Chapter 409: Knowing how to hunt Shan Yuting

Author: Gongsun Wujiu

Chapter 409: Knowing how to hunt Shan Yuting

After Shan Yu's army got rid of contact with Liaodong Town, it quickly returned westward.

At this time, the armies of Lu Bode and Geng Shu were already approaching Yuwu River.

The right general ordered Shan Yuting's subordinates to retreat toward Beihai.

In order to delay the Han army and buy time for the tribesmen to retreat north.

The right general ordered King Yi Zhizi to lead five thousand cavalry to use harassment tactics to hold back Geng Shu's troops.

He himself led 15,000 cavalry and stationed them on the north bank of Yuwu River, trying to stop the Han army led by Lu Bode.

On September 17, the first year of Yuanfeng, Lu Bode led his troops to the south bank of Yuwu River.

Although Geng Shu had been harassed by the Huns, he also arrived at the eastern foot of Mount Hangai.

Lubod immediately sent three thousand cavalry across the Yuwu River to launch a tentative attack on the Xiongnu.

As a result, they were victorious first and then defeated. The three thousand Han troops crossing the river were besieged by the cavalry led by General You, and more than two hundred cavalry were lost.

Just as Lubold was preparing to continue his attack, the temperature dropped sharply and a blizzard began to fall, forcing Lubold to suspend his attack.

In Lubode's big tent, Yang Tang said to Lubode with a worried face:

"Commander, there is a heavy snowfall this time. Our army does not have enough to keep out the cold. Many of our soldiers have frostbite..."

Lubod looked at the heavy snow outside the tent and frowned.

The sudden heavy snowfall surprised both Han and Hungarians.

In previous years, snow would only fall in the Yuwushui area at the end of October, but I never thought that it would already be snowing heavily at the end of September.

Lubold sighed, "I hope this blizzard can end as soon as possible!"

Yang Tang nodded and said, "I wonder how Zhenwu Army is doing right now!"

Lu Bod said, "The Han troops in the Western Regions mostly wear cotton armor, so there won't be any big problems. However, if the blizzard continues, there may be many people injured by frostbite!"

Yang Tang sighed, "The same is true for our army!"

After Yang Fang finished speaking, he and Lu Bod looked at each other, both with worried expressions on their faces.

…

When Lu Bode was worried about the blizzard, a convoy of nearly a hundred sleighs had already left the Zhenwu Army camp.

The car was loaded with cotton-padded clothes and headed towards the Hexi Army's station under the leadership of Feng Fengshi.

The two armies were now less than a hundred miles apart, so before sunset that day, the convoy had already arrived at the Hexi Army's camp.

Lu Bode and Yang Tang were both shocked when they heard that the Zhenwu Army was sending a convoy.

"Lu Shuai, these are 10,000 sets of cotton clothes sent by Geng Shuai's subordinates..."

"The Zhenwu Army is really a timely help... With these cotton uniforms, our Anxi Army can at least reduce the casualties on one side!"

Yang Tang looked at the cotton clothes brought off the sleigh and kept saying words of thanks.

Lu Bode also kept thanking Feng Fengshi, "Lu Bode will always remember the kindness of Feng Gong and Geng Shuai!"

Feng Fengshi said, "If Marshal Lu wants to thank you, he should be thanking Marquis Yunyang... When the troops were sent out, Marquis Yunyang specially reminded him to bring more things to keep out the cold..."

"Without Marquis Yunyang's words, there would be nothing we can do today!"

Lu Bode sighed when he heard this, "Marquis Yunyang is indeed a mastermind!"

Yang Tang also agreed, "Marquis Yunyang deserves to be the queen of Liuhou!"

Feng Fengshi smiled when he heard this and said, "My Lord, I will send another 20,000 sets of cotton-padded clothes in the future, which will be delivered the day after tomorrow at the latest..."

After hearing this, Lu Bode bowed and said, "The kindness of the Protector of the Western Regions and the Marquis of Yunyang will be remembered forever by Lu Bode..."

Feng Fengshi waved his hand and said, "My prince has said that whether it is the Western Region or Hexi, we are all Han troops, and we should guard and help each other!"

Lu Bode looked ashamed when he heard this. Since he became the governor of Hexi Province, he has added many defensive measures to the Western Regions.

Not only were Yumen Pass and Yang Pass reinforced and expanded, the garrison at the two passes was also increased from 500 to 2,000 each. The garrison at Dunhuang was even as high as 20,000.

Although Lubod felt ashamed, if he returned to Hexi, he would not reduce the number of troops defending the Western Regions, but would continue to strengthen them.

This time he sent troops to the Huns, allowing him to truly see the strength of the Western Regions.

As an individual, he is naturally grateful to the Western Region Protectorate.

But as the Han Dynasty's Hexi Jiedushi, guarding against the Western Region Protectorate was one of his most important responsibilities.

The materials sent from the Western Regions arrived faster and in greater quantities than Feng Fengshi said.

At noon on the second day, a larger logistics team appeared outside the Hexi Army camp on the south bank of Yuwu River.

This time the person in charge of the convoy was Zhang Ai, the grandson of Bowang Hou Zhang Qian and now serving as Zhang Yue's subordinate.

Everyone in the Hexi Army cheered when they saw the convoy appearing.

The soldiers, led by the officers, happily assisted the convoy in moving the supplies into the warehouse.

"Why are Zhang Junru here? How many things have been transported this time? This is more than 20,000 sets of cotton clothes, right?"

Feng Fengshi asked curiously.

Zhang Ai said, "This time I came with the Lord!"

Feng Fengshi was about to speak when Lu Bode's voice came from not far away.

"Why, Marquis Yunyang is also out of the country?"

Lubold's words were full of surprise.

Feng Fengshi and Zhang Ai turned around and saw that the person coming was none other than Lu Bode who had returned from a patrol.

Yang Tang was also following behind him at this time.

Feng Fengshi quickly introduced to Zhang Ai, "Jun Zhang, this is Lu Shuai, the governor of Hexi Province!"

Zhang Ai quickly stepped forward and said, "Minister Zhang Ai pays homage to Lu Shuai!"

Lu Bode said quickly, "You are the grandson of Marquis Bowang. When did Marquis Yunyang leave the fortress?"

Yang Tang said, "It's freezing cold, so let's go into the tent first and talk!"

Lu Bod laughed loudly when he heard this and said, "Yes, yes... we'd better go to the big tent first and then talk!"

After speaking, he said to Feng Fengshi and Zhang Ai: "Let's go back to the tent first!"

After entering the big tent, Lubold asked people to prepare food while asking again.

"When did Marquis Yunyang leave the fortress and where is he now?"

Zhang Ai said, "Half a month ago, Junhou took us out of the fortress...and now we have joined forces with Genghou!"

Lu Bod asked thoughtfully, "Marquis Yunyang wants to hunt with the Huns?"

Zhang Ai smiled slightly, "The position of a subordinate is low, and the plans of the monarch are not known to the subordinates..."

Lubod nodded, already thinking about it.

Zhang Yue left the fortress at this time. If he didn't have the intention to hunt with the Huns, there would be no need to do so.

He and Geng Shu's 60,000 troops were enough to force the Xiongnu Chanyu to return.

…

Lu Bode's guess was good. This time Zhang Yue led ten thousand cavalry out of the fortress with the intention of fighting the Huns.

However, Lu Bode did guess wrong on one point. Zhang Yue's target was not the main force of Hu Yantuan Chanyu, but the Huns' tribes retreating to Beihai.

In Zhang Yue's eyes, these ordinary herdsmen who don't seem to have much fighting ability are the roots of the Huns.

"Your Majesty, this is too risky. It is better for someone to lead the army for good!"

In Geng Shu's tent, Geng Shu jumped up when he heard Zhang Yue's plan.

Zhang Yue smiled and asked, "Who is more experienced in fighting in the snow, Geng Shuai or so and so?"

Geng Shu said, "Of course the prince is more experienced, but as the commander-in-chief of an army, how can he take risks easily?"

Zhang Yue laughed, "This time, you are the commander-in-chief of the army, and I am just a general..."
Chapter completed!