Cai Zhong and Wang Wei, two bloody heads flew into the air.
The two headless bodies, with blood spurting out from their broken necks, continued to rush forward for a few steps before falling to the ground.
Then, he was trampled into a pulp by the rolling iron hooves that followed him.
The blood danced with wild swords, heavy cold light shot out in all directions, and Yan Liang harvested the heads of enemy riders who were blocking them like vegetables and melons.
In the rain of blood that filled the sky, Yan Liang stood tall like a Shura demon general. His blood-stained robe danced with the wind. The long sword passed by him, and corpses lay everywhere on the ground.
When Yan Liang broke through all the obstacles, Liu Biao's figure had disappeared at the end of the road, and he could no longer catch up.
"Hmph, you're lucky. I'll send you your head. I'll pick it up in the future."
Yan Liang stopped his horse's hooves, drew his sword and stood up, as tall as a mountain.
When I looked back, I saw that the battlefield with a radius of 100 feet was covered with rivers of blood and mountains of corpses.
The 20,000 scattered Jingzhou soldiers were violently torn apart by more than 4,000 Yan Liang's cavalry, and there were countless casualties.
The setting sun was like blood, and when it was setting in the west, the killing finally came to an end.
The red sunset shone over the fields, and the light and blood contrasted with each other. The vast land was a red, like a pool of blood in hell.
Of the 20,000 Jingzhou troops, 6,000 or 7,000 were killed or injured, and 7,000 to 8,000 were defeated and fled back to Xiangyang, while the rest surrendered.
After cleaning the battlefield, Wen Chou and other generals came to gather.
Wen Chou, who had killed so happily, looked excited and proud, and shouted: "Brother, this battle was really bloody, we also captured more than 5,000 people. Please tell me how to deal with these people."
"
"All those who were not injured were taken to Xinye for incorporation, and those who were injured were beheaded."
Yan Liang's eyes were cold and he issued the killing order without hesitation.
Wen Chou nodded, but said: "It's troublesome to kill them, why not just trap them and kill them."
Yan Liang sneered and glanced in the direction of Xiangyang. He said coldly: "I will chop off the heads of those people, gather them together, and throw all their heads into Xiangyang City in the future. Those who dare to resist will be punished.
So discouraged."
Wen Chou understood Yan Liang's intentions and was deeply impressed by Yan Liang's methods, so he immediately passed on the order.
Under the setting sun, the killings resumed.
Countless crows were circling and circling in the sky, chirping endlessly. They seemed to be urging the humans below to leave quickly so that they could enjoy this feast.
After the victory, Yan Liang was not in a hurry to attack Xiangyang again. Instead, he ordered to camp on the spot and wait for the large infantry of Xu Shu and Zhou Cang behind.
In addition, Yan Liang is still waiting for the outcome of another battle.
Only when the battlefield on the other side is won can he dare to enter Xiangyang without any worries.
######
escape.
At this moment, Liu Biao only had this word left in his mind.
He ran away desperately. He never looked back. No matter how many soldiers behind him were killed or injured, he just ran away to Xiangyang with all his strength.
When night fell, Liu Biao finally escaped back to Xiangyang.
What came back with Liu Biao was the bad news of the defeat.
Just a few hours ago, the people of Xiangyang welcomed their soldiers out of the city, wishing them, under the leadership of the great Zhou Mu, to repel the demon Yan Liang and defend the paradise of Xiangyang.
A few hours later, what they welcomed back was not the victorious soldiers, but a tragic defeat at their doorstep.
The entire Xiangyang City fell into panic in the blink of an eye.
Those Xiangyang people who were accustomed to peace and tranquility never thought that one day they would be so close to war.
Liu Biao was shocked after his defeat, so he urgently ordered the four gates of Xiangyang to be closed to prevent Yan Liang from pursuing his troops. At the same time, he recruited the defeated soldiers and regrouped his strength.
What made Liu Biao feel a little relieved was that Yan Liang's cavalry did not take advantage of the victory to pursue it, but recruited the defeated troops. Together with Xiangyang's original strength, they barely managed to scrape together more than 10,000 troops.
Although Yan Liang's army was victorious, it only numbered 15,000 men and had 5,000 cavalry.
With such a force, if you want to break through the fortified Xiangyang City, you are really overestimating your capabilities.
"Humph, Yan Liang, even if you win for a while, don't be complacent. As long as my navy breaks through the pontoon bridge, I will make you pay back the shame of this battle sooner or later."
Liu Biao calmed down and regained his confidence.
After arranging everything to defend the city, it was already late at night, and the exhausted Liu Biao just returned to the mansion.
At this time, Cai Yu was still waiting anxiously.
Hearing that Liu Biao was back, Cai Yu was overjoyed and hurried out of the house to welcome him.
"Husband, you are back." Cai Yu stepped forward to help Liu Biao.
"Um."
Liu Biao's attitude was indifferent. He only responded and strode towards the inner room.
In front of the servants, Liu Biao gave Cai Yu a cold face for the first time, which made Cai Yu feel embarrassed. She was startled for a moment, but she had to force a smile and follow her back.
Back in the inner room, Cai Yu carefully helped Liu Biao take off his clothes and armor, but Liu Biao kept a straight face and remained silent.
Cai Yu couldn't help it anymore, so she asked cautiously: "Husband, I heard...I heard that our army suffered a defeat in the battle to the north?"
Cai Yu had heard the news of Liu Biao's defeat a long time ago, but fearing that Liu Biao would lose face, Cai Yu had to replace the defeat with "some loss."
Liu Biao frowned slightly, but he snorted coldly: "So what if Yan Liang has a small victory? Xiangyang City is impregnable, and I still have thirty thousand naval troops. Sooner or later, I will take that man's life."
Liu Biao's calmness made Cai Yu secretly relieved.
Cai Yu helped Liu Biao sit down, while adding tea, he asked: "If my eldest brother defends the water village and my husband defends Xiangyang City, then Yan Liang will do nothing and will withdraw his troops sooner or later."
"Yan Liang is a common man. I have a mortal enemy with him. How can I allow him to escape unscathed? As long as the navy breaks through the pontoon bridge, I will trap him to death on the south bank."
Liu Biao was so angry that he gritted his teeth.
Cai Yu's expression changed drastically when he heard this. Without even thinking about it, he blurted out in surprise: "Yan Liang's navy is extremely powerful. He was defeated by Gongnuo before. If my husband forces my eldest brother to attack, wouldn't he be asking for his own death?"
In a secret letter to Cai Yu, Cai Mao stressed that Gan Ning was so powerful that he did not want to go to war. He asked Cai Yu to talk to Liu Biao about it.
At this time, Cai Yu heard that Liu Biao not only sent troops, but also ordered Cai Mao's navy to fight. He was shocked and wanted to dissuade him without thinking.
Liu Biao heard this, but it was extremely harsh. His old face, which was originally gloomy, couldn't help but change suddenly.
Liu Biao became angry and glared at Cai Yu, "It was you who persuaded me to hold on. Then Yan Liang built the pontoon bridge. Now you persuade me not to attack the pontoon bridge. What do you think is your peace of mind?"
"
Liu Biao's fierce questioning only made Cai Yu look stunned and speechless.
What Cai Yuneng was thinking was nothing more than a woman's selfishness. But Liu Biao's every word seemed to point directly to her secret conspiracy with Yan Liang.
Cai Yu felt guilty and wronged. She looked panicked for a moment and didn't know how to respond.
Liu Biao suddenly stepped forward, grabbed Cai Yu's wrist, and shouted sternly: "Tell me, are you secretly colluding with Yan Liang in an attempt to usurp my Jingzhou inheritance!"
Although he is a scholar, he is still a man. Such a strong pinch only caused pain to the bones of Cai Yu's delicate wrist.
"Husband, you pinched me so hard that it hurts..."
Cai Yu groaned in pain, but Liu Biao refused to let go, and the force on his hand only became stronger.
"Whether you want to tell me or not, I will never give up with you today." Liu Biao showed no pity at all.
Cai Yu's eyes filled with tears in pain, and she said aggrievedly: "I just accepted some bribes from Yan Liang and said a few good words for him. How dare I have the intention to betray my husband? If I really want to betray my husband, I will
How can I have several brothers who are still alive and die fighting for my husband to protect my husband's inheritance? I ask you to be wise."
Liu Biao's solemn expression gradually faded, and his mind gradually calmed down.
After all, the dignified Eight Horsemen are not stupid people who cannot think. The reason behind Cai Yu's pleas and self-defenses cannot be understood by Liu Biao.
Previously, he was only emotionally unstable due to failure, and would overreact to the slightest stimulation.
At this time, I calmed down and thought about it. I already knew that my wife was greedy for money. What would be the benefit of Cai's betrayal? If she really wanted to betray him, how could Cai Zhong protect him with all her life?
As soon as his thoughts cleared up, Liu Biao immediately came to his senses.
"Humph, I'm sorry you don't dare to betray me." Liu Biao snorted coldly and shook Cai Yu's hand hard.
Cai Yu lost her balance and her weak body fell to the ground.
When she lowered her head and looked at her wrist, it was already red. Cai Yu felt aggrieved and in pain, but she didn't dare to say anything. She just lay on the ground rubbing her wrist and sobbing softly.
Although Liu Biao's anger subdued, his suspicion was still there, and he thought to himself: "Cai Mao still has 30,000 naval troops. After he breaks the pontoon bridge, I have to send someone to share some of his military power. This will be safer...
"
While thinking about it, Liu Biao didn't want to stay here, so he snorted and walked away.
Cai Yu climbed up from the ground tremblingly, watching her husband leave, looking at the deserted room, she felt even more aggrieved, and her eyes rolled down her face like broken beads.
######
The east is white and the sky will be bright.
Upstream of Han River, pontoon.
Two hundred warships are waiting in formation, five thousand soldiers are in awe, and the big flag with the word "Gan" flying proudly in the morning wind.
Gan Ning was suspicious of the two halberds and stood on the bow of the boat, staring downstream like sharp blades.
Behind him is the pontoon bridge across the Han River, and mule carts loaded with grain and grass are continuously crossing the pontoon bridge from north to south, transporting them to the front line on the south bank.
That pontoon bridge is the lifeline of Yan Liang's army.
Gan Ning's mission is to protect this bridge of life so that Yan Liang has no worries.
Success or failure lies in the hands of him and these five thousand soldiers.
How could Gan Ning not feel Yan Liang's trust in him and the heavy weight on his shoulders?
As I was thinking about it, a blur of whiteness appeared in the lower reaches of the sky and water.
Not long after, the overwhelming whiteness came over and covered the rolling river water.
That endless white is exactly the countless sails.
The Xiangyang naval force, with five hundred warships, flags waving, and heavy armor, moved up the river in a mighty manner. Thousands of sails gathered together, slowly approaching like the white gauze of the Yangtze River.
"As expected, my lord, Cai Mao's navy has gone out in force and wants to destroy my pontoon bridge."
The sword eyebrows were deeply condensed, and murderous intent gradually gathered in Gan Ning's eyes.
My lord, I, Gan Ning, will repay your kindness with a bloody battle today.
With a fierce fighting spirit, Gan Ning struck out with both halberds and shouted sternly: "Fire ship, prepare!"