They galloped across the wilderness with only a hundred riders beside them, leaving the foot soldiers behind.
After riding for a while, Zi Shou spotted firelight ahead. Assuming it came from a village, he planned to get some water there.
So he slowed down and took a brief rest.
They gradually approached the firelight.
Where was the village? Why were there horses everywhere? What the hell was lying on the ground?
Chao Lei and Chao Tian had been promoted to generals of the Imperial Guards for their service in defending Chaoge. They commanded the hundred mounted Imperial Guards.
They looked down. The people sleeping on the ground had garishly painted faces and wore bone ornaments. These were clearly barbarians from beyond their borders!
What had Grand Tutor Wen said when he reorganized the army?
If the barbarians suddenly headed south and no cavalry stopped them, they could drive straight into the heartland...
The barbarians had actually come?
And we had run right into them?
Then what were we waiting for? Kill them!
They charged into the Tu Fang people waking to the sound of hoofbeats, hacking away.
Going into battle without armor was a dumbass move under any circumstances. Whether a stray arrow or a blade, a hit would leave you crippled at the very least. Barbarians were human too, and humans were fragile.
One fell with every blow. No one could withstand them.
Chao Lei also scattered the burning wood from the fires, setting dry grass alight and frightening away the riderless horses.
Wu Li had been sleeping soundly when a sudden burst of battle cries jolted him awake.
"Bad news! The Shang Army has found us!"
"Fire!"
"Ah! The Shang Army is attacking! Hurry and fight them off!"
The shouts blended into utter chaos.
"What's happening?" Wu Li