Chapter 58: An ambush was set in Guangping, and Lu Zhi was defeated?
In a flash, ten days passed.

The Yellow Turban Army in Youzhou was completely wiped out, and news of victory was sent to Luoyang one after another, which made Liu Hong very happy.

In addition to the heavy "gift" that Ye Zhang asked the yellow-robed eunuch Zhang Feng to bring back, the Ten Attendants headed by Zhang Rang widely publicized the abilities of Ye Feng and his son in the court. Liu Hong, at the suggestion of Cai Yong, completely promoted Ye Zhang's "acting" governorship and issued an official document urging court officials and soldiers from all over the country to take Ye Feng and Ye Zhang as examples, make persistent efforts, and create greater glories.

Jizhou, outside Guangping City.

Inside the imperial camp.

Commander-in-chief Lu Zhi sat high in front of his desk, looking at the official documents from the court. His face first showed joy, then a hint of sadness appeared.

"Marshal, is the war situation in other places serious?"

The one who spoke was the infantry captain Cao Cao.

During this period, he marched northward, and was admired by Lu Zhi for his bravery in battle, his wisdom and strategies, and his capture of several cities.

As soon as he opened his mouth, Deputy Marshal Zong Yuan and other captains also looked at Lu Zhi.

Now that they are blocked in Guangping, if other places are alarmed and the Yellow Turban rebels from other states and counties come to support them, they will be attacked from both inside and outside, and the situation will deteriorate rapidly, which will make people worry.

Lu Zhi shook his head: "A great victory in Youzhou, the Yellow Turban leader Cheng Zhiyuan and deputy general Deng Mao were both killed, and 100,000 people surrendered."

Cao Cao, Zong Yuan and others' eyes sparkled: "General, this is good news!"

"Who did it?"

"Liu Yan, the governor of Youzhou?"

Lu Zhi shook his head: "Suppress the rebellion, Captain Ye Feng!"

"Again, the Ye family father and son?"

Cao Cao and Zong Yuan were shocked, and finally understood the sadness that Lu Zhi had just revealed.

Ye Zhang and Ye Feng only needed to lead the county soldiers and local militia to suppress the 100,000 Yellow Turban rebels in Youzhou, but they had five battalions and 50,000 elite troops of the imperial court, but were blocked by Guangping.

How could there be no gossip in the court?

"General, how about we attack in the dark?"

"The defense of the north gate is weak. We almost broke through it after several feint attacks. As long as we work harder and climb up the city wall, it will be easy to break Guangping City."

"Yes, Marshal, if there is no further progress, I am afraid that the next document will not be a letter of urgency, but a letter of accusation."

"Tonight we will make a feint to the east and attack the west. We will feint at the south gate and launch a surprise attack at the north gate. We will surely succeed."

Cao Cao hesitated for a long time, then bowed and stepped out: "The north gate is the weakest in defense, and is most likely to be ambushed."

"It's better to fight hard at the South Gate."

Lu Zhi stroked his beard and pondered for a long time: "There are many soldiers guarding the South Gate. Even if we win, how can we have the energy to attack Xindu?"

"The north gate is weak. We almost got into the city several times, but we didn't see any ambush. It shouldn't be a bait."

"Meng De, the North Gate is in your hands tonight. As long as we seize the city gate, without the advantage of being on high ground, the rebels will definitely not be able to stop our army. We must use the head of 'General Ren Gong' Zhang Liang to send a victory message and reassure His Majesty."

Although Cao Cao still had some doubts in his heart, he dared not disobey the military order since it had been issued, so he could only clasp his fists and bow: "Yes!!"

The night was pitch black, with no wind and no moon.

The South Gate took the lead in launching an offensive. At the same time, Cao Cao led 10,000 elite infantrymen who quietly approached the North Gate.

"kill!!"

With Cao Cao's loud shout, countless elite soldiers holding shields pushed ladders and catapults towards the city wall.

The fierce offensive and defensive battle began, and everything went smoothly as Lu Zhi had expected.

Seeing the city gate wide open, Cao Cao's eyes flashed with excitement. It seemed that he had worried too much during the day. Everything was just as General Lu had judged. There was indeed no ambush at the north gate.

Thinking of this, Cao Cao drew his sword and shouted: "We will take the city today!"

"Today is the day to accomplish great deeds and repay the imperial court!"

"kill!!"

Ten thousand infantrymen rushed into the city gate.

But as soon as he entered, Cao Cao felt something was wrong.
"The Three Talents battle array begins!!"

"kill!!"

Three thousand Yellow Turban warriors formed a formation of three and rushed out from all directions from the streets and alleys.

Caught off guard, how could the 10,000 infantry led by Cao Cao resist?

Half an hour later, looking at the thousand or so remaining soldiers around him, Cao Cao's face turned extremely pale.

"Captain, go!" "Revenge for us!"

At the same time, the imperial camp in the south was also counterattacked.

Lu Zhi, who launched the offensive, never expected that Zhang Liang in the city was also waiting for an opportunity to counterattack.

When the news of Cao Cao being ambushed came, more than 100,000 people in the city rushed forward one after another, not afraid of death. After two hours of fighting, Lu Zhi had to lead his troops to retreat.

After one night of fighting, 10,000 soldiers were killed, with Cao Cao's infantry battalion suffering the most serious losses.

Cao Cao was so ashamed that he knelt down before Lu Zhi and said, "I am a defeated general. Please punish me, Marshal."

Lu Zhi sighed softly: "Haste makes waste, the ancients were right!"

"If you weren't so anxious, how could you have been ambushed at the North Gate?"

"Meng De reminded me at that time, but I didn't listen, which led to this defeat."

"This is my fault!"

Just as he finished speaking, a rapid sound of horse hooves was heard.

"Thirty thousand Yellow Turban rebels are only three miles away from our army!"

"Deputy Marshal Zong Yuan asked whether to fight a decisive battle?"

Lu Zhi looked at each captain and lieutenant, whose faces were filled with fatigue. He thought that the soldiers under his command were the same.

He shook his head bitterly: "No decisive battle."

"Our troops are exhausted, continue to retreat!"

"But someone has to cover the rear."

Before he could finish his words, another warhorse came to report: "General, the rear army is already engaged in a battle with the Yellow Turban bandits."

“There is no escape.”

Lu Zhi frowned, his face full of worry.

The Yellow Turban Army was aggressive, so according to his temper, he would just fight first and talk later. However, Guangping was not the last battle. If he fought to the death here, how would he face the final rebel leader Zhang Jue?

"Marshal, do you want to make a decisive move or fight to the bitter end?"

"You should make up your mind."

The moment the captain urged him, the warhorse's voice rang out: "Lu Zhi, old villain, you can't escape today!"

"Guan Hai is here, you all shall die!"

"Warriors, kill!!"

Five thousand cavalry joined the battle from the flank, and the front army and the central army, which had never engaged in the battle, were instantly dragged into the chaos of war.

Lu Zhi's expression became even uglier: "Where did the cavalry come from?"

"Who is Guan Hai?"

“Why isn’t it in the intelligence?”

Cao Cao rode forward quickly and said, "It seems like he is coming from Xindu."

"Marshal, let's start the battle!"

"Otherwise, this battle will be lost."

The other captains also nodded, placing their last bit of hope on Lu Zhi.

Ten days ago, the army was also ambushed outside Yecheng. The situation was even more urgent than it is now. It was Lu Zhi who broke out of the enemy's formation with the Xuantian battle formation and won a great victory.

Lu Zhi smiled bitterly and shook his head: "The Xuantian battle formation is mainly composed of infantry battalions, but Meng De just lost all his elite troops last night, and only the remnants are left. How can he set up a battle formation?"

"what?"

All the officers and lieutenants present gasped: "Marshal, you are not joking, are you?"

Lu Zhi sighed, "This is also the reason why I don't want to fight a decisive battle."

"The effect of setting up the formation at this moment is almost zero!"

"So we have to break out with all our forces and fight our way out!"

"All the troops need to work together and fight to the bitter end!!"

"kill!!!"

(End of this chapter)