Chapter 117: The Fall of Licheng, Warriors Return to Heaven

Night has fallen, shrouding everything in darkness.



There was a kind-hearted person who wanted to open a crack in the door to see what was happening outside, but they were immediately stopped by their family.

"You rascal! Don't meddle! Don't invite trouble upon yourself!"

For the people who have lived in Gan Yu for generations, having experienced the siege of tens of thousands of Yellow Turbans, these are just minor disturbances.

After the Yellow Turban Rebellion, for more than ten years until the first year of Jian'an, although there were no large-scale battles in Gan Yu City, there were numerous small skirmishes. First, there was the suppression of bandits, clearing out the remnants of the Yellow Turbans. Then, the warlords fought against each other, with one side attacking and the other retaliating. Please note that the translation above follows the provided text closely and keeps all the "@" symbols intact.

Experienced locals in Gan Yu have also come up with a solution.

If bandits and mountain thieves attack, it is best to evacuate the entire family.

After all, those bandits and mountain thieves have no regard for principles, burning, killing, looting, and committing all sorts of crimes.

若是诸侯相争，只要不是太过于惨烈的战事，赣榆告破之后，基本上不会出现大规模的动荡。

这些诸侯，可都是要脸面的人。而且他们每占领一个地方，首先要做的一件事就是安抚民心。

The confrontation between Cao Cao and Tao Qian is well known to the people of Ganyu. However, whether Ganyu belongs to the surname Cao or Tao is actually not that important to them. Even if the magistrate is deeply loved by the people, it doesn't make much difference. What matters is who can bring them more benefits.

只要他们不去招惹是非，想必那些军卒，也不会无端骚扰他们。

在经过片刻混乱之后，赣榆城便恢复了平静。那些降卒们，有条不紊的被押送到了校场看押，夏侯渊也没有对这些降卒进行大规模的屠杀。他只是询问了谁愿继续当兵，为曹军效力，谁不愿当兵，想返回乡里。那些愿意为曹军效力的士卒，自然被夏侯渊接纳，然后分发粮食给他们，让他们埋锅做饭，饱餐一顿后跟随夏侯渊等人前往利城让徐天彻底失去抵抗之心。

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At this moment, the city of Li Cheng has already suffered two attacks from the Bear Army and the Black Tortoise Army each within four days. The defending soldiers on the city wall are truly exhausted.

Leaning against the outer wall of the corner tower, Xu Tian relies on the long spear in his right hand standing on the ground to ensure that he won't fall down.

Damn it, the Zhan Xiong Army and the Xuan Wu Army have a rotating day off system. During the siege, the Qingzhou Army is also there to prevent the enemy troops from charging out of the city, and during retreat, the Qingzhou Army provides cover. They don't have time to rest with just a few people! Translated: They don't have time to rest with just a few people!

Wait a minute, why is it always the Qingzhou Army protecting the attacking forces? Shouldn't it rotate with the Jibo Army?

Over the past few days, the Zhanxiong Army and Xuanwu Army have been decreasing their efforts in attacking the city, and even in the end, they just did it hastily.

传闻疾豹军擅长千里奔袭，如果他们不在利城的话。。。。。。

Could it be?!

"Oh no! Ganyu and Zhuzi, the two cities, are in danger!"

It has come to this point, and Xu Tian finally understands.

The Jibo Army will definitely take advantage of the dispatching of reinforcements from Ganyu and Zhuyi cities. As their forces are insufficient, they will attack the cities and conquer them. As for the reinforcements sent from Ganyu and Zhuyi cities to Licheng, most of their route passes through plains where it is not easy to set up ambushes. It is unrealistic to expect ambushes, and the Cao Army has likely already set up their formation and prepared for battle.

不过，徐天想不到曹军有将自己掩藏于环境中的埋伏手段，也更想不到援军都已经降了。

正想着，城下，一支人马正在缓缓向城池靠近，但是徐天没有立刻下令放箭。因为这支人马并没有携带任何攻城器械，云梯、井阑，一样都没带。

Is this a suicide mission?

When this troops arrived at the city gate, Xu Tian saw clearly that they were wearing Xuzhou army's armor, and among them was a familiar face, the deputy general of Zhucheng. Please remember to reply with the translated content.

Could it be?!

“徐将军，赣榆、祝其二城派出的援军被曹军伏击，死伤殆尽，而曹军也利用我军衣甲，攻破了赣榆、祝其二城，如今三城只剩利城未破了。您，还是降了吧。您若是降了，曹公会放过城内所有兄弟的。”

After saying this, the vice general lowered his head and dared not look at Xu Tian. Apparently, he felt guilty about surrendering to Cao's army. However, this was also the main reason why he could still survive and maintain his previous position.

Xu Tian trembled at the words, and sat down on the ground, his hands unable to hold onto the long spear any longer, which fell to the ground.

"Ah! Determined to kill the thief, yet powerless to change the outcome! The heavens assist Cao and not me!"

In Xu Tian's roaring voice, there was a slight tremor. As a majestic seven-feet tall man, tears streamed down his face.

"Open the gates."

Xu Tian waved his hand, instructing his subordinates to open the gates.

The deputy general hesitated for a moment, "General..."

"Go ahead."

。。。。。。

Cao Cao rode on his warhorse, accompanied by his trusted generals Guo Jia, Xi Zhi Cai, Xun You, and others. As they reached the gates of Li City, which were flung open before them, Cao Cao couldn't help but feel a sense of melancholy in his heart.

This person Xu Tian indeed possesses some talent.

When Cao Cao approached the city gate, a voice came from the city wall.

"Cao, the bandit!"

The crowd was shocked and enraged. Who was it that loudly insulted Cao Cao in front of everyone from the city wall?

Only to see Xu Tian holding a sword in his left hand, standing on that narrow parapet, with the constant danger of falling.

Cao Cao frowned, "General Xu, since you have surrendered, what are you doing?"

Guo Jia, who was standing beside him, seemed to understand Xu Tian's thoughts. He sighed softly, without revealing anything, granting him his wish, his final wish.

Xu Tian pointed his right hand at Cao Cao and said, "Cao thief, I have never mentioned surrendering! I only asked the soldiers to open the city gates! Originally, I intended to deceive you into the city and trap you for slaughter, but I was concerned for the lives of my brothers in this city. They are all good men and should not be buried with me in the yellow sand. That's why I let you go!"

Cao Cao felt a cold sweat as he realized he had indeed underestimated the situation. Over the years, with the assistance of advisers such as Xun Yu, Xun You, Xi Zhicai, Cheng Yu, and Guo Jia, he had almost always been victorious in battles. When Yuan Shu and Tao Qian joined forces to attack the weakened Yanzhou with great momentum, it seemed like they were bound to succeed. However, they were ultimately driven away, and even the province of Yuzhou was taken by Cao Cao himself. This made him think that surrendering to him was a normal course of action and raised no suspicions. Today, Xu Tian has certainly taught him a valuable lesson.

Xu Tian paid no attention to what Cao Cao was thinking and said to himself, "Cao Ah Man, I hope you will treat the brothers in this city well! But as for me, Xu Tian, I would rather die than surrender!"

"General!"

"General, please don't!"

Xu Tian raised his long sword with his left hand, lightly swiped it across his neck, and fresh blood burst out from his throat. Xu Tian fell forward and his body dropped from the city wall, landing right in front of Cao Cao's horse.

徐天虽死，眼睛仍然看向曹操。

曹操不禁感叹了一声“真义士也，以将军礼厚葬徐天尸首，善待其家小父母，一应用度由官府支出。”

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