Chapter 22
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Henei
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The court's reaction was far quicker and more sensitive than expected. Henei was practically right under the capital Luoyang's nose.
With the realm ablaze from the Yellow Turbans, news of black-turbaned bandits rampaging right at the Grand Commandant's doorstep was enough to shock the old foxes of the court.
Orders came down swiftly.
The Henan Inspector He Jin, responsible for the administration and public order around the capital, was granted 10,000 central troops and issued a stern command to march out immediately and suppress the bandits in Henei.
And thanks to Chief Attendant Zhang Yang's recommendation and Governor Ding Yuan's influence, my name was added to the expedition's roster.
My position: deputy under the Henan Inspector. Not a bad start.
The expedition's grandeur was impressive. The endless column of troops, thousands of banners fluttering in the wind, and the 10,000-strong suppression force marched in perfect order.
Our unit formed one segment of that massive procession, following slowly at the rear.
"Kahaha! Finally, a chance to loosen up, brother!"
Wei Sok, thrilled at the prospect of a major battle after so long, was making a racket.
"Fake Yellow Turbans from the Black Mountains? The moment they hear our army's coming, they'll piss themselves and run! Right, Zhang Liao?"
In high spirits, Wei Sok even amiably addressed Zhang Liao, whom he usually growled at. But Zhang Liao merely glanced at him and replied in a flat tone.
"Don't let your guard down. Even elite troops can't assume bandits will fight head-on. They'll look for openings slyly."
"Tch, you killjoy! No matter how sly they are, bandits are bandits."
"Hah, that's why thick-headed fools are... War isn't that simple."
I let Wei Sok and Zhang Liao's banter flow in one ear and out the other. Meanwhile, Cheng Lian and Wei Yue were anxiously scanning the surroundings, whispering to each other.
"Hey, Cheng Lian. Doesn't it feel like the officer's been eyeing us?"
"Shut it, Wei Yue. Don't draw attention."
"No, I mean... I can't read the officer at all. Forgiving us like that..."
Cheng Lian and Wei Yue were still on edge, glancing at me warily because I'd spared their lives and taken them in.
Whatever they were thinking didn't matter. If they showed any sign of betrayal, I'd snap their necks then and there.
My gaze was fixed on the army's vanguard far ahead.
Under the fluttering banner of the supreme commander stood a man in splendid armor, riding tall and proud.
From the moment I heard before departure that this expedition's overall commander was Henan Inspector He Jin, I couldn't believe it.
I turned to Zhang Liao riding beside me and asked for confirmation.
"Wen Yuan. That man leading at the front—is he really Henan Inspector He Jin?"
"Yes, sir. He's the supreme commander of this suppression force."
'Hah... so it really is him.'
The moment I confirmed the name again, vivid memories from my past life flooded back—ones I'd forgotten.
'Backed by his empress sister and commanding the realm's great armies. Yet he dithered, watching her every mood, and failed to make one crucial decision—ending with his head rolling.'
Governor Ding Yuan was a sly fox, sure. But this guy... he embodied indecisiveness so perfectly it was etched in history.
'Haa...'
A deep sigh escaped me naturally.
This expedition was going to be far more exhausting than I'd thought. Seeing my souring expression, Zhang Liao asked cautiously.
"Sir, you don't look well. Do you know something about the Henan Inspector?"
"...No, nothing."
I gave a curt reply and turned my head forward again.
There was He Jin, riding proudly in the distance. But behind that image overlapped his near future: spilling blood in the palace, his head pitifully severed.
The moment our army entered Henei's borders, things turned urgent.
As if by prior agreement, barely half a day after setting foot in Henei territory, messengers came galloping in from all directions like madmen.
"Your Excellency! The western county is under Black Mountain bandit attack—it's burning!"
"Simultaneous raids in the northern villages...! There are too many Black Mountain bandits; the Henei garrison can't handle them!"
"The south too...!"
The reports never ended.
The bandits weren't even thinking of attacking major strongholds like Henei City. Instead, they scattered, simultaneously torching and looting counties everywhere.
As the situation worsened, He Jin's proud face, leading at the front, gradually hardened.
Unable to endure it, He Jin raised his hand and shouted to the entire army.
"Halt the march! Pitch camp here immediately and summon all the generals!"
Thus began the hasty roadside war council—an utter chaos from the start.
He Jin's tent was a mess, like a marketplace.
"We must split the army into three and rescue each county now!"
"Foolishness! That's exactly their plan! Scattering means getting picked off one by one! The main force should hold at Henei City center and assess first!"
"Hold against mere bandits? Are you even a warrior? Better to lead elite cavalry and strike their leaders!"
The assembled generals shouted their conflicting strategies.
At the center, the expedition's supreme commander He Jin sweated profusely, fidgeting anxiously.
"Hmm... that's a valid point too. However..."
To think that was the look of a man commanding 10,000 central troops. Pathetic.
'The commander needs to steady things. This'll drag on noisily.'
As I tsked at the pandemonium, a scholar quietly listening from behind He Jin stepped forward.
A face I didn't recognize.
The man wore neat civilian robes. With calm demeanor, he addressed the rowdy warriors softly.
"Generals, please calm down for a moment."
The noisy voices gradually quieted at his words. He first paid respects to He Jin, then introduced himself.
"I am Chief Clerk Kuai Yue, serving at Your Excellency the Henan Inspector's side. Your Excellency, I have a good plan."
Kuai Yue unrolled a map and began explaining.
"Chasing scattered foes one by one is the worst option. We must herd them into one place and annihilate them at once. Our main force divides into branches, like casting a vast net to drive them here to the center. But don't fully encircle—if cornered, even rats bite cats. Leave an intentional escape route to funnel them one way."
The generals' ears perked up at Kuai Yue's plan.
"Most crucial is their final escape path: the Bing Province pass and Yellow River ferry. Occupy and hold those first with small elite units. If the trap holds until the herders bring the prey, we can wipe out Henei's Black Mountain bandits in one go."
A perfect plan. He Jin slapped his knee in admiration.
"Oh! Indeed, the Chief Clerk speaks wisely! Excellent strategy!"
But He Jin's face soon darkened.
The plan's key 'trap' role: a suicidal mission blocking potentially tens of thousands of bandits head-on with minimal troops. No general willing to take it.
He Jin scanned the tent.
"Ahem..."
"Hm..."
But those who'd been shouting moments ago all stared at the ground or looked away, as if by agreement.
Then, one pair of eyes met He Jin's squarely without flinching. Mine.
The moment desperation flickered in He Jin's eyes, I stepped forward first.
"I'll block the pass to Bing Province."
The tent buzzed at my words.
"Hah, reckless bravado."
"Youth makes fools of us all."
"Must be his heroics against Bing Province barbarians swelled his guts."
Just as the murmurs ended, another man stepped forward from the tent's corner, where he'd watched quietly.
Not tall, but his eyes were sharper than anyone's in the tent.
"Hahaha! If Bing Province's hero steps up, how can I stand idle? Then leave the Yellow River ferry to me."
He Jin inwardly cheered as volunteers appeared for the two thorniest, most dangerous posts.
"Oh! Excellent! You two are true loyalists! Good!"
He Jin surveyed the assembly and declared with authority.
"To Bing Province Deputy Officer Lu Bu and Parliamentarian Cao Cao, I grant 500 elite troops each. Proceed immediately to your positions and cut off their retreat! The rest, follow me! We'll crush the bandits utterly!"
'Cao Cao...?'
I flinched at the name from He Jin's mouth.
'No way, is that Cao Cao? The bastard who takes my head in original history?'
Chills ran down my spine.
As I stared at him in shock, Cao Cao stared back.
In a low voice only I could hear, he murmured.
"I've heard of your valor and prowess. Hah, didn't expect to see you in person."
"Just exaggerated rumors. But you, volunteering for a post everyone shuns—takes real guts."
"Hahaha! In chaotic times, danger breeds opportunity. Isn't that right, Fengxian?"
—Fengxian.
My brows furrowed at how naturally he used my style name. He already knew quite a bit about me.
"Don't be too wary. I just wanted to see for myself if Bing Province's hero matches the hype."
"Satisfied now?"
"Beyond expectations."
Cao Cao answered without hesitation. He stepped closer, lowering his voice further.
"Your martial prowess is heaven-sent, but this court has things even a blade can't cut."
"......"
A pointed warning. I stared at him silently for a moment.
"...Thanks for the advice. I'll etch it in my bones."
"Until next time, then. Lu Fengxian."
Cao Cao waved and walked away.
The rugged valley blocking the pass to Bing Province.
This was the trap spot Kuai Yue mentioned. A quick scan confirmed: great for defense, but perfect for isolation too.
"Just holding here is the worst play. Prepare to annihilate them completely."
I gathered commanders including Zhang Liao and Wei Sok for the ops meeting.
"Zhang Liao."
"Yes, sir."
"I'm giving you all the cavalry. Circle wide and stay hidden until my signal."
Zhang Liao's eyes gleamed. He'd grasped my intent.
"When I signal, hit their rear."
"Understood."
Zhang Liao saluted crisply and led the cavalry silently beyond the horizon.
"Wei Sok, Cheng Lian, Wei Yue."
"Yes, brother!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Lead the infantry and build flimsy barricades. Make it look like 'a little push and it'll break' to the bandits. Our job is to buy maximum time."
"Kahaha! Leave it to me, brother! Making shoddy defenses is my specialty!"
Wei Sok bellowed confidently.
Hearing his boast, I picked up a massive composite bow. Wei Sok's eyes widened.
"Brother? Not the spear, a bow?"
"Hunting from afar isn't bad sometimes."
I smirked and climbed to a higher hill for position.
Days later, from this vantage, He Jin's main force's first herded Black Mountain bandit vanguard appeared.
Scale: a few hundred.
Spotting our flimsy barricades, they scoffed and yelled.
"Uahaha! That's your defense? Barely any troops! Kill them and retreat to Bing Province!"
Their leader drew his sword, shouting. Too far for our archers to shoot effectively.
'Not for me.'
I nocked an arrow quietly, drew the bow. The string groaned twang.
'Spears are great, but sniping flies from afar has its charm.'
—Shiiik
The arrow whistled sharply, arcing through the air.
It struck the bandit leader's eye perfectly as he rode, commanding. He tumbled from his horse without a scream.
The charging hundreds halted in terror.
"B-Boss!"
"Where'd that arrow come from?!"
I nocked a second arrow at the panicking bandits. This one hit the flag-bearer's open mouth.
"Guhk!"
Straight down his throat as he yelled.
"Hiiiik!"
"W-What the fuck, where's it coming from?!"
Terrified, the bandits raised wooden shields. Seeing that, Wei Sok up front shouted.
"They're just rats! Charge!"
'Has he lost it? I ordered hold the barricade.'
As Wei Sok roared to leap over, Cheng Lian and Wei Yue frantically held him back, thank goodness.
"Crazy, Wei Sok! Hold the line!"
"Just stay put, Wei Sok!"
"Aww. Guarding barricades against puny bandits. Tch..."
Reined in, Wei Sok held position.
'Phew, need to drill that fool properly later.'
Relieved inwardly, I kept drawing.
Targeting eyes, throats, mouths of leader-types, picking them off one by one.
"Kaaaaak!"
"Guhk!"
"F-Fuck, staying still means death—charge!"
"There aren't many of them! Kill!"
Leaderless and panicked, they lost reason and rushed the barricade.
"Kahaha! Finally coming, vermin! Hold! Brother's watching from behind!"
Wei Sok led with shield, smashing the first bandit's face flat. Thud, he rolled away.
"Kaaaaak!"
"This Wei Sok'll smash all your heads!"
As Wei Sok rampaged madly, Cheng Lian and Wei Yue calmly directed infantry.
"Maintain shield wall! No gaps!"
"Archers! Curve shots over shields! Cluster 'em and shred!"
Their commands worked. Even flimsy barricades held as soldiers moved in unison, repelling the rush.
Of course, my occasional hilltop arrows punching holes in heads of those breaching helped.
A few assaults later, the ragtag mob left dozens of corpses and fled.
"R-Run!"
"Fuck... fuck..."
"Kahaha! Nothing but trash daring us!"
Battle over, Wei Sok climbed the barricade, raising his bloodied sword high. He bellowed at me on the hill.
"Brother! See that?! This Wei Sok cleaned up the rats! Total pushovers!"
His boast wasn't empty. A couple more times, stragglers herded by the main force came, same result.
"Enemy's few! Break through! Kill 'em all if we do!!"
"Kahaha! Break through? I'll crack your skulls!"
Now they moved systematically.
Wei Sok drew eyes rampaging upfront; Cheng Lian and Wei Yue's infantry sealed gaps with shield walls, stabbing infiltrators.
With each fight, our morale soared endlessly.
Tension gone; now they bet how many heads they'd take.
"Waaaaah! Won again!"
"Hahaha! Black Mountain bandits are just bandits!"
Last stragglers repelled, victory cheers erupted. But before they faded, a watchman's terrified scream tore the air.
"Sir! Th-That's... the enemy main force! Filling the plain... no end in sight!"
"—What?"
The cheers died instantly.
The plain below the valley.
A massive black wave surged from the horizon. An endless army incomparable to before.
Thousands—no, near 10,000 Black Mountain bandit main force, kicking up dust, marching on us.
"N-No, all that coming our way?"
Wei Sok's confident face paled. Despair etched every soldier's face.
I gazed at the overwhelming sight, quietly drawing a special whistling arrow from my quiver behind.
Nocked it, shot it skyward toward their approach.
—Screeeeech
The arrow whistled piercingly into the lofty sky. Signal sent. Now hold till Zhang Liao arrives.
I set the bow down. No more sniping time.
Slowly descended the hill. Terrified soldiers parted. Their eyes mixed 'we're doomed' despair with hope in me.
Reached the barricade front. A nearby soldier trembled, clutching my spear.
"Hand it over."
"Y-Yes..."
Took the spear. Its familiar heavy feel calmed my mind.
—Thud.
To face the endless Black Mountain horde, I planted the spear at the barricade's forefront and stood firm.