“Xiaofeng, nothing’s happened to young Zheng, has it?”
Zhang Liang frowned. “Should I take some men to check?”
The day Qing Huai arrived at Qingshui Valley, they were ambushed by the Dangxiang. Zheng Fang was gravely wounded protecting Qing Huai. Later, he insisted on riding to Weizhou City to deliver a message to Jin Feng, delaying treatment, and his left arm was amputated at the elbow.
Five days after Jin Feng left Weizhou City, the annual retirement period arrived. Due to his disability, Zheng Fang retired and returned to his hometown in Jinchuan County.
Qing Huai wrote a letter asking Jin Feng to look after him.
So, Jin Feng had Zhong Wu recruit over forty veterans to station at Maomao Mountain under Zheng Fang’s command, as a hidden trump card.
Jin Feng had instructed Zheng Fang to attack Tieguan Mountain one hour after the bandits left.
By now, the battle should have started, as Jin Feng had already wiped out the bandits here, yet no news had come from Zheng Fang.
“Let’s go together,” Jin Feng said. “How many men can we spare here?”
“The captives are all tied up. I’ll have Iron Bull lead two squads and the guard team to watch them. We can take the other three squads.”
For ease of management, Jin Feng had divided the thirty-odd veterans into five squads of six to seven men each, capable of fighting independently or together.
Zhang Liang and Iron Bull, as commander and deputy, had authority over all squads.
“Tell the men staying behind to stay sharp and not make the same mistake as the Dening Army,” Jin Feng cautioned.
At Qingshui Valley, Jin Feng had left Dangxiang captives under the Dening Army’s watch, only for Han slaves to raid the camp.
Jin Feng did not want a repeat in Xihe Bay.
“Don’t worry, sir. I’ll keep my eyes peeled. Anyone slacking or scheming gets the chop!” Iron Bull patted his chest, guaranteeing.
“Good. This can’t be taken lightly.”
Jin Feng patted Iron Bull’s shoulder. “Arrange a few men to come with me to get horses. Liang, go find Mulian and borrow the female soldiers’ warhorses.”
With three squads, nearly twenty men, Jin Feng’s few horses from Weizhou City, plus those from the bandit leader, were far from enough.
They had to borrow the female soldiers’ horses.
“Alright.”
Zhang Liang turned and left.
When Jin Feng and Iron Bull returned to the threshing field, Zhang Liang and the female soldiers had already been there a while.
“Sir, Liang says you’re going to attack Tieguan Mountain?” Qing Mulian’s hair was still damp, tied in a casual ponytail at the back, wearing the combat uniform Jin Feng designed, looking even more spirited.
“Yes.” Jin Feng nodded.
“Is everyone going?” Qing Mulian asked. “What about the captives?”
“I’m taking three squads. The other two will stay to guard the captives.”
Jin Feng added, “By the way, if you’re free, you can come help.”
“I asked the captives. There are still dozens of bandits left at Tieguan Mountain, and they hold the terrain. You’re taking less than twenty men. Can you manage?”
Despite witnessing Jin Feng’s combat prowess, Qing Mulian was still doubtful.
This victory was largely due to Jin Feng’s thorough preparation, with the bandits walking into an ambush, becoming targets for catapults and heavy crossbows, crippled in one blow.
Had the bandits not been overconfident and sent scouts to check the village first, the outcome of today’s battle might have been uncertain.
Tieguan Mountain was different. Jin Feng could not set an ambush and had to attack head-on.
In war, a frontal assault is the most intense and brutal form of combat, without exception.
Typically, the attacking side needs several times the defenders’ numbers to seize a high ground.
For example, at Qingshui Mountain, Jin Feng had only sent a hundred Tielin soldiers to guard a path, yet they repelled thousands of Dangxiang attackers multiple times.
Now, Jin Feng was the attacker, facing great difficulties.
This was likely why Zheng Fang had not taken Tieguan Mountain yet.
“I’ve got other forces arranged there, already fighting the bandits. I’m going to check. If it’s not working, we’ll surround Tieguan Mountain and figure it out slowly.”
Since Zheng Fang’s trump card was already in play, Jin Feng saw no need to hide it from Qing Mulian.
“No wonder you dared to assault Tieguan Mountain. You’ve got people hidden elsewhere.”
Qing Mulian was surprised, excitedly asking, “Can we come along to see?”
“Not enough warhorses,” Jin Feng said helplessly.
Though the female soldiers had passed their first test, their overall combat ability still could not match the seasoned veterans. Normally, taking them for experience would be fine, but Jin Feng was in a hurry to reach Tieguan Mountain.
Qing Mulian thought for a moment. “Then Amei and I will go. That way, we can all ride.”
“Alright, let’s go.”
Jin Feng mounted his warhorse.
After months of practice, his riding skills were proficient. Once out of the village, he whipped the horse into a gallop.
The cavalry sped along the mountain road, reaching the outskirts of Tieguan Mountain in less than an hour. Jin Feng raised his arm, and the group slowed, stopping by the roadside.
“Monkey, scout ahead.”
Zhang Liang gave the order, and a lean, agile veteran dismounted, slipping into the roadside woods.
He did not want to repeat the bandits’ mistake of underestimating the enemy.
After waiting in the woods for ten minutes, Monkey returned, bringing Zheng Fang with him.
“Old Zheng, what’s going on?” Zhang Liang asked, frowning.
“There are more bandits left behind than expected, and they’ve built defenses on the path up. We’ve attacked three times and couldn’t break through,” Zheng Fang said, ashamed.
Zhang Liang and Iron Bull, having served under Qing Huai early on, were among the first batch of personal guards. Besides Zhong Wu, few surviving Tielin soldiers were more senior.
Zheng Fang had served under Zhang Liang, so he felt uneasy under Zhang Liang’s temper.
“They have the terrain advantage. It’s fine if you can’t break through yet. Any casualties?” Jin Feng asked.
“Three brothers are injured, but they’ll live,” Zheng Fang replied.
“Good.” Jin Feng nodded. “Let’s go take a look.”
They walked a few hundred metres along the mountain’s base, reaching the camp Zheng Fang had chosen.
Ten zhang from the camp was the path up the mountain, the battlefield.
Jin Feng studied the terrain, frowning slightly.
No wonder Zheng Fang had not succeeded. Tieguan Mountain’s terrain was even more defensible than Qingshui Mountain.
The path up, over three zhang wide, had a thick, tall stone wall built by the bandits, leaving only a passage less than two metres wide, styled like a city wall.
The passage’s heavy wooden gate was barred from inside. Bandits atop the wall could hurl stones down, killing attackers below.
Zheng Fang, coming from Maomao Mountain, could not bring catapults, only two heavy crossbows. But the wall’s battlements were thick stone, impervious to crossbows, so he could only block the exit and stalemate with the bandits.
“Sir, any good ideas?” Zheng Fang looked at Jin Feng, hopeful.
