Chapter 1168: Crossing the River!【2】

Near dawn, the distant horizon seemed to be slowly lifted by an invisible giant hand, revealing strands of faint light.

That light was like a thin silver thread, gradually spreading, slowly lighting up the originally pitch-black night sky.

As time passed, this light became stronger and stronger, finally turning into a soft fish-belly white, gently covering the earth.

Cao Ren, whose armor was covered in cold dew, looked at the Xuzhou army still blocking the middle of the official road not far away with bloodshot eyes.

Xia Houdun's right hand had been bandaged and he had replaced it with a new long spear.

In the middle of the official road, there was also the warhorse that was stabbed to death by Zhang Fei last night.

After dawn, Cao Ren finally saw clearly that besides the thousand or so troops on the official road, there were no troops in the mountains and forests on both sides.

No ambush.

As long as there was no ambush, even if Zhang Fei blocked the road again, they could take a detour.

However, just at this time, the sound of a large cavalry rushing over came from behind them.

The cavalry had not yet arrived, but the vanguard scouts had already arrived first.

Learning that reinforcements had arrived, Cao Ren immediately mounted his horse.

"I want to kill this black bastard, Zixiao, don't stop me."

Xia Houdun looked at Zhang Fei in the Xuzhou army.

Cao Ren didn't speak, but looked at Zhang Fei not far away.

Zhang Fei, who had rested for a night, stretched, then mounted his horse, and his eyes also fell on Cao Ren.

"Hehe, your Grandpa Zhang I have rested well; you are still sensible, retreat!"

Zhang Fei, who had mounted his horse, waved his hand and then turned his horse around and headed toward the distance.

Seeing that Zhang Fei actually turned around and left, Cao Ren and Xia Houdun were both stunned.

Ran away?

Zhang Fei actually ran away?

"Black bastard, stop right there!" Xia Houdun, who had reacted, let out a roar.

However, Zhang Fei didn't mean to stop at all, and even the Xuzhou army under Zhang Fei didn't stay, running very fast.

The angry Xia Houdun mounted his horse and was about to chase.

But he was stopped by Cao Ren beside him.

"Yuanrang, don't cause more trouble; Zhang Fei's matter can be calculated later. The priority is to avenge the elder brother."

While Cao Ren was speaking, the reinforcements behind had also arrived near the two.

After a brief reorganization, the two mounted their horses again and continued to chase along the official road.

Fei County, also known as Fei County.

This place got its name because it belonged to the Fei State during the Zhou Dynasty.

In the first year of Duke Xi of Lu, Fei Yi became the private fief of Ji You, the Senior Minister of the Lu State. After the fourteenth year of King Kao of Zhou, the descendants of Ji You, the Ji Sun clan, established themselves as the Fei State in Fei Yi.

In the first month of the sixth year of Emperor Gao of the Western Han Dynasty, Han Xin was enfeoffed as the King of Chu, and the Fei territory belonged to the Chu State.

Later, Liu Bang unified the world, enfeoffed the feudal lords, and established commanderies and counties; Fei territory began to be Fei County.

In the sixth year of Jianwu, Fei City was changed to belong to the Taishan Commandery of the Yanzhou Inspectorate, as a Marquis State, one of the twelve cities of Taishan Commandery.

To the east of Fei County is the Mengshan mountain range, while to the west is Nishan; the distance between the two mountains is narrow, and the Wushui River flows through it, making this place a strategic location.

The Wushui River, which runs through almost the entire Taishan Commandery, flows west to east for dozens of miles, blocking the road between Mengshan and Nishan, forming a narrow passage.

At this time, the Wushui River, gathered from melting ice and snow, rushed down from the upper reaches.

On the river surface, one could faintly see floating ice floes.

Countless refugees, after a night of trekking, arrived at this place.

At this time, the city gate of Fei County was closed tightly.

The officials and garrison in the city were waiting in full battle array, looking at the countless refugees all over the mountains and plains outside the city.

The palms of the soldiers on the city wall holding weapons were full of cold sweat.

With so many refugees, once the city was broken, one could imagine the consequences.

Especially mixed among the refugees, there were many Huang Jin rebels with yellow turbans wrapped around their heads.

Qingzhou and Yanzhou were the two places where Huang Jin rebels were most prevalent at that time.

The officials here were almost bloodily washed by the Huang Jin rebels last year.

Now seeing the Huang Jin rebels again, even if they just talked about it, the local officials changed their expressions.

Let alone that at this moment, the mountains and plains outside the city were full of Huang Jin refugees.

However, seeing that these refugees didn't seem to have any intention of attacking the city, the officials and soldiers on the city wall breathed a sigh of relief.

Just like this, the officials on the city wall watched the countless refugees migrating downstream along the Wushui River.

Until noon, the County Magistrate, who was resting behind the battlements, suddenly heard the soldiers exclaim, and the startled County Magistrate hurriedly stood up.

The County Magistrate, looking toward the distance from a high position, discovered that from the northwest direction of Fei County, a black mass of a large army was fiercely impacting the refugees on the plain outside the city.

And the refugees who hadn't been impacted by the large army yet were fleeing in a panic, speeding up their pace.

Some even came to the foot of the city, clutching the city wall and the city gate, praying for the people on the city to open the gate.

"Cannot open the gate!"

The County Magistrate shouted: "Block the city gate, block it, absolutely cannot open the city gate!"

The panicked County Magistrate shouted loudly.

So many refugees, if they entered the city, what would happen?

Looking at the dense refugees crowded under the city wall, the County Magistrate only felt dizzy.

However, the army that appeared in the distance was like a huge meat grinder.

Everywhere they walked was full of corpses and blood.

The County Magistrate faintly saw the black banners and the countless white mourning flags, which seemed to have a large 'Cao' character on them.

Behind Fei County was the rushing Wushui River.

At this time, Liu Bei was standing on the north bank of the Wushui River.

"Brother, the Yanzhou army has already chased over!"

Zhang Fei, who rode to Liu Bei's side, said to Liu Bei.

Liu Bei, with a calm face, stood on the river bank, looking at the countless refugees fleeing on the plain.

Most of the old, weak, women, and children who had been fleeing for a day had no strength left.

"Cross the river!"

Liu Bei suddenly spat out two words.

"Ah?"

Zhang Fei was stunned.