newbobooks Chapter 39 Xu Rong and Fan Chou parted ways and encountered the Xiliang army on a narrow road!
Chapter 39 Xu Rong and Fan Chou parted ways and encountered the Xiliang army on a narrow road!
Xingyang City
Xu Rong and Fan Chou waited there, feeling utterly bored.
To be honest, Fan Chou even had some regrets.
If only he had known, he wouldn't have stayed here with Xu Rong in the first place.
Those tasked with covering the rear often don't earn many battle merits.
Siege missions and vanguard missions are generally the most sought-after tasks.
Why is this so?
Because most of the troops left behind to cover the rear were destined to die.
For example, why did Dong Zhuo choose Xu Rong to cover the rear this time?
Isn't it all because Xu Rong is a member of the Luoyang Imperial Guard?
Compared to the direct line of Xiliang, which was their own son, and the Bingzhou line, which was raised by their stepmother, the Luoyang Imperial Guards were undoubtedly like trash picked up from a garbage can!
And what about Fan Chou?
As a member of the Xiliang faction, his original mission was simply to burn down Luoyang.
Now, however, because of Xu Rong's provocation, he has no choice but to suffer here with Xu Rong.
Seeing that Xu Rong still had the mood to sharpen his knife, Fan Chou roared in fury:
"Xu Zhongyuan, so far no pursuers have come."
"Your judgment, could it be wrong?"
Xu Rong replied without looking up:
"If you think I'm wrong, you're welcome to leave now."
"Didn't we agree before we ambushed Xingyang that I would take responsibility and you would get the credit?"
"Aside from military achievements, all I ask for is that the rations for my troops be distributed on time."
What kind of situation makes a person with a bad temper feel most helpless?
Of course, it's when you encounter someone with stable emotions!
Did Xu Rong harbor resentment? Without a doubt, of course he did.
But he understood that in order to support his Luoyang Imperial Guards, he had to be their dog, a dog of the Han Dynasty represented by Dong Zhuo.
Otherwise, who in the world would provide him with so much food and supplies for no reason?
Should they seek refuge with the warlords of Guandong?
That's hilarious! Even the warlords of Guandong are short of food supplies for their own troops.
If there were provisions, they would definitely be supplied to the elite troops first.
How could it possibly be Xu Rong and the Luoyang Imperial Guards?
"Hmph, you'd better watch yourself."
Fan Chou stopped arguing with Xu Rong.
But it was obvious to the naked eye that he was very unhappy.
Just then, a sentry ran in from outside the city and reported:
"Reporting to the General!"
"I have heard that Yuan Shao has disbanded the coalition, and the various warlords have returned to their territories as soon as possible."
"What!?"
"Yuan Benchu didn't even chase after them?"
A deep sense of confusion flashed through Fan Chou's mind.
As a mere warrior from Xiliang, Fan Chou's cunning was no match for that of a shrewd and cunning man like Yuan Shao.
In Fan Chou's view, since the warlords of Guandong had already raised the banner of supporting the emperor, this time it should be a fight to the death.
Who would have thought that they would disband after taking only the ruins of Luoyang?
but.
It's good that the coalition has disbanded.
This at least proves that we won't lose any troops this time.
But just as Fan Chou was about to gather his soldiers and leave Xingyang...
Xu Rong suddenly said calmly:
"Fan Chou, if Yuan Benchu isn't coming to pursue, does that mean no one else is?"
Do you still remember Cao Mengde, who forged the imperial edict?
"This person knowingly did something impossible, and is far superior to Yuan Shao."
"If you want to leave, then leave now."
"I will stay here for another two days."
Xu Rongyi said in a righteous and solemn manner.
Fan Chou laughed heartily:
"You, Xu Zhongyuan, don't need to speak so grandly!"
"Isn't your concern that if we retreat now, the Prime Minister won't be able to supply you with provisions on time?"
"If you ask me, you don't need to do this."
"What the Prime Minister promised, he will certainly fulfill."
Xu Rong gave a bitter smile.
Yes!
What I promised, I will definitely fulfill.
But this varies from person to person!
As a member of the Xiliang faction, Fan Chou demanded all weapons, equipment, and provisions from Dong Zhuo, who naturally provided them in full, and even gave him more.
But Xu Rong is different!
As a conscripted contingent from the trash can, the Luoyang Imperial Guards were given the lowest priority.
Seeing that he couldn't persuade Xu Rong, Fan Chou laughed and said:
"Fine, you can continue to hold your ground in Xingyang."
"This general must take his troops and depart first."
After saying this, Fan Chou ignored Xu Rong and led his three thousand soldiers away from Xingyang, heading towards the Guanzhong region.
Watching Fan Chou's departing figure.
For some reason, Xu Rong had a strong feeling that Fan Chou was about to be in trouble!
……
"Lord!"
"The exit of the mountain path is not far ahead!"
Cao Hong excitedly approached Cao Cao and told him the news.
Upon hearing this, Cao Cao raised an eyebrow slightly.
Pursuing Dong Zhuo through the mountain path was a plan Su Yu had set from the beginning.
However, pursuing Dong Zhuo's main force was virtually impossible.
After all, Dong Zhuo's main force consisted of tens of thousands of troops.
With only ten thousand men, Cao Cao was no match for them.
But Cao Cao could have easily used these troops to wipe out Dong Zhuo's detachment!
"Zilian, take the sentries to investigate and find out where the exit ahead leads."
"Yes!"
Cao Hong accepted the order and left.
Soon, Cao Hong brought more definite news.
The exit of the mountain road is about fifty li away from Xingyang, in the direction west of Xingyang!
Cao Cao was overjoyed!
If the exit is east of Xingyang, then the exit is meaningless, and Cao's army will have to continue to advance along the mountain road.
after all.
Su Yu's purpose in sending Cao Cao's army along the mountain path was to avoid Xingyang!
However, the exit of the mountain road is west of Xingyang, which makes all the difference.
What does "west of Xingyang" mean? It means we've already passed Xingyang!
What Cao Cao had to do next was simple: lead his army away from the mountain path and ambush Xu Rong's troops!
Xu Rong was the fourth-ranked soldier.
His original plan was to defeat the pursuing troops before heading to Chang'an to join Dong Zhuo's main force.
In other words.
Regardless of whether there are pursuers or not, Xu Rong has to return to Chang'an.
Otherwise, he can forget about getting any supplies from Dong Zhuo!
By deploying Cao Cao's army west of Xingyang in advance, it was equivalent to setting up an ambush on Xu Rong's inevitable route.
How could Xu Rong possibly have avoided this battle?
The phrase "like a turtle in a jar" is undoubtedly the most fitting way to describe Xu Rong's troops at this moment!
But what Cao Cao didn't expect was...
The first army Cao's army would encounter was not Xu Rong's troops, but Fan Chou's!
……
It is about ten miles from the exit of the mountain road.
Fan Chou led his army to approach this place.
Fan Chou was in a very good mood, having left Xingyang two days before Xu Rong.
Although this time the Xiliang army appeared to have been defeated by the allied forces and was forced to move its capital to Chang'an.
In reality, the Xiliang army did not suffer significant losses and could even be said to be ready to fight again at any time!
Once the warlords of Guandong reveal a weakness.
Dong Zhuo could have followed the example of the Qin Dynasty in the past, leading his troops out of Hangu Pass and even unifying the world!
As a direct descendant of the Western Liang, he was destined to be ennobled and appointed prime minister in the future.
Who knows, I might even get to experience being a great general!
Thinking of this, Fan Chou's mouth practically stretched to his ears.
but……
Not far from Fanchou
Cao's scouts have already discovered the movements of Fan Chou and his Xiliang army!
An encounter is about to break out!
……