The last ultimatum has been issued, even if He Lian is willing to beg for mercy, he can only turn away helplessly and walk towards the cavalry formation of the Xianbei troops in the northwest.
Cao Shuang looked at He Lian's back and sneered, "Brother You: the Xianbei bandits are on the brink of collapse. We will divide into two groups and in just a few minutes, we can determine the outcome of the battle!"
"All right, I'll go left and you'll go right." Jiang Wei nodded in agreement, stroking the tuft of white hair on the forehead of his brown horse. After mounting, he added a piece of advice to Cao Shuang: "If the enemy runs away, you can chase Ke Bing Neng by yourself. Don't worry about the battlefield; I'll take care of everything."
"Ha ha ha, Brother You're indeed capable in handling matters. Let's follow Brother You's words!" Cao Shuang turned his horse and rode back to the right riding formation, pointing his sword to the sky and patrolling back and forth to boost morale in the formation. Similarly, Jiang Wei was also doing similar things in the left riding formation.
The three men, upon receiving orders to depart from Quanzhou, did not have the identity of the commander explicitly pointed out by Man Chong. Instead, he said that the three should discuss and decide. If it were ordinary generals, Man Chong would surely choose a leader for them. But these three were not ordinary people. They were either favored by the emperor or children of noble families, and it was time to test their mettle.
Jiang Wei, Cao Shuang, and Cao Zhao indeed had a good discussion.
Cao Shuang was always careful and conservative. After being exposed to the northern frontier for more than three years, the sandstorms had added a touch of decisiveness to his gentle nature. Cao Zhao was generous and had a sense of proportion, and as the eldest among the three, he had a sense of being the big brother.
The excellence of Jiang Wei does not need to be said. When three people with such outstanding qualities gather together for the same goal, how can there be even a hint of discord? Even during their days of collaboration and rapid advance, the three developed a sense of mutual admiration.
Last night during the military meeting, when the topic of collecting horses came up, Cao Zhao took a step back proactively and took on the responsibility of being in the rear guard. Today, faced with an almost certain victory, Jiang Wei also volunteered to let Cao Shuang lead the offensive.
In Jiang Wei's logic, whether it's him or Cao Shuang who leads the attack is of no importance, as there is no qualitative difference between them. However, Ke Biaosen is a clear achievement, and how can he compete with Cao Shuang for it? It would be better to let him take it and earn him a favor.
How can my service as a Caiji and the favor of the Emperor ever match against someone whose father is the Grand General of Wei?
Cao Shuang accepted the task without hesitation, eager to fulfill his duty. In his mind, however, he was not concerned with gaining credit but rather with capturing Ke Bing Neng himself. Three years ago, in Yanmen Prefecture during Taiping years, it was Ke Bing Neng's raid that made him continuously travel to send messages. Two and a half months ago, Ke Bing Neng had again been by his side as they circumvented Liaohe River and rushed to Xiangping together.
How dare he?
Ultimately, Cao Shuang's anger that had been building up inside him for days has reached a point where he cannot bear it any longer.
The grassland between the two low mountains is about 100 meters wide and is thick with tangled weeds that reach up to the knees of people. While infantry might find it a bit awkward to charge through, it's an ideal battlefield for cavalry.
He Lian spurred his horse back to the Xianbei ranks, merely shaking his head in frustration, conveying to Ke Bing Neng the answer given by the Wei army on the other side.
Since there is no other choice, let's fight!
After three days of continuous retreat, Ke Bing Neng had run out of patience and willpower. It was unclear who would emerge victorious.
In September, the sky over Youzhou was crystal blue. Two army formations, separated by a distance of over half a mile, accelerated forward almost simultaneously.
Four hundred steps, three hundred fifty steps, three hundred steps...
Two heavy horse hoof beats, accompanied by the whispering sound of the wind through the thickets on both sides, drew closer gradually.
Compared to the Wei army, the Xianbei light cavalry was obviously the more tense side.
As the cavalry approached within a hundred steps, a young-looking Xianbi rider, unable to bear the pressure any longer, slipped his fingers from the bowstring he was holding with his right hand, and an arrow shot through the air towards the Wei army.
With this arrow as the starting point, the Xianbei people in the surrounding area, anxious and eager to catch up, began to shoot arrows one after another. However, for the cavalrymen, this distance was indeed too far for their bows. The range of their bows did not allow them to reach the Wei army's front line.
It was too early to shoot; they should have waited until fifty steps.
Ke Bing Neng could only helplessly watch as the situation unfolded. With the cavalry formation advancing so close to the Wei army, it was impossible to give orders on the spot. He had no choice but to bite the bullet, lift his right hand and wave his sword, and emit a sharp whistle to rally the morale of his cavalrymen under him.
Thirty steps, twenty steps, ten steps, they were getting closer and closer. Jiang Wei's eyes were calmly fixed on the opposite side, almost able to see the fearful expressions on the faces of the Xianbei cavalrymen.
Jiang Wei on the left and Cao Shuang on the right, two columns of cavalry like two pointed spikes, plunged straight into the Xianbei military formation. The sound of swords clashing, horses neighing, and shouts of battle startled birds within a few miles in all directions.
The long spear in his hand swept across a Xianbi cavalryman's neck, spurring up a crimson blood trail instantly. With his legs controlling the horse, Jiang Wei pulled back the spear with his left hand with force, and then used the speed of the horse to stab another Xianbi cavalryman in the chest and abdomen. The sharp tip pierced through the armor, easily broke open the intestines, and got stuck between the bones as the Xianbi cavalryman fell from his horse.
Jiang Wei and Cao Shuang both loved using spears, while most of the Wei army's cavalry used one-meter-long wooden handles with iron spears.
After Jiang Wei abandoned his lance, he reached for a short spear from the side of his horse.
A sword accompanied by the owner's Swahili shouts came down fiercely towards Jiang Wei's right shoulder. Jiang Wei swung his spear shaft to deflect it, then drove the spear tip across the neck of this middle-aged Xianbi cavalryman. Just as he pulled back, he threw the short spear forward, impaling it in someone's face not far away. Only then did he draw out the broadsword from the scabbard on the saddle side.
While Jiang Wei fought bravely, Cao Shuang on the other side was more cautious. He stood in the center of the formation and did not personally engage in combat, but instead charged straight towards the direction of Ke Bing Neng's banner.
This is how cavalry combat works. The speed of the battle can only be as fast as the horse's speed, and it will never be as crowded on the front line as infantry battles. The more courageous and well-trained side will gain a comprehensive advantage more quickly.
When Jiang Wei and Cao Shuang, on one side, and Ke Bing Neng across from them, respectively decided to charge head-on, this outcome was almost predetermined.
As soon as the two armies clashed, the outcome was immediately clear.
The Xianbei, who couldn't even charge ahead, had their low morale shatter almost instantly as the formation could no longer hold. The babble of what sounded like Swahili followed, and the formation instantly exploded into chaos.
Ke Bing Neng's flag was also knocked over and thrown away by his bodyguards during this real escape. At such a time of desperate flight, even the most loyal bodyguards would not hesitate to discard such a burden.
Cao Shuang, protected by his bodyguards, did not engage in combat but kept staring at the direction of Ke Bing Neng's banner. As soon as he noticed something was wrong, he almost instantly raised his spear and pointed forward:
"It's time to earn our glory! Follow me and charge!"
Without sparing the speed of his horse or worrying about danger, he instantly increased his pace and charged to the forefront of the formation. The cavalrymen in the center army all knew that their commander, Cao Xiaoyu, was the son of the grand general. How could they dare to leave him in peril?
So everyone rode forward eagerly.
In a rapid pursuit, the speed of the horse was crucial. Ke Bing Neng discarded his iron helmet on his head and threw away all the scattered items hanging on the side of his horse as he rushed. However, this trick would not buy him much time.
After chasing for over three miles, the number of guards around Ke Bing Neng was dwindling.
When only about ten steps away from Ke Bing Neng, Cao Shuang picked up a deep-colored bow with gold filigree on the bowshaft, raised it to his shoulder, and after a few seconds of aiming, let loose an arrow that struck Ke Bing Neng's warhorse on its right hind leg.
The horse let out a shriek and collapsed, taking Ke Bing Neng down with it. The horse's body pressed onto Ke Bing Neng's leg, thrashing and twitching uneasily. It took Ke Bing Neng a lot of effort to pull his leg out from under the horse. He then instinctively tried to get up and run forward, but Cao Shuang fired another arrow, grazing his cheek and embedding itself in the sandy ground ahead.
Ke Bing Neng finally stopped and, as if accepting his destiny, turned his head slowly to look back at Cao Shuang, who was looking down at him from above.
Without Cao Shuang's order, over a dozen of the dozens of cavalrymen surrounding him charged out from the ranks beside him. The rest of the cavalrymen, under the command of Qu Chang, turned their direction and formed a new formation facing the battlefield they had just left, ready to follow orders and charge back at any moment.
"It's Commander Cao, then I'm not at fault for my defeat."
Ke Bing Neng laughed in self-mockery and sat down on the ground with a thud: "The Wei Dynasty wants to control the whole world, relying on the wisdom of today's emperor. It is inevitable that they will try it. However, Commander Cao, I have not read the histories of the Han people, but I have heard a few things. The first emperor of Qin, as well as the Wu, Xuan, and Guangwu emperors of Han... in the vast grasslands where various tribes gather, there has never been a case where Han people have lived for long."
"I just don't understand. If you have appointed me as the Xianbei Khan, why can't you let me return to the grasslands? The grasslands are so vast, can you really hold onto them? Why not with me instead of letting it be advantageous for the Wufan and Huns?"
"How the emperor thinks, I, as his subject, cannot know. However, I can tell you that a Khan who is a subject of the Wei Dynasty should not carry his army and flee without orders. And along the way, he should not loot and kill the people and my soldiers." Cao Shuang sighed longingly while sitting on his horse and shook his head.
"There is one thing, perhaps the Khan does not know."
The light in Ke Bing Neng's eyes dimmed gradually, and he asked with a wry smile, "What is it?"
Cao Shuang said, "During the Taihe New Year, the Khan invaded Yanmen Pass. I was a soldier under Tian Gong. At that time, two of my friends who were well-acquainted with me in the army were killed by your troops."
Ke Bing Neng didn't want to listen to Cao Shuang's rambling anymore, so he said in a straightforward manner: "Come on, I just want to die quickly."
"Die quickly?" Cao Shuang shook his head and said, "Your life and death do not depend on you. You shall be sent to Luoyang to be tried by His Majesty..."
"General!" Several of Ke Bing Neng's surrounding soldiers exclaimed and tried to push Ke Bing Neng's arm with their spears.
But it was too late.
Before Cao Shuang could finish speaking, Ke Bing Neng drew out a gleaming small knife with a gem-set hilt from his waist and made a swift and accurate cut across his throat. A large amount of blood spurted out instantly.
Seeing this scene, Cao Shuang unconsciously swallowed.
As the son of the General, and having served in the frontier army for several years, Cao Shuang was well-versed in human affairs and political rules. The heavens have mercy, he had no intention of forcing Ke Bing Neng to his death. He only wanted to take him back to Luoyang and hand him over to the emperor for decision.
A rebel Khan is still a Khan!
"If Ke Bing Neng were killed in battle during the fight, it would be understandable. But now that he is surrounded and everyone can see him, it is not something a general of a thousand stone can arbitrarily kill. Moreover, the previous General Man Chong did not issue the order to kill Ke Bing Neng, and Man Chong does not have the authority to do so."
"General, this..." The bodyguard beside him was in a quandary and looked at Cao Shuang for guidance.
At this moment, a majestic eagle flew over their heads, screeching loudly and slicing through the sky, as if bidding farewell to Ke Bing Neng, the former Xianbei 'tyrant'.
Cao Shuang dismounted, clearing his throat and looking around the mounted soldiers around him:
"You all saw it too, the Xianbei Khan has made up his mind to die. He is committing suicide, not killed by us." Cao Shuang explained for a moment, and it seemed that he didn't think he needed to say so much to his subordinates. He said in a somewhat embarrassed manner:
"Take this man's body and tie it to the horse and bring it back." With that, he mounted the horse again and addressed someone on the side, "Zheng Qu Zhang, I'll return at a slower pace. You lead the troops to return to the battlefield for support."
"Following the order." (End of this chapter)
