Three Kingdoms: Jiangdong is no longer a rat

Chapter 104 Fighting General
Zhu Zhi's sister is Shi Liang's wife. Since Zhu Zhi has no children, Shi Liang even plans to adopt his youngest son Shi Ran, whom he has high hopes for, to Zhu Zhi. The relationship between the two families is unusually close.

Zhu Hai consoled him, "Father, the Shi family is a prominent and aristocratic family. They have been well-educated for generations and are a distinguished family. I'm sure Yan Yi wouldn't dare to do anything drastic to the Shi family."

Zhu Zhi nodded slightly.

Dong Yue had already drafted the military order and repeated its contents.

Zhu Zhi pondered and said, "One more thing: have the Qiantang military commissioner immediately recruit another 5,000 soldiers and have them inducted into the army within ten days."

Dong Yue showed a hint of hesitation on his face: "Captain, if we recruit another 5,000 soldiers, I'm afraid we'll be short of money and food."

Zhu Zhi said calmly: "It's okay, I have my own plan."

Dong Yue said nothing more. He held the wolf hair brush in his hand, lightly dipped the tip of the brush in ink, and added a few more lines on the bamboo slips.

After the military order was drafted, it was immediately sent to various places.

Zhu Zhi enforced strict military discipline. Once he issued an order, the entire army moved as fast as they could. The armor in the army formation clanged and they quickly split into several groups.

Zhu Hai and Zhang Gong led the most elite 2,000 infantrymen and dozens of cavalry, and quickly approached Lion Mountain.

These two thousand infantrymen were composed of one thousand elite soldiers from Qiantang, five hundred sons of wealthy families from Guzhang, and five hundred old subordinates who had followed Zhu Zhi in battle for many years. They were considered the most powerful troops under Zhu Zhi.

They were about to face off against Xu Sheng's troops, which included 600 heavily armored infantry and 600 elite cavalry.

Before leaving, Zhu Zhi earnestly warned Zhu Hai, "We're new to Jiangdong. While some of our troops may be more capable and experienced than the enemy, our equipment is inferior. This is especially true of the troops led by Xu Sheng, who are Yan Yi's absolute elite. You must not be careless. The defeats of Qian Tong and Zou Ta are a lesson not far away. You must remain vigilant and extremely cautious!"

Zhu Hai nodded solemnly: "Don't worry, father. I will keep it in mind."

About two hours later, Zhu Hai led his troops to a hill near Shishan Mountain.

Zhu Hai, wearing a heavy iron armor with a basin collar, stood on the mausoleum and looked towards Lion Mountain.

At the foot of a mountain shaped like a crouching lion, a camp consisting of fences and trenches was being built. Hundreds of soldiers were cutting wood nearby and ramming thick wooden stakes into the soil. The outline of the south gate of the camp had begun to take shape.

On the hill east of the camp, dozens of enemy soldiers surrounded several generals and were looking towards their position.

The eyes of both parties met in the air, and despite the distance, they could still feel each other's undisguised murderous intent.

Zhu Hai drew his sword, pointed it forward, and made a provocative gesture toward the enemy. He ordered, "All troops, form a battle array and advance toward the camp!"

The dozen or so generals standing beside him clasped their fists, accepted the order, and walked towards the foot of the mausoleum.

The sound of gongs and drums soon rang out, the drumbeats were quick and powerful, and two thousand soldiers quickly formed a circular defensive formation and marched in neat steps, slowly advancing towards the camp.

Almost at the same time, the enemy soldiers in the camp also formed a crane-wing formation, with the infantry in the middle and the cavalry on both sides. They were wearing grim armor and their swords and spears were as sharp as snow, approaching step by step.

The Crane Wing Formation is also a defensive formation. The commanders of both sides arranged the most suitable formation according to the situation of their troops.

The two armies approached each other in a narrow basin between several mountains and hills. When they were three or four hundred steps apart, they both stopped at the same time.

Zhu Hai aimed to tie down the enemy, preventing them from deploying their defensive fortifications. Xu Sheng aimed to block the enemy's advance by controlling the key roads. Each side waited for the other to launch the first attack, thereby maximizing their advantage. Consequently, despite the tense atmosphere and the murderous aura permeating the battlefield, an eerie silence descended.

While observing the enemy's formation, Xu Sheng exchanged views with Chen Gan and others: "Strange, the enemy doesn't seem to be in a hurry to rush to Rencheng."

Han Yang was also puzzled: "The enemy's formation is intended to hold its ground. With this formation alone, it is difficult to pose a threat to our army. I wonder what their plan is."

Chen Gan's eyes were filled with impatience, and he muttered, "Why keep guessing? Why not fight first? The outcome will be revealed under the sword."

Han Yang was slightly startled and quickly said, "Our army's mission is to prevent the enemy from reinforcing Rencheng. A rash attack could lead to disaster!"

Xu Sheng agreed, "After last night's fierce battle and half a day's forced march, the soldiers are exhausted and should not move lightly."

Zhu Hai then rode forward a few steps, holding his iron halberd horizontally in his right hand, and shouted, "I am Zhu Hai, a captain under Commandant Zhu. I have been ordered to go to Rencheng to mediate the dispute between the Zou and Yan families. Why are you blocking my way?"

Xu Sheng gently clamped his legs against the horse's belly, took two steps forward, pointed his Zhangba Snake Spear at Zhu Hai, and shouted, "My lord is following the governor's orders and the will of the people to conquer the Zou bandits. This is a just act. Why do we need you to mediate? You are favoring the bandits. What is your intention?"

Zhu Hai's face trembled as he sneered, "Your lord disobeyed the commander's orders and is plotting rebellion?"

Xu Sheng's eyes widened in anger, his tone as cold as ice: "A mere captain dares to disobey the governor's order. You clearly have evil intentions and are traitors!"

Zhu Hai shouted, "Do you dare to challenge me?"

Xu Sheng yanked the reins hard, the horse's front hooves raised high, and he snorted coldly: "I'm afraid you don't dare!"

Zhu Hai winked at a burly general behind him. The general licked his cracked lips, then, carrying a heavy mace, rode out and challenged, "I am Sima Weihu, Commander Zhu's general. Who dares to fight me to the death?"

Chen Gan's face was full of eagerness, and he was about to ride out on his horse.

Han Yang quickly stopped him and whispered, "Zhong Man, you are entrusted with the important task of commanding the Tiger Guards by the Young Master. How can you personally go into battle? Let me go and meet this guy."

Chen Gan originally wanted to go into battle, but when he heard him mention Yan Yi's name, a look of resentment appeared on his face, and he nodded reluctantly.

Han Yang handed the spear to his personal guard, exchanged it for a large axe, and rode his horse to the front of the battle. He shouted at Wei Hu, "You nameless rat, take this axe from your grandfather!"

Wei Hu was furious. He kicked his horse hard and rushed towards Han Yang.

Seeing this, Han Yang showed no sign of weakness and drove his horse towards Wei Hu like a flash of lightning.

These two powerful troops, shouldering heavy responsibilities and being extremely cautious, actually fought a rare battle in front of the battlefield.

It is important to understand that when two armies engage in battle, it is extremely rare for generals to fight on the battlefield. The only thing that determines the outcome of a war is the fierce fighting between thousands of troops.

However, in certain special circumstances, fighting between generals occasionally occurs as a psychological tactic or a means of boosting morale.

boom!
As the soldiers on both sides watched with bated breath, Han and Wei rode their horses past each other, their weapons suddenly closing and separating in the air, making crisp metallic collision sounds and emitting several sparks.

Both of them were veteran generals. As soon as they clashed, they had already tested each other's horsepower and arm strength. They each pulled the reins, turned their horses' heads, and prepared to fight again.

(End of this chapter)