Chapter Eleven: Filial Piety and Loyalty Are Hard to Fulfill

  Liu Ze stood with Liu Bei on the city gate tower, and the officials and soldiers below had already formed their battle formation. Although he was not familiar with ancient military formations, Liu Ze still managed to make out some of the layout. In the center of the front line was a phalanx composed entirely of long spearmen, with dense rows of spear tips facing outward, shining with cold light. The most effective formation for infantry to counter cavalry is to form a phalanx with long spears, which can be used to withstand the impact of cavalry charges. Under a commander's flag, Governor Zhao Bao and Colonel Gongsun Guang were protected by heavy shieldmen, while archers and crossbowmen were deployed on either side, with bows in hand and arrows on strings. The cavalry was arranged on both wings.

  This pike and cavalry mixed formation is also the most effective formation to deal with enemy cavalry. The long gun formation can advance and retreat, forming a solid barrier to protect the archers and crossbowmen who have long-range attack capabilities but lack defensive capabilities behind them. Meanwhile, the cavalry units on both wings can choose the right moment to launch a pincer attack on the enemy's position.

  Infantry against cavalry, originally in a relatively weak position, but Zhao Bao and others have been fighting against the Xianbei nomadic people for a long time, still finding some ways to break the enemy. The mutual coordination of various troops is the key, with long spear soldiers defending in front, bow and crossbow soldiers attacking from behind, and mobile cavalry flanking on both sides, interlocking, supporting each other, if one link goes wrong, the consequences can be imagined.

  Across the dusty and chaotic battlefield, the Xianbei cavalry came galloping over in a majestic manner. The uniformed riders, though not as neatly formed as the Han army, were individually more ferocious than their Han counterparts. Each Xianbei rider was proud and arrogant, even their fine steeds neighing restlessly, as if ready to charge forward and trample the Han army's camp into dust.

  In the Xianbei cavalry, a high carriage stood out, with two layers, the upper layer being at least two zhang (about 6 meters) above the ground, pulled by four horses. From a distance, apart from the four Xianbei soldiers, it seemed like there were two women being escorted as prisoners.

  Gongsun Zan saw through it and said, "Governor Zhao, I'm sure the one on the high cart is your mother and wife. These Xianbei people are really despicable, using such a dirty trick!"

  Zhao Man looked intently at the approaching high carriage, her face pale and speechless.

  The two armies were less than a hundred yards apart, and the Xianbei people stopped their advancing pace. The high cart was pushed to the front. A cavalryman emerged from the array, with a majestic figure and an unusual face, loudly asking the Han army camp: "Is Zhao Taishou all right?" The voice was loud and clear, although it was a barbarian, but one mouthful of Chinese was quite fluent.

  Zhao Bao recognized him as the Xianbei leader Tan Shi Huai, an old opponent with whom he had interacted more than once.

  "It turned out to be Tan Shouling, Zhao Mou was disrespectful! Zhao Mou and Tan Shouling were on opposite sides, fighting for years, naturally respecting Tan Shouling's heroic nature, but today's meeting made Zhao Mou greatly disappointed."

  "Oh, Governor Zhao, why did you lose hope?"

  "Tan Shou led the unification of the great desert, defeated the Xiongnu, drove out the Wuhuan, rejected the Dingling, and repelled the Fuyu. With golden spears and iron horses, he traversed ten thousand miles, such grandeur and heroic deeds, no one in the world can surpass him. Who would have thought that today he would take a woman captive to use as leverage? Such actions, aren't they tarnishing the name of a hero? From now on, Zhao will look down on the leader as a lowly scoundrel." Zhao Bao said with a cold smile.

  Dangshi Huahua burst out laughing and said: "Governor Zhao misunderstood, your wife and daughter are treated as honored guests in my place, with fine clothes and food. Today, you and your family are reunited on the battlefield, which should be a great joyous occasion. I respect Governor Zhao's talent and am willing to grant him the title of East Region Lord, governing the land east of Shanggu, what do you think?"

  Zhou Bo's eyes turned red with rage, and he shouted loudly: "I am a Han minister, how can I become a barbarian dog? Tan Shi Huan, if you think that by holding my mother's life hostage you can force me to surrender, then you are mistaken!"

  "Zhaotai Shou, regarding your Emperor Liu Hong of the Han Dynasty, he is muddle-headed and incompetent, believing in treacherous and deceitful people. Is it worth for a loyal and virtuous official like you to serve him? Do you really think that these 20,000 troops can stop my iron hooves? Xia Yu has already fled back to Gaoliu with his tail between his legs. I will soon conquer Youzhou and drink from the Luo River! Zhaotai Shou, if you surrender, you will definitely become one of the founding meritorious officials of my Xianbei kingdom, be granted a fiefdom, and enjoy boundless wealth and glory. Why not take advantage of this opportunity?"

  "You're daydreaming! Tan Shi Huai, you want to conquer Youzhou on horseback? First, you have to ask if Zhao certain will agree or not!"

  "Old madam, your son is indeed obstinate and unyielding. Please advise him well. I have always respected talented individuals and do not wish to engage in a bloody battle with your son. If the two armies clash, I fear for your safety."

  Madam Zhao, now over sixty years old, with silver hair, although captured by the Hu cavalry, remained calm and composed. She glanced coldly at Tan Shi Huan and spoke loudly to Zhao Bao: "My heroic son! Mother has something to say, I don't know if you can hear it?"

  Zhao Biao fell off his horse and rushed forward, the long spear soldiers in the formation automatically made way for him. Zhao Biao stood in front of the formation, knelt down on the ground with a thud, and wailed loudly: "Mother is above, son is unfilial, originally wanted to bring mother to Liaoxi to enjoy her old age, but let mother be trapped in prison, son's sin is unforgivable! Today, son follows the heavenly order to guard Liaoxi, where justice lies, dare not follow private interests and forget public duties, destroy loyalty and integrity, only by fighting to the death can I redeem my guilt. Mother's nurturing grace, also can only be repaid in the next life!"

  Every word is written with blood and tears, all Han soldiers who heard it were deeply grieved.

  "Ah, my son," said Zhao's mother with a smile, "life and death are each predetermined by heaven. How can one abandon loyalty and righteousness for the sake of their mother? You are an official appointed by the imperial court, receiving the emperor's salary and serving the emperor's affairs. Since ancient times, it has been difficult to be both loyal and filial at the same time. It is only right that you should devote yourself to the country with all your might. Even in death, I will be able to close my eyes in peace."

  Zhao Bao wept uncontrollably. "Mother, I know what to do now!"

  Tan Shi Huai's face was uncertain, and he coldly shouted: "Zhao Weihao, I don't believe you're a heartless person! Bring those servants here!"

  Several servants dressed as men and women were brought up, Tan Shi Huai waved his hand coldly, after a few shrill cries, several human heads rolled to the ground. Tan Shi Huai sneered: "Zhao Tai Shou, this king's patience is limited, don't think your mother's head will fall like this, you'd better consider carefully."

  Zao Fu was so grief-stricken and indignant that he could hardly breathe, and was unable to speak. Gong Sun Yang galloped out on horseback with his spear at the ready, shouting loudly: "Tan Shi Huan, you are too despicable! Do you have the guts to fight the Prefect of this city?"

  Tan Shi said with a smile: "Gongsun Duanwei, Zhao Tai is indeed a filial son. If you want him to become unfilial, just rush up and that's it!"

  "Shameless!" Gong Sun Yang was furious, but also helpless.

  Madam Zhao's expression changed slightly, and she shouted at Zhao Biao: "My son! For the country, you must be loyal and do what is right! Don't worry about my life or death, just do your duty!" After finishing speaking, Madam Zhao charged forward towards the Xianbei soldier's knife tip. The Xianbei soldier never expected that Madam Zhao would seek her own death, and before he could withdraw his knife, it had already pierced through her abdomen.

  Zhao's wife, also in the carriage, wept tears like rain and looked over at Zhao Biao from afar, calling out softly: "Husband, I'm leaving, take care of yourself!" After finishing speaking, she leapt off the high carriage and fell heavily to the ground head-first, bleeding profusely from all seven orifices and dying on the spot.

  It happened suddenly, in the blink of an eye, both his mother and wife died. Zhao's heart was like a knife being twisted, tears gushing out, extremely sorrowful. Gong Sunyang helped him up, hastily saying: "Governor Zhao, quickly give the order! The brothers are all waiting to avenge the old madam."

  Zhao Man's eyes were bloodshot red, and her teeth were almost bitten to pieces.

  "Kill!"

  "Kill! Kill! Kill!" The entire Han army camp was in a state of frenzy, with every soldier's anger reaching its peak. Each person's blood was boiling, and their eyes flashed with a fiery red color, like a volcano about to erupt. As soon as they received the order to attack, the battle cry shook the heavens, and the Han soldiers surged towards the Xianbei army like a tidal wave.

  Gongsun Zan, who was waiting on the left wing, took the lead and charged forward with his spear, holding it straight towards the Xianbei army. He turned his anger into a long roar, going straight for Tan Chitu.

  Originally, Tanshihuai took Zhao Mu to coerce Zhao Bian, regardless of success or failure, it was enough to suppress the morale of the Han army. But what he never expected was that Zhao Mu would rather die than let Zhao Bian be controlled. The direct consequence of Zhao Mu's death was that the anger of the Han army suddenly erupted, and the situation turned sharply downward. The morale of the Han army surpassed that of the Xianbei army, and Tanshihuai couldn't help but secretly lament.

  At this time, Gongsun Zan had already arrived on horseback and stabbed Tan Shi Huai's throat with his spear. Tan Shi Huai was flustered and didn't have any weapons with him when he came out of the formation. Gongsun Zan's attack was too swift, and he thought it was too late to turn back and escape. He cried out: "I'm done for!"

  At this moment, two generals rushed out of the Xianbei formation, shouting: "Don't hurt my master!" and swung their swords to block Gongsun Zan. Gongsun Zan's strength was astonishing, and with one spear he knocked down the two Xianbei generals in an instant. But during this brief moment, Tan Shi Huai managed to escape into the Xianbei formation, and Gongsun Zan no longer had a chance to capture him.

  At this time, the Han army's long spear phalanx had charged up, and the dense rows of long spears pierced towards the Xianbei cavalry and war horses. For a while, blood and flesh flew everywhere, and miserable cries continued. The arrowheads shot from above the heads of the long spear soldiers, falling like raindrops on the Xianbei camp. Meanwhile, the Han army's cavalry on both wings charged towards the Xianbei people's two wings at high speed, tearing apart the Xianbei defense line like two sharp knives.

  On the battlefield, the advantage of cavalry comes from speed, relying on inertial impact to form a strong impact on infantry positions. Now the Han army infantry is in charge, taking the initiative to launch an attack, and once the Xianbei cavalry loses its advantage, the stagnant cavalry becomes a fish that can be slaughtered at will, even if it wants to escape, tens of thousands of Xianbei cavalry crowded together, it's not an easy thing.

  Soon, both sides entered a melee of hand-to-hand combat. The Han army, superior in numbers and morale, took the initiative to launch wave after wave of fierce attacks on the Xianbei people. The Xianbei cavalry, which had been flying high and mighty in the past, was now completely powerless to fight back. The Xianbei cavalry array, which had dominated the grasslands, was beaten into a sieve.

  Tan Shi Huai saw the situation was not good, and hastily ordered the Xianbei army to retreat. After leaving behind several thousand corpses, the Xianbei people retreated in disarray from the battlefield, fleeing westward.

  Gongsun Yang led his troops in pursuit for dozens of miles, capturing countless horses and supplies, and returned victorious.