Chapter 1008 Ye Mingsheng? Cao Cao?

Although Xu Zhaojie was furious because he lost the ambush opportunity, he did not give up the opportunity...

In order to completely wipe out the main force of the First Division and deal a heavy blow to Ye Mingsheng, Xu Zhaojie fired a feint under the city of Hanyang this time, deliberately creating a false situation to make the Hanyang defenders think that the Zhennan Army was still besieging the city.
Xu Zhaojie had fought against the First Division before and knew that the First Division’s reputation as the ace of aces was not just an exaggeration. It was basically difficult to defeat the elite Fengwu Army with equal forces!
Therefore, Xu Zhaojie assembled more than 60,000 troops around Dahuangshan. He knew that the First Division would definitely be anxious to go to Hanyang, and in order to shorten the time, they would definitely take the Dahuangshan route!

So Xu Zhaojie set up a tight net and waited for the Fengwu Army to take the bait, but he didn't expect that his tight net would be exposed at the last moment!
Although the ambush failed, Xu Zhaojie knew that the First Division was very tired after the long march. Therefore, even without the advantage of an ambush, he believed that his 60,000 troops would be able to defeat the First Division by taking advantage of their rest!
At Xu Zhaojie's command, 60,000 troops swept towards the First Division like a tide amidst earth-shaking shouts and calls of killing!

The Fengwu Army was not idle either. They had just been resting and immediately formed a battle array to meet the enemy. When the enemy came within a hundred steps of the Fengwu Army’s formation, a burst of gunfire rang out, and the Zhennan Army soldiers who were at the front immediately fell in a pool of blood...

Seeing this, Ma Zhongjun, who was observing the battle situation through a telescope, couldn't help but nod slightly. Compared with the Weiyuan Gun and Pulu Gun used by the Fengwu Army before, the newly equipped Fengwu Gun had a significant improvement in power, accuracy, and rate of fire!
Thinking of this, Ma Zhongjun also felt it was a pity. In order to get to Hanyang as soon as possible, he led three battalions of soldiers and horses and marched lightly. He did not even carry the various heavy artillery equipped by their First Division!

Otherwise, with these heavy artillery now, we could just open fire on them, and more of these bastards from the Zhennan Army would die!
Despite the three-stage attack from the Fengwu Army, the Zhennan Army had lost more than one hundred soldiers before they even reached the Fengwu Army.

However, under the flashing swords of the Zhunnan County Supervisory Team, the Zhennan Army soldiers had no choice but to keep advancing, and finally they were defeated after sacrificing more than a hundred lives.

The soldiers of the Zhennan Army finally reached the front of the First Division, and at this time the musketeers of the First Division quickly pushed to the back of the formation, and the swordsmen and spearmen stepped forward to the front to build a solid line of defense!

It has to be said that the continuous high-intensity travel had a great impact on the soldiers of the First Division. Many soldiers were exhausted both physically and mentally.

But fortunately, Ma Zhongjun showed sympathy to the soldiers and let them rest for more than half an hour. The soldiers ate some dry food and drank some water, so their physical strength was restored and their fatigue was reduced. Otherwise, they might not be able to hold on without rest...
Although the Zhennan Army's strength was nearly four times that of Ma Zhongjun at that time, the enemy's strength could not be fully deployed due to terrain restrictions, and the Fengwu Army had great advantages in troop quality and equipment.

So, as the saying goes, the first attack is of great strength, the second is weaker, and the third is exhausted. After the First Division withstood the initial fierce attack of the Zhennan Army, its footing became more and more stable, and the pressure it faced was gradually reduced!
On the contrary, the Zhennan Army was originally a motley crowd, a hodgepodge of the Sichuan Army, the Zhennan Army, and the Jingchu Army, a very mixed bag!

This was fine when the battle was going their way, but at this moment, as casualties gradually increased, their military morale became increasingly unstable!

The first ones to start having ulterior motives were the soldiers of the original Jingchu Army. These people first joined the Fengwu Army and became the Fifth Army of the Fengwu Army. Then they were captured by the Zhennan Army in the battles of Xiaowushan and Tanzhou. Under the coercion and inducement of the Zhennan Army, they joined the Zhennan Army again.

The Zhennan Army did not regard these people who changed their minds according to the situation as human beings. No matter whether they were fighting in Hanyang or at this moment, they were always at the front and acted as cannon fodder. Therefore, these people were very resentful!
These people don't have the courage to fight the Zhennan Army, but they still have the courage to escape!
Soon as the first person escaped, more and more people joined the ranks of fleeing. Although the Zhennan Army’s supervisory team immediately took action and beheaded more than a dozen deserters on the spot, the number of deserters still gradually increased···································
After the Jingchu Army started to run away, the Sichuan Army was also ready to move. They were mercenaries hired by Xu Zhaojie and were paid for their work. They would not risk their lives fighting to the death for the Zhennan Army, Xu Zhaojie and the Fengwu Army!

At this time Xu Zhaojie was also keenly aware of the unusual movements of his side, and a sense of powerlessness surged in his heart. These rabble he had put together were all obedient to you when you won the battle, but when they encountered some tough guys, they would become alienated from you and have their own little thoughts!

Although he felt helpless, Xu Zhaojie knew that he had to control the situation. Otherwise, not to mention defeating the First Division, even escaping unscathed would be wishful thinking. He immediately ordered his men around him:
"There are still 50,000 taels of silver in the baggage. Take this silver to the front line immediately and tell the soldiers that the Fengwu Army is about to fail. As long as they can hold on, I will reward them with 10 taels of silver each!"

"Yes!"

It has to be said that Xu Zhaojie had a very accurate assessment of his men. He knew that they were a group of money-hungry guys, and in the face of huge sums of money, they all turned into desperadoes!
Those who originally wanted to escape also suppressed the idea of ​​​​escape, and continued to fight with the Fengwu Army for the sake of silver.

Although the situation of deserters was temporarily alleviated, Xu Zhaojie, who was observing the battle situation, had a frown on his face, which showed no signs of relaxing.

At this time, Xu Zhaojie felt that he had really overestimated the combat effectiveness of this motley crowd under his command. At the same time, he also underestimated the resilience of the First Division as the Fengwu Army's top ace unit!
At this time, the First Division has already overcome the most difficult situation, the front line is becoming more and more stable, and all departments are cooperating in an orderly manner!
Compared with the unity and cooperation of the First Division, although the group of people under Xu Zhaojie are large in number, they seem to be fighting on their own!
Seeing this situation, Xu Zhaojie couldn't help but sigh in his heart, knowing in his heart that it was impossible to defeat the First Division at this time!

Since he knew that he could no longer defeat the First Division, Xu Zhaojie wanted to lead his troops to retreat. However, how easy was it to retreat when two armies were fighting each other?
Giving a retreat order lightly would most likely lead to a major defeat. Xu Zhaojie could accept returning empty-handed, but he absolutely could not accept a failure. After all, he still had enough troops in Jingchu to contain the Fengwu Army and create opportunities for Anqing!
At this time, Ma Zhongjun also noticed the changes in the Zhennan Army. He was delighted but also helpless. Although they were safe now, they had fought hard with their brothers. Their First Division as a whole was still limited by its exhausted state, and it was difficult for them to further counterattack and create opportunities...

The two sides were in a stalemate for a while, which lasted for about an incense stick of time. Seeing that their side's performance was loosening, no one could push it away if it dragged on. Xu Zhaojie ordered his subordinate Xie Wei to lead 5,000 soldiers to cover the rear, and the rest of the troops withdrew from the battlefield one after another!
As Xu Zhaojie issued the retreat order, the Zhennan Army's troops were still able to obey his command, while the Jingchu surrendered army and the Sichuan Army were scrambling to retreat, fearing that if they were a step late they would be eaten by the Fengwu Army and would never be able to escape from here again!
Seeing the enemy retreat, Ma Zhongjun was also overjoyed, and instinctively wanted to send troops to attack, but when his eyes swept over the tired faces of the soldiers, Ma Zhongjun couldn't help but sigh, and let the enemy retreat with some regret! Seeing that the First Division did not pursue, Xu Zhaojie's tension was relieved. He was really afraid that the First Division still had the strength to counterattack. If so, he might have to cut off his arm to survive!

Fortunately, the First Division of the Fengwu Army is not composed of iron men. They have been able to hold on until now, but they are already at the end of their strength. This is a blessing in disguise for me!

Thinking of this, Xu Zhaojie cast a gloomy gaze at the Sichuan-Shu army on the side. News had already come from Sichuan-Shu that Song Weijie had already started to eliminate dissidents there!
After this battle, I have no other moves on the Jingchu battlefield and can only rely on the defense of Tanzhou!
Therefore, it is time for me to get rid of Yang Zhen and Cai Qiang, and swallow up these 20,000-plus Sichuan troops·······························
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While Xu Zhaojie and Ma Zhongjun were fighting around the Dahuang Mountain in Jingchu, a fierce debate was also going on in the Governor's Mansion in Lin'an, Jiangnan.

Zhao He, the deputy governor of Jiangnan, said to Lu Jianchao very passionately:
"Your Excellency, the Fengwu Army is not invincible. An entire army of 100,000 men was easily annihilated by Lord Xu's troops!"

"Even Hanyang is now under siege by Lord Xu's Zhennan Army. The Fengwu Army's rule in Jingchu is already in jeopardy. In a few days, the news that the Zhennan Army has taken over Hanyang may be transmitted back to Lin'an!"

"Governor, there is absolutely no need for us to be afraid of the Fengwu Army. Who the hell is Ye Mingsheng?"

After hearing what Zhao He said, Lu Jianchao was also moved. Although his Jiangnan had not yet directly bordered the Fengwu Army, the military pressure brought to him by the Fengwu Army during this period really made Lu Jianchao feel a little breathless. At the same time, he dared not speak out against the Fengwu Army!

Therefore, when he heard that the Fengwu Army had suffered a defeat in Jingchu and an entire army of 100,000 people had been annihilated, he was extremely happy and felt that the anger in his heart had been vented a little!
What Zhao He said at this time was exactly what Lu Jianchao was thinking in his heart. The Fengwu Army was not that scary at all, and there was no need for him, Lu, to be so servile and submissive to Ye Mingsheng, the Liaoyang warrior!

Seeing that Lu Jianchao was interested, Zhao He took advantage of the situation and said:
“Sir, during the Three Kingdoms period, Cao Cao also captured Jingzhou, and all the ministers of Dongwu were frightened and shouted for surrender…”

Having said this, Zhao He deliberately paused for a moment, and then glanced meaningfully at several Jiangnan officials who advocated surrender. Although he did not continue speaking, everyone understood what he meant.

When Sun Quan couldn't make up his mind between surrender and war, he asked his minister Lu Su for his opinion!

Lu Su said that I and other ministers could surrender to Cao Cao. If we surrender to Cao Cao, we could still serve as officials and enjoy wealth and glory, and we might even be promoted!
But what should we do if Lord Sun Quan surrenders?

Those ministers who advise you to surrender are not considering you, they only care about their own interests!
There is no doubt that Zhao He quoted this allusion at this moment, comparing himself to Lu Su and Lu Jianchao to Sun Quan!
As for those Jiangnan officials who are now persuading Lu Jianchao to surrender to the Fengwu Army, even Zhang Zhao and his ilk have not considered their lord at all!

I have to say that Zhao He's citation of classics was very convincing. When he thought of the subsequent Battle of Red Cliffs, Lu Jianchao's eyes were faintly excited!
Zhao He continued to preach:
"Ye Mingsheng is called Zhou Chen, but he is actually Zhou's thief. The people of the world have suffered from him for a long time!"

"Any loyal and righteous person would like to eat his flesh, drink his blood, and sleep on his skin! Grinding his bones and scattering his ashes is not enough to get rid of the hatred in my heart!"

"This thief is aggressive and starts wars everywhere! I don't think he can last long even if he gains power for a while!"

"Lord Lu, you are the Governor of Jiangnan appointed by the late emperor. At this time when the Great Zhou is in ruins, it is time for loyal and righteous people like you and Lord Xu to put aside past grudges and uphold justice!"

"I think if you can raise your arms and call for resistance against Ye Mingsheng's tyranny, you will surely be able to gain support from the people of the world. Then, your followers will gather together and cut Ye Mingsheng into pieces!"

By then, my lord, you will be a great contributor to the revival of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and you will be well recorded in the history books. I believe that the emperor will definitely confer you the title of Duke to honor your achievements!"

Lu Jianchao was a little dizzy under the temptation of Zhao He’s series of words. He seemed to really see himself leading heroes all over the world to defeat the Fengwu Army, and being praised and passed down by people in later generations...

(End of this chapter)