Water Margin: Lu Bu sits on Mount Liang

Chapter 530 Pioneer (two-in-one)

The cavalry generals headed by Du Bo, Xiao Haili, Yuan Lang, Shi Wengong, and Yao Gang stood on the left. Behind them, Fengtai, Niu Gao, Hu Yanzhuo, and Dong Ping stood up straight. The four commanders were in front, and the commanders such as Lu Zhishen, Guan Sheng, Zhao Li, and Dong Xian were behind. At this time, they all cupped their hands and fists, and the armors they wore made the sound of metal friction with the movements of everyone.

"I am willing to fight for the general!"

The candles in the tent flickered on and off, and the armor shone with metallic light.

"The scouts from Liaoyang Mansion came with news that the Emperor of Liao Kingdom sent troops to conquer us." Humu looked at Xiao Haili standing in front of him on the left: "Are you familiar with Xiao Choubo?"

The Khitan man over there was stunned for a moment when he heard this, and then he chuckled: "I know you, this guy is a man who is famous for his sister. He has some abilities, but he is not very powerful. He is the only commander who is good at sneak attacks. He always thinks of using Xiao Bo Da.”

He rubbed the beard on his chin: "Chief, is he the one who leads the army to invade this time?"

Lu Bu nodded and frowned as he didn't say anything. To be honest, he actually didn't expect to know anything from Xiao Haili. He listened to the Khitan man and continued: "Then we can find this person in the army." However, his will is not strong, and head-on confrontation is not his specialty. However, he is also a person who prides himself on his martial arts. When he is in danger, he will not evacuate, but will fight to the end. "

Everyone in the camp looked at Xiao Haili over there, and they all looked dim and uncertain.

After finishing speaking, the Khitan man raised his head and looked at Lu Bu, his eyes sincere and his expression unchanged. Lu Bu looked at him for a long time and suddenly smiled: "Very good, just prepare as you said."

The big Khitan man over there bowed his head, and everyone in the big tent looked at him calmly, with their expressions moving slightly, wondering what they were thinking.

"Now that brother Xiao Haili has given the information, we must not let him down!" The majestic body stood up, pressed the ring-shou knife and looked down: "Liu Wen Zhongrong and Liu Yuan are here Defend the city, and the rest of the horse and infantry armies will set out together to defeat them in the wild this time!"

"Yes!"

All the generals held their hands together, like an iron horse.

Yanyuan City was busy at night. Ma Ling personally led the scouts out of the city gate, blended into the darkness of the outside world, and disappeared. Both leaders, Xiang and Bian Xiang, returned to the military camp and urged the people below to check whether the soldiers and armor were intact.

At the prisoner's office in the city, people came every day to persuade them to give priority to the military achievements of the Qin and Han Dynasties. From time to time, former Liao soldiers who had already surrendered and joined the army came to show off the gold, silver, silk, and land deeds they had received, attracting all the surrendered soldiers. He was so eager that he ignored the fact that only a small number of people were rewarded, and joined in with longing.

Someone collected the war horses that had not been taken away from the city. After the war, they collected them in Jian'an and in the wild. Together with the surrender soldiers and horse thieves in Niu Wenzhong's hands, the number of cavalry in the army finally approached three thousand, but most of them disliked these cavalry battles. The strength was uneven, and Lu Bu didn't look too happy when he got the letter.

As the sun and moon changed, the scouts coming and going conveyed news from outside. Xiao Cuiwei, the deputy commander of the marching capital in the east of the Liao Kingdom, led his army southward and had passed Binzhou.

……

Jiachen day.

The temperatureless sunshine rose into the sky, illuminating the loess smoke and dust rolled up under the clouds. The running Liao army scouts were constantly searching for enemy reconnaissance cavalry in front, and countless teams of men and horses were exploring as they ran back and forth.

Along the way, the traders and pedestrians who usually go north and south are almost invisible. Occasionally, one or two hunters wearing furs and mink hats can be seen. Seeing the army in front of them in the smoke and dust, their faces changed drastically. He hurriedly burrowed into the dead forest aside, and saw a scout running out of the forest.

The army marched in a meandering way, and the military flags painted with the sun, moon and eagle were blown by the wind. Xiao Choubo kept rising and falling with his mount at the center of the army, and the wolf tail tied to the helmet on his chest fluttered from time to time. The rumble of footsteps was deafening.

"It's a pity that we can't unite with the deputy capital to go north to attack the golden thieves this time." A stature behind, a strong man in a ferocious black armor casually held a big sword in his hand, looked back to the north and looked at the marching deputy commander in front: "Otherwise I would still You can show off in front of His Majesty."

"There is no need to feel sorry for Han Tongjun." Xiao Cuoru looked back with a smile, and the figure sitting on the saddle swayed slightly: "Generally, it is the service for His Majesty, whether it is to fight gold thieves or to fight the rebels in the south, it is the same."

"That's what it is..." The commander-in-chief, who looked like a Han man, sighed, and the white smoke instantly dissipated in the air: "It's just a bit uncomfortable."

Xiao Choubo didn't say anything. He thought the same thing. It was just that the emperor had made a decree and as a minister he had to do it. That's all.

But not long after, the scouts coming and going brought the latest news. Xiao Choubo tightly held the reins of the war horse: "We have already had a confrontation with the thieves' scouts ahead..."

Han Tongjun's expression changed: "Are these people crazy? They came so far to spy on our march?"

"Haizhou..." the marching deputy commander sitting on the horse murmured: "It seems that the opponent has placed the decisive place over there."

The Han commander behind him did not speak, but just sat on his horse and thought. Xiao Choubo turned his head: "Han Qinghe!"

"The general is here!" The ferocious black armor sounded, and the hand holding the sword's pole was clasped in fists to obey the order.

"From now on, you will lead the rear army of five thousand soldiers and horses to move forward as the vanguard. If you encounter the enemy's soldiers and horses, defeat them." In the cold wind, Xiao Cuibo's voice suddenly became louder and softer: "Give the front line to the enemy." I’m going to Yaozhou!”

"Don't worry, Deputy Commander!" The general named Han Qinghe put down his hands: "The general will not let the thieves enter Haizhou!"

When Xiao Cuoru nodded, the big man in black armor slapped his horse and ran into the rear army formation. Soon, five thousand soldiers holding the goshawk flag accelerated and ran forward, with a rumbling sound. He passed the center of the army and ran forward.

The weather is cold and the sun is high, and the clouds are like white clouds. The commander on horseback at the center of the army has a trace of white air flowing from his mouth and nose. He looks forward with his eyes wondering what he is thinking. Occasionally, a horse neighs during the march, and the cavalry who delivers the order listens to Xiao Fu O's orders were running forward and backward, and the marching army was ready for battle.

……

One day has passed in the blink of an eye, and the atmosphere in Yanyuan City has become more and more lively. Soldiers and horses are constantly running and mobilizing in the city. The prefect's mansion has posted a recruitment notice, promising that every soldier will have enough to eat. At the same time, the Qin army The military merit system was posted, and for a while, many men living in poverty in the city gritted their teeth and joined in. Only those with more money sneered and watched, waiting for the future liquidation by the court.

From time to time, young men were recruited from outside the city to transport felled trees into the city. A lot of stones as big as a person's head were also prepared. Barrels of tung oil were transported up the city wall and piled in a safe corner together with jars as high as a person. , always ready to heat up in times of war.

The thick tree body was made into horse-proof stakes by craftsmen and inserted under the city wall. Someone dug a deep trench on the way to the city gate and put sharpened wooden thorns into it in case of emergency.

The driver waving a whip drove the grain cart out, and was escorted by Guan Sheng and Jingchao in the designated direction. In the military camp in the city, a large number of horses neighed and the voices of soldiers talking spread over the grain cart. The two people in the car looked at each other and nodded. Food and grass are the lifeblood of the army. Good protection will lead to military merit, so the two of them did it willingly. Further away, you can occasionally see dozens of cavalry scouts carrying a living person back. From time to time, you can see seriously injured knights being sent to the military camp in the city by their colleagues. At this time, Ma Ling has already led the scouts to interact with Han Qinghe who is advancing. Once started, most of the time, the combat power developed with the Song Army can still gain the upper hand.

In addition to the battle of the scouts, the horse and infantry armies were making final adjustments. The broken weapons could no longer be used for a while. They received new equipment from the army's baggage officer. The war horses were specially added before the battle. They were fed with refined grains, and they were all shaking their heads and swiping their tails, obviously in a good mood.

Under the huge banner with the word "Lü", the commander's tent was as quiet as before the war. Occasionally, scouts ran in to report and left the information, which attracted the whispers of several military advisors accompanying the army. At this time, only Lu Bu stood in the tent. Before that, the generals of the army were making final adjustments outside. Only Li Zhu and Fang Xuedu were here. Li Yan, as the person who recorded various documents, was allowed to write and wait here at this time.

"The enemy's vanguard of 5,000 people has entered the Haizhou territory..." Lu Bu turned around and looked at the two men with squinted eyes: "The Liao soldiers here have not yet had a real fight with us and others, and they must be Mainly attack.”

"Hello, it's time for the general to set off." Li Zhu stroked his beard and looked where he was looking with his squinted eyes: "...but is there any hesitation?"

Lu Bu hesitated for a moment and nodded: "Although Xiao Haili made it clear last night, the battlefield is changing rapidly. I don't think that Xiao Choubo is only looking for me and waiting for a decisive battle in the wild."

He clicked on the map and said, "Be careful of the Liao army taking our retreat."

Fang Xuedu stood up, took two steps and looked at Kanyu Tu: "General, are you talking about Chenzhou?"

Lu Bu nodded, turned to look at the Kanyu map, picked up a brush and drew a stroke on the Liao River in Yaozhou: "We used to fight the Song army by water in the Song Dynasty. This time, although the Liao people went south with a lot of siege equipment, But you have to be careful.”

Li Zhu's expression changed slightly: "Why don't we let Wang Jun and Shangguan Yi hide in the dark? If things go wrong, they might be a trump card."

Putting down the brush gently, Lu Bu pointed at the coast with his hand: "I will leave Niu Wenzhong behind to cooperate with Wang Jun and Shangguan Yi on their travels."

After walking back and forth for a few steps, he took a breath and said, "Let Ma Ling lead a team of scouts to stay. After all, we just started an uprising and we can't afford to lose in this vast land."

He took a picture of the map and said, "If anything happens, ask Ma Ling to inform someone immediately."

"So, the general is missing another battalion of cavalry." Fang Xuedu frowned slightly and said.

"It doesn't matter." Lu Bu walked aside, grabbed the cloak and put it on his body. Upon seeing this, Yu Cheng quickly took the Huanshou knife and handed it over.

"Although Niu Wenzhong's battalion is brave, they have no training. In time, they will be able to fight on the battlefield. At this time, it is best to practice again." The figure who hung up the ring-headed sword turned around and said, "I will lead you immediately." When the troops go north, the affairs in the city will be decided by you and the two of them, and more new soldiers will be recruited. "

"Yes!"

The two of them quickly stood up and clasped their fists, watching Lu Bu lead Yu out of the tent.

Not long after, the well-organized soldiers and horses gathered amidst the sound of bull horns, and not long after, groups of black figures wearing armor ran out of the city.

……

In the forest, the galloping Tang Erhu was spitting out white air. He was close to the vanguard of the Liao army. At dawn, he encountered the scouts of the Liao army. None of the people under his command were the first brothers on the battlefield. They were the first batch of elites selected from the captives of the Song Army. They had fought in Yizhou, Qingzhou, and even fought against the imperial guards and Western Army scouts. In terms of their skills, they were considered elites. Now they are here. In Liao Di, the flame of desire for meritorious service has never been extinguished in my heart.

Now, what I have been waiting for has happened.

The short spear flew out of his hand, and the figure on horseback fell down. Tang Erhu's eyes were filled with joy. He held another short spear and turned to look at his companion not far away. After the two sides shot at each other, except for One of the Liao army scouts was unfortunately killed, and the rest were only superficially injured at most. At this time, they all abandoned their bows, drew out their horizontal swords, and urged the horses hard. The sword in their hands was slashed towards the side of the Liao army scout: "Kill - —”

Blades, figures, and horses passed by each other in an instant. Tang Erhu's pupils suddenly dilated. Amidst the roars of the Liao soldiers over there, he slashed his companion's neck with the knife in his hand. Blood instantly rushed into the air. The dead body suddenly fell off the horse and rolled on the ground. Blood with a fishy smell spurted out all at once.

On the other side, the scouts on horseback swung their swords and collided with the spears in the hands of the Liao army scouts. The companions behind the horses suddenly flashed out and drew their swords. The scouts who had no time to change their moves cut off their arms with the sword, and screams rang out in the forest. , people fell off their horses.

"How brave!"

The remaining Liao army scout saw his companions dying and being injured in an instant. His eyes suddenly turned red. He turned around and charged with the sword in his hand.

Tang Erhu waved his arm and threw the short spear like lightning. Then he drew his sword and charged forward. The soldier swung his sword and knocked away the short spear. He roared, and the sword in his hand followed the wonderful arc and easily cut through it. The leather armor on Tang Erhu's body, if the scout commander hadn't reacted quickly and turned away in time, he would have opened his mouth on his stomach. Even so, blood would still flow out from the wound.

"Damn it!"

Cursing, he turned around and looked back. He saw the Liao soldier fearlessly colliding with the two people behind him. The light of the sword flashed and the figure swayed. There was no sound of metal, only two inconspicuous muffled sounds. , then the two war horses running past were jolted, and the dead body slipped to the ground.

beep—

Tang Erhu did not hesitate anymore and did not turn to fight back. He immediately hit the horse and ran away. He put the bamboo whistle hanging around his neck into his mouth and blew it. Many scouts who heard the whistle quickly moved. Some were wearing Liao army armor. There were also figures in black armor who were rushing towards this side and were retreating.

"Major General!"

The Liao army scouts who arrived first bowed their heads when they saw the scouts riding alone among the piles of corpses. The soldiers on the war horses showed an energetic face. Upon closer inspection, they looked somewhat similar to Han Qinghe.

"Let's go——"

Glancing at Tang Erhu who was running away, the young man snorted coldly and then rode back toward the Liao army's vanguard.

　o(╥﹏╥)o, the day of departure is approaching, and there are a lot of things to be busy with. Recently, it’s almost six or seven o’clock when I get home, ε=(ο｀*))) Sigh. . .

　　
　
(End of this chapter)