At this time, south of Longyao City, inside Ju Shou's military tent.
Ju Shou, clad in military armor, sat in the main tent, awaiting Zhang Chen's next command.
Now, the encirclement from all sides was complete; Zhang Yan was like a turtle in a jar, his defeat imminent.
Suddenly, a Soldier rushed in to report that a force had broken out of the city and was heading straight for his camp.
Ju Shou was startled. Although he had anticipated Zhang Yan might break out, he hadn't expected him to break through his side.
This time, he had brought thirty thousand troops, all from Wei Commandery and elite Soldiers. Even if Zhang Yan were stupid, he shouldn't provoke him.
However, fortunately, he was always cautious. Although he hadn't anticipated this, he had made preparations beforehand. So he immediately issued an order: "Place the chevaux de frise barriers in front of the camp, close the camp gates tightly, and hold fast. Also, mobilize three thousand archers to shoot from the left and right flanks to suppress the enemy formation and block their advance. The rest of the Soldiers, hold your positions; do not let a single enemy Soldier in!"
The Soldier acknowledged the order and left. Ju Shou also stood up, picked up the sword from the rack nearby, and then walked out of the tent.
The Soldiers in the camp were being orderly deployed to various posts under the command of several officers. Seeing the Soldiers' high morale, Ju Shou felt a little relieved.
His biggest problem on this journey was the lack of a senior General to oversee things. Now, he could only try his best to delay and hold out until the Lord arrived with reinforcements.
Thinking of this, Ju Shou quickly summoned a personal guard and ordered him to immediately leave through the rear camp, ride quickly to the North Gate to see Zhang Chen, and explain the situation here.
Not long after the personal guard left the camp gate, a Soldier suddenly reported that the enemy army had arrived.
Ju Shou was startled and quickly ascended the camp tower, looking into the distance.
He saw dust rising in the distance. Leading the charge was a General, commanding several thousand cavalry, galloping towards them.
At a glance, he saw the General's heroic bearing, a silver spear in his hand, clad in fine armor, and mounted on a magnificent steed that also seemed extraordinary.
A moment later, he saw the General arrive within a hundred paces of the camp gate and order his troops to halt.
Xiahou Lan looked over and saw Ju Shou's camp, arranged in staggered rows, positioned at a strategic choke point, demonstrating mastery of military tactics. If a large army wanted to pass by, it would be impossible in a hurry.
He couldn't believe Zhang Chen had such capable people under him!
Xiahou Lan couldn't help but feel a pang of regret. He had studied under a famous master and endured years of hardship to finally master his martial arts. He had come down the mountain to seek an enlightened ruler, but unexpectedly, he had been misled by that fellow Zhang Yan and ended up serving a bandit!
That day, Zhang Ning spoke of slaughtering the city. Whether intentional or not, it was enough to prove that she was a ruthless person!
Ungrateful and unjust, how could such a person accomplish great things?
Having fought Zhang Chen yesterday, he had witnessed his methods and could call him a hero. Such a person must never be made an enemy!
Since that was the case, why shouldn't he take this opportunity to leave the Black Mountain Army and regain his freedom?
Thinking this, Xiahou Lan seemed to have made up his mind. He said to the deputy General beside him: "Look at this camp. The enemy has at least thirty to forty thousand troops. How can we easily break through? I, the General, will charge into the enemy camp alone. If I can carve out a bloody path, you shall lead the troops to support me. If not, I order you to immediately retreat, rush to the West Gate, and assist the Marshal!"
Upon hearing this, the deputy General immediately objected: "Absolutely not! General! How can you risk yourself alone? Zhang He is willing to go with the General!"
Xiahou Lan said urgently: "It is useless for you to go together, only adding casualties. This is a military order, do not disobey!"
With that, without waiting for the deputy General to object further, Xiahou Lan had already spurred his horse forward and charged out, shouting loudly: "I am Xiahou Lan of Changshan! Those who block me shall die, those who avoid me shall live, quickly move aside!"
Xiahou Lan?
Ju Shou was startled upon hearing this. Looking from afar, it was indeed that General.
Looking at his age, he must have just recently emerged. Changshan...? This person is actually from the same hometown as General Zilong!
"Archers, fire! Stop the enemy!"
At Ju Shou's command, arrows immediately rained down from the camp. Xiahou Lan was completely fearless, his silver spear dancing wildly, deflecting all arrows from getting close to him.
In the blink of an eye, Xiahou Lan had arrived in front of the camp.
He saw a forest of chevaux de frise in front of the camp, their sharp spikes glinting with cold light.
Seeing this, Xiahou Lan roared, spurred his horse forward, and with a sweep of the silver spear in his hand, instantly smashed the row of chevaux de frise in front of him to pieces.
He pulled the reins, and his magnificent steed leaped over the barrier.
Immediately after, a silver flash swept through, and a dozen or so Soldiers in front of the camp fell in response.
"Stop him!"
Ju Shou was greatly alarmed and quickly drew his sword, shouting: "Swordsmen and shieldbearers, block this man! Do not let him charge through the main camp!"
At his command, the Soldiers immediately followed orders. Instantly, a hundred or so swordsmen and shieldbearers rushed out, surrounding the enemy cavalry that had entered the camp.
But Xiahou Lan was exceptionally valiant. His silver spear thrust left and right, even piercing through shields.
These swordsmen and shieldbearers couldn't resist at all and were instantly cut down in large numbers.
Seeing Xiahou Lan charging recklessly as if entering an uninhabited land, several officers rushed forward to try and stop him, but how could they be his match? They were all sent flying by a single spear thrust.
Seeing Xiahou Lan's extraordinary bravery, Ju Shou was greatly astonished. He thought to himself, this person's spear skills are divine, and his martial prowess is actually not inferior to General Zilong!
The small Changshan can produce two fierce Generals in succession. When he meets General Zilong in the future, he must ask him about this.
But these were matters for later. Right now, Ju Shou couldn't help but lament. His camp only had a few officers and no Generals. If there were a senior General here, how could he allow him to be so rampant!
Ju Shou was feeling troubled when he suddenly heard a fierce shout.
"Hmph! You little bandit, don't be so arrogant! Take a spear thrust from your grandpa!"
Ju Shou was startled and quickly looked in the direction of the sound. He saw a spearmen holding his long spear, blocking Xiahou Lan's silver spear.
Following the fierce shout, the spearmen raised his spear, parried Xiahou Lan's silver spear, and then followed through with a thrust, aiming straight for his chest.
Ju Shou couldn't help but narrow his eyes. He hadn't expected such a person among the Soldiers in the camp!
Xiahou Lan, seeing it was an unknown Soldier, became furious. He immediately raised his spear to fight, vowing to strike him down from his horse.
Unexpectedly, as soon as they exchanged blows, Xiahou Lan felt the opponent's strength was heavy and far from simple!
Xiahou Lan thrust his spear several times, but the man blocked each one. One on horseback, the other on foot, they were evenly matched, locked in a difficult struggle for a time.
Ju Shou watched the scene before him, his heart stirring. He could already see that this spearmen was no ordinary person, yet he had been hidden among the Soldiers for so long without being discovered.
After today, he must definitely recommend this person to the Lord.
Xiahou Lan, on the other hand, was repeatedly shocked. He had never imagined that a mere Soldier would possess such martial arts. Seeing that continuing the entanglement was not feasible, Xiahou Lan could only feint with a spear thrust and ride away.
Outside the camp gate, the deputy General saw this situation, hesitated repeatedly, and finally made up his mind.
If they really went back now, how would they be different from deserters in front of the Marshal?
Seeing that Xiahou Lan had already charged into the camp, it would be better for the entire army to rush forward. Perhaps they could carve out a bloody path!
"Kill!" the deputy General roared, and five thousand cavalry surged forward like a tide.
At this moment, Xiahou Lan, who was charging into the camp, heard the loud shouts of killing and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Alas, so be it. I originally wanted to preserve you all, but since it's come to this, we can only accept our fate!