Chapter 26

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Ducheng County.

The cries of battle shook the heavens, and arrows rained down.

Countless soldiers from Youzhou, like countless ants, swarmed the city walls, madly climbing the ladders to the top.

Dan Jing stood on his horse, head held high, looking at the enemy city with a disdainful gaze, and coldly snorted, "This strongest wave of attack, I wonder how this nameless Hao can resist it."

The sound of war drums thundered, and hundreds upon hundreds of Youzhou soldiers, like a tide, continuously surged towards the enemy city.

In front of the city gate of Ducheng, Hao Zhao stood with his sword, calmly directing his five hundred soldiers to resist the frenzied attack of the enemy, who outnumbered them many times over.

Rocks and logs rolled down, crushing the enemies below into flesh and blood.

Arrows fell like rain, mercilessly piercing through the enemies' chests.

The soldiers of the Yuan army fiercely slashed at the enemies who barely managed to climb over the city walls, beheading them and splattering the city walls with blood.

After an hour of intense attack, the Youzhou army suffered hundreds of casualties but still could not break through the city.

Liu Bei, seeing this, clasped his hands and said, "Governor Dan, it seems that Hao Zhao is a talented defender. Our army has repeatedly failed to breach the city. Should we...?"

"You don't need to say any more. If I can't even capture a small city like Ducheng, what face will I have? Continue the strong attack, and I will not retreat until I take Ducheng!" Dan Jing, extremely angry, interrupted Liu Bei's advice with intense words.

As soon as he finished speaking, a rider galloped over and shouted, "Report to the governor, scouts have reported that Yuan Fang has mobilized seven thousand troops and is advancing towards Ducheng. The vanguard is less than thirty miles away."

Upon hearing this, everyone's faces changed.

"Wasn't that brat Yuan Fang only supposed to have four thousand troops? How did he suddenly get three thousand more?" Liu Bei asked in surprise.

"According to the report, Yuan Shao has suddenly reinforced Yuan Fang," the scout replied.

After more than ten days of unsuccessful siege, the soldiers' morale had been dampened. Now, with Yuan Fang suddenly leading seven thousand troops, Liu Bei and the other Youzhou generals were shaken.

Dan Jing, however, laughed and said arrogantly, "That little brat's arrival is just right. I will annihilate him here, and then advance westward. Who can stop me?"

Dan Jing immediately ordered that only one thousand five hundred men remain to continue the siege, while the rest of the seven to eight thousand troops be dispatched to the west to intercept Yuan Fang's main force.

"Governor Dan, the enemy has been well-rested for a long time. They have suddenly arrived and should not be underestimated," Liu Bei warned.

Dan Jing snorted coldly and said disdainfully, "My troops are all elite soldiers of Youzhou. How can they fear a group of ragtag soldiers led by a little brat? Liu Xuande, if you are so cowardly, you will lead the rear guard tomorrow and not share in my glory."

After a series of cold and mocking words, Dan Jing ordered the troops to retreat to the camp.

Liu Bei watched Dan Jing ride away, his brows deeply furrowed, and a cold, sinister look flashed in his eyes.

The Youzhou army adjusted its strategy, moving all its troops to the west to prepare to annihilate Yuan Fang's main force, which had come from afar.

At this time, Yuan Fang's main force had already reached twenty miles west of Ducheng.

As dusk fell, Yuan Fang chose a favorable terrain to set up camp, ordering the entire army to eat and rest, preparing for the night.

The next day, before dawn, scouts reported that Dan Jing was leading eight thousand Youzhou troops out of the camp, approaching their position.

"Dan Jing is very arrogant. With such a fierce momentum, he seems to want to annihilate us in one battle," Yuan Fang said with a mocking smile.

Guo Huai said solemnly, "Dan Jing is a veteran general under Gongsun Zan, who has repeatedly led expeditions and made the barbarians tremble. He cannot be underestimated."

"Boji is right. Dan Jing is a veteran general, and his eight thousand Youzhou troops are all elite. I think we should not engage in a direct battle but find another way to defeat the enemy," Zhu Ling also expressed his concerns.

Yuan Fang, however, stood with his hands behind his back and said calmly, "The barbarians are fierce but lack discipline, and they collapse in one battle. Gongsun Zan and his generals, having fought the barbarians too often, have become arrogant, thinking that the armies of Central China are as easy to defeat as the barbarians. Otherwise, how could there have been the defeat at Jie Bridge? In this battle, I will defeat Dan Jing in a direct confrontation."

Yuan Fang's strong confidence deeply moved the generals.

Although Zhu Ling and others still had some concerns, their blood was already stirred by Yuan Fang.

Yuan Fang, without hesitation, grabbed his sword and shouted, "Order the entire army to assemble and leave the camp. Follow me to fight the enemy to the death!"

"Agreed!" The generals responded with enthusiasm and dispersed to prepare for battle.

"Boji, stay behind," Yuan Fang retained Guo Huai.

Guo Huai clasped his hands and said, "What else do you need, my lord?"

Yuan Fang called Guo Huai closer and whispered instructions. Guo Huai first looked puzzled, then his face lit up with surprise.

"My lord's plan is truly brilliant. I will go and carry it out immediately," Guo Huai said, excitedly bowing and retreating.

The sound of gongs suddenly rose, and the order to assemble was issued. The troops quickly gathered outside the camp.

In no time, the seven thousand troops of Yuan Fang were assembled.

Yuan Fang, mounted on his horse with his sword in hand, scanned the young and excited faces, feeling a surge of heroic emotion.

A few months ago, he was still a useless person in the Yuan family, but today he was already leading seven thousand troops and had his own trusted generals.

If he lost this battle today, he would have to return to nothing.

Even worse, he might have to pay with his life.

"I will not lose, I cannot lose!"

With a determined heart, Yuan Fang raised his sword and shouted, "Brothers of the Yuan family army, follow me and fight a glorious battle. Today, I will make a name for us all!"

With a heroic cry, Yuan Fang spurred his horse out of the camp.

Behind him, the troops of the Yuan army, filled with high morale, marched out of the camp in an orderly manner.

Seven thousand soldiers, in neat formation, slowly advanced towards the enemy.

Scouts ran back and forth, continuously reporting the enemy's position.

At noon, the scouts reported that the enemy was a few miles away. Yuan Fang then ordered the entire army to stop advancing and form an array to await the enemy.

Dark clouds gathered, the wind rose, and the sky was filled with withered leaves and dust.

The seven thousand soldiers of Yuan Fang were arrayed and silent, as still as lifeless statues.

Yuan Fang, mounted on a white horse, looked eastward and saw a thin black line slowly moving in the rolling dust at the end of the plain.

The dark, dense figures of the Youzhou army were approaching.

The wind blew against the sword hilt, making a crisp sound. Yuan Fang's brows furrowed, and he subconsciously weighed the sword in his hand.

The sword was light, and with Yuan Fang's current strength, he hardly felt its weight. For him, this ordinary ring-pommel sword was clearly not a suitable weapon.

"I'm not used to spears, and the sword doesn't feel right. I need to forge a suitable weapon after this battle..."

Yuan Fang thought, gripping the sword tighter, the veins on his hand standing out like tree roots.

The black line in the distance became thicker, and a distant, long horn sounded, filled with intense killing intent.

Yuan Fang glanced at the soldiers behind him. Although they were all tense, the fear they had in their first battle was gone.

The victory at Gannan had given these once ragtag soldiers unprecedented confidence.

They knew that even the legendary fierce soldiers of Youyan were made of flesh and blood and could be defeated.

At this moment, they had only one belief.

Follow Yuan Fang and fight a glorious battle!

The earth trembled, and a rumbling sound filled their ears. The sky was yellow, and the wind was like a knife.

The black line in the east became even thicker.

Amidst the rolling thunder and the trembling earth, the image of the Youzhou army finally came into clear view.

The dense crowd of heads, the flags that blocked the sky, the sharp spears like a forest, and the armor reflecting a cold light, almost chilling the sky.

Eight thousand Youzhou soldiers, like a flood ready to burst, lined up for a mile, filling the field of vision.

Seeing such a formidable enemy, the soldiers of Yuan Fang's army all drew a deep breath, their nerves taut.

Yuan Fang, however, remained calm and shouted, "All troops, prepare to engage the enemy."

Yuan Fang's calm and confidence infected the surrounding soldiers, and the slightly shaken hearts quickly calmed down.

Seven thousand young faces, as resolute as iron, faced the approaching enemy without fear.

In front of the enemy, under the proud "Dan" flag, Dan Jing spurred his horse and raised his sword, his eyes filled with arrogance.

Glancing at the formation of Yuan Fang's army from a distance, Dan Jing sneered, "Little brat Yuan Fang, do you think that by adding a few thousand troops, you can match my Youzhou army? Hmph, today I will give you a good lesson and show you the might of Dan Jing!"