Chapter 56: Reinforcements

Zhao Yong and the others had also spotted the mounted column in the distance. Overjoyed, they whipped their horses forward desperately, but the roving bandits behind were also closing in, the two sides less than fifty paces apart.

The mounted column coming to relieve Lu Xiangtong and the others numbered about a hundred riders. The Company Commander leading them had already spotted Lu Xiangtong's three riders at the front, so he raised his hand, and the government cavalry began to accelerate forward. The two sides were already riding toward each other, and a distance of a few li closed in an instant. On both sides of the official road stretched large tracts of farmland. The government Company Commander waved his hand repeatedly, and Lu Xiangtong's three men naturally understood—when they were a few hundred paces from the rescue column, they rode their horses off onto the farmland, clearing the road for the cavalry's charge. Zhao Yong and the others, several dozen paces behind, also urged their horses off the official road and plunged straight into the fields, no longer caring about trampling the wheat that was just beginning to ear.

Because the flying dust obscured their view, the bandits in hot pursuit did not discover the arrival of the enemy reinforcements early. Only when the fleeing enemies ahead all rode their horses into the farmland, and the view was no longer blocked, did the bandits in the front ranks suddenly notice that two or three li away, a large column of cavalry was charging straight at them, their red cotton armor strikingly conspicuous.

The several bandits riding in front were scared out of their wits and shouted loudly: "Government troops! Government troops are coming!"

In their panic, some tried to rein in their horses and turn back, while others, quicker to react, rode straight off onto the farmland before wheeling their mounts around to flee back.

Fortunately, after a chase of more than ten li, their horses' strength was failing and their speed had slowed. Otherwise, if they had tried to halt their galloping warhorses directly, the result would have been men and horses tumbling to the ground.

The mounts of the bandits who reined in came to a stop after surging forward a short distance. The bandits behind needed a moment to react to the warning. One bandit close behind the front rank could not dodge in time—with a thunderous crash, he collided directly with the bandit who had reined in. The tremendous impact knocked the other's mount over, and his own warhorse, in pain, folded its front legs and toppled, flinging him from the saddle.

The bandits behind also spotted the government cavalry column. Seeing this, they hastily yanked their reins to the side and galloped into the fields.

By the time they had turned their horses around and re-emerged onto the official road from the fields, the government cavalry column had already charged to within two hundred paces. The bandits whipped their mounts desperately to flee back, but with their horses' strength exhausted, they could hardly pick up speed. The government cavalry, by contrast, had only begun accelerating from four or five li out, so their mounts were at full strength, and the two-hundred-pace gap was quickly closed.

Seeing that he was only a dozen or so paces from catching the bandits, the Ming Company Commander roared: "Spears!" He then held the reins in his left hand and drew a short spear from the saddle pouch on his horse with his right. The several riders behind him also drew their short spears. The Company Commander shouted again: "Throw!" His arm rose, his body leaned back slightly, then bent forward sharply—the short spear, propelled by the horse's speed and the strength of his waist, flew out like lightning. In the blink of an eye it struck the rearmost bandit in the back. The man's body was pitched forward by the tremendous inertia, and with a miserable cry, the sharp spearhead pierced straight through him and pinned him to his mount.

Of the other short spears, some struck the bandits, some lodged in their mounts. In an instant, men and horses were tumbling everywhere. The government cavalry were skilled riders—some leaped their horses over the fallen, some steered around them—without losing speed, rapidly closing on the bandit soldiers.

Seeing that battle was imminent, the Ming soldiers readied their weapons. The Company Commander, holding a ten-jin iron mace in one hand, suddenly clamped his legs against his horse's flanks. The warhorse surged forward, drawing alongside a bandit, and the iron mace in his hand struck the bandit's head with a heavy blow. Brains splattered instantly, and the bandit's corpse tumbled from the horse.

As his speed slackened, a government soldier rode past him and thrust out with a long-handled brow-tip saber. The sharp blade pierced through a bandit's neck, and the corpse fell from the horse.

Then a one-sided slaughter began. In a short while, not a single bandit remained mounted. The masterless warhorses—some stopped in their tracks, some ran off into the wheat fields on either side. On the government side, not even one man was wounded. If they had been wounded while cutting down enemies from behind, it would have been a laughingstock. The government soldiers dismounted one after another to search the bandits' corpses. Some found a few bits of silver, some found a few gold ornaments, some found not a single coin on the bodies. Those who found spoils were all beaming with joy; those who found nothing cursed loudly without end.

The Company Commander in charge ordered the horses gathered up, the bandits' corpses thrown to the roadside, and then the column turned back.

Lu Xiangtong and the others, having escaped death by a hair, gathered together laughing joyfully. Even the wounded Li Shitou and Zhao Goudan perked up in spirit.

When the pursuing cavalry column returned, the two groups merged. Years of campaigning had given many government soldiers the habit of carrying wound medicine on their persons. After giving the two men simple treatment, the whole party began the journey back.

They had not gone far when Lu Xiangsheng came up to meet them, leading the infantry and cavalry that had caught up.

Lu Xiangsheng ordered the cavalry to send out scouts, while the main body of horse and foot continued forward. He and Li Chongjin dismounted and came to the roadside. The Company Commander of the Liaodong cavalry column gave a brief account of the battle, and Lu Xiangsheng praised him profusely, saying he would submit a memorial to the court to record his merit. The Company Commander, grinning happily, returned to his ranks.

Lu Xiangtong had Zhao Yong and the others take the two wounded men for treatment, then came before Lu Xiangsheng. After bowing, he recounted the entire process. Hearing that his younger brother had disguised himself and gone straight into the bandits' camp stronghold, and had even slain a major bandit chieftain, Lu Xiangsheng was gratified—but he still sternly rebuked him for his reckless impetuosity. Lu Xiangtong knew his elder brother's nature was cold on the outside but warm within, so he grinned and promised not to do it again next time. Only then did Lu Xiangsheng let the matter drop.

Li Chongjin laughed and said: "Regional Commander, although Battalion Commander Lu was a bit rash this time, he has also rendered extraordinary service. Though we do not know who he killed, it should be a bandit of considerable standing. In my humble estimation, after Battalion Commander Lu's great disturbance of the bandit camp, the bandits attacking Chuzhou should have detected our army's arrival. By now they will surely be massing their heavy forces to turn toward our side. Chuzhou is temporarily safe. As for the next step, I await your orders, Regional Commander!"

Lu Xiangsheng pondered for a moment, then said: "It seems a surprise attack is out of the question. Then we shall defeat the roving bandits with an open, upright formation. After lifting the siege of Chuzhou, we will quickly march north, join forces with General Zu, smash the other bandit army, inflict as much damage as possible on the bandits' main force, and strive to deal a heavy blow to the Dashing King's main camp in the Fengyang area!"

A Night Scout came galloping up at full speed. Reining in his horse a dozen or so paces before Lu Xiangsheng, he dismounted, hurried forward a few steps, saluted, and reported: "Report to the Regional Commander! The roving bandits have assembled ten li away. Our vanguard is five li from the enemy. The bandits number several tens of thousands, with over a thousand cavalry!"

Lu Xiangsheng said in a deep voice: "Infantry into square formation. The baggage camp will set up cheval-de-frise to protect both flanks, lest the bandit cavalry charge. The cavalry will hide behind the infantry formation and await the signal to strike! Prepare to meet the enemy!" The Night Scout saluted, mounted, and galloped away.

Sanli Bridge was a small bridge spanning the Chu River. It was named so because it lay a few li west of Chuzhou city. Under years of drought, the Chu River, once swift-flowing, had nearly dried up, and the Chuzhou moat, deprived of its water source, had become a shallow ditch.

West of Sanli Bridge, the various tents and sundries of the bandits' great camp had been cleared away. Tens of thousands of bandits were arraying themselves under the command of their various chieftains, large and small, preparing to meet the approaching government army.

After the small squad that had pursued and beheaded Ma Shizhong failed to return even a single man, the bandit chieftains knew the outcome boded ill. They sent out scouts and learned that the main government force was already not far off. Only then did they realize that those who had assassinated Ma Shizhong were government scouts.

After Yao Tian Dong Ma Shizhong was beheaded, He Shixian and Gao Shentong, each commanding over ten thousand followers, became the most powerful among the roving bandits. Although Ma Shizhong had commanded more than thirty thousand followers, they had been divided among numerous chieftains of varying sizes. Now that the great tree had fallen, the monkeys in its branches each had their own designs. Several of them quickly defected to He Shixian and Gao Shentong. Gun Di Long and Pi Li Zhen, though they held the most elite portion of Ma Shizhong's forces, numbered fewer than ten thousand men. Powerless to do otherwise, the two could only swallow their pride for the time being and declare their obedience to the commands of He Shixian and Gao Shentong.

He Shixian spoke up: "Gun Di Long, has Chief Ma's corpse been properly laid to rest?"

Gun Di Long replied with reddened eyes: "There's no good timber in the camp. I had the carpenter hastily knock together a coffin to hold the chief. With this hot weather, it won't keep for more than a few days!"

Gao Shentong laughed: "Old Ma enjoyed himself plenty over the years—played with every kind of woman, eaten every kind of fine food and drink. Dying now, he's got his money's worth!"

Gun Di Long and Pi Li Zhen were both furious to hear him mock Ma Shizhong like this, but circumstances were stronger than men. With Gao Shentong's power now greatly increased, the two could only swallow their anger. Gun Di Long secretly resolved that as soon as this battle was over he would leave immediately, head north to join up with Gao Yingxiang, and find an opportunity to take revenge on this Gao Shentong.

He Shixian saw the atmosphere turning sour. If internal strife broke out before a great battle, it would truly be fatal. So he hastily smoothed things over: "Old Gao just speaks too bluntly. Chief Ma's murder grieves us all. In a while, everyone must kill plenty of government troops to avenge Chief Ma!"

Gun Di Long clasped his fists to him in thanks: "We brothers thank Chief He. When the fighting starts, we're willing to take the vanguard. Today we'll fight the government troops to the death!"

A scout came galloping over, reporting loudly from the saddle: "Chief! The government troops have stopped five li away! They've got over ten thousand men!"

He Shixian asked urgently: "Did you get a clear look at how much cavalry they have?"

The scout reported: "The government scouts are formidable. We couldn't get close, could only watch from afar. Couldn't make out how much cavalry they have!"

He Shixian ordered: "Go scout again! You must get a clear count of their cavalry!" The scout acknowledged the order and galloped off.

Gao Shentong said nonchalantly: "Old He, the government troops only have ten thousand men. We have over fifty thousand. They have cavalry and so do we. Their cavalry can't possibly break through our great formation, can they? Our cavalry just needs to guard the two flanks, and our boys will take them head-on!"

He Shixian pondered for a moment, then said: "True enough. I don't believe five against one can lose! In a while Gun Di Long will take the vanguard! As soon as the government formation is broken, we all charge together!"