Chapter 482: Huyanzhuo Arrives

Liangshanpo, Hall of Gathered Righteousness.

The atmosphere was even more solemn and lethal than before.

Scouts came one after another with reports: the Imperial Court had appointed Shuangbian Huyanzhuo as commander, mobilizing eight thousand elite soldiers and also bringing a thousand cavalry of linked‑armor horses, mighty in number, marching to attack Liangshanpo.

Huyanzhuo, descendant of the famed General Huyanzan of Hedong, a tiger cub of a military family, highly skilled in martial arts, especially adept at commanding troops, and furthermore possessed the linked‑armor cavalry, both men and horses clad in heavy armor linked by iron chains, charging forward like an unstoppable wall; it is a vital weapon the Imperial Court uses to suppress local rebellions.

When the news arrived, Liangshan was shaken up and down.

Even the most unruly Ruan Xiaoqi, upon hearing the fearsome reputation of the linked‑armor cavalry, had his face grow grave.

That thing, while perhaps unusable at the marsh's edge, if it manages to burst into the beachhead position, or if Liangshan takes the initiative to meet it on open plains, would be a devastating blow to the Liangshan forces, which lack heavy armor and corresponding countermeasures.

The chieftains gathered in the hall, discussing heatedly.

Du Qian wore a worried expression:

"Your Majesty, Huyanzhuo is the descendant of a famous general; his troops are all elite palace guards, and he also possesses that linked‑armor cavalry, a great killer weapon, coming with a mighty force. Should we... temporarily avoid his sharp edge and hold fast in the water stronghold?"

Liu San also chimed in:

"Yes, Your Majesty, a head‑on clash would likely cause too great a loss. Why not... why not think of some other way?" His eyes flickered; the so‑called "other way" needed no explanation.

"Bullshit!"

Lin Chong sprang to his feet, his tiger eyes blazing with menace.

"To fear before battle—how could that be heroic? Our Liangshan has set the ambition of Northward Aspiration; if we dare not even fight a single Huyanzhuo, how could we ever speak of driving out the barbarians and restoring China?"

He turned and clasped his fists toward Chao Gai:

"Your Majesty, Lin Chong volunteers to be the vanguard to meet Huyanzhuo in battle! Let us see whether his linked‑armor cavalry is fearsome, or whether the mettle of our Liangshan lads is harder!"

Ruan Xiaoer also said:

"What the instructor says is true! Our Liangshan lads are not a bunch who cling to life and fear death! He has his linked‑armor horses; we have eight hundred li of marsh—we surely have the strength for one battle!"

Wu Yong lightly shook his feather fan, his gaze sweeping over the crowd and finally settling on Shi Dun:

"Brother Shi Dun, you are usually steady and full of schemes; what is your view on this battle?"

Shi Dun pondered a moment, then spoke:

"Huyanzhuo's troops are fine and his generals fierce; the linked‑armor cavalry is a formidable foe, not to be matched by brute force, only by stratagem."

"Their advantage lies in charging on open plains; our advantage lies in the marsh terrain and flexible mobility."

"I suggest we respond in three steps."

"First, lure the enemy deep in. Abandon some outer outposts, show weakness, draw the imperial main force—especially that linked‑armor cavalry—to the marsh's edge, to the battlefield I have prepared."

"Second, break their armor. Though the linked‑armor cavalry is strong, it also has weak points: the armor is heavy and clumsy, especially fearful of fire, of being tripped, and of pits. I can prepare many hook‑sickles, grappling hooks, and fishing nets, dig traps in the muddy shallows, and ready fire‑oil arrows to strike specifically at the horses' legs, joints, and the iron‑chain connections."

"Third, cut off their retreat. When their vanguard suffers a setback and their formation falls into chaos, let the Ruan brothers lead the naval elite to flank them from behind, burn their warships and supplies, sever their retreat and water‑borne support, leaving them unable to cover each other."

He paused, then looked at Lin Chong and the Ruan brothers:

"The key to this battle lies in whether Instructor Lin can withstand the pressure head‑on, fight while retreating, and successfully lure the enemy; in whether the Ruan brothers' navy can timely sever the enemy's rear; and further, in whether all the brothers can strictly obey orders, flexibly employ the equipment, rather than relying on momentary blood‑courage."

Chao Gai listened and nodded repeatedly:

"Good! Brother Shi Dun's plan suits my wishes exactly! Let us act accordingly! Instructor Lin, Ruan brothers, all unit heads, each perform your duties, hasten preparations!"

"Received the order!"

The chieftains roared their assent, their fighting spirit fully aroused.

A hidden outpost outside the city.

Chen Wen and Qian Gui also closely monitored the military situation.

"Huyanzhuo... the linked‑armor cavalry..."

Chen Wen pondered.

Through Shi Yong, he could sense a mighty, vigorous momentum representing the orthodox power of the False Song Imperial Court, accompanied by a sharp martial aura, pressing toward Liangshan.

And within that army mingled a few threads of faint, cold, yin‑like energy, clearly the Iron Crow Army mixed in, either as supervisors or covert guides, ensuring the battle would unfold as they expected—either to annihilate Liangshan or to inflict heavy damage, forcing it toward "recruitment and pacification."

"Shi Dun's plan is steady and feasible."

Chen Wen said to Qian Gui:

"You take people and mix our stored batch of specially made fire oil and tempered hook‑sickle heads into Liangshan's armory, then hand them to Shi Dun for distribution. Also, pick a few nimble and water‑capable individuals to blend into Ruan Xiaoqi's action squad, to assist them in carrying out the rearguard mission; success must be assured."

Qian Gui agreed, then added:

"My lord, should we, before the battle, try to make contact or sound out Huyanzhuo? This man, a scion of a military family, has long been known for loyalty and courage; perhaps..."

Chen Wen shook his head:

"The time is not yet right. At present he acts on imperial orders to campaign, his vigor is at its peak, and there must be Iron Crow Army eyes and ears nearby; rash contact would be counter‑productive. When he suffers a setback and his heart wavers, there may be an opportunity. For now, first help Liangshan win this battle, blunt the court's vigor—that will be the best 'sounding out' for him."

Several days later, outside Liangshanpo, at the predetermined battlefield.

Huyanzhuo led his great army, and indeed was drawn in by Lin Chong's hit‑and‑retreat tactic, pressing deep into the marsh's edge.

Here the terrain is relatively flat, but there are many marshy shallows, with reeds growing thick.

Seeing the Liangshan troops feign retreat, Huyanzhuo, eager for victory, ordered the linked‑armor cavalry to charge!

A thousand warhorses donned heavy armor, linked by iron chains, like a moving iron‑clad wall, roaring as they surged toward the Liangshan line, making the earth tremble, their momentum terrifying!

The Liangshan soldiers in the front ranks, seeing such might, could not help but feel fear.

At that moment, Shi Dun stood on a high point in the formation and shouted loudly:

"Hook‑sickle men, forward! Grappling hooks, ready! Fire‑oil arrows, aim at the horses' legs!"

The Liangshan soldiers, long prepared, suppressed their fear and, following daily drills, sprang into action.

Hook‑sickles thrust out from shield gaps, specially to cut horse legs; grappling hooks were flung from the reed thickets, trying to trip the charging steeds; volley after volley of arrows soaked in fire oil, whistling as they flew, shot at the cavalry's joints and the iron‑chain connections!

Sparks flew, the iron chains grew hot from burning, the warhorses felt pain and let out shrill neighs!

Again and again, armored horses were hooked down or tripped, their heavy bodies dragging down companions beside them; the once neat wall‑like charge instantly fell into chaos!

Lin Chong, seeing the moment had come, let out a great shout, led the elite horse and foot troops from both flanks to charge out, straight into the enemy's disordered ranks!

He himself also raised the eight-zhang serpent spear, straight to take Huyan Zhuo, the commander in the rear!

Huyan Zhuo never expected Liangshan to have such targeted tactics and equipment; seeing the linked-armor horses restrained, the vanguard in chaos, and again seeing Lin Chong's bravery, he was greatly startled and hastily waved his double whips to meet the battle.

Their whips and spears clashed, they fought as a mêlée, and for a moment it was hard to tell who was superior.

At this moment, the navy led by Ruan Xiao Er and Ruan Xiao Wu, relying on their familiarity with the waterways, had slipped behind the government troops and launched a surprise attack!

The personnel arranged by Qian Gui played a key role there, precisely locating where the government troops stored grain and fodder and where the boats were moored, and set fire to it!

In an instant, thick smoke billowed behind the government troops, and everything fell into great chaos!

The front suffered a setback, the retreat was cut off, the government troops' morale plummeted, and their formation fell into disarray.

Huyan Zhuo and Lin Chong fought fiercely for dozens of rounds; seeing that their side's defeat was already apparent, he had no heart to continue, feinted with a whip, spurred his horse and left, ordering the troops to retreat.

Lin Chong also did not give chase; he reined in his warhorse, watched Huyan Zhuo's retreating back, and spoke loudly:

"General Huyan! The victory is decided today! You imperial court troops, though elite, only know how to suppress internal rebels! Why not use such martial prowess on the northern frontier, to drive out the barbarians and restore our rivers and mountains! To fight us Liangshan brothers who aspire to 'Northward Aspiration' here—is it not to hurt the beloved and please the enemy?"

Huyan Zhuo was fleeing in disarray; hearing these words, his body stiffened momentarily, but he did not turn back, merely sped up, gathered the remnant troops, and fled in haste.

But those few sentences of Lin Chong were like a seed, falling into the field of his heart.

In this battle, Liangshan, with superb tactics and the advantage of terrain, heavily defeated Huyan Zhuo, capturing countless weapons and horses, and its prestige greatly shook!

"The Northward Aspiration faction further consolidated its leadership position in Liangshan through this battle, and its tactical concepts were also put to the test of practice."

The news spread, Shandong was shaken, and the False Song Imperial Court lost all face.

And Huyan Zhuo, defeated and returned to camp, sat alone in his tent, watching the flickering candlelight, with Lin Chong's pre-battle words echoing repeatedly in his mind, he also recalled the rumors in the army about Liangshan's 'Northward Aspiration' ambition, then compared the present corruption of the imperial court and the various hindrances of this punitive expedition; for the first time, he felt deep doubt about his own mission.