Chapter 40: The Gate of Ye City Opens

  Ye City will not be peaceful tonight.

  The city wall of seven li long and five li wide was no easy task for the thousand or so soldiers inside the city.

  Fortunately, although Yuan Shao had just obtained Ji Province, he relied on the prestige of his family's four generations of three dukes and the social skills of his second son, Yuan Xi. After deliberately befriending them, the old aristocratic families in Ye City did not have much violent resistance to the change from Han Fu to Yuan Shao. Moreover, the new governor, Sui Cheng, was also a capable official who could maintain superficial harmony before the arrival of the Black Mountain bandits.

  This time, Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan were at war. When news came that Zhang Yan, an ally of Gongsun, had crossed the Taihang Mountains and attacked Yuan Shao's rear base, which was empty and unguarded, the governor Su Cheng immediately ordered the recruitment of local militia to assist in defending the city. He also organized some useless laborers borrowed from wealthy families into several teams, taking turns guarding the grain depot day and night. On the one hand, this move further tied these wealthy families to Yuan Shao's war chariot; on the other hand, it was feared that someone in the city would collude with the Black Mountain bandits, which could lead to the loss of Ye City. This measure somewhat alleviated the pressure caused by the lack of troops.

  Even the heavens are helping Qin Xu, these temporarily assembled miscellaneous soldiers do not belong to each other, they only recognize the commander's orders and not the person, so when Qin Xu brought Lao Xun and Sima Mao with Yuan Shang's order to requisition supplies, at first there were some suspicious granary officials who after seeing the arrival of Yuan Shang's guards immediately gave the order to let them pass. Anyway, it was only 300 dan of military rations and 300 miscellaneous soldiers.

  To be honest, these miscellaneous workers who were summoned, although they were only the lowest-level personnel in each family, actually formed a small circle with each other in a short period of time, and although they were restrained by Taishou Suicheng's orders and the power of the Yuan family, on the surface they didn't dare to do anything, but privately, the small conflicts also made the grain depot official, this small and humble official, headache endlessly.

  The aristocratic families are concerned with saving face, and when beating a dog, they must consider the master. Punishing anyone may offend some family, and if the Black Mountain bandits really attack here, it would be fortunate if these people do not flee in disarray. Now, being able to help Young Master Yuan is a blessing for the grain depot official, who even has some complaints about why Yuan Shang did not dispatch more troops.

  The granary official's work efficiency was very high, although he didn't understand why the grain had to be transported out of the city in such secrecy at night, but seeing that even Yuan Shang's attendants were so respectful to this young man, he wisely didn't ask.

  The grain storehouse was located in the southwest of Ye City, and it was also the southern gate that was closest to the granary. In a short while, dozens of grain carts were prepared, and the sleepy servants had changed into armor for the soldiers. The drowsy eyes were opened wide as they loaded the carts, and soon they arrived at the foot of the southern gate.

  "Qin Jiuge, please wait here for a moment. The lieutenant on duty at the south gate tonight is someone I know, so I'll go and tell them to open the door." Yuan Shang's guard pulled the reins of his horse, nodded to Qin Xu, and walked towards the soldiers guarding the south gate who had already noticed this group of people.

  "Are you all ready?" Qin Xu looked at these miscellaneous soldiers who didn't look like soldiers even in armor, pushing large and small grain carts to stop in front of the south gate of Ye City, and asked Old Xu and Sima Mao in a low voice.

  "Don't worry, Qin Zhubu. When you went to Yuan Shao's mansion, I had already sent someone to inform General Gao." Sima Mao said in a low voice to Qin Xu.

  "When is Miss Lü arriving?" The words that Qin Xù had heard from Yuàn Shàng, which were directed at the "role" of Lü Líng Kuì as Zhang Dàjiě, made him feel uneasy and he asked with concern.

  "Kong Er is here with his two brothers, nothing to worry about." Old Xu heard Qin Xuan ask about Lü Linggui and smiled: "Don't look at the young lady's age, her martial arts skills are indeed Master's true transmission, no problem."

  It seems that Lü Lingqi, although young and a maid, is recognized for her martial arts skills in Lü Bu's army. As they approached the city gate, Qin Xu also temporarily suppressed his unease and nervously watched as Yuan Shang's followers went to negotiate.

  "Qin Jiuge, it's all settled. They've checked the young master's token and will open the door immediately." Yuan Shang's guard said with a flattering expression to Qin Xu. As they watched Yuan Shang personally escort this self-proclaimed "Qin Jiu" out of the room, these guards and attendants couldn't help but wonder what kind of extraordinary person this youthful-looking young man was, and their tone was tinged with a hint of fawning.

  "Hmm, this matter is settled. Third Master will definitely reward you handsomely." Qin Xu emphasized his words, causing the guards to smile with delight.

  "Creak..." The heavy city gate opened, and the high drawbridge slowly lowered.

  It's going too smoothly, and Qin Xuan, who has been smooth sailing, is starting to suspect that he might be under the protection of a "pig foot halo". However, for now, he can't let his guard down. Looking out at the vast night sky, all he can hear is the howling of the summer wind, and even Gao Shun doesn't know where they are.

  "Leave the city!"

  Yuan Shang's guards led the way, but the city gate could only accommodate two grain carts side by side. With dozens of large carts, it would take a long time to get them all through. These miscellaneous laborers didn't understand military discipline or order, and for a while, the scene was somewhat chaotic.

  "What are you doing? Who gave you orders to open the city gate so late?"

  Just as the grain cart had just gone out for a short while, suddenly a horseshoe sound came from the city. More than a dozen knights in heavy armor, holding war spears, surrounded a general-like person riding a horse. This shout was made by this leading general.

  "It turned out to be General Lü!" Qin Xu's heart tightened when he saw the newcomer, and just as he was thinking of how to respond, the guard who opened the city gate, Yuan Shang, spoke up.

  "This isn't the Third Young Master's personal guard?! Who are these people?" General Lyu waved his hand, and the dozen or so knights behind him raised their spears, surrounding Qin Xiang and the others in the middle.

  "General Lü, what do you mean by this?" Seeing General Lü's behavior, the guard standing beside Yuan Shang's side showed a hint of displeasure and said: "This Lord Qin is our young master's honored guest. This trip outside the city was also made under the orders of the Third Young Master. General Lü, are you not putting the Third Young Master in your eyes?"

  "How dare you! But the city of Ye is currently in a special period, and Governor Su personally ordered that after 5 pm, anyone without the governor's pass would not be allowed to leave the city. Doesn't General Zhan know this?" General Lü seemed to have missed the threatening tone in General Zhan's words, weighed his giant sword, and said in an official tone: "As the third son of the Yuan family, you should set an example by following the laws of Ye City. You don't have Governor Su's pass, so you can't leave the city."

  No one knew when the bandits outside the city would attack, and these sleepy servants didn't want to leave Ye City, which was relatively safe. After hearing General Lü's words, they stood up without waiting for Xi Huwei's orders.

  "Lu Kuang! You, a mere infantry lieutenant, dare to suspect the Third Young Master of colluding with the enemy?" Zhan Huwei felt embarrassed in front of Qin Xu, having previously boasted that he could easily open the city gate, but ended up with this outcome.

  Qin Xu didn't seem to notice the anxious and worried gaze of Zhen Wei, this person had also left a name in history books, and as far as he knew, should have been supporting Yuan Shang, so why was he now ignoring Yuan Shang's orders?

  "Hum! Lyu Mou is indeed the chief captain under General Yuan's command. Since he was left to guard Ye City, naturally, there wouldn't be any room for even a single mistake. If you want to leave the city, you must produce the grain storage guard's token; otherwise..."

  "Ah!!!!!!"

  The night was quiet, with the wind blowing southward. However, a shrill and mournful cry carried on the wind pierced through the peaceful night sky, causing everyone present to change color.

  I don't know what kind of person or how much suffering it takes to let out such a mournful cry.

  "Is that the direction of the relay station?" Suddenly, Zhang Hu's face changed greatly, "No, it's Third Master, it's Third Master's shout!"

  "Yuan Shang? What is he doing at the relay station?" Qin Xu's face also changed, there were only Lü Linggui and Kong Er Dahan with two soldiers from the Trap Array Camp in the relay station, how could Yuan Shang's miserable cry come from there?

  Recalling the words of Yuan Shang at dusk, Qin Xu didn't take it to heart as there were no records of Yuan Shang being a lecher in history, but unexpectedly...

  "Axiong! You stay here and keep an eye on these people, make them return to the city immediately. I'll go take a look at the post house!" Lü Kuang ordered a young soldier behind him.

  "Big brother, you can go! With Lü Xiang here, these people won't be able to leave the city!" The one called A Xiang was actually Lü Bu's sworn brother, Lü Xiang.

  "It's too late!" Just as these people were attracted by the miserable cries coming from the direction of the post house, Old Xu looked up at the sky and suddenly changed his expression.

  "Hiss...... rustle......"

  "Tap tap tap tap..."

  A sudden rapid horseshoe sound came, and the ground also slightly shook!

  "No good! Close the city gate quickly! Sound the alarm! Sound the alarm!" Lü Xiang, although new to the military camp, had a reaction that was indeed extraordinary, no wonder he could leave his name in the history of the Three Kingdoms.

  Unfortunately, although the grain carts had stopped under Lü Xiang's intervention, the city gate was too narrow. These armor-clad laborers were not true soldiers, and when they heard the sound of a large cavalry approaching, they all panicked, shouting and scattering in all directions. The laborers who had already gone out of the city also abandoned the grain carts and rushed to the city gate.

  "Act! We can't let them sound the alarm!" Qin Xu fiercely pulled on the arm of Old Hei, who was guarding him, and commanded.

  "But Qin Zhubu, you..." Old Xu hesitated for a moment, then didn't say another word. He swiftly pulled out a short knife from his sleeve and approached the horse, killing the Yuan soldier who was about to sound the alarm with one swift stroke.

  "Ah! You!"

  The scene was chaotic with hundreds of miscellaneous soldiers running around, and the soldier who was about to sound the alarm after being shot in the waist stared at Lao Xu in disbelief, only saying half a sentence before falling off his horse.

  "Kill! Plunder Ye City! Plunder Ye City!"

  In the night, three or four hundred knights charged towards the gate of Ye City with their swords drawn. The leader was a man wearing a black scarf on his face and had a rough appearance. He rode his horse over the grain carts blocking the entrance and led the charge into Ye City. It was Gao Shun!

  "Go and inform the governor! Hurry up and deploy troops! Deploy troops quickly!" Lü Xiàng was fearless in the face of danger, shouting loudly as he charged forward with his sword. But Lü Xiàng was no match for Gāo Shùn, and with the overwhelming difference in military strength, he was knocked off his horse after just one clash.

  "Qin Xu!" Gao Shun saw Qin Xu safe under Sima Mao's protection, and hastily asked: "Is it done?"

  "What about you people?" Qin Xu didn't exchange pleasantries with Gao Shun, and looked at him suspiciously from behind.

  "Haha!" Gao Shun's usual calm face changed, his eyebrows filled with excitement, and he said: "This time is really a big gain, even if the grain and grass can't be taken away, it doesn't matter."

  "Uncle Gao!"

  Just as Qin Xu was puzzled by Gao Shun's words, Lü Lingqi came riding up, with Kong Er and two soldiers from the Trap Array Camp following behind him. However, it seemed that there were also people on the horses of the two soldiers.

  "General Gao, no need to say more, take advantage of them not yet discovering, quickly move the grain! Don't forget to leave some marks of the Black Mountain bandits!" Qin Xu urged.

  Yuan Shao had just taken the city, and there were still some aristocratic families in the city who had dealings with the Black Mountain bandits. Although Yuan Shao was far from being finished off, he couldn't let him have it too easy either. Since they came to Ye City this time, they might as well give Yuan Shao and these aristocrats a warning, even if there weren't any, they would still create some.

  "Haha, Qin Zhushi is right!"

  "Ah! You are not the bandits of Heishan, who are you?" A man lying on a horse in the ambush camp woke up, and it was none other than Yuan Shao's most beloved son, the third young master Yuan Shang!