Chapter 71: Northern Qi Garrison

Fifty li east of Linlu, at the edge of the county's borders, there was a town called Beiqizhen, under Linlu's jurisdiction.

The town was not large, with sparse population, but the environment was still rather tranquil, nestled against the mountains and beside the water. However, affected by the war, in this late spring season, the entire town had not a trace of peaceful, auspicious atmosphere—the town's serenity had been completely shattered by the sudden onslaught of soldiers.

In Beiqizhen, fewer than a hundred households remained, and every family had shut their doors tight. The two main dirt roads that intersected north-south lay completely empty, appearing especially desolate. In truth, had the two roads leading out of town not been blocked, the townsfolk would have long since fled.

Northeast of the town, on a rare stretch of open ground amid the rolling hills, a ring of palisades had been hastily erected on the outskirts. Within, the clamor of voices and neighing of horses created a raucous din, while fresh horse dung mingled with the fragrance of earth drifted through the air. It was like a vast stable, penning both men and horses within.

Apart from the soldiers tending the horses, there were some two hundred troops, using the rocky terrain as cover along with hastily constructed abatis, warily watching the not-so-distant enemy that had swarmed together with ill intent.

This force was naturally the one led by Luo Yangui, who intended to defect to Hedong. Their route had not deviated much from what the Linlu County Magistrate had predicted to Liu Chengyou, but after winding about and crossing the Huan River northward, they had been driven by enemies from the east to this Beiqizhen, unable to move.

Somewhat coincidentally, the army pressing in from the east was precisely the rebel force led by Liang Hui, the bandit chief of Cizhou who had seized the Xiangzhou prefectural seat of Anyang. His objective was, of course, these warhorses.

Luo Yangui was not old—just a young man in his twenties—though his beard grew quite thick. Yet from his build and bearing, one could tell he was a warrior of considerable martial prowess.

Somewhat unexpectedly, Han Tong was actually together with them, and they appeared to be on quite amicable terms...

"Brother Luo need not worry. I have already sent men to relay the situation here back to Linlu. The distance is not far, and reinforcements will arrive soon. Those rabble are nothing to fear." Standing atop a high ridge, looking down at the "righteous army" clustered in the distance, Han Tong offered encouragement with some enthusiasm.

On Han Tong's side, while scouting and probing Khitan troop movements yesterday, he had encountered them west of Tangyin County. Sensing something amiss, he sent men to test and communicate, and upon learning their purpose, was overjoyed. He hurriedly dispatched messengers to Linlu, arriving at Liu Chengyou one step behind Luo Yangui's own courier.

Thereafter, he had Yang Ye lead men to continue reconnaissance of the enemy, while he himself took a squad of cavalry to escort them westward alongside Luo Yangui. Such eager initiative was, naturally, for the sake of these warhorses.

The "righteous army" in the distance, at a rough glance, numbered some two thousand or more, and was currently preparing meals. Just from observing their camp layout and morale, one could tell they were truly a motley rabble.

Luo Yangui grinned wide and said contemptuously: "I don't even fear the Khitan—how could I fear these bandits and thieves? If not for concern over these horses, I would have led my men charging down long ago..."

"General, just give the order, and your brothers will charge out with you to rout and annihilate those grass bandits." A junior officer nearby, overhearing Luo Yangui's words, immediately chimed in agreement, a hint of arrogance on his face.

Luo Yangui smacked him on the back of the head and admonished: "Right now, keeping these warhorses safe is what matters most. Those bandits' lives aren't worth regretting, but if these warhorses suffer any harm, that's what would truly pain me!"

Luo Yangui's mind was quite clear-headed. He understood well that these warhorses were his ticket to advancement, and also his powerful evidence to wash away the stain of having "joined the rebels." Moreover, he was confident that with such a generous gift, he would certainly be accepted.

Luo Yangui was clearly a man of some experience, being of general family stock after all—his father had once served as a Jin army general and a prefect of a prefecture, somewhat similar to Murong Yanzhao, though in history he had not shone as brightly as Murong Yanzhao.

In fact, in the original course of history, Luo Yangui had made the same choice—bringing horses to defect to Hedong—but without anyone appreciating him, he received no particular favor. Thereafter, through the Later Han and Later Zhou dynasties, he languished for over a decade, until following Zhao Kuangyin in the Chenqiao Mutiny, when he finally soared to prominence, leapfrogging in rank to become a senior general of the imperial army. Then, within two years, Zhao Kuangyin had uniformly stripped him of his military post and taken back his command...

But for now, Luo Yangui was still full of vigor, eager to establish merit, and held expectations for Liu Chengyou. After a moment's thought, he asked Han Tong: "I hear the imperial prince, Your Highness, is only seventeen?"

"His Highness's age may be young, but his bearing is majestic and dignified, rigorous and upright. Brother Luo, do not underestimate him on account of his youth..." Han Tong's expression turned somewhat serious, his words carrying a hint of warning.

"How would I dare! I was merely marveling at His Highness's youthful heroism. With such talent, how could Hedong fail to restore the realm and the dynasty?" Luo Yangui explained, uttering flattery that Liu Chengyou could not hear.

Han Tong glanced at him and said lightly: "Brother Luo, rest assured. You lead your men and present such a generous gift—His Highness will surely be delighted. When you are riding high on success, do not forget me."

"A newly surrendered man would not dare harbor extravagant hopes. As long as His Highness accepts me and I have a place to shelter, I will be content." Hearing this, Luo Yangui spoke humbly, yet from the look in his eyes, one could see abundant expectation.

Did Han Tong truly feel an instant kinship with this man, a meeting of hearts? The answer was naturally no. Even as they spoke, his peripheral vision kept stealing glances at the open ground beyond the ridge, at those sturdy horses.

Once these horses were incorporated into the army, one could imagine, the Longqi Army's cavalry would expand again, and he, Han Tong, would naturally be due for promotion—after all, he had accumulated no small merit and toil on this journey south. In his estimation, at the very least he could formally become commander of a cavalry battalion.

"General, those rebel troops have sent someone again. They say if we surrender the horses, they will let us leave..." At this moment, a soldier bounded nimbly up the ridge and reported.

Luo Yangui didn't even think, directly waving his hand: "Drive the messenger out! These bandits truly have their heads in the clouds!"

"Ignorant petty thieves!" Han Tong was also full of disdain: "Taking Anyang wasn't enough for them—they actually dare to set their sights on these warhorses."

At the same time, Han Tong's face showed faint displeasure. The two sides had communicated before, and Han Tong had already flown the banner of Hedong and Liu Chengyou, but it seemed to have little effect.

Two li from the town, a very close distance, in the "righteous army" camp, there was also clamor and noise, though of a slack, disorderly kind.

Looking at the messenger who had been beaten black and blue, the bandit chief Liang Hui was furious, venting with an ugly expression: "I have already shown great courtesy. Since you don't know what's good for you, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

Liang Hui had fairly fair skin and a full forehead—his appearance was indeed quite handsome, showing no sign that he was a bandit. But the moment he opened his mouth, the petty ruffian image of a small man leaped out.

He paced impatiently before his subordinates, then turned and issued the order with indignation: "Pass my command—have the brothers finish their meals, then launch the attack. I took Anyang city with ease; how could this little town stop me?"