Chapter 72: Non-Human

  The north wind ravages, blood stains the wasteland.

  The pungent smell of blood wafted through the air and spread far and wide.

  Over a thousand Xiongnu cavalry collapsed at once and were defeated by the Western Liang cavalry with an overwhelming force.

  In the later generations of the Two Song dynasties, the Han people were weak and timid, regarding the cavalry of nomadic peoples as tigers and wolves that could not be defeated in battle.

  However, now the Western Xia Iron Cavalry is truly a tiger and wolf, unbeatable in battle.

  Especially under Luo Zhenghui's command of three thousand old troops, they were the elite among the elite of the Western Liang Iron Cavalry.

  Originally when marching to Guandong, the 8,000 cavalry led by Hu Zhi were the elite of the Western Liang cavalry. Under Luo Zheng's leadership, this cavalry fought in the Central Plains and defeated the 3,000 Youyan cavalry, who were also famous for their bravery and martial prowess. This had deeply instilled in them a conviction of certain victory. It was this spiritual baptism that thoroughly transformed this cavalry.

  A true veteran warrior is neither trained nor bragged into existence.

  Those who are invincible in the iron and blood army were baptized in countless hard battles and victories.

  The glory of victory and the undefeated record are the most important things that forge a military's unshakeable faith in their invincibility.

  Nothing is difficult in this world, only those who are willing to put in effort.

  As long as you have a mind to do it, there is nothing that can't be done.

  A strong faith is always the foundation of a powerful army.

  Whether it is a nation or an army, this principle applies equally.

  It sounds somewhat illusory, but the fact is indeed so.

  The greatness of Pre-Qin and Pre-Han dynasties was due to the strong national spirit of the Han people themselves.

  Being weak and frail is not considered weakness, as long as one dares to fight with all their might, even tigers and wolves can be defeated.

  The strength of nomadic nations is nothing to be reckoned with; as long as one is not afraid to die, they can also emerge victorious in battle.

  This is the fundamental strength of the Han people, with a strong spirit forged from their temperament and blood.

  The three thousand Xiliang Iron Cavalry who achieved transformation can be considered one of the strongest cavalry forces at present.

  The Xiongnu were also defeated in one battle and fled in disarray.

  Luo Zheng led the army to pursue for dozens of miles, and killed the scattered Xiongnu people in batches of seven or eight, finally only a few dozen Xiongnu cavalrymen managed to escape with their lives, the rest were all beheaded and killed, not a single prisoner was left.

  Zhaoyun and Xuchu each led 500 cavalrymen and drove back over 800 horses of the Xiongnu.

  The Xiongnu people even carried dried meat on their bodies, which was also collected and became military rations.

  As for things on a dead person's body, who still cares about this.

  In this era where one can't even guarantee their safety from morning to night, most of the time people can't even fill their stomachs. Even when extremely hungry, they would eat human flesh, who cares about whether the things on a dead person's body will affect their appetite or not? As long as it is something edible, no one will waste it.

  The army rested for an hour and then set off again on their journey.

  Luo Zhen smiled and said to Zhao Yun: "Zilong's archery skills are unmatched in the world, it's really hard to find a worthy opponent!"

  Zhao Yun said: "My lord is overpraising me, I am ashamed and dare not accept it!"

  "Zi Long, no need to be overly modest!"

  Luo Zhen stroked the horse's head and said: "Although the Western Liang cavalry is fierce and good at fighting, their archery skills are somewhat lacking compared to the Youzhou cavalry and nomadic tribes. From now on, our army's archery training will be overseen by Zi Long."

  "Roger that."

  Zhao Yun remained unruffled by either honor or humiliation, and responded to orders with alacrity.

  Luo Zheng said: "The ancestors taught that there are three unfilial acts, and having no descendants is the greatest. Zi Long is twenty-three this year, it's time to get married and start a family. If you have a woman in mind, don't hesitate to speak up, I'll personally act as your matchmaker."

  Zhao Yun cupped his hands and said: "Thank you, milord."

  "Is there a woman who has won your heart?"

  Zhao Yun's face turned red and he felt somewhat embarrassed. "I'm not interested in women, I've troubled the master."

  Luo Zheng was speechless, uninterested in women, is this still a man?

  Xu Zhu, this ruffian, also couldn't help but widen his eyes, staring at Zhao Yun with a foolish gaze.

  Sages all said, food, color, sex also!

  It's human nature, what normal man doesn't like women?

  Of course, Zhao Yun is not only a man but also a man among men.

  There's no need to be suspicious about this, the only explanation is that he really isn't interested in women.

  When this happens, there is usually only one reason: that is having extraordinary willpower and self-control ability to control men's lust for women very well, so they can view women as discarded shoes.

  Such people don't say no, but absolutely one in a million.

  People with such a strong mind and control power are usually extremely outstanding in one aspect.

  Zhao Yun's body has this characteristic, which is martial power.

  Luo Zheng laughed dryly and said: "Zi Long is indeed a true man! However, getting married and setting up a family is an ancient tradition of our ancestors. Zi Long isn't young anymore, so he should hurry up and get married, have children to carry on the family line and continue the ancestral heritage."

  Zhao Yun said: "Thank you, sir, for your concern."

  Xu Chu couldn't help but laugh and said: "Zilong, you shouldn't be a human being, should you?"

  "Xu Chu, shut up!"

  Zhao Yun almost fell off his horse in a dead faint, gasping for air, "Who said that certain person was not human?"

  Xu Chu opened his big mouth and laughed: "Then why don't you like women? Sages have said that liking women is a man's nature. Except for eunuchs in the imperial palace, which normal man doesn't like women?"

  Z Zhao Yun's face turned iron-gray, but

  At a loss for words, he almost rushed out in anger.

  Lu Zhen couldn't help but burst into laughter three times, waved his hand and scolded: "Alright, Xu Chu, you're ignorant and uneducated, that's fine, but how can you mock Zi Long? There are some people in this world who have extraordinary willpower, have an unusual control over themselves, and have outstanding talents in a certain aspect. Zi Long's martial arts skills are exceptional, he is one of those people, not what you said, unable to be human."

  Xu Zhu scratched his head, half believing and half doubting: "Really or fake, is there such a person?"

  Luo Zheng nodded, "Of course it's true, how would General say such things casually."

  Xu Zhu immediately believed it and looked at Zhao Yun with a somewhat unusual gaze.

  Zhao Yun was stunned for a moment, and his gaze towards Luo Zheng had a few more points of admiration.

  In this era, research on human nature has yet to form a complete and perfect theory.

  Someone like Zhao Yun, everyone knows is normal.

  But exactly what's going on, no one can say for sure.

  Even Zhao Yun himself can't make it clear how he has little interest in women.

  Lu Zheng's words were common sense in later generations, but in this era of extreme lack of theory, they were famous sayings.

  For the first time, Zhao Yun felt that this lord indeed had extraordinary talent, and following such a person would not be a waste of himself.

  After marching and stopping for half a month, the army finally arrived at Cangsong.

  Cangsong is located in the central part of Wuwei, only over thirty miles away from the Wuwei county seat of Jinchang.

  Luo Zhengxian sent someone to Wuwei to order the Taishou Zhang Meng to provide military rations for the army, but unexpectedly, the envoy was beaten by soldiers ordered by Zhang Meng and seriously injured, which infuriated a group of people.

  Xu Chu, Zhao Yun, Li Meng and Wang Fang etc. all requested to see the Emperor, wanting to lead troops to Wu to reason with him.

  Lu Zheng suppressed his anger and asked in a low voice: "What did Zhang Meng say?"

  The wounded Xi Lian shouted: "Zhang Meng that dog thief said the general slaughtered the aristocratic families, and his crime was unforgivable. He scolded the general as a ruthless butcher who had lost his conscience. To say nothing of having no food, even if there were food, he would rather feed pigs and dogs than give it to the general."

  Zhang Meng, a common man, is too deceitful and has cheated people excessively.

  Lu Zheng's face turned red with rage: "This general has been fighting in Guanzhong to help the imperial court quell the rebels. For the country, it is not a great injustice to kill him. He is also from a scholar-official family in Guandong, and he has never touched Zhang Meng's woman. How dare this dog thief deceive me like this? Can I let him off easily?"

  Xu Chu, Li Meng and Wang Fang shouted: "General, Zhang Meng is really too deceitful, why not send troops to conquer Jiuquan immediately, capture Zhang Meng alive, and cut that dog thief into a thousand pieces to vent our hatred."

  Zhao Yun then advised: "This matter absolutely cannot be rushed, our lord must think thrice."

  Xun Yu also said: "General Zhao Yun's words are extremely correct. General Zhang and you both serve as Han generals. Even if you have personal grievances against each other, you should not recklessly lead troops to attack one another. Otherwise, it will only lead to rumors and factual disputes, inviting suspicion from the imperial court, which would be most unwise."

  Lu Zheng took a deep breath and said: "Wen Ruo and Zi Long are absolutely right. I was just too angry at Zhang Meng's insults. Sending troops to Juzhang is indeed not advisable, not only will it bring no benefits, but it will also lead to trouble."

  Xun Yu smiled and said: "Since General has a plan in mind, I can rest assured."

  Xu Chu, Li Meng and Wang Fang etc. generals had an unsatisfied heart, and with a huff, they swung their arms.