Chapter Thirteen: First Display of Exceptional Talent

  After settling down in camp, Ao Lie discussed military affairs with everyone in the central army tent.

  Tian Chou spoke up first, "Reporting to the general, the other day, I was on a mountain observing the Xiongnu army formation from afar. I discovered that the Xiongnu people are as cruel as tigers and leopards, their war horses are swift like the wind, coming and going freely. However, their military formation is loose, which is the most advantageous point for our army." Tian Chou quickly fell into his role, analyzing the situation clearly and logically.

  Lü Bu glanced at Tian Yu, with a hint of surprise in his eyes. As a fellow warrior, Lü Bu could sense Zhang Liao's aura and observe his martial arts skills through his physique and posture, acknowledging Cao Cao's decision to make Zhang Liao his deputy general. However, regarding Tian Yu, who was not particularly skilled but appeared weak in Lü Bu's eyes, he couldn't understand why Cao Cao would entrust him with important tasks after just meeting him.

  However, through Tianchou's analysis just now, Lü Bu somewhat understood Ao Lie's intention. This person, although from a humble background as a hunter, has quite a bit of insight. One sentence revealed the fighting characteristics of the Xiongnu people.

  Lü Bu spoke up and said: "I have been on the border for a long time, I deeply understand the Xiongnu people's style of fighting like the wind, this is a typical wolf pack tactic."

  Zhang Liao lowered his head and thought for a moment, then said: "In my opinion, the Xiongnu people have been successful in their repeated raids, and their momentum is strong. Their troops are also ten times that of our army. This battle cannot be won by attrition, it can only be won by strategy. First, we must find a way to hold back the Xiongnu army, and wait for the governor to lead the main force to arrive. Our army will then attack from the side."

  Ao Lie stretched out two fingers and tapped the table, saying: "Everyone has a point, but I think that since the Xiongnu have been successful in their raids several times, they must think that our great Han is easy to bully, and have become arrogant. As the saying goes, 'arrogant armies are bound to be defeated'. My intention is to wait for an opportunity to set up an ambush and catch the Xiongnu off guard."

  Lü Bu and the others, upon hearing Ao Lie's strategy, all had their eyes lit up. That's right, the Xiongnu were now arrogant, if our army set an ambush, the Xiongnu would definitely charge in recklessly into the trap.

  "Your Excellency, twenty miles northwest of here, there is a mountain called Balin Mountain. At the foot of the mountain, there is a river that surrounds it, which the Xiongnu people call the Wuerjilun River and the Han people call the Wu River. The Wu River flows rapidly around the foot of Balin Mountain. If we can lure the Xiongnu people to the top of Balin Mountain, as long as we control the only land passage, they will not be able to escape."

  Ao Lü heard the words and thought carefully, thinking that this plan was feasible. He then said: "It's settled then. Wen Yuan, you lead fifty soldiers to follow me to scout out the terrain, and let Zi Tai guide the way. Big brother, trouble you to lead the army to guard the camp." Lü Bu and the other two responded in unison.

  Leaving the main camp, Ao Lie and dozens of cavalrymen rushed towards Mount Balin in the northwest. As they approached the foot of Mount Balin, Tian Chu rode up to Ao Lie's side and pointed to a nearby location, saying: "My lord, look over there - that is Mount Balin. The path we are taking now is a small road without the Wuhu River flowing around it; at most, only seven or eight cavalrymen can ride abreast on this road. The remaining three sides are all surrounded by the flow of the Wuhu River."

  Ao Lie nodded to show that he understood, then galloped into the mountains of Bali with his horse. After running around the Bali Mountains for a circle, Ao Lie had a general impression of the terrain and rivers in his mind, feeling that this place was indeed suitable for setting up an ambush. He took out charcoal pencils and white silk, and began to carefully draw a map. Zhang Liao and Tian Chou gathered in front of Ao Lie, looking at the map drawn by Ao Lie, and couldn't help but praise him. The maps during the Eastern Han Dynasty were very simple, and there was no way to compare them with the maps of later generations. Although Ao Lie was limited by the technology of the Eastern Han Dynasty and could not create 3D stereo maps, it was still not difficult to draw a precise and detailed map using proportional scales. This was completely insignificant in Ao Lie's view, but it was different in Zhang Liao and Tian Chou's eyes. In the future, when marching and fighting, as long as the scouts in front could draw such a map back, it would be convenient for the general to formulate battle plans, and also allow the soldiers in the rear to have a general understanding of the terrain before the battle, so that they wouldn't be confused during the battle.

  Zhang Liao was even more impressed with Ao Lie at this moment: "Master, the painting you drew is truly ingenious and breathtaking. If our army can train scouts to have half of your drawing skills in the future, we will be able to rest easy." Perhaps influenced by Tian Chou, Zhang Liao also changed his address to Ao Lie as Master instead of Second Young Master.

  Ao Lie didn't mind Zhang Liao's title, but was shocked by his words. He thought to himself: A famous general is indeed a famous general! This ability to turn the tables is really not just talk. Smiling, he said: "After this battle, the matter of forming the vanguard will be left to Wen Yuan, how about that?"

  Zhang Liao bowed his fist and replied, "As ordered by the lord, I will not betray the trust placed in me even if it means sacrificing my life." Ao Lie waved his hand and said seriously, "I don't need you to sacrifice your life, nor does Zi Tai. The Great Han is currently on the brink of collapse, what I need is for you both to survive and follow me into battle in the future, to re-establish the prestige of our great Han dynasty." Zhang Liao and Tian Chou were deeply moved by his words, and they both knelt down on the ground, saying in unison, "We swear to follow the lord to death!"

  In the evening, Ao Lie and others returned to the big camp. As soon as they entered the central army account, they saw Lü Bu coming up with a happy face, holding Ao Lie's hand, and carefully looking around him. He said: "If you come back later, I will go to find you. How can you survey the terrain for so long? I thought you were discovered by the Xiongnu people."

  Ao Lie's heart was deeply moved, and he felt that the Lü Bu in front of him was becoming more and more inconsistent with the one described in history. Anyway, having such a sworn brother made Ao Lie very happy. So he said: "Thanks for your concern, big brother. I'm back now, aren't I? I just delayed some time during the reconnaissance."

  Lü Bu heard this and asked, "How about it? Is Mount Bailin a suitable place to set an ambush?" Ao Lie patted the map in his hand and said, "Let's discuss it carefully."

  Everyone sat down, and Ao Lie was still sitting in the main seat. Lü Bu sat beside him, slightly to the left, while Zhang Liao and Tian Chou sat on his right-hand side below. Ao Lie unfolded the map, pointing at the small road leading into the Balin Mountains, saying: "This place is the key to this ambush. Our army must firmly control this place in order to trap the Xiongnu people who have entered the Balin Mountains and kill them inside. Big brother, the task of defending this strategic pass has been assigned to you." Lü Bu nodded without hesitation, replying: "Good! I will definitely defend this place to the death and not let even a single Xiongnu horse escape."

  Ao Lie nodded and continued: "Another key factor in this ambush is how to lure the Xiongnu into the Balin Mountains. Wen Yuan, have you lead 200 soldiers to pack dry firewood, sulfur and other flammable materials in sacks overnight, cover them with grain on the surface, and pretend to be a grain transport team tomorrow to lure the Xiongnu into the Balin Mountains." Zhang Liao replied loudly: "Yes!"

  Looking at Tian Chou, Ao Lie continued: "Zi Tai, you have been living here for a long time, so you must be very familiar with the nearby villages?" Tian Chou replied: "Yes." Ao Lie nodded and said: "Then, take 50 soldiers disguised as ordinary people, leave the camp overnight, spread the news to the nearby villages, saying that our army is responsible for escorting a grain cart to Youzhou, and tomorrow at noon will pass by Balin Mountain." Tian Chou replied: "Yes!"

  He let out a long sigh, stood up straight and tall, swept his gaze over the crowd in the tent, and said slowly: "The fate of our army hangs in the balance with this one move."

  The next day, Zhang Liao and two hundred soldiers escorted thirty large carts, slowly advancing on the official road near Mount Balin. A soldier smiled at Zhang Liao and said, "General Zhang, do you think the young master's plan will work?" Zhang Liao smiled slightly, looked at the inquiring soldier, and said in a low voice, "Whether it works or not, I don't know, but I'm willing to bet on this one. I believe that our lord is a dragon among men, and he will surely soar to great heights one day." The inquiring soldier repeatedly nodded in agreement and said, "That's right! I heard that when the young master was born, the governor was still the magistrate of Wuyuan County. At that time, a red dragon-shaped cloud appeared in the sky, accompanying the young master's birth!" Zhang Liao exclaimed, "Is this true?" The soldier patted his chest and replied affirmatively, "It's absolutely true! This matter spread throughout Wuyuan County, and everyone saw it. How could it be false? My distant cousin was a county official in Wuyuan at that time, and he told me about it personally."

  At this time, another soldier also came forward and said in a low voice: "That's right, I am from Wuyuan County. I have been following the governor all the time. At that time, I was an eyewitness to that magnificent scene. Not only me, General Zhang can ask any brother in the army, all brothers who are from Wuyuan know this matter."

  Zhang Liao turned his head and glanced in the direction where Ao Lie was, thinking to himself: It turns out that when our lord was born, there were unusual signs in the sky, and he will surely achieve great things in the future! Thus, his conviction to follow Ao Lie into battle became even more resolute.

  Suddenly, a whistling sound came from afar. It's here! Zhang Liao thought to himself, that was the unique battle cry of the Xiongnu people. He raised his arm and shouted loudly: "Brothers, form the array!" Two hundred elite warriors immediately patted their warhorses, forming a wing-shaped formation. Before long, everyone felt the earth shaking, which was caused by the Xiongnu horses trampling the ground. Judging from the frequency of the tremors, there were at least around one thousand Xiongnu horses.

  At last, the figures of the Xiongnu people appeared in the eyes of Zhang Liao and others. More than a thousand Xiongnu cavalrymen galloped wildly while waving their sabers and whistling. The leader had a wild pheasant tail on his head and wolf hair on his shoulders. A soldier who was familiar with the customs of the Xiongnu people shouted: "That is the Left Virtuous King of the Xiongnu!"

  Zhang Liao's eyes flashed with a hint of anger, humph, so this is the Zuo Xianwang who snatched away our master? If it weren't for someone having a life to live, I would definitely ride forth and behead you on the spot. However, Zhang Liao was after all a famous general, he knew his duties and also knew that hatred often blinded people's eyes, causing them to lose their rationality. Apparently, Zhang Liao wouldn't do something irrational like that.

  Suppressing the anger in his heart, Zhang Liao raised the long knife in his hand and shouted: "Release the arrows!" The two hundred soldiers who were arranged in a goose wing shape heard Zhang Liao's order and immediately loosened their bowstrings. Two hundred sharp arrows shot out and flew towards the Xiongnu people. Without looking at the outcome of the battle, Zhang Liao gave another order: "Bring up the chariots and horses, retreat to Mount Balin." The two hundred soldiers quickly put away their bows and arrows, drove the horse-drawn vehicles, and followed Zhang Liao in retreating to Mount Balin.

  Two hundred arrows against thousands of Xiongnu cavalry caused negligible losses, but successfully provoked the Xiongnu's brutal nature. Every time they invaded the Han Dynasty, wasn't it always arbitrary killing and looting? Every time didn't the Han people flee in fear? But this time, someone actually dared to counterattack, and judging by the soldiers' concern for the horse-drawn carriages, the rumors were true - those carriages must be carrying military rations being transported to Youzhou!

  The leading Zuo Xianwang whistled, the horse knife in his hand turned a circle in the air, and then pointed towards Zhang Liao's retreating direction. This was a common command used by the Xiongnu people during battles, and Zuo Xianwang was commanding thousands of cavalrymen under him to encircle and pursue.

  Soon, Zhang Liao led his troops to retreat into the Balin Mountains. The Xiongnu cavalry, under the leadership of Zuo Xianwang, chased after them without hesitation. Zhang Liao's troops put up a slight resistance before collapsing and fleeing in all directions out of the mountains. Some of the Xiongnu cavalry wanted to pursue and kill them, but were stopped by Zuo Xianwang, who said that compared to chasing after Han escapees, the Han army's salaries were more attractive.

  But the next moment, Zuo Xianwang suddenly became furious! What military salary is there? The thirty large carts were filled with nothing but hay and sulfur, not a single grain of food! This can only be blamed on Tian Chou's lack of integrity. Ao Lie had ordered Zhang Liao to slightly load some grain to lure the Xiongnu people, but Tian Chou, who deeply understood the greedy and violent nature of the Xiongnu people, secretly found Zhang Liao and told him to only load hay and sulfur, and patted his chest to guarantee that those brainless Xiongnu people would definitely be deceived and chase after them.

  Then Zhang Liao did as Tian Chou said. Then, Zuo Xian Wang became furious. Then, there was no then. Thinking back with his hind legs, Zuo Xian Wang also knew that he had fallen into the trap. As someone who was very familiar with the terrain, Zuo Xian Wang suddenly woke up to the fact that this was Balin Mountain! Under Balin Mountain, there was a river called Wuerjilun! If the Han army used 200 dead soldiers to hold bows and arrows at the not-so-wide exit, his over 1,000 men would not be able to get out! Not to mention that he had thirty large carts of dry firewood and sulfur next to him! As long as the Han army shot a wheel of fire arrows over, his over 1,000 men would be done for!