Chapter 302: Fishing Cannot Be Done Without a Helmet

A lone sunrise rose slowly from the east, becoming the backdrop for the cavalry.

After a night of damp, cold marching, Fang Chongyong led over two thousand cavalry of the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army through a narrow, winding gorge, and the scenery ahead opened up.

He only felt a warm sensation on his back.

On the verdant grassland, countless cattle and sheep were packed densely. Leisurely herders rode on horseback, aimlessly wandering among them.

Not far away was a Tubo army camp, with tents inside and a wooden fence outside. For grazing convenience, the gate was fully open, with no sentries at all.

To say the Tubo were heavily fortified, even the dogs didn't believe it.

Fang Chongyong couldn't help turning back to glance at the gorge behind him, and saw flower seas covering the foothills on both sides, countless shades of violet and crimson, glowing in the sunrise as if a fairyland on earth.

"What a pity, we saw nothing in the dark night."

Fang Chongyong couldn't help muttering to himself, lamenting the missed beautiful scenery. He then said to the two Dragon guards beside him: "Sound the horn, break through the Tubo army camp ahead!"

Wuh! Wuh! Wuh! Wuh! Wuh!

A bleak horn sounded, and the Tubo herders, hearing it, hurriedly rode toward the camp. However, they had no time to return to the camp before the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army scouts' arrows rained down, knocking them from their horses!

Under the protection of a few bodyguards, Fang Chongyong stepped aside and let He Changqi lead his troops to charge the camp.

The Yinqiang Xiaojie Army appeared to the east of the Datong region. The Tubo forces in Datong needed to defend the northern marching pass connecting to Wenyuan, as well as the southern He Yuan army. Having already split their forces, how could they spare troops to guard the eastern valley entrance?

Sure enough, half an hour later, He Changqi reported back: five hundred heads beheaded, and countless supplies captured. This was merely a logistical base of the Tubo army in Datong, with hardly any troops stationed.

"Jiedushi Fang, there are no real cities to capture here in Datong; the Tubo are either wooden forts or tents."

According to the prisoners, their troops are split in two locations: one watches the He Yuan army's northward advance, the other defends the pass where Guo's forces bring troops south from Menyuan, exactly as you predicted.

He Changqi said with admiration.

This strike truly hit the Tubo army right in the waist!

If we weren't thinking of the Tubo army's loot, the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army would have set fire to Datong's grain and supplies now, and this battle would already be a complete victory.

These captured goods will soon likely be used to reward the three armies, including the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army. Since this maneuver already controls the situation, we must preserve the seized supplies intact; do not burn them if they can be saved.

"Lay down all the supplies and loot; now the whole army marches north, first cut off a finger of the Tubo."

Fang Chongyong drew his Swift Wind Illusion Blade, pointed north, and said.

"Understood!"

He Changqi clasped his fists and left.

The Yinqiang Xiaojie Army's divisions began to regroup.

Fang Chongyong lifted the iron horn and shouted at the soldiers who were grumbling, eyes fixed on the Tubo loot yet unwilling to reach for it: "All mount your horses for me; anyone who dares to take anything will have both hands cut off!"

"Tubo heads await you in the north; a single head fetches a string of cash."

"Follow the Jiedushi, eat nine meals a day.

"Don't think about those jars and pots; once the battle is over, they're all yours!"

"The sage will even reward you with palace maidens!"

"Roll, roll, roll, all get out of my sight. The more you covet money, the faster you die; in the Battle of Longyou the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army earned the most merit, and this Tubo grain is worth only a few coins?"

Fang Chongyong shouted while brandishing a horsewhip, striking the horses of the soldiers behind him, herding them northward like cattle.

The cavalry rode swiftly and soon arrived at Datong's mother river: Baoku River.

This river, like the Datong River, originates from the same mountain range, only flowing in a different direction; they can be considered cousin rivers.

From here, following the Baoku River north to a fork; heading west leads to the river's source mountains; continuing north reaches the western pass of Wenyuan. This road is the main artery linking Wenyuan and Datong.

The Tubo force defending against the Tang army descending from Wenyuan must be ambushed at the valley mouth where the Baoku River flows.

However, the direction of their ambush was to guard against the Chishui army descending south through the pass from the north, not to defend against the Tang army stabbing from behind the south!

Fang Chongyong's maneuver was a flanking strike that hit the Tubo at their most vulnerable point.

"Jiedushi Fang! Tubo cavalry are coming from the south along the Baoku River! Their numbers aren't small!"

He Changqi, who was at the rear of the cavalry formation, hurried forward and shouted at Fang Chongyong.

"Huh? The south? Weren't these guys supposed to guard the He Yuan army?"

Fang Chongyong was stunned, bewildered by this sudden move.

"Jiedushi, form the battle line quickly and meet the enemy!"

Seeing Fang Chongyong silent, He Changqi, with a worried expression, shouted at him.

"Rear squad become front squad, turn the horses around.

You all follow this Jiedushi to slay the enemy!"

Fang Chongyong drew his Swift Wind Illusion Blade and shouted at He Changqi.

"Kill!" "Kill!" "Kill!"

The bodyguard squad beside Fang Chongyong shouted!

They raced to the front of the turned-around formation; a few hundred meters ahead, the Tubo army had already formed ranks, their troops disciplined and imposing, appearing to number no less than ten thousand.

"Jiedushi, the enemy outnumbers us; how shall we fight this battle?"

He Changqi rode over and whispered.

"You've already said the enemy outnumbers us; what else can we do?"

"Charge! Do not split forces; with me invincible! Cutting through the enemy line wins!"

Fang Chongyong, holding his blade, pointed at the distant Tubo formation and said.

"Understood!"

He Changqi swallowed and said, unable to hide a trace of fear.

"Guan Chongsi, come to my side as flag bearer and raise my banner!"

Fang Chongyong shouted toward Guan Chongsi, who was not far away.

Soon, the largest standard Tang army banner was raised, bearing a huge character "Fang" with, to its right, five smaller characters "Yinqiang Xiaojie Army".

"Yuanmen Er Long, sound the horn!"

Fang Chongyong roared.

Wuuuuuu!

The Yinqiang Xiaojie Army's horn sounded, but the Tubo cavalry moved first!

Fang Chongyong felt a chill in his heart, sensing that the opposing force was not the easy fish‑flesh they had slaughtered before and would be hard to deal with. But it was too late to speak now; in a narrow pass, the brave win, no more words—act first, speak later!

The two cavalry units charged head‑on and began to accelerate!

At that critical moment, a black stone projectile was shot from the distant enemy formation, and by chance it struck the flagpole of the banner bearing the character "Fang".

The flagpole snapped with a sound, and the banner fell to the ground!

A horse position behind, Fang Chongyong acted with swift eyes and quick hands, stepping on his stirrup, performing a "scooping the moon from the sea", snatching the banner, clamping it firmly under his armpit, and with one hand tightly grasping the broken flagpole, raising it above his head!

"May the gods protect the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army!"

"What can your ghostly tricks do to me?"

Fang Chongyong shouted angrily toward the front.

Seeing the banner fall and then be raised again, the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army's cavalry instantly felt as if aided by a deity. Meanwhile, the Tubo army's morale visibly dropped, and their sprinting speed seemed to slow.

Clang!

The two cavalry units collided, and those at the front instantly went head over heels!

The Yinqiang Xiaojie Army acted like a spear, cutting through the Tubo army's formation; the Tubo soldiers at the front were either killed or wounded, and the formation instantly fell into chaos!

This time Fang Chongyong charged forward to seize the central Tubo army banner! As long as he beheads the commander and captures the banner, the outcome of the battle will be certain. Otherwise, dragging it out would only increase casualties.

The longer they delayed, the more disadvantageous it became for the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army, which was already at an absolute manpower disadvantage.

Yuanmen Er Long, He Changqi and his two companions acted like bodyguards, cutting down the Tubo cavalry surrounding Fang Chongyong. Their group, as the spearhead, was unstoppable.

"Closer! Even closer!" Fang Chongyong saw that not far away, the Tubo army banner bore a tiger head; it was impossible not to be noticed!

At that moment, the commander beneath the banner calmly nocked an arrow and shot; the arrow, like a meteor, flew straight into Fang Chongyong's forehead!

Poof!

The arrow pierced his helmet, blood streamed down Fang Chongyong's forehead, blurring one eye. He, He Changqi and Yuanmen Er Long beside him were stunned, unsure what state the mounted Fang Chongyong was in.

At a glance, it seemed Fang Chongyong had been "head‑shot" by a Tubo sharpshooter; the arrow lodged in his helmet looked especially shocking.

"Tubo bows are weak; they can't kill me!"

"Those dog thieves over there are waiting—today I won't cut off your dog head, I swear I won't become a man!"

Fang Chongyong tossed the banner in his left hand to He Changqi nearby, asking him to hold it up. He brandished his Swift Wind Phantom Blade at the stunned Tubo commander and shouted.

"Fang Jiedushi, mighty! This battle will be won!"

Yuanmen Er Long roared in unison!

"Victory!" "Victory!" "Victory!" "Victory!"

The chant of victory spread like a plague, and every Yinqiang Xiaojie Army cavalryman shouted in unison; the Tubo soldiers nearby were terrified, retreating three paces and turning to flee!

The Tubo commander, seeing the unfavorable turn, turned his horse to flee. Yet his flag bearer, before he could turn, was shot by the poised Yuanmen Er Long and turned into a porcupine. The banner with the tiger head fell to the ground, trampled by the charging Yinqiang Xiaojie Army cavalry.

Fang Chongyong caught up with the panicked Tubo commander, swung his right hand in a slash, using the horse's momentum to behead him!

The head flew into the air and was caught by He Changqi, who was not far away.

"Fang Jiedushi, your prize—I'll keep it for you first…"

He Changqi, watching Fang Chongyong, shouted excitedly, then saw his face already covered in blood, slowly slumping on his horse, looking as if he could barely stay upright.

"Fang Jiedushi!"

He Changqi was terrified, but seeing Fang Chongyong remain calm, he gave him an "OK" sign, then cautiously guarded him; their horses slowed, drifting to the rear of the formation.

The sounds of fighting faded, and the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army split into squads of a hundred for pursuit, scattering to hunt the defeated Tubo soldiers, with cries of "crying for fathers and mothers" rising.

The battle ended, now entering the garbage time of grabbing heads.

At this moment, the saying "defeat falls like a mountain" perfectly described the battlefield. Though the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army was few, the Tubo army's morale shattered, losing its formation. Their commander was cut down, the banner fell, and they scattered like loose sand across the field.

This Tubo force, though many were slain by Yinqiang Xiaojie Army soldiers, had even more members trampled to death, some even by their own comrades.

He Changqi helped Fang Chongyong to a nearby boulder to sit; it was then that the bold and meticulous Fang Jiedushi sighed and said, "Later I'll find out which craftsman forged the helmet I'm wearing; there will be a great reward. For the life‑saving favor, I'll repay it with a spring of gratitude."

"Fang Jiedushi, are you really okay?"

He Changqi asked, still uneasy.

"Obviously, this Jiedushi is fine; if I were injured, could I still be speaking now?"

Fang Chongyong twitched his face and retorted.

After the high‑pressure moment passed, he now felt a throbbing pain at the arrow‑wounded spot on his forehead that made him grit his teeth.

Many in the army saw Fang Chongyong's injury. Soon, a medic from the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army found them. After examining the wound, he decisively removed the arrow, applied medicinal paste, and wrapped the wound with boiled hemp cloth.

It seemed a fatal case, but after inspection it turned out to be only a minor injury. The experienced medic couldn't help but marvel at fate's oddity.

The three picked up the helmet with the arrow still in it and instantly felt proud of Tang armor.

No wonder it's a product of a top Tang workshop; the equipment is indeed of superior quality.

The craftsmen of Chang'an, to prevent arrows from piercing armor, protected the forehead area of the helmet with a "patch"—a layer of forged iron and a thick layer of cowhide. The Tubo commander's arrow happened to strike this most heavily protected spot.

Although the arrow still pierced the helmet, Tubo bows are weak; after breaking the armor, the arrow's kinetic energy was almost spent, merely grazing a bit of skin on the forehead—enough to prevent tetanus, with no serious harm.

Of course, a wound that big inevitably leaves a scar. Fortunately, Fang Chongyong isn't a hero of five thousand li, so a scar actually suits the taste of the Qiu Ba.

"Fang Jiedushi, are you alright?"

Guan Chongsi, Yuanmen Er Long, and the few notable generals of the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army gathered around to check Fang Chongyong's injuries. Though the battle was perilous several times, they ultimately achieved a complete victory, especially since the Tubo commander's arrow did not kill Fang Chongyong.

In Tubo domestic documents, there are often descriptions of certain people being aided by ghosts and deities, vividly detailing what kind of spirits they are.

For example, Tubo people describe Xue Rengui as having four immortals assisting him.

The skilled Tubo commander's "headshot" failed to kill Fang Chongyong, causing the Tubo soldiers to believe he was aided by ghosts. At that point, the battle was beyond human capability, and continuing to fight was meaningless.

"In the future, if anyone goes fishing, remember to wear a helmet."

Fang Chongyong suddenly said something completely out of the blue. Hearing this, the generals around him looked at one another in bewilderment, none of them knowing why Fang Chongyong had said this.

Fortunately, this Jiedushi Fang was usually quite loyal and reliable in battle; his fondness for saying baffling things was but a minor flaw—one could simply pretend not to hear.

"Why would you wear a helmet to go fishing?"

He Changqi asked, rubbing his round head.

Fang Chongyong waved his hand, signaling him to shut up and not interrupt.

"The main force of the Tibetan army should be completely wiped out. Gather the soldiers—in one hour we head south, sweeping all the way through, and link up with the Heyuan Army."

Fang Chongyong's face was still covered in traces of blood at this moment; even after being wiped down by the medical officer, he still looked somewhat ferocious.

"Orders received!"

After the generals accepted their orders and departed, Fang Chongyong stood up and stretched.

"This was truly fucking licking blood off the blade!"

He couldn't help feeling waves of fear in retrospect.

On the battlefield, weapons are deadly and combat is perilous—who dares to claim they will never die in battle?

But for him, the battle of Longyou was already over. Next, the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army would return to Liangzhou to replenish its ranks.

(End of this chapter)