Nine dragons fight for the throne, I don't want to sit on this throne

Pei Xingjian stood on the top of Luoyue Slope, looking at the Chu army camp in the distance.

The cold wind blew up the Tang army flag behind him, making it flutter.

Following Li Jing's orders, he led 20,000 elite troops disguised as the main force of the Tang army and continuously launched tentative attacks on the Chu army's defense line.

"Report! The left wing has launched a feint attack as planned!"

"Report! The right wing cavalry has withdrawn, and the Chu army shows no signs of pursuit!"

Pei Xingjian nodded slightly, his fingers tapping lightly on the hilt of the sword at his waist.

He knew that his mission was not to win, but to make the Chu army believe that the main force of the Tang army was tied down here.

Each attack was carefully planned - massive but with enough room for maneuver, giving the Chu army the illusion that the Tang army was trying to break through but was unable to do so.

"General, should we increase our offensive?" the deputy general asked in a deep voice.

Pei Xingjian shook his head: "No, keep this pace. Guan Yun is not an ordinary person. Being too deliberate will only arouse suspicion."

As he expected, the Chu army commander Guan Yun stood in front of his tent, calmly observing the movements of the Tang army.

His deputy general, Zhou Cang, frowned and said, "General, the Tang army's offensive today is more fierce than yesterday."

Guan Yun stroked his long beard, his eyes sharp as a torch: "It's just bluffing. If Li Jing really wants to break through, he won't test it so repeatedly."

"Pass the order down, all units must hold their positions and not attack without authorization."

"This... General, the brothers below all want to rush forward and fight the Tang army."

"so what?"

Guan Yun interrupted, "Our mission is just to hold them back and prevent them from supporting Sima Yi."

"The longer the Tang army spends here, the better the chances of victory for Licheng."

"Send a pigeon to tell His Majesty that the main force of the Tang army has been intercepted here!"

A day later, on the plain outside Licheng, two armies were waiting for battle.

The black armor of the Chu army shone coldly in the morning sun, and the red flags of the Wei army spread out like a sea of blood.

The sound of war drums shook the earth and startled the birds in the distant mountains and forests.

On the city wall, Chu Ning, wearing silver armor, stared at the Wei army formation in the distance.

Zhao Yu walked over quickly and presented Guan Yun's pigeon message: "Your Majesty, General Guan has an urgent report: the Tang army has been successfully intercepted at Luoyue Slope."

Chu Ning unfolded the letter, his eyes gleaming: "Great! Guan Yun really lived up to my expectations!

He turned to the generals and said, "The Tang army cannot participate in this battle. Our army will win this battle!"

Han Xing bowed and said, "Your Majesty, the Wei army is well-defended. A frontal attack would result in heavy losses."

Chu Ning laughed heartily. "That's why I'm going to let Ma Chao's Wolf Cavalry make the first move! Send the order—attack!"

Following Chu Ning's order, the five-colored flags on the city wall danced crosswise.

The war horn blew long and loud, echoing over the battlefield.

Ma Chao could no longer hold back. Hearing the attack horn, he raised his spear high and said, "Canglang Cavalry, follow me and charge!"

Ten thousand cavalrymen rushed towards the Wei army positions like a black torrent.

In the Wei army formation, General Xu Fang sneered, "Archers, prepare!"

Three thousand archers pulled the strings at the same time, and a rain of arrows soared into the sky.

At this moment, the Chu army also shot out dense arrows.

The two waves of arrows collided in mid-air, and the broken arrow shafts fell like raindrops.

Ma Chao seized this fleeting opportunity and led his cavalry to break through the blockade of arrows.

"kill!"

Ma Chao swept his spear across, and five shield-wielding Wei soldiers were knocked away at the same time.

The tip of the spear turned and pierced three more enemy soldiers who were rushing towards him.

The warhorse neighed and leaped into the Wei army formation.

Wherever the cavalry passed, the Wei army's formation was in chaos.

Xu Fang's expression remained unchanged. He waved his flag and said, "Disperse!"

The well-trained Wei army immediately dispersed and made way for the passage.

This was originally a clever strategy to deal with cavalry charges, but it played into the hands of the Chu army - the Modao troops following closely behind had already formed up their formation.

A thousand Modao warriors marched in unison, and every step they took made a loud earth-shaking sound.

The Mo Dao in their hands was more than seven feet long, and the blades shone coldly in the sunlight.

"Kill!" The commander gave the order, and a thousand Mo Daos chopped down at the same time.

The front row of Wei soldiers were split in half, including their armor, and blood splattered several feet high.

The newly enlisted Wei army soldiers looked pale, and some even dropped their weapons and fled.

"Hold on!" The Wei army generals roared, but were unable to prevent the collapse of morale.

On the city wall, Chu Ning frowned, "Sima Yi has always been cunning, how could he be so vulnerable?"

Xun Yu pondered and said, "Your Majesty, the Wei army's retreat was too methodical. I'm afraid there's a trick going on."

Han Xing was about to speak when a messenger rushed over: "Report! The West City is under fierce attack by the Wei army. The enemy's attack is fierce!"

Chu Ning's eyes flashed: "As expected, Sima Yi used his main force to lure our army out of the city, and secretly sent elite troops to attack the West City!"

Han Xing immediately requested: "I am willing to go to the west city to resist the enemy!"

Chu Ning nodded: "Yes, remember, the West City granary is of great importance and cannot be lost."

After Han Xing left, Xun Yu whispered, "Your Majesty, Sima Yi's plan is brilliant, but it's a bit too obvious."

Chu Ning stared at the battlefield: "You mean..."

Before he finished speaking, the situation on the battlefield changed suddenly.

The Wei army, which had been retreating, suddenly stabilized its position, and a fresh force was sent out from each wing to surround the Chu army that had penetrated too deep.

Ma Chao realized he had fallen into a trap and roared, "Form a circle!"

The cavalry quickly gathered together, their spears pointing outward.

However, the Modao team was slow to act and was divided and surrounded by the Wei army.

"Shoot!" The Wei army rained down arrows, causing heavy casualties to the Chu army.

Ma Chao charged left and right, his spear stained with blood, but he was still unable to break through the encirclement.

At the critical moment, the rhythm of the war drums on the city wall suddenly changed.

Chu Ning personally beat the drum, three times fast and one time slow, which was the pre-agreed retreat signal.

Ma Chao gritted his teeth and said, "All troops, listen up! Break out to the southeast corner!"

He spotted the weak point in the Wei army's encirclement and led his cavalry in a desperate charge.

The remaining soldiers of the Modao Corps followed closely behind, using their flesh and blood to clear a path for the cavalry.

At the same time, the battle in West City was equally brutal.

When Han Xing arrived, the Wei army had already set up hundreds of ladders, and the vanguard troops had even climbed to the top of the city wall.

"Crossbowmen, suppress! Prepare the rolling logs!" Han Xing remained calm in the face of danger and gave orders with confidence.

Hot oil poured down, and the climbing Wei army fell down with screams.

But the Wei army's offensive continued unabated, and more troops poured in like a tide.

Han Xing discovered that the enemy's main general's flag was Sima Zhao, the son of Sima Yi, who was personally supervising the battle!

"Bring me my bow!"

Han Xing drew his bow and aimed at Sima Zhao.

The arrow was like a meteor, but was blocked by the shield of the guard beside Sima Zhao.

Sima Zhao sneered and waved his hand, and the Wei army pushed out three battering rams and began to hit the city gate.

Han Xing snorted coldly: "Smash down the rocks and dead wood to block their way, and use archers to shoot these attackers!"

With the arrival and command of Han Xing, the Chu army quickly stabilized.

The crisis in Xicheng has been temporarily resolved, but the situation on the main battlefield remains unfavorable.

Ma Chao led his troops to break out, but was trapped by the enemy army.

In the end, Chu Ning ordered Zhao Yu to lead 3,000 white horse cavalry out of the city to provide support. With the cover of archers, he was able to rescue Ma Chao's troops.

At sunset, both sides withdrew their troops.

In this battle, although the Chu army defeated Sima Yi's plan, it also paid a considerable price.

On the city wall, Chu Ning looked at the corpses scattered all over the ground and said in a deep voice: "Sima Yi's military tactics are indeed as cunning as a fox."

Xun Yu stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, although this battle is still undecided, General Guan has successfully tied down the Tang army, and our army still has the upper hand."

Chu Ning nodded. "Send a message to Guan Yun, telling him to defend Luoyue Slope to the death. Send scouts to monitor the Tang army's movements. I have a feeling the real decisive battle is imminent."

As night fell, both sides inside and outside Licheng were preparing for an even more brutal battle tomorrow.