PFC Chapter 47 Horse Thieves
Chapter 47 Horse Thieves
Hmph, that Chen Qun is a real old fox.
If you really don't want to listen, you can just say goodbye and leave.
You asked me if I should avoid it, isn't that obviously because you want to hear it?
Yuan Tan chuckled inwardly, and said calmly:
"It's alright! We're all on the same side, there's no secret between us."
However, Wu Yu blushed and pretended to be shy, saying:
"Young Master, this is my private matter..."
Upon hearing Wu Yu's words, not only Chen Qun and Lu Su, but even Guo Jia and Xin Pi felt embarrassed to stay.
They all covered their faces and walked away.
"We shall take our leave now."
It's a good thing that you're leaving on your own initiative, since you've just arrived and don't know much about many things.
Yuan Tan feigned regret and said:
"Fengxiao, prepare two of the largest private residences in Linzi City for the two gentlemen. They must be lavish and you must not neglect them."
Then he said to Chen Qun and Lu Su:
"Please don't stand on ceremony, gentlemen. Now that you're in Qingzhou, please make yourself at home. If you need anything, just let the servants know."
Yuan Tan had originally planned to send the beautiful female spies that Wu Yu had just trained to these people's homes, as if they were beauties he had bestowed upon them as a reward.
But then he felt that this shouldn't be done in such a high-profile way, so he gave up the idea.
After everyone had left, Yuan Tan then embraced Wu Yu tightly.
"What's wrong? Who bullied you? You look so upset."
Wu Yu could no longer hold back and burst into tears, saying:
"Louban was leading his newly trained Wuhuan cavalry in a drill at the foot of Langya Mountain when they were ambushed by a large group of bandits! The bandits were extremely fierce and cunning, and they stole more than forty fine horses. Louban was wounded in the shoulder and arm while protecting his son, and has now retreated to the camp to be bandaged!"
"What?!"
Yuan Tan suddenly stood up from behind the desk, his brows furrowed.
He knew that Langya had just been pacified and that bandits within its borders were not yet quelled, but the mountain bandits who were able to carry out an organized ambush and successfully steal warhorses from a Wuhuan general like Lou Ban were no ordinary bandits.
A name flashed through his mind instantly—Zhang Fei!
The octagonist in the novel does indeed have a history of stealing horses. If it's true that this wicked character wandered into Langya...
"Could you make out the bandit leader's appearance? Was he a burly man with a dark face and a thick beard?"
Yuan Tan asked urgently.
Wu Yu shook his head:
"According to the surviving men, the bandit leader wore a black veil to cover his face, so his features were not visible, but he was exceptionally tall and strong, with a voice like thunder. He wielded a long spear and was incredibly brave! He was no ordinary bandit."
A black veil covered his face, his voice was like thunder, and a spear... Alarm bells rang in Yuan Tan's heart.
That would most likely be Zhang Fei!
Liu Bei is now under the protection of Lü Bu and is stationed in Xiaopei.
If it really is his men coming to freeload...
This matter is not just about bandits,
Instead, it was a probing attack by Xuzhou against Qingzhou!
Where are Yan Liang and Zhang He?
Yuan Tan shouted loudly.
"The two generals are training the infantry in the camp."
Upon hearing the sound, the guards outside the door immediately responded.
"Issue the order! Gather a thousand elite troops and have Yan Liang and Zhang He immediately accompany me to Langya! Fengxiao, you stay behind in Linzi, and together with Zuozhi, safeguard the rear and guard against any unforeseen events! Changwen, the new laws will continue to be implemented as before!"
Yuan Tan spoke very quickly, and his orders were clearly stated.
He had to go in person, both to find out who his opponent was.
We also need to stabilize the morale of the staff in the building.
We also need to examine Lou Ban's injuries and the actual situation of this cavalry unit.
"promise!"
The guards obeyed and left.
……
Langya County is located on the southern slope of Mount Yi.
Yuan Tan led his army to the scene without making a great show of it.
He ordered the main force to remain hidden outside, while he took only Yan Liang, Zhang He, and a dozen or so personal guards and quietly approached the camp.
The camp was built against the mountain and its defenses were quite well-organized.
From afar, Lou Ban could be seen shirtless, his left shoulder wrapped in thick bandages, bloodstains visible, yet he still stood in the center of the open space, loudly berating a group of dejected cavalrymen.
Because of the distance, his voice was a little hoarse and not very clear, but his eyes were bright and showed no sign of dejection.
"He was giving a speech, saying that today's shame must be paid in blood. He scolded those boys for losing their horses and, more importantly, for disgracing the Wuhuan steppe wolves."
One of the guards, who had good hearing, said in a low voice.
Yuan Tan raised his hand to stop everyone from going forward to report, and hid behind a sloping hill to observe.
After Lou Ban finished cursing, he suddenly let out a sharp and long whistle.
The warhorses scattered throughout the camp heard the sound.
They all ran to the open space in front of him.
Although there were no cavalrymen to ride,
However, it automatically split into several columns, which, although slightly messy, already showed the initial shape of rows and columns.
What's even more surprising is what follows.
Despite the pain, Lou Ban used his uninjured right arm to make several complex hand gestures, accompanied by short commands.
The dozens of warhorses suddenly knelt down like the most well-trained soldiers!
With its body close to the ground and head lowered, the horse appeared from a distance like a still mound of earth and grass.
If not carefully examined,
It blends almost seamlessly into the terrain!
Then,
Lou Ban let out another low whistle.
Upon hearing the sound,
Then, with astonishing uniformity, they suddenly stood up, wagging their tails and returning to normal.
Throughout the entire process, apart from the sound of hooves pounding the ground and snorting, the horses did not neigh once!
"This...this is..."
Yan Liang stared wide-eyed, his face filled with disbelief.
He had fought for half his life and seen countless fine steeds, but he had never seen a cavalryman control and tame a horse so skillfully and silently without even mounting it!
Zhang He also gasped, and whispered:
"The rider and horse are of one mind, and commands are obeyed without question... This is no ordinary horse training technique! If used for ambushes, surprise attacks, or feigned defeats, dozens or even hundreds of riders can be hidden in an instant, and who can withstand such a sudden attack?"
This tactic is something you haven't seen before; even I've only heard rumors about it.
It is said that in the 18th century, many Western cavalrymen used the technique of having their horses lie down to conceal themselves.
At the time, I thought it was a miracle!
They even once believed that the West did indeed have many areas where it was ahead of China.
However, it was unexpected that this technology would appear on the Eastern continent in the second century AD.
Indeed, China has no shortage of talented people!
Yuan Tan was shocked, and then overjoyed.
He originally thought Lou Ban was just a brave barbarian general, but he didn't know that he had such a family secret technique for taming horses!
This skill of "making horses lie still" was invaluable on the battlefield during the era of cold weapons!
No wonder Cao Cao valued the Wuhuan cavalry so much in history; there were indeed some exceptional individuals among them!
He stopped hiding, strode out, and clapped his hands in praise:
"Excellent! General Lou Ban, you are truly a gift from heaven!"
Lou Ban turned around upon hearing the sound and saw that it was Yuan Tan in person. He looked ashamed and knelt on one knee.
"This humble general is incompetent, suffering heavy losses and disturbing our lord's personal safety. Please punish me!"
Yuan Tan strode forward and personally helped him up, his gaze fixed intently on the warhorses that had regained their balance and were now docile, his tone filled with admiration:
"A few horses are nothing to speak of! Such extraordinary horse-training techniques are priceless! General, you are injured; please do not stand on ceremony. Could this technique be widely disseminated among our cavalry?"
(Dear godfathers, please vote for me!)