Chapter 158

Chapter 158: Mounted Duel

Can a strategist not ascend the throne? Volume 5: The Han Divided, Battles in the West Chapter 158: Mounted Duel

Ma Chao, confident in his skills honed in Liangzhou, believed intercepting Qiao Yan mid-journey wouldn’t be difficult. A victory would grant them leverage in Longxi Commandery; even a loss would secure him a dignified defeat.

Han Sui to the north was untrustworthy. As Ma Teng had noted, Han Sui had a history of betrayal. Bian Zhang, who had joined the Liangzhou rebels with Han Sui and changed his name alongside him, became a casualty in their power struggle. Thus, while cooperation with Han Sui was possible when their strengths were comparable and they shared a common enemy, relying on him in desperate times was unwise.

Given Bingzhou’s governor’s determination to eliminate threats in Liangzhou and the deployment of terrifying heavy crossbows, allowing their forces to reach the city walls would spell disaster. Defecting to Han Sui was less appealing than switching sides.

Despite his youth, Ma Chao was ambitious. Qiao Yan, ennobled at eleven and appointed governor at fourteen, had been unstoppable in her campaign against the Qiang people. She had executed Pang De without hesitation. Even if he and his father surrendered in time, what status would they gain? At the very least, he aimed to secure a prominent position under Bingzhou’s governor to honor his father—no, his own capabilities!

Ma Teng, aware of his son’s martial prowess, hesitated but ultimately agreed to his plan. If Ma Chao failed, it could be framed as his personal defiance against Qiao Yan, a rash act of insubordination. Observers might note the fragile nature of their father-son bond.

Publicly, Ma Teng personally equipped Ma Chao for the mission, advising, “If the situation turns dire, retreat and preserve your life.”

Ma Chao led his troops into the mountains after scouting Qiao Yan’s movements. The terrain in Liangzhou and Bingzhou was similar, with rivers often flowing between mountains. However, Liangzhou’s summer temperatures were significantly cooler, barely reaching ten degrees Celsius, and even lower in the current season.

Ma Chao’s ambush site was near the Gannan Mountains, over a thousand meters above sea level, where snow-capped peaks were visible. This area, the source of the Tao River, was not under Han control, inhabited by fierce Qiang tribes like the Canlang and Baima Qiang, who raided Wudu and Longxi when conditions were poor.

Ma Chao’s frequent skirmishes with the Qiang had honed his skills, making him confident in his abilities. He questioned whether Bingzhou’s forces, though formidable, had experience in such harsh environments.

As he advanced through the mountain paths, his superior Liangzhou horses navigated the terrain effortlessly. A scout reported that Qiao Yan’s forces had passed Longsang City, prompting Ma Chao to prepare for action.

Longsang City, devoid of troops, might mislead Bingzhou’s forces into thinking they had abandoned their defenses and fled to Jincheng Commandery, providing Ma Chao an opportunity to strike.

He led his men higher into the mountains to avoid detection. The cold air felt like frost underfoot, but their armor kept them warm. The prospect of facing Bingzhou’s forces, rather than the Qiang with their crude weapons, ignited Ma Chao’s fighting spirit.

After selecting an ambush site, Ma Chao dismounted to ensure their concealment. Satisfied, he returned to his position, confident in their ability to launch a swift downhill charge.

Two hours later, Bingzhou’s forces finally appeared. Ma Chao, impatient, noted their slow pace but refrained from comment, aware that their mixed forces of cavalry and infantry moved at different speeds.

From his vantage point, Ma Chao spotted a striking red horse amidst the black-clad troops. Recognizing it as a top-tier steed, he concluded its rider must be Bingzhou’s governor, Qiao Yan.

Determined to make an impression, Ma Chao aimed to confront the most powerful figure. His logic was sound: just as he and his father rode the best horses, Qiao Yan would naturally ride the finest.

A soldier beside him noted the rider’s imposing stature, but Ma Chao dismissed it, attributing Qiao Yan’s height and strength to her early achievements and reputation for ruthlessness.

As the “Qiao Yan” approached, Ma Chao signaled his men to prepare. Archers would rain arrows to create chaos, while cavalry would charge. Unbeknownst to him, Bingzhou’s forces, equipped with telescopes, had already detected his movements.

Qiao Yan’s troops, far from unprepared, had formed defensive lines with shield soldiers and heavy infantry led by Dian Wei and cavalry by Lü Bu, ready to counterattack.

However, Qiao Yan had not anticipated one thing: Lü Bu was already in position.








At Qiao Yan’s command, Bei launched an attack. Surprisingly, the enemy on the opposite side charged down the mountain first.

The target they chose was none other than Lü Bu!

The young general in silver armor and wielding a silver spear looked exceptionally outstanding. As arrows rained down from above, his galloping figure appeared even more spirited.

Even though the first wave of arrows didn’t achieve the desired effect, as many were blocked by shields and armor, and the enemy formation remained largely intact, his grip on the long spear remained astonishingly steady. Together with the cavalry following behind, they formed a sharp arrowhead aimed at breaking through the enemy formation.

However, this couldn’t change one fact: he had seriously chosen the wrong opponent.

“What was he thinking?” Qiao Yan couldn’t help but rub her forehead as she asked Xun You beside her.

Based on the intelligence they had gathered from the surrendered generals under Ma Teng in Zhang County, Xun You agreed with Qiao Yan’s assessment of these two individuals—they were unlikely to hold their ground in the city.

Even if it wasn’t because Ma Chao had recently gained confidence by defeating the Qiang raiders and seizing a batch of warhorses, Ma Teng, who had risen from the ranks of the Liangzhou rebels, wouldn’t just sit back and wait for death.

Moreover, the closer they got to Lintao, the higher the likelihood of being attacked by the enemy!

Thus, this elongated formation along the river valley, though seemingly easy to scatter, was actually not.

Qiao Yan wasn’t just guarding against arrows from the mountains; she was also wary of the Liangzhou cavalry, especially the Qiang cavalry.

Duan Jiong had provided an answer on how to deal with Liangzhou cavalry, particularly the Qiang cavalry: shields and spears in front, crossbows behind, using spears to block horses and high-angle shots to inflict damage on the cavalry. This was the most suitable defensive formation.

The current formation marching along the Tao River was exactly in this state.

Qiao Yan had even considered her own safety.

The elongation of the marching formation would inevitably weaken the protective forces around her. If it weren’t for her own high martial prowess, she wouldn’t have dared to venture so recklessly into the heart of Liangzhou, Longxi County.

If Ma Chao really intended to ambush them halfway, she would have to be a bit more cautious.

For this reason, she even armored her own horse, Zhu Tan, and fully equipped herself from head to toe.

Xun You was also tightly protected by her side, just in case of any unforeseen events.

But Ma Chao was quite interesting…

He went straight for Lü Bu, the most skilled warrior in their ranks!

Xun You calmly replied, “He might be afraid of causing any casualties to your forces and offending you deeply.”

“…” Qiao Yan couldn’t help but suspect that Xun You’s teasing was influenced by the atmosphere in Leping.

But since the one being teased was their opponent, there was no need for sympathy.

This was Lü Bu in his prime!

In terms of fighting spirit, Lü Bu was not lacking.

During the siege of Gaoping City, even though he had already charged ahead, he still didn’t feel satisfied. He was quite frustrated that the battle at Ayang was handed over to the Qiang people, and the battle at Zhang County ended without bloodshed.

He could only wait to make some contribution when capturing Ma Teng and Han Sui.

Fortunately, once the rear of Liangzhou was pacified, they could proceed to attack Chang’an.

The previous battle at Luoyang, where Dong Zhuo escaped, had left Lü Bu deeply regretful, and he was still holding onto that frustration.

In terms of equipment, there was even less to say.

Lü Bu’s full set of chain mail, including the helmet to prevent stray arrows, had been reforged before this expedition to Liangzhou.

Even his Fangtian Huaji had been resharpened.

Moreover, because he had killed the leader of the Zhong Qiang at Gaoping City, Qiao Yan had specially allowed him to ride Red Hare for now.

As for the latter, Lü Bu was extremely proud.

So while Qiao Yan’s horse, Zhu Tan, was armored to protect against stray arrows from the mountains, Lü Bu was flaunting himself, as if afraid no one would notice him.

According to him, even if there were stray arrows, he would deflect them with his weapon first.

Now that Ma Chao had chosen him as his target, it was like running into the hardest wall.

Ma Chao wasn’t entirely foolish. When he charged straight at Lü Bu and encountered the Fangtian Huaji slicing through the rain of arrows, he quickly realized he had chosen the wrong person.

The arguments he had used to persuade his subordinates were clearly full of holes in this direct confrontation.

But realizing this now was a bit too late.

Lü Bu, riding Red Hare, lived up to his reputation as the greatest warrior of the time.

Ma Chao’s spear thrust was blocked by Lü Bu’s raised halberd, the spear tip cleverly caught on the halberd’s small branch.

The brute strength of this Bingzhou tiger general, combined with his twisting of the halberd, almost caused Ma Chao to lose his grip on his spear.

Ma Chao quickly stabilized his stance, gripping the spear tightly and switching from a thrust to an upward slash, trying to regain some initiative.

But Lü Bu, though not skilled in military strategy, had an extraordinary talent in close combat.

Seeing Qiao Yan’s signal to capture rather than kill, the aggressive Fangtian Huaji immediately shifted to a more restraining style.

This change in halberd technique was entirely based on his superior skill over Ma Chao.

When Ma Chao attacked, Lü Bu countered with heavy strikes.

When Ma Chao tried to retreat, Lü Bu used grappling techniques to hold him back!

In the midst of their horses constantly shifting positions and their weapons clashing in a dazzling display, Lü Bu’s face remained calm, always maintaining the upper hand.

However, as his opponent, Ma Chao’s forehead was already beaded with sweat.

Fortunately, his adaptability in battle wasn’t slow.

An ordinary person would have had their weapon knocked away countless times under Lü Bu’s relentless assault, but this young man, relying on sheer willpower, tightly gripped his spear, trying to find an opportunity to counterattack. Even Qiao Yan had to applaud his performance.

A warrior’s strength heavily relies on talent and condition.

Ma Chao wasn’t lacking in talent, only time.

He could see the gap between himself and his opponent, secretly cursing why no idle painter had clearly depicted Qiao Yan and her subordinates, spreading their images throughout Liangzhou.

He also saw another fact—

With Lü Bu, the tiger general, blocking the way and the Bingzhou army quickly forming an encirclement, there was no way for him to retreat back to Lintao City!

If he wanted to escape safely back to Lintao City without being killed on the spot or captured in the most humiliating manner, there was only one path left.

A look of determination flashed in his eyes.

Qiao Yan, who also used a spear, could see the potential Ma Chao unleashed in this critical moment.

In his desperate exchanges with Lü Bu, the silver spear almost left afterimages with its rapid thrusts. Taking advantage of this brief respite gained through aggressive attacks, Ma Chao suddenly spurred his horse diagonally, charging towards the Tao River in an attempt to escape.

This was the only place left with any hope for him.

Into the water!

Fortunately, his spear and halberd exchanges with Lü Bu, combined with Qiao Yan’s order to capture alive, meant he didn’t have to face a barrage of arrows while struggling against the tiger general.

He raised his spear, thrusting it back at the pursuing Lü Bu.

But this was less of a thrust and more of a fling.

The sweeping spear attack, almost losing grip, was meant to momentarily block Lü Bu.

At almost the same time, Ma Chao drew a dagger from his waist with his left hand and stabbed it into his horse’s flank, causing it to bolt into the deeper waters in panic.

But Lü Bu, with his keen combat instincts, saw through Ma Chao’s plan.

Red Hare, being a fierce horse, wouldn’t allow any horse to outrun it.

Ma Chao’s spear suddenly missed its mark, and before he could leap into the water ahead, a sudden heavy blow struck him, sending him crashing back towards the shore.

He did enter the water, but it was more like being thrown into it.

With the Fangtian Huaji at his neck, soldiers on the shore quickly bound him with ropes.

It was over.

Ma Chao sighed inwardly.

With Lü Bu on Red Hare in front and the freshly fished-out Ma Chao behind, they approached Qiao Yan, stopping before her.

Lü Bu, though arrogant in battle, didn’t dare to be disrespectful to Qiao Yan. He dismounted and bowed, signaling the completion of his task.

“Fengxian and Red Hare truly complement each other,” Qiao Yan praised. “Don’t let anyone else kill that old traitor Dong Zhuo before you.”

The implication in her words delighted Lü Bu, who loudly replied, “My lord, rest assured, Bu will never give anyone else that opportunity.”

“…” Ma Chao, watching this conversation that had nothing to do with him, couldn’t help but question his own presence.

The once mighty tiger general, now acting like a hunting dog before the Governor of Bingzhou, made him realize he couldn’t mistake her identity again.

But how could the world be so insulting!

Capturing him, Ma Chao, only to discuss Dong Zhuo—what was that about?

Fortunately, Qiao Yan’s gaze soon shifted from Lü Bu to him.

Though, perhaps it was more accurate to say it landed on his face.

To Qiao Yan, it was indeed a face worthy of the title “Jin Ma Chao” (Handsome Ma Chao).

On this not yet fully matured youthful face, the characteristics of both Han and Qiang ethnicities were blended, with sharp features and a touch of delicate beauty.

Unfortunately, having just been fished out of the Tao River, his wet hair clung to his face, and combined with his stubborn, unwilling-to-surrender expression after being thoroughly beaten, he looked utterly ridiculous.

Qiao Yan didn’t hold back her laughter. “The way the son of the former general welcomes me is truly unique.”

Ma Chao’s face stiffened.

The Governor of Bingzhou’s calm tone, combined with the confident words he had previously spoken to his followers, made him feel like fainting on the spot.

But Qiao Yan had no interest in comforting Ma Chao at this moment. She then smiled and said, “I originally thought this barren and harsh land of Liangzhou wouldn’t offer a welcoming gift for that Liangzhou rebel. But now—”

“This gift has delivered itself right to me!”