Volume Three: Southern Campaign and Territorial Expansion Chapter 108: Wu Zhen Army's Lei Man

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Lei Man’s ten thousand-strong Wuzhen Army was stationed at Modao Creek in Shizhou. Modao Creek was said to be connected to Guan Yu, who once passed through there, sharpening his Green Dragon Crescent Blade by the riverbank, hence the name Modao Creek. This creek was a tributary south of the great river, directly opposite the Yun’an salt wells at the river’s mouth.

Lei Man’s deployment had a clear purpose: to raid the Yun’an salt wells. True to his nature, the bandit would not return empty-handed. The vanguard of two thousand Wuzhen soldiers boarded boats to cross the river. Most wore the native tribal attire, with warriors adorned in earrings; Lei Man himself had shaved hair, tattoos, and gold ear rings—an intimidating figure.

Downstream on the opposite bank from Modao Creek lay the salt trade docks, where hundreds of ships were moored, guarded by three hundred official soldiers. Lei Man’s strategy was to seize the merchant ships first, ferry the entire army across the river, plunder the Yun’an salt wells, then launch a rapid assault on Kuizhou city. If the city could not be taken swiftly, the plan was to retreat immediately, board the ships, sail downstream to Dongting Lake, and return to their stronghold in Langzhou.

At dawn, a thousand elite vanguard soldiers crossed the river, charging toward the northern docks, overwhelming and annihilating the dock’s garrison, seizing the docks and capturing merchant vessels. They then rowed to the southern bank to ferry the remaining eight thousand main troops. Once all ten thousand Wuzhen troops had crossed, Lei Man led the army in a raid on the Yun’an salt wells.

While the Wuzhen Army was looting, a hidden scout of the Jingnan Army quietly descended the river in a light boat, reporting the Wuzhen Army’s movements back to Cheng Rui in Guizhou. Cheng Rui, who had long dealings with the Wuzhen Army, understood Lei Man’s intentions. With a cold sneer, he ordered ten thousand troops to sail to Dongting Lake to seize Yanzhou and Langzhou.

Cheng Rui’s breach of agreement was discovered by a Wuzhen scout, but messages sent downstream traveled quickly, while those sent upstream from Guizhou were slow. After plundering the Yun’an salt wells, the Wuzhen Army sailed downstream to attack Kuizhou city (Fengjie).

Approaching Kuizhou, Lei Man personally led eight thousand soldiers ashore to attack the city. Although Kuizhou had reinforcements from Guizhou, it also received support from Wanzhou troops. Gao Yan, the provincial governor, was informed of the attack on the Yun’an salt wells.

Concerned that the enemy’s assault on the salt wells was meant to lure Kuizhou’s garrison out, Gao Yan chose a conservative approach: to hold the city and not respond rashly. He believed that as long as Kuizhou city remained secure, other losses were less significant. Another reason for his caution was the poor equipment and morale of Kuizhou’s troops.

The Wuzhen Army, now at the city walls, fired arrows with a demand for surrender. Gao Yan on the battlements ignored the message, catching the arrow-scroll and tossing it over the wall. Lei Man then ordered the assault.

Two thousand Wuzhen warriors launched a fierce attack, fearlessly carrying ladders to the walls, crossing the moat via a bridge, and raising the ladders amid a hail of arrows from over a thousand archers behind them. In contrast, Kuizhou’s defenders had only about thirty bows, few armored soldiers, mostly lightly armed spearmen.

Guizhou’s garrison was similarly ill-equipped, reflecting the poor combat strength of the southern Sichuan forces stationed in Badong. Wei Fufeng did not neglect Badong, but prioritized elite troops for Sichuan’s southern defenses. Most of the crossbows produced in southern Sichuan were allocated to garrison forts, while city defenders generally had bows at best.

Garrison troops with crossbows had two advantages: boosting courage and inflicting heavy casualties. No army wished to suffer heavy losses attacking a fort that yielded little plunder.

Kuizhou’s defenders numbered over ten thousand, comparable to the attacking Wuzhen troops, but in open combat they would be utterly routed. Lei Man was notorious for his ferocity, and the Wuzhen Army was a band of fierce marauders.

Four ladders were raised against the wall, and four waves of agile Wuzhen soldiers quickly climbed up.

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The defenders on the wall braved the arrow storm, dropping rolling logs and stones. Screams of pain filled the air as many defenders were struck down by arrows. Fierce combat erupted atop the battlements—some brave enough to reach the parapet were impaled by pikes, while the pikemen themselves were hit by the raining arrows. The cries of agony created a chaotic, terrifying scene.

Lei Man’s gaze fixed on the wall where over three hundred Wuzhen soldiers had fallen. Observing that the defenders remained orderly and the attackers could not breach the parapets, he decisively ordered a retreat and re-embarkation.

Governor Gao Yan watched the retreating enemy but did not order a pursuit. Pan Zhiwu, the commander standing beside him, remained silent. Pan Zhiwu was formerly a captain of the Tiger Guard in the Eastern Capital, recently promoted and transferred to the front.

“How do you assess the situation, Lord Pan?” Gao Yan asked, wary of appearing overconfident.

“Our forces are only suited for defense,” Pan replied candidly. Gao Yan smiled and nodded, then invited Pan to assist with the aftermath.

...

The Wuzhen Army sailed downstream past Wushan and Badong, passing Guizhou’s jurisdiction over Zigui County, where they spotted extensive Jingnan encampments. Lei Man stood at the prow, watching indifferently.

“Sir, why are there no Jingnan ships in sight? Scouts reported that ten thousand Jingnan troops arrived by boat in Guizhou,” a general behind him suddenly asked.

Lei Man was startled, then his expression darkened. Clenching his teeth, he cursed, “Dastardly thieves! How dare they break their word?”

...

Ten thousand Jingnan troops sailed downstream, landing on the southern bank at Shishou County, then launched a rapid assault on Yanzhou’s seat, Yanyang County.

Yanyang was garrisoned by Lei Man’s son, Lei Yanwei, who commanded three thousand troops. With the enemy at the gates, a fierce siege ensued.

Before Jingnan’s arrival, Lei Yanwei received early scout reports and sent for reinforcements from Langzhou, where Lei Man’s other son, Lei Yangong, commanded another three thousand troops.

Despite discord between the brothers, Lei Yangong dared not refuse aid, dispatching a thousand troops to assist.

Unexpectedly, by the next afternoon, over ten thousand troops arrived from the west—Commandant Wang Wentao leading fifteen thousand Sichuan southern forces.

Wang Wentao was once a captain of the Tiger Guard but lacked experience commanding large armies; the journey had been arduous.

Upon arrival, after a brief rest, Wang launched a full-scale assault on Wuling County seat in Langzhou, neglecting the customary practice of offering terms before battle.

All fifteen thousand Sichuan troops joined the fight. Along the way, many ladders had been constructed to assault all accessible parts of the walls.

The ferocity of the assault strained the defending two thousand Wuzhen troops, who were themselves poorly trained.

Soon, breaches appeared in several sections of the wall. The Sichuan troops, fatigued from the long march but sensing imminent victory, surged forward with unstoppable momentum.

Seeing the dire situation, Lei Yangong led several hundred survivors through the water gate to flee down the Yuan River.

The Sichuan troops occupied Wuling County seat, resting and taking control.

Meanwhile, the northern Jingnan troops also captured Yanyang County, entering and securing the city. Lei Yanwei was killed defending it.

...

Early the next morning, Lei Man’s fleet landed at Shishou County. Leading eight thousand troops, he hurried toward Yanyang. The remaining forces sailed into Dongting Lake to return to Langzhou by water.

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On the way, Lei Man learned that Yanyang County had fallen and that his son had died. Enraged, he led his troops to the city and launched a desperate assault, regardless of cost.

The Jingnan troops who held Yanyang were elite soldiers. Though they suffered over a thousand casualties, they withstood the Wuzhen Army’s siege. After a fierce battle, the Wuzhen Army lost three thousand of their eight thousand men.

Realizing the situation was hopeless, Lei Man withdrew, nursing his bitterness, but the Jingnan troops pursued relentlessly, chasing them into Langzhou’s territory.

Lei Man sent messengers to his son Lei Yangong for reinforcement, but a mounted courier was captured by the Sichuan troops.

Commander Wang Wentao and his officers debated, most agreeing to hold the city and not sally out.

Though the Sichuan forces were numerous, their equipment was mediocre, and few were battle-hardened. Having fulfilled their military orders from the governor’s office, it was safer to defend rather than risk costly victories.

One officer suggested raising Wuzhen Army banners to deceive the enemy into entering the city.

Wang agreed, having some soldiers don Wuzhen uniforms and swiftly clean away signs of the recent assault.

Lei Man’s army retreated to their stronghold, his anger burning for a decisive battle with the pursuers. Yet, with heavy losses and morale shattered, he could only endure his resentment and withdraw.

As he neared Wuling County seat, his fury intensified. He refused to believe his son had disobeyed orders, blaming the messenger for failure. Leading the charge, he reached the city gates.

“Open the gates!” Lei Man shouted, looking up, only to see his own troops on the walls.

The drawbridge clattered down, and the gates creaked open.

Lei Man and his guards crossed the bridge into the city. He violently lashed a soldier with his whip, who groaned and fled, clutching his head and pressed against the wall.

Lei Man rode on into the inner ward, followed by hundreds of guards.

Suddenly, the drawbridge was raised, and the gates slammed shut. From the walls, volleys of pikes and arrows rained down. Thousands of Sichuan troops lined up, hurling their pikes.

Shocked, Lei Man was struck by over twenty pikes, three piercing vital organs. Sadly, his fine horse died with him.

Within the inner ward, screams and curses echoed in chaos. In the end, only twenty-six survived in the gatehouse.

On the walls, hundreds of men, women, and boys were bound at the parapets.

Five loud captives shouted in turns from the walls, declaring that twenty thousand troops under the Qianzhong Military Commissioner had seized Langzhou. They demanded the Wuzhen commanders outside surrender, threatening to kill their families if they refused.

Outside, over five thousand Wuzhen soldiers erupted in chaos. Many cursed the city defenders, while others clamored for an assault.

Commander Wang Wentao ordered the bodies in the inner ward stripped of armor and thrown from the walls. Hundreds of bloodied corpses fell into the moat.

Lei Man’s severed head was hung on the city wall. The sight of the fallen silenced the outer Wuzhen troops.

Those killed were Lei Man’s closest guards. The remaining forces outside had fragmented into many factions.