novelAbuy Chapter 16: They've rebelled! They've all rebelled!
Chapter 16: They've rebelled! They've all rebelled!
"They've rebelled! They've all rebelled!"
Inside the command tent of the Panhe Grand Camp, Gongsun Zan swept the bamboo slips on the table to the ground and roared like thunder.
"A mere clerk and a straw sandal weaver dare to join forces to bully me! Do they really think my sword, Gongsun Bogui, is dull?!"
He immediately gave the order.
He ordered his general Fan Fang to lead three thousand elite cavalry back from the front lines immediately to Pingyuan County to quell the rebellion.
The order was simple: capture Li Zhao, Liu Bei, and others; if they dared to resist, kill them without mercy! Massacre the city for three days as a warning to others!
When the news reached Pingyuan, the entire city was shaken.
The people, who had finally enjoyed a few days of peace, were terrified when they heard that government troops were coming to massacre the city. The settlements were also filled with panic, and many displaced people even planned to flee again.
The atmosphere in the main hall of the county temple was solemn.
Li Zhao sat in the main seat, his expression remaining calm and composed. Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun stood on either side, each with a stern expression.
"Brother! That old bastard Gongsun Zan is going too far!" Zhang Fei roared angrily, his eyes blazing. "We kindly helped him govern the region, and he does the opposite, sending troops to kill us! In my opinion, we should rebel against him! Let's march on Ji County and seize his damn position!"
"Third brother, stop talking nonsense!" Liu Bei scolded, but his tone lacked its usual confidence. He hadn't expected Gongsun Zan to be so resolute, leaving no room for maneuver.
Guan Yu narrowed his phoenix eyes and said coldly, "Gongsun Zan is ruthless, so don't blame us for being unjust. Since he has sent troops to attack, then let's fight! My Green Dragon Crescent Blade is just waiting for an opportunity to drink blood!"
All eyes turned to Li Zhao. He was the backbone of this place; the decision of war or peace rested entirely on his word.
Li Zhao slowly stood up, his gaze sweeping over everyone before finally settling on the location of Pingyuan County on the map.
"Fan Fang, three thousand elite cavalry."
Li Zhao's voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly.
"Six months ago, we would have had no choice but to await our fate. But now..."
He turned around, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes.
"Pingyuan County has 3,000 soldiers, 300,000 shi of grain, and 40,000 people in its ranks."
"If he wants war, then let's fight!"
Li Zhao drew his long sword from his waist, the blade pointing directly north.
"Zilong!"
"Your subordinate is here!"
"I order you to lead a thousand elite troops out of the city, set up camp five miles away, and defend along the river to intercept Fan Fang's vanguard!"
"promise!"
"Yun Chang, Yi De!"
"Your subordinate is here!"
"I order you two to each lead five hundred soldiers and ambush them in the dense forests on both sides of the city's north side. Once Fan Fang's army's formation is thrown into disarray, immediately attack and cut off their retreat!"
"promise!"
"Lord Xuande"
"Prepared."
"Please, Lord Xuande, take charge of the county seat, pacify the people, allocate provisions and equipment, and ensure that the army's logistics are not a problem."
"Ready to receive orders!"
With each military order issued, the entire Pingyuan County sprang into action.
Three days later, five li north of Pingyuan City.
Fan Fang led three thousand elite cavalrymen in a menacing manner. He had assumed that Pingyuan County was nothing more than a rabble, and that they would immediately surrender once the army arrived.
However, when he saw the camp that stretched across the official road, he was stunned.
The camp was built along the river, with deep moats and high walls, covered with deer antlers. Banners fluttered on the camp walls, and soldiers stood ready with spears and halberds.
The young general at the head, riding a white horse and wielding a silver spear, was none other than Zhao Yun.
"You audacious traitor! How dare you resist the imperial army!" Fan Fang spurred his horse forward, pointing his whip at Zhao Yun and shouting, "Dismount and surrender immediately, and perhaps you'll at least have a whole corpse!"
Zhao Yun stared at him coldly, as if he were looking at a dead man.
"General Gongsun, misled by treacherous officials, has raised an unjust army to attack meritorious ministers. This is a chaotic order! As the garrison commanders of Pingyuan, we have the responsibility to protect our land and its people. How can we allow you to run rampant here!"
"Stubborn fools!" Fan Fang roared. "Charge! Raze the camp to the ground! Leave no one alive!"
As the bugle sounded, three thousand elite cavalrymen launched their charge. The thunderous sound of hooves shook the earth.
Zhao Yun remained expressionless, and with a flick of his spear, shouted, "Fire!"
On the camp wall, hundreds of crossbowmen pulled their triggers in unison. Arrows rained down on the charging cavalry.
These crossbows were powerful crossbows that Li Zhao had secretly purchased from Jizhou with the money confiscated during the raids. They had a long range and strong penetrating power. The cavalrymen at the forefront were hit by arrows and fell from their horses one after another, their screams filling the air.
Fan Fang's cavalry charge faltered.
They never expected that such a small plain county would have such formidable long-range firepower.
"Don't stop! Keep charging! They don't have many arrows left!"
Fan Fang brandished his battle sword and roared.
The cavalrymen pressed on despite their injuries, and after paying the price of hundreds of lives, they finally reached the camp.
However, what awaited them was an even more brutal hand-to-hand combat.
Zhao Yun charged ahead, leading five hundred swordsmen and shieldmen out of the camp gate. His gleaming silver spear flew up and down as if he were in an empty field, and wherever he passed, men and horses fell, and blood and flesh flew everywhere.
Although these elite settlers had not been trained for long, they were highly motivated and well-equipped. They knew that their homes, wives, children, and elderly parents lay behind them, and there was no turning back!
A fierce battle ensued between the two sides in front of the camp.
Fan Fang grew increasingly alarmed as the battle progressed. He discovered that the fighting prowess of this plains army far exceeded his expectations, especially that young general in white robes, whose martial arts skills were simply unbelievable. Several of his more courageous lieutenants went up to challenge him, but were all unhorsed within three exchanges.
Just as Fan Fang was in a difficult situation, suddenly a deafening battle cry erupted from the dense forest on both sides.
A troop of men charged out from the left, led by a general with a face as red as a jujube. As he brandished his Green Dragon Crescent Blade, a storm of blood and gore ensued.
A group of soldiers in black armor charged out from the right. The leader, a burly man with a leopard's head and piercing eyes, wielded a ten-foot spear that moved like a venomous snake, each strike deadly.
It was Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, who had been lying in ambush for a long time!
The addition of these two new forces became the final straw that broke Fan Fangjun's back.
The three thousand elite cavalrymen, already demoralized from their prolonged siege on the main battlefield, were now caught in a pincer attack from both flanks, throwing them into complete disarray.
"Retreat! Retreat now!"
Seeing that things were not going well, Fan Fang turned his horse around and tried to escape.
"Where do you think you're going, you thief!"
A loud shout rang out, and Zhang Fei, riding his black horse Wuzhui, broke through the chaotic army like a black lightning bolt, heading straight for Fan Fang.
Fan Fang was terrified and desperately urged his horse to gallop. But how could his horse outrun Zhang Fei's black steed?
In the blink of an eye, Zhang Fei had caught up behind him, his eighteen-foot spear thrusting out and piercing Fan Fang through with a soft thud.
With their commander dead, the remaining cavalry completely collapsed and scattered in all directions.
Zhao Yun, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei led their troops in a pursuit that covered more than ten miles, beheading over a thousand people, capturing over eight hundred, and seizing countless warhorses and weapons.
The Pingyuan Army won a great victory in this battle!
When the news reached the city, the entire city was in an uproar. The people ran around spreading the news, cheering and jumping for joy. They knew they were safe; Magistrate Li had saved them!
In the main hall of the county temple, a celebratory banquet was set up.
Li Zhao raised his wine cup and toasted the three meritorious officials, Zhao Yun, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei.
"Today's victory is entirely due to the valiant efforts of our three generals. On behalf of all the people of Zhaodai County, we salute our three generals!"
The three quickly retaliated. After this battle, they were even more impressed by Li Zhao's command and coordination abilities.
After a few rounds of drinks, Li Zhao put down his wine cup, and the smile on his face gradually faded.
"We have won today, but this is only the beginning."
He walked to the map and pointed to the location of the Pan River.
"Gongsun Zan has lost Fan Fang and three thousand elite cavalry, so he will not let this go easily. But he is currently tied down by Yuan Shao and is temporarily unable to send another large army."
"The real battle will not take place on the plains, but at the Pan River."