Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Upon arriving at 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, we will let the front line pass first. Once I personally engage them and disrupt their formation, the ambushers can then strike from behind, ensuring complete annihilation and deterring any further pursuit."
After hearing this, Dong Zhuo stroked his beard and nodded, "This plan is excellent!" He immediately ordered Xu Rong to proceed as planned and commanded Lü Bu to lead the elite troops to protect the main army's retreat to the west.
As Lü Bu's forces advanced halfway, a scout reported, "Cao Cao's army is approaching!" Lü Bu sneered and reined in his horse, saying, "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, and their armor gleaming under the moonlight.
When Cao Cao's army arrived and saw Lü Bu's formation, he shouted angrily, "Rebel Lü Bu! Dong Zhuo has kidnapped the Emperor and forced the people into exile! Do you dare to assist him in his tyranny?" Lü Bu pointed his spear and laughed heartily, "Cao Mengde, a traitor who betrays his lord, dares to speak here? Today I will ensure you have no place to be buried!"
Before he finished speaking, Xiahou Dun charged forward on horseback with his spear like lightning, aiming directly at Lü Bu. The two horses collided as their weapons clashed like dragons. After a few exchanges, a sudden shout erupted from the left flank. Li Jue led a troop attacking from the side with their spears densely packed like a forest, exuding murderous intent. Cao Cao urgently commanded Xiahou Yuan to engage them. 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 halberd, armored soldiers fell one after another. Xiahou Dun gradually could not hold on any longer; with an angry roar, he turned his horse and retreated swiftly. Lü Bu sneered, "You rats cannot escape!" He led his cavalry in hot pursuit; in no time at all, Cao Cao's army was collapsing like a landslide, bodies strewn across the battlefield with cries echoing through the air.
Cao Cao looked back at Xiangyang and saw flames rising into the sky while pursuing troops pressed closely behind him. Helplessly, he led his remaining forces in retreat. Arriving at the foot of a desolate mountain under the deep night sky illuminated by bright moonlight, he dismounted heavily from his horse. His gaze swept over the gathered remnants of his troops and he coldly declared, "I will not rest until Dong Zhuo is brought to justice! Though we are defeated today, I will make that rebel pay for his blood debts!"
Xiahou Dun covered in dust bowed his head in shame and 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 and replied, "Lü Bu may be brave but he is merely a reckless man! We are tired and our horses weary; let us regroup and once we are ready again, we will make that Slave to Three Masters pay dearly!"
The soldiers gathered around campfires to light torches and reorganize their weapons to revive their spirits. However, from within the valley came faint sounds that resembled distant hoofbeats; danger still loomed under the night sky.
Just as the soldiers prepared to cook their meals, they suddenly heard shouts from all directions as arrows flew through the air. Xu Rong's ambush troops burst forth from their hiding places in the mountains with weapons drawn directly towards Cao Cao’s camp. Startled, Cao Cao quickly mounted his horse again and urged several guards to break through fiercely. Behind him came thunderous shouts and cries for blood as smoke filled the air. As he rode forward desperately, he unexpectedly collided head-on with Xu Rong.
Xu Rong sneered coldly and drew back his longbow; arrows flew out like thunderbolts striking Cao Cao in the left shoulder. With a muffled groan of pain but refusing to stop or slow down, Cao Cao urged his horse onward.
Turning around a hillside suddenly two ambushers sprang from the bushes; their spears thrusting 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 again, he was pinned down by two enemy soldiers with a gleaming steel knife pressed against his throat.
At that critical moment came an angry shout from afar: "Let go of my Lord!" Then a figure rushed in like a whirlwind; blades flashing like lightning. Before the two enemy soldiers could react they were swiftly slain on the spot. The newcomer dismounted and helped Cao Cao up while asking with concern: "Are you unharmed?" Looking up through tears of gratitude revealed it was Cao Hong: "Brother has saved my life; I have no way to repay you!"
Cao Hong waved his hand, signaling, "Lord, quickly mount! We cannot stay here any longer!" Cao Cao shook his head and replied, "The enemy soldiers are like wolves; if they catch up, how will you escape?" Cao Hong resolutely said, "The world can do without me, but it cannot do without you! Hurry and mount, do not hesitate any longer!" Seeing his determination, Cao Cao finally mounted his horse, his voice choked with emotion: "If I, Cao Mengde, could be reborn, I would surely remember your kindness!"
Cao Hong removed his armor and dragged his sword behind the horse as he fled alongside Cao Cao. The sounds of battle grew closer, and arrows rained down like a storm. Hong shielded Cao on horseback, shouting as they ran, "They must be able to catch up before they can shoot!" Finally, they broke through the encirclement. As dawn began to break on the horizon, Cao was exhausted and his horse was nearly spent.
Suddenly, a rushing river appeared ahead, its waters turbulent with no bridge or ferry in sight. Cao's gaze dimmed as he muttered to himself, "My fate is sealed; there is no way to survive!" However, Cao Hong did not hesitate. He helped Cao down from the horse, removed his own robe and armor, then resolutely jumped into the icy river with him on his back. The water was freezing; Hong gritted his teeth and staggered through the deepest part of the current. Just as they reached the opposite bank, the pursuing soldiers arrived at the river's edge, shouting and preparing to shoot arrows. Hong pushed Cao toward a thicket on the shore and bravely stood in front of him, wielding his sword to block the arrows.
As daylight broke further, Cao was in a pitiful state and completely drained. The two could only support each other as they trudged heavily across the wilderness for over thirty miles until they finally found a small mound to hide behind. However, before they could rest for even a moment, shouts arose in the distance; flags were waving—it was Xu Rong leading a group of soldiers who had crossed the river upstream to pursue them.
Cao Cao sighed deeply: "Today is truly my fate; I cannot escape death!" Hong's eyes revealed a determined look: "Do not panic, my lord; I still have one life left to protect you!" Just as he spoke, Xu Rong's banners drew closer and the murderous intent was palpable.
In a moment of panic for Cao Cao, a cavalry unit came galloping towards them with flags fluttering and armor glinting. 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, exuding an overwhelming presence. Seeing this, Xu Rong sneered and brandished his spear: "Just right! Today I will slay both you brothers of Xiahou!"
Xiahou Dun did not respond but spurred his horse forward. His eight-foot steel spear struck like a sudden rainstorm aimed directly at Xu Rong's throat. The two clashed on horseback; their weapons met with fierce strikes that sent dust flying. Xu Rong's spear technique was ruthless as he launched continuous attacks while Dun remained calm and collected, deflecting blows and waiting for an opening to counterattack. After several exchanges, Xu Rong's horse stumbled slightly; seizing the opportunity, Dun thrust forward with his spear straight into Xu Rong's heart. Xu Rong let out a howl towards the sky as blood gushed forth before he fell from his horse.
Seeing their commander slain, Xu Rong's men lost all morale and scattered in panic. Xiahou Yuan led the pursuit to eliminate the remaining enemies scattered across the field. Before the smoke had cleared, Cao Ren, Li Dian, and Le Jin arrived with reinforcements. Upon seeing Cao Cao covered in blood and pale-faced, they hurriedly dismounted to pay their respects and anxiously asked: "My lord, are you seriously 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 eyes full of rage: "How could my lord end up in such dire straits! When will Dong Zhuo's treachery cease?" Cao Ren clasped his fists: "Now that our remaining forces have gathered, we should escort my lord back to He Nei to regroup our troops and confront Dong Zhuo once more."
Cao nodded silently and gazed toward the horizon with deep eyes: "Dong Zhuo has kidnapped the emperor, displaced the people, burned palaces and tombs; now he sends troops to hunt me down—how vicious is this wolf-hearted man!" At this point, he clenched his fists tightly as flames ignited in his eyes. "Once I recover my strength, 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. The remaining forces numbered just over five hundred men; all showed signs of fatigue but rallied their spirits under their leaders' encouragement as they marched back toward He Nei.
Upon hearing of Xu Rong's death and the defeat of his army, Dong Zhuo was furious beyond measure. He ordered Lu Bu to strengthen defenses at their rear while he led the main force directly toward Chang'an to temporarily avoid danger.
Comment 0 Comment Count