Chapter 34: Dong Zhuo's Worries!

  Last time, Li Su fell into Zhang Liao's trap and was deceived out of the city! He encountered the secret weapons arranged by Tian Feng - the crossbow catapults and stone throwers' attack!

  Li Su saw the arrows and stones flying everywhere, immediately rolled off his horse, ordered the shield bearers to protect him and retreat, and rushed back to the main tent to tell Dong Zhuo! From this point on, we can see that Li Su, although he couldn't write a literary piece to bring peace to the world or single-handedly conquer the enemy with his martial arts skills. But when it came to running away, he was absolutely unparalleled in speed and skill! He knew that if he were still on horseback at this time, he would be a living target and would definitely be shot through and killed! Dong Zhuo's subordinates were all such people, how could they not lose?!

  A hail of crossbow bolts and stones came pouring in! The speed of the crossbow bolts far exceeded that of the stones! The crossbow bolts flew in thick and fast, blocking out the sun, like a solar eclipse, allowing only a few rays of sunlight to reach the faces of Li Su's soldiers! The crossbow bolts were generally two to three meters long! Tian Feng ordered all the crossbows and catapults to fire at once. What a concept - five rows of crossbows had one hundred bolts each, four rows had eighty bolts each, three rows had sixty bolts each, double rows had forty bolts each, and single rows had twenty bolts each! At this time, Tian Feng's army had twenty-five five-row crossbows, fifty-four row crossbows, one hundred three-row crossbows, one hundred and fifty two-row crossbows, and two hundred single-row crossbows. Others thought that the crossbow bolts blocking out the sunlight was an exaggeration, but let's calculate - this is what it means to have nineteen thousand crossbow bolts fired at once! Li Su's army had only fifteen thousand five hundred soldiers, who were all stunned by this spectacle, and didn't react quickly enough to the danger that was approaching! However, the speed of the crossbow bolts was simply too fast, whizzing through the air with a loud whoosh! One soldier on horseback heard a "thwack" sound, as a crossbow bolt flew through his body, hitting another soldier behind him without slowing down, and then piercing three or four more people, pinning them all together. Nineteen thousand crossbow bolts whizzed in, some of Dong Zhuo's soldiers were lucky enough to crawl on the ground and narrowly escape disaster! But it was truly a scene of carnage, with corpses scattered everywhere. Although Li Su ran fast and escaped disaster, his shield bearer witnessed several crossbow bolts piercing their shields and hitting them, leaving a deep impression on Li Su's mind, a shadow that would haunt him from then on. From then on, whenever Li Su saw crossbow bolts, he would be frightened to the point of trembling! At this time, between the two mountains, blood flowed like a river, in just an instant, Li Su's fifteen thousand five hundred soldiers were almost completely wiped out, with only a few thousand remaining. But Li Su didn't stop, he kept crawling forward, because the hail of stones was still coming down, some soldiers who had crawled on the ground and narrowly escaped the crossbow bolts' attack didn't realize that death was not yet finished, five hundred catapults fired large rocks from above! Some of Dong Zhuo's soldiers who had crawled on the ground and hugged their heads to escape disaster didn't even have time to celebrate before they were hit by rocks - some were crushed on their bodies, others on their heads, and some lost arms or legs. The scene was extremely bloody! Now it can be said that this place has become a hell, a hell that harvests human lives!

  At this time, Tian Feng on the mountain looked at the scene below and was also moved! Although Tian Feng knew the power of the crossbow and catapult designed by Li Yu and Liu Hua's two strong alliance, he did not expect it to become like this!

  Guan Gong and Guan Er Ye were also extremely shocked! After all, people's hearts are made of flesh and blood, and it's hard not to be moved by such a scene! He was still the revered Martial Saint of China for thousands of years!

  At this time, Zhang Ren was ordered to guard the mountain pass and intercept the escaping enemy army. At this moment, he saw Tian Feng waving his command flag, ordering Zhang Ren to yield the road and let the remaining few hundred wounded soldiers go! Zhang Ren was somewhat perplexed, and ran up the mountain to ask Tian Feng why he had yielded the road.

  Tian Feng sighed and said, "It's really a helpless move. They are all old, weak and disabled soldiers, personally participating in such a bloody hell! How can they have the courage to enter the battlefield again in the future? Heaven has the virtue of giving life, and it is up to them to find a way out!"

  Zhang Ren listened to Tian Feng's words and had no choice but to put aside his own thoughts. Guan Yu saw that Zhang Ren was unhappy at this time, took a step forward, held Zhang Ren's hand, and came to the top of the mountain. At this time, Zhang Ren looked out at the valley below, only to see that the valley below was filled with blood flowing like a river, corpses piled up like mountains, and thousands of people were shot by crossbows and stuck on the mountain. Some soldiers were crushed by stones and pressed into the ground. The soldiers who escaped and looked out from the top of the mountain were mostly missing arms or legs. Zhang Ren couldn't help but be moved to emotion at this sight.

  "Alas, I can imagine the cruelty of war! But in just an instant, tens of thousands of troops, General Zhang, look and see how many people are left, less than a thousand. And most of them are wounded soldiers! Ah, my fourth brother was originally a Buddhist, I suppose he didn't expect it either, the crossbow cannons and catapults he designed, have actually created such a hell on earth!"

  Tian Feng strolled to the top of the mountain and said, "Alas! General Li Yu is kind and generous, and King Wu has implemented benevolent governance. Who would have thought that today there would be such a disaster? I suggest that you two generals write a letter to Generals Ji Shan and Huo Ke at Qi Mountain Pass, ordering them to organize the soldiers to bury the enemy corpses on the spot. Also, please ask General Li Yu to write a letter to King Wu, asking him to select high-ranking monks to hold a memorial service for the fallen soldiers of both our army and the enemy!"

  Guanshan nodded and said: "Let's follow the military advisor's words!"

  "Generals, this is not the time for us to sigh in relief. The great matter has not been accomplished, and the battle has not been decided! Although Dong Zhuo's army has been defeated, they still have an army of 300,000 men! Our army should immediately follow the plan and advance to occupy Tianshui City, which is the best strategy!!"

  Guan Yu and Tian Feng exchanged a glance. The second master understood that this was not the time to be sentimental, so Guan immediately ordered the entire army to advance and occupy Tianshui City!

  On the other hand, because this battle was too smooth, Dong Zhuo's army had not yet reacted, and Guo Si had just entered the main account of Dong Zhuo's army. So, General Guan ordered the central military officer to pass on the order to Gao Shun to immediately garrison Qi Mountain Pass. Why didn't he garrison Tianshui City? Because at this time, Tianshui City was not short of great generals! But Qi Mountain Pass was different, and there were only 30,000 soldiers in Qi Mountain Pass, with only Ji Yi and Huo Ge as generals! Although Ji Yi knew how to use his troops well, but in terms of martial arts, Ji Yi and Huo Ge were really not high. So General Guan ordered Gao Shun to lead the army back to Qi Mountain Pass immediately! On the other hand, he ordered the messenger soldier to send a message to Li Yu, the great marshal who was far away in Xiabian City, telling him that Tianshui City had been captured at this time, and Guo Si and Li Su's entire army had been annihilated. They also captured the great general Zhang Liao! And agreed to prepare for a decisive battle three days later! Some people asked, why did General Guan and Tian Feng decide on the date of the decisive battle? Why wasn't it Li Yu, the commander-in-chief? Because Li Yu was busy with other things. He couldn't know when General Guan would capture Tianshui City, so they decided in advance to set the time for the decisive battle according to the date when General Guan captured Tianshui City. Li Yu led the entire army to fight against Dong Zhuo's army!

  At this time, Dong Zhuo was also furious. Until now, he had not pulled out the arrow tower outside the city of Xuchang! How could he not be angry? As his military advisor, Li Ru, who was also his son-in-law, saw that the war was prolonged and could not be won, he repeatedly advised him to withdraw his troops! Dong Zhuo was now hesitant, but just at this time, it can be said that "when it rains, it pours". Guo Si returned! Dong Zhuo saw Guo Si return covered in blood and asked: "Guo Si! What about the front line? Have we been defeated?" Guo Si knelt down on the ground and cried: "My lord, something big has gone wrong! Li Yu is a sinister and cunning person. He secretly attacked Chen Cang, and the troops outside Xuchang are not the main force of Liu Bei's army. The main force is in Qishan Pass, with tens of thousands of soldiers! Our army was outnumbered and defeated, and the whole army was annihilated! General Song Xian was killed by Liu Bei's second brother, Guan Yu. General Zhang Liao risked his life to break through the siege and rescue me, but I'm afraid he won't make it!" Dong Zhuo listened and threw the wine cup in his hand at Guo Si, scolding him: "You damn pig! How could Li Yu have sought battle several times? How could the main force be in Qishan Pass? You lost the battle, just say you lost the battle! Take this man away and execute him as an example!"

  Li Ru hastily stepped forward and pleaded: "Chancellor, the situation is already dire, killing a high-ranking general will inevitably deal a blow to the morale of the soldiers. Please allow General Guo Si to wear his crime and make amends!"

  Guo Si also knocked his head heavily and said: "Please spare my life, master! Please spare the humble name of this little one!"

  Dong Zhuo saw that his son-in-law was pleading for mercy, and only then did he stop. Dong Zhuo was not a fool either. Seeing that the situation was unfavorable to himself at this time, he asked Military Advisor Li Ru: "My child! What should I do now?"

  Li Ru was about to speak when even worse news arrived! What's wrong, Li Su is back! Li Su covered in blood, crawled to the front of Dong Zhuo, knelt down and kowtowed, wailing loudly: "Chancellor! Chancellor! It's all over! Zhang Liao defected, claiming that Guo Si was trapped, and I led the army to rescue him! But Liu Bei's army had some secret weapon, arrows and stones rained from the sky! Our 15,000 soldiers were killed, only I managed to escape by fighting to the death! Please Chancellor make a decision quickly, Tianshui City is lost! Our rear route is cut off!"

  Dong Zhuo didn't listen, and when he did, he couldn't catch his breath. He almost suffocated! Li Ru and Lü Bu, Guo Si, and Li Su hurried forward, pounding Dong Zhuo's chest with their fists, pouring water on him, and performing CPR. Finally, they managed to revive Dong Zhuo.

  As soon as Dong Zhuo came to, he shouted at the sky, "Heaven is destroying me! Heaven is destroying me!" After shouting, he fainted again. The four men were busy again, trying to revive him.

  When Dong Zhuo woke up, Li Ru advised him, "Father-in-law, don't be alarmed! Our current plan is to retreat as soon as possible! We only have enough food and grass for ten days. If we don't retreat, we'll all die without a burial place!"

  Dong Zhuo listened weakly and said, "Son-in-law, the retreat route has been cut off. How can our army retreat? You should have noticed that I regret not listening to your words earlier! When we were besieging Mount Qi, you advised me to retreat back to Chang'an. I didn't listen, and now it's too late!"

  Guo Si and Li Su also looked worried. Li Ru thought for a moment and said, "Father-in-law, don't be alarmed! We can order the rear army to change with the front army without notifying Yan Xing and others. Let them immediately return to the army and capture Tianshui City! If we can't capture it, our army will bypass the city. As long as we escape from Tianshui City, Li Jue won't dare to pursue us recklessly. After all, this battle is also a national effort for Yi Province! Although they won, Li Jue won't extend the war line too far. Zhang Lu of Hanzhong and Liu Biao of Jingzhou are both closely watching Yi Province!"

  Lü Bu also said on the side, "Father-in-law, don't worry! With me, Lü Bu, here, I will definitely protect you from the siege and return to Chang'an!" Dong Zhuo grasped Li Ru's and Lü Bu's hands and said, "Today, I entrust everything to you two children! I am truly helpless now! That hateful Li Jue has repeatedly made me lose soldiers and generals. This hatred, I will only be able to avenge it in the future!"

  (Lü Bu and Li Ru both knelt down on the ground and said, "We are willing to die for Father-in-law!")

  Guo Si also advised Dong Zhuo, "Master, as long as we have a way out, we won't worry about not having enough firewood. One day, Li Jue will fall into your hands, and when that time comes, you can make him beg for life but not be able to get it!"

  Li Su also said, "General, since we've decided to retreat, let's not delay! Before Yan Xing reacts, we should set off immediately. If we wait until he finds out about our defeat, it will be too late!"

  Dong Zhuo waved his hand and said, "Ah, misfortunes never come alone! From today on, all military affairs will be handled by my son-in-law Li Ru! I am exhausted in body and mind, and I want to rest."

  Li Ru immediately ordered people to hurry and support Dong Zhuo onto the carriage. On one hand, he commanded the troops to secretly set off, leaving the campsite intact with lanterns still lit to deceive Yan Xing into thinking that Dong Zhuo was still there. On the other hand, he ordered all soldiers to lower their flags and drums, not to make any noise, and to quietly enter the village.

  Moreover, Li Ru sent someone to Yan Xing's camp to deliver a message, saying that Dong Zhuo was ill and couldn't attend meetings for the time being. He appointed Yan Xing as the commander-in-chief of the vanguard and gave him the position of General of the Imperial Guard. During this period, he didn't need to go to the main tent for meetings. All military affairs in the vanguard would be handled by Yan Xing himself, with full authority over life and death.

  Finally, Li Ru added that Dong Zhuo trusted Yan Xing and was confident that he would win, promising rewards on the day of victory. Indeed, it can be said that Li Ru was a talented person who used his troops skillfully, but unfortunately, he didn't meet a wise ruler, so in the end, he didn't get a good ending.

  Dong Zhuo currently has only 200,000 troops. Although Xiliang is under Dong Zhuo's control at this time, Ma Teng has been harboring dissenting thoughts! Han Sui is also a two-faced person who doesn't dare to offend Dong Zhuo, and on the other hand, he still maintains good relations with Ma Teng! The remaining 100,000 soldiers are all troops from Xiliang that Han Sui and Ma Teng have gathered. Li Ru's move can be described in three words: Fast! Quick withdrawal, no dragging or hesitation, withdraw immediately! High! What does high refer to? If the retreat is not communicated to Yan Xing, letting Yan Xing continue to fight to the death, unintentionally cutting off their own retreat! Cruel! Where is the cruelty? He uses the Xiliang army and Li Yu to engage in a decisive battle, preserving his own strength! Moreover, if Li Ru retakes Tianshui City, then Li Ru can advance or defend, with no more worries about his rear!

  Will Dong Zhuo be able to return to Chang'an after all? To be continued!