'Zhong Gong.' Cao Shuang walked to the front of Mai Qiu Jian: 'I would like to ask for ten or twenty cavalrymen. There are still fifteen miles to Mayi, and it is getting dark, I need to go ahead and scout.'
'Scout'
Mai Qiu Jian thought for a few moments and smiled: 'Shao Bo, if you find out that Tian Yu has arrived in Mayi City, what will you do?'
Cao Shuang replied, "Of course, I would stay in Mayi City and send someone back to notify Lord Liu and you."
Mai Qiu Jian said, "Lord Liu has deployed his army here, naturally with the intention of collaborating with Tian Yu's army. It would be better if we went together, and then you stayed with Tian Yu's army while I returned here."
'Wouldn't that be even more appropriate?'
Cao Shuang pondered for a moment and said, "Alright, let's do it that way! It's been hard on Zhong Gong to go along with me."
Mai Qiu Jian shook his head: "Devoting oneself to the state's affairs, how can one say it is hard? I'll go call some people right away!"
Mai Qiu Jian called for twenty cavalrymen and rode out of the camp with Cao Shuang, heading north towards Mayi City.
The sky grew darker, and the mountains to the west cast a vast black shadow over the ground on the west bank of the Sanggan River under the glow of the setting sun.
However, on the east side of Mai Qiu Jian and Cao Shuang, the Sanggan River still shone with reflections, occasionally glinting gold.
In the plains, fifteen li is not a far distance for cavalry. Half an hour later, the two men had already led their cavalry regiment to the west side of Mayi City.
Climbing a slightly higher mound, the two men looked out, seeing the Xianbei cavalry of Kebi Neng, gradually gathering from the east side of Mayi City along the north bank of the Sanggan River.
It was evident that they were planning to camp on the east side of Mayi City.
Mai Qiu Jian looked for a while and turned to Cao Shuang and said, "Zhao Bo, you see how the Xianbei people are making preparations. By tonight, they will probably only be able to camp on the east side of Mayi City. It will not be possible to encircle the city in time."
"It's the right time for us to arrive. Now we should quickly enter the city, so that we can still come out before the night sky turns completely dark."
Cao Shuang took a deep breath.
Cao Shuang had always lived under the shadow of his father Cao Zhen since childhood.
The bravery and achievements of his fathers were, in truth, an honorable privilege. Yet to Cao Shuang, they were a constant, ever-present pressure that weighed heavily on him.
Who doesn't long to achieve great accomplishments and establish a reputation?
For a young man from a military family, achieving fame and defeating the barbarians on the borderlands was the perfect template for service in the army.
This is how it will be today.
Cao Shuang looked at Mai Qiu Jian: "Thank you, Zhong Gong, for coming here with me. After we enter the city, you will need to discuss with Lord Tian how to deploy the troops."
Mai Qiu Jian raised his riding whip, pointing in the direction of Mayi City: "Then let's go quickly. After seeing Lord Tian, leave the city as soon as possible to avoid being spotted by the Xianbei."
He lightly slapped the horse's flanks, and Mai Qiu Jian rode ahead, leading the way. Cao Shuang and the twenty riders behind him followed suit.
Meanwhile, Tian Yu was on the city wall to the east of Mayi City, gazing at the Xianbei camp three li away.
Tian Yu sighed and asked his assistant Liu Qi beside him, "How many days' worth of food and supplies does the army have?"
Liu Qi thought for a moment and respectfully replied, "The food and supplies are enough for three days. If we kill horses and use the stored grains in the city, it should be fine for seven or eight days."
Three days... Tian Yu fixated on the distant Xianbei scouts patrolling, and his concerns grew in his heart.
We need to come up with a plan to break the enemy as soon as possible, or the situation will certainly become chaotic!
At this moment, He Xin ran over to the city wall, shouting as he ran, "Lord Tian, someone from Yuan Gong has arrived!"
Tian Yu turned abruptly, fixing his eyes on He Xin and asking, "Where is the person? Has Zhao Bo returned?"
He Xin respectfully replied, "As you wish, Lord Tian. My subordinate clearly remembers that Cao Shuang left with ten horsemen, but now he has brought twenty horsemen to the west gate."
"I have already ordered the gates to be opened, welcoming him in."
Tian Yu nodded and, surprisingly, ran down the steps, stepping off the city wall and galloping towards the west gate on his horse.
Tian Yu noticed that there was a young man standing by Cao Shuang, who was tall and imposing, with a blue silk ribbon tied around his waist and a silver seal attached to it. After getting off his horse, Tian Yu asked, "Zhao Bo, who is this person beside you?"
Mai Qiu Jian smiled and respectfully bowed: "Greetings to Lord Tian. I am Mai Qiu Jian, the Administrator of Yan Horse Troop, a envoy sent by the emperor to inspect the area."
"Greetings, Captain Mai Qiu." Tian Yu, seeing that Mai Qiu Jian was young, merely gave a casual bow. Then he turned to Cao Shuang and asked, "Zhao Bo, where is General Qian's army now?"
At this time, Cao Shuang's mood finally relaxed, and he smiled to explain, "Lord Tian, General Qian has been appointed to take office in Luoyang, so he is not in Yanmen County at the moment."
Seeing that Tian Yu's face had changed color, Cao Shuang realized that he had misunderstood his words, so he quickly explained, "Lord Tian, you have misunderstood. Although General Qian is not in Yanmen County, the envoy Liu Ye, Loyang public official, and Captain Mai Qiu of Yan Horse Troop are holding imperial authority and leading three thousand county troops. They have already arrived at the south side of Mayi City, fifteen li away."
Tian Yu's expression shifted from worry to joy, and he grabbed Cao Shuang's hand, saying, "Zhao Bo, come with the old man to the city wall. Show me!"
'Okay!' Cao Shuang agreed, and stepped in front.
Tian Yu followed closely behind.
Mai Qiu Jian stood there with his hands crossed, subtly showing a smile. He knew that Tian Yu was anxious about the war, but he did not take it seriously.
At this time, He Xin noticed the dignitary beside him and slightly bowed to indicate his respect. He said, "Captain Mai Qiu, my lord Tian is eager for the war. Please excuse us." 'It's all right,' Mai Qiu Jian replied: 'You and I will also go up to the city. Let's make the most of the remaining daylight, and after that, I will also have to return to my camp.'"
He Xin sidestepped, pointing to the steps with his right hand: 'After you, Captain Mai Qiu.'
Mai Qiu Jian nodded and then followed.
Tian Yu gazed towards the south and whispered, "Fifteen li is really too far away. It might be too late to coordinate."
Cao Shuang bowed and said, "Lord Tian, why not talk about the strategy of this battle with Captain Mai Qiu? Captain Mai Qiu was also present in the expedition in Huainan this year."
Cao Shuang then recounted the route taken over the past few days, as well as the various events that had led to Liu Ye and Mai Qiu Jian arriving here, giving a general account to Tian Yu.
Tian Yu turned, slightly apologetic, and gave a bow with both hands: "I am sorry for being so impolite in my haste. Please do not mind me, Captain Mai."
The heavyweight of the border region, who was over sixty years old, apologized to himself. Mai Qiu Jian also dare not be arrogant. He bowed back and said, "Lord Tian, you worry too much! Lord Liu and I led the troops of Yanmen County here to participate in the battle."
"Sir, I believe you have a plan in place. Why not explain it to me? The sky is about to get dark, and I should return to camp as soon as possible."
Tian Yu was silent for a moment before slowly explaining his plan, and Cao Shuang and He Xin were also listening attentively.
After discussing several details with Tian Yu, Mai Qiu Jian bowed and said goodbye: "Lord Tian, we will meet in three days. As you have just said, I will pass on all the information to Liu Ye."
