The peoples of the northern lands differ from those of Great Chu. Nomadic tribes rely primarily on cavalry, moving with the water and grass, possessing extreme mobility.
Fortunately, Youzhou is also an excellent horse-producing region, originally yielding a considerable number of horses. Especially in the year following the advent of the stirrup and high-cantled saddle, Huo Tingshan secretly used every means at his disposal to acquire horses in large quantities.
Any horse that was halfway decent was bought.
Thus, the cavalry garrison, already superior to those of other provinces, expanded wildly over the past year, increasing by a full twenty thousand cavalrymen.
Combined with the previous forces, the Youzhou army alone boasted over fifty thousand cavalry. Adding the infantry that came with the army, the total force marching north, including troops guarding the rear supply depots, amounted to one hundred thousand men.
Once the army was fully assembled, the great force set out.
Huo Zhizhang had a gyrfalcon, its body nearly half a meter long, perched on his shoulder. Its mottled white feathers refracted a pale light under the sun, like an unsheathed blade.
Hearing the order to depart, Huo Zhizhang raised his arm and gave a shake. The gyrfalcon on his shoulder took flight, its white wings carving a sharp arc through the air.
Pei Ying saw them off outside the city, finally standing atop the Great Wall to watch the distant army, an inexplicable worry in her heart.
The Xiongnu are a people born in the saddle, masters of horsemanship. As the saying goes: 'As boys they can ride sheep, drawing bows to shoot birds and mice; when slightly older they shoot foxes and hares for food. When their strength allows them to bend a bow, they all become armored cavalry.'
They grow up on horseback, and with a daily diet primarily of meat, each is built broad-shouldered and sturdy. Without well-trained cavalry, it is difficult to withstand them.
With morale high all around, Pei Ying could only bury her anxieties deep within.
...
After leading the vanguard beyond the borders of Great Chu, Huo Tingshan proceeded in the direction from his memory.
He had campaigned on the grasslands many times. While he couldn't claim to know the grasslands like the back of his hand, saying he had a well-formed plan was accurate.
Yesterday, a small Xiongnu troop had raided Huhe County. It was impossible for this troop to have crossed the vast majority of the grasslands alone to reach the Great Chu frontier. They must have had support, and this supporting group of Xiongnu would not be far away.
Among the fifty thousand Youzhou cavalry on this march was an elite force of two thousand riders.
This cavalry unit had been named the "Black Armored Cavalry" by Huo Tingshan. Every soldier within it was personally selected and trained by him.
It could be said this way: in the years when Youzhou's military funds were cut off by the imperial court and the province's finances were in constant deficit, when Huo Tingshan was so poor his private coffers were completely empty, even after suppressing bandits he would personally dig out a few half-buried copper coins from the dirt, all to ensure this Black Armored Cavalry could eat good meat every other meal.
What is elite cavalry?
The common folk could starve, the powerful could go without wine, Huo Tingshan himself could live with austerity, but the Black Armored Cavalry must have meat.
That is what makes them elite.
Meat was guaranteed, rice was guaranteed—they could eat their fill as long as they could stomach it. After eating, they underwent high-intensity training. Furthermore, the Black Armored Cavalry not only possessed the finest equipment, but the death benefits for their families were far higher than those of ordinary soldiers.
The Black Armored Cavalry was not a fixed group. There were regular assessments. Those who failed would leave the unit, their positions filled by other cavalrymen.
Driven by both preferential treatment and pressure, this two-thousand-strong elite was tempered repeatedly, growing more competitive by the day, each man exceptionally robust, until they finally became a sharp blade.
Upon confirming there was a group of Xiongnu of unknown size nearby, Huo Tingshan immediately ordered, "Chen Yuan, Zhizhang, you two and the Black Armored Cavalry will advance with me. Qin Yang, you and Sha Ying follow with the main army."
Huo Tingshan looked up at the sky. The gyrfalcon circled once, then headed straight northwest.
"Follow me!"
Warhorses galloped. After a period of swift riding, Huo Tingshan saw a cluster of small black dots in the distance.
The army of over two thousand charged forth, their horses thundering across the grassland.
It was still early morning. The camped Xiongnu had not been awake long. Suddenly hearing the rumble, many youths thought it was an earthquake, but the experienced older Xiongnu changed expression dramatically.
"Trouble! It's the Han army!"
The men were stunned, but quickly remembered the small troop that had not returned last night, their hearts instantly sinking.
Could it be...
As if confirming their fears, someone outside shouted, "The Han army is here! So many Han soldiers, so many!"
He used 'so many' twice, his voice trembling. The others still in their tents felt their sense of foreboding deepen. They dared not delay, grabbing their swords before rushing out, mounting their horses to prepare for battle.
However, after one glance forward, their hearts plunged into an icy abyss.
H-how... how can there be so many?
A dark, dense mass—they estimated there were over a thousand.
Their camp only had a little over three hundred men. Facing several times their number, how could they fight?
"Run!" the minor chief commanded.
This was not a force they could oppose. A head-on clash meant certain death.
Now they understood all too well why last night's dispatched troop had not returned—they must be gone.
Survival was paramount. They quickly abandoned all excess supplies, taking only the most essential parts prepared for escape. Anything else, any burden, was discarded; it would only weigh down their horses.
But as they fled, these men discovered something that made their blood run cold. The distance between the two groups was not increasing; instead, it was closing at a terrifying rate.
"How can their horses be so fast?" the minor chief exclaimed in horror.
The fierce wind pulled and howled, as if becoming a horn gathering the souls of the dead.
The hoofbeats behind grew closer. Just as the minor chief was about to look back, the sound of splitting air came rushing in. From the corner of his eye, he saw the companion beside him suddenly pierced through the chest by a sharp arrow.
The companion's body shuddered, then fell straight from his horse, only to be trampled into paste by the charging horses behind.
Arrows flew from behind incessantly, their accuracy alarmingly high.
One companion after another fell from their steeds.
The minor chief gritted his teeth, knowing this wouldn't work. The Han army's horses were too fast; catching up was inevitable. Presenting their backs to the enemy was no different from placing their own necks against the enemy's blades.
"Turn around! We charge back! Even if we die, we'll take some Han soldiers with us!" the minor chief cried in bitter fury.
"Right! Charge back! Perish together with them!"
"Kill!"
Huo Tingshan saw the fleeing herd-like group ahead stop running and turn to charge back at them. He sneered coldly, "Overestimating yourselves."
He put away his longbow and drew his ring-pommeled sword.
Leaving aside that the Black Armored Cavalry outnumbered them several times over, even one-on-one, these Xiongnu were no match for the Black Armored Cavalry.
The distance was close enough. The Black Armored Cavalry side also sheathed their bows and drew their ring-pommeled swords.
"Kill—!"
The battle cry shook the heavens.
The moment the two sides clashed, the despair in the minor chief's heart deepened.
This cavalry was extraordinary. They wore black armor, each soldier tall and imposing. Raising their swords, they moved like a pack of wolves on the hunt, with an almost unstoppable momentum.
As these three hundred-plus men turned back, the Black Armored Cavalry automatically began to flank them from both sides.
From the soaring gaze of a sea eagle circling high above, the dark flowing river transformed into a massive and terrifying man-eating flower, swallowing the motley colors in its center with a gulp.
The blade in Huo Tingshan's hand was already stained with a layer of blood; upon closer inspection, bits of flesh still clung to its surface. He had no time to flick the blade clean. After slitting the throat of a Xiongnu warrior to his side, he reversed his grip and struck out with a backhand slash, meeting a Xiongnu saber with a resounding "clang."
The force behind the blow was ferocious. The Xiongnu warrior, unprepared for such innate strength, felt his saber slip from his grip for just an instant. And in that instant, a line of blood sprayed from the side of his neck.
Huo Tingshan withdrew his blade cleanly and immediately sought his next target.
Time flowed silently. Some Xiongnu died in battle, others were hacked from their horses, left half-dead. A Xiongnu band of over three hundred men could not hold out for even a quarter of an hour against the black-armored cavalry.
Only after the last Xiongnu was cut down from his saddle did Huo Tingshan finally flick his ring-pommeled sword. He surveyed the surroundings, taking in the expected scene of devastation.
Amidst this wreckage, however, treasure was scattered: horses.
Whether Han army or Xiongnu, neither side typically attacked the other's horses during battle. The effort to strike a horse was better spent quickly dismounting its rider.
Thus, with these Xiongnu either dead or captured, quite a number of horses were left scattered about.
Without needing orders from Huo Tingshan, black-armored riders swiftly moved to round up the horses. These mounts would be immediately taken back to the main army and distributed to the infantrymen selected as cavalry reserves.
These men trained in cavalry tactics for a significant portion of their time; the horses would not lose their effectiveness in their hands.
"Zhizhang, handle the horses," Huo Tingshan instructed his second son.
Huo Zhizang promptly acknowledged the order.
While the black-armored cavalry cleared the battlefield, Huo Tingshan walked toward several captured Xiongnu. "Who is your leader?" he asked.
Hearing the familiar language, the captives were all astonished.
This Han man could speak their Xiongnu tongue?
Seeing their stunned expressions and their silence, Huo Tingshan said, "If your ears don't work, you won't need them."
The black-armored rider beside Huo Tingshan raised his blade without hesitation. A flash of cold light, and a thin, crescent-shaped piece of flesh fell to the ground.
The Xiongnu's eyes widened, the burning pain in his ear registering a moment later.
Huo Tingshan asked again, "Who is your great leader?"
This time there was an answer. A relatively gaunt Xiongnu spoke up, "Khan Wuji."
Huo Tingshan's eyes narrowed. "Why has he come east? I recall his territory is in the west."
The group of Xiongnu was shocked once more. How did this Han man know so much about them?
The blood-stained ring-pommel sword came to rest on one man's shoulder, the blade edge pressing against his neck. The man froze. Remembering the earlier lesson, he dared not delay: "Our Khan clashed with other Khans. He was defeated by the allied forces of Khan Tuqi and Khan Cheli and had no choice but to lead us eastward."
A sudden smile spread across Huo Tingshan's face, his eyes brimming with deep satisfaction. "Heaven truly aids me."
Internal strife was not exclusive to the Central Plains; it existed among the Xiongnu as well, following the same principle that what long remains united must divide. Once civil war erupted among the Xiongnu, it would not cease until a life-or-death struggle decided the victor.
From what Huo Tingshan knew seven years ago, Khan Wuji and Khan Cheli existed in a state of parity, both ultimately subordinate to Khan Huhanye, who resided in the royal court.
Seven years ago, he had severed the head of the Left Wise King. That battle, he surmised, must have accelerated the internal power struggles. For among the Xiongnu, the Left Wise King was equivalent to the crown prince.
With the crown prince gone, and Khan Huhanye growing older year by year, once Huhanye had no successor, or his successor proved weak, the surrounding lords who once bowed their heads would inevitably grow restless.
Huo Tingshan, having been that restless one himself, understood all too well how those power-hungry Khans, seizing an opportunity, would latch on like starving wolves, unwilling to stop until their bellies were full.
But greed is endless. Unless one became the new Khan Huhanye, they would never be satisfied.
"Aside from Khan Huhanye, among those four Khans, who currently holds the greatest power?" Huo Tingshan asked.
Hearing him accurately name the four great Khans, and seeing the black-armored cavalry—each man robust, their horses spirited and proud—the Xiongnu suddenly realized this Han force was not like those of the past, who merely vented anger on Xiongnu raiding the borderlands.
They had other ambitions.
This realization made the Xiongnu who was about to speak finally shut his mouth.
Huo Tingshan narrowed his eyes. "Playing the tough one? Let's see how well you endure."
At his words, black-armored riders on both sides raised their blades simultaneously. Like chopping vegetables, they severed the arms of two Xiongnu kneeling on the ground.
Limbs fell, crimson blood soaking into the yellow sand.
A ring-pommel sword pierced an abdomen, churned inside, and dragged out a bloody, rope-like length before being slowly withdrawn.
Screams of agony carried far into the distance.
Huo Tingshan looked at the Xiongnu who had answered earlier. He was noticeably younger than the others, perhaps just over twenty, and had likely never witnessed such brutality. His face was now deathly pale.
"Answer the questions properly, and I'll grant you a swift death," Huo Tingshan said, lifting his blade and tapping the flat side against the young man's cheek. "My questions are simple. If you don't answer, I can always capture the next batch to answer. So I advise you to be sensible."
The Xiongnu remained rigid as a stone statue.
Huo Tingshan continued, "Among the four Khans, who currently holds the greatest power?"
The ring-pommel sword on his shoulder felt forged from ice, a constant chill wafting from his neck. In his ears were the screams of his tribesmen; some, unable to bear it, were begging for a quick death.
The young Xiongnu finally spoke: "Khan Tuqi. But now Khan Tuqi has allied with Khan Cheli. He is more powerful than before."
Huo Tingshan pressed on: "They allied to attack you. What about Khan Junchen? Did he not aid you?"
Aside from Khan Huhanye, only the four great Khans were worth noting; the leaders of smaller tribes were insignificant.
The Xiongnu gritted his teeth. "Khan Junchen is shortsighted. Upon hearing our Khan was defeated, he actually fled with his men overnight."
Huo Tingshan asked again, "Where did they flee to?"
The Xiongnu shook his head, saying he didn't know.
Huo Tingshan raised a hand and made a downward pressing gesture. The black-armored rider beside him understood, raising and lowering his blade in one smooth motion.
The other black-armored riders conducting the "interrogation" received the signal and simultaneously raised their blades. Heads rolled to the ground.
Regarding Xiongnu captives, the Han army typically executed them outright. These men usually held no value, and many Da Chu commoners had died by their hands.
When silver was not an issue, Huo Tingshan invariably gave the order for immediate execution.
By now, Huo Zhizhang had finished organizing the horses.
Huo Tingshan's gaze swept over them. These were ordinary mounts, not outfitted with high stirrups or proper saddles.
This did not come as a surprise to him. Of the horses captured last night, only a small portion were equipped with stirrups and high-cantle saddles. If the enemy had sufficient supplies, why wouldn't they equip them all?
"Zhizhang, I temporarily entrust Team Jia to you. Take these horses back," ordered Huo Tingshan.
Huo Zhizhang acknowledged the command once more.
A group of black-armored cavalry broke away from the two-thousand-strong army upon hearing the order, driving the masterless steeds back the way they came.
After his son departed, Huo Tingshan led the remaining black-armored cavalry deeper into the territory.
The land of the Xiongnu north of Youzhou had always been a stubborn region. The lifeline of an army lies in its provisions; not only do the soldiers need food and drink, but the oxen, horses, and livestock transporting those supplies also require sustenance.
Yet this land was not always covered in lush grass—otherwise, the nomadic tribes wouldn't need to constantly "nomad." The deserts and alkaline soil here lacked water and pasture. If the oxen and horses could not find grass and water, they would be exhausted within three months at the latest.
Once the beasts of burden carrying the supplies fell, the rate of supply would inevitably drop sharply. This would prevent timely resupply for the cavalry, hindering their advance.
This was also why expeditions into the northern territories typically did not exceed three months. It wasn't a lack of desire to continue fighting, but a genuine impossibility.
As long as the Xiongnu retreated into the depths of the grasslands, every day the Han army marched, every li they advanced, was accompanied by increasing risk. Therefore, from the very moment they set foot in the north, every hour became exceptionally precious.
The fact that a force of several hundred men under Khan Wuji could appear in this vicinity meant his main force could not be too far away.
Huo Tingshan, accompanied by his gyrfalcon, pressed on deeper, pushing forward from day into night.
As dusk had just settled, Huo Tingshan heard a long, piercing eagle cry. A glint of sharp light flashed in his eyes, and he immediately reined in the black-armored cavalry. "Chen Yuan, take a squad and scout ahead."
Chen Yuan: "Yes, sir."
Scouts are valued for their skill, not their numbers. Chen Yuan took a few men and proceeded forward.
The sun had now completely set. Huo Tingshan estimated the time to be around the You hour, after sunset. His advance had been a forced march, creating some distance from the main cavalry force that had to accommodate the infantry's pace.
However, if Khan Wuji's camp was not too distant, a night's march would be sufficient for the Youzhou army behind them to catch up.
Even if the infantry hadn't arrived, the cavalry alone would suffice. Fifty thousand cavalry launching a night raid was enough to overwhelm a Khan Wuji who had fled here in panic.
Huo Tingshan dispatched another squad of black-armored cavalry to ride back and relay the message, then ordered the remaining troops to rest where they were.
One shichen later, Huo Tingshan heard the sound of hoofbeats. The man sitting on the ground opened his eyes sharply, his dark pupils clear and alert.
The hoofbeats were few, scattered—not a large force.
It was Chen Yuan returning.
Huo Tingshan stood up from the ground. Seeing the gyrfalcon had caught itself a large rat to eat, he didn't fetch a meat strip.
Moments later, Chen Yuan, who had been sent out earlier, approached Huo Tingshan and reported, "Grand General, Khan Wuji's camp is twenty li from here. The camp is sizable; I estimate it holds over thirty thousand people."
Huo Tingshan pondered this number, thinking that Khan Wuji had probably gathered all his remaining strength here.
Meanwhile, the black-armored cavalry Huo Tingshan had sent back earlier reached the main army. After the lead rider reported the situation, Qin Yang and Sha Ying exchanged a glance, seeing wild excitement in each other's eyes.
"Sha Ying, time is of the essence. You take the cavalry ahead first. I'll follow with the main army," Qin Yang said.
Sha Ying nodded. "Good. This opportunity must not be missed. Join the Grand General swiftly."
Khan Wuji had sent out several hundred men. If they failed to return for an extended period, he would surely realize something was wrong. They had to strike hard and fast, before the enemy could react.
The night sky was thick as ink, dotted only with scattered stars. They say when the moon is bright, the stars are few; tonight, there were only stars, no moon.
Huo Tingshan heard the thunderous sound of hoofbeats approaching from the south, rumbling like a storm, carrying a palpable sense of pressure. He rose from the ground, casually brushing dust off his black armor, then took a large luminous pearl from a small bag at Wu Ye's side.
The pearl glowed with a soft, radiant light, conspicuous in the darkness. Sha Ying followed the light to find Huo Tingshan. "Grand General, I have brought all the cavalry."
"Good." Huo Tingshan called Chen Yuan over and ordered him to lead the way.
The movement of fifty thousand cavalry was no small matter. Normally, the human ear can detect hoofbeats within two li; for a large army on the move, that distance doubles.
To be safe, for the twenty-li distance, they rode for the first ten li. For the final ten li, Huo Tingshan ordered all cavalry to dismount and lead their horses on foot.
When the night was at its deepest, Huo Tingshan's cavalry reached Khan Wuji's camp.
As a people born in the saddle, the Xiongnu lived in tents. For ease of movement, most of their tents were mounted on wheeled carts.
Huo Tingshan said in a low voice, "Sha Ying, take your men to the left. Chen Yuan, lead yours to the right. At the Yin hour, act upon the signal of an eagle's cry."
Both men acknowledged simultaneously.
As they prepared to leave, Huo Tingshan called them back: "Do you have fire-strikers?"
They paused, then their eyes lit up with fierce understanding, instantly grasping his intent.
"We do."
"We do."
Huo Tingshan smiled. "Excellent. Tonight, we shall set their camp ablaze."
