Chapter 155: Lure the Enemy Personally

Yuan Xi led the group for a little over half a day, and they were about to reach Rongcheng.

Since returning to Ye City, he hadn't ridden a horse for a long time, and he felt a bit unaccustomed to it.

Moreover, during the recent major battles, he had commanded from the rear. Now, personally leading troops on patrol made him feel both familiar and unfamiliar.

The scout team had significantly more people, all veteran soldiers who had survived the battles in Beixin City.

These personal guards were not suitable for garrison farming troops; they belonged to Yuan Xi's private army, more like the recruited soldiers of the Tang Dynasty.

In China's thousands of years of war history, both equipment and military thought have gradually progressed.

While the Tang Dynasty's recruitment system was not perfect, it had its advantages compared to this era.

The difference lay in military merit.

Soldiers who received rations in the Han Dynasty were rewarded with goods after winning battles. Unless they achieved great merit, they basically remained soldiers for life. However, the Han court's Feathered Forest Riders, who provided their own food, pay, and weapons, all came from good families. They were promoted based on military merit and rose extremely quickly, forming the backbone of the mid-level officers.

As the saying goes, the more you give, the more you get. The starting point was different.

For example, the ordinary soldiers Yuan Xi led might flee after a defeat, disregarding Yuan Xi as their commander.

But Yuan Xi's private soldiers would live and die with Yuan Xi and would never abandon him and flee. Therefore, the rations, weapons, and armor they received were also the best.

Seeing Sun Li following him closely with a serious expression, Yuan Xi teased, "What's wrong? Becoming a father changed you?"

Upon hearing this, Sun Li's face fell, and he said, "Don't even mention it. After I left, my mother cursed me every day, saying that the reason the lord didn't take me with him last time was because I was too undisciplined and he was disgusted with me. She even said I was a disgrace to the Sun family."

"When my mother heard that the lord had returned, she was very happy and immediately kicked me out, telling me to stick close to the lord this time, or she would beat me when I got back."

Yuan Xi laughed heartily upon hearing this, but just as he was about to speak, his expression suddenly changed. He took out a telescope from his Pregnant and began observing.

Only after he saw the situation through the telescope did he relax. It was Tai Shi Ci leading people to welcome him.

Yuan Xi suddenly realized that after fighting several major battles, the more he saw life and death on the battlefield, the more he became afraid of death.

This isn't right. Doesn't fighting more battles make a person braver?

Soon, Tai Shi Ci led dozens of cavalry over and met with Yuan Xi. The two groups joined forces and headed towards Rongcheng together.

Along the way, Tai Shi Ci talked about leading the troops in farming. Everything had gone smoothly. Although the cavalry from Yi Jing occasionally came to harass them, they retreated after seeing the tight defenses of Rongcheng.

Yuan Xi listened to Tai Shi Ci's clear and organized arrangements and couldn't help but nod repeatedly. Tai Shi Ci had considerable military talent, and entrusting matters to him was very reassuring.

Yuan Xi recalled how he had become increasingly afraid of death after going to the battlefield more often and told Tai Shi Ci about it.

He finally said, "I heard that Brother Ziyi once rode out of the city alone and broke through the encirclement of Guan Hai's Yellow Turbans. Were you not afraid at all at that time?"

Tai Shi Ci chuckled, "How could that be?"

"At that time, what I feared most was that the enemy's stray arrows would shoot and kill the horse I was riding, and then I would die in the chaotic army."

"Instead of saying I wasn't afraid, it's better to say I didn't have time to be afraid at that time."

"Trapped in a heavy encirclement at that time, I needed to constantly turn my head, look around in all directions, and anticipate the movements of all the enemies approaching me."

"How many were shooting arrows, how many were approaching me, how many could pose a real threat to me, how to deal with the incoming arrows – I had to anticipate the enemy's intentions and guess correctly in advance to seize the opportunity to escape."

"Only by doing this could I find a glimmer of hope for survival."

Yuan Xi was dumbfounded after hearing this. Just listening to it was enough to give him a headache, and he couldn't do it at all in reality!

He couldn't help but say, "When I saw countless people die instantly in the central army, my body would tremble. It seems I am far inferior to Ziyi."

"Back then, when I personally led the scouts to kill horse bandits, I wasn't this timid."

Tai Shi Ci shook his head and said, "I don't agree with the lord's idea."

"The lord is a military commander, unlike a general who charges into the enemy. Protecting himself is the greatest protection for the generals and soldiers under his command."

"If the lord is not afraid of death, he might not consider the lives of his subordinates when commanding, which is not a good thing."

"Forgive my bluntness, but at the very beginning, the lord was protected by scouts while killing horse bandits, which was bullying the weak. It doesn't count as facing death directly."

"The lord's few battles in Qingzhou should be considered when he truly became a general."

Yuan Xi broke out in a cold sweat. Tai Shi Ci's words were too direct. He was clearly saying that in the beginning, he was just a reckless youth who wasn't afraid of death.

But thinking about it, it was true. Only by knowing the fear of death can one know the preciousness of life.

Tai Shi Ci took the opportunity to whisper, "I still think the lord shouldn't put himself in danger. Tian Yu might not fall for it. What if he brings a lot of people?"

Yuan Xi said in a low voice, "I understand what Brother Ziyi means, but this Tian Yu must be dealt with before the Battle of Yi Jing."

If Tian Yu participated in the Battle of Yi Jing, it would be hard to say if he would survive. The key was that Yuan Xi would definitely participate at that time. If he killed Gongsun Zan, it would be very difficult to persuade Tian Yu to surrender, just like Yuan Shao in history.

But Tian Yu was very important to Youzhou. This person was very good at dealing with the Wuhuan and Xianbei and was one of the few people in the north who were skilled in foreign wars.

If he could be used by Yuan Xi, Youzhou would be much safer in the future.

Tai Shi Ci listened and said no more.

In the following days, Yuan Xi led the scouts out of the city to hunt every day, while Tai Shi Ci seemed to have disappeared.

Inside a small house in Yi Jing City, two people were sitting opposite each other, drinking wine.

Tian Kai, Tian Yu.

They were both from Yongnu in Yuyang and were distant relatives of the same clan.

Tian Yu said in a deep voice, "The news from the scouts has been confirmed. The person who comes out of Rongcheng to hunt every day is indeed Yuan Xi."

"I will lead the White Horse Righteous Followers to avenge your defeat in Qingzhou."

Tian Kai shook his head and said, "That's the Fierce Tiger of the Yuan family. Guo Rang, don't act rashly."

"This person is not only good at planning, but his martial prowess is also said to be extremely terrifying. Even Liu, Guan, and Zhang were repelled by him."

Tian Yu shook his head, "Precisely because this person is a great threat, he needs to be eliminated as soon as possible."

"All three battles in Qingzhou were planned by this person. If he attacks Yi Jing with the main army, won't it be even more dangerous?"

Tian Kai was silent, hesitated for a moment, and said, "A person like him wouldn't come to Rongcheng for no reason. He must have some plan."

"It's even possible that he is targeting Guo Rang."

Tian Yu tilted his head back, quickly drained the wine in the cup in front of him, and said in a deep voice, "I also understand that the other party might be luring me out."

"But as a son of the Yuan family, he is using himself as bait. If I don't accept the challenge, won't I lose face for the Tian family?"

"I will find an opportunity and trade my life for his."

"As for Yi Jing, I'll leave it to you, brother!"

Tian Kai listened, lowered his head in silence, and after a long time, he looked up and said, "Guo Rang, don't get involved in this mess. Ji Hou (Gongsun Zan) is no longer a wise lord. You don't need to accompany him to his death."

Upon hearing this, Tian Yu stared at Tian Kai and said, "What about you, brother?"

Tian Kai sighed, "Ji Hou has shown me kindness..."

Tian Yu said, "Aren't I the same?"

The two were silent, facing each other. They both knew that with Gongsun Zan in this state, it was only a matter of time before Yi Jing was captured.

And their fate was already sealed.

Tian Kai hesitated for a moment, but ultimately did not say that he would go with Tian Yu.

His personal martial prowess was very ordinary. Even if he went along, he would only be a burden.

He raised his cup and said, "Then I wish Guo Rang success."

Tian Yu laughed heartily, "Thank you for your kind words, brother. Success or not, just bring a pot of wine to my grave next year."

He had no intention of returning.

Tian Kai sighed in his heart. News had come from Ye City that the main army was about to be mobilized. How could they wait until next year?

He also laughed and said, "Whichever of us survives will visit the other's grave!"

The two drained the wine in their cups and simultaneously looked out the window at the tall watchtower in the distance. Gongsun Zan should still be inside.

A thought simultaneously arose in both of them.

Damn it, how did Gongsun Zan become like this!

With a whoosh, Yuan Xi shot an arrow. The rabbit in the distance was hit by the arrow and tumbled a few times on the ground before becoming still.

Sun Li cheered, galloped over, held onto the saddle with one hand, leaned his body to the side, and extended his other hand, already picking up the rabbit from the ground.

He straightened his body and sat back on the saddle.

This move was extremely skillful and drew cheers from the scouts.

Sun Li proudly carried the rabbit, circled widely, and then returned.

Yuan Xi, however, was not very happy. It had been seven or eight days, and there was still no movement from Yi Jing, dozens of miles away. Had he been too obvious?

He couldn't afford to drag this out any longer. He couldn't keep wasting time here. There were many things waiting for him back in Beixin City.

He and the others shot and killed a few more rabbits and pheasants. Seeing that the day was about to pass like this again, he had no choice but to lead his men towards Rongcheng.

When they were still some distance from the city wall of Rongcheng, they encountered soldiers who were farming.

Spring plowing had already ended, and these soldiers were digging irrigation ditches to divert water from the nearby river into the farmland.

When the soldiers saw Yuan Xi approaching, they quickly straightened up. Yuan Xi dismounted and motioned for them to ignore him.

Seeing this, the soldiers resumed digging with the tools in their hands.

The digging tools at that time were not the iron shovels and picks of later generations, but a type of straight-insert digging tool called a 'chā', also written as 'chā'.

In 'Shi Ming', it says, "Chā, also means to insert, to insert into the ground and lift soil."

The earliest 'chā' was made of wood, similar to a plow, or it was a plow. By adding a metal sleeve to the blade end of a wooden 'chā', it became a 'chā', which could reduce wear and enhance digging ability.

The 'chā' was a new agricultural tool that appeared in the Shang Dynasty, developed during the Warring States period, and flourished in the Han Dynasty. It was used until after the Northern and Southern Dynasties. It mainly had two shapes, straight and concave, and played a great role in digging soil when building water conservancy projects. Therefore, there was a folk rhyme that said, "Raising the 'chā' makes clouds, digging ditches makes rain" - 'Han Shu: Gou Xu Zhi'.

Yuan Xi picked up a 'chā' and dug soil with the soldiers.

Several miles away, Tian Yu lay in the weeds in the forest, staring intently at Yuan Xi. He reached out and grabbed the bow beside him, then released his hand.

It had been several days, and he hadn't found a suitable opportunity, so he could only wait.

But as long as he found an opportunity, he was fifty percent sure he could send an arrow into Yuan Xi's body.

Yuan Xi's reputation as a fierce tiger was too great, causing Tian Yu to lack the confidence to kill the other party in a one-on-one fight. The other party would not give him this opportunity either.

He also didn't want to bring too many people out. The target would be too large, causing unnecessary deaths.

So he could only resort to the last method.

Assassination.