42. Ignorant Child

Shield bearers and spearmen formed a solid spear-and-shield formation on the outer perimeter, while swordsmen and archers inside provided ranged attack. When the nomadic cavalry charged, they first faced volleys from the archers, then a flurry of thrown spears from the swordsmen, and finally a defensive wall made up of countless long spears and heavy shields. After three or four rounds of slowing and confusion, the nomadic cavalry lost most of their impact; if only the Xinghan Army’s horse-drawn crossbow carts were more agile, even the Xianbei riders would have hesitated to approach! The current concern was: how would Xinghan infantry face enemies attacking from higher ground? Wang Bo couldn’t help but recall the Tang Dynasty’s formidable broadsword.

The Tang was the era most victorious against nomadic peoples, boasting the richest array of anti-cavalry tactics in history, with the broadsword especially esteemed by later generations. Drawing on his past-life experience, Wang Bo crafted two types of broadswords.

One was for infantry, named the “Infantry Broadsword,” seven feet long and weighing thirty pounds, comprised of a four-foot double-edged blade and a hardwood handle.

Originally, Wang Bo intended to imitate the modern saber and made the blade tip pointed, but after testing, found it impractical; the point lodged in the horse’s body and was hard to extract, sometimes dragging the wielder down with the charging beast. So he switched to a flat-tipped design, employing only diagonal slashes and upward sweeps, which both conserved energy and increased killing efficiency.

The handle, three feet long, was joined to the blade with a rivet, made from dense, cold mountain hardwood, with a ring at the end and hemp cord wrapped around for grip.

The other type was the “Cavalry Broadsword,” designed for mounted troops. The material was the same, but the blade was shortened to three feet with a pointed tip, and the weight reduced to a dozen pounds.

All broadswords were forged from painstakingly collected refined iron, and Wang Bo, using local methods and knowledge from his previous life, gave the blades a carbon steel finish. After testing a few, the blades gleamed coldly and whistled menacingly in the air.

With the broadsword successfully made, Wang Bo added a powerful new unit to the Xinghan infantry, the “Broadsword Battalion,” selecting the strongest men from the ranks. Each broadsword soldier was fitted with thick, refined iron armor, covering all vital areas—head, neck, chest, and abdomen—hammered and refined repeatedly, with added arrow-resistant masks, leaving only eyes, hands, and feet exposed.

After completing these new weapons, Wang Bo gathered Yang Feng, Chen Rong, Liao Hua, and others for field drills. All were satisfied with their performance and offered no better suggestions. He then ordered the War Department to select soldiers for training and the Logistics Department to step up production, demanding that the quota be met within two months to ensure early formation and training of the new units. Excited, everyone set to work.

A few days later, Chen Rong, looking troubled, came to Wang Bo to report that the iron ingots in the Logistics Department were being depleted too quickly; with current supplies, they could only fulfill a third of Wang Bo’s order.

Wang Bo was once again plagued by headaches: the merchant caravans had been tapped to their limits, his own small iron mine couldn’t produce enough, and though he could ask Ding Yuan for help, Ding Yuan’s own army was short on supplies. Even trading horses for iron would be a drop in the bucket—and Wang Bo felt guilty, having already taken advantage of him once.

What to do? After much deliberation, Wang Bo drew a blank, until Huang Long, who had lived in Youzhou, offered a suggestion: Yuyang Commandery was rich in iron ore, though most of its output used to be half sold, half given to the nomads by the then-governor Liu Yu. What was the current situation? Xinghan City could send someone to try and negotiate.

Upon hearing this, Wang Bo flared up! How could iron, desperately needed by the Han, be sold to the nomads? So that was how Liu Yu earned his good reputation—a classic traitor’s move, “better to help outsiders than your own people.” No! Wang Bo would not stand for it—he was determined to claim Yuyang’s iron for himself.

A gentle breeze and fine rain filled the air with the fragrance of spring, refreshing countless hearts. The thick clouds couldn’t block the bright sky behind them, merely casting a fleeting shadow that would soon be dispelled. The trees lining the road, their tender green buds nourished by the continuous drizzle, looked more vibrant than ever.

Clip-clop, clip-clop—on the muddy official road to Zhen Ding County, dozens of spirited horses approached, their riders laughing and chatting. They were Wang Bo and his party, heading south after successfully negotiating the wine-for-iron deal in Yuyang.

Desperate for iron to forge his strong army, Wang Bo ignored Yang Feng’s and others’ protests and insisted on visiting Yuyang’s governor to resolve Xinghan’s logistical worries once and for all. After organizing affairs in the army, he set out with the Wolf Owl Guard, bringing a large supply of Xinghan wine.

He had expected the trip to Yuyang to be arduous, and at first, the elderly governor ignored Wang Bo, a mere county magistrate, refusing even to let him enter. Then Wang Bo presented the recommendation from the Bingzhou Wang clan’s merchant caravan, offered the governor a taste of Xinghan wine, and especially showed him Gongsun Zan’s letter. The governor’s attitude changed, and he warmly received Wang Bo.

With many gifts, Wang Bo earned the governor’s consent for wine-for-iron exchange. Though Wang Bo privately scoffed at the governor’s demand to trade salt for the nomads, for safety’s sake, he cheerfully agreed to the deal. After flattering the governor, Wang Bo left his logistics team to negotiate further and took his leave.

He had intended to visit Gongsun Zan to thank him for his repeated help, but learned that Gongsun Zan had just organized his troops in Liaodong and was pursuing the Wuhuan invaders. Wang Bo let the idea go. Remembering Tian Feng and Zhao Yun, he journeyed north, and with his immense reputation for defeating nomads and his title as Xinghan County Magistrate, encountered no trouble along the way.

Several days later, after enjoying days of fine rain, Wang Bo and his group arrived at Zhao Yun’s hometown—Zhao Family Village in Zhen Ding.

Approaching the mountain-backed, water-adjacent Zhao Family Village, figures appeared atop the three-zhang-high walls. Though the gate was open, a dozen burly men stood guard with weapons, eyeing Wang Bo’s party warily as they drew near on horseback.

“Halt! Identify yourselves and state your intentions!” a cold voice sounded from the wall.

Xu Chu glanced at Wang Bo, then stepped forward and called loudly, “We are from Xinghan City! Our lord, the Magistrate of Xinghan, wishes to visit the talented Zhao Yun—Zhao Zilong! We ask your kind cooperation!”

“Oh? It’s the renowned General Wang? My apologies!… My younger brother has left for Liaodong to serve under General Gongsun. You’ve made the trip in vain!… If you have no other business, I won’t detain you.”

Listening to the fragmented speech from the wall, Wang Bo frowned in thought: That’s strange! According to the timeline, Zhao Yun shouldn’t have joined the army yet. Could my arrival in this world have prompted him to go to Gongsun Zan early? But the speaker’s tone changed from respectful to curt—was there something more?

Thinking this, Wang Bo strode forward with a laugh and shouted up, “Is that you, Zilong? Is this how Zhao Family treats guests? If you won’t show yourself, are you afraid we come with ill intent?”

“Hmph! What harm in meeting?” With these words, a handsome, slender young man in white, accompanied by the sound of hooves, pushed through the guards and stopped a few dozen paces before Wang Bo’s group. It was Zhao Yun, whom Wang Bo had met once at Jingxing Pass.

Zhao Yun stared at Wang Bo for a moment, expressionless, before speaking coolly, “General Wang’s victory over the nomads is well-known, yet you did not settle the refugees in Shanwu City. Why have you come to Zhao Family Village?”

“Oh? Haha… Zilong, I’ve come to visit you! Are you displeased?” Wang Bo replied, a bit embarrassed.

“Haha… General Wang, you humble me! I am unskilled, hardly worthy of your attention. Do you wish to teach me again here at Zhao Family Village?”

“Hmm… What do you mean, Zilong? Why are you so prejudiced against me? I have never offended you—why…”

“Ha ha ha…” Zhao Yun’s laughter, tinged with resentment, gave way to seriousness. “General, you jest! I am grateful for your mercy last time, yet our paths diverge. Your purpose here is clear to me, but I have no intention of going to Shanwu City. Please don’t force me.”

“So… Zilong, do you wish to remain here forever, unwilling to emulate our Han champion—riding, spear in hand, battling beyond the frontier?” Wang Bo asked urgently.

Zhao Yun paused, then replied unhurriedly, “Resisting the nomads is a great matter for the Han court, vital for both Youzhou and Bingzhou. There are many capable and brave men along the frontier. If I wish to fight the nomads, I can serve anywhere. Your army is full of skilled warriors; one more or less makes no difference. I understand your intentions—thank you for your regard.” With that, he turned to leave.

“You ignorant brat! Let Second Uncle Xu teach you how to behave!” Xu Chu, already seething, burst out angrily, but Wang Bo, his face dark, waved him back.

Yet the moment Xu Chu spoke, Zhao Yun’s face flushed with shame and anger. He took a deep breath, looked at Xu Chu’s fine steed, and sneered at Wang Bo: “Did you bring a decree from the Han Emperor?”

Wang Bo shook his head, puzzled.

“Do you have an enlistment order from the Bingzhou governor or Zhen Ding’s magistrate?”

Wang Bo paused, then shook his head again.

“Ha ha ha!” Zhao Yun laughed coldly. “Without official credentials from the Han, how can you demand my service? If I join the army, why not serve General Gongsun in Liaoxi? Why travel so far? You’re nothing but fugitives, without any Han mandate…”

“Enough!” Wang Bo, furious, ignored the sound of weapons drawn behind him. He swung his arms back forcefully, saying, word by word, “In that case, I have been presumptuous! The green hills will remain, the waters will flow; when we meet again, I hope it won’t be on the battlefield! Farewell!” With a brief salute, he led his red-eyed companions away.

Zhao Yun, his face showing regret, watched Wang Bo’s party depart in anger, opened his mouth to speak, then remembered Xu Chu’s seizure of his spear and horse—gifts from his mentor. He shook his head and returned to Zhao Family Village.

Wang Bo, his mood gloomy, paused by the roadside after leaving Zhao Family Village, gazing blankly at the brightening sky. Behind him, Xu Chu and the Wolf Owl Guard dared not disturb him, exchanging uncertain glances.

After a while, Du Yuan stepped forward and asked quietly, “My lord, shall we go to Ren County?”

Wang Bo took a deep breath and said firmly, “Let’s go! Why not?” Mounting up, he continued north, shouting, “So much for ‘different paths cannot be walked together’! I refuse to believe I need a butcher to eat a pig!” His brash words made everyone smile wryly, and the heavy mood soon lightened.

Upon reaching Ren County, they found Tian Feng had not yet returned from Ju Shou. Wang Bo joked to console his frustrated companions, “Good things take time! Let’s keep going!” The group marched on toward Ye City, where Ju Shou was.

On the way, they encountered many armed bandits, but seeing Wang Bo’s party—a few dozen men, each fierce and well-armed—they kept their distance, watching from afar. Wang Bo, protected by so many formidable warriors, felt no concern for his safety as they marched openly to Ye.

But approaching Ye, at Wu’an County, they did meet someone foolish.

Resting under the trees by the roadside, Wang Bo and his men watched the bewildered faces of the locals and ate their rations. Suddenly, the clanging of a broken gong sounded. As they quickly mounted up, several hundred armed men burst from the woods. The leader, hands on hips, shouted, “This mountain is mine, this tree is mine! To pass, pay the toll! Wahaha…” He burst into laughter.

Wang Bo’s group couldn’t help but laugh, glancing at Huang Long’s sheepish grin—this fool acted just like Huang Long did on his first appearance, picking fights at random, clearly courting disaster.

Huang Long, embarrassed, strode forward and waved impatiently, “You scoundrels! We are Xinghan Army! Leave at once, or my blade that has slain nomads will take your heads too!”

The leader was delighted, “Xinghan Army? Are you brothers of Xinghan Army?…” About to run back, he was blocked by a white-bearded man, who asked suspiciously, “You claim to be Xinghan Army—do you have proof? If you’re lying, I, Bai Rao, won’t be merciful!”

Wang Bo wondered at this, stopped the group, took out his magistrate’s seal, handed it to Huang Long, who turned and tossed it to Bai Rao, calling, “See for yourself!”

Bai Rao caught it deftly, examined it, and said, “I’ve never seen an official seal—do you have other proof?”

Before Huang Long could answer, Xu Chu shook his reins and growled, “My blade is proof enough!” He spurred his horse toward the bandits, and behind him, Zhou Cang and others drew their weapons, ready to fight.

Bai Rao hurriedly called, “Brothers, hold! I’ve heard General Wang of Xinghan always has the tiger general Xu Zhongkang at his side—might you be…?”

“Before you stands Xu Chu, Xu Zhongkang! My blade speaks for itself!”

“Oh?” Bai Rao studied Xu Chu, and seeing him about to attack, quickly smiled, “Forgive me, a flood has entered the temple—brothers, brothers! Let’s not fight!” He turned to the others, “We’ve long wanted to join Xinghan Army, and never expected to meet General Xu here. Please forgive our rudeness!” Then, still uneasy, he asked Wang Bo, “Are you…?”

“Yes, I am Wang Bo!” Wang Bo replied with a slight smile.

Once they recognized each other, Bai Rao and the leader both bowed to Wang Bo, addressing him as “lord.” Xu Chu, still confused, frowned and asked, “What’s all this…?”