The Qing Cao Plains was a wilderness area west of Luo Feng Slope, connecting to the mountain terrain and sloping downward from east to west. Yan Chi positioned fifty thousand troops in ambush among the tall grass that reached half a man’s height. The sloping terrain, combined with occasional earthen mounds, made the ambush relatively straightforward for the Shuo Xi Army. The real challenge would be how to engage with the Rong barbarians after they appeared.
While they could catch the Rong barbarians off guard in their panic, the barbarians possessed superior natural strength, capable of fighting two opponents at once. Furthermore, fighting on the plains favored the Rong barbarians. Considering this, Yan Chi arranged the vanguard, left and right flanks, and central army in a highly dispersed formation.
Since the wilderness grass was extremely tall, they would launch surprise attacks whenever possible to minimize casualties. Although they maintained the central army and flank formations, overall, the Shuo Xi Army formed a vast semicircular battle line to block the barbarians’ path.
At the Hour of the Tiger, all Shuo Xi troops had taken their positions. According to the plan, the Jin Zhou Army would only then start setting fires. It would take at least half an hour for the mountain fire to spread upward. Even after the Rong barbarians discovered it and fled, it would take at least an hour before they arrived. Even so, no Shuo Xi soldier dared to relax.
Yu Qi lay prone atop an earthen mound, his eyes fixed on the mountain foot half a li away. Their position would be the first to spot the barbarians descending the mountain. The news would then be relayed back, and no matter which direction the barbarians took, the Shuo Xi Army would converge to attack.
After staring for a while, Yu Qi’s eyes grew tired. He turned over and lay on his back, gazing at the pitch-black sky. A moment later, he looked over to see Gu Ling still motionless, having watched far longer than himself. Yu Qi tugged at Gu Ling, “That’s enough, don’t strain your eyes. You’ll be in trouble if you can’t tell friend from foe when the barbarians arrive.”
Gu Ling raised his eyebrows without speaking. Yu Qi quietly pulled out a miniature silver flask from his sleeve. Seeing this, Gu Ling immediately frowned, “Drinking is forbidden during battle! If His Highness learns of this, you’ll face military punishment!”
As he spoke, Gu Ling reached to grab it, but Yu Qi nimbly rolled away, “I know the rules, but have you ever seen me fail in battle?” Gu Ling frowned, knowing Yu Qi wouldn’t listen, and sighed, dropping the subject.
Yu Qi took a sip from the flask, smacked his lips, then put it away. Watching this, Gu Ling sighed again. Yu Qi’s drinking wasn’t due to addiction. Three years ago, during a battle with the Rong people, he had been trapped in the cold plains for several days. When found, his face was covered in frost. Though expected to freeze to death, he miraculously survived with just a breath of life. After being saved, he developed a sensitivity to cold. Since then, he had to take medicine regularly. Later, when the doctor said he could drink three cups of wine daily, he developed the habit of carrying a flask.
Gu Ling shook his head and pulled off his armor’s cape, throwing it over Yu Qi. Seeing this, Yu Qi chuckled and didn’t hesitate to cover himself with it. Though it was late summer, the night air on the plains was damp and chilly. Yu Qi lay curled under the cape in the tall grass, his eyes still fixed on the mountain ridge.
Soon, someone rustled through the grass from behind, saying, “General Gu, General Yu, why is there still no movement—” It was their deputy commander, who pulled out a terrain map and reached into his sleeve for a fire starter, intending to light it.
Yu Qi sat up abruptly, “Don’t light it!” The deputy was startled. Yu Qi explained, “A fire here would be easily visible from the mountain, and with all this dry grass around if it spreads, we’ll be in serious trouble!”
The deputy’s face reddened with embarrassment, “Forgive me, General. I was careless. I was worried we might be in the wrong position since there’s been no movement.” The map was drawn by Yan Chi’s men, and their positions had been predetermined. As the vanguard in the northwest corner of the formation, they would be the first to spot the barbarians. If they missed the timing, it would compromise the entire operation.
Yu Qi slapped the deputy, “You dare doubt me! I scouted this place two days ago. I’d recognize this mound even if it were reduced to ashes. Stop worrying and go back to ensure the men stay alert.” The deputy quickly complied, disappearing into the grass.
Yu Qi turned back toward the ridge irritably, glancing at Gu Ling, “Could something have gone wrong?” Gu Ling shook his head, “No.” His expression was confident, which reassured Yu Qi.
While watching the mountain, Yu Qi commented, “You know, you’re only two years older than me, yet you’re so mature. I feel at ease with you here. Why don’t I sleep while you keep watch?” Gu Ling frowned, seemingly uncomfortable with such talk, and replied impatiently, “We won’t miss anything without your eyes.”
Yu Qi laughed and lay back down. The plains were covered in thick grass year-round, and while most were still green, there was a thick layer of dead grass below. Unbothered by the dirt, he lay comfortably with one leg crossed, “The Rong people finally risked entering from the north, only to be trapped. Honestly, they’re too unfamiliar with the northern border, and this isn’t their familiar cold plains. They’re at a disadvantage.”
Gu Ling grunted noncommittally, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
Growing bored with waiting, Yu Qi began polishing his sword. Despite the darkness, it still gleamed with a cold light, showing its sharpness. As he polished, Gu Ling suddenly held his breath. Years of combat experience made Yu Qi instantly look up, spotting shadowy figures appearing on the mountain ridge.
The mountain’s nighttime silhouette had been peaceful, but now, like a stone disturbing calm waters, ripples of movement appeared. Yu Qi immediately dropped down, his lazy demeanor instantly replaced with fierceness, “Finally—”
Gu Ling’s expression also turned serious. He gestured behind them, and immediately, a low cicada call sounded from the grass. Summer night cicada sounds weren’t unusual, and soon others responded, creating a chorus throughout the area. The cicada calls spread quickly and quieted just as fast, lasting only a few breaths before the slope area fell silent again.
Meanwhile, the movement on the ridge grew more pronounced. At first, there were no torches, but soon pinpoints of light appeared. The Rong barbarians, both mounted and on foot, poured down the ridge like a tide. Being accustomed to wilderness survival, they navigated the difficult mountain paths as if on level ground. Shortly, some reached the mountain’s foot, while Yu Qi noticed a group remaining at the ridge.
“What’s happening? Isn’t the Jin Zhou Army pursuing them?” Gu Ling replied gravely, “They must be held up. Mountain combat doesn’t favor the Jin Zhou Army. A small number of barbarians could keep them occupied.”
If there were pursuers, the people on the ridge wouldn’t have stopped, indicating that while the barbarians were fleeing as planned, they weren’t as panicked as expected.
Yu Qi gripped his war blade, “Should we wait?” “Yes,” Gu Ling answered quickly, his face stern. The barbarians weren’t rushing and outnumbered them several times over. Gu Ling added, “Let’s see if they head west or north.”
If they went north, they would encircle them northward; if west, they would come straight into their formation.
Yu Qi and Gu Ling held their breath waiting, while the other soldiers dared not move. After the first wave of Rong barbarians reached the bottom and settled, those following slowed their pace. They gradually descended in formation, and upon reaching the bottom, began organizing their ranks. Gu Ling observed them narrowly for the time of an incense stick before saying, “At least sixty thousand troops.”
Sixty thousand troops… Yu Qi frowned and drew a sharp breath, “The Jin Zhou Army’s fire-starting skills are lacking!”
Gu Ling suddenly narrowed his eyes, “They seem to be heading north.”
Yu Qi frowned at this news, “They probably suspect we’re in the west and don’t dare come this way. They’d rather retreat to Cang Zhou.”
Gu Ling’s expression darkened, “If they go north, the Bei Fu Army should engage them from the front. We mustn’t reveal ourselves too early.”
The Shuo Xi Army and Bei Fu Army had laid ambushes on both sides to cut off all escape routes. With the barbarians heading north, they would be caught between both forces. However, with so many barbarian troops, they needed to launch surprise attacks to minimize casualties and achieve victory. Gu Ling beckoned, and his deputy immediately came forward. Gu Ling spoke quietly, “Quickly send word to the central army that the Rong barbarians have descended with over sixty thousand troops and are heading north.”
The deputy disappeared into the tall grass while Gu Ling continued watching the troops at the mountain’s foot. They observed the Rong army slowly beginning to move northward. Yu Qi started to rise but was held down by Gu Ling, “Don’t rush. Let’s not alert them. We’ll follow and only reveal ourselves when they engage with the Bei Fu Army.”
It was ten li to the Bei Fu Army’s ambush position, requiring nearly half an hour’s march. Fortunately, the plains’ thick grass and strong night wind provided cover. Soon, another cicada call sounded through the grass, and after a series of responses, everyone began moving stealthily northward.
The Rong barbarians weren’t moving quickly, likely because the Jin Zhou Army was indeed tied up. Thus, Gu Ling and Yu Qi dared not advance too boldly.
The Bei Fu Army waited ahead, something the Rong barbarians surely didn’t expect. They would be caught off guard when engaging the Bei Fu Army, and while they scrambled to respond, the Shuo Xi Army would launch their surprise attack, ensuring victory.
With their strategy set, Gu Ling and Yu Qi remained patient. Meanwhile, four li away in the central army position, Yan Chi received the news and responded, “Follow the two generals’ orders. Our central army and flanks will quickly join them.”
The messenger acknowledged and hurried through the darkness toward Gu Ling and Yu Qi. Yan Chi swiftly ordered the left and right flanks to mobilize. Chu Fei Sheng and Xiao Cheng received their orders and converged on the central army. The time needed for messaging and troop movement left the main force somewhat distant from the vanguard position. For better coverage, the thousand-strong vanguard comprised five thousand archer infantry and five thousand spearmen, while the central army and flanks combined infantry and cavalry formations. Concerned about the growing distance causing complications, Yan Chi ordered the infantry to advance at full speed, with cavalry following one lie behind.
Seeing this, Xiao Cheng immediately led his left-flank infantry in pursuit. Though they could no longer see Gu Ling and Yu Qi, there was still time before the Rong barbarians would engage the Bei Fu Army. While Yan Chi felt some concern, he remained confident in the battle plan. However, just as Xiao Cheng’s forces had covered three li, flames suddenly erupted on the northern plains, instantly illuminating the entire Qing Cao Plain’s night sky!
The southwestern wind remained strong, and the fire immediately spread like a prairie blaze toward the northeast – precisely where Gu Ling and Yu Qi were supposed to be tracking in ambush. Xiao Cheng froze, uncertain about the fire’s origin. He immediately turned back to find Yan Chi, meeting him halfway as Yan Chi rode forward!
Yan Chi noticed the problem and rushed up, “Send scouts immediately to investigate the fire’s source!”
Xiao Cheng dispatched troops as ordered, while Yan Chi watched the growing flames with deepening concern. “This is bad! Something’s wrong! Order the central army, both infantry and cavalry, to advance at full speed!”
Upon this command, the cavalry behind them moved first. Shortly after, Chu Fei Sheng led the cavalry in pursuit. By now, the plains fire had spread across the sky, and even from a li away, they could smell the acrid smoke of burning vegetation.
Chu Fei Sheng anxiously said, “Your Highness! This fire is suspicious! Gu Ling’s group wouldn’t be so careless!”
They had planned for every possible barbarian movement, and this wasn’t the time for the Shuo Xi Army to reveal themselves. Yet the fire’s location meant Gu Ling’s forces would be the first affected!
Yan Chi’s eyes showed traces of severity, “With the fire started, the Rong barbarians will turn back. How can Gu Ling’s forces resist over sixty thousand men, especially with the fire at their backs…”
At this point, Yan Chi gripped his spear, “Move out immediately! Circle around the burning plains!”
Yan Chi’s voice carried rare urgency, causing Chu Fei Sheng and others to pale. His single statement had analyzed all the critical points – if they didn’t arrive in time, Gu Ling and Yu Qi would perish. Chu Fei Sheng, also alarmed, immediately took the lead.
However, no one had anticipated that the prairie fire would spread faster than the mountain fire and prove just as deadly. Moreover, the burning area far exceeded their expectations. Though Yan Chi kept spurring his horse, their detour required covering much more ground. Just then, the lead scouts returned.
“Your Highness! The fire extends for two lies ahead. A detour would take five times longer than the original route. Also… we found two half-burned oil barrels at the fire’s southern edge…”
Yan Chi’s pupils trembled. Oil barrels?!