Chapter 126: Wolf Cavalry First Appearance

The Iron Crow Army outpost's gloomy valley, like the maw of a giant beast opened wide, exuded a chilling dread.

Chen Wen lay behind the cold rocks, his sharp gaze scanning the valley mouth's defensive arrangements and patrol patterns.

His mind raced, devising an attack plan.

However, a sudden piece of news shattered all his plans.

"Military Envoy! Urgent military news!"

A messenger left behind to maintain contact with the main camp.

Heedless of the risk of exposure, he came running up, panting, following the markers, his face filled with undisguisable panic.

Chen Wen's heart sank sharply, an ominous premonition gripping him.

He gestured for the messenger to come closer, lowering his voice: "Speak!"

"It... it's the front line!"

The Northern Han main force and Khitan cavalry have engaged our Zhou army vanguard south of High Plain!

Khitan Wolf Cavalry…… Khitan Wolf Cavalry deployed in large numbers, using the advantage of cavalry to continually harass our army's flanks, our army……

Our army's infantry square moved slowly, struggling to cope in open battle; several vanguard units have been routed, losses heavy!

Commander Han's cavalry also was pinned down, unable to counter effectively!

Commander Zhang's infantry could hold formation defensively, but advancing was difficult; the situation…… the situation was quite passive!

The messenger's voice trembled; the unfavorable front‑line news clearly dealt him a huge blow.

It was as if a thunderclap exploded in his ears; Chen Wen felt a surge of hot blood rush to his head.

His fists clenched instantly, nails digging deep into his palms.

The Battle of High Plain finally erupted!

And it began so disadvantageously!

Khitan cavalry! He should have anticipated this!

The Khitan, possessing large numbers of elite cavalry, in plain‑field warfare against the Zhou army, which mainly relied on infantry, enjoyed an almost overwhelming advantage!

They came and went like the wind, their horse archery precise!

Once the Zhou army formation showed the slightest looseness, they would pounce like ravenous wolves to tear and bite.

Strike and withdraw, never lingering, enough to drag down and crush any infantry unit.

(Note: Historically, the Zhou army initially at the Battle of High Plain indeed fell into peril due to a right‑wing collapse, and only by Chai Rong personally going to the front to boost morale, and generals like Zhao Kuangyin fighting bravely, was the situation turned around.)

The Lord must now be under tremendous pressure!

Even…… in danger!

"How is the Lord faring?"

Chen Wen's voice, urgent, turned a little hoarse.

"The Military Governor is personally at the front supervising the battle, for now unharmed, but…… there are already signs of instability in the army, especially the right wing……"

The messenger dared not continue.

Chen Wen closed his eyes; countless thoughts flashed through his mind.

The Iron Crow Army's outpost lay within reach; if we could take it, we would cut off one of its arms!

Ease some invisible pressure on the rear and even the front.

But the front line is urgent, the lord is in peril—how could Chen Wen, for the sake of chasing a possible threat,

and ignore the imminent danger before him?

One side is a "root cure" that could have far‑reaching effects but works slowly.

The other side is a "symptom remedy" that is urgent and must be acted on immediately.

This choice is agonizingly difficult.

Shi Dun, Qian Gui, Wang Ru and the others gathered around; hearing the news, each face changed dramatically, they looked anxiously at Chen Wen.

"Military Envoy, what should we do? Should we rush to reinforce right now?" Shi Dun urged.

Qian Gui, however, said:

"Military Envoy, the Iron Crow Army outpost is right before our eyes; if we abandon it now, all our prior effort would be wasted,"

"if they seize the chance to stir up trouble in our rear, linking with the Khitan cavalry on the front, the consequences would be unthinkable!"

Wang Ru gazed at Chen Wen's tense profile and spoke softly:

"Military Envoy, whatever you decide, we will follow you to the death."

Chen Wen flung his eyes open; his gaze was now filled with resolve.

He drew a deep breath of ice‑cold air, suppressing the surging qi and blood.

"We must strike the Iron Crow Army and also rescue the front line!"

His voice was firm and unyielding.

"But the order must be adjusted!"

He issued orders quickly:

"Qian Gui, take all the scouts and continue to closely monitor the outpost's movements, draw a detailed map, record the patrol shift times, personnel numbers, and any possible secret exits. But under no circumstances alert them!"

"Received!"

"Shi Dun, Wang Ru, immediately muster the troops; we will set out at once and return as fast as possible!"

Chen Wen's gaze turned southeast; that was where the High Plain battlefield lay.

"We cannot throw ourselves directly into the main battle; that would be like a cup of water against a cart of fire. But we can act on the periphery, doing what we can!"

"Military Envoy, what do you mean?"

"The Khitan cavalry rely on their speed, don't they? And they love to harass, don't they?"

Chen Wen's mouth corner curled a cold, sharp arc.

"We'll go cut off their rear, sever their Khitan Cavalry, and let them also taste the flavor of being harassed!"

"The Jing'an Army may be few in number, but when it comes to small-unit elite combat, when it comes to maneuverability in mountains and forests, we need not fear those Wolf Cavalry!"

He intends to open a second front on the outskirts, like a poisoned spear, continually stabbing at the Khitan Cavalry's soft underbelly.

To pin down their forces, disrupt their deployment, and share the pressure on the main battlefield!

This decision undoubtedly will put himself and his weary troops.

Throwing them into a more dangerous, more unpredictable situation.

They will face the strongest cavalry force of this era.

But no one hesitated.

"Strictly obey the military order!"

The troops quickly assembled, giving up the prey that was about to be caught.

Like a prowling leopard, they turned back, retracing their route, and rushed out of the mountains at a speed greater than before.

Chen Wen once again employed extensive efficiency bestowal, with only one goal—speed!

Each person's heart burned with a flame, the urgency of the front line.

The plight of comrades, the safety of the lord, dispelled the fatigue of days of campaigning and the fear of venturing into dangerous terrain.

They now have only one goal: to reach as quickly as possible the battlefield that decides the nation's fate.

In their own way, they will contribute their strength to this war!

When the troops finally burst out of the dense forest and once again saw the open expanse of heaven and earth.

It seemed as if they could hear the distant, faint war drums and horn calls, and smell the faint gunpowder carried on the wind.

Chen Wen reined in his warhorse, glanced back toward the gloomy mountain range.

"Iron Crow Army... I'll let you live a few more days. After I crush the Wolf Cavalry, I'll come settle the total score with you!"

He clamped his legs hard, and his warhorse shot out like an arrow released from a bow.

"All troops, hear the order! Target southeast, the outskirts of Gaoping! Upon encountering small units of Khitan Cavalry, show no mercy!"

"Kill!"

That boiling fighting spirit and the determination to save the lord were already like a volcano poised to erupt, waiting to burst forth on the true battlefield with a radiance that shakes stone and startles heaven.