More than ten thousand Manchu cavalry chased westwardsafter the Third Unit of the Muslim's Black FlagBrigade. The Muslims were riding the best horses, butthe commander of the Manchu troops was under ordersfrom General Zhao Wei to catch the Muslim force, andhe urged his men on mercilessly. The two armiescharged across the desert, the roar of horses's hoovessounding like thunder. After a few dozen miles, a herdof several thousand cattle and sheep suddenly appearedin the path of the Manchu army and the soldiers chasedafter them shouting for joy, and killed as many asthey could for food. Their pace slowed. The Muslims,meanwhile, galloped on, never once being forced toclash with the pursuing Manchu troops. Close toevening, they saw a pall of thick smoke rising fromthe east.

　　"Mistress Huo Qingtong has won!" The Muslim commandershouted. "Turn back east!" The warriors' spiritssoared and they reined their horses round. Seeing themturning, the Manchu troops were perplexed and chargedforward to attack, but the Muslims swung round them ata distance, the Manchus following.

　　The Muslim units galloped through the night, theManchus always in sight. The Manchu commander wantedto gain great merit for himself, and many of hiscavalry horses died of exhaustion. Towards midnight,they came across General Zhao Wei riding in front ofabout three thousand wounded. Zhao Wei's hope roseslightly as he saw the Manchu column approach.

　　"After their success, the enemy will be in a state ofunpreparedness," he thought. "So if we attack now, wewill be able to turn defeat into victory." He orderedthe troops to advance towards the Black River, andafter ten miles or so, scouts reported that the Muslimarmy was camped ahead. Zhao Wei led his commandersonto a rise to view the scene and a chill shook eachof them to the bottom of their hearts.

　　The entire plain was covered in camp fires, stretchingseemingly endlessly before them. They heard from faroff the shouts of men and the neighing of horses, andthey wondered how many warriors the Muslims hadmustered. Zhao Wei was silent.

　　"With such a huge army against us, no wonder...nowonder we have encountered some set-backs," one of thesenior military officials, Commander Herda, said.

　　Zhao Wei turned to the others. "All units are to mountup and retreat south," he ordered. "No-one is to makea sound."The order was received badly by the troops who hadhoped to stop at least long enough for a meal.

　　"According to the guides, the road south passes thefoot of Yingqipan Mountain and is very dangerous afterheavy snows," Herda pointed out.

　　"The enemy's forces are so powerful, we have no choicebut to head southeast and try to meet up with GeneralFu De," Zhao Wei replied.

　　The remnants of the great army headed south, and foundthe road becoming more and more treacherous as theywent. To the left was the Black River, to the right,the Yingqipan Mountain. The night sky was cloudy andink-black, and the only light was a faint glowreflecting off the snow further up the mountain slope.

　　Zhao Wei issued a further order: "Whoever makes asound will be immediately executed." Most of thesoldiers came from Northeast China and knew that anynoise coul............