Chapter 48: barren mountain night

The night was shrouded in darkness as a group of exhausted and defeated soldiers, led by Lu Bu, made their way through the moonlit forest. The night air was chilly, and the branches of the trees appeared eerie under the moon's glow. The faint gurgling of a nearby river and occasional animal noises created an eerie atmosphere.

Near the riverbank, a lone hungry wolf cautiously approached to drink water, its senses alert to any potential threats. However, it soon detected the approaching group and fled into the forest.

The sound of horse hooves gradually grew louder as the group of soldiers came into view. Their pace was not hurried, but the signs of weariness and defeat were evident. Some soldiers were injured, and the entire group appeared weakened, like a defeated army.

"General, there's a river up ahead!" reported a Xiliang soldier who had been scouting the road. He bowed to Lu Bu, awaiting orders.

Lu Bu surveyed the surroundings and noted that the forest provided a decent cover, even if they couldn't enter it. With the jungle as their protective barrier, they could attempt to rest and recover. After a day of intense battles, the soldiers were physically and mentally exhausted, and without rest, they might not survive the next battle.

"Have the soldiers take turns to drink water and set up sentries," Lu Bu commanded. He dismounted and walked toward the riverbank, the cold sensation of Fang Tianhua's halberd providing some clarity to his weary mind.

"Yes, General!" The soldiers immediately went to carry out his orders. Gao Shun and Hua Xiong, who were leading the middle and rear troops, coordinated the efforts of the soldiers, making sure they drank water in shifts.

Hua Xiong, feeling dejected and confused about their location, approached Lu Bu and asked, "General, what's our next move? We've been running all day, and I have no idea where we are."

Lu Bu was also uncertain about their exact location. He had been engaged in battles or retreats and hadn't had the opportunity to orient himself. Nevertheless, he was more experienced than his subordinates and understood that maintaining order and morale among his troops was crucial.

"Gao Shun," Lu Bu called to his trusted officer.

"At your command," Gao Shun replied with a salute.

"Before dawn, I want you to count our numbers," Lu Bu ordered. He understood that knowing the size of their force was essential to determine their resource needs, especially food and forage. The first issue to address was the availability of supplies, as even without a clear sense of direction, they could not proceed without provisions. If there was insufficient food and forage, morale would plummet, and the soldiers might even abandon their cause. Their survival depended on finding a solution to the supply problem.

Lu Bu also considered the nearest city and the size of its garrison. The availability of resources and reinforcements would be critical to their next steps.

Gao Shun, who had received Lu Bu's orders, nodded and acknowledged the command. The number of their forces was significantly reduced, with only 817 soldiers remaining. Among them, there were 521 cavalry soldiers and 352 infantrymen from the Northern Army. The casualties and desertions along the way had taken a toll on their ranks.

Lu Bu knew that they were in a precarious situation, and their next move was crucial for their survival. He decided that their best course of action was to capture a nearby city, providing them with a temporary refuge and replenishing their supplies. However, to capture a city, they would still need to engage in battle, which meant they couldn't afford to rest for long.

As they discussed their plans, some soldiers had lit a bonfire, and the warm light cast shadows on the young faces gathered around. Lu Bu ordered the slaughter of some injured horses for food, as they couldn't afford to go into battle on empty stomachs.

They cooked the meat in makeshift pots, using helmets to prepare the meal. Despite the simplicity of their setup, the aroma of the cooking meat was inviting. Soldiers who had been through a grueling day eagerly gathered around the fire to eat and warm themselves.

As the night wore on, most of the soldiers settled down for some much-needed rest. Only the night watchmen remained vigilant. Gao Shun approached Lu Bu and reported that they had 817 soldiers left, including 521 cavalry and 352 infantry, but many were injured or had abandoned the group during the day's ordeal.

Lu Bu acknowledged the report and shared his plan to capture a nearby city the following day. He knew that they would have to fight to secure it, and he urged Gao Shun to rest as well, as they would need their strength for the upcoming battle.

Gao Shun accepted the order and took a bite of the horse meat before closing his eyes to rest. The challenges they faced were daunting, but they had no choice but to press forward and find a way out of their dire situation.