Chapter Fifty Smooth Progress

  The Xiongnu were also known as the Jie people.

  They were slaves brought back by the Xiongnu from their raids on the Western Regions, and their descendants gradually developed into a dependent tribe of the Xiongnu.

  According to the multi-faceted investigation by Bái Láng, the Xianbei forces consisted of more than thirty tribes. These thirty-odd Xianbei tribes were centered on the Baishui River and were active in an area of about 100 miles around Lingzhou to the north and along the banks of the Great River.

  Due to its proximity to the great river, with abundant water sources, a small lake was formed, which is Baishuizhe. Relying on Baishuizhe, a lush meadow of aquatic plants and grasses was formed, which is Baishui River.

  The geographical environment of Baishui River is superior and rich in resources, which also makes it the location of the Jie people's camp.

  More than thirty Xianbei tribes, scattered sparsely in this area, like a multitude of stars surrounding the moon, encircled and guarded the safety of the commander's tent.

  As winter deepens, the low temperature on the grassland becomes more and more severe. The pasture on the ground is eroded by the cold, withering and turning yellow, dry and brittle. Even the White Water Marsh has frozen over.

  Herders huddled in felt tents, sipping hot goat's milk, waiting for the harsh winter to depart.

  But what they didn't know was that death was approaching.

  Although the wolf cavalry was a main battle cavalry specially synthesized by Li Zhong for mountain warfare, this does not mean that the wolf cavalry is not suitable for plain warfare.

  On the contrary, on flat ground, wolf cavalry is even more terrifying.

  Wolves wrapped in leather armor, galloping on the dry grassland, without making a single sound. The meat pads on the wolves' paws have excellent shock-absorbing effect, not only do the cavalrymen on their backs feel no bumps at all, but they also run silently!

  However, the metal rings on the armor and cavalry equipment set off wave after wave of mournful howls.

  A pack of wolves with huge heads, their eyes emitting a cold and sinister glow, they ran with bared teeth, eagerly anticipating the impending bloodshed.

  The white wolf raised its head, facing the north wind, and didn't feel a bit uncomfortable. The helmet's constant temperature and windproof effect made him feel not a bit cold.

  A huge curved knife hung on the saddle buckle of the wolf beside him, shining brightly in the weak winter sunlight, flashing a dazzling blade.

  "Brothers, add some strength, there is a Jie tribe settlement not far ahead!"

  "White Wolf turned back and shouted loudly: 'We must have a beautiful start, the master is watching from behind!'"

  "Roar!"

  Behind him, a hundred riders shouted in unison, their voices filled with unparalleled confidence.

  This is a small tribe on the sunny side of a grassy hill, with sparse and scattered sheepskin packages dotting the slope. At the foot of the slope, countless cattle, sheep and horses can be seen gathering together in a pen.

  Near the top of the grassy hill, a felt package was suddenly opened, and two tall men wrapped in fur coats came out. Upon closer inspection, they were found to be typical Westerners with high noses and deep eyes!

  "What's that noise?!"

  One of them shivered in the cold wind, looking puzzled.

  Another person also leaned in to listen, and finally shook his head: "It sounds like the wind, but it doesn't."

  "This voice is suspicious, are you reporting to the clan leader?!"

  "This... isn't necessary, is it? You should know what the clan leader is doing at this time, who dares to disturb him?!"

  "Uh..."

  "Wait a minute, maybe it's just a rumor, and it will pass soon."

  "Alright."

  These two were just the sentries arranged by the tribe, chatted for a while and then entered the yurt.

  But after entering the yurt, the two became increasingly restless.

  The strange sound coming from outside the account grew louder and clearer.

  Look at this situation, it's rushing over here!

  The two of them couldn't sit still any longer and hastily lifted the door curtain to walk out, raised their heads to take a look, and instantly turned pale!

  "It's cavalry!"

  One of the voices trembled slightly: "Quickly, quickly blow the horn to notify the tribesmen to gather and prepare!"

  Another one, without saying a word, took down the waist horn, puffed out his chest and blew it loudly.

  "Waaaahhhh..."

  In an instant, a long bugle call spread throughout the entire tribe.

  Then, from those felt packages, countless human heads popped out.

  "Who is it?! Who's blowing the horn?!"

  The anger is self-evident.

  "Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"

  On top of the grassy hill, a frantic roar was carried over on the north wind.

  "Enemy attack? Don't be ridiculous! Not even a horseshoe sound, and you're talking about an enemy attack? Are you kidding me?"

  According to the custom of the prairie people, someone made a judgment.

  At this time, the head of the account came out: "You two bastards, get out!"

  "No, it's not, Chief, it really is an enemy raid..."

  "Clansmen, get ready your weapons..."

  Before he could finish speaking, two mournful cries rang out, and a large number of arrows suddenly fell on the grass mound!

  In an instant, all the Qiang people on the grass slope were stunned and suddenly thrown into chaos.

  "Hurry up, curved blade, bow and arrow!"

  "Hurry up and bring the war horse here!"

  For a time, the entire grassy slope was in an uproar.

  However, it's too late.

  As the rain of arrows fell, giant war wolves appeared on the grassy slope.

  Those ferocious eyes and sharp fangs make those who see them tremble with fear!

  "Kill all rebels without mercy! Charge!"

  The white wolf let out a loud howl, turned its hand and pulled out a huge curved knife, clutched the wolf's abdomen, and rushed down instantly.

  Behind him, a hundred war horses neighed in unison, a sheet of snow-bright knife light flashed by, the war wolf galloped, stirring up a patch of wild grass, like a mountain flood, pouring down from the top of the slope!

  Less than two moments later, when Zhang Shan led his cavalry to this place, the entire slope was already in a mess.

  One by one, the bloody heads were hung at the waist of the mountain wolf cavalry, and the headless corpses fell to the ground. Some had caught fire, while others had fallen over.

  More than two hundred old, weak, women and children or those who had surrendered were tied together with a thick rope, forming a cluster, huddled together with cattle, sheep and horses.

  When he saw Zhang Shan arrive, White Wolf burst out laughing and stepped forward, saying: "I'll leave this to you, Old Zhang!"

  Zhang Shan's face showed a look of envy: "All the good places have been taken by you Wolf Riders."

  "Hehe, who made our wolf ride so fast!"

  Zhang Shan was helpless.

  After a brief handover with Zhang Shan, White Wolf didn't stay and immediately led his mountain wolf cavalry, wailing and howling, to the next tribe.

  Zhang Shan's war horse, Light Cavalry, temporarily stayed here, destroying all the tribe's possible weapons and burning all the felt packages. They gathered all the tribe's belongings together. After stripping all the Jie people of their clothes and hiding them well, they tied them up tightly and surrounded them in a pen with livestock. Only then did they lead the war horse Light Cavalry to chase after the Mountain Wolf Cavalry.

  This was Li Zhong's pre-arranged tactic.

  Due to the limited number of men under his command, it was impossible for him to divide his troops to guard prisoners everywhere, nor could he kill everyone he met - Li Zhong was now in urgent need of manpower, especially unpaid manpower.

  So a method was decided upon - gathering prisoners together, stripping them of their clothes and making them wait for the arrival of subsequent troops.

  In such a cold weather, without clothes, it's impossible to walk far and would soon freeze to death. I believe those who surrendered didn't have the courage to challenge the harsh winter.

  And those hidden away, only the people under Li Zhong's command knew where they were, and after Li Zhong's infantry arrived, they would be taken out and given to the captives to wear, then escorted to the grassland for further arrangements.

  Zhang Shan left the tribe soon after, Li Zhuang led thirty green armor war riders and a thousand infantry arrived here.

  And at this time, those captives surrounded by a group of livestock had almost all frozen to death.

  When they saw Li Zhong coming, these captives suddenly had a feeling of surviving a disaster.

  In this way, the White Wolf fought in front, Zhang Shan followed closely to clean up the remnants, and Li Zhong was responsible for arranging the captives, goods, and livestock at the end. For a time, they were busy but exhilarated.

  In this kind of weather, everything seemed to be proceeding stealthily, and even two days later, when the White Wolf had taken down its tenth tribe, no one had yet detected it.

  Li Jing followed behind, and every time he gathered a thousand captives, he would send out 500 infantrymen to escort them back. In the northern part of the grasslands, where the hills and plains meet, Li Jing had already established a camp in these two months.

  There were a thousand new recruits in the camp who had not yet been awarded their first suits of armor, Zhao Wu personally took charge, taking over the prisoners, goods and livestock.

  In two days, ten tribes were defeated, with more than 5,000 people captured. The number of cattle, sheep and horses exceeded one million, while gold, silver, treasures, furs and equipment were countless.

  This made Li Zhong both ecstatic and increasingly vigilant.

  He wouldn't think that until he reached the White Water River, the Xianbei people would not discover. Although in this kind of weather, the Huns on the grasslands basically wouldn't go out, equivalent to being isolated from the world. But Li Zhong still sent a message to Bai Lang and Zhang Shan every two hours, telling them to be careful and pay attention.

  This is war; when heaven and earth are favorable to one's own side, one must be even more cautious.

  Those who walk a hundred miles are half done with ninety; if one is not careful and falls into the enemy's trap, all previous efforts will be in vain.

  As expected, on the third night, White Wolf sent a message through Blue Bird.

  He was ambushed at night!

  However, what comforted Li Zhong was that the White Wolf remained vigilant and had scouts patrolling around at all times. Although they were ambushed at night, fortunately, the scouts sounded the alarm in time. Before being attacked by the enemy army, they relied on the agility and speed of their warhorses to escape.

  Because of concerns about Zhang Shan following closely behind, White Wolf did not flee randomly, but instead took advantage of the night to return and prepare to meet up with Zhang Shan, while also sending a message to Li Zheng.

  Li Ding received the news, thought for a moment, and then sent a message ordering the two to suspend their actions, pay attention to avoiding the enemy army, cover up their tracks, keep practicing at all times, and wait for Li Ding's subsequent elite infantry arrival.