Chapter 10: Desperate Struggle (Part 2)

  After discovering that the dozens of barrels were filled with petroleum, Yang Yingqi thought to himself: "These should still be crude oil! Fortunately, I didn't light a fire and put it down earlier, or else an accident might have occurred."

  Ouyang Yi walked over and asked: "Is there something good inside?"

  Yang Yingqi said: "Yes, there are several dozen barrels of oil."

  "Petroleum? Rocks still have oil?"

  Yang Yingqi said: "That is a kind of black water dug out from the Western Regions, and it will burn with just a spark." He took out a flint and rubbed it against the knife to create sparks, and the knife actually caught fire.

  "Ah! This is the Black Fire Water of Western Regions! I've heard my old man mention it before. But how did it end up in a place like this?"

  Yang Yingqi said, "This oil... well, it's just black fire water that is buried shallowly in some places in the Western Regions and can be dug up without much surprise. But over here, it's quite rare. Since it's scarce, it's not surprising if someone transports it here to sell. However, these things are different from gold, silver, and jewels; people who like them will think they have some meaning, but if you don't meet a buyer, they're just a pile of trash. The reason why these things were discarded here without anyone touching them is probably because they didn't meet the right buyer to get rid of them."

  Ouyang Shidao said: "These things are so easy to burn, we must be careful not to let a fire start under our feet and turn us all into roasted pigs."

  Suddenly someone on the earthen wall shouted: "Di Chief is back! Something seems to have happened!"

  Yang Yingqi and others rushed out, only to see a dozen horses rushing over from afar. The people on the horses were all in a sorry state, among whom one of the horses at the front was Di Yu. Just as he arrived at the edge of the earthen city, his mount let out a mournful cry and collapsed to the ground, an arrow stuck in its hindquarters!

  "Zhe Yan rushed up and asked: 'What's wrong?'"

  "It was Xiao Tiennu!" Di Yu said: "We went to fetch water, and just as we got there, dozens of cavalrymen rushed over, led by Xiao Tiennu. I knew we couldn't resist, so I hastily ordered everyone to mount up and retreat, but still a few brothers reacted too slowly and died under their arrows. This time we didn't even get the water, and instead lost men and horses. Alas, it was my fault for being too careless."

  Zhe Yan Chong said: "Mr. Di, don't blame yourself, let everyone cheer up and not give Xiao Tienuo a chance to take advantage of it!"

  It was almost dusk at this time, Yang Kaiyuan ordered the troops to be ready, and several leaders gathered together again to discuss.

  Ouyang Shidao said, "We came from the southwest route. The last water source is about a day and a half away from here. How about we send cavalry to fetch water from the south? If they hurry, they can make it in one day."

  Di Yu said, "It won't work. Since they know how to occupy the water source in the northwest, how can they let go of the one in the south? I think Xiao Tienu has come prepared this time, and maybe there's some trick behind him that we don't know about. If we just turn back like this, I'm afraid we'll also fall into their trap. They should have at least a hundred cavalrymen. We can rely on the city wall and the crossbow to defend against them, but with only cavalry, it's impossible to fight against them."

  Zhe Yan Chong also said: "With a strong enemy in front of us, we cannot divide our forces at all."

  Yang Kai said: "That desert isn't very big anyway. Since we still have water now, let's take a short rest and then rush over."

  Di Yu said, "Two days of traveling through this desert should be enough. But afterwards, there is still a stretch of road where it's difficult to find enough water for five hundred people to drink. This is still very dangerous. I estimate that once we enter the desert, Xiao Tienu will take control of the nearest water source outside the desert and ambush us. As for the battle power of meeting on a narrow path, we are afraid that we are not as good as them. Moreover, at that time, our men and horses will be the most exhausted, so in that battle, our chances of winning are slim."

  Ouyang Shidao said, "If not, we retreat back to the south first to replenish and then head north. We are familiar with this road, and it will only take us one or two days to get there. At that time, our strength will still be sufficient, and I estimate that Xiao Tienuo will not dare to openly attack us. We will discard some miscellaneous items, try to replenish clear water as much as possible, and then head north again."

  Zhe Yan said: "I'm afraid this is the only way. However, it's best to set off again tomorrow night, as traveling at night may lead to ambushes."

  Cao Guangyi said: "I'll go out and patrol with the candidate riders first."

  "Wait! While we have the chance, I'll take you to that high ground in the southwest. If we can make it there before sunset, perhaps we can catch a glimpse of that water source in the south - I'm afraid Xiao Tiannu is up to some trickery again."

  After Di Yu and Cao Guangyi left, Yang Kai said: "I'll get someone to move some earth and stones to block the cracks in the city wall! Also find some wood to nail up those two broken gates. Who knows, if Xiao Tienu comes to launch a strong attack at night, this earthen castle may play a big role!"

  "Whatever happens, we must remain calm and composed. Eat and sleep as usual, and try not to make any mistakes! This way, we'll have the energy to deal with our enemies. Ying Qi, tell Gu Da Sao and the others to prepare food for everyone, so they can eat while working."

  After nightfall, Di Yu and Cao Guangyi hurried back, and under the firelight, both of their faces were extremely anxious.

  "What's wrong?"

  Cao Guangyi panted and said: "In the south - on the road we came from, there are Khitan soldiers!"

  "What!" Ou Yang and Yang Kaiyuan both exclaimed, Zhe Yancong asked: "How many men and horses?"

  Cao Guangyi said, "When we arrived at the high ground, the sun had not yet set. From a distance, we saw a group of Khitan cavalry approaching here, with over 100 people, and they were only half a day's journey away. However, they seemed to have no intention of marching at night, and had already set up camp before sunset."

  "It's half a day's journey, so we still have time. If they break camp at dawn tomorrow, it'll be noon by the time they arrive." Ouyang Shi said: "Besides, there are only over a hundred people..."

  "No!" Cao Guangyi said: "That should only be the vanguard, and on the other side of the water source in the south, there seems to be a sign of garrison troops."

  Ouyang Yi was shocked: "How many more men and horses are there?"

  Cao Guangyi said: "It's too far away, where can you see clearly! But the number of people will not be less than a thousand, right?"

  Everyone's expression became solemn, and Di Yu said again: "This Khitan army is suspicious. From a distance, it can't be seen, but from the nearby troops, it seems to be the palace account of Liao State."

  Ouyang Yi and others were shocked again. The Gongzheng Army was the imperial guard of the Liao Dynasty. Emperor Taizu of Liao, Yelü Abaoji, formed his own trusted bodyguard by "using the marching camp as the palace, selecting a thousand strong men from various tribes, and setting up the inner heart department", forming an elite army including barbarian and Han tribes. During the reign of Emperor Taizong of Liao, "more selected fine armor, set up in the claws and teeth as the Pishu Army". After that, the establishment of palace guards became a regular practice. Whenever an emperor died, the original palace guard did not disband, but was converted into an ordinary Gongzheng Army, becoming the escort of the empress, imperial relatives, and meritorious officials. Therefore, the number of Gongzheng Armies increased over the generations. By this dynasty, it had exceeded 100,000, and became the backbone of the Liao army.

  Di Yu said, "If it's said that the Great Liao mobilized the imperial army to chase after us escaped slaves, I wouldn't believe it no matter what - at most they would have the border generals of the Southern Capital Road search around the Song-Liao border. Now that we can't be found, they probably already forgot about us. And as for the horse farm being plundered by us, it's actually a small matter for the Great Liao, not worth mobilizing the imperial army to deal with us."

  Yang Kai said: "So your meaning is......"

  "Xiao Tienuo! That's right! It must be Xiao Tienuo!" Ouyang Shi shouted: "Although I don't know what method Xiao Tienuo used, he must have been the one who led the Khitan people here! This is a plot to kill with a borrowed knife!"

  Everyone was shocked, and Ouyang Yi continued: "We've all heard Mr. Di tell the story of Xiao Tienu's life, I guess this person must be a vengeful one. He originally wanted to get that pasture, but unexpectedly we took it from him! He must have been resentful, even if he didn't want these horses anymore, he would still want revenge on us! That's why he brought the Khitan people here!"

  Everyone's eyes widened in surprise, and Di Yu nodded: "Exactly, that was my guess too!"

  Yang Yingqi said: "The water source in the northwest has been controlled by him, and the water source in the south has fallen into the hands of the Khitan Palace Account Army. The north is a desert, if we go east..."

  Di Yu said: "We can't go east. Even if we find water and grass in the east, we will inevitably encounter the Khitan's main tribal army."

  Yang Yingqi said: "So it seems we are in a desperate situation!"