novelSusiti Chapter 90: Helan Captured Alive, the Great Battle Ends
Chapter 90: Helan Captured Alive, the Great Battle Ends
"No! No! General, you are wise... I... I was just a grain transport laborer, this... this seal was found..."
Helan Cangfeng was terrified and denied the allegations incoherently, even trying to struggle, but the trembling in his voice and his panicked eagerness to clear his name only made him seem more suspicious.
"Take him away! Search him thoroughly!" Li Jianyuan stopped listening to his nonsense and gave the order sternly.
At this moment, the madness of seeking revenge for Wang Zhong has been temporarily suppressed by this sudden discovery that could change their fate.
If this person is truly Helan Cangfeng... what an incredible feat that would be!
Several soldiers rushed forward like wolves and tigers, ignoring Helan Cangfeng's pig-like screams and struggles, and tied him up tightly with their ropes, making him look like a pig or sheep waiting to be slaughtered.
Li Jianyuan bent down and picked up the heavy gold seal.
It feels cool and heavy to the touch, and the tiger on the seal is depicted with exquisite detail, exuding a fierce and imposing aura.
He suppressed his excitement, wiped away the mud from the bottom of the print with his sleeve, and carefully examined it by the firelight.
Although I don't recognize the Dongyi script, the intricate patterns and the distinctive tiger-head seal in the center are exactly the same as the token of the legendary Dongyi marshal!
Still not satisfied, he ripped off the seemingly ordinary, equally dirty leather pouch from Helan Cangfeng's waist and emptied its contents.
Several small and exquisite tokens were engraved with Dongyi script and special symbols. There was also an object tightly wrapped in bright yellow silk. When opened, it was a tiger tally made of black iron, with an ancient shape and exuding a solemn aura!
"That's right! It's him! Marshal Helan Cangfeng of the Eastern Barbarians!!"
Li Jianyuan's voice trembled slightly with extreme excitement and disbelief, and his hand holding the golden seal and military tally was even a little numb.
He never imagined that, driven by his burning desire to avenge his predecessors, he would charge into the chaos of the front lines and, by a twist of fate, intercept the enemy's supreme commander, who was attempting to disguise himself and escape! It was an unbelievable coincidence!
"Squad leader! We...we've captured Helan Cangfeng?! The Grand Marshal of the Eastern Barbarians?!"
The soldiers under his command were all stunned, staring wide-eyed at the middle-aged man on the ground, bound like a dumpling and devoid of any former imposing presence. Then they erupted in almost frenzied cheers! This achievement was enough to change the fate of all of them!
"Silence!" Li Jianyuan forcibly suppressed his boiling blood and quickly regained his composure. He knew that this matter was of great importance and had to be reported immediately.
"You two, keep an eye on the other prisoners! The rest of you, come with me! Immediately escort this man, along with these seals and military tallies, to the central army to find His Highness! Hurry! If you encounter any obstacles along the way, kill them without mercy!"
He left two of his most vigilant soldiers to guard the prisoner, while he himself, carrying the golden seal and military tally, led the rest of his men, as if protecting a priceless treasure, to escort Helan Cangfeng, whose face was ashen and who could only whimper unconsciously.
They charged desperately through the chaotic battlefield, heading in the general direction of the central army's banner and the king's banner, as they remembered. Along the way, they encountered small groups of fleeing soldiers or areas still engaged in battle, and they shouted loudly.
"Get out of the way! Emergency military situation!" or they might simply brandish their swords and charge forward recklessly.
As Li Jianyuan's team escorted Helan Cangfeng, they cleaved through the chaos and obstacles as if cutting through waves.
Finally breaking through the last wave of defeated soldiers, panting but incredibly excited, he appeared before Tian Heng, who was directing the final encirclement under the Xuanjia King's banner. The clamor of the entire core battlefield seemed to freeze for a moment.
"Your Highness!" Li Jianyuan mustered all his strength and knelt heavily on one knee.
He raised the golden seal and military tally high above his head with both hands, his voice hoarse from excitement and the long run, yet exceptionally loud, clearly piercing through the lingering sounds of battle around him:
"This humble officer, Li Jianyuan, the fifth sergeant of the third battalion of the second battalion of the Imperial Guard, intercepted this man in the northwest debris area of the main camp while pursuing the defeated enemy!"
They also found the golden seal of the Eastern Barbarian Marshal, and the troop-mobilizing tiger tally here! After preliminary identification by my subordinates and myself, this man is indeed the enemy chieftain and false commander, Helan Cangfeng!
Military rank in the Great Xia Dynasty
Five people form a squad, with a squad leader.
Two groups of five are called a "shi" (什), and a "shi" leader is appointed for each group.
Five units were formed into a village, and a village head was appointed.
Five villages were formed into a single unit, each with a designated leader, consisting of 250 people.
The tenth bend was designated as the capital, and a commander was appointed with 2500 men.
Both capitals were designated as departments, each with a military commander, totaling 5000 men.
The two armies were divided into two camps, each headed by a colonel, with 10000 men.
Five battalions formed an army, each headed by a general, with 50000 men.
However, some special military units can be divided into large and small battalions. Although they have battalion-level organization, they do not have enough personnel.
In an instant, the area within dozens of steps of Tian Heng seemed to freeze under an invisible force. All eyes were on him.
From Tian Heng, Huangfu Gong, and Wanyan Aguda, to the surrounding Zhaowu Guard generals and personal guards, everyone's attention was focused on the middle-aged man who was tightly bound, slumped on the ground, wearing a dirty fur coat and with a filthy, terrified face.
Then he looked at the two tokens in Li Jianyuan's hands, which shimmered with a unique and authoritative light in the firelight.
Helan Cangfeng... that powerful Eastern Yi marshal who led an army of 300,000 to invade the south was caught in the chaos of battle by a sergeant of the lowest rank of the Great Xia Imperial Guard in such an extremely disgraceful and almost comical manner.
Even with Tian Heng's unwavering will, a clear look of surprise flashed in his eyes at this moment.
It then transformed into a cold, knowing understanding, along with a barely perceptible hint of amusement.
Huangfu Gong gripped the Dragon Gallant Spear tightly, looking at the disheveled enemy commander on the ground. The flames of revenge burned fiercely in his chest, yet he felt that this ending was more ironic and satisfying than killing him with his own hands.
Wanyan Aguda's expression was extremely complex. He was relieved that Helan Cangfeng had not died at the hands of others, feared that the consequences would have been unimaginable if he had escaped, and was deeply wary of the fighting power and luck of the soldiers under the command of the Prince of Daxia.
"Okay!" Tian Heng's voice broke the brief silence, calm yet full of strength.
He looked at Li Jianyuan, who was still kneeling on the ground, trembling slightly with excitement, and his eyes revealed undisguised praise and commendation:
"Li Jianyuan? I've taken note. He fought bravely in battle, was meticulous to the bone, and discerned the enemy leader amidst the chaos, achieving such a monumental feat! After this battle, the court will surely bestow upon him a high promotion and a great reward! Now, take Helan Cangfeng into custody, along with his seal of office and military tally, and hand them over to the Central Army Commander for strict guard and verification of his identity!"
"Thank you for your great kindness, Your Highness! This humble servant swears to serve you to the death!"
Li Jianyuan's voice trembled with emotion as he kowtowed heavily. When he raised his head, his eyes were slightly red, as if through the lingering smoke of battle he could see the relieved smiles of Wang Zhong and his other fallen comrades.
The long-suppressed grief and resentment in his heart finally dissipated at this moment with this incredible achievement and His Highness's affirmation.
This dramatic yet unexpected episode, unfolding within the chaotic logic of war, serves as a brilliant footnote, adding a legendary touch to this magnificent decisive battle.
The news that the enemy's supreme commander was captured in such a disgraceful manner will completely crush the last shred of will to resist among the remnants of the Eastern Barbarian army.
Subsequently, Tian Heng, Huangfu Gong, and Wanyan Aguda successfully joined forces in front of the ruined Dongyi commander's tent. The Xuanxia King's Banner, Huangfu General's Banner, and Wanyan Wolf Head Banner fluttered side by side, officially announcing the complete victory and final conclusion of the Battle of Onon River.
The name of soldier Li Jianyuan, along with this legendary story of "a platoon leader capturing a marshal," quickly spread among the victorious Xia army, and his fate was completely changed from that point on.
The Li family of Youzhou, who would later become a renowned military clan that shook the northern frontier and was famous throughout the world, laid their initial and most solid foundation amidst the bloodshed and opportunities on the banks of the Onon River.