Three Kingdoms King of the North

"My lord ordered me to wait until Licheng to deliver the general order to Lu Bu. I can't waste too long here." Ji Ling explained to his subordinates patiently: "The battle just now was caused by Cao Bao's provocation. Therefore, we have killed all of this Xuzhou army, and we are bound to become enemies with Tao Qian."

"General!" Hearing this, Jun Sima couldn't help interjecting, "Xuzhou's army is weak and incompetent, so what if we make enemies with them? Could it be that they still dare to seek our misfortune?"

"That's right, Xuzhou soldiers and horses are indeed nothing to worry about, but don't forget that we are in Xuzhou right now. If Tao Qian is angered and he orders soldiers and horses from all over the world to encircle and suppress us, we will still be unable to deal with it." Ji Lingchong Army Sima waved his hand and ordered: "Let everyone go, so that when we return from Licheng, we won't be intercepted by Xuzhou soldiers and horses."

Seeing that Ji Ling had made up his mind, Jun Sima didn't persuade him anymore, but rode his horse back to the front of the team, and shouted loudly: "Let go of those Xuzhou surrendered soldiers, and we will continue on our way north."

Chapter 455

Lü Bu stationed his barracks in the north of Licheng, and he didn't do any tricks to encircle the three and miss one, because he knew very well in his heart that as long as his soldiers and horses were outside the city for a day, Tai Shici would not dare to leave the city casually.

The reason why Lu Bu has such self-confidence is that in addition to Fang Tian's painted halberd in his hand and the red rabbit horse under his crotch, he also has an elite force of 700 people, which is the "trapped camp" commanded by Gao Shun.In the battle of chasing Tai Shici, as soon as the trapped camp stepped out, it immediately defeated Tai Shici's Danyang army.

If he wanted to eliminate Tai Shici, it would not be difficult for Lu Bu. He was confident that he would rush into the city within half a day.However, he was worried that if he easily eliminated Tai Shici, it would be difficult for Yuan Shu to reuse him after returning to Shouchun.So no matter how Lei Bo urged him, he still remained on his feet.

When Lei Bo saw that Lu Bu was standing still, he was very anxious. Yuan Shu was fighting with Liu Yao for the final ownership of Yangzhou. If he couldn't rush back to help, he might not get any benefits when he was rewarded for his merits in the future.It is precisely because of this consideration that he urges Lu Bu to fight every day.But haste makes waste, the more anxious he was, the more indifferent Lv Bu seemed to be, and even avoided seeing him in such a hurry.

Just when Lei Bo was upset about Lu Bu's failure to fight, the confidant he sent to Shouchun returned.Seeing his confidant appearing in the big tent, he couldn't help asking anxiously: "What are your orders, my lord?"

"Return to the general," his confidant quickly replied respectfully: "My lord already knew about Lu Bu's refusal to fight, so he sent General Ji Ling to lead three thousand elite troops to help."

"General Ji Ling has brought troops here?" Hearing the news, Lei Bo couldn't help being overjoyed, "Where is he, and when will he be here?"

The confidant said: "General Ji Ling is only fifty miles away from here, and he will be here at noon tomorrow at the latest."

"We can arrive tomorrow." Lei Bo stood up, walked back and forth in the tent, and said emotionally: "Since General Ji Ling came with troops, even if Lu Bu refuses to fight, we can still win the victory." city."

"However, General Ji Ling only brought 3000 troops this time." His confidant said with some concern, "Can this small force win the city?"

"Don't worry," Lei Bo said confidently, "Although there are only 3000 troops, based on what I know about my lord, the troops he sent to General Ji Ling must be the most elite troops in Yangzhou."

Lei Bo felt that even if he didn't tell the news about Ji Ling's coming, Lu Bu and the others would know about it soon, so he might as well report it himself so that they would know what to expect.

A team leader outside Lu Bu's big tent saw Lei Bo coming towards the big tent, and quickly went up to meet Lei Bo, and politely said to Lei Bo, "General Lei, are you here to see Marquis Wen?" Without waiting for Lei Bo to answer , he said to himself, "It's really a coincidence that Marquis Wen and General Gao Shun just went to patrol the camp, and they haven't come back yet."

Lei Bo knew that the leader of this team was Lv Bu's confidant, and he must have received an order not to allow himself to enter the tent, so he stopped him, saying that Lv Bu and Gao Shun had gone to patrol the camp.In such a big camp, bows and arrows can be shot from one end to the other, is there still a need to patrol the camp?

However, Lei Bo knew that the team leader was also following orders, so he didn't make things difficult for him, but said to him: "Go back and tell Marquis Wen that General Ji Ling was ordered by your lord to lead a troop to help out. We are coming here, please prepare him to welcome you." After speaking, he turned his head and left without waiting for the team leader to say anything.

After the team leader heard what Lei Bo said, he couldn't help standing there in a daze. When he came back to his senses, he felt that he should report this matter to Lu Bu immediately, so he hurried towards the big tent.The soldiers guarding the door led their team over, so naturally they would not stop him, and allowed him to walk into the big tent ostentatiously.

Lu Bu was sitting in the tent talking to Gao Shun, when he saw that the team leader broke into the big tent without his summoning, he realized that something might be wrong, and quickly asked, "What happened?"

"Returning to Marquis Wen," the team leader stood in the tent and saluted Lu Bu, and replied, "General Lei Bo came here just now, and I stopped him."

"Is this kind of thing still to be reported? Didn't this general tell you that if Lei Bo comes, you can just find a reason to dismiss him." After Lu Bu finished speaking, he rushed to the team and waved his hand, indicating that he could step back.

"Marquis Wen," the team leader saw Lu Bu push himself outside, and quickly added: "The little one has made a fortune, and I want to report to you. General Lei said that my lord sent General Ji Ling to lead a team of troops to help out tomorrow. We'll be here by noon."

"What?" Hearing what the team leader said, Lu Bu suddenly jumped up from his seat, and asked in surprise, "What did you just say, the troops led by Ji Ling will arrive here at noon tomorrow?"

After sending the team to leave, Lu Bu seemed a little confused: "Gao Shun, Ji Ling is coming, I guess he was ordered by Yuan Shu to come here to urge our army to attack the city. Tell us, what should we do?" ?”

"Marquis Wen, please forgive me for speaking bluntly." After Gao Shun waited for Lu Bu to finish speaking, he said, "The general knows that you have been reluctant to annihilate Taishi Ci's tribe because you feel that you owe Jizhou Mu a favor, but we are on the battlefield. Above all, Tai Shici has been let off many times, otherwise he would never be able to retreat into Licheng with his troops. From this point of view, no matter how much Jizhou Mu has shown you, your favor will be repaid."

Lu Bu had been wondering whether he should lead his troops to attack Licheng. Hearing what Gao Shun said, his eyes lit up, and he said in his heart: Yes, although I owe Jizhou Mu a favor, but this time I want to kill Taishi. Ci, we have been releasing water continuously, which can be regarded as repaying all favors.If Ji Ling leads his troops here tomorrow and asks him to fight, he can let go and fight to the death.

But before ordering the siege, Lu Bu decided to find out whether Ji Ling really led an army towards him?If so, immediately make preparations for the attack, and try to launch an attack on Licheng tomorrow; but if it's just Lei Bo's nonsense, I don't have to pay attention to it.Thinking of this, he said to Gao Shun: "You immediately send scouts to find out if Yuan Gonglu sent Ji Ling to lead his troops here?" .

After Gao Shun left, Lu Bu sat down again, and he thought to himself: "If Ji Ling doesn't come, it's a good thing. But if he really wants to come, within three days, he has to go to Licheng. Launch an attack. Now Jizhou Mu has many soldiers and generals, and has just acquired Qingzhou, which has greatly increased his strength. If Tai Shici suffers any losses, it is estimated that he will let him go."

Chapter 456

Although Lu Bu said that he was taking shelter under Yuan Shu, he was still unwilling to easily offend Han Zhan. He was not an idiot, and he knew that Han Zhan's strength was expanding rapidly, and he would have a battle with Yuan Shu sooner or later.If I show mercy to Tai Shici's subordinates today, when Yuan Shu is destroyed by Jizhou soldiers and horses in the future, it will be equivalent to leaving a way out for myself.

In the evening, the scouts sent by Gao Shun returned to the camp and reported to Lü Bu, "Qi reports to Marquis Wen that the soldiers and horses led by General Ji Ling are camping at a distance of forty miles from here, and it is estimated that they will arrive at noon tomorrow. "

Knowing that Ji Ling's soldiers and horses appeared nearby, Lu Bu showed displeasure on his face, and he asked, "Have you ever seen clearly how many soldiers and horses they have?"

Tan Ma replied without hesitation: "There are about 3000 people. Except for a few people riding horses, they are all infantry."

After Lu Bu waved Tan Ma to leave, he looked at Gao Shun and said, "In this way, what Lei Bo said is true. Ji Ling came with soldiers and horses to urge us to fight Tai Shici. prepare for."

When Gao Shun heard Lu Bu say this, a surprised expression appeared on his face: "I don't know what preparations the general is going to make?" According to Gao Shun's thinking, if Ji Ling really urged him to attack the city, then he would fight.Even though the number of defenders in the city is similar to that of our own troops, they are all recruits with little combat power. It is not difficult to eliminate them.

"Secretly send someone into the city to deliver a letter to Tai Shici, telling him that we will attack the city tomorrow, if we don't want to die, we'd better lead people to abandon the city at night." When Lu Bu said this, he also specially emphasized: "I can assure him that after he withdraws his troops, he will never send troops to hunt him down."

"Wen Hou, why did we let Tai Shici go?" Regarding Lu Bu's arrangement, Gao Shun asked in bewilderment: "Even if Han Jizhou is kind to you, if we intentionally let Tai Shici's remnants escape here, it is considered a Pay off his favor."

"Gao Shun, don't you understand by now." Seeing that Gao Shun didn't understand his intentions, Lu Bu stomped his feet anxiously: "Han Jizhou has now pacified Qingzhou, and the next goal must be Bingzhou and Youzhou. Once the North With four states in his pocket, where do you think his next target will be?"

After hearing this question from Lu Bu, Gao Shun thought for a while, and replied: "If the four states are all occupied by Han Jizhou, then he will send his troops south to capture Xuzhou, Yanzhou, Yangzhou and other places."

"That's right." Seeing that Gao Shun finally caught up with his thoughts, Lu Bu nodded and said, "Although Yuan Gonggong is the fourth generation and third prince, he is too weak to deal with Liu Yao and his ilk. I’m afraid Jizhou is no match. We let Tai Shici secretly abandon the city, which is equivalent to selling Han Jizhou’s favor, and when he comes to Yangzhou in the future, we can also have a way out.”

"Marquis Wen, there is something I don't understand at the end." After Gao Shun waited for Lu Bu to finish speaking, he asked inexplicably, "You think Yuan Gonglu is not Han Jizhou's opponent. Why didn't you and Han Jizhou leave the important place of Gyeonggi? How about going back to Yedu with him? Also, we let Tai Shici go privately, if Yuan Gonggong finds out, I am afraid that his life will be in danger, please think again, Marquis Wen."

Lu Bu actually regretted it in his heart. At that time, he came for the name of the fourth generation and third prince of the Yuan family. Even Yuan Shu was so weak that he fought Liu Yao for more than half a year in order to capture Yangzhou, but still could not decide the winner.If they really fought against Jizhou soldiers and horses, the whole Yangzhou would change hands within three months, so the first thing to do now was to send someone to warn Tai Shici and ask him to take people out of Licheng as soon as possible.

Unexpectedly, the envoy sent by Lv Bu came back in despair less than half an hour after entering the city, and reported to Lv Bu: "Report to Marquis Wen, I have brought your words to you, but Tai Shici refused to abandon the city. And kicked the villain out."

"Marquis Wen, this Tai Shici is really arrogant." After hearing what the envoy said, Gao Shun said angrily, "Since he is so ignorant of good and evil, we don't have to be polite to them. When General Ji Ling's troops arrive tomorrow , we will start to attack the city, and the general will assure you that within an hour, we will definitely be able to break through their city."

Clay figurines also have a three-point earthy temperament. Although Lu Bu wanted to please others, he sent someone to warn Tai Shici.Unexpectedly, Tai Shici was ungrateful, so he was naturally very upset. Hearing Gao Shun say this, he gritted his teeth and said: "Since Tai Shici is ungrateful, don't blame us for being rude. Wait until tomorrow when Ji Lingyi When we arrive, we will start attacking the city.”

Ji Ling's soldiers and horses arrived faster than Lu Bu expected. Lu Bu thought that Ji Ling would not be able to reach his camp until after noon at the earliest. Unexpectedly, when he arrived at Si time, Lei Bo would not dare to stop him from outside the camp. He broke into Lu Bu's big tent and hurriedly said, "Marquis Wen, General Ji Ling's army is only five li away from here, shall we go out to meet him?"

If it was in the past, Lu Bu could have completely ignored Lei Bo, but today, he is dependent on others, and Ji Ling is here to supervise the battle on behalf of Yuan Shu. It is a bit unreasonable not to go out to greet him. Let's go out to meet General Ji Ling."

When Ji Ling arrived at Lv Bu's camp with his troops, he saw that Lv Bu, Gao Shun, and Lei Bo were already waiting outside the gate of the village.Even though he was Yuan Shu's envoy, he didn't dare to be arrogant in front of Lu Bu. When he was still a dozen steps away from Lu Bu, he quickly got off his horse, stepped forward and bowed his hands to Lu Bu: "The last general is here, why is there such a thing?" Dare Lao Wenhou to go out of the village to meet him?"

Although Lu Bu was despising Ji Ling, he said with a smile on his face: "General Ji Ling came here as the lord's envoy. How could Lu come out of the camp to meet him in person? The food and drink for the general in the village are ready. , General Ji Ling, please follow me into the camp."

"Wen Hou wait a minute." Although Ji Ling arrived tired and hungry after driving for half a day, but thinking of his mission this trip, he waved at Lu Bu, and asked with a half-smile: "Where is Ji Ling?" It is my lord's order to let Marquis Wen send troops to attack Licheng as soon as possible, so as to wipe out Tai Shici and his party as soon as possible. But I don't know when Marquis Wen plans to send troops to attack the city?"

Hearing Ji Ling's question, Lu Bu quickly replied: "General Ji Ling doesn't know something. Lu has already made preparations to attack the city, and planned to wait for the soldiers to attack the city after lunch. Who would have thought that General Ji Ling would lead the army to attack the city?" Arrived first. Gao Shun," Lu Bu said here, turned his head to look at Gao Shun, and pretended to ask, "Is our army planning to attack the city at noon?"

Gao Shun, as Lu Bu's subordinate, naturally would not dismantle him under such circumstances, and quickly echoed: "That's right, Marquis Wen! The siege equipment is ready, and after the soldiers have lunch, we can make a big move." The city is under siege."

"General Ji Ling, you have heard, we plan to attack the city at noon." Seeing that Gao Shun confirmed his statement, Lu Bu said triumphantly, "Please, we will clean up the dust for you first."

Chapter 457 Siege

Licheng is just a small city with only about ten thousand residents, and it is difficult to raise food and grass. Since two days ago, Tai Shici and the others have almost run out of food, and now they can only drink gruel that can make people visible once a day. Soldiers They are all so hungry that their chests stick to their backs.Many people secretly regretted that they should not have come to seek refuge with Tai Shici, and now they are far away from their hometowns, and they don't even have enough to eat.

Knowing that Lu Bu had sent a messenger, the team leader who was patrolling the group with his men rushed to see Tai Shici immediately.When he walked into the dilapidated county government office, he heard Yu Qianling ask Taishi Ci: "General Taishi, since Marquis Lu Wen is willing to let us live, why don't you agree to abandon the city?"

The leader quickly stopped in his tracks, wanting to hear how Tai Shici would answer.I only heard Tai Shici say: "Yu Qianling, don't you know that this general has already sent someone to ask the lord for help? Maybe in a few days, the reinforcements will arrive here."