Chapter 40: Joking

Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Neng left a part of their troops to clean up the battlefield, and did not care about Xiongxian County. They immediately gathered their troops and headed south along the main road, and were ordered to join forces with the main force of the Prince of Yan to attack the government reinforcements.

The troops took the post roads, lit pine torches, and marched in columns. Zhu Gaoxu was surrounded by his own troops, both in front and behind.

Halfway through the journey, Wei Da rode his horse to catch up with Zhu Gaoxu, and then turned to look at him. Seeing this, Zhu Gaoxu asked, "What do you want to say, Captain Wei?"

Wei Da said in a deep voice, "Just after the battle in Xiong County, Captain Zhang Wu spoke ill of the prince in public..."

"Oh?" Zhu Gaoxu immediately looked sideways. He remembered that when he took over the army in Peking, didn't he feel that the generals were quite supportive of him?

Wei Da continued, "Captain Zhang said that the prince had no rules in fighting, and his lucky victory was due to the Prince of Yan's clever strategy, which caught the Southern Army off guard during the Mid-Autumn Festival...Captain Zhang also said that the prince's military orders on the battlefield were confusing and the generals could not argue.

The prince told the soldiers to charge, but didn't tell them which way to charge and which way to cross, so the soldiers rushed to the front. When the prince arrived at the enemy camp, the soldiers didn't know where the commander was. He sent someone to issue military orders, but didn't find the commander. The soldiers didn't know whether to listen to the prince or their commanders..."

Wang Bin, who was walking behind Zhu Gaoxu, cursed, "Damn it, who is more important, the prince or Captain Zhang? Isn't it obvious who we should listen to? We just approached the enemy camp and were suddenly discovered. Instead of rushing up to break into the camp, we have to give him a lecture first?"

Wei Da immediately agreed, "That's right! Prince Yan and Zhu Neng both said that the prince is good at fighting, but his mother Captain Zhang is the best!"

After hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu felt that what Captain Zhang Wu said made some sense. No one else said it, but he said it was probably just Zhang Wu's personality... Zhu Gaoxu was a little crazy the first time he went into battle. Although he tried very hard, he was still a little overwhelmed to be skillful and perfect.

However, Zhu Gaoxu did not "modestly" admit his shortcomings in front of his generals. It is absolutely unacceptable for him to admit that he is not good enough in the army. His prestige will decline, which will lead to the distrust of the soldiers, and the execution of military orders will become difficult... The soldiers will think: You can't even fight, so should we risk our lives to follow you and die in vain?

Zhu Gaoxu calmed down and said, "After all, he is my father's guard, and I am more willing to obey my father's orders."

...

Most of the Luzhou troops in the south had already crossed Yueyang Bridge, led by Pan Zhong and Yang Song. They did not know the specific situation of Xiong County, and most of them were infantrymen. There were torches along the way, like a long fire dragon.

Pan Zhong rode on his horse, looked back at the arch bridge over the river, and said to Yang Song, "I am most afraid of water when leading troops."

Yang Song pretended to be relaxed and joked, "Could it be that General Pan's last name contains the character 'water'?"

After the joke, Pan Zhong unexpectedly said seriously, "It seems to be true! My father fell into the water and was captured and killed by enemy soldiers!"

Yang Song shook his head and said, "It's just a coincidence. There are many people with the word 'water' in their surnames."

At this time, Yang Song asked in a low voice, "Before leaving, General Pan met with the Marquis of Changxing. I want to ask you something. What if we meet the King of Yan? What should we do?"

Pan Zhong said, "Marquis Changxing really did mention this... The emperor has a secret order: Don't let me bear the name of killing my uncle."

Yang Song stared and asked, "What do you mean?"

Pan Zhong said, "Marquis Changxing privately told the generals to kill the King of Yan if they see him! Don't capture him alive. The King of Yan has already rebelled, and this is a top crime. If he is captured, General Yang will tell you whether the emperor should kill him or not."

Yang Song suddenly realized, "That's right... But, after killing the enemy commander, does His Majesty not want to confer a title of nobility?"

"General Yang is dreaming! After all, Yan Ni is the son of the emperor's grandfather. Can you be granted a title of nobility by killing him?" Pan Zhong said.

As he was talking, Pan Zhong suddenly felt something was wrong and stopped listening. After a while, someone shouted , "General, there seems to be some movement in the north!"

Pan Zhong hurriedly shouted, "Order the entire army to stop immediately and form a battle array on the spot!"

As soon as he finished speaking, there was a sudden roar of killing behind him. Pan Zhong shouted "Not good", and immediately called the people around him, left the main road, and turned south. He turned back and shouted, "General Yang, set up the battle formation, I will go and take back the rear road!"

When Pan Zhong led his troops to Yueyang Bridge, he saw muskets flashing and swords waving on both sides of the river, and the two armies had already started fighting. The government troops were suddenly attacked and the team was in great chaos. They retreated to the north bank while fighting.

"Anyone who retreats will be killed!" Pan Zhong shouted, pulled out an arrow from his quiver, kicked his horse and rushed onto the bridge.

Pan Zhong fired several arrows from his bow, then drew his sword and brandished it in front of his horse, shouting, "This bridge must not be lost. Brothers, follow me and fight bravely! If you retreat, don't blame me for being ruthless with my sword!"

However, the Yan army was so fierce that the Southern Army on Yueyang Bridge was in complete disarray, and the defeated troops flocked to the north.

Several soldiers holding muskets fired several rounds at the Yan soldiers, but the Yan soldiers kept coming and attacked again. With muskets without gunpowder, the soldiers turned around and ran away. Pan Zhong cursed and slashed one man with his sword.

Unexpectedly, the horse's belly was hit by the chaotic soldiers. The warhorse was frightened and shuddered. Pan Zhong was not paying attention and fell off the horse.

"Damn it!" Pan Zhong cursed in mid-air, and in an instant he fell into the river with a "plop". He was wearing heavy armor, and suddenly fell into the water, just like being tied with a stone and sinking into the river. Pan Zhong struggled for a few times, but couldn't float up.

At this moment, several people with reeds in their mouths suddenly emerged from the water plants in the river. They swam over together and caught Pan Zhong with a net. Pan Zhong was immediately dragged to the south bank like a fish.

After being dragged ashore, he immediately began to struggle desperately, but he was soaked, his armor and clothes were heavier, and the light was dim. He struggled but failed to get rid of the fishing net on his body. Soon, several Yan soldiers rushed over, pushed Pan Zhong to the ground, and tied him up with ropes. Pan Zhong finally gave up resistance, stared at the river without blinking, and sighed, "Is it fate?"

In the night, on the north bank of Yueyang Bridge, the fire flickered for a while. After a long time, Yang Song was also tied up. And the general Zhang Bao who had just come from Zhending was also tied up.

Surrounded by the riders, a heavy-armored man rode over, pointed his whip at them and said, "Surrender and you will be spared!"

Yang Song raised his head and cursed, "Yan Ni!"

The big man on the horse was furious and ordered, "Chop him off!"

When it was Pan Zhong's turn, Pan Zhong saw that his companions would rather die than surrender, so he said, "I will not surrender, nor will I curse the King of Yan. Please go to the riverside and die!"

At this moment, the general named Zhang Bao shouted, "Prince Yan, spare my life!"

"Fuck! What a coward!" Pan Zhong couldn't help but spit.

He was quickly dragged to the riverside by several soldiers. Looking at the river surface sparkling in the moonlight, Pan Zhong closed his eyes.