After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 957 - 942: Another Ambush
Liu Kun couldn’t control the situation, the soldiers fell into chaos, and Liu Jie had no interest in engaging in battle. He took this opportunity to break through the encirclement and charge out with his army.
He had no desire to tangle with this fool Liu Kun. What good would it do to kill the Jinyang Army? It’s a waste of effort and loss of manpower, so the usually brutal Xiongnu Army broke an opening and ran away from the Jinyang Army.
Upon seeing this, Liu Kun felt disheartened. If Liu Cong was hiding among them, the encirclement that Zhao Hanzhang had set up over two months would be broken, and two months of effort would be lost!
Furthermore, if Liu Cong escaped alive, the consequences would be endless.
Liu Kun could already imagine how future history books might write about him. Thus, without hesitation, he turned his horse around, desperate to stabilize the situation and lead his troops in pursuit.
Linghu Sheng and Ji Dan also felt their hearts sink. They knew they couldn’t let the Xiongnu Army just run off like that, but they also realized they couldn’t pursue them rashly. So, they stopped the enraged and anxious Liu Kun, one comforting him while the other reorganized the army.
Linghu Sheng switched the knife in his hand for a horsewhip, unreservedly striking a few bewildered soldiers, shouting, "Form groups of ten and regroup with centurions and team leaders. If centurions and team leaders have perished, the most senior will take command. Any deserters will be executed; any disorderly troops will be executed!"
Assistant Generals rode swiftly among the troops, organizing their teams, quickly gathering their team leaders, and locating their centurions. The soldiers soon found their centurions, and the army was reformed promptly. Meanwhile, the Xiongnu Army had already run far away...
Liu Kun was anxious, and Ji Dan could only advise him, "The initial battle was unfavorable. Rushing in now may lead us into a second trap, and our morale is low, which does not favor combat."
Ji Dan suggested, "Once we have reorganized the army, we can pursue slowly from behind. The Xiongnu army is retreating and won’t dare to engage in prolonged battle. We just need to drive them to exhaustion before encircling them for destruction."
Consequently, Ji Dan’s suggestion was to check the map and find if they could split forces to attack, ideally getting one unit in front of them, while also suggesting that Liu Kun seek assistance from Zhao Hanzhang.
"This matter is of great importance. We’ve lost the initiative. I implore you to seek aid from the Great General."
Liu Kun was unwilling to ask Zhao Hanzhang for help, considering they were gambling, with the promise that he could stay in Jinyang if he won, but...
Liu Kun hesitated without speaking. Seeing this, Ji Dan metaphorically placed a mountain on his shoulder, saying, "If Liu Cong is hiding within this army and escapes, the consequences will be endless."
Linghu Sheng also ran up, being more straightforward, asking Liu Kun, "Do you intend to become a sinner throughout history?"
Everyone understands Liu Cong is ambitious, and he is the Xiongnu Emperor. As long as he is alive, the Xiongnu will persist. Even if he were the only one left, he might stage a comeback.
Because of the Xiongnu, the Central Plains have experienced multiple battles, causing countless civilian deaths. Amidst severe drought and locust disasters, Zhao Hanzhang insisted on waging war against the Xiongnu, employing almost the entire nation’s power to create the current advantageous situation, aiming to eliminate the Xiongnu and offer the Central Plains and Northern Land a relatively peaceful environment, where people are free from the suffering of war. If Liu Cong escapes because of Liu Kun, they might not only face death but also be subjected to historical condemnation for millennia.
This was true for them, let alone Liu Kun.
Despite feeling rather displeased, Liu Kun gritted his teeth and said, "Send someone to request reinforcements from General Zhao." 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎
Linghu Sheng awaited this statement and immediately dispatched a team of swift-footed and skillful soldiers to report and seek assistance.
Ji Dan immediately hinted to Liu Kun to boost morale, so they could pursue further.
The military advisor turned general first encouraged Liu Kun, saying, "There’s no need for concern. Let them run for a while first. The area from here to Shanggu County has been reclaimed by the Great General. Let them run for two or three quarters of an hour; how far can they get?"
He said, "It’s like walking a dog. Let them run wildly ahead. Once they’re tired out, we can pursue and encircle them."
Liu Kun’s mood improved somewhat, spending half a quarter of an hour to boost morale, then setting out with the army in pursuit.
Three quarters of an hour is enough time for people to run quite far; for at least half an hour, Liu Kun couldn’t even see the tail of the Xiongnu Army, anxiously following traces along the way.
If Liu Cong were among the army, silently detaching with some troops halfway, they couldn’t find traces.
The more he thought, the more anxious Liu Kun became, already envisioning how history would depict him as a convict of the ages.
Ji Ping, who had ten thousand men ambushed on the southwestern slope, heard the army marching and immediately peeked out to look while a breathless scout ran back to report, "General, Liu Jie is coming with a multitude stretching six or seven miles, at least thirty thousand men."
Ji Ping widened his eyes, "How many?"
The scout confirmed, "Thirty thousand."
Ji Ping hurriedly asked, "How are they organized, and what is their morale like?"
"Not many wounded, not looking too disheveled, not like they’ve tasted defeat."
Ji Ping realized that Liu Kun probably lost.
Five thousand, well-prepared, should have at least stalled the thirty thousand, not allowed them to break through so quickly, and certainly not let so many escape.
Ji Ping gritted his teeth, instructing the whole army to ready themselves, while telling the scout, "Immediately inform Li Tianhe to prepare, letting them know I’ll let some pass through."
The scout acknowledged and went to inform Li Tianhe.
Upon hearing this, Li Tianhe knew Liu Kun wasn’t effective, shifting all pressure onto them. It wasn’t a problem though, as between him and Ji Ping was four or five miles, the best area for ambush, leaving no escape for them. They’d either retreat or breakthrough from him. As long as he and Ji Ping reinforced the upper and lower openings, the Xiongnu Army couldn’t escape.
However, with twenty thousand against thirty thousand, even with a successful ambush, there could still be gaps. He ordered his messenger, "This place is closest to Generals Beigong and Zhao, send for reinforcement from both generals."
Ensuring foolproof success.
The messenger acknowledged and went to execute the order.
Ji Ping was also worried, sending his messenger back to seek reinforcements from Zhao Hanzhang after the scout left.
Just as the orders were given, the Xiongnu army approached. Ji Ping held position, prohibiting any engagement. He counted the people, and when about two thousand had passed, he waved his hand, shouting loudly, "Attack!"
As he spoke, a firework screeched upwards, exploding, and soldiers nestled on both sides immediately dropped prepared stones and logs...
Archers positioned along the slopes constantly drawing arrows, shooting...
Liu Jie hadn’t anticipated an ambush here, eyes widening in anger, intending to lead his troop into the woods to fight, but arrows flew here. His personal guards deflected the arrows, urging, "General, hurry!"
Liu Jie: "With over twenty thousand troops behind, how can I leave them?"
It wasn’t out of affection but practicality, as these were his assets. If his father fell, this would be his inheritance. The more he took, the better life he’d lead.
Therefore, Liu Jie couldn’t bear to leave.
"There will be a time when stones and logs run out. I’ll wait for them to charge down and fight with the troops, not leaving a single person behind."
