The turning point for the fighter jets was achieved through a sudden charge ordered by Guan Qiujian.
No longer able to bear the lack of motivation, all of them escaped from the camp and sought to follow the path taken by Yuriujue, hoping to escape under Kuobijun's flag together.
Kuobijun, in despair, had no choice but to command his cavalry to clear a path, allowing the scattered troops to pass.
After Tian Yu led his troops to occupy the camp south of the city, he had no time for follow-up attacks or to tally the losses, and immediately emerged from the camp to form a line, preparing to deal with another possible wave of attack.
At this time, the Xianbei people from the north had just arrived near the battlefield and were standing behind Kuobijun's army.
But it was too late.
The battlefield at this moment fell into an eerie silence.
Tian Yu's army, which suffered nearly 200 losses, was stationed outside the camp in Maiyeshi South and was organizing its troops into battle formations.
Yuriujue's army sustained the most movements and the largest losses. They first engaged in battle with Suili's army and were then pursued by Wuhuan's loyal followers. Finally, they were encircled and trampled to death by Guan Qiujian's surprise attack, resulting in nearly 1,500 casualties.
The Dili tribe that fled the camp suffered losses of about six or seven hundred.
Compared to the Wei forces, except for the remaining Suili army of about 2,000 people and Liu Ye's Yanmen foot soldiers who had not yet engaged in battle, Wuhan's loyal followers suffered casualties of over 200 horsemen.
In terms of proportion, Guan Qiujian's army suffered the heaviest losses, with a loss of 20%. During the first charge, 15 horsemen were killed, and during the second charge, another 5 horsemen lost their lives.
After the battlefield had been in a stalemate for a long time, Kuobijun slowly turned to his bodyguards returning to his side and asked, "Did Yuriujue die? How did he die?"
The bodyguards dismounted, knelt down, and answered, "Master, Yuriujue was killed first by a spear thrown by an Wei army rider striking his back, and then by another rider's short spear penetrating his neck and killing him."
After speaking, seeing that Kuobijun had no reaction, the bodyguard tentatively asked, "Master, since we are not yet engaged in battle, should we retrieve Yuriujue's body?"
Kuobijun looked coldly at the bodyguard: "With so many Xianbei young men dead, how can I just bring back his corpse? Let him be fed to the wolves and eagles here!"
Kuobijun looked up at the sky and sighed, "Only regret is that my daughter. After returning, she will have to choose a husband again."
"Let's go back to Pingcheng," Kuobijun shook his head, with a despondent expression, said.
An elderly Xianbei nobleman asked beside Kuobijun, "Your Highness, are we leaving right now?"
Kuobijun furrowed his brow: "What else? Are you going to charge the Han army? There are about 5,000 Han soldiers and 3,000 Uighur dogs on the other side. Are you going to lose how many more people?"
After another long sigh, Kuobijun spoke softly, "It seems that the wolf god does not protect me today. Even the eagle of the grasslands will be drenched by rain, let's return to Pingcheng! We will come back next time!"
The elderly Xianbei nobleman helplessly looked at the Wei army's formation across from them, then at Maiyeshi City, and followed behind his master's horse, together with his own retinue, returning.
Although Kuobijun's Xianbei army lost this battle, from the perspective of both manpower and strength, Kuobijun still had the upper hand at this moment.
But Kuobijun did not want to fight any more. He just wanted to gather all the Xianbei tribes and did not want to completely flip the script with Great Wei, nor did he want to lose thousands more.
If he were to act that way, even if he is currently a king and the great leader of the Western Xianbei, it's estimated that after returning, he wouldn't be either.
That's the rule on the grassland, no leader can be an exception.
Seeing that Kuobijun's army intended to retreat, Tian Yu led his troops to form a square formation and slowly moved towards the Uighur loyal followers on the side.
Liu Ye's Yanmen infantry and the Uighur loyal followers were momentarily confused about the situation and remained stationary, still in formation.
It wasn't until over half an hour later, after Kuobijun's army completely left Tian Yu's sight, that the Wei army, which had fought in front of Maiyeshi City for half an hour, excitedly shouted and cheered.
"Long live! Long live! Long live!"
The sound echoed across the plain.
The formations of each army had not yet dispersed, only Guan Qianjian leading his mounted troops, slowly walked back in the direction of their original charge, under the gaze of all Han people, Uighur people, and Xianbei people from the south of the Sangan River.
Guan Qianjian's 100 cavalry from Luoyang suffered losses of 20 knights.
Of the 15 knights lost during the first charge, only one survived by chance, having been crushed under the horse and only sustaining a broken right leg.
Of the 5 knights lost during the second charge, three were still alive. One was on the brink of death, one had a broken arm, and two had broken legs, but one was incredibly lucky to be unharmed.
Guan Qianjian approached the bewildered cavalryman, with a calm expression, and said, "Han Lou, from Hongnong, has been in the Huolou Cavalry Camp for three years. He is twenty-two years old. Am I right?"
Han Lou was originally at the rear of the formation, and during the charge, he had stumbled off his horse in confusion. He had crouched with his head down for a while, and miraculously, no one had stepped on him. When he finally looked up again, the battlefield was silent.
He had been lying on the spot for a long time, until the cheers began to rise on the plain, he vaguely got up from his position and waved to his squad leader.
Han Lou hesitated and said, "Squad leader, I'm not a coward! After I fell off my horse, I didn't know what to do, so I just waited there. I really didn't shrink from battle!"
Guan Qianjian's eyes were already slightly reddened. This was not the first time he led troops and personally charged into battle. Without such brave men following him, how could he achieve such a victory?
"You're all good men!" Guan Qianjian gave Han Lou a heavy slap on the chest: "Han Lou, you're a good man too! I will personally submit a report to General Meng for your contribution!"
"Yes!" Han Lou knelt on one knee and saluted in response.
...
In the afternoon, Tian Yu's army, Liu Ye's army, Guan Qianjian's army, and the Uighur loyal followers all returned to Maiyeshi City. Only He Xin, leading 500 men, was cleaning up the battlefield outside the city.
By the way, there's also the Suili army that is still on the south bank of the Sangan River. Tian Yu has sent someone to call them, but Suili is still in hesitation, unsure whether to cross the river back to Maiyeshi or head south to join Budugen.
Inside Maiyeshi City.
Tian Yu stood in the hall, bowing to Liu Ye and Guan Qianjian.
Liu Ye stroked his beard, smiled, but said nothing. Guan Qianjian quickly stood up to support Tian Yu and said, "Tian Gong, you are flattering me! You are the pillar of the state, how could I receive your respect?"
Liu Ye also slowly said, "Tian Xiao Yu, when I and the Yanmen County soldiers arrived here, we only shot some arrows and didn't even engage in battle. How can I accept your respect?"
Tian Yu sighed deeply: "In today's battle, if it were not for Liu Taishu holding his node and leading troops from Yanmen to hastily come to our aid and forcing the Yuriujue army to retreat, if it were not for Guan Qianjian personally leading 100 cavalry to charge into battle and slaying the enemy chieftain, how could we have achieved this victory?"
"Old man, I will definitely report to the emperor and clearly list out the merits of Doctor Liu and Guan Xiao Yu!"
Liu Ye stood up at this point and walked to Tian Yu, smiling and saying, "Coach Tian is also a holding the standard heavyweight official. Today's battle was well-directed, and indeed, he is a pillar of the state."
Saying this, Liu Ye pointed at Guan Qianjian who had taken off his armor and said, "If we talk about today's achievements, Zhonggong's leading the charge through the enemy lines and then slaying the enemy chieftain is truly the most significant."
"What do you think, Coach Tian?"
Tian Yu nodded heavily and agreed, "Guan Qianjian's bravery today has terrorized the enemy! It is truly the greatest contribution!"
Guan Qianjian, who was standing beside them, also understood what was happening.
For nearly four decades, the Emperor had been waging war. People like Liu Ye and Tian Yu, who had experienced many years of military service, had long understood a truth.
If they lose the battle, the first thing to do is to divide the blame.
If they win the battle, the first thing to do is to discuss who deserves the first place in recognition.
Today's first place recognition can be attributed to Tian Yu's well-directed command, Liu Ye's prompt and rapid assistance, or Guan Qianjian's bravery.
From Tian Yu's perspective, he only had 2,000 Wei soldiers defending Maiyeshi. The support of the 3,000 Yanmen County troops was the actual "pebble" that gave Tian Yu confidence to engage in battle.
Tian Yu definitely had to acknowledge this favor and was sure to give recognition to Liu Ye and Guan Qianjian. Liu Ye, on the other hand, generously let Guan Qianjian take sole credit for the first place recognition.
Guan Qianjian bowed and said, "Liu Gong, Tian Gong, I..."
"Zhonggong, old man is also going to call you Zhonggong along with Doctor Liu," Tian Yu smiled and patted Guan Qianjian's arm: "The first place recognition belongs to you, do not hesitate any longer!"
Guan Qianjian had intended to refuse, but when he was about to speak, he remembered the comrades-in-arms who had come with him from Luoyang and died under Maiyeshi City. If he accepted, their allowances might be more generous as well.
Guan Qianjian did not refuse anymore, but instead smiled and bent his hands.
Tian Yu looked at Cao Cong standing next to him and smiled, "Oh, right, I also need to inform the General that Zhaoobo can command 100 people and become a leader of 100!"
Cao Cong bowed and smiled a little bashfully.
With the first place recognition settled, Liu Ye asked lightly, "Coach Tian, what preparations do you have for future battles?"
At this moment, Tian Yu's face was calm, but the words he spoke were like blades: "Historically, it has always been my army killing the Xianbei. How can there be any reason for the Xianbei to kill me? I will submit a report to Luoyang and lead Budugen, Suijunini, and the Uighur loyal followers to Puning City to punish Kuobijun!"
Liu Ye nodded: "What about Feng Po? Will Coach Tian take the Yanmen soldiers to the north to Puning City as well? He has also contributed this time!"
Tian Yu replied, "I will not mix up the merits. The Yanmen soldiers should return to Maiyeshi first. I will go back to Daijian with the Uighur loyal followers first! We will submit a report to Luoyang from here. Even if we send urgent messages, it would take at least twenty days for the reply to come back. We can wait until we are fully rested before heading north."
Liu Ye nodded, "The trouble here is over. We should return to Guangwu tomorrow! After returning to Guangwu, we can then proceed along the post road to Daijian. We won't go with Coach Tian this time."
"However, Coach Tian, it would be better to write the report for recognizing merits and requesting instructions tonight. We can then submit it along with the tribute gifts when we return to Guangwu and send it to Luoyang."
"What tribute gifts? What tribute gifts?" Tian Yu asked in confusion.
Liu Ye turned around and sat back in his seat, while Guan Qianjian said beside him with a smile, "You know, Zhao Bo, when he came to Guangwu to look for us, we were hunting foxes in the mountains near Guangwu."
"Perhaps Tian Gong doesn't know, such foxes only appear in the summer and autumn, with fur as red as fire, and are the most beautiful..." (Chapter complete)
