Since the visitor did not know whether he was an enemy or a friend, Liu Bei chose the safest approach and formed a stalemate.
Zhang Heng on the side was a little excited. After all, it was his first time to witness war. He couldn't tell whether it was joy or fear, and there was even a hint of expectation.
But what happened next surprised everyone.
He heard the sound of horse hooves getting closer and closer, and the dust brought up became louder and louder. The seriousness on Liu Bei's face suddenly turned into confusion.
Guan Yu, who was holding the Qinglong Yanyue Sword next to him, was the first to speak: "Brother, the sound of these horses' hooves is so chaotic. It doesn't sound like they are attacking. Instead, it sounds like the sound after a rout..."
Liu Bei nodded slowly and continued to stare into the distance.
When the smoke spread and the sound of horse hoofbeats became louder and louder, Zhang Heng finally understood the meaning of Guan Yu's words.
Because in addition to the sound of horse hooves, there is also a loud noise that reaches the sky. This is definitely not the sound that a well-trained army should make.
Finally, the smoke spread, and a group of black heads appeared in the distance. The area was so large and the number of people was so overwhelming that it was difficult to distinguish the number for a while.
Everyone finally got a clear look at the situation ahead. A group of people in tattered clothes ran forward, followed by nearly a thousand soldiers.
No, not following, but chasing!
The common people supported the old and young, and brought their families with them. Even if they ran with all their strength, they could not go any faster. Those at the back were quickly overtaken by the army.
Then, these soldiers raised their butcher knives!
Zhang Heng could clearly see that in just a moment, dozens of people at the back had fallen under the butcher's knife. But after those soldiers finished killing the people, they showed bloodthirsty smiles on their faces, and then continued to chase.
For a time, the people's frightened cries, accompanied by the sight of the army killing with butcher knives in the distance, seemed like the end of the world was coming.
A strong sense of despair hit him, making him feel unbearable, but also filled with anger.
"Mr. Xuande, are those Dong's troops?"
Zhang Heng asked, his eyes fixed on the army that was killing people in the distance.
Damn these people!
"good."
Liu Bei nodded slowly, his eyes full of anger.
"He is holding a sharp knife but bullying the people. He deserves to be killed!"
Guan Yu expressed his point of view briefly and concisely, and the Qinglong Yanyue Sword in his hand trembled slightly, as if he was eager to stand up for justice.
"Mr. Xuande, shall we go to war?"
Although Zhang Heng felt pity for the people, he knew nothing about marching and fighting, so naturally he would not give random orders.
"war!"
Liu Bei looked at Dong Jun who was still killing people in the distance, and slowly uttered one word.
At the moment, the enemy is only focused on chasing the common people, and their formation is loose and undefended. Although there are more than a thousand people, it is the best opportunity to fight.
At this time, as long as a wave of charges is needed, they can be divided and surrounded, and finally they can be gathered together to annihilate them!
Liu Bei didn't speak quickly, but his actions were never slow. After uttering the word "war", he had already pulled out the two-pronged swords from his waist and raised them high in his hands.
"Yide, you lead 30 people to stay behind to protect Ziyi, while Yun Changqie and I go to charge. If the battle goes well, you will come back to join us. If the battle goes unfavorably, you and Ziyi will go first."
Zhang Fei quickly waved his hand and said: "No, no, brother, you should stay and protect Ziyi while my second brother and I charge into the battle."
"Stop talking nonsense and obey military orders!"
Liu Bei gave a rare scolding, which scared Zhang Fei so much that he didn't dare to speak anymore.
"Mr. Xuande, wait a minute, it's better to leave one hundred people behind." Zhang Heng said quickly.
"One hundred people?" Liu Bei frowned.
Protecting Zhang Heng, Zhang Fei alone was actually a waste. The reason why he kept thirty more people was because Liu Bei was afraid of accidents.
"No, it's not to protect me." Zhang Heng quickly explained, "The Art of War says: Use the right combination to win by surprise. Duke Xuande will charge into the formation here. If the battle goes unfavorably, Yide can also lead the last one hundred men. Fight in and help you break out of the siege. If Duke Xuande can defeat the bandit army, Yide can also lead his army to chase them to the north!"
Of course Zhang Heng doesn't know how to fight. After all, the military thing relies on talent, and he doesn't know if he can eat this bowl of rice.
However, this does not prevent him from having more advanced tactical concepts.
The so-called surprise force is actually to keep a reserve team in hand, and to fight out at critical moments to influence the situation of the battle!
Victory leads to harvest, failure leads to retreat.
Zhang Fei is left to lead a hundred people. No matter he loses or wins, he still has cards to play, and he will not fall into complete passivity, nor will he be wiped out in one wave.
This is also the principle that Zhang Heng pursues throughout his life - no one can put himself in a passive situation at any time!
"Okay, let's follow what Ziyi said. Yide, you lead a hundred people and follow Ziyi's orders."
With the war currently going on, Liu Bei was not allowed to consider Zhang Heng's suggestions.
In his opinion, Zhang Heng is a real talent, but it does not necessarily need to be used at the military level. Anyway, the lack of those seventy people won't have much impact, so they should all stay and protect Zhang Heng.
"Brother, don't worry, I will definitely protect Ziyi!" Zhang Fei assured him, patting his chest.
Then, Liu Bei rode out and pointed his sword at Dong Jun in the distance.
"Sirs, the bandit army is right in front of you. The time has come to make great achievements. Do you dare to follow me into the battle?"
"I am willing to die in the service of my lord!"
All the soldiers shouted in unison.
"kill!"
Liu Bei gave the order and rushed out first.
At this moment, he was no longer the benevolent elder he had been before. He was like a sharp blade, a peerless magic weapon eager to swallow the enemy's blood!
Guan Yu followed closely and rushed forward with five hundred soldiers.
I have to say that seeing this scene made Zhang Heng's blood boil with excitement, and he wanted to follow Liu Bei in a fight. But after looking at his small body, Zhang Heng quickly gave up the idea.
The group of Dong Zhuojun were chasing the fleeing people, harvesting the lives of the weak with sharp knives in their hands. Just when they were feeling unhappy, they suddenly heard the sound of horse hooves in the distance.
The leading general was named Yang Yong. When he heard the noise, he looked up and was immediately frightened to death.
He saw four hundred elite cavalry led by Liu Bei, already charging towards him.
Just now, he was only focused on chasing the people, and because there was a lot of noise around him, he didn't notice it. By the time Yang Yong reacted, Liu Bei's front was already less than 500 steps away from him!
This distance sounds very far, but for war horses, it can be reached in one charge.
Facing the cavalry who have already formed their formation and begun to charge, unless there are real elite heavy infantry arrayed to stop them, even gods will be unable to save them!
But where did Yang Yong's heavy infantry come from? In order to quickly drive away and plunder the people, most of the people he brought with him on this trip were cavalry, with only three hundred infantry accompanying him.
But now the opponent has entered a charging state, and it is too late for him to escape.
"Quick, stop chasing the hell, and quickly form a formation to meet the enemy! Damn it, how can there be enemy troops here!"
Yang Yong yelled and cursed, and whipped the soldiers around him with the riding whip in an attempt to calm them down.
But it’s too late to start taking action now!
