Chapter 456: Gongsun Zan

After learning of the imperial court's formidable strength, Yan Rou felt very fortunate that Liu Yu had always been loyal to the Han house.

While feeling fortunate, he could not help but feel sorrow for those who had not submitted to the imperial court.

They did not know what kind of formidable opponent they were facing.

Subsequently, the two discussed the details of defending the city.

Although they did not fear Gongsun Zan's seventy-thousand-strong army, they still had to maintain the proper attitude.

The two still understood the principle that a thousand-mile embankment is destroyed by an ant's nest!

And just as Shen Pei and Yan Rou were arranging the city defenses, Gongsun Zan, leading seventy thousand troops, had already arrived at Lingzhi City in Liaoxi Commandery.

And Lingzhi City was only one day's distance from Shangyin City.

"My Lord, news from the imperial court has arrived; Liu Bian dispatched the newly assembled ten-thousand-strong Qinglong Legion, which set out from Luoyang five days ago."

"Accompanying them are Qinglong Legion commander Guan Yu, generals Zhang Fei and Zhou Cang, and Guo Jia as military advisor!"

At this time, Gongsun Zan and the others were discussing how to attack Youbeiping in Lingzhi City.

Suddenly, a scout came in and said to Gongsun Zan with a solemn expression.

"Impossible, how could the imperial court know the news so quickly? It has only been a few short days; the news might not even have reached Luoyang, let alone the army setting out five days ago!"

Upon hearing the scout's words, Gongsun Zan was shocked and stood up, roaring in disbelief.

"Ministers, what should we do?"

"The imperial court actually knew the news so quickly, and even dispatched ten thousand troops."

"We, including the ten thousand garrisoning Liaoxi Commandery, only have eighty thousand troops."

"And in Youbeiping, there are still Shen Pei and Yan Rou's fifty thousand troops!"

"That is a full one hundred and fifty thousand men; with so few of us, how could we be the opponents of one hundred and fifty thousand troops!"

Gongsun Zan, speaking to this point, was already filled with fear in his eyes, and in his heart, a sense of regret arose.

From this, one could see the power of the identity jade token's messaging function.

And at this time, Gongsun Zan's subordinates, seeing his expression, all felt their hearts sink.

They were afraid that he would not be able to withstand the pressure and would directly surrender or run away.

Seeing this, Guan Jing, as Gongsun Zan's chief strategist, immediately stood out and cupped his hands to him:

"My Lord, actually there is no need to worry; the imperial court's army only set out five days ago, and from Luoyang to Youbeiping, the fastest marching speed would also require ten days."

"We only need to defeat Shen Pei and Yan Rou's army before the imperial court's army arrives in Youbeiping."

"And Guan Yu, in order to arrive in Youbeiping as soon as possible, will certainly march rapidly; in this way, we will set an ambush for Guan Yu's army halfway."

"At that time, Guan Yu's army will be exhausted from the journey, and we will be waiting at our ease, plus it will be a halfway ambush; we will certainly be able to deal a heavy blow to Guan Yu's army!"

It must be said that following Guan Jing's words, Gongsun Zan's expression also looked much better.

Suddenly, he had the feeling that Guan Yu's ten-thousand-strong Qinglong Legion was just so-so.

And at this time, the civil and military officials who saw Gongsun Zan's complexion improve also said to Gongsun Zan:

"My Lord, what Lord Guan Jing said is extremely correct; this subordinate seconds this!"

"This subordinate seconds this!"

Seeing that all his subordinates agreed, Gongsun Zan suddenly felt he could stand tall again.

Gongsun Zan suddenly stood up, looked at everyone with sharp eyes, and said loudly:

"I decide to mobilize the seventy thousand troops to attack Youbeiping Commandery, with Yan Gang leading ten thousand White Horse Volunteers as the vanguard."

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions tightened, and they responded solemnly:

"This subordinate (this subject) accepts the order!"

Soon, Gongsun Zan led seventy thousand troops and headed majestically toward Shangyin City in Youbeiping Commandery.

However, what they did not know was that at this time, Guan Yu's group already intended to bypass the north of Youzhou to their rear.

And while Gongsun Zan's army was moving, the Dark Guards lurking in Liaoxi Commandery also conveyed the news to Guo Jia and Shen Pei through their identity jade tokens.

Soon, Gongsun Zan's group arrived under the walls of Shangyin City in Youbeiping; however, at this time, Shen Pei and Yan Rou had already made preparations in Shangyin City.

To avoid accidents, Shen Pei even dispatched his two hundred personal guards to the city walls.

"My Lord, it seems that Shen Pei and Yan Rou have already made preparations; a frontal assault is a bit difficult!"

Seeing the preparations of Shangyin City, Guan Jing said to Gongsun Zan.

"This Shen Pei still has some ability; they dare not fight us head-on, wanting to rely on Shangyin City to drag us down and wait for Guan Yu's army to arrive."

After listening to Guan Jing's words, Gongsun Zan also said with a solemn face.

At this time, they were racing against time with Guan Yu; if the army were truly dragged down by Shen Pei and Yan Rou, what awaited them would be a catastrophe.

However, currently, relying on the seventy thousand troops in his hands, wanting to breach Shangyin City defended by fifty thousand men was undoubtedly a pipe dream.

In a battle between two armies, the attacking side is at a disadvantage, unless you have several times the number of the defending side.

"My Lord, why not call the generals to go and challenge the enemy to a duel first."

"In Shangyin City, there is only one second-rate martial general, Yan Rou, and the others are not to be feared; with the strength of the generals, as long as they dare to accept the challenge, we might even be able to behead a few of their great generals!"

Just as Gongsun Zan and Guan Jing's words fell, Tian Kai, who was behind Gongsun Zan, suddenly spoke.

And upon hearing Tian Kai's words, the martial generals also came out one after another to request to fight, cupping their hands to Gongsun Zan:

"This subordinate wishes to fight Yan Rou for My Lord!"

"My Lord, this subordinate requests to fight!"

For a time, Gongsun Zan also looked at Guan Jing, wanting to hear his opinion.

Seeing that Gongsun Zan and the others were all looking at him, Guan Jing smiled confidently at them.

"My Lord, what Lord Tian Kai said is also quite reasonable; we might as well call the generals to go and try, perhaps it will truly have a miraculous effect!"

Gongsun Zan, seeing that Guan Jing also agreed, immediately scanned the generals.

Subsequently, he looked at his cousin, Gongsun Yue.

"Gongsun Yue, I leave this round to you to fight; you must win, you must not lose!"

Gongsun Yue, with the strength of a second-rate martial general, was just right to fight this first round.

"This subordinate accepts the order!"

Gongsun Yue cupped his hands to him and walked alone toward the foot of the city walls.

"Yan Rou, I am Gongsun Yue, do you dare to come out of the city and fight?"

Gongsun Yue, who had arrived at the foot of the city walls, shouted arrogantly toward Yan Rou in the city.

And at this time, Shen Pei and Yan Rou had also arrived at the city gate tower.

Seeing Gongsun Yue wanting to challenge him to a duel before the battle, Yan Rou looked at Shen Pei beside him.

"Inspector, this subordinate feels that this is the best opportunity for us to cut off one of Gongsun Zan's arms!"

Yan Rou, after these few days of cultivation, had already improved his strength to that of a first-rate martial general.

And with the help of Spirit Stone fragments, he felt that in two more days, he would be able to break through to the Divine General realm. ===== CHAPTER 457 =====