Chapter 187: The Distant West
Jin Chuiduo’s proficiency in the Xiongnu language was insufficient to translate all conversations. Once the discussion deviated from the predetermined topics, her translations became even more clumsy.
Fang Daye was slightly better at speaking Xiongnu. Having served on the frontier for decades, he had fought against the Xiongnu during wartime and had dealings with them during peacetime, even making a few friends.
The Chanyu first brought up past events, asking the old general if he had participated in the famous Battle of Mayi City decades ago. Fang Daye nodded. That was a war during the early years of the Martial Emperor’s reign. After that battle, the Chu empire shifted from defense to offense, winning consecutive victories and eventually forced the Xiongnu to split into eastern and western factions.
In that battle, both sides had large armies and were unwilling to yield. The conflict lasted for half a month, with the battlefield gradually extending to the northern plains. The Xiongnu attempted to lure the Chu army into terrain more favorable for cavalry warfare, but the Chu army, in high spirits, followed them onto the steppes.
Both sides showed fierce determination, but ultimately, the imperial army proved superior, and the Xiongnu were defeated, admitting their defeat wholeheartedly.
At that time, the Chanyu was still a prince, and Fang Daye was merely a junior officer in charge of fifty soldiers. Neither played a significant role in the war, but both had the deepest impressions of that battle.
“Grand General Deng Liao was like a deity in warfare. Wherever he commanded us to go, we pursued relentlessly. Eventually, we would always catch up with the fleeing Xiongnu. That was the first time I earned a merit on the battlefield…”
“The Xiongnu were not fleeing. Our tactic was to lure the enemy into pursuit and then turn to fight when they were exhausted. It’s our traditional strategy.”
“The Grand General saw through your tactics and pursued without giving you a chance to turn back.”