The Sixteen Kingdoms of the Eastern Jin Dynasty: The Competition in the Central Plains

"Uncle, let's evacuate to the city quickly! Duan Cong said to Duan Qidu. Duan Qidu looked at the soldiers of Murong Huang who were surrounding him and said helplessly:"Enter the city and close the city gate!""

Duan Qidu and Duan Cong came to see Duan Mobo. Duan Qidu said:"Brother, Murong Huang's military strength is several times that of ours. They came prepared, as we were severely weakened in the battle with Duan Pixi. Now that Murong Huang has arrived at the city, is it war or peace? Or is it better to go the other way?"

"If he surrendered to Murong Huang, he might kill him to death. If that were the case, there would be nothing. Why don't we retreat first and leave Lingzhi. Find a place where you can recharge your batteries, and then search for the lost tribesmen. When you become stronger in the future, it’s never too late to take revenge! Duan Qin said. Seeing that everyone else agreed, Duan Mobo had no choice but to say:"This is the only thing we can do now." The generals selected some of the best soldiers to protect the ministers of civil and military affairs and their children and family members before they left Lingzhi. The soldiers guarding each city gate must retreat finally."

The next day, Murong Huang was preparing to attack Lingzhi. A scout came over and reported:"Prince Qi, Duan's troops and troops all left Lingzhi last night!"

"I was wondering, no wonder there isn't a single soldier on the city wall!"Murong Huang ordered:"Immediately build a ladder to the city wall and send someone in to open the city gate!"

Getting on the ladder, a few soldiers climbed up the city wall and saw that the city was quiet. A few soldiers came down and opened the east gate. Murong Huang took the lead, followed by Murong Ren and Murong Zhao, followed by a large group of Murong troops. Murong Huang He said to Murong Ren and Murong Zhao:"Fourth brother, fifth brother, you two lead your soldiers to thoroughly inspect every street, every house and every city gate to see if there are any troops hidden by Duan Bu!

Murong Ren and Murong Zhao said,"Okay, Third Brother, we'll go right away!""

Murong Huang led his 10,000 men to the outside of Lingzhi's palace. Murong Huang said to several of his generals:"Lead your men and search every room in the palace carefully, and collect all the gold and silver treasures found. Load the truck and transport it back to Great Thorn City!"

The soldiers of Murong's Department rushed into Lingzhi's palace like wolves and tigers, rummaged through boxes and cabinets, and loaded all the valuables on the carriage. Murong Ren and Murong Zhao came back from inspecting Lingzhi, and Murong Ren said:"Third brother, we are here A horse farm was found northwest of Lingzhi, with about a thousand horses. Maybe Duan Mobo was in a hurry to escape and didn't have time to take away the horses."

"Where did Duan Mobo and his tribe go?"Murong Huang asked. Murong Ren said:"The west door of Lingzhi is closed, but the bolt is not inserted. After interrogating several people living outside the city, they said that Duan Mobo and the others hid in the mountains with their men after midnight last night!"

"very good! War horses are what we need most right now!"Murong Huang ordered:"Put all the gold and silver treasures on the carriage, drive a thousand horses, and return to Great Thorn City!"

Seeing dozens of carriages filled with treasures and a thousand war horses coming out of the east gate of Lingzhi, Murong Huang burst out laughing. Only Murong Huang and hundreds of soldiers around him were left in Lingzhi City. Murong Huang Jian said to these soldiers:"Light the torch and burn down the palace of Lingzhi!"

Duan Pixi and Duan Wenyang were attacking Jicheng. When they heard that Fuping City was besieged, they quickly withdrew their troops and rushed back without stopping. When they were still eighty miles away from Fuping, two Tanma came running towards them. The two Tanma rode fast horses from Yanci. When he came, he saw Duan Pixi dismounted and saluted and said:"Master Duan, something bad is going on! Shi Hu and Kong Chang attacked Fuping City and captured Lord Shao Xu!"

"ah! what happened? Duan Pizhen was shocked when he heard the news. He got off his horse and continued to ask:"How is Master Shao Xu?" Are you okay?"

"Shi Hu originally wanted to kill Lord Shao, but later sent Lord Shao to Xiangguo, so his life was probably not in danger. But the good news is that Fuping City was not breached. Lord Shao Xu's son, nephew and others are still holding on. Master Shao wants them to be adults-based!" said a Tan Ma. Duan Pixi, who was riding back at full speed, felt a little disheartened when he heard this. He shook his head and didn't know what to do. Duan Pixi's younger brother, Duan Wenyang, is known as the first warrior of Xianbei. Furious. Duan Wenyang said:"Brother, Master Shao Xu treats you very well and even sends troops to help us attack Duan Mobo. If not for this, the city of Fuping was empty and Shihu took advantage of it. How could Lord Shao Xu be captured?"

Duan Wenyang rode his horse to a high ground on the roadside. He raised his arms and shouted:"Warriors of the Xianbei Duan tribe, you have followed me for many years. Come and go in the wind and rain, fight in the north and south, go through life and death. In order to defend Fuping City, I will select eight hundred strong warriors to fight my way through Fuping City with me, rush into Fuping City, and guard Fuping City together with Lord Shao Xu’s subordinates!"

Hearing what Duan Wenyang said, many Xianbei soldiers volunteered to come forward. There were no less than a thousand people standing in front of Duan Wenyang. Duan Wenyang said excitedly:"Brothers, thank you very much! But soldiers are expensive and quick, so you don’t need too many. Among you, there are my personal soldiers and other soldiers who have made many meritorious deeds. I selected 800 elite soldiers and followed me through the main camp at the north gate of Fuping. The remaining brothers, follow my brother and enter Fuping City!"

Eight hundred Xianbei warriors were riding on horseback, ready to go. Each of them was wearing armor, holding a curved bow across his body, and hanging an arrow pot on his body. Each of them held an extremely bright sword in their right hand. Duan Wenyang said loudly:" Brothers, we are about to attack the enemy's company camp at the north gate. You must remember that wherever I rush, you will rush to kill me. You are all sharpshooters, so with the arrows on your body, try to kill one enemy with one arrow. The north gate is guarded by Kong Chang. He is a famous general under Shi Le, so don't be careless. In addition to protecting yourself, you also need to kill more enemies. Only in this way can we rush into the city and defend Fuping City with Shao Ji and the others!"

"Please rest assured, General! We must fulfill our mission!"The eight hundred strong men replied in unison. Duan Wenyang waved his hand, and five carriages pulling large jars came over. Each carriage had ten wine jars, and there were many pottery bowls on the carriage. Duan Wenyang came to the first carriage, He opened a wine jar, picked up a pottery bowl and scooped out a bowl of wine. Duan Wenyang raised the pottery bowl and said,"Brothers, before we attack the enemy's camp, each of us drinks a bowl of wine. When we capture Fuping City, I want to get drunk with everyone before we finally get to rest!"

"good!"The eight hundred strong men picked up the pottery bowls, each drank a bowl of wine, and then returned to the team. Duan Wenyang shouted:"Brothers, follow me to attack the north gate of Fuping! Set off!"