“Father King, wait!”
A graceful figure appeared from behind as the voice suddenly echoed.
Long black hair, long legs, and attire full of exotic flair.
Seeing this,
Even though You Ju harbored dissatisfaction, he could only bow and salute,
“You Ju greets the Eldest Princess!”
“Hmm!”
Nodding dismissively at You Ju, the woman known as the Eldest Princess approached Gao Bogu.
“Father King, while the Han army’s long march may deplete their supplies, we are the defenders!”
“As defenders, why not utilize the advantage of the city walls, and instead engage them in open field battles?”
“Is this seeking death?”
“Uh…”
Scolded by his own daughter, Gao Bogu’s expression was displeasing.
Even though he doted on his daughter,
It didn’t mean he would allow anyone to challenge his authority.
He was the King!
The King’s command was the guiding light for his subjects; how could he allow that light to be tarnished?
“Shirley, this is a discussion of military and state affairs. Who allowed you to enter?”
“Hmm?!”
Gao Xue Li was stunned by his words. She looked at her father, incredulously saying,
“Father King, I…”
“Leave!”
“Yes…”
Though her heart was full of grievances, Gao Xue Li still wiped her eyes and departed.
However,
In her gaze towards You Ju, she revealed immense disgust and fury.
This incompetent general!
Besides bewitching her father, what else could he do that was useful?
Absolutely nothing!
Training soldiers?
He couldn’t do it well!
Fighting battles?
He didn’t know how!
If not for that woman’s influence, would he even be worthy of leading troops based on his own merit?
Alas,
Gao Xue Li’s frustration and discontent were completely ignored by Gao Bogu and You Ju.
They were both quite excited!
If they could annihilate the invading Han army this time, wouldn’t that mean Goguryeo would be invincible?
He was certain,
If he could defeat the Great Han this time, Buyeo and the Three Han would surely be unable to sit still.
After all,
Although the Great Han was still formidable, they were too far from Liaodong.
As the saying goes, a whip cannot reach that far.
Rather than seeking protection from the distant Great Han, it would be better to seek refuge with a close neighbor.
This was one of the reasons Gao Bogu agreed with You Ju.
As long as they could win a direct confrontation against the Great Han, Goguryeo would reap immense benefits.
Defense?
Yes!
With their current troop strength, they could likely hold their ground if they defended.
But that was completely different from crushing the Great Han head-on, wasn’t it?
At that time,
Even if they successfully defended against the Han cavalry, their citizens within the city would be terrified.
It wasn't worth it!
Therefore,
Even knowing the significant risks of this expedition, Gao Bogu couldn't resist the temptation.
“Fight!”
“Fight with all your might!”
Gao Bogu’s face flushed red with excitement.
“You Ju, I have given you all our cavalry. You must annihilate those Han cavalry!”
“I obey!”
You Ju, also filled with excitement, patted his chest and gave his word.
“My King, if I fail to destroy the Han army, I will present my head!”
Saying this, You Ju clasped his hands to Gao Bogu again and then proudly went to mobilize his troops.
………………
The next day,
In the early morning,
After being mobilized all night, the gathered cavalry of over ten thousand, led by You Ju, charged out of Wandu City.
Meanwhile,
Gongsun Zan and his cavalry, after a night of rest, were vigorously riding their horses towards Wandu City.
Thus,
To the surprise of both commanders, they met on the plains not far outside Wandu City.
“What you wish for comes to you!”
Gongsun Zan, who had been wondering how to lure them out, flashed a sinister grin.
Clang!
Drawing the long saber at his waist, Gongsun Zan's voice was hoarse as he roared,
“Gentlemen, follow me to kill the enemy and avenge our deceased elders and kin!”
“Kill!”
“Kill!”
“Kill!”
“Kill!”
Accompanied by impassioned war drums and shouts, nearly five thousand cavalry charged like the wind.
On the other side,
Although slightly surprised by the killing aura emanating from the Han cavalry, You Ju showed no fear.
With a wave of his hand,
As the war drums behind him sounded, You Ju pointed his saber forward.
And so,
Two cavalry forces, totaling over ten thousand men, met on the vast grasslands.
However,
The combat effectiveness displayed by the Han cavalry left You Ju dumbfounded.
“How, how is this possible?!”
You Ju, who had not personally entered the fray out of fear for his life, stood on a nearby command chariot, lost in thought.
In just a moment, at least a thousand cavalry had fallen on the battlefield!
And they were all from Goguryeo?
This is utterly unscientific!
Although those cavalry appeared to be wearing thick armor, it shouldn't be so tough that your saber makes no sound when it strikes, right?
This is too unscientific!
Shaking his head,
You Ju looked up at the battlefield again, only to see even more Goguryeo soldiers falling.
“This, this…”
You Ju’s face turned instantly pale. He regretted his impulsiveness.
Why did he have to pledge his life?
Now look at him!
If he hadn't made that pledge, losing a battle would at most result in a scolding or demotion.
But now?
Thinking of his previous boastful words, You Ju's eyes reddened.
“Trash!”
“All of you are trash!”
Kicking a nearby pillar, You Ju gritted his teeth and shouted,
“Guards!”
“Prepare my horse!”
“I don’t believe those Han cavalry are made of iron, unable to even recognize a saber!”
Saying this, You Ju mounted the warhorse brought by his personal guards and, taking his weapon, charged out.
He was desperate!
Since death was inevitable if he returned after a defeat, he might as well fight for it.
However,
Before You Ju could spur his horse to catch up with the cavalry, he ran headlong into the Xuanjia Iron Cavalry who had already cut through the battle lines.
“This, this…”
Seeing the cavalry clad in black, wearing black armor, and wielding long sabers, cutting through the battle formation and emerging, You Ju was completely stunned.
What the hell is this?
A formation of ten thousand cavalry broken through by such a small group?
Isn't Goguryeo shameless?
Damn it!
Hurry up and get back! I’ll pretend I didn’t see you!
His face turning ashen, You Ju began to pray silently.
Don't see me, don't see me, you all don't see me…
Alas!
No one among the Xuanjia Iron Cavalry could be blind, let alone this large group of them standing here.
After a brief exchange, the leading generals detached a troop from the main body.
“Holy crap?”
“Run for your lives!”
Seeing the small cavalry squad charging towards him, You Ju’s first reaction was to turn and flee.
He was a coward!
After all,
These fearsome warriors had cut through the entire army. He had no confidence he could defeat them.
Although losing his head was the consequence of returning after defeat, wasn't there his sister?
That was at least a glimmer of hope!
But to turn back and fight?
Don’t be ridiculous!
Just looking at their blood-soaked appearances, one could tell how many Goguryeo soldiers they had already killed.
He didn't want to become one of those unlucky souls who lost their lives.
However,
Just as You Ju was galloping back at full speed, he heard the sound of war drums.
“Hmm?”
“What is this?”
Listening to the suddenly intensified war drums, You Ju’s expression was one of confusion.
“G-General~!”
A personal guard beside him hurried over, reminding him with despair in his voice,
“Th-this is the drumbeat for attack. Those who retreat will be executed!”
“Ah?”
You Ju froze for a moment, not even noticing when his warhorse was reined to a halt.
The drumbeat for attack?
Execution for retreat?
Who?!
Who wanted You Ju to go to his death?
No, that's not right!
He, You Ju, was the commander of this army. Who dared to issue orders beyond him?
“G-General~!”
Perhaps sensing You Ju’s confusion, the guard’s face was filled with bitterness as he said,
“The drumbeat, the drumbeat is coming from within the city, not from our formation!”
“This…”
Upon hearing this, You Ju looked up and saw that the city walls were already crowded with people.
Among them, among them, one seemed to be wearing clothes similar to the King’s?
“General, you must think of a way!”
Seeing You Ju still in a daze, the personal guard beside him said urgently,
“Those cavalry are coming soon. Please think of a way!”
“Ah?”
“Oh…”
Snapping back to reality, You Ju glanced back at the cavalry, his voice filled with surprise,
“Why are these guys running so fast? They’ve caught up so quickly?”
Saying this, You Ju looked down and only then realized they were still stopped in place.
“???”
With question marks filling his mind, You Ju’s face was full of astonishment,
“Why have we stopped? Keep running! Are we waiting to die here if we don't run?”
“…”
Meeting You Ju’s bewildered gaze, the captain of the personal guards couldn't help but retort,
“General, once the drum sounds, retreat means certain death. This is a rule set by the King himself!”
“Returning means death!”
“We might as well fight them, or try to flank them and rendezvous with the army!”
“No, no, it won’t come to that, surely?”
You Ju swallowed with some difficulty, his voice full of uncertainty,
“My sister is the Queen. The King, the King might not kill me!”
“…”
The captain of the personal guards felt he had nothing more to say to this man and rolled his eyes at him.
Yes!
Your sister is the Queen, and the King might indeed spare you.
What about us?
We are just lowly soldiers. We might become the King's scapegoat!
Rather than enduring suffering upon return and implicating our families, it would be better to die swiftly by a saber on the battlefield.
With this thought,
The captain of the personal guards stopped paying attention to You Ju and beckoned to a few personal guards beside him.
“Since the General wishes to retreat, then your subordinate can only wish you good luck!”
“Brothers!”
“Whether we live or die depends on this one struggle. Follow me!”
Saying this, the captain of the personal guards turned his horse and led dozens of his men charging forward.
“???”
“No?”
Left behind by his personal guards, You Ju felt an inexplicable unease.
Good heavens?
You people are all going to die, waiting for me to join you?
I, I don't believe the King will kill me!
Sister!
Remember to save me!
Silently chanting in his heart, You Ju whipped his warhorse with all his might.
However,
Before he could charge forward a few steps, he heard a whistling sound.
Immediately after,
You Ju felt a jolt in his chest, as if something had pierced through.
Looking down,
Besides the bright red splash of blood, his own body was slowly falling from his warhorse.
“H-how could this happen?!”
“An army of ten thousand!”
“It’s one thing to be unable to defeat the Han cavalry, but why couldn’t even their commander escape?”
With deep doubt and confusion, You Ju closed his eyes with reluctance.
Killed.