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Zhang Jiao's army, numbering one hundred fifty thousand, swarmed like ants around Guangzong, facing off against Lu Zhi's fifty thousand Imperial Army. For several days, the two sides engaged in relentless skirmishes, yet neither had gained the upper hand. Lu Zhi stood before a 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 with our troops, along with an additional one thousand Imperial Army soldiers, to hasten to Yingchuan under the cover of night. Assess the situation there and coordinate with Huangfu Song to eliminate the rebels. If an opportunity arises, we will strike together."
Liu Bei clasped his fists in agreement. "I am willing to go; I will not fail my mission!"
Lu Zhi nodded and immediately summoned one thousand elite soldiers, entrusting Liu Bei with both troops and supplies. Guan Yu stood nearby, calmly organizing his weapons. His tone was steady yet sharp. "Since Brother Xuan De has this responsibility, Yun Chung shall accompany you to assist in eliminating the rebels."
Zhang Fei chuckled heartily and slapped his Eighteen-Feet Serpent Spear. "How can killing rebels be without me, Zhang Fei? I haven't had enough fun at Guangzong; another battle at Yingchuan suits me just fine!"
Liu Bei smiled slightly, his gaze firm. "With both of you as my brothers sharing the same resolve, we shall surely win this battle!"
As night fell like ink and stars twinkled sparsely in the sky, Liu Bei's group hurried through the silence. Their banners fluttered in the cold wind, and the sound of hooves echoed through the empty valley. Days later, they arrived at Yingchuan and saw smoke rising from afar; the sounds of battle filled the air as Huangfu Song's and Zhu Jun's armies clashed with Zhang Liang and Zhang Bao.
Before Liu Bei's group could get close, a messenger intercepted them and bowed respectfully. "General Huangfu and General Zhu are currently engaging the Yellow Turban Rebels. Please enter the tent quickly to discuss strategies for defeating them."
Liu Bei and his party hurried to Huangfu Song's central tent. Inside, a map was spread out as Huangfu Song pondered strategies with Zhu Jun. Upon seeing Liu Bei enter, Huangfu Song's eyes brightened. "Are you Liu Bei, Xuan De sent by Mr. Lu?"
"Indeed," Liu Bei replied with a bow. "I come on my master's orders to assist in battle. May I ask if you have any instructions?"
Huangfu Song rose and pointed at the map. "The rebel forces led by Zhang Liang and Zhang Bao are entrenched at Chang She, having constructed Grass Hut Camps for defense. These camps are sturdy but flammable; I am discussing with General Zhu about using fire to break through!"
Guan Yu nodded slightly and spoke solemnly. "This plan is feasible but must be executed at the right moment; we cannot miss both timing and terrain."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Fei laughed heartily while slapping his Eighteen-Feet Serpent Spear again. "Is there really a need for calculations? We can just charge straight in!"
Huangfu Song shook his head and smiled, saying, "General Zhang is unmatched in bravery, but attacking the Grass Hut Camp directly will only waste manpower. We have prepared dry grass; when the strong winds rise at night, we will set it ablaze. The enemy will have no defenses and will surely fall into chaos. At that time, all our troops 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!"
Huangfu Song nodded and declared loudly, "Good! Then I will trouble General Liu to cooperate with me in battle. When the fire ignites, assist me in breaking the enemy!"
That night, a fierce wind bent the trees low, dark clouds rolled across the sky, completely obscuring the moonlight, and darkness enveloped the earth. Liu Bei led five hundred troops to ambush on the left side of the Grass Hut Camp. All they could hear was the howling wind as the soldiers tightly gripped their weapons, 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 north side of the Grass Hut Camp; the fire spread with the wind and quickly ignited a large area of grass. The roaring flames 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 gallop out, his blade shimmering coldly in the firelight. He plunged into the enemy ranks; with a swing of his saber, he cleaved through an enemy soldier in armor, blood splattering across the ground. Zhang Fei followed closely behind, wielding his Eighteen-Feet Serpent Spear and roaring like thunder. With one thrust, he sent two enemy generals flying, causing the Yellow Turban Army to scatter in panic.
In the glow of the flames, chaos erupted within the Yellow Turban Army's camp as soldiers fled in terror through the sea of fire with no one to command them. From within the Grass Hut Camp came Zhang Liang's furious shouts: "Steady! Steady your formation!" However, the flames raged too fiercely; thick smoke obscured everything 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 raging strong, Liu Bei pointed his sword toward the enemy camp and led his troops into battle from the left flank to join Zhang Fei's forces. He shouted loudly, "Brothers, let us take Zhang Liang and Zhang Bao's heads!"
Guan Yu seized the opportunity to lead his hidden troops in a right-side assault; his Green Dragon Crescent Blade glinted coldly in the firelight as it swept through enemies without hindrance. Realizing that things were turning dire, Zhang Liang hastily ordered his remaining soldiers to break through but found themselves confronted by roaring flames ahead and deathly cries behind—there was no way out.
The fierce fire consumed the entire Grass Hut Camp; its light 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—an apocalyptic scene unfolded. Liu Bei swung his sword high and shouted, "Charge! Do not let any of these bandits escape!" Guan Yu and Zhang Fei silently followed closely behind him; their dual sabers and spear glinted coldly as they cut down fleeing Yellow Turban soldiers beneath their horses' hooves like tigers among sheep.
Zhang Liang gritted his teeth as he turned to see nothing but flames surrounding him; anger and unwillingness filled his expression. He grabbed Zhang Bao fiercely and shouted angrily, "This place is not safe! We must break through!" Zhang Bao looked disheveled, covered in dust and blood; gritting his teeth he replied, "But brother, our troops are scattered; how can we break out?"
Zhang Liang glared with bloodshot eyes; suddenly drawing his sword he swung it at a soldier blocking their path and roared, "Fight with me to the death! If we do not escape today, we shall all fall beneath Imperial Army blades!" He led what remained of his soldiers as they struggled toward a northwest breakout.
Under the glow of the flames, Liu Bei suddenly reined in his warhorse, spotting 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, impaling a Yellow Turban Soldier who screamed as he was lifted off the ground, blood spraying into the air. Guan Yu galloped after them, the Green Dragon Crescent Blade glinting coldly as he swung it, sending several more enemies crashing to the ground.
Behind Zhang Liang, cries of despair filled the air, and he could hear the soldiers' hopeless wails. He turned abruptly to see a black flag with white characters fluttering in the wind, emblazoned with the character "Liu." His eyes widened in fury as he gritted his teeth, "Liu Bei! Do not push me too far!"
Just as Zhang Liang and Zhang Bao were desperately trying to break through, a sudden sound of rapid hoofbeats echoed ahead, shaking the ground slightly. Through the thick smoke, a troop of red-clad cavalry emerged from the mist, blocking their path. At the forefront stood a tall general, seven feet in height, with sharp eyes and a long beard, wielding a sharp blade and exuding an icy demeanor. 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 and urged urgently, "It's Cao Cao! Quickly follow me to break through!" Zhang Bao's hand gripped his sword tightly as he stammered, "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 heed my orders—attack!"
With the command given, 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 hooves thundered like rolling thunder; blades flashed like waves. Leading the charge was Cao Cao himself; his blade struck down first upon a Yellow Turban Colonel, blood gushing forth. He then coldly swung his sword again, cutting down several more foes with unstoppable momentum.
Zhang Liang gritted his teeth and swung his Dadao in a desperate defense but was forced 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 pressed closer to Zhang Liang and barked sharply, "Zhang Liang, kneel and surrender; perhaps I will spare your life!"
Zhang Liang roared defiantly as he counterattacked with his sword; their blades clashed with sparks flying. He staggered slightly under Cao Cao's strength. Seeing this, Zhang Bao shouted and rushed in to assist him, but Guan Yu's Green Dragon Crescent Blade met him head-on with a sweeping strike that sent him reeling backward.
"Do not panic, Brother Zhang Bao!" Zhang Liang gasped for breath as he gritted 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. His pupils constricted as he desperately sidestepped; though he avoided a fatal blow, the spear grazed his arm, blood pouring out.
Realizing that they were cornered by enemy forces, Zhang Liang finally understood that all hope was lost. 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 with a glint of cold light in his eyes before turning back to regroup with Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun to discuss their next steps in eliminating the bandits.
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