Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Cao Cao led his troops back to camp, where his generals, Cao Ren and Xiahou Dun, approached him with serious expressions. After exchanging glances for a moment, Cao Ren spoke first, "My Lord, recent reports from our scouts indicate that Xue Lan and Li Feng in Yan Province are rampantly plundering the countryside, and the city defenses are weak, almost unguarded. This is a heaven-sent opportunity; if we launch a surprise attack with our Elite Troops, Yan Province will be within our grasp."
Xiahou Dun quickly added, "The enemy is currently preoccupied with their raids, making their defenses particularly vulnerable. If our army acts swiftly, we can take them down in one fell swoop without prolonged combat."
Cao Cao pondered briefly, yet his expression already revealed his determination. He stood up, looking down at the assembled generals with a deep but powerful tone, "Very well. Send orders to the entire army: march through the night and head straight for Yan Province!"
As Cao Cao's forces approached, chaos reigned outside Yan Province City. Xue Lan and Li Feng hurriedly reorganized their troops and prepared to face this sudden threat. In the distance, banners waved and the sounds of battle echoed like thunder as the Cao Army surged forward like a tidal wave.
Li Feng rode at the front of his formation, brandishing his Decorated Halberd towards the enemy and glaring fiercely as he shouted, "The Cao bandits are too arrogant! Today, we shall ensure they return without success!" Just as he finished speaking, a gap suddenly opened in the ranks of the Cao Army, revealing Xu Chu charging forward on his mighty steed, wielding a Dadao.
"Xu Chu is here! Who dares to fight me?" Xu Chu's voice boomed like thunder, ringing painfully in the ears of those nearby. Clad in heavy armor and gripping his Dadao that gleamed coldly in the light, he seemed capable of cutting through steel.
Fueled by rage, Li Feng raised his Decorated Halberd and charged forward. The sound of his horse's hooves echoed like drums against the ground as he clashed with Xu Chu in the center of the battlefield.
Their first strike met with a deafening clang as Dadao collided with Decorated Halberd, sending sparks flying and causing nearby soldiers to instinctively take a step back. Li Feng felt a numbing shock in his hands as he nearly lost grip of his weapon. Gritting his teeth, he thrust forward with all his strength, aiming for Xu Chu's throat like a striking serpent.
"Child's play!" Xu Chu roared as he slightly shifted his body. His Dadao swept horizontally, creating a deadly arc of light. Li Feng quickly pulled back his Decorated Halberd to block it; however, the force behind Xu Chu's strike was tremendous, pushing him and his horse back several steps.
Without giving him a moment to breathe, Xu Chu squeezed his legs against his horse's flanks and charged again. His Dadao swung like the wind, each strike faster than the last, leaving Li Feng gasping for air. After several exchanges, Li Feng began to falter as beads of cold sweat dripped from his forehead. He put forth all his effort to defend himself but was caught off guard when Xu Chu suddenly bellowed loudly and raised his Dadao high for a devastating downward strike.
The Decorated Halberd shattered under the blow; the blade continued its descent directly toward Li Feng’s head. Blood splattered as his head rolled onto the ground while his body fell stiffly from his horse.
In the distance, Xue Lan witnessed Li Feng’s demise and turned pale with fear. Grabbing the reins of his horse tightly, he shouted, "Retreat! Quickly back to the city!"
Just as Xue Lan's forces were about to reach the drawbridge, a cold voice rang out from the side: "Xue Lan, you cannot escape!" A figure burst forth—Li Dian—pointing his spear directly at them while blocking their path to the drawbridge with a sinister smile. "You shall leave your life here!"
Xue Lan dared not take risks. In a panic, he led the remnants of his army to change direction, heading towards Juye. However, after traveling only a few miles, the urgent sound of horse hooves suddenly echoed behind them, swift as wind and thunder.
“Xue Lan, come and face your death!” Lu Qian's voice came from behind, and in an instant, he rode forth like the wind. Drawing an arrow from his quiver, he aimed with eyes sharp as a hawk, locking onto Xue Lan's back.
The arrow whistled through the air, its sound chilling to the bone. Xue Lan felt a piercing coldness at his back and instinctively tried to dodge, but he was a moment too late. The arrow pierced his heart, and he fell heavily from his horse, blood quickly staining the ground around him.
With a cry of agony, Xue Lan collapsed with both horse and rider unable to rise. Seeing their commander fall, the soldiers accompanying him scattered in all directions. The wilderness of Juye was left littered with broken soldiers and blood-soaked yellow sand.
After Cao Cao reclaimed Yan Province, morale surged within his ranks. Cheng Yu rode into the tent and respectfully clasped his hands together, saying, “My Lord, now that Yan Province is secure, if we pursue this victory and take Puyang, we can sever Lü Bu's arms and completely pacify this region.”
Cao Cao smiled slightly at these words, a glint of shrewdness in his eyes. “Excellent.” He rose to spread out a map, pointing towards Puyang as he quickly arranged his troops. “Xu Chu and Dian Wei will be the vanguard; Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan will lead the left flank; Li Dian and Le Jin will command the right flank. I will lead the center myself, with Yu Jin and Lu Qian bringing up the rear. All generals are to heed my orders—do not underestimate the enemy; we must strike decisively to capture Puyang.”
The grand army surged forward towards Puyang, banners fluttering in the wind, an aura of impending slaughter filling the air. Within Puyang City, Lü Bu received word of their advance and sneered coldly. “Cao Cao is indeed unwilling to let things rest.” He turned to his strategist Chen Gong beside him and asked, “What is your plan?”
Chen Gong furrowed his brow and clasped his hands respectfully. “General, we cannot rashly engage in battle at this time. Puyang City is poorly defended with few troops; Cao Cao's forces are pressing in. We should gather our generals and prepare thoroughly before seeking an opportunity to confront them.”
Lü Bu snorted coldly, his gaze fierce as he gripped his Fangtian Halberd tightly. “Chen Gong, you underestimate me! What can those rats under Cao Cao do to me? There’s no need to wait for any soldiers to assemble; I will personally ride out to face them!” Ignoring Chen Gong’s repeated warnings, he donned his armor and mounted his horse, shouting angrily, “Open the city gates! Let’s charge out!”
***
Outside Puyang City, war drums thundered and cries of battle filled the air. Lü Bu stood at the front lines with his Fangtian Halberd in hand, scanning the ranks of Cao's army with a voice like thunder: “Cao Cao's minions dare come to their deaths! If you have guts, come forward for a fight!”
From within Cao's army, Xu Chu galloped out from the ranks. His armored body resembled a moving fortress as he bellowed loudly: “Lü Bu! I Xu Chu have come to test your Fangtian Halberd!”
The two riders clashed suddenly; the sound of blades meeting echoed like thunderclaps. Xu Chu's Dadao struck fiercely with each blow as if capable of cleaving mountains apart, while Lü Bu’s Fangtian Halberd moved with the agility of a serpent, glinting with cold light. The two fought fiercely for twenty exchanges; each clash sparked incredible flames yet neither could gain the upper hand.
Cao Cao stood at the rear of the formation, observing Xu Chu gradually showing signs of fatigue. His expression darkened as he said, "Lu Bu is indeed a formidable opponent. One man cannot prevail; send word for Dian Wei to assist!"
Receiving the order, Dian Wei brandished his Twin Iron Halberds and charged into the battlefield like an enraged beast. He and Xu Chu flanked Lu Bu, launching a pincer attack. Lu Bu swung his Fangtian Halberd, managing to suppress both men at the front line. Although he was holding his own against two opponents, he began to struggle. He could not help but roar, "Is this all you’ve got? The Cao Army is nothing special!"
Before his words could fade, a cloud of dust suddenly rose from both sides as Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan led their troops into battle, while Li Dian and Le Jin launched a fierce assault from another flank. Lu Bu found himself surrounded, his Fangtian Halberd spinning in a tight defense against six generals, yet cracks in his defense began to show.
Seeing the Cao Army intensifying their attack, Lu Bu furrowed his brow and gritted his teeth as he urged his horse straight towards Puyang City. The city gates were within sight as he shouted, "Open the gates! It’s Lu Bu!"
On the city wall, the Tian leaned out, coldly surveying the disheveled Lu Bu below with a tone laced with mockery. "General, the city has surrendered to Cao. I will not open the gates again."
Lu Bu was taken aback and abruptly reined in his horse, raising his voice in anger. "The Tian, do you dare betray me?" However, the gates remained tightly shut, and the drawbridge had long been raised, with the flags of the Cao Army fluttering in the wind atop the walls.
Defeated at Puyang City, Lu Bu's rage had nowhere to vent. He pulled on his reins and turned back towards the city gate, shouting furiously, "The Tian is a coward! Disloyal and ungrateful! I will take your head to honor my fallen soldiers!" Yet, the Tian stood on the city wall with an indifferent gaze, showing neither fear nor response.
"General, Puyang has fallen; as long as we have our lives, we need not fear losing our homes!" Chen Gong rode up urgently. His voice lowered but hurried, he said, "We must retreat to Dingtao quickly; otherwise, if the Cao Army catches up, there will be no way out!"
With gritted teeth, Lu Bu swung his Fangtian Halberd heavily and shouted, "All troops, retreat to Dingtao!"
Outside Puyang City, Chen Gong arrived at the east gate and quickly escorted Lu Bu's family out of the city. Chaos erupted within; cries filled the air as Lu Bu's family and remaining troops hurriedly fled. In the distance, he spotted the flags of the Cao Army drawing near. Chen Gong's heart tightened as he thought to himself, "Puyang cannot be held any longer."
Cao Cao's army entered Puyang with morale soaring high. The Tian knelt before the tent, trembling all over as he repeatedly bowed his head. "The Tian has sinned; I am willing to die to repay my Lord!"
Cao Cao sat within the tent, his gaze deep as he scrutinized the Tian for a moment before suddenly smiling. "The Tian, you are not without loyalty but rather someone who knows how to assess situations. Since Puyang has fallen, past grievances shall not be pursued." He waved his hand gently and spoke in a soothing tone. "Go now; return home safely without fear."
Upon hearing this from their Lord, all the generals in the tent were impressed by Cao Cao's magnanimity. At that moment, strategist Liu Ye stepped forward and cupped his hands in salute. "My Lord, Lu Bu is a fierce general; though defeated today, he will surely seek an opportunity for a comeback. This man should not be underestimated; we must pursue him swiftly."
Cao Cao nodded slightly, "Your words hold truth. Liu Ye, you lead the men to guard Puyang while I march the main army straight to Dingtao. Let’s see how much strength Lü Bu still possesses!"
In Dingtao, Lü Bu met with Zhang Miao and Zhang Chao, barely stabilizing the remnants of his army. He sat in the main tent, coldly surveying the generals, his tone sharp as a blade, "Cao Cao will not rest until he has achieved his goal. How shall we respond?"
Zhang Miao hung his head in silence, while Zhang Chao hesitated for a moment before speaking, "The supplies in the city are insufficient. Our main forces, Gao Shun, Zhang Liao, Zang Ba, and Hou Chengdu, are out at sea gathering provisions and will not return in time. I fear..."
Lü Bu frowned and snapped, "If we only defend the city, how can we avoid Cao Cao's onslaught? Once our supplies run out, our army will surely be defeated!"
Chen Gong pondered for a moment before slowly saying, "General, there is no need to be anxious. Cao Cao is cautious in his military strategies and will not easily launch an attack. We should observe his movements before making any decisions."
Lü Bu was about to retort when a scout rushed in with news: "Cao Cao's army has arrived outside Dingtao and has camped forty miles away. There has been no sign of an attack; it seems they are harvesting grain for food."
Lü Bu sneered, "Harvesting grain? Such behavior shows they regard my army as nothing!" He suddenly stood up, fury blazing in his eyes, "Send the order for the entire army to assemble and strike quickly! I want Cao Cao to know that Lü Bu is not yet defeated!"
The grand army approached the Cao Army's camp with great momentum. As they neared the encampment by several miles, Lü Bu rode at the front of the line, his gaze fixed on the distance. The wheat fields of Jizhou swayed in the wind, golden waves reflecting the sunlight in a scene of tranquility.
However, when he turned his gaze to the left, Lü Bu's brow twitched slightly. He slowed his horse and squinted towards a dense grove of trees where shadows flickered as if something was stirring in secret. He suddenly raised his hand to signal the entire army to halt.
"There may be ambushes in the forest," Lü Bu said quietly, a hint of caution in his voice. He turned to Chen Gong and asked, "What do you think?"
Chen Gong glanced at the forest with a serious expression. "My Lord, Cao Cao is known for his cunning; there are indeed points of concern here. If we advance recklessly, we may fall into an ambush."
Comment 0 Comment Count