Chapter 320: Battle

The battle between the Xiaoguo Army and the Wagang Army started as a one‑sided affair; even though the Wagang Army now has many fierce generals, including the famed commander Xu Shiji and the strategist Shen Luoyan, they still cannot hold the front against the ferocious assault of the Xiaoguo Army. This army is well‑equipped and, eager to return home, its morale is high, even though its commander is mediocre and has lost many men to Yu Wenhua Ji, yet the Xiaoguo troops' spontaneous attacks and coordination can force the Wagang forces into a steady retreat.

The Wagang Army fell back to defend, holding their position firmly. The Xiaoguo Army has a fatal weakness: insufficient food supplies; if delayed, they will run into trouble. Add Yu Wenhua Ji's chaotic command and the earlier killing of a batch of Xiaoguo officers for various "rebellious" reasons, and once the food runs low disaster is certain. Shen Luoyan also offered Li Mi a plan: negotiate peace with the Xiaoguo Army, promising to supply them with provisions in exchange for the Xiaoguo Army not attacking the Wagang forces.

Then comes the stalling, wearing down the Xiaoguo Army's fighting spirit and confusing their commanders while waiting for these guys to exhaust their provisions. Under Yu Wenhua Ji and his cronies, especially his brother Yu Wen Zhi, the Xiaoguo Army truly falls into this waiting. This is also the weakness of proud soldiers: they consider themselves invincible, so it's natural for an opponent to beg for mercy; they will surely send food gifts to let the Xiaoguo Army pass.

After all, the Xiaoguo Army wants to return to their home in Guanzhong; if they can be bought with provisions, why risk lives fighting them? At least the Xiaoguo troops from top to bottom think that way.

So time, food, and morale all slip away… When the supplies run out, no grain is sent by the Wagang Army. The Xiaoguo Army erupts in unrest, a panic atmosphere envelops the whole force. Yu Wenhua Ji is quite capable of regicide and personal martial cultivation, but his governance and military strategy are a mess—ultimately he is just a dandy.

The Xiaoguo Army collapses; Yu Wenhua Ji quickly flees with the emperor Yang Hao, killing Yang Hao on the road and planning to proclaim himself emperor at the last moment.

Of course that happens later; while the Xiaoguo Army waits for provisions, Bai Lang also told Old Wang Ming that he would help him in this battle, urging Old Wang to dispatch troops. However Old Wang is a cowardly house‑bound dog, never daring to bring a large force, only giving Bai Lang two thousand soldiers and that's it. "To undertake great deeds yet cherish one's life, to see small profit and forget death. When we rescued Yang Guang from the siege, he wasn't so timid—he was still fairly brave and resolute." Bai Lang can't understand.

Two thousand men matter little; after all Bai Lang is just killing a battle for Wang Shichong, and later Wang Shichong himself will face the Wagang Army. Today he only gave Bai Lang two thousand, so Bai Lang eases his pressure a bit. Wei Zhenzhen is accompanied by Bai Qing'er, sorting gear inside Luoyang; after Bai Lang returns they will leave. Bai Lang dons his gear again, still without armor, only a makeshift "armor" of brocade sewn onto his body, purely decorative from the palace.

The man on his head wears no helmet, only a large Han He Crown with two rooster tails, and carries a Zao Yang Spear—a seventy‑two‑jin (about 36 kg) weapon newly forged by Wang Shichong's armorer, identical to the old design, and the blacksmith also made an extra thick‑backed Pu Dao, thirty‑four‑jin (about 17 kg) long six feet. Bai Lang rides a great horse at the front, followed by eighteen cavalry, each a double‑mounted rider: one horse for ordinary riding, the other a warhorse.

The two thousand infantry, each led by their own commander, follow behind, pushing a supply wagon loaded with provisions; morale is still decent—Bai Lang's reputation shines, and under the fierce generals this should be another victorious feat. Marching out of Luoyang, when Bai Lang reaches the area where the Wagang forces meet, the Xiaoguo Army on the other side also collapses, scattering in all directions while Yu Wenhua Ji flees with his confidants, dragging Yang Hao.

The Wagang Army launches a massive offensive, subduing and killing the scattered Xiaoguo troops; the Xiaoguo equipment is extremely fine, and of course they have well‑trained soldiers. This becomes a great opportunity for the Wagang forces, and at that moment news arrives that Bai Lang has broken through the Wagang camp.

The Wagang Army has not yet besieged Luoyang, but has already set up a blockade camp on one side; the main army now faces the Xiaoguo Army on the other side, leaving the camp's garrison a bit thin. "Let them have as many troops as they like. Everyone, watch me crush this camp!" Bai Lang shouted a heroic boast to his subordinates, telling them not to set up camp and to use the Wagang camp itself for rest.

Bai Lang spurs his horse at full speed, Zao Yang Spear in his right hand and Pu Dao in his left; on the opposite camp wall, a soldier sees Bai Lang charging, begins to fire crossbows, which Bai Lang casually deflects. As he draws nearer, the wall's troops shout, leap over the wall, open the back gate and run… blowing up the camp. The Wagang troops stationed there push down the rear wall— they don't even have time to flee through the gates; after the wall falls they scramble away in chaos.

Bai Lang strokes his fine beard and laughs heartily, pushes the front gate open with his Zao Yang Spear; inside the mess, the soldiers haven't even burned the provisions, let alone the barracks. Two thousand of Wang Shichong's troops enter the camp to spend the night; Bai Lang occupies a barracks alone, while the eighteen cavalry promptly prepare all rest arrangements as if they were support troops. They regard Bai Lang as a master; doing this is commonplace.

Bai Lang pays no heed, just sleeps soundly, while the commanders below naturally assign night watch. It's actually unnecessary; the Wagang troops, having seen Bai Lang charge, have already lost heart and likely fled through the night, probably into Li Mi's army.

Bai Lang's arrival gives Li Mi a great headache. Should they concentrate forces to confront Bai Lang? How to deal with him—hold the mountain stronghold or maneuver to evade? Those are questions. Luring Bai Lang into an ambush and surrounding him with tens of thousands of troops seems a solution. Yet this man is a peerless warrior; surrounding him may fail and be crushed by him. Men are not puppets; they fear death…

Li Mi does not believe that after Bai Lang's formation slashed hundreds, his army would waver.

Yet now that the newly defeated world‑strong Xiaoguo Army forces Yu Wenhua Ji to flee almost alone, it essentially declares the complete downfall of the Yuwen clan; Li Mi and the Wagang Army are at the peak of their power. If they avoid battle with only two thousand men against Bai Lang, it would be disgraceful. So they rely on their numerical advantage, first clash with Bai Lang—at least try to encircle and kill him. Even if they cannot capture Bai Lang, wiping out his soldiers can still claim victory over this fierce general.