The pursuers retreated again and discussed countermeasures around the campfire. They had just gone to the river bank to observe, and there were no ships in the port.
Although Ma Chao is brave, he will never guard the pass with dozens of people. If they could leave, they would have left long ago.
These people are already the turtles in the urn, with great achievements in front of them, and no one is willing to give up.
The flames were still burning at the foot of the wall. The corpses were being burned, making sizzling sounds. Black smoke kept rising. The torches were turned off and swaying, illuminating the figures of the defenders, shaking like ghosts.
Ma Chao stands proudly at the top of the city with his bow drawn, patrolling the territory like a wolf. Any enemy who dares to approach the critical moment will be hunted by him.
Pang De saw those people sitting around and saw no movement, and asked worriedly: "Have they sent someone to report the news and are waiting for reinforcements?"
Xu Shu said with a smile: "Although the pursuers came quickly, they must be tired from the long-distance attack. In addition, it was getting late and several leaders were killed. They all wanted to make meritorious deeds. No one would be willing to leave the battlefield at this time."
Ma Dai nodded and said: "Sir, what you said makes sense. The bandit army is now leaderless, so it has been unable to make a decision. I think we can block another round of attacks until their morale is exhausted and their skills are exhausted. We can wait until dawn."
Xu Shu was already thinking about the retreat and said to Ma Chao: "General Liu must have arrived in Hanzhong at this time. He will lead the two Sichuan troops out of Qishan from Wudu and divide his troops in Tazhong to meet them. Since Han Sui knows that we are heading south, we will go south tomorrow. There is a large army chasing after us. After we cross the Tao River, we must leave Longxi County without stopping. There are many Qiang and Di tribes here. Does Meng Qi have any contact?"
Ma Chao's voice was already hoarse, and he said in a deep voice: "As long as we cross the Tao River, we can go to Fanhan first. King Xingguo Di has a good relationship with me, so I can ask for help."
"This couldn't be better!" Xu Shu nodded slightly.
The reason why he planned to risk taking this road was because Ma Le said that Ma Chao was famous in this area and that General Shenwei Tian was a threat to the Qiang and Hu. If this name could not be gained, it would really be a narrow escape.
Ma Leyan said: "I wanted to go to see King Di first, but the situation was urgent, so I had to come to rescue my brother first. I didn't say hello in advance. Now that we have lost power, I don't know if King Di is willing to help."
"Don't worry, everyone, I, Ma Chao, have lifelong friendships with everyone!" Ma Chao smiled proudly, "Back then, I helped Xingguo defeat the White Dog Qiang hiding in Nanshan. They will repay this kindness."
Ma Le nodded and said: "This is best. I will go to King Di for help tomorrow."
While they were discussing, the enemy troops outside the pass mounted their horses again and divided into three teams. The first team approached the city, holding bows and arrows, ready to suppress them again. The other two teams retreated and disappeared into the darkness.
Everyone was wondering when they soon saw the horse teams turning back, immediately carrying cloth bags, and some carrying wooden piles and stones, coming in groups.
Seeing this situation, Xu Shu's face suddenly changed slightly and he said solemnly: "The enemy is going to fill up the city wall with wood and stones."
Ma Dai was also surprised: "There are more than a thousand people outside the city. If they carry wood, stone and sandbags, they can fill up the city wall in two hours at most. What should we do?"
Xu Shu thought for a moment and then ordered: "Demolish the houses in the pass and pile up all the trees and firewood on the shore to the top of the city."
At this time, the cavalry outside had begun to rush in, and they were firing random arrows. Everyone simply gave up defense and got off the city wall to prepare.
Ma Chao picked up a handful of arrows from the ground and shouted: "Come on, you bastards!"
A man was hiding in the turret, bending his bow and arrows, specifically targeting the soldiers under command. From time to time, there were screams from the city.
After the arrow rain was suppressed, the cavalry from the rear came quickly and approached the city. They threw the stones, wooden stakes and sandbags in their hands at the corner and flew away from the other side.
Although Ma Chao's arrow skills were always on target, for more than a thousand people, they were just scratching an itch and did not affect the enemy troops who were desperate to break through the city.
Eventually, the enemy's arrows were all used up and they simply gave up the suppression. The three horse teams took turns carrying supplies, and a slope was quickly piled up under the wall.
Ma Chao mechanically bent his bow and nocked an arrow. Now he could hit the enemy as long as he fired the arrow with his eyes closed, but his expression became more solemn.
After all, this is just a pass, not comparable to the city wall. As long as the slope reaches more than half of the pass wall, the cavalry can jump directly up and rush into the Horse Shoe Pass.
Another bloody battle was about to begin, so Ma Chao had no choice but to give up archery and save his energy to prepare for the fight.
Xu Shu wiped his sweat and walked over and said with a smile: "Meng Qi, don't worry. The pursuers are at the end of their strength at this time. The men and horses are tired. They will never be able to continuously fill in the soil. They will definitely rest later."
Ma Chao was doubtful, and when he turned around, he saw those people retreating in unison, as if they heard Xu Shu's words. They all looked like persimmons beaten by frost. They dismounted and lay limply on the ground, hesitating and gasping for air.
"Sir, you are truly a god!" Ma Chao was stunned.
Xu Shu said: "I have been waiting for noon to recharge my batteries. I have already felt exhausted since I entered the gate and guarded the gate until now, let alone them?"
Ma Chao clenched his fists and turned his arms, wondering: "Why don't I feel tired yet, but instead feel strong all over?"
Xu Shu shook his head and sighed: "In today's world, Jin Ma Chao is the only one with one ear!"
Ma Chao was startled and couldn't help but laugh up to the sky. The news spread far away, attracting all the pursuers to look at him, but they were all lying on the ground, too lazy to move.
Xu Shu also signaled everyone to rest and said with a smile: "The pursuers came all the way. Although they have come up with strategies, since they arrived at the city, no water has entered. They were fighting without realizing it. At this time, they are all exhausted, so there is nothing to fear."
Ma Dai nodded and said: "Even if the people can hold on, the horses are exhausted. It seems that these bastards will fall short."
Everyone lay on the wall, enjoying the night wind and falling asleep to the sound of waves. Soon, snoring began one after another.
A full hour passed, nearly the fourth watch, before the troops outside the pass regained their strength and began to move again.
Although they had not recovered their strength and their legs were still sore, seeing that the city wall was half filled, it was a pity to give up like this.
If they wait until dawn and the reinforcements arrive, their work in the middle of the night will be in vain, and they can only grit their teeth and try harder.
There was already a row of firewood on the wall, and everyone continued to pile it on top. Ma Chao no longer cared about the enemy troops outside the pass, and ran up to the city with a beam as thick as his waist.
"Brother, the boat, the boat is coming!" While they were busy, Ma Le shouted, which cheered everyone up and looked towards the port.
At this time, the east has turned white, and on the sparkling water, there are indeed three huge black figures slowly approaching.
Xu Shu immediately issued an order: "Light the firewood!"
Everyone dropped their things and ran to the top of the city, picked up the remaining oil and clothes, and stuffed them under the firewood together with the torches.
Thick smoke rose from the city wall, and under the blowing of the morning wind, flames flew. In the blink of an eye, the entire wall formed a wall of fire.
The enemy troops who were rushing back and forth outside the pass were shocked when they saw this. The war horses on the slope turned around and ran when they saw the flames one foot high. For a time, the people and horses on the slope were huddled together, rolling and trampling, causing countless casualties.
The enemy army completely collapsed. Some people panicked, some collapsed on the ground, and some even rolled on the ground and cried.
Ma Chao stood on the city tower, looking at this scene very relieved, and laughed wildly: "Tell Han Sui, I, Ma Chao, will definitely come back to take revenge!"
