Section Thirty-One

Violent winds and torrential rain lashed the earth, while thunder and lightning tore through the dark clouds like nightmares. The world flickered in the strobe of jagged bolts, and the roar of thunder drowned out all other sounds. A thick, oppressive fog blanketed the landscape, rendering everything beyond twenty feet invisible. Lin Feng, leading six thousand cavalrymen, charged toward the front lines of Xinzhou.

The war had reached its most critical juncture. The survival of the Han Empire and the Dzungar Khanate hung in the balance, likely to be decided in the few short hours between this night and the coming day. Hundreds of thousands of troops from both sides were massed in Xinzhou. Across China—from Wu Sangui in the south and Zheng Jing on the island, to Buriyagma in Hulunbuir—all eyes were fixed here. In this era, the Han army and the Dzungar forces were the two most formidable powers in Asia. This battle would dictate the historical trajectory of China and the future of the world.

The conflict had progressed beyond the point of strategic maneuvering; all that remained was a raw test of will and courage. Like two battered giants, they were locked in a struggle to see who would bleed out first, who would buckle, and who would ultimately collapse at the feet of the victor.

The Boming encampment was established northeast of Xinzhou, less than fifty miles from the front. According to Lin Feng’s deployment, Zhao Guangyuan’s First Cavalry Corps served as the Han right flank, stationed on the northwest defensive line to protect the supply routes to Xinkou and support the central main force. The Fifth Infantry Corps, led by Zhao Liangdong, and the First Imperial Guard Infantry Corps, led by Rick, formed the central main force, entrenched in fortified positions outside Xinzhou. They were advancing step by step, methodically encroaching upon the Mongol forces' room for maneuver. Ma Ying’s Sixth Cavalry Corps acted as the left flank, positioned between Xinzhou and Dingxiang to secure the Hutuo and Muma river routes while maintaining vigilance over the Xinzhou sector.

Galloping at full speed, the rain lashed against Lin Feng’s face like blades, stinging with every impact. The wind grew fiercer, funneling down his collar and chilling him to the bone. He slumped over his horse’s neck and glanced at his side. Wang Shirong, a frail scholar, had inexplicably followed him. Now, soaked to the bone and disheveled, his face deathly pale, he shivered uncontrollably despite the rhythmic jolting of the ride. Seeing this, Lin Feng reached out and shouted over the roar of the wind, "Ji Yun... your health is poor... go back!" He waved his whip toward the rear in a firm gesture and commanded, "Go back!"

Amidst the vast, driving rain, Wang Shirong shook his head with desperate resolve. His mouth was wide open as if shouting something, but the howling wind rendered his words utterly silent to Lin Feng.

What use could a scholar be on a battlefield like this? Lin Feng smiled bitterly to himself. He pulled sharply on the reins, stopped, and turned to Wang Shirong. "Ji Yun... go back and rest. You are of no use here!"

"I am incompetent, my planning was flawed, and I allowed the Tatars' schemes to succeed, causing the Sovereign to suffer," Wang Shirong gasped, struggling to bow while mounted. "At such a time, when the Sovereign is charging into battle, how could I sit securely in the rear?"

Damn it, how is this the time for such tedious sentimentality? Lin Feng felt a mix of frustration and amusement. He thought, *You have no strength to truss a chicken; aren't you just becoming a burden to me?* Yet, he replied, "You misunderstand, Ji Yun. I am telling you to return to the camp to keep watch, organize the laborers, and prepare to send reinforcements and supplies to the front!"

"Please rest assured, Sovereign," a look of steely determination crossed Wang Shirong’s face. "Before I departed, I informed Lord Hemin. Supplies and logistics are already being handled by Lord Mu Tianyan and the staff officers. I am determined to face the Tatars on the field! Please, I beg your permission!"

Forget it, forget it. Lin Feng waved his hand. He stood up in his stirrups to scan the horizon and shouted, "Where are we? How much further to the front?"

"Sovereign!" A dark-faced, burly man spurred his horse forward. "This place is called 'Sheep Horn Valley,' about thirteen or fourteen miles from the Xinzhou front. It’s one of our supply depots. Look..." He pointed ahead. "There is a battery on that small hill belonging to General Rick’s artillery brigade. Below the hill is a camp housing five hundred soldiers and three thousand militia and laborers!"

"Fourteen miles—that’s about six or seven kilometers," Lin Feng muttered. Following the direction pointed, he could faintly discern a small battery, a cluster of barracks, and a watchtower through the driving rain. He raised his whip toward the camp and ordered, "The entire army is to divert! Enter the Sheep Horn Valley camp, rest for half an hour, warm yourselves by the fires, drink, and eat!"

As he spoke, a troop of cavalry surged ahead to notify the allies. Lin Feng spurred his horse and looked back at the officer who had just spoken to him. He looked familiar, as if he had seen him somewhere before. Puzzled, he asked, "Are you... are you that..."

"Ximen Sha!" The dark-faced officer grinned, looking as foolish as ever, and said casually, "Hey! I was wondering when you'd notice, Sovereign. You’re a bit forgetful—I’m Ximen the Pig-Killer!"

Lin Feng stared, dumbfounded. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry. *I have hundreds of thousands of men under my command; it’s hardly forgetfulness not to remember one captain!* Seeing the man’s confident air of "you surely know me," Lin Feng could only offer a bitter laugh. "Cough... cough... oh, so it is you!" He struggled to recall where he might have seen him.

"See that?" Ximen the Pig-Killer boasted to his comrades behind him. "The Sovereign remembers me, doesn't he? Back in Liaoyang, Military Councilor Mu said I had the 'courage of ten thousand men,' and the Sovereign promoted me personally!"

Hearing this, it clicked. Lin Feng remembered the incident. He hadn't expected that after all these years, this blockhead would still be just as foolish and unchanged. Traditionally, since the Tang Dynasty, Chinese military systems had largely practiced policies of keeping soldiers ignorant; the Han army’s approach was indeed rare in recent centuries.

"What is your name?" Lin Feng smiled at him.

"Reporting to the King of Han, this subordinate is Nian Gengyao, courtesy name Liangong," seeing Lin Feng’s friendly expression and relaxed tone, the young second lieutenant was ecstatic. He knelt on the ground and introduced himself, "My father is Nian Xialing, currently serving in the Ministry of Works!"

Lin Feng froze. His hand loosened, and his helmet clattered to the ground. He stared at the young lieutenant in disbelief. "You are... Nian Gengyao?!!"

"Yes!" Nian Gengyao looked up in surprise at Lin Feng’s strange tone. "That is my name!"

"Oh! ...Haha! ...Hahaha! Nothing... it is really nothing... heh heh!" Lin Feng couldn't help but burst into laughter. He patted Nian Gengyao on the shoulder. "I know your father, Nian Xialing. I’ve heard he often brags to his colleagues that he has a son named Nian Gengyao who is clever, perceptive, and destined for great things. I never imagined it was you, kid! ...Haha..."

Nian Gengyao blushed, feeling a strange sense of confusion. As far as he knew, his father was introverted and disliked talking; he had never imagined his father would go around bragging about his son.

"Well, Liangong, I intend to transfer you to my personal staff. Are you willing?" Seeing him hesitate, Lin Feng quickly changed the subject.

"I thank the Sovereign for the promotion, but..." Nian Gengyao’s initial joy faded into hesitation. "I would rather serve under General Ma, the Conqueror of the Tartars!"

"Oh?" Lin Feng asked in surprise. "Why?"

"Forgive my insolence, Sovereign," Nian Gengyao kowtowed. "It is not that I dislike the Imperial Guard. The First Imperial Guard Corps relies on firearms, which are indeed powerful. However, I believe that for the next few hundred years, cavalry will remain the absolute backbone of our Great Han. A general is the soul of the army, but the cavalry is its claws and fangs. He who possesses iron cavalry possesses the world. I am untalented, but I wish to gallop across the world for the Sovereign!"

That was a fair point. As far as Lin Feng knew, cavalry as a branch would not truly leave the stage of history until the First World War. Even though firearm technology was advancing rapidly, they remained the core of armies. Nian Gengyao’s choice was not wrong. "Good, you have ambition. I will have Mu Tianyan issue the order later, and you can report to Ma Ying." He nodded and shifted the topic. "Do you know where General Rick is now?"

"This subordinate does not know!..."

Lin Feng paused, then tapped his forehead. He had asked the wrong person. How would a mere second lieutenant, left to guard the rear, know the whereabouts of a top general?

Before he could finish the thought, Nian Gengyao smiled slightly. "...But he is certainly not at the headquarters. If the Sovereign sends someone to the southeast, you will likely find the General there commanding the battle!"

"Oh?" Lin Feng was stunned. "How can you tell?"

"If the Sovereign pleases, as far as I know, the Tartars launched a full-scale assault after dusk today. Our army was caught off guard, and the situation is not entirely in our favor..." He pointed to the southeast. "Our Xinzhou defensive line has been reinforced for many days. If the Tartars want to break through in one stroke, they must find a gap. The weakest point in our line is the junction between the First Imperial Guard Corps and the Fifth Infantry Corps!"

"Oh, that makes sense!" Lin Feng nodded, giving him an encouraging look. "Don't be nervous, Liangong, continue!"

"General Rick is steady and wise, famous throughout the world, and a trusted veteran of the Sovereign. If a small lieutenant like me can see this, he certainly does as well," Nian Gengyao smiled. "Therefore, I believe that with the enemy attacking fiercely and the line under pressure, the General must be there in person, overseeing the battle!"

Hearing this, Lin Feng stood up and told Li Ergou, who was standing by, "The entire army, move out! Head southeast!" He turned back to Nian Gengyao and smiled. "Little one, you come with me!"

The rain had begun to taper off, and in the light breeze, the mist thinned, making visibility much clearer. Eight thousand cavalrymen charged forward, splashing mud across the road. Ahead, the sounds of battle erupted—shouts, the thud of heavy logs, and the whistle of arrows. The sounds came from the south, so intense it was impossible to tell how many were locked in brutal, close-quarters combat.

As they crossed the final ridge, a cavalry unit approached like the wind. The leader, with golden hair and blue eyes, was General Rick Rascher. He had finally been reached by Lin Feng’s messenger; hearing that his Sovereign had arrived at the front, he had come to greet him.

"What is the situation?!" Lin Feng asked urgently before formalities were finished.

"The situation is excellent!"

"Really?" Lin Feng looked at him suspiciously. "I heard the Dzungars launched a surprise attack and our army was unprepared, losing quite a few positions?"

"Yes, and we are currently taking them back!" General Rick remained impeccably dressed, his demeanor as elegant as ever. He looked up at the dark sky and smiled at Lin Feng. "It is truly wonderful. God is my witness, I love the rain. A duel in the rain is simply so romantic!!!"

"...Damn it!" Lin Feng was speechless. "Don't you realize we can't fire our guns in the rain?"

"Of course, my Sovereign—but I do not like firing guns anyway. You know, the gunpowder smoke is bad for one's health!"

Lin Feng stared at him in shock. He began to suspect the Lieutenant General had a fever. He coughed, changing the subject. "Cough... cough, I heard this is the junction between the First Imperial Guard Corps and Zhao Liangdong’s unit, and the defenses are thin?"

"Yes," Rick stopped smiling and said seriously, "which is why I am standing here!"

"Well... alright then..." Lin Feng waved his hand, deciding not to pursue the issue. He turned to look at the other side of the line. "Where is Zhao Liangdong?"

"He is sleeping, my Sovereign!!"

"What did you say?!!..." Lin Feng was shocked, his face changing color. "Damn him... at a time like this, he... he is actually..."

"Yes, that is exactly it. My Sovereign, the Tartars attacked, then it rained, and our muskets and cannons became unusable. Some shepherds and hunters enraged a professional army. The situation seems dire, but in reality, it is nothing," Rick nodded nonchalantly and gestured toward the Fifth Corps' line. "As far as I know, the Tartars charged at dusk, so General Zhao ordered his command post to move forward, right into the line of sight of the Tartars. Then he raised his battle flag, told me he was tired and needed a rest, and then he fell asleep right there!"

Lin Feng looked at Rick, then at the front lines, his head spinning. He felt dazed, at a loss for words. He had galloped through the rain to the front line, feeling quite heroic, believing his presence would be the turning point that would boost morale and create a miracle. Now, he suddenly wondered if he was overreacting. Was this gesture perhaps a bit pointless? "Cough... cough... I say, Rick, what do you think we should do now..."

"Certainly, it is a great honor, Sovereign. On behalf of all the officers and men of the First Imperial Guard Corps, I welcome your arrival. Your courage is truly admirable," General Rick replied with an expression that was clearly perfunctory, gesturing to a row of barracks behind the lines. "To show our respect, we have already prepared a warm camp for you!"

"But... however..."

"Yes, Sovereign, you appeared when we needed you most, which is critical," General Rick bowed with the elegance of a knight. "But the most important thing now is to dry your clothes, and then lead us to defeat the Tartars in good health!"