Water Margin: Lu Bu sits on Mount Liang

Chapter 1097: Retreat News
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A sudden ox horn sounded at the south gate of Xijin Prefecture. The soldiers of the Ever-Victorious Army at the gate reacted immediately and hurriedly began to move out of the way, leaving enough space for the gate.

The sound of horse hooves hit the bluestone slabs, and Zhao Heshou rushed out of the gate with less than a thousand cavalrymen. In the back, Guo Yaoshi ordered more than four hundred soldiers who could ride horses to hold the line, and the eight thousand infantrymen of the Ever-Victorious Army began to move out of the city.

"Take off the white towel!"

"Stay in formation."

Several shouts rang out in the army formation, accompanied by arrows shot by archers. Xiao Bodie and Yelu Zongyun on the city wall were so overwhelmed that they could not raise their heads and could only rely on shields to protect themselves.

"Pharmacist Guo——"

Under the shield, Xiao Bodie raised his head to the sky and roared loudly. Then he was shot down by the rain of arrows and squatted down. He could only shout in a muffled voice: "If you have the guts, come up and fight me!"

hum-

There was a sound of crossbows. Pharmacist Guo looked in the direction where the sound came from and snorted coldly, "What a lot of bullshit, you are just an idiot who knows how to bark like a dog."

He turned his head and said, "Order them to leave the city quickly." He glanced back and said, "Tell the rear troops to pay attention. Anyone who dares to stop us will be killed." He squeezed his legs together and stepped forward on his horse.

The sound of chaotic footsteps roared up. Li Jun, the Tong brothers and the Duan family, who were standing not far from the city gate, looked at each other. Behind them, the nearly 1,500 confidants of both sides were looking around nervously with weapons in hand.

"The Ever-Victorious Army is withdrawing."

"I heard earlier that something unexpected happened outside. Jun, what should we do?"

Tong Wei and Tong Meng looked at Li Jun who was staring ahead with a stern face.

This Hunjianglong took a breath and turned to look at Duan Sanniang: "Miss Sanniang, do you want to stay in the city to seek fame?"

"Fuck fame!" Duan Sanniang sneered and squinted at Li Jun: "Li, you don't need to test me. We have agreed to leave, and I won't say anything."

Li Jun didn't care about her attitude and nodded: "In that case, let's catch up with the Ever-Victorious Army in front of us. They are in front, let's try to run out from here."

After a pause, he turned to look at Shi Quan and Hu Yong and said, "You two take your men to find the people from the Ever-Victorious Army and tell them that we are leaving the city and ask them not to stop us."

The two men nodded in agreement and ran forward with a dozen brave soldiers. Not long after, Zhen Wuchen, who was lagging behind, brought the news of his agreement and ordered them to go out after the Ever-Victorious Army.

Li Jun and Duan Sanniang breathed a sigh of relief and immediately ordered the soldiers following them to get ready to take over the line of the Ever-Victorious Army in the front.

However, within the time it took to eat a meal, more than ten thousand people retreated despite the counterattack from the city walls. Li Jun, Duan Sanniang and others also rushed out like crazy.

The Liao soldiers pouring down from the city walls on both sides were unable to form an interception line for a while. In the turbulent impact, more than a thousand soldiers huddled together and ran away amid the swords and spears on both sides. However, this behavior was regarded as the rear guard of the Ever-Victorious Army. Many people in the army were left screaming in the city by the soldiers led by Xiao Bodie and Yelu Zongyun who came down from both sides, and their corpses were spread all the way out of the city.

"Blow the horn, blow the horn, tell the people in the city that the time for counterattack has come!" Xiao Bodie's chest heaved, and he turned around with the knife in his hand and shouted: "Guard the gate, and bury the Song army that enters the city here!"

Turning his head to look at Yelu Zongyun, he said, "Your Highness, go up to the city wall and command the archers to shoot at the enemy with the Second Prince. I will come down to replace you when I am tired."

The figure behind nodded and turned to go up to the city.

The horn was raised at an angle, and in the midday light, the desolate sound spread throughout the city, and suddenly the whole city seemed to come alive.

The troops that had charged into the city were greatly alarmed. Several commanders who were experienced in war immediately ordered people to inquire behind, and the news that came back was immediately shocking.

"Damn it, he left without informing us. When I return to the court, I will report him to Pharmacist Guo."

Li Congji, who had a hot temper, pulled the reins and said, "Retreat, retreat from the city, retreat from the city!"

A similar scene was played out at the same time by Wang Wende, Mei Zhan and Song Jiang. The roar of "Retreat--" came from different mouths in different positions, followed by the roar of the Liao army generals in the city, "Chase them and kill them!"

Then those who were advancing began to retreat, and those who were retreating moved forward. The fighting was still going on in the city. Mu Hong and Mu Chun, who had rushed forward, retreated to the rear in a rage. From time to time, someone was shot and fell down, and the screams made the two brothers more nervous.

Lu Junyi had a wooden face, and the spear in his hand mechanically deflected the arrows that were shot at him. Yan Qing beside him shot a crossbow arrow from time to time to shoot down the Liao army archers who were aiming at him from a distance. Further ahead was Xu Ning, who kept raising his bow from time to time, with a gloomy face and angry eyes.

Yu Qilin's eyes moved, and then he felt even more discouraged. After two consecutive Northern Expeditions, he didn't understand why he hadn't been able to get an official position with his martial arts. Even if he had the title of deputy vanguard officer, it was just a management position for brave men, and he was not a formal military officer.

When I entered the city today, I thought I could take the opportunity to reach the top, and then go back to Daming Mansion to kill Li Gu and that bitch. However, I didn't know that the situation took a sudden turn and I instantly went from being the attacker to the fleeing one.

Could it be that I have had a bad year? Should I go back and find a Taoist temple to get rid of the bad luck?
Just as he was thinking, there was a sudden noise in front of him, and Dai Zong, with blood all over his face, ran towards him from the front: "Deputy Vanguard Lu, Coach Xu, the city gate ahead is closed, and there are Liao soldiers blocking the road. Vanguard Song wants you to go forward and open the city gate."

"I'll be right there." Lu Junyi responded instinctively, then realized what the other person said belatedly. He sighed and shouted to Yan Qing, "Xiao Yi, follow me."

The master and servant shook the reins and ran forward. Xu Ning paused with the bow and arrow in his hand, turned around and shot an arrow, then changed to the golden spear and followed.

At the battle gate, miserable screams and shouts of battle shook the ground. Arrows rained down from the sky, leaving streaks of blood between the two armies. Bodies holding swords fell down.

Lu Junyi just glanced in the direction of the city gate and focused his attention on Xiao Bodie who was killing with an iron knife. The captain of the imperial concubine's family was covered in blood, and there were pieces of flesh chopped off from somewhere hanging on his shoulder armor, which flew out as he swung the knife.

"Follow me and fight your way out."

Lu Junyi didn't know who Xiao Bodie was, but he could tell that he was wearing good armor, so he guessed that he was the garrison commander. He kicked the horse's belly with both feet and said, "Khitan dog, prepare to die!"

The blade chopped down Yang Chun who was rushing towards him, and half of his arm flew high into the air with a scream. Someone came up and tried his best to cover the man with the broken arm and let him retreat. The light of the knife and the sparks flashed continuously. Xiao Bo held the iron knife in his hand, gritted his teeth and grinned, taking deep breaths, and kept fighting with the Liao army who were in formation and the Song army who were attacking the city gate.

The warhorse came galloping over, the vibration of the ground was transmitted to the soles of the feet, and the soldier holding a shield in front was stabbed into the air by an iron spear. The spear swung in a semicircle, the man's head exploded, the weapon flew out of his hand, and the warhorse rushed in at the moment when blood and flesh flew.

"Consort!"

Several bodyguards shouted and rushed towards the figure on the warhorse. Lu Junyi's spear immediately trembled, and the figure flew backwards, with the iron spear covered with the enemy's blood.

... Too arrogant! The Song army still has brave warriors. Xiao Bodie took a breath, gritted his teeth and chopped forward with his sword. When Lu Junyi saw him coming, he shouted loudly, and the spear in his hand stretched out and retracted like lightning. There were several clanging sounds, and the figure waving the iron sword suddenly froze, and the long spear was pulled out from his throat with a "puff".

"The enemy commander is dead, kill them!" "Prince Consort Xiao!" "Captain Xiao!"

Roars were heard from both inside and outside the city, and then more stones, arrows, and hot oil poured down from the top of the city wall. Yelu Zongyun and Zongdian on the top of the city wanted to go down and fight with others.

Song Jiang hurriedly ordered people to block the stone stairs leading down to the city on both sides.

Screams continued to be heard at the South Gate, along with the noise of metal clashing and metal entering flesh. Accompanied by the "creaky" sound of the door opening, there was a sudden silence, and then an even louder noise exploded.

The open gate made the Song army fighting in the city lose the will to fight and they all rushed out.

As dusk fell, the night replaced the blue sky, and the sounds of fighting and screaming in the city slowly stopped.

……

Yanyun is cold in winter, and a solemn and murderous atmosphere is surging.

Yelu Dashi, wearing armor and standing behind the parapet with his hands behind his back, looked at the twinkling torches in the city. Teams of Liao soldiers were throwing the stripped bodies of Song people onto carts and transporting them out of the city. The cold wind was howling, and faint cries could be heard from afar. His serious face occasionally frowned, "So many Song bandits have died. What should we do when the Qi bandits come..."

In the battle during the day, although the Song army outside the city was forced to retreat by cavalry, and then the army inside the city successfully counterattacked, there were heavy casualties. The only thing that comforted him a little was that many generals of the Song army were killed in today's battle.

According to the identification of many captives, Mei Zhan, the governor of Runan, Yingzhou, was intercepted by the army in the city during his retreat and died from a volley of arrows. Also killed in the battle when the Song army broke through, were generals led by Song Jiang, named Mu Chun, Liu Tong, and Gong Duan.

When they were about to leave the city, Wenren Shichong, who was blocking the stone steps on both sides of the city tower, and his three subordinates Liu Heihu, Zu Qiu and Zhu Neng failed to escape in time and were killed on the way by Xiao Telie and Yelu Fuding.

Wang Wende, the governor of Hongnong in northern Beijing, was poured with a bucket of hot oil when he ran through the city gate. He screamed in agony and was then turned into a burning man by a flaming arrow shot by Yelu Zongdian.

Li Congji, the governor of Hanyang, Longxi, ran out of the city. He happened to have defeated Yang Keshi, Zhai Jin and others. When he returned to the city, he met them outside the city and was killed in the cavalry formation.

What made him unhappy was that he failed to stop Guo Yaoshi. This guy relied on his large number of soldiers and horses to break away the cavalry he left outside, and disappeared while the mysterious reinforcements were chasing the Song army.

After the battle, at least 40% of the Song army's more than 100,000 troops were lost. If deserters and others are included, only half of the Song army was able to return this time, even though the Southern Dynasty soldiers were well-trained.

However, after the war ended, he received news from the north and east that made him feel uneasy. The attack on Changping by Du Fu was very fierce, and Xiao Gan asked for help again.

Lu County in the east was surrounded by the Qi army. If it fell into Lu Bu's hands, the enemy army would be only a day or two away from Xijin Prefecture and would be able to arrive in an instant.

Even if we have defeated the Song army, we cannot relax now. I just don’t know how much fighting power the soldiers in the city will have when facing the Qi army with even higher morale.

After a while, he turned his head and said to the generals behind him: "Xiao Bodie died for the country and should be honored. I hope you can go to the palace and ask His Majesty to honor him. By the way, let His Majesty know that although we won today, the threat from the Qi army has not gone away. Everything... should be kept simple."

He turned back and continued to look at the moving spots of fire in the city: "It's a pity that now is not the right time, otherwise we would have held a grand ceremony for it."

Yelu Fuding bowed, turned around, grabbed the hilt of the sword at his waist and quickly ran down the city wall.

After the war, a large number of Song army defeated soldiers fled south, and the areas near Gu'an and Fanyang cities suddenly became lively.

These returning imperial guards did not dare to be fierce towards the Liao army, and instead vented all their anger on the people of the two cities. For a time, every village was wailing and every household was cursing. Many generals and officers in the army even drove the rich families and gentry out of the city and moved in themselves.

When the order was issued, the people avoided the Song army like the plague and scorpions, and countless people fled from the area. The news of the Song army's actions gradually spread in the Yanyun area.

……

Mid-winter, Yimao.

The sky was cloudless and the sun seemed much farther away. When the cold wind blew, many people stamped their feet in cold.

The gate of Lu County was opened, and soldiers, generals, and officials in black armor walked in calmly. This city had resisted for several days, but now it opened its clothes and accepted strangers under the attack of the fierce general of Qi.

As the war horses marched forward, the people in the city hid behind the windows in fear. As more than half of the troops entered the city, they felt relieved that no one broke into their houses.

Time passed as faces alternated among each other.

The government office in the city became a resting place for Lu Bu and his generals. One after another, tall and well-proportioned figures walked in and sighed with satisfaction when they sat down.

"With no obstacles between us and Xijin Prefecture, we can reach there in no time."

Mi Xian stretched out on the chair. He felt a lot more relaxed after taking off his armor. Bian Xiang beside him kicked his outstretched foot and said, "Can't you sit properly? Everyone is looking at you."

"What's so good about me stretching?" Mi Xian pouted, but still pulled his legs back and slowly straightened his clothes: "You should take a closer look at yourself, your beard is messy."

"I don't have time to take care of it."

The two generals had a relaxed look on their faces as they spoke. Not long after, they heard footsteps outside. They quickly stood up with everyone else and watched Lu Bu walk in in a black robe.

"Okay, sit down."

Lu Bu waved his hand, lifted his robe, and sat on the main seat: "Xiao Haili sent a message, he is stationed 20 miles east of Xijin City, the Song army has already fled back to the city in the south, it seems that they are unable to attack Xijin City in the north in a short time."

The generals below grinned, and Mi Xian stood up suddenly: "It seems that the Song army is still as useless as before. Your Majesty should take over Xijin Prefecture."

Lu Bu smiled and waved his arms: "It can be said that God helps our army. The Song people have also attacked the city." He swept his eyes over the generals and said: "Rest for a night today and set out tomorrow. By then, I will see that you are brave and have entered the Khitan palace."

"Here!"

Countless voices shouted.

(End of this chapter)