HPDBC Chapter 269 Borrow the Auspicious Timing, Battle Mingbei
Chapter 269 Borrow the Auspicious Timing, Battle Mingbei
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Dispatching an army of several hundred thousand men just to eradicate one person?
As absurd as it sounds, the Monarch of the Mingbei Empire actually did just that. Of course, it was a matter of necessity. What would become of the citizens of Mingbei if the Blood Demon continued his carnage unchecked?
If they weren't killed, they would flee or escape. Who knows, one day the Blood Demon might come for the Monarch himself, and then it would all be over with a single sword strike.
Thus, a massive army of two hundred thousand was once again dispatched from the Mingbei Camp near the Gesang River. What choice did they have, being the closest?
If it wasn't for the need to defend against the enemies from Xuanyuan Nation to the south, the Mingbei Monarch would have wanted to mobilize all his forces, combining the twenty thousand from the south with those sent by other leaders for a total force of four hundred thousand.
That should be enough to bait the Blood Demon.
General William nearly cried. You mobilize my two hundred thousand soldiers just to deal with one person?
However, no matter how angry or how much he protested, it was useless. In Mingbei, the orders of King Peter XVI were absolute. Those who were supposed to leave did so without a single soldier less from the two hundred thousand.
Looking at the remaining force of less than one hundred and twenty thousand soldiers, their faces showing they would prefer to be hunting the Blood Demon, devoid of any fighting spirit, General William felt utterly exhausted.
Damn it all!
Do they all really think the Northern Border Army of Xuanyuan Nation wouldn't dare to attack?
As a skilled commander with extraordinary martial talent, General William had already sensed the war's imminence. Over these past days, his meticulous understanding of Ye Feng, the Northern Border King, led him to believe absolutely that a battle was inevitable.
Perhaps, the struggle for the Northern Border's throne was nothing but a play directed and performed by Ye Feng himself.
...
Ye Feng was unaware of the commotion that Gai Jiutian had caused in Mingbei.
Of course, had he known, he would have been deeply worried. While Gai Jiutian had indeed disrupted the state of an entire nation on his own, how could the vast Mingbei Empire let him off the hook?
For five full days, Ye Feng was busy without rest, day and night. Two days ago, the Northern Border's New Fifth Corps was fully integrated, canceling out the structures of the four marquesses and successfully expanding each legion to two hundred thousand soldiers.
But with a million soldiers in strict formation, waiting day after day, Ye Feng's command to attack was still not issued.
"Pass the order, command the First, Second, and Fourth Legions of the Northern Border to lead with the heavy-armored troops, dispatching light cavalry towards the Mingbei Camp for a surprise attack. Do not seek victory, nor to kill enemies, just to disturb is sufficient."
"Order the Fourth Legion Commander, Jin Wuming, to lead his troops to inspect the Gesang River and find ice surfaces suitable for crossing."
Just when the soldiers thought this war might wait until the next spring, Ye Feng suddenly issued two commands.
Fight!
Less than an hour after Ye Feng's orders were issued, on the three bridges, supply troops from the three legions advanced, engaging directly in their first battle with the Mingbei Barbarians.
The roar of cannons, the charge of troops, and the sound of iron hooves rose continuously.
In less than half an hour, the three Mingbei bridges were lost, and the three legions successfully took control of all the bridges.
Was it really this smooth?
Even with the astute mind of Xiao Chuanqi, he found it hard to understand the situation. Logically, the Mingbei Barbarians came for revenge and should have placed great importance on defending the only bridges that allowed crossing the river, but their defense was weak.
If the reasoning wasn't clear, then there was no need to ponder it further.
In any case, such matters were for the King to consider. Xiao Chuanqi personally took to the field, leading the Light Cavalry Troop into the Northern Great Snow Mountain.
Not to kill enemies?
How could they not take the opportunity to spill some blood, having come all this way? Were they here just to catch the North Wind?
Since the King's command was only about not seeking to kill the enemy, it was fine to act within one's own capabilities. Killing as much as one could manage was totally permissible.
Sharing Xiao Chuanqi's mindset was the Second Legion Commander, Leng Wuming.
As for the Fourth Legion Commander, Shangguan Fenghua, someone of his age ought to be more prudent. With old arms and legs, it was better to let Xia Lengchan take charge.
"Master, what are your orders for me?"
"My lord, the Mingbei Snow Wolf Riders have finally begun their pursuit."
Over there, no sooner had the Snow Wolf Riders moved than Ye Feng in the Northern Border Camp received the news.
"Good, it seems Xiao Chuanqi and his men have succeeded."
"Tell the men of the three legions to put in more effort, and if necessary, shed some blood. Snow wolves are bloodthirsty and ferocious creatures; once they get riled up, even the barbarians won't be able to control them."
Ye Feng smiled knowingly.
Of course, his smile was cold, because his command would surely result in the death of thousands of light cavalrymen in Mingbei.
But, such is war!
The heaven didn't make Ye Feng wait long; on the eighth day, a blizzard began in the Northern Border.
"Order the First, Second, and Fourth Legion light cavalry troops to attack the Mingbei Camp, fight while retreating, and make sure to draw the Snow Wolf Riders out of the camp."
"Order the Third Legion to do everything possible to cross the river and attack the Northern Border Camp."
Following two consecutive orders, Ye Feng's figure also vanished from the Main Commander's Tent.
"C'mon, you wolf cubs, come and kill your grandpa!"
Outside the Mingbei Camp, Xia Lengchan taunted wildly, having gradually adopted the temperament of the Northern Border dwellers.
Say the cruelest words, fight the harshest battles!
What of the Snow Wolf Riders? They still ended up with a two-for-two exchange, of course referring to two men for one man and one mount.
"Xia Lengchan, that's not enough. Everyone in the light cavalry already knows that; watch me."
Leng Wuming lifted his sleeves without hesitation and cut the back of his hand, letting the blood flow out immediately.
Clank! Clank!
One after another, the Northern Border light cavalrymen drew their waist daggers, following Leng Wuming's action.
At that moment, about fifty thousand light cavalrymen from the three legions gathered there, letting their blood spill on the ice.
I'm this brazen, this deranged in my lure.
"Kill, slaughter through them!"
At last, the Snow Wolf Riders couldn't wait any longer and surged forward without an order from the Main Commander's Tent; if they didn't strike now, the snow wolves beneath them might go berserk first.
A bunch of cowards who only know how to flee, seeking death—then let's fulfill their wish.
Nearly twenty-five thousand Snow Wolf Riders charged fiercely, leaving only the old, the young, the sick, and the weak to guard the camp.
The opportunity had arrived!
"Orders to the Fifth Legion to attack in full force, release the oil-burning bombs."
Attack!
Less than ten minutes after many of the Snow Wolf Riders had left.
From the north, where the enemy's presence was least expected, the mighty Fifth Legion soldiers marched forth, flinging oil-burning bombs directly over the Mingbei Camp.
Where had the Northern Border's Fifth Legion gone?
They had long since crossed the Gesang River and lay in wait in the distance, waiting for just the right moment—the arrival of the blizzard.
Wait for the right time to fight Mingbei!
A great storm could hinder one's sight and hearing, and with some camouflage, the Fifth Legion could truly "do as they pleased."
Flames erupted instantly within the Mingbei Camp.
The sky above the Northern Great Snow Mountain also ignited its fiercest fire at that moment.