Water Margin: Lu Bu sits on Mount Liang

At the end of the winter season, on the banks of the Jishui River, the officials and bandits who met were fighting fiercely. The fighting that began had lasted for more than an hour.

The red sun was sandwiched between two red clouds. In the field of vision, arrows kept crossing in the air. The ignited rockets made strange noises, with traces of sparks, propelled from the army formation by the push of gunpowder. The arrows shot straight into the back of the shield formation on the hill. An archer who had not evaded hastily fell to the ground with his arrows and howled miserably. The irritating smoke floated in the air, causing people to bend over and cough violently. He covered his mouth and nose with a cloth and dodged.

The fire arrow that ignited the arrow was nailed to the ground, and the flames burned on the wooden fence and the horse. Someone brought water to extinguish the fire, but was nailed to the ground by the arrow falling from the sky. Spots of blood flowed and spread, forming dark red stains on the battlefield. Patches, ugly and vicious.

After stabbing a Liangshan village soldier to death, the panting Yuhou of Maxing Town pulled out his spear. A few drops of blood spattered on his face. He didn't bother to wipe it off and ran to the next enemy. The hand holding the gun was put back to his waist and mouth "Ah -" shouted Dong Xian, who was holding a gun behind him. He saw him and ran over with a purple-gold tiger-headed gun. The head of the gun broke from the side of the waist and penetrated the entire abdomen. With a frightened and weak cry, he pulled out the gun. The spear crashed into his head, and the screams suddenly stopped. The figure flew back and rolled down the hill. When it stopped, it lay motionless on the ground.

Holding the spear, Dong Xian was out of breath. The bravery of the officers and soldiers was beyond his expectation. The surroundings were full of voices shouting to kill. The roars and shouts filled the front of the hill. The opponent's infantry advanced rapidly under the cover of rockets. He just understood Unable to lose their position, the Liangshan generals led their troops to fight back desperately. Under the leadership of the fierce generals, the soldiers withstood the madly advancing officers and soldiers.

The two sides were already in a state of turmoil on this hill. Tang Bin wanted to lead the few cavalrymen to rush down to find the officer general and kill the opponent first. The officers and soldiers who had been on guard lined up closely together and pressed forward with long spears. Several times The knights and their horses collided with the spears. The knights and horses neighed miserably, and thick blood flowed out.

Then the arrows flying from behind the spear formation forced the even smaller number of cavalry back. The figure holding a snake spear eight feet in length gnashed his teeth and led the cavalry into a battle group of ten people. The snake spear killed several people in succession. Then he ran towards the next group of several people.

The sky is fading, stretching to the left and right along the hills in front. The officials and bandits have already been beaten into a pot of porridge. In the interlocking canine teeth, there is me in you and you in me. The sound of the collision of shields and shields, the sound of swords and guns stabbing on the iron shields, is heard. A teeth-searing friction sound.

The swords and weapons in the hands of both sides collided in front of them one after another. Some people kept screaming and falling to the ground. The soldiers who had their hands and feet cut off screamed miserably. The splattered blood dyed the faces of the opposite parties red. The person who did it showed no mercy. After a fatal blow, some people gritted their teeth, endured the pain, and slashed the pursuing enemy to the ground with a knife.

Xi Sheng and Li Zhu were wearing armor and standing under the Liangshan banner at the rear. They frowned as they watched the battle ahead. There were messengers running around them, and the flags were waving in the air. There are several reserve troops, but they are not ready to be deployed immediately. The official army is obviously just the vanguard. Although the four battalions in front are smaller in number and equipment than the opponent, they still occupy the advantageous location. At this time, the front line has not collapsed.

"This group of officers and soldiers are very strong." Li Zhu leaned on the top of the hilt of his sword and narrowed his eyes as he looked into the distance.

The clear man touched his chin and guessed: "Yun Tianbiao's son is dead. Such an intense offensive... I'm afraid this trip will empty out the wealth of the Qingzhou officers and soldiers."

"It depends on what the main force of the army is bringing. The vanguard army probably has no new tricks." Mr. Jin Jian stared at the battlefield for a while, then looked up at the sky: "That's it. It's difficult for the army to gain an advantage. It's time to retreat." ”

"Just be careful at night or tomorrow."

Nodding in agreement, Xi Sheng waved his hand to summon the messenger: "Let Ma Ling come over."

Not long after, an escaped young man wearing leather armor and holding a Fangtian painted halberd walked quickly: "Commander, military advisor, I'm here."

After saying hello, Xi Sheng said to the god Juzi: "Brother, go to the south of Pingyin to find your brother. You must ask your brother to be careful of the opponent's heavy equipment."

"What kind of thing?"

"I don't know, but judging from the rockets and poisonous smoke bombs held by the vanguard, it is very possible that they are carrying divine arm bows, bed crossbows and other items."

The young man opposite frowned, then cupped his hands and said, "As ordered, I'll go find the master." Then he strode away.

Not long after Ma Ling's figure disappeared, as if Li Zhu's words had been confirmed, the army formation began to ring with gold, and the sound of metal vibration spread in the air. The sergeants on the front line began to break away, and the red-eyed Liangshan people rushed to catch up. Kill, the officers and soldiers with the same red eyes over there slashed back with their swords.

At the foot of the mountain, rows of archers opened their long bows, and the lit fuses made a faint sound at the edge of the arrow. Then the arrows shot accelerated in the air and fell into the Liangshan infantry array below.

"Let those crazy guys come back and stop chasing them." When the order came, Xi Sheng waved his arm: "The opponent's formation is not in chaos, and they are well-organized. If you catch up, you will suffer a big loss."

The messenger received the message and waved the military flag in his hand. After a few breaths, the sound of golden roar also sounded in the Liangshan formation.

"What's going on? Why don't you let the pursuit go?" A knife slashed the opponent Yu Hou to the ground. Xie Ning, covered in blood, turned to look at the center of the rear.

"I don't know, it's just the commander, but the brothers can't stand it anymore." The person who spoke was Xie Ning's new deputy general Qin Sheng.

The man holding the double swords turned and looked to both sides. The tired soldiers were holding their swords and panting. In the cold weather, clouds of white air kept dissipating in the air.

"Damn it!" He waved his knife fiercely. Xie Ning also knew whether it was appropriate to continue the pursuit and shouted with the knife: "Retreat slowly. Don't turn your back to the battlefield. Be wary of the opponent's counterattack."

On the side of the official army, Zhen Xianglin sighed under the flag. As the vanguard general of this trip, he did not go to the battlefield to kill the enemy in person. Although he came from a family of military generals, most of the battles he had experienced were based on that. Going to the front line to fight as a general, commanding more than [-] soldiers to fight like this is really a big girl getting on the sedan chair. For the first time, she is fighting more by relying on the advantages of the equipment she brought this time.

The next moment, Zhen Dayi rushed back, covered in Zhengchen, carrying a long spear, and grabbed his own clan brother: "Silang, why are you withdrawing your troops? Give me some time before attacking."

"Brother, the force on the other side is not weakened. The soldiers have attacked several times, and the reserves have also been used. If we continue to fight, we will be in danger when the morale declines."

"Hey -" He turned his spear around and stabbed it on the ground. Zhen Dayi raised his head and looked at the battlefield where his vision had become worse: "If it weren't for the many strong men on the opposite side, I would have already broken through his wooden fence. Damn it!"

"Wait for the army to arrive. I have already sent someone to report to the commander. I think we will speed up the march and arrive in the evening."

The sound of ringing gold continued, and both sides were leaving the battlefield. With deliberate restraint, the scenes of chasing and fighting gradually decreased. After about a stick of incense, the sounds on the battlefield began to disappear, and the soldiers collecting the corpses stepped forward and started dragging them. After seeing the corpse of his comrade, he took out a sharp knife and pointed it at his heart when he saw that the other party was alive. Death screams could be heard from time to time on the silent battlefield. If you were lucky, you could also pick up a low-ranking military attaché. As for those who died in battle, Our own personnel loaded onto the ambulance and pushed it towards the rear.

Down the hillside, the officers and soldiers were doing the same thing, but Liangshan was on the defensive side after all. Most of the corpses at the foot of the mountain were people who were killed by arrows among their own people. The faces of a few of the corpses rolling down the hillside were full of unwillingness and horror, but After all, he had seen too much. He silently lifted the person and put him on the car, and then walked to the next one.

The night fell, leaving only an arc of the moon trying to emit a cool light. The vanguard soldiers and horses retreated to the rear, looking at the hills where Liangshan was stationed in the distance and began to set up camp. The soldiers who had been fighting for a long time began to bury pots and cook. , in the wounded barracks at the rear, the smell of wound medicine began to permeate the air, and intermittent groans came, attracting sidelong glances from those patrolling by.

In the central tent, the lights were dimly lit. The two brothers of the Zhen family sat opposite each other, silently looking at the casualties counted in their hands. The next moment, they threw them on the table in front of them, rubbed their stiff faces, and the young commander Somewhat dejected: "After attacking for half a day, one battalion commander and seven Yuhou were killed, and more were killed from the head down. Each battalion that attacked suffered varying degrees of casualties. The first battle was fought like this. I really deserve the commander-in-chief. Trust cultivation..."

"Shiro, don't say anything depressing." Zhen Dayi straightened his back, and a trace of exhaustion flashed across his clean face: "Everyone grows from a new recruit to maturity. Did you forget it when your hands and feet were sore when you went into battle at the beginning of the year?" The face of the young man opposite turned red: "Brother said that when the commander-in-chief comes tomorrow, he must avenge his shame."

While talking, the curtain opened, and several soldiers came in carrying exquisite meals and put them on the table. In front of each person was a charcoal-roasted lamb leg, which was steaming, and the aroma of barbecue lingered in their noses.

"Let's eat something first. I don't know what will happen tomorrow." The elder clan brother had been fighting on the battlefield for a long time and was a little hungry. He reached out and picked up the chopsticks.

"That's right." While nodding, the young commander took a bite of the leg of lamb and frowned: "It's not as tender as the meat we had in Brother Ha's camp last time."

"The craftsmanship is also inferior." Zhen Dayi, who also tasted it, echoed: "Next time, let Brother Ha's people teach the cooks."

While they were talking, the two of them took off their chopsticks like flying, and the flickering firelight cut their shadows into the tent, shaking them violently.

……

Under the night, the camp in Liangshan was also brightly lit. Figures coming and going lifted up the wood and began to repair the fortifications that were burned today. Clusters of recovered arrows were put together, waiting for use tomorrow, and maybe they could be shot back. to the original owner.

The brazier made a loud sound. Wen Zhongrong, who stretched out his hands to warm himself up, retracted his palms and looked at the two people sitting at the table playing chess: "Brother Xi, Brother Li, you two are really leisurely."

"Everything that can be done has been done." The hand holding the chess piece gently knocked on the edge of the table. When the crisp sound stopped, he stretched out his hand and put it into the chessboard: "The rest is to wait for the main force of the army to arrive tomorrow and adapt accordingly. ”

"Even so, the two of you should talk to the brothers, right?" Wen Zhongrong looked anxious: "We are still arguing about what to do next."

"What are you talking about? We already talked about who should do what during the military meeting last night, what else can we say?" The man on the side was suddenly speechless and stretched out his hand to support the table. Li Assistant narrowed his eyes when looking at the chessboard and reached out to pick up the chessboard. He took a sip of the warm drink and said, "Actually, it's a good thing that the officers and soldiers are coming this time. Although I haven't been up the mountain for a while, I feel that the brothers on the mountain are a little too impetuous. Everyone thinks they are the boss of the world. If this continues, I'm afraid something bad will happen." ."

He turned to look at the unusually strong man: "Look, after today's battle, all the impatience has gone. Everyone has become nervous and is thinking about the next situation."

Wen Zhongrong smiled bitterly: "That's what I say, but I don't know what to say."

"Don't be anxious." Xi Sheng watched Li Zhu make a move, reached out to grab a new chess piece and rubbed it: "First do as the military meeting said last night, tomorrow..." reached out and pressed the chess piece: "It's time to change defense, Wen Brother, please don’t be unable to sleep tonight.”

After scratching his scalp, the burly man stood up and said, "Damn it, seeing how unhurried you two are, I can't be impatient anymore. Come on, see me tomorrow."

He opened the tent curtain and walked out. When he looked back, he saw the two figures playing chess reflected in the tent. He touched his chin and turned back to his tent.

……

The night is getting darker in Changqing County.

In the temporary camp, a bonfire was burning. The patrolling sergeant walked by, and the air flow stirred up swayed the flames. In the tent, Yun Tianbiao, who had already fallen asleep, was sitting on the commander's seat wearing a fur, rushing non-stop. The knight who came brought the latest news about the forward. After hearing some reports, he looked at the paper with the information written in his hand and put it on the table. He dismissed the sergeant and closed his eyes.

"You ran out instead of staying in the water...how brave you are!"

After a while, murmurs were heard and the candles were burning. A soldier saw that the lights inside were not extinguished and brought hot wine. He reached out to take it and took a sip. Only then did Yun Tianbiao speak: "Send a message to Sucheng and ask them to hurry up." Attack Liangshan."

Danfeng's eyes narrowed, and his voice turned low: "The Liangshan troops and horses who have gone out, don't even think about going back!"

……

The night is getting darker, and the camp of the Liangshan Horse Army in the wilderness is set up along the Jishui River. The camp is a little crude. Under the light of the torch, knights bring fodder to feed the horses from time to time. There is a battle to be fought in the past two days. How long does it take for the horses to be drawn? It would be nice to have some fat.

Lu Bu, wearing a scarlet cloak, sat around the campfire with a group of close generals. Ma Ling, who had traveled a long way, wiped his sweat and conveyed Xi Sheng's words to his master.

"I understand." Lu Bu reached out and threw a white towel to Ma Ling: "Wipe off the sweat first."

"Thank you, Master." He took it with a smile, and the young man stood aside.

Glancing at the silent crowd around him, Lu Bu said, "What's going on? Are you scared even though you know the other party is prepared?"

"Brother, after all, we have few soldiers. If the opponent brings a divine arm bow or an eight-oxen crossbow, it will be disadvantageous for us." Fengtai touched the beard on his chin and spoke thoughtfully.

"Cavalry is not used to attack fortresses." The figure wearing a big cloak stood up and waved his hand while walking: "We have more than a thousand cavalry, so we cannot attack a well-prepared military camp. Let's rest tonight. , I will look for an opportunity to fight with you tomorrow, or..."

Hu Mu glanced at everyone: "Are all the brothers under a certain command afraid?"

"Brother, don't look down on me. Let's see if I charge into the Chinese army tomorrow and kill that Yun Tianbiao!"

"He is the leader. Whoever is afraid of you is a coward. I will ask you to be the vanguard tomorrow!"

For a moment, everyone was extremely excited. Soon, the noisy voices fell silent with the order to rest.

The night is already half over. (End of chapter)