Blossom In Adversity - Vol. 2

C257. The Battle.

Chapter 257: The Battle

With the Seven Stars Bureau joining the fray, the tilting scales were balanced.

At that moment, a mournful battle cry echoed from afar. The Chaoli tribesmen, after a pause in their offensive, began to retreat in a steady stream.

"Trying to escape?" Gu Yanxi sneered, her long whip lashing out even faster, ensnaring one man after another and throwing them back. The others in the Seven Stars Bureau also put away their hooks and swords, switching to whips and bows, doing their best to claim as many enemy lives as possible.

Without needing to say it beforehand, those who were caught by the whips and thrown back, even if they were barely alive, were finished off by the furious soldiers of the Qingliu (Green Willow) Camp. Few were left with intact bodies. The half-day battle had ignited their bloodlust, and every strike was for their fallen comrades and for their own fortunate survival.

Yet, some did manage to escape. The Chaoli tribesmen were terrifying in their cold-bloodedness. Even when their companions were being pursued, they would never offer assistance during a retreat. Unburdened by emotional ties, they ran without a trace of guilt, and those left behind harbored no resentment.

In the Great Daqing Dynasty, such behavior would never be tolerated in the army. One could die together, but never escape alone. This was a common understanding among soldiers.

This was the difference between nations.

Gu Yanxi raised his arm and made a gesture, and half of the soldiers chased after the retreating enemy.

Lu Peyu frowned in disapproval, "Don't pursue a defeated enemy."

Gu Yanxi didn't explain, but looked at the bodies on the ground and said, "General Lu, please immediately draft a memorial to report the casualties and explain the situation."

"The Chaoli tribesmen have returned?"

Gu Yanxi shook her head, "The key point is the huge disparity in combat power between the Great Daqing Dynasty and the Chaoli tribes. General Lu must investigate the specific numbers carefully. This is very important."

Lu Peyu was no fool and immediately understood his meaning. He nodded with a bitter smile, "I never underestimated the Chaoli tribesmen, but when I actually faced them, I realized I still underestimated them. Ordinary soldiers were no match for them in a single encounter. It was only by using the army's eight-man formation that we could trap them. Although we still couldn't defeat them, at least it wasn't like cutting vegetables. Sir, I am a lowly official in Yuzhou, but the Chaoli tribesmen must have grand ambitions. I hope you can make everyone in the court realize the seriousness of this matter. If we cannot devise a strategy to defeat them, the Great Daqing Dynasty... will be in danger."

"General Lu, rest assured, no one will underestimate this matter."

Lu Peyu looked at the soldiers around him who were wiping away tears and felt a pang of sorrow. He had never slacked off, and he had provided all the necessary training, yet the soldiers of the Qingliu (Green Willow) Camp were so vulnerable. He dared not imagine how many soldiers from other garrisons, which were undoubtedly more lax than the Qingliu (Green Willow Camp), would be left after being attacked by the enemy.

"General Lu, please help prepare some dry rations. We need to set off immediately. Before the new appointment arrives, please temporarily take charge of Yuzhou."

"As you command," Lu Peiyu looked up at the darkening sky. "But it's almost night, and those Chaoli people definitely won't give up so easily. Wouldn't it be too dangerous to set off now?"