Zhang Fei silently swallowed his saliva, the overwhelming aura of Xiliang Iron Cavalry charging forward gave him the feeling of facing an unmatched warrior. As expected of one of the strongest armies under the heavens, just their aura alone would make ordinary people dare not to confront them.
"Zijian returned with quite the flourish." Fa Zheng clicked his tongue in amazent. He had barely enjoyed a few days of peaceful life at ho before Zhang Fei dragged him back to the battlefield. However, he didn't complain; achievents stemd from the battlefield, and so did titles of nobility. This was the place where n forged their glories.
"As expected of the Xiliang Iron Cavalry..." Chen Xi tugged at the corners of his mouth as he spoke. This army, the largest and most ferocious of elites, lived up to its na.
"However, while they look intimidating from afar, up close there's quite a bit of disorder." Chen Chi, who had been stationed in Jiyin, ca forward to et Hua Xiong and his n. As the Xiliang Iron Cavalry ca nearer, their equipnt beca more clearly visible.
It could be said that if not for their fearso and heroic aura that caused everyone to feel an almost suffocating pressure, calling the Xiliang Iron Cavalry refugees wouldn't be an exaggeration.
A glance over them revealed that apart from a few leaders who wore armor, presumably officers, the rest of the Xiliang Iron Cavalry had almost nothing that could connect them to the concept of "iron"—perhaps only their weapons. And even those weren't standardized—this supposedly elite force didn't even have uniform weapons.
"It's only an issue of equipnt. The strength lies not in the weapons but in the people. Don't be fooled by their lack of armor or protective gear; they are still the strongest cavalry in the world!" Zhang Fei said gruffly. Despite their refugee-like appearance, Zhang Fei could only feel admiration for the Xiliang Iron Cavalry. For this ragtag band to claim the title of the world's strongest cavalry—bearing just a weapon in their hands—was truly remarkable.
"Exactly, any military force that ets them head-on in the plains is dood. The harsh environnt of Yongliang has forged their robust physicality, and the drawn-out battles with the Hu People have tempered their unyielding backbone of steel—external factors will not alter that," Chen Xi said with a heavy expression.
"Marshal Chen!" Hua Xiong led his troops as they charged forward, clasping his fists in salute. Within the military camp, the massive banner bearing the character 'Chen' had already made Chen Xi's identity on this campaign unmistakably clear.
"Enough with the formalities in the camp. I've already deployed over three hundred military dics, and I've brought veteran soldiers skilled in battlefield first aid as well. Let's save lives first; in the heat of sumr, untreated wounds will easily worsen," Chen Xi said, waving his hand and addressing Hua Xiong. "As for standardized armor and weapons, I've prepared those as well."
"Sigh, many brothers' wounds have already festered. We pushed ourselves to return here, but I fear so of the n won't make it." Hua Xiong sighed heavily. He didn't even want to ntion how so of the wounded had already succumbed along the way.
"Follow into the camp. dics, save the injured imdiately! As for the soldiers, after such a grueling journey, let them eat first. Other matters can wait," Chen Xi said with a sigh, ordering the dics to act quickly. Zhang Fei patted Hua Xiong's shoulder and said, "Well done."
"Alas, out of the forty thousand Xiliang Iron Cavalry, after fighting dozens of Qiang clans, less than twenty thousand remain, including the injured and ill. Even my retinue is completely gone," Hua Xiong said painfully.
Li Jue's final decision baffled Hua Xiong. He couldn't understand why Li Jue hadn't surrendered to him from the beginning. Hua Xiong believed that if Li Jue had surrendered, he would have sacrificed everything to secure a retreat to Yanzhou, to Liu Bei's territory.
"Don't dwell on it," Liu Ye said while patting Hua Xiong's shoulder. He understood Hua Xiong's thoughts, but he also realized that Li Jue had made the wisest choice. If things had gone as Hua Xiong wished and Li Jue's entire group had been accepted, even Liu Bei would've found it difficult to manage.
[Li Youu is truly formidable...] Liu Ye turned his gaze to the east. He was certain that Li Youu was indeed Li Ru, but he had no intention of exposing this fact. As long as they both shared the common goal of protecting Liu Bei, that was enough.
"Gong Xi, lead them to collect their weapons and armor," Chen Xi said to Chen Chi. Although the armor and weapons were third-line Tuntian Soldiers' stock, they were still vastly superior compared to the Xiliang Soldiers who had none.
"Wang Fang, Li ng, take them to retrieve their weaponry and armor—grab so extra as reserves, but don't waste resources," Hua Xiong turned to his officers and instructed. In the past, he might not have cared much, but seeing the Xiliang Iron Cavalry again reminded Hua Xiong of how they had once fought—iron armor had always been a re dream, and having leather armor was already considered fortunate.
"Yes!" Wang Fang and Li ng clasped their fists in salute, leading the Xiliang Iron Cavalry to the rear camp to collect armor. For Hua Xiong's orders, they complied without hesitation. Li Jue, Guo Si, and Fan Chou had already headed to the Western Regions, Zhang Ji was dead, and the Xiliang Iron Cavalry in the Central Plains recognized only Li Ru, Hua Xiong, and Zhang Xiu as their leaders.
Hua Xiong watched Hu Feng's departing figure before quietly retracting his gaze.
"The way you're looking at him feels rather sentintal," Zhang Fei asked curiously.
"He's Zhiran's nephew. I had high hopes for Boyuan, but it's a pity he defected to Cao Cao," Hua Xiong sighed. Even now, he couldn't fathom why Zhang Xiu hadn't chosen to follow him.
"Ah, don't worry, I'll look after him too. Speaking of which, I haven't noticed you having any close relatives," Zhang Fei said as he nodded, instantly understanding the source of Hua Xiong's gaze. The one companion who once shared the sa pot with him was now reduced to leaving behind just this one surviving relative—of course, he would care.
"No need to look after him; everything he needs, he must fight to earn himself. Don't tell anyone about this—my only responsibility is to ensure that his every achievent remains undiminished. Beyond that, I won't do anything else," Hua Xiong said, shaking his head. "As for the relative you ntioned, I t him when I was begging on the streets..."
"Ah." Zhang Fei didn't press further, nodding and leaving the matter alone. He understood very well who Hua Xiong was referring to.
"How is the situation in Guanzhong?" Chen Xi chatted idly with Liu Ye as they walked together.
"Not very good. With Cao Cao entering and taking control of Guanzhong, it's already inevitable. Although Hann Sui is touted as the Nine Curves Yellow River, how should I put it—based on my assessnt, if he dared enter Guanzhong, even if I only had a tenth of his forces, I'd be able to devour him entirely," Liu Ye said with a smirk of disdain.
"Fine, fine. Guanzi produces generals; Guandong produces ministers. You know how it is. Where do you think Cao Cao is planning to expand next?" Chen Xi nodded and asked.
"Exactly. In Sili, I ca across many experts. Though not all belong to Cao Cao, Zijian admitted to being unable to overco four or five of them. Among them, there were one or two individuals Zijian guessed might not be any weaker than Zilong..."
"Is this a joke? 'Guanzi produces generals' doesn't an you can churn them out like this," Chen Xi turned and scrutinized Liu Ye.
"Zijian, you're not joking, right?" Zhang Fei, with his keen senses, subtly chid in. Liu Ye and Chen Xi's conversation had reached his ears word for word. (To be continued. If you enjoy this story, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian) to cast your recomndation votes or monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian to read.)
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