"It's good, so we can save us from fierce attacks. However, we only brought 10,000 people this time, and more than 1,000 people died during the day. If we guard the camp closely, there would be no problem. However, if we want to defeat Liu Biao and Yuan Shu, we must mobilize troops to come. Isn't your nephew Zhang Xiu at Hangu Pass? Just ask him to bring troops here and leave thousands of people for Yang Feng to guard Hangu Pass."

After hearing this, Zhang Ji shook his head and said, "Is it not right? Yang Fengzhi is very talented, it is not the material to guard the pass. Hangu Pass is the first barrier to enter Guanzhong west. Now the Luoyang area has fallen into chaos again. I am afraid that the people will migrate in large quantities, not to mention that the Yan army is still eyeing Xiangnan City behind us. If the Yan army makes trouble behind us, our army will be attacked from both sides..."

"What do you think you should do?" Fan Chou still believed Zhang Ji very much and asked immediately.

"The withdrawn troops will return to Hangu Pass. After resting, we will come back to fight. By then, Liu Biao and Yuan Shu will be almost the same. We will come back to clean up the mess. "Well, okay, let's listen to you, we will withdraw our troops overnight."

Zhang Ji nodded, called a follower, handed over the imperial seal to the person, and ordered: "Take the imperial seal to the Chu army camp and handed the imperial seal to Liu Biao's hands."

"promise"

After seeing the personal soldiers go out, Fan Chou asked, "Why don't you hand over the imperial seal to Yuan Shu?"

"Compared with Liu Biao, Yuan Shu is more interested in the imperial seal. Liu Biao lost troops during the day today. I am afraid that he will not try his best to compete for the imperial seal... Yuan Shu is different. This person is very ambitious and wants to take the imperial seal for himself. Only then will he try his best to grab it."

"Haha, I admire you more and more, so let's set up camp now."

...

In the Song army camp, Yuan Shu was very angry and could not steal chickens and lose rice. He completely hated Lin Nan. If he had gone straight to rob yesterday, he would have returned to Yuzhou with the imperial seal.

"This damn Lin Nan is so hateful. How dare you fool me? I and him are not finished."

Yuan Shu suddenly took a sip of wine. As soon as he got in, he spit out the wine, threw the wine glass to the ground, and scolded loudly: "What kind of wine is this? It's not as good as horse pee... Go and bring me the treasured jar of imperial wine."

At this time, Ji Ling walked in and hurriedly said, "Lord, it's not good. The Liang army is going to withdraw. General Mo saw with his own eyes that more than a dozen people in the Liang army were escorting an object to the Chu army camp. Looking at the nervous look, General Mo thought that it was very likely to be the imperial seal. "Understanding Jade Seal?" Yuan Shu stood up suddenly and said with a grim smile, "It seems that Zhang Ji, Fan Chou is just like this. He actually gave such an important thing to someone? Spend the order. Gather the army and attack the Chu army camp at night."

Ji Ling said: "No"

...

In the Chu army camp, Liu Biao took the imperial seal sent by Liang soldiers, held it in his hand and played with it carefully. His face was filled with a hint of surprise and a hint of sorrow. He slowly said: "For several years, the power of the Han Dynasty has fallen. As a descendant of the Han Dynasty royal family, I cannot maintain peace in literature and cannot establish a country in martial arts. I am really ashamed of my ancestors. Today, the imperial seal is returned to the hands of my Han Dynasty royal family. It seems that God blesses me...."

In the big tent, Kuai Liang, Cai Mao, Zhang Yun and Huang Zu all looked at each other after hearing this, thinking in their hearts: "The lord and Liu Bei have only been in contact for less than a few months. Unexpectedly, they were so influenced by Liu Bei's guy, and they actually took it as their mission to revive the foundation of the Han Dynasty... It was really a threat to stay..."

Liu Biao put down the jade seal of the country and said to the Liang army soldier with kindness: "Go back and tell Zhang Ji and Fan Chou, let them tell Liang Hou Ma Teng, please send the emperor to Xiangyang as soon as possible, otherwise, I will definitely issue a manifesto to attack Ma Teng, and unite the heroes of the world to welcome the emperor to the old capital..."

After hearing this, Kuai Liang stood up immediately and bowed, "Lord, you can't take this imperial seal. Please let this person bring it back. Our army should also withdraw as soon as possible."

After hearing this, Cai Mao, Zhang Yun and Huang Zu were all puzzled and said in unison: "Military advisor, this is the imperial seal..."

Kuai Liang looked at him angrily and said loudly: "I know, this is an unknown thing, and it will only bring disaster to our army..."

"Why did the military advisor say this? This imperial seal is a symbol of the imperial power of the Han Dynasty. If this jade seal is used, you can own the world. If your son is played with by Ma Teng and his son, I am a descendant of the Han Dynasty, but I cannot save the emperor. I am really ashamed of the world... Today, the imperial seal is transferred to my hands, which means my great man..." Liu Biao guessed.

Kuai Liang hurriedly said, "Lord, please listen to my advice. This jade seal cannot be claimed."

Liu Biao ignored it and asked someone to send the Liang army soldier away.

Cai Mao, Zhang Yun and Huang Zu all felt that what Kuai Liang said was too serious. Who doesn’t know the importance of this jade seal? How can you not put the duck you get?

"If the lord insists on this, then please withdraw his troops back to Jingzhou overnight. Otherwise, once the news reaches Yuan Shu's ears, the ambition Yuan Shu will definitely send troops to attack our army, and it will be impossible to leave at that time." Kuai Liang said...

"Military advisor, why bother to hurry? Our army camp is strong. Even if the Song army attacks with all its might, it will only cause losses to the generals. Moreover, the soldiers are exhausted during the day. If they don't have a good rest for a night, it will probably cause complaints from the soldiers." Cai Mao said.

After hearing this, Liu Biao nodded repeatedly and said, "No, let's take a night off for now and return to Jingzhou tomorrow."

"Lord..." Wang Wei ran in with great strides and said with his fists, "Report to the lord, Ji Ling, the general of the Song army, led his general Leju. Liang Gang tried his best to attack our front camp. The soldiers of the front camp could no longer resist the sudden attack. Now the enemy has attacked the camp. The left camp and the right camp are rushing for assistance, but they are intercepted by the Song army's victorious generals Lei Bo and Lei Xu, and cannot support the place for a while..."

"I knew... I knew... This imperial seal is a disaster... Lord, Yuan Shu has many soldiers and generals and is well-equipped. Our army has lost thousands of soldiers during the day. Now it is exhausted. It is not appropriate to fight again. It is better to throw the imperial seal to Yuan Shu, Zhang Ji, and Fan Chou to our army. This is to see our army fight with Yuan Shu. They want to make profits from it. Now they should use the tricks and give the imperial seal to Yuan Shu, let Zhang Ji, Fan Chou and Yuan Shu fight. Our army retreated overnight and returned to Jingzhou. We devoted our efforts to develop. Even if there is no imperial seal, we can still welcome the emperor back..." Kuai Liang said immediately.

"snort"

Huang Zu snorted coldly, stared at Kuai Liang with his big eyes, and said angrily: "The military advisor is too timid, right? Just Ji Ling, just watch me take his head. The lord is in the middle camp, Cai Mao, Zhang Yun, and Wang Wei protect me. I will fight Ji Ling. I will chop off his dog head and offer it to the lord."

Liu Zhibai, and there was a general Gan Ning under Huang Zu's tent, so he nodded and said, "I'm waiting for good news here. Cai Mao, Zhang Yun, Wang Wei, you will also go out to fight with Huang Zu. You must resist Ji Ling's attack, and you must not let the Song army come here."

"promise"

Kuai Liang shook his head helplessly. He was extremely worried in his heart and thought to himself: "A jade seal of the kingdom triggered two great melee between princes. It seems that this was planned long ago. The Yan army left here early in the morning. It should be done by Lin Nan. The Yan army is incredible. I am afraid that this trip to the Central Plains... Alas."

At night, war horses neighed and the sound of people was rushing. Above the ruins of Luoyang, the Song army and the Chu army were fighting fiercely. The close forces were connected, arrows were flying, and the shouts of killing were resounding throughout the night sky.

In the Liang army camp in the northwest direction, Zhang Ji and Fan Chou quietly led their troops away from the ruins of Luoyang and headed towards Hangu Pass.

On a cold night, dark clouds covered the moon, Zhang Ji was in front and Fan Chou was behind. The two led more than 8,000 cavalrymen with their horses and their feet were wrapped, and they walked west along the official road.

On the official road that went west, Lin Nan and Wen Chou were waiting there quietly. In order to make Zhang Ji, Fan Chou, Liu Biao, and Yuan Shu believe that they had completely withdrawn their troops. Huang Zhong, Zhao Yun and Wen Chou followed Lin Nan's instructions and traveled thirty miles away, then quietly turned back, stationed at a place away from the ruins of Luoyang, and hid on both sides of the official road.

Looking at the dark road in the distance, Lin Nan couldn't calm down for a long time. The scout had just arrived to report that Zhang Ji and Fan Chou led their troops back, while Liu Biao and Yuan Shu were having a lot of fun fighting.

"Lord, the Liang army's troops will arrive soon. Please watch the battle in the back army." Wen Chou walked over and said with his fists.

Lin Nandao: "Wen Chou, this Zhang Ji, Fan Chou is not stupid. He actually threw out the jade seal he got, which is beyond my imagination. This time they led 8,000 cavalry back, and you will be under great pressure."

"My lord, please rest assured that although these five thousand heavy soldiers are just infantry, their subordinates have made arrangements to ensure that the eight thousand cavalry will never come back." Wen Chou said confidently.

Lin Nan nodded, and did not speak anymore, but turned around and left the war to Wen Chou. He knew that Wen Chou was very good at dealing with Zhang Ji, and Fan Chou was blocking outside Hangu Pass, so he did not let Zhang Ji and Fan Chou pass. Now he was given five thousand infantry, well-equipped and elite soldiers. If he could not eat Zhang Ji and Fan Chou's eight thousand cavalry, then Wen Chou would not deserve to be a general. Seeing Lin Nan leaving, Wen Chou asked, "Is the lord going back to Xiangnan City?"

Lin Nan stopped, turned around, and said to Wen Chou: "General Wen, I'll ask you for everything. This is your first battle after you surrender to me. Don't insult your reputation. I'll wait for you to triumph in Xiangnan City."

Wen Chou heard Lin Nan's earnest words and clasped his fists and said, "Don't worry, lord, I will definitely not insult our army's reputation, nor will I insult our lord's reputation. Zhang Ji and Fan Chouding taught them that there will be no return."

"Well..." Lin Nan turned around and left.

Guan Hai and Zhou Cang defended Lin Nan and quickly left the place and disappeared into the night.

Wen Chou and his subordinates hid on both sides of the official road, waiting for the arrival of Zhang Ji and Fan Chou.

Zhang Ji and Fan Chou were jogging on the official road with their subordinates away from the melee between the Chu army and the Song army, and then they accelerated their speed.

After walking less than seven miles forward, dozens of whistle riders rushing in front of Zhang Ji suddenly overturned, and a big hole collapsed on the ground. The holes were filled with pointed wooden stakes. Everyone who fell down was stabbed to death by the wooden stakes.

Zhang Ji hurriedly strangled the horse and asked his subordinates to stop. Seeing the big cave that was only a few feet away from him, he felt panic in his heart.

At this moment, countless arrows flew over on both sides of the official road and shot towards the dense group of cavalry on the official road. The cavalry fell off the horse one after another. "There is an ambush! The entire army dismounted..." It was not that Zhang Ji's reaction was a little slow, but that this sudden change caught him off guard and had no time to shout.

"Kill..." Teams of neatly heavy infantrymen rushed out from both sides of the official road, holding steel knives in their hands, holding shields in front, and wearing thick armor, rushed towards the Liang army cavalry in the middle of the official road.

At the same time, Wen Chou single-handedly rushed out of the high slope on the left side of the official road. He looked gloomy and stared at Zhang Ji, who was commanding the front army. He didn't answer, leaned over on the horse's back and headed straight for Zhang Ji.

Three thousand soldiers of the Yan army were scattered on both sides of the official road, two thousand people blocked the Liang army's retreat path, and five thousand people blocked the eight thousand cavalry on the not-too-wide official road, forming a long dragon.

"Don't panic..." Zhang Ji held a long sword in his hand, rode on the horse, and wore a mature copper helmet on his head, with a red cherry blossom helmet on his helmet. It was very conspicuous in the dark night.

"Zhang Ji!"

Wen Chou used a spear to kill the soldiers blocking the front one after another. He immediately arrived at Zhang Ji's side, and suddenly stood upright on the horse's back. He shot his hand and stabbed Zhang Ji's throat.

Zhang Ji was caught off guard and blocked his sword. But he didn't know that the spear suddenly changed its move in the middle, and the spear head sank down. The sharp spear head directly penetrated the iron armor and pierced his heart. He died on the spot and fell from the horse's back.

Although the Liang army soldiers were all experienced many battles, they had never fought with the Yan army. They didn't know how powerful the Yan army was. When they saw that they could not stab the gun, could not cut the sword and could not shoot through the arrows, there was a hint of fear on everyone's face, and they were frightened by the Yan army. Fan Chou was fighting in the rear army at this time, leading his subordinates to fight against the Yan army soldiers who were attacking from left, right and back three sides, just like everyone else. Iron weapons could not pierce the steel armor at all, and could only be slaughtered.

This was a battle without any suspense. This battle deeply made the Yan soldiers understand why their lords always say that technology is the primary productive force. The soldiers covered with steel armor and armed with teeth rushed forward unscrupulously, squeezing all the cavalry of the Liang army together, making the space of these cavalry smaller and smaller, and finally there was no room for even slashing with their hands.

This was the first time Fan Chou encountered such a thing. His spear head broke and he replaced it with a sword and slashed it. However, the blade had a gap. Finally, he was surrounded by a group of soldiers and killed on the horse's back.

"The surrenderers are exempt from death!" Wen Chou shouted loudly while killing the enemy soldiers at will.

After Zhang Ji and Fan Chou died in battle, their cavalry had no desire to fight and were surrounded by five thousand infantrymen and were forced to surrender.

Wen Chou sent someone to cut off Zhang Ji and Fan Chou's heads, confiscated the weapons and war horses of the surrendered soldiers, and sent two thousand people to escort about nine thousand surrendered soldiers back to Xiangnan City, and reported to Lin Nan.

...

In the ruins of Luoyang, the Chu army and the Song army were fighting in full swing. Ji Ling took the lead and led Leju, Liang Gang rushed back and forth in the Chu army's camp, as if he had entered a deserted place.

The Chu army lost the front camp and guarded the Zhongjun camp. Huang Zu led Cai Mao, Zhang Yun and Wang Wei to the front camp and arranged strong bows and crossbows. Anyone who approached the camp was shot and killed, effectively blocking the Song army's offensive for a while, and there were corpses in front of the Zhongjun camp.

Ji Ling's attack was blocked and temporarily stopped the attack, but waited for Lei Bo and Lei Xu to conquer the left and right battalions of the Chu army.

The left and right battalions of the Chu army were commanded by Cai Zhong and Cai He respectively. The two men fought hard to resist the offensive of Lei Bo and Lei Xu, but in the end they were defeated and died due to being outnumbered.

After Lei Bo and Lei Xu occupied the left and right battalions, he quickly sent a signal to Ji Ling, and then joined forces with Ji Ling to attack the only remaining central army camps in the Chu army.

Ji Ling immediately commanded the soldiers to attack and launched a new round of offensive.

Yuan Shu stood on the viewing building of the Song army camp, looking at the Chu army camp and was about to be captured by him, feeling happy.

Yan Xiang stood beside Yuan Shu. After seeing this scene, he hurriedly said to Yuan Shu: "For many years, Liu Biao has been against his lord. If Liu Biao cannot be captured and killed tonight, it will inevitably become a hidden danger to our army. As long as Liu Biao dies, Jingzhou will be without a leader. Then our army can take the opportunity to seize Jingzhou, and then gather all forces to attack Sun Jian from Jiangdong. The lord can achieve hegemony!"

After hearing this, Yuan Shu said happily: "If I were emperor, the world would be unified. The foundation of the Han Dynasty's century-old inheritance has long disappeared. The three emperors of the Yuan family of four generations are just the time to 'king the world'."

Yan Xiang hurriedly said, "The lord can be called king first. After capturing Jingzhou, Yangzhou and other places, then become emperor. The other princes will inevitably come to surrender."

"Hahaha... the world will eventually be replaced by our Yuan family. Yuan Benchu, Lu Fengxian, Cao Aman, Lin Ziyu, Sun Wentai, Ma Shoucheng, Liu Jiyu, Liu Jingsheng and others are not worth mentioning. Lu Fengxian, Yuan Benchu ​​is dead, and Liu Jingsheng dies again. The rest of the mediocre people are not worth mentioning. Let Ji Ling continue to attack fiercely, and don't let one army and one soldier of the Chu army go." Yuan Shu laughed loudly.

"promise!"

The battle continued, Ji Ling, Leju, Liang Gang, Lei Bo, Lei Xu and others commanded the soldiers to fight to kill the enemy and rushed to the Chu army camp.

During the Ming Dynasty, the two armies were a little tired when fighting each other. Huang Zu, Cai Mao, Zhang Yun and Wang Wei were guarding the Zhongjun camp. The remaining 7,000 Chu soldiers were guarding the camp. Outside the camp, arrows fell all over the ground. The bodies were piled up like mountains, blood flowed into a river, dyeing the loess around the camp into blood, and the smell of blood was everywhere.

When the sun rose, the two armies stopped fighting and temporarily took a brief rest.

In the Chu army camp, Liu Biao held the imperial seal in his arms, his eyes were red. Hearing that the outside was much calmer, he glanced at Kuai Liang, who had not slept all night. He asked: "Military advisor, it seems that I am really wrong. I didn't expect that the imperial seal would bring such a great disaster to our army. Yuan Shu's almost crazy competition has caused our soldiers to continue to lose. Is our army going to die here?"

Kuai Liang said: "Don't worry, lord. The Song army also suffered heavy casualties. When they were guarding the camp, the Song army could not get close to the camp. Now that the attack was stopped, they must have been exhausted. Gan Ning, under the tent of the Huang Zu, had the courage of ten thousand men and did not participate in the war last night. Why not call him and give him one or two thousand cavalry, and let him lead the cavalry to rush outside, which may be able to relieve the current predicament."

Liu Biao nodded and said, "That's all, go and ask Gan Ning to come in and see me."

"promise!"

Gan Ning walked into the big tent with great strides. After seeing Liu Biao, he clasped his fists and said, "The last general Gan Xingba, I pay homage to the Marquis of Chu. Liu Biao asked someone to see the seat, and then said kindly: "Your lord often mentions you by my side, saying that you have the courage to be unworthy of thousands of men. I summoned you today and wanted you to make contributions. Are you willing?"
To be continued...