Chapter 300: Hesitation Guarantees Defeat

If, in ordinary times, feudal‑era armies could have many ways to give themselves a "strength boost".

Such as forming a formation for self‑protection.

Or opening the way with bows and crossbows.

Or wearing heavy armor.

Or cavalry shooting like the wind.

Things like war chariots, spiked barricades, siege crossbows, and the like need not be mentioned.

But at this very moment, the two armies meet on a narrow night road, and none of those buffs can be applied.

Fang Chongyong's mind raced, and he reached a decision in an instant.

If the two sides' strength is not vastly different, then in this critical moment of close‑quarters combat where neither side has any guard and even crossbow bolts have no chance to be fired, overthinking only makes things more troublesome.

In such a situation, rashness may sometimes be wasted, but hesitation will certainly lead to defeat!

In short, go reckless and deal with it later—who cares!

"Don't form a formation! Don't wear armor! Don't take heavy weapons!

Charge! Just charge! Cut through the Tufan troops! Not a single step may be stopped!

Whoever dares to stop, will be dealt with by military law!"

In the darkness, Fang Chongyong brandished a metal horn and shouted wildly, fearing that the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army soldiers would stop to do some "tactical support" or the like.

There's no need at all! Just kill through the chaos; timing is paramount! On the dark, narrow mountain path, no tactics can be employed.

If the formation stays intact, kill the men ahead.

If the formation breaks, use the identification ribbons on the arms to kill!

Don't think about anything else; just go reckless and it's over.

At this moment, He Changqi and Yuanmen Er Long have already led their troops to charge at the front, disappearing from sight. The soldiers of the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army split into several groups behind them, maintaining the unit's structure.

Fang Chongyong slipped into a nearby thicket, brandishing the metal horn and shouting continuously. In any case, the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army soldiers recognize the device; as long as his loud voice keeps calling, the commander is safe, so just charge forward.

"Don't worry about loot, just charge forward!"

"Don't fear death; if you die, this Jiedushi will adopt you as a son, and you'll still be a hero of the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army in the future!"

"Charge! The more you fear death, the more you'll die!"

In this instant, Fang Chongyong seemed to become the old neighborhood committee aunt from his past life, endlessly blaring a 'fire‑and‑theft' warning on a big horn.

While Fang Chongyong was shouting, a stone projectile 'psh!' struck a bodyguard's shield with tremendous force! The guard staggered back a step or two before regaining balance.

"Raise the signal lantern and let the Tufan fire!"

"Whether they fire or not, they're already panicking!"

Fang Chongyong whispered to the nearby bodyguard.

In a moment, the signal lantern was lifted high, and indeed no Tufan could pay attention to them.

However, there were only a few people left beside Fang Chongyong; most of the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army soldiers had already surged forward. This shows that the Tufan troops were indeed retreating step by step, and the retreat was accelerating.

Their initial reaction was already a beat slow—one step, then another, then another!

Probably these Tufan never expected that taking a side path would lead them into elite Tang army forces; they had no time to react.

The odds of this are far lower than meeting a ghost on a night walk!

When the chaos began, some Tufan soldiers tried to don armor, some tried to form a formation, and some even tried to fire black darts.

As a result, the already loose formation was hit by a sudden charge of Yinqiang Xiaojie Army soldiers, scattering the front ranks and causing many to turn and flee.

The rear troops, unaware of what had happened, just raised their weapons to fight—some even were still putting on armor—only to have their formation shattered by the front charge.

In the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army, Yuanmen Er Long and He Changqi led the vanguard, piercing the unformed Tufan troops like an awl through tofu; the rear descended into a chaotic melee!

Many Tufan Imperial Guard soldiers didn't even have time to draw their ancient ceremonial swords before being cut down in waves, suffering heavy losses under the bold Tang assault.

These men possessed considerable skill, yet they never got a chance to use it; in the chaos they lost unit cohesion and fought only as individuals.

Very quickly, the morale of this Tufan Imperial Guard collapsed. Those at the rear, sensing something amiss up front, didn't ask why—they turned and fled!

"Pursue, don't stop! Don't worry about the wounded!

Charge! Charge! Charge!

All of you, charge!"

Fang Chongyong gathered a dozen or so straggling Yinqiang Xiaojie Army soldiers, stitching them together as a rear‑guard. If they saw any wounded Tufan Imperial Guard still moaning by the roadside, they would send someone to finish them off!

Fang Chongyong ran while using the big horn to urge the lagging troops not to slack off!

Bathed in silver moonlight, Enlan Dazalu Gong's direct unit sped westward along the tea‑horse trail, fleeing like outlaws.

From time to time, someone exhausted would drop out and collapse on the ground, only to be cut down on the spot by the pursuing Yinqiang Xiaojie Army soldiers.

Killing them is no harder than slaying a chicken!

The two armies chased each other like that for two hours. When the sky finally turned a pale fish‑white, Fang Chongyong led a few dozen soldiers who had lagged behind, surrounded by his close aides, to the front of the formation.

At this point, no Tufan remained standing.

Yuanmen Er Long deployed a hundred men a mile ahead as a warning line; the others found a spot along the valley road to sit and gasp for breath. The numerous Yinqiang Xiaojie Army soldiers were weakening in body, barely able to grip their swords.

Their limbs trembled, aching terribly.

You run, I chase; the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army chased this Tufan Imperial Guard for two hours—like a starving wolf clamping onto an arm and never letting go!

Whether any Tufan escaped is uncertain, but Fang Chongyong, while at the rear, counted along the road; thousands of Tufan soldiers' corpses lay scattered everywhere on the ground, and that was no fake.

At the very least, this battle left the Tufan Imperial Guard bleeding out, unable to recover combat strength for a year or more.

He Changqi looked as if he had been soaked in blood; if not for his unmistakable round head, Fang Chongyong would have thought he'd gone to a film set, shot a horror movie, and just returned.

"Jiedushi, last night's battle was truly perilous.

"I, a low‑ranking officer, thought I was already brave, but it turns out the Jiedushi is both wise and courageous!

"You truly are the brave one!"

He Changqi plopped onto a huge rock at the edge of the forest, let out a long sigh, looking rather shaken.

He seriously gave Fang Chongyong a thumbs‑up.

He often realizes things late, but Fang Chongyong's orders are always foresighted; the gap between them is huge.

Last night's chaotic battle relied on speed over slowness; both sides had virtually no defense. Whoever reacted faster and fought more decisively could let the momentum snowball.

Once the chase‑and‑flight pattern formed, even if Han Xin arrived, the Tufan troops could not turn the tide.

As the battle of Qin and Zhao described to Zhao She: "The road is long, dangerous, and narrow, like two mice fighting in a hole; the brave will win."

All these things are what He Changqi only thought of after calming down and his mind finally made the connection.

From the start, Fang Chongyong never intended to coordinate tactics with the Tufan Imperial Guard. Even if your swordsmanship is unrivaled, I only practice draw‑blade technique, leaving you no chance to draw your sword!

It's no wonder this Tufan Imperial Guard is unlucky; they rely on heavy infantry. Unarmored they can't show their strength; armored, however… after marching dozens of li continuously, even the lightest Tufan iron armor weighs fifteen kilograms.

Wearing that gear on long‑range marches—doesn't that mean courting death? Even if the enemy doesn't cut you down, you'll die of exhaustion walking!

So Fang Chongyong's decisive command last night may have seemed reckless, but he had already calculated the win rate at lightning speed.

In a narrow pass, the brave win; a reckless charge has a huge win rate, and he was betting that the Tufan troops were also unarmored.

The unarmored Yinqiang Xiaojie Army, if they charged an armored Tufan force, would probably die a gruesome death. In the pitch‑dark night, unable to see enemy equipment, making a pre‑battle decision in the shortest time is itself a testament to a commander's skill.

This round, He Changqi was truly impressed.

If he were the chief commander, he could be fearless, but he would never be as reckless as Fang Chongyong.

Many can later criticize Fang Chongyong for using reckless tactics, but within the army, only results matter, not the process.

Win, and take everything; I don't care how you win.

"Don't just stand there—bring a few captives over; this Jiedushi has questions."

Fang Chongyong scolded He Changqi.

Soon, the marching guide brought a captive with several fresh wounds, head hanging low and spiritless. From the attire, he seemed to be a senior Tufan officer.

"I ask you, why does your party march at midnight?"

"If your answer satisfies me, I'll let you go, and my troops won't harm you."

Fang Chongyong looked at the man and asked in a deep voice.

The marching guide translated Fang Chongyong's words; the man was startled at first, then without hesitation gave the purpose of the expedition.

"Their party plans to bypass and attack Shanzhou City, which is the Longyou Jiedushi headquarters."

After speaking, the guide repeatedly confirmed with the Tufan officer, asking several questions, finally convinced that he was not lying.

"They intend to march along the Tea Horse Trail to the Datong River crossing, then follow the river south, ferry equipment and horses on rafts, turn west at a certain pass, and reach a mountain pass not far east of Shanzhou City.

Emerging from the pass is the Tang Empire's relay road. They could not only block the relay road, cutting off supplies to Shanzhou, but also assault the poorly defended Shanzhou City."

The guide further explained what the man had said later.

"Attack Shanzhou City?"

Fang Chongyong suddenly recalled that the so‑called pass should open onto a plain. The small plain between Lanzhou and Shanzhou City was once the Haidong Market of his past life! He had even traveled there!

Now it is just a grassland, with many herders grazing. The place is already close to the Longyou Jiedushi headquarters!

This Tufan Imperial Guard is actually going to raid the Tang army's old stronghold! They're really daring! How bold!

Fang Chongyong couldn't help sighing; the Longyou Tang troops and the Tufan army are truly a clash of deities, each ferocious to the death.

At present, the two forces are locked in fierce fighting at Shibao City, with no clear victor. Most of Longyou Town's troops are on the front line, making manpower extremely tight.

At this moment, a Tufan Imperial Guard seized the Longyou Jiedushi headquarters from behind, then launched a rear attack, capturing cities and lands. The ensuing scene leaves the remnants of the Longyou Tang troops besieged on the east side of the Hehuang Valley, confined to a small area centered on Anrong City.

Supplies are cut off, surrounded on all sides by Tufan troops. In the end, the Tufan will concentrate the nation's strength for a world‑shaking encirclement battle!

Or perhaps the Tang will cede territory and pay reparations, letting the Tufan release these Tang troops.

If this battle succeeds, it's uncertain whether the Tufan will seize Longyou Town's lands, but Enlanda Zalu Gong could definitely achieve a god‑like victory, second only to the historic Lun Qinling!

"Old horse, old horse, I only wanted to eat the Tufan's northern army, and you actually want to devour the whole Longyou Town's forces—are you being too greedy?"

Fang Chongyong muttered internally, thinking his cheap sworn brother's war tactics were truly wild and daring.

Still, if his fellow Jiedushi hadn't pulled off this daring move here, perhaps Enlanda Zalu Gong would have handled the matter himself.

Fate, destiny, and luck—sometimes a person ends up a hero or a clown, not solely by personal effort.

"Rest for an hour, eat something. After sunrise we set out for Datong City.

Cut off the left ears of these Tufan corpses as proof; then this Jiedushi will report your merit!"

Fang Chongyong ordered He Changqi.

"Understood!"

He Changqi performed an excited salute, hopping forward to deliver the order.

After completing these tasks, the sun had already risen. Fang Chongyong finally noticed that the Tea Horse Trail was as beautiful as a paradise.

Blooming wildflowers, a dazzling array of wild fruits, layered green hills, clouds shading rosy skies, even snow‑capped mountain wonders—all appeared together like a painting.

Apart from the corpses scattered on the ground and the blood‑red streams, which were quite unsightly, the place truly made one reluctant to leave.

"If one can subdue invaders, it need not involve massive slaughter.

Alas, such a beautiful scenery is wasted."

Fang Chongyong couldn't help sighing; he hadn't killed anyone last night, yet now he felt his body reek with an indelible scent of blood.

……

The moment the Heavenly Might Army entered the battle, the balance of power shifted.

The Tufan could no longer maneuver around Shibao City as before. A few times they tried the old trick of assaulting Dingrong City, but Li Guangbi led the Heavenly Might Army with two or three thousand elite cavalry to strike the Tufan's unstable siege forces. When they recovered, Li Guangbi rode back to Anrong City, refusing to fight the Tufan any longer.

With the front unfavorable, Qi Li hurriedly summoned Enlanda Zalu Gong back to Fufu City to discuss strategy.

"Da Lun, the Heavenly Might Army has already deployed, no rear worries now!

The junior officer has already arranged a follow‑up. The second Imperial Guard unit under Zhanpu, already taking a side path to attack Shanzhou City."

Those troops are all my direct-line elite, brave and good at fighting. The scouts have already investigated and learned that the Tang army in Shanzhou City has left only five hundred wounded soldiers to guard the city; capturing them will not be any problem.

Once we capture Shanzhou City, Wang Zhongsi will be unable to attend to Shibao Castle; they will have to consider how to escape the Hehuang Valley.

In this battle we have already secured an invincible position; it's just a matter of how much we can win from Wang Zhongsi. Even if Wang Zhongsi were a deity descending to the mortal world, even if he could turn the tide, he must still give up Shibao Castle to us.

If he fails to respond properly, in the end delivering tens of thousands of the Longyou Tang troops to us for consumption would not be impossible.

Enleda Zhalu Gong respectfully saluted Qilixu and spoke.

"Hmm, let's proceed according to your plan."

Qilixu nodded slightly and spoke.

(End of chapter)