Qian Zhao and Tian Chou had lived in Hebei for a long time and often traveled around, so they were naturally very familiar with the famous White Horse Cavalry of Youzhou.
When Gongsun Zan took the lead, wielding a long spear and leading two thousand white-horse riders out of the city like a dragon, the two exclaimed in surprise.
Undeniably, the visual impact of two thousand white-horse riders emerging and lining up in neat formation was absolutely stunning.
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei had, of course, witnessed Gongsun Zan's White Horse Cavalry before, and their eyes were filled with a mixture of envy and disdain.
Zhang Liao remained expressionless, squinting as he guessed at the enemy's fighting strength, then compared them to his own two thousand cavalry.
During the several days of confrontation with Gongsun Zan in Yi County, not all two thousand White Horse Cavalrymen left the city; at most, only a hundred or so rode out to patrol.
Now that he had the opportunity to see the entirety of the two thousand White Horse Cavalry, Zhang Liao's mind flashed with strategies for defeating them.
Liu Wei smiled faintly.
In his view, although Gongsun Zan's White Horse Cavalry terrified the Wuhuan and Xianbei people outside the Great Wall, it was more show than substance.
Two thousand white horses charging forward in unison—the scene was indeed spectacular and awe-inspiring.
However, they also became the most obvious targets for the archers.
In the Battle of Jieqiao, the 800 vanguard soldiers were hit by a hail of arrows, and the White Horse Cavalry suffered heavy losses before they even got close.
In his panic, Yan Gang was cut down from his horse by Qu Yi.
At this moment, Gongsun Zan probably doesn't know what kind of cavalry he is about to face.
They possess powerful crossbows, sturdy armor, stirrups and saddles, and even hook-and-sickle spears.
They were the nemesis of the Jin Dynasty's Iron Pagoda.
They could defeat heavy cavalry, so the mere, flashy but impractical White Horse Cavalry was of course no match for them.
From the moment Gongsun Zan led them out of the city to fight, their defeat was already inevitable.
Zhang Liao hadn't engaged them in battle before because he was wary of Gongsun Zan being an ally.
And whether or not to fight, Zhang Liao still had to obey Liu Wei's military orders.
However, things are different now. Gongsun Zan has mobilized all his infantry and cavalry, and this battle is inevitable.
Zhang Liao was also eager to try.
He received an urgent report from Shen Lian, a commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, from Gao Nu in Shangjun that Liu Wei was besieged in Mengjin.
Zhang Liao led two thousand cavalrymen, marching day and night, advancing by both land and water from Pubanjin to Mengjin, where the battle ended.
Liu Wei, relying solely on his Imperial Guard and the Seventeen Riders of Yanyun, repelled thousands of pursuing troops from Yuan Shao and He Jin, and safely crossed the river.
From Mengjin to Yixian, the two thousand Beiwei soldiers did not encounter a single battle.
When they encountered the White Horse Cavalry, they finally managed to be considered as opponents. How could Zhang Liao and his two thousand Beiwei soldiers not be excited?
Beside Liu Wei, Murong Ping's eyes were bloodshot, gleaming with a cold light of hatred.
The hand gripping the reins made a cracking sound.
Liu Wei noticed Murong Ping's expression immediately and asked, "Brother Jiaqian, do you have a grudge against Gongsun Zan and the White Horse Cavalry?"
"My lord, they have a deep-seated hatred for our tribe!"
“My tribe of thousands, regardless of age or gender, all died at his hands, leaving only me and fifty brothers!” Murong Ping said through gritted teeth.
Murong Ping thought Liu Wei would sympathize with his tribe's plight, since Liu Wei was there to attack Gongsun Zan.
However, upon hearing Murong Ping's words, Liu Wei's face turned cold: "Weren't your fifty brothers also killed by my hand? Don't you also harbor resentment towards me?"
"My lord, I dare not!"
Murong Ping was shocked.
"The conflict between me and Gongsun Zan is an internal one, while the conflict with you Xianbei is an external one."
"Since you serve me, take my money and are supported by me, don't talk about having an independent personality."
Murong Ping could understand Liu Wei's words for a while, but he understood that if he wanted to serve under the prince, he shouldn't talk about his hatred.
If we calculate it that way, how many times have the Xianbei people plundered the Han people?
From this standpoint, Liu Wei is naturally on Gongsun Zan's side.
Murong Ping looked flustered and repeatedly apologized.
"Alright, considering this is your first offense, you'll be fined three months' worth of military pay."
What!
Murong Ping felt a sudden, excruciating pain in his heart.
You should know that his military pay commission has already doubled.
"Punishing him for three months is practically killing him," Murong Ping said with a worried expression. "My lord, I only said a few words, and you're punishing me like this?"
"Could we not fine them? Could we do what Commander Zhang did and use the enemy's head instead?"
Liu Wei grinned mischievously: "How many heads?"
"Sixty strings of cash for three months' military pay, would it be alright to use sixty heads?" Murong Ping asked cautiously.
Liu Wei said, "Only sixty heads? Do you know how much grain and fodder sixty strings of cash can buy?"
"My lord, what...what do you mean by this?"
"We need to add more people, 100 more!"
Liu Wei retaliated in kind, because Murong Ping had also asked him for more money in Mengjin back then!
......
Just as Liu Wei and Murong Ping were talking, Gongsun Zan's two thousand White Horse Cavalry completed their formation.
Meanwhile, flanking the White Horse Cavalry were three thousand infantrymen each led by Shan Jing and Zou Dan.
The six thousand soldiers, with their imposing presence and the falling snowflakes, created a truly solemn and imposing atmosphere.
On Liu Wei's side, the two thousand cavalry, plus the five hundred troops led by Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Tian Chou, seemed rather weak.
Liu Wei did not choose to launch an attack when Gongsun Zan led his troops out of the city, but waited until Gongsun Zan had completed his battle formation before preparing to engage in combat.
Those who slacked off and took advantage of the chaos to seize Youzhou were Gongsun Zan and a few others; the majority of the soldiers were men of the Han Dynasty.
The highest level of warfare is to subdue the enemy without fighting.
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