Chapter 65: Li Guang Gets Lost Again

The next day, in the southwest region.

Liuju finished handling post-war affairs, then ordered Sang Hongyang: 'From now on this place will be renamed the Ordos Coal Mine; moreover, we need to send more people to Taiyuan Commandery, with Yumen as the core to prospect for coal, and the road from Chang'an to these two locations should also be built.'

Sang Hongyang respectfully accepted the order.

Liuju also said to Zhao Chongguo: 'General Zhao, we will set out immediately and reach the Xiongnu's encampment in the shortest time; we must kill Wuyu Chanyu with all our strength to prevent him from colluding with the Wusun to attack Shuofang City from inside and out.'

'Your Majesty, are you not returning to Shuofang?'

Zhao Chongguo looked at Liuju, wondering if the Son of Heaven's intention was to personally lead the campaign against the Xiongnu.

Then he urgently said: 'Your Majesty's precious person must by no means risk danger!'

Sang Hongyang also said: 'Your Majesty, General Zhao is absolutely right. The environment where the Xiongnu reside is harsh, and the enemy troops are deceitful in many ways; the risk of this expedition is truly too great.'

Zhao Chongguo added: 'Yes, Your Majesty, as the ruler of a state bearing the heavy responsibility of the entire Han, how can you lightly court danger? If any mishap occurs, how shall we face the world, and how shall the Han people cope?'

Liuju's expression grew solemn, his gaze firm as he looked at them and said: 'I understand your concerns, but my mind is made up.'

Zhao Chongguo knelt with a thud, clasped his fists, and earnestly said:

'Your Majesty, I wish to lead the great army on campaign and will surely not disgrace my mission. But I earnestly ask Your Majesty to remain in the rear, to command from there. With Your Majesty in the rear, the soldiers will have confidence and can fight bravely without worry.'

Liuju stepped forward, personally helped Zhao Chongguo up, and said solemnly: 'General Zhao, your loyalty deeply gratifies me. But this campaign is of great significance; I must personally be on the battlefield. I want the soldiers to know they are not fighting alone; I will fight side by side with them.'

Shuofang City has Zhang Tang holding the fort, plus new weapons and equipment and the newly added Feathered Forest Guard; it is believed that before long the situation will be reversed and a counterattack against the Wusun will be launched.

But in the place where the Xiongnu are, Liuju always feels as if something is summoning him; he must go!

Sang Hongyang still would not give up, urging again: 'Your Majesty, the Han has just experienced a war; it needs you to stabilize the situation and handle many affairs. If you go on campaign now, panic may spread both at court and abroad.'

His eyes full of worry, he tried to persuade Liuju from the perspective of the overall situation to change his mind.

Liuju took a deep breath and slowly said: 'This campaign, I am determined to succeed; no one can shake my resolve!'

Having said that, he walked out of the temporary tent and declared loudly: 'General Zhao, set out immediately, no mistakes allowed.'

On the road from Shuofang to beyond Yumen Pass, heavy snow flew about, obscuring the sky.

Li Guang rode a tall horse, taking the lead.

The howling north wind cut like a knife over his weather-beaten face, and the flying snow quickly condensed into a thin layer of frost on his armor.

Gazing at the endless white expanse, his view severely obstructed, Li Guang's brows furrowed involuntarily, and a sense of foreboding welled up in his heart.

As expected, as the march progressed, he found himself once again lost in the same predicament as during the northern desert battle.

'Damn this heavy snow!'

Li Guang cursed under his breath, tightened the reins, and turned to look at the troops behind him, likewise engulfed by wind and snow.

Emperor Wu of Han Liuche rode his horse to his side, his face dark as if water could drip from it.

'Li Guang, what on earth is going on? How are you lost again?'

The emperor's voice carried undisguised anger and anxiety as he said: 'If this continues, we'll all be trapped in this icy snowy wilderness; can you bear the responsibility?'

At this point, Emperor Wu of Han had already accepted the fact that Li Guang had taken him away from Han lands to the frontier; although the future was uncertain, the Han emperor, whose life had been full of ups and downs, was also a person who could yield and stand firm.

He merely needed to temporarily cooperate with Li Guang, planning slowly later!

Although Li Guang's heart was full of guilt, years of campaigning had also given him his own persistence.

He straightened his back and said: 'Your Majesty, the wind and snow are too strong, making directions hard to discern. In my opinion, we should head northeast; perhaps we can find a way out.'

The emperor snorted coldly and retorted: 'Northeast direction? Are you trying to lead me and the great army somewhere? Clearly the northwest is the correct route; quickly issue orders to advance northwest!'

The two each held their own view, refusing to yield, and their argument echoed in the wind and snow.

Just then, a scout hurried forward to report: 'General, Your Majesty, a large force of Xiongnu troops has been spotted ahead!'

Li Guang and Emperor Wu of Han heard this, both startled, and their argument ceased instantly.

Li Guang's expression tightened, and he immediately ordered the entire army to be on alert.

Through the flying snow, one could see the Xiongnu's tents densely packed; they obviously had not expected to encounter the Han Army here.

At that moment, Wuyu Chanyu, who was anxiously awaiting the return of Prince Dai with grain and coal, learned of the Han Army's approach and immediately led the remaining main forces out in full strength.

Emperor Wu of Han looked at the dark mass of Xiongnu warriors advancing and could not help but say: 'Old fellow, should I say your luck is good or bad? The Xiongnu main force you once painstakingly sought is right before your eyes.'

Li Guang was also somewhat excited, laughing heartily and raising his arms to shout: 'Soldiers, today is the time for us to achieve merit—kill!'

The Han Army, encouraged by him, had their morale greatly boosted and charged at the Xiongnu troops like fierce tigers.

On the battlefield, gunfire and artillery roared continuously, blade lights and sword flashes flickered, cries of slaughter shook the heavens, snowflakes were dyed red by blood and fluttered down.

Li Guang led the charge into the enemy formation, his long blade waving with mighty vigor; wherever he passed, Xiongnu soldiers fell one after another.

His eyes showed determination and tenacity, as if he had returned to the spirited battlefield of his youth.

Under the Han Army's desperate fighting, the Xiongnu troops gradually could not hold, and began to show signs of collapse.

After a fierce battle, the Han Army finally won; the Xiongnu Wuyu Chanyu was even captured alive by Li Guang's soldiers, together with Prince Qi.

Li Guang looked at the Xiongnu Chanyu being brought before him, his feelings mixed.

This unexpected victory was actually achieved while lost.

At this moment, Wuyu Chanyu was still in shock; he never imagined his fifty-thousand-strong army could not withstand Li Guang's mere few thousand.

And behind him, Prince Qi had already been frightened pale.

The two were bound with ropes and brought before Li Guang and Liuche.

'Rebellious son!'

And when Emperor Wu of Han saw the trembling Prince Qi, he flew into a rage, his face turning red, and kicked him, sending Prince Qi sprawling to the ground.

'Father, Father Emperor?'

Prince Qi was dazed: 'Father Emperor isn't he already deceased? How can he still be alive and jumping about in this bitterly cold frontier?'