Chapter Twenty-Six: Amidst the Shaking Clouds (Part Five)
Outside the city of Yunzhong, not far from its walls, clusters of low hills rise, forming an integral part of the city’s defensive system. Upon these hills stand small, sturdy forts, designed to prevent attackers from charging straight toward the city. The range of arrows and crossbows from these forts overlaps with the city walls, forcing any attacker wishing to clear the forts to first endure the deadly fire from the walls, not to mention the occasional counterattack by the Eagle Warriors from Heng’an Prefecture.
To overcome such an orderly defensive system requires overwhelming military strength: assaulting the forts, pinning down the walls, and enduring heavy casualties. Yet Yunzhong is a small city amidst barren lands, offering nothing for an army to plunder. For the likes of the Turkic army, lacking supply lines and logistics, a siege lasting ten days or a fortnight would quickly lead to starvation.
With such defenses and a corps of elite Eagle Warriors from Heng’an Prefecture, Yunzhong stands as an iron bolt barring the path of the Turkic horde. Their southern advance is thus stymied; they must either bypass the city—risking harassment from its cavalry—or take the road through Yanmen Commandery, a vexing predicament.
But today, the low hills are crowded with people. The townsfolk, along with traders from both Han and nomadic tribes who cannot enter the city, have all surged onto the hills, pressing together as they gaze toward the city’s interior.
The soldiers guarding the forts, so long as the crowd keeps its distance, pay them no mind. They, too, stand on tiptoe atop the ramparts, craning their necks to witness the commotion within the city.
Liu Wenjing’s carriage has arrived on one such hill. Surrounded by his guards, he stands atop the shaft, watching the fierce struggle unfolding within the city.
The handpicked guards from the Six Military Prefectures of Hedong are all struck with awe, the shock plain on their faces. None expected to witness such skill in Yunzhong today!
A figure like Xu Le could only be cultivated by families of generals—capable of storming through enemy lines, shattering formations, a solitary rider worth a thousand men. In these turbulent times, he would be among the brightest stars!
How did such a person come to be a humble merchant, hounded and threatened by Eagle Warriors of Heng’an Prefecture, forced to seek redress from Liu Wuzhou?
Liu Wenjing, however, pays little mind to the exclamations of his guards. His thoughts circle around a single question.
This outstanding young man, somewhere between youth and adolescence—he is certain he has seen him before, somewhere, sometime!
As the thought deepens, Liu Wenjing stamps his foot in frustration. “Who is this gentleman, really?”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Elsewhere atop another low hill, a similar question arises between two nobles dressed in the attire of the Nine Surnames Tatars.
Page (1/3)
Page (2/3)
Their guards cluster tightly around them, shielding them from sight, fearful lest the Eagle Warriors on the fort ramparts spot their presence.
The two nobles, meanwhile, fix their gaze on the city, a mere arrow’s flight away, striving to see more clearly. The elder’s face is grave, and at last he cannot help but ask, “Who is this gentleman, really?”
Of course, no one can answer him. The name “Lord Le,” as Xu Le is known, is somewhat familiar in Shenwu County, but unlike Song Bao, who has traveled elsewhere in Mayi Commandery, few in Yunzhong recognize him.
To the native horsemen of Yunzhong, Xu Le appeared as if from nowhere, his prowess shaking the city with a single battle. How could these foreigners of the steppe possibly know his origins?
The younger noble, meanwhile, watches with sparkling eyes. “Among the Han, there is truly a wealth of talent! In just Mayi Commandery, such a figure exists—who knows what extraordinary men reside in Jinyang, in Chang’an, in Luoyang!”
The elder noble glances at the younger, falling silent. His young master is admirable in all things, but his admiration for the Central Plains is excessive. When he inherits the Blue Wolf Banner and leads the tribe, let him not be so enamored...
But that is a concern for the future. For now, the fierce battle weighs heavily on the elder’s mind. In Mayi Commandery alone, so many exceptional men. Fortunately, the Han are divided, allowing the Turks to rise. This opportunity must not be missed! On this journey, he must open the way south for his tribe, and let Mayi Commandery become a pasture freely traversed by the Turks!
Within Yunzhong, a sudden roar and commotion erupts at the site of the struggle. On the ramparts above, the Eagle Warriors point toward the city, shouting at the top of their lungs, “Commander Yuchi is entering the fray! Commander Yuchi is entering the fray!”
The two nobles exchange a grave glance. It is Heng’an Eagle Warriors’ foremost champion, the man even Turks fear—Yuchi Gong, personally joining the battle!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Within the city, the uproar is deafening. The black-faced military commander mounts his horse, wielding both spear and whip, riding into the arena, stirring all who watch!
Yuan Junwei’s reputation as a champion stems not only from his own abilities, but also from the support of his elder brother, Yuan Junzhang. His record—charging through the Turkic ranks, challenging five centurions in succession, fighting to the point where he could see the banner of the Ezbi tribe—was achieved with the aid of many elite Eagle Warriors from Heng’an Prefecture. That assault, meant to rescue Yuan Junwei, cost several squad leaders their lives.
But this black-faced commander is the true champion of Heng’an Prefecture, Yuchi Gong—also known as Yuchi Jingde!
Yuchi Gong was born in Shanyang; as a youth, he drifted to Yunzhong, earning a living as a blacksmith, renowned locally for his strength and courage. When he joined Heng’an Eagle Warriors, he immediately distinguished himself. Liu Wuzhou, returning from Koryo to lead Heng’an Eagle Warriors, wholeheartedly welcomed Yuchi Gong. Yuchi Gong, admiring Liu Wuzhou’s heroic and fair reputation, pledged himself willingly.
It was thanks to Yuchi Gong’s loyalty that Liu Wuzhou could fully command the Eagle Warriors.
Last year, in a great battle with the Turks, as the Turks retreated, Liu Wuzhou led the main force of Heng’an Eagle Warriors in pursuit, and Yuchi Gong served as vanguard throughout!
Page (2/3)
Page (3/3)
Yuchi Gong, leading his elite troops, dogged the Turkic army, launching repeated attacks, scattering several large detachments, and rescuing thousands of captives. When the Turks set a trap to engulf his force, Yuchi Gong fought his way through, rejoining the relief troops!
In battle, Yuchi Gong, spear and whip in hand, his armor stained as if soaked in blood, moved freely among ten thousand, his bearing etched into the memories of the Turkic wolf riders.
If Liu Wuzhou’s prestige is the foundation of Heng’an Eagle Warriors, then the innate martial might of Yuchi Gong is its sharpest fang!
Amidst cries of astonishment, Yuchi Gong rides into the arena and bellows at Yuan Junwei, “Yuan Four! Stand aside!”
Yuan Junwei is once again forced to retreat, turning to glare fiercely at Yuchi Gong. “Not a chance! I’ll kill this brat first!”
Yuchi Gong snaps, “Do you think Heng’an Eagle Warriors haven’t been disgraced enough already?”
Ordinarily, Yuan Junwei would show some respect toward Yuchi Gong, but today, his shame and anger overwhelm him, and he shouts back, “Tell that to my elder brother! If you don’t step aside, I’ll take you on too!”
Yuchi Gong laughs, spurs his horse forward, tucks his spear under his arm, frees one hand, and grabs Yuan Junwei’s armor sash, dragging him off his horse in a single motion!
A dull thud—the fall is heavy, and for a moment Yuan Junwei cannot rise.
The Eagle Warriors who had been fiercely fighting Xu Le are stunned by Yuchi Gong’s act, falling back a few paces, leaving only those still groaning on the ground.
As the dust clears, Xu Le emerges from the melee. He looks up and meets Yuchi Gong’s steady gaze.
Yuchi Gong raises his iron whip, pointing at Xu Le. “I guarantee you’ll see Liu the Eagle, but unless you’re unseated today, Heng’an Eagle Warriors will have lost all face.”
Xu Le regards Yuchi Gong, a smile curling his lips. “I’ve heard your name, but I assure you, I won’t be leaving this horse.”
Yuchi Gong laughs, then suddenly roars, spear in hand, charging straight ahead!
Page (3/3)