“Wiped out over eight hundred Dangxiang cavalry, captured more than six hundred, and the Iron Forest Army suffered no casualties. How is this possible?”
“Commander, this fellow is falsifying military reports. His crime deserves execution!”
The dandies immediately erupted, accusing the Red Feather Messenger of fabricating the report.
Even General Fan could not believe it.
The strength of the Dangxiang cavalry was deeply ingrained in their minds.
Although the Iron Forest Army was the most formidable unit in the Western Garrison Corps, even they could not achieve such a feat.
Moreover, the Iron Forest Army excelled in guerrilla tactics. Their most glorious battle in the past had only ambushed and eliminated five hundred Dangxiang cavalry by leveraging terrain, at the cost of over seven hundred Iron Forest soldiers.
Even so, that battle was reported to the court as a great victory.
Now, with Qinghuai absent, it would be remarkable if the Iron Forest Army could hold Clearwater Valley, let alone annihilate over eight hundred Dangxiang cavalry and capture six hundred. What a joke!
They did not know that the Red Feather Messenger had only reported the first wave of Dangxiang cavalry. The reinforcements Zhong Wu later killed were not yet included.
Otherwise, they would be even more shocked.
“Reporting to the Commander, General Jin invented a new battle formation that perfectly counters cavalry…”
The Red Feather Messenger hurriedly recounted the battle process.
“Digging pits to break horses’ legs… such a brilliant method. Why didn’t we think of it before?”
General Fan excitedly slapped his thigh.
The group of dandy generals listened, dumbfounded.
Though they were dandies, they had led troops. After the Red Feather Messenger’s explanation, they understood the key to Jin Feng’s victory.
The greatest advantage of cavalry is their horses. By digging a few pits, this advantage could be easily neutralized, forcing the cavalry to halt.
Then, using the terrain advantage of the valley to form shield and spear formations, they could indeed counterattack the cavalry.
“Such a simple method, why didn’t I think of it?”
After grasping it, the dandies were filled with regret.
Many inventions in history are like this. For thousands of years, countless people saw steam lift a teapot lid, so why did only Watt use this principle to start the steam age?
This Clearwater Valley victory could be considered the greatest triumph in over a decade of struggle between Dakang and Dangxiang, worthy of being recorded in history.
The court’s rewards would surely be generous.
The dandies risked capture by the Dangxiang to come to the battlefield, all for military merits.
If they had thought of this method earlier, the rewards and fame would have been theirs.
While the other dandies were still regretting, Zhang Qiwei, the commander of the Dening Army, rolled his eyes and turned to General Fan, saluting with clasped fists:
“Commander, I am willing to lead the Dening Army to Clearwater Valley to reinforce the Iron Forest Army!”
The deed was done, and regret was useless. The greatest merit belonged to the Iron Forest Army. Going now might still yield some scraps.
If he could learn the Iron Forest Army’s new formation, couldn’t he achieve great merit next time against the Dangxiang?
General Fan saw through Zhang Qiwei’s little scheme and sighed inwardly.
Zhang Qiwei was poor at fighting but had learned all the tricks of scheming from his elders.
He shrank back from danger but rushed forward to seize opportunities.
When he competed with He Mingqin to lead the Iron Forest Army and failed, he spread rumours, goading He Mingqin to volunteer to guard the dangerous Clearwater Valley.
He Mingqin fell for it and went to Clearwater Valley.
If Qinghuai had not returned in time, the Iron Forest Army’s banner might have been lost.
“Zhang Qiwei, you’re shameless. The Iron Forest Army finished the fight, and now you want to reinforce them?”
A dandy general who disliked Zhang Qiwei mocked, “What are you reinforcing? A few thousand mouths to feed?”
“General Liu, you’re mistaken. The Iron Forest Army has only four thousand men, fighting and guarding prisoners. How can they manage?”
Zhang Qiwei, unfazed, smiled and said, “My Dening Army may be worn out, but we can help the Iron Forest brothers guard prisoners and transport supplies.”
“Who doesn’t know your Dening Army is the richest, with new weapons and armour, and you claim they’re worn out?”
General Liu sneered, “You just want to go to Clearwater Valley for military merits, maybe even eyeing the Dangxiang warhorses.”
“General Liu, don’t judge my noble intentions with your petty mind.”
Zhang Qiwei’s scheme was exposed, and he lost face. Ignoring the dandies, he turned to General Fan and requested again.
General Fan neither agreed nor refused, tapping the table, deep in thought.
Zhang Qiwei’s words reminded him that the Iron Forest Army had limited manpower. Defending Clearwater Valley was already taxing; guarding prisoners might stretch them too thin.
After a moment, General Fan nodded slightly, “Zhang Qiwei, take three thousand men to Clearwater Valley immediately to help the Iron Forest Army guard the prisoners. Do not fail.”
“Yes!”
Zhang Qiwei, who was just testing the waters, did not expect General Fan to agree.
Why refuse free merit?
He knelt on one knee, accepting the order.
Soon, Zhang Qiwei led three thousand Dening Army soldiers out of Weizhou City.
Twenty miles was not far, and they reached Clearwater Valley by mid-afternoon.
Jin Feng was fretting over how to manage the prisoners when he heard the Dening Army had arrived. He immediately took men to greet them at the camp entrance.
Zhong Wu jogged to catch up with Jin Feng, whispering, “General, be wary of Zhang Qiwei.”
“Why?” Jin Feng asked.
“The Marquis said this man is a smiling tiger, friendly on the surface but deeply cunning,” Zhong Wu replied.
“The Marquis is right. This fellow came to Clearwater Valley to grab merits or steal our tactics,” Old Zhao added, “If he asks to help defend, General, you must not agree.”
“Got it.” Jin Feng nodded, taking Zhong Wu and Old Zhao’s words to heart.
To make a good impression on Jin Feng, Zhang Qiwei curbed his arrogant dandy nature, waiting respectfully with his men at the Iron Forest Army camp entrance.
Seeing Jin Feng approach, he greeted from afar, “This must be Master Jin. I’ve long admired you!”
You don’t hit a smiling face. Jin Feng smiled and clasped his hands, “General Zhang, thank you for your efforts.”
“It’s my duty. I’ve always admired the Iron Forest Army brothers. It’s my honour to fight alongside them.”
Zhang Qiwei said, “Our Dening Army is here to assist the Iron Forest Army’s defence. Master Jin, don’t be polite. Just tell us where to defend.”
Jin Feng glanced at Old Zhao.
The old man was sharp. He had predicted correctly that Zhang Qiwei was here to grab merits and steal tactics.
