“That’s enough,” Liu Jun nodded, then said to Lu Jing beside him, “Have someone take the grass to them. When the drums sound, have them set fire to everything. If they have any cattle, sheep, chickens, or ducks, have them drive them out to cover up the sound of our march. After it’s done, each person will be given fifty coins.”
Lu Jing returned shortly after leaving and reported, "The villagers refused to accept the money, saying that many of their relatives had been killed by bandits. If we could help them kill the enemy and avenge them, and drive away the bandits, it would be a great favor."
Liu Jun sighed, “What have the common people done to deserve such a fate? It is the fault of the court. What kindness is there to speak of? Very well, give each person thirty coins first, and we will make up the rest when we return victorious.”
The sky was now dark, and the enemy camp that had been visible before was now shrouded in rising mist.
Liu Jun was taking a short nap with his eyes closed when he suddenly felt a cool sensation between his brows. He reached out and touched it, only to find it was a crystal-clear snowflake.
"May Heaven protect me!" Liu Jun whispered. "Wait a little longer, and be ready to strike at any time."
Sure enough, one by one, the lights in the enemy camp were lit, and even smoke was seen coming from the chimneys. Liu Jun sent scouts three times, and only after confirming that there was indeed the aroma of food did he order: "All troops, charge!"
Later, in his old age, Lu Jing often recalled this battle in his vast mansion. Of the hundreds of battles he had fought in his life, none had been so thrilling and heart-wrenching. He only remembered that in the end, his double-bladed sword was dulled from the fighting, and his vision was filled with blood. Ten meters away, his lord sat arrogantly on his horse, his arrows never missing their mark. Later, when his arrows ran out, he charged back and forth with his lance.
Shi Le's army was completely unprepared, and seeing the raging fire in the distance, they assumed the approaching force was large and lost their composure. However, Shi Le was no fool; he quickly restored discipline and began a counterattack. After a fierce battle, the elite vanguard of the lynx camp, a hundred men, had charged deep into the enemy camp, setting fire to the enemy's supplies and then using the fire to burn down their tents one by one. In an instant, flames soared into the sky, and thick smoke billowed.
It is unknown what decision the enemy commander made, but the entire enemy army retreated. Except for the miscellaneous troops captured from the periphery who stayed behind to cover the rear, the main force retreated in a measured manner.
Liu Jun secretly praised him, and dared not delay any longer. He ordered the cavalry to continue charging, the infantry to cut the legs of the enemy horses and flank the enemy, and he himself went to the prisoner camp.
In order to rescue Liu Kun, they had to sacrifice two spies who had been planted in Shi Le's army for many years before they finally found out where Liu Kun was being held. However, before they even got there, they already felt something was wrong—the soldiers guarding the area were fleeing in a hurry, showing no signs of an ambush or taking the prisoners with them.
Liu Jun gritted his teeth, while Liu Yin gave him a signal, allowing two of his personal guards to go in first. But soon the two men emerged, their faces ashen, shaking their heads with sobs.
Liu Jun suddenly lifted the curtain and stood still.
There were several straw mats on the ground, and three people were roughly placed on them. Their faces were ashen and covered with patches of various sizes. In this chaotic world where human life was as worthless as grass, even a young child would know that these people could not have just died.
Liu Jun trembled as he stepped forward, recognizing each name one by one—his cousin Liu Yi…his elder brother Liu Zun…
And there was also his father, Liu Kun.
Even though he had considered abandoning his family and father for the sake of the imperial cause, and had long been prepared for the possibility of being separated from his loved ones forever, he still felt dizzy when he actually saw the corpse.
Liu Yin, who was standing to the side, was already embracing his elder brother Liu Yi and crying loudly. Unbeknownst to him, the bloodstains on Liu Jun's armor were washed away by his tears, and the salty smell slowly brought him back to his senses.
So he slapped himself hard across the face, then stepped forward and punched Liu Yin, saying in a deep voice, "Before Shi Le can react, carry them on your back and retreat!"
He turned to look at Lu Jing, "I'm entrusting my elder brother to you."
Seeing Lu Jing choke out his agreement, Liu Yin calmed down and carried Liu Yi on his back while crying, only then did Liu Jun dare to bend down.
Only then did he realize that Liu Kun, a man of exceptionally handsome appearance, was actually decapitated.
He heard a wild howl, but he couldn't tell if it was someone else or himself. He just numbly carried Liu Kun's body on his back and carefully held Liu Kun's head in his arms.
When they came out, about two thousand of the three thousand men remained. They all roared in anger when they saw them, but Liu Jun simply said in a low voice, "Withdraw the troops."
Lu Jing shouted the order from the side, and Liu Jun struggled to mount his horse and used the whip to tie Liu Kun and himself together.
Even in the dead of winter, a corpse that has been left out for three or four days is hardly pleasant to smell, let alone when snow water and blood are mixed together.
Yes, and tears too.
Liu Jun reached out and wiped his face, feeling that Liu Kun in his arms was cold and thin, and was nowhere to be seen as the tall and majestic figure he remembered.
The north wind howls, the rain and snow fall heavily. You are kind and good to me; let us return hand in hand.
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