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Upon reaching Xiangyang, the local Governor Xu Rong had long been waiting. Li Ru clasped his hands and said, "Chancellor, with Luoyang abandoned, we must prepare for pursuing troops. We can have Xu Rong set an ambush in the mountainous terrain outside Yang City. If the enemy approaches, let them pass the front line first. I will personally engage them to disrupt their formation, after which the ambush can strike from behind, ensuring total annihilation and deterring any further pursuit."
Dong Zhuo listened and stroked his beard, nodding in approval. "This plan is excellent!" He immediately instructed Xu Rong to carry it out and ordered Lü Bu to lead the Elite Troops in the rear to protect the main force's westward retreat.
As Lü Bu's troops advanced halfway, a scout reported, "Cao Cao's army is approaching!" Lü Bu sneered and reined in his horse. "Just as Li Ru predicted, these rats have indeed followed us!" He promptly ordered his cavalry to form a line in the mountains, their banners fluttering like flames, their armor gleaming under the moonlight.
When Cao Cao's forces arrived and saw Lü Bu's formation, he shouted angrily, "Rebel Lü Bu! Dong Zhuo has abducted the Emperor and forced the people into exile! Do you still dare to assist such tyranny?" Lü Bu pointed his spear and laughed heartily. "Cao Mengde, a traitor who betrays his lord, dares to speak so boldly here? Today I will teach you what it means to have no place to be buried!"
Before he finished speaking, Xiahou Dun charged forward on horseback with spear in hand, swift as lightning, aiming directly at Lü Bu. The two horses collided, their weapons clashing like dragons. After only a few exchanges, a sudden shout erupted from the left flank. Li Jue led a troop attacking from the side with long spears dense as a forest and an overwhelming killing intent. Cao Cao urgently commanded Xiahou Yuan to meet this threat. However, another thunderous shout came from the right as Guo Si's forces surged forward. Cao Cao ordered Cao Ren to block them.
With three enemy forces attacking simultaneously, Lü Bu was like a tiger among sheep, sweeping through thousands of troops. As he wielded his Decorated Halberd, soldiers in iron armor fell one after another. Xiahou Dun gradually could not hold on any longer and shouted angrily before retreating quickly. Lü Bu sneered, "You rats cannot escape!" He led his iron cavalry in hot pursuit; in an instant, Cao's army was defeated like a landslide, bodies strewn across the battlefield amidst cries of despair.
Cao Cao looked back at Xiangyang and saw flames rising into the sky while pursuing troops closed in behind him. Helplessly, he led the remnants of his forces in retreat. As they reached the foot of a desolate mountain under the deepening night and bright moonlight illuminating their disheveled state, Cao Cao dismounted heavily and scanned his scattered soldiers with piercing eyes. Coldly he declared, "I will not coexist with Dong Zhuo! Though we are defeated today, I will ensure that this rebel pays for his blood debts!"
Xiahou Dun, covered in dust and bowing his head in shame said, "My Lord, I am incompetent; I could not suppress Lü Bu's might which led to our defeat!" Cao Cao struck the ground heavily with his whip. "Lü Bu may be brave but he is merely a man of brute strength! Our troops are weary; let us rest for now and regroup our forces. We will make that A Slave to Three Masters pay dearly!"
The soldiers gathered around campfires, lighting torches and organizing their weapons to boost morale. However, from within the valley came faint sounds that resembled distant enemy hoofbeats; danger still loomed under the night sky.
Just as the soldiers prepared to cook their meals, they suddenly heard shouts erupting from all directions as arrows and stones flew through the air. Xu Rong's ambush surged from the mountain hideout with blades drawn straight for Cao Cao's camp. Startled, Cao Cao hurriedly mounted his horse again and fought desperately to break through with a few guards by his side. Behind him roared shouts like thunder as chaos erupted around him; smoke filled the air. As he rode forward desperately, he collided head-on with Xu Rong.
Xu Rong let out a cold laugh and drew back his Longbow; arrows flew like lightning and struck Cao Cao in the left shoulder. With a muffled groan of pain but no time to stop, he urged his horse onward.
Turning around a hillside, two ambushers suddenly sprang from the bushes with long spears aimed directly at him. His warhorse was struck by an arrow and neighed loudly before collapsing under him. Ignoring his pain as he attempted to rise, he was quickly pinned down by two enemy soldiers with a gleaming steel knife pressed against his throat.
In this critical moment came a furious shout from afar: "Let go of my Lord!" A figure rushed forward like a gust of wind; blades flashed like lightning. The two enemy soldiers had no time to react before they were slain on the spot. The newcomer dismounted swiftly and helped Cao Cao up while asking with concern, "Are you unharmed?" Looking up through misty eyes filled with tears of gratitude, Cao Cao realized it was Cao Hong who had saved him: "Brother has saved my life; I have no way to repay you!"
Hong waved his hand, signaling, "Lord, quickly mount! We cannot stay here any longer!" Cao shook his head and replied, "The Bandit Troops are like wolves; if they catch up, how will you escape?" Cao Hong said resolutely, "The world can do without Hong, but it cannot do without you! Hurry and mount, do not hesitate any longer!" Seeing his firm resolve, Cao finally mounted his horse, his voice choked with emotion, "If I, Cao Mengde, could be reborn, I would surely remember this kindness!"
Cao Hong removed his armor and dragged his sword behind the horse as they fled together. The sounds of battle grew closer, and arrows rained down like a storm. Hong shielded Cao on the horse, shouting as they ran, "Only shoot if you can catch up!" Finally, they broke through the encirclement. As dawn began to break on the horizon, Cao was exhausted and the horse was nearly spent.
Suddenly, a rushing river appeared ahead, its waters turbulent with no bridge in sight. Cao's expression darkened as he murmured to himself, "My fate is sealed; I cannot survive!" However, Cao Hong showed no hesitation. He helped Cao down from the horse, removed his robe and armor, then resolutely jumped into the icy river with him on his back. The water was bone-chilling; Hong gritted his teeth and staggered through the deepest part of the current. Just as they reached the opposite bank, their pursuers arrived at the river's edge, shouting and preparing to shoot.
Hong pushed Cao toward a thicket on the shore and stood defiantly in front of him, wielding his sword to deflect arrows.
As daylight broke further, Cao appeared disheveled and utterly exhausted. The two could only support each other as they trudged through the wilderness for over thirty miles until they finally found a small mound to hide behind. Yet before they could rest for even a moment, distant shouts erupted again; flags fluttered in the wind—it was Xu Rong leading a troop of soldiers across the river in pursuit.
Cao sighed deeply, "Today it seems my fate is sealed; I cannot escape death!" Hong's eyes flashed with determination. "Do not panic, my lord; I still have one life left to protect you!" Just as he spoke, Xu Rong's banners drew nearer, and the killing intent was palpable.
Cao was in a state of panic when suddenly a cavalry unit galloped toward them with flags waving and armor gleaming. Leading them were Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan. Dun let out a furious roar: "Xu Rong the bandit! Do not harm my Lord!" His voice thundered like a storm; his presence was overwhelming. Xu Rong sneered in response and brandished his spear to meet them: "Just right! Today I'll take down both you brothers of Xiahou!"
Xiahou Dun did not reply but charged forward on horseback. His eight-foot steel spear struck like a sudden rainstorm aimed directly at Xu Rong's throat. The two clashed fiercely; their weapons danced amidst flying dust and gravel. Xu Rong's spear technique was vicious as he launched relentless attacks while Dun remained calm and collected, parrying each assault and looking for an opportunity to counterattack. After several exchanges, Xu Rong's horse stumbled slightly; seizing the chance, Dun thrust forward with his spear, driving it straight through Xu Rong's heart. Xu Rong let out a howl that echoed through the air as blood gushed forth; he fell from his horse.
Seeing their commander slain, Xu Rong's men lost all morale and scattered in panic. Xiahou Yuan led the charge after them, cutting down the remaining enemies in all directions. As the smoke cleared, Cao Ren, Li Dian, and Le Jin arrived with reinforcements. Upon seeing Cao covered in blood and pale-faced, they quickly dismounted to pay their respects and anxiously asked, "My Lord, are you gravely injured?" Cao waved them off with a grim expression: "Thanks to your timely arrival today, I have managed to survive!"
Xiahou Dun supported Cao with fury in his eyes: "How could my Lord end up in such dire straits? When will Dong Zhuo's treachery cease?" Cao Ren clasped his hands together: "Now that our remaining troops have gathered, we shall escort my Lord back to Hanoi to regroup our forces and confront that villain Dong Zhuo once more."
Cao nodded silently and gazed into the distance with deep contemplation: "Dong Zhuo has kidnapped the Emperor, displaced the people, burned palaces and tombs; now he sends troops to hunt me down—how cruel is this wolf-hearted man!" At this point, he clenched his fists tightly as flames ignited in his eyes. "Once I have regained my strength and resources, there will come a day when I will tear Dong Zhuo apart to bring peace to the world!"
The generals responded in unison as they helped Cao onto his horse and organized their ranks for retreat. Only about five hundred soldiers remained; all showed signs of fatigue but rallied their spirits under their leaders' encouragement as they marched back toward Hanoi.
Upon hearing of Xu Rong's death and his army's defeat, Dong Zhuo was furious beyond measure. He ordered Lü Bu to strengthen defenses at their rear while he led the main force straight toward Chang'an to temporarily avoid danger.
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