Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 241: Chapter 232 Battle Report Enters the General Mansion

”Master!”

Yang Mingzhen approached with a weary expression, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

Yang Zhenshan gazed at his blood-stained face and calmly nodded, ”How are the brothers doing?”

By the end of the battle, the three hundred cavalry could no longer maintain their original formation, almost completely dispersed.

Yang Mingzhen showed an ugly smile and said, ”A few brothers are seriously injured, they are being treated!”

Yang Zhenshan didn’t say much, but rode his horse to the injured brothers.

The three hundred cavalry charged against a tribe of ten thousand, battling for more than two hours, their killing enormous, yet the number of injured soldiers wasn’t great: only twenty or thirty, and most of them with minor injuries, only six or seven were severely wounded.

After the slaughter, the soldiers’ emotions were somewhat somber and complicated.

Their feelings must be like Yang Zhenshan’s, chaotic after the frenzy.

Yang Zhenshan said nothing, just calmly knelt down to help bandage the wounded soldiers.

He washed their wounds with Spiritual Spring Water, administered the prepared medicinal liquor and herbs, and gave them some Spiritual Spring Water to drink.

Yang Zhenshan’s treatment was simple and proficient.

For two years, he had been researching Medical Skill – the processing of medicinal materials, the brewing of medicinal wines, and formulation of various prescriptions. Although he hadn’t systematically learned medical techniques, he had gained much knowledge about trauma treatment and the structure and meridians of the human body.

His calm demeanor also soothed the disoriented soldiers.

Soon, the quiet atmosphere became lively, and the soldiers began to actively clean up the battlefield, gather the bodies, collect materials, clear any remaining potential enemy threats, and herd the frightened livestock together.

”Mingzhen, go back and get Han Cheng to move the camp over here!”

”Be on your guard against sneak attacks by the Tu Mo Ge!”

Yang Zhenshan instructed Mingzhen.

They had already conquered this nearly ten thousand-strong Hu Clan settlement, and its military achievements and wealth were now in their hands, but they needed time to sort through all these spoils of war.

They certainly couldn’t be divided into two places, as it would give the enemy an opportunity.

Yang Mingzhen acknowledged and left with a few dozen cavalry.

Near dusk, Han Cheng finally arrived at Zhaerzi with a group of infantry and horse carts.

Looking at the bloody battlefield, Han Cheng’s face changed, but in the end, he said nothing.

He was not someone who hadn’t experienced the ways of the world; although such a bloody scene was rare, he had expected it.

After meeting with Yang Zhenshan, he immediately followed instructions and set up camp on a small hill not far from Zhaerzi.

...

Sunset over the western mountains.

In the Tu Mo Ge settlement, Zha Yan sat pale-faced in the principal seat inside the felt tent.

Several high-ranking members of the Tu Mo Ge were also inside, each with a pallid complexion, the atmosphere so heavy it was suffocating.

Abatai was dead!

Zhaerzi was destroyed!

Nearly half of the nearly ten thousand inhabitants of Zhaerzi were slaughtered, and though others had escaped, they became homeless refugees.

Such an outcome was beyond Zha Yan’s expectations.

He had experienced the garrison’s might and was afraid of it, but he never imagined that a thousand-strong garrison would destroy a nearly ten thousand-strong tribe in a single day.

It was an outcome he couldn’t dare to imagine.

”Chief, let’s run away!”

Finally, someone could not hold back and spoke up.

Zha Yan looked up, his eyes lifeless at the speaker.

Run!

Where to run?

If we run now, will they catch up?

Zha Yan’s eyes slowly sharpened.

”Yes, run, let’s run now!”

He spoke with a hoarse voice.

Previously, he was reluctant to move the tribe because he was afraid of an attack by the garrison during the relocation, but now he knew they must move.

Staying here, they would only end up like Zhaerzi.

Moving might also attract the garrison’s assault, but at least it could allow some tribespeople to escape the garrison’s pursuit.

Especially himself!

If it came to it, he would abandon the people!

Zha Yan thought privately, quickly making a decision.

Abandon the settlement, abandon the wealth, abandon most of the livestock, move overnight.

His decision was approved by the vast majority of tribespeople, and that night they began to flee from the settlement.

Their actions naturally could not escape the garrison scouts, and as soon as they started to flee, Yang Zhenshan received a report from the scouts.

However, Yang Zhenshan did not concern himself with the Tu Mo Ge’s relocation because the pressing matter for the garrison was to secure the current military achievements and spoils of war, not to continue chasing the Tu Mo Ge.

Of course, he didn’t give up on pursuing Tu Mo Ge. He had the scouts follow behind Tu Mo Ge, ready to seize the ripe prey when they had the time.

...

Jia City, Assistant General Mansion.

Today, Wang Bin repeatedly received military reports from various garrisons.

He would lead the Rescue Camp out of the pass tomorrow, so he had been occupied all day with the related tasks, only finding time now to review the garrison’s military reports.

After reading one report after another, Wang Bin’s brow furrowed slightly.

Under his command, there were five garrison camps, and now all five garrison camps have already been out of the territory for several days. He read three war reports, all of which showed no battle achievements.

”These cowardly wretches who cling to life and fear death!”

Wang Bin couldn’t help but curse.

Independently advancing beyond the pass, the garrison camps were fraught with dangers, but it was also the best opportunity to attain military honors.

Actually, Wang Bin had high hopes for them, and expected them could find the settlements of Hu Zei and earn battle achievements.

But now, having read three war reports, there were still no battle achievements.

No battle achievements would have been fine, perhaps due to bad luck, failing to locate the Hu Zei’s settlements. However, two people actually traveled less than a hundred miles after several days out of the pass, which clearly indicated their fear of advancing against the enemy.

Wang Bin had already decided that once the war was over, he would immediately dismiss these two cowards who feared the enemy.

Opening another war report, Wang Bin’s eyes lit up.

This time it was a report from Zhang Yuanwu, the garrison of Qihe City. According to his report, they had found a settlement of Hu Zei, but the settlement housed several thousand people, while he had less than six hundred men under his command. Therefore, this war report from Zhang Yuanwu was a request for reinforcements.

The main task of the garrison camps was to locate the settlements of Hu Zei. Of course, if they came across some small-sized settlements and the garrison camps were confident they could win, they could directly initiate an attack.

But if they encountered an unbeatable settlement, they should request reinforcements from Wang Bin.

This is the normal operation for a garrison camp, not like those cowards who cling to life and fear death.

Finding a settlement was a gain, a significant military merit.

Wang Bin’s mood improved considerably.

”This Zhang Yuanwu is a talent worth utilizing!”

Zhang Yuanwu was still very young, only thirty-two this year, the youngest among the five garrisons under his command.

He was very satisfied with Zhang Yuanwu and wouldn’t mind promoting him should he achieve battle successes.

However, his thoughts quickly shifted to the last war report.

Yang Zhenshan’s war report had been saved for the last, as it was the one he most anticipated.

Opening the report, Wang Bin saw its contents and a look of joy appeared on his face.

”Good, good, in just a few days, not only did they find a settlement, but they also defeated nearly a thousand Northern barbarian cavalry, beheading over eight hundred!”

Wang Bin was merely pleased, not surprised, by Yang Zhenshan’s results.

He understood Yang Zhenshan, understood the garrison of An Yuan City, and had anticipated that Yang Zhenshan would demonstrate his might in this campaign.

”Firstly, report the achievements!”

In his joy, Wang Bin did not forget to report the military merits for Yang Zhenshan.

Confirmation of military merits required sending someone from the General Mansion, and in this campaign against the East Sea Hu Clan, all the Assistant Generals harbored thoughts of comparison.

The lower-ranking Military Officers might not be aware, but the Assistant Generals all understood that Emperor Chengping and the court were watching this war closely, and that significant military merits in this battle would certainly be rewarded by His Majesty.

Beating over eight hundred heads, although not considered a grand achievement, was still a considerable military merit.

More importantly, this might be the first military merit in this battle.

Naturally, this first achievement would draw more attention.

Thinking of this, Wang Bin no longer hesitated, immediately calling upon his Personal Followers to send the war report to Chongshan Pass overnight.

...

The next morning.

Wang Bin led six thousand men from the Rescue Camp out of Jia City, while Yang Zhenshan’s war report also reached the General Mansion.

Today was the departure day for all the reinforcing camps, and the next day would be Liang Chu, commanding the Camp, heading out of the pass.

Early in the morning, Liang Chu was already busy in his study; it was about time for his campaign, and there were still many matters needing his attention, especially regarding the supply of provisions.

The provisions reserve in Chongshan Town was ample, but transporting the provisions was even more crucial.

Although he had already made arrangements before, on the eve of the operation, he still needed to carefully oversee everything to prevent any slip-ups.

Just then, Lu Chong, his staff, came in with a smile on his face.

”Marquis, a report of victory!”

”A report of victory!”

Liang Chu lifted his head in surprise.

Ordinary war reports would not be delivered to him; since it was called a report of victory, it must be no small success.

”Please have a look, Marquis!” Lu Chong quickly handed the report to Liang Chu.

Liang Chu quickly scanned it, a faint smile appearing on his face.

It was Yang Zhenshan’s war report, from his future in-laws.

”Arrange someone to confirm the military merits!”

It was good news, naturally, he was happy.

However, he was just briefly pleased; although the victory wasn’t small, it had little impact on the overall situation of the war.

Since it was the military merit of his future in-law, he would confirm it first, and later it would be easier to claim rewards and honors for his future in-laws.

Lu Chong responded and left the study.

Afterward, he selected an official to lead two civil servants and two soldiers bearing a small flag to confirm the military merits.

However, by the time this group found Yang Zhenshan, four days had already passed.

Inside the garrison camp.

”Yuan Wanli, the official from General Mansion, pays his respects to Master Yang!”

Yuan Wanli, who appeared to be in his early thirties with a somewhat gaunt face, greeted Yang Zhenshan with the utmost respect.

If it were a regular garrison, he probably wouldn’t be so respectful; after all, he was an official from the General Mansion responsible for verifying military merits, and his position of office made him praised wherever he went in Chongshan Town.

However, in front of Yang Zhenshan, he didn’t dare to put on airs.

No help for it, the Yang family was the prospective in-laws of the Marquis Mansion; he dared not offend Yang Zhenshan.