Eternal Peace City did not have enough manpower. If 20,000 soldiers came to attack, they would definitely be able to take it down in less than three days. However, there would not be many people left from 20,000 soldiers. Moreover, these five thousand people were all fugitives. Cao Cao tried his best to take down Yongning at the lowest cost. Otherwise, once the Guandong army retreated and the Xi Liang army had no more worries, everything would be for naught once they entered Hulao Pass again.
To the southeast of Yongning City was the Luo River. It passed through the Three Xiao Mountains and entered the Yellow River from Hulao Pass. On the other side of Yongning City was a small city called Yiyang. When Cao Cao took the map that Zhang Fei gave him, he almost laughed out loud. It was originally a gloomy season, but now it was a good time!
Yiyang was a small city that had yet to fall into the hands of the Xi Liang army. If they wanted to take down Yongning in three days, Yiyang was the best choice. Just like how Zhang Fei attacked Changyi to save Dong Zhuo, Cao Cao was also prepared to attack Yongning from the back.
It was almost impossible for the northerners to fight a good water battle. Usually, they did not even use their boats, let alone fight against the current.
Therefore, in such a situation, they could only rely on the 10,000 men that Guan Yu had brought with him. This was because in the entire north, only Zhang Fei's soldiers knew how to fight on the water.
Two days ago, Cao Cao had set up a battle formation in front of Yongning City, but he did not go out to fight. He only let a few thousand soldiers curse. Although the soldiers guarding the city wanted to go out to fight, they had no choice because of Li Su's plan. Zhao Yun's 2,000 black-armored cavalrymen walked in front of Eternal Peace City once a day. The Western Liang soldiers on the city tower gritted their teeth when they saw this. It had always been the cavalrymen who were arrogant, but they did not expect the tables to turn today. They really scolded Zhao Yun. However, they were also surprised. They did not expect such cavalry to appear in Jizhong. It was really an eye-opener. As for Cao Cao, he could only be envious. These good horses were all exchanged by Su Shuang. No matter how capable Cao Cao was, he would never be able to get these warhorses. Moreover, the training of cavalry could not be compared to infantry. It took a lot of time and energy. Cao Cao was not as rich as Zhang Fei, who could turn Donghu's specialties into real gold and silver with a single hand. He had 10,000 soldiers under him, but fortunately, his brothers at home thought highly of him and supported him a lot. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to afford to raise ten thousand soldiers.
Guan Yu knew that if he wanted to launch a sudden attack on Yongning City, he would have to do it at night. Everyone knew that the northerners were not good at water warfare, and the Western Liang army should also know that. Therefore, the defense of Yongning City on the side facing the Luo River could be ignored. If Guan Yu succeeded at night and opened a gap from the south gate, Guan Yu's men would be able to successfully take down Yongning City's defenders. Then, Cao Cao's men would be able to open the east gate and attack Yongning City from both sides.
Since the plan had been decided, it had to be carried out. Luo River was naturally not as turbulent as the Yellow River. Guan Yu could still cope with such a small situation. The raft that had been rushed for three days could be used. Going against the current was still a rather troublesome matter. Many soldiers were half-wading forward. Because it was a night attack, Guan Yu did not bring his Fire Cloud Horse. Raid was a very difficult thing. In such a cold night, everyone relied on their tacit understanding to support each other. Because he couldn't light a fire, his marching speed was a little slow. However, the cold light that shone from the Moon Concealment Saber made Guan Yu calm down a lot.
"General!" A messenger ran towards Guan Yu.
"How did it go?" Guan Yu asked softly.
"The south gate is the same as last time. There are only a few people patrolling.”
"Who's going to touch those Western Liang soldiers?”Guan Yu asked his squad leaders.
"I'll go!" A few of the sergeants said in unison. Guan Yu was very gratified. The Black Armored Army looked tough, and the soldiers were all tough men who knew the severity of the situation. Therefore, it was really easy to lead these soldiers. Soldiers who could understand the situation at a glance were indeed easy to lead.
"You, bring a few good men. After you kill them, go open the city gate.”Guan Yu instructed the sergeant.
"Yes!" After saluting, the sergeant ordered his men to get off the shore. Looking at the sparks on the city wall, the sergeant narrowed his eyes. He did not want the reflection of his eyes to expose him.
"One…two…three…six people!”The sergeant counted the Western Liang soldiers patrolling the city wall and had an idea.
"Follow me! Stick to the wall!" With a command, the small group of people stuck to the wall. After estimating the height, the sergeant said,"Split up!" After saying that, the few of them spread out in all directions. The flying claw and hemp rope in their hands circled around their shoulders a few times, and after swinging a few times, they threw them towards the wall.
"Pa da!" A familiar voice was heard. Fortunately, it was night, and the Western Liang soldier was not very bright. The sergeant held a long saber in his mouth and a hemp rope as he slowly climbed up. The other soldiers followed him. When they reached the top of the wall, they paused for a moment and signaled to each other before jumping out at the same time. The sergeant kicked the brazier over with a flying kick, and the others followed suit. The originally bright wall suddenly darkened. Guan Yu, who was by the river, saw the movement. He thought to himself,'I've already started!'
The general guarding Yongning City was named Zang Ba. He had joined the Western Liang Army in his early years and was a good man. After so many years, he had not been promoted. He had lived just like that. He was not like Guo Si, who had bought Dong Zhuo's life. He was loyal and devoted to the Han Dynasty. Now that he was on a pirate ship, he had no choice but to work hard.
"Milord, what if Cao Cao attacks from the south gate?”One of the generals asked Zang Ba.
"Northerners are not good at using water. It's night now. If he wants to come by water, I'm afraid he can go down the water but can't go ashore! Moreover, the commotion of crossing the river at night was naturally a little louder than during the day. The soldiers on the city wall had long discovered it.”Zang Ba couldn't help but think that if the soldiers of the north could go into the water, then wouldn't the Xi Liang Army be invincible?
Seeing Zang Ba's disdain towards the South Gate, the general did not say anything and retreated. At this moment, at the south gate, the squad leader who had killed 16 people in a row had already begun to sneak down the city. After half a cup of tea's time, the south gate was successfully opened. From the time he sneaked up the city gate tower and killed the patrolling guards to opening the city gate, it was only a short time. Other than a soldier who was accidentally stabbed in the arm, there were almost no casualties. After Guan Yu saw that he had succeeded, he let 3,000 troops enter the south gate first. Because they still could not have an absolute advantage at this moment, they waited for a cup of tea's time. Guan Yu's 8,000 men had crossed the river and entered the south gate. At this time, the Yongning garrison did not know that such a large group of people had already entered the city. If it was anywhere else, they would have noticed the movement at the south gate long ago. Unfortunately, this was Yongning. Zang Ba's orders had omitted the threat of the south gate. He did not believe that the northern soldiers could fight on the water, and at night. This surprised Zang Ba!
According to the time they had set beforehand, midnight was the time when Cao Cao would launch his attack. At the same time, Guan Yu's troops, who were approaching the east gate, would charge over. It was 8,000 against 5,000. In fact, there were not 5,000. Zang Ba had only placed 3,000 troops at the east gate, 1,500 troops at the north gate, and 1,000 troops at the west gate. Therefore, by the time Zang Ba reacted, Guan Yu's troops were already charging at the east gate. After being completely split up by Guan Yu, they were now stuck on the streets of Eternal Peace City. Zang Ba saw Cao Cao's troops charging towards the city walls and his heart suddenly turned cold. It was over!
It was true that the impossible often happened on the battlefield, and Zang Ba was well aware of this. However, who would believe that the Northern Lands, which had not sent out any marine soldiers for nearly a hundred years, would have such a troop that was not afraid of crossing the river, and even did so at night?
Zang Ba climbed up the city wall under the protection of his personal guards. At this moment, the east gate was wide open, and the Cao Cao soldiers that kept pouring in made Zang Ba feel helpless. If it was any other time, even if it was 20,000 of Cao Cao's soldiers, with his 5,000 men, Cao Cao wouldn't be able to guarantee victory. But now, Cao Cao was very pleased. Seeing Zang Ba's men fighting like trapped beasts, Cao Cao let out a sigh of relief and calmed down.
Guan Yu's men successfully controlled the situation. At the same time, Zhao Yun's 2,000 cavalrymen circled around the east gate and broke in from the north gate. They blocked the Western Liang soldiers who were still hoping to get lucky on the streets of Yongning City.
"Which one is in charge? Come out and talk!" Guan Yu shouted loudly. After stroking his beautiful beard, he narrowed his eyes and looked at the Western Liang soldiers who had become frightened birds.
"What do you want to say?" A muscular general slowly walked down from the city wall. It was Zang Ba. When Guan Yu saw him, he was originally a little arrogant. However, he now looked at him seriously. A hero could not be neglected!
"Why didn't the army surrender?" Guan Yu asked loudly.
"When two armies are fighting, surrendering before the battle begins is not what a real man should do!”Zang Ba also replied loudly. Guan Yu saw this and secretly praised him. He thought that he was a man and couldn't help but nod his head.
"Thief Dong is in chaos. Do you know that helping him is treason?!”Guan Yu asked again.
"How can a real man betray his country? However, the situation was pressing! If the vassals in the east of the country don't accept me, won't I have no place to stay?”Zang Ba voiced out his worries.
"I see that you're a good man. If you surrender, I'll recommend you to my big brother and guarantee that you'll be fine!”Guan Yu said.
"Who is your big brother?" Zang Ba asked in confusion.
"Hebei's Zhang Yide! Do you know him?"
"His reputation is like thunder! How could I not know?" Zang Ba said seriously. It seemed like he knew about Zhang Fei's bravery.
"Surrender?" Guan Yu asked again.
"Zang Ba is willing to surrender!" As he spoke, Zang Ba knelt down on one knee and cupped his fists at Guan Yu. Guan Yu and Zhao Yun were overjoyed and hurriedly helped Zang Ba up. Guan Yu gestured to Zhao Yun, who immediately rode to Zhang Fei's camp to report the current situation. When Cao Cao entered the city, he saw Guan Yu's Jizhong soldiers chatting with the Xiliang soldiers. He was stunned and wondered if a battle had just taken place. After meeting Guan Yu, he finally understood what was going on. He thought to himself that Guan Yu was really capable. Not only did he find a brave general for Zhang Fei, but he also added thousands of soldiers. He really envied Guan Yu. However, since he was still Guan Yu's ally, he was too embarrassed to ask Guan Yu to give him one or two thousand soldiers. There was probably only one warlord in the entire Guandong region who was as poor as Cao Cao.
After settling Yongning's affairs, Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun headed to Yongning. Now, they wanted to report their achievements to Yuan Shao and then march westward.
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