Chapter 24: Nagu's Roar (2)

  "War is a deceitful art. Two armies clash, with the regular forces combining and the irregular ones winning. However, it's not simply a matter of which side has more troops. In this case, although our enemy may have slightly more power than us, the difference shouldn't be too great. If we were to engage in an open battle, the outcome would likely be 50-50. Now that our enemy is weak, they will surely look down on us. When the enemy looks down on us, it's easy for them to reveal their weaknesses. We can use this to our advantage by pretending to be weak and hiding our true strength. Once they let their guard down, we can launch a surprise attack and catch them off guard. With a swift and decisive strike, how could we not win? If you, sir, can rally the troops once more, exaggerate the severity of defeat, and promise that with the great Han dynasty as our backing, victory will bring great rewards from the Han court. This way, the generals will forget about death, and the soldiers will have the courage to fight. With everyone's hearts united, where we point our swords is where we'll surely triumph - how could we possibly fail?"

  Liu Zhang said this, and suddenly stood facing the Mongols with a stern expression. He clasped his fists and said: "If you old sir have an unyielding intention and a heart that remembers past grievances, Liu Zhang is not talented, but I am willing to fight shoulder-to-shoulder with you gentlemen, and make Zhabar see the prowess of a Han man! What do you think, old sir?"

  At this moment, Liu Zhang stood up straight, his white clothes fluttering in the wind. Between clasping his hands and making a fist, his eyes shone brightly in all directions, full of awe-inspiring heroic spirit - where was that gentle and courteous weak scholar? As he turned to look around, his gaze inspired majesty, and suddenly he became that unparalleled great general who wielded his sword with ease and led the vanguard of ten thousand soldiers.

  Everyone in the house, Zhao Yun, Gao Shun and Zhang Liao, three generals with excited expressions, bowed their heads and shouted: "We are willing to fight to the death for our lord!"

  Three men drank with a deafening sound, and the atmosphere was tense. Along with Liu Zhang's words, the room suddenly seemed to be swept by a strong gust of wind, and the heroic spirit overflowed, making one's blood vessels swell with excitement.

  His eyes were fixed on his father, full of determination and a desire to fight.

  His breathing was rapid, his eyes wide open. He felt the atmosphere in the room, and seemed to hear again the sound of galloping horses on the grasslands, the clashing of golden armor.

  Half a sound, after all, is trembling and standing up, a pair of fists, unknowingly, has been clenched tighter and tighter...

  ……………….

  The Nagu River is a tributary of the Yellow River in the Hetao region, which flows in a "several" shape and branches out at the northeast corner.

  At this time, the Yellow River had not yet suffered from soil erosion as severely as it would in later times. The Nagu River, as a tributary, wound its way into the vast grasslands, where it deposited silt and rocks, then flowed swiftly and lightly.

  Every year during the rainy season, the river water overflows and spills out of its banks, nourishing the endless green grasslands with its sweet waters. Year after year, the riverbed has become many times wider than it was at first.

  Now, Zabur stood on horseback by the riverbank, gazing intently at the three or four zhang wide river, and his heart couldn't help but feel delighted.

  The soldier sent out to investigate reported that although the river water was flowing rapidly, the deepest part was only knee-deep, and it was not very deep after all.

  At a glance, I saw that the simple wooden plank bridge that originally spanned both banks had been demolished, and couldn't help but let out a disdainful snort.

  The old scoundrel Wú Mēng has indeed made preparations, but this preparation has also exposed his cowardice. Can dismantling the bridge really stop the hooves of my nearly thousand strong cavalry? More than a decade of comfortable living seems to have truly corrupted him to a pitiful state, and he is no longer the fearless and daring Bā Dōu ěr of yesteryear.

  "Pass on to the whole army, and cross the river."

  He waved his hand at the orderly beside him, but his eyes involuntarily glanced back at the large banner behind him, and his eyebrows couldn't help but furrow slightly.

  This son is dissolute and extravagant, indulging in lustful desires. His personality is also gloomy and suspicious, ruthless and cruel. How could the great General Tan Shi Huai, who was a hero of his time, upright and honest, have such a son?