Before the warriors of the Sixth Army set off. Twenty thousand infantrymen from the Third Army took over the two new grassland cities in the Huchuquan and Chiwule territories. The importance of these two new cities is self-evident. Must be firmly in their own hands. It is impossible for Liu Xin to hand them over to the Huns with confidence.
In order to wait for the 20,000 infantrymen of the Third Army. Therefore, the cavalry of the Sixth Army started a little late a few days. But they acted very quickly. After a day and night of rapid march. Has come to the Mobei grassland.
It is different from the previous attack on the Xiongnu grassland. It is nomadic season. All the tribes on the grassland have returned to their pastures. The herder families of the same tribe scattered to the corners of the pasture. Different tactics are adopted in different situations. Zhao Yun grouped fifty thousand cavalry into teams of one hundred men. The teams communicated with each other through horns and fireworks. Each team received a road map. Depart from Heyun, Weishan, Zhuoxie Mountain, and Junji Mountain at the same time. Sweep all the way east. Don't let go of any tent, any herd of cattle and sheep. Whether they belong to the Xianbei tribe or other small tribes. This is a large-scale cleaning.
This time. Liu Xin gave the order to die. The Xianbei people must be hit most thoroughly. Let them become a small tribe on a grassland again. In order to let the soldiers unload their burdens. He also specifically announced. If any soldiers killed Xianbei civilians in battle. Will not be held accountable by military discipline. The tribes on the grasslands are all soldiers. Even a woman or a half-year-old child. It is possible to draw a bow and release an arrow. Kindness to the enemy at this time is cruel to oneself.
The soldiers of the Sixth Army have been stationed in Grassland New City for more than a year. I have learned a lot of survival skills on the grassland.
This time out. They are in addition to water sacs and a small amount of emergency foods such as Hanjun's special nutritional fried noodles and marlin sugar. Almost no other supplies were carried. Each soldier is equipped with two war horses. And they are all mares that give birth. The grasslands are full of fine pastures. Can provide plenty of mare's milk. Although mare's milk has a smell. But the soldiers have lived on the grassland for so long. Has fully adapted.
Except for horse milk. Xianbei or cattle and sheep raised by other tribes along the way. Will become their delicacy. They are like prairie people. Adopt a strategy of fighting to support war. No logistical support is required.
Behind them. Followed by 20,000 Huns young and strong.
a long time ago. Xianbei is just a small tribe attached to the Huns’ account. As the Huns were defeated by the big man. Their native pasture was gradually eroded by Xianbei. There are even many Xiongnu tribes who are struggling to survive because of the breath of the Xianbei people. The Huns dreamed of being able to regain the Mobei grassland one day. The Han people launched the battle against Xianbei this time. Give them this opportunity.
Hu Chuquan and others unanimously asked to participate in the battle against Xianbei. Although Zhao Yun did not promise them to rush to the front line. But in the end they agreed that they would send 20,000 young men to follow. Responsible for receiving prisoners. Escort the spoils. Zhao Yun did this for the purpose. There is also the meaning of killing chickens and monkeys. Let the Huns understand. Confrontation with the big man will not end well. in fact. It is more accurate to say that killing monkeys and chickens. Because now Xianbei is much stronger than the Xiongnu.
Ma Chao, who had just been promoted to the deputy commander of the Sixth Army, personally led a team of hundred people to the forefront. He started from Heyun. We arrived at a lake at noon that day. The map is clearly called Xihai. There is a small river called Ganwei River winding east from here. The surrounding aquatic plants are beautiful. Flocks of cattle and sheep. It is an important pasture in Xianbei.
Ma Chao waved his iron spear. He shouted in a deep voice: "Kill."
This piece of grassland now belongs to the Jianman tribe. Ever since the leader took possession of Khan. The Jianman tribe was squeezed out. Was driven to this pasture closest to the Xiongnu grassland. This also means that they will directly face the threat of the Xiongnu from the west. Because this is where the two races meet. In order to prevent being attacked. More than 30 herders have set up tents together. Or take care of each other.
but. All the adult males in their family were recruited by the chief executive to go to the big man. Only the elderly, women, children, and slaves who were taken captive by them are left at home. The grassland is born with bravery. A half-year-old child can draw a bow and let an arrow. And women can also go to battle to kill the enemy. and so. Even if there is no male owner in the home. Slaves did not dare to resist easily. Can only work obediently and graze.
There are six slaves who are raising the herd of cattle and sheep. They belong to three herder families. Slaves are well distinguished from herders. Most of the slaves' faces were pierced with various patterns. Show their belonging. And slaves cannot carry weapons. Especially bows and arrows. These slaves have nothing but a riding whip in their hands. There is nothing long. Saw the brigade of cavalry swept over. Tired to one side immediately. Dare to make any resistance.
Follow the rules on the grassland. In battle. All men above the wheel will be killed. Non-resistance is the wisest choice for these slaves. Only this time Liu Xin's order was extremely thorough. A Han army cavalry rides past the slaves. Give it a wave. The head of a slave flew up in midair. Dozens of cavalry soldiers raised their sharp sabers behind. Pounced on those slaves.
Just when the remaining five slaves thought they would die. Suddenly a young general shouted loudly: "Hold on."
Long-term training has long given the soldiers of the Han army a conditioned reflex to the order. Ma Chao gave this order. The half-cut saber came to an abrupt end. The horse neighed and circled. Surround the five slaves in the middle.
Ma Chao pointed at the slaves. He shouted in a deep voice: "Let them lead the way. Go to the camp."
One of the five slaves was Han. A Huns. There are also three Xianbei people. They were all young children captured during the previous tribal wars or the disturbance of the Han border. Grew up with these Xianbei families. But they were forced to do all kinds of dirty work since they were young. If you violate it, you will be beaten up. He was even beaten to death. The partner who was taken captive with them. Many people died before reaching adulthood. Even if they can survive by chance. Life was also extremely miserable. In addition to work. They also eat poorly. Not even as good as a hunting dog raised by the owner. Of course. The owner is even less likely to marry them for them. They are destined to die alone.
When facing ordinary herders. These slaves did not dare to resist. What's more, facing this group of menacing soldiers. Several slaves obediently walked ahead.
Although the grassland is endless. But the grassland is too big. The pasture also grows extremely high. If there is no wizard. It is not particularly easy to find a tent. Therefore, Zhao Yun will adopt a dragnet-style investigation strategy. Now there are these slaves to lead the way. Everything becomes much easier. Soon there were dozens of felt tents.
"Kill." It is not easy to encounter so many tents at once during the nomadic season. Ma Chao even had some doubts. This is a camp of the leader of the Xianbei tribe. He couldn't help getting excited. The gun rushed to the front.
It's time to eat now. The old and weak women and children in the camp are staying in their tents. Enjoy the delicious roast lamb and buttered mare's milk. Suddenly felt the trembling of the earth. Even the tent shook. Perennial grassland life. Make them alert quickly. A cavalry is coming here.
There is that quick response. Quickly grabbed the bow and arrow and rushed out of the tent. But he hadn't waited for him to see the person coming. Just listen to the "swish" sound. An arrow pierced the throat long ago. Someone rushed out of the tent one after another. Not falling under chaotic arrows. It was cut into two pieces. There are no young adults. They could not fight back at all in front of the heavily armed Han cavalry. Become a group of lambs to be slaughtered.
Everyone in the camp was driven out of the tent. Concentrated to the Ganwei River next to the camp. A big car was pushed over. As a person living on the prairie. They naturally understood what these Han soldiers wanted to do. Several slaves screamed in horror and unwillingness. Some of them were speaking Chinese.
Ma Chao's heart moved. Suddenly pointed with his hand. Said: "Bring here."
That was a Han Chinese slave. Black hair and dark eyes. It's just that the original yellow skin has become dark due to long-term exposure. The Han slave told his tragic experience in tears. His name is Luo Xiang. People from Juyan, Liangzhou. In the winter when he was seven years old. A Xianbei cavalry attacked his village. All adult men in the village were killed. All property was robbed. Women and children became slaves of the Xianbei people. More than ten years passed in a flash. Luo Xiang is nearly thirty years old. He is not so fluent in Chinese. But his heart is still toward the big man. He didn't want to die like this. He is willing to pick up knives, guns and bows. Helped the Han army to fight with the Xianbei.
Ma Chao laughed and said, "You don't need to pick up knives, guns, bows and arrows. Just use your own weapons. You can also help us."
Luo Xiang said blankly: "But the servants only have a whip."
Ma Chao waved his hand. Said: "Your weapon is your body. Luo Xiang. Let me ask you. Do you want a woman?"
Although he lived for thirty years. But Luo Xiang has really never touched a woman in his life. After listening to Ma Chao's question. Luo Xiang's face turned red involuntarily. He whispered: "I want to think about it. But I'm just a slave. How can I dare to have this extravagant hope. It can only be in a dream..."
"Listen. I will give you this opportunity now." Ma Chao waved his hand. Pointing to the group of men and women who were taken to the river. Asked. "Which ones belong to your host."
If they were captured by the Huns or other grassland tribes. Luo Xiang didn't dare to talk nonsense. But now they are captured by their compatriots. Luo Xiang's courage also grew. Walk to the river. Pointing at the men and women one by one with his hands. Anyone who was spotted by Luo Xiang. He was immediately picked out by Han soldiers.