Chapter Sixty-Five: Yuan Shu's Sneak Attack

Now that Niu Pu's forces had fled in disarray, the most urgent task was to swiftly gather all military supplies and provisions from the camp, to prevent another surprise attack by the Xiliang army.

"Dian Wei, take two thousand Black Armored Troops and guard the western pass. Make sure the Xiliang army doesn't ambush us again."

"Ding Feng, lead the remaining soldiers to quickly collect grain and armaments, escort the supply wagons, and gather the surrounding people, ensuring their safety. Order the troops to rest and prepare for a prolonged engagement."

"Yue Feng, take some of the Embroidered Guards and search every corner of the camp. I want to see exactly what the Xiliang army was transporting."

"Yes, sir!"

For Dong Zhuo to value this shipment so highly, sending one of his top commanders, Niu Pu, to guard it with elite troops, it must be something extraordinary.

Zifan immediately ordered his men to conduct a thorough search, leaving no stone unturned.

Soon, a soldier returned to report: "General, we discovered dozens of chests of jewels in one of the large tents, as well as a suspicious-looking man lurking inside."

Just as Zifan had suspected, this force was escorting treasures and silver to Chang'an. As for that sneaky man, his identity was a mystery for now.

But these glittering piles of silver were undeniably real. In these troubled times, beyond manpower, wealth was paramount. Nothing could be accomplished without money—money wasn't everything, but without it, nothing could be done.

Now, surrounded entirely by Youzhou troops, Zifan was at ease. He opened the tent flap and entered, only to be greeted by the sight of white robes—a closer look revealed none other than Li Ru, Dong Zhuo's chief advisor.

"Hahaha!"

"Who would've thought, Li Ru, that you'd fall into the hands of the Youzhou army?" Upon seeing him, Dian Wei burst out laughing.

In these chaotic times, as a mere strategist with a frail body and unsteady legs, Li Ru hadn't managed to escape with the main force from Luoyang and was forced to follow Niu Pu's rear detachment.

By sheer luck, Zifan had stumbled across this big fish.

Upon seeing Zifan, Li Ru shivered a few times before quickly regaining his composure. It was undeniable that those who had seen the world were different. Before Zifan could speak, Li Ru assumed the manner of a stern headmaster, hands behind his back, chin held high, as if daring him to strike.

"Hmph! Now that I've fallen into your hands, General Zifan, all debts and grievances between us can be settled at once." With that, Li Ru calmly closed his eyes, his expression defiant and unyielding.

There was no denying the value of a strategist to an army. A successful counselor could determine the stability of a regime, offering insights and perfect decisions to its leader.

Zifan said nothing. Li Ru, at this moment, was like a pig unafraid of boiling water—he would never serve willingly, especially since Dong Zhuo was still alive, though that, of course, was only a matter of time. This was precisely why Zifan decided to keep him alive, instructing the soldiers to guard him well and show no negligence.

...

Not far from there, in Yuan Shu's camp...

"What? Is everything you said true?" Yuan Shu grabbed the scout by the collar.

"Now that Zifan possesses vast treasures, and with elite troops in his grasp, he will surely become a grave threat to you, my lord. The situation is dire," Tian Feng murmured.

Dong Zhuo's plundering of Luoyang's treasures had made him as rich as a nation—no one was unmoved by such wealth.

"Zifan and I have never seen eye to eye. Now he has all this gold and jewels, but it's all for nothing. In the end, it will all be mine. Order the troops to march at once and attack the Youzhou army!" Yuan Shu snarled.

"My lord, your wisdom is unmatched, but the Youzhou army is no rabble. Their iron cavalry's valor is well known. A rash advance would be unwise," strategist Yang Hong cautioned.

"Hmph! Fear not, my lord. My great blade has long hungered for battle. Zifan is nothing to worry about. Besides, the Youzhou army has been marching through the night and must be exhausted—they cannot withstand us," boasted Ji Ling, Yuan Shu's foremost general.

"Please, my lord, be cautious!" Tian Feng tried again to dissuade him, for the Youzhou army's reputation spread far and wide.

"It's settled. Ji Ling, take two thousand cavalry and ten thousand picked soldiers, with the cavalry at the vanguard. Pursue the Youzhou army and annihilate them. The main force will follow." As the coalition's quartermaster, Yuan Shu had embezzled a fortune, secretly recruiting and training his own cavalry force.

"Yes, sir!" Ji Ling's eyes lit up as he saluted.

To Ji Ling, Zifan was already his sworn enemy—having once humiliated his lord in the coalition camp, this was a grudge he longed to repay.

In the Youzhou camp, Dian Wei rode in: "Our scouts found a cavalry force forty li behind us, bearing banners of 'Yuan.' It's unclear whether they're friend or foe."

"Oh? Could it be Yuan Benchu? No, he hasn't marched to pursue Dong Zhuo."

"My lord, the closest to us should be Yuan Shu. Perhaps, seeing us seize so much treasure from the Xiliang army, he grew envious and is now attempting a sneak attack," Ding Feng analyzed.

"Order the troops to prepare for battle. Cavalry, assemble at once. The Embroidered Guards are to scout for the latest intelligence and report immediately if anything arises." Zifan paid Yuan Shu no mind—the system's troops could never lose to a petty schemer like Yuan Shu, and besides, his cavalry was newly raised and still inferior to the Youzhou army.

"Dian Wei, take the Tiger Guards to meet the enemy head-on. Ding Feng, have the Black Armored Troops sweep around the flank. Deploy more Embroidered Guards to scout everywhere along the route and keep me informed of all developments."

"Yes, sir!"

Zifan then led the Black Cavalry to seize the highest ground—ideal for rapid cavalry charges and for observing enemy positions.

"Report! On the highest point of the plain, we've spotted the Youzhou iron cavalry, but no other troops."

Ji Ling sneered: "So the young pup has some skill, securing the high ground. But what does geography matter when faced with overwhelming force? All his efforts are for naught."

"Soldiers, follow me—attack!"

"Kill! Kill!" Thousands roared, charging toward the summit of the plain.

But noise is no substitute for strength. From a distance, Zifan looked on with slight embarrassment. Though the enemy cavalry seemed impressive, their formation was a mess, riddled with flaws.

"Such obvious gaps—defeat is certain... These men are nothing but brutes," Ding Feng said with a wry smile.

"Brothers, let's show them what true cavalry is!" Zifan squeezed his knees, leveled his spear, and galloped ahead, charging directly at Ji Ling.

Crash!

Several warhorses collided at full speed, bones snapping, riders thrown to the ground, and in the blink of an eye, those fallen were trampled to a pulp by the iron hooves behind.

When two cavalry torrents collide, metal and flesh grind together in a fierce, bloody clash. The agonized screams of horses filled the air, mingling with the dying roars of warriors. Curved blades slashed throats, iron swords pierced chests, and heads, once fallen, were crushed by hooves, spilling their contents across the ground...

The brutality of cold steel combat was on full display. On a battlefield of thousands of cavalry, individual strength meant nothing.

It was clear that the Youzhou iron cavalry, tempered by years of war against the Xiongnu, was incomparably skilled. In contrast, Yuan Shu's newly recruited cavalry, though high in spirit, possessed only bluster and no real ability.

Ji Ling was worthy of his reputation—each swing of his trident took a life. Yet even he was unprepared for the ferocity of the Youzhou cavalry. After only two clashes, his formation was shattered and over half his men lost.

What shocked him even more was the enemy's armor—why was it so tough? His blade left only a small nick where it should have cut deep.

"Charge!" Hearing of the battle ahead, Dian Wei led the Tiger Guards in support—though, in truth, he just wanted to join the fray himself.

The arrival of the Tiger Guards turned the tide. Any hope the Yuan troops still clung to was dashed. Ignoring their commanders, they threw down their weapons and fled.

Once someone started running, panic spread like wildfire. In moments, the rout was complete, armor and weapons abandoned in their haste.

Zifan led his cavalry with unstoppable force, cutting down fleeing enemies along their retreat.

But no matter their will, the Yuan troops were too few, and the Youzhou soldiers seemed endless, attacking from every direction. Ji Ling could only gather the remnants and form a defensive circle, trying to hold off the assault.

Ji Ling's tactic was effective. Realizing a swift victory was impossible, Zifan decided to let them go. This defeat would cripple Yuan Shu's strength—he would be nursing his wounds for months to come.