flstandardbreds Chapter 162 Gives Guan Yu a Small Shock
Chapter 162 Gives Guan Yu a Small Shock
Beneath the walls of Jianye City.
Today, Guan Xing returns in triumph, and Guan Yu and Wang Fu personally go out of the city to welcome him.
Guan Yu was not welcoming Guan Xing himself, but his 20,000-strong army and four high-ranking prisoners, including Zhang Cheng and Zhou Xun.
What's so great about Guan Xing? It's not like we haven't met him before.
The 20,000 troops and four prisoners who returned with Guan Xing were different. The Wei army had already marched south and was in dire need of manpower. Guan Yu was counting on these 20,000 troops to fight bravely for him. How could he dare to stay in the city and not come out to welcome them?
Guan Yu originally thought that the 20,000 troops brought back by Guan Xing were only slightly better than a rabble, second-rate local troops, so he didn't pay much attention to them. He left the city with the attitude of treating the virtuous with respect. However, when he saw the army, Guan Yu was shocked.
At this moment, he was riding on the back of Red Hare, looking down into the distance. Following his gaze, he saw a massive army of 20,000 men marching towards him, their formation neat and orderly as a single unit. The soldiers stood tall and proud, their heads held high, like straight spears, their eyes fixed on the front with high fighting spirit. Coupled with the fluttering banners at the front of the army, an aura of slaughter was palpable.
This is the elite.
It was an elite force that even surpassed the Northern Expeditionary Army in some aspects, but it lacked a bit of killing intent. I believe that after a few more major battles, it will transform into an absolute elite force that surpasses the Northern Expeditionary Army in all aspects.
Anguo is quite skilled at training troops.
Guan Yu turned his head in shock to look at Wang Fu, only to find that Wang Fu was also looking at him. The moment their eyes met, they both saw the shock in each other's eyes.
Wang Fu said leisurely, "I originally thought that the Second Young Master's victory had an element of luck, but now it seems that I was too naive."
Guan Yu stroked his magnificent beard and said, "It seems that I was too strict with An Guo before, and not giving him the opportunity to take charge on his own has affected his performance."
"That's great! With this powerful army, what are the mere Wei troops worth!"
Guan Yu had already received news of Zhang Liao's southward march, and knew that according to Cao Wei's custom, Cao Ren should soon come to replace Zhang Liao as the main general of the southern expedition.
But he was not flustered at all. Cao Ren was no match for him in the Battle of Xiangfan. Would Cao Ren be able to defeat him in Jiangdong?
He already had confidence in fighting the Wei army, and seeing the 20,000 elite troops in front of him gave him even more confidence.
Just as he was imagining the wonderful scene of leading a large army to defeat Cao Ren and Zhang Liao, he suddenly noticed Guan Xing dismounting and running towards him, and his expression immediately turned ugly.
The sight of 20,000 troops advancing in unison was a beautiful one, but as Guan Xing dismounted, the idyllic marching scene was instantly shattered. Even the beautiful vision of the Northern Expedition that had just appeared in his mind was mercilessly dispelled. No wonder Guan Yu was in a bad mood.
Although he was annoyed that Guan Xing had ruined his fantasy, Guan Yu was, after all, his son, and he had missed him terribly after not seeing him for half a year. So Guan Yu quickly composed himself and jumped off his horse.
As soon as he dismounted and stood still, Guan Xing ran up to him, excitedly bowed and said, "This humble general Guan Xing greets General Chariot and Cavalry. This humble general has come to report for duty and requests your inspection, General."
Guan Yu patted his shoulder and praised him, saying, "You did a good job. You didn't disappoint your father. By the way, where are Zhang Cheng and the others?"
Guan Xing turned around and raised his arm, signaling the army to stop. Gan Xun, who was at the front of the army, quickly raised his arm, and the army immediately stopped.
The perfect transition from advancing to stopping, and the sheer discipline it displayed, gave Guan Yu a slight shock.
As soon as the army stopped, Gan Xun, along with Zhang Cheng, Zhou Xun, Quan Cong, Zhuge Ke, and Chunyu Shi, stepped forward, bowed, and said, "General, your humble servant has returned."
Gan Xun was originally Guan Yu's personal guard, so he was bound to be excited to see Guan Yu again.
Guan Yu helped Zhang Cheng up and offered a few words of comfort. He then walked up to Zhang Cheng and said with a smile, "Nephew Zhongsi, we meet again."
Zhang Cheng was slightly taken aback. Didn't you propose to my father and prepare to become in-laws with my children? How come you're now my elder?
However, now was not the time to be stunned. Zhang Cheng quickly came to his senses and, together with Zhou Xun, Quan Cong, Zhuge Ke, and Chunyu Shi, bowed and said, "This sinful general Zhang Cheng pays his respects to General Guan."
Guan Yu personally helped him up and comforted him, saying, "Don't mention it, we're old acquaintances."
After saying that, he looked at Zhuge Ke and smiled, "I have often heard Strategist Zhuge say that he has a prodigy nephew. Today I have met him and he is indeed extraordinary in appearance."
Zhuge Ke bowed with a complicated expression and said, "Greetings, Uncle Yun Chang."
Since Guan Yu has already taken the initiative to claim kinship, what reason does he have to be reserved? He should just go along with it.
Guan Yu nodded in satisfaction and looked at Zhou Xun. Seeing his adopted son, a bitter smile appeared on his lips. How was he going to tell Zhou Xun about his affair with Xiao Qiao?
If he were to speak now, Zhou Xun would probably draw his sword and attack him. Although he didn't believe Zhou Xun could defeat him, it would be incredibly embarrassing to do it in public.
Forget it, let's hold off for now and chat privately when we get back home.
Guan Yu stroked his beard and laughed, "Nephew Zhou, you were just a child when your father and I fought against Cao Cao at the Battle of Red Cliffs. I never imagined that you would grow up so much in just ten years. Time really flies."
Zhou Xun knew that Guan Yu was trying to establish a rapport, so he readily agreed, saying, "Nephew greets Uncle Yunchang."
Guan Yu stroked his beard and smiled, a particularly radiant smile.
He then took the initiative to inquire about Quan Cong and Chunyu Shi. He had no particular relationship with the two of them. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, he said to Guan Xing, "Let's go into the city. The main camp in the city has been set up. Let the soldiers go into the city to rest immediately."
The journey from Wushang to Jianye is over 800 li, and it must have been very tiring.
Guan Xingchao nodded to Gan Xun, who immediately returned to his camp to direct the army to transport supplies into the city.
The city gate is only so wide, and the army will definitely have to queue for a long time to enter the city. Therefore, the supplies must go first to cover the main army. Otherwise, what if the enemy attacks and the main army goes first and the supplies stay behind? What if the supplies are left outside the city after the main army enters?
That would be deliberately aiding the enemy.
Although the Wei army has not attacked and it is impossible for them to attack the army that has entered the city, we still need to have the awareness of combat, and this awareness needs to be cultivated at all times. Only by practicing more in peacetime can we avoid being flustered at critical moments.
Under the watchful eyes of Guan Yu, Wang Fu, Zhang Cheng, Zhou Xun, and others, the supply wagons entered the city in an orderly fashion. But suddenly, Guan Yu pointed to the armor on the wagon and asked, "What is this thing?"
Guan Xing explained, "This is my newly crafted infantry armor. It is made of more than 1,600 iron plates, with a cowhide lining behind the plates. It is impervious to swords and spears when worn. The only drawback is that it is too heavy, so it is usually transported by cart and only worn in battle."
"In addition, the armor is not easy to manufacture. So far, only more than 400 sets have been made, which is not enough to form a heavy infantry battalion."
what?
He spoke casually, but Zhang Cheng was shocked and asked incredulously, "When we fought in Shan County, you only had three sets, and now you've made over four hundred sets in just a few days?"
On the day of the decisive battle in Shan County, Deng Hongxia and several other heavily armored infantrymen who charged recklessly left a deep impression on him. He originally thought there wouldn't be many of these heavy armors, but you're telling me there are more than four hundred sets.
On that day, three heavily armored soldiers routed his army. With four hundred heavily armored soldiers forming an attack formation, who could stop them?
Guan Xing sighed, "We have indeed made more than 400 sets of armor, and we can make more, but it is not easy to find people to wear them. I searched the entire army and only found less than 300. Others simply cannot carry them."
"So the current situation is that there are many suits of armor, but too few excellent soldiers who can walk normally or even charge into battle while wearing them. Alas!"
Zhang Cheng: "..."
What do you mean? Are you getting all smug?
Guan Yu, however, became interested and stroked his beard, saying, "Have your heavy armored soldiers put on their armor so I can see."