Dog Eat Dog
“Hm?” Hu Che Er furrowed his eyebrows. Carriages and provisions were scattered everywhere on the road. Zhang Xiu had received news from the other scout that provisions were being sent to Shouchun from Lujiang. However, the one dispatched was Hu Chu Er. Although the provisions may be worth a bit, Zhang Xiu had no real need for it as he could obtain provisions from Liu Bei without any strings attached. On the other hand, plundering the provisions may cause casualties. So, Zhang Xiu had no interest and had Hu Chu Er dispatched. Hu Chu Er arrived around noon and thought that they could plunder.
However, the scene was in chaos. There were carriages and provisions but where was the enemy? Would they just leave the provisions on the ground to be taken? Hu Che Er felt skeptical but he was a person of Qiang. They all believe in strength. Hu Che Er sees his two hundred cavalry believing that none would dare oppose. He waved his hand and the Xiliang Cavalry nodded. They got down and put the provisions back into the carriage. They then used their horses to pull the carriage.
“They are really here for the provisions! Truly venomous intentions!” Liu Pi and Liao Hua looked at Hu Che Er from the bushes. It would be one thing if it was just for provisions. However, they attacked allies for merits. This made Liao Hua extremely angry. Barbarians would remain barbarians. This was his impression of Hu Che Er who was a person of Qiang. The evidence was the two braids at the side of his head and the ring at his nose. With a single look, they could tell that he was a foreigner.
“That person is Hu Chu Er! Zhang Xiu’s deputy general!” Liu Pi knows about Hu Chu Er. After all, when Liu Bei and Zhang Xiu spoke, Hu Chu Er was present. Hu Chu Er really admired Zhang Xiu. Even though he was a man of Qiang, he was Zhang Xiu’s confident. It was said that he was the one that killed Dian Wei and his strength should not be overlooked. Liu Pi began to hesitate. He wondered if Zhang Xiu would turn against him once he killed Hu Chu Er and if Liu Bei would kill him for Zhang Xiu.
“Leader. Why are you still thinking about such things at this hour?” Liao Hua saw that Liu Pi was being indecisive and worrying about offending others despite the fact that others want him dead. “Leader. If he does not die today, we will be the one dead!”
“I know!” Liu Pi took a deep breath. He also knew that he had no way out. He had to either put his all into fighting or be overtaken and killed. Liu Pi was still under forty years old and still have many good days left in him. Naturally, he did not want to die.
“General. What do we do?” Liao Hua’s deputy also had good luck. He managed to escape with his life after Zhao Yun’s assault. He asked Liu Pi and Liao Hua when he saw the cavalry at the road.
“Do not worry!” Liao Hua said indifferently. He had completely calmed down. He believed he could kill those that wish him dead.
Liao Hua saw the men under the command of the barbarian got down their horses. They then begun to pick up the scattered provisions from the floor and brought it back to the carriage and was sorted out.
“General. We must act quickly or it would be too late!” Liao Hua’s deputy was anxious. He had thought that Liao Hua had scattered the provisions on the floor and placed the carriages everywhere to prevent the cavalry from charging. It was a bigger surprise when they got off the horse to pick up the provisions. If they had waited for them to finish keeping the provisions, all the hard work would become wasted.
“It is not yet time!” Liao Hua was experienced in warfare. In fact, he was more experienced than Liu Pi. This was because Liao Hua’s luck during his time at the Yellow Turbans was not good. All of his superiors were defeated by the Imperial Army. It was no use even if Liao Hua had better soldiers. All of this had made Liao Hua improve. Although Liu Pi was a leader, he had better luck and slipped away from the Imperial Army several times. In comparison, Liao Hua had experienced more suffering and is more skilled than Liu Pi in commanding.
It was Liao Hua’s instincts as a commander that told him it was not yet time. He felt that if they were to rush out now, his five thousand troops would be annihilated. Liao Hua looked around carefully for his source of unease and then realized. “Can you see that barbarian general?” Liao Hua did not point at Hu Chu Er, fearing that his action would create a catastrophe.
“I can see him!” The deputy did not understand. He had only just begun following Liao Hua and have not fully understood him yet.
“Look at his eyes and his horse.” Liao Hua guided the deputy. However, his words were also for Liu Pi to listen. This is because Liu Pi was the main general and leader. If Liu Pi insist on rushing out, Liao Hua would not be able to change his mind. This is why Liao Hua explained this to Liu Pi so that Liu Pi could understand and support his actions. Otherwise, bad things may happen and they both would get buried there. “Isn’t he looking around? Didn’t he prevent his horse from stopping to eat grass?”
“His eyes and horse?” Liu Pi and Liao Hua’s deputy took a look. They saw that it was not only the general but also the others from the Xiliang Cavalry. They looked vigilant and was not in a resting posture. Some of the cavalries were even walking up and down.
“General. Are you saying…” The deputy responded ith his eyes wide. If what he thought was true, it was truly horrifying.
“Yes!” Liao Hua nodded. The Xiliang Cavalry were first rate. They were very cautious. Even the horse’s eyes were watching. The ones that went down to pick up the provisions were just bait. If there were anyone preparing an ambush, they would rush out and get themselves killed.
One thousand or two thousand Xiliang Cavalry does not make a difference to Liu Pi’s Army. This is because the cavalry could easily tear their five thousand troops apart on the road. This was Hu Che Er’s plan. They would be able to respond quickly if there were enemies, accelerate their gallop and charge.
“Phew.” Liu Pi saw that what Liao Hua said was true. That means they were in peril a moment ago. He involuntarily breathed in the chilly air. He did not expect a brainless looking barbarian to make such a move such that his enemies would jump at the trap. However, Hu Che Er was not brainless. Otherwise, he would not have been able to kill Dian Wei.
On top of that, Hu Che Er looks stupid. Naturally, someone would relax their vigilance. At that time, Hu Che Er would show his sly smile. After that, when you hesitate, the honest faced man would send you straight to hell.
After a few moments, the Xiliang Cavalry finally relaxed and their horses started to eat the grass. Their eyes stopped being wary. More than half of the provisions were already taken.
“The rest of you, go and help!” Hu Che Er finally gave the order for the others to dismount and help out. After all, it would take a while for them to clean up the mess left behind by the Yuzhou Yellow Turbans.
“Yes, General!” Rows of the Xiliang Cavalry dismounted and went to help.
“Listen to my orders!” Liao Hua finally smiled and raised his arm up high. He made too much movement and caused one nearby soldier from the Xiliang Cavalry to notice. However, he no longer cared. “Brothers. It is time for revenge. Kill these Xiliang barbarians!” Liao Hua was the first to rush out. He needed to vent his anger or else he would die.
Zhao Yun had killed over a thousand people and almost killed him as well. Anyone would become unhappy. So, Liao Hua released all this energy and became merciless to the Xiliang Cavalry. His blade was swung towards vital spots.
“Enemy attack! Enemy attack! All units, prepare for battle!” Hu Che Er did not expect an enemy ambush. He had already set up a bait but it was not bitten. They waited until everyone became less wary before striking.
Five thousand from the Yuzhou Yellow Turbans rush towards the two thousand cavalries. If the two thousand cavalries were on their horses, Hu Che Er would not be afraid even if the enemy had twice their numbers. Even if they cannot kill all, they could still chase. However, it was now different. The cavalry had dismounted from their horses. If it was like the Wolf Cavalry that wore the heavy armor brought by Liu Mang, they could still be heavy infantries as both the Formation Breaker and the Wolf Cavalry wore the same armor. However, the Xiliang Cavalry’s armor were heavy and could only be used on top of a horse. They were heavy and unsteady, which would cause misery when they run into lightly armored infantries.
“Shit. Whose soldiers are these?” Hu Che Er did not know where the soldiers come from or their slogan. He no longer cared that much and got on his horse, hoping to rush out and kill more soldiers. This way, a cavalry could be formed. At that time, they would be able to start a charge and save more people. If it was done well, they could even defeat the enemies.
“Who? The people that want your life!” Liu Pi was not just a leader. He was also quite skilled in martial arts. He rushed ahead and soon arrived in front of Hu Che Er. His attack was swift and powerful as he aimed for Hu Che Er’s face.
“Get lost!” Hu Che Er saw the attack and swung his halberd at Liu Pi. Hu Che Er was more powerful than Liu Pi. After all, he was the one that killed Dian Wei. Although Dian Wei was drunk, Hu Che Er still needed to be strong enough to fight against Dian Wei. Otherwise, it would be impossible. Zhang Xiu’s Army had a first class general.
Although Hu Che Er was stronger, Liu Pi struck first and had the advantage. When Hu Che Er reacted, it was already too late to avoid. However, Hu Che Er knew that in this situation, he should not protect himself but risk it. That was why Hu Che Er swung the halberd at Liu Pi. Although Liu Pi was fast, he was unable to take Hu Che Er’s life. If he were to cut down Hu Che Er, Hu Che Er would also cut him down. Hu Che Er knew that in that kind of life and death battles, it was not about who survives. It was about dragging your enemies down with you.
Hu Che Er was brave enough to fight in this manner but Liu Pi was not. In the past, Liu Pi who was just a butcher and dared to join the Yellow Turban would dare to do so but now that he had experienced a life of luxury, he no longer dared to do so. As a result, he reflexively defended himself.
This was what Hu Che Er hoped for. Although he was filled with hatred, he also did not want to die. He would not willingly give his life away. He immediately retreated and jumped onto his horse.
When Hu Che Er jumped onto his horse, his intentions was to become a banner, allowing the Xiliang Cavalry to rush out and return to their profession. However, he ended up becoming a banner for his enemies, causing himself to be attacked from the front and rear. It was no wonder everyone was fighting on the ground. Jumping on the horse alone was just looking for trouble. The soldiers all rushed to Hu Che Er.
Liu Pi spat. Although he did not dare to risk his life, he still had a lot of subordinates. Liu Pi rushed forward again.
“Hateful!” Hu Che Er repeatedly swung his halberd. Each swing sent a lot of blood and meat flying. Hu Che Er does not know how many he killed but the more he killed, the greasier his halberd became. This all came from the fats and blood of people. The two thousand Xiliang Cavalry became two thousand infantries. They had to fight more than twice their numbers in a field they are not skilled in. One could tell how difficult the fight was.
“He can use tactics!” Zhao Yun looked at Liao Hua’s eyes. He had saw everything. Two thousand cavalries could usually only be defeated by twenty thousand infantries. However, Liao Hua was now suppressing them with five thousand infantries. Courageous and intelligent people like Liao Hua were really rare.
Zhao Yun regretted not killing Liao Hua as such a person would be detrimental to the Lord’s great cause. However, it was no use no matter how much he thought about it now.
Hu Che Er was already tired. However, Liu Pi was still energetic. He did not expect his five thousand men could crush the cavalry of two thousand. He also stopped caring. Since they wanted him dead, he no longer bothered thinking about how to explain himself to Liu Bei. He would only think about it after he kills that general.
“Green armor and those fallen banners?” Hu Che Er looked at those two things and suddenly noticed something. “Who are you guys? Are you the Left General’s subordinates? Why are you attacking us? We are General Yang Wu’s Xiliang Cavalry. We are allies!”
“My grandfather killed the Xiliang Cavalry1!” Liu Pi yelled. “Give me your life!” You all never claimed to be allies when slaughtering us. Now that you are in trouble you claim to be allies. Liu Pi would not let Hu Che Er escape.
Hu Che Er felt bitter. He cannot bring his martial skills into play. There were carriages and provisions around him. If it was not because of his horsemanship, he would have already fallen to the ground. He was not like Zhao Yun who could rush in and out of Changban. Liu Pi was also not like Cao Cao who would give the order to spare Hu Che Er.
Hu Che Er was gradually overwhelmed. “Die!” Liu Pi gave a sly smile. His sabre once again went towards Hu Che Er’s neck. It was too late for Hu Che Er to fight back as well. His weapon was stuck in an enemy’s body and he could not pull it out.
“I am finished this time!” Hu Che Er thought to himself. He never expected that he would not die in a charge but in an ambush, by people who may be allies.
*Clang* Liu Pi was furious as he saw his attack blocked. When he took a look, he found that the person was Liao Hua, his trusted subordinate that worked out the entire ambush plan.
“Leader! Leader!” Liao Hua panted. He had rushed over to stop Liu Pi. Liao Hua then spoke inarticulately. “The ones that we fought was… was not them. That man is not Zhang Xiu… We killed the wrong people!”
What do you mean that man is not Zhang Xiu and that we killed the wrong people? Liu Pi did not know what Liao Hua was talking about. What Liao Hua was saying was that the ones that attacked them was not Zhang Xiu’s Army. They had ambushed the wrong people. Liao Hua noticed this because the armor of the cavalry he cut at that time could not be cut. On top of that, the other cavalry had silverfish white armor while this one had black and white armor.
Liu Pi eventually understood Liao Hua’s explanation. He also understood that he was killing the wrong people. However, he could not stop. Almost two thousand of the Xiliang Cavalry were dead. If Liu Bei and Zhang Xiu found out, he would be the one dead.
Liu Pi gritted his teeth and pretended not to know. “Brothers. Kill them. Kill all the XIliang Barbarians that try to steal our merits. Avenge our fallen brothers!”
“Kill! Kill!” It was still salvageable before the command. However, after giving the command, the Yuzhou Yellow Turbans became even more bloodthirsty. They cut down the Xiliang Cavalry with their swords.
Once all the Xiliang Cavalry were dead, there would be no one to complain. This was what Liu Pi thought. He would just report that the Lu Bu’s Army were transporting rations and ambushed the Xiliang Cavalry, who were completely routed by the time his army arrived.
1. Chinese insults don’t make sense to me but I have never been an expert in the insulting department even if it is in English. So, I will just leave Liu Pi’s grandfather where he belongs.