Gao Shun's ability to lead troops was already formidable, and with Chen Gong's strategic planning on the side, the plan to counterattack Cao Cao's forces had long been set in motion.Once Wei Xu opened the East Gate, Hou Cheng and Song Xian would certainly lead their troops to provide support.Meanwhile, Gao Shun's Xian Zhen troops had already been hidden near the East Gate.
Gao Shun would first lead his troops to engage Wei Xu in battle, and due to the preparations, it would not be difficult for Gao Shun to drive the traitorous soldiers under Wei Xu outside the city.Once Cao Cao discovered the disturbance near the East Gate, he would immediately lead his main forces to seize the gate.
At this moment, Chen Gong, inside the city, was ensuring all three gates—Southwest, North, and West—were opened.After the scouts reported this to Cao Cao, he would likely think that Lü Bu was trying to escape under the cover of confusion.Thus, in addition to focusing on the East Gate, Cao Cao would likely send forces to the other three gates to intercept Lü Bu's potential escape.
This would lead to the forces outside the East Gate dwindling.As long as Gao Shun and the Xian Zhen forces attacked at the right time, combined with Zhang Liao's rear assault, the attack would be overwhelming and Cao Cao's forces would be defeated.
Of course, Cao Cao was astute in his military strategy, and with his aides Xun You and Guo Jia, this plan wasn't foolproof.But at this point, they had no choice but to risk everything and hope for the best.
Upon hearing Lü Bu's orders, Gao Shun bowed deeply and left to make preparations.
At the third watch of the night, near the East Gate.The northern winds howled and the night was deep and dark.The end of December brought freezing temperatures, and the soldiers atop the walls, exposed to the cold wind, were shivering, hiding behind the battlements to keep warm.
As the night stretched on, Wei Xu grew more and more anxious.He had been guarding the East Gate that night, and though he had no trouble sending someone out to secretly deliver a message to Cao Cao, the messenger had been gone for over half an hour without returning. Was Cao Cao really unwilling to accept his surrender?
Suddenly, a faint sound of a partridge call was heard from outside the city.This sound immediately alerted Wei Xu, who quickly ordered his personal guards:"Hurry! Lower the basket and pull him up!"
In order to avoid exposing any flaws to Lü Bu, the messenger, a trusted subordinate, had descended from the city walls by rope and walked out of the city to deliver the message to Cao Cao. He was returning on foot, too cautious to light a torch and instead mimicked the call of a bird to signal his return.The guards quickly worked together to pull him back up.
"Report! General, Cao Cao has agreed to our surrender!""Good!" Wei Xu exclaimed with joy. "What did Cao Cao instruct?"
"He said that first, we must open the city gates, and then destroy the winch to prevent the thousand-jin lever from falling.""Once the gate is open and the winch is destroyed, we should light fires on both sides of the gate.""When the army outside sees the flames, they will rush to assist us. We must hold the line for just a moment, then let them in!"
Wei Xu nodded. "Prepare to act! First, open the gates and destroy the winch."
"Then send word to General Hou and General Song to gather their troops and head to the East Gate for support!"
The area around the East Gate was mostly occupied by Wei Xu's trusted subordinates.Even if there were a few unwilling to surrender, they wouldn't be able to cause much trouble.
For Wei Xu, the greatest challenge was holding the gates and waiting for Cao Cao's army to enter.Gao Shun's Xian Zhen troops were the best killing machines. Once they realized the East Gate was compromised, they would quickly come to seize it.To counteract them, they would have to rely on Hou Cheng and Song Xian's help!
After hearing Wei Xu's orders, the men in the camp quickly sprang into action.Inside Xiapi, Hou Cheng and Song Xian led hundreds of soldiers straight for the East Gate!
Out of the remaining five thousand troops in the city, only a small number were guarding the gates or patrolling.The rest were stationed in the city's camp, with more than three thousand of Xu Zhou's soldiers—no real threat. Hou Cheng and Song Xian weren't worried about them.But Gao Shun's Xian Zhen troops were also stationed at a nearby camp. It wouldn't be easy to sneak out under their watch.
So, once they received the signal, the two generals boldly marched with their troops straight for the East Gate!Why? Because the fire at the gate could mean the traitors were offering the city, and they had to rush in to help!
The night was thick with darkness, and the torches in the distance looked like a long dragon winding its way toward the gate.
Unfortunately, before they could reach the East Gate, they suddenly saw ahead, under the light of the flames, Lü Bu sitting on his mighty steed, Red Rabbit, with his Fangtian Huaji (a type of halberd) in hand, blocking their way.
Song Xian was so shocked that he nearly fell off his horse!Luckily, Hou Cheng steadied himself, then spurred his horse forward in a hurry.
"Lord! The city's scouts reported that there is fire outside the East Gate, and both gates are wide open, suggesting that traitors are preparing to surrender the city!"
Lü Bu spoke coldly: "So, you two brought your men to the East Gate to provide support?"
Hou Cheng cupped his fists: "Yes, my lord! Cao Cao's main camp is right outside the East Gate. If we're late, we may not be able to help in time!"
Lü Bu replied coldly: "If it's a rescue, why bring so few men? Where are the Xu Zhou soldiers from the camp?"
Hou Cheng spoke urgently: "My lord, don't you remember? Only you can command the Xu Zhou soldiers! I don't have the authority to command them!""That's why we brought General Song with me to act immediately!"
Was Hou Cheng a method actor all along?If the original host had been here, he might have been tricked by just a few words!
Lü Bu spoke slowly: "The fire at the East Gate was something I instructed Wei Xu to set.""The main purpose was to create confusion and draw Cao Cao's army to attack!"
"Secondly, I wanted to see who inside the city was truly a traitor, trying to help the enemy invade!"
Hou Cheng and Song Xian were, of course, doomed!But their soldiers were the elite of the elite!To keep them fighting for him, that was what Lü Bu truly wanted.
Hearing this, Hou Cheng immediately froze.Before he could respond, Lü Bu continued: "The situation at the East Gate has already been arranged. You two can return to the camp and wait."
"General Hou, General Song, come with me to discuss military matters."
Hou Cheng, though momentarily stunned, was no fool!If he let his subordinates return to the camp and followed Lü Bu to discuss the situation, how could he still expect to survive?
In a rush, Hou Cheng raised his spear and cried: "Lü Bu, you bastard! You're dead!"
Lü Bu coldly responded: "Hou Cheng, are you planning to rebel?"
Hou Cheng gritted his teeth: "You were the one who wronged us first! Don't blame us for being ungrateful!"
"Brothers! Anyone who wants to live, follow me! We'll fight our way out of the city!"