Chapter 54: The Hu Cavalry Besieges the City

  Thank you "Zhao Wu Xu 2014" and "Q Little Boy" for the reward, Q Little Boy is so fierce! And there's another brother, sorry I couldn't find his name on the list, thank you too.

  Just as Ma Yun was traveling south with a light heart, day and night, Han Gou Village was at a critical juncture of life and death.

  Hango Village, the once peaceful and harmonious atmosphere has vanished, the circular earth wall surrounding the village is filled with arrows, everywhere can be seen traces of knives, axes, guns, and spears, many places have obvious gaps, even collapse.

  Outside of Hangouzhai, there were dense and numerous Wuhuan cavalrymen, roughly estimated to be no less than a thousand riders, with both men and horses being swift and fierce. Further away, on a small earth mound on the south bank of the lower reaches of the wetland, there were more than three hundred Wuhuan armored elite cavalrymen, layered and encircling, with a black yak-tail banner erected in the center, which was the symbol of the Wuhuan Khan Rouwang.

  Hanlu Wang Wuyan, set out.

  And in front of the command, there was a small banner with a cyan streamer, which was the flag of Wumeng Zuoxiehou.

  Pufulu, this Ma Hu and Hangul cavalry's defeated general, also came.

  At this moment, the atmosphere inside Hangou Village was tense and oppressive, as if facing a great enemy. The back of the village was packed with villagers holding various crude weapons, their faces filled with fear, anger, and despair. Many people had injuries on their bodies, bloodstains on their faces, and dust all over them. Under the scorching sun, they were sweating profusely, and their muscles would twitch from time to time as their wounds were soaked in sweat.

  The temporary commander of Hangouzhai, Tang Nu, was also covered in dust and sweat, with his sword at his waist and a bow on his back, leading a team of reserve cavalrymen on foot patrol, occasionally cheering up the soldiers.

  "Everyone hold on, the Wuhuan people are nothing to be afraid of, what about Hulan King? We are the troops of the brave warrior Tutraka, the descendants of 'Sejishenlong' who can't even be defeated by Wuhuan Wang Dudun! What Uyan, what Pufu Lu, come one and kill one, two come and both die!"

  Tang Nu's voice was hoarse, his lips were dry and cracked, and there were several bloodstains on his cheeks. His leather armor and helmet were broken in many places, with some cracks showing traces of blood. It was clear that he had been through a fierce battle. He took the water bag from his attendant behind him, tilted his head back and gulped down a mouthful, then wiped away the water stains at the corner of his mouth with his hand. In a hoarse voice, he continued to rally: "Don't worry, everyone! Our cavalry has been lurking on the outskirts of the Wuhuan people, ready to launch a surprise attack on them at any time. Although the Wuhuan people's offensive is fierce now, they are also being bled by our cavalry constantly. When their blood runs dry, they will be defeated and flee in disarray! What we need to do is hold on, hold on until the commander returns!"

  Just as he said this, a commotion broke out in front, with several people apparently arguing and even coming to blows.

  Tan Nu was furious, and quickly stepped forward to separate the crowd. He saw that it was a Xianbei person and a Han civilian fighting, with several strong Xianbei slaves cheering behind them, while the onlooking Han civilians were trying to mediate and stop the fight. The Xianbei person who was fighting Tan Nu recognized him as a Han cavalryman who had been injured in the leg during yesterday's battle against the Wuhuan people and had returned for rest.

  "Stop it, all of you! What's going on?" Tano and his men rushed forward together, separating the two fighters, only to find that the commoner had already been beaten until he was bleeding from a head wound.

  Han Min covered his head and pointed at the Xianbei people in anger: "This man is spreading rumors, saying that the commander has been captured by the Xianbei lord Qilie..."

  Tang Nu's face changed, and he pressed his knife, saying sternly: "You dare to spread rumors!"

  The Xianbei man's face changed, and he took a step back, gripping the handle of his axe. However, facing Shangguan, he didn't dare to act rashly. He muttered in discontent: "It wasn't me spreading rumors, I heard them shouting this when I was fighting against the Wuhuan people..."

  "Are they still asking you to surrender?" Tan Nu's sword was half out of its scabbard.

  The Xianbei man also drew out his short axe and stood with several Xianbei slaves, shouting: "The Khanlu king's whole tribe has come to attack, their military strength is five times ours, how can we resist? At this critical moment of life and death, where are our invincible warriors?"

  Tang Nu gritted his teeth, sheathed his sword, and pointed to the rear of the earthen enclosure, saying sternly: "You are Han Gezheng's cavalry, you have made some contributions. If you want to leave, I won't stop you. Leave from the back by climbing over the wall, don't stir up trouble in the army!"

  The Xianbei man grunted, glanced at the slaves of his own tribe behind him, moved his lips, shook his head, and pushed through the crowd towards the rear camp. Just as he had walked out a dozen or so steps, he suddenly heard someone exclaim in shock from behind. The Xianbei man was startled, seemed to have realized something, and hastily pressed down on the axe handle. A string vibrated, the Xianbei man's back hurt, the sky spun around him, and he fell forward, with an arrow shaft inserted into his back.

  Tang Nu picked up his bow and coldly snorted, his fierce gaze fixed on the Xianbei slaves: "Want to be a deserter? This is the outcome!" He turned his head to one of his subordinates behind him, "Han Xi."

  "Belonging to the lower class."

  "I appoint you as a supervisor of war, with four axe-wielding attendants. If there is anyone spreading rumors or showing weakness in battle, execute them on the spot!"

  "Promise!"

  At this time, the righteous soldiers on the beacon tower shouted at Tang Nu: "Baizhang, Wuman people are making a move!"

  ……

  Just as Tangnu Wulu was rectifying internally, on the side of the Wuhuan people, inside a temporary royal tent set up on a mound, Khan Rouran Wuyan was scolding his son Pulü.

  Wu Yan was nearly fifty years old, wearing a helmet with gold beads, a single robe, and an outer iron armor. His body was stout and oily, with a few strands of gray in his hair and beard. He looked rough and robust, but his eyes had a hint of cunning. This man had a nickname, "Grassland Eagle", which revealed his personality.

  "Pufulu, you eagle chick, have you been intimidated by the Hango tribe? I gave you 2,000 cavalry, and after three days of fighting, all you've managed to do is bring back a few hundred corpses. You haven't even breached their camp gates. Do I need to take matters into my own hands?"

  Pu Fu Lu bowed his head to the ground, saying in a panic: "Please forgive me, Your Majesty. The defenses of the Han army are strict and they resisted fiercely. Moreover, there were several hundred Mongolian cavalrymen outside scouting. I had several chances to attack, but was ambushed by the Han cavalry and had to retreat. Your Majesty..."

  Wu Yan raised his hand to stop his son from speaking, and slowly said: "The news has been passed on by the Right Xuan Hou, Yan Rou and Ke Bi have already launched an attack, and Wu Wan's school lieutenant Xing Ju has been killed. The next step is to take action against Ma Huan."

  Pu Fu Lu was overjoyed and full of hope, asking: "Your Majesty, did the plan to capture the enemy work?"

  Wu Yan shook his head: "When I received the first message, the messenger said that the second message was already on its way. If it's fast, maybe it will arrive today." Wu Yan said this and let out a long sigh, with a faint smile, "I believe it will be good news, perhaps today is the day of separation."

  Pu Fu Liu was overjoyed: "Father King, just give me two hundred, no, one hundred elite cavalry, and I will definitely take down Han Gou Village."

  "No!" Wu Yan shook his head, his eyes deep and solemn. "Your greatest threat doesn't come from the front, but from the side and rear. That Han Gou wolf cavalry that only knows how to launch surprise attacks and then retreat is the real threat. Chi Lu!"

  "King of Sweat." A tall and robust Umar leader entered the account, this is the commander of Wuyan's personal guard cavalry, Qianren Chang Chilu.

  Wu Yan took out a golden arrow and handed it to Chi Lu, ordering: "Take this command arrow, lead three hundred cavalrymen to guard and attack. Once you find the Han Dynasty's cavalry, immediately eliminate them. Even if you can't catch up with them, you must drive them far away from the battlefield. Next time we attack, I don't want to see these old mice appear again."

  Wū wū——

  A long bugle call echoes across the prairie, iron hooves churn up the earth, a vast dust storm fills the sky, wolf banners flutter, and a thousand riders are like clouds.

  Just as Tangu ascended the watchtower, a black dot flew in from afar, whizzing past his cheek, and thudded into the wooden pillar of the tower with its arrowhead quivering violently.

  With this momentum, the new round of attacks by Khan Uyan, the king of Haniye, unfolded, and the most dangerous moment for Hankou Village arrived.