Zang Ba, Li Ru, and Cao Bao outside the city were immediately stunned, staring at Jiqiu's city gate with disbelief on their faces.
Especially Cao Bao himself, his eyes were as wide as bells, and he was horrified. He opened his mouth and cursed: "Are these guys afraid of death? Otherwise, why don't they attack the city? Hurry and rush into the city!"
"Cao Bao, what do you mean?"
Zang Ba was furious when he heard this, turned to glance at Cao Bao, and said coldly: "More than half of the brothers under my command were killed or injured. If they were really afraid of death, how could they persist until now?"
"That's right!"
Li Ru hurriedly spoke up to calm Zang Ba's mood: "Something must have happened at the front, otherwise they would never have withdrawn. I believe that the brothers under General Zang's command are all warriors."
Only then did Cao Bao realize that he had said the wrong thing, so he remained silent and stared ahead with a frown, trying to find the reason why this group of soldiers failed to attack the city.
"Report—!"
Just at this time, a messenger flew forward and bowed his hands: "General, the enemy has placed a huge sword cart in the gate of Jiqiu City. It fits perfectly with the gate of the city. Our people can't get through at all!"
"Damn it!"
Li Ru understood immediately and cursed secretly: "It's a Semen sword cart!"
Cao Bao was slightly startled and couldn't help but wonder: "What is a gate-locking knife cart?"
Li Ru explained: "There is a record in "Mozi". In short, it is a defensive instrument used to block the city when the city gate is breached. The body of the carriage is almost the same width as the city gate, and the front blade is mounted on the wall.
There is a steel knife."
"When in use, push it to the gap in the city gate. It can not only kill the enemy, but also block the enemy's arrows and rocks. It is also extremely difficult to climb. It can be said to be an essential tool for defending the city."
"Damn it!"
Zang Ba cursed secretly and frowned: "The city gate hole is so deep that a charging car cannot get in. Could it be that it is blocked by a small door-blocking knife cart?"
"military adviser!"
As a last resort, Zang Ba could only turn to Li Ru for help: "Since you know the origin of this thing, I think you should have a way to solve it. Please give me some advice from the military advisor."
Li Ru frowned and stared at the battlefield for a long time, seeming a little embarrassed to say: "There are ways, but I'm afraid it's hard for you, General Zang, to make up your mind."
"Come and listen!"
"actually......"
Li Ru thought for a moment, then simply stopped hesitating and said honestly: "The most effective way is to risk your life to push it up! As long as the gate-blocking knife cart is squeezed out of the city gate hole, with our strength, there is no need to worry about being able to sweep away the enemy.
Qiucheng!"
Take your life and push it up?
Cruel enough!
Zang Ba finally understood why Li Ru was embarrassed to speak. It was because he knew he felt sorry for his brothers and was unwilling to let them die in vain.
Just when Zang Ba was hesitating, Cao Bao stood up suddenly, patted his chest and said: "General Zang's troops have indeed sacrificed a lot in this battle. Let me leave this final difficulty to my Danyang soldiers."
"ah!"
Suddenly, Zang Ba was shocked!
Li Ru was even more shocked!
They didn't seem to expect that Cao Bao would actually step forward at this time.
Sure enough, this guy didn't feel bad at all that it wasn't his own soldiers.
"Don't worry, leave it to me."
Cao Bao responded, rode his horse forward, and said in a sonorous voice: "Instruct the front army to squeeze the door-blocking knife cart out of the city gate at all costs. The rest of the soldiers are ready to rush into the city at any time and destroy the enemy!"
The ordering soldier nodded and said, "Yes!"
Now.
The messenger flew out on horseback, shouting at the top of his lungs:
"The general has an order to squeeze the gate-blocking knife cart out of the city gate at all costs!"
"The general has an order..."
"..."
What's surprising is that.
When military orders are passed down one after another.
Sure enough, Danyang soldiers rushed to the city gate, thrust the Huanshou sword in their hands into the sword cart, roared, and tried their best to push out. The Danyang soldiers continued to follow, and everything was like this.
In the beginning, they were able to maintain a certain safe distance with their weapons, but even with the strength of a row of soldiers, it was still difficult to shake the sword chariot.
However......
Wave after wave of Danyang soldiers broke in.
They pushed one by one, one by one, and squeezed one by one, until the Danyang soldiers in the front row who were holding knives at a safe distance pierced the flesh and blood and penetrated the body.
The weapon on the sword cart is wide and thick, not easy to break, but not very long. It is only enough to penetrate a person's body, and at most it can penetrate three or four inches. However, with such a length, it can only hurt people, but it will not
Can't kill anyone.
At the cost of only sacrificing a row of soldiers, the Danyang soldiers gathered the strength of all the soldiers and pushed the Semen knife cart outward little by little, thus completely destroying the obstruction of the knife cart.
"not good!"
Zu Mao, who was directing the battle at the top of the city, clearly felt something was wrong.
He knows very well.
Once the gate-blocking tool cart is pushed out of the city gate hole, it will completely lose its function.
Not daring to hesitate at all, Zu Mao made a decisive decision and gave a sonorous order: "Quick! Beat the drums and send the order. The whole army will turn to street fighting, start people's war, and fight to the death with the traitors!"
The soldier leaned forward and raised his hands: "Here."
Follow.
The ordering soldier hurried to the big drum, picked up the drumstick, and without hesitation, smashed it down.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Dong dong dong—!
The sound of drums with a specific rhythm sounded.
Then, the drums on the east and west walls also sounded the same sound, and then the drums on the north gate.
This is the signal that the city will be broken down, the city will turn into street fighting, and people's war will begin.
But when this sound reached the ears of Zang Ba and others outside the city, it was a different interpretation.
Especially Cao Bao, he was even more surprised, with a look of disbelief on his face: "They are actually beating the drum at this time. What are they going to do? Are they going to launch a counterattack and fight out of the city?"
"impossible!"
Li Ru denied it without hesitation: "That Zu Mao is very knowledgeable in the art of war. They have a good location in the city, but if they can't hold on, why would they dare to go out of the city to fight?"
"impossible!"
Li Ru's attitude was extremely clear: "This is absolutely impossible!"
Even though, he watched helplessly as the soldiers on top of the city walked down the city carrying their weapons, as if they were really going to fight to the death with the soldiers and horses outside the city.
But reason told him that there must be some meaning behind the other party's move, which he didn't know yet, but he didn't say it, otherwise it would affect Cao Bao and Zang Ba's determination to attack.
"Why do you care so much?"
Seeing victory right in front of him, how could Cao Bao give up this opportunity for the final charge?
He wanted to gain enough military exploits for himself as Xuzhou Mu, in order to silence some people: "As long as we break through the city gate, no matter whether the thieves are monsters or ghosts, they will never be the opponents of our Danyang soldiers!"
"That's right!"
Li Ru was watching the excitement and did not think it was a big deal, and added to the fire: "In order to conquer Jiqiu County, our army suffered heavy casualties. Now it is only the last step. How can we be scared away by the sound of drums? General Cao ordered, with it
decisive battle!"
Without any hesitation, Cao Bao immediately drew his sword out of its sheath and gave a sonorous order: "All the officers and men obey the order and attack Jiqiu City by force. Kill all the enemies without leaving a single one!"
"kill-!"
All the soldiers roared.
Like a thunder explosion, more like a landslide.
Danyang soldiers were like a flood that broke a dike, carrying weapons and rushing into the city. They chased the soldiers who had fled from the city head and swept into the city. The black waves swept past like the autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves.
But alas...
It's different from what they imagined.
When the sound of drums filled the city, the people in the city seemed to have heard the call, and one by one they were like clockwork, igniting the fierce fire in their bodies.
They will never allow this group of thieves outside the city to return the happy life they finally won to its original shape. Even if they risk their lives, it is worth it.
"You two, hide here. If a thief dares to come in, I will protect you."
"Father of the child, you must be more careful."
"rest assured!"
...
"Give me the kitchen knife. If you dare to come in with a wooden stick, I'll slap you on the head and beat you!"
"Don't worry, I guarantee that they will never come back."
"Remember, wear a mask."
...
"I heard shouts of killing, and these guys really rushed in."
"According to the plan given by the county magistrate, everything is ready."
"Don't worry."
...
Although the government issued some weapons to them, they were not enough for the tens of thousands of people to use. Some of them wielded kitchen knives, some carried hoes, and some even carried poles.
They were always prepared, even if they were scared to the point of trembling, no one backed down, because this battle would determine whether their future lives would be in dire straits or live and work in peace and contentment!
When one after another people carrying hoes, kitchen knives, poles, and wearing coarse linen clothes joined the queue, a powerful force arose in Zu Mao's heart.
What does it mean to rely on the people's support?
Although he had some vague feelings about this, he never felt how strong the people's hearts were. But at this moment, at this moment, Zu Mao truly felt what the people's hearts can rely on and how powerful the people's hearts are.
Zu Mao’s confidence doubled!
The defeated army's morale skyrocketed!
The sound of drums that floated throughout the whole process seemed to hit their hearts, shattering fear, knocking away defeat, inspiring confidence, and ringing victory!
"kill-!"
Thousands of soldiers and horses filed in from outside the city, their eyes flashing with bloodthirsty ferocity, as if the next step was to harvest lives like chopping melons and vegetables.
But...
When Danyang soldiers and Taishan bandits broke into the city and appeared on the main road of Jiqiu City.
The windows on both sides of the street were opened, and pots of red dogwood powder and prepared soybeans were poured into the street.
Danyang Bing inhaled dogwood powder, which caused him to sneeze constantly due to the irritation in his nasal cavity. When the powder entered his eyes, he became red and swollen with tears. He could not open his eyes. He stepped on the soybeans and accidentally rolled to the ground.
At the same time, Hou Cheng, who had retreated into the city in advance, led his troops to ambush on the roof. Taking this opportunity, he kept twisting his bow and arrows, and fired a burst of high-intensity fire at the soldiers and horses below.
Then, a large number of people wearing masks poured out from both sides of the street. Under the leadership of Zu Mao and others, they used the spears and long guns in their hands to stab the Danyang soldiers crazily!
"ah-!"
"Damn, I can't open my eyes."
"It's so despicable, so despicable."
"Ah—! Get out of here, get away from me all!"
But I saw that the Danyang soldiers on the streets were sneezing, weeping, swinging their swords, and running wildly. They seemed to be in a mess, killing each other and trampling to death, countless of them.
The common people who were still a little timid at first became bold after seeing this scene. They used poles, long sticks, and kitchen knives to beat the Danyang soldiers who were fleeing in all directions, and they kept swearing:
"Damn rebels, let you attack the city!"
"Traitors! They are all traitors! Kill them!"
"Taishan thief, let you taste the power of our Qiu people."
"Haha! Doesn't the cornel powder smell bad?"
"Hit! Hit hard!"
"..."
Cao Bao, who led his troops into the city, was simply stunned.
He originally thought that as long as the city gate was broken, it would be the home ground of their Danyang soldiers.
But who would have thought that the other party would actually mobilize the common people, and use such despicable methods to instantly reverse the initiative on the battlefield. Soybeans are just fine, but dogwood powder is really going to kill you!
Danyang soldiers who have always been brave and good at fighting, at this moment, not even one of them can stand normally, let alone fight with weapons, and they are completely destroyed before they can exert their fighting power!
What's more, simply swinging the knife indiscriminately and killing one or two people will cause even greater panic. In order to protect themselves, everyone will swing the knife indiscriminately, causing a wider range of secondary injuries.
How many people can ordinary people kill?
The greatest damage to the Danyang soldiers came from their own side!
At this scene, even Li Ru and Zang Ba, who rode into the city later, were stunned. They stared at the scene of killing each other in front of them, as if their three perceptions had collapsed.
"This...how is this possible?"
Li Ru's eyes were as wide as bells, and he was stunned in place like thunder and lightning: "General Cao, what happened here? How did it become like this in an instant?"
Zang Ba has experienced hundreds of battles and is far more knowledgeable than Cao Bao, but even he still dare not imagine how the scene in front of him developed.
It was clear that there was an absolute advantage one second ago, but the next moment, not only the situation was reversed, but also the possibility of victory was completely lost, as if by divine help.
"yes!"
Zang Ba asked in disbelief: "What on earth is going on?"
How could Cao Bao care so much? He immediately reined in his horse and turned around: "Go out first and then talk about it! Escape quickly! Escape quickly!"
Zang Ba also waved fiercely: "Retreat, all of us!"
Looking at the retreating troops and horses, the people in the city suddenly burst out with roars of victory:
Roar! Roar! Roar!
Hoho—!
"Haha, I won, I actually won!"
"These guys are too scared to go into the city."
"Come back when you feel like it. Grandpa has delicious food for you."
"..."
Don't miss the opportunity; it will never come back.
At that moment, Zu Mao waved his hand fiercely and ordered sternly: "Brothers, follow me to counterattack!"
The morale of the soldiers soared: "Kill--!" Immediately, a swarm of swarms rushed forward, beating a drowned dog.
"Report—!"
Just as Zu Mao was struggling to kill, a soldier came down from the direction of the city. There was a look of surprise on his face. He didn't even have time to salute, so he hurriedly said:
"General, our reinforcements may have arrived. Judging from the flags, they are Cao Cao. They may be Cao Cao's cavalry. They surpassed the infantry and came over in advance!"
"Are you sure you're a cavalry?"
Zu Mao grabbed the soldier who came to report the news.
After all, besides Cao Cao, the banner with the character Cao could also be Cao Bao.
And if it's cavalry, it must be Cao Cao's troops. If it's infantry, it's likely to be Cao Bao's troops.
"It's the cavalry!"
The soldier is sure and sure.
He simply stretched out his hand towards the sky and vowed: "I can swear!"
Zu Mao was ecstatic. He was calculating the time in his mind. If it were Cao Cao's infantry, they might arrive at this time: "Brothers, follow me out of the city and kill the bandits!"
"kill-!"
Give an order.
The soldiers and horses who had been sluggish for several days seemed to be resurrected on the spot with full blood. They held their weapons and rushed forward with roars. They aimed at Cao Bao and stabbed Zang Ba's soldiers and horses in the buttocks crazily.
Go up!
Phew! Phew! Phew!
The sword flashes and the blood flows like a river.
What's even more unexpected is that not only Zu Mao's army rushed out, but even the people in the city also rushed out. Although it was a fake show of force, the momentum was truly terrifying.
Cao Chun, who was ordered to come to support, thought Jiqiu County was in danger.
But he didn't expect that.
When he came with all the cavalry of Cao's army, he saw Zu Mao leading the people of Jiqiu, chasing Cao Bao and Zang Ba like crazy.
The soldiers and horses in front are still elite, and they are all fierce soldiers. Those who are chasing them are all dressed in coarse linen and carrying kitchen knives, hoes, poles, and various weapons in their hands.
They roared like crazy and raised their weapons high, just like a pack of wolves crossing the border, howling and rushing towards the defeated Cao Bao and Zang Ba's army.
hiss-!
Cao Chun was shocked and gasped: "How on earth was this battle fought?"
General Cao Xiu next to him had the same expression of disbelief and rubbed his eyes: "General, are we here to support or are we here to take credit? Why do I feel that we are a bit redundant?"
"nonsense!"
Cao Chun responded without hesitation: "Although, I don't know how General Zu Mao won, but if he dares to pursue with such a force, he must know that our army is coming, and we are his confidence."
"quick!"
Cao Chun made a decisive decision and said sonorously: "Rush forward and chase the enemy invaders. Don't let anyone go."
Cao Xiu nodded: "Here!"
"Brothers, the general has orders to pursue them with all their might."
"kill-!"
Boom!
The sound of horse hooves shook the sky and the earth.
Cao Xiu suddenly clamped the horse's belly, sat down and the horse raised its head and neighed. It turned into a red lightning and plunged into the defeated troops on Mount Tai. The iron spear in his palm danced like snow falling from the sky.
Wherever Cao Xiu passed, it was like a wave breaking, with broken limbs and arms flying wildly in all directions, and bright red juice kept splashing, it was like a rain of blood.
Cao Cao's cavalry were already experienced in hundreds of battles. They were good at everything from bows and arrows to charging into battle. They galloped non-stop when the enemy's troops were routed. They were really invincible and swept through thousands of armies.
puff!
Cao Xiu shot a soldier to death with one arrow, and continued to fly forward with his horse. While twisting his bow and setting an arrow, he chased Cao Bao who was also riding wildly in front of him: "Thieves, stay away, you will die!"
Squeak—!
Cao Xiu placed the arrow on the string, clamped the end of the arrow between his two fingers, and pulled it back hard. At the same time, he aimed at the fleeing general in front. As soon as his hand was released, the arrow roared out.
puff!
An arrow hit Cao Bao right in the back of the heart.
Cao Bao wailed "Ah", then fell off his horse and was trampled into a pulp.
Li Ru, who was being defeated, was startled: "Damn it!"
Even he didn't expect that the other party's rush to help would be so quick.
This only proves one point.
In the direction of Xuzhou, Zhang Kai's operation failed.
Otherwise, Cao Cao's soldiers and horses should be dealing with Danyang soldiers, and they would not be able to kill them so quickly.
The failure of Zhang Kai's action in Xuzhou proved that Tao Qian was still alive, and while Tao Qian was alive, Cao Bao would never be able to control the Danyang soldiers.
Once Tao Qian leads his troops to the Langya Kingdom, Cao Bao will undoubtedly die. As for Zang Ba, he has lost more than half of his troops, and there is no possibility of his recovery.
This means...
Even if he took action personally, the Battle of Xuzhou was still lost.
Li Ru looked back at the battlefield, and when no one was paying attention, he galloped on his horse and fled in the direction of Haiqu.
Cao Xiu and Cao Chun cooperated with Zu Mao to launch a large-scale pursuit of the enemy.
The cavalry was very fast and soon cut off the retreat of the Taishan bandits. Zang Ba fled in circuitous ways, but could not escape the encirclement of Cao's army. Exhausted from running for his life, he was finally surrounded.
"Zang Ba, if you don't want to be captured without hesitation, when will you wait?"
Zu Mao, who ran all the way, raised his knife and pointed at Zang Ba Dao angrily.
"snort!"
Zang Ba held an iron spear in front of him to protect him: "Since Nanyang Hanting cannot tolerate me, then I, Zang Ba, can only rebel. Now that I am cornered, I can only fight to death!"
"but......"
Zang Ba glanced at Zu Mao and prayed: "If I commit suicide in front of you, can I bypass my brothers?"
Zu Mao said coldly: "It is impossible for Sun Guan, Yin Li and others to die. However, if they are ordinary soldiers, they will be recruited into the army by the court. If they do not want to join the army, they will return to their hometown to farm."
"good!"
Zang Ba exhaled and nodded gratefully: "In this way, I, Zang Ba, can feel at ease. Even if I immediately enter the netherworld, I can rest in peace."
Buzz!
At this point, Zang Ba poked the gun against his Adam's apple, made a pop, and the gun tip passed through him, killing him on the spot.
Zu Mao and others surrendered the Taishan Army and the Danyang Army, and then returned to Jiqiu County.
Early next morning.
Tao Qian led his troops and rushed to Jiqiu.
Above the county government office, Tao Qian slapped the table and stood up: "What, Li Ru?"
Zu Mao nodded and said with certainty: "That's right! It was this person who controlled Chang Xi and then Zang Ba, forcing them to embark on the path of rebellion."
"Where is Li Ru?"
Tao Qian asked with his eyes wide open, his anger rising.
"Already escaped."
Zu Mao shook his head and said softly.
"Damn it!"
Tao Qian chewed it secretly and made a decisive decision: "Quick! Send out the arrest documents immediately. As long as you can catch Li Ru, you will be rewarded heavily. Tao must chop him alive!"
"It reassures you."
Zu Mao cupped his hands and clasped his fists, and said with certainty: "The documents for the sea arrest have been handed out, and the way out of Langya has been strictly controlled. Even if Li Ru has three heads and six arms, he can't escape the many obstacles in Langya."
"kindness."
Tao Qian nodded slowly and turned to look at Cao Chun: "If Fei Zi and the general arrived in time, we might not be able to win this battle so easily."
"I wonder what your plans are next? Are you going to return to Yuzhou, or are you going to rest for two days so that Tao can do his best to serve you as a landlord and entertain you?"
"Thank you very much, Tao Shijun, for your kind words."
"but......"
When the conversation changed, Cao Chun bowed his head and said softly: "In addition to being ordered to come to support, we also have one more thing to do. Early tomorrow morning, we will set off for Haiqu to welcome General Cao's father back to his hometown in Qiao County.