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Zhang Jiao's Bandit Army, numbering one hundred fifty thousand like a swarm of ants, occupied Guangzong, facing off against Lu Zhi's fifty thousand Imperial Army. The two sides had been clashing for several days without a clear victor. Lu Zhi stood before the sand table, pointing at the location of Yingchuan on the map, his brow furrowed and his gaze revealing a hint of urgency.
"Xuan De, although Zhang Jiao is pinned down here, his brothers Zhang Liang and Zhang Bao are rampaging through Yingchuan, clashing with Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun. If Yingchuan falls, the entire situation may become unstable." Lu Zhi looked up at Liu Bei, his eyes resolute. "I wish to send you to lead our troops along with an additional thousand Imperial Army soldiers to rush to Yingchuan under the cover of night. Assess the situation there and coordinate with Huangfu Song to eliminate the bandits. If the opportunity arises, we will strike together."
Liu Bei clasped his fists in agreement. "I am willing to go and will not disgrace my mission!"
Lu Zhi nodded and then summoned a thousand Elite Troops, entrusting them along with supplies to Liu Bei. Guan Yu stood nearby, calmly arranging his weapons, his tone steady yet sharp. "Brother Xuan De has this responsibility; Yun Chung shall accompany you to assist in defeating the bandits."
Zhang Fei chuckled heartily, patting his Eighteen-Feet Serpent Spear. "How can killing bandits be complete without me, Zhang Fei? I haven't had enough fun in Guangzong; let's have another battle in Yingchuan—just what I want!"
Liu Bei smiled slightly, his gaze firm. "With both of you sharing the same resolve, we shall surely win this battle!"
The night was dark as ink, with sparse stars twinkling. Liu Bei's troops moved swiftly through the silence, their banners fluttering in the cold wind, the sound of horse hooves echoing in the empty valley. Days later, they arrived at Yingchuan and could see smoke rising from afar; the sounds of battle filled the air as Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun's forces clashed with Zhang Liang and Zhang Bao.
Before Liu Bei's group could get close, a messenger intercepted them and clasped his fists in greeting. "General Huangfu and General Zhu are currently engaged with the Yellow Turban Rebels; please enter the tent quickly to discuss strategies for defeating the enemy."
Liu Bei hurriedly made his way to Huangfu Song's Central Tent. Inside, maps were spread out as Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun contemplated their tactics. Upon seeing Liu Bei enter, Huangfu Song's eyes lit up. "Is this Mr. Lu's Xuan De Liu Bei who has come?"
"Indeed," Liu Bei replied as he clasped his fists in respect. "I come at my master's command to assist in battle; may I ask if you have any instructions?"
Huangfu Song rose tall and pointed at the map. "The Bandit Army led by Zhang Liang and Zhang Bao is entrenched at Chang She, having built Grass Hut Camps to defend themselves. These Grass Hut Camps are sturdy but flammable; I am discussing with General Zhu about using fire to break through!"
Guan Yu nodded slightly and said solemnly, "This plan is feasible but must be executed at the right moment; we cannot miss the timing or advantage."
Zhang Fei laughed heartily at this remark while patting his Eighteen-Feet Serpent Spear. "Do we even need to calculate? Let's just charge right in!"
Huangfu Song shook his head and smiled, saying, "General Zhang is unmatched in bravery, but attacking the Grass Hut Camp head-on will only waste manpower. We have prepared dry grass; when the strong winds rise at night, we will set it ablaze. The Bandit Army will have no defenses and will surely fall into chaos. At that time, our forces can strike together and achieve victory!"
Upon hearing this, Liu Bei's eyes lit up, and he clasped his fists, saying, "If that is the case, I am willing to lead the vanguard and take on the assault mission!"
Huangfu Song nodded and declared loudly, "Good! Then I will trouble General Liu to fight alongside me. When the fire ignites, assist me in breaking the enemy!"
That night, the wild wind bent the trees low, dark clouds rolled across the sky, completely obscuring the moonlight and shrouding the earth in darkness. Liu Bei led five hundred troops to ambush on the left side of the Grass Hut Camp, listening only to the howling wind as soldiers gripped their weapons tightly, holding their breath and waiting for that crucial signal.
At the second watch of the night, Huangfu Song's army quietly approached the Grass Hut Camp, each soldier carrying a bundle of dry grass hidden in various places. Suddenly, a flame shot up from the northern side of the Grass Hut Camp; flames spread with the wind, instantly igniting a large area of grass. The roaring fire soared into the night sky, illuminating half of it.
"The fire has started!" Liu Bei raised his sword and shouted fiercely, "Charge with me!"
Guan Yu drew his Green Dragon Crescent Blade and was the first to charge out on horseback, his blade glinting coldly in the firelight. He plunged into the enemy ranks; with a sweep of his saber, he cleaved an enemy soldier in half, blood splattering across the ground. Zhang Fei followed closely behind, wielding his Eighteen-Feet Serpent Spear and roaring like thunder as he thrust his spear to send two enemy generals flying, causing the Yellow Turban Army to scatter in panic.
In the light of the flames, chaos erupted within the Yellow Turban Army camp as soldiers fled in terror through the sea of fire without any commander. From within the Grass Hut Camp came Zhang Liang's furious roar: "Steady! Steady your formation!" However, the flames raged too fiercely; thick smoke filled the air as soldiers were already filled with fear and scattered in all directions.
Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun's main forces pressed forward from the front, their battle cries deafening as swords clashed like thunder. Seeing that the fire was at its peak, Liu Bei pointed his sword toward the enemy camp and led his troops into battle from the left flank to join forces with Zhang Fei's group. He shouted loudly, "Brothers, let us take Zhang Liang and Zhang Bao's heads!"
Guan Yu seized the opportunity and led his ambush troops to attack from the right side. The Green Dragon Crescent Blade flashed coldly in the firelight; wherever it struck, no one could withstand it. Realizing that things were going awry, Zhang Liang hurriedly ordered his remaining soldiers to break through but found themselves confronted by a raging sea of flames ahead and a cacophony of battle behind—there was no way out.
The fierce fire consumed the entire Grass Hut Camp; flames illuminated the night sky while thick smoke filled their lungs. The Yellow Turban Army's formation fell into disarray as soldiers fled in all directions amidst cries for help and neighing horses—it was as if doomsday had arrived. Liu Bei swung his sword high and shouted, "Charge! Do not let any of the Bandit Army escape!" Guan Yu and Zhang Fei silently followed closely behind him; their dual sabers and spear glimmered coldly as they cut down fleeing Yellow Turban Soldiers from their horses like tigers among sheep.
Zhang Liang gritted his teeth as he turned to see a sea of flames around him; his expression was filled with anger and unwillingness. He grabbed Zhang Bao fiercely and shouted angrily, "This place is not safe! We must break through!" Zhang Bao looked disheveled with dirt and blood covering his face; gritting his teeth he said, "But brother, our troops are scattered—how can we break out?"
Zhang Liang glared with bloodshot eyes; suddenly drawing his sword he swung it to knock down a soldier blocking their path while shouting fiercely, "Fight with me for our lives! If we do not escape today, we shall all be souls under Imperial Army blades!" He led what remained of their soldiers in a desperate attempt to break through toward the northwest.
Under the glow of the flames, Liu Bei suddenly reined in his warhorse, seeing Zhang Liang and Zhang Bao leading a small troop attempting to break through. He turned to Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, saying, "Do not let the bandit leader escape! Follow me in pursuit!" Zhang Fei let out a loud roar, spurring his horse forward. The Eighteen-Feet Serpent Spear pierced through the air, and a Yellow Turban Soldier screamed as he was impaled, blood spraying into the sky. Guan Yu urged his horse to chase after them, the Green Dragon Crescent Blade glinting coldly as he swung it, causing several more to fall.
Behind Zhang Liang, cries of despair filled the air as soldiers wailed in hopelessness. He turned abruptly, spotting a flag with black background and white characters fluttering in the wind, emblazoned with the character "Liu." His eyes widened in fury, teeth grinding together as he exclaimed, "Liu Bei! Do not be too overbearing!"
Just as Zhang Liang and Zhang Bao were desperately trying to break through, a sudden sound of urgent horse hooves echoed ahead, shaking the ground slightly. Through the thick smoke, a squad of cavalry clad in red armor emerged from the mist, blocking their path. Leading them was a tall general, standing seven feet tall with sharp eyes and a long beard, wielding a sharp blade and gazing coldly like a knife. He shouted loudly, "Rebel Zhang Liang and Zhang Bao! You will find it impossible to escape today!"
Zhang Liang's expression changed dramatically as he turned to Zhang Bao urgently saying, "It’s Cao Cao! Quickly follow me to break through!" Zhang Bao gripped his sword tightly, his voice trembling as he replied, "Brother, what… what should we do?"
Cao Cao wasted no time giving them a chance to breathe; raising his Dadao high, he commanded fiercely, "All troops obey my orders—kill them!"
With the command given, the red flags waved as thousands of elite cavalry surged forward like an iron tide against the remnants of the Yellow Turban Army. The sound of horse hooves thundered like rolling thunder; blades flashed like waves. At the forefront was Cao Cao himself; his blade struck down decisively, severing the head of a Yellow Turban Colonel with blood gushing forth. He then coldly swung his sword again, toppling several more enemies with unstoppable force.
Zhang Liang gritted his teeth and swung his Dadao to fend off attacks but was gradually pushed back by Cao Cao's relentless assault. In the firelight, Cao Cao's gaze was ruthless; each strike was clean and decisive, claiming one life after another. He closed in on Zhang Liang and shouted sternly, "Zhang Liang, kneel and surrender; perhaps you may be spared!"
Zhang Liang roared defiantly as he counterattacked with his blade; sparks flew as their weapons clashed. He staggered slightly under Cao Cao's overwhelming strength. Seeing this, Zhang Bao shouted and rushed in to assist him, but Guan Yu's Green Dragon Crescent Blade met him head-on; one sweeping strike sent Zhang Bao reeling backward.
"Do not panic, Brother Zhang Bao!" Zhang Liang gasped for breath while gritting his teeth to hold firm against Cao Cao's third strike. However, at that moment, Zhang Fei's Eighteen-Feet Serpent Spear lunged from the side towards Zhang Liang's throat. With pupils constricting in fear, he desperately sidestepped to evade a fatal blow but was still grazed by the spear tip on his arm, blood pouring out.
Realizing that defeat was imminent as enemy forces closed in around him, Zhang Liang finally understood that their situation was dire. Gritting his teeth to steady himself, he grabbed Zhang Bao's hand and shouted, "Run! We will retreat for now and fight another day!" The two turned their horses around and fled in haste while their remaining troops followed closely behind to protect their escape route.
Cao Cao sheathed his sword with a cold snort and waved his hand commanding, "All troops pursue! Do not let a single one escape!" He watched as Zhang Liang and Zhang Bao fled into the distance; a glint of cold light flashed in his eyes before he turned back to regroup with Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun to discuss their next steps in eliminating the bandits.
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