Jinting Han people

At the hour of Si (9-11 AM), the weather was clear, with a few wispy clouds drifting erratically in the sky, causing the sun to appear and disappear intermittently, and the shadows of the people to sway and vanish. This was just like the battle at that time, the outcome still unclear. The riverbank beside the battlefield was already piled with corpses, and blood seeped from the reeds, adding a touch of pink to the river. Vultures were already soaring in the sky, observing when they could approach to hunt for food.

Luo Shang observed the situation from the central command post. The central and eastern routes were already locked in fierce fighting, although Luo Shang was at a slight disadvantage. However, after Li Xiong from within the city also joined the battle, the morale of the Hanzhong army did waver somewhat, bringing the battle to a slight equilibrium. Unlike Liu Xian, Luo Shang could not calmly build a high platform, so he could only find a relatively high hill to observe the situation from a distance, but it was still difficult for him to understand the specific battle situation at the front.

Seeing that the battle had been raging for nearly three hours without a clear victor, Luo Shang was starting to feel uneasy. He knew the quality of his own troops and knew that a second tactical change was necessary, otherwise the front lines would collapse. However, he was unsure of Liu Xian's situation and hesitated for a moment. But then he gritted his teeth and thought, "We've come this far, can we retreat now? We'll hold on to the very end!"

So he ordered the left wing to attack first, and said to Qiao Deng: "The enemy army is being attacked from both sides. If we want to win, there are only two ways. One is for our army to take a desperate gamble and try to break through their defenses and join forces with Li Xiong in the north to attack together. Liu Xian will have no chance of survival. But Li Xiong and I have been rivals for many years, so we cannot do that. Then there is only one way left."

Qiao Deng understood Luo Shang's thoughts perfectly, and he naturally replied, "Does Your Excellency mean that I should capture the king to capture the thief?"

Luo Shang nodded and stroked his beard, saying, "That's right. Liu Xian is now the enemy's morale. When I advance on the left flank, you lead your troops to hide behind the left flank and then wait for an opportunity to break in."

"With an army of this size under his command, Liu Xian must have set up fortifications. My nephew, charge straight at him. If you can kill Liu Xian, that would be ideal. If not, at least disrupt their morale. Then I will order a full-scale attack. Victory or defeat will depend on this!"

To demonstrate his support for Qiao Deng, Luo Shang also deployed his only thousand or so cavalrymen. Seeing this, Qiao Deng knew he had no way to retreat and immediately bowed, saying, "Please rest assured, Uncle, my entire family has received the Jin dynasty's favor for generations. Having received the emperor's salary, it is only right that we repay his kindness! This time, I will go; if I fail, I will die for him!"

Thus, the battle finally reached the point of full-scale engagement. Luo Shang's left flank was commanded by Han Song, the Prefect of Ba Commandery and General of the Vanguard. His troops consisted mostly of elite archers from Jiangzhou, most skilled in naval warfare. Although they were now on land, their firepower should not be underestimated. They were equipped with the largest number of crossbows in the entire army, over 1,800 crossbows. These were Luo Shang's most prized possessions, originally intended to be used for great effect in naval warfare, but now that they had brought them to the battlefield, they proved equally effective.

They were facing Huangfu Zhongbu, the governor of Qin Prefecture in Hanzhong.

Huangfu Zhong, a veteran general of the Guanzhong region, commanded approximately three thousand Guanzhong cavalrymen, supplemented by over eight thousand infantrymen. This was his first battle as a formal member of the Hanzhong army. Although his position within the Hanzhong army was similar to that of a guest advisor, and he himself harbored some dissatisfaction with Liu Xian's ambition to break away from the Jin dynasty and establish independence, Huangfu Zhong understood that in this life-or-death situation, he had no other choice. Now that joining Liu Xian's staff was a fait accompli, he needed to formally establish merit and secure his position.

Seeing that the enemy had mostly infantry and very few cavalry, Huangfu Zhong couldn't help but feel a little contemptuous. He said to his adopted son, Huangfu Chang, "Over the years, who have I fought? They've been Qi Wannian, the Western Expeditionary Army, the Tuoba Xianbei, or at the very least, the Tiefu Xiongnu. Now we're dealing with these Sichuanese brats. Zhongping, let them see the might of the Longshang knights!"

Huangfu Chang agreed and immediately led his cavalry in a frontal charge. Thousands of cavalrymen moved like a dark cloud carried by a favorable wind, enveloping the Jiangzhou army's formation. But as they approached, they were stunned to see the soldiers calmly drawing crossbows from their backs. Just as they realized the gravity of the situation, before they could even shout, the crossbows, already cocked, were already in motion.

The Jiangzhou army carried mostly crossbows, each equivalent to a five-stone bow. They braved the headwind, aiming and firing with the arrows falling like hailstones from the sky. Each arrow carried the force to pierce armor, and two volleys of arrows fell like autumn leaves, instantly felling a large number of the leading cavalry. The wounded fell to the ground, not even having time to react to what had happened, until they were drowned out by the hoofbeats of those behind them.

Generally, crossbows are incredibly powerful, but loading them is extremely time-consuming, making it difficult to achieve a rapid-fire effect. However, this time, the Jiangzhou army had so many crossbows that they fired five rounds in quick succession, felling nearly two hundred knights. This greatly affected the Qinzhou army's momentum; the horses at the front were inevitably frightened, bucking and neighing as they slowed, and the cavalry behind were also blocked by those in front, thus losing their momentum.

The greatest advantage cavalry has over infantry is their mobility and striking power. Now, having lost their advantage against the crossbows, they are less likely to prevail in the ensuing melee with the infantry. Seeing this, Huangfu Chong knew it was a huge waste, so he quickly waved his flag, signaling the cavalry to withdraw from the battle across to the west, allowing the infantry to take their place first, and then launch an attack as needed.

In Huangfu Zhong's eyes, this was a rational decision, but for Qiao Deng, who had been waiting behind Han Song for a long time, it was also an opportunity.

Having received his orders, Qiao Deng had been waiting patiently. His mission to behead Liu Xian required a swift and decisive strike. The most likely obstacle to his operation was the cavalry under Huangfu Zhong on the left flank. Seeing the cavalry withdraw from the flank, Qiao Deng knew this was his best opportunity.

He glanced at the knights around him and said to them, "We will charge into the heart of the enemy ranks. Do not engage any of the bandits you encounter. Just stick close to the vanguard and move forward. We are going straight for Liu Xian!"

When these Jiangzhou knights heard that they were to bypass most of the enemy forces and charge directly at Liu Xian, they were immediately filled with excitement and their blood boiled. For a moment, they forgot the life-or-death danger of attacking Liu Xian's main camp.

Qiao Deng then instructed, "Remember, charge quickly. Attach your helmets and armor to the back of your saddles, and bring long weapons and water gourds. Those who can ride and shoot should bring bows and arrows. You can throw away everything else. You don't need to behead anyone you kill; as long as we capture Liu Xian, everyone will be promoted three ranks!"

Upon hearing this, the knights hurriedly packed up their horses and belongings.

Qiao Deng wore a dark blue round-necked military uniform that day, and his hair was wrapped in a red turban. Before setting off, he put on a black iron helmet. To identify himself, he also tied a colorful brocade piece around his arm.

Qiao Deng was twenty-eight years old this year, and his appearance was not yet mature, but when he put on his black iron armor and mounted his horse, people saw that there was a short sword hanging on each side of his rhinoceros-hide belt, and his armored mount was also tall, which inevitably gave people a sense of majesty and strength. He himself carried a specially made fifteen-foot-long spear, which was particularly different from others, while the rest of his bow, arrows, and broadswords were carried by his entourage.

The cavalrymen surrounding him were mostly longtime neighbors and friends, all heavily armored, numbering about forty, who encircled their commander. This was Qiao Deng's reliance for the final charge. The remaining light cavalry was entrusted to his friend, Cavalry Commandant Zhang Shun. In the crucial final moment, Zhang Shun would provide cover for Qiao Deng's flanks, creating the final opportunity to strike down the enemy general. Once preparations were complete, Qiao Deng led his cavalry northward in a charge, around noon, under exceptionally clear skies. When the cavalry entered the fray, the Hanzhong army was astonished. It was the first time they had seen Jiangzhou cavalry, and having fought for a long time, they were quite exhausted. How could they possibly withstand them? Facing them was the central army under Huangfu Dan, who was caught off guard. He tried to withdraw cavalry from his own army, but the message couldn't be conveyed in time.

Qiao Deng, however, showed no interest in fighting. He broke through from a weak point on the right flank, wielding his weapon merely to drive away the enemy troops around him. They nimbly searched for a path, turning away from any relatively solid enemy formation ahead, and wedge-shaped into any scattered or resting soldiers they found. The scene inevitably evoked images of rabbits and snakes digging their burrows.

This advance, of course, came at a cost. After traveling several miles and crossing a ditch, over a hundred of their cavalry had fallen behind, and most of their infantry had also been scattered. But he had now successfully passed through the most fiercely contested area, and the view opened up before him. Then he could clearly see, about a mile away, a high platform with two large banners standing atop it, fluttering in the flowing clouds, while below him, the infantry and cavalry stood like a forest, appearing extremely imposing.

This was the first time Qiao Deng had seen Liu Xian's main force, and he could tell at a glance that it must be the main force of the Duke of Anle. The soldiers in front of him exuded a killing intent he had never seen before. Even though hundreds of cavalrymen suddenly appeared in front of them, they did not make any obvious moves. Apart from being slightly surprised, they quickly returned to their usual calm.

Seeing this scene, many of the accompanying knights were somewhat frightened, but Qiao Deng was filled with heroic spirit. He encouraged his soldiers again, saying, "Have you heard the legend of Wen Yang charging into the enemy lines with a dozen or so riders during the Second Huainan Rebellion, terrifying Emperor Jing of Jin to death? How similar is this scene to ours? They must think we are cowards and dare not advance, but how many times in life do we have such opportunities to fight! If we can make a name for ourselves, what is life or death but a trivial matter? Gentlemen, follow me and break through their lines!"

As he said this, he ordered everyone to don their armor and mount their horses. Zhang Shun led the cavalry to cover the rear, then he drank all the water from his water gourd, threw it off his horse, and personally charged towards the high platform. Despite the thousands of troops in front of him, he remained unwavering, as if he were a small knife determined to cut through the iron plate in front of him.

Liu Xian, seeing this scene from the high platform, was first stunned, then clapped his hands and laughed, "Where did this kid come from? He actually has such courage!" He then said to Meng He beside him, "It reminds me of the scene when Marshal Meng broke through Qi Wannian's army."

Back then, Meng Guan commanded three thousand iron cavalry. Though few in number, their movements were like a landslide, as if possessed by gods. No army could withstand a single blow from him. This is something Qiao Deng's current forces cannot compare to, but their courage is the same.

At first, the belief in certain victory filled their hearts; then, life and death were cast aside; further still, battle and slaughter became a symphony of ecstasy; and later, they forgot everything, even themselves. It was as if something in the dark was controlling them, perhaps the entire meaning of their birth into this world was for this day, this moment.

Leading the charge was Mao Bao's force. Upon seeing Qiao Deng approaching, Mao Bao felt a surge of fighting spirit. After receiving instructions from Liu Xian, he spurred his horse forward to engage. His forte was mounted archery, so he ordered his men to engage in close combat while he aimed and practiced his shots from the sidelines. Through years of training, his archery skills were renowned throughout the army. While not guaranteeing perfect accuracy, he at least hit the target nine out of ten times. The number of fierce generals who had fallen to his arrows was far more than a handful.

At this moment, he held a feathered, armor-piercing arrow, circled around to Qiao Deng's side, and was somewhat surprised to see Qiao Deng charge forward several times in succession, his hands unable to withstand the attack. But without stopping, he drew the bowstring, pulled back the arrow, and nocked it in one fluid motion; a breath later, the arrow was already flying. He aimed the arrow at Qiao Deng's neck, certain of a kill, but unexpectedly, Qiao Deng, in the midst of the fight with the two riders, seemed to have eyes and ears, and with a mere sidestep, narrowly avoided the arrow.

This surprised Mao Bao, and his expression brightened slightly. He took out another armor-piercing arrow, nocked it, squinted, aimed at Qiao Deng's chest, and drew the bowstring taut. He put all his strength into this arrow, determined to hit the bullseye. But just as the arrow arced through the air, Qiao Deng raised his hand and caught it in mid-air! A knight happened to pass by, and Qiao Deng casually swung the arrow like a dagger, plunging it straight into the knight's neck, knocking him off his horse.

Seeing this, Mao Bao was greatly shocked: to have such skill required a long period of arduous archery training; he himself had practiced for seven or eight years before mastering it, yet his opponent also possessed it. He wanted to continue fighting Qiao Deng, but Qiao Deng didn't even glance at him; dozens of riders had already penetrated into the next formation, making it difficult for Mao Bao to intervene.

After Mao Bao, came Zhang Qi and Li Sheng's troops. Even facing enemies dozens of times their number, Qiao Deng showed no fear. He wielded a long spear in one hand and drew a precious sword in the other. This sword was the Xianning Sword, a gift from Sima Yan to Qiao Zhou. He used the spear for thrusting and the sword for defense. The Xianning Sword was forged from refined iron through countless hammerings, capable of cutting through iron like mud; ordinary weapons were easily severed by Qiao Deng at close range. With left and right swings, even with over a hundred cavalrymen surrounding them, they were temporarily unable to break through.

Qiao Deng had no idea how many people he had killed. He was only focused on rushing forward and slashing, his mind blank. Like a drunkard dreaming, he wandered through the crowd in a daze. He didn't even notice where he was, simply following the instructions of the gods.

Unexpectedly, an old man suddenly appeared before them. He led several riders and rode in, blocking Qiao Deng's path. Before even making a move, he shouted, "Boy, dare to state your name and fight me!"

Upon seeing the man's white hair and weathered face, Qiao Deng felt a surge of energy, his killing intent lessening somewhat. He then reined in his horse and shouted, "Old man, why seek death? I am Qiao Deng of Bazhou, and my men never kill the old and weak!"

The old man sneered and said, "So you're Qiao Zhou's grandson. Your ancestor betrayed the country for personal gain, how smug you are! No wonder you're working so hard! Justice resides in the hearts of the people. Do you think that by deceiving yourself and working yourself to the bone, you can become a true gentleman?"

These words struck a nerve with Qiao Deng, igniting his anger. He retorted, "I am loyal to my sovereign, willing to die on the battlefield. What do you traitors know of my loyalty and righteousness?"

He made a move to kill again, but the old man said, "I am willing to die for a benevolent ruler like Your Highness, while you are killing for a tyrant like Luo Shang. How can the two be compared! Even if you are invincible and have killed ten thousand people, what difference does it make? You are nothing more than Lu Bu!"

These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over his head, chilling him to the bone. This was something Qiao Deng hadn't dared to think about for a long time. Or rather, he had thought about it long ago, but dared not face it himself. Now that someone had pointed it out, Qiao Deng's murderous intent vanished. This manifested physically as him nearly losing his grip on his sword and spear.

Hesitating for a moment, he found himself surrounded by a large force. Qiao Deng then realized that he was less than a hundred paces from the command platform of the Hanzhong army, and could even see the faces of the people on the platform. However, he had very few riders left, only twelve or thirteen. Qiao Deng knew that he could not go any further, so he had no intention of lingering there. He immediately turned his horse around and charged back along the road he had come from, and no one stopped him.

No one knew the turmoil within his heart, but his extraordinary prowess in the Martial Arts Formation was witnessed by everyone. (End of Chapter)