Chapter Three Hundred and Twenty-fifth Although Appreciation, According to Killing
Before the battle, one-third of the soldiers had been lost. Now that the formation was in chaos and morale was depleted, there was no need to fight again.
Yuan Tan reacted so quickly. He immediately realized that the defeat was certain. If he didn't want to die here or be the victim of Yan Liang's sword, running away immediately was his only choice.
At that moment, Yuan Tan didn't even have the slightest intention of resisting, so he shouted and fled.
When Yuan Tan withdrew like this, the remaining 20,000 terrified soldiers of Yuan's army dispersed and rushed towards the river in a swarm.
The water above the waist was freezing cold, and it was much more difficult to wade across the river than before, but in the face of life, nothing mattered.
Twenty thousand Yuan troops pushed each other, howling, and desperately jumped into the river.
However, just when less than ten thousand Yuan's troops entered the water, Yan Liang's six thousand cavalry also attacked fiercely.
More than a thousand cavalry led by Zhang He were the first to attack, and the steel spears in their hands were fired in all directions like a rainbow. Wherever the shadow of the spear passed, blood rained everywhere.
The rolling iron hooves mercilessly crushed the frightened ants. The screams drowned out the sound of rolling water. Corpses were soon scattered all along the river. The gushing blood turned the river bank into a blood swamp.
, the scarlet blood flowed into the water, dyeing the river red.
Zhang He's gun was shooting out, his eyes were bloodshot, and he was venting his anger to his heart's content.
Once upon a time, as a general in Hebei Province, he repeatedly fought for the Ruying faction to which Yuan Tan belonged, and he had long harbored resentment.
During the Battle of Nanyang, Yuan Tan, the second generation of the dandy, not only refused to listen to his advice, but also abandoned himself in an isolated city while escaping.
A real man should avenge himself, and Zhang He kept this hatred in his heart all the time.
Today, he finally had the opportunity to wash away the anger he had accumulated for many years. How could Zhang He kill him without killing him till death, without killing him happily.
While the cavalry was killing them, the infantry under Yan Liang's command also arrived.
Six thousand Yan's soldiers drove more than 20,000 Yuan's troops into the confused water like pigs and dogs.
Although the waist-high water was not considered a river, it was bitingly cold and the current was quite strong. It was not easy to escape to the other side in an instant.
After Yan Jun's infantry and cavalry chased to the shore, they used their bows and crossbows to shoot at Yuan Jun in the water at will. Yuan's soldiers who were unable to move were like moving targets that moved steadily and slowly, allowing Yan Jun to shoot them.
The blood dyed the water red, and countless Yuan Jun died in the cold water. One after another, floating corpses were swept away by the current.
This wanton shooting lasted for about half an hour, until the last remaining soldier of Sergeant Yuan crawled onto the other side in panic and embarrassment.
Looking around, the entire river surface was covered in blood from floating corpses, and corpses were crawling along both sides of the river. The entire river became Yuan Jun's burial ground.
Yuan Tan, who escaped to the shore first, looked at this tragic scene, and his noble and handsome face was so painfully distorted that it became almost human-like.
Half of the 30,000-strong army was lost inexplicably. In this battle, his strength suffered an unprecedented heavy blow.
After losing so many soldiers, let alone recapturing Xudu, I am afraid that Yan Liang's army will cross the river to chase after him if he stays for a moment longer, and even self-protection will be a problem.
The painful Yuan Tan looked far away at the other side of the river, where the big flag with the word "Yan" flying proudly in the wind, and the look of horror and resentment on his ferocious and twisted face.
"Yan Liang is a thief, I, Yuan Tan, will repay this hatred to you sooner or later——"
Although Yuan Tan gritted his teeth with hatred, he did not dare to stay for a moment longer. He could only lead his remaining defeated troops of more than 10,000 and hurriedly continued to withdraw northward.
Yan Liang on the other side only sneered as he watched Yuan Tan's defeated army flee.
"My lord, why don't you chase him across the river and kill Yuan Tan in one go, and complete his victory in one battle?" Zhang He shouted excitedly before his murderous intention was exhausted.
Yan Liang asked back: "If I kill Yuan Tan now, who will benefit the most? Have you ever thought about it?"
Zhang He was stunned for a moment, frowning and thinking for a moment, and then his face showed a dazed look.
Today is just like the Battle of Nanyang. It's not that Yan Liang doesn't have the opportunity and strength to kill Yuan Tan. It's not that he doesn't kill Yuan Tan, but he doesn't care.
If Yuan Tan dies, the states in the Central Plains that he controlled will inevitably collapse, and these Yuan Tan's old tribes will inevitably flock to Liu Bei.
In this way, Yan Liang fought bloody battles for a long time, but in the end Liu Bei became the biggest winner. Wouldn't this deal be a huge loss?
Moreover, Liu Bei was a far more powerful opponent than Yuan Tan, and Yan Liang was not willing to see him grow up quickly in a short period of time.
For Yan Liang, it is obviously more cost-effective to slowly encroach on Yuan Tan's territory.
Understanding Yan Liang's foresight, Zhang He couldn't help but admire him even more. He killed Yuan Tan happily today, but he was no longer eager to kill Yuan Tan. He could only look proudly at Yuan Jun on the other side as he fled in embarrassment.
"General, I have captured someone who will definitely interest you."
Ma Yunlu came on horseback, carrying a person like a chicken in his hand, reined in the horse, and threw the prisoner in front of Yan Liang's horse.
The prisoner dressed as a Confucian scholar struggled to get up from the ground. Although he had a gray face, Yan Liang could still recognize him at a glance.
The person in front of me turned out to be Xin Ping.
"It turns out to be Xin Zhongzhi. It's rare that we meet again on such an occasion." Yan Liang sat on his horse and sneered.
Xin Ping belonged to Ru Ying's faction, and when Yan Liang was still under Yuan Shao's command, he was often ostracized by him.
The first two times Yan Liang attacked Xudu, it was Xin Ping who defended the city. In the two battles, Yuan Tan lost tens of thousands of troops and several generals. Speaking of which, Xin Ping was considered to have contributed to him.
When Xin Ping saw Yan Liang, hatred suddenly burst out from his eyes, and he said bitterly: "You, a traitor general of the Yuan family, don't deserve to call me by my name. Now that your treacherous plan has succeeded, I will kill or behead you as you wish."
Xin Ping, who was born into a well-known family, was a prisoner, but he still made no secret of his contempt and resentment towards Yan Liang.
"You brave bitch, you still dare to scold my general. I think you are impatient with life." Ma Yunlu was furious at first, and threatened to kill him with a gun.
Yan Liang raised his hand and stopped his wife.
Looking down at this righteous man, Yan Liang sneered: "Xin Ping, if it were anyone else who dared to scold me like this, he would have been cut into pieces long ago. But since you are considered a loyal and righteous man, I will give you a
A chance to survive. As long as you are willing to submit to me and go to Xudu City to persuade Xun Chen to surrender, I will spare your life and give you glory and wealth."
Yan Liang still has some appreciation for Xin Ping.
Historically, Xin Ping remained loyal to Yuan Tan despite Yuan Tan's defeats and the betrayal of his relatives. He even refused to betray Yuan Tan despite the persuasion of his younger brother Xin Pi, who had surrendered to Cao Cao, but was ultimately jealous of Yuan Tan.
, and ended in depression.
Yan Liang has always admired people with true backbone, and since Xin Ping was indeed somewhat resourceful, Yan Liang naturally had the desire to accept and surrender.
After hearing Yan Liang's words of persuasion to surrender, Xin Ping, who was originally excited, fell into silence.
His eyes flickered and he seemed to be shaken.
After a long while, Xin Ping cupped his hands and said: "Thanks to General Yan's great regard, Ping can only obey the destiny and submit to the Ming Lord."
Yan Liang originally thought that Xin Ping would flatly refuse, or at least be reserved, but what surprised him was that in just a moment, Xin Ping had already figured it out.
Even the old generals of the Yuan family, such as Zhang He next to him, were surprised that their former colleague surrendered so readily.
"Zhong Zhizhen is a person who understands current affairs. He is very good. He can be a wise and resourceful person. I will have nothing to worry about. Haha——"
Although Yan Liang was somewhat suspicious, he still accepted Xin Ping's surrender magnanimously.
Yan Liangshi defeated Yuan Tan's reinforcements and won Xin Ping's surrender. This battle can be said to be a complete victory for Yan Liangshi.
Now Yan Liang led the victorious army and returned south to Xudu.
…
One day later, Yan Liang led the army and arrived at Xudu City in a mighty manner.
The siege had been approaching for a long time, and this was the first sign of an attack by Yan Liang's army. This move immediately made Xun Chen and his defenders nervous. More than 10,000 defenders came to the city to prepare for Yan's attack.
The army stopped a hundred steps away from the east gate of Xudu. In full view of Yuan's army, Yan Liang led more than a hundred cavalry out of the military formation and arrived in front of Xudu's moat.
Following Yan Liang, in addition to Zhou Cang and other Tiger Guard troops, there was also the newly surrendered Xin Ping.
Yan Liang did not plan to attack Xudu by force. If he had to use siege strategies, he would have used them long ago. The reason why he came here today was still to fight a psychological war.
Yan Liang wanted Xin Ping to personally announce to the defenders that their king Yuan Tan had been killed and fled in defeat, and asked Xin Ping to recruit Xun Chen and the Xu Du defenders to surrender.
Yan Liang believed that this would be the most fatal blow to the spirit of Xudu's defenders. After this blow, perhaps there would be no need to attack the city. Xun Chen and the defenders of that city would lose their fighting spirit and Kaicheng would surrender.
Subduing the enemy's troops without fighting is the best strategy.
Yan Liang looked at Xin Ping and said with a smile: "Zhongzhi, please give me a shout."
"Don't worry, my lord, Xin will definitely convince Xun Chen to surrender." Xin Ping guaranteed his vote and took a step forward.
Facing the eyes of countless Yuan troops at the top of the city, Xin Ping took a deep breath, used all his strength, and shouted loudly: "The king will never give up on you. His reinforcements will arrive soon. You must hold on.
Never be shaken——"
As soon as these words came out, everyone in the city was shocked.
Even Yan Liang was surprised, never expecting that Xin Ping would do such an unexpected thing.
After Xin Ping finished shouting, he raised his head and looked back at Yan Liang. His expression returned to arrogance and disdain, and his eyes were full of provocation.
At this moment, Yan Liang understood.
No wonder he felt that Xin Ping was surrendered so happily. There was something wrong with it. It turned out that this guy actually came to Xudu City to boost the morale of the defenders under the pretext of surrender.
Xin Ping's provocative expression seemed to be eager to see Yan Liang become angry and frustrated.
But instead of being angry, Yan Liang had a disapproving sneer on his lips.
He rode forward and said coldly: "Xin Ping, it's no wonder that you are also a famous person. You can't play such a childish trick. Do you think that your voice alone can save Yuan Tan from destruction?"
?”
Yan Liang's calmness and confidence caused Xin Ping's expression to change, and he didn't know how to respond.
"You are not afraid of death. I really appreciate this. However, if you dare to deceive me, you will not be punished. So go with peace of mind——"
As soon as he finished speaking, the fierce light in Yan Liang's eyes suddenly gathered, and he swept out the long knife in his hand.
Before anyone could see his movements clearly, Xin Ping's head had already flown into the air and then fell to the ground.
The decapitated body, gushing blood, shook for a moment, then fell in front of the horse.
Under the horrified gaze of everyone, Yan Liang calmly sheathed the knife and said coldly: "This man can be considered a tough guy. Let's carry him down and give him a good burial."
Only then did Zuo Zuo wake up and hurriedly stepped forward to carry Xin Ping's body away.
Then, Yan Liang glanced at the top of the city with a razor-sharp gaze, and said loudly: "Xun Chen, listen, I will give you three days. If you don't surrender after three days, Xin Ping will be your fate when the city is breached!"
