SFS Chapter 358 Pan Zhang is killed
Chapter 358 Pan Zhang is killed
Upon learning that even Pan Zhang had been forced to leave the arrow tower due to the fierce fighting, Li Tong could no longer sit still and decided to take immediate action.
Having served in the position of director for so many years, he has come to a profound understanding of one principle: to gain the appreciation of one's superiors, one must demonstrate one's value. And how is value demonstrated? Isn't it demonstrated at the crucial moment that determines victory or defeat?
If we don't act now, and Guan Xing wins and the war ends, there will be no need for us to take action.
Thinking this, Li Tong covered his backside and ran out of the tent. Looking at the swaying figures in the distance and listening to the increasingly intense shouts of battle, he frowned and asked, "Have you checked the area near the granary? How many troops are stationed there now?"
To strike a snake, you must strike its vital spot. Since you only have one chance, you should naturally aim for Pan Zhang's most vulnerable point, which is undoubtedly the granary.
If the granary hidden deep within the camp catches fire, the morale of Wu's army will surely melt away as quickly as ice and snow in the spring.
Therefore, Li Tong's initial target was the granary, but the granary was a heavily fortified location, and no one could approach it without Pan Zhang's order. In haste, the only way to set it on fire was to launch a forced attack.
The problem is that Li Tong was stripped of his position as commander by Pan Zhang, and his troops were also transferred away by Pan Zhang. Currently, only he and Shi Tou Gou Dan are available, and he is also seriously wounded.
It seems unrealistic for just two and a half people to attack the granary.
Dog Egg said worriedly, "There's a whole troop of soldiers near the granary. The three of us can't get close at all. There's only one way to burn the grain: wait until the war worsens to the point that General Pan moves all the granary garrison there."
Li Tong shook his head and said, "That's definitely not going to work. If we transfer the troops guarding the granary to the front line, the situation will deteriorate drastically. If that happens, it means that General Guan is about to win. At that time, we won't be burning Pan Zhang's grain, but General Guan's grain. Do you think General Guan will spare us?"
Dog Egg asked in astonishment, "That's true, so what should we do?"
After a moment's thought, Li Tong said, "It seems we have to find another way. Fortune favors the bold. Are you two willing to risk your lives and play a daring game with me?"
Dog Egg and Stone nodded emphatically, "At a time like this, what are we afraid of? Big Brother, just tell us what to do?"
A ruthless glint flashed in Li Tong's eyes as he said in a frenzied manner, "Kill Pan Zhang, then kill him with one blow. Once Pan Zhang is dead, the other Wu soldiers will naturally surrender. This is a great achievement of beheading a general. Do you dare?"
Dog Egg immediately said, "Just tell me what to do. We're risking our lives, what are we afraid of?"
The three hit it off immediately and acted quickly. After returning to their tent, dressing properly, and setting the tent on fire, they charged forward with their swords. They found their former comrade and asked, "Where is General Pan? I have important military intelligence to report."
These comrades are now enemies, and no one can be trusted. Naturally, Li Tong dared not reveal his intentions openly and could only inquire indirectly. Fortunately, Li Tong was well-liked, and so many people pleaded for him when he got into trouble, which shows his character.
Li Tong had approached a close comrade, who, without suspicion, immediately said, "The general is blocking the breach at Wengzhai. You're still injured, why are you running around like this?"
Li Tong didn't hear the second half of the sentence at all. He ran away after hearing the first half. His comrades didn't stop him. Instead, they turned around and went back to the battlefield. Who had time to care about Li Tong's life or death when they were busy fighting?
Li Tong, accompanied by two personal guards, rushed to the vicinity of the Wengzhai breach. After scanning the area, he quickly spotted Pan Zhang. He roared and charged towards Pan Zhang, slashing at the Han soldiers in front of him and shouting, "General, be careful! Li Tong is here!"
At this moment, Pan Zhang looked like a killing god emerging from a sea of blood, his body covered in blood and already in a killing frenzy. Hearing the voice, he instinctively turned his head and asked in surprise when he saw Li Tong, "Why are you here? Why aren't you recuperating in the tent? What are you doing here?"
Li Tonghao said with great enthusiasm, "I am the general's personal guard. How can I let you fight to the death on the front lines while I stay in the rear and live a leisurely life? General, let me fight with you one more time."
A turbulent time reveals a loyal minister, and adversity reveals true friendship.
Pan Zhang was deeply moved by these words, and felt even more guilty for beating Li Tong that day. After forcing back the Han soldiers in front of him, he immediately moved closer to Li Tong and shouted, "Alright, let's fight again, brothers. Don't fight too hard since you're injured. Just stay behind me."
What? You're going to stand in front of me and protect me?
Li Tong's mind wavered for a moment, but he quickly regained his resolve. He knew Pan Zhang too well, and he was well aware of this bastard's tendency to face things with his back turned.
Besides, there's no turning back once the arrow is released. If Pan Zhang isn't killed today, and he and Shi Tou Gou Dan reveal even the slightest flaw later, the three of them will be the ones to die.
Thinking this through, Li Tong quickly made up his mind and slowly moved closer to Pan Zhang. Once he was beside Pan Zhang, he whispered, "General, Peng Qi's bandit army from the north has invaded. The camp is on fire. I had no choice but to come and report to you. Should we break out?"
Pan Zhang's expression changed drastically, and he immediately exclaimed in surprise, "What? Peng Qi has broken in?"
While exclaiming in surprise, he instinctively turned to look north. This was the moment Li Tong had been waiting for. Taking advantage of the instant Pan Zhang turned around, he acted decisively, drawing the dagger he had prepared for Pan Zhang from his waist and ruthlessly stabbing it into Pan Zhang's throat.
He had been following Pan Zhang since he was fourteen, and with years of experience in battle, he suddenly made a swift and decisive move. The dagger was pulled out as soon as it entered Pan Zhang's throat, and a spurt of blood gushed out from the wound. Pan Zhang's spinning body froze in place, but he was not quite dead yet.
While still conscious, Pan Zhang instinctively turned around and raised his hand to swing his knife, wanting to kill the traitor Li Tong before he died. However, his consciousness had begun to blur and his reaction speed was much slower than before. Li Tong, on the other hand, was prepared and naturally would not give him this opportunity. After pulling the dagger out of Pan Zhang's throat, he quickly swung it at his wrist, easily severing his tendons and disarming him.
Although Pan Zhang was not dead after being hit twice, he had completely lost the ability to resist. With his last bit of strength, he turned his head to look at Li Tong, wanting to say something. But as soon as he opened his mouth, he spat out a lot of blood and foam. Unable to speak, he could only glare at Li Tong. His eyes were filled with resentment, doubt and anger, but more than anything, he was filled with regret. He regretted not killing this traitor that day.
Pan Zhang was stabbed in the face of the enemy, which was like a magnitude 12 earthquake to his personal guards. All the guards were stunned by the sudden turn of events and stood there for a moment, unable to react.
Even the Han soldiers on the opposite side were stunned, their hands holding swords frozen in mid-air.
Currently, only Li Tong and his two companions remain undisturbed on the battlefield. Li Tong is aware of his perilous situation; if he cannot escape the battlefield before Pan Zhang's personal guards react, he will surely be hacked to death by them. Therefore, as soon as he removed Pan Zhang's weapon, he grabbed Pan Zhang's collar and used him as a shield in front of him, then turned and shouted to the Han army: "Brothers of the Han army, I, Li Tong, was ordered by General Guan Xing to assassinate Pan Zhang. Now that the mission is complete, please provide backup, brothers of the Han army."
He had to quickly explain the situation to the Han army and ask for their protection; otherwise, if the unsuspecting Han army and the enraged Pan Zhang's personal guards attacked, he wouldn't have enough lives to survive.
Upon hearing this, the Han army captain in charge of the battle at the breach quickly regained his senses and hurriedly shouted, "Charge with me! Protect Brother Li Tong!"
After saying that, he charged at Li Tong first, determined to snatch Pan Zhang's body, which would be a great achievement.
Pan Zhang's personal guards were also awakened by Li Tong's shouts. They rushed towards Li Tong like madmen and roared, "Li Tong, you bastard, how dare you betray the general! Kill Li Tong to avenge the general!"
Li Tong dragged Pan Zhang's corpse and quickly retreated towards the Han army. Shi Tou Gou Dan fought desperately against Pan Zhang's personal guards in front of Li Tong to cover his retreat, but they couldn't hold out for more than a few breaths before the Han army rushed up and protected them behind them.
The Han and Wu armies had just been engaged in close-quarters combat, so close that they could fall to each other in an instant. Under such circumstances, how could the Han army allow the Wu army to act so arrogantly in front of them? After protecting Li Tong and the other two and seizing Pan Zhang's body, the Han army captain held a knife to Pan Zhang's neck and shouted loudly, "Pan Zhang is dead, why don't you surrender?"