第三十章 驰驱星野一旅突围 践踏全军双雄劫帅 (Chapter Thirty: Galloping Through the Starry Wilderness, a Unit Breaks Out; Two Heroes Plunder the Commander from a Routed Army)

Now, Lu Junyi, Yan Qing, and Zhang Qing, unfamiliar with the roads in the darkness, were scattered by the Jin troops. Although they fought separately, each managed to break through the encirclement and retreated toward the northwest corner. By then, the sky had brightened, and the three reunited. They counted their followers and found only thirty-some cavalry left, most of them wounded. Looking back at the previous night's battlefield, dust and sand blotted out the sky, and the sounds of shouts and killing still faintly echoed. Lu Junyi said, "Although we have broken out, we do not know how General Guan and the other brothers fare. We must find a high place to observe and then decide our course."

As they spoke, suddenly a great cloud of dust rose in the southeast. A troop of cavalry came flying toward them. Yan Qing, quick-eyed, cried out in alarm, "Bad! The Jin troops are chasing us again!" Lu Junyi looked and indeed saw the banners of the Jin troops, about a thousand cavalry. At their head was a general wielding a wolf-tooth mace, none other than the fierce Jin commander Wuyan Huligai. Lu Junyi said to Zhang Qing and Yan Qing, "The enemy is numerous. We cannot fight them head-on. Let us fight and retreat, luring them to the mountain valley ahead where we can use strategy to defeat them."

The three led their thirty-some cavalry and spurred their horses to flee. Wuyan Huligai, seeing that Lu Junyi had few men, would not let them go and chased closely. After pursuing for over ten li, they came to a range of mountains with a narrow path in between. Lu Junyi and his men charged into the valley. Wuyan Huligai chased to the valley entrance. He hesitated briefly, then waved his troops to surge in. But the paths inside the valley were winding, with steep stone cliffs on both sides. As the Jin troops were chasing, suddenly they heard the sound of a watchman's clapper. From both sides, chaotic stones rained down like droplets. Then fire arrows flew, shooting into the Jin cavalry. It turned out that while retreating, Lu Junyi had ordered Yan Qing to take a few riders ahead and set an ambush here. The Jin troops, caught in this sudden attack in the narrow path, immediately fell into disarray and trampled each other."

Lu Junyi and Zhang Qing turned their horses and charged back to kill. The thirty-some valiant cavalry also turned to rush into the enemy formation. Wuyan Huligai swung his wolf-tooth mace to engage Lu Junyi. They fought only a few rounds when Zhang Qing flung a stone. It struck Wuyan squarely in the face, smashing his nose and mouth. He tumbled off his horse. Lu Junyi added a spear thrust, ending his life. The Jin troops, seeing their commander dead, lost all will to fight. They discarded their weapons and armor, fleeing out of the valley entrance. In this battle, the Jin troops lay dead across the field. They seized countless horses and equipment. Lu Junyi gathered his men and horses, rested briefly, then said to Yan Qing and Zhang Qing, "Although we have won here, this is no place to linger. We must quickly find the main road and inquire about our army's news."

The three led their troops out of the mountain valley and traveled several dozen li northwest. Suddenly, they saw dust flying ahead as a column of cavalry approached in formation. Zhang Qing said, "Could it be the Jin troops again?" Lu Junyi reined in his horse to observe. He saw that the approaching army had bright armor and flew the Great Song banners. At their head was a general in white robe and silver armor, none other than "Little Li Guang" Hua Rong. Lu Junyi was overjoyed and hurried to meet him. Hua Rong, upon seeing Lu Junyi, rolled off his saddle, dismounted, and bowed, saying, "Master, you are unharmed. This is truly fortunate! After breaking out separately, I searched everywhere. I am fortunate to meet you here."

Lu Junyi helped Hua Rong up and asked, "Brother Hua Rong, do you know the whereabouts of Guan Sheng, Huyan Zhuo, and the other brothers?" Hua Rong sighed. "In last night's chaotic battle, all armies were scattered. After breaking out, I gathered several hundred defeated troops along the way. I heard that General Guan led a force southwest. Commander Huyan's whereabouts are also unknown. The main force of the Jin troops has pursued our main army toward Daming Prefecture. There may still be roaming cavalry here, so we cannot linger long."

Lu Junyi said, "Although we are defeated, we cannot simply return to the mountain stronghold. We must do our best to collect scattered soldiers, harass the enemy's rear, and reduce the pressure on Daming." As they discussed, a scout reported that about ten li southwest, Jin troops were escorting a large batch of prisoners and supplies, moving slowly. Lu Junyi asked, "About how many troops?" The scout said, "About two to three hundred cavalry, over a thousand infantry, with carts stretching for miles."

Yan Qing said, "This must be loot from plundering our prefectures and counties, being transported back to camp. The Jin troops are arrogant and lax, with loose guard. We can raid them." Hua Rong and Zhang Qing also rubbed their hands eagerly. Lu Junyi pondered a moment. "We have few men, so we can only use cunning. Brother Hua Rong, you can lead your troops, display many banners, beat drums, and shout, feigning an attack from the front. I, with Zhang Qing and Yan Qing, will divide our elite cavalry, circle around their rear, and assault the escorting Jin troops, burning the carts. If their vanguard turns back to rescue, Brother Hua Rong, you can pursue them, making them unable to coordinate front and rear."

The plan settled, Hua Rong led his troops to charge toward the main road southwest. The Jin escort commander, named Wanyan Sheyema, seeing Song troops blocking the road ahead, ordered his vanguard infantry to form up and meet the enemy. Hua Rong's army shot arrows from afar, beat drums, and shouted, but did not approach. Wanyan Sheyema was watching when suddenly loud shouts arose from the rear, and flames shot into the sky. It turned out that Lu Junyi, Zhang Qing, and Yan Qing, leading thirty-some elite cavalry, had suddenly charged out from the flanking forest, directly assaulting the transport convoy. The Jin rear guard was mostly infantry and was escorting prisoners. Caught off guard, they were cut down by Lu Junyi and his men, fleeing in disarray."

Yan Qing led a few men, specifically searching for flammable materials on the carts to set fires. It was winter, with high winds and dry conditions. In an instant, smoke and flames filled the sky. The carts, grain, and fodder were all ignited. The prisoners, seeing troops coming to rescue, also shouted, broke free from their bonds, seized Jin troops weapons, and fought chaotically on all sides. Wanyan Sheyema urgently led his vanguard back to rescue, but Hua Rong attacked from behind. The Jin formation fell into great disorder. Wanyan Sheyema, unable to control it, had to lead his personal cavalry and fight desperately to break out, escaping in wild flight. Lu Junyi and his men did not pursue. They joined forces with Hua Rong, rescuing several thousand captive soldiers and civilians and seizing many horses and military weapons."

Lu Junyi ordered the soldiers and civilians to quickly gather what could be used and disperse into the mountain forests. He, with Hua Rong, Zhang Qing, and Yan Qing, remained on their steeds atop a high ridge, watching the Jin troops scatter and the supply carts burn to cinders. They exchanged smiles. Zhang Qing said, "Though but a minor victory, it does vent some of our pent-up rage." Lu Junyi replied, "This merely checks one of their flanking forces and does little to remedy the overall situation. We must still seek out our brothers and plan a greater move."

As they spoke, suddenly a rider came galloping from the northeast direction. Approaching, it turned out to be Dai Zong. Dai Zong, sweating profusely and panting heavily, said, "Master... all Chieftain... Generals Guan Sheng, Huyan Zhuo, and Xu Ning have gathered defeated troops and retreated to defend Black Pine Forest. They specially sent me to find you, Master. Please go quickly to join them and discuss our next steps together." Lu Junyi, hearing this, was greatly pleased. He immediately ordered Hua Rong and Zhang Qing to reorganize the troops. With the several hundred willing fighters newly rescued, they followed Dai Zong toward Black Pine Forest. Truly: A defeated army still holds the will to turn the tide; plundering the commander shows the talent of a pillar. After all, what happened when Lu Junyi and the others reached Black Pine Forest will be told in the next chapter."