Chapter Fifteen: The End of Chaos

  "Zhang Jaw?"

  After listening to Yu Jin's report, Cao Cao's eyebrows furrowed instantly.

  Among the many generals under Yuan Shao's command, this general left the deepest impression on Cao Cao.

  At the first battle of Guandu, Zhang Yan fought fiercely with General Zhang Liao on the battlefield for more than 50 rounds, and surprisingly, neither side could gain the upper hand. His martial arts skills were quite impressive, and his ability to command troops was also remarkable. He can indeed be called an outstanding talent.

  He actually came as vanguard to rescue Wusuo?

  "At first, he was hesitant and indecisive, but this time his reaction was surprisingly swift. It's truly beyond my expectations... Could it be that there's something special holding him back in this desolate place?"

  Cao Cao looked up at Yuan Shang on the mountain and seemed to be thinking deeply.

  "Your Excellency, what should we do?" Yu Jin saw Cao Cao remain silent and couldn't help but feel a little anxious, so he hastily opened his mouth to ask again.

  "Don't panic."

  Cao Cao calmly waved his hand and comforted Yan Jin: "Now that Zhang Liao and Xu Huang are leading the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry to charge into Wuchao Camp and burn their grain, whether or not Yuan's army comes to rescue is of little significance. However, we still need to buy them some time. Send orders to Zhang Liao and Xu Huang to quickly burn all of Yuan's supplies and do not delay. I reckon that after Zhang Yan's troops arrive, there will be a larger scale of Yuan's army coming to rescue. Wen Tiren, you lead your troops to block Zhang Yan first and buy time for Xu Huang and the others. I will personally go to meet Zhang and Xu."

  "Yes!" Yu Jin received the order and immediately galloped away.

  Cao Cao glanced at Yuan Shang on the mountain, his eyes slightly narrowed, a cold smile rising from the corner of his mouth. He muttered to himself: "Ben Chu's army is so swift, far beyond my expectations. The situation is urgent, I'll spare your life for today, but if there's another chance in the future, I will cut you into pieces and avenge Hu Hou... It's just that after fighting for half a day, I still don't know who this kid is, it's a pity. Heh heh, Ben Chu's camp has produced such an interesting character, how delightful."

  As soon as the words were spoken, Cao Cao waved his horse whip and led his soldiers to rush towards Wuchao to meet Zhang Liao and Xu Huang.

  Seeing Cao's army retreat, Yuan Shang finally let out a sigh of relief. Tonight's battle was really too dangerous. Just now, if he had taken a wrong step, his life would have been in Cao's hands by now.

  Rescue Wu Chao...... This life is really not for human beings.

  Seeing Cao Cao leading his army to rush to Wuchao, Guo Yuan hastily advised Yuan Shang: "Third Lord, Cao Cao has abandoned us and rushed to Wuchao. Shall I lead the younger brothers to pursue him?"

  Yuan Shang glanced at Guo Yuan, and his heart was filled with emotions. After a night of interaction, he could see that this young man had some talent for commanding soldiers, was not afraid to die in battle, had a strong and stubborn personality, and was extremely loyal to him, making him a good deputy general who could be used well.

  But compared to a top-notch general, this kid still lacks something crucial, and that something is precisely what Yuan Shang can't give him.

  This is what's on my mind.

  He patted Guo Yuan's shoulder and said solemnly, "Guo Yuan, take a look at our brothers on the mountain. They just had an intense battle with Cao Cao, some are dead, some are injured, and they're all exhausted. It's already impressive that they've managed to hold on until now. I know you're eager to make achievements, but you also need to consider whether your brothers can keep up or not? Cao Cao has finally taken his eyes off us, why do you have to rush after him and provoke him? What if he comes back and wipes us out? Wouldn't that be a slap in the face for yourself?"

  Guo Yuan heard this and nodded thoughtfully. After a while, he suddenly said: "However, Third Master, Chun Yu Jiang Jun is still inside Wu Zao, if we don't provide support..."

  "Don't worry, that big wine bag may be a bit foolish, but he can still see the situation clearly. At critical moments, it's not a big deal to surrender."

  "Surrender... surrender?"

  Kuo Yuan was taken aback and left speechless, staring at Yuan Shang in bewilderment, unsure why he would say such a thing.

  But then Yuan Shang raised his head to the sky with a serious expression, and it was unknown whether he was telling the truth or not, saying in a low tone: "Actually, if I'm being honest, I hope that Chunyu Qiong can surrender. If that fool enters Cao's army and gets heavily used by Cao Cao, it's possible that he can dismantle Cao's army from within, thoroughly destroying them... we'll also be able to save some trouble."

  The story splits into two threads, not mentioning Cao Cao abandoning Yuan Shang, but saying that Yu Jin was ordered to block Zhang Yun, the two sides met head-on and started fighting without saying a word, soldiers clashed with soldiers, generals with generals, and the intense battle was exceptionally lively.

  Yu Jin's troops were outnumbered, but they were all elite and strong, although they didn't have the upper hand in numbers, they could still fight on par with the enemy.

  The issue is a contest between the two sides' generals, Yu Jin and Zhang Xun.

  These two men were both one of the five sons of Cao Wei in later generations, and their ability to lead troops and deploy formations is not worth mentioning. Moreover, their martial arts skills are also excellent. Today, they meet with swords and guns, and naturally, the battle will be exceptionally brilliant.

  But in the end, Zhang Fei's martial arts were indeed superior to Ban Guan's. A silver-white long spear danced in his hand like a blooming flower, elegant and effortless. Although Ban Guan's swordsmanship was not weak, he was secretly at a disadvantage.

  Twenty rounds had passed, and Zhang Fei's movements were not slow but fast. The long spear in his hand carried the momentum of wind and thunder, thrusting at Yu Jin or stabbing, sweeping, or poking, forcing Yu Jin to sweat profusely, dodging left and right, looking extremely flustered.

  He was going to cover up Baba's dance for a few more rounds, but Yu Jin finally couldn't hold on, and with a flash of his body backwards, he withdrew his sword and made a feint, jumping out of the circle on horseback, panting heavily as he sized up Zhang Jue.

  After catching his breath, Fang Yan looked at Zhang Fei with a mixture of admiration and fear on his face, saying: "General Zhang's magnificent skills! He is indeed the number one general under Yuan Shao's command! Even if Yan Liang and Wen Chou were in their prime, they would still be no match for General Zhang today."

  Zhang Jue's face was cold and unimpressed, and he showed no sign of pleasure at the praise: "Your Excellency is overpraising me. Yan Liang and Wen Chou were my famous generals in Hebei in the past, while I am a humble and lowly person who does not dare to be mentioned in the same breath as them."

  Yu Jinwen smiled coldly and shook his head: "Not arrogant or impatient, but a good talent, what a pity."

  "What a pity?"

  "It's a pity that General Zhang is such a figure, yet he follows and associates with the likes of Yuan Shao, who are rotten to the core. It's truly a waste of a hero."

  Zhang Jaw disdainfully smiled: "Speak directly, what kind of curve are you talking about."

  Yu Jin continued: "General Zhang came to rescue Wuchao today, but the grain and grass of Wuchao were still burned by our army, which shows that heaven's intention is with Cao. Yuan Shao is good at planning but lacks decisiveness, his face is stern but his heart is thin, he is not a wise lord, and will soon be captured by my master. General, you are a hero of your generation, don't you know that a wise bird chooses the right tree to perch on, and a virtuous minister chooses the right lord to serve? Why not surrender to Cao Cao and devote yourself to the imperial court? Not only will your future be bright, but you will also not waste your talents..."

  The words had barely left his lips when Zhang Jue's spear shot straight over, and as he fought, he said: "Thanks for the kind thought, but unfortunately I have no interest in it!"

  Yu Jin sneered and didn't bother to entangle with him anymore. He turned around, whipped his horse, and rushed towards Wuchao.

  His troops saw their commander fleeing and also abandoned the battle to retreat.

  At this moment, Cao Cao was leading Zhang Liao and Xu Huang out of Wuchao, looking up at the sky and seeing that the night was about to pass, while the grain and grass inside Wuchao were basically burned. A triumphant smile appeared on his lips.

  "At first, this battle, Wu was burned, Baima is solitary win, Yanzhen is solitary win. Now the Battle of Guandu is also won by Cao. There is no grain or grass, your 700,000 troops will be destroyed in a day or two. Let's see how you can turn things around this time... Ha ha! Order the three armies to retreat quickly and do not delay here, retreat to Wuchang!"