Chapter 1392 - 1068: Bringing Another 300 Warhorses

In less than two days, scouts from the front returned with news.

Yu Wenye stood on the pass, gazing at the Sishui River stretching from south to north, its gentle ripples stirred by the breeze. It seemed to be a rare river flowing northward in the Central Plains, gentle yet full of stubborn defiance against fate, flowing into the Yellow River and then unleashing a turbulent surge.

The muddy waves lashed the shore, the murky Yellow River waters staining vast tracts of land along the bank, even touching the grassland across the river with a faint dry yellow hue.

Autumn has arrived.

Although they had just captured the gateway to Luoyang, now Luoyang City was being jointly attacked by his own troops and those of King Qi. The situation seemed under control, yet Yu Wenye inexplicably felt a hint of desolation. But this was fleeting, as the earthy autumn wind blowing in quickly swept away such feelings, leaving an autumnal chill settled in his heart.

A series of heavy footsteps sounded behind him; he knew without turning that it was Shen Tu Tai.

Yu Wenye said, "How is it?"

Shen Tu Tai stepped forward, first saluting him, and said, "The scout reports enemy troops found on the North Shore of the Yellow River."

Yu Wenye raised an eyebrow, slightly extending his neck to look east and west, but he knew standing here it was impossible to see the enemy. If they were really that close, and the scout only reported this much, the scout would be returning clutching his head.

So he asked, "Where are they now?"

"They have reached Guangwu."

"Guangwu?"

Upon hearing this, Yu Wenye was slightly startled and immediately turned to look at Shen Tu Tai: "Did they cross the river so quickly?"

"Yes."

"Tens of thousands of troops, so quick?"

"The vanguard crossed the river, only four or five thousand men."

"Oh?"

Yu Wenye slightly furrowed his brow, sensing something amiss, but that feeling was too elusive, like a breath scattered, overshadowed by Shen Tu Tai’s heavier than usual anxious breathing behind him.

He asked, "Anything else?"

Shen Tu Tai said, "The forage is also running low."

Upon hearing this, Yu Wenye slowly turned his head; the two exchanged a look but remained silent, yet the silence spoke volumes.

After a brief silence, Yu Wenye turned again to look at the turbulent Yellow River to the north, then said: "Go down, select a dozen elite soldiers under your command, and cross the river with me this afternoon to check out the north."

Shen Tu Tai instantly knew what he intended, although he had done so before at Hulao Pass, but this time he furrowed his thick brows.

Seeing his hesitation, Yu Wenye slowly turned around: "What’s the matter?"

Shen Tu Tai said solemnly: "Your Highness, Xiao Yuansui is not Shan Shiyu."

"..."

"Shan Shiyu may not act hastily when circumstances are unclear and will fully mobilize when he sees our ’flaws’; but Xiao Yuansui is different, he—"

Yu Wenye raised his hand, stopping him: "I know what you are worried about."

"..."

"Rest assured, I don’t take Xiao Yuansui as Shan Shiyu. I’ve faced him before, although I may not know exactly how to deal with him, I certainly know how to guard against him."

Shen Tu Tai said: "But Your Highness still plans to cross the river with only a dozen men?"

Yu Wenye said: "They are already on the south bank, we merely need to look from the North Shore. If they really attack, we can retreat in time. Besides, they’ve just arrived, and are still setting up camp, Xiao Yuansui won’t act rashly."

"..."

"Aren’t our cooperation enough to fear them?"

Hearing this, Shen Tu Tai had no more to say, Yu Wenye favored unexpected tactics, considered reckless for others but ingenious for those with skill.

Moreover, he did not dislike it.

But recalling Mu Xian and Cheng Qiao’s insistence before leaving, imploring him not to indulge Yu Wenye’s impulsiveness like a nagging old woman, although Shen Tu Tai didn’t see it as "impulsive," he obligingly responded, thus he should rationally advise him now.

So he said: "But, only with a dozen men..."

Yu Wenye glanced at him, noticing the flicker in the tiger eyes hidden behind thick facial hair, he suddenly understood something, smiled faintly, and said: "Alright."

Shen Tu Tai widened his eyes slightly: "Then—"

Yu Wenye said: "Bring along three hundred warhorses."

"..."

So, after noon, Yu Wenye and Shen Tu Tai, with eighteen elite soldiers under their command and over three hundred warhorses, crossed the Yellow River.

This area around Hulao Pass was mountainous, not suitable for grazing, but the North Shore was level and vast, only the unpredictable clouds at the horizon blocked the further northern scenery, with the expansive sky seemingly gazing upon roaming children below, indifferent whether they frolic or cause trouble, as if it were all a small joke in the universe.

Crossing the river, they headed north, galloping for over half an hour before stopping.

This area with lush water and grass was ideal for grazing horses, so Yu Wenye let a few soldiers tend to the horses while he led Shen Tu Tai and a dozen other soldiers to the riverbank.

Across the Yellow River was Guangwu Town.

The river’s surface wide, with steam rising, yet their eagle-like eyes soon spotted the camp gradually being set up on the other side, with flags fluttering, the whinnies of warhorses even carrying across the river to their ears.

Xiao Yuansui’s troops indeed arrived.

While they intently watched the camp across the river, atop the earliest erected watchtowers at the camp gate, tiny figures suddenly began moving, all heading toward them to stare, seemingly having spotted them.

Shen Tu Tai immediately said: "Your Highness, they’ve seen us!"

Yu Wenye chuckled lightly: "Let them see, their arrows can’t reach this far."

Shen Tu Tai nodded silently, this scenario differed from when Shan Shiyu noticed them scouting at Hulao Pass; separated by the Yellow River, even if they prepared to cross now, it would be too late.

But—

Shen Tu Tai sensed something, turned to Yu Wenye, noticing his sharp gaze shifted from the camp across to the rolling surface of the roiling Yellow River, brow furrowed, pondering something.

Shen Tu Tai asked: "Your Highness, what’s wrong?"

Yu Wenye paused briefly, then murmured: "Their bridge to cross the river is gone."