In the fifth year of Yan Yongping and the third year of Xia Yuanjia, the Xia general and supreme commander Zhang Huchen led an army of 100,000 and decisively defeated the Yan army of over 600,000 at Niuzhu Shoal. The Yan army was largely annihilated, captured, or scattered, suffering a swift and total rout. However, the main forces of the Xianbei themselves were not significantly harmed.
This battle is historically known as the "Battle of Niuzhu." After the "Battle of Niuzhu," the Xianbei Yan's dream of unifying north and south was effectively shattered, and a state of north-south confrontation was largely established. There were many other consequences, which are stories for another time.
...
Climbing the mountain at noon to watch the signal fires,
At dusk, watering the horses by the Yellow River.
Travelers with kettle drums in the sandstorm's gloom,
A princess with a pipa, full of melancholy.
Wild clouds stretch for thousands of miles without castles,
Snowfall continues across the desert.
Wild geese cry mournfully, flying night after night,
The tears of the Hu children fall in pairs.
Hearing that Jade Gate Pass is still blocked,
One must stake their life chasing after light chariots.
Year after year, battle-worn bones are buried beyond the wilds,
Only to see grapes enter the Han homes.
From the lands north of the frontier, two carriages drove out of Lǐndōng City.
Lǐndōng City was built by Yan to defend against the incursions of the northern barbarians.
"Someone, set up a tent and prepare for the Princess's bath." When they were still tens of miles from Lǐndōng City, a young knight, around thirty years old, looked at his surroundings and ordered the servants and maids.
After a flurry of activity, a tent was quickly erected, and mountain spring water was brought, boiled, and filled into a large wooden tub.
The tub was enveloped in a layer of mist, diffusing into the air.
Jasmine and rose petals floated on the water's surface, releasing a faint, delicate fragrance.
A young girl in a striking red Hu-style dress entered the tent and approached the wooden tub. Two maids removed all her clothes, revealing a body of unparalleled beauty, so stunning it was dizzying.
The girl slowly stepped into the tub, submerging herself in the water until only her head and shoulders were visible. Her dark hair floated on the surface, entwining with her fair, exposed shoulders, a captivating contrast of black and white.
"You may withdraw!"
The young knight actually entered the tent and approached the tub, ordering the maids.
The two maids bowed and retreated outside the tent.
"Lǐnyuè, I've put you through hardship. Your elder brother has wronged you," the young knight said, his hand on the tub, gazing at the girl in the water.
"Brother, please don't say that. Lǐnyuè has grown up and is sensible now," the girl in the water said softly.
"Lǐnyuè, endure it for a while. Once the grand plan is accomplished, your brother will mince all your enemies into meat paste and feed them to jackals!" The thought of such a young, alluring body falling into the clutches of danger made the young knight grit his teeth in hatred.
The girl sighed softly and remained silent.
For how many years had the young knight indulged in his dreams, which had become an obsession, even at the cost of his own sister?
"Giddy up... giddy up... giddy up..." At this moment, the sound of urgent hoofbeats came from outside.
"Master, Lord Duoyongjian, the Chanyu, has personally brought people to escort the bride," a maid reported as she entered the tent.
Upon hearing this, the girl's face instantly showed panic.
...
"Giddy up... giddy up... giddy up..."
"Who goes there?"
"And who are you people? State your names quickly!"
Murong Kang, the Yan general of Xuānwēi, led his troops to escort his father, Murong Wang, the Yan Right Worthy King, who was fleeing north. Midway, they encountered a troop of soldiers. Neither side knew if they were friend or foe, so they challenged each other, prepared for battle.
Murong Wang and his son had been fleeing in utter despair, seeing enemies in every bush. The hardships they endured were indescribable, and their remaining troops had suffered heavy losses. Some were captured by the Xia army, while others had scattered. In short, they were no longer capable of fighting.
Therefore, Murong Wang and his son were panicked. If this army was from the Xia, they might both die here today, or be captured by the Xia army, which would be worse than death.
"I am Zhou Fugui, commander of the White Tiger Battalion of the Great Yan Han Army. And you are...?" The troops facing Murong Wang and his son were led by Zhou Fugui, commander of the Yan White Tiger Battalion, with three thousand soldiers. The sky was overcast, and visibility was poor, but Zhou Fugui could see that they were not Xia soldiers. He urged his horse forward and asked loudly.
Upon hearing this, Murong Wang let out a long sigh of relief and then fainted in the carriage.
Murong Wang had been wounded by an arrow, and coupled with the exhaustion of his escape, the encounter with Yan's Zhou Fugui's troops caused his emotions to relax considerably, and he promptly fainted.
"Father, Father..." Murong Kang called out a couple of times with no response. Helplessly, he could only urge his horse forward and say loudly to Zhou Fugui, "So it is Commander Zhou. I have long admired you! This general is Murong Kang, son of the Right Worthy King Wang! Commander Zhou, your leadership is truly as renowned as they say. This general deeply respects you!"
Murong Kang had an agenda with Zhou Fugui, so he spoke with extreme politeness. Fearing that Zhou Fugui might not recognize his identity, he invoked his father, Murong Wang.
However, Zhou Fugui did indeed lead his troops well. Despite the crushing defeat of the Yan army, his unit was largely intact. While not immaculate, their armor was neatly arranged. The three thousand soldiers of the White Tiger Battalion held their swords and spears, arrayed on the road, their military bearing solemn and ready.
What Murong Kang did not know was that Zhou Fugui not only trained the officers and soldiers of the White Tiger Battalion in offense and combat but also in survival and evasion. For instance, their stamina was exceptional. While not all of them were like the legendary "Divine Walker Dai Zong," their stamina was astonishing, and their retreats were executed flawlessly and in good order. Therefore, when Zhou Fugui saw the situation was unfavorable, he ordered a retreat, and the soldiers of the White Tiger Battalion had fled all the way to this point, with almost no losses.
In the battle of Guangling Commandery, the White Tiger Battalion lost nearly thirty percent of its men. After the great battle, Murong Tengge had replenished Zhou Fugui's troops with over a thousand men.
"So it is the Young Prince. This humble commander has also long heard of the Young Prince's great name..." Zhou Fugui clasped his hands on his horse and said, "May I ask why the Young Prince leads troops to this place? Ah, this humble commander asks the obvious. Does the Young Prince have any commands?"
Zhou Fugui and Murong Kang had only met once or twice. The talk of "long admired" was merely polite exchange. If there was any "long admired," perhaps Murong Kang admired Zhou Fugui slightly more.
However, Zhou Fugui had developed a somewhat favorable impression of the current young general, Murong Kang, who spoke so courteously.
Murong Kang was overjoyed and dismounted, walking towards Zhou Fugui. Zhou Fugui also dismounted.
"Commander Zhou..." Murong Kang walked up to Zhou Fugui, pointed behind the carriage, and said, "Alas, Heaven does not bless our Great Yan. My father was wounded in battle, and the pursuers are closing in. Can Commander Zhou possibly hold them off for a while?"
"Certainly, certainly. If the Young Prince says so, how can this humble commander not serve with all his might?" Zhou Fugui replied heartily.
"Commander Zhou..." Murong Kang was deeply moved by this and almost shed tears. His voice choked with emotion as he clasped Zhou Fugui's hands and said, "Your loyalty to your lord is so great, this general will surely reward you handsomely in the future."
"The Young Prince need not be so," Zhou Fugui said with a nod. "The Prince's injuries are serious. Young Prince, you must leave quickly."
"Yes!" Murong Kang nodded, placed one hand on his chest, performed the highest Xianbei salute to Zhou Fugui, then mounted his horse and, leading his remaining troops, escorted Murong Wang away.
"Commander, where should we intercept the Xia pursuers?" asked Liu Qingmiao, the banner officer, after Murong Kang and his party had departed.
"Intercept? Intercept your ass!" Zhou Fugui glared at Liu Qingmiao and then called over Dian Meng, Li Qing, Xu Mancang, Pan Guigui, and others. "Come here, all of you."
A few pleasant words and they expect us to risk our lives for them? Never. Zhou Fugui thought to himself. Their lives are precious, but are ours not?
At this moment, Zhou Fugui was still wholeheartedly focused on safely escorting his fellow villagers and the soldiers of the White Tiger Battalion back.
Thus, Dian Meng, Li Qing, Xu Mancang, Pan Guigui, and other friends and banner officers of the White Tiger Battalion gathered around Zhou Fugui.
"How far is it to Guangling Commandery from here?" Zhou Fugui asked, waving for everyone to crouch on the ground.
"About a hundred li, more or less," replied Feng Cheng.
"Damn it, so far?" Zhou Fugui pondered for a moment and then asked, "Are there any roads to Guangling Commandery?"
Reaching Guangling Commandery would mean temporarily escaping danger. A hundred li was neither near nor far. The White Tiger Battalion was mostly infantry. Under the widespread pursuit of the Xia army, this hundred li felt as distant as the horizon.
"There are three routes in total: one water route and two land routes," Feng Cheng, as the scout banner officer, naturally had a more detailed understanding of the surrounding terrain.
"The water route is out of the question, of course. If we take the water route, where would we find boats?" Li Qing said.
"Li Qing is right," Zhou Fugui nodded. "Tell us about the land routes."
"There are two land routes. One is the road the Young Prince took, which leads directly to Guangling Commandery and is the shortest. The other is a mountain path, with dense trees and difficult terrain, which is longer and requires a detour," Feng Cheng replied.
"Then let's take the road the Young Prince took. We can reach Guangling Commandery sooner and get some rest," said Suo Dacheng in a gruff voice.
"If you want to die quickly, you black-faced fellow, then take that road," Pan Guigui said sarcastically.
"You old ghost, tell me why we can't take this road?" Suo Dacheng asked Pan Guigui with a dark expression.
However, Suo Dacheng had a naturally dark complexion, so it was hard to tell if he was angry.
"Slap!" Pan Guigui slapped his own thigh and said, "What is this? This is a human leg, not a horse's leg. How can human legs outrun horse legs?"
"The old ghost speaks wisely!" Li Qing nodded in agreement. "The Xia people are more familiar with the terrain, and most of our army also took this road. The Xia army will surely pursue us here, and they might even set up an ambush."
"Commander, it seems we can only take the mountain path then?" Yi Jisheng asked. "But Commander, if we take a detour, we won't have enough food for the army."
"Damn it, why is it so difficult?" Zhou Fugui sighed.
Everyone was at a loss.