Chapter 787

Lu Zhi led six thousand cavalry, pursuing all the way east along the direction of the Huang Jin Army's retreat.

Near noon, the six thousand cavalry led by Lu Zhi, after routing several groups of Huang Jin rebel soldiers, arrived at the Jieqiao area on the west bank of the Qingshui River.

Several miles away, riding a black horse and dressed in black armor, Lu Zhi had already seen Zhang Jiao's central army preparing to cross the Qingshui River.

At this time, the area around Jieqiao was filled with scattered Huang Jin soldiers fleeing along with Zhang Jiao's central army.

Over a hundred thousand people stretched from Guangzong City to here, chaotic like a herd of cattle, horses, and sheep.

"General, ahead is Jieqiao. It looks like Zhang Jiao is preparing to cross the Qingshui River."

The deputy general behind Lu Zhi said: "This rebel Zhang Jiao must intend to cross the Qingshui River and then order the rebel soldiers to block at Jieqiao to create an opportunity for him to escape."

Lu Zhi nodded.

Correct, that must be it.

Fleeing from Guangzong, if one heads north, it is all plains.

Escaping the pursuit of cavalry would be as difficult as ascending to heaven.

And only in this direction is there the Qingshui River blocking the way.

As long as the bridge for crossing the river is blocked, the maximum time for escape can be bought.

No matter how one looks at it, this is the best escape route.

"Order, launch a fierce attack on Zhang Jiao's central army, hold on tight, and absolutely do not let them cross the river," Lu Zhi ordered.

Standing on a high ridge, Lu Zhi ordered the cavalry to charge.

Thousands of cavalry split into two groups from both sides of Lu Zhi and charged toward the Huang Jin Army preparing to cross the river.

In Zhang Jiao's military convoy, dozens of large banners were conspicuously erected next to Zhang Jiao's carriage.

Around it, there were also thousands of Huang Jin Army elites following.

These thousands of people looked chaotic.

But the closer to the core of Zhang Jiao's carriage, the more rigorous the formation became.

Besides having nearly a thousand cavalry, there were also groups of soldiers with extremely robust builds, all holding large shields in their hands.

Inside Zhang Jiao's carriage.

From the window at the back of the carriage, Zhang Ning inside had already seen the pursuing cavalry.

"Father, the Han army is so fast, they have caught up," Zhang Ning said, looking at Zhang Jiao in the carriage with some worry.

Zhang Jiao closed his eyes, appearing as if he were resting with his eyes closed.

And outside the carriage, Jia Dong, who had been following near the carriage, rode his horse close to the side window and said:

"Great Virtuous Teacher, Young Lady, the Han army cavalry has caught up."

"But it is fine, I have already made arrangements. I will have Hao Zhao and Zhang Xiu escort the Great Virtuous Teacher across Jieqiao first."

Hearing Jia Dong's words, Zhang Ning in the carriage felt a bit more at ease.

"Good," Zhang Jiao opened his eyes and nodded.

In the distance, the two groups of Han army cavalry charged arrogantly and unreasonably into the plains on the west bank of the Qingshui River.

The Huang Jin soldiers, frightened and fleeing in all directions, had no ability to resist.

The Huang Jin soldiers who were blocking the front of the cavalry charge and could not dodge in time were all mercilessly trampled and crushed.

The two groups of cavalry headed straight for Zhang Jiao's central army.

On the high ridge, Lu Zhi, seeing this scene, had a calm expression.

Victory was right before his eyes, much smoother than he had imagined, almost like taking something out of a bag.

As long as Zhang Jiao is taken, the pacification of the Jizhou Huang Jin Rebellion will be almost complete.

However, at this moment, Lu Zhi, who was observing the battlefield, suddenly discovered a slight abnormality.

Those Huang Jin soldiers who were originally guarding the retreat route of Zhang Jiao's central army suddenly stopped running.

Squads of soldiers methodically formed square formations.

Protecting Zhang Jiao's central army carriage in the middle.

And at the very front, soldiers holding large shields connected their shields to form a shield wall.

Seeing this scene, Lu Zhi immediately frowned.

But after a second thought, Lu Zhi relaxed his brow.

With over a hundred thousand Huang Jin soldiers, it is impossible for them all to be refugees.

It is not surprising that there are some elites among Zhang Jiao's personal guards.

But at best, it is only an average level.

Facing the elite Han army cavalry, this kind of obstruction is simply useless.

However, just as Lu Zhi had relaxed his heart, a sudden change occurred.

Just as the two charging groups of cavalry merged into one, preparing to charge the shield formation around Zhang Jiao's central army carriage,

Crossbows were mounted on the shield wall from behind the shield formation.

The next second, the crossbows were fired.

The charging cavalry were immediately hit by a round of mounted archery, followed by men and horses falling.

Lu Zhi on the high ridge immediately widened his eyes.

However, this was not the end.

After the first round of mounted archery, the second row of crossbowmen held their crossbows on the shield wall, and another round of mounted archery followed.

Then came the third round, the fourth round.

The replaced crossbowmen reloaded the bolts in the back.

And the crossbowmen in the front who had finished reloading fired wave after wave of mounted archery.

The Han army cavalry in the front had just been shot down, and the Han army cavalry in the back who had not yet reacted were shot down again.

Batch after batch.

Just like wheat being cut down.

"This..."

Lu Zhi was suddenly shocked.

However, at this time, Lu Zhi could do nothing but watch helplessly.

Looking at the crossbow formation next to Zhang Jiao's carriage.

Qu Yi stood in the formation, calmly commanding the crossbowmen of the Vanguard Camp.

"Hmph, Lu Zhi, I will definitely make sure you come but never return!"

Behind Qu Yi, Li Ru, who was in the formation with Qu Yi, was also very surprised when he saw the performance of the Vanguard Camp.

Surprised that Duan Yu's subordinates had now developed to this extent.

It is no exaggeration to describe it as having strong soldiers and sturdy horses.

Although this battle was a case of the prepared calculating against the unprepared, the performance of the people in front of him was enough to be stunning.

The Qu clan was a great clan in Liangzhou; Li Ru and Dong Zhuo, having been in Liangzhou for many years, naturally knew this.

It was just unexpected that there was such a brave general among the Qu clan.

It seems that the Han army's cavalry formation is already in great chaos. Li Ru looked at Qu Yi beside him and said: "General Qu, it is about time, you can let the other two generals send out their troops."

Qu Yi nodded, then turned around, facing Hao Zhao and Zhang Xiu, who were already prepared behind him, and waved the command flag.

Hao Zhao and Zhang Xiu, who had long been ready, saw the command flag waved by Qu Yi not far from Zhang Jiao's carriage, and then turned to look at Jia Dong.

Jia Dong nodded.

"Kill!"

"Kill!"

The two each held their weapons and led the thousand cavalry that had long been prepared into the battlefield.

Under the impact of the crossbows and the suddenly joined cavalry, the cavalry under Lu Zhi, which had already become a mess, were immediately scattered and fled.

On the high ridge, Lu Zhi, seeing this scene, could not believe that all of this before his eyes was real.

Clearly, victory was in sight.

How did the situation suddenly take a turn for the worse?

Six thousand cavalry, just like that, collapsed?

As the saying goes, military defeat is like a mountain collapsing.

The Huang Jin rebel soldiers, who were being chased like ducks on the Qingshui plains a second ago, now saw the collapsed Han army cavalry and also began to beat the drowning dog.

"General!"