Chapter 121: The Army Encircles Yanmen (7)

“Your Highness, the army ahead is Li Wenyuan’s force from the Western Regions. It is said that the wolf heads embroidered on their banners were taken from the wolf flags of the Western Shakuy Kagan,” one of Chubi’s close guards pointed to the banners not far off and explained.

Since seizing several wolf flags from the Western Turks, Li Wenyuan had the clever idea of replicating the wolf heads from those banners onto his own, a symbol to showcase his army’s battlefield achievements.

“You mean each wolf head represents a victory over my steppe warriors?” Chubi narrowed his eyes, focusing on the wolf heads on the flags.

“That is likely the reason, Your Highness,” the guard replied.

“Then we shall first reclaim the wolves that belong to the steppe and thoroughly shame those men from the west,” Chubi said, drawing his saber and addressing his men.

“Blocking the way ahead is Nibushe of the Eastern Turks—Chubi’s forces?” Li Wenyuan asked the military scout before him.

“Yes, Commander. The silver wolf-head banner belongs to Nibushe, and the current holder of that title is Chubi, brother of Khagan Shibi,” the scout recited from intelligence he had long prepared.

“And what about Wudelu’s situation?” Li Wenyuan broke off a portion of his dried ration and handed it to the scout. After a half-day’s forced march, some of Li Wenyuan’s troops were weary. They had paused in a wilderness away from any village to rest; soldiers fed their horses bean cakes and fresh water before taking out their own rations.

“General Wudelu has already engaged the Turks head-on with the First Division. He asked me to tell you that the enemy will be dealt with within an hour and that the main army’s advance will not be delayed,” the scout said without pretense, accepting the ration and eating as he spoke. They had set out before dawn and had yet to eat or drink since, their hunger sharpening their focus.

“Hm, if Wudelu says so, it must be nearly certain. Still, we cannot let our guard down. Keep constant watch on the battlefield and notify me immediately if anything changes,” Li Wenyuan nodded.

The scout acknowledged with a nod, finished his ration, and promptly left. Li Wenyuan drank from his water bag and studied the map of Yanmen Commandery drawn by the scout, planning the next steps. Thanks to this map, Li Wenyuan’s Fourth Legion had avoided the main Turkic interception forces and advanced deep into Yanmen’s heartland with ease. The few Turkic scouts encountered were swallowed by the mass of troops before they could retreat to deliver their reports. Fortunately, one scout wisely chose to retreat immediately upon spotting Li Wenyuan’s army, allowing Chubi to intercept accurately.

“We are now north of Guo County. Continuing east, we should reach Yanmen Commandery before sunrise tomorrow,” the staff officer pointed to the map.

“If we can arrive by the first watch of the night, when defenses are weakest, launching an attack then should allow us to defeat the Turks with minimal loss,” Li Wenyuan inquired.

“Then General Wudelu must finish the fight within half an hour, and we will set off immediately.”

“Good. Send the Second Division to support Wudelu and convey my order: a swift, decisive victory against the frontal enemy, no deep pursuit.”

The nearby messenger dutifully recorded Li Wenyuan’s command and hurried to deliver it.

At that moment, Wudelu had just unhorsed a minor Turkic leader and was searching for his next target when the sudden sounds of hooves and shouting behind him rose above the clamor of battle. Turning around, he saw the Second Division’s banner. Wudelu swiftly felled a Turkic cavalryman attempting to ambush him, then turned to meet the approaching troops and shouted, “Why have you come? Didn’t I tell the commander that the fight would end soon? Has the commander lost faith in me?”

“Corps Commander, the commander’s urgent order. See for yourself,” the Second Division’s leader said without argument, aware of Wudelu’s hot temper. He handed over Li Wenyuan’s written command, knowing only Li Wenyuan could rein in Wudelu’s fury.

Half skeptical, Wudelu wiped blood from his body, snatched the order, broke the wax seal with his dagger, and unfolded the paper. It read: “Yanmen is critical. Join forces with the Second Division to crush the frontal enemy swiftly. No deep pursuit. Li Wenyuan.”

Only then did Wudelu grasp Li Wenyuan’s intent. He turned to the Second Division leader and said, “Our opponents number about four thousand and have been locked in battle with us for over two hours. They are now at their limit. Divide your troops into two groups and flank them from both sides, encircling and cutting off their retreat. This will scatter their forces.”

Though Li Wenyuan led the campaign personally, Wudelu remained commander of the Fourth Legion, so it was natural he directed other divisions at this critical juncture. Hearing the order, the Second Division leader wasted no time and led his men in two columns to strike the Turkic flanks already engaged with the First Division.

“Your Highness, our forces have lost over half their men. The Han infantry’s thunderfire short clubs are deadly—no warrior struck by them has survived. Perhaps we should withdraw, regroup, and bring reinforcements,” one of Chubi’s trusted aides urged him.

Chubi’s face darkened. “Withdraw? As Nibushe, I have no idea how many are eyeing my position, waiting for me to falter. Retreat now would hand them the perfect pretext. They care not how strong the Han fighting force is; all they will see is that we lost to the Han.”

“The Khagan Qimin was once defeated by the Han but ultimately secured his position. Victory or defeat depends on seizing the grand trend,” the aide comforted him.

“Nibushe! Large numbers of Han troops have appeared on both flanks! Our warriors are struggling to hold!” a Turkic cavalryman galloped up with a report.

“Your Highness, the Han take advantage of their numbers. To prevent more of our warriors from dying in vain, we had no choice but to fall back,” the aide urged again.

“Very well, retreat,” Chubi said grimly, turning his horse around. Under the escort of his guards, he withdrew from the battlefield.

(End of chapter)