Water Margin: Lu Bu sits on Mount Liang

Chapter 979 Striker
The sound of footsteps in the garrison stopped for a moment, and then the people walking quickened their pace and walked out.

The big man who walked in didn't care. He walked in directly, sat down on the wooden chair beside the table, picked up the cake on the table and took a bite. Then he spat out the residue in his mouth and threw it on the table: "Who made this cake that tastes so bad? Who are you trying to poison?"

After a while, the Khitan named Yaris, who was sitting behind the desk, clenched his fist and said, "Don't be upset, King Xi. The enemy is strong and we are weak. It is best to avoid their attack. Besides, you also know the situation in our army. Most of them are newly recruited soldiers who were hastily recruited..."

bang——

He slammed the table hard: "You want me to go to the battlefield under such circumstances? What can I do to fight?"

pop-

He patted his neck hard: "This neck? It's made of flesh and bones. It will fall off if it is cut by a knife."

bang——

King Xi also slammed the table and stood up, pointing at the opposite side: "You are the governor of Zhongjing!"

"Quan Liushou, I still have the word Quan on me!"

Yaris waved his arm, stood behind the table and pointed to the south, his expression excited: "Why should I keep guarding here? Facing the Qi bandits, the emperor was so scared that he ran to Nanjing Road. There were countless people with the surnames Yelu and Xiao who surrendered or ran away. My ancestors were not born into a noble family, so why should I fight for them!"

Someone walked outside the door and stopped immediately when he heard the quarrel inside. He looked at each other and turned back together. There are some words and some things that are better not to know.

King Xi came over and looked at him across the table. "The enemy soldiers total less than 100,000, and they are divided into two routes, the north and the east. Each route has only tens of thousands of troops. You want to run away with the Dading Prefecture's army of more than 100,000? More than 100,000 against tens of thousands. A single spit from each person can drown them all."

"So what?" Yaris calmed down, gathered his clothes with both hands, and looked at the big man opposite him: "Xia Mo, you should know that the emperor went to the east to fight against the Jin people, and you also know that the Jin people were defeated by the Qi people, and even the court was defeated by the Qi people many times. In which time was it not because we had more people?"

Seeing that the big man opposite him just sneered, he shook his head and said, "Forget it. I know you are not a person who listens to advice, but we have worked together for a long time. I advise you that you are the king of the Xi people in Zhongjing Road, so think twice before doing anything."

"Then I really have to thank you." Xia Mo snorted coldly and stretched out his hand: "If you don't dare to fight, I will do it. Give me the military token."

Yaris frowned and looked at him, hesitant.

"Hurry up."

Xia Mo looked impatient and started to urge them. Before Quan Liushou behind the table could make any move, hurried footsteps were heard outside. The two people in the room turned around and saw a figure running in quickly. "Ouch!" He tripped over the threshold and quickly stood up, ran over and knelt down.

"Reporting to the governor, Gaozhou was captured six days ago. The defenders of Wuanzhou have decided to surrender the city. The Qi army's vanguard is divided into two parts and is heading towards Huizhou and Enzhou."

The room was silent for a moment, and then Xi Wang Xiamo suddenly turned his head to look at Yaris, and slammed the table with his rough big hand: "The Qi army is divided into two groups, which is a way to bring disaster. Give me the military token quickly, and I can take the opportunity to catch him off guard."

The person who brought the news shuddered when he heard the words and lowered his head silently. For a moment he didn't know whether to advance or retreat, and could only complain secretly in his heart.

Zhong Jingquan, who was behind the table, looked at him and finally said, "Wait."

He bent down and wrote a military order, used the seal of the garrison, then turned around, reached out and took out a copper key, opened the cupboard, took out a box, unlocked it again, took out an iron fish talisman and threw it over, then pushed the general order: "Here you go."

Xia Mo reached out and grabbed it, without saying anything else, turned around and left.

Yaris watched him from behind, and when he was about to leave, he said, "You better be careful, don't die."

King Xi stopped at the door, looked back at him, snorted, "I won't die even if you die," and walked out.

Soon, the sound of war drums was heard in the city.

……

After the beginning of spring, the wind makes people's skin feel dry, but the several large ranches outside the Sanhan City of Gaozhou are bustling with activity. In the sun, overlapping figures are dragging horses, cattle, sheep and camels to one side with sweat on their brows. There are military clerks holding paper and pen, taking notes, and talking excitedly to the people beside them from time to time.

"This time the harvest is not small."

Zhang Lin stood outside the ranch, with his hands behind his back, watching the busy scene in front of him. Since taking Shangjing, he has been doing more and more things, because his family is here, but more importantly, he guessed that Lu Bu's observation period of him has passed. Although he may not be able to become a high-ranking official like the Prime Minister of the Southern Palace in the future, there is still room for development in the current court.

Next, can we let the children in the family participate more?

Squinting his eyes and looking at the black and white lamb, Zhang Lin paced slowly with a hint of reverie. Because he surrendered, his old house in Shenzhou had been under local supervision. Not to mention being an official or joining the army, even if he wanted to do some business he was closely watched. His family had been complaining and had many complaints about this, but he suppressed them all until he was promoted and the supervision was lifted.

And now that I have exchanged this patience for the opportunity to sit at the table, the next step seems to be to enjoy the food on the table.

Zhang Lin had been in Liaodong for a long time and had served in the Liao army, so he had some understanding of both sides. He had no doubt at all that the Qi army could take Zhongjing. The only difference was how long it would take.

"No matter how much time it takes, people are needed to govern. Several of my sons have good morals and knowledge. It won't be a problem for them to be transferred to another county to be county officials. As for my son..."

Zhang Lin looked at the rolling hills in the distance and breathed a sigh of relief. Because his son was captured, he abandoned his official position and fled overnight after receiving the news. Now he is studying at home and it is time for him to come out.

"You should come with me to the court. I will talk to His Majesty some other day..."

"Mr. Zhang..."

As he was talking to himself, he heard shouting in the distance. Turning his head, he saw a figure running towards him from the direction of the city. Zhang Lin frowned, "What happened? Why are you in such a hurry?"

"News has come from the east that Wu'an Prefecture has surrendered..." The soldier who came over took a breath, steadied his breathing, and whispered a few words to him.

Zhang Lin raised his eyebrows with a look of joy on his face. The next second he turned around and walked quickly to the horse over there. With the order "Return to the city," a team of guards followed on horseback and headed straight for Sanhan City.

In mid-spring, the Qi army received the news of Wu'an Prefecture's surrender almost at the same time as the Zhongjing Garrison. This was not a surprise to either side, but it was also equally tricky.

As the news spread, the Qi army soldiers inside and outside the city were all delighted, and the high-ranking Qi army officers who were temporarily staying in the provincial government gathered together for this occasion.

"The results of the inspection showed 110 war horses, 200 nags, 53 camels, 3,000 sheep, and 30 carts."

Throwing the account book with the numbers on the table, Lu Bu smiled and said, "It's not much, it's just a small fortune."

"The troops here have been withdrawn, so it's a pleasant surprise to have some gains." Lu Sili stroked his beard and laughed, then frowned: "Is Your Majesty going to send troops to Wu'an Prefecture?" "No." Lu Bu shook his head and stood up with a majestic figure: "Didn't Wu'an Prefecture surrender? Let them guard it themselves."

"But……"

"I know what you are thinking, but now that we have a clear path ahead, there is no need to divide our forces for trivial matters. There is no need for Wu'an Prefecture to go there at this time. With so few soldiers and generals, they dare not go north to provoke us."

Lu Bu shook his head and looked at the civil and military officials standing in the room with a relaxed expression: "The most important thing at this time is Dading Prefecture. As long as we take it, Zhongjing will be pacified in no time. By then, not only Wu'an Prefecture, but also other places will rush to surrender."

Wang Zheng sat on a wooden chair and nodded. Du Fu and Xi Sheng also had smiles on their faces. Zhang Lin smiled and twisted his white beard. He moved his eyes thoughtfully, then took a step forward and a voice rang out.

"Your Majesty is right."

The figure who stepped out bowed and said, "It's just that Wu'an Prefecture has just surrendered, and the officials in the city may be suspicious and uneasy. I am willing to go and take a look to calm the hearts of the newly surrendered people, so as to prevent them from surrendering and then rebelling again, which would cause doubts among the officials in other military prefectures."

Lu Bu thought about it and nodded: "If you are willing to go, I will give you 200 guards."

"No need." Zhang Lin bowed, his face sincere: "Our army is small, there is no need to use 200 guards for me alone, only three or five elite soldiers will be enough."

He stood up and said with a smile: "If the officials in the state are truly loyal to me, I will have no worries even if I go alone. Otherwise, even if there are thousands of troops around, misfortune is inevitable."

Lu Bu supported his words and immediately wrote a document of surrender and gave it to Zhang Lin, asking him to take it to Woye Cheng'an to express the wishes of the officials. He also selected six battle-hardened guards from the Wuwei to accompany him. He did not say anything about his determination to protect Zhang Lin.

There are only seven people in the group. If they are so sincere, how can they not hurt each other?
Seeing Zhang Lin leaving, Lu Bu thought for a moment and looked around: "Send a message to the whole army, rest tonight and continue southward tomorrow morning."

"Order Wen Zhongrong to lead his troops to stay behind."

At that moment, a guard went out to deliver the message.

The next day, in the connected military camps, troops moved under the leadership of colonels and inspectors. Different general flags fluttered in the air, and then quickly moved out of the city. The thundering sound of horse hooves galloped through the wilderness and official roads. Merchants and pedestrians passing by Sanhan City hurriedly got out of the way, and watched the dark army pass by with their nerves tense.

However, in the south, the troops of Wanyan Loushi and Han Shizhong, who had marched south earlier, had already quickly crossed the plains and waded across the rivers.

On this day, the flags covered the sky. Without any hesitation, the vanguard army split into two groups halfway. One group headed straight for Enzhou, while the other group deviated to the left and headed for Huihe City in Huizhou.

In mid-to-late spring, on some undulating hills, Liao army scouts gasped as they watched the black army charging towards them. A flag with the word "Han" fluttered in the wind, with two flags with the words "Guan" and "Lu" flanking it on the left and right, and further behind was a flag with the word "Pan".

He hurried down the mountain and lit the smoke signal that had been prepared long ago, and a column of smoke rose up.

distance.

Han Shizhong rode on his warhorse and wiped his nose with his hand: "Huihe City is much closer than Enhua. I fought for it."

He turned his head to look at Guan Sheng and Lu Zhishen and said, "My two brothers, if this is slower than the Jurchens, we will be too embarrassed to see anyone."

Lu Zhishen stroked his beard with his big hand and slapped the sword hanging on his waist: "I will be the vanguard in a while. I don't believe that these Liao people will become able to defend the city in such a short time."

Guan Sheng narrowed his eyes, stroked his long beard, and slowly put on a beard guard: "The Liao people are good at field battles, but that doesn't necessarily mean..."

His eyes suddenly opened, and his left hand, wearing a green robe, pointed to the distant sky: "Wolf smoke."

Han Shizhong and Lu Zhishen quickly turned their heads and looked at the black smoke column rising. They exchanged a glance. Han Shizhong smiled and said to the two generals, "Let's solve this problem out in the wild."

He turned around and waved to the deputy general behind him, and the scouts in front of him consciously ran towards the smoke column.

Guan Sheng's eyes moved, and he looked excited: "Since I took the rank of cavalry captain, I have not made any achievements. Today I will be the vanguard."

Han Shizhong stretched out his hand and grabbed the steel spear, then turned to look at Lu Zhishen: "I have 500 cavalrymen in the army, and General Pan in the rear army has 300 as well. I will leave the infantry to you and General Pan. As long as we can hold off the cavalry for a moment, it will be fine."

He looked at Guan Sheng again and said, "Brother Guan, you and I, one on the left and one on the right, will charge straight into the center of the army." He grinned and said, "Let's see who can take down the Liao general first."

……

As a royal family general, Yelu Dezhong was demoted to be the commander of the army in Huizhou after his previous defeat. He had been living a life of drunkenness and dreaming during this period, and did not pay much attention to military affairs until he received the news that Gaozhou had been conquered and the smoke of war was lit, and was ordered by the governor of the state to send troops to meet the invading Qi army. He was still in a trance and could not react.

For him, the attack of the Qi army was within his expectations, but it was not so fast. Thinking about the battle report on the table and looking at the reins in his hands, he felt a sense of dizziness.

Afterwards, the scouts in the army communicated with each other, and the information from the other side became clearer and clearer.

"Six or seven thousand men? Almost all infantry?"

Yelu Dezhong took off his wolf-hair helmet and patted the dust off it. He turned his eyes and saw that Huizhou had 12,000 soldiers and asked him to lead 10,000. He turned around and looked at the generals behind him...

The thought "Maybe I can fight!" came to my mind.

Two scouts came from the side of the army, stopped in front of him, dismounted, and walked over quickly: "Commander-in-chief, the Qi army is lining up."

"You want to use infantry to stop my cavalry?" Yelu Dezhong frowned, pressed the iron helmet with wolf hair back on his head, rubbed his liver-colored face, and urged his horse forward while issuing an order: "Order the whole army, cavalry first, infantry follow, and defeat them first."

He licked his lips and whispered, "Who knows, I can really bury the Qi army here. We are all infantrymen. How dare you..."

Soon, the horn sounded to convey the order, and a cavalry of nearly 4,000 people separated from the team of 10,000 people and marched along the road reported by the scouts.

At the moment of deciding to attack, Lu Zhishen and Pan Zhong on the other side joined together, connected the chariots they brought, formed an outer chariot formation, set up crossbows inside, and blocked the gaps with large shields as tall as a person, and several circular battle formations were formed in an instant.

The crossbowmen were doing their final check, arrows flashing with cold light were stuck into the ground, and spears several meters long were mounted.

The ugly Pan Zhong spat into his palms, rubbed them together and said, "Come on, I have almost accumulated enough military merits. If you bring two more, I can also be promoted to a noble title."

Soon, yellow smoke rose above the green land, and the cavalry rumbled over.

(End of this chapter)