Chapter 33: Constructing the Defensive Line

Morning dew slid gently from the blades of grass, and unknown birds broke through the thin mist, singing as they flew across the trumpet-shaped pass.

Yesterday’s battle marked the first time the barbarian cavalry encountered large-scale horse traps and iron caltrops, suffering unprecedented losses. They attempted a night raid, only to be counterattacked by the prepared Xuan Battalion. Now, the entire camp was in uproar.

“Commander, this failed attack was Miqin Yuanyou’s fault—he was too reckless!”

“Nonsense! You, Li’s clan, were cowardly and held back, tarnishing the reputation of warriors!”

“The southerners’ new tricks target the horses’ legs. A rash assault only leads to casualties! Miqin Yuanyou is the best example—he was simply foolish!”

“My Miqin warriors shed blood and risked their lives to uncover the southerners’ schemes, and you dare to slander us!”

The quarrel had lasted the entire night, with no resolution yet.

Sitting calmly on a thickly padded tiger-skin chair, Tuoba Dewang, leader of the barbarians, seemed to be watching an utterly meaningless play.

At that moment, a middle-aged man dressed as a scholar from the Yan Kingdom entered the tent. Ignoring the arguing barbarian generals, he approached Tuoba Dewang and whispered something in his ear.

Tuoba Dewang’s eyes lit up, and at last, a faint smile appeared.

“Stop your bickering. You’ve been arguing since last night, dredging up old grievances and attacking each other. What have you gained?”

As Tuoba Dewang spoke, the generals fell silent, bowing slightly and obediently listening.

“This year’s southern campaign is unlike past raids for grain. Each tribe is longing for you to return with enough food, fine southern cloth, able-bodied slaves, and the sweet women of the southern court, as rich as cheese!

But what are you doing?

At the slightest setback, you squabble like chattering quails!”

The generals’ heads drooped even lower. Among the barbarian forces heading south, Tuoba Dewang held the highest prestige, led the largest contingent, and was ruthless enough that no one in the camp dared provoke him.

“These are but minor tricks from the southerners. Do not worry; I already know how to deal with those cowards. Go back, let your men rest and recover. By tomorrow at the latest, we’ll flatten the southerners’ camp!”

“Yes, sir!”

“Yes, sir!”

Watching the generals file out of the tent, Tuoba Dewang’s expression darkened.

“Sir, tell me again of the news from Yonggu City.”

“Commander, Song Ying’an only regained consciousness this morning; his life is spared, but if he wishes to command the Xuan Battalion in person, it will be another month or two before he’s able. As for that blacksmith, Zhao Hengyi, he has ordered the crafting of many unknown items, which may pose a threat to our warriors.”

“A threat? What of it! Let the other tribes test them with their lives. Once we see, you will surely devise a solution!”

“Commander, your favor is undeserved! Still, there are now ways to counter the horse traps and iron caltrops. I have not wasted your trust!”

This middle-aged scholar clearly hailed from Yan, yet for reasons unknown, he had forsaken his ancestors for honor, serving as Tuoba Dewang’s advisor in the barbarian army.

Tuoba Dewang valued this man highly; surely, in the past, this traitor had aided the barbarians in bringing misery to Yan’s people!

In the trumpet-shaped valley, numerous new barricade spears had been added. Though these weapons were crudely made, many still wore their bark.

But this did not diminish their effect. The row of pale, sharpened spear heads at the top was enough to deter any cavalry.

The mobilized craftsmen, under Zhao Hengyi’s direction, worked efficiently. In just one night, the smoke-scented valley was filled with over a hundred barricade spears.

These formidable defensive weapons were lashed together by supply troops and arranged in staggered rows throughout the valley.

The fresh scent of wood lingered on these barricade spears, which divided the Xuan Battalion’s front into a maze.

Unless the barbarians toppled the spears, their soldiers would have to weave through the maze to attack the Xuan Battalion’s lines, becoming easy targets for archers.

Zhao Hengyi, fully aware of the situation, executed a strict defense. As long as he could keep the barbarian army outside the trumpet pass, the border troops—well supplied—would secure victory.

Of course, Zhao Hengyi was not naïve enough to think the barbarians would blindly sacrifice men against his defenses.

Many craftsmen joined elite squads, climbing the ridges on either side of the pass, gathering materials and hastily constructing catapults.

Zhao Hengyi’s catapults required only two or three soldiers to operate, and could easily adjust their aim and range.

These simple siege engines, once positioned on the heights, would wreak havoc on any barbarian force attempting to cross the valley.

Meanwhile, Zhao Hengyi reorganized the Xuan Battalion’s elite into squads of ten.

Each squad comprised four pikemen, four shield-bearers, and two swordsmen, maximizing the advantage of long weapons.

However, the arsenal lacked sufficient steel and manpower to forge so many pikes. By Zhao Hengyi’s order, carpenters fashioned wooden pikes from hard timber felled in the mountains.

This was a stopgap measure, taken out of necessity; in combat, these sharpened wooden poles were single-use items.

But against cavalry, they only needed to withstand the first charge; once that was repelled, the shield-bearers and swordsmen could finish the fight.

Moreover, the pikemen carried other weapons, so even if their wooden pikes broke, they were not defenseless.

In truth, Zhao Hengyi hoped the battle would be decided before the barbarians engaged the border troops directly.

Even among the Xuan Battalion soldiers, Zhao Hengyi doubted they could match the barbarians in close combat.

For a whole day, the barbarian army outside the pass made no move, as if intimidated by the unfamiliar defenses.

It was not until late morning on the second day that figures began to advance slowly from the far end of the valley.

“Master Zhao, the barbarians are not human! They’ve captured many Han civilians, driving them before their army, forcing them to charge our defenses!”