Chapter 355 Zhang Liaos New Skill (1/2)
Chapter 355 – Zhang Liao's New Skill
Gongsun Du and his remaining soldiers were in distress as they avoided all combat, marching to the east and heading toward Fagan County.
The journey was arduous as they marched across farmlands, forests, and rocky areas. The weather was also getting colder each day as winter was approaching.
They had attempted to march north. However, once they spotted Sima Fang's barricaded lines, Gongsun Du ordered his men to run away.
They could have broken through those defensive lines with ease, but Gongsun Du had worries.
Before they entered Ye territory, they had encountered the Silver Axe Legion of Xu Huang. With the threat of 40,000 elites beyond Sima Fang's defensive lines, Gongsun Du did not want his men to be sandwiched between Sima Fang Army and Xu Huang Army.
Getting back to his territory would be easier if he could reach the eastern coast or the Yellow River. Gongsun Du planned to resupply in Fagan County first, which they could also conscript more soldiers or extort provisions from the locals. Then, he would head south toward the Puyang City of Qiao Mao. If Gongsun Du was lucky, he could borrow more supplies from this minor lord and travel east via the water route.
Days passed.
As Sima Fang cut off their supply routes from the north, Gongsun Du ran out of provision. His soldiers began deserting in batches every night.
They resorted an immoral practice by robbing nearby small peasant villages, but their food was still not enough for his men.
When they finally reached the Fagan County wall, only 5,000 men remained in his battalion.
Starved and exhausted, they almost collapsed when they saw the county wall.
Wang Men consoled his clan lord, ”Rejoice, my lord. Fagan County is before us! From what I know, this minor county only has like 1,000 garrison militias as guards after the long famine. We should have no problem taking over the county and resupply!”
Gongsun Du nodded, ”I think so as well! Once we have enough food, we'll draft some meat shields and workers back with us. If everything goes as planned, we should be able to return to Xiangping before the next spring.”
”Haha, my lord. You're pessimistic. I think we'll be at home before the winter!”
The two of them laughed and chatted in a merry as they proceeded closer to the county wall. Soon, they could finally see the governor's banners and flags.
There were three types of banners among all flags, Zhang, Ding, and Lu.
Gongsun Du pulled his horse reign, gazing at the banners in doubt.
”Zhang, Ding, and Lu? Who are they? What's this mayor's name again?”
”I-I don't know as well. Let's send our scouts to investigate.”
Before they could even send their messenger, they heard loud noises from behind the wall.
*BOOM*
*BOOM*
They were the sounds of war drums!
”S-Send someone to appease them! We're not here to invade them!”
Thousands of soldiers formed ranks on top of the wall, and they were armed with crossbows. Without waiting for Gongsun Du's messengers, they aimed and fired one arrow.
The message arrow landed before Gongsun Du, and a loud voice man shouted from the top of the wall.
”SLAVES OF GONGSUN FAMILY, SCRAM!!”
Gongsun Du gazed at them in shock.
”What!? Why!? I haven't done anything.”
Wang Men squinted his eyes, trying to observe the people on the wall.
The garrison soldiers did not disappoint Wang Men. They raised two more banners at the sides of the county gate shelter.
Mountaineer Legion
Wang Men's jaw dropped as he could not believe his eyes.
”HOW THE HELL ARE THEY HERE!? I THOUGHT THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN LUOYANG!”
Gongsun Du turned to his subordinate, ”What's wrong? Who are they?”
”They're Zhang Tong's elites, my lord! Those guys are the Mountaineer Legion. Their leaders are Ding Yuan, Zhang Liao, and Lu Bu!”
”WHAT!?”
The front county gate slowly opened, and a 5,000-man heavy cavalry battalion exited the city, forming ranks before the wall.
Zhang Liao led his men and rode forward, standing at the forefront of his men.
”COWARD OF THE GONGSUN, COME AND FIGHT ME!”
Gongsun Du, however, held his head as he could not understand the reality.
He heard that the Mountaineer Legion went to Luo Yang, which should have taken a month or two if they marched here. Betraying his expectation, the entire groups were there.
Wang Men snapped out of his confusion. He yelled, ”My lord, don't get fooled by them! This must be imposters!”
”Imposters?” Gongsun Du's jaw dropped, ”Really?”
”Yes! The guy in front should have been nameless idiots that are taking the roles as their soldiers.”
”How did you come up with that!? What if they were real?”
”Impossible, my lord. Our spies informed us that the Mountaineer Legion had traveled to Henei to join the coalition. From that city, it should have taken them at least a month or two before they can reach this county!”
”What!? Does that mean …”
”They are imposters! It's a ploy of Zhang Tong or this city mayor to trick us into retreat!”
”B-But that general looks strong.”
”I'll prove it to you, my lord! I shall duel with him and get his head for you. Once he's dead, I'll expose their stupid tactic and punish these mongrels!”
”O-Oh! Okay, go then. Bring me victory!”