binnovel Chapter 236: Autumn Turns to Winter, Visitors from Nanyang
Chapter 236: Autumn Turns to Winter, Visitors from Nanyang
By now, Ma Chao had grown in strength and power. He commanded numerous advisors, including the resourceful Li Ru, the ingenious Fa Zheng, the brilliant Zhou Yu, and the exceptionally cunning Xu Shu. His military corps was even more impressive, featuring the valiant Sun Ce and four of the Sun family's former formidable generals, as well as the incomparably brave Xu Rong, the formidable Hua Xiong, the renowned Pang De, the fierce Xu Huang, the valiant Zhang Xiu, the resolute Zhang Ren, the loyal Ma Dai, the immensely powerful Pan Feng, and the formidable Wu Anguo. Even without the remaining Xiliang corps, Ma Chao possessed the necessary resources to become a powerful vassal.
Xu Shu and Zhou Yu, both experts in military training, conducted intensive daily training for the cavalry, working alongside their generals. They first focused on horseback training, requiring the soldiers to maintain balance on a galloping horse and expertly control their horses through various maneuvers, such as sudden stops, turns, and acceleration. The cavalrymen rode their steeds back and forth across the training grounds, their hooves thundering and dust billowing.
Next came horseback archery training. While riding quickly, the soldiers drew their bows and arrows, aiming at distant targets and firing repeatedly, constantly improving their accuracy and speed. Sometimes, simulated charges were also practiced. With lances in hand and shouting in unison, the cavalry charged towards the target with overwhelming force, demonstrating astonishing momentum and impact.
Furthermore, they also arranged complex tactical training to enable the cavalry to quickly change formations during battle, such as the goose formation and the wedge formation, to respond to different battlefield situations. Each training session was a huge test of physical strength and willpower, but the cavalry had no complaints and devoted themselves to the training wholeheartedly.
Time slipped by unnoticed, and winter had already arrived. Despite the unseasonably cold weather and piercing winds, this did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of the troops in their training. The Xiliang army not only enjoyed plentiful food but also enjoyed warm and comfortable clothing. This benefited the soldiers immensely, boosting their morale.
Although Sun Ce and Zhou Yu were both from the south and were inevitably somewhat unfamiliar with cavalry training, their exceptional military talent and keen insight enabled them to gain significant benefits from their experience. They diligently studied cavalry drills and tactics, meticulously honing them day after day, ultimately achieving mastery in both drills and tactics.
Whether it was the formation of the cavalry, the timing of the charge, or the flexible strategy on the battlefield, they were able to master the plan and command with confidence. Under their training, the cavalry moved in perfect unison, as if they were one, and their charge was unstoppable and unstoppable.
Ma Chao, without any selfish motives, fully trusted and supported Sun Ce and Zhou Yu, handing them the reins of cavalry training. He knew that only by working together could this cavalry unit become stronger and secure a place in this chaotic world.
During Ma Chao's time in Fufeng, the neighboring Qiang, Di, and Jie tribes suddenly rebelled, and the wave of rebellion quickly spread to Xiliang and Longxi. However, the situation changed so quickly that Xiliang had no time to respond.
Back in Longxi County, Ma Chao decisively dispatched Sun Ce and Zhou Yu to lead their recruited troops, allocating them 5,000 elite cavalry. Sun Ce led the charge, wielding his spear like a dragon emerging from the sea, unstoppable in his courage. Zhou Yu commanded the rear, commanding with masterful strategy. The soldiers, high in morale, followed their leaders into battle, the clatter of their horses' hooves echoing through the air. Facing the chaotic Jie army, they were like tigers descending from the mountains, crushing the enemy wherever they went.
On the other side, Xu Shu led a force of unstoppable proportions, including Zhang Xiu, Zhang Ren, Xu Huang, Pan Feng, and Wu Anguo. Zhang Xiu's spearmanship was cunning and ruthless, Zhang Ren's archery was unstoppable, Xu Huang's axe was powerful, Pan Feng's massive axe was mighty and heavy, and Wu Anguo's hammer was powerful and devastating. Each general displayed their prowess, crushing the enemy to the point of abandoning their armor and weapons and leaving them crying for their loved ones.
Before this magnificent array of generals, the rebels were like dirtbags. Their offensive was lightning-fast, their fighting was fearless, and their entire battle was unstoppable. Like an autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves, they swiftly quelled the foreign rebellions in both regions without causing significant unrest in Xiliang, and the people's lives soon returned to their former tranquility.
From autumn to winter, the battle between Chang'an and Fufeng lasted for several months. The battlefield was filled with smoke and the shouts of killing were deafening.
At the border of Chang'an and Fufeng, war raged, blood and gore raged. Every inch of land was stained with blood, and the air was filled with the scent of death. Soldiers fought bravely, fearing their own mortality amidst the glare of swords and spears.
On the autumn battlefield, the golden wind rustled, and fallen leaves swished. The opposing armies collided like a surging tide, the clash of blades incessant. A hail of arrows, like locusts, pelted the enemy camp mercilessly, the screams of those struck horrifying. Soldiers fell in the fierce battle, but many more braved the odds, ready to die.
With the arrival of winter, the winds were biting and the cold was piercing. Yet, the flames of war showed no sign of extinguishing. Soldiers on both sides fought painstakingly in the ice and snow, their frozen fingers tightly gripping their weapons, their breath instantly freezing in the cold. The battlefield ground was frozen solid as iron, and the wounded were quickly covered by frost as soon as they fell. Yet, the intensity of the battle intensified.
Finally, this brutal battle concluded with the outcome. Dong Huang was still defeated and fled once again to Tianshui County. After Liu Bei and his brothers successfully captured Fufeng, the emperor did not order them to pursue. After all, it was freezing cold, and the situation in Chang'an was unstable. This was the first year after the pacification of the country, and the emperor was reluctant to rashly launch a war in the cold winter.
In the cold winter, Ma Chao had just returned from a hunting trip with his victorious generals when he was informed that someone had come to visit Zhang Xiu. Zhang Xiu was surprised in the group, but he didn't shy away from asking for the person to be brought to him. After the person was brought to him, Zhang Xiu was delighted to see that he was Qin Ming, a personal guard of his uncle Zhang Ji. Zhang Xiu approached with joy, and the personal guard knelt on one knee to pay his respects to the young master. Zhang Xiu quickly helped him up and said, "Uncle Ming, you are so cold, but do you have any news about my uncle? Ever since my uncle and Prime Minister Dong disappeared in the war in Luoyang, it has been almost half a year, and I have been extremely worried, but there is no news from my uncle, and the war is so frequent."
The personal guard said, "My lord, everything is fine. Now that you have established yourself in Nanyang County, it is you who have entrusted me with the task. I have brought you a personal letter." Zhang Xiu did not have time to exchange pleasantries and quickly unfolded the letter to read. The handwriting on the letter was vigorous and powerful:
My son:
After we parted in Luoyang, the longing for you never stopped. It was like wild weeds growing wildly, occupying my heart as a father.
In the flames of war and the smoke of gunpowder, in every moment of life and death, the image of you appears before my eyes. Your smile, your anger, your determination, are the faith that keeps me alive in this chaotic world.
Now, I have a temporary place to stay in Nanyang County. But every night, when the world is still and I gaze at the cold moonlight, my heart and mind are filled with worry for you. My son, are you doing well in this foreign land? Are you well fed and clothed? Are you safe and sound?
As a father, I only hope that everything goes well for you. If you have time, please come to Nanyang to reunite with me and share my longing for you to ease the long-lasting sorrow and pain of separation.
Uncle: Zhang Ji
As Zhang Xiu read on, the expression on his face changed from anxious to relieved.
He looked up at his personal guards and said, "My uncle said in his letter that the situation in Nanyang has been stabilized, but it still needs to be consolidated. Besides reporting safety, what else is the important matter that I asked you to come this time?" Qin Ming said, "The general misses the young master day and night without ceasing. He often murmuring the young master's name, his heart filled with worry. However, the general thought of the young master serving by General Ma's side and knew the responsibility and friendship involved, so he couldn't bear to put him in a difficult position, so he didn't explicitly ask for him in his letter. Moreover, during the attack on Nanyang, the general was unfortunately injured by an arrow, and his health is no longer as good as before. Perhaps because of this, the general longs for the young master to accompany him."
Zhang Xiu burst into tears after hearing this. His shoulders trembled slightly, his hands clenched tightly into fists, and he said sadly, "My uncle has been so kind to me, treating me like his own son. Now he's injured, and I'm unable to serve him. I'm truly unfilial!" The tears continued to slide down his sturdy face, dripping onto the cold ground, splashing with sad water.
Qin Ming continued, "My lord has asked me to inform the young master that if the battle here is decided, I hope the young master can go to Nanyang and lend a hand to my lord." Zhang Xiu nodded slightly and said after a moment's thought, "I need to discuss this matter with the general. You should go and rest first. I will make a decision once I have made my decision."
After his personal guards were led away, Zhang Xiu turned to Ma Chao, seeming to want to speak but hesitant. Seeing this, Ma Chao said, "Brother Zhang Xiu, please speak." Zhang Xiu then told him the whole story of his uncle's letter and invitation. Ma Chao, stroking his chin, pondered for a moment and said, "Since your uncle has invited me, I will certainly go. However, the journey is long and arduous, so I must be careful." Zhang Xiu clasped his fists in thanks, his mind already made up.