Chapter 297 (1/2)

Liu Mang took two 2,500 of the Black Flag Army soldiers out. He was about to fight the enemy when he saw the enemy banner, making him stunned. There were a total of three banners. The first one was the Lord’s banner. The second one was the deputy general’s banner. The third one was the military banner that said, ‘Urban Army’.

‘What is this? Could there be another army called the Urban Army in this world?’ Liu Mang thought that this was strange as the Urban Army had partic.i.p.ated in the siege with him. Because of a large amount of physical exertion, he allowed them to rest in the city. The remaining had been taken away by Liu Ye to Ruyin. They would then go and capture Runan for provisions and also to rescue an ally by attacking the enemy. This is to cut the supply lines for Liu Bei and Zhang Xiu. However, he could not understand why there were so many Urban Army soldiers in front of him.

While feeling puzzled two riders moved forward. It was dark at night so they could not be seen clearly but their voices could be heard. “Are those the Black Flag Army of the Sage King Liu Mang?”

‘This voice is…’ Liu Mang’s eyes glinted. Huang Zhong was also a bit puzzled. “This voice. Is it Xu Er?”

“Han Sheng. You heard it too?”

“Yes. This is Xu Er’s voice!” Huang Zhong nodded his head. There was n.o.body who could recognize this voice better than the father. As Huang Zhong did not think highly of his son before, he knew all of his son’s movements and could recognize the voice.

“Huang Xu?” Liu Mang could not understand. If this person was Huang Xu, this would really be the other half of the Urban Army. However, they should have followed Liu Ye to Ruyin. Liu Mang allowed Huang ZHong to step forward and speak. They found that the two generals that rode to the front were Huang Xu and Cheng Yu. The two of them had brought back Liu Mang’s army.

“Speak. What happened?” Liu Mang showed a displeased expression. If the Urban Army were to appear here, it could only mean that they were defeated. Liu Ye was defeated. Otherwise, they would be at Ruyin instead of Yingshang.

“Milord. This is…” Cheng Yu and Huang Xu did not know how to explain.

“Speak. How many injured and dead? I have already prepared myself. Victory and defeat is common in war. Where is Ziyang and Xu Sheng? What about w.a.n.g Wei and the others?” Liu Mang could only accept defeat and wait for the army to regroup before attacking Ruyin again.

“No! Ziyang, Xu Sheng and the others are not here with us!” Cheng Yu and Huang Xu explained.

“They are not here with you? Where are they?”

“They are still at Ruyin!” They replied little girls. They were unlike leaders of the Urban Army.

“They are still at Ruyin!” The Urban Army had been defeated and weer now at Yingshang. Liu Ye, Xu Sheng and the others were either killed in battle or taken prisoner. This had started to become a headache. Ziyang was a capable person like Xu Shu but he was also captured. Liu Mang was reluctant to give up on him, Xu Sheng and the others. However, the headache was not so much the fact that they were captured. It was the fact that there was a person capable of doing this to them.

Liu Ye had 2,500 Black Flag and Urban Army soldiers. Both were heavy infantries. The generals like Huang Xu, w.a.n.g Wei, Cheng Yu and the others was also capable and would even be able to stop the three brothers. This made Liu Mang consider his actions.

“Han Sheng. Dispatch a messenger to Ruyin. Tell them that we have Lady Mi and that we would trade her for Xu Sheng, Liu Ye, and w.a.n.g Wei. Otherwise, their Lord Wife would end up remarrying.” Although 50,000 provisions could save Shou Chun, Liu Mang had to save these three generals.

“Milord. There is no need for that! Even if you send Lady Mi, you would not be able to trade for them!” Huang Zhong looked at the two resentfully for failing to meet with expectations.

“There is no need?” Liu Mang stood up feeling angry. “Did Ziyang, Xu Sheng and w.a.n.g Wei all get killed already? How daring! Liu Bei! I, Liu Mang, really look down on you! You even killed my generals to deal with me. This hatred must be addressed!” Xu Sheng was a veteran at martial arts and was the general of the Black Flag Army. w.a.n.g Wei was quite a strong figure. Finally, Liu Ye was an indispensable figure that helped Liu Mang with experiments for things like gla.s.s and cement.

“Sigh! Milord. Let this general speak!” Huang Zhong quickly stood up again and sighed. He knew that if he did not act now, the misunderstanding would get bigger and bigger. “Milord. The three of them are still alive.”

“Still alive? If they are still alive then get people to exchange prisoners. If it is not enough then send Mi Fang as well. We can even give them our ballista! However, they must return me Ziyang, w.a.n.g Wei and Xu Sheng!” Liu Mang went all out. Even the second generation ballista was sold at ten thousand gold. Even Cao Cao wants to buy it at that price. Now, Liu Mang had the third-generation ballista which were even more powerful and rock ballista. They were in an era without any artillery. Not only would it be able to kill but it would also be able to frighten the soldiers. Liu Mang was willing to trade them away for the lives of three people.

“Milord. There is no need for that. We were not defeated. The three of them are also not captured.” Huang Zhong finally explained.

“We were not defeated? They were not taken prisoner?” Liu Mang obviously did not believe him. “Victory and defeat are common in war. There is no need to lie to me! I just need you all to stay alive!”

“It is true. The others were not defeated in battle. To be precise, it should be that there was no battle!” Huang Zhong replied.

“Huh?” Liu Mang became more and more confused.

“Father. Let me say it!” Huang Xu felt embarra.s.sed. He and Cheng Yu did not know how to explain, causing Liu Mang to become more confused. Now, he could only bite the bullet and speak directly. “Milord. We arrived at Ruyin yesterday but then we received information that you were defeated at Yingshang. So, Ziyang told us to split up. We came for a rescue mission whereas he would wait for us there!” Huang Xu explained but it was not satisfactory.

“Where did you get this information from? I was defeated at Yingshang? These weak defenders defeated me? Haha. Open your eyes wide and take a look. This land is Yinghsang and it no longer belongs to Liu Bei. It now, belongs to the Lu Bu’s Army!” Liu Mang really could not understand why they had received information about his defeat..

“Milord. This is…” Cheng Yu opened his mouth but was unable to give an explanation. The information was probably provided by the enemy. If it was just removing a tiger from the mountain, Liu Ye would have already won. However, Ruyin had been acting strangely, causing the generals to believe that this is true. As a result, the rescue drama was made.

“Alright. Rest for the day. Tomorrow, we will go to Ruyin!” Liu Mang did not want to criticize too much. They were not defeated and the generals were not captured. All that happened was time wasted. Originally, he planned to go to Runan but now decided to go to Ruyin.

_

The sky turned bright. Liu Mang knew that his men were still tired because of the siege on the previous day. That was why they only left late in the morning. Ruyin was to the north of Yingshang. If they were to follow the waterway up, it would take them about three hours to reach their destination while it would take one hour to go by land. However, Liu Mang and the others still reached Ruyin within a day only to find the place eerily quiet.

The city was devoid of the hustling of the merchants and the voices of the people. Liu Mang was also unable to see a banner or figure on top of the city. It was as though the city was completely dead.

“””Milord!””” Liu Ye, Xu Sheng, and w.a.n.g Wei knew that Liu Mang was coming and greeted him. Liu Mang relaxed when he saw the three of them. The three of them were very talented people. Even one of them dying would give Liu Mang a terrible heartache.

“Zitabg. What is going on here?” Liu Mang asked Liu Ye who was in charge of the military. He was made leader when Liu mang split up the troops. Opposing Liu Ye would be opposing Liu Mang. It would also be violating military orders. As a result, everyone had to listen to him.

“Milord. This is all Liu Ye’s fault. I ask Milord not to blame the other four generals!” Liu Ye prostrated in front of Liu Mang and begged.

“Ziyang. Stand up and talk. What is your crime?” Liu Mang wanted to know what was happening here.

Liu Ye got up and explained to Liu Mang, allowing Liu Mang to understand what was going on.

Three days ago, Liu Ye led the army to Ruyin. In accordance to the usual practice, Liu Ye went up to persuade the enemy to surrender. However, there was no reply in the city. Liu Ye thought it was strange and dispatched a scout for an inquiry. At that moment, music could be heard coming from the city. There was a person on the walls above the gate, singing and playing the zither. Liu Ye would not feel suspicious if it was just that. However, the gates all also opened at the same time. There were even soldiers sweeping away the dead leaves.

Besides the musician on the walls and the two young boys sweeping the floor, there were no other people. Liu Ye did not know whether this was a surrender or an ambush.

Just as Liu Ye was about to dispatch the scout, he finally heard a voice. “Liu Ye. You seem well.”

“Whoever that is in the city better surrender!” w.a.n.g Wei shouted.

“This general must be General Xu Sheng!” The musician on the wall laughed indifferently. “General. There is no need for so much trouble. The gates are open. Help yourselves to Ruyin if you want it.”