Chapter 152 Very Crooked
In the afternoon, most of the officers and soldiers in the camp woke up.

In the Zhongleiying garrison area, Zhang Ding also walked out of the barracks, rubbing his sleepy eyes.

I saw that each team of 100 people was supervising and directing the soldiers to repair the barracks. The Qiangliangyuan military camp was built with loess slabs, and the barracks were stood in rows.

In order to save working hours and keep out the wind and keep warm, these barracks are generally low.

Zhong Yao's army had a small camp of 500 people; his own side had a small camp of more than 700 people.

We are now paving the way and rebuilding the earthen walls; inside the small camp, each century-man team has its own area, and the passages need to be changed.

Seeing that he didn't need to participate in anything, Zhang Ding picked up his helmet and walked towards the central army flag.

This was originally Zhong Yao's reviewing platform, an earthen building made of earth and wood boards.

Zhang Ding went straight into the earthen building and climbed up the wooden steps to the roof, where he saw Black Bear roasting beef. "Captain Qu?"

When he heard his footsteps coming up the stairs, Black Bear asked his personal soldiers to bring bowls, chopsticks and fur mats: "Two cows were injured during the march last night, eat something quickly."

Zhang Ding frowned. He had only heard that a horse’s broken leg could not be saved, but cows had strong recovery abilities. How could two be slaughtered at once?

Moreover, on his way, he met several military officers and exchanged information with them.

Knowing that you were going to cross the river to have a good meal, why did you kill your own cattle instead?

Sitting down with doubts, Black Bear explained, "Li Kan on the opposite side wants to fight at the banquet, so let's not eat this meal. I have already selected 300 elite soldiers from each team and distributed beef to them. After I cross the river, the Central Camp and Eagle Strike Camp will immediately start to rest and let the soldiers have a good meal."

Zhang Ding put the beef slices in a three-legged small round pot and grilled them. The fat was sizzling and smoking. "Will Commander Qu attack Huangbai City?"

"Well, Liu Ye and Zhong Yao are still unaware of this matter."

Black Bear picked out a piece of roasted and slightly charred meat, dipped it in the chive sauce, took a bite of the wheat cake first, then put the meat piece into his mouth and chewed it.

Zhang Ding asked, "How many people does the commander want? Will the lady come with you?"

To avoid the worst from happening, our main force is in Linjin, and another main force is Gan Ning, also in the east.

If Liu Ye, Zhong Yao and Chen Zhen join forces, they will have a chance to fight back.

But as long as Li Kan is defeated quickly and his inheritance is taken, Zhong Yao will still be a good ally, Liu Ye will still be a reliable military advisor for Zhenbei, and so will Chen Zhen.

"If she stays, the Qingzhou soldiers will not obey you. If there is any change, she can use my long flag to mobilize the Qingzhou soldiers. Guo Tai is a person who dares not offend her."

Black Bear took a sip of tea and calmly said, "For the chariots and cavalry in the camp, you select 200 knights for me, and enough carriages to transport a team of armored soldiers. Each of the 200 knights will have two horses, and the carriages will be equipped with a team of light soldiers who can drive and operate crossbows. After 400 people, I will return alone on a fast horse after I break through Huangbai City."

While Zhang Ding was memorizing silently, Black Bear put down his tea bowl and handed him a wooden tablet: "This is a military order to mobilize troops. Go and make arrangements after you finish eating. You will use the remaining chariot and cavalry soldiers to patrol the suburbs and outskirts of Linjin and assist Guo Tai in recruiting Li Kan's troops."

When it comes to recruiting and integrating human resources, Guo Tai and his people are professionals.

This also involves the confiscation of property, the storage of property, armor, equipment and other materials. Qingzhou soldiers already have a tradition in this regard.

Leaving this matter to Guo Tailai can ensure Zhang Ding's purity.

Zhang Ding blew on the roasted meat slices, dipped some of them into the chive sauce in the shallow dish, chewed and swallowed them, and said, "So, Commander Qu can be back tomorrow at noon?"

"Well, I have two concerns. The first is that Hou Xuan's light troops in the north are rushing to rescue Li Kan. If Hou Xuan knows that Li Kan has been defeated, he will be saddened and will inevitably want to fight for and annex Li Kan's troops. If Hou Xuan's troops arrive, don't engage in battle, just retreat to the city."

"And there is Ma Chao. He went to Hedong via Pubanjin. He may also come back from Puban with the Hedong soldiers. The same goes for him. Send out scouts to be on the alert. If there is any enemy, send them into the city to guard it."

"Yes, I understand."

Zhang Ding nodded: "No matter what, if there is no order from the commander, I will only defend Linjin and protect Li Kan's troops so that they will not be separated."

Seeing Black Bear nod, Zhang Ding picked up the chopsticks to pick the meat slices on the plate, and asked without raising his head: "What about the arrangements for the grooms in the camp?"

"Just take care of the arrangements. Don't ask about this kind of thing in the future. I'll leave the people to you. After you clear Guanzhong, just return them to me."

Black Bear spoke in a normal tone, but was afraid that Zhang Ding didn't understand: "After returning to Lantian, I will wipe out the bandits in the mountains along Wuguan Road, and then the troops will move into the valleys for the winter. I will choose a place to set up several horse farms, and in addition to horse farms, there will also be forest farms. Find a small forest farm and let him be the director."

"Yes, I understand."

Zhang Ding never looked up; he was not going to delve into the story.

He had recognized Heiyun long ago as the refugee household he had towed when he was in sole command of a transport ship near Xia Pi.

But Heiyun obviously didn't recognize him. At that time, he was standing on a high place and looked down a few times, but no communication took place.

Black Bear continued to grill the meat, and when he was almost full, he said to Zhang Ding, "I heard from Linjin magistrate Han Qi that Li Kan is quite fond of women, and he has many of them in the city. After I rescue them, there will inevitably be homeless people. I will ask my wife to find some for you later. If you don't mind, choose two of them as concubines."

Zhang Ding frowned: "I dare not despise you, but now is the time for you to establish your career, I dare not be distracted."

"Don't refuse, and don't be disgusted. In this chaotic world, what good choices do you and I have? Hurry up and have children. When we conquer Guandong in the future, we can't rely on the elderly, but on the descendants."

As Black Bear spoke, he saw that Zhang Ding seemed to be thinking about something, so he said, "The people of this generation are suffering a lot, and I can't bear to enslave them. The great task of unifying the world should be handed over to the next generation."

Only the next generation of Guanzhong people could wipe out the various warlords of the Han Dynasty like autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves.

Zhang Ding was thirty-five years old. Even though he had rested for twenty years, he was still in his prime and had no worries about not having made achievements.

Moreover, during this period of time, Zhang Ding has a clear understanding of his own position. Just like what Emperor Gaozu of Han said about "meritorious dogs", too many people on his side are meritorious dogs.

He was no exception. If it weren't for his previous encounter, he would have been at best a supervisor of a hundred men in his entire life.

Doing the tasks assigned by Commander Qu honestly is more important than anything else.

He was the commander of the Zhonglei Camp and was also in charge of the Yingji Cavalry Camp; when the next round of reorganization of the Guanzhong generals' troops took place, he would be the captain of the central army.

The captain of the central army does not need to think about too many things, just do his job well.

Zhang Ding stayed to continue eating. Black Bear took out a towel to wipe the oil on his lips, then went down the wooden steps to the nearby barracks.

The one hundred female soldiers here are wearing leather armor and leather helmets, with original white uniforms with red edges, and green scarves draped over their shoulders; they also wear round rattan masks.

Under the armor and uniforms, they all looked bloated.

But most of the female soldiers’ bodies could not support the leather armor, and it looked loose.

Black Bear walked straight through the female soldiers' sentry post and entered the house. As soon as he came in, he heard the sound of Zhen Mi using the abacus.

When he got closer, he saw Zhen Mi was calculating something. When she saw him come in, Zhen Mi took out a pen to write down something, then took out a handkerchief to cover the abacus.

Then she stood up and greeted him: "My dear?"

"I'm going to the other side. You should be prepared to take over Linjin City. Don't be restrained. Those people below are watching you."

Black Bear took down his sword from the wall and hung it on his waist. Several of his personal soldiers who were accompanying him went to take the blue brocade flowered armor given by Zhong Yao. Black Bear raised his hand to stop them: "Take the leather armor, wear the brocade robe, and take the brown robe with black animal patterns given by Zhong Yao."

The bodyguards put down their armor parts, took out the leather armor, and sent two people to take the brown robe from the black bear's mouth.

There will definitely be blood today, so there is no need to dirty your clothes.

Now the clothes, turban and hat he wore every day were all sewn for him by Zhen Mi.

Black Bear continued to say to Zhen Mi: "Don't be afraid of killing people. Everything that Li Kan owns in Linjin City is mine. Whoever dares to obstruct you, just go ahead and kill him. Zhang Ding will help you, and your female soldiers can also kill people. When I see Guo Tai later, I will also tell Guo Tai."

"My lord, are you worried that the Linjin County Magistrate will seize his troops?"

"He wanted to take over not only the troops but also the paddy fields, manor houses, cattle and horses on both sides of the river and make them all state-owned."

"I can't kill him directly. I have to wait until he makes a move before I can kill him."

You can't kill indiscriminately. You have to draw a lifeline, and anyone who crosses this line must die.

Only in this way can we effectively warn others.

Using your tongue to repeatedly state and warn people becomes meaningless the more you say it; simply chopping off a heavyweight's head is more effective than anything else.

Han Qi was not only the Prefect of Linjin appointed by Zhong Yao and recognized by the court, but also the Zuo Fu Duwei as promised to himself.

In terms of the quantity, it barely meets the need of making an example of someone.

After spending time together day and night, Zhen Mi could be sure that Black Bear really wanted to kill Han Qi.

She did not ask for other reasons, and just said, "Then the sooner you leave, the sooner you will come back."

"Well, I will tell Guo Tai later to prepare two smoke signals, one thick and one thin, from the north and south. If things get dangerous tomorrow, raise the smoke signals without hesitation." Tonight and tomorrow morning are the most dangerous moments.

It's like a crab shedding its shell, or a pupa turning into a butterfly.

With their personal soldiers by their side, Zhen Mi followed them silently and escorted Black Bear out of the small camp.

In the large camp where the soldiers from Qingzhou next door were assigned, three hundred elite armored soldiers selected from each team formed three square formations of one hundred men.

They were dressed in iron armor, holding spears and halberds, and equipped with swords. Some soldiers with special skills would carry bows and crossbows, javelins, flying axes, etc.

Guo Tai was waiting on the side. When he saw Black Bear approaching, he quickly walked over to him and said, "Captain Qu, the North Shore fleet has arrived at the dock. Most of the people rowing the boats are ordinary people."

"Two teams will cross the river first, and I will follow the third team."

Black Bear made arrangements, and the three temporary supervisors of a hundred men immediately commanded the armored soldiers to form five-man marching columns and march out of the camp one after another.

Black Bear gave Guo Tai various instructions, and Guo Tai obeyed him personally, not the Tiger Tooth Army, and he could barely support Zhen Mi.

As for the two smoke signals, one thick and one thin, in the north and south, he believed that Guo Tai could find a way to do it.

If the wolf smoke rises here, as long as our outer scouts see it, it will remind us to retreat and rescue Linjin.

As for Li Kan on the north bank, he is now dead.

"Ah!"

In Linjin City, Li Kan, who had just put on a tight chain mail, felt an itch in his nose and couldn't help sneezing loudly.

The sneeze was so violent that it brought tears to my eyes.

He rubbed his nose with his hand, then rolled up his sleeves to wipe the corners of his eyes. He looked at the dozen or so young women who were putting on armor for him, and his gaze fell on the yellow-haired Xianbei maid who was kneeling on the ground with her hands raised high and holding a sword beside her.

The maid was very tall and slender, so tall that it bored him.

His eyes fell on the sword the other person was holding. It was a sword with a scabbard covered with a layer of shark skin and decorated with seven rubies and sapphires.

This sword was a trophy he obtained from Meiwu during the siege of Guo Si.

Maybe the original sword was damaged or lost. Anyway, although this sword is strong, sharp and beautiful, it is not worthy of the scabbard.

After the maids had tied the leather straps of his black armor for him, he stepped forward, grabbed the scabbard, and hung the sword on the buckle of the belt on his left waist.

Then he strode over the threshold, and his personal guards followed behind him, holding their helmets. The armored soldiers waiting in front of the hall made way for them, and they followed in a line.

Except for a dozen people from Hedong, the rest of these armored soldiers were Qiang and Hu warriors. Each of them was wearing heavy armor and had different weapons.

When Li Kan was about to board the chariot after leaving the main gate, Han Qi came up to him on a donkey and said, "General, hurry up! People on the other side have already started crossing the river."

"How many people came?"

"About three or four hundred."

Han Qi glanced at the armored soldiers behind Li Kan and suddenly looked embarrassed.

Li Kan frowned when he saw this and asked, "Is General Zhenbei here?"

"Their banner is standing at the south bank pier. Those crossing the river are all elite troops. I think they will come with us."

Han Qi seemed to realize something too late. He looked embarrassed and torn, stammering and unable to speak.

Li Kan raised his hand and patted Han Qi's shoulder: "Don't worry too much."

"Yes."

Han Qi agreed, and beads of sweat immediately broke out on his forehead. His uneasy look was definitely not fake.

Seeing him like this, Li Kan secretly clenched his fists, already having a plan in mind, and said with a smile: "It's the first meeting, so it's reasonable to be more cautious. I think Hei Zhenbei can understand."

"Yes, yes, General, you are right."

Han Qi glanced at the donkey and said to Li Kan, "I'll go to the shore to meet him first."

"No hurry, you and I will drive together."

Li Kan reached out and took Han Qi's hand and climbed onto the chariot in front of the door.

Surrounded by armored soldiers and more than thirty brave knights accompanying the chariot, they marched out of the south gate of Linjin in a mighty manner.

On the river plain outside the South Gate, a curtain surrounded by cloth was hung with flags of various colors. Hundreds of servants were busy coming and going. There was even a musician sitting under the cloth tent with his eyes closed to take a nap, waiting for the performance.

The chariot slowly walked towards the dock, but unfortunately the boat was too small to transport the chariot across the river, so only two dried horses were transported.

When they were about thirty steps away, Li Kan asked in a low voice, "Are the two men on horseback opposite Hei Zhenbei?"

"The one holding the double-edged halberd must be Taishi Wengong, and the one he is guarding can only be Hei Zhenbei."

Han Qi slowed down his tone, and when he saw Black Bear take off his mask and reveal his face, he immediately said, "It was Hei Zhenbei in person without a doubt."

"Hei Zhenbei?"

Li Kan smiled, his smile was ferocious: "Such an idiot... is he worthy of it?"

"Kill the thief!"

When Li Kan drew his sword with his right hand, the knights on both sides accelerated and rushed towards the black bear. The armored soldiers behind the chariot bypassed the chariot and rushed towards the shore.

The Yin Gan horse under the black bear's seat retreated naturally, and Lu Bu behind him jumped on his horse with a halberd in his hand and attacked, knocking down a brave Qiang cavalryman in the blink of an eye.

Then two long spears pierced into the Ming Guang armor on Lu Bu's chest one after another. Lu Bu did not move. The two Qiang riders who were stabbing with spears were almost knocked off their horses due to the recoil, and the long spears in their hands also fell to the ground.

The distance was too close and they couldn't charge forward or speed up.

At this time, Gao Shun's team of ten people had already passed the black bear and moved forward with halberds to fight with the scattered Qiang cavalry. The team of ten people did not retreat but advanced instead. In two or three breaths, they knocked down and stabbed to death more than a dozen Qiang cavalry. They chased Lu Bu and fought with the enemy's armored soldiers.

The enemy also had more than 200 armored soldiers, most of whom were armed with lances. They hastily assembled a spear formation and pushed forward together, making it impossible for Lu Bu to break through head-on.

The iron halberds of Gao Shun's ten-man team were only nine feet or ten feet long, and could only block the spears. They were also squeezed by the spear formation and retreated during the battle.

The black bear spread his arms in a hugging gesture, and the Taoist soldiers assigned to the two hundred-man teams on the left and right behind him began to circle around. The hundred-man teams quickly followed, trying to surround and devour Li Kan in two bites.

At the same time, Black Bear controlled his horse to continue retreating, making way in the middle of the formation of a hundred people behind him, and then they closed their formation and followed the two Taoist soldiers forward.

The black bear who was watching the battle from the rear continued to control Lu Bu remotely, controlling him to retreat from the battle. When Gao Shun's team of ten men was about to be dispersed, the square formation in the middle pushed forward, and for a moment, spears and halberds collided with each other.

One side shouted slogans and marched forward in fits and starts, stabbing with lances; the other side chopped and swung with all their might, causing the horizontal lance blade to fall to the ground or be raised up.

Lu Bu circled upstream for more than a hundred steps to the west and launched a charge towards Li Kan's chariot!

Li Kan saw Lu Bu, but he didn't care.

There were dozens of personal soldiers around him, and he immediately sent a dozen of them forward with spears to resist and intercept.

But Lu Bu still launched a charge, and his speed was so fast that Li Kan's dozen spearmen were unable to gather into a group. These spearmen were so frightened that they instinctively retreated to the left and right!
Several spearmen who reacted quickly discarded their inconvenient lances, turned around and jumped down. The spearman who reacted slowly was knocked away by the high-speed charging Yin Gan horse!

The unfortunate spearman was almost pushed by Yin Gan's horse onto Li Kan's chariot. The chariot shook violently, and at the same time, Lu Bu controlled his horse and leaped away.

The Fang Tian Ji slashed in the air.

For a moment, Li Kan could even see the silver arc of cold light radiated by the Fang Tian Ji, and subconsciously opened his mouth.

As Lu Bu and his horse fell heavily to the ground, half of Li Kan's head and his intact iron helmet flew up.

Even his body was carried away by the force, spinning slightly in the air and landing on the side of the car.

Han Qi first covered his head to avoid it, and when he stood up, he saw Li Kan falling under the chariot, with his head facing the direction of the chariot and his chin still crooked above his neck.

This chin is very crooked, very crooked, extremely crooked.

This scene was beyond Han Qi's cognition, and he immediately collapsed on the chariot, sweating profusely.

(End of this chapter)