Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao-Chapter 630 - 346: The First Battle_2
Although he had once sworn that the enemy forces were as easy to defeat as "chickens and dogs" and seemed to have sure victory within his grasp, the truth was, having even a forty percent chance of winning would have been good. It was just that, as the commander-in-chief and the backbone of the entire army, if he lacked courage himself, how could he expect those below him to fight to the death?
Now, with the great battle upon them, it was all the more crucial for the commander to remain composed. Thus, with an unchanged expression, he looked down at the dense ranks of soldiers below and said with a smile, "Today's first battle may be the toughest one. Once we get through this fight, our circumstances will be much improved. Madman Wang, since you have boasted so boldly, how about you take charge of the defense for the first round?"
"Your Highness can entrust it to me, Madman Wang, without worry. If I live, the city stands," shouted Madman Wang with great vigor.
"Good, that's the spirit! I'll have the victory wine ready for you," Lu Xun said as he gently patted Madman Wang's shoulder and laughed while walking down from the city wall.
Once the other generals had descended from the city wall, Madman Wang drew the treasured saber from his waist. The blade glittered in the sunlight. Looking down at the eyes of the soldiers below, he shouted, "Boys, after training for so long, it's time to show everyone our fighting prowess. The commander has entrusted us with the first battle, and we must not disappoint. Today, we'll show our might!"
"Tiger! Tiger! Tiger!"
Wang Tao, leading the troops at the forefront, looked toward the nearby city wall and, with a smile, said to Mr. Wu, "Sir, what do you think of the outcome of this battle?" His words were filled with confidence. Even though the warnings of his family's elder still rang in his ears, Wang Tao believed that Lu Xun's current strength was no match for the Allied Army.
"The outcome is hard to predict!" Mr. Wu did not share Wang Tao's optimism. He turned to glance at the army behind him—every champion seemed jubilant, as if the victory was already in their hands.
"These men are fine with fighting when the wind is in their favor, but if they meet with a setback in the attack, I'm afraid they won't be reliable," Mr. Wu knew well the nature of the Allied Army. It was a force cobbled together by interests, where each person had their own agenda. In the face of difficulties, it would be hard for them to be united and to overcome adversity.
"Then let us wait and see!"
As soon as the words were spoken, Wang Tao waved his hand lightly, and the sound of drums arose. Banners flew high as the army commenced its assault on the city, with war cries piercing the heavens and earth—the great battle had begun.
Tian Erniu was an ordinary Chu Soldier. Before Lu Xun's arrival, he was a tenant farmer for the Noble Families and Clans, laboring in the fields every day for a living. His family of six were all servants to the Noble Families. In times of peace, for the sake of their reputation, the Noble Families treated them decently. But during years of conflict, they were treated like beasts of burden, struggling even to scrape together a meal.
It was only with Lu Xun's arrival that their miserable lives began to improve. Great Chu allocated lands to them, restoring their freedom and even allowing their children to attend school. Everything seemed like a dream. Every day, upon waking, Tian Erniu's parents would circle the newly built family house twice, making sure it was all real.
Now, his greatest dream was to earn a merit, to leave his descendants with enough land to sustain them. The Government office had said that this land would be theirs forever, and no one could ever buy it from them.
Gazing at the relentless stream of enemies clambering up the city wall, Tian Erniu clenched his teeth to overcome the fear in his heart and swung his large saber tirelessly. With every strike, a spray of blood would follow.
The brutality of the war exceeded everyone's expectations. In just half a day's time, bodies had piled up at the edge of the city wall. Madman Wang, leading from the front, his body soaked in fresh blood, had a deep gash across his face from which blood freely flowed, yet he remained undaunted, continuing to lead his soldiers in resisting the Allied Army's frenzied onslaught.
The battle raged from day into night, and only when nightfall came did the Allied Army slowly retreat. Tian Erniu collapsed on the ground, warily watching the edge of the city wall, until he was sure no one was climbing up. Only then did he truly relax; glancing at his cherished saber, he saw it was badly notched from the fighting.
Numerous Chu Soldiers could finally catch their breath. Madman Wang, dragging his wounded body, went around examining the soldiers' injuries. Walking among them, he laughed heartily, "You've all done well, truly worthy of being my Madman Wang's men. We scared the hell out of those guys on the other side, crying for their fathers and mothers. In a while, someone will come up to replace us. You all go back and rest up well. Who knows how much longer this fight will last? It might be our turn again in a few days."
The soldiers by this time had already been transformed, no longer green recruits but seasoned veterans who had seen the brutal realities of life and death in battle and were about to become truly elite troops.
Lu Xun and Lao Han walked shoulder to shoulder, followed by other generals. Today's focus on the siege was all on Madman Wang's side, so everyone had rushed over.
The chaotic city wall was stained with blood, the air thick with the sting of iron, and the remnants told of the war's brutality. From time to time, the agonized screams of injured soldiers could be heard.
"Lao Han, are the medical facilities in the city enough?" Lu Xun asked with concern. He treasured each person and didn't want to see them perish in this fight.
"Rest assured, my lord, we have plenty of medicine. Miss Chen Li has organized the women and children in the city into an emergency medical team to assist in the various clinics, and we have also temporarily conscripted temples and schools to ensure all the wounded are properly taken care of," Lao Han sighed, speaking as an elder of Great Chu, feeling a swirl of emotions seeing the growth of these soldiers that he had witnessed and now watching them fall in such a cruel battle.
"Our soldiers have done well. Today's battle has filled me with even greater confidence that they can each take on a hundred foes!" Lu Xun nodded in approval.
He looked towards the distant Allied Army's encampment, lost in thought. The contradictions there would become more apparent as time went on – that would be his opportunity to claim victory. Lu Xun had the patience to wait for that moment.
"My lord, let me take our lads and raid their camp tonight, to curb their edge," Chen Xiong eagerly volunteered.
At these words, Lu Xun's eyes lit up. He knew that Chen Xiong had trained a powerful cavalry force – small in number but elite among elites. It was just a shame that in this city defense, they couldn't play a role. Yet now, Chen Xiong was offering to raid the enemy camp himself.
"Isn't that too risky?" Lu Xun was somewhat indecisive.
"My lord, be at ease. My scouts report that the enemy is resting, with only a few on guard. And as cavalry, we strike and withdraw like the wind; we will charge in, kill a few, and then pull out immediately without getting entangled," Chen Xiong confidently laid out his plan, to nods of agreement from all the surrounding generals.
"In that case, Chen Xiong, you have your orders. Lead Tiger and Leopard Camp in a raid on the enemy camp. Sow chaos with fire, but do not linger in battle!" Lu Xun decided and issued the command.
Chen Xiong happily accepted the order and left to organize his troops, while Lu Xun told the gathered generals with a smile, "Since that's the case, let's watch from atop these walls as General Chen charges into the fray."
Not long after, a detachment of light cavalry quietly left the city gate. Each soldier was clad in armor and holding a long spear, traveling light without extra equipment, they launched a lightning-fast charge at the Allied Army's camp.
When the blurry-eyed sentries spotted Chen Xiong's approach, the cavalry was already closing in on the camp. The sentries rubbed their sore eyes, barely believing that any troops would dare to launch an attack from the city at this time.
The roar of the warhorses brought the sentries out of their stupor; they hastily blew the alarm, signaling the enemy's approach.
But, it was already too late. Under Chen Xiong's rapid advance, the cavalry he led was nearing the camp, and the soldiers of the Allied Army who were just roused from sleep had no time to dress before they were trampled by the advancing horses.
An enemy general attempted to block them but was skewered by Chen Xiong's lance. He then led his troops to set fire to the camp, and in moments, the Allied Army's encampment was ablaze against the night sky.
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