Chapter 53: Ruthless Ju Yi

Upon reaching middle age, the veteran Ju Yi, who bears a heavy burden, now gazes from beneath the fluttering great banner at the not-so-distant, rather tall Pingling City.

Jizhou has many fierce generals, but hardly anyone can surpass Ju Yi in troop command.

As one of Yuan Shao's few capable troop commanders, Gongsun Zan's White Horse Rangers suffered most of their losses under Ju Yi's command.

Ju Yi rode a swift horse, leading a few scouts around the outside of Pingling City's walls for a circuit, then inspected the Wengcheng as well, already forming a plan in his mind.

At this moment, several deputy generals behind Ju Yi also stepped forward; one of them, a thin, red-faced junior officer, stepped forward and flatteringly said,

"General, Pingling City has many strong defenders; we don't need to rush for now."

Ju Yi gave the junior officer a sideways glance, then his expression turned rather unpleasant.

"Who are you, spouting nonsense here? Saying such things before battle—this is not the manner of our brave and battle‑skilled youths of Jizhou."

The junior officer's expression became unnatural, yet his words carried a hint of pride.

"I am the vanguard deputy general Guo Bing, nephew of Mr. Guo Tu Gongze; I have just joined the vanguard camp, so General, you naturally do not know me."

Ju Yi gave him a cold glance, then said,

"Guo Tu?! Just a bunch of glib talkers. Since you are one of the vanguard camp's deputy generals, on the day of the attack you must charge to the front; otherwise I will execute you without mercy."

Guo Bing's face fell; he never expected Ju Yi to be so unwilling to give him face!

Yan Liang at least would consider his own uncle, yet this Ju Yi, relying on his ability to command troops, actually dares to show me such a cold face!

No way; I will certainly tell my uncle later and have him give this old geezer a good dressing‑down!

……

At this moment, Zhang Liao and Zhang Tou in the city had already ordered the demolition of civilian houses near the city gate to create defensive fire pits; the townsfolk, grateful for Liu Bei's benevolent governance, voluntarily went up onto the walls to help with repairs.

Although Liu Bei had governed Qingzhou for less than half a month, the policies he issued for the people were exceedingly generous.

Hearing from the refugees fleeing Jizhou that Yuan Shao's prewar grain requisition went house‑to‑house plundering, what a joke—letting the Yuan army enter the city would be intolerable!

Thus, the people of Pingling City are now anxious and eager to cooperate actively with the forces under Zhang Liao's command in defending the city.

Upon learning that Yuan Shao's main army had already encamped not far away, Zhang Liao hastily summoned his officers, high and low, to discuss the city's defense.

Zhang Tou saw that none of the officers spoke; his impatient nature made him unwilling to wait any longer.

"Brother Wen Yuan, let me lead the cavalry out for a strike; after a round of fighting we can see how it goes. You keep the infantry to guard the city—worst case, we fight to the death."

Zhang Liao pondered for a moment, then slowly said,

"Judging by the Yuan army's advance tonight, it seems a force may camp outside our walls; I think it wouldn't hurt to try a night raid on their camp—even if we only blunt their edge, it would be worthwhile."

"Good, then I will lead the heavy-armored cavalry out; Brother Wen Yuan, you wait outside the city to seize the opportunity and support us."

……

At night, Guo Tu's beloved eldest nephew, under Ju Yi's orders, led three thousand soldiers to construct a camp outside Pingling City; Guo Bing was still feeling quite pleased with himself.

It's only because of his uncle's prestige that he's reduced to doing minor camp‑building chores, and he surely will be excused from the day of the attack.

Ju Yi, Ju Yi, you weren't so arrogant during the day, were you?

Or are you just afraid my uncle will clean up an old brat like you?

With a satisfied grin, Guo Bing watched his soldiers set up camp; he too felt quite content.

Suddenly, a muffled rumbling came from afar, like summer thunder; many soldiers working looked up, only to find this 'thunder' drawing ever closer.

"Oh no, an enemy raid!"

One soldier set down his pickaxe, turned, and shouted to the others.

Before his words even faded, from the firelight a fully armored cavalryman swung his blade, and the soldier's head rolled across the ground.

Soon more and more cavalry poured out of the flames, cutting down the Yuan soldiers building the camp— they hardly had time to react before their lives were reaped.

Guo Bing's flushed face instantly turned pale; just as he was about to spur his horse to flee, two Molin army heavy‑armored cavalrymen flung an iron chain at his head, splattering blood across his flushed cheeks.

The two cavalrymen then dragged Guo Bing along the ground for several paces; aside from the few Yuan soldiers who had escaped, the majority on the field had already knelt and surrendered to the Molin army.

Zhang Tou looked at the smiling, kowtowing Guo Bing with an indifferent expression, then casually asked,

"Are you the commander of this group?"

Guo Bing, his face bruised and bloody, was held on the ground, continually kowtowing to Zhang Tou for mercy; upon hearing the question, he hastily nodded and said,

"Indeed, General, spare my life; I am the nephew of Mr. Guo Tu of Hebei, and my uncle can give you many things."

Zhang Tou stepped on Guo Bing's face and spat at him.

"You're a spineless wretch; I despise most those who rely on others' power."

Then Zhang Tou thrust his spear like a dragon, easily piercing Guo Bing; looking at his lifeless, eyes‑open stare, he felt disgust and flung him to the ground.

"Brothers, quickly clean up the battlefield; Yuan Shao's forces will be here soon."

The surrounding Molin army shouted their assent, then the whole unit departed like a whirlwind from this corpse‑strewn field.

When Ju Yi, reviewing military manuals in the main camp, learned that the soldiers sent to build the camp—including Guo Tu's nephew—had been ambushed and that Guo Tu's nephew had died under Zhang Tou's spear, his expression showed little disturbance.

When his deputy expressed his worries, Ju Yi smiled faintly and said,

"A mere Guo Bing—his death is no loss; Guo Tu cannot complain, after all Guo Bing himself is useless; building a camp is the easiest task, and being killed is his own incompetence."

"I never expected the defender of Pingling City to have this much grit; in these circumstances he actually dares to raid our camp."

"When the day of the attack comes, I, Ju Yi, will surely measure myself against you beneath the city walls."