NOVPUBCao Cao suffered repeated ambushes, and his massive army of fifty thousand was left scattered and broken, fleeing for their lives in disarray.
Just as Jia Xu had estimated, Guo Jia, Li Youu, and Liu Ye each seized the best chance to ambush without any intel, nearly routing the Cao Army every time.
Unfortunately, for all of Jia Xu’s calculations, he had not accounted for Cheng Yu’s spiritual talent, which bolstered resistance, endurance, and adaptability. Despite the continuous ambushes, the Cao Army barely maintained its organization under the support of Cheng Yu’s spiritual talent.
After Taishi Ci and Gan Ning were held by the Xiahou Brothers, Cao Cao, together with Xun Youi and Cheng Yu, fought desperately towards the direction of Pengcheng.
"Lord, I’m afraid it won’t be easy for us to return to Yanzhou this time." After successive ambushes, the entire troop was exhausted, but under extreme pressure, Xun Youi’s mind became clear instead of descending into panic and confusion.
"How could it be so, my grand ambitions as Cao Mengde have not yet been realized, how can I perish here! I will definitely lead you all to break out!" Though Cao Cao fought in a very bedraggled manner, he was not disheartened by defeat, and his eyes were resolute as he looked at Xun Youi.
Cao Cao was unaware that if it were not for his spiritual elevation inside and out after killing Cao Bao, he would have already been brought to his knees by the relentless setbacks, leading his men to their doom. Even Xiang Yu could not withstand such a blow. If Cao Cao did not have a strong heart, he might have already taken his own life with his sword.
Cheng Yu was stunned for a moment, but seeing the determination in Cao Cao’s eyes, his previously befuddled mind suddenly cleared.
"Lord, this strategy is called ’Ambush from Ten Sides,’ and we have missed the chance to escape. Now it seems, the planner of this fully intends to bury us here. The previous Central Army and several other routes were all without a way out, backed against the river!" Xun Youi said bitterly. Cao Cao had not yet given up, and he couldn’t fail to grasp at that last straw of life.
"Now that it’s broad daylight, Xuzhou is all plains without a place to lay an ambush; the final route will surely aim to annihilate our forces with the swiftness of thunder," said Cheng Yu, who had also come around by now.
"Hahaha, then let’s break through. Even if there are thorns ahead, I, Cao Mengde, must break out!" Cao Cao laughed loudly. Though repeatedly ambushed and disheveled, he exhibited an unprecedented domineering aura.
"It won’t be easy, the last route surely involves Liu Bei’s strongest generals and the most capable commander-in-chief, with the strongest forces at his disposal. We are now exhausted, facing the ready ambush ahead and tens of thousands of infantry and cavalry ordered to pursue us from behind. Unless we can penetrate the final line of ambush with a single blow, we only have a dead end ahead of us!" Cheng Yu said gravely, then turned to exchange a look with Xun Youi.
"Lord! I have a plan that is sure to get us out of this predicament!" Xun Youi nodded at Cheng Yu and then spoke to Cao Cao.
"Speak, Gong Da!" Cao Cao turned to look at Xun Youi.
"Bang!" With an indifferent expression, Cheng Yu struck Cao Cao on the back of the head, knocking him unconscious.
"Cheng Yu, what are you doing!" Cao Cao’s trusted aide, Qin Shao, yelled as he lunged at Cheng Yu, with Cao Hong and Cao Chun leaping towards Cheng Yu as well.
"In this moment of life and death, only Bonan can save our lord!" Cheng Yu spoke tersely.
Qin Shao started, then had a flash of realization. Without any hesitation, he stripped off Cao Cao’s golden armor, grabbed Cao Cao’s Yitian Sword, mounted Cao Cao’s Claw Yellow Flying Lightning, and gave Cheng Yu a fist salute, "My lord’s safety now depends on both of you."
Cao Hong and Cao Chun were also taken aback, then quickly came to their senses and gave Cheng Yu and Xun You a fist salute, "Our eldest brother is in your hands now, strategists." They also understood why they had to knock Cao Cao unconscious. Someone had to take the blame for deserting the army, but it absolutely could not be Cao Cao!
"No need for more words. Success or failure will depend on Bonan’s performance," Xun You stated succinctly. "If I am not mistaken, the last troop must undoubtedly be led by Guan Yunchang. The one who designed this is so cautious that he will surely want to personally slay my lord. Among those under Liu Bei who recognize my lord, there are but a few, and of those few, only Guan Yunchang has a close relationship with my lord to ensure no mistakes in recognition." 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙥𝙪𝙗.𝒄𝙤𝙢
"Zilian, Zihe, we have not yet reached such a desperate situation! Let us divide our forces into two groups, one to hold off the enemy. After that, it’s up to Gong Da," said Cheng Yu, looking at Xun You. He never thought that one day, Xun You, who had always feigned weakness with his spiritual talent, would need to be treated as a genuine pig by the enemy to have a chance of survival.
"When the time comes, it will all depend on you, Bonan," sighed Xun You.
"Strategist, have no worries. I, Qin Shao, will not disappoint everyone. However, I have a son named Qin Zhen. I ask that you look after him once I am gone," Qin Shao, dressed in Cao Cao’s golden armor and red cloak, holding the Yitian Sword, and already greatly resembling Cao Cao, suddenly took on ninety percent of Cao Cao’s bearing.
"Very well, once we return, both of us will do our utmost to educate your son and ensure his success," Cheng Yu pledged.
"Thank you both!" Qin Shao did not bow. Instead, he spurred Claw Yellow Flying Lightning and drew the Yitian Sword, "Soldiers, advance five miles and take a short rest to consume dry rations!"
The trusted aides originally guarding Cao Cao divided, with half following Qin Shao toward the front, joined by nearly five thousand others.
"Zihe, whether we live or die depends on this. Our fate rests on this battle. The fiercer we fight, the greater the pressure we impose on the enemy, and the more time we create for Bonan. It will draw the attention of the last ambushing troops to Bonan, increasing the possibility of our lord’s escape," Cheng Yu said earnestly, "In no more than the time it takes to burn one incense stick, Liu Bei’s Army will catch up with our forces that have stopped here. Let’s take this gamble!"
"I am ready to follow the strategist’s command!" Cao Hong spoke first without hesitation, disheveled from a night of relentless pursuit.
"If that’s the case, then let’s turn around and counterattack! We fight to buy time for Bonan! With Bonan drawing all their attention, and with my spiritual talent as a disguise, we’ll use a small troop to extend the battle and escape through Yuzhou," Xun You said, trying to keep his voice even.
"Alright! I will lead the troops to block the enemy. Zihe, the two strategists, and our eldest brother are in your care!" Cao Hong roared, mounting his horse and leading his trusted aides back toward the approaching enemy, "Soldiers, follow me into battle to the death!"
With a resolution to die, Cao Hong fearlessly blocked the advance of the first to attack, Chen Dao. His sword moved rapidly, aiming at Chen Dao’s head, unaffected by Chen Dao’s assault. For a moment, his momentum surged by suppressing the enemy with his Cloud Qi and a burst of blood-fueled courage, barely managing to hold back Chen Dao’s leading infantry and cavalry with a mass of rout soldiers.
However, this advantage was short-lived. Just as they had repelled Chen Dao, Wei Yan led his private troop into the fray. With their combined forces, Cao Army’s brief rally quickly turned into a crushing defeat, and even Cao Hong found himself in grave danger.
"Get out of my way!" Xiahou Dun, covered in blood, savagely cut through the ranks from behind Wei Yan and Chen Dao, leading a hundred surviving troops to rescue Cao Hong. Gan Ning, with a few soldiers, also furiously pursued.
(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, I invite you to vote for it at Qidian (qidian.com) by giving recommendation tickets and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)
