I summon all the famous generals in history in another world

Chapter 1463 The Ancestral Witch of Time Returns to Old Zhu (The Battle of Wuzhou Officially Ends)
"Rest assured, my lord, I will do my best."

Zhu Sheng cupped his hands in response.

Once the deployment was complete, all the troops set off immediately. Chang Yuchun's cavalry was the fastest, traveling day and night, and arrived at Eagle's Beak Cliff in just one day and one night.

Eagle Beak Cliff lives up to its name, with steep cliffs on both sides and only a narrow mountain path in the middle, which was the only way for Jiang Xiaobai's allied forces to retreat.

Chang Yuchun ordered his soldiers to set up rolling stones and logs on the cliff, and also had his cavalry hide in the woods on both sides of the mountain road. As soon as Jiang Xiaobai's allied forces arrived, they could immediately form an encirclement.

Tang He's navy was equally decisive, sailing upstream along the Xiaoshui River and quickly taking control of the Xiaoshui ferry crossing.

The ferry at Xiaoshui Ferry was originally used by local people for ferrying passengers. There was only one large boat that could accommodate a hundred people and a few small boats.

Tang He ordered his men to sail the large ship to the other side of the river and then deployed five hundred archers on both banks of the ferry crossing. The archers were equipped with repeating crossbows, so they could immediately strike any allied forces that attempted to cross.

Two days later, Zhu Tianpeng's infantry arrived at the plain east of Xiaoshui Ferry and formed the "Eight Gates Formation". Although this formation was not the complete version, it was sufficient to intercept the enemy. The soldiers held spears and shields, their ranks were neat and their momentum was magnificent. From a distance, it looked like a steel forest.

Three days later, Zhu Yuanzhang and his entourage finally arrived at the Xiaoshui Ferry.

At this time, all forces had been deployed and were waiting for Jiang Xiaobai's allied forces to arrive. Zhu Yuanzhang had a simple camp built on a hilltop near the ferry crossing. A red flag of the Yellow Turban Army was hung outside the camp, with a large "Zhu" character embroidered on it.

Half an hour later, Jiang Xiaobai's allied forces of Wuzhou indeed appeared downstream of Xiaoshui Ferry.

The state of this allied army at this moment can only be described as appalling. The soldiers are dressed in rags, many of them are injured, some are using crutches, some are being helped by their comrades, and they all look exhausted. The flags are askew, the ranks are in complete disarray, and they have completely lost their former glory.

Along the way, in order to seize grain and fodder, they also plundered many villages and towns, causing widespread resentment among the people, and the morale of the army was at its lowest point.

Jiang Xiaobai rode a white horse, his face pale. This time, his betrayal of the Yellow Turban army had temporarily preserved his strength, but it had also completely offended Zhu Yuanzhang.

If Zhu Yuanzhang caught up with them, the consequences would be unimaginable. Therefore, he urged his soldiers to speed up their retreat, hoping to return to the territory of Da Xuan as soon as possible and seek the protection of the Da Xuan court.

"General, the Xiaoshui Ferry is just ahead!"

One of the guards pointed to the ferry crossing ahead and said excitedly.

"Once we cross the ferry and climb over Eagle's Beak Cliff, we'll enter the Great Xuan territory!"

Jiang Xiaobai breathed a sigh of relief, a glimmer of hope rising in her heart.

"General! Something terrible has happened! The Xiaoshui Ferry has been captured by the Yellow Turban Army! They have deployed archers and crossbowmen on both banks of the ferry and have also taken control of the ferry boats!"

Just then, a scout came running over in a panic.
"what?!"

Jiang Xiaobai's expression changed drastically.
"How could the Yellow Turban Army be so fast? Wasn't their main force defeated at Qing Shi Valley? How come they still have spare troops to intercept us?"

He hurriedly spurred his horse forward and climbed a high slope to look out. He saw that both banks of the Xiaoshui ferry were densely packed with Yellow Turban soldiers, and archers were on high alert. The ferry was stopped on the opposite bank, making it impossible to get close.

On the plain east of the ferry, the Yellow Turban Army's infantry formed a neat formation, their banners bright and their imposing presence clearly indicating that they had been prepared for some time.

"And another thing! General, Yellow Turban cavalry have also been spotted in the direction of Eagle Beak Cliff!"

Another scout arrived to report.

"They've taken over the advantageous terrain of Eagle's Beak Cliff; it looks like they're trying to block our retreat!"

Jiang Xiaobai was sweating profusely. There were interceptions in front and pursuers behind (although the Hengzhou army had not yet arrived, he did not know this). At this moment, the allied forces were exhausted and had no fighting power at all. If they were to fight the Yellow Turban Army head-on, it would be tantamount to throwing an egg against a rock.

"Mr. Sun, Mr. Zhu, what do we do now?"

Jiang Xiaobai looked at Sun Bin, Zhu Jiuyin, and the others beside him.

Meanwhile, Zhu Jiuyin, riding on his steed Ta Guang, had a calm expression, but his eyes held a hint of complexity.

He had long anticipated that Zhu Yuanzhang would not give up easily, but he did not expect Zhu Yuanzhang to arrive so quickly and with such meticulous planning.

"General Jiang, things have come to this point, and we have no choice but to negotiate." He glanced at the chaotic allied forces, then at the Yellow Turban army by the ferry.

"Zhu Yuanzhang's goal was clearly not to exterminate us, otherwise he would have taken action long ago. The fact that he only intercepted us and did not launch a full-scale attack means that he has something to say to us."

Zhu Jiuyin said in a deep voice.

"Negotiation? Negotiate with Zhu Yuanzhang?"

Jiang Xiaobai hesitated.

"No, Zhu Yuanzhang was a man destined for great things; he wouldn't do something like going back on his word."

"Moreover, although his Great Xuan Yellow Turban Army is supported by the Taiping Cult headquarters, the Taiping Cult headquarters has always been eager to seize control of the Great Xuan Yellow Turban Army. Now, Zhu Yuanzhang's main force lacks top-notch combat power, especially experts in the Qi Realm. His target must be me or General Dijiang."

Zhu Jiuyin shook his head.

"General Jiang, my lord Zhu Yuanzhang is here. Please invite Master Zhu Jiuyin to come forward! My lord said that today is only to reminisce with Master Zhu and has no intention of being an enemy of the allied forces. If Master Zhu is willing to come forward for a chat, my lord can guarantee the safety of the allied forces!"

Just then, an envoy emerged from the Yellow Turban army ranks, riding a horse and holding a white flag, shouting loudly.

Jiang Xiaobai looked at Zhu Jiuyin with a questioning look in his eyes.

"I'll go see him. General Jiang, you wait here and don't make any rash moves."

Zhu Jiuyin nodded.

After saying this, he urged his steed, Taguang, and walked alone towards the ferry. He immediately spotted Zhu Yuanzhang standing outside the tent.
"Mr. Zhu, it's been many years. How have you been?"

Zhu Yuanzhang spoke first, his tone warm and friendly, as if he were meeting an old friend.

"Commander Zhu, how have you been? I never imagined that we would meet in this way after so many years."

Zhu Jiuyin dismounted and returned the greeting with clasped hands.

"Yes, time waits for no one. Come, Mr. Candle, sit down and let's talk."

Zhu Yuanzhang sighed and pointed to the stone bench beside him.

“Mr. Zhu, we know you are a capable person, skilled in both literature and martial arts, and your cultivation in the Qi Realm has reached the level of a top-level war god, only one step away from the ultimate Qi Realm.”

"But Jiang Xiaobai doesn't know how to cherish talent at all. He's always on guard against you, cuts off your soldiers' rations, and even betrays his allies at crucial moments. Is this kind of person worth your assistance?"

He paused and continued.

Zhu Jiuyin remained silent.

“Mr. Zhu, although Old Zhu hasn’t read many books, he knows how to cherish talent.”

"If you're willing to stay, whatever supplies you need, we'll give you; whatever military power you want, we'll give you! Old Zhu may not have much else, but he's honest and kind to people!"

Zhu Yuanzhang's tone became sincere.

"Lord."

Zhu Jiuyin raised his head and looked at Zhu Yuanzhang.

"I have one condition."

He then took a deep breath and said solemnly.

(End of this chapter)