Chapter Forty-Nine: The Might of the Charge

In the next moment, a great cloud of dust rose in the distance directly ahead of Bocai, and the ground trembled ever so slightly. Through the haze, two grand banners gradually appeared before his eyes. On them were written the characters for "Han" and "Liu."

The instant Bocai saw that bold "Liu," an ominous feeling welled up in his heart. For he suddenly recalled a certain individual—none other than Liu Yao. Bocai’s knowledge of Liu Yao was largely thanks to Cheng Yuanzhi. Cheng Yuanzhi had once sought to expand his power in Youzhou, only to find the Yellow Turbans stifled at every turn under Liu Yao’s suppression. Thus, news of Liu Yao’s exploits had reached Zhang Jiao, who had expressly ordered each of his thirty-six commanders to be wary of this Liu Yao—a man so terrifying he could deal with the Wuwan tribes as he pleased.

When the dust finally settled, Bocai was utterly dumbfounded at the sight before him. He murmured, "What on earth is this?"

Advancing toward him was a unit led by a youth who appeared no older than fourteen or fifteen, clad in metallic armor and helmet, astride a magnificent yellow horse. In his hand he wielded a colossal battle-axe, whose size seemed almost absurd given his slender frame.

Behind him rode four formidable generals, each mounted on a steed of extraordinary quality. Further back, five thousand elite cavalry advanced in a long serpentine formation, followed by five thousand infantry. Astonishingly, the infantry kept pace with the cavalry, showing almost no lag.

But this was not the most remarkable aspect. What truly appalled Bocai was that every leader, every cavalryman, every infantryman wore thick, fish-scale-like armor of metal. Their weapons were strange in shape, yet awe-inspiring in appearance. Even the horses beneath the cavalry were swathed in armor, exposing only their eyes and hooves.

Bocai was filled with indignation and despair. Truly, comparisons between men are infuriating. He, the grand commander of more than a hundred thousand Yellow Turban troops, could only afford light armor, while even the Han soldiers within Changshe city wore little more than leather. Iron armor was reserved for distinguished generals like Huangfu Song or Zhu Jun. Yet, before him, even the lowest soldiers of the opposing force enjoyed better protection than the Han’s own commanders. In contrast, his Yellow Turban followers wore nothing but cloth—this was nothing short of humiliation.

Yet, as a commander, Bocai refused to show fear. Gritting his teeth, he shouted at the approaching troops, "Who goes there?!"

A booming voice answered, "I am Liu Yao, Grand General of the North and Governor of Youzhou. Bocai, traitor, prepare yourself!"

A chill ran through Bocai’s heart, but he quickly recovered, thinking, "So it truly is Liu Yao of Youzhou. But so what? They have but ten thousand troops, while I command over a hundred thousand. We could drown them in spit alone!"

"Ha! Grand General of the North, you say? If you want my life, you’ll have to prove you’re up to the task!" Bocai retorted with fury.

Liu Yao ignored Bocai’s words, his spirit soaring as he addressed those beside him, "Shi Ah, Guard Battalion—protect the strategist! Gao Shun, command the Vanguard Battalion! As for Hansheng, Zilong, Yide, would you care to join me in battle?"

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"Ha ha ha! My lord, old Zhang has been waiting for this day!" Zhang Fei roared with laughter.

"If our lord desires it, Yun will gladly accompany him," Zhao Yun chimed in.

"My life has long belonged to our lord. Wherever you point, my blade will follow," said Huang Zhong, resolute.

"Ha ha ha! Vanguard Battalion, charge with me!" Liu Yao cried out with delight. In the next instant, the five thousand strong Vanguard Battalion accelerated, stretching the distance between themselves and the Assault Battalion.

The Yellow Turbans, seeing the fully armored cavalry bearing down upon them, were thrown into panic. Bocai shouted, "Quick, everyone, attack them!" Soon, many Yellow Turban soldiers rushed toward Liu Yao’s forces.

As the two armies closed within five hundred paces, Liu Yao snapped down the visor of his iron helmet and shouted, "Vanguard Battalion, raise the repeating crossbows!" Instantly, every soldier reached for the repeating crossbow prepared at their saddle.

Over the years, these crossbows had been improved to a range of one hundred and fifty paces. The remaining three hundred plus paces vanished in a flash as the cavalry accelerated. Seizing his moment, Liu Yao bellowed, "Repeating crossbows—suppressive fire!"

In the next instant, countless arrows flew from the five thousand cavalry toward the Yellow Turbans. Those at the front were swiftly transformed into human pincushions. At a hundred paces, there was only time for three volleys. After three waves of arrows, swathes of Yellow Turbans collapsed.

Bocai stared in utter shock at the scene before him. He had never witnessed repeating crossbows capable of such rapid fire, and stood frozen in terror.

At fifty paces, Liu Yao continued his commands, "Vanguard Battalion, stow crossbows, ready lances, charge!"

In perfect unison, the Vanguard Battalion reattached their crossbows to their saddles and hefted Western-style knight’s lances, each as long as Zhang Fei’s snake spear. Gripping the handles, they rested the shafts across their saddles and charged straight at the Yellow Turbans.

Liu Yao, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and Huang Zhong led the charge, plunging into the masses. Liu Yao’s enormous axe, nearly the size of a door, swept through the surrounding Yellow Turbans, leaving bodies in pieces. Indeed, the weapon in Liu Yao’s hand was a battle-axe, forged personally by the European craftsman, and named by Liu Yao as the Primal Thunder Axe. Weighing over one hundred forty pounds—nearly twice as much as Guan Yu’s Green Dragon Crescent Blade—it was the heaviest weapon of the Three Kingdoms.

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There’s a story behind Liu Yao’s use of an axe rather than a spear. When Liu Yao first witnessed Zhao Yun’s Phoenix Spear technique, he eagerly asked to learn it. Zhao Yun did not refuse, but reality proved harsh: Liu Yao had no talent for spearplay, and after a year’s effort, made no progress. Reluctantly, Liu Yao abandoned the attempt.

It was Huang Zhong who offered advice. Since Liu Yao possessed prodigious strength, why not wield an axe? An axe relies on force more than technique. Liu Yao gladly accepted, and thus the Primal Thunder Axe was born. In a duel, Liu Yao might not match Gao Shun, but on the battlefield, his destructive power outshone even Zhang Fei and the others.

Behind him, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and Huang Zhong’s weapons moved in concert, leaving afterimages as they struck. The four men carved a bloody path through the tens of thousands of Yellow Turbans like a razor’s edge.

The Vanguard Battalion followed close behind, sweeping into the enemy ranks like a whirlwind. Their sharp lances harvested lives by the score.

The air filled with screams. Occasionally, a Yellow Turban swung a weapon at a Vanguard soldier, only for the blow to glance off the impenetrable armor, sending sparks flying and leaving the attacker unharmed. In the next moment, a knight’s lance would pierce the would-be assailant’s chest.

Bocai was dumbstruck, watching his troops ground to pieces, powerless before the enemy.

Liu Yao led his five thousand Vanguard Battalion from one side of the Yellow Turban formation to the other, leaving nearly ten thousand corpses in their wake.

"Vanguard Battalion, wheel about, scatter and slaughter!" Liu Yao commanded once more.

At his word, the five thousand cavalry dispersed, each soldier slaughtering the nearest Yellow Turban.

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