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Cao Cao rode forward in front of his army, his gaze sharp as he pointed at Lü Bu and said in a deep voice, "Lü Fengxian, I have no grievances with you in the past. Why have you attacked my Yan Province and seized my cities?"
Across the battlefield, Lü Bu laughed heartily, his voice echoing like thunder. The Red Hare pranced beneath him, and he twirled the Fangtian Halberd in his hand, its cold gleam shining brightly. "The cities of the Han Dynasty belong to the ruler of the world. Whoever has the ability can take them! Cao Cao, what right do you have to monopolize Yan Province?"
Before his words faded, a general behind Lü Bu spurred his horse forward, raising his spear towards Cao's camp with a voice like rolling thunder. "Who dares to fight me? I am Zang Ba!" Clad in iron armor, he exuded an imposing presence, his eyes blazing as he bore down on Cao's camp.
In Cao's ranks, Le Jin heard this and galloped out, brandishing his steel spear as he shouted angrily, "Zang Ba, do not be arrogant! I will take your head!"
The two horses charged forward, their iron hooves shaking the ground. The two figures crossed paths like lightning, their weapons raised high as they clashed fiercely. The sound of spears slicing through the air and the clang of metal echoed continuously, sparks flying as the battle raged swiftly and intensely. Le Jin and Zang Ba fought for over thirty exchanges without a clear victor; both were drenched in sweat and panting heavily.
Watching from the ranks, Xiahou Dun shouted angrily, "Let me lend you a hand!" With that, he swung his spear and charged towards the battlefield. On Lü Bu's side, Zhang Liao could no longer contain himself and rode out to intercept Xiahou Dun. The two immediately engaged in fierce combat. Blades flashed and swords glinted as their horses neighed loudly amidst the chaos.
From a distance, Lü Bu observed with raised eyebrows and a cold smile. "A mere Cao Army dares to challenge me?" His bloodlust finally ignited; he urged the Red Hare forward with a fierce shout and swept through with his Decorated Halberd like a storm!
"Cao Cao! Watch as Lü Bu comes for you!" Lü Bu's momentum was thunderous as he charged forth like a raging fire.
Le Jin and Xiahou Dun were locked in intense combat when they felt Lü Bu's overwhelming pressure descend upon them like an avalanche. Lü Bu swung his Fangtian Halberd; its cold light flashed as it sent Le Jin's spear flying. Le Jin nearly fell from his horse and had no choice but to retreat back to his formation.
Seeing the situation turn dire, Xiahou Dun was alarmed and wanted to engage but was forced back by Lü Bu's ferocious onslaught. He could only rein in his horse and fall back.
Lü Bu's momentum surged even higher; with eyes ablaze like a fierce tiger charging down the mountain, he wreaked havoc among Cao's soldiers, leaving them in disarray. As they saw their commander retreating, panic spread through the ranks of the Cao Army, causing them to scatter in all directions. Lü Bu relentlessly pursued them, wielding his Decorated Halberd with deadly precision; each sweep claimed lives as soldiers fell from their horses.
Realizing that defeat was imminent, Cao Cao's face turned ashen as he waved his hand and shouted, "Retreat! Retreat!" His soldiers fled in panic for three or four dozen miles before finally stopping.
Lü Bu stood atop his horse watching the disorganized retreat of the Cao Army with a cold smile before returning to camp. The battlefield was littered with bloodstains and fallen bodies.
Cao Cao returned to camp with a grim expression that resembled dark water; silence hung heavily in the air within the tent. The generals dared not speak; the atmosphere was thick with tension.
Yu Jin stepped forward and clasped his fists solemnly. "My lord, after today's defeat, I took a high vantage point to observe and found weaknesses in Lü Bu's army. To the west of Puyang lies a temporary military encampment that appears lightly defended. After such a great victory today, Lü Bu will surely believe we lack the courage to fight again; he will likely let down his guard tonight. If we send troops for a surprise attack under cover of darkness to break this encampment, Lü Bu's morale will suffer greatly, leading to disarray among his forces. This is our best strategy."
Upon hearing this, a glimmer of light flashed in Cao Cao's eyes as he nodded approvingly. "This plan is feasible! Lü Bu is brave but ultimately just a man of brute strength without sufficient strategy; today's victory will surely make him overconfident. I will catch him off guard!"
He raised his hand decisively and commanded, "Immediately gather troops! Cao Hong, Li Dian, Mao Jie, Lu Qian, Yu Jin—each of you lead an army while I personally oversee the battle! Dian Wei will follow me at the rear! Select two thousand elite infantry and cavalry to set out tonight via the back roads directly towards Puyang Xi Zhai!"
The generals inside the tent responded in unison: "Yes!"
Dian Wei immediately clasped his fists and revealed a fierce smile, saying, "Rest assured, my Lord! Whoever dares to obstruct us will find my twin halberds sending their heads rolling!"
Cao Cao nodded, his eyes filled with murderous intent as he spoke in a low voice, "Tonight's battle must be swift and decisive! If we win, it will greatly diminish Lü Bu's momentum; if we lose, we may never have another chance to turn the tide. All units are ordered to keep silent and ensure a surprise attack!"
As night fell, Cao Cao's army quietly assembled. The soldiers donned black armor and wrapped their weapons to prevent any glint from giving away their position. Ten thousand men stood in silence, even the sound of the warhorses' breathing was masked by the wind. Cao Cao rode at the front of the army, his gaze sweeping over this ironclad force as he declared, "Those who breach the camp tonight will be rewarded; those who slay enemies will receive great honors! Charge forward!"
Yu Jin led the vanguard, galloping ahead with his troops. Cao Hong, Li Dian, Mao Jie, and others each commanded a division of soldiers, encircling Puyang and Xi Zhai from different directions. Cao Cao's battle flag flew silently in the night breeze, cutting through the air like a knife, while the soldiers' eyes were filled with cold determination.
Cao Cao sat astride his horse, gazing into the darkness ahead with a cold smile creeping onto his lips. "Lü Bu, once I breach your camp tonight, let’s see how you dare to act so arrogantly!"
Within Lü Bu's camp, flickering flames illuminated the scene as soldiers finished their drills and returned to rest. Lü Bu sat inside his tent, holding a wine cup with a self-satisfied expression, convinced that after defeating Cao Cao, he would not dare to strike again. However, beside him, Chen Gong wore a worried frown.
"General," Chen Gong said firmly, "Xi Zhai is a vital stronghold. After being forced back, Cao Cao will surely be unwilling to concede and may launch a surprise attack. We must be on guard!"
Lü Bu laughed heartily and waved his hand dismissively. "Ha! Today I have dealt a great blow to Cao Cao; his troops are weary and fearful. How could he dare to launch a night raid? You worry too much!"
Yet Chen Gong remained insistent. "Cao Cao is cunning and full of tricks; he often acts unexpectedly. We must prepare for any eventuality."
Seeing Chen Gong's increasingly resolute demeanor, Lü Bu finally put away his smile and pondered for a moment before saying, "Very well! Order Gao Shun, Wei Xu, and Hou Cheng to take troops to guard Xi Zhai and ensure strict vigilance without fail!"
***
At this moment, Cao Cao's army had quietly approached Xi Zhai. The night was thick with darkness, with only distant beacon fires faintly visible. Clad in black armor, Cao Cao stood at the front of the formation on horseback, his gaze sharp as an eagle as he coldly observed the lights within the camp.
"Remember, swift battle and quick resolution!" Cao Cao instructed the generals beside him in a low voice. "Break into the camp without leaving any escape route! Tonight we must capture this stronghold and instill fear in Lü Bu!"
"Understood!" Yu Jin, Li Dian, Cao Hong, and oth second brother nerals responded quietly as they raised their hands to give orders.
With a thunderous command echoing through the air, the Cao Army launched its surprise attack from all sides! The soldiers beat their war drums fiercely while shouting battle cries as they surged toward the unprepared Xi Zhai like a tidal wave. Lü Bu's defenders were caught off guard; in their panic they had no time to organize any resistance and fled in disarray.
Cao Cao charged straight in on horseback with a command flag in hand, shouting, "The camp has been breached! All troops advance and occupy it!"
However, just as the Cao Army took control of Xi Zhai and believed victory was assured, distant drumbeats suddenly erupted along with thunderous shouts of battle. A sentry rushed back to report: "Gao Shun is leading his troops here!"
Cao Cao turned back to see Gao Shun at the forefront wielding a long spear as he led a large contingent of soldiers into the camp amidst cries of battle from all directions. In haste, Cao Cao raised his arm and shouted loudly: "Form ranks to meet the enemy! Steady your hearts!"
The flames of war ignited in an instant, and the two armies clashed within the encampment. Gao Shun, a master of martial arts, thrust his spear and felled several foes, causing some confusion among Cao's soldiers. Cao Cao personally oversaw the battle, shouting loudly to stabilize his troops.
As dawn broke, amidst the chaos, a soldier cried out in alarm, "Not good! Lü Bu is leading his army here!"
In the distance, dust rose like a storm as Lü Bu, clad in golden armor and wielding the Fangtian Halberd, rode on his Red Hare like a whirlwind. Behind him followed Wei Xu, Hou Cheng, and other warriors, their battle cries shaking the heavens. Lü Bu's gaze was fierce as he pointed at Cao Cao and shouted, "Cao Cao, you dare to launch a night raid on my camp? Today, I will ensure you have no way back!"
Seeing Lü Bu approaching, Cao Cao inwardly lamented, "This fellow is coming fast!" Just as he was about to order a retreat, Lü Bu had already charged into the ranks of the Cao Army.
"Lu Bu!" Yu Jin and Le Jin bravely stepped forward to confront him, but they were no match for Lü Bu's might. In just a few exchanges, both Yu Jin and Le Jin were forced to retreat in disarray.
"Retreat! Retreat!" Realizing the dire situation, Cao Cao could only wave his troops back as they fled northward in panic.
However, misfortune did not come alone. Just after they had retreated a short distance, shouts of battle suddenly erupted from behind the mountains. An ambush had cut off their path; leading the charge was Zhang Liao, with Zang Ba on the left flank. The two armies closed in on Cao Cao’s forces, making it difficult for them to advance.
Cao Cao was alarmed and urgently commanded Cao Hong and Lu Qian to engage in battle while he himself rode westward to break through. However, just as he changed direction, another wave of shouts and cries blocked their path. Leading this new force were Hao Meng, Cao Xing, Cheng Lian, and Song Xian; they charged forward to encircle him.
"Kill them!" The four generals attacked simultaneously, plunging the battlefield into further chaos. Surrounded by enemies on all sides and witnessing his soldiers fall one after another under a rain of arrows, Cao Cao found himself with almost no way out.
In the midst of this turmoil, his warhorse suddenly stumbled, nearly throwing him off its back. Gripping Pei Jian tightly and feeling beads of sweat form on his brow, he raised his voice in fury and desperation: "Who can save me?"
Arrows whistled through the air as the enemy closed in even tighter. Cao Cao's voice echoed across the battlefield as he cried out hoarsely…
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