novelraw Chapter 818: National War Side Story (Part 2)
Chapter 818: National War Side Story (Part 2)
"Reporting to the Great General! The people we sent have already caught up with the Rouran Cavalry and engaged in battle. About two hundred were injured and had to retreat."
A military general with a face full of stubble hurriedly entered the main general’s tent of the border army, urgently clasped his hands, and reported.
Having endured days without proper food and sleep, General Fan’s eyes were bloodshot with anxiety and anger. Upon hearing the report, he furrowed his brows heavily and shouted in anger, "Who ordered them to retreat? Issue my command to continue the pursuit!"
The military general pleaded softly for his comrades, "Please calm your anger, Great General. It’s not that we wanted to retreat; it’s the Rouran Barbarians that are too brutal, killing with wild eyes. Our brothers truly can’t hold on. If we don’t retreat back to the city, everyone we sent will perish there."
General Fan tightly gripped the letter in his hand, his fury erupting violently, "Even so, we cannot allow the Rouran Barbarians to rampage and plunder at will. When soldiers receive pay, it’s at this time they should fight desperately for the Da Liang Dynasty’s land and people."
"Immediately transmit the military order! Leave only ten thousand to defend the city, and send out the rest to pursue the Rouran Barbarians. Kill as many as possible!"
The trusted military general was sprayed with saliva but accepted the order helplessly and quickly ran out to relay the command.
General Fan took a deep breath of turbid air, unfolded the letter in his hand, and read it again.
This was the Emperor’s handwritten letter. The content was simple: the court had dispatched two hundred thousand troops, personally led by the Marquis Wei Yuan, the Left General. The border army’s mission is to firmly stall the Rouran Cavalry, never allowing them to come and go swiftly.
This national battle must not fail. Even if he, Fan Zhongliang, is not the main general, and the greatest credit for victory goes to Marquis Wei Yuan Zuo Feng, he must not harbor resentment or dissatisfaction and must strive to win this national battle.
If lost...
No, it cannot be lost!
The elite forces of the Da Liang Dynasty are almost entirely here. To supply grain, equipment and military expenses, the court is exerting its utmost effort. The Emperor has even taken out the family’s savings.
This battle can only be won; it cannot be lost. If lost, they would be too ashamed to return to the court or face the Emperor.
The current border situation is also very clear. The initiative is entirely on the Rouran side. The Rouran Barbarians, having suffered hunger and cold for a whole winter, are now plundering everywhere, killing indiscriminately. The border army must not sit idly by and must leave the strong fortress to chase the Rouran Barbarians.
Casualties are incredibly high, using two or three lives of the border army or even more people to trade for one life of the Rouran Barbarians. In just a few days, the injuries and deaths of the border army have reached a terrifying number. Fortunately, this desperate effort has somewhat worked, greatly slowing down the Rouran Barbarians’ plundering actions and gradually understanding their troop distribution.
Now, they must continue to endure, holding out until the court’s two hundred thousand troops arrive. With massive military power, suppress and defeat the Rouran Barbarians.
Doing so is currently the most appropriate military strategy. It’s just that the casualties are too heavy, and no substantial credit can be seen.
General Fan vigorously wiped his bloodshot eyes, barely roused his spirits, and walked out of the tent, first going to the Wounded Soldier Camp to comfort the injured soldiers.
In the Wounded Soldier Camp, injured soldiers lay everywhere, with severed legs and arms, blood gushing from waist and back wounds, and all kinds of horrific scenes. Each person was wailing in pain. Such a miserable scene is unbearable for ordinary people.
General Fan saw this with his eyes, and his chest convulsed with pain.
He has been in the border army for six or seven years now, gradually gathering military morale. Although his prestige is not as high as the previous Left General, because the military pay is sufficient and the food better than before, he is quite supported and loved by the soldiers.
In recent years, he has been using Liu Hengchang’s methods to train soldiers, cultivating many elite cavalry. Ordinary infantry are organized into groups of five, specifically practicing against cavalry. So, they have a fighting chance against the Rouran Barbarians.
Now, with such heavy casualties and high battle losses, after this national battle, who knows how many in the border army will be able to survive.
General Fan spent half a day in the Wounded Soldier Camp, and when he came out, his eyes were red.
For the next half month, the fierce battle with the Rouran Barbarians continued. The Rouran Cavalry also suffered many casualties, and the border army’s losses were even heavier. It relied solely on their burning courage and bravery to persist.
He no longer had the mind to contend with Zuo Feng.
Left General, hurry and lead the troops to rescue.
The border army truly can’t hold on much longer!
On the second day of May, the court’s reinforcement, the Vanguard Camp, finally arrived first at the border.
General Fan was so emotional he nearly cried. The military general who came to scout and deliver messages was from the Divine Martial Camp and was once General Fan’s subordinate.
This military general was also shocked upon seeing General Fan’s appearance, "Why is the Great General so gaunt?"
His whole body was thin, his eyes red, and dark circles under his eyes. How long has it been since he had a proper meal or rest?
General Fan smiled bitterly, "Let’s not talk about this now. Where is the Marquis Wei Yuan leading his troops? How many days until they arrive? Our border army has nearly been beaten to shreds! Day and night, we desperately await the court’s reinforcements!"
The military general solemnly replied, "We, the Vanguard Camp, are three to four days ahead of the main army, which can arrive in a few days. However, we must rest for several days. The Marquis ordered me to convey to the Great General that you must hold on and must also stall the Rouran Barbarians, not letting them escape."
Indeed, the border army fought so bitterly because it did not stick to defending the strong fortress but continuously went on the offensive. The border army suffered many casualties but saved countless civilians and firmly stalled the Rouran Barbarians.
If the Rouran Barbarians fled at the sight of them, the court army would come in vain, without even catching the shadow of the Rouran Barbarians, unable to start any fight.
Therefore, the border army must continue to exert its utmost efforts.
General Fan clenched his teeth tightly, so much that his mouth tasted of blood, "Alright! I’ll personally lead the troops into battle! Certainly, they’ll stall the Rouran Barbarians!"
...
"Fan Zhongliang has made considerable progress in the border army for several years."
Ten days later, Left General arrived with the rested main army. With a constant stream of intelligence from the border army, the court’s army precisely targeted the Rouran Barbarian’s main force.
On one side was a weary army exhausted from prolonged battle, and on the other side were enthusiastic troops from afar. The clash of these two massive armies was like a roaring sea meeting, with flesh flying and shouts shaking the sky.
Such a large-scale battle, nearly all soldiers were experiencing for the first time.
As the battlefield spread too wide, it was already impossible to effectively and accurately transmit military orders, relying only on each military general leading their own troop to attack fiercely according to the previously set strategy.
Left General, as the main general, stayed in the rear of the army. Left General stood atop a high battle chariot, using a specially made telescope to gaze at the fiercely fought battlefield, suddenly blurting out.
Beside Left General were five or six military generals.
About one hundred thousand were deployed now, with the remaining half of the troops waiting for military orders at the rear. Liu Hengchang was also among the waiting military generals.
Left General’s sigh was responded to by none other than Liu Hengchang, who was qualified to speak up, "I visited the border army several years ago; the current border army indeed far surpasses the past."