Three Kingdoms: Ten Times Speed, Diao Chan Says I'm Too Fast

As dawn breaks, it pierces the last vestiges of darkness, as thick as ink, and descends upon the world.

A galloping horse shattered the tranquility of the morning.

From the three large camps outside Guangzong City, three groups of cavalry, totaling about six thousand men, sped out from the various open camp gates.

Eventually, they converged in the north of Guangzong City, forming a winding black dragon.

The heavy thud of hooves sounded like a roar rising from the earth.

The Yellow Turban rebels, who had been scattered outside Guangzong City since yesterday afternoon, were startled by the roar and began to flee in all directions.

Protected by several hundred personal guard cavalry, Lu Zhi led his troops to the forefront of the six thousand iron cavalry.

The target was Zhang Jiao's central army, which had left the city before nightfall the previous night.

Battle flags embroidered with white Chinese characters fluttered in the wind, forming a black wave.

Since Zhang Jiao's central army left Guangzong City last night, it was already night.

Therefore, Lu Zhi ordered that the pursuit of Zhang Jiao be resumed at dawn.

The powerful cavalry formation of six thousand iron cavalry ignored the fleeing Yellow Turban rebels and headed straight for Zhang Jiao's central army.

These Yellow Turban rebels were nothing but small fry.

Once Zhang Jiao dies, these bandits will inevitably be defeated and become lambs to the slaughter.

While pursuing them, Lu Zhi had already ordered the captains who remained in the three camps to lead their troops to occupy Guangzong City.

We must not give the Yellow Turban rebels another chance to retreat.

.............

East of Guangzong City.

The Qing River, which flows through Qinghe Kingdom, divides Qinghe Kingdom and Julu County into two parts.

To travel from Julu County through Qinghe Kingdom, one must cross the Qinghe River.

Alternatively, one could travel north through Anping Kingdom via a detour.

Lu Zhi led 6,000 cavalrymen in pursuit eastward along the direction the Yellow Turban army was retreating.

Around noon, Lu Zhi led 6,000 cavalrymen to the boundary bridge on the west bank of the Qinghe River after defeating several groups of Yellow Turban rebels.

Several miles away, Lu Zhi, riding a black horse and wearing black armor, had already spotted Zhang Jiao's central army preparing to cross the Qing River.

At this time, the area around Jieqiao was filled with scattered Yellow Turban soldiers who had fled along with Zhang Jiao's central army.

Tens of thousands of people stretched from Guangzong City all the way here, a chaotic scene like a herd of cattle, horses, and sheep.

"General, the border bridge is just ahead. It seems Zhang Jiao is preparing to cross the Qinghe River."

The deputy general following behind Lu Zhi said, "Zhang Jiao must be planning to cross the Qinghe River and then order his troops to ambush him at Jieqiao, giving him a chance to escape."

Lu Zhi nodded.

That's right, that should be it.

If you flee from Guangzong and head north, the entire route is through plains.

Escaping the cavalry's pursuit was virtually impossible.

But this direction is blocked by the Qinghe River.

By blocking the bridge across the river, we can buy ourselves the most time to escape.

No matter who you are, this is the best escape route.

"Give the order to launch a fierce attack on Zhang Jiao's central army, and hold them firmly to prevent them from crossing the river," Lu Zhi commanded.

Standing atop a high hill, Lu Zhi ordered his cavalry to charge.

Several thousand cavalrymen split into two groups from both sides of Lu Zhi and charged toward the Yellow Turban army that was preparing to cross the river.

Dozens of large party flags were prominently displayed beside Zhang Jiao's convoy.

Around him followed several thousand elite Yellow Turban soldiers.

These thousands of people appeared to be in a chaotic state.

But the closer one gets to the core of Zhang Jiao's chariot formation, the more rigorous the formation becomes.

In addition to nearly a thousand cavalrymen, there were also groups of soldiers, all of whom were extremely strong and carried large shields.

Inside Zhang Jiao's chariot.

Zhang Ning, who was inside the carriage, had already seen the pursuing cavalry through the rear window.

"Father, the Han army is so fast, they're catching up." Zhang Ning said to Zhang Jiao inside the carriage with some worry.

Zhang Jiao closed his eyes, seemingly as if he were resting.

Outside the carriage, Jia Dong, who had been following closely, rode his horse close to the side window and said:

"Great Teacher, Young Lady, the Han army's cavalry is coming!"

"But it's alright, I've already made arrangements. I'll have Hao Zhao and Zhang Xiu escort the Great Teacher across the boundary bridge first."

Hearing Jia Dong's words, Zhang Ning in the car felt a little more at ease.

"Okay." Zhang Jiao opened his eyes and nodded.

In the distance, two groups of Han cavalry, acting arrogantly and unreasonably, charged into the plain on the west bank of the Qingshui River.

The Yellow Turban army, terrified and fleeing in all directions, had no ability to resist.

Those Yellow Turban soldiers who were unable to dodge the cavalry charge were mercilessly trampled and crushed.

Two groups of cavalry charged straight at Zhang Jiao's central army.

Lu Zhi, who witnessed this scene from the high hill, remained calm.

Victory was within reach, and it was going much more smoothly than he had imagined, almost like taking candy from a baby.

Once Zhang Jiao is defeated, the suppression of the Yellow Turban Rebellion in Ji Province will be almost complete.

However, at that moment, Lu Zhi, who was observing the battlefield, suddenly noticed something unusual.

The Yellow Turban soldiers who were originally guarding the retreat route of Zhang Jiao's central army suddenly stopped running.

Squads of soldiers formed orderly square formations.

They protected Zhang Jiao's central army's chariots in the middle.

At the very front, soldiers holding large shields linked their shields together to form a shield wall.

Upon seeing this, Lu Zhi frowned.

But then Lu Zhi relaxed his brows.

It's impossible that the hundreds of thousands of Yellow Turban soldiers were all refugees.

It is not surprising that Zhang Jiao had some elite guards around him.

However, it's only of average quality at best.

Faced with elite Han cavalry, such obstruction was utterly useless.

However, just as Lu Zhi was beginning to relax, a sudden change occurred.

Just as the two charging cavalry forces merged into one, preparing to charge the shield formation surrounding Zhang Jiao's central army chariots.

Powerful crossbows were mounted on the shield wall from behind the shield formation.

The crossbow bolt was fired the next second.

The charging cavalry were immediately hit by a volley of mounted archery, and then men and horses fell to the ground.

Lu Zhi, standing on the high hill, suddenly widened his eyes.

But it's not over yet.

After the first round of mounted archery, the second rank of crossbowmen set up their crossbows against the shield wall for another round of mounted archery.

Then came the third and fourth rounds.

The replaced crossbowmen loaded their crossbows from behind.

Meanwhile, the crossbowmen at the front, having already loaded their guns, unleashed wave after wave of mounted archery.

The Han cavalry in front had just been shot down, and before they could react, the Han cavalry behind them were shot down again.

One crop after another.

Like wheat that has been cut down.

"this......"

Lu Zhi was immediately shocked.

However, at this moment, Lu Zhi could do nothing but watch helplessly.

In contrast, Zhang Jiao's chariot was surrounded by crossbowmen.

Qu Yi stood calmly in the center of the formation, directing the crossbowmen of the vanguard battalion.

"Hmph, Lu Zhi, I'll make sure you never leave alive!"

Behind Qu Yi, Li Ru, who was also in the same formation as Qu Yi, was also very surprised when he saw the performance of the Vanguard Battalion.

They were surprised that Duan Yu's forces had developed to such an extent.

It is no exaggeration to describe them as having a strong and well-equipped army.

Although this battle was a calculated move, the performance of the person before me was truly astonishing.

The Qu family was a prominent clan in Liangzhou, a fact that Li Ru and Dong Zhuo, having lived in Liangzhou for many years, were well aware of.

I never expected that there would be such a valiant general among the Qu family.

It seemed that the Han army's cavalry formation was in complete disarray. Li Ru looked at Qu Yi beside him and said, "General Qu, that's enough. You can send the other two generals out to fight."

Qu Yi nodded, then turned around and waved his command flag at Zhang Xiu and Hao Zhao, who were already prepared behind him.

Hao Zhao and Zhang Xiu, who had been waiting for their turn, saw Qu Yi waving his command flag not far from Zhang Jiao's carriage, and then turned to look at Jia Dong.

Jia Dong nodded.

"kill!"

"kill!"

Each wielding a weapon, the two led a thousand cavalrymen who had been prepared to charge into the battlefield.

Under the combined assault of powerful crossbows and the sudden arrival of cavalry, Lu Zhi's already chaotic cavalry was thrown into disarray and scattered in all directions.

Standing atop the hill, Lu Zhi, witnessing this scene, could hardly believe that it was all real.

Victory was clearly in sight.

How did the situation suddenly take such a sharp turn for the worse?

Six thousand cavalrymen, just like that, scattered and routed?

As the saying goes, a defeat is like a mountain collapsing.

The Yellow Turban rebels, who were being chased like ducks on the Qinghe Plain just a moment ago, now saw the Han cavalry in disarray and began to beat them while they were down.

"General!"

The guards behind Lu Zhi reminded him, "That cavalry is coming, General."

"Retreat quickly."

At this time, Lu Zhi only had a few hundred personal guard cavalrymen by his side.

Seeing that the battle was beyond saving, Lu Zhi had no choice but to order a retreat.

"Withdraw the troops! Withdraw the troops!" Lu Zhi ordered. "Return to Guangzong City and go back to the city first."