Thank you to Opalescent for the ko-fi~
After driving away the scattered remnants of the defeated Xiongnu soldiers, Yiyan led his troops back to the prefectural city. By this time, three days had passed since the great battle, and the battlefield had already been thoroughly cleaned. Everything that needed to be burned was burned, what needed to be buried was buried, and the surrendered soldiers were escorted to Liang Mansion, preparing for the construction of Wu fortress. Additionally, military equipment, horses, provisions, and even the carcasses of dead horses found on the battlefield were all gathered and put to good use. The efficiency of the county officials was clearly commendable.
However, when they saw the row of prefectural dignitaries lined up outside the gates of Lu City, it still surprised all the soldiers. The Prefect had personally come to greet them? Not only were there dignitaries but also common people crowded along the sides of the road, each person’s eyes shining with anticipation, as if they were welcoming heroes returning from a distant expedition.
Most of the soldiers in the army were newly resettled refugees, and others were inexperienced troops who hadn’t seen much action. Witnessing such a scene, they all blushed with pride, puffed out their chests, and wished they could display boundless spirit. Their fears and pains disappeared, leaving only a sense of pride.
Yiyan was equally taken aback. His lord had greeted him after previous victories but had never displayed such a grand reception. However, when he saw the figure standing under the banners, he couldn’t help urging his warhorse forward and galloping towards the city gates.
As the commander hastened his pace, the soldiers beneath him naturally followed closely. In an instant, dust billowed, and the galloping horses resembled lightning. The citizens within the city had never witnessed such a sight and couldn’t help but tremble in fear, remaining silent like cicadas in the cold. However, Liang Feng couldn’t hide the smile on his lips as he watched the white horse at the forefront galloping up to him.
He grabbed the reins, and Yiyan dismounted and knelt on one knee. “No need for the Lord to greet us. I am unworthy.”
Behind him, Sun Jiao, Wang Long, and other generals also knelt in the dust. The army, which had been brimming with a menacing aura, suddenly became as docile as lambs, kneeling before their sole master.
Watching the kneeling young Jie man with an exceptionally dignified posture, Liang Feng couldn’t help but reveal admiration in his eyes. It was no small feat for someone who once only knew brute force to grow into a commander who could skillfully use military strategy and lead a large army. However, this battle alone had already made Yiyan’s reputation soar. When he had initially used Huo Qubing to inspire him to study military strategy, it now appeared that he had developed into a capable and formidable general.
With a smile on his face, Liang Feng stepped forward and supported Yiyan’s arm. “Without Boyuan’s victory in this battle, how could the people live in peace? Your valor, my fellow warriors, is the bulwark1 of Shangdang!”
His voice was clear and resonated in the wide city gates and within the hearts of all present.
Faced with the admiration and trust shining in those starry eyes, Yiyan suppressed the lump in his throat and spoke loudly, “Without our lord, where would we, the generals, be? I am willing to defend Shangdang for our lord!”
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Like a shot of adrenaline, the soldiers below also chimed in, “We are willing to defend Shangdang for our Prefect!”
These words were like a drop of clear water in a boiling pot, prompting the citizens lining the road to cheer. Perhaps they didn’t fully understand the significance of this loyal army, but everyone knew that as long as the Prefect was here, as long as this formidable force defended Shangdang, they could live in peace. They didn’t have to fear the Xiongnu bandits like wolves, nor did they have to hide from corrupt officials and inept bureaucrats like tigers and leopards!
In turbulent times, is there anything more inspiring than this?
The thunderous cheers shook the entire city, making the vast walls and buildings tremble. Liang Feng breathed a sigh of relief deep within his heart. This victory had not come easily, so it was essential to make the most of its impact. To ensure that a ruthless army remained conscious and humane, they needed a sense of honor and belonging, something they had to protect with their own hands.
Just like the Yue Army, the Qi Army, and the steel-clad forces of later times.
Supporting Yiyan, Liang Feng smiled and said, “Boyuan, come back to the prefecture with me.”
The hands he held were strong and firm. The man in front of him was no longer just a sickly figure. The rare winter sunlight made his upright figure seem like a precious jade and a hint of rosy color appeared on his pale cheeks. Just standing there, he outshone everyone in the world.
Facing that flawless smile, Yiyan lowered his eyelids and softly agreed.
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After the grand reception, when they returned to the prefectural office, Liang Feng’s expression became more serious. He got straight to the point, “Boyuan, do you think the Xiongnu will attack Shangdang again?”
Concerning the safety of the entire commandery, Yiyan immediately focused his thoughts. After a brief pause, he replied, “Shangdang is right on the Xiongnu’s doorstep. They’re unlikely to let it go.”
His answer mirrored exactly what Liang Feng had in mind. Shangdang’s geographical location meant it was a constant target for the Xiongnu. It not only bordered the Han’s heartland, Western Hebei Commandery, but also served as a key fortress guarding Luoyang and Ye cities. Regardless of ambitions and the need to control the entire world, as long as the Xiongnu revealed their true strength, Liu Yuan would not let Shangdang go.
With a heavy sigh, Liang Feng said, “That’s precisely what I’m thinking. Liu Yuan is a cunning warlord; he won’t give up easily. If the Xiongnu attack Shangdang again, the tactics we used before may not be as effective.”
Yiyan acknowledged this point, saying, “If the enemy switches to heavy armor, the effectiveness of the thunder cannons will be greatly reduced. Cavalry with long spears can only attack when the enemy is unprepared, and our army lacks heavy armor. Using cavalry for charges is extravagant.”
Whether it’s thunder cannons or breaking long spears, in simple terms, they are both lifeless objects. The success of this battle depended entirely on the tactical use by the commanders. Without the psychological pressure of a strong defense and beacon fire tactics, they couldn’t have tracked the enemy’s march route, set up their formation on West Zhangpo, and waited for the enemy to wear themselves out. The subsequent cavalry charge took advantage of the enemy’s defeat, low morale, and shaky military discipline, making it impossible for them to form a stable formation.
If the enemy were to switch to heavy armor, the iron balls fired by the thunder cannons alone would not be effective, and the subsequent continuous crossbow volleys would also be significantly less effective. Moreover, if the enemy formed a solid formation with archers and cavalry protecting the flanks, how could they tolerate a group of light cavalry in leather armor charging into battle with spears? Even in medieval Western Europe, mounted knights had to wear heavy armor; otherwise, it was nearly impossible to cross the infantry formation with its abundant long-range attacks.
The most critical issue was that the Xiongnu were wealthier than Shangdang. As a significant power that could establish a state, with enough determination, Liu Yuan could certainly produce a sufficient number of heavy armor. However, Liang Feng’s resources were far from enough to afford heavy cavalry.
“If there’s another battle, it will be a tough one,” Liang Feng said, voicing an answer both of them knew well. With the current strength and composition of Shangdang’s forces, they had no power to launch a counteroffensive. However, if they chose to defend, whether it was garrison troops or Liang Fu’s own troops, they would have the responsibility of farming. If the war delayed the spring planting season and gathered a large number of refugees without enough food, Shangdang itself would descend into chaos.
“It’s a pity we can’t use gunpowder before the battle. If we had another great victory like the one at Lu City, perhaps it would make the Xiongnu more restrained,” Yiyan remarked.
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Gunpowder was their greatest secret weapon, and when used in frontal combat, especially in broad daylight, it lost its deterrent effect. Once people knew it was a weapon rather than magic, the psychological pressure would dissipate. So, even though the formula for gunpowder had made significant progress that year, it was still not used when confronting the enemy.
Before, the Xiongnu hadn’t clashed with Shangdang mainly because they had to contend with Sima Teng. On the other hand, there was also the glorious achievement of the night raid, which had an influence. In this era, there weren’t many who could overcome the psychological impact of “heaven’s blessing.” However, this battle had been won, but it had wiped away the “miracle.” In the future, trying to suppress Han with such psychological tactics would be difficult.
“Lu City’s great victory…” Hearing these words, something suddenly clicked in Liang Feng’s mind, and he immediately stood up and said, “Come with me.”
Without understanding, Yiyan followed Liang Feng to the rear courtyard of the prefectural governor’s residence. The prefectural governor’s residence was now divided into several sections. Liang Feng and his son occupied only a small courtyard, while the others were either allocated to the Chongwen Hall or converted into a library, housing many scholars and professors. They passed through a courtyard wall and entered a small courtyard. There were only two or three rooms in the courtyard, and there were hardly any trees, making it quite austere. However, the occupants didn’t seem to mind at all.
Pushing open the door, Liang Feng halted in his tracks because there was no way to step inside the room. The floor was littered with papers of various sizes, and many books were scattered about haphazardly. Five or six blackboards hung on the walls, each covered in what looked like incomprehensible scribbles. A man with disheveled hair and wrinkled clothes was hunched over a desk, writing something. Even though the door had opened, he showed no sign of looking up.
With a wry smile on his face, Liang Feng called out, “Zi Le!”
Li Xin seemed not to have heard and absentmindedly scratched his bun of hair with the pen he held, making his hair even messier.
Liang Feng could tolerate this appearance, but Yiyan couldn’t. With a stern expression, he strode forward, snatched the manuscript in front of Li Xin, and said in a cold tone, “Professor Li, the Lord has arrived!”
“What’s this…?” Li Xin was about to burst into a string of angry words when his calculation manuscript was suddenly confiscated. Fortunately, his nerves weren’t strong enough to withstand Yiyan’s terrifying expression, and he couldn’t maintain an air of indifference like usual. As he began to speak, he quickly stopped himself.
With a longing glance at the manuscript that had been taken from him, Li Xin reluctantly got up and greeted Liang Feng, saying, “I wonder what brings the Lord to visit? I was just in the middle of a crucial calculation. Can I have my manuscript back?”
Always focused on his work. Liang Feng chuckled and replied, “Coming to find Zi Le must be for an important matter. I recall that you and Zhichuan had quite the heated discussion about some astronomical matters before, which seemed to annoy him greatly, didn’t it?”
Hearing Liang Feng’s words, Li Xin snorted disdainfully, his nostrils almost reaching the sky. “That kid is terrible at mathematics and stubborn as a mule. Discussing anything with him is a waste of time!”
Liang Feng didn’t pay much attention to Li Xin’s teasing of Zhichuan and got straight to the point, saying, “What you were discussing, was it related to the solar eclipse?”
1a protective or defensive element that provides security or support in some way.
Thank you to Opalescent for the ko-fi~
After driving away the scattered remnants of the defeated Xiongnu soldiers, Yiyan led his troops back to the prefectural city. By this time, three days had passed since the great battle, and the battlefield had already been thoroughly cleaned. Everything that needed to be burned was burned, what needed to be buried was buried, and the surrendered soldiers were escorted to Liang Mansion, preparing for the construction of Wu fortress. Additionally, military equipment, horses, provisions, and even the carcasses of dead horses found on the battlefield were all gathered and put to good use. The efficiency of the county officials was clearly commendable.
However, when they saw the row of prefectural dignitaries lined up outside the gates of Lu City, it still surprised all the soldiers. The Prefect had personally come to greet them? Not only were there dignitaries but also common people crowded along the sides of the road, each person’s eyes shining with anticipation, as if they were welcoming heroes returning from a distant expedition.
Most of the soldiers in the army were newly resettled refugees, and others were inexperienced troops who hadn’t seen much action. Witnessing such a scene, they all blushed with pride, puffed out their chests, and wished they could display boundless spirit. Their fears and pains disappeared, leaving only a sense of pride.
Yiyan was equally taken aback. His lord had greeted him after previous victories but had never displayed such a grand reception. However, when he saw the figure standing under the banners, he couldn’t help urging his warhorse forward and galloping towards the city gates.
As the commander hastened his pace, the soldiers beneath him naturally followed closely. In an instant, dust billowed, and the galloping horses resembled lightning. The citizens within the city had never witnessed such a sight and couldn’t help but tremble in fear, remaining silent like cicadas in the cold. However, Liang Feng couldn’t hide the smile on his lips as he watched the white horse at the forefront galloping up to him.
He grabbed the reins, and Yiyan dismounted and knelt on one knee. “No need for the Lord to greet us. I am unworthy.”
Behind him, Sun Jiao, Wang Long, and other generals also knelt in the dust. The army, which had been brimming with a menacing aura, suddenly became as docile as lambs, kneeling before their sole master.
Watching the kneeling young Jie man with an exceptionally dignified posture, Liang Feng couldn’t help but reveal admiration in his eyes. It was no small feat for someone who once only knew brute force to grow into a commander who could skillfully use military strategy and lead a large army. However, this battle alone had already made Yiyan’s reputation soar. When he had initially used Huo Qubing to inspire him to study military strategy, it now appeared that he had developed into a capable and formidable general.
With a smile on his face, Liang Feng stepped forward and supported Yiyan’s arm. “Without Boyuan’s victory in this battle, how could the people live in peace? Your valor, my fellow warriors, is the bulwark1 of Shangdang!”
His voice was clear and resonated in the wide city gates and within the hearts of all present.
Faced with the admiration and trust shining in those starry eyes, Yiyan suppressed the lump in his throat and spoke loudly, “Without our lord, where would we, the generals, be? I am willing to defend Shangdang for our lord!”
Advertisement
AD
Like a shot of adrenaline, the soldiers below also chimed in, “We are willing to defend Shangdang for our Prefect!”
These words were like a drop of clear water in a boiling pot, prompting the citizens lining the road to cheer. Perhaps they didn’t fully understand the significance of this loyal army, but everyone knew that as long as the Prefect was here, as long as this formidable force defended Shangdang, they could live in peace. They didn’t have to fear the Xiongnu bandits like wolves, nor did they have to hide from corrupt officials and inept bureaucrats like tigers and leopards!
In turbulent times, is there anything more inspiring than this?
The thunderous cheers shook the entire city, making the vast walls and buildings tremble. Liang Feng breathed a sigh of relief deep within his heart. This victory had not come easily, so it was essential to make the most of its impact. To ensure that a ruthless army remained conscious and humane, they needed a sense of honor and belonging, something they had to protect with their own hands.
Just like the Yue Army, the Qi Army, and the steel-clad forces of later times.
Supporting Yiyan, Liang Feng smiled and said, “Boyuan, come back to the prefecture with me.”
The hands he held were strong and firm. The man in front of him was no longer just a sickly figure. The rare winter sunlight made his upright figure seem like a precious jade and a hint of rosy color appeared on his pale cheeks. Just standing there, he outshone everyone in the world.
Facing that flawless smile, Yiyan lowered his eyelids and softly agreed.
Advertisement
AD
After the grand reception, when they returned to the prefectural office, Liang Feng’s expression became more serious. He got straight to the point, “Boyuan, do you think the Xiongnu will attack Shangdang again?”
Concerning the safety of the entire commandery, Yiyan immediately focused his thoughts. After a brief pause, he replied, “Shangdang is right on the Xiongnu’s doorstep. They’re unlikely to let it go.”
His answer mirrored exactly what Liang Feng had in mind. Shangdang’s geographical location meant it was a constant target for the Xiongnu. It not only bordered the Han’s heartland, Western Hebei Commandery, but also served as a key fortress guarding Luoyang and Ye cities. Regardless of ambitions and the need to control the entire world, as long as the Xiongnu revealed their true strength, Liu Yuan would not let Shangdang go.
With a heavy sigh, Liang Feng said, “That’s precisely what I’m thinking. Liu Yuan is a cunning warlord; he won’t give up easily. If the Xiongnu attack Shangdang again, the tactics we used before may not be as effective.”
Yiyan acknowledged this point, saying, “If the enemy switches to heavy armor, the effectiveness of the thunder cannons will be greatly reduced. Cavalry with long spears can only attack when the enemy is unprepared, and our army lacks heavy armor. Using cavalry for charges is extravagant.”
Whether it’s thunder cannons or breaking long spears, in simple terms, they are both lifeless objects. The success of this battle depended entirely on the tactical use by the commanders. Without the psychological pressure of a strong defense and beacon fire tactics, they couldn’t have tracked the enemy’s march route, set up their formation on West Zhangpo, and waited for the enemy to wear themselves out. The subsequent cavalry charge took advantage of the enemy’s defeat, low morale, and shaky military discipline, making it impossible for them to form a stable formation.
If the enemy were to switch to heavy armor, the iron balls fired by the thunder cannons alone would not be effective, and the subsequent continuous crossbow volleys would also be significantly less effective. Moreover, if the enemy formed a solid formation with archers and cavalry protecting the flanks, how could they tolerate a group of light cavalry in leather armor charging into battle with spears? Even in medieval Western Europe, mounted knights had to wear heavy armor; otherwise, it was nearly impossible to cross the infantry formation with its abundant long-range attacks.
The most critical issue was that the Xiongnu were wealthier than Shangdang. As a significant power that could establish a state, with enough determination, Liu Yuan could certainly produce a sufficient number of heavy armor. However, Liang Feng’s resources were far from enough to afford heavy cavalry.
“If there’s another battle, it will be a tough one,” Liang Feng said, voicing an answer both of them knew well. With the current strength and composition of Shangdang’s forces, they had no power to launch a counteroffensive. However, if they chose to defend, whether it was garrison troops or Liang Fu’s own troops, they would have the responsibility of farming. If the war delayed the spring planting season and gathered a large number of refugees without enough food, Shangdang itself would descend into chaos.
“It’s a pity we can’t use gunpowder before the battle. If we had another great victory like the one at Lu City, perhaps it would make the Xiongnu more restrained,” Yiyan remarked.
Advertisement
AD
Gunpowder was their greatest secret weapon, and when used in frontal combat, especially in broad daylight, it lost its deterrent effect. Once people knew it was a weapon rather than magic, the psychological pressure would dissipate. So, even though the formula for gunpowder had made significant progress that year, it was still not used when confronting the enemy.
Before, the Xiongnu hadn’t clashed with Shangdang mainly because they had to contend with Sima Teng. On the other hand, there was also the glorious achievement of the night raid, which had an influence. In this era, there weren’t many who could overcome the psychological impact of “heaven’s blessing.” However, this battle had been won, but it had wiped away the “miracle.” In the future, trying to suppress Han with such psychological tactics would be difficult.
“Lu City’s great victory…” Hearing these words, something suddenly clicked in Liang Feng’s mind, and he immediately stood up and said, “Come with me.”
Without understanding, Yiyan followed Liang Feng to the rear courtyard of the prefectural governor’s residence. The prefectural governor’s residence was now divided into several sections. Liang Feng and his son occupied only a small courtyard, while the others were either allocated to the Chongwen Hall or converted into a library, housing many scholars and professors. They passed through a courtyard wall and entered a small courtyard. There were only two or three rooms in the courtyard, and there were hardly any trees, making it quite austere. However, the occupants didn’t seem to mind at all.
Pushing open the door, Liang Feng halted in his tracks because there was no way to step inside the room. The floor was littered with papers of various sizes, and many books were scattered about haphazardly. Five or six blackboards hung on the walls, each covered in what looked like incomprehensible scribbles. A man with disheveled hair and wrinkled clothes was hunched over a desk, writing something. Even though the door had opened, he showed no sign of looking up.
With a wry smile on his face, Liang Feng called out, “Zi Le!”
Li Xin seemed not to have heard and absentmindedly scratched his bun of hair with the pen he held, making his hair even messier.
Liang Feng could tolerate this appearance, but Yiyan couldn’t. With a stern expression, he strode forward, snatched the manuscript in front of Li Xin, and said in a cold tone, “Professor Li, the Lord has arrived!”
“What’s this…?” Li Xin was about to burst into a string of angry words when his calculation manuscript was suddenly confiscated. Fortunately, his nerves weren’t strong enough to withstand Yiyan’s terrifying expression, and he couldn’t maintain an air of indifference like usual. As he began to speak, he quickly stopped himself.
With a longing glance at the manuscript that had been taken from him, Li Xin reluctantly got up and greeted Liang Feng, saying, “I wonder what brings the Lord to visit? I was just in the middle of a crucial calculation. Can I have my manuscript back?”
Always focused on his work. Liang Feng chuckled and replied, “Coming to find Zi Le must be for an important matter. I recall that you and Zhichuan had quite the heated discussion about some astronomical matters before, which seemed to annoy him greatly, didn’t it?”
Hearing Liang Feng’s words, Li Xin snorted disdainfully, his nostrils almost reaching the sky. “That kid is terrible at mathematics and stubborn as a mule. Discussing anything with him is a waste of time!”
Liang Feng didn’t pay much attention to Li Xin’s teasing of Zhichuan and got straight to the point, saying, “What you were discussing, was it related to the solar eclipse?”
1a protective or defensive element that provides security or support in some way.
