Moma Liangshan

Chapter 230 Ultimate Technique, New Blood Tofu

Killing prisoners of war is hardly shocking on the front lines, but after a moment's thought, Yang Yong asked, "Prisoners can be killed, the dead can be buried, but what about the wounded?" Lin Chong already had the answer in mind, saying, "Provide them with warhorses, weapons, and rations, and they can return to the main camp in Shangjing on their own. You will treat them well!" Yang Yong hesitated for a long time before finally reminding him, "The journey to Shangjing is hundreds of miles. A group of wounded and sick traveling together could be dangerous!" Lin Chong replied, "Before we set out, I made it very clear that only two or three out of ten of the eight hundred soldiers would return victorious!" Yang Yong sighed involuntarily. Lin Chong was not heartless, and said earnestly, "You, sir, are leading from the front, personally going to the decisive battle. What about you and I, clad in armor and riding swift horses deep behind enemy lines?"

Yang Yong and Zhao Tuo were both promising talents, but unfortunately, they had only been in the army for a short time and were new to actual combat. They inevitably suffered a huge mental shock after the fierce battle. They said, "Young Master said, and General also said, that as long as we join the Hungry Wolf Legion, we will be brothers who will fight to the death. But we are not letting the wounded return to the Shangjing camp on their own. We have no intention of letting them fend for themselves!" Yang Yong was not only Lin Chong's capable assistant, but also his beloved disciple to whom he had devoted countless efforts. Seeing Yang Yong's confusion and bewilderment, Lin Chong was furious at his lack of resolve and reprimanded him, "Returning to the capital is tantamount to certain death, while staying here is also a near-certain death. We've given up the good life in Jiaozhou, yet we insist on coming to this harsh and barren land to lick the blood of knives. Have you ever thought about why?" Yang Yong was speechless, so Lin Chong continued, "Because once the overall situation collapses, there will be no place for us to live in this world!" Lin Chong's words were like a wake-up call, and Yang Yong suddenly understood, asking, "Will the Jurchen's iron hooves really trample the mountains and rivers of the Song Dynasty?" Lin Chong did not answer directly, but said, "In terms of military strength alone, the Song Dynasty is inferior to the Liao Dynasty; in terms of wealth alone, the Liao Dynasty is inferior to the Song Dynasty; we've already taken down the tough nut, so why wouldn't we eat the remaining fat meat?" Yang Yong was ultimately a promising talent; with a little guidance, he understood the reasoning and replied, "It was my foolishness that prevented me from understanding the general's good intentions sooner!"

After annihilating the Jurchen cavalry, Morigen and Zhao Tuo's troops joined forces and attacked the Jurchen strongmen who were guarding the grain carts. During the march, Zhao Tuo suggested to Morigen, "I have a proposal I'd like to discuss with Commander Mo!" Morigen was a servant given to Wang Hao by Gaochang. Although he had been freed from slavery and allowed to join the army, he remained cautious, fearing to offend Zhao Tuo and the other Han Chinese from Jiaozhou. Therefore, he carefully replied, "Please speak, Commander Zhao!" Zhao Tuo said, "If I'm not mistaken, there shouldn't be any archers among the remaining enemy forces, right?" Morigen nodded and said, "Although the people of the grasslands are known for their fierceness, those who can draw a bow and shoot arrows are undoubtedly revered heroes, not commoners!" After hearing Morigen's analysis, Zhao Tuo became even more determined and said, "I want to put away my bow and arrows and fight on horseback!" Morigen instantly understood Zhao Tuo's intention and was also amazed by the learning ability of these Han Chinese from Jiaozhou. He said, "Commander Zhao, go ahead and fight! I'll provide support from the outside!" Zhao Tuo's wish was fulfilled, and he cupped his hands, saying, "Thank you, Commander Mo!"

With Morigen's cooperation, Zhao Tuo was able to act freely. When the Jurchen grain convoy came into view, Zhao Tuo immediately ordered, "Fight on your own! Kill them on the spot!" He then charged ahead, the first to engage in battle. The clatter of hooves broke the silence of the wilderness. However, the Jurchen grain transport officer assumed it was his own cavalry returning in triumph, even laughing at his attendant, "Your general is really in a hurry, already donning iron helmets and armor?" The attendant replied with a chuckle, "The general is a swordsman, and now that he's returning in triumph, naturally he should wear new clothes!" However, the closer they got, the more rapid the hoofbeats became. When they were a hundred paces away, the grain transport officer suddenly realized what was happening, sat up in shock, and shouted with all his might, "Enemy attack! Enemy attack!" The men left behind were only able-bodied; though they had weapons, they had no will to fight. In an instant, they scattered.

Zhao Tuo calmly drew his sword from the side of his saddle. The blade, slightly curved, gleamed with a frosty light, tracing a flowing, graceful arc in the setting sun. However, the resonance of steel and sunlight was quickly masked by a gushing fountain of blood. Zhao Tuo's blade had silently severed the blood vessel in his enemy's neck. Morigen watched from afar as the usually gentle and refined Zhao Tuo appeared, never imagining that on the battlefield he could so easily reap the lives of his enemies, like a grim reaper. In less than a quarter of an hour, six men had fallen at Zhao Tuo's hands. Anyone else would have stopped while in the heat of battle, but Zhao Tuo, contrary to his usual behavior, spurred his horse back to Morigen's side, surveyed the entire battlefield, and said, "The outcome is decided!" Morigen wasn't particularly interested in the battle's result, as victory was already assured. He said, "Compared to the final result, I'd like to see Commander Zhao's saber!" Zhao Tuo smiled knowingly, but said, "The sabers of the Hungry Wolf Cavalry all come from the Jiaozhou Ironworks; aside from the different serial numbers, they are identical!" Morigen was equally direct, saying, "Brand new sabers are all the same, but sabers that have been used in battle each have their own characteristics!" Zhao Tuo laughed heartily, saying, "Commander Mo truly has discerning eyes!" He then presented the saber.

Morigen drew his sword with lightning speed, so fast it was almost blinding. He then took out a wine flask from his waist and used strong liquor to wash away the remaining bloodstains on the blade. After examining it repeatedly, he said, "Six enemies killed, yet the blade is completely undamaged. Such swordsmanship is unprecedented!" Zhao Tuo, a straightforward man, asked, "Commander Mo, have you discerned the secret?" Morigen replied, "I have a vague understanding!" Zhao Tuo no longer kept him in suspense and said directly, "Only cut the flesh, without touching the spine!" Morigen unconsciously touched his throbbing carotid artery and uttered only one word: "Brilliant!"

After the battle was over, Morigen said, "I have a favor to ask, and I hope Commander Zhao will not be offended!" Zhao Tuo nodded and said, "Please speak, Commander Mo!" Morigen said, "I would like to know how Commander Zhao came up with such a deadly move?" Zhao Tuo laughed involuntarily and said, "In my hometown, there is an ingredient called 'blood tofu,' and the method to make it is to cut the blood vessels in the neck of pigs and sheep, then collect the flowing blood in a large basin, and patiently wait for the blood to coagulate. My third uncle happens to be a butcher!" Morigen suddenly realized and said, "Commander Zhao, this deadly technique must be promoted throughout the army!" Zhao Tuo smiled slightly and said, "Commander Mo's sword-drawing skills must also not be kept secret!" Morigen replied, "Practice makes perfect!"