Chapter 521 Struggle
Lai Yong'er saw that Song Jiang was undecided and added fuel to the fire: "Brother, there is no time to waste now. If you are unwilling to give in, we will try our best to rob the camp today and see how God will decide. If you win, we can take the opportunity to drive Liangshan out of Qingzhou. We can also recapture Mizhou, Weizhou, Laizhou and other places where Liangshan is weak. At that time, we will propose the strategy of recruiting them, and the treatment will be very different. Checking Liangshan is exactly what we need. Brother will not lose his high position and generous salary, and we brothers can also become officials."
Song Jiang heard this and asked, "I saw it on the top of the city wall too. This Zhao Zhen is not just a name. The big camp in the middle is very neatly arranged, and there are seven or eight small camps around it, surrounding the big camp. I'm afraid it will be difficult to rob it."
"Brother is right. For several days, we have been fighting him outside the city. No matter how cautious he is, his soldiers have become lazy. Today, he has won another victory. His soldiers must be off guard. This is a good opportunity to rob the camp."
"If not, when Zhao Zhen gets the news tomorrow, we will have no chance anymore." Lai Yong'er said with a heavy face.
"Who do you think can go and rob the village?"
"If we fail this time, we will die. The two bravest men in the city are Brother Di Lei, the [Mugwort Leopard], and Brother Ren Yuan, the [Optimus Prime]. We will also call on Brother Zhao Fu, the [Mountain Puller], and Brother Yin Chun, the [Earth Drilling Ghost] to assist us. We will select 5,000 elite soldiers, go out from the west gate at three o'clock in the morning, and charge into the small camp south of the Liangshan main camp, break through the central army camp, kill our way through the small camp in the north, and return to the city."
"The city is also ready, just waiting for Brother Di Lei to charge into the camp. Order [General of the Sea] Zhao Gui and [General of the Sky Collapse] Yin Tai to lead 5,000 soldiers out of the south gate to support. If we win, we can attack from both sides and cause more casualties and eliminate the power of Liangshan. If we lose, we can also support Brother Di Lei on his way back to the city. With so many soldiers in hand, it will be easier to negotiate with the court. At worst, we can retreat to the mountains of Qingzhou and become mountain kings."
After hearing this, Song Jiang nodded repeatedly.
At that moment, he sent Fei Lian Huangfu Xiong to Zibo to find Gao Lian and express his intention to surrender. At the same time, he summoned all the leaders to prepare for a night attack.
Back outside the city of Yidu, at the Liangshan camp, Zhao Zhen hosted a banquet to entertain all the generals, to congratulate Shan Tinggui and Wei Dingguo who went on the expedition, as well as Gao Liang who killed Qin Hui, the Panhailong, and returned victoriously.
Zhao Zhen naturally praised Shan Tinggui and Wei Dingguo.
Chen Liqing even brought Rose, Buddha's Hand and four other personal maids to hold Gao Liang's hand and said, "Sister, with your martial arts skills, you finally got a red envelope today."
Gao Liang smiled and said, "Sister, I haven't felt so happy since I learned this martial art. Today, I stole the limelight from Shan Tinggui and Wei Dingguo, the two military commanders."
Shan Tinggui laughed and said, "It takes real ability to kill a general and an enemy. It is said that there are many talented people under the command of Mr. Zhaotao, and it is true. Madam Zhao is a skilled martial artist, so she deserves this achievement."
Gao Liang heard this and said, "If it weren't for [Pan Hai Long] Qin Hui coming out to fight today, in another twenty or thirty rounds, the two militia commanders would have killed the two bandit leaders [Ba Shan Xiong] Zhao Fu and [Jiao Hai Da Jiang] Zhao Gui."
Wei Dingguo said: "These two brothers do have some martial arts skills, and they are on par with the two of us. If it weren't for Madam killing Qin Hui and disturbing their minds, Shan Tinggui and I would have to spend more effort."
Zhao Zhen said, "In the past few days of the duel, we have learned the true strengths and weaknesses of the bandit leaders in Yidu and Qingzhou. Di Lei was just able to defeat Commander Hu Yanzhuo, and Fa Tong was injured by Zhang Qing. We have also seen the martial arts of Zhao Fu, Zhao Gui, Yin Tai, and Yin Chun, and you brothers can fight them. As for Ren Yuan, I have enough to fight him. As for Song Jiang, Lai Yonger, Huangfu Xiong, Wanqi De, and Ruan Zhaoer, although these five people have not participated in the battle, you don't need to worry about them, because these five leaders don't have much martial arts. In the duel tomorrow, we will see how he responds."
Everyone was delighted after hearing this.
Hu Yanzhuo clasped his hands and said, "Sir, it is my turn to go into battle tomorrow."
Zhang Qing heard this and quickly stood up: "Commander, it's my turn now."
After hearing this, Bian Xiang, Yang Zhi, Tang Bin, Wang Tianba and other Liangshan generals also stood up. They had been watching Hu Yanzhuo and others fighting for the past few days, and they could no longer bear it.
Today, Gao Liang was able to kill a general, and everyone was jealous, and they all asked for orders. After all, if you make meritorious contributions, not to mention the gold and silver rewards, it will be recorded in the book. In addition to loyalty, seniority and merit are also required for promotion.
Seeing all the generals rushing to fight, Zhao Zhen laughed and said, "Tomorrow, all the generals will have to go to the battle. Today, let's celebrate the triumphant return of Shan Tinggui, Wei Dingguo, and Gao Liangshi."
Just as he finished speaking, a gust of wind blew and the big tent shook.
Seeing that the wind was blowing strangely, Liu Hui Niang walked out of the tent and climbed up to the flying tower to wait and see.
Soon, Liu Huiniang returned to the tent, walked behind Zhao Zhen, and whispered in his ear, "Sir, I went outside to observe the weather, and I saw that the atmosphere in Yidu City was as high as the sky. I'm afraid that the Qingzhou bandits will come to rob the camp tonight. Sir, make preparations early."
Zhao Zhen listened, calmly put the wine glass in his hand back on the table, looked at the people below and said: "My brothers, my wife has a skill, she is very good at reading the weather, but I have never seen how effective it is."
"My wife told me today that Yidu City is filled with murderous intent, and I'm afraid they are going to raid our camp. Although this cannot happen, we can't let it go. I'll send you this wine for now, and all the brothers should go to the camps to prepare. Tonight, everyone in the camps should not take off their armor, and everyone should be careful and alert. Once there is a change, the small camps should line up and beat drums, and no generals are allowed to issue orders or randomly dispatch troops to rescue. My big camp will naturally send troops to rescue."
"Brothers, don't take it lightly. Although I don't know how to read the weather, I have heard of it, so we must be careful. Today, you brothers have worked hard. If Hui Niang is not right, I will have someone take out the imperial wine reward to entertain you." After everyone heard it, Hu Yanzhuo said first: "Today's wind is strange, maybe it is a warning from heaven. Madam can read the weather, I think it's right. Today we will wait for the Qingzhou thief. If he dares to come to rob the camp, he will never come back. If he doesn't come, we still have imperial wine to drink."
Everyone responded in agreement, took their leave, and went to prepare.
In Yidu City, Di Lei, Ren Yuan, Zhao Fu, and Yin Chun had already selected the soldiers, and had them have a good meal early on, and had them drink a bowl of wine before they set out. The four generals mounted their horses and led the troops out of the west gate. The horses removed the imperial bells, and the soldiers ran at full speed, all heading straight to the Liangshan military camp.
Di Lei saw that the gate of the small camp in the south was not open, so he did not dare to enter. A group of people were lying in ambush nearby, and they heard it more clearly. Di Lei whispered, "It seems that the military discipline of Liangshan is very strict."
Ren Yuan said, "Brother Di Lei, this small camp is under the banner of Zhao Xin of Mengyin, isn't it the army that killed Qin Hui and his brothers today? Although this camp is heavily guarded, it is not prepared. It is easy to break through this small camp. If we can meet the woman who went into battle today, we can just capture her and report back. Even if we can't break into the Liangshan camp, it doesn't matter. Revenge will make this guy not underestimate us."
Di Lei said: "That's true."
He immediately urged his troops to raid the stronghold, and charged in with great force.
When the patrolling soldiers heard the news of the camp being raided, they heard urgent gong sounds and fires started in the camp. When Di Lei and other generals who had rushed into the camp saw this, they cried out in pain, "Oh no! We've fallen into a trap." They then saw ambushes rising up from all directions and rushing towards them to kill them.
Zhao Xin ran into him, followed by Gao Liangshi and Hua Diao. Zhao Xin shouted, "Thieves, your lordship has long anticipated that you would raid the camp, why don't you dismount and surrender? What are you waiting for?"
A group of people also rushed out from behind him, and the female general in the lead was none other than Chen Liqing.
However, Chen Liqing heard that the Qingzhou bandits might come to rob the camp, and thinking that Gao Liang had killed the generals and enemies today and the celebration was hastily ended, she volunteered to go to the back house to talk to Gao Liang.
Di Lei and his companions saw that the Liangshan camp was well prepared and were anxious to escape, so they had no intention of fighting and rode away.
Zhao Fu and Yin Chun each led a group of soldiers and charged out. They fought their way through the siege, bypassed the Liangshan camp and headed for the city gate. Soldiers from all sides attacked together, and the Qingzhou bandits were defeated and fled in all directions. Only Ren Yuan lost his temper and led a group of soldiers to charge into the Liangshan army.
Chen Liqing killed the Qingzhou bandits around her and saw Ren Yuan killing indiscriminately in the chaos. She hung the Lihua Guding Spear in her hand on the ring, picked up the Tayuan Treasure Carved Bow with her left hand, took out an eagle-feathered wolf-tooth arrow with her right hand, put the bow on the string, aimed at Ren Yuan, and shot the arrow, hitting Ren Yuan in the back with just one arrow. Ren Yuan fell forward.
When the Qingzhou bandits saw this, they fled in all directions. When the Liangshan army saw this, they rushed forward and killed them all with swords and spears.
As Yin Chun was walking, he was unaware that Jie Zhen and Jie Bao had received orders from Zhao Zhen and were lying on the side of the road. Jie Zhen stabbed him to death with a steel fork in the dark. Jie Bao led his troops to kill the bandits.
When Zhao Zhen heard about the fighting in the South Camp, he ordered the Left and Right Guard Camps to come to the rescue. Bian Xiang and Yang Zhi received the order and led four deputy generals, Huo Wancheng, Wang Liang, Liu Qi, and Zhou Jin, to lead the cavalry to charge.
In the main camp, Zhao Zhen ordered people to light fires and make loud noises, pretending that the main camp was attacked by surprise. At the same time, he sent out messengers to strictly forbid the camps to move.
When they saw the fire in the Liangshan camp from the top of the Yidu city wall, they thought that Di Lei had successfully sneaked into the camp, so the south gate was opened. Zhao Gui and Yin Tai, who had been prepared, led their troops to charge out.
Before they could reach the Liangshan camp, they heard a cannon shot in the darkness and a hail of arrows fell on their heads.
Zhao Gui, who was leading the troops in front, was caught off guard and was hit by several arrows. He fell off his horse. Yin Tai cursed and turned around to run. The crossbow arrows rained down. In a moment, 5,000 Qingzhou bandits were killed or wounded. Only more than a thousand people followed Yin Tai back to the city.
In the government office of Yidu City, Song Jiang and Lai Yong'er were waiting anxiously. Seeing Yin Tai return in defeat, Song Jiang was shocked and stunned for a long while, as if he was drunk.
Outside the city, at Liangshan Stronghold, the generals led their troops to chase and kill the Qingzhou bandits. As Di Lei was walking, he encountered Hu Yanzhuo driving his linked armored horses, charging across the mountains and plains. Di Lei and his men saw this and were at a loss. The men and horses could not stop them, so they fled for their lives.
At dawn, Zhao Zhen beat the drum to gather the troops, and all the generals went to the camp and came forward one after another to claim credit.
After a thorough check, it was found that more than 7,000 Qingzhou bandits who had surrendered were killed in various places, and countless armors and weapons were seized.
(End of this chapter)
Lai Yong'er saw that Song Jiang was undecided and added fuel to the fire: "Brother, there is no time to waste now. If you are unwilling to give in, we will try our best to rob the camp today and see how God will decide. If you win, we can take the opportunity to drive Liangshan out of Qingzhou. We can also recapture Mizhou, Weizhou, Laizhou and other places where Liangshan is weak. At that time, we will propose the strategy of recruiting them, and the treatment will be very different. Checking Liangshan is exactly what we need. Brother will not lose his high position and generous salary, and we brothers can also become officials."
Song Jiang heard this and asked, "I saw it on the top of the city wall too. This Zhao Zhen is not just a name. The big camp in the middle is very neatly arranged, and there are seven or eight small camps around it, surrounding the big camp. I'm afraid it will be difficult to rob it."
"Brother is right. For several days, we have been fighting him outside the city. No matter how cautious he is, his soldiers have become lazy. Today, he has won another victory. His soldiers must be off guard. This is a good opportunity to rob the camp."
"If not, when Zhao Zhen gets the news tomorrow, we will have no chance anymore." Lai Yong'er said with a heavy face.
"Who do you think can go and rob the village?"
"If we fail this time, we will die. The two bravest men in the city are Brother Di Lei, the [Mugwort Leopard], and Brother Ren Yuan, the [Optimus Prime]. We will also call on Brother Zhao Fu, the [Mountain Puller], and Brother Yin Chun, the [Earth Drilling Ghost] to assist us. We will select 5,000 elite soldiers, go out from the west gate at three o'clock in the morning, and charge into the small camp south of the Liangshan main camp, break through the central army camp, kill our way through the small camp in the north, and return to the city."
"The city is also ready, just waiting for Brother Di Lei to charge into the camp. Order [General of the Sea] Zhao Gui and [General of the Sky Collapse] Yin Tai to lead 5,000 soldiers out of the south gate to support. If we win, we can attack from both sides and cause more casualties and eliminate the power of Liangshan. If we lose, we can also support Brother Di Lei on his way back to the city. With so many soldiers in hand, it will be easier to negotiate with the court. At worst, we can retreat to the mountains of Qingzhou and become mountain kings."
After hearing this, Song Jiang nodded repeatedly.
At that moment, he sent Fei Lian Huangfu Xiong to Zibo to find Gao Lian and express his intention to surrender. At the same time, he summoned all the leaders to prepare for a night attack.
Back outside the city of Yidu, at the Liangshan camp, Zhao Zhen hosted a banquet to entertain all the generals, to congratulate Shan Tinggui and Wei Dingguo who went on the expedition, as well as Gao Liang who killed Qin Hui, the Panhailong, and returned victoriously.
Zhao Zhen naturally praised Shan Tinggui and Wei Dingguo.
Chen Liqing even brought Rose, Buddha's Hand and four other personal maids to hold Gao Liang's hand and said, "Sister, with your martial arts skills, you finally got a red envelope today."
Gao Liang smiled and said, "Sister, I haven't felt so happy since I learned this martial art. Today, I stole the limelight from Shan Tinggui and Wei Dingguo, the two military commanders."
Shan Tinggui laughed and said, "It takes real ability to kill a general and an enemy. It is said that there are many talented people under the command of Mr. Zhaotao, and it is true. Madam Zhao is a skilled martial artist, so she deserves this achievement."
Gao Liang heard this and said, "If it weren't for [Pan Hai Long] Qin Hui coming out to fight today, in another twenty or thirty rounds, the two militia commanders would have killed the two bandit leaders [Ba Shan Xiong] Zhao Fu and [Jiao Hai Da Jiang] Zhao Gui."
Wei Dingguo said: "These two brothers do have some martial arts skills, and they are on par with the two of us. If it weren't for Madam killing Qin Hui and disturbing their minds, Shan Tinggui and I would have to spend more effort."
Zhao Zhen said, "In the past few days of the duel, we have learned the true strengths and weaknesses of the bandit leaders in Yidu and Qingzhou. Di Lei was just able to defeat Commander Hu Yanzhuo, and Fa Tong was injured by Zhang Qing. We have also seen the martial arts of Zhao Fu, Zhao Gui, Yin Tai, and Yin Chun, and you brothers can fight them. As for Ren Yuan, I have enough to fight him. As for Song Jiang, Lai Yonger, Huangfu Xiong, Wanqi De, and Ruan Zhaoer, although these five people have not participated in the battle, you don't need to worry about them, because these five leaders don't have much martial arts. In the duel tomorrow, we will see how he responds."
Everyone was delighted after hearing this.
Hu Yanzhuo clasped his hands and said, "Sir, it is my turn to go into battle tomorrow."
Zhang Qing heard this and quickly stood up: "Commander, it's my turn now."
After hearing this, Bian Xiang, Yang Zhi, Tang Bin, Wang Tianba and other Liangshan generals also stood up. They had been watching Hu Yanzhuo and others fighting for the past few days, and they could no longer bear it.
Today, Gao Liang was able to kill a general, and everyone was jealous, and they all asked for orders. After all, if you make meritorious contributions, not to mention the gold and silver rewards, it will be recorded in the book. In addition to loyalty, seniority and merit are also required for promotion.
Seeing all the generals rushing to fight, Zhao Zhen laughed and said, "Tomorrow, all the generals will have to go to the battle. Today, let's celebrate the triumphant return of Shan Tinggui, Wei Dingguo, and Gao Liangshi."
Just as he finished speaking, a gust of wind blew and the big tent shook.
Seeing that the wind was blowing strangely, Liu Hui Niang walked out of the tent and climbed up to the flying tower to wait and see.
Soon, Liu Huiniang returned to the tent, walked behind Zhao Zhen, and whispered in his ear, "Sir, I went outside to observe the weather, and I saw that the atmosphere in Yidu City was as high as the sky. I'm afraid that the Qingzhou bandits will come to rob the camp tonight. Sir, make preparations early."
Zhao Zhen listened, calmly put the wine glass in his hand back on the table, looked at the people below and said: "My brothers, my wife has a skill, she is very good at reading the weather, but I have never seen how effective it is."
"My wife told me today that Yidu City is filled with murderous intent, and I'm afraid they are going to raid our camp. Although this cannot happen, we can't let it go. I'll send you this wine for now, and all the brothers should go to the camps to prepare. Tonight, everyone in the camps should not take off their armor, and everyone should be careful and alert. Once there is a change, the small camps should line up and beat drums, and no generals are allowed to issue orders or randomly dispatch troops to rescue. My big camp will naturally send troops to rescue."
"Brothers, don't take it lightly. Although I don't know how to read the weather, I have heard of it, so we must be careful. Today, you brothers have worked hard. If Hui Niang is not right, I will have someone take out the imperial wine reward to entertain you." After everyone heard it, Hu Yanzhuo said first: "Today's wind is strange, maybe it is a warning from heaven. Madam can read the weather, I think it's right. Today we will wait for the Qingzhou thief. If he dares to come to rob the camp, he will never come back. If he doesn't come, we still have imperial wine to drink."
Everyone responded in agreement, took their leave, and went to prepare.
In Yidu City, Di Lei, Ren Yuan, Zhao Fu, and Yin Chun had already selected the soldiers, and had them have a good meal early on, and had them drink a bowl of wine before they set out. The four generals mounted their horses and led the troops out of the west gate. The horses removed the imperial bells, and the soldiers ran at full speed, all heading straight to the Liangshan military camp.
Di Lei saw that the gate of the small camp in the south was not open, so he did not dare to enter. A group of people were lying in ambush nearby, and they heard it more clearly. Di Lei whispered, "It seems that the military discipline of Liangshan is very strict."
Ren Yuan said, "Brother Di Lei, this small camp is under the banner of Zhao Xin of Mengyin, isn't it the army that killed Qin Hui and his brothers today? Although this camp is heavily guarded, it is not prepared. It is easy to break through this small camp. If we can meet the woman who went into battle today, we can just capture her and report back. Even if we can't break into the Liangshan camp, it doesn't matter. Revenge will make this guy not underestimate us."
Di Lei said: "That's true."
He immediately urged his troops to raid the stronghold, and charged in with great force.
When the patrolling soldiers heard the news of the camp being raided, they heard urgent gong sounds and fires started in the camp. When Di Lei and other generals who had rushed into the camp saw this, they cried out in pain, "Oh no! We've fallen into a trap." They then saw ambushes rising up from all directions and rushing towards them to kill them.
Zhao Xin ran into him, followed by Gao Liangshi and Hua Diao. Zhao Xin shouted, "Thieves, your lordship has long anticipated that you would raid the camp, why don't you dismount and surrender? What are you waiting for?"
A group of people also rushed out from behind him, and the female general in the lead was none other than Chen Liqing.
However, Chen Liqing heard that the Qingzhou bandits might come to rob the camp, and thinking that Gao Liang had killed the generals and enemies today and the celebration was hastily ended, she volunteered to go to the back house to talk to Gao Liang.
Di Lei and his companions saw that the Liangshan camp was well prepared and were anxious to escape, so they had no intention of fighting and rode away.
Zhao Fu and Yin Chun each led a group of soldiers and charged out. They fought their way through the siege, bypassed the Liangshan camp and headed for the city gate. Soldiers from all sides attacked together, and the Qingzhou bandits were defeated and fled in all directions. Only Ren Yuan lost his temper and led a group of soldiers to charge into the Liangshan army.
Chen Liqing killed the Qingzhou bandits around her and saw Ren Yuan killing indiscriminately in the chaos. She hung the Lihua Guding Spear in her hand on the ring, picked up the Tayuan Treasure Carved Bow with her left hand, took out an eagle-feathered wolf-tooth arrow with her right hand, put the bow on the string, aimed at Ren Yuan, and shot the arrow, hitting Ren Yuan in the back with just one arrow. Ren Yuan fell forward.
When the Qingzhou bandits saw this, they fled in all directions. When the Liangshan army saw this, they rushed forward and killed them all with swords and spears.
As Yin Chun was walking, he was unaware that Jie Zhen and Jie Bao had received orders from Zhao Zhen and were lying on the side of the road. Jie Zhen stabbed him to death with a steel fork in the dark. Jie Bao led his troops to kill the bandits.
When Zhao Zhen heard about the fighting in the South Camp, he ordered the Left and Right Guard Camps to come to the rescue. Bian Xiang and Yang Zhi received the order and led four deputy generals, Huo Wancheng, Wang Liang, Liu Qi, and Zhou Jin, to lead the cavalry to charge.
In the main camp, Zhao Zhen ordered people to light fires and make loud noises, pretending that the main camp was attacked by surprise. At the same time, he sent out messengers to strictly forbid the camps to move.
When they saw the fire in the Liangshan camp from the top of the Yidu city wall, they thought that Di Lei had successfully sneaked into the camp, so the south gate was opened. Zhao Gui and Yin Tai, who had been prepared, led their troops to charge out.
Before they could reach the Liangshan camp, they heard a cannon shot in the darkness and a hail of arrows fell on their heads.
Zhao Gui, who was leading the troops in front, was caught off guard and was hit by several arrows. He fell off his horse. Yin Tai cursed and turned around to run. The crossbow arrows rained down. In a moment, 5,000 Qingzhou bandits were killed or wounded. Only more than a thousand people followed Yin Tai back to the city.
In the government office of Yidu City, Song Jiang and Lai Yong'er were waiting anxiously. Seeing Yin Tai return in defeat, Song Jiang was shocked and stunned for a long while, as if he was drunk.
Outside the city, at Liangshan Stronghold, the generals led their troops to chase and kill the Qingzhou bandits. As Di Lei was walking, he encountered Hu Yanzhuo driving his linked armored horses, charging across the mountains and plains. Di Lei and his men saw this and were at a loss. The men and horses could not stop them, so they fled for their lives.
At dawn, Zhao Zhen beat the drum to gather the troops, and all the generals went to the camp and came forward one after another to claim credit.
After a thorough check, it was found that more than 7,000 Qingzhou bandits who had surrendered were killed in various places, and countless armors and weapons were seized.
(End of this chapter)
