Water Margin: Lu Bu sits on Mount Liang

There is a brilliant Milky Way in the sky and sporadic lights on the earth.

The fire in Miyun City has been reduced to the lowest level. It should have been a quiet night, but under the current situation, the young and strong people who were organized in the city still cannot rest.

Most of the houses near the city wall had been demolished, and workers transporting stones and wooden beams began to work from the streets and alleys closer to the city.

The lamp oil from many wealthy families was also collected and sent to the top of the city walls. Although people knew that these things might be a drop in the bucket, for the defenders at that time, an extra pound of kerosene was a kind of psychological comfort.

Batches of usable supplies were transported to the foot of the city wall in large quantities. Herbs, newly made wooden shields and arrows were piled up under the city. The boiled water was not allowed to cool down, but was kept warm over a low fire, for fear that the enemy outside the city would launch a surprise attack at night.

From inside the city to outside, everyone who was awake had a sad face. Many soldiers who lost their relatives and brothers could not help but cry out. The sound could be heard faintly in the night, which made people sad.

"Morale is low. If it continues like this, it will be somewhat dangerous."

Zan Tongmei was sitting on a chair, a sour smell wafting off his clothes. He had been busy since the battle until dark, and he still hadn't had time to wipe the sweat off his body.

"…We can only hold on for a while. If we relax now, I'm afraid everyone in the city will have to pay the price."

Ji Anbang closed his eyes. In today's battle, he ran from the east wall to the south wall and faced several dangerous positions. He finally waited for the Qi army to retreat. Even with his physical strength and energy, he felt waves of fatigue.

Zan Tongmei was silent for a while, and squeezed out a sentence: "I'm afraid that the hearts of people in the city are not like you and me."

Ji Anbang suddenly opened his eyes: "Is there any news?"

The figure next to him smiled bitterly: "Not yet, but it will be soon if it continues like this."

Standing up on his knees, the white towel wrapped around Ji Anbang was oozing blood. He looked down at his body. The strong man walked to the gate tower without paying attention. Looking at the night outside, he said, "We have to hold on. The situation is difficult. Everyone has known this for a long time. What we can do is to drag Lu the thief here and buy time for the court."

The night wind whistled outside, and the sound of flags waving could be heard. Zan Tongmei, who was sitting, was silent for a moment before speaking: "In this case, why not let the young and strong go up to the city to help defend it starting tomorrow."

Ji Anbang looked back at him.

"The Qi bandits have attacked fiercely in the past two days, and many soldiers in the city have been killed. If there are no more reinforcements, I'm afraid there will be only a few people left on the city wall in a few days." Zan Tongmei said seriously: "The number of people on my section of the city wall has dropped to more than 1,400. It was a bit difficult to defend today. I think the other three sections of the city wall are not much different. Except for a team of 500 elite cavalry who must be prepared and not move, the infantry in the city is no more than 6,000 or 7,000..."

He paused and sighed: "Too little..."

"The number of uninjured people is 6,700."

Ji Anbang said something without any clue. Zan Tongmei was startled, and then he realized that he was referring to the number of defenders in the city who were still able to fight.

But the number of new soldiers from the original 30,000 has suddenly dropped to this small number...

Zan Tongmei stared at the night sky outside in a trance, thinking to himself that perhaps he should not have accepted the mission to defend Danzhou back then. Now the army has not disbanded yet, and it is entirely relying on Brother Ji's personal charm.

“But what you said is also a problem.”

A powerful voice came over, and the commander standing at the door said, "Then let's ask the young and strong to help tomorrow. Put 300 people on each section of the city wall first to let them get used to it."

"Three hundred people..." Zan Tongmei exhaled: "Well, it's much better than nothing."

For a moment, the two lost interest in talking. One of them just sat quietly while the other stood at the door, looking at the night.

The night wind howled, shaking the lights in the house from time to time, making them flicker.

……

The morning breeze blew away the twilight, the golden sun rose, and the warning golden bell rang like a morning and evening reminder. Ji Anbang suddenly opened his eyes, without saying a word, he got up, picked up his robe and put it on.

A personal soldier pushed the door open and ran in, picking up the armor as usual and putting it on him. In just a moment, the tall and strong martial arts champion had put on his armor. He picked up the sword on the bedside and hung it around his waist, pulled out his thick and long iron spear from the weapon rack, and walked out.

A bodyguard handed him a piece of naan with dried meat in it. He took it and tore it apart and chewed it casually, standing on the top of the city wall and looking into the distance.

The black waves were rising and falling, brewing, and seemed to be about to pounce at the next moment.

"Goooooooooooo-"

Ji Anbang hurriedly took the water bag and washed down the food in his mouth, and shouted loudly: "Order the guards on the city wall to check the weapons, crossbows, and boiling oil. The guards on each section of the city wall are responsible for the rotation of soldiers."

After a pause, he said, "Order the young men to go up to the city wall and prepare to fight—"

woo-

The sound of trumpets rang out on the city walls, and teams of tired but healthy soldiers walked up the wall, and the atmosphere became different.

The huge clay pot at the back was replaced with a copper pot, and a few pieces of firewood were put into the small fire below. Flames rose instantly, and hot steam rose. The shieldmen knocked on the surface with stones and small hammers, doing the final inspection and repair.

A team of 300 young men wearing leather armor and carrying spears walked up to the city wall. Some of them were shaking with nervousness, and they barely calmed down after a few slaps from the leading general. They stroked their swollen cheeks with one hand and watched the black waves outside gradually spread out and formed a black line, with expressions of anger and fear.

Extending the view, people on the four sides of the city walls were making preparations.

Similarly, the situation outside was also reported from the guards on all four sides. Just like the previous few days, they still surrounded three sides and left one side open, with only the east side open. He also knew what the intention was.

"He really trusts the army in Jizhou..."

Ji Anbang remained expressionless as he finished eating the meat-filled naan in his hand. The troops in the distance were moving towards this side.

"call--"

Exhaling a breath of foul air, Ji Anbang thrust his iron spear to his side and murmured, "Come on, either we send reinforcements, or you die on the battlefield in this city. A real man should not fear death in this world!"

……

The morning breeze was strong, the flags were fluttering, and the smoke and dust were spreading and dispersing. Then, the army stood outside the city, at the front. Alichi was equipped with a sword and a gun, and led the surrendered Liao army as the vanguard to cover the siege equipment.

Mi Xian led 8,000 men as the main force for the siege, with Shan Shiqi and Chen Yun in the front and Dong Xian leading the army in the back.

A large number of military craftsmen and young and strong men drove horse-drawn carriages to transport parts of siege equipment here and assembled them at the fastest speed.

Lu Bu walked onto the vehicle that served as an observation deck and looked out at the city wall in the distance. The familiar scene had made him have no other thoughts. He patted the wooden fence in front of him and told Yu Cheng, "Send a message to Xiao Haili that he should harass this pass today."

woo-

Woohoo——

The low sound of the ox-horn sounded, and Xiao Haili on one side of the army turned his head and looked at the flag of the central army with his one eye, then raised the copper knife and pointed it forward. Dong Ping and Hu Yanzhuo, who had been prepared behind him, led the cavalry and passed by him with the sound of thundering horse hooves.

More than two thousand war horses galloped, instantly covering up the noise between heaven and earth. Yellow sand rose into the air and spread toward the city wall. The cavalry on horseback skillfully drew their arrows and shot their bows.

"Cavalry! Watch out for arrows!"

The wind blew through the flags standing on the top of the city wall. The guard above shouted, and dense black shadows shot up, covering this section of the city wall like a block out.

The Liao army's generals shouted: "Repulse!"

Arrows rained down on the city wall, and the Liao army's shieldmen advanced skillfully. Their ears were filled with crackling sounds, as sharp arrows nailed onto shields and city walls. Amid familiar screams, some soldiers were shot and fell down from the city walls. The galloping Qi army knights were still cruising more than ten feet below the city wall, occasionally drawing their bows and harassing. At this time, it didn't matter whether the arrows could hit anyone, as long as the arrows flew up and suppressed the enemy soldiers, it was enough.

……

West of the city.

The army formed a battle formation under the banner with the character "Sun" on it. In the spaces between the battle formations, Sun An, Jing Chao, Shangguan Yi, Pan Zhong and other generals were making preparations for the siege.

Sun An stroked the scabbard of the iron sword and said softly, "Your Majesty has become a little impatient after staying in this city for so long."

A young figure came over from behind, leading a warhorse. Sun An stepped on the stirrup, raised his leg and climbed onto the horse's back. He glanced at his son who had brought the horse over and said, "Be more alert later."

On both sides, Jing Chao, Shangguan Yi, Pan Zhong and others also mounted their horses. The man from western Jing holding the square hammer looked at the young Sun Yue and laughed: "Why not let the young general follow me? I believe I have some courage and can protect them."

"Okay, thank you, Brother Shangguan." Sun An nodded and kicked Sun Yue on the shoulder: "Why don't you thank your uncle Shangguan?"

The young man standing there quickly bowed and expressed his gratitude.

The horn sounded, Jing Chao raised the spear in his hand and waved it: "Your Majesty has started, let's not be idle, I will lead the charge."

Sun An nodded: "Good." He turned around and shouted: "Get ready--"

……

South of the city.

Bian Xiang tilted his head back and closed his eyes. The rising golden sun shone on his face. After a long while, he opened his eyes and said to Qin Ming, Liu Yun, and Lu Zhishen beside him: "Senior brother and General Qin will go first. Is that ok?"

Liu Yun nodded: "Then we will attack the city gate."

Lu Zhishen touched his bald head, then put the iron helmet on his head and smiled: "After the rotations in the past few days, it is finally my turn again. Let me show my merits to become a marquis."

Qin Ming glanced at him, raised his mace and snorted, "Then let's see who can break into the city first."

……

-

An eagle's cry resounded through the sky. Qiao Lie, who had been looking up, turned his gaze and ran to Lu Bu's side: "Your Majesty, no Liao reinforcements have been found around."

On the shaft of the chariot, Lu Bu, who was wearing golden armor, slowly drew out the ring-handled sword from his waist, and pointed the sharp blade at Miyun City: "Order the whole army, attack!

Today, the city will not fall and the troops will not retreat!"

thump—

dong dong dong-

The drum surface vibrated. Aliqi looked back, touched the white pear blossom spear in his hand, took a breath, and issued an order: "Attack the city!"

The cavalry were ordered to gallop, and various flag signals were skillfully issued. The large formation of surrendered soldiers in the front, holding shields, escorted ladders and battering rams, rushed towards the city wall. The whirlwind cannons in the back made a "creaking" sound, and stone bullets as big as heads whizzed out from overhead and smashed into the city.

On the top of the city wall, Ji Anbang looked at the familiar scene and kept issuing orders to adjust the positions of the defenses: "The soldiers on the top of the city wall should be careful to deal with it. Let the young and strong follow the sword and shield soldiers. The craftsmen below should prepare the stones to repair the city wall. The archers should be ready and allowed to shoot freely."

As soon as the order was given, the messengers rushed around the city.

The arrows were like locusts, crisscrossing and spinning in the air.

On the city walls and in the fields, blood kept splattering among people. Archers on the parapets and under large shields skillfully dodged the flying arrows, breathed deeply, picked up an arrow from the arrows placed on the ground, put it on the bowstring, stood up suddenly and shot an arrow.

The running and shouting Liao army surrendered soldiers stopped to cover the soldiers pushing the ladder. Before the ladder could be placed on the city wall, an arrow pierced through his neck. He fell down for a moment and saw his comrade behind him holding a shield and taking his place.

Arrows rained down from the top of the city walls, and countless soldiers shouted, venting their fear. Soon, ladders were placed on the brick wall, with sharp iron hooks tightly grasping the wall. Ladders were lined up on both sides, and wooden ladders were also hung up.

Alichi pointed with his spear and said, "Climb the city, climb the city--" He hid behind the shield with his spear in hand, and there was a sound of pouring arrows.

The surrendered soldiers from Xijing Road grabbed the wooden ladders and swarmed up like ants. Holding iron knives in their hands, they frantically chopped at the spears that were stabbing down from above. Then they were hit on the head by a stone and fell down. Seeing this, Alichi below gritted his teeth, reached out to grab the shield and stood up after the rain of arrows.

……

Ji Anbang looked at the surging figures below calmly, turned his head to dodge the arrows, picked up his hard bow, walked forward and shot the two figures below first. When he glanced around, he saw Aliqi hiding under the shield. He was stunned for a moment, then his face quickly turned red, and he shouted angrily: "This man betrays his country, he deserves to be killed!"

He reached out and picked up the arrow, took a look at it and threw it down, looked left and right, pulled out an arrow with a barb from the quiver of his personal guard, drew the bow to full length, aimed at the position of Alichi behind the shield, held his breath and concentrated, waiting for the rain of arrows to stop, then let go.

hum-

……

pop-

A huge force was transmitted from the shield, and Alichi was shocked and leaned back instinctively.

The arrow shot out from the wooden shield with a cold light, wood chips flew everywhere, and "bang" hit the breastplate. Alichi felt a sense of suffocation, and when he looked down, he saw the barb on the arrow shaft. He was startled for a moment, and without thinking, he instinctively jumped to the side.

whoosh-

Another arrow shot past the place where he had just stood, and "puff" hit the ground at the tail of the arrow.

Alichi fell to the ground without looking. He knew from the sound that the archer on the city was still aiming at him. He quickly exerted force with his legs, blocked with his broken shield, ran behind another swordsman and shieldman, pulling the shieldman back, and then he breathed a sigh of relief.

"Humph--"

After pulling out the arrow that had shot into his breastplate and the bloody arrowhead from the broken armor, Alichi breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, I had a shield, otherwise I would have died in this city today.

He looked at the top of the city wall with a gloomy expression and gritted his teeth: "Very good, from today on, we are also enemies."

All around, more soldiers climbed up, and the battering ram that was about to hit the city gate moved forward under the protection of the soldiers.

All kinds of rolling logs and rocks fell and hit the shields and people. The shadows on the city wall were swaying, and boiling tung oil and hot water poured down from the city wall, and heart-wrenching screams were heard.

Below, burning arrows flew up to the top of the city wall, and some fell behind the city wall. Streams of black smoke rose up and meandered into the sky.

On the three sides of the city walls, hysterical roars of fighting filled the sky, and blood kept spilling, making the color of the walls even darker.

Between the parapets where the ladders were hung, the flashes of swords and guns were flashing wildly. Suddenly, a Zen stick was stretched out, and the soldiers guarding the Miyun City were knocked to the ground, but they continued to retreat.

A fat figure jumped up to the top of the city wall: "I'm coming up!" (End of this chapter)