Chapter 332

Chapter 332: The Night Raid at Yishui

The strategist cannot ascend the throne? Volume 10: The World in Chaos, The Time of the Deer Hunt Chapter 332: The Night Raid at Yishui

The dispatch of this order should not have been this fast!

Xin Pi was not casually boasting about Lü Bu’s actions.

When he himself was in the military camp, it was not difficult to see some subtle details in the army’s encampment.

When the training of new recruits occupied most of the camp, the offensive nature was actually much weaker than the defensive nature.

In other words, the possibility of Qiao Yan’s side attacking Ji Province this year was very low.

However, out of a rigorous attitude, Xin Pi did not inform Gao Lan and Ju Shou, who were in Hejian Commandery, about this speculation. He only mixed in a few details about the new recruits while promoting Lü Bu, leaving it to Ju Shou to make a second judgment.

In Xin Pi’s view, even if the effort to boost Lü Bu’s reputation did not succeed, at most it would only waste a bit of manpower. Gaining the favor of the wealthy families in Zhuo County was already an unexpected gain for him. However, given Lü Bu’s temperament, the hidden troubles behind him were clearly much greater than his gains.

But how could he have imagined that the time it took to send the message from Youzhou back to Bingzhou was much shorter than he expected? It was because of the pigeon relay stations, and Qiao Yan’s reply, delivered at breakneck speed from Taiyuan Commandery, took only three days.

This battle order not only made Sima Yi clench his fists in excitement but also served as a great signal for Lü Bu to unleash the beast.

“You really have some skills,” Lü Bu said, patting Sima Yi on the shoulder after Sima Yi handed the letter back to Xun You.

“General Lü, it’s not yet time for you to be complacent. The opponent is Ju Shou, who has been involved in quelling the remnants of the Yellow Turbans and various uprisings in Ji and Bing Provinces. He is also skilled in strategy, not on the same level as the Xianbei you’ve fought before,” Sima Yi sighed, worried that Lü Bu might fall for the enemy’s flattery.

Lü Bu shook his head, “You underestimate me. I praised you because I get to lead the first attack into Ji Province, not because the victory is already in hand.”

He raised his chin, “If I mess up this battle due to carelessness, not only would I be unworthy of the title of Tiger Tooth General given by the Marquis, but I would also become a laughingstock for Ling Ju.”

He wasn’t that stupid.

Years of exposure had taught him to weigh his options while maintaining his true nature.

Sima Yi had nothing more to say.

Although the idea of Lü Bu analyzing the situation sounded somewhat unreal, it was still better than him charging in recklessly with his weapon.

The only problem was… wait! That title of Tiger Tooth General was conferred by the court, how did it become something given by the Grand Marshal?!

Just as Sima Yi thought of this, Tian Feng’s words forced him to shift his attention back.

“Ju Shou and others are stationed in Gaoyang, closest to the Baiyangdian Lake area. This is due to the unknown capabilities of General Gan and the achievements in the Liaodong campaign across the sea.”

“Since the Marquis has approved General Lü to lead the attack, we should use the reputation built here to launch a momentum battle. We should take the Fanyu Pavilion route and make a surprise attack on Gaoyang.”

Tian Feng paused, then added, “I know Ju Shou’s temperament. For someone like him, any feint at Baiyangdian might alert him. It’s better to strike directly. Since this is a cavalry speed attack to take advantage of the east wind, we don’t need to consider攻城. Just attack another camp north of Gaoyang and return after success.”

“Additionally, have the new recruits run at night. When General Lü returns from the raid, meet them halfway and see if there are any suspicious individuals.”

Sima Yi glanced at Tian Feng. Although he already knew Tian Feng’s identity, the quick shift in stance after being exposed was impressive, showcasing his mental fortitude.

Especially the last part, which was to make the new recruits from Zhuo County firmly believe in Lü Bu’s ability to kill enemies in an instant and to root out any spies.

But it made sense. If the spies reported Tian Feng’s presence and his strategizing to Ye City, his family would be in danger.

Having decided his stance, it was better to take a proactive position rather than wait for Qiao Yan to rescue him.

Seeing Xun You also approve the order, Lü Bu immediately took action.

“This General Lü is really…” Tian Feng shook his head with a smile as he watched Lü Bu’s retreating figure.

Xun You said, “I noticed he said a few words to you before leaving. Was there something inappropriate?”

“Not inappropriate,” Tian Feng replied, “He asked me if Chen Yuanfang, the Grand Herald, was really so capable as to turn someone who was just going to Bingzhou for work into a military advisor here. If so, he would visit him in Chang’an and ask if he could take on another disciple.”

How could Tian Feng respond to that?

Only Zhang Liao and the two who discussed defense and attack strategies with him knew his true identity. Lü Bu, who liked to talk nonsense, was definitely not informed, so he still thought that Yuanfeng had transitioned from an envoy with a conferred title to a military advisor. From that perspective, it made sense to think Chen Ji was capable.

“Just now, I thought General Lü, though somewhat reckless, was still rough with some finesse. Now, I think it’s the Grand Marshal’s skill to manage such a subordinate.”

What would such a person be like under Yuan Shao’s command?

Tian Feng found it hard to come to a conclusion at the moment.

But probably, whether it was due to not providing an environment for him to fully develop his martial prowess or becoming suspicious and reprimanded after achieving great feats, it wouldn’t be like Lü Bu’s current situation.

He didn’t say more, only turning to Sima Yi, “Neither Gongda nor I are suitable to observe and judge the spies among the new recruits. Please trouble Zhongda to take care of it.”

Tian Feng’s identity was different, and Xun You, as the chief strategist of this route, was not suitable to participate in the new recruits’ training. Thus, Sima Yi was the most suitable.

“…Join the night run?” Sima Yi instinctively asked.

But as soon as he spoke, he saw Xun You and Tian Feng exchange a smile, realizing he had brought up an exceptionally foolish topic.

He was going to supervise, not suffer alongside the spies.

He quickly clasped his hands, “I’ll prepare some men, we’ll go on horseback.”

Find a few with sharp eyes!

He had to dig out a few more suspicious individuals from these new recruits to cover up his earlier performance!

Unaware of Sima Yi’s calculations, Xin Pi suddenly felt a chill down his spine and sneezed.

At that moment, someone burst into the tent, “Everyone, prepare your outer clothes and water rations, tonight’s training is a night run.”

Before Xin Pi could ask, the soldier responsible for the announcement had already run to the next tent.

Xin Pi frowned.

For some reason, when this news came out, he suddenly felt a sense of foreboding.

Night run training? Why suddenly have a night run training?

Most of these new recruits did have above-average physical fitness, and it was unlikely they had night blindness, but regular training didn’t need such antics.

At this moment, when Lü Bu’s reputation had just been built up, it all seemed a bit微妙.

“Send someone to ask… no, don’t ask yet.” Xin Pi cut himself off mid-sentence.

When everyone thought General Lü was a heaven-sent fierce general, having someone question the order sounded like doubting his decision, and his identity might be exposed.

Perhaps they were just trying to use this method to root out the spies among them.

At the forefront, he had to keep a low profile.

So Xin Pi, like the other new recruits, packed his belongings and stood in line at the camp gate before nightfall.

But when the camp gate opened and they were about to set off, Xin Pi regretted not asking earlier.

As the new recruits jogged out, the first to leave the camp were Lü Bu’s cavalry.

This imposing cavalry had once chased Gongsun Zan’s fleeing soldiers across the plains of Youzhou, and now they swept south with the same ferocity.

South to Ji Province!

Xin Pi’s face darkened.

If it weren’t for the helmet covering part of his face, if it weren’t for the dimming light of the falling night, and if it weren’t for the thunderous sound of hooves drawing everyone’s attention to Lü Bu and his men, his sudden change in expression would have been noticed!

But he couldn’t help it.

Lü Bu leading his troops in such a fierce attack couldn’t just be a night run within Zhuo County or along the border. It was clearly an attack on Ji Province!

Even if the number of troops wasn’t enough to capture cities, a single victory would solidify the promise that Bingzhou’s troops could defend Youzhou and throw Ji Province’s well-prepared defenses into chaos.

Damn it, how did his flattery or sowing discord lead to such a consequence?

But realizing this arrangement now was already too late for Xin Pi.

Near their camp, there were people from Yuan Shao’s side to coordinate with his actions. If he had leaked the information earlier, even if the cavalry might be discovered, there was still a chance to send the message south of the Juma River.

Now it was too late! Far too late!

Lü Bu’s troops, equipped with Ferghana horses or hybrids bred with Bingzhou’s fine horses, had a significant advantage in speed over Ji Province’s horses.

In such a lightning-fast raid, the only hope Xin Pi had was that Ju Shou would realize Qiao Yan’s side might launch a swift attack to establish a momentum advantage and effectively intercept Lü Bu.

Could Ju Shou do it? And could Gao Lan, who cooperated with Ju Shou, do it?

Xin Pi thought vaguely as he ran out of the camp with the new recruits.

“Watch your step,” someone reminded him, “Didn’t you take a nap after the night run order was given?”

Xin Pi couldn’t say he was too busy analyzing the deeper meaning of the move to prepare, so he replied, “I was just thinking, when will we be able to gallop across the battlefield like General Lü, charging on horseback.”

Hearing Xin Pi’s words, those around him nodded in agreement.

Yes, Lü Bu’s earlier arrow shot without a stone was impressive, making one marvel at his archery skills, imagining him taking heads from two hundred paces away, but this cavalry charge truly showcased the might and heroism of a general commanding troops!

When would they, newly under the Tiger Tooth General’s command, have such an opportunity?

Even if it was just following behind on the warhorses used by Youzhou’s cavalry, it would be better than just running along, right?

But those targeted by Lü Bu’s raid probably wouldn’t have such envy for warhorses.

Ju Shou and Gao Lan’s troops stationed inside and outside the city, supporting each other and monitoring the enemy’s movements along the river, were different from the Xianbei who were silently raided by Qiao Yan in their lair.





However, when the cavalry led by Lü Bu startled the sentinels near Fanyu Pavilion with the sound of their horseshoes, before the other side could send a signal to alert the nearby cavalry, his subtle movements were detected by the cavalry with exceptional dynamic vision.

Regardless of whether it was prey or a person, the cavalry beside Lü Bu drew their bows and shot an arrow without hesitation.

The waterways near Fanyu Pavilion, almost dried up in this year’s drought, left only the main branch of the Juma River. Thus, in this autumn night, the continuous crossing of the river by horses turned into leaping over dry ditches, with only the sound of iron hooves colliding with the “water surface” as the autumn frost on the ground shattered.

This small episode did not delay Lü Bu’s march at all.

His target was still beyond the second barrier, and it was not yet time for them to rest.

That barrier was called the Yi River!

The noise made by the cavalry with horseshoes upon arrival was enough to be heard by Gao Lan’s camp across the Yi River.

Ju Shou had already assisted him in establishing a complete camp defense system here, allowing him to immediately light a fire at the high point of the camp upon sensing the sudden change at night, sending an alarm to the distant Gaoyang City, and quickly gathering the soldiers in the camp to form a team to block the enemy’s attack.

But they were already a step behind.

To push the front line completely to the Juma River, even deep into Youzhou territory, to ensure the safety of Ji Province, a bridge had been built over the Yi River several days ago.

The Yi River was not like the Yellow River or Huai River; this bridge was not a pontoon bridge!

Gao Lan’s failure to destroy the bridge in time was his first mistake.

In Lü Bu’s charge across the river, the bridgehead defenders he thought would hold the line were unable to stop him. Instead, Lü Bu, under the flying arrows, rushed to the bridgehead, and with a cold arc of the Fangtian Huaji under the moonlight, he cut down the leading archer.

Before the stubborn belief of raiding the enemy camp, Lü Bu did not spare a glance for his subordinate who was hit by a crossbow and fell into the river. Instead, he briefly looked at the distant Gaoyang City wall and then led his soldiers towards the distant military camp.

The rear cavalry had already received Xun You’s instructions before departure and were now spontaneously dismantling the bridgehead fortress and guarding the retreat route.

Lü Bu, along with his other subordinates, with their increasingly high fighting spirit from the long march, directly crashed into Gao Lan’s camp.

His goal was only one—to break through the camp in front of him!

And then return to the camp north of the Juma River with the enemy’s fear of him!

Lü Bu could clearly feel that in this midnight charge, Red Hare was more excited and restless than usual, as if even the mount knew that this was a unique achievement for him.

“Good buddy, let’s go!”

Let the Marquis see that her permission to go to war was another correct decision she made.

And let these Ji Province kids see that even if they imitated the Grand Marshal in improving long-range weapons like crossbows and used them in these camp defenses, they had never truly seen their strength!

And this is the true skill of the Bingzhou Army!

Gao Lan, who had just put on his armor, had no time to feel dissatisfied with the failure at the bridgehead before Lü Bu and his troops, like a sharp blade, plunged into his camp.

The signal fire lit at the high point seemed to have become a directional marker for him at this moment, amidst the chaos of people and horses falling, the sound of seemingly crushing the ground rushed towards his direction.

The pre-dug trenches and traps, the horse tripping ropes crisscrossing the ground, seemed like nothing in front of this team that could gallop at any moment.

No, it couldn’t be said to be nothing.

More than ten cavalrymen were pulled off their horses by the tripping ropes, but they pounced on the enemy like hungry wolves the moment they hit the ground.

This fierce killing intent made people shudder when they drew their backup blades, even though they were just a step away from the long halberds in front.

Lü Bu’s Red Hare never stopped.

The fighting and inevitable losses in the rear only made him and his elite troops show a more desperate attitude.

While tightening their horse’s belly and killing with the halberd, each of them held the repeating crossbow placed on the horse.

Repeating crossbows were very few in the team because no one could guarantee whether the loss of this item would allow the enemy to crack its secrets early.

This was only used to break the situation when they couldn’t break through the encirclement or were very close to the enemy commander.

Lü Bu strictly followed this rule.

Thus, when shield soldiers appeared in front of him and the fully armed Gao Lan appeared vaguely behind, in Gao Lan’s eyes, this fierce Bingzhou tiger general made a move to raise his halberd high.

Gao Lan thought this was Lü Bu signaling his direction to the scattered cavalry behind, but he never expected that this was the signal to officially open fire after his reckless charge to this place!

Before the elite soldiers and horses collided with the shields in front, these black-armored cavalry suddenly raised their crossbows, as if they had practiced countless times, the front row of cavalry split like flowing water to both sides, and the next moment, the sound of crossbow firing burst out, aiming at the gaps between the shields.

The archers behind the shields, already embarrassed by their inability to shoot through the chain mail of the cavalry, were suddenly hit by such a storm of attacks.

And not just one crossbow bolt!

Each bolt, after killing the shield soldiers and the spearmen behind, maintained a rapid-fire state and launched a deadly strike at the archers in the next row.

The chaos and casualties in the rear, especially the archers stopping, gave Lü Bu’s rear cavalry, who had been suppressed by the arrow rain, a moment of relief. These Bingzhou troops, accustomed to seizing opportunities to charge in, gave the enemy no chance to reorganize.

At the same time, Lü Bu, with his superb horsemanship, led the way and split the gaps in the shields ahead.

Such a tiger general might not be suitable as a main commander because he was too prone to getting carried away in the attack, but he was definitely suitable to be the vanguard in such a camp-breaking action.

An arrow that flew past him, directly shooting down his close guard, did not make his eyes flinch, only his clenched teeth showed that his mood was not as calm as he appeared.

Red Hare’s red shadow under the moonlight rushed out, directly pouncing towards Gao Lan’s direction.

By the time Ju Shou quickly brought troops to the scene, Lü Bu had already crossed the Yi River and left.

A fire was burning on the bridge over the Yi River.

The fierceness of the fire clearly showed that oil had been poured on the bridge to burn it!

The blazing flames completely blocked the view of the departing group from the people on the south bank of the Yi River.

Ju Shou looked towards his own camp, seeing the chaos caused by the raid, his stern expression immediately replaced the shock, and he shouted, “Where is General Gao?”

If Gao Lan was still here, even with many wounded in the camp, he should not have allowed the place to be in such a state!

What a mess!

“General Gao… General Gao…” the soldier named by Ju Shou stammered.

“Is he dead?” Ju Shou asked.

“No, the raiding Lü Bu had already rushed to General Gao’s front to kill him, but for some reason suddenly stopped, changed to hitting General Gao with a halberd to knock him out, and then took him away!”

Took him away?

Ju Shou’s eyebrows moved.

In such a shocking raid, to only take the enemy general away instead of killing him when possible, was indeed beyond comprehension.

Unless this captured general had some other use for them here.

But Lü Bu didn’t know about this use.

Thinking that it was because of this person’s effective defense that his raid, which should have directly broken through, still caused many casualties, he wished he could smash the other’s head open.

But just before he set out, Xun You repeatedly told him that if there was a chance, he must bring the enemy general back, and the Marquis would surely reward everyone heavily, and their military achievements would be recorded higher. Asking Sima Yi, he said the same, so Lü Bu decided to trust them again.

At the moment when the Fangtian Huaji was about to cut Gao Lan in half, he suddenly turned the halberd and smashed it towards his helmeted head.

Under the protection of the helmet, he wasn’t directly killed, but was knocked unconscious, and then thrown on the horse by Lü Bu and taken away.

At dawn, this raiding team encountered the night-running soldiers who had not yet stopped.

With their physical strength, running to this point was already at the end of their rope, but when they heard the sound of horseshoes, wanting to leave a good impression in front of their superiors, they all forced themselves to perk up.

Xin Pi, who also looked forward eagerly, took a deep breath, not caring whether he had suffered again, and focused all his attention on observing Lü Bu’s battle results.

But his hope that had kept him going seemed to be dashed.

In fact, when he heard that the sound of Lü Bu’s horseshoes was urgent but not chaotic, he had already prepared for the worst.

But when he saw with his own eyes that Lü Bu’s troops had suffered little loss, and even had a bit of high spirits after killing the enemy, Xin Pi felt all his fatigue from the night burst out at this moment.

What made him feel even more ominous was that he saw Lü Bu throw Gao Lan off the horse, and in the light of dawn, loudly shouted, “Everyone, look at this armor, it’s the general under Yuan Shao that we captured. I wonder who will go with me next time!”

What a heroic scene.

Whether it was Qiao Yan or Zhang Liao, they all gave Lü Bu a stage to develop, and armed this elite cavalry with various military equipment, which led to this victory.

But these new soldiers from Zhuo County didn’t need to consider so much.

They only needed to know—this glorious appearance of going to war was their future!

So what was there to hesitate about.

This was not even in the military camp, but in the suburbs of Youzhou after a long march, yet from these people’s mouths suddenly burst out a sound that startled the forest birds, “We are willing to go!”

This explosive and penetrating sound even woke up Gao Lan, who was still unconscious.

He rubbed his aching head and sat up, as if he hadn’t yet realized what misfortune had befallen him.

In the blurred consciousness caused by the dull pain in his head, Gao Lan instinctively searched for familiar faces in his sight, and immediately fixed his gaze on Xin Pi, who was looking at him through the crowd.

The other’s somewhat狼狈 appearance suddenly woke him up, and he realized that he was not in his own camp at all.

What he faced was not the good luck of narrowly escaping death from Lü Bu’s Fangtian Huaji, but the bad situation of being captured and taken as a prisoner!

That’s why he saw Xin Pi now!

Receiving the other’s signal to look away, Gao Lan quickly pretended not to know him and shifted his gaze, acting as if he hadn’t yet realized the situation from the sudden change.

But such a fleeting exchange did not escape Sima Yi, who had been waiting and watching.

Not to mention those who didn’t keep up with the shouting but were stunned by Lü Bu’s great victory, seeing this scene, a thoughtful and joyful glint flashed in Sima Yi’s eyes.

He seemed to have seen a big fish!