Hou Cheng and Song Xian, both seasoned generals from Bingzhou, had many loyal soldiers under their command.At Hou Cheng's command, more than a hundred soldiers were eagerly preparing for action.
"Who dares to step forward?"
Lü Bu raised his long halberd, his voice cold and commanding:"Hou Cheng and Song Xian are traitors! I will kill them!""Anyone influenced by them, step back. I promise I won't pursue you.""But if anyone is determined to rebel, you'll have to deal with me first!"
Lü Bu's power and influence were undeniable. Ever since Ding Yuan's death, Lü Bu had been the leader of Bingzhou's forces, commanding immense respect and fear.Though Gao Shun and Zhang Liao were skilled generals, they lacked the same aura of authority.
As soon as Lü Bu issued the threat, more than half of the hundred soldiers who had followed Hou Cheng and Song Xian hesitated and quickly retreated.Hou Cheng and Song Xian exchanged a glance. Then, they gritted their teeth and spurred their horses forward.There was no turning back now—either they fought or died.
They made a desperate charge, hoping to escape with their lives.But if they surrendered, they knew they would be killed on the spot.Seeing Hou Cheng and Song Xian still determined to fight, Lü Bu sneered and rode forward.With just the two of them and a few dozen of their men, even Lü Bu alone could have wiped them out.It wasn't just his reincarnation—his fighting abilities had transferred as well!
Moreover, with Gao Shun and the Xian Zhen troops at his side, Lü Bu was confident in his victory.The charge from Hou Cheng and Song Xian looked fierce, but within moments, they were all slain, with no resistance left.The battlefield was cleared, and Lü Bu swung his halberd and ordered:"Open the camp gates! Let the Xu Zhou soldiers from the camp escape through the South, West, and North gates.""But no one is allowed to escape through the East Gate—if anyone does, they will be executed on the spot!"
The Xu Zhou soldiers in the camp were no more loyal to Lü Bu than to Cao Cao.If Cao Cao attacked, they would likely rebel immediately.Rather than risking that, Lü Bu chose to let them escape, confusing the enemy and making it appear as if he had escaped with them.
Hearing Lü Bu's orders, Gao Shun cupped his fists and immediately went to execute them.Moments later, the once quiet camp erupted in chaos!Some soldiers rushed home in panic, others ran to the granaries to loot supplies.But most of them headed straight for the South, West, and North gates to escape.
In fact, the Xu Zhou soldiers in Xiapi had no affection for Lü Bu nor Cao Cao.Cao Cao's brutal massacres in Xu Zhou when avenging his father, Cao Song, had left deep scars on the locals.Now, as Lü Bu and Cao Cao clashed, the soldiers figured: let them fight it out. We'll escape on our own!
Outside Xiapi, in the wilderness,Looking ahead at the flashing firelights near the city gates, the soldiers were filled with determination.Cao Cao laughed loudly, "Haha! As Feng Xiao predicted, Lü Bu is doomed!""The situation in Xiapi is clear now—Lü Bu must die!"
Cao Cao ordered:"Pass my command: before dawn, no swords will be sheathed! Allow the soldiers to loot the city!"Because of his hatred for Xu Zhou's people after Cao Song's death, Cao Cao had no goodwill toward them.Allowing his soldiers to plunder the city was already a great concession.
If it weren't for Chen Deng and others, Cao Cao might have already given the order to slaughter the city's inhabitants.At that moment, Cao Hong suddenly rode in from a distance."Report! My lord!""The scouts have reported that, besides the East Gate, the South, West, and North gates are also open. A number of enemy soldiers are currently fleeing through the gates.""However, it's dark, and we can't clearly identify where Lü Bu is escaping from."
Cao Cao stroked his beard and ordered, "Send word! Station one thousand infantrymen at each of the South, West, and North gates.""Also, have Zi He lead the cavalry to remain on standby.""As soon as Lü Bu's location is confirmed, send the cavalry to pursue him!"
Compared to Yuan Shao's wealth and resources, Cao Cao had far fewer cavalry.For this campaign in Xu Zhou, he only had one thousand cavalry under Cao Chun's command.Cao Hong cupped his fists and immediately set off to carry out the orders.
Guo Jia furrowed his brow and spoke, "My lord, five thousand soldiers are already left behind to guard the supplies in the camp.""If we send another thousand to guard each gate, and if Zi He's cavalry doesn't join the battle, we will only have around ten thousand men left to attack the city.""Lü Bu is known for his bravery. If he tries to break out, I'm worried we may not be able to stop him!"
Cao Cao smiled confidently, "You worry too much, Feng Xiao. With the South, West, and North gates wide open, it's clear that the Xu Zhou soldiers no longer want to follow Lü Bu. They've all deserted him to save themselves!""Wei Xu, Hou Cheng, and Song Xian can each command at least one thousand men! So, Lü Bu can only muster about a thousand soldiers tonight!""Even if the Xian Zhen troops are elite, they will still be overwhelmed by ten to one! We are already in an unbeatable position!"
Guo Jia still felt some unease, but after thinking it over, he couldn't find a major flaw in the plan.Cao Ren added, "As we know, Lü Bu is brave but lacks strategy. With all the gates open, he's already doomed tonight!""However, there's still the issue of the flooded areas outside the South, West, and North gates. The army might have difficulty passing through.""Even if Wei Xu and the others can't hold the gates, what if they don't wait for us to enter the city?"
Cao Cao chuckled, "In tonight's battle, we will attack, and the enemy will defend! Once the gates are open, the enemy will have no way to defend!""As for Wei Xu, Hou Cheng, and Song Xian, their actions are predictable—if they try to open the gates, we'll simply rush in and finish them!"
Cao Cao was confident in the strength of his army. With Lü Bu trapped and all the gates open, the outcome was certain.Even if the battle for the gates was tough, he had faith in his troops.
With his mind made up, Cao Ren bowed and stopped offering advice.Cao Cao turned to Yu Jin and said, "Wen Ze, tonight, the attack on the city will be led by you."
The decision to put Yu Jin in charge of the assault was strategic. Though Cao Ren could lead it, Yu Jin was meticulous, and Lü Bu's reputation as a fierce warrior made it safer to have him command the attack.Yu Jin bowed and replied, "Yes!"He gripped his spear tightly and immediately mounted his horse, heading for the East Gate.