Killing Beasts (5)
The value of a horse is immense. If oxen are the best for plowing and tilling fields, horses excel not only at that but even more so in war. People ride chariots pulled by them for travel, and they mount them for long journeys. Specialized for such movement, horses are the perfect beasts for charging across battlefields—and nowadays, separate breeds are raised purely for warhorses. Even the nomadic tribes of the far north make food from horse milk, so you could call them the ultimate all-rounders!
The price of such a horse can exceed that of an entire village house. A single horse is practically worth a whole home. Especially those bred for military use—their value is sky-high. If a soldier responsible for managing warhorses lets one die from neglect, it's commonplace for his head to roll. That's the overwhelming power horses hold.
And the cavalry units that wield them boast tremendous might.
The Xiliang Cavalry. The White Horse Volunteers.
And right after them, the Bingzhou cavalry get top marks.
Lü Bu's forces from Bingzhou could be called a cavalry powerhouse. Serving under Dong Zhuo, he'd absorbed all the Xiliang Cavalry tactics, becoming an elite cavalry commander.
When he charged atop Red Hare, followed by hordes of horsemen smashing through the enemy, he became like Xiang Yu himself on the open field.
So, what's the core of cavalry? Obviously, the horse. Without horses, mounted soldiers wouldn't exist. Infantry spears form the backbone to counter them, and the moment a horse is pierced, the rider loses all value as cavalry.
No horse, no cavalry.
Even with enemies right in front of you, you can't just saddle up an ox instead and charge, right?
"Kuhaha! You lot! Better to run with us than end up as horse meat under Lü Bu!"
Zhang Fei guzzled water like liquor, roaring with laughter.
"What's wrong? Laugh! I said laugh! Hahaha!"
The horses, perhaps reading the fierce glint in Zhang Fei's eyes as he gripped their reins, neighed happily and pawed the ground—or maybe they were rearing to kick him.
Snort!
No, they were definitely trying to stomp him.
"Hey now."
Zhang Fei grabbed the horse's ankle with his hand.
"You dare touch me with that hoof?"
The horse thrashed in panic as its leg was seized, but Zhang Fei swung his water flask at its foreleg.
Crack!!
Neigh!! With a pitiful cry, the horse crumpled to the ground. Zhang Fei's flushed face split into mad laughter.
"Hahaha! You dare kick me?! Huh?!"
The horses caught the wine scent wafting from his nose and all lowered their heads.
"Jealous? Jealous, then come at me! Be grateful I didn't bring my serpent spear! Uhahaha!"
These beasts, who knew the law of the jungle better than anyone, learned from one sacrifice that this monster before them could duel them bare-fisted. They had no choice but to cower before Zhang Fei's lion-like roar.
"Listen up! Behave yourselves. Next one I catch gets turned into horse meat. Got it?!"
Threatening horses wasn't normal, but they seemed to understand, snorting warily and glancing at him.
Yeah. What madman could force forty warhorses—bred for battle, no less—to charge by yanking their reins single-handed?
Not all forty had come willingly, but any that resisted Zhang Fei's iron grip would've ended up corpses on the spot.
Whinny.
The horses finally bowed their heads to the drunken brute's violence. He was just a monster in human skin.
"Aigoo, brother...!"
The horses perked up at the kind voice from afar. The one with ears even bigger than theirs raised a hand, his face twisted like a demon's.
"I can't take it anymore!"
Thwack, thwack-thwack, thwack.
"What possessed you to steal these horses?!"
Liu Bei pummeled Zhang Fei's back. The horses watched in shock.
"You bastard, drunk again!" "Ah, ah, brother! Stop! Don't hit me!"
The bearded ghost was cowering before the big-eared man! And so the horses realized.
"Tch, what'd I do wrong!!" "Zhang Yide—_—" "......." Ah, so the big-eared one was the real boss!
"Even if they're a bandit's, how can a gentleman steal and use a thief's property?!"
Whinny... The horses blinked their sad eyes and approached the big-eared man. Liu Bei stroked their heads, soothing them.
"There, there. Must've been tough. I'll apologize on his behalf."
"Brother! Even if you won't praise me for a job well done, what's with the scary face?!" "And what are you doing?"
A red-faced man like a jujube appeared from afar. At the arrival of the one with a beard longer than a horse's tail, the horses exchanged nervous glances.
"Little brother." "Big brother spoke, so how dare you argue?"
Maybe that one was the rumored Red Hare? He looked stronger than the big-eared guy? Ah, the real power was that tall, jujube-faced man!
"Brother, no. I'll take him in hand today. Turn this drunken dog into a man." "Let it be. His judgment's clouded by booze—if you prod him more, he'll lash out at brother or anyone." "Do I look like some punk who can't tell superior from subordinate?!" "At least he can't tell man from beast." "Brother. What makes him think he did well enough to rampage?" "He thinks he did great—that's the problem."
The horses realized: even Red Hare followed the big-eared man, making him the true overlord!
"Heh, brother. Calm down. Sure, I stole 'em, but it won't make enemies of Lü Bu!" "What nonsense is that, like Dong Zhuo's edicts! Stealing his horses of all things—he'll go berserk. Sigh, isn't this the second time?" "Heh heh, no worries! He won't know it was me!"
Zhang Fei thumped his chest, laughing.
"Snuck 'em out without a soul the wiser!" "Who could drag forty horses by hand?" "......."
Speechless. A mouth, but no words would come.
"W-well, he won't know it was me, right?" "Doubtful."
Liu Bei nodded toward the distance.
"There—the horse's owner comes."
The horses turned. A red warhorse galloped up, its rider's hair fluttering like insect antennae, fur matching the jujube-faced man.
"Zhang—Yi—Yide————!!"
Everyone, horses included, jumped at the heaven-shaking roar.
"You dare steal my horses? Unforgivable! Zhang Fei, come out!" "Yide, I'll talk him down. Sober up first..." "Fine! Stay put! I'll fetch my serpent spear and smash your skull!!"
Zhang Fei mounted the sturdiest horse he'd stolen and charged.
"......Haa." "Yun Chang. Go stop them. I'll gear up and join..." "Just let 'em fight."
Guan Yu eyed Lü Bu atop Red Hare with a detached yet sharp gaze.
"After a hundred clashes, the booze'll wear off and they'll come back sober." "What if Zhang Fei dies?" "Hm...."
Guan Yu stroked his beard and shrugged.
"I wouldn't call a horse thief my little brother..."
Clang, clang, clang————!!
* * *
"Report: Zhang Fei stole Lü Bu's horses. Lü Bu dueled him for a hundred bouts, then returned to Xiabi."
"Who could've foreseen this?"
Cao Cao clenched her fist at the news from the east. Sun Uk, who'd been talking privately with her, sighed in relief at Cao Cao's delight and forced a smile.
"The bet's yours—I concede. Lü Bu and Liu Bei are finally at each other's throats."
"Longer than expected. And triggered not by Liu Bei himself, but his subordinates."
Sun Uk had warned that Lü Bu and Liu Bei would clash soon. But Liu Bei had shown absurd patience, enduring Lü Bu. Now, it seemed at its limit.
"This makes enemies of Lü Bu and Liu Bei. When Lü Bu attacks, we just send troops to 'aid' Liu Bei."
"Who shall you send?"
"Hmm. So many choices, it's thrilling."
Cao Cao toyed with her lips, grinning.
"What about Yuanrang?"
"General Xiahou Dun?"
"Yeah. He griped last time about just handling supplies. Might be good for him to lead."
"That was just talk."
"That's why I'm sending him. Can't have other generals rack up merits while I sideline family, right?"
Cao and Xiahou—different surnames, but practically kin.
"Xiahou Dun as vanguard for Liu Bei's relief force. This time, we crush Lü Bu."
"Understood."
"Milady...!"
Guo Jia burst in from outside.
"We must summon Lady Jiaman."
"Jiaman? Why?"
"W-well."
Guo Jia pointed outside.
"From Jingzhou—Geum Taeyang has arrived in Heodo."