Cao Rui rode the horse steadily and calmly, the red and black flag interwoven in a hunting style, flapping fiercely in the cold wind of winter.
As the towering guards behind him began to dismount and approach to verify Cai Zhaoh's identity, Cao Rui extended his right hand, signaling the guards to retreat and halt.
"Military affairs are urgent; no need for excessive formality. General Qian, rise and lead the way for me!" Cao Rui looked down at Qian Zhao, who was kneeling on one knee before him on the horse, and said calmly.
"Obey the command!" Without hesitation, Qian Zhao got up, mounted his horse, and galloped three thousand meters ahead of Cao Rui.
Seeing this, Cao Rui urged his horse to follow, with the numerous high-ranking officials of the Great Wei following the emperor's horse and heading south towards the Wei army camp.
The distance of just five miles is easily covered by cavalry in a moment.
As the emperor's entourage arrived at the Wei army camp, the news began to spread rapidly among the various troops and camps.
The army of Qian Zhao departed from Chang'an, traversing sixteen days of continuous travel. The day before yesterday and the day before yesterday, there were several skirmishes, and today, they fiercely attacked the camp of the Shu forces from north to south for a whole day.
Indeed, it can be called a hard-fought battle.
15,000 infantrymen were divided into seven units, with one unit stationed in the camp and the remaining six rotating to attack the camp. They first destroyed the antlers, then filled in the trenches. With nearly 500 to 600 casualties for each of the 2,000 men, total losses had approached 4,000, exceeding 25%.
If it weren't for the division into separate units fighting in batches, Qian Zhao's entire army would never have been able to withstand such high casualties.
After such a hard-fought day, the soldiers in the camp were either exhausted to the point of collapse or still thinking about the situation during today's attack. However, just as their morale was low and they were exhausted, the arrival of the Great Wei emperor lit up the dull atmosphere in the camp.
"Hail to the Emperor! Hail to the Emperor! Hail to the Emperor!"
Upon hearing that the emperor had personally arrived at the camp, the soldiers at first couldn't believe their ears, from disbelief to joy and enthusiasm bordering on boiling point in just a few seconds.
The roars echoed in the mountains, spreading out for several miles, even audible in the Shu army camp to the south.
The army under Qian Zhao's command was the most diverse in terms of origin.
The 20,000 soldiers from Chang'an were originally drafted from Yangzhou and Jingzhou by the government of Luoyang. When they arrived in Longyou to fight, there was a sense of reluctance among them as well.
Moreover, today Qian Zhao pressed on with great urgency, sacrificing over 3,000 soldiers' lives for nothing but clearing the camp outside the Shu army. He destroyed the outer fortifications across from the Shu army's walls.
Therefore, from the cavalry captain to the garrison officer, the senior corporal, and the squad leader, there was a lot of resentment among the soldiers. Now that the emperor has personally arrived, today's casualties seem understandable.
Your Majesty is right here in the camp! The Iron Cavalry of the Central Army is also here! It's time to take the enemy flag, reward your family, and grant offspring privileges!
Cao Rui sat in the first position of the great tent in the camp, and Qian Zhao and all the generals in the camp stood quietly by, their hands tied. The generals who were originally dissatisfied with Qian Zhao's military orders on this day were surprisingly obedient and all kept their mouths shut and stood quietly behind Qian Zhao.
Cao Rui swept his gaze from left to right, taking in the seven commanders behind Qian Zhao, who were either deputy or assistant generals or cavalry captains. The resumes of each one had been carefully reviewed by Cao Rui when he was in Luoyang.
"How are you, Guo Ling, Zhao Bù Qì, Jia Long, Yin Juan, Xue Ding, and Pan Yi." As Cao Rui mentioned each commander's name, one would kneel and bow in respect.
"How does your Majesty know me?!" The last named Pan Yi even trembled slightly. He was originally a 1,000 stone Mars, and before he was transferred to Chang'an from the eight thousand outside troops of Jingzhou and suddenly promoted by Chen Qun to a 2,000 stone cavalry captain, he had never imagined that the emperor would know him.
At this moment, Cao Rui was unaware of Pan Yi's thoughts. Sitting in the first seat of the tent, he said loudly, "As for today's battle situation, Qian Zhenxi has already told me on the way back to camp. You seven commanders have all done your duty today, and I am greatly relieved."
"Your Majesty has already arrived, and tomorrow, I will personally lead the troops to attack the Shu army's defensive line and unite with forces from Liulao City."
"See your achievements tomorrow!"
"Obey your Majesty's command!" The seven 2,000 stone commanders replied in unison.
Cao Rui waved his hand, and the warriors knew when to leave the tent.
Before the four Visitors and the rest of the accompanying ministers, Qian Zhao, standing in front of Cao Rui, performed a bow to the emperor: "My lord has no talent. Today, I will supervise the officers and attack the camp southward. It also troubles your Majesty to secure my heart for the officers."
Cao Rui laughed, looking at Qian Zhao: "Are not the troops you supervise also my troops? Why must you act as if you are separate from me? Your army's fierce attack on the Shu camp today indeed suffered many casualties. It is indeed proper for me to personally soothe the spirits of your men."
Qian Zhao bowed and asked, "What should Your Majesty order me to do in tomorrow's attack?"
Cao Rui and Sima Yi exchanged a glance, and Sima Yi coughed lightly: "General Qian, we have already seen the geography, camp fortifications, and maps of this place. We have also drafted a strategy for attacking."
"How much fighting strength does your army have now?"
Qian Zhao answered seriously, "At least 10,110 troops who can charge the camp!"
Sima Yi nodded and, turning to face the emperor, bowed and said: "Your Majesty, I suggest that tomorrow we continue to lead the army under General Qian in a fierce attack without regard for casualties. If by noon we have not captured the camp, we will send 5,000 Iron Cavalry to dismount and fight on foot."
"The remaining 10,000 plus cavalry will be on standby at all times, ready to strike southward and cut off the connection between the Shu army's Wei Yan division and Zhao Yun division as soon as the foot soldiers break through!"
Qian Zhao's expression first dimmed slightly, but then returned to calmness.
Sima Yi's words were indeed correct. As the General said, it was better to consume infantry than cavalry that had dismounted for battle. Qian Zhao understood this logic.
Without hesitation, Qian Zhao raised his hands in assent. "I agree and volunteer to lead the attack for Your Majesty tomorrow!"
Cao Rui nodded: "That's correct! What about Zhang Junye? Where is he now?"
Qian Zhao replied, "The messenger returned just now, saying that Zhang Junye was completely unharmed and could still wield his great axe for over a hundred breaths!"
Cao Rui laughed: "That Yongliang Duozhang of his, he still keeps you on your toes. Let's see if I can see Zhang He himself by tonight!"
......
At this moment, in the Shu army camp to the south, Wei Yan was also rare to be alarmed, turning to his long-term secretary Ma Dai and asked: "Zhongwu, the northern Wei troops are cheering for ten thousand years. What is going on?"
"Today, Qian Zhao has been driving his soldiers like they're lifeless, and I've been confused all day. What exactly has happened now?"
Ma Dai was momentarily caught off guard by Wei Yan's question, but after carefully considering for a moment, he truly did recall something that happened nearly twenty years ago.
"General, I once accompanied my cousin and the deceased Marshal Ma in confrontation with the Cao troops at Weinan. Do you know about this battle?" Ma Dai asked carefully.
"Yes," Wei Yan nodded, "I know. Cao Cao built fortifications by pouring water in the winter, which I have heard the Prime Minister mention."
"Continuing, Ma Dai said, 'On that day, we failed to break into Cao's camp on the southern bank of the Wei River. The next day, Cao's army crossed the Wei River and established themselves on the southern bank. After that, there was also such a loud chorus among our soldiers.'"
Wei Yan frowned: "That's why I said I didn't see Cao Zhen's troops today. This cheering for ten thousand years is certainly not something a incompetent general like Cao Zhen could have done after arriving."
"Could it be..." Wei Yan exchanged a glance with Ma Dai, and both of their eyes showed a look of horror.
Wei Yan immediately stood up and took out the token from his waist, stuffing it into Ma Dai's hand. He then grabbed Ma Dai's shoulder and said forcefully, "It must be that little Shu king!"
"Zhongwu, quickly go with my token to find Marshal Ma and General Zhao! Tell them that I can no longer defend this camp! If Qian Zhao attacks this way tomorrow, as if his life depended on it, even if there are only two or three gaps, our cavalry could sweep in at any moment and my forces here will be decimated along with Wu Ban!"
Ma Dai thought for a moment and said, "General, why don't you write a military report to Marshal Ma for preservation?"
"What's the use of writing a military report at this time? Go, go quickly!" Wei Yan urged.
As soon as Ma Dai left, Wei Yan sent someone to call Wu Ban over, and then inspected the camp.
There are three camps of Shu Han near Lueyang.
At the mountain pass that controls the route to and from the main army's camp, Wang Ping has 4,000 troops camped there to defend.
The camp of Zhao Yun is to the north of Wang Ping's camp, separated by half a li. Its wall stretches for two li from the south to the north bank of the river.
If we calculate carefully, the distance Ma Dai would have to cover one way is about seven li.
Less than an hour later, Ma Dai rode back to Wei Yan's camp, panting heavily. As he entered the central command tent, Wei Yan and Wu Ban were discussing military affairs with worried expressions.
Wei Yan rose abruptly, without a moment's hesitation, and directly asked Ma Dai: "How do Ma Su and Zhao Yun say? Can they allow us to leave the camp and retreat?"
Ma Dai's expression darkened, and he sighed heavily, shaking his head: "Marshal Ma said no. He said General Zhao's camp is long and narrow, allowing him to watch only in the west but unable to block the incoming Wei army from the east. And if you were to retreat, it wouldn't be possible to set up camp tonight either."
"Also, he said that just now, he received an order from the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister himself is leading 8,000 foot and mounted troops and the remaining 13,000 soldiers of Wu Yi at the city of Shuangjian. They will all be heading north together today, the twenty-first."
"Marshal Ma said that the Prime Minister has no orders to change the camp. He said, he said that since General Wei's losses today are not significant, please stay for two more days, do not fear difficulty…"
Before Ma Dai could finish speaking, the veins on his forehead bulged, and in a fit of anger, Wei Yan kicked over the table in front of him, scattering the documents about as they were being watched.
"You, you!" Wei Yan shouted in anger, pointing a finger at Wu Ban: "Does that Ma Su know how urgently we are being attacked today? Moreover, it seems that the Wei troops have arrived again. If they continue to attack as ferociously as today tomorrow, perhaps half a day or a day, our camp walls will certainly not hold!"
Wu Ban's face was nearly flushed. He has been defending this place alongside Wei Yan and shares the same concerns, but he doesn't know how to respond to Wei Yan's words.
"Zhongwu!" Wei Yan squinted at him: "Did you tell Ma Su about the additional reinforcement of the Wei army?"
"I've already said it," Ma Dai shrugged: "Marshal Ma said that Cao Zhen's troops have already arrived at the border of Liulao City, and he has no more troops to send here."
"Go back, no go back, but won't give me reinforcements. What should we do tomorrow!" Wei Yan was in a dilemma when he turned to look at Wu Ban again: "Yuanxiong, you're also considered a national uncle. What do you think? If we leave the army right now tonight, how will the court and the Prime Minister react?"
Wu Ban sighed and shook his head: "Without an order from the Prime Minister, nor an order from Ma Su who is overseeing the Eastern army. If we withdraw tonight and it leads to any defeat, we may well end up being executed!" (The chapter ends)
