Chapter 334: Moyanpu

Chen Rulie spurred his horse to the top of the hill. The ruined beacon tower beside him stood unmanned. A hundred paces to the east lay Moyanpu, and the surrounding wilderness swarmed with fleeing servants. This was Yandun Ridge, west of Moyanpu, named for the beacon tower beside him; the village of Moyanpu, just over a hundred paces away, took its name from the same source.

After bypassing the chaos of Erlang Town, Chen Rulie led his fifty cavalrymen eastward. There was almost no fighting along the way. The chaos had already spread along the courier road. The road below the hill was littered with abandoned carriages, baggage, and corpses. The Garrison Battalion's cavalry could only advance through the fields.

Like other market towns along the courier road, Moyanpu had been destroyed during the invasion in early Chongzhen Eighth Year, but its remaining ruins still offered a favorable defensive position in the surrounding flat terrain. Chen Rulie could already see over a hundred Red Turbans inside the village.

Horn calls sounded repeatedly within Moyanpu. A Great Red Banner waved inside the town, flanked on either side by a pair of grand command flags. North of the town stood a High Shine, with three small lanterns strung beneath the large one. Its style differed from the typical Roving Bandit High Shine; it likely belonged to something like the Old Camp of a major bandit.

The opposing Great Red Banner drooped, its insignia impossible to make out. Captives taken on the road had given two different confessions, naming You Lihua and Sweeping King respectively. But Chen Rulie remembered that You Lihua was a minor Camp Head; he could not have rallied so many Horse Soldiers after being attacked. Sweeping King was therefore the more likely possibility.

Looking east beyond Moyanpu, he could still see swathes of red-clad figures on the courier road, roughly three to four hundred men, indicating the presence of other Roving Bandit elites. With the fifty cavalrymen Chen Rulie had at hand, it was impossible to seize Moyanpu, garrisoned by so many bandits.

Chen Rulie glanced back. The cavalrymen he had brought were climbing the slope one after another. The frequent redeployments over the past half-year had stripped the fat from their horses. A full day of raiding had drained their strength, and many mounts showed clear signs of exhaustion.

A burst of horn calls came from Moyanpu. The High Shine north of the town swayed a few times. Soon, several dozen Horse Soldiers emerged from behind the buildings, followed by over a hundred foot soldiers. They skirted a stretch of rice paddies and slowly advanced toward Yandun Ridge.

The Mounted Scouts Flag Officer accompanying him edged closer and said, "Company Commander, there are at least five or six hundred Old Bandits here. Should we fall back?"

Chen Rulie shook his head slightly. "This bandit rabble is deploying methodically. In just a short while, they've already set up a defense at Moyanpu and halted their rout. Erlang Town is two li from here. If we retreat now, their Horse Soldiers will seize control of this stretch of road and pin down our infantry advance. If this drags on until nightfall, taking Moyanpu today will be difficult."

"Then we dismount and fight on foot."

Chen Rulie nodded with certainty. Cavalry combat relies most on speed; in defense, they are less effective than infantry, especially here on a small hill. If the Roving Bandits attacked uphill, they too would abandon their horses.

"The bandit spawn were caught off guard; they fear us more than we fear them. These men are only probing." Chen Rulie pointed toward the opposite side. "The bandit chief remains inside the village, but the servants and foot soldiers have not set up defenses. They are merely holding their ground. Once Lord Pang arrives with the infantry, these bandits won't hold. Dismount! Send a man to request infantry support from Company Commander Yao."

The Flag Commander bellowed the order. The Garrison Battalion cavalrymen dismounted one after another. Chen Rulie took out his own Step Bow. The men readied their bows and arrows, focusing intently on the Roving Bandits gradually approaching from below the hill.

Suddenly, a soft pat sounded on his helmet. Chen Rulie looked up. Dense raindrops were falling from the sky. (Note: The Battle of Fengjiadian was marked by heavy rain on the twenty-third day of the fourth month.)

……

Torrential rain poured over Fengjiadian. Heaven and earth merged into a vast, hazy expanse. Corpses littered the hillside. Raindrops splashed into sheets of mist around the densely packed bodies. The urgent clang of gongs rang out as both sides of the battle withdrew toward their own lines.

Not far from the battlefield, a tasseled canopy moved over, shielding the sky above Zhang Xianzhong's head. It was impossible to tell which official's Imperial Guards of Honor it had been looted from. Streams of water droplets fell along the canopy's edge, like a circular string of pearls.

The Eight Great Kings tilted his head, his eyes staring fixedly at the ground. Blood-tinged rainwater flowed beneath his feet. The Eight Great Kings lifted his foot and stomped down hard, splashing up a spray of water.

"Damn this donkey ball, what use is all this water?" He cursed as he stomped, water splashing in all directions. The nearby guards dared not dodge and stood frozen in place.

"Old Eight, dog government troops have come from the west. Should we pull back the men blocking the east road and just let these crippled soldiers retreat?"

Zhang Xianzhong raised his head. The one who had come was Cao Cao, Luo Rucai, followed by Chuang Tatian, Liu Guoneng. The scar on his forehead twitched twice. "Old Seven, speak slowly."

Luo Rucai had been caught in the rain. He shook himself off casually and said, unhurriedly, "You led the Combined Camp. You set the rules."

Zhang Xianzhong chuckled twice. "Is it because your camp was at Erlang Town, and losing it stings your heart?"

"We're all brothers here. If you say it's lost, Old Eight, then let it be lost." Luo Rucai coughed once, looking at Zhang Xianzhong with a smile. "It's not like we haven't lost things before. But the Old Camp's Family Dependents are inside. Many of the old brothers' hearts are set on them. If we can look after them, we should."

Zhang Xianzhong forced a smile and looked toward Chuang Tatian. Although he often quarreled with Liu Guoneng, it was always like that between the camps; there was almost none without quarrels. "Brother Liu, how do you think we should fight this?"

Liu Guoneng tilted his head and said nothing. Their siege today had been quite effective, having broken through the Government Troops' lines multiple times. Luo Rucai's troops had even charged up the hillside once. The Government Troops grew weaker the more they fought. By his years of experience, they could break through in two days at most. Yet now, bad news had arrived.

Before noon, Horse Soldiers had been arriving sporadically from the Chemache River, reporting that Government Troops had been spotted landing from the lake south of the county town. But their scale and numbers were unclear, and the distance was still considerable. The three men were veterans of such scenes and paid it no mind beyond sending out scouts. The next report they received was that the Government Troops were advancing toward the county town, numbering roughly two to three thousand.

A force of that scale could not be treated lightly. All three had experienced the Battle of Puzikou. The first thing that came to mind was the Anqing Garrison Battalion. They all believed these troops were coming to rescue the soldiers at Fengjiadu. After noon, they reduced the troops assaulting the mountain and gathered their respective Old Camps to prepare for the relief force. They also sent scouts out along every major road to confirm the Government Troops' movements.

But before the scouts' reports returned, Liu Wenxiu sent word that the Government Troops were already nearing Erlang Town. By their estimate, Erlang Town was now occupied. At the same time, there were still Government Troops in Susong County Town.

Having lived for years by the blade's edge, the three men immediately understood the gravity of the situation. They had gone from besieging Government Troops to being besieged by them. The forces of all three Camp Heads were at Fengjiadian. They had to break through either the front or the rear. Liu Guoneng had arrived first; his camp was just west of Fenghuangpu. Zhang Xianzhong's Camp Ground was mostly along the Chemache River stretch, also no more than ten-odd li from Erlang Town. If the Government Troops from the west fought their way over, it wouldn't take long. Though not as critical as Cao Cao's situation, he was in equal danger.

There was some confusion while drawing off troops. The Government Troops on the mountain seized the chance to break out, attacking on both the east and south sides. This breakout was extremely fierce; the Vanguard were all Household Retainers. They barely managed to hold them off at great cost. Just then, the rain began, and both sides withdrew. But the troops they had drawn off were already dispatched, and rallying them again would take considerable effort.

The rain continued to roar. Liu Guoneng touched his chin and said, "That bunch of Government Troops from the west has gone to Erlang Town. We are now beset from front and rear. If those soldiers on the slope truly want to leave, so be it. We could just let them go, then turn back and wipe out that force from the west. But I remember, on the road to Fengxiang Courier Station, there's still a river and a bridge. If we let that bunch of Government Troops escape and they hold that bridge, and the bridge at Erlang Town is also blocked, we'll be trapped on this road. We have to pick one side and truly put in the effort to annihilate them."

Zhang Xianzhong chuckled and said, "That bunch on the mountain just charged for a spell. Their best fighters are dead or wounded. How about we throw our full strength into another assault, wipe them out clean, and then head back to Erlang Town?"

After hearing this, Luo Rucai said, "One assault likely won't take it, especially with the rain still falling. As for that force from the west, it might very well be the same one from Puzikou. They're no easy mark. Liu Wenxiu has already sent word twice asking for urgent help, which shows how fierce their attack is. Up on this mountain are just some crippled soldiers. Let them run free, leave a detachment of Horse Soldiers to chase them, and seize that bridge ahead in one sweep. That Anqing Battalion from the west doesn't fight like ordinary Government Troops. They crossed the Pure Stream River in the dead of winter and routed the Old King of Dashing. They might already be on their way here. If we fail to take this bunch on the mountain and they arrive..."

Zhang Xianzhong rubbed the scar on his forehead. "Old Seven, you mean we should turn back and strike that Anqing Battalion?"

Luo Rucai waved a hand. "You led the Combined Camp. Naturally, you set the rules. We'll follow your lead."

Liu Guoneng's gaze shifted between the two men's faces. Luo Rucai's Camp Ground was at the Mountain Pass north of Erlang Town; the children, women, and wealth looted over the past year were all there. It would be a lie to say he felt no pain. His words, overt and veiled, all pointed to turning back and fighting the west. Zhang Xianzhong favored attacking Fengjiadian first; after all, it would save them the back-and-forth of redeployment, and taking it would at least secure a retreat route.

Just then, the sound of hoofbeats came through the wind and rain outside. Two Horse Soldiers burst through the curtain of rain and hastily jumped from their horses. The guards outside questioned them, then led them over. Upon seeing the three men, they immediately knelt in the water.

"Your humble servants are under Sweeping King, Master Zhang. Erlang Town has been taken by those Government Troops. Countless people were trampled to death on the road. Liu Wenxiu has retreated north. Old Huihui, Ma Laoye, is at the Mountain Pass. There's definitely a fire there; the smoke is rising very high. Geli Yan has not yet crossed the Erlang Bridge. Our Master Zhang is holding a Relay Station east of the town, temporarily blocking the dog officials. As for how to proceed, we ask Eight Master to set the rules."

When Cao Cao heard that the Mountain Pass was on fire, his expression grew even darker. Liu Guoneng craned his neck to look at the sky. Rainy days were dark to begin with; it looked like nightfall was imminent. Troop movements would be very difficult at night. He turned to the Eight Great Kings and said, "Both elder brothers must decide quickly. We must pick one side, front or rear, to strike."

Cao Cao nodded and looked at Zhang Xianzhong. "You led the Combined Camp. The decision is yours."

The corner of Zhang Xianzhong's mouth twisted. He reached up and touched his forehead again.

……

Outside Erlang Town, Pang Yu rode through the wind and rain toward the town. Behind him was the main infantry column of the Garrison Battalion. The roadside was heaped with corpses. Large numbers of captured servants crouched on the ground, shivering in the rain.

He soon reached the crossroads where the courier roads intersected. Pang Yu stopped right in the center. The area had not yet been fully cleared; some soldiers were still hauling away damaged carriages. The wind and rain showed no sign of letting up. A nearby guard hurried over to offer him a straw rain cape. Pang Yu waved it away and dismounted.

This intersection was the most critical node of Erlang Town. The fact that he could stand here meant the surprise attack on Erlang Town had succeeded. The Garrison Battalion's amphibious raid had struck deep into the Roving Bandits' heart in one blow. The thought stirred his emotions.

Yao Dongshan hurried over from the east and soon stood before Pang Yu. Pang Yu addressed him directly: "Have the surrounding enemy dispositions been scouted?"

"Inside Erlang Town, besides Liu Wenxiu's unit, there was also You Lihua, who happened to be passing through at the time. Both were routed by our troops in a single battle. After the engagement, in the direction of the Mountain Pass, there are Camp Grounds belonging to several bandit chiefs. Most are servants. The only combat-capable force is Old Huihui, Ma Shouying's unit. They had just arrived at the Mountain Pass from Guangji. After clearing the road north, your subordinate dispatched the Land Combat Division to attack the Mountain Pass. The bandits burned a stretch of camp to the south, and the advance was blocked by the fire. To the east, at Moyanpu, is Sweeping King. All his elite Horse Soldiers are there. Chen Rulie is holding Yandun Ridge. Your subordinate sent the cavalry battalion that arrived later to reinforce him. For now, Yandun Ridge is held, but Moyanpu has not yet been taken. The First Division is clearing roads and guarding captives inside the town. Over two li away in the direction of Huangmei, there are over a hundred bandit Horse Soldiers; we still don't know which Camp Head they belong to."

"In other words, Ma Shouying has stabilized his position at the Mountain Pass, making it difficult for us to attack. There is a large bandit force in the direction of Huangmei, and we are in a standoff at Moyanpu. The bandits there are Sweeping King." Pang Yu summarized concisely, then said, "Since there's a fire at the Mountain Pass, the bandits can't cross either. Withdraw the Land Combat Division. The First Division troops are to stop clearing roads and take responsibility for the defense of Erlang Town."

Yao Dongshan immediately acknowledged the order and dispatched his own Relay Horse to deliver it.

"Since these things are blocking the roads, let them stay there. This official does not wish to fight Ma Shouying and Geli Yan. I want the Eight Bandit and Sweeping King. Have the captives pile the carriages and corpses from the town into every intersection. The road north to the Mountain Pass is not to be cleared. Those objects from the camp ground to the south are to be piled at every street opening to the north. The First Division is responsible for guarding Erlang Town today. Second Division, Wang Zenglu!"

Wang Zenglu, dripping wet, immediately rushed to his side. "My lord."

"We are deep in the heart of the bandit horde. Ahead, Moyanpu has a small path leading to the Mountain Pass. Only by taking it can we advance and control the road, preventing the various bandit groups from communicating tonight." Pang Yu looked at him. "That is why this official said today we must have Moyanpu. But now the wind and rain are raging, and the Cannons cannot be used. Can the Second Division attack?"

"In reply to my lord, we can even if knives rain from the sky."

Pang Yu nodded. "Other troops might not be able to, but our Garrison Battalion can. Lead the Second Division in the attack. Before nightfall, this official intends to stand inside Moyanpu."