Chapter 423 (1/2)

Zhang Liao and Lu Meng fought. While Zhang Liao was stronger and more experienced, he no longer had the stamina of a young man. On the other hand, Lu Meng was younger and more daring. He may not be as experienced but he fought without regards for his life. Lu Meng may be Zhang Liao’s enemy but he did not have the highest position in the army. Zhang Liao would not sacrifice his own life just to get rid of Lu Meng.

Ling Cao was also helping Lu Meng fight Zhang Liao. Zhang Liao was unable to cope fighting both of them at once.

When w.a.n.g Wei and Xu Sheng approached, Lu Meng and Ling Cao knew that they would no longer be able to defeat Zhang Liao and escaped together with their men. A person like Lu Meng who could choose when to retreat decisively was very rare.

Xu Sheng wanted to chase them down but he was stopped by Zhang Liao. Deep down, Zhang Liao wanted to chase the enemy as well but it was no longer possible. They could not see Lu Meng’s Army through the smoke. If Lu Meng had set up an ambush, the Black Flag Army could suffer heavy casualties.

It was better to end the battle here rather than chase down a cornered enemy. Lu Meng and Ling Cao only managed to take one thousand soldiers with them. All of them were the ones wearing damp cloths.

Zhang Liao gave the order for them to end the battle. Xu Sheng and w.a.n.g Wei heeded this order and left to round up the remaining enemy soldiers.

“Tell them that we won’t kill them if they surrender.” Zhang Liao ordered again as he looked at the remaining one thousand enemy soldiers.

“Our General said you will not be killed if you surrender!”

“Haha! Surrender? Do you know who we are?” A 1000-man commander of the Chu Army sneered.

“Are you not the Jiangdong Army? Perhaps you are Danyang Troops or Yuzhou Troops?” Xu Sheng asked. There are not many elites in the Jiangdong Army. One of them were the warlike Danyang Troops. Even a second grade commander like Cao Bao could fight against Cao Cao with these soldiers.

Similaryly, a lot of the soldiers in Lu Bu’s Army were also Danyang Troops. They were placed in the Urban Army.

There was also the Yuzhou Troops that were experienced veterans and the Changsha Troops that were elites left behind by the late Sun Jian. The only other elite left was Zhou Yu’s elite soldiers only used by Zhou Yu.

“We are the Chu Army!” The 1000-man commander declared proudly.

“Chu Army? I thought you guys were the Qin Army!” One person mocked. As the Chu capital was destroyed, n.o.body had claimed themselves to be descendants of Chu.

“You…!” The 1000-man commander became speechless.

Zhang Liao frowned at this name and asked “The Chu Army? You are all descendants of Chu?”

“Of course!” The 1000-man commander became spirited again once somebody recognized them.

“The Chu Army of Jiangdong truly exists!” Zhang Liao was from the North and did not know much of Jiangnan. However, he had heard of the Chu Army. He had heard of how Emperor Gao Zu tried to placate the Chu after defeating Xiang Yu by reducing tax and other methods. On the other hand, the Chu initially did not consider themselves Han people. They were proud of their heritage. After hundreds of years, they stopped calling themselves Chu people. Zhang Liao never expected them to start again.

“Archers. Prepare to shoot.” Zhang Liao sighed. He knew that there was no meaning in saying any more.

“Many thanks.” The 1000-man commander cupped his fist towards Zhang Liao with respect instead of becoming angry.

“General?” Xu Sheng and the others were confused but the archers were quickly a.s.sembled.