CHAPTER 354: CHAPTER 348: ATTACK FROM FRONT AND REAR

Before 3:00 PM, Zhao Hanzhang and Zhao Kuan divided their troops. Zhao Hanzhang led two thousand cavalry away, while Zhao Kuan took the remaining men and seized goods back to the city.

Fu Tinghan followed her as well; he was considered her living map now, and she asked him about questions she couldn’t remember clearly.

The group bypassed the battleground and headed straight for Anling.

Zhao Hanzhang successfully predicted everything, and Xun Xiu and others successfully ambushed the Xiongnu Army at Changfu Mountain.

The information was transmitted bi-directionally, arriving at Liu Cong’s army on one side and reaching Anling on the other.

Anling was where Wang Mi’s army was stationed. Upon hearing that his sent reinforcements were ambushed, Wang Mi, after some thought, sent another force. Liu Cong, being Liu Yuan’s son, was temporarily dragged in Chen County, and he had to rescue him; otherwise, he would get into trouble.

The scout detected early, and Zhao Hanzhang and the others stayed silently hidden in the forest, waiting until this reinforcement passed before emerging.

Fu Tinghan said, "Two hundred cavalry, approximately three thousand infantry, Wang Mi is being quite generous."

Zhao Hanzhang watched the departing direction and beckoned a scout. Immediately, she wrote a military order for him, "Deliver it to the Anling headquarters immediately, ordering Liu Jing to counterattack at 5 p.m.; tonight, we will spend the night inside Anling."

Although Anling was just a large town, its location was crucial. Whoever held this place could block the passage from the North and South along the route to the West.

Since Zhao Hanzhang needed to reinforce Guan City, Anling was a necessary route. Furthermore, if Fu Zhi brought reinforcements later, he would also have to pass through Anling.

Yu State had previously lost Anling but hadn’t completely lost it. Liu Jing and his troops occupied half of Anling, and both sides occasionally exchanged blows and territory; Wang Mi had not fully taken Anling yet.

However, from the current situation, it was only a matter of time.

Due to Chen County being overwhelmed, it couldn’t assist Liu Jing.

Liu Jing was already prepared to retreat if things went south, but then Zhao Hanzhang’s military order arrived.

He repeatedly examined it, repeatedly confirming with the scout, "Do we have Jin Army reinforcements coming?"

The scout replied, "Our general is leading the troops personally; how could this be fake? The time is almost up, so I urge the general to muster the troops immediately."

Liu Jing checked the time; indeed, it was nearly 5 p.m. He hesitated for a while but ultimately nodded.

However, he kept a cautious approach in the end. Although he gathered the troops, he didn’t immediately act but planned to wait for the reinforcements to make the first move.

If the reinforcements were indeed present, he would then launch an attack from both flanks; if not, they could disperse and go about their usual duties.

Zhao Hanzhang had already reached outside Anling by this time. There were no city walls here, but checkpoints existed to enter the town; they only had to break through these checkpoints to get inside.

Zhao Hanzhang slowed down her horse, turned to Fu Tinghan, and said, "After we drive away the Xiongnu, I want to build a city and establish a county here."

Fu Tinghan nodded, "Alright."

Zhao Hanzhang looked at him, "Are you afraid?"

They were the attacking side, and this was enemy-occupied territory; danger was everywhere. Hence, Zhao Hanzhang didn’t plan to leave Fu Tinghan behind; they would all charge together.

Fu Tinghan shook his head, "I’ve been through it; I’m not afraid anymore."

Having escaped from Luoyang, he’d experienced it once before. Over this past year, although he hadn’t practiced horsemanship or martial arts like Zhao Hanzhang daily, he had been physically training.

Charging together, he didn’t expect to kill many enemies himself but hoped not to become a burden to Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang’s lips curled slightly, and she spoke to Qiu Wu, "You must protect the eldest young master well!"

Qiu Wu and his men understood the importance of Fu Tinghan and respectfully agreed.

With their assurance, Zhao Hanzhang loosened the reins, kicked the horse abdomen, "Sons, let’s go!"

The people behind her responded in unison, shouting and waving their swords, slightly leaning forward, accelerating their horses, charging towards Anling Town...

The Xiongnu soldiers at the checkpoint quickly reacted to resist upon hearing the commotion. While one tried to sound the alarm by pounding a drum, an arrow suddenly flew through the air, piercing his chest from behind...

Fu Tinghan lowered his hand, carefully hung his bow on the horse’s back, even slowing down to ensure it was securely attached; accuracy was the one skill he could showcase on the battlefield.

Someone picked up the drumstick, raised their hand to strike it, when a horse had already leaped over the checkpoint, a spear piercing his body. He hadn’t even turned around before the opponent swept away the drum in front of him, loudly shouting, "Kill!"

Zhao Erlang and others swiftly leaped over the barricade, slashing and thrusting with their blades and spears. Someone quickly dismounted and removed the checkpoint, allowing the cavalry behind them to charge into the small town unimpeded.

Zhao Hanzhang had already charged forward; soldiers rushing out upon hearing the commotion saw her and instantly wielded their weapons to defend. The town was thrown into chaos.

Already nearly devoid of civilians, the remaining townspeople shut their doors and windows tightly upon hearing the cries and hugs, huddling inside fearfully.

Wang Mi heard the report, but instead of panicking, he calmly donned armor, simultaneously issuing a stream of orders, "Mount your horses immediately, have the first and second divisions advance to block."

He paused for a moment and then said, "Send someone immediately to the rear to guard against Liu Jing..."

At this moment, Liu Jing also saw the signal and heard the battle cries, his eyes brightened instantly as he drew his blade and shouted, "Soldiers, let’s seize back Anling!"

"Take it back, take it back!"

Liu Jing led the charge, "Charge—"

Wang Mi was instantly caught in a pincer attack, but he had no time to counter Liu Jing because Zhao Hanzhang had led her men to fight their way to him.

Wang Mi saw Zhao Hanzhang fierce and unmatched on horseback, taking down enemies one by one, with virtually no one able to approach her. He immediately leaped onto his horse, charging at her, "Brat, I’m right here!"

Zhao Hanzhang impaled the charging Hu Soldier with a spear, turned at the sound to face Wang Mi, pulled out her spear, and immediately advanced to meet him. Zhao Hanzhang tilted her head to dodge a strike, then parried with the spear’s shaft, and they crossed paths.

Galloping a distance away, Zhao Hanzhang pulled her horse around to look at Wang Mi, sneering, "Though I am just a brat, I know propriety and integrity, unlike you, an old rogue, disgracing your ancestors. Today, I, the current Ru Nan County Governor, will teach you etiquette and manners on behalf of your forefathers!"

Wang Mi’s face flushed with anger, "Such clever words, let’s see if you have the skills."

Wang Mi was swift on horseback, his agility and strength unparalleled. With a turn of his knife, he charged directly at Zhao Hanzhang...

Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze steadied, fearlessly advancing to meet him. Wang Mi was fast, but she was faster and more agile, exchanging three to four moves in the blink of an eye.

Lost in the battle, Fu Tinghan, under Qiu Wu and others’ protection, charged into the main street. With a brief glance, he suggested, "They’re gathering, do you want to disperse them? Maybe you should weave through from the east?"

Qiu Wu:... He’s just a guard; how could he be asked about such matters?