Chapter 191: Ambush

Outside the north wall of Beixia Pass, several riders in red halted a hundred paces away, observing the activity atop the pass fortifications. Behind them, on the distant skyline, wisps of dark smoke rose into the air.

Beixia Pass itself was long and narrow in shape, so the pass fortification's north wall was very cramped, looking barely wider than a single city tower, yet it controlled the official road. Both sides of the pass were flanked by rivers, and beyond the basin lay only hills crisscrossed by small paths. If this pass fortification could not be taken, there was no way into Tongcheng.

No banners of any kind flew atop the wall; only a few human silhouettes flickered in and out of view. Those several mounted bandits were probably hesitating as well — the pass fortification before them blocked their reconnaissance, and they knew nothing of what lay behind it.

Outside the pass fortification's north wall, a continuous stretch of shops and dwellings lined the official road. The several mounted bandits lingered beyond the market street, neither approaching nor leaving. Even though a preserved wooden bridge still stood over the Wooden Bridge River to the west, they did not cross it.

Pang Yu hid behind a crenellation, observing the situation outside through an arrow loophole. From his angle, he could see the Garrison Commander battalion soldiers concealed behind houses and within alleyways.

The bandits' scout cavalry had begun appearing at Xiaoguanpu the day before, numbering around a hundred or so. Pan Keda's situation was similar to Pang Yu's — neither had any decent warhorses. Xu Strengthening had only obtained twenty horses on the way here, secured for him by Zhang Guowei from Nanjing, and their build genuinely looked better than the riding horses Pang Yu had purchased.

With so few cavalry, they likely could not defeat the bandits. Shi Kefa decided to hold the city, but Pang Yu was determined to capture a few bandit scouts, because up to this point, all they knew was that Ma Shouying was present. They had no idea which other bandit headmen were involved, how many troops there were, how they were divided, or what their plans were — they were completely in the dark. Thus, capturing prisoners for intelligence was the foremost task at hand.

The best place to ambush cavalry was within streets and alleys. Today, Pang Yu had deployed a hundred soldiers to sortie before dawn, lying in ambush in the market street outside the north wall, waiting for the bandits to arrive.

By the hour of Mao, third quarter, bandit scout cavalry began appearing sporadically, but they never approached the streets, nor did they even leave the official road to circle the surrounding hills.

The distance between the two sides was about thirty paces, separated by layer upon layer of houses. Though the Garrison Commander battalion soldiers had waited a long time, they remained quiet — the usual standing-still drill had proven effective. The bandits, meanwhile, probed ceaselessly at the street's edge, occasionally charging forward on horseback, then suddenly halting and wheeling back.

A tense atmosphere saturated the air. Shi Kefa, behind an adjacent arrow crenellation, watched with intense focus, but Pang Yu sensed he was still a bit nervous.

Shi Kefa turned his head to look at Pang Yu. "General Pang, why do those bandits not enter the market street to loot, nor cross the bridge to bypass the pass?"

"They fear we will cut off their official road," Pang Yu said, pointing toward the opposite bank on the left. "The road over there is poor. If they want to bypass the pass fortification, they must still travel along the riverbank path. Should we seize the wooden bridge, they would have no way back to Xiaoguanpu. Unfamiliar with this territory, they would find it hard to flee."

Shi Kefa gave an "oh," then peered through the arrow loophole a moment longer. Frowning, he said, "Indeed, they are all seasoned bandits, to be so cunning."

Pang Yu gave a dry cough. He was not sure whether those words were praise or a jab at himself.

After thinking it over, Pang Yu decided to set Shi Kefa's mind at ease once more, because Shi Kefa's duty was to defend Anqing — but for Pang Yu, it was not. He needed a victory to increase his credibility, train his troops along the way, and if it led to promotion, all the better.

"Your Excellency need not worry. This subordinate has seen the bandits fight at Tongcheng. Their cavalry lack armor, so this subordinate had a row of plank houses specially built on the drill ground and trained the soldiers in alley fighting. Once they enter the streets and alleys, cavalry have nowhere to run and are no match for our infantry."

Shi Kefa nodded silently. On the other side, Pan Keda shot Pang Yu a disdainful glance, but offered no sarcastic remark.

At that moment, there was some movement outside. Pang Yu hurriedly looked. Perhaps because the standoff had dragged on too long, the several scouts lost patience. After a brief discussion among themselves, two riders dismounted and began striking their tinder pouches on the spot. Pang Yu inwardly cursed — this was bad. He rushed back to the parapet and waved at the twenty-odd cavalry waiting below.

At Yang Xueshi's command, the Garrison Commander battalion's only cavalry mounted up one after another. The formation instantly fell into disorder, and two horses even let out whinnies.

By the time he returned to the main wall, the several bandit cavalrymen had already lit their fire arrows, drawn their cavalry bows, and begun loosing them at the nearby houses.

There were many thatched-roof houses outside the city. The bandits were all aiming at the thatched roofs, and soon several fires had kindled.

"Your grandmother's — the infantry can't stay hidden." After cursing, Pang Yu offered an apology to Shi Kefa, then swiftly descended the city wall. Several soldiers pulled open the iron gate, and the cavalry swarmed out.

Once all the cavalry had exited, Pang Yu leaped onto his own horse and, bringing Guo Fengyou and a few personal soldiers, followed at the very rear. Ahead, the sound of hoofbeats filled the air — he had no idea whether they could even catch those bandits.

The Garrison Commander battalion's motley horses galloped through the streets, their formation growing even more chaotic. A street wide enough for four horses abreast could at most accommodate two running side by side. Even Pang Yu's own horse kept slowing, tossing its head and refusing his commands.

Two hundred paces beyond the street, the cavalry ahead all came to a halt. Pang Yu finally reached the head of the column. Yang Xueshi sat on his horse, somewhat vexed. Ahead, the bandits had already shrunk to a few small dots.

This distance was one Pang Yu had set. From here to Xiaoguanpu was only two li, and there was surely a large force of scout cavalry there. With so few cavalry of his own, going further would be hard-pressed to gain any advantage.

"Please punish me, Your Excellency," Yang Xueshi said, somewhat dejected.

"Xueshi, don't take it to heart. These are all bandit scout horses — men who roam the land year in and year out, scouting and plundering every single day. The ambush tactic has surely been used on them before; they don't fall for it easily. We'll think of another method."

Having said this, Pang Yu glanced back. Not a single banner flew on the pass wall — it looked rather suspicious. Had he been in their place, he too would have been cautious.

The infantry had already extinguished the several fires. Wisps of pale smoke drifted and dispersed over the market street.

Shi Kefa rode up from behind on horseback, followed by Pan Keda and Xu Strengthening. Both wore expressions of barely concealed schadenfreude.

Shi Kefa narrowed his eyes and gazed into the distance. The several bandits had fled so fast they were nearly out of sight — their mounts were indeed far superior to their own.

He shook his head and said, "General Pang's fighting spirit is commendable, but since the bandits are this cunning, it is better to hold the pass fortification securely. Exterminating the bandits can wait for another day."

Pang Yu, in truth, was not particularly afraid of these bandits. The victory in the night raid on Tongcheng gave him a considerable psychological edge. The bandit force before them likely did not number many, and he truly wanted to test the results of his troop training.

He immediately tried to persuade Shi Kefa. "What this subordinate is thinking is: know the enemy and know yourself, and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster. This bandit force came from Shucheng, and there is only this one main road. Right now they have cut off Xiaoguanpu, and we know nothing of the situation to the north. If we can capture two or three scouts and extract a confession, then Your Excellency can properly decide whether to fight or defend."

Shi Kefa hesitated a moment, then said, "This official's duty lies here, and I also bear the heavy trust of Commandant Zhang. Naturally, defending Anqing is the priority."

The implication in these words was that he probably did not intend to consider a field battle. Pang Yu, however, felt a surge of impulse to hack someone down. Just as he was about to continue persuading him, Pan Keda behind him stepped forward.

"Your Excellency sees clearly. In employing troops, one first considers defeat, then victory. The bandits come from the direction of Yingzhou — all territory they already plundered earlier this year. What they can seize and loot is limited; they surely lack the strength for a prolonged campaign. Our main army securely holds Beixia Pass, with ample provisions and a strong fortification to rely on. We stand on invincible ground. Defense is naturally the superior strategy."

Pang Yu could not have wished for Pan Keda to open his mouth more. He had no need to spare Pan Keda's face, and could use him to obliquely prod Shi Kefa. Without waiting for Shi Kefa to speak, he said, "General Pan says defense is the superior strategy. You are undefeated, but are the common people along the road from Shucheng simply left to fend for themselves? We are officers and soldiers of the Great Ming; we guard all under Heaven. If the bandits bypass the pass fortification, will General Pan then protect only Beixia Pass and abandon Tongcheng as well? No wonder when General Pan went to relieve Susong earlier this year, he returned to Anqing Prefectural City so quickly. Turns out he only ever intended to defend the prefectural city."

"You — do not spout nonsense!" Pan Keda's beard and hair bristled with fury. He took two steps toward Pang Yu and bellowed, "We serve under Commandant Zhang. Anqing is the paramount location. If we sally forth and are defeated, Anqing will be plunged into misery. Can you bear such a heaven-shattering responsibility?"

"Sir Pan is a veteran commander — you ought to know that only by being able to fight can one hold firm. Fighting and defending are fundamentally one and the same; without fighting, how can one defend securely? You just said Anqing is the paramount location. Does General Pan dare claim he has kept it secure?"

Pan Keda froze, then said angrily, "How has it not been kept secure?"

Pang Yu pointed ahead. "Xiaoguanpu is Tongcheng's jurisdiction. Right now it is occupied by the bandits. You refuse to sally forth, so they will comb the countryside and round up the common people. Have you kept the land secure, or kept the people secure?"

"You—" Pan Keda's face instantly flushed crimson. Although Beixia Pass was the northern gateway of Tongcheng, there was indeed a Xiaoguanpu further ahead. Only beyond that point was it considered Shucheng. At this moment, the bandits had indeed occupied a small patch of Anqing territory.

Shi Kefa hastily spread his hands to block the two apart. Pang Yu had forcibly tangled together the matters of sallying forth and securing Anqing. If Shi Kefa now insisted on not sallying forth, he would be slapping his own face.

"General Pang's plan to lure the enemy failed. Do you intend to attack Xiaoguanpu directly? But the bandits are all horse soldiers, and this is open, level ground. Before our foot soldiers even arrive, they will have fled without a trace."

Pang Yu waved behind him. Guo Fengyou handed over a long tube. Pang Yu took it and pulled it open, extending it to over a meter in length. Both Pan Keda and Xu Strengthening could not hide the astonishment on their faces.

Handing the telescope to Shi Kefa, Pang Yu pointed ahead and said, "This subordinate believes the bandits also want to probe our true strength and will certainly come again. This time we set an ambush in the market street. Psychologically, they will think the official road is safe. Next time, this subordinate will set the ambush there."

Shi Kefa raised the telescope and looked in the direction Pang Yu indicated. Inside was an inverted image. Not far from the official road, about one li away, stood the ruins of several houses and a grove of bamboo.

…

The next day, early morning, the hour of Yin, second quarter. A thin mist wreathed Beixia Pass, and a mountain breeze drifted slowly through, bringing a hint of coolness.

Inside the gate of Beixia Pass, a rustling murmur filled the air. Fifty soldiers assembled in the street. Under the glow of lanterns, the dense thicket of polearm tips gave off a faint, ghostly yellow gleam.

The lanterns were extinguished one after another, plunging the street into darkness. From the gate tunnel came a creaking groan — the main gate swung open. Officers barked low commands, and the soldiers quietly set out in succession along the main road.

Wu Dacai stared wide-eyed at the blurry back of the comrade ahead of him, while also having to watch his footing.

That day on the general command platform, he had escaped with his life. Dong Mingyuan's half-stroke of the staff had been little more than a loud smack — in reality, he had only taken fifteen military beatings. Ten days later, he regained the ability to move. He was also docked three months' pay, and the gambling matter was considered settled. But the Central Army sent him back to the Combat Soldier Camp, still in his original Squad.

He had arrived in Tongcheng with the second batch of personnel, still limping at the time. During these days recuperating in Tongcheng, his injuries had mostly healed. He never expected that this ambush would again select the Hundredth Chief Company, and that his Squad would be chosen.

At this moment, there was almost no light. To maintain concealment, lanterns and torches were forbidden. The fifty men stumbled and staggered; from time to time someone fell. Wu Dacai fell twice himself. At the outset, Sir Pang had said that anyone who made a sound would be beheaded. After that ordeal on the general command platform, Wu Dacai never wanted to face such a thing again. So even when he fell the second time and struck his knee, the pain making him grimace and bare his teeth, he dared not utter a sound.

Creeping along stealthily like this for one li, they finally reached the ambush site.

Groping in the darkness, they entered several abandoned houses. The Beixia Pass basin was extremely rich in water sources, with paddy fields all around. Seven or eight households lived here; ordinarily, their harvests must have been quite good, making them a well-off family among the local farmers.

The common folk inside had already fled into the pass. Yesterday the roving bandits set fire to these few houses, burning even a stretch of the surrounding bamboo grove.

Wu Dacai had no idea which house he was in either. All he could see was darkness, and from the paddy fields all around came a chorus of chirping insects and croaking frogs.

According to the military orders issued at departure, until Yao Dongshan, who was leading them, gave the command, no one was permitted to speak or sleep. Ever since Jiao Company Commander's head was chopped off, no one dared treat military orders lightly. Everyone just huddled in the ruins like this, able to hear only the sound of breathing in the darkness. It felt like quite a number of people.

He did not know how long they had waited when the sky began to show some light. Wu Dacai lifted his head to look. The roof of the place he was in had half collapsed, and everywhere were scorched black traces from the fire, but the four walls were basically intact.

Sweeping his gaze around the room again, he only then realized there were at least fifteen or sixteen people inside, making it extremely crowded — five more than planned. He had no idea which squad's men had been brought to the wrong place.

But now that there was light, they dared not switch positions.

Wai Lian was right beside him, half-squinting his eyes as he rested. Opposite them was Dai Han, incessantly peering around at the others.

At the doorway was Dong Mingyuan, the highest-ranking person in this room. Lord Pang had assigned him a rank of Deputy Centurion, half a grade higher than Banner Captain. According to Lord Pang's regulations, when the Garrison Inspector officer enforced military law, even Yao Dongshan, the Centurion, could not overrule him.

Dong Mingyuan made a hand signal, indicating everyone could eat. The men carefully opened their coconut ladles and ate some dry rations with water.

Wu Dacai glanced toward Dong Mingyuan's side. There was a young soldier there, a personal soldier assigned to the Garrison Inspector officer. Just then, Dong Mingyuan happened to look over at Wu Dacai, and Wu Dacai hurriedly buried his head, staring at the ground.

After they finished the dry rations, the sky gradually brightened. The official road remained utterly quiet.

Wu Dacai's back leaned against the earthen wall. He had seen the roving bandits from the city wall yesterday. They looked agile and fierce on horseback, and he himself was likely no match for them. But those squad leaders had all said, with one voice, that they were not hard to kill, which gave him a little confidence.

No one in the room spoke. Wu Dacai could only let his thoughts wander — from his lost second son, to the small courtyard he might buy in Anqing.

He did not know how long they had waited when Wu Dacai shifted his back to keep the wall from pressing painfully against it. Just as he had adjusted himself, the sound of horse hooves suddenly came from outside.