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

It was too late, but soon, the 800 elite Chinese naval fleet led by Zhou Fang had already arrived behind Li Heng. Li Heng and his soldiers were shocked when they saw the coach coming. There were bursts of arrows on the ship, and Du Zeng's soldiers on the shore were shot to death or wounded one after another. The rest turned around and ran away, fearing that they would lose two legs. The eight hundred soldiers led by Zhou Fang and the soldiers of the Xu Dynasty all landed one after another. In the chaos, hundreds of horses were running around on the shore. Li Heng, Zhao Yin and their soldiers were so happy that they mounted the enemy's horses and continued to chase Du Zeng's soldiers.

The hand-to-hand melee began. The soldiers on both sides could no longer use bows and arrows, so spears and swords came in handy. Zhou Fang, Li Heng, Xu Chao, Zhao Yin, and Zhou Fu were all on horseback, leading their soldiers to pursue Du Zeng and Zheng Pan's soldiers. The soldiers on both sides were killing each other, shouts of killing continued, and more and more soldiers were killed and injured on both sides.

Du Zeng led the remaining defeated generals and had escaped several miles away. Zhou Fang ordered,"Stop the pursuit! Continue to board the ship and surround Zheng Pan's navy!"

On the bank of the Yangtze River, Du Zeng's soldiers left more than a thousand corpses. Zheng Pan's navy was pursued and intercepted from several directions by Zhou Fang, Zhou Fu, Li Heng, Xu Chao and Zhao Yin. Seeing that the situation was over, Zheng Pan's soldiers lost all fighting spirit. Some staggered, jumped off the warship, swam to the shore, and then tried their best to escape. Zheng Pan was also seriously injured and fell into the water. Several soldiers risked their lives and jumped into the water, put Zheng Pan on a small boat, and then paddled hard to escape.

"In which direction did Du Zeng run?"Zhou visited several soldiers who were chasing Du Zeng back. One soldier said:"Report to your lord, Du Zeng went to Wudang with hundreds of soldiers."

"There are many practitioners in Wudang. Could it be that these two rebellious people went to Wudang Mountain to change their minds? Zhou Fang got off his horse and said with a smile. Li Heng, Zhao Yin, Xu Chao, and Zhou Fu also got off their horses. Everyone wiped the blood stains on their swords and put them into their sheaths.

"Father, should we take advantage of the victory and send troops to Wudang to wipe out Du Zeng and Zheng Pan's defeated troops? Zhou Fu said. Zhou Fang shook his head and said,"Don't chase poor bandits." Since these two rebels fled to Wudang, it means that there are their accomplices in Wudang Mountain. Maybe they have thousands of soldiers and horses in Wudang Mountain, and it will be difficult to destroy them for the time being."

"Then let these two thieves live for two more years!"Li Heng said with a smile. Zhou Fang nodded, and then said:"Generals, the battle to encircle and suppress Du Zeng has started in the morning and has been underway in the afternoon. Quickly let the fishing boats dock at the shore and bring out all the food and wine. Let the brothers all have a good meal. If you are full of meat, you will have enough wine!"

"What about the bodies in the water and on the shore? So many people died, many of whom were our brothers. Xu Chao shed tears as he spoke. After hearing what Xu Chao said, Zhao Yin, Li Heng, Zhou Fu and Zhou Fang all shed tears involuntarily.

Zhou Fang calmed down and then said:"Let brothers After eating and drinking, Li Heng and Zhao Yin sent their brothers to collect the bodies on the shore. Xu Chao and Zhou Fu salvaged the body from the water. In addition, some brothers were sent to see if there was a valley nearby, and the corpses could be transported to the valley and buried properly. Whether they are our people or the rebels, they are all our parents' children. Even if you lose your life because of war and chaos, you still need to have a destination!"

"Father, what about those who are injured? Our brothers, of course, have to get on the boat and go back for medical treatment. What should we do with those injured under Du Zeng and Zheng Pan?" Zhou Fu asked

"well! They are all father and mother's children. Just because I followed different people in different places. So they become opponents on the battlefield, enemies in battle. If there was no war and no such fratricide, we might be acquaintances or good friends." Zhou Fang continued:"Whether it is our wounded soldiers or the wounded soldiers under Du Zeng and Zheng Pan, they must be treated equally and treated the same. First carry them to the boat for simple bandaging and treatment. If the injury is serious, continue the treatment. Those whose injuries are not serious and willing to go home will be given travel expenses. If your injury is not serious or has been cured, if you are willing to join our team, we will welcome anyone who comes!"

"The Sheriff is so generous and generous! Li Heng praised

"Lord Sheriff, I have another question, what to do with the hundreds of dead horses on the shore?"Xu Chao said. Zhou Fang looked at the dead horses on the shore and said,"In the decades of war, not only tens of thousands of soldiers died, but also tens of thousands of people. Many of the war horses driven by both sides died in order to help us or help our opponents fight."

It was getting dark, so Zhou Wan walked up to a dead horse. There were several arrows in the horse's belly and head. Zhou Wan gently stroked the horse's head and pulled out all the arrows. He said with some distress:"What a mighty and majestic war horse! Unfortunately, in the fierce battle between us, it was shot to death by several arrows! well! What an innocent creature!"

"Otherwise, since these creatures have died in the battle, just kill them and eat their meat! People have been displaced in recent years, and in many places in the north there is not even a pig or a sheep to be seen. The Jiangnan area is not much better. Many people want to survive, but they have no food to eat. Some can only eat tree bark and grass roots. Let these poor creatures become a delicious meal for our soldiers! Li Heng suggested. Zhou Fu said."Father, let's cut off the good meat and transport the remaining horse heads, horse skeletons, etc. to the valley for burial!""

Zhou Fang said:"This is a good idea. Eat horse meat and bury the horse's head and skeleton."

"Lord Sheriff, although we have won this battle. However, Du Zeng was the murderer of my father. He fled to Wudang, and my deep hatred has not yet been avenged!"Zhao Yin scratched his head and said with some regret. Zhou Fang comforted him:"It's not too late for a gentleman to take revenge in ten years. Besides, a vicious and capricious villain like Du Zeng will not last long. Zhou

Fu looked at Zhao Yin's bandaged left arm and several wounds on his chest and said,"General Zhao was injured in many places for this battle. We must not spare Du Zeng lightly!""

"Then when will we go after Du Zeng?"Zhao Yin asked again in embarrassment. Zhou Fang said earnestly:"Don't worry, kid! In less than two years, I will make Du Zeng's head fall to the ground!"

"Thank you, Lord Sheriff! Zhao Yin smiled and said:"No, thank you Uncle Zhou!""

"Then I will work with General Xu Chao to arrange for hundreds of brothers to cut and cook the horse meat, and then pull the horse head and horse skeleton to the valley and bury it!"Li Heng said

"Okay, you and General Xu Chao will look at the arrangements!" Zhou Fang said.