Chapter 18: Internal Disorder

  The sun had just risen above the horizon when several cows grazing in front of Xujiacun suddenly became restless.

  "What's going on?"

  Zhuang Ding let out a "hmm" and scratched his head with force.

  But soon, a low rumbling sound came from afar, like thunder.

  Zhuang Ding hurriedly followed the rumbling sound and looked in that direction, only to see a cloud of dust rising from afar on the horizon. A black line was rapidly moving towards him, and Zhuang Ding immediately recognized what it was.

  "Not good, it's Western Liang soldiers."

  "Hurry, go tell the landlord."

  The villagers immediately shouted loudly, but they were not panicked.

  They quickly ran to the villa to find the owner, while the remaining servants revealed a fierce glint in their eyes, driving the cattle into the villa and preparing to fight to the death, not fearing the notorious Western Liang Iron Cavalry.

  Before long, Xu Chu rushed out of the village with a long sword in hand.

  "Damn those bandits from Xiliang, they've repeatedly raided our village, this time I'll definitely kill them off once and for all."

  Xu Chu ran and shouted, a cow was startled, this fierce man rushed over, grabbed the cow's tail, and dragged the furious water buffalo back and forth. A group of villagers seemed to have seen it before, all shouting in unison.

  When Luo Zheng led his troops to the village and arrived at the front of the house, he happened to see this scene, and everyone was shocked, their eyes almost popping out.

  "My grass, this is too intense."

  Lu Zheng couldn't help but blurt out a curse and swallowed his saliva directly.

  The people behind him, including the school and the Western cool cavalry, all took a cold breath one by one. They had seen fierce ones before, but never as fierce as this.

  Lü Bu was indeed unmatched in bravery and strength, but he couldn't even grab the cow's tail to lead it back.

  What's happening before our eyes is also quite astonishing.

  "Hurry up and drive the cattle back."

  Xu Chu saw the Western Liang iron cavalry approaching, and hastily drove the last cow into the village. Then, holding a large knife, he rushed towards the Western Liang army with a fierce expression, his bravery and boldness truly astonishing.

  "You really have a lot of guts."

  Luo Zheng slapped his mouth, but this time he didn't turn around and run away.

  The last time was too sudden and unexpected, really some mistakes were made in a hurry.

  They fled in a panic, purely as an unconscious reaction when faced with danger.

  This time I was mentally prepared and wouldn't be intimidated by just one person into retreating without a fight.

  Luo Zhen raised his war horse, raised his hand, and the two thousand Xiliang iron cavalry behind him immediately drew their bows and arrows. In a wave of bowstring sounds that made people's teeth ache, two thousand longbows were drawn open, and sharp arrows aimed at Xu Chu.

  If this guy dares to rush over and kill people, he will definitely be shot into a hedgehog.

  "Good rascal."

  Xu Chu was startled and turned around to run away without saying another word.

  Joking aside, being stared at by 2,000 longbows is something even an iron man can't withstand.

  "Hahaha!"

  The two thousand Western Xia cavalry immediately burst out laughing, yesterday's gloominess was swept away.

  Zhuangzi was furious and Zhu Ding gnashed his teeth, cursing incessantly.

  Xu Chu returned to Zhuangzi's mansion and ordered Zhuang Ding to close the main gate, then used wooden stakes to secure it before quickly rushing up onto the wall.

  "Master, the Western Liang bandits are numerous and powerful. I'm afraid we can't defeat them in a fight! Although you have the bravery of a thousand men, the Western Liang bandits have bows and arrows. If they launch a fierce attack, what should we do?"

  Xu Zhu glared with his copper bell-like eyes and said in a stern voice, "What's there to be afraid of? Come one, kill one; come two, kill two."

  Zhuang Ding felt a bit uneasy about it, but he didn't dare add fuel to the fire.

  I'm afraid of provoking the landlord's anger and rushing out to fight the Western Liang soldiers to the death.

  Although the landlord was brave and fought fiercely, after all, he was alone, how could his two fists contend with two thousand people.

  Probably before they even charged over, they were already shot dead by a hail of arrows from the Western Liang army.

  At this time, two thousand Xiliang iron cavalry had already put away their longbows and pressed forward in a fan shape, holding the corners of the array outside the land of arrows.

  Luo Zhen slowly rode his horse forward and shouted: "Where is Xu Chu?"

  Xu Chu shouted loudly: "I am he, that treacherous general. Retreat quickly, otherwise I will not spare you."

  Luo Zheng shouted: "If General Ben wants to retreat his troops, it can be done, but there is one condition?"

  "What terms?" Xu Chu asked back.

  Luo Zhen said in a loud voice: "This general has long heard that Xuchu of Hebei has the name of 'Tiger Madness' and the bravery of 'Ten Thousand Men Unstoppable'. You are indeed a hero and a good fellow in Yuzhou. This general is fond of talents, I can offer you wealth and honor, what do you say?"

  "Not interested!"

  Xu Zhu shouted: "You officials are all worthless, only knowing how to bully the common people and oppress your neighbors. I am ashamed to be in the same group as you. Quickly retreat, otherwise don't blame me for killing every last one of you."

  Luo Zhengdao said: "Why don't you consider it again, today is a chaotic world, and it's the time for us men to make achievements on the battlefield. With your martial arts skills, even if you become a marquis or a general in the future, wouldn't that be better than being a rustic village husband?"

  Xu Zhu shouted: "Less nonsense, I've lost interest in what you're saying."

  "Consider carefully, if you do not surrender, I will immediately order the army to attack the village. When we break into the village, your entire family and clan will be killed without exception, not even a single animal will be left alive."

  "You scoundrel, just wait until I've beheaded you, this corrupt official."

  Xu Zhu suddenly flew into a rage, this time it was really furious.

  Without saying another word, he rushed down the wall of the village and ordered the gatekeeper to open the door, wanting to fight his way out.

  Zhuang Ding did not dare open the door and hastily persuaded him, holding down Xu Zhu tightly.

  "Hey!"

  Luo Zheng made a great effort and swung his arm, and it could be seen that he had indeed.

  Xu Chu is just a stubborn person who only recognizes dead rules and doesn't care about anything else.

  To put it nicely, they advocate for violence; to put it bluntly, they are simple-minded and physically strong.

  Such a person is easy to deal with, but if you want to tame him, I'm afraid it will take some effort.

  "Retreat, withdraw troops."

  Luo Zheng waved his hand and immediately spurred his horse away.

  This time, bringing a large army to Xu's village was not to avenge Hu Zhi, but to recruit Xu Zhu as a fierce general. Since direct recruitment is impossible, it can only go back and seek another way, and naturally will not fight to the death with Xu Zhu.

  But before arriving at the temporary garrison in Zhuangzi, from a distance, I heard earth-shaking and heaven-moving cries of killing coming from within Zhuangzi.

  "What's going on?"

  Luo Zheng was startled and hastily reined in his warhorse.

  The officers and soldiers behind him were also at a loss, unable to figure out what had happened.

  "Go take a look!"

  Luo Zhenluo thought for a moment, then urged his war horse forward, galloping ahead with reckless abandon.

  Behind him, two thousand Western Liang iron cavalry also spurred their horses and followed closely like a whirlwind.

  As they arrived at the village entrance, they saw thousands of Western Liang soldiers fighting in a chaotic melee.

  "What's going on?"

  Luo Zheng was shocked and pale, hastily reining in his warhorse, shouting loudly.

  Alas, several thousand people have already been killed, how can it be stopped now?

  "Where is Hu Mao and Niu Jinhe?"

  Lu Zheng drank heavily while cursing in his heart.

  Having seen this far, who still doesn't know what happened?

  Hu Mao and Niu Jin have been vying with each other, both wanting to dominate the command of the troops. This time, taking advantage of my absence, these two people had no scruples and started a fierce battle, but judging from the situation, it seems they just started fighting.

  "They're worse than two pigs, no, even pigs are better than them."

  Lu Zhengqi's heart was furious and scolded loudly, which further solidified his mind.

  At present, 8,000 Western Liang iron cavalry have penetrated deep into the territory of the Eastern Jin vassals; if we are slightly careless, there will be a danger of total annihilation.

  The warlords of Kanto have not yet withdrawn their troops, but these two fools are already fighting each other, really stupid to the extreme.

  As thousands of people were already enraged, it was impossible to stop them. A cold-blooded killing intent immediately appeared in Luo Zheng's eyes, and he fiercely waved his hand, shouting loudly: "Pass down my military order, the army will disperse immediately and set fires everywhere."

  "Understood."

  Several small schools immediately responded loudly and galloped away with their horses' heads turned around.

  Soon, two thousand Xiliang iron cavalry quickly dispersed and rushed into the village, setting fires everywhere.

  Before long, a great fire broke out in the Zhuangzi, with flames soaring into the sky. Everywhere was ablaze, and thousands of people were being smoked and scorched by the fire, unable to bear it any longer. They immediately abandoned their struggle and fled on horseback from the Zhuangzi.

  "Hu Mao, Niu Jin, aren't you going to withdraw your troops?"

  Luo Zheng took a deep breath and let out a loud roar, his tone carrying a chilling murderous intent.

  Finally, the effect was received, and the Western Liang cavalry who rushed out of the village did not fight again, but instead retreated to their respective teams.

  Half an hour later, the army set up camp outside Zhuangzi.

  A fierce glint flashed in Luo Zheng's eyes, and he ordered his personal soldiers, "Go and invite Hu Mao and Niu Jin to my camp to discuss matters. Be polite and tell them that the general wants to mediate their conflict, and they must come to the camp for consultation."

  "Roger."

  The guard responded with a "yes" and went off to carry out his orders.

  Luo Zheng also called Lai Chen Tong and several other small school captains to give them a serious talk, and they all went their separate ways.

  Hu Mao and Niu Jin finally arrived half an hour late.

  As soon as the two men met face to face, they both revealed murderous intentions in their eyes and were about to draw their swords again.

  "Stop."

  Luo Zheng hastily let out a loud shout, his killing intent surging forth.

  Hu Mao burst into a rage and said: "Luo Zheng, what kind of thing are you? You dare to yell at me?"

  Lu Zhengmu's eyes gleamed with a fierce light, and he gave Hu Mao a harsh glance. "What am I? I've fought my way to where I am today through life and death battles. And what are you, Hu Mao? Just a useless piece of trash who crawled up the ranks relying on connections. Now that our army has already penetrated deep into the territory of the Eastern Lords, the mission entrusted by our lord is not yet complete, but you two fools are already itching to start fighting each other."

  This remark has also insulted Hu Mao and Niu Jin, both of whom suddenly became furious.

  " Luo Zheng, you're looking for death."

  Niu Jin suddenly stood up, his eyes revealing a murderous intent.

  Hu Mao drew his sword and was about to rush forward.

  Luo Zheng said calmly: "Want to try it? You have a kind, just give it a shot?"

  Hu Maohuai's heart skipped a beat as he suddenly remembered that this was Luo Zhengying's camp, and he couldn't help but secretly regret coming here.

  Luo Zheng made no attempt to conceal the murderous intent in his eyes, and with a stern glance at the two of them, he growled: "You two fools, actually bringing a large army here for a fierce battle. Even if I don't kill you today, once we return to Luoyang, our lord will not spare your lives."

  "How dare you!"

  The two were shocked at the same time, and sternly said: "Luo Zheng, you dare to harm our lives?"

  Luo Zheng sneered, "You see if I dare."

  He finished speaking and waved his hand, shouting: "Kill, but spare those who surrender."

  "Kill! Kill! Kill!"

  In the midst of uniform and thunderous cries of "Kill!", two hundred elite soldiers who had been lying in ambush outside the tent suddenly burst into it.

  At the same time, the sound of killing and screaming also rose outside the camp.

  Hu Mao and Niu Jin brought a hundred personal soldiers who were also surrounded by Luo Zhen's cavalry team and killed.