Three Kingdoms: Jiangdong is no longer a rat

Chapter 126 Borrowing the Road
Looking down from the sky, one could see two armies fighting fiercely in the countryside three miles east of Yong'an, chasing and fleeing, while another cavalry unit of about 450 people was galloping back and forth on the outskirts of the battlefield, covering the fleeing troops with a rain of arrows.

Screams, roars, the clashing of weapons, the collision of armor, and the neighing of war horses intertwined together to form a melody of death.

Looking east from the battlefield, one could see corpses lying across the field, forming an irregular curve with bloodstains along the way, stretching for more than two miles.

Han You rode on his horse, staring at the battlefield where the two armies were fighting the most fiercely. His cheeks twitched slightly, and his eyes revealed a trace of heartache and heaviness.

He did not expect that he led 4,000 troops out of the city, waited for the enemy to tire themselves out, and surrounded and killed more than 2,000 remaining troops of Zhu Zhi, but he did not gain any advantage at all.

If it weren't for his numerical advantage and the harassment from Xu Sheng's army, it would be him instead of Zhu Zhi who would be at a disadvantage.

Han You had originally thought he had gained every advantage in this incident, having not only resolved the crisis in Yong'an but also achieved a one-year truce with the Yan family. After killing Zhu Zhi, he would also become even more famous in Jiangdong. However, as his own casualties continued to mount, he felt that his gains were rapidly diminishing.

However, he was now in a difficult position. He had become a complete enemy of Zhu Zhi, who wished to skin him alive and rip his tendons out! If Zhu Zhi could not be allowed to rest in peace here, he would surely suffer endless disasters in the future!

Now that we're on this pirate ship, we have no choice but to go all the way!

Han You, with a gloomy expression, called over a general and pulled out a golden token from the leather belt around his waist. "Return to Yong'an immediately and dispatch another 2,000 troops to encircle the enemy!"

The general took the order and left.

Han You turned his gaze back to the battlefield, scanning Xu Sheng's troops, and suddenly growled, "Go now! Have Xu Sheng charge the enemy immediately!"

His tone was thick with resentment. So far in the battle, Xu Sheng's troops hadn't launched a single charge, and only suffered a dozen casualties! Zhu Zhijun also seemed somewhat afraid of Xu Sheng's troops, avoiding them at every turn. The two sides had reached a tacit understanding.

Han You's mentality was seriously unbalanced. He felt that he was fighting hard while his allies were just slacking off.

If he had not been determined to kill Zhu Zhi and his army was indeed the main force on the battlefield, he would have led his troops away from the battlefield long ago.

At this moment, dust billowed in the distance as a scout came galloping over. He pulled a scroll of bamboo slips from the soap bag on his back and held it in front of Han You with both hands. "My Lord, the Yan Yi army has appeared ten miles to the northeast. I have an urgent letter to deliver."

Han You took the bamboo slips and asked, "How many troops does the enemy have?"

"About 4,000 men." The scout hesitated for a moment, then added, "The Yi Army's rear guard and baggage carriers are carrying ladders. I don't know why."

Han You frowned slightly, unfolding the bamboo slips while muttering to himself, "Why would he bring a ladder with him when he's going to fight Zhu Zhi in the field?"

He looked down at the bamboo slips and saw that inside was a letter written by Yan Yi. It contained only a few words, which basically asked him to delay Zhu Zhijun and wait for him to lead his troops to arrive and then attack the enemy together.

Han You was delighted at first, because after Yan Yijun arrived at the battlefield, he could just watch the fire from the other side of the river. However, the next moment, he frowned and realized that something was wrong.

Yan Yi's army was still ten miles away. By the time they arrived, Zhu Zhi's army would likely have been largely destroyed. Wouldn't Yan Yi then easily steal the credit for defeating Zhu Zhi? And how would the spoils of war be distributed? With so many casualties, were they merely providing a boon to others?
Moreover, Yan Yijun actually carried ladders, which was also very strange.

Now that he has mobilized 6,000 troops from Yong'an, the city's garrison is empty. If this guy does something like "Xiang Zhuang dancing with a sword, aiming at Pei Gong" and launches a surprise attack on Yong'an, wouldn't he have to hand over even his foundation to others?
Han You was suddenly shocked when he thought of this. Wasn't it Yan Yi who, under the guise of a military expedition, secretly raided Qian Tong and seized his inheritance? Even his beloved wife was abducted as a concubine! This guy was best at playing dirty tricks and launching surprise attacks. The lesson from the past was still fresh in his mind!

He quickly summoned his military officer, Han Yi, and ordered him, "Rush immediately to Yan Yi's army and tell them that Zhu Zhi is about to be defeated by me. Tell him not to come again. If he forces his way in, report back to me immediately!"

Han You secretly decided that if Yan Yi insisted on coming, he would immediately lead his troops back to Yong'an and he would not care whether Zhu Zhi was dead or alive.

He only half believed in the so-called one-year truce. Wasn't Zou destroyed during the truce?
In fact, Han You was just being paranoid. His troops were only a few miles away from Yong'an City. Even if Yan Yi had three heads and six arms, he could not fly into the city under his nose.

All I can say is that some people's timidity is ingrained in their bones.

Just as Han Yi was about to leave, Han You stopped him and said in a deep voice, "Our army suffered heavy casualties in this battle. Ask Yan Yi to compensate us with 10 million coins and 100,000 dan of grain!"

When he had discussed the two families' joint attack on Zhu Zhi, he had never expected that in the end he would be the one fighting a bloody battle with Zhu Zhi alone. The loss he suffered this time was too great, so how could he let it go easily with Yan Yi?
You can't expect me to work for nothing. I have to pay more!
Han Yi was a little afraid of Yan Yi and said, "Brother, this is not a good idea."

Han You glared at him and said, "Just go if I tell you to! Why are you nagging?"

Han Yi had no choice but to hurriedly write a letter, stamp it with the seal, mount his horse and head straight to the northeast.

After urging the horses to march for a quarter of an hour, they saw a mighty army appearing on the official road. They were wearing bright armor and carrying swords and spears like a forest. In front of the formation, flag officers and banner bearers carried several large vermilion flags with the huge word "Yan" embroidered on them.

Han Yi rode forward, gave his name, and was immediately brought before Yan Yi.

After reading the bamboo slips, Yan Yi did not answer, but instead asked him about the battle situation on the front line.

Seeing him clad in Mingguang armor and a purple-gold helmet, looking so majestic and heroic, Han Yi couldn't help but feel a little ashamed of himself. Furthermore, because of his recent military prowess, he felt even more intimidated. He bowed his head and said, "My army has been engaged in a bloody battle with Zhu Zhi's army for an hour, resulting in over two thousand casualties. However, my lord has already sent reinforcements from the city, and the Zhu thieves are on the verge of collapse. Therefore, I dare not trouble Lord Yan to come. I will report victory shortly, so please wait for good news."

Yan Yi turned his head to look at Yuan Sui, the governor of the Censorate, who whispered in his ear, "Han You's army has suffered over 1,300 casualties, while Zhu Zhi's army has suffered over 900 casualties. The two armies are still fighting fiercely, and no reinforcements have yet emerged from the city."

Yan Yi nodded slightly. After a moment's thought, he guessed what Han You was thinking. He smiled and said, "Since Lord Han is confident that he can wipe out the Zhu bandits, I will not get involved. However, my scouts just reported that a remnant of Zhu Zhi's troops has fled towards Qiantang. I would like to ask Lord Han for permission to pass through to pursue them. I hope you will do me a favor."

Han Yi thought to himself, as long as you don't go too deep into my territory, it will be fine. He clasped his fists and said, "I will report this to the Lord of the Mansion immediately. Please wait a moment, Lord Yan. I will be back soon."

Yan Yi said politely, "Thank you for your help."

Han Yi took two steps forward, then suddenly turned back with an embarrassed look on his face. He hesitantly said, "Our army suffered heavy casualties in this battle. I wonder if Lord Yan would consider our two families' joint efforts to kill the bandits and give us some money and food?"

Yan Yi thought to himself, "I'm not going to give you a hammer!" A smile appeared on his face. "Let me think about this matter for a while, and we'll discuss it when you return."

Han Yi thought there was a chance, and a hint of joy appeared on his face. He turned and left.

After Han Yi left, Yan Yi frowned slightly and instructed Yuan Sui, "Go there in person and see if Yong'an has sent any reinforcements."

Yuan Sui nodded solemnly and strode away.

Yan Yi immediately ordered the army to rest on the spot. The soldiers took out dry food and water bags to comfort their stomachs which were hungry and thirsty due to the long march.

After waiting for more than two quarters of an hour, Han Yi and Yuan Sui returned one after another. Han Yi said with a relaxed look on his face, "Thank you for waiting for me, Lord Yan. My Lord has agreed to let me pass through. I wonder how much money and food Lord Yan plans to provide for my army?"

Yuan Sui walked behind Yan Yi and whispered, "Yong'an's reinforcements have arrived, about two thousand men."

Yan Yi heaved a sigh of relief upon hearing this. With the Yongan reinforcements now on their way, the fall of Zhu Zhi's army was only a matter of time. As for who had truly defeated Zhu Zhi, anyone with a discerning eye would know.

Now Han You was willing to bear the brunt of Zhu Zhi's army's dying counterattack on his behalf, and he was more than happy to do so. As for Zhu Zhi's head, Xu Sheng would take it himself.

Yan Yi was in high spirits and asked Han Yi with a smile, "Most of Zhu Zhi's 7,000 troops were destroyed by me. Do you agree with me, Lord Han?"

Han Yi said humbly, "I admire the sharpness of Lord Yan's military prowess."

Yan Yi suddenly frowned and said, "Our army paid a far greater price to defeat Zhu Zhi than Lord Han did. For Lord Sheng's sake, I will not take Zhu Zhi's army's baggage. I will give it all to Lord Han as a supplement to your army's food and money."

Han Yi was dumbfounded when he heard this and stood there in a daze. Just as he was about to speak, Yan Yi turned around and left, leading the army along the official road towards Qiantang.

(End of this chapter)