Wang Chong first summoned Luo Dayong and instructed him to lead the members of the Qinghe Gang to scout the surrounding area for information. A cavalry force of over two thousand could not possibly have ridden a thousand li on a continuous sprint without a baggage train for supplies. Even the Mongol hordes on their long expeditions drove livestock along to feed on the march rather than going completely unsupplied. Though the Qinghe Gang was not a major faction, they were veritable local spirits who knew every inch of the terrain; no one was better suited for the task than Luo Dayong.
Next, Wang Chong had his men search the battlefield once more, eventually digging his young pageboy out from a pile of corpses. Wang Dong had managed a modest display of valor early on, but in the chaos of battle, lacking true martial skill ultimately caught up with him. Fortunately, he was neither dead nor injured; he had simply collapsed from exhaustion as soon as the fighting ended and fallen sound asleep. Wang Chong offered a few soothing words to the boy, feeling quite guilty. The boy had only taken a job with him and had not even been paid yet, but here he was risking his life. Such loyalty and courage were truly commendable.
Finally, Wang Chong called Gan Ci over and said, "Take command of these troops for me for now."
Having taken charge of an army for the first time, Wang Chong was determined to have his fun with it first and would not disband them easily. Gan Ci had trained the Hengjiang Nest of Tigers into an impressive outfit and clearly possessed some military acumen, so it was only right to make the best use of his talents. Gan Ci thumped his chest and vowed that he would drill this force into shape. Wang Chong had not actually meant it that way, but he did not bother correcting his new subordinate.
Wang Chong had Gan Ci assemble the men, then shouted, "Be patient, everyone! There will be word regarding the rewards for your military merit in a few days!"
At present, he could not even produce the funds for the bounties. His fortune of several thousand guan was more than comfortable for a single man, but splitting it among so many would be an outright joke. He could only make empty promises and paint pies in the sky for now.
Yet despite the ragtag nature of this force, they had one redeeming quality: every man came from a decent family, and there were no scoundrels or military riffraff among them. When Wang Chong made his empty promises, not a single voice was raised in protest. Everyone bore it patiently, willing to place a little more trust in him.
Wang Chong selected two detachments and had Yu Zao, Tie Mingzhu, and Nan Xinlan lead them to Pengshan County to buy food.
After a fierce battle, the men were starving and exhausted. Even if the bounties could not be paid immediately, he still had to provide food. Nor did he dare lead them back into the county seat; most of them were locals of Pengshan County, and once inside the city walls, discipline would break down as they scattered to their homes. A second battle was almost certainly looming, and this force could by no means be allowed to disperse.
Just as the three maidservants returned with the provisions and Gan Ci led a detachment to dig fire pits and cook rice, Luo Dayong hurried back with a look of panic. "Twenty li away, there's a military camp! The garrison isn't large—maybe two or three hundred men—and they're currently gathering the routed remnants!"
Wang Chong took a deep breath. He knew full well that his rabble had no pursuit capability whatsoever. Although they had won a thrilling, underdog victory against superior numbers, the two thousand Yaglakar horsemen had merely been routed, not broken. Their strength remained intact. If they regrouped and returned without today's favorable alignment of timing, terrain, and unity, then even with the combined might of Xiang Yu, Li Cunxiao, Lü Bu, Huo Qubing, Zhao Yun, and Wang Chong himself, he would still meet his doom on the battlefield.
Therefore, this second battle had to be fought, and they had to move quickly. At the same time, he understood that the hastily assembled Pengshan County militia, having just survived one battle, could not possibly be thrown back into the fray. Wang Chong summoned Monk Xuan Gang and Gan Ci. "Pick one or two hundred of the men who distinguished themselves in the fighting earlier. We're going to raid the Yaglakar camp."
Monk Xuan Gang and Gan Ci both knew a bit of military strategy, and neither raised any objection as they went off to select the men.
Yu Zao spoke up anxiously, "Young Master, take me too!"
Wang Chong jerked his chin toward the newly assembled force. "You need to help me watch our assets."
Yu Zao's pretty face flushed faintly, and she whispered, "This servant is worried about you, Young Master."
Wang Chong patted her on the head. "I'll come back in one piece, whole and hearty."
Soon, the aroma of cooked food wafted over the battlefield. Wang Chong and the handpicked men ate their fill, took a brief rest, and mounted their warhorses. Someone had already fed Wang Chong's steed fodder, brushed it down, and securely fastened the saddle and bridle. Wang Chong grabbed his spear, mounted, gave a sharp whistle, and led over a hundred men galloping off into the distance.
With Luo Dayong leading the way, the twenty to thirty li were covered in a flash. Charging at the front, Wang Chong breached the camp. A flick of his spear felled two men instantly.
Though the guards left behind at this supply camp were veterans, they were no match for front-line elites, and their numbers were few. Although they had gathered two or three hundred routed soldiers, all were exhausted and had not even had time to eat. Moreover, they were completely unguarded; after all, they never could have imagined that Wang Chong would mount an immediate raid. Chaos erupted in an instant.
Wang Chong killed several men. Although there were more people in the camp than Luo Dayong had described, they amounted to four or five hundred at most. Furthermore, none of them wore armor, and the horses had been stripped of their gear. Wang Chong felt an immediate wave of relief, thinking to himself, *Thank goodness we arrived early. If we had let this cavalry rest for the night, they would have been difficult to deal with tomorrow.*
The one or two hundred men under him had basic martial arts training. Though not particularly adept in horsemanship or archery, they were passable enough. Led by powerhouses like Wang Chong, Monk Xuan Gang, and Gan Ci, they charged like fierce tigers descending the mountain, wild dragons crossing the sea, rain battering plantain leaves. From start to finish, the camp was never allowed to organize any effective resistance.
The horsemen who had fled the earlier battlefield were quick to read the wind. Casting aside armor and weapons, they scrambled onto bareback horses and fled in every direction. Half of those who failed to get away were slaughtered before they could even lay hands on a weapon. The battle came swiftly and ended just as quickly; within the span of an incense stick, not a single living Yaglakar warrior remained in the camp.
Wang Chong made a circuit through the camp to ensure no enemies were playing dead. He noticed a small hill on one side where a watchtower could be erected, and a nearby lake that provided an ample water supply. It was spacious enough to garrison two to three thousand men, and it was stocked with countless provisions. Pleased with the discovery, he said to Gan Ci, "Go bring all our people over. We'll settle here for now."
Understanding his intent, Gan Ci switched to a fresh horse and rode out of the camp. Just as Wang Chong was about to give Monk Xuan Gang an assignment as well, the rapid clatter of approaching hooves rang out nearby.
A moment later, a dozen or so riders burst into the camp. Both sides caught sight of one another, looks of shock crossing their faces.
An imposing middle-aged man clad in dark bluish-black armor shouted, "Who dared raid my camp?!"
Monk Xuan Gang transformed into a violent whirlwind and surged forward, bellowing, "It's Yaglakar Yehu! I'll hold him—cut down the rest as fast as you can!"
Although there were plenty of men in the camp at this point, their martial arts were mediocre at best. Kicking a dog when it was down was one thing, but they were entirely incapable of joining a fight between elite masters. Wang Chong knew Xuan Gang's decision was absolutely correct. Plucking seven hairs from his head, he used his lightness skill and threw himself toward a man dressed as a scholar, who rode near the center of the formation and was clearly a figure of great importance.
The scholar did not panic, surrounded as he was by experts. Tilting his head slightly, he caught sight of Wang Chong. His face morphed into sheer astonishment, and he cried out, "Yan—"
Before the second word could leave his mouth, seven hairs pierced his eyes, forehead, cheeks, mouth, and throat, killing him on the spot!
...Scholar: *I don't even know martial arts...*
...Wang Chong: *Why does everyone who recognizes me die before getting a word out?...*
Chapter 67