Chapter 8: The Bandit Leader 'Pei Yuanshao'

  The Martial Saint 'Guan Erge' is indeed no ordinary cow. At the age of 18, he can challenge ten teams of a hundred soldiers and horses in just three days, what a "crazy" achievement!

  Wen Han is increasingly looking forward to the day when he will meet Guan Yu. If at that time, he himself has good luck and with a loud call, the aura of kings and overlords surges forth, and he can bring Guan Yu under his command. With such a vast world, where can't they go?

  Wen Han was fantasizing with a big smile on his face, Yang Dian and Zhou Lin looked at him with strange expressions. Later, under Li Qiang's kindly cough, Wen Han came to himself, looking very embarrassed.

  Several people were in the military camp, discussing the details of the strategy for a while, and found that it was already late. Yang Dian left Wen Han and the three of them stayed overnight in the camp.

  After the banquet, Yang Dian let Zhou Cong tidy up the military equipment, and he himself went to select soldiers and horses. In the end, only Wen Han and Li Qiang were left, and it was quite boring. Wen Han and Li Qiang chatted for a while, feeling sleepy, and each returned to their camp to sleep.

  On the second day, as soon as the sun rose, a long team of soldiers and horses set out on their expedition from the military camp.

  Wen Han wore a silver armor, wearing a helmet, holding an iron spear, riding a yellow-haired horse, and walking at the front of the team with Yang Dian. Zhou Long followed behind the team, responsible for the military supplies, Li Qiang was sent by Wen Han to Zhou Long's side to protect his safety.

  Wen Han didn't understand marksmanship, but he still had to put on a show. After all, the time he came to this era was still too short, and there were many environments to adapt to, and many things to learn.

  "How's this outfit? Are you used to it yet?"

  Yang Dian rode up on horseback, revealing a smile as he asked Wen Han. Wen Han nodded and responded with a "fine", but the uncomfortable expression on his face betrayed him.

  Because the saddle and stirrup had not been invented in the late Eastern Han period, riding a horse was extremely bumpy. Moreover, Wen Han's horsemanship was average, so he felt particularly uncomfortable sitting on the horse.

  Although Wen Han was boastful, Yang Feng, who had lived in the army for many years, saw the problem at a glance and taught some small tricks to Wen Han. Wen Han tried it out and found it useful, and riding horses became much smoother.

  "After this successful suppression of bandits, I must study horse saddles and stirrups when I return. Otherwise, in this era, with my unrefined horsemanship, going to war would be simply seeking death!"

  Wen Han made up his mind and thought to himself, meanwhile the appearance of saddles and stirrups floated in his mind.

  Three hours later, Wen Han and Yang Dian led their troops to a mountain pass, only a dozen miles away from Heifeng Mountain. Yang Dian waved his hand, ordering the soldiers to set up camp and rest on the spot.

  Yang Dian began to command the soldiers to set up sentry posts, start cooking and pitch tents. Wen Han and Zhou Lin were helping on one side while learning on the other, and when they didn't understand something, they would ask Yang Dian for guidance, who was also happy to teach them.

  After they had some free time, Wen Han and Zhou Xun led dozens of soldiers to inquire about Guan Yu's news from the surrounding hunters, but got nothing. "This place is far away from the mountain stronghold, I don't know if it's normal." Wen Han comforted Zhou Xun, and after their exploration was in vain, they led the troops back to the camp.

  On the other side, in the stronghold on Black Wind Mountain.

  "Urgent report! Urgent report! The master, about 10 miles below the mountain pass of Shan Kou, there is a troop of approximately 500 imperial soldiers and horses. Judging from their formation, they seem to be coming to attack Hei Feng Mountain!"

  A mountain bandit scout rushed into the stronghold in a flurry, his face urgent as he reported to Pei Yuanshao who sat on a tiger-skin covered chair.

  "What! What Li Er said is true! It's all because I didn't listen to him and buried a man and horse at the mountain pass. Otherwise, we would have been able to catch him off guard by now! What are you all still standing there for? Quickly invite out Mr. Li!"

  Pei Yuanshao suddenly stood up from his chair, both anxious and angry, and ordered his subordinates to summon Li Er out of the mountain stronghold where he was resting.

  Just the day before yesterday, Li Er rushed to Heifeng Mountain stronghold and reported to Yang Hong that he would send troops to attack Heifeng Mountain. And presented a plan, let Pei Yuanshao dispatch his men and horses, set up an ambush at the mouth of Heifeng Mountain, take advantage of the county soldiers' fatigue and sudden attack when they just arrived.

  At that time, Pei Yuanshao did not believe that Yang Hong would send troops to attack. He thought it was some trick of Huang Zhangshi's to extort money and wealth, so he didn't take Li Er's words to heart either.

  "Hmph. Pei Da, isn't it said that I'm timid like a mouse and worry about everything? What's going on, has the relief troops from Jie County arrived at Heifeng Mountain Pass?"

  A moment later, Li Er walked into the mountain stronghold hall with a pleased expression, speaking in a gloomy and weird tone.

  Pei Yuanshao was so angry that a surge of flames rose up in his heart, but he couldn't vent it.

  "This Li Erben is a dog leg in my hand, relying on a few cleverness, climbing up to that Huang Changshi, and becoming more and more arrogant. If I catch the opportunity, I will definitely make this Li Er's corpse separate!"

  Pei Yuanshao thought to himself, but his face was full of smiles and warmth as he said to Li Er: "It's my fault for not recognizing Mr. Li's talent, please forgive me."

  "Now that the imperial army has arrived at the mountain pass, I wonder if Mr. Li has any strategy to teach me, and I will definitely reward him with a large sum of money."

  As he spoke, Pei Yuanshao gave a signal to one of the mountain bandits. The bandit hastily presented Li Er with some silver that had already been prepared.

  Li Er put down the silver ingots without any pretence, cleared his throat, walked back and forth in the hall a few times, and then said four words with an air of confidence.

  "Defend to the death!"

  Pei Yuanshao moved his lips and looked at Li Er's complacent face, wishing he could slap him.

  "You think you're Zhang Liang reincarnated, acting so arrogantly!"

  Pei Yuanshao secretly despised him, but on the surface he burst out laughing: "Mr. Li has great wisdom, I was just thinking of this myself. The terrain of Heilong Mountain is treacherous, and the soldiers and horses of Xie County only number 500; presumably they wouldn't dare to launch a strong attack. Otherwise, I will make sure these 500 soldiers have no return."

  "I just don't know who the general leading the troops is this time."

  Li Er's eyes flashed with a hint of disdain, and he curled his lip in contempt: "I heard it was a young man, his martial arts skills were not bad, but he shouldn't be a match for Master Pei. However, since he is skilled in the way of hidden weapons, if Master Pei faces him, he should be on guard against that little trickster's techniques."

  Of course, Yang Hong's cautious nature would have sent Yang Dian to assist the young master in leading the troops. Oh, and there was another unimportant person, Zhou Leng, from the Zhou gambling den. This person had always been without great ambition, no need to pay attention to him."

  "Ah, so that's how it is. The one leading the troops this time doesn't have any extraordinary abilities. As long as he stays holed up and doesn't come out, I can rest easy. Hahaha!" Pei Yuanshao heard this and his previously heavy heart suddenly felt light, bursting into uncontrollable laughter.

  Xie County troops rested and regrouped, while the bandits on Heifeng Mountain seemed reluctant to launch a preemptive attack.

  A peaceful day has passed.

  "Report! Two hundred light cavalry of the county, led by Yang Dian, formed a battle array five miles outside the mountain stronghold. Yang Dian shouted loudly, asking the master to come out and sweep the array."

  A mountain bandit suddenly rushed in from outside the door, Pei Yuanshao glanced at Li Er on one side, and Li Er shook his head to signal 'no'.

  Pei Yuanshao furrowed his brow and reminded Li Er: "Mr. Li, the enemy's troops are only two hundred strong. Our village has eight hundred good men!"

  "Let's wait and see how things develop, don't be impulsive, we've fallen into the enemy's trap."

  Li Er's face was expressionless, and he said lightly. In his heart, he also felt a little strange.

  "There are only two hundred light cavalry daring to come and send themselves to death. Doesn't he know that there are eight hundred mountain bandits in this stronghold?"

  After a period of silence in the village, bursts of laughter and curses suddenly came.

  "Haha, everyone says that the Black Wind Mountain is full of good men. That Pei Da Dang Jia is even more a hero of the current generation. Bah! I think these people in the Black Wind stronghold are all cowards from top to bottom, extremely lacking in courage!"

  "That's right! We only have 200 soldiers, and we've already broken through their formation. The 800 bandits at Hei Feng Stockade don't dare to attack us. It's really laughable. If I were that Pei Yuanshao, he would be too ashamed to show his face in the future."

  "Alas! What a shameless fellow. Does Pei Yuanshao have any face? If he had any face, would he remain unmoved after being insulted by us two hundred good men?"

  ……

  Before the formation, Yang Dian ordered his soldiers to curse loudly. As for cursing formations, these soldiers were masters of their craft. They had long been familiar with which words could strike at people's hearts and make them lose their rationality.

  "Oh no, oh no, oh no! I'm so angry! Bring me my sword, I want to kill these two hundred county soldiers and leave not a single one alive!"

  Pei Yuanshao's face turned increasingly ugly, and finally he lost control of his temper and let out a loud roar. The bandits in the stronghold were also seething with anger, and immediately they too began shouting at the top of their lungs, following Pei Yuanshao's lead.

  "Not a single shell is left! Not a single shell is left!"

  Li Er opened his mouth, wanting to speak, but was met with vicious glares from the bandits in the hall, scaring him so much that he shivered all over. He immediately shut his mouth and didn't dare say a word.

  After half a column of fragrance, Pei Yuanshao wore a tiger-headed helmet and armor, holding a large knife of over 30 kilograms, riding a black fierce horse, and led the thieves to charge towards Yang Dian's soldiers with a ferocious and evil spirit.

  "I am Pei Yuanshao! Who dares to say that Black Wind Fortress is a den of thieves? I'll take his life!"

  Pei Yuanshao had a full beard and his eyes were wide open, wielding a large knife.

  "Haha, Pei Da is finally here! We've been waiting for you. I'm Yang Dian, and today I'll come to test your martial arts skills!"

  Yang Dian pulled the reins, grasped the iron spear tightly in his hand, and galloped away. The people and horses of both sides stopped and did not come forward.

  In ancient times, the pre-battle duel between generals could greatly boost the morale of the troops. When soldiers saw their commander bravely winning victories, their morale soared and they fought with divine assistance. On the other hand, if the commander retreated in defeat, the soldiers' morale would plummet, often causing them to become timid and even leading to deserters.

  In addition, at that time war was constant and population declined rapidly. The use of shields was also a means to preserve soldiers.

  "Welcome!" Pei Yuanshao laughed loudly, his hand rose and fell with a knife, chopping towards Yang Dian. Yang Dian barely dodged, Pei Yuanshao reacted extremely quickly, slashing horizontally.

  The big knife chopped towards Yang Dian's waist, coming suddenly and unexpectedly, causing Yang Dian to break out in a cold sweat.

  At this time, "Bang" sounded.

  A bright small knife struck on Pei Yuanshao's big knife, instantly blocking the knife momentum.

  Yang Dian never thought that in less than three rounds, he would take a trip to the Ghost Gate. Originally, he didn't put Pei Yuanshao in his heart at all. Unexpectedly, it was so sharp.