Chapter 181 Battle of Liyang - Part 11 (1/2)
Chapter 181 – Battle of Liyang - Part 11
October 14th.
9 AM.
The news of Dong Zhuo's retreat reached the ears of Zhu Jun. He clicked his tongue as he expected this. Fortunately, he transported half of the army provision supplies to the other side last night. Alternatively, else, Dong Zhuo would have run away with all the food.
”Figured. We can't trust that traitor from the start!”
Zhu Jun's eyes saddened as he thought about his friend who had just passed away.
”Rest in peace, friend. I'll get rid of those rebels and kill Dong Zhuo in your place! Your death will not be in vain!”
Even though Zhu Jun spoke to himself, the lieutenants and captains heard every word. Their eyes moist as they respected this fallen general. He was an honest and loyal commander who had served this empire tirelessly for decades. He did not deserve to die from a vengeful ghost.
”We shall fight in the commander's place!”
”We shall fight in the commander's place!”
All officers of Zhu Jun shouted in the same voice. Their desire to fight soared and their morale skyrocketed.
”Move faster! Do you want those rebels' head for our general in Heaven!?”
”OOOOOOOHHHHHH!!”
…
…
Meanwhile, Tong and his men also retreated to Liyang City. He left a hundred men on the river wall as a team of scouts, just in case, someone would try to cross this path.
Another confirmation letter from Dong Zhuo already reached Tong's hands, and Dong Zhuo Army began retreating as well. With his army pulling back from the battlefield, Tong had 100,000 fewer soldiers to take care off.
Current forces on both sides were now 55,000 against 129,000. Tong still had the disadvantage.
Tong glanced at the trail of dust on the opposite side of the Yellow River. Zhu Jun Army was forced marching.
'The last general should be Zhu Jun from the other night.'
'But seriously, I'm racing against times again.'
Seeing that it was a race home, Tong shouted. ”Rush home! They are forced marching! If we arrived late, they will cross the river and siege the city before we get there!”
…
Zhu Jun also glared back from the other side of the river. The moment he saw the dust from the horses and foot soldiers, Zhu Jun smiled.
”Naïve brat! Men! Hear my order! Platoon 17 to 26 stay here and cross the river! The rest of you, come with me!”
…
…
By 3 PM, both armies had reached their destination.
Tong's 5,000 men stationed inside the city while Tong and the rest of his 50,000 men headed to the southern river bank of the Yellow River to welcome Zhu Jun and his men.
On the other hand, Zhu Jun detached 80,000 men and stationed at the opposite river bank, staring down at Tong's army. The other 49,000 men stopped marching mid-way and started using their boats to cross the river. Before Tong noticed this move by Zhu Jun, 20,000 soldiers of 49,000 had already got to the other side.
Tong watched his radar map with a solemn expression, focusing on the distance of two kilometers away at the west of his army. At the location, Zhu Jun's 49,000 was busy crossing the river. It would take two more hours before all of them could get on this side.
Contrary to the urgent situation, Tong did not panic. Instead, he was delighted that Zhu Jun made this move.
'With all the boats and water transports over there, this army in front of me is just a bluff.'
'The real attack will come from the west!'
Tong tapped the shoulder of a lieutenant who was beside him.
”Organize all cavalry units to report to me. The rest of the footmen, fortify the river bank!”
…
3.10 PM.
Tong and his 5,000 cavalries galloped westward toward the river-crossing troops of Zhu Jun.
As for the general Zhu Jun himself, he did not lose sight of the movement across the shoreline. The 80,000 men of his were not staying idle either, they cut the woods and made several logged rafts. The skilled craftsmen in the army were also hammering planks to make a dozen massive shields to attach with the barges.
Zhu Jun did not bluff as Tong had thought. He was planning for a pincer attack from the west and the front.
Secondly, he did not plan to cross the river directly and clash with the garrison force head-on. The current shipbuilders behind him would transfer these rafts and boats elsewhere at night and sailed across the shore. They would become his ghost force, which could launch a surprise attack behind the enemies' line.
He had an ambitious goal, all of his men had to cross this river within two days!
The commotion broke out on the opposite shore. Zhu Jun had to squint his eyes to see what they were doing. Two minutes later, one of the scouts, who had climbed the trees to monitor the enemies, came down to report their discovery.