Water Margin: Lu Bu sits on Mount Liang

As night fell, the whistling sound of arrows could be heard from time to time in the darkness. The crossing black shadows caused a few screams, and then shouts of "Kill!" broke out on both sides at the same time. The moving black shadows merged into one, approached rapidly, and then merged.

The sound of horse hooves spread wildly. Under the dim moonlight, dark figures could be seen fighting. Sparks instantly exploded between the shadows. An area about an inch in radius lit up for a moment, revealing two hideous faces, and then returned to darkness in an instant.

Countless people roared, the sound of swords clashing rang out, and the roar of horses slamming into human bodies fiercely tore the silent night apart. The smell of blood floated and permeated in the darkness, and the smell of rust stimulated the nerves of the soldiers on both sides. They instinctively roared at the black shadow in front of them, and then rushed towards each other in the most ferocious posture.

"Charge! Chase the enemy commander!"

Countless horses were galloping, and the fiery red warhorse in the front seemed to be mixed with a layer of darkness in the night. The painted halberd was dancing left and right on the horse's back with a cold light. Human figures were flying wherever it passed, and they passed through the forest of swords and spears. From time to time, the blades and spear tips were stabbing. The halberd in his hand was waving, and from time to time, Lu Bu's face flashed in the sparks that jumped up, and there was a flash of limbs flying in the air. A Liao army general ran in front of him, and a scream was heard in the moment of darkness. The sparks that flashed again appeared in the field of vision, and the face of the terrified Liao army cavalry appeared in the sight.

Around, more figures rushed together, but not everyone could keep up. The Liao army fought back desperately and blocked a part of the cavalry. They waved their weapons desperately, causing roars. Yuan Lang, holding a water-ground steel hammer, shouted, "General, chase them first, and I will defeat this enemy in the future!", and turned to rush into the cavalry group.

Dark clouds passed by at night, blocking out the moonlight. The fighting and shouting resounded throughout the plains. Flesh and blood were scattered in the darkness. On the huge battlefield, mounts were intertwined and the dark shadows on the horses kept roaring. People kept falling off their horses. When the noise calmed down, the leading figure roared a few times, leaving behind a team of knights, and led his men to chase after his comrades who were leaving.

In the dark night, torches were lit and soldiers in black armor were cleaning the battlefield.

……

The sky was filled with white clouds and the sun was warm. A bird flew down from a branch and wanted to peck at the insects on the ground. Suddenly, it sensed something, flapped its wings, and flew away from the land.

The ground shook slightly, and the soft grass leaves were trembling more and more violently. Suddenly, a horse's hoof stepped down, and the green grass and the soil underneath were lifted into the air.

Countless horses' hooves trampled past one after another, and the deafening sound of hooves rang out in the area. Arrows drew arcs and pierced into human bodies. The figures who were hit by arrows fell off their horses, and the splattered blood stained the grass.

The horse's hooves continued to gallop. The knight, with a tired look on his face, turned around. In the flying dust, the figure wearing a beast-faced armor and a scarlet cloak was vaguely visible. Yelu Dezhong was full of resentment but could do nothing about it. He just turned around and continued to ride away.

Behind him, the Liao army knights all looked tired, and the large banners and general flags they were holding had disappeared. Lu Bu's army in the rear did not give them any time to rest. After a night of pursuit and several conflicts, most of the people around the Liao army commander were sent out to block the cavalry in the rear. From the infantry at the beginning, they became cavalry around him. The torn troops were either defeated and fled in the dark or lost people. Now Yelu Dezhong, who was still alive and following, did not dare to send them to attack the cavalry in the rear. As the commander-in-chief, he could only feel at ease if he had more guards.

Of course, it is fortunate that there are fewer people pursuing them from behind, and the troubles brought by the night have been equally brought to the knights on both sides. Now, as long as they can hold on for another day, they should be able to run back to Lejiao.

The sound of horse hooves was deafening, and the sight was pulled up to the sky. The panting war horses were moving one after another across the field, leaving two trails of dust, and their running figures were becoming more and more tired.

……

At the moment when the sky was moving, a grain transport team was moving slowly. The young and strong pushed the carts with miserable looks on their faces. Now the warm spring season is a good time for farming and grazing, but these officials have conscripted them into the army for corvée. Everyone is worried and hopes that this corvée will end soon. "I wonder how the army is doing now, whether it is fighting against the Lu bandits." Zhang Lin rode his horse beside Lu Yan. When talking about the war, his expression was relaxed: "It's a pity that you were ordered to stay in Lezhou this time, and you have to escort grain and grass today. In fact, I originally recommended you to Marshal Yelu."

"A soldier's first duty is to obey orders." Lu Yan's face was covered in dust and he was solemn. He sat on his horse with his body straight. "Whether it's guarding the city or transporting food and grass, they are all military orders issued by the commander-in-chief. I must obey them."

Zhang Lin narrowed his eyes, laughed for a while, and waved the whip in his hand: "You are too serious. It may be true in the past, but in today's world..."

He smiled and said, "It's better to fight if you can."

Lu Yan turned his head to look at the scholar in wide robes and big sleeves, and nodded after a while: "Thank you Zhang Nanfu for your advice, I will learn from you."

Zhang Lin shook his head and laughed. He knew from his expression that he had his own insistence, but he didn't want to refute his face so he said so. Looking at the wide road ahead, he said lightly: "Just know it in your mind."

Then he changed the topic and talked to him about battles. Although the former was a civil servant, he was well-read in military books, while the latter came from a family of learned scholars and had a large collection of books. He was also in the army and was often in contact with military affairs. For a while, the two of them talked enthusiastically, and hearty laughter could be heard from time to time.

The soldiers around relaxed a little after hearing their general's laughter. They occasionally scolded the young and strong men who were panting heavily while walking. If they saw someone slowing down, they would whip him, making the person wail in pain.

The daylight moved westward, and the shadows on the field lengthened a little. The young general raised his head to observe the sky and issued an order to rest. Amid a sigh of relief, the young and strong men formed a circle around the cars, sat on the ground without any image, took out their cold dry food and drank it with cold water, and sighed from time to time that no one was taking care of their land and livestock.

"If it weren't for the thieves Lu and Jin, these people wouldn't have to come here." Zhang Lin listened to the complaints from afar, shook his head and sighed.

"If Beiting was more compassionate to the people, this wouldn't have happened..." Lu Yan said in a low voice.

Zhang Lin turned to look at him and shook his head: "You and I are both in the court, don't say such things again, what if there is a Khitan noble here..."

Before he finished speaking, his face looked solemn, which made Lu Yan blush and he quickly bowed to express his gratitude.

A soldier lit a fire in front of the two men and boiled some cold water. The water, which had not yet started to steam, began to shake slightly. The man holding the military rations was dumbfounded and asked, "Why is it shaking so much? The water isn't even boiling?"

The two people sitting there frowned at the same time, stood up and walked over. The water surface in the pot rippled, and a slight vibration came from the soles of their feet. Lu Yan's face suddenly changed: "There are cavalry approaching." (End of this chapter)