Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey

Chapter 819: Kingdom War: Extra Story (Part 3)

Although the border army suffered consecutive defeats, they fought with increasing courage, depleting much of the Rouran Barbarians’ forces and firmly holding back the Rouran Cavalry. It can be said that they made great contributions.

The Left General, familiar with the border army’s capabilities, remarked, "Fan Zhongliang has made significant progress during his years with the border army."

Liu Hengchang responded that it was because, in recent years, the border army had been training using methods from the Personal Guard Camp. To be precise, it was using the methods formulated by Liu Hengchang for training.

The Left General was well aware of this, smirked slightly upon hearing it, put down the telescope, and said to Liu Hengchang, "Once this battle is won, we shall discuss merits and rewards. General Fan and the border army deserve the greatest credit, and no one can take it away from them. Rest assured, I am not someone who steals credit."

Your contributions, Liu Hengchang, will not be claimed by this Great General.

Liu Hengchang pretended not to catch the underlying meaning in the Left General’s words, seriously cupped his hands and requested to fight: "Great General, this subordinate is willing to lead the Personal Guard Camp into battle."

"No rush," the Left General said solemnly. "I want to observe first. Once we understand the strength of the Rouran Barbarians and pinpoint the most suitable time, then we will dispatch the Personal Guard Camp."

Among the two hundred thousand troops, the thirty thousand Nanyang Guards were absolutely elite, each skilled in horse warfare, trained for years specifically to tackle the Rouran Cavalry. Such a sharp blade must be used at just the right moment, piercing fiercely into the chest of the Rouran Barbarians.

Having expressed his willingness to fight and received approval from the Left General, Liu Hengchang fell silent.

The fierce battle on the first day continued into the dusk before both sides sounded the gong to withdraw.

At dawn on the second day, the Left General again sent troops to attack the Rouran Army Camp.

The court’s army camp was merely forty miles from the Rouran Army Camp. Such a distance was merely a matter of one or two hours on horseback for the cavalry.

As the sun rose, the clatter of hooves thundered, causing the ground to tremble incessantly.

The shouts of killing echoed from morning till evening.

The third day, the fourth day, the fifth day, all were the same.

The Rouran Barbarians, having already been depleted significantly by the border army, faced severe casualties in the past few days of fierce fighting, and were now considering retreat.

To think, this invasion of the border did not yield the anticipated food and population. The border army clung to them relentlessly, like a detestable louse that couldn’t be shaken off. Just as the border army was nearly decimated, reinforcements from the Da Liang Court arrived.

The proud Rouran Khan, Fu Mingdun, also realized the situation was dire.

This time, the reinforcements were strong and vigorous, with abundant force and high morale. After days of intense battle, even the brave Rouran cavalry could not gain the upper hand and suffered consecutive defeats.

If this continued, a disastrous defeat was inevitable.

The Rouran Tribe’s cavalry was adept at swift incursions. Such tough battles were not their forte, nor were they willing to continue fighting.

The tribal leaders came one after another to complain, and Fu Mingdun also began to consider retreat.

Unable to win, just retreat. When the court’s great army leaves, they can come again. To come and go as they please, this is the specialty of the Rouran cavalry.

Come as they wish? Leave as they please?

The Left General, after careful observation over several days, sneered: "After a few days of tough fighting, the Rouran Barbarians want to flee."

"Liu Hengchang!"

The long-waiting Liu Hengchang perked up, bowed to receive orders: "This subordinate is present!"

"Have your men prepare meals and let the thirty thousand elite of the Personal Guard Camp eat and drink their fill and rest quietly in the military tent. Attack at the third hour tonight!"

"Remember, the Personal Guard Camp’s target is to destroy the Rouran Army Camp. Do not linger in battle or covet glory. This Great General has deployed forces along all their potential escape routes, just waiting for them to fall into the trap."

In these days, the Left General deployed troops incessantly, demonstrating divine military skill. Liu Hengchang had long since put away his defiance and answered loudly in affirmation.

The soldiers of the Personal Guard Camp had not yet entered the battle and had been resting in the rear camp. After half a month, each was lively and energetic. Upon hearing the order for a night raid on the Rouran Army Camp, the guards were not afraid at all, but rather showed joy on their faces.

Seeing the soldiers’ joy at the prospect of battle, what an exhilarating sight it was.

Liu Hengchang intentionally called over Qin Zhan and Meng Dashan, whispering instructions: "Tonight, our Third Camp will lead the charge. First Camp and Second Camp will follow closely."

Qin Zhan and Meng Dashan had long been convinced by Liu Hengchang, and upon hearing such arrangements, they were not the least bit angry, nodding in agreement: "Brother Liu, we will heed your commands."

"As you say, Third Camp goes first, and we all follow you."

"Left General entrusted us with this great responsibility; we must not undermine the Emperor’s prestige."

"If we win this battle, we will thoroughly crush the Rouran Barbarians. Only then will Da Liang truly have peace."

"No need for words, tonight we fight the Rouran Barbarians to the end!"

Liu Hengchang immediately said, "Brother Qin and Brother Meng, stay calm. The Great General’s orders for our Personal Guard Camp are to assault the camp, kill as many Rouran Barbarians as we can, but do not pursue. Once they collapse and retreat, ambushes await them along the way."

"In waging war, the greatest taboo is coveting or seizing honor. We must act according to the Great General’s orders."

Qin Zhan curled his lips: "The Great General is just worried we’ll take all the glory for the army, assigning ambush tasks to several troops."

"Even the border army is assigned a route for ambush," Meng Dashan muttered, "It’s clear that he intends to share the glory among everyone."

Liu Hengchang said, "The Great General is the commander, considering everything comprehensively. The Heroic Guard Camp need not be mentioned; it has the largest troops and is directly under the Great General. They have been the main assault these days, and the border army has suffered the heaviest casualties and needs battle achievements the most. Although the main generals of the Divine Martial Camp and the Brave Camp did not come, they have contributed their elite troops."

"We must allow them to also earn some military honors. This way, everyone can maintain their dignity."

"Speaking of which, our Personal Guard Camp has the heaviest task, and as long as we win this battle, no one can take our glory."

Thus, being a commander in the army is not easy. While deploying troops, consideration must also be given to each troop’s morale and the pressure from the court. In such large-scale wars, indeed only the Left General can be the main general. Even General Fan is thoroughly convinced.

Qin Zhan and Meng Dashan merely grumbled in private and soon returned to make sure their subordinates were well-fed and rested. Before it was even dark, the Personal Guard Camp had all gone to sleep.

After sleeping for two hours, the guards each rose, donned their soft armor, and armed themselves. All the war horses had their hooves wrapped in soft cloth, greatly reducing the sound of their hooves.

As thirty thousand warhorses galloped at night, no matter how restrained they tried to be, they were discovered ten miles away from the Rouran Army Camp.

The Rouran Barbarians in charge of lookout duty were horrified to see the steeds rushing at them in the dark, carrying elite soldiers in soft armor.

"Quick! Sound the alarm gong!"

The hurried beating of the gong shattered the night.

The Third Camp’s guards unleashed a flurry of arrows, turning several sentries into porcupines, and lit a fire, setting the wooden tower ablaze.

The fire blazed into the sky, as cavalry swarmed the Rouran Army Camp like a flood.