Starting with a Wei Wu soldier

Chapter 143 Heading North to Meet the Enemy

Inside Xinghuo Fortress, war drums thundered and horns sounded incessantly. Less than half a day after the urgent report from Juma Fortress arrived, this newly emerging and formidable city in the north had completely entered a state of war. The streets rumbled with carts and horses; squads of soldiers in full armor ran towards their assembly points at the shouts of their officers; laborers chanted as they loaded bundles of arrows, sacks of fodder, and jars of oil onto carts; in front of the artisan camp, the last batch of large shields and antlers being hastily produced were being urgently transported out; the air was thick with the scent of leather, steel, sweat, and an oppressive, chilling atmosphere of impending doom.

At the North Gate Square, the main force was assembling. With Dian Xiong's 800 elite infantrymen as the vanguard, each clad in specially forged heavy armor, wielding extended spears, halberds, or massive axes and hammers, they stood like a moving steel jungle, utterly silent except for the occasional creaking of their armor plates, yet their overwhelming presence was chilling. Behind them were Chen Wei's three main infantry battalions, approximately three thousand strong, their armor impeccable, their weapons like a forest, their formation impeccable. Following them were three hundred crossbowmen from the Divine Arm Battalion; thirty Divine Arm crossbows had been disassembled and transported by packhorses, the crossbowmen carrying heavy quivers, their eyes calm and focused. On the flanks, Murong Mingyue's 1,500 cavalrymen were also in formation, including both the original elites of Xinghuo Fortress and newly recruited Hu (non-Han) militia. Their horses pawed restlessly, and the knights silently inspected their bowstrings and blades.

On the high platform, Chen Xing had changed into a full set of black steel armor, covered by a scarlet cloak, and stood with his hand on his sword. Beside him, Jia Wen was still dressed in a blue civil official's robe, his expression calm; Zhao Tiezhu's face was solemn, with a hint of worry; Chen Wei, Dian Xiong, and Murong Mingyue were all in full armor, standing solemnly.

Chen Xing's gaze slowly swept over the thousands of familiar and unfamiliar faces below the stage. He took a deep breath, circulated his inner energy, and his voice resounded clearly and powerfully throughout the entire venue:

"Sparkling warriors! The barbarian invaders are wicked and have betrayed us by attacking south! Eight thousand iron cavalry have already breached our border fortresses and slaughtered our people. Now they roar as they march in, intending to crush our homes, abduct our wives and daughters, and destroy our foundation! Can such wolves be tolerated?!"

"No! No! No!" A thunderous roar erupted from below the stage, weapons slammed to the ground, armor clanged, and the sound waves soared into the sky, even the floating clouds seemed to pause.

Chen Xing raised his hand, suppressing his voice, and continued, "In the past, the Black Mountain army numbered ten thousand, and we, outnumbered, defeated them! Today, though the barbarians are numerous, they are nothing more than a band of swift horses and skilled archers! We have strong armor and sharp weapons, strict discipline, and above all, the will to die defending our homeland! What is there to fear?! I have already ordered men to prepare a battlefield at Moon Bay in the Northern Territory, laying a net of heaven and earth! This journey is to let that Golden Horde chieftain know that those who offend Xinghuo, no matter how far away, will be punished! Even the mighty wolves will be broken and sunk to the sands!"

"Kill the Hu! Kill the Hu! Kill the Hu!" The soldiers' blood was ignited, and their roars were deafening.

Chen Xing drew his steel sword from his waist and pointed it diagonally north: "Let's go!"

"Let's march!" Chen Wei, Dian Xiong, Murong Mingyue and other generals responded in unison.

The army marched out of the north gate like a torrent of steel and flesh, embarking on the official road heading north. The sounds of footsteps, horses' hooves, and wheels blended into a deep and powerful roar, raising dust and obscuring the sun with banners.

Chen Xing mounted his horse and, finally, instructed Jia Wen and Zhao Tiezhu, who had escorted him to the city gate, "Wenhe, Tiezhu, I entrust the household to you two. Wenhe, oversee the overall supervision, assist in the allocation of military supplies in the rear, stabilize the internal situation, and guard against bandits. Tiezhu, appease the people, ensure production, and guarantee a continuous supply of grain, fodder, and laborers to the front lines. In case of any emergency, send a fast horse to inform me, or make a decision on the spot!"

Jia Wen bowed deeply: "Rest assured, my lord. I will do my utmost to secure the rear and await your victory report." His tone remained calm, but there was a rare hint of solemnity in his eyes.

Zhao Tiezhu also clasped his hands and said, "My lord, please go north with peace of mind. As for everything in the rear, with me here... with Tiezhu here, I will not let you be distracted!" He originally wanted to say "this old man," but remembering that his lord had mentioned last time that he was only in his thirties, he quickly changed his words.

Chen Xing nodded, said no more, spurred his horse, and joined the central army. Murong Mingyue followed on her horse, riding alongside him. Although she was not fully armored due to her pregnancy, her back was straight and her heroic spirit was undiminished.

Twenty li from the fortress, the army quickened its pace. The infantry advanced at a rapid march, while the cavalry split into several groups, scattered within a ten-li radius around the main force, responsible for surveillance, reconnaissance, and cover. The villages and fortresses along the way had already received orders to scorch the fields; most of the people had already taken their valuables and driven their livestock to the rear, leaving only empty houses and filled-in wells, a desolate scene imbued with a sense of resolute determination.

Chen Xing, mounted on his horse, remained calm, but his mind was racing with calculations. How long could Juma Fortress hold out? What was the progress of the fortifications at Moon Bay? What were the specific movements of the Golden Horde cavalry? Would the White Sheep tribe make any further moves? These questions swirled in his mind like a revolving lantern.

"Is my lord worried that there isn't enough time to set up the defenses at Moon Bay?" Murong Mingyue, seemingly aware of his thoughts, whispered, "General Chen Wei has already dispatched an engineering battalion and some auxiliary troops, carrying tools and materials, to advance lightly and quickly. They should be able to complete the basic fortifications before the main army arrives."

Chen Xing nodded slightly: "I trust Chen Wei to handle things. However, the Hu cavalry is advancing very quickly, and I fear that their vanguard scouts may harass our fortification construction."

"This subordinate has already ordered the cavalry to advance and provide cover, ensuring the barbarian cavalry cannot easily approach Moon Bay," Murong Mingyue said, then hesitated for a moment, "However... while Moon Bay is advantageous for defense, it is also backed by water. If the battle goes against us..."

"We must be put in a desperate situation to survive." Chen Xing's gaze was firm. "By forming a defensive formation with our backs to the water, we can eliminate any thought of retreat among our soldiers and ensure they fight to the death together. Moreover, with water on three sides, the Hu cavalry cannot outflank us; they can only charge our chariot and crossbow formations head-on. This is the perfect terrain for the Crescent Moon Formation to unleash its full power."

Upon hearing this, Murong Mingyue said no more, but simply tightened her grip on the reins and turned her gaze toward the horizon in the north, where smoke and dust were faintly visible.

By noon on the second day, the vanguard of the army had approached Moon Bay. Scouts arrived on horseback with reports: thick smoke billowed from the direction of the fortified chevaux-de-frise, and the sounds of battle had ceased, suggesting the fort had fallen. The main force of the Golden Horde was briefly resting outside the fortress, clearing the battlefield, but its vanguard cavalry had already split into several groups, searching southwards, the closest of which was less than fifty li away. Meanwhile, news came from Moon Bay that the engineering battalion had preliminarily completed the setting up of the chevaux-de-frise and barricades around the wagon formation, and had begun constructing arched breastworks and crossbow positions using the terrain of the river bend, but time was short, and many defensive facilities were still incomplete.

"Order: All troops accelerate! We must reach the pre-arranged positions at Moon Bay before sunset!" Chen Xing decisively ordered. "Order Murong Mingyue's cavalry to split up and intercept and drive away the approaching barbarian cavalry and skirmishers, keeping them at least ten miles away to buy us the last bit of time to deploy our forces!"

The order was given, and the already rapid march accelerated even further. The infantrymen gritted their teeth, carrying heavy equipment, and pushed forward with all their might under the urging of their officers. The cavalry, like arrows released from a bow, led by Vice General Murong Mingyue, split into several groups and rushed towards the direction from which the barbarian cavalry and scouts were approaching.

For a time, small-scale cavalry skirmishes broke out continuously within a radius of dozens of miles around Moon Bay. The Starfire Fortress cavalry, with their superior equipment and coordination, repeatedly repelled or dispersed small groups of Hu cavalry attempting to approach and scout, but also suffered some casualties and were forced to continuously shrink their perimeter of defense.

As the sun set, Chen Xing led the main force of the central army to Yue'er Bay, where a scene of intense activity unfolded before them. A tributary of the Luo River made a sharp bend here, forming a riverbank highland surrounded by water on three sides, backed by a not-too-high earthen hill. On the riverbank, hundreds of specially made war chariots had been linked end to end, forming a somewhat crude but already well-established arc-shaped defensive line, its front marked with stag antlers and sharpened wooden stakes. Behind the line, soldiers were diligently digging trenches, building earthen ramparts, and setting up crossbows. Dian Xiong, shirtless, roared as he directed the soldiers of the Trapped Camp to secure the last batch of heavy shields to key positions in the chariot formation.

"My lord!" Chen Wei rushed over from the construction site, his face showing fatigue but also excitement. "The basic defensive line is complete, but the crossbow positions and trenches need to be reinforced overnight! The vanguard of the Hu cavalry has been repelled by General Murong's men, but the main force will arrive no later than tomorrow afternoon!"

Chen Xing surveyed the surrounding terrain, then looked at the soldiers who were racing against time to reinforce the fortifications, and nodded: "Well done. Issue the order: the entire army immediately move into position, assign defense zones, eat a hearty meal, and rest as soon as possible. Tonight, except for those who are necessary on guard duty and continuing to reinforce the fortifications, everyone else must get enough sleep! Tomorrow is the day of the decisive battle!"

As night fell, countless bonfires blazed in Moon Bay. Cooks brought in steaming broth and flatbread, and weary soldiers sat around the fires, silently eating, checking their weapons, or leaning against their chariots and shields, seizing the time to close their eyes and rest. The sound of the flowing river, the crackling of the torches, and the faint neighing of horses and the commands of sentries in the distance intertwined to create the unique pre-battle silence and clamor.

Inside the central command tent, the lights shone brightly. Chen Xing, Chen Wei, Dian Xiong, and Murong Mingyue gathered once again to conduct a final simulation using a simple sand table. Although Jia Wen was not with the army, he sent his latest analysis of the Hu people's fighting habits and the personality of Wuzhu, the chieftain of the Golden Horde, along with several countermeasures via express messenger.

"Wuzhu is arrogant and fierce, and he advocates frontal assaults to overcome skill with brute force." Chen Xing pointed to the Yue'er Bay position on the sand table. "Tomorrow, when he sees our army forming a defensive formation with its back to the river, he will surely think that we are cornered and fighting like cornered beasts. Given his character, he will likely not bother to send troops to test the waters, and will directly drive his main cavalry to launch a frontal assault, attempting to flatten our position in one fell swoop."

"Then he'll run right into my elite infantry unit and their crossbows!" Dian Xiong grinned. "I'll show him what an impregnable fortress is!"

Chen Wei was more cautious: "The first wave of the Hu cavalry charge is the most intense. Whether our chariot formation and shield wall can hold out, and whether our crossbows can inflict sufficient damage before they get close, are key. In addition, we need to guard against them splitting their forces to cross the water and launching a surprise attack from their flanks or rear."

Murong Mingyue said, "This subordinate has ordered soldiers familiar with the water and some cavalry to patrol along the riverbank and has set up tripwires and hidden stakes in the shallows upstream and downstream. Although the river is not deep, the current is not slow, so it will not be easy for the Hu cavalry to launch a large-scale wading attack."

The group carefully checked the defensive positions of each camp, the distribution of crossbow bolts, the signal transmission, and the routes and timing of the reserve counterattacks until late at night.

When Chen Xing finally stepped out of the main tent and stood on the high ground by the river bend, the night sky was dotted with stars, and the surrounding area was silent, with only the Luo River flowing silently under the moonlight. In the distance, on the dark northern horizon, there seemed to be more and more densely packed firelight flickering, like the hungry eyes of a pack of wolves.

He knew that it wasn't starlight, but the campfire of the Golden Horde's cavalry. Tomorrow, this tranquil river bend would transform into a battlefield that devoured lives.

He gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, his gaze calm yet sharp. The decisive battle was about to begin as they marched north to meet the enemy.