Chapter 529: The Strong Never Complain About Circumstances

Just as Huangfu Weiming was capturing Luoyang and planning to advance into Guanzhong, Fang Chongyong was not idle either, continuing to stir up trouble in the heartland of Hebei.

Cangzhou, Hebei, Dongguang County, the canal ferry at Baiqiao Town.

Large groups of laborers loaded the provisions stockpiled at the ferry onto the ships. Their enthusiasm for work was remarkably high—even more so than when farming their own fields.

Because Fang Chongyong had promised that once they finished loading the ships, the goods in the storehouses around the ferry could be "distributed among themselves" by these laborers.

Such a massive supply depot, so much grain and silk—the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army's fleet could hardly hold it all. Even someone who could not do arithmetic could see that there would certainly be plenty left over.

"Selling off the old man's land without a second thought—I've finally experienced this firsthand."

At the bow of a certain transport ship, Che Guangqian looked at the busy scene at the ferry and could not help remarking to Fang Chongyong beside him with a sigh of emotion.

There were many merchants in Baiqiao Town, and a great deal of goods transported from the north. Once these transport ships of the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army were fully loaded, Fang Chongyong and the others could only watch helplessly, unable to carry it all away.

That feeling was about the same as a eunuch visiting a brothel.

So rather than leave these supplies behind for Huangfu Weiming to take advantage of, it was better to distribute benefits to the local people and have them help with the loading in passing.

"The rebel army must be preparing for a major push. They should be making their move but haven't—there must be some trick behind it."

Fang Chongyong suddenly muttered to himself.

One hand resting on the mast of the transport ship, he pondered countermeasures in his mind.

Things had been too quiet lately. Li Baochen was following unhurriedly from the rear, and Gao Miao was waiting at his post like a hare hunter at the Changlu Saltworks—neither of them was taking the initiative to attack anymore.

This gave Fang Chongyong a sense of frustration, as if he had strength but nowhere to use it. His tactics were most vulnerable when the enemy adopted the approach of building fortified camps and fighting a grinding war.

Of course, under the current circumstances, they would have no problem retreating—it was just that Fang Chongyong was unwilling to settle for that.

Just then, He Changqi, who was supposed to be maintaining order at the ferry, hurried aboard and whispered a few words into Fang Chongyong's ear.

"Li Baochen's eldest son by a concubine, Li Weicheng? He even changed his son's name."

Fang Chongyong was momentarily taken aback. Li Baochen had actually sent his own son to deliver a message—even a concubine's son was quite remarkable.

Not to mention that the entire family had changed their surname.

"Right, he does look somewhat similar to that fool Li Baochen."

He Changqi had added the prefix "fool" before Li Baochen's name.

"Where is the man? Bring him up."

Fang Chongyong glared at He Changqi—this fellow was truly careless in handling matters.

"Jiedushi, the man delivered the letter and left right away. He had no intention of staying at all."

He Changqi scratched his head, seemingly not seeing anything wrong with it.

Never mind—he was, after all, just a rough soldier in armor wielding a weapon.

Fang Chongyong shook his head helplessly, took the letter, opened it, and examined it repeatedly. His brows immediately furrowed into a deep crease.

Li Baochen had not written any nonsense in the letter. Rather than a letter, it was more like a brief note that addressed only one matter:

The Uighurs were planning to raid the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army's fleet.

As for where the Uighurs were coming from, when they would strike, and how many troops they had—this intelligence was entirely blank, without a single word mentioned.

The good news was that the Hebei rebel forces blockading the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army seemed to intend to let the Uighurs go first while they picked up the spoils from behind.

The bad news was that the enemy's situation was unclear and the risks were unknown.

"No one wants to go first, so they're letting the Uighurs probe."

"Jiedushi, these rebels certainly know how to scheme!"

Upon learning the military intelligence, Che Guangqian could not help but make a sarcastic remark.

In fact, the anticipated encirclement and interception had all been much ado about nothing—each faction had its own concerns.

Letting the Uighurs take the lead was actually quite reasonable.

"The Uighurs probably also have their eyes on the supplies and wealth aboard these transport ships behind us."

Fang Chongyong could not help but sigh. The Uighur cavalry came and went like the wind, moving through the North China Plain as freely as fish in water.

Meanwhile, the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army could only operate along the canal route. Once cut off from the canal's supply line, they would easily become targets for encirclement and annihilation.

Whether to advance or retreat, and how to gauge the right measure—that was a true test of the commanding general's ability.

"We will spend the night at Baiqiao Town tonight."

Fang Chongyong looked at Che Guangqian and He Changqi before him, his tone calm and firm.

"Jiedushi, the terrain here at Baiqiao Town is open and exposed, which is very disadvantageous for us. If the Uighurs raid at midnight, wouldn't that be..."

Che Guangqian said with a worried expression.

"That table full of dishes was originally prepared for An Shouzhong, but he never came."

"Now it's not a bad idea to leave it for the Uighurs to enjoy."

"Everyone get ready. Treat tonight as a rehearsal. If the Uighurs don't come, consider it a chance to practice ahead of time."

"If the Uighurs do come, heh..."

A cold smile appeared on Fang Chongyong's face.

Since Li Baochen had sent a letter to warn them, he must have heard certain rumors. The Hebei rebels and the Uighurs were not of one mind either, so they were naturally happy to let the Uighurs test the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army's strength and tactics.

Even if not today, it should be within the next few days.

The Uighur raid was actually not something Fang Chongyong had anticipated—it was an unforeseen situation.

But as the saying goes, the strong never complain about circumstances.

If An Shouzhong came, Fang Chongyong was not afraid. If the Uighurs came, Fang Chongyong was even less afraid. If they had the guts, just bring it on.

How could a true man ever fear drawing his sword?

……

The sky gradually darkened, and the merchants of Baiqiao Town dispersed one by one. The town itself had only about a hundred households to begin with, and those who should close their doors closed them, and those who should put out their fires put them out.

At the Baiqiao ferry along the riverbank, half of the transport ships were moored on each side of the wooden bridge.

At this very moment, White Bridge had already been blockaded by the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army. Using the wooden bridge entrance as the center and the flat carts transporting grain within White Bridge Town as a fence, Fang Chongyong ordered the construction of a crescent‑shaped camp.

On each transport boat, wherever a winch crossbow could be installed, a crossbow carriage was mounted, with a dedicated guard; a squad was responsible for one winch crossbow. Each squad had three men: two reloading arrows and one aiming.

Between the flat carts, hemp ropes were tightened and wooden stakes driven into the ground to block passage. Behind each cart stood one knife‑spear man, two spear men, four sword‑and‑shield soldiers, and three crossbowmen.

Duan Xiushi led a team to inspect the battle readiness ship by ship, ensuring the winch crossbows on the transport boats functioned properly. On land, Che Guangqian commanded, while Wang Nande and He Changqi led a reserve unit on standby, each responsible for one side of White Bridge.

The entire temporary camp was darkened, illuminated only by the fishing lights on the transport boats.

Fang Chongyong stood beneath a transport boat's fishing light, his expression flickering, his thoughts unreadable.

He sat for two whole hours.

In the blink of an eye, it was midnight.

Duan Xiushi walked over, clasped his fists and saluted Fang Chongyong, reporting: "Jiedushi, all bed crossbows are operating well; the bolts are made by breaking a spear's wooden shaft in half and fitting a special arrowhead, and the quantity is ample."

"Hmm, go rest. For now everything is calm; we don't need them yet."

Fang Chongyong waved his hand lightly, speaking casually.

Duan Xiushi hesitated for a long time before quietly suggesting: "Jiedushi, we are confronting the Huohu people at White Bridge Town; this is a case of using our weakness against the enemy's strength. Huohu cavalry fear chaotic battle, and we excel at disrupting battles. Letting our advantage go unused, White Bridge Town lacks walls, lacks arrow towers, which is truly disadvantageous for us."

Does Fang Chongyong have a way to deal with Huohu cavalry?

The answer is not only yes, but there have been successful precedents.

Huohu cavalry have poor organizational coordination; once their formation is disrupted by a sudden enemy raid, all that remains is a retreat.

Holding the transport boats is truly a worst‑case strategy.

"What you know, the Huohu people obviously also know.

We are not afraid of a head‑on field battle with them, but the Huohu have many horses while we have few.

Even if they can't beat us, their retreat is still easy."

Fang Chongyong did not wish to explain at length, but the subordinate commanders harbored doubts, making it hard to carry out duties; often he had to clarify things to them.

"If that's the case, why don't we hurry to Cangzhou Changlu?"

Duan Xiushi still didn't understand; White Bridge Town is so open that it becomes a logistics hub. Fighting a defensive battle here is too disadvantageous.

"Strike with a single punch, lest a hundred punches follow."

Now we are like a hunter surrounded by a pack of wolves.

Show even a tiny flaw, and we'll die without a place to be buried.

Fang Chongyong exhaled a puff of foul breath.

Li Baochen is truly not a cheap lamp; he warned that the Huohu were coming but gave no specifics.

In fact, he never lacked the intention to sit on a mountain and watch the tigers fight.

As for the story "Baochen as the Son of Heaven," its usefulness depends on the occasion and the situation.

Only by winning, only by achieving victory, can one earn fate's favor. One must not place hope in luck.

Just as Duan Xiushi was about to turn and leave, a faint yet growing sound of horse hooves arrived from afar, seemingly in considerable numbers.

Fang Chongyong produced a far‑seeing mirror and looked repeatedly. Not far away, a unit bearing torches resembled a fire dragon, rapidly approaching them.

"They're coming!"

His heart sank; he hadn't expected that damned Li Baochen to actually give a hint of the news.

He didn't know whether that distant group were Huohu, but they were certainly cavalry, and they came with ill intent.

"Beat the drums, set off fireworks!"

Fang Chongyong ordered his nearby bodyguards.

Dong dong dong! Dong dong dong!

Dong dong dong! Dong dong dong!

Dong dong dong! Dong dong dong!

The drums on the transport boats sounded, and drums on the riverbank outside the boats sounded as well.

For a moment, a vast stretch along the north bank of the canal rang with drums, and the torches of the camp outside the boats were lit.

The Yinqiang Xiaojie Army soldiers who had been dozing against the flat carts snapped to attention. Sword‑and‑shield troops filled the gaps between the carts, crossbowmen moved into firing positions behind the carts, and spear men fell back to prepare to fill positions.

The surplus winch crossbows on the transport boats were also mounted on wooden racks behind the flat carts.

In truth, Fang Chongyong had not told his subordinates that once they left the vicinity of White Bridge Town, gathering so many flat carts to encircle a camp would no longer be easy.

It can be said that long ago he had already plotted to stage an unexpected defensive battle here at White Bridge Town.

This required the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army to deliberately create a flaw.

Whoosh!

A child‑arm‑thick Duannao shot from the transport boat, spearing the cavalry at the front into the ground, and it pierced two riders in succession!

Like skewering a kebab!

A lucky rider evaded the winch crossbow fire, and as if glitched, his horse leapt over the creek, soaring high and jumping over the flat carts on the ground.

Yet before he could recover from the landing's shock, a knife‑spear swooshed in, slashing diagonally, cutting the rider and his warhorse in two.

Blood spray erupted, shocking to the core!

This scene made the cavalry who had not yet charged forward completely abandon any thought of leaping over the flat carts into the formation.

Boom!

Boom!

Countless horses slammed into the flat carts, causing massive tremors. The cavalry's speed, hindered by the carts on the riverbank, had been reduced to a crawl.

Many riders began abandoning their horses, using the impact to push forward and start vaulting over the flat carts.

At this point, crossbowmen wielding horn bows became the protagonists. Many dismounted riders were pierced, falling onto the carts, their blood streaming down the carts into the canal.

"This won't do."

Fang Chongyong, who was observing the battle situation on the grain transport ship, frowned slightly.

The Uyghurs' desperate fighting style is kind of hilarious. Of course, it could also be because they were given a death order, and the troops behind don't know how the front is faring, just blindly charging forward.

If this continues, the soldiers of the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army defending the formation will start to tire, and then heavy casualties will appear.

"Blow the horn, let He Laohu and his men lead the charge."

Fang Chongyong ordered the messenger, deciding to bring forward the reserve troops.

One move will decide the victory!

Woooo!

With a mournful horn blast, He Changqi, who had long been lying in ambush at the edge of the battle line, raised his Masuo and led two hundred cavalry out of the darkness on the left flank.

Meanwhile, Wang Nande brought two hundred cavalry out of the darkness on the right flank.

The force suspected to be Uyghur cavalry had its flank ambushed, and its formation instantly fell into chaos.

He Changqi and Wang Nande, leading the reserve cavalry, were like two spears slicing through the enemy cavalry ranks.

Wherever they passed, countless enemy cavalry were swept off their horses by Changsuo, then trampled to death by their own comrades.

Seeing the flank in utter chaos, this massive cavalry force could no longer sustain its charge, collapsing like a snowdrift falling from a mountaintop.

Melting, disintegrating, they fell apart in a frantic rout.

Fang Chongyong crossed his arms and saw clearly what was happening on the riverbank outside the grain transport ship.

When the two armies were locked in a stalemate, like the taiji diagram, the moment when strength and weakness shift is often the time to launch a counterattack.

It must be said, Fang Youde's viewpoint is correct.

It's not the number of troops that matters but their quality; in the heat of battle, often only a small force of elite soldiers needs to be committed at a vital point and at a critical moment to turn the tide.

The quality of the troops, the timing of their sortie, and the amount of reserves often determine the outcome of a battle.

Troops that are numerous but useless are often just dead weight; they may have some use in holding the line, but they cannot sway the overall situation.

"Pass the order: aside from the cavalry already sent in pursuit, no other unit may give chase; each must hold its position."

Fang Chongyong gave the order to the messenger again.

Cold as a machine.

Not seeking to kill the enemy or claim trophies, only seeking to make no mistake.

After half an hour, the surroundings fell quiet again. He Changqi and Wang Nande, who had led the pursuit, had not returned, and no fresh enemy troops came to charge the line.

There was no cavalry, nor any infantry.

Even at this point, Fang Chongyong still could not be certain that the night's attackers were definitely Uyghur cavalry.

Although he could already reach a near‑certain conclusion through speculation.

"Jiedushi, the enemy has already withdrawn."

Duan Xiushi, drenched in sweat, stepped forward and bowed his fists to Fang Chongyong in salute.

Just now, he had fired flaming bolts according to the battlefield situation to indicate the direction of concentrated fire, which was also a frantic scramble.

Fortunately, preparations had been fairly thorough; the linked flatbed carts were not breached. These inconspicuous grain wagons should have been beyond anyone's expectations.

Yet they played a huge role at the critical moment.

Without these items serving as reinforced wooden palisades, trying to block a cavalry charge would be nothing short of daydreaming.

"Each vessel, tally how many Duannao you have left, how many more uses they'll last, and report the numbers tomorrow."

Fang Chongyong gave the order in a seemingly casual manner, only then realizing that cold sweat had already soaked his back.