Chapter 28

Taishi Ci planned to break out of the city to reinforce the soldiers guarding the sheep and horse wall, but when he reached the city gate, he was stopped by someone who said that the governor had ordered that, during the fierce battle, the city gate must not be opened to prevent any accidents. Taishi Ci stomped his feet in frustration: "This is like abandoning the soldiers outside the city. Without support from inside the city, how can the sheep and horse wall be defended?!"

Kong Rong was utterly incapable of waging war, but he was very good at winning people's hearts. His military discipline was strict, and the soldiers obeyed his orders without the slightest hesitation. Taishi Ci was forced to run to the county office to plead with Kong Rong and again request that the command of the troops be temporarily given to him. Kong Rong looked around, talked about the weather, and discussed classics, using his unparalleled eloquence to easily brush him off. Taishi Ci was forced to return and, together with Shi Xun, went to plead with the officials who were actually in charge of the city's defense, such as Shi Yi. Although these officials did not have Kong Rong's silver tongue, they were still capable of evading a commoner from another county.

In the end, since the governor would not budge, what power did they have to lend troops to Taishi Ci?

Indeed, the fighting started and stopped, continuing until dusk, with heavy casualties among the soldiers outside the city. Only then did Kong Rong, from his office, give the order to secretly open the city gate, abandon the sheep and horse wall, and bring the surviving soldiers inside. For the entire day, Taishi Ci had no chance to fight, and as for Shi Xun, he wouldn't have fought even if given the chance.

After dark, Kong Rong convened a meeting of his officials, looking grim and saying, "The enemy's forces are overwhelming. If no reinforcements come, the city will fall sooner or later. What should we do?" Taishi Ci also joined the meeting, but when he looked around, he saw that all the attendees, including Shi Yi, Shi Ziyu, Liu Xiang, Liu Kongci, Liu Yixun, and Zuo Jing, were all civil officials and clerks, not a single one of whom had ever commanded a battle on the front lines.

Shi Xun stood next to him, behind Shi Yi, and poked him, whispering, "Given today's situation, how long do you think the city can hold?" Taishi Ci frowned and said resentfully, "If I were in command, the sheep and horse wall wouldn't have to be abandoned for twenty days... The soldiers fought bravely, but unfortunately, they lack a capable commander. At this rate, the city will fall within a month!"

Shi Xun almost fell to the ground. Yesterday, when Taishi Ci said they could hold out until the Yellow Turbans retreated, he felt quite proud, thinking his risk had not been in vain. Today, hearing Taishi Ci change his tune, he couldn't help but think, "Oh no, oh no, do I have to die for this incompetent and power-hungry fool Kong Rong?!" He quickly asked Taishi Ci, "What should we do?"

Just then, they heard Shi Yi and others discussing with Kong Rong that they must send someone to break through the siege and seek reinforcements elsewhere. Some mentioned the Governor of Ji Province, Yuan Shao; others mentioned the Inspector of Xu Province, Tao Qian; and still others mentioned the General of Fierce Valor, Gongsun Zan. However, they were all too far away to provide timely assistance. At this point, Taishi Ci stood up and suggested, "The Yellow Turbans were driven out of Pingyuan and Dong Commanderies, so they must fear the troops from those regions. We should send someone to seek help there."

Shi Yi nodded in agreement, saying, "Dong Commandery is too far, but we can send someone to Pingyuan to ask Liu Xuande for reinforcements." Kong Rong frowned and asked, "I have no old ties with Liu Bei, and he is just a military man. Will he come to our aid?"

Shi Xun, remembering that Kong Rong's relief had been due to Liu Bei, strongly urged, "Liu Xuande in Pingyuan has a deep enmity with the Yellow Turbans. If the Yellow Turbans break through Beihai, their power will grow, and they will turn to take revenge, putting him in danger. This is what is meant by 'when the lips are gone, the teeth feel the cold.' I believe Liu Xuande is not a coward like Jiao Shizhong. Moreover, your reputation is well-known throughout Guandong. How can he not come to our aid?"

Kong Rong, pleased to hear that his reputation was well-known throughout Guandong, nodded and said, "Hongfu, your words are wise." He then looked around and asked, "Who can go to Pingyuan for help?"

Shi Yi and the others exchanged glances, and no one dared to speak up. The first rescue mission by Wang Xiu and Wang Xiao had been sent out before the city was besieged, which was relatively safe. Now that the city was surrounded, who among these civil officials had the courage to leave? Besides, even if someone had the courage, they would need the skill to get out, and they would likely be shot down by enemy arrows as soon as they crossed the moat.

In the end, only Taishi Ci could volunteer. Kong Rong was still hesitant, saying, "There are a million Yellow Turbans outside the city. Although I know you are brave, isn't breaking through the siege too difficult?" Taishi Ci slapped his chest and said, "When I was in exile, my old mother was left alone, and you took care of her. That's why I came from hundreds of miles away to help. Unfortunately, although I managed to enter the city, I haven't been able to repay your kindness..."

He continued, "Duchang is in grave danger, and the only way to lift the siege is to seek help from Pingyuan. If I can't go, people will think I am unrighteous, and it will also damage your ability to judge people. I hope you will not doubt me and will quickly write a letter to allow me to leave the city for help."

Kong Rong was still unsure, "Can you really get out?" Taishi Ci smiled slightly, "Although the Yellow Turbans are numerous, few are capable fighters, and they lack discipline. I have a plan to deceive them. I will break through the siege within three days at most."

In a life-or-death situation, no matter how reluctant Kong Rong was, he could not resist the persuasion of Shi Yi, Shi Xun, and others. In the end, he agreed, wrote a letter for help, and asked Taishi Ci, "How many soldiers do you need?" Taishi Ci said, "Too many would make it harder to get out. I only need two skilled horsemen to accompany me." Shi Xun quickly raised his hand, "Count me in!" He thought that if history were changed and Taishi Ci failed to bring reinforcements, and the city was captured, he would have lost both his wife and his soldiers. He was determined not to leave Taishi Ci's side until the city was relieved.

In the end, Kong Rong allowed Shi Xun and a strong soldier named Zhai Yu to accompany Taishi Ci.

Taishi Ci first had Shi Xun remove his stirrups and find a blacksmith in the city to make two more sets overnight, equipping his and Zhai Yu's horses. They then rested for the night. The next morning, he had Shi Xun and Zhai Yu each hold a target, while he held a bow and arrows, and ordered the city gate to be opened. They galloped out quickly.

At this time, all the defenders had retreated inside the city, and the Yellow Turbans had not yet reacted, still camping about two arrow lengths away from the moat, leaving a buffer zone of over a hundred steps. However, the enemy was always on guard and observing the city gate. As soon as the gate opened, drums sounded and flags waved, and many men with yellow headbands and sharp weapons scrambled to their feet (they had been lying on blankets on the ground).

Shi Xun was a bit nervous, but he managed to suppress the urge to run away, thinking that Taishi Ci was right beside him. Following Taishi Ci's instructions, he and Zhai Yu rode out of the city and, about eighty steps from the gate, planted their targets by the moat and then turned back. Before the Yellow Turbans could form up, Taishi Ci suddenly galloped out of the gate. He had a quiver of arrows on each side of his waist, shot one arrow to the left, hitting the left target, then twisted his waist and shot another arrow to the right, hitting the right target. He then returned to the city calmly.

The Yellow Turbans, who usually only attacked in the afternoon to save energy, were woken up early this time due to Taishi Ci's performance. Since they were already up, they decided to attack the city early. The attack started early, and so did the retreat—fighting from the morning to the afternoon, filling in some moats, approaching the walls twice, killing dozens of defenders, and leaving hundreds of their own dead.

After returning to the city, Taishi Ci found a place to rest, occasionally checking the battle situation but refusing to go to the city walls. When Shi Xun asked why, he said, "If I go to the walls and see the intense fighting, I might be tempted to help, but I can only kill a few more enemies, which won't change the overall situation. If I don't help, I might be looked down upon, and if I do help, the enemy will become alert, making it harder to leave the city. The enemy's strength is such that they won't break the city for at least ten days. Relax, Hongfu."

Shi Xun thought, "At this point, how can I relax?" But he decided to trust Taishi Ci's judgment. After all, Taishi Ci was a great general, and he was just a minor official. It was best not to interfere with the professional's plan.

The next morning, Taishi Ci, Shi Xun, and Zhai Yu went out to perform again, this time planting the targets ten steps further away, nearly a hundred steps from the city. Taishi Ci's arrows hit the targets without fail. When they returned to the city, he smiled at Shi Xun and said, "Did you notice that the number of Yellow Turbans who got up today is less than half of yesterday's?" Shi Xun thought, "I was too nervous to pay attention to the enemy's movements..." But then he realized Taishi Ci's plan...

On the third day, as the sky was just beginning to brighten, Taishi Ci was ready to go out and perform again. Shi Xun and Zhai Yu stood on either side of him, waiting for the city gate to open. Taishi Ci said to Shi Xun, "I predict that the enemy will be less alert today. I can break through the siege with my fast horse. However, there might still be some alert ones who will try to stop me, so it won't be without danger. It's better for you to stay in the city."

Shi Xun shook his head, "Wherever you go, I will go. I must rely on you to take care of me." Taishi Ci nodded approvingly, "You are truly brave, Hongfu, but your martial skills are lacking. Once the siege is lifted, I will teach you properly."

Sure enough, as Taishi Ci predicted, the city gate creaked open, and in the distance, the Yellow Turbans were still lying on the ground, with only a few guards patrolling. Taishi Ci turned to look at Shi Xun and Zhai Yu and said, "This is the time!" The two of them put away their targets, took their bows, and followed Taishi Ci, galloping out of the city like the wind.

They crossed a recently filled moat and found a place with fewer enemy camps and less vigilant guards, charging straight through. Indeed, the Yellow Turbans initially thought they were going to continue their archery show and mostly remained lying down. When they saw the three riders approaching, they scrambled to run away, with almost no one daring to block them.

It wasn't until they had run about half the distance of the mile-wide siege circle that a few mounted Yellow Turbans finally reacted, charging from the side to try to slow them down. Taishi Ci, without hesitation, stood up in his stirrups, shot arrows left and right, and felled several of them. Shi Xun, riding beside him, marveled, "Truly a great general! I can only stand for about twenty seconds on a galloping horse, but he stood for nearly five minutes, without losing his aim. His leg and waist strength are incredible!"

While he was lost in thought, he heard hoofbeats nearby and turned to see a familiar figure charging out of the chaos, drawing his bow and aiming at Taishi Ci's face. Taishi Ci, with a slight tilt of his head, dodged the arrow and immediately turned to shoot back.

Shi Xun, startled, instinctively raised his whip and struck the buttocks of Taishi Ci's horse!

——————————I am the alluring divider————————

The NPC Zhai Yu, who accompanied Taishi Ci and Shi Xun out of Duchang, was originally a fan of the story. I said I needed a generic face, and he volunteered. Well, this guy was originally meant to be a one-time character, but since he's here, I'll find a way to bring him back in a few hundred thousand words. The first crossover character deserves some perks, right?

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