Sneak Attack on the Green Bamboo Tribe
The Green Bamboo Tribe was only two days' journey from Stone Ridge Mountain. Xueya led a thousand cavalry on a rapid march, their horses never stopping, their men never resting. They only stopped at midday for a few bites of dry rations and a few sips of cold water before continuing their journey. As night fell, the moon peeked through the clouds, its cold light casting a pale, stark white glow over the mountains and forests. The sound of hooves echoed heavily in the darkness, like a dull thud on the heart. The torches in the ranks remained unlit; Xueya forbade them to be lit, fearing it would reveal their location. The warriors traveled in the dark, relying on the moonlight for navigation. The horses panted heavily, their breath visible in the moonlight.
As the moon rose high overhead, Xueya reined in his horse and raised his arm. The column behind him slowly came to a stop, the sound of hooves fading away, leaving only the panting of the horses and the low coughs of the warriors. The night wind blew in, carrying the scent of pine resin and the earthy smell of soil, along with the distant barking of dogs.
"We're here," Xueya said softly, his gaze fixed on the faint lights ahead. The Green Bamboo Tribe's camp was nestled in that mountain hollow, its lights twinkling like fireflies in the darkness, the outlines of wooden houses and the shadows of fences faintly visible. Occasionally, a few barks of dogs and the cries of children could be heard from the camp, intermittent and carried away by the night breeze.
Xueshou rode forward and asked in a low voice, "Big brother, shall we fight now? The brothers have been running all day and are exhausted, but they can still fight."
Xueya shook his head, his gaze cold and sharp. "It's already night. Attacking at this time would easily allow some of the Green Bamboo Tribe members to escape. It's dark, and we can't see clearly. They can just disappear into the forest, and where will we find them? If one or two escape, they might go and report back. If the Great Rock finds out, our next move will be in trouble." He paused, his gaze sweeping over the group behind him. "Take cover first, eat something, and don't light a fire, lest we be discovered. Fires will produce smoke that can be seen from miles away. We'll stick to our old plan: launch a surprise attack early the next morning, just before dawn."
Xueshou and Yexiao exchanged a glance and nodded.
"Each of you will lead four hundred men to attack. I will lead two hundred men to guard the vicinity of the Green Bamboo Tribe to prevent anyone from escaping," Xueya's voice was deep and cold. "Kill all their able-bodied men and the elderly and weak, leaving only the young women. The able-bodied men cannot be spared; they will only cause trouble. The elderly and weak cannot be spared; they will only be a burden. The young women will still be useful."
Xueshou and Yexiao nodded and went to make their arrangements. Xueshou turned and whispered instructions to the few Xiaotou behind him, while Yexiao rode to the back of the column to relay the orders. The soldiers dismounted and led their horses into the woods by the roadside. The woods weren't deep, but they provided ample cover. Moonlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground. The soldiers found places to sit; some leaned against tree trunks, some squatted in the grass, and some sat directly on the ground. They took out roasted rice and dried meat from their ration bags and ate silently, not daring to make a sound. Someone chewed too loudly and was glared at by the person next to them, quickly slowing down. Water pouches were passed around, each person taking a few sips before being passed on again. No one spoke; only the sounds of chewing and swallowing were exceptionally clear in the quiet night.
The horses were tethered to trees; some stood and dozed, while others grazed on the dry grass. Several soldiers were responsible for watching the horses, occasionally stroking their necks to soothe them.
Xueya leaned against a large tree, his eyes closed, but he wasn't asleep. His ears were perked up, listening to the sounds around him. The night wind rustled the leaves, like whispers. In the distance came the mournful, drawn-out calls of owls, like the cries of babies.
As the sky began to lighten with the first hint of dawn, Xueya opened his eyes. He stood up, stretched his stiff limbs, and walked to the edge of the forest. The Green Bamboo Tribe's camp was faintly visible in the morning mist, like a ghostly realm. The camp was quiet, with only the occasional crowing of a rooster and the intermittent barking of a dog. The morning mist was thick, like a thick layer of cotton, covering the entire valley.
"Make your move," Xueya whispered.
Xueshou and Yexiao each mounted their horses, leading four hundred cavalrymen out of the forest. The warriors mounted their horses swiftly and silently. The horses' hooves, wrapped in grass mats, thumped on the ground. The eight hundred cavalrymen split into two groups, like two sharp knives, rushing towards the Green Bamboo Tribe's camp from two directions.
Xueya led the remaining two hundred cavalrymen, spreading out around the camp to form a loose encirclement. He sat on his horse, his gaze cold and sharp, like a Tujiu waiting for its prey.
As the sky grew brighter and the morning mist began to dissipate, people began to rise from the Green Bamboo Tribe's camp. An old man pushed open the wooden door, stepped out of his thatched hut, and stretched. He rubbed his eyes, glanced into the distance, and then froze.
In the distance, a dark mass of cavalry was charging towards them, the sound of their hooves like muffled thunder, growing ever closer.
The old man opened his mouth wide, wanting to shout, but no sound came out. He turned to run, but his legs wouldn't obey him, and he collapsed to the ground.
"Enemy attack!" he finally shouted, his voice sharp and shrill, shattering the tranquility of the morning.
But it was too late.
Xueshou and Yexiao's cavalry had already reached the camp gates. The wooden palisade collapsed like paper under the cavalry's charge. The warriors rode into the camp, hacking and slashing at anyone they saw. Their scimitars gleamed coldly in the morning light, each swing sending up a cloud of blood.
The people of the Green Bamboo Tribe were jolted awake. Some were cut down before they could even react, while others grabbed weapons to fight back, but their hands went limp at the sight of the dark mass of cavalry charging in. A young man grabbed a Shifu and charged at a cavalryman. The cavalryman sneered, spurred his horse forward, and with a swipe of his scimitar, the young man fell to the ground with a thud. An old man, protecting his grandson, knelt on the ground begging for mercy, only to be cleaved in two by a single blow. A woman, clutching her baby, screamed as she ran towards the back of the house, only to be shot through the back by an arrow and collapse to the ground.
Xueshou charged ahead, wielding his Shifu, each swing sending up a cloud of blood. He cleaved open a wooden door with a single blow, revealing several trembling figures inside. He grinned, revealing a set of yellow teeth, and took them down one by one with his axe.
More than a hundred able-bodied men, most of whom were still asleep, were hacked to the ground. The few who tried to resist were killed in a single encounter. The camp of the Green Bamboo Tribe had become a living hell. Cries, screams, pleas for mercy, and savage laughter mingled together and echoed in the morning air.
The elderly, women, and children were dragged out of the thatched hut and herded together. They huddled together, trembling, like a flock of lambs to the slaughter. Some knelt on the ground, kowtowing desperately until their foreheads were bleeding. Some held their children, tears streaming down their faces, their lips trembling, unable to speak. Some stood blankly, their eyes vacant, as if they had lost their souls.
Xueshou and Yexiao's cavalry surrounded the old and weak, their blades pointed at them, ready to strike at any moment.
Xueya rode slowly into the camp. His gaze swept over the trembling old, weak, women, and children, his face expressionless, as if he were looking at a pile of Shitou. He walked to the center of the camp, reined in his horse, and looked down at the prisoners.
"Leave no able-bodied men, women, or the elderly; keep only young women." His voice was calm, as if he were remarking on the pleasant weather.
Xueshou and Yexiao exchanged a glance and nodded.
With Xueshou sent dozens of cavalrymen charging into the crowd, dragging the young women away. The women cried and struggled; some knelt on the ground, desperately kowtowing, only to be kicked to the ground. Others screamed, their mouths covered, and were dragged away. The remaining elderly, women, and children huddled together, weeping uncontrollably.
Xueshou raised his Shifu. "Attack!"
The cavalry charged into the crowd, wielding their scimitars. Screams rang out once more. Xueya, mounted on his horse, watched all this with cold eyes, his heart unmoved. In his eyes, these people were not human, but ants. The life and death of ants were not worth his attention.
In less than half an hour, the cries in the camp gradually subsided, and a strong smell of blood filled the air, attracting several crows that circled above the camp, emitting piercing cries.
Fifty or sixty young women, who had been dragged out, were locked in several thatched huts, shivering. Some were crying, some were in a daze, and some were huddled in a corner with their knees drawn up to their chests. They knew what awaited them, but none of them dared to resist.
Xueya dismounted and walked to the largest wooden house in the center of the camp. It was the residence of the Green Bamboo Tribe chief, and now it belonged to him. He pushed open the door and went inside. The house was messy, with animal hides and rough pottery scattered on the floor. The fire in the hearth had gone out, leaving only a pile of ashes. He walked to the main seat, sat down, leaned back in the chair, and closed his eyes.
Outside, Xueshou and Yexiao were directing their warriors to clear the battlefield. Supplies were gathered together—grain, animal hides, pottery, and tools—piled up Little Mountain. Horses were led aside and fed hay. The young women were brought out of the thatched huts and lined up, waiting to be distributed.
Xueshou walked over and stood at the door. "Brother, everything's cleared out. We didn't leave any able-bodied men or the elderly, but we kept fifty-eight young women. We've also inventoried the supplies; we have enough food for half a month." Xueya opened his eyes and nodded. "Well done. Let everyone rest and have something to eat. We'll set off this afternoon for the next tribe."
Xueshou responded and turned to leave.
Xueya closed his eyes again. Fifty-eight women should keep the brothers entertained for a while. When they get tired of them, they can grab new ones. A cruel smile crept onto his lips.