Chapter 21: Fierce Battle, Loss of Mounted Gear

Chapter 21: Fierce Battle, Loss of Cavalry Equipment

"Form ranks!"

Under Wang Li’s command, the Qin heavy cavalry, having pierced through the Xiongnu horsemen’s formation, regrouped and circled wide before launching another charge against the Xiongnu.

After just one clash, countless Xiongnu horsemen lay dead or wounded. Seeing more Xiongnu corpses strewn across the ground than Qin soldiers, Wujia Xucao wore a face of disbelief. In previous battles against Qin, the Xiongnu had never suffered such heavy losses—thousands per charge. If there were several more clashes like this, his tribe’s warriors would be wiped out.

Glancing down at the curved blade in his hand, Wujia Xucao realized this Qin army’s northern campaign was no mere minor provocation. His eyes fixed thoughtfully on the strange objects strapped to the backs of the fallen Qin warhorses in the distance. Whatever these things were, they had to be taken back to the tribe for study—they might explain the sudden surge in the Qin cavalry’s combat effectiveness. But now was not the time to dwell on such matters. The Qin forces were still looming nearby, already turning their mounts to charge once again.

With no time to waste, Wujia gathered the surviving warriors of his tribe and reformed their ranks. Though the Qin army was well-equipped, these steppe warriors had risen from blood and hardship—they would not be cowed. The nomadic herds were still in the process of relocating, and he had to buy time for his people.

“Warriors of the Xiongnu! Our cavalry outnumbers the Qin threefold! We are descendants of the Heavenly Wolf Spirit. The Qin are fierce, but we, descendants of the Wolf God, are no meek lambs. For every Qin soldier you kill, you shall be rewarded with ten horses, twenty Central Plains women, and a hundred cattle and sheep. Warriors, charge with me!”

Promises of great rewards stirred the warriors to a wild, guttural howl. Following Wujia Xucao’s lead, they surged forward once more.

“The Xiongnu still have their brave men; this fight just became interesting!” Wang Li muttered under his breath as he watched the charging cavalry.

Without further ado, he raised his spear and led his troops forward. The Qin had never feared anyone.

Boom!

The Qin heavy cavalry collided fiercely with the Xiongnu horsemen again. Tens of thousands of warhorses tangled in a chaotic mass. In mere minutes, the brutal scene repeated itself across the grassland.

After several waves of assault, Wujia Xucao, coming to his senses amid the carnage, looked over the bloodied field. The crimson blood had formed a small stream. Turning back, he saw only a few hundred riders remained behind him, many of them his personal guards.

During the fierce battle, many Xiongnu warriors had fled in terror, abandoning the field. Wang Li paid them no mind—the cowards were no concern.

Looking back towards the tribe’s direction, Wujia seemed to have made a decision. His previous bold ambitions and plans to drive the herds south were gone. Now, he only hoped to retreat safely back to the royal encampment.

“Baza!” Wujia called out to a trusted confidant who had followed him for years.

“My lord!” Baza rode forward, right hand pressed to his chest in salute.

“You must remove the objects from the Qin warhorses, exchange them for Qin soldiers’ gear, and bring these items along with my message to the royal court. Tell the Chanyu:

‘I, Wujia Xucao, have been true to my tribe. I hope the Chanyu will treat my people well. Also, the Chanyu must seize some Central Plains people to uncover the purpose of these things on the horses’ backs! This may be the hope for the rise of the Xiongnu! Moreover, the Chanyu should lead the tribe to migrate further north. The Qin assault this time is fierce; the Xiongnu cannot withstand it.’”

“My lord! What about you?” Baza asked, puzzled.

“I’m staying. I will lead the remaining warriors to cover your retreat. You must deliver my message—do you understand?” Wujia said firmly.

“I won’t leave! I will stay to protect you! And follow you to the Central Plains to fight!” Baza shouted.

“Go! Or I will kill myself before your eyes!” Wujia threatened, knowing Baza’s stubborn nature.

When Wujia pressed his curved blade to his own neck, Baza finally relented.

“In the next life, I still vow to follow you!” Baza said, turning his mount, gripping the items tightly, saluting, and then galloping away. His towering figure sat astride the warhorse, tears streaming down his face, growing smaller beneath the sun.

“Stay alive, Baza,” Wujia whispered silently.

“Men, let me lead the charge! Kill!” Wujia raised his chipped saber and charged headlong into the encircling Qin forces.

“Kill!”

A thunder of hooves passed. The riders atop the horses were gone—only broken flags and riderless warhorses remained, wailing on the spot.

“Order all troops: no mistreatment of fallen Xiongnu warriors. Give them honorable burials! They are worthy adversaries, though born at the wrong time.”

The Qin army measured its glory by battle achievements. The head of the San Chuan tribe was a prize comparable to a Qin marquis’s rank. Wang Li had given special orders to respect these true warriors.

“Clean the battlefield and send the intelligence back! Pay special attention to whether any saddles, stirrups, or horseshoes are missing!” Wang Li instructed a clerk.

An hour later, a breathless clerk rushed in to report.

“General, one set of cavalry equipment is missing. The horseshoes remain on the warhorse’s hooves, but the saddle and stirrups are gone!” the clerk stammered.

“What!” Wang Li shouted suddenly.

“Dispatch riders to pursue immediately!” he commanded.

The deputy general prepared to leave at once but was called back by Wang Li.

“Cancel that. Too many Xiongnu have scattered. We won’t catch them now.”

Since the campaign began on the steppe, Wang Li had meticulously counted the cavalry equipment after every battle. Even damaged gear was recorded. Losing a complete cavalry set was a serious problem for Qin.

He hoped the Xiongnu would remain ignorant of the equipment's true function a little longer. Otherwise, future campaigns against other steppe tribes would become far more difficult. The Qin border stretched from west to east through grassland peoples, and beyond lay the Yuezhi, Western Regions, Parthians, and desert tribes—all possessing sizable cavalry. If they obtained the cavalry’s essential gear, imperial westward campaigns would be much harder. This was no good for the empire.

Shaking his head, Wang Li could think of no solution and decided to report the truth to the civil and military officials. He wondered if this campaign’s merits would offset the error. Even if the emperor forgave him, his father and grandfather—especially his grandfather—would surely beat him to death. Remembering General Wang Jian’s stern demeanor made him shudder.

Pushing aside such thoughts, Wang Li ordered the clerk to finalize the battle report and send it swiftly to the rear command.

It had been three days since this humble narrator arrived here. I thank all esteemed readers for your attention.

(End of chapter)