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Yingchuan Prefect Li Min had just acquired a new sword and was holding it in his hands, admiring it closely. The blade gleamed coldly, its spine adorned with fine scale-like patterns resembling rolling clouds, while the hilt was carved with the vivid image of a Yazi (a mythical dragon-like creature known for its fierceness).
The more Li Min looked at it, the more he adored it. Unable to restrain himself, he stood up and began gently brandishing it, singing loudly as he moved:
"With a flash of cold light, the sun and moon hide away,
In life, my wish is to fulfill my aspirations,
To achieve glory and guard my homeland,
To seek nobility and conquer the four directions!"
His wide sleeves fluttered as he danced and leaped, exuding an air of an exalted master.
The Inspector of Yuzhou, Kong Zhou, had departed for Suanzao, entrusting the management of military affairs to Li Min. Unfortunately, while Li Min was quite talented in literature and governance, when it came to war…
Deep down, Li Min even felt a surge of excitement and anticipation. In the Han dynasty, the most prestigious titles were those earned through military achievements—such honors carried immense weight. Even a minor Guannei Hou (Marquis of the Interior) would stand with no less confidence before a Xian Hou (County Marquis) or Xiang Hou (Village Marquis).
Moreover, expanding territory had always been a small dream lingering in Li Min's heart. Whenever he read about ancient battles or perused court bulletins describing military campaigns, he always felt they were nothing extraordinary.
Especially when he read about defeats, he would pound his chest in frustration. Though he refrained from cursing aloud, his mind was dominated by thoughts like, "If you can't do it right, step aside and let someone who knows how take over!"
This time, entrusted by Kong Zhou to oversee the military camp, Li Min eagerly visited several times. Standing atop a high platform, he directed the soldiers to maneuver in formations he had derived from books, practicing left and right flanking drills. After several days of training—and swallowing no small amount of dust—the troops became quite adept at shifting formations. Li Min couldn't help but feel smug, convinced that while his army might not yet be considered elite, it was certainly not far off and would serve well in battle.
Just as Li Min was indulging in self-admiration, Zhang An entered the hall with a scout's report in hand.
Li Min placed the sword on the table and took the report. As he read it, his face darkened with fury. "Utterly outrageous! These traitors bring ruin to the country and its people!"
No wonder he was furious—the report stated that Dong Zhuo had dispatched raiding parties to plunder the countryside, and some had even ventured into Yingchuan territory. Several small villages had already fallen victim to their atrocities…
According to the intelligence, the raiders seemed to be led by a certain General Xu. The scouts reported that the cavalry was divided into three groups, each numbering around two hundred, advancing in an interwoven pattern toward Yangcheng…
Yangcheng was a festering wound in Li Min's heart!
Back then, Dong Zhuo's sudden attack had caught Yingchuan completely unprepared, leading to the massacre at Yangcheng's market. Li Min had nearly coughed up blood in rage. Now, discovering that small enemy units were heading toward Yangcheng again, his fury erupted anew!
Li Min turned, grabbed his sword, and raised it high with a solemn declaration: "Today, this blade shall drink the blood of these bandits! Sound the order—muster the troops and march to punish these rebels!"
×××××××××××
At this very moment, Xu Rong was leading a contingent hidden about forty or fifty li west of Yangcheng. This was near the source of the Ying River, at the foot of Mount Shaoshi.
Beyond Mount Shaoshi lay Wuxiang, the village Xu Rong had recently razed. The massacre, though brutal, was primarily meant to conceal the movements of his main force.
Xu Rong had divided his thousand cavalry into four units. At any given time, three units advanced in a coordinated formation, while the fourth remained near the central army, eliminating any scouts or villagers they encountered. This tactic forced Yingchuan's scouts to observe from a distance, not daring to approach…
Xu Rong himself led the infantry's central force, advancing in formation and concealed within a valley at the foot of Mount Shaoshi.
He glanced back at his veteran soldiers, who had followed him all the way from Xiliang. Some were lazily basking in the sun, while others squinted as they plucked lice from their bodies, crushing them between their teeth with a vengeance…
Xu Rong chuckled softly, muttering a half-hearted curse before ignoring them. These were battle-hardened men—war no longer held any tension for them. Though they now sprawled about carelessly, once on the battlefield, they would transform into utterly ruthless fighters.
Xu Rong was waiting—waiting for Yingchuan's forces to walk right into his trap.
××××××××××××
Li Min was brimming with confidence. His first taste of victory on the battlefield filled him with vigor, and even his voice boomed louder as he brandished his sword and shouted:
"Five gold coins for every enemy head! A hundred gold for the head of their general!"
His soldiers, chasing the fleeing Dong Zhuo troops, roared in response, their morale soaring. Each man fixed his gaze on the retreating figures ahead as though staring at piles of gleaming wealth.
Zhang An urged his horse forward, pulling alongside Li Min. "My lord, Mount Shaoshi lies ahead—beware of ambushes!"
Li Min laughed heartily. "Rest assured, I know what I'm doing! The terrain here is open—only the foot of Mount Shaoshi could conceal an ambush. Do you think I don't realize that?"
He then issued an order: "Pursue them for another ten li—halt at Mount Shaoshi! If you want glory and riches, now is your chance!"
Spurred by the promise of wealth, Li Min's soldiers redoubled their efforts. A few slower Dong Zhuo troops were struck by arrows and fell from their horses, only to be swarmed by a dozen men who even squabbled over who would claim the severed heads…
The fleeing Dong Zhuo soldiers whipped their foam-flecked horses, squeezing out the last of their steeds' stamina, and finally reached the Ying River.
At this time of year, the river—being near its source—was shallow and narrow due to the winter season. The Dong Zhuo cavalry frantically urged their horses across, churning up water in their panic, their shouts and the neighing of horses creating utter chaos.
Almost immediately, Li Min's forces arrived at the riverbank. Watching the last hundred or so enemy cavalry struggling to cross, he glanced at Mount Shaoshi—still several li away—then back at the wobbling riders who seemed on the verge of falling from their mounts. Gritting his teeth, he ordered his troops to ford the river and continue the pursuit!
Zhang An hurried to dissuade him: "My lord, this area is close to the mountains—an ambush is likely! You must proceed with caution!"
No sooner had he spoken than a horn blast sounded ahead. From behind a small hill, about five or six hundred infantrymen surged forth, shielding the faltering cavalry. They formed a defensive line six or seven hundred paces from the riverbank.
Li Min, initially startled, frowned as he observed the scene—then suddenly burst into laughter.