The Sixteen Kingdoms of the Eastern Jin Dynasty: The Competition in the Central Plains

Duan Mobo listened and nodded. Cui Yue continued:"The Governor is gone, and his eldest son is gone. But the Governor's eldest son Liu Qun is here, and we will still serve the Governor, willing to take the crown prince as the main one and avenge the Governor!""

"Okay, okay, your ideas coincide with mine. Duan Mobo said with a smile:"A few years ago, because I fought with Jieren Shi Le, I was captured by Shi Le's generals." Not only did Shi Le not kill me, he also gave me various preferential treatment, which moved me very much. So I recognized Shi Le as my adoptive father. Every day when I get up, I have to kowtow three times to my adoptive father in the direction of the west."

"Da Dan is such a kind and righteous person, we admire him so much!"Lu Chen said. Duan Mobo went on to say:"The power of the adoptive father is getting stronger and stronger. Although he is currently a general of the Han Dynasty, his adoptive father will never be someone who depends on others. I estimate that my adoptive father will soon start a new business. So I will be very happy if you are willing to work for your adoptive father in the future."

While Duan Mobo was talking to these people, a man came in from the outside. He came to Duan Mobo and saluted:"My brother, see the Great Chanyu! Duan

Mobo saw that it was his younger brother Duan Qidu, so he asked:"Qiu Du, how is the situation in Jicheng and its surroundings now?" What does Duan Pizhen want to do now?"

Duan Qidu sat down, took a sip of water and said,"Duan Pizhen's power is not as strong as before. Especially after he killed Governor Liu Kun, many people became alienated from him. Therefore, we should take advantage of his weakness to completely eliminate Duan Pixi with overwhelming force!"

"good idea! Duan Mobo then said:"Riding Governor, you have to rest for a few days in Lingzhi." Then rectify the troops and horses, raise food and grass, and prepare to attack Duan Pixi in Jicheng in five days!"

"Got the order!"Duan Qidu stood up and said. Duan Mobo then ordered:"Qiu Du, in five days you will lead 10,000 horses to Jicheng to attack Duan Pixi. There must be no mistake!"

"OK!"After Duan Qidu finished speaking, he sat down. Duan Mobo asked Liu Qun again:"Your Majesty, I am going to send two of the governor's generals to the country of Xiang where my adoptive father is. Once Duan Pixun escapes from Jicheng, ask his adoptive father to send troops to intercept and kill Duan Pixun's remaining defeated soldiers on the way!"

"OK! Liu Qun said to the two men:"Brothers Liu Qi and Liu Shu, please go to Xiangguo to meet General Shi Le and ask him to send troops and horses to intercept Duan Pixi on the way!""

Liu Qi and Liu Shu are both sons of Liu Qun's uncle, Dingxiang Marquis Liu Yu. Liu Qi and Liu Shu stood up and said,"Then we will prepare in the next two days and go to Xiangguo the day after tomorrow!"

Five days later in the morning, Duan Qidu and Duan Mobo's three sons Duan Qin, Duan Si, Duan Cong and other generals led an infantry of 10,000 horses and surrounded Jicheng controlled by Duan Pixun on three sides. Duan Qidu attacked Dongcheng Duan Qin attacked the west gate, and Duan Si attacked the north gate. Some of the soldiers led by Duan Cong set up ladders to attack the city, and some soldiers patrolled the south gate.

Duan Pixian checked at each gate, and he came to the west gate , saw Duan Qidu riding on a horse, directing the soldiers to shoot arrows at the soldiers above the west city gate. Duan Pixi took off the bow on his body, bent the bow and nocked an arrow, and shot arrows at Duan Qidu's soldiers below. Some soldiers were shot fall

"Shield bearer, step forward to protect the archer!"Duan Qidu shouted. Duan Pixi came to the North City Gate and East City Gate again, and the situation was similar. Only at the South City Gate, there were only patrols back and forth, and there was no sign of attacking the city gate. Duan Cong's soldiers relied on the wide ladders. Two soldiers can go up side by side, one holding a shield to guard the archer, and the archer shoots arrows at the city wall. However, some archers and shield bearers were also chopped down by the soldiers on the wall. Duan Cong held a sword. Shouting below:"Brothers, there is a reward for attacking the city wall!"

There were still a few archers and shieldmen who climbed up the city wall and occupied a section of the city wall. When Duan Cong saw that he was about to succeed, he quickly urged his soldiers:"Quick, climb up!"

A fierce battle took place on the city wall. Duan Xiu commanded his soldiers and fought hand-to-hand with the soldiers who climbed up the city wall. Both sides suffered casualties. More and more Duan Cong soldiers climbed up the city wall. Many of Duan Xiu's soldiers on the city wall were cut off. , some of Duan Cong's soldiers were also chopped down under the city wall. Duan Cong then climbed up the city wall, led dozens of soldiers down from the city wall, and opened the east gate. Duan Cong's soldiers shouted"Kill!"" and rushed into Jicheng. Duan Cong watched his soldiers enter the city and ordered some soldiers to go to the north gate and some to the west gate. He led the remaining soldiers and continued to hunt down the remaining Duan Xiu soldiers. The shouts of killing in Jicheng became louder and louder. Duan Qidu, Duan Qin, and Duan Si led their soldiers into Jicheng one after another. Duan Pixi, who was still panting, joined Duan Wenyang, Duan Shujun, and Duan Xiu's remaining troops. There are more than 4,000 people. Duan Pixi said to his three younger brothers:"Jicheng has been occupied by Duan Mobo's army. Let's go out of the south city gate and defect to Shao Xu in Fuping City!"

Although Duan Wenyang fought bravely, he saw that the situation was over, so he had no choice but to nod. Duan Shujun and Duan Xiu also nodded. Duan Wenyang was in the front, Duan Pixi was in the middle, Duan Shujun and Duan Xiu were in the rear, and went to join Shao Xu in Fuping. After walking for a while , Duan Pixi said:"I guess Duan Mobo may have some conspiracy. Wenyang, you lead a thousand soldiers to Jixian. If something unexpected happens along the way, we brothers still have a place to stay."

"Follow the order!" Duan Wenyang bowed his hands and saluted, and went to Ji County. As soon as Duan Pixi's more than 3,000 horses arrived at Yanshan, they met Shi Le's general Shi Yue. When Shi Yue saw Duan Pixi's soldiers, all of them looked listless, he Said:"Duan Pixi, surrender!"

Shi Yue's soldiers have cut off all the roads in front and behind. Duan Pixi, Duan Shujun, and Duan Xiu said:"It seems there will be a fierce battle today. Fortunately, I asked Wen Yang to guard Jixian."

A fierce battle began immediately. The soldiers led by Shi Yue were waiting for work, while Duan Pixi's soldiers were exhausted. As soon as the battle started, a verdict was made. Many Duan Pixi's soldiers were killed, and Duan Shujun and Duan Xiu had to fight their way out to fight Duan Pi. He went to Jixian. Shi Yue chased for a while and then stopped the pursuit. Looking at the dead soldiers from both sides scattered all over the mountains and plains, Shi Yue ordered:"Both our brothers and Duan Pixi's soldiers, they have all been carried to the ravine and buried!""

Suddenly, more than a hundred Duan Pixi ambushed soldiers nearby started shooting arrows at Shi Yue and the soldiers around him. Shi Yue and his soldiers quickly used their sabers to deflect the incoming arrows, but they were still hit by several stray arrows. Shi Yue was injured. He died of heavy injuries, and the soldiers buried him nearby.

Duan Qidu left Duan Qin and Duan Si to guard Jicheng, and he and Duan Cong led some troops back to Lingzhi. Duan Mobo and other generals under his command, as well as Liu A group of people and others greeted the victorious Duan Qidu, Duan Cong and their soldiers at the west gate of Jicheng.