Chapter 4: Promotion

  "Kerosene."

  Under the deep night sky, Luo Zheng's thunderous roar echoed loudly.

  Fifty soldiers exerted their strength and threw out brain-sized oil bombs.

  Bang!

  Bang!

  Bang!

  The oil pots were smashed one after another, and the oil inside was poured all over Handan and more than a dozen riders.

  "Fire the arrow."

  Luo Zheng took another big gulp.

  In the darkness, dozens of fire arrows were shot towards Huang Gai's three generals like shooting stars.

  In an instant, Huang Gai's body was set on fire first, and he let out a mournful cry again.

  Immediately afterwards, the fire oil on the bodies of more than a dozen Jiangdong strongmen who were knocked down by Handan was also ignited one after another.

  Huang Gai and Han Dang were exceptionally brave warriors. Even if they were blindfolded, anyone who wanted to capture or kill them would have to pay a price.

  Luo Zheng had only two hundred cavalrymen under his command. He couldn't bear to lose a single one of them, and he didn't want to engage in a fierce battle with this group of fierce warriors.

  One can capture and behead with strategy, naturally they won't let their soldiers die in vain.

  "Despicable person."

  Huang Ge let out a loud roar and quickly shook off his armor, the sound of which was filled with the sorrow of a heroic demise.

  Han and his remaining cavalry were also frantically stripping off their armor, rolling on the ground in an attempt to extinguish the flames that engulfed them.

  How can the fire of oil be easily extinguished once it has been ignited?

  Soon, the second lieutenant was burned to a crisp, and the air was filled with the smell of charred flesh.

  Luo Zheng's eyes were cold and stern, with a hint of excitement. He waved his hand, "Tie him up."

  "Understood."

  Chen Tong let out a loud roar and immediately led over ten strong men to the front, beheading all of Jiang's more than ten cavalrymen who were on the verge of death after being burned. He then used ropes to tie up Han Dang and Huang Gai, who were also struggling to breathe, into zongzi shapes.

  Lu Xun urged his horse forward, using the torches to examine them. He saw that Han Dang and Huang Gai were both crying, their eyes blurry, their bodies completely charred beyond recognition, barely breathing, in a pitiful state.

  This guy doesn't even look like he could kill anyone, even if you gave him a knife, I reckon he wouldn't be able to use it.

  Chen Tong exclaimed excitedly: "Your Excellency's military strategy is divine, this time capturing two high-ranking generals under Sun Jian's command in Jiangdong is a great achievement, the Prime Minister will surely reward you heavily."

  Almost two hundred cavalrymen also shouted loudly, their faces flushed and their necks thick with excitement.

  Although Jiang Dong's mighty tiger Sun Jian ran away, capturing two of his generals was a great achievement.

  Lu Zhen's face was gloomy, and Sun Jian had been driven away, which made him somewhat angry. His cold eyes swept over the two generals Huang Gai and Han Dang, and he asked in a low voice: "Huang Gai, Han Dang, did you expect that there would be today?"

  "Pshaw!"

  "Huang Ge shouted loudly: 'Despicable scoundrel, if you want to kill, then kill, why bother with idle chatter.'"

  Luo Zheng coldly laughed a few times: "Warfare is a treacherous way! I just used a small trick, and yet I've captured you, this fierce tiger. You've led troops for many years, but don't know the ways of war - what an idiot!"

  "Pffft!"

  Huang Gai's anger surged up and he spat out a mouthful of blood, his vitality exhausted.

  "If you want to kill someone, just kill them, no need to humiliate them."

  Han's eyes widened in rage and he let out a loud roar.

  Luo Zheng said calmly: "I'll give you two options, either surrender or die."

  Han said disdainfully: "A great man has no fear of life and death. If you want to kill, then kill. Don't waste words."

  "Want to die? It's not that easy."

  Luo Zheng coldly laughed and waved his hand, shouting: "Take him back, and let General Hu Zhen deal with him."

  Chen Tong hastened to obey, calling over several robust men to escort the two generals onto horseback.

  Early morning, Zhenzhu Gate.

  Hua Xiong withdrew his troops and returned to the city, feeling proud and triumphant.

  This time, taking advantage of the night to raid the camp, greatly defeated Sun Jian, beheading over a thousand and capturing nearly two thousand, it can be said that it was a great victory.

  The only regret is that Sun Jian and all his generals managed to escape from the siege, not a single one was captured.

  Sun Jian was the vanguard of the Dong Zhuo's rebel army. If he could be killed, it would absolutely be a great achievement.

  Arriving at Hu Zhi's mansion, Hu Zhi had already received news of their arrival and had been waiting for a long time.

  Hu Zhi may not be exceptionally talented, but he's not completely hopeless either. After Hua Xiong led the troops out of the city, he had been waiting for news of a surprise attack on the enemy camp. This time, taking advantage of the night to launch a surprise attack and defeat Sun Jian was a victory beyond his wildest dreams.

  It's daylight now.

  Hu Zhi summoned the generals to discuss matters, and he slapped his hand on the table with joy: "Well done! General Hua Xiong is indeed my mighty general of West Liang. This time, we have defeated Sun Jian's rebel army, and all 8,000 soldiers of Sun Jian were killed. Come, quickly report our victory to the lord."

  "Understood."

  There were already loyal troops who responded to the order and rushed out of the mansion at lightning speed.

  Hu Zhi asked again, "Have you ever captured the fierce tiger of Jiangdong, Sun Jian?"

  Hua Xiong replied: "No, Sun Jian and several of his high-ranking generals, a total of over ten horsemen, escaped."

  Hú Zhāng waved his hand and said, "Although we didn't capture Sun Jian, this time he led 8,000 troops to break through the pass, but suffered two consecutive defeats, with only a dozen or so riders escaping. This greatly dampened the morale of the allied army, and our lord will surely reward us heavily."

  All the generals and officers were overjoyed, two great victories, almost annihilating Sun Jian's 8,000-strong army, whose merits could not be escaped.

  Many generals were presenting their merits, and then some close guards came to report.

  "General, General Hua Xiong's scout, Hou Cheng, has come to report that they have captured two high-ranking generals under the command of Sun Jian, the fierce tiger of Jiangdong."

  Hu Zhi's spirit was lifted, and he exclaimed with great joy: "Captured two high-ranking generals under Sun Jian's command? Not bad, not bad at all! Who is this Luo Zheng, to be able to capture two of Sun Jian's top generals? Quick, send the news!"

  The attendants hastened to carry out their orders and left.

  The various generals under the hall then mostly showed envy in their eyes, secretly thinking that such a great achievement had not fallen to themselves.

  Shortly afterwards, Luo Zhen led a group of soldiers in big strides, and brought in the two generals Huang Gai and Han Dang under escort.

  The defenders of the Ruxu Pass had clashed with Sun Jian in several battles and recognized him as well as several high-ranking generals under his command. Upon closer inspection, they saw that the two generals, although badly battered, were indeed Huang Gai and Han Dang, two high-ranking generals under Sun Jian's command.

  Hu Zhen ate and asked: "Why are these two so miserable? What's going on?"

  The officers under the hall also had a questioning look on their faces, sizing up Luo Zheng, none of them knew what kind of trick this kid used.

  Ruo Zhen hastily said: "I report to the various generals, I knew early on that Sun Jian would kill his way out of the encirclement, so I set an ambush halfway and led my own two hundred cavalrymen. When Sun Jian fled in a panic, I suddenly killed him and captured Han Dang and Huang Gai, two great generals."

  The generals looked at each other in dismay, both jealous and admiring.

  Han Dang and Huang Gai, two brave generals, were the powerful arms of Sun Jian, the fierce tiger of Eastern Jiang. After defeating Hua Xiong at Boma Pass, no one could match these two ferocious generals, but unexpectedly they were captured alive by a small military officer.

  Hú Zhù gazed at Han Dang and Huang Gai, asking: "Are you two generals willing to surrender?"

  "Huang Guai spat and said disdainfully: 'Ashamed to be in league with thieves.'"

  Han just coldly snorted and didn't even bother to speak.

  Hu Zhen's face sank, and he burst into a rage: "Come on, take him down and behead him!"

  Soon, his personal soldiers rushed in and took the two generals away. Before long, they brought back two bloody heads.

  Hu Zhen ordered someone to send the two generals' heads to Luoyang, and then turned to look at Luo Zheng, saying: "Luo Zheng."

  "Your humble servant is here."

  Hú Zhèn's expression was delighted, and he said: "This general has observed that you have both bravery and strategy. You also captured two of Sun Jian's top generals in Jiangdong, achieving great merit. I will reward you with 20,000 taels of silver, two women, and after reporting to our lord, I will request further rewards for you."

  "Thank you, General."

  Luo Zheng was overjoyed and hastily thanked him, thinking to himself that all his hard work had not been in vain.

  Captured alive the fierce tiger of Jiangdong, Sun Jian's two top generals, that is a great achievement, no one can take it away.

  Many generals under the hall showed envy in their eyes, but could do nothing about it, and could only secretly resent that this kid was lucky.

  Luo Zheng returned to the military camp and immediately bandaged the wounds of several injured soldiers.

  This time, although no one was killed or seriously injured in the sneak attack, three soldiers were still lightly injured under Sun Jian's desperate counterattack. This is war, and even with meticulous planning, bloodshed cannot be avoided.

  Unfortunately, the bronze ring can only heal itself, otherwise it wouldn't be so troublesome.

  Luoyang, Prime Minister's residence.

  Dong Zhuo read the battle report brought by the waters of Xingyang, and his spirit was suddenly lifted. He nodded and said, "Not bad, not bad, Hu Zhi has indeed lived up to my expectations, and has defeated Sun Jian's vanguard army of 8,000 men. I will reward him heavily."

  Li Ruo said beside him: "My lord, may I take a look at the battle report?"

  "Please read the article."

  Dong Zhuo handed over the battle report to Li Ru with a smile.

  Li Ru took it, quickly read through it, and couldn't help but reveal a joyful expression. He said: "Congratulations, my lord. Sun Jian has always been good at fighting and is known as the 'Tiger of Jiangdong'. This time, General Hu Zhi defeated Sun Jian, which is just right to severely dampen the morale of the rebellious army in Guandong."

  Dong Zhuo nodded repeatedly and said: "Sun Wentai is brave and good at fighting, with four fierce generals under his command, all of whom have bravery and strength. I had the intention to recruit him long ago, but unfortunately he did not surrender. This time, not only did we defeat Sun Jian's 8,000-strong army, but also beheaded Zu Mao and captured Huang Gai and Han Dang, two fierce generals, greatly dampening the morale of the rebellious army in Guandong. It is a great achievement that should be remembered. I intend to promote Hu Zhi as Yangwu General, what do you think, Wen You?"

  Li Ru said: "Your Excellency is wise and just. Rewarding achievements and punishing mistakes is the way to govern the army and control subordinates."

  Dong Zhuo said again: "Hua Xiong is brave and good at fighting, so let's add the title of Zhonglang General to his position!"

  Li Ru added his voice in support, but after a while, Dong Zhuo seemed to have dropped the matter. He couldn't help but say: "Your Excellency, General Hua Xiong's subordinate, General Luo Zhen, captured two brave generals, Huang Gai and Han Dang, which is also a great achievement. Why not reward him?"

  Dong Zhuo said: "Who is this Luo Zhen?"

  Li Ruyu said: "All of General Hu Zhi's troops were originally from my old Western Liang, and there are no northerners or Bingzhou soldiers among them."

  Dong Zhuo nodded and said with a smile: "It was my old subordinate in Xiliang, who has made great contributions. He should be rewarded. However, this Luo Zhen is of humble origin, a commoner, and Wen You thinks he deserves to be rewarded. How should he be rewarded?"

  "This matter is entirely up to your decision, sir."

  Dong Zhuo thought for a moment, then said: "This little guy can use strategy to capture Sun Jian's two brave generals, and it seems that he has some brains. Let him be the commander of the vanguard cavalry first, and see if he can lead a battalion of cavalry alone. If he can achieve merit, I will reward him again."

  Li Ru smiled and said, "Your Excellency is wise. Although the Western Liang army is powerful now, it also has many hidden worries. It's time to promote capable and talented old subordinates of Western Liang to take on important tasks. As long as someone has talent, even if they are commoners, Your Excellency can still use them."

  Dong Zhuo smiled and said: "What Wen You said is absolutely right, I think so too, haha!"

  The two masters exchanged a glance, all in silence.

  Zhangshui Pass, Hu Zhen's former residence.

  "The little man sees the general."

  Luo Zheng stepped forward and bowed respectfully to Hu Zhu.

  Hu Zhen waved his hand and said, "Forget it."

  Dai Liuzhi stood up straight, and then said: "The general has just received a letter from the lord, in the previous night raid on Sun Jian's rebel army, you captured two of Sun Jian's generals, Huang Gai and Han Dang. The lord has promoted you to be the Cavalry Commandant, take care of yourself."

  Luo Zheng heard this and was overjoyed, "Thank you, sir, for your cultivation, thank you, General, for your great kindness."

  Hu Zhi patted him on the back and said with profound meaning: "You are my old subordinate in Xiliang, as long as you make great achievements, I will naturally do my best to ask for credit from the lord. This time, I have praised you in the battle report to the lord, letting the lord know your talents, and appointed you as a brave cavalry captain. In the future, do well and don't let me down."

  Lu Zheng was stunned for a moment, and then immediately understood.

  Hu Zhi's implication is that you little brat was able to be sealed as a school lieutenant, all thanks to me putting in a good word for you, don't you dare forget the favor and turn against righteousness.

  Upon further reflection, it's clear what Hu Zu meant by these words.

  It's nothing more than trying to win people over, it seems that the Western Liang army isn't a monolith either, with high-ranking generals also forming cliques and factions.

  "General, rest assured," Luo Zheng hastily said loudly, "Whatever you command, I will obey unto death."

  Hu Zhi saw this kid on the right path and immediately smiled, "Alright, you go first, tonight General Ben will celebrate your success."

  Luo Zheng responded with a "yes" and hastily bid farewell and left.

  Turning back to take a glance at the majestic gate, a faint smile involuntarily appeared at the corner of his mouth.

  Dong Zhuo came to a bad end, and even among the Western Liang army generals, there were only a few who had a good ending.

  From now on, he will strive for excellence and make good preparations and plans for himself.