North of High Plains, the land was sparsely populated. Major cities with supplies lay hundreds of li apart. Zhang He had departed in haste and brought no provisions; he did not even know whether they could hold out long enough to catch up with the main force ahead.
The only thing Zhang He could rely on was that State of Wei horses were better—faster and sturdier. If both sides spent the same amount of time traveling, Huang Zhong would never be able to catch him.
Neither side had brought torches, so neither could continue traveling after nightfall. They all stopped by the Clearwater River to water their horses and rest.
In early winter, the horses could still paw open the soil and chew on grass roots, but the soldiers had no food and could only endure it. With no tents to ward off the night wind, men and horses huddled together for warmth.
Zhang He gazed at the scattered stars overhead and thought, We have no tents and no food. That old fellow can't possibly have them either. Maybe he'll freeze to death by morning. He had no idea Huang Zhong was thoroughly prepared.
Every Han cavalryman carried fifteen days' worth of compressed rations and wore winter clothes made by the Guangzhou military workshop. Their linings were stuffed with feathers from chickens, ducks, and other fowl, making them light to wear and exceptionally warm.
The next day, as dawn was just breaking, the Han and Wei cavalry set out at the same time. Like children playing a game of chase, they raced across the bleak frontier wilderness.
When scouts from the rear brought word, Zhang He angrily lashed his horse's rump and galloped onward. He had not expected Huang Zhong to be so tenacious. *I'll lead you on for another