Wait, please don't call me Emperor Zhaolie

Chapter 61 Gongsun Du is somewhat dissatisfied

Liu Bei didn't believe that Gongsun Du could recruit 70,000 or 80,000 people at this moment.

The Liaodong County, together with the Xianbei people, Goguryeo people, and auxiliary soldiers, had at most 30,000 to 40,000 troops, or perhaps even less.

Moreover, foreign tribes would not fight for Gongsun Du to the end, as the Battle of Ye County shows.

Liu Bei raised his hand and said with a smile: "Please rest assured, Zijing, this battle will be a great victory."

In order to avoid the news from leaking, the people were first driven away, and then a steep trench was dug under another city gate.

To prevent Gongsun Du from becoming desperate and trying to dig a tunnel to cause the city wall to collapse.

Time passed quickly, and the army under his command had been waiting for Gongsun Du in Qucheng County for more than ten days before the other side finally arrived with the Hu people.

Scouts came to report that a large number of Xianbei and Goguryeo people dressed in Hu costumes appeared a hundred miles north of Qucheng, where there were crowds of people and a large army.

It seemed to be waiting for the grain-carrying convoy from Liaodong.

When Liu Bei received the news, he was inspecting the chariot formation. He had Xiandeng Camp and Shengshe Camp practiced coordination for several days to make them proficient so that they would be mentally prepared even if they encountered a surging enemy.

They will also cooperate well and be able to withstand the opponent's offensive.

The Armored Battalion continued to operate as usual. It was the Hammer Army's most important weapon, and as long as there were signs of a breach, they would be able to step forward to hold the line, or even fight back.

The Huben Cavalry were used to wait for the enemy, and when the enemy was defeated, they would rush out from the other side of the city gate to attack the enemy's flank.

More than a thousand soldiers skilled in throwing short spears, who were carefully selected from the auxiliary soldiers, were also training from morning till night.

Waiting to send these "surprises" to Gongsun Du and his Hu allies who came from afar.

At a close distance, throwing a large number of sharp barbed spears instantly can be even more lethal than bows and arrows to soldiers in leather armor or light armor.

Liu Bei calculated the time it would take for the scouts to return and said to his generals, "The enemy is cautious this time and did not act separately. It seems they are preparing to come together."

"While we still have two or three days, hurry up and check the weapons, armor, weapons, and bows and crossbows to avoid any mistakes when they are needed."

The Liaodong Army could only march 30 to 40 miles a day to prevent surprise attacks. A distance of 100 miles would take them several days to walk, and the soldiers could also do some final repairs.

Previously, many auxiliary soldiers were lazy and did not check the bowstrings carefully before the battle. Any military equipment will suffer wear and tear if used frequently. As a result, the broken bow pieces pierced their eyes, causing them to scream in pain for several days.

The military doctors shook their heads after seeing the disease, saying that there was no cure at all.

……

A hundred miles away, Gongsun Du was also discussing with the Xianbei and Goguryeo people who were invited to help how to destroy Liu Xuande and his Qingzhou army.

The troops sent earlier to defend the city not only failed to hold it, but also lost several cities in a row, allowing Liu Bei to occupy the difficult-to-attack Qucheng County.

If the powerful families had not joined forces inside and outside, they would not have been able to capture the city. As for the fate of the two powerful families later, it goes without saying, so it is still fresh in their memory.

Gongsun Du paced back and forth in the military tent, and finally stroked his thick beard and said, "You two, this battle is crucial. Qingzhou Governor Liu Xuande brought his troops all the way here to die.

If it works, I can give them one-tenth of Qingzhou's money, food, ironware, and craftsmen as gifts. If you want to give them more women, I can agree to that."

Because Gongsun Du led the Xianbei to victory after victory in battles with Goguryeo and seized a large tract of land in Donglai, and because he was ruthless in disciplining his troops and liked to give generous rewards, even the Hu people respected and feared him.

When they heard him say this, their eyes suddenly lit up.

Think about it, since the invasion of Donglai County, Gongsun Du has fulfilled all his promises. Compared with other Han officials who hired them, their integrity is much better.

Those old bastards are treated nicely when you want to use them, but it is useless to greet them with a smile when you don't need them.

Every time I need to buy salt and iron, the price is sky-high, it’s really hateful!
If we could bring back more craftsmen and iron tools, it would undoubtedly solve the tribe's urgent needs and even enable it to develop and annex others faster.

In addition to the leader of the alliance, each Xianbei tribe and village had its own commander, and they constantly attacked each other and other ethnic groups.

The middle-aged Murong, whose hair was like ropes and draped over her shoulders, could not help but ask anxiously, "Are you serious, Lord?"

Gongsun Du said without hesitation: "Of course I take it seriously. You and I have been allies for many years, why would I lie to you?"

Murong thought for a moment, raised his head and smiled, "My tribe must offer sacrifices to the heavens before eating. I heard that the Han people also swear blood oaths, where they smear the blood of slaughtered animals on their lips to show their sincerity in the alliance. I would like to make this alliance with you, Lord."

After hearing this, Gongsun Du frowned and said, "Why, you don't believe me?"

"Gongsun is also from a famous family, how could they speak nonsense? If you don't believe it, just forget it."

Gongsun Du said directly in a cold tone.

Being able to promise to share it with them was already a great honor. No matter who they were, they would want to swear an oath of blood alliance with him, even though he was just a barbarian.

If this were to get out, wouldn't the whole world laugh at Gongsun Du?

Besides, the Xianbei people are not necessarily indispensable in this battle. If they dare to offend him like this and anger him, he will go back and unite with the Wuhuan people to wipe out this tribe as a warning to others. It is really ridiculous for Huyi to think so.

Seeing Gongsun Du's angry expression, Murong dared not say anything.

Now he still needs the help of the other party's ships to return to Liaodong. His people don't know how to row or sail at all. If they are really abandoned in Donglai County by Gongsun Du, they will be finished.

Besides, the other side also had cavalrymen who had conquered the Goguryeo people, and he was not the only one in power, so it was indeed not easy for him to continue speaking.

After thinking about the other party's credit, he raised his head and said with a smile: "Why should you be angry, my lord? Xianbei Murong clan naturally trusts Governor Gongsun."

Gongsun Du's face showed no emotion.

Murong Shi felt a little uneasy, so he suggested, "Our cavalry can move as fast as the wind. Why not take advantage of Liu Bei's defense and attack Qucheng directly? If we can defeat him in one battle, that would be the best. If not, they won't be able to catch up with us."

"Even if we catch up, we are alone and deep in the enemy's territory. The Lord and I will surround us from several sides. The Qingzhou army will surely die."

In order to avoid causing dissatisfaction among Gongsun Du, he could only atone for his sins.

Murong thought silently.

Gongsun Du stroked his beard and was somewhat interested. From the news he received, he could judge that Liu Xuande used his troops swiftly and decisively, like a tiger hunting, who liked to pounce at extremely fast speeds to strangle the enemy's vital points.

Using this method, if the other party is arrogant, perhaps they can lure Liu Xuande out of the city, and then they can attack and surround him, making it difficult for even Xiang Yu to escape.

Besides, the military rations requisitioned from Donglai will take another day or two to arrive.

This bait can be used to trick Liu Bei and at the same time strike a blow against the barbarians. Why not do it?
Gongsun Du sneered and said, "Warfare is the art of deception. Lord Lu is old, so Liu Xuande should ask me to teach you how to use the army. When Du became famous, you were nowhere to be found, yet you dared to come and occupy a state."

He immediately issued an order, sending 2,000 cavalrymen from the Xianbei clan of Murong to Qucheng with several days' worth of dry food and arrows.

If the enemy is weak, attack; if the enemy is strong, pretend to retreat, and then ambush and kill Liu Bei in Donglai County.

(End of this chapter)