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Chen Gong looked at Cao Cao’s sealed letter and couldn’t help feeling annoyed. What was all this about? If anything went wrong, he might end up being the scapegoat. What’s more, incautious actions might lead to the deaths of too many civilians. This matter...
Chen Gong regained his composure and began to ponder the current issues. After much consideration, he decided to see Lyu Bu and assess the situation. If Lyu Bu truly possessed astonishing strength, it would be better not to take action in Yanzhou. Of course, if Lyu Bu turned out to be incompetent, Chen Gong felt it would be better to help Cao Cao take care of him.
Turning back to Wei Yan and Guan Ping, after they had switched positions, Wei Yan took two thousand soldiers and lay in wait outside, while Guan Ping, with the remaining troops, set up defenses inside the military camp. He ordered a relaxed vigilance outside but strict inside, and commanded soldiers and subordinate generals to sleep in their clothes.
In Leling, Zhang He had already sketched out the layout of Guan Ping’s camp and marked every flaw and loophole he perceived.
"Since Jun Yi is wounded, I’ll lead the night raid tonight," said Gao Lan after studying the camp layout. He looked up at Zhang He and continued, "You’ll hold Leling. What do you think?"
"All right, but please be careful, Yuanbo. If anything goes wrong, retreat immediately. I’ll be waiting in the city. If you’re not back within an hour, I will send troops to rescue you!" Zhang He nodded but his caution as a military general made him voice an ominous warning.
Gao Lan’s expression stiffened momentarily, but then he smiled and said, "Jun Yi, rest assured, I will be careful. When the time comes, I may need you to bear with me."
Zhang He nodded, then bowed his head and continued to study the weak points of the camp, unaware of the complex look in Gao Lan’s eyes. As one of the Four Famous Generals of Hebei, he lacked the martial force of Yann Liang and Wen Chou, and even his command and strategy were slightly inferior to Zhang He’s. Often, when the Four Famous Generals of Hebei were mentioned, he felt like an afterthought.
After studying Guan Ping’s camp layout, Zhang He and Gao Lan instructed their troops to eat well and rest, planning to launch the night raid at Yin Hour.
Similarly, Guan Ping also intended to have his men eat and rest early, instructing all but a few patrolling guards and scouts to rest after their meal. The veterans among the soldiers instantly realized what the situation might be, strapping rations to their belts and sleeping in their clothes with their weapons close, their years of military experience telling them that a night raid might occur.
"Report!" A loud shout echoed, and Guan Yu, a hundred miles away, had already received detailed military reports from the front.
"Ping’er is injured!" Guan Yu’s hand tightened around the Green Dragon Crescent Blade, and in the turmoil of his heart, he even forgot to use Guan Ping’s courtesy name in the military camp, calling out his childhood name instead. He quickly browsed through the military report and, upon reviewing the detailed arrangement of Guan Ping’s camp, turned steel-blue, handing the report to Guo Jia, "Military Advisor Guo, take a look at this intelligence. Tanzhi and Wen Chang should have no problems responding, right? The layout of the camp! Humph!"
Guo Jia glanced at the latest military intelligence and immediately guessed what Guan Ping and Wei Yan intended to do. He smiled, set down the report, and addressed Guan Yu, "Congratulations, General. Tanzhi has already learned a few tricks from you. This is merely a strategy to lure Zhang He and Gao Lan into our trap."
Guan Yu was momentarily stunned, then quickly understood, and a rare smile appeared on his face. As a father, he was very satisfied to see his son stand out. However, the thought of his son being wounded immediately subdued his spirit.
Guo Jia noticed Guan Yu’s expression and knew what the general was thinking. It was strange that Guan Yu would be in good spirits considering his son was wounded in his first battle. Recalling the detailed report and the detail of Zhang He being wounded, a subtle smile crossed Guo Jia’s lips.
"General Guan, would you care to join me in a visit to Leling tonight?" Guo Jia asked with a smile. "Perhaps we will be able to take Leling tonight, or at least slay one of Yuan Benchu’s top generals."
"Leling? From our position, it’s no less than a hundred miles, and at this time, even the vanguard couldn’t catch up," replied Guan Yu, stroking his beard.
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"Lead the Personal Guard Saber Holders. If we set off now, we should be able to make it in time," Guo Jia said with a smile. "The other soldiers, under Zang Xuangao’s command, will ride swiftly to Leling through the night."
"Do you have confidence, Fengxiao?" Guan Yu no longer addressed Guo Jia with the distant title of military advisor, but instead used his style name.
"It’s a fifty-fifty chance, but I believe we have the better luck," Guo Jia said with a smile. "If fortune favors us, we should be able to capture Leling and shift the focus of the Bohai Sea back to the south, buying some time for Gongsun Bogui."
"I see, a fifty percent chance is enough," a hint of a smile crossed Guan Yu’s stern and imposing face. After speaking, he took up his Green Dragon Crescent Blade and walked outside.
"Zhou Cang!" Guan Yu bellowed.
"Your subordinate is here!" Zhou Cang roared back.
"Call together my Saber Bearers, tell them to prepare rations and water; we must raid Leling within four hours, by midnight. Those who cannot keep up are permitted to fall back!" Guan Yu shouted to Zhou Cang.
"Yes!" Zhou Cang responded loudly.
Soon, five hundred School Sabre Bearers were assembled, each carrying a Great Broadsword and mounted on a horse, ready to raid Leling under Guan Yu’s leadership.
"Move out!" Guan Yu roared, spurring his horse forward while Guo Jia, after a swig of liquor, followed behind Guan Yu. He had some martial arts training, though just enough to take down three or two weak, fresh recruits.
That night, Guan Yu galloped furiously but still did not arrive at Leling by midnight; in fact, not even by the Yin Hour had he reached... After all, Guo Jia had vastly overestimated his own physical condition, almost shaking his bones apart halfway through the ride.
However, Guo Jia wasn’t worried about this at all. He wasn’t there to rescue Guan Ping; he was there to raid. Being a little late didn’t matter, as long as they managed to raid the camp successfully. Besides, when they passed Guan Ping’s military camp during the Yin Hour, there was clearly no chaos or fires, which meant the night raid had not begun.
But not long after Guo Jia and Guan Yu passed by, roars emerged from Guan Ping’s camp, and then came the sounds of intense fighting beneath a blaze of fire.
"It seems we’re in luck; no one within ten miles should be able to notice us," Guo Jia panted, "I’ve overestimated my physical condition. General Guan, don’t worry about me. Rush to set an ambush between Leling and Tanzhi Military Camp at once. Should the enemy forces come through, if they are many, strike at their midst; if they are few, hit them head-on. I believe General Wei and Young General Guan will also take the opportunity to attack!"
Guan Yu glanced at Guo Jia, then at the distant sounds of battle, knowing time was of the essence. So he spoke, "Zhou Cang, take ten soldiers to protect Fengxiao well. If anything goes wrong, you will answer for it!"
"Rest assured, General, I, Zhou Cang, will surely protect the military advisor!" Zhou Cang replied earnestly, saluting with his fist.
Guan Yu nodded, then left ten soldiers behind and headed to the location designated on Guo Jia’s map to ambush Gao Lan, who was expected to retreat from a failed night raid. Little did he know he would not encounter Gao Lan but instead, Zhang He leading three thousand soldiers to the rescue! (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets at qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)
