Volume 1 Chapter 4: A Reputation That Shakes The World

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  Zhang Liao, a general of Bian state who followed Lv Bu for many years.

  Guan Yu, the mighty general who is an enemy of ten thousand people.

  These two joined forces, leading the Cao family's newly established elite Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, with the assistance of Xun Yu's clever plan, under such advantageous conditions, were unexpectedly defeated by Yan Liang!

  At that moment when he heard this shocking news, even on the face of the heroic Cao Cao, a hint of bewilderment and horror flashed.

  Xun Yu beside him was equally astonished and asked in pursuit: "You said the enemy had made preparations, how is this possible?"

  "It was indeed the case that when Generals Zhang and Guan led their cavalry to Baima, Yan Liang's army had already formed up in battle array, with a stern and disciplined military appearance, as if they had been preparing for this moment all along."

  Xu Shu's words were like a heavy hammer striking Xun Yu's mind.

  He, who was meticulous in tactics, had been offering brilliant plans in battles such as the conquest of Zhang Yang and the war against Lü Bu since he joined Cao Cao's camp. It can be said that his calculations were flawless. Who would have thought that on this most important day of war, his plan was seen through by the enemy at the very beginning?

  Xun Yu felt extremely humiliated and filled with remorse, not daring to look straight at Cao Cao.

  Cao Cao did not blame Xun Yu, but instead suspiciously said: "The detailed report sent back by Gong Da's scout clearly stated that Yuan Shao had led his main force west towards Yangjin, indicating that Yuan Shao himself was unaware of the trap. However, the White Horse enemy army was already prepared, could it be that Yan Liang alone saw through your plan?"

  "If that's really the case, then Yan Liang is a strategist with both literary and military talents. My uncle Xun Yu's evaluation of him might be somewhat biased..." Mentioning his uncle Xun Yu, Xun You stopped himself from saying more.

  Before the decisive battle between Yuan and Cao began, an atmosphere of fear pervaded Cao's camp.

  Kong Rong, a great Confucian scholar, evaluated the two generals from Hebei, Yan Liang and Wen Chou, as fierce warriors of their time, not to be underestimated by enemies. However, Imperial Secretary Xun Yu referred to these two generals as having "the bravery of common men", who could be captured in one battle.

  Cao Cao's heart was chilled, and he muttered to himself: "Wen Ruo has always been accurate in his assessment of people; could it be that this time he is mistaken?"

  The news of the defeat of the vanguard quickly spread, and Cao's army was shaken from top to bottom.

  Cao Cao feared that Yan Liang's army would take advantage of the situation and attack, so he did not dare to rush forward again. Instead, he ordered 20,000 infantrymen to set up camp on the spot, setting up horn-shaped fortifications to prevent Yan Liang's cavalry from charging.

  Not long after the camp was set up, the defeated light cavalry fled back one after another. This battle resulted in a loss of over a thousand cavalrymen.

  Cao Jun's cavalry was weak, and there were only more than 3,000 mobile cavalry that could be used for combat. This battle lost more than 1,000, which really made Cao Cao feel painful.

  Fortunately, both Guan Yu and Zhang Liao escaped unscathed.

  At night, in the central army tent.

  "The defeat in the final battle is at hand, I beg the Prime Minister to punish me."

  Two men knelt on one knee, Zhang Liao gloomily begged for forgiveness, while Guan Yu's face turned iron-green, silent and speechless.

  "Victory and defeat are common occurrences in a military household. This defeat is not your two faults, get up." Cao Cao was calm and composed, with a tranquil demeanor.

  The two of them stood up, hanging their heads in shame, with a look of remorse still on their faces that couldn't be shaken off.

  Cao Cao inquired about the course of their defeat, and Zhang Liao truthfully recounted how the enemy had been well-prepared, and how Guan Yu had single-handedly slain the generals.

  Cao Cao's eyes gleamed with a hint of surprise: "I didn't expect that Yan Liang's martial arts skills were so impressive, and he was actually able to exchange over a dozen blows with Yunchang."

  Guan Yu's self-esteem was hurt, and he immediately cupped his hands and said: "Prime Minister, that Yan Liang only managed to escape with his life by luck. Please assign me a few thousand more soldiers, and this time I will definitely bring back that man's head to report to you."

  Guan Yu was so enraged that his teeth chattered with a "clattering" sound.

  "Yun Chang, don't be impulsive. I think Yan Liang is not an ordinary person. He won a victory today and the morale of his troops is high. We can't easily collide with him."

  Cao Cao was much more cautious, after all, he had only tens of thousands of troops at his disposal, yet he had to face Yuan Shao's army of over 100,000. Any loss similar to today's battle would be unbearable for him.

  "Yan Liang has won today, he must be underestimating our army. I think it's not a bad idea to send someone secretly into Baima City to meet with General Yu Jin. Tonight, we'll set fire as a signal and launch a surprise attack on the enemy camp from both sides. We can definitely achieve a surprise victory."

  Xun Yu came up with another plan, he wanted to use this plan to clear his previous shame.

  Cao Cao nodded slightly, a sly smile spreading across his face. "Your plan is excellent, General. We will follow your strategy."

  The night is deep, the Yellow River ferry crossing.

  Hebei soldiers silently boarded the ferry, boat after boat fully loaded, under the bright moonlight, slowly heading towards Liyang on the opposite bank.

  Yan Liang stood on the plank bridge, reining in his horse to gaze far into the direction of White Horse City, a hint of cunning smile flickering in his sharp eyes.

  A raging fire shot up into the sky, dyeing half of the night sky red. The distant sounds of battle cries could still be faintly heard.

  The sound of horseshoes echoed, and in the darkness, Ma Yan led a small cavalry team to hurry over.

  "General Yan, Cao's army has indeed launched a pincer attack on both sides, and raided our camp at night. You truly are a god-like strategist."

  Ma Yan, who had just dismounted from his horse, eagerly reported with a bow, his words full of admiration.

  Yan Liang had long known that the big fire in the direction of Baima City was definitely Cao Jun's burning camp, but unfortunately he led the victorious army to quietly retreat north to Duji after nightfall.

  What Cao Jun robbed was just an empty village.

  Yan Liang smiled faintly and waved his hand: "Everyone is here, let's get on the boat. A cup of warm wine will be perfect for appreciating the fireworks display Cao Ze has prepared for us."

  The soldiers all burst out laughing and with a relaxed mood of watching a show, the last batch of troops boarded the ship.

  Yan Liang stood at the stern of the boat, holding a cup of strong wine, admiring the brilliant red glow on the horizon.

  At this moment, he was even imagining Cao Cao's disappointed expression after being deceived.

  At dawn, Cao Cao walked into the ruined camp that had been burned down.

  The lingering thick smoke is still spreading, the choking smell of charcoal fills the air, and there are ruins everywhere, but not a single corpse can be seen.

  They fought all night and it turned out they were fighting for an empty camp.

  Cao Cao covered his nose and walked silently on the ground covered with ash, with a hint of anger flashing in his eagle eyes.

  He has a feeling of being played by others.

  "Your Excellency, the scouts have returned to report that Yan Liang's troops crossed the Yellow River to the north last night and withdrew from the large camp at Laiyang." Zhang Liao arrived with his sword in hand, looking somewhat depressed.

  Cao Cao's thick eyebrows were tightly locked, and in addition to his anger, he was even more surprised.

  "Even this trick can be seen through, Yan Liang, Yan Liang, you really have three heads and six arms..."

  Listening to Cao Cao's murmurs of surprise, Xun Yu's face turned even more unsightly beside him.

  Cao Cao stood on the pile of ruins, gazing out at the northern bank of the Yellow River, lost in thought, as if weighing something.

  After a while, Cao Cao let out a deep sigh and said quietly: "Pass the order to the entire army, withdraw the troops and return to Guandu."

  The north bank of the Yellow River, Linyang.

  When Cao Cao was busy with a siege, Yan Liang rode his black stallion in the manner of a victor on the main road to Yuan Shu's great camp.

  Killing Cao's army in a surprise attack, saving his life from Guan Yu's blade, and retreating back to the north shore, all of which would have allowed Yan Liang to breathe easily for a while.

  However, merely preserving his life was not Yan Liang's ultimate goal.

  Living in such a tumultuous era, any hot-blooded man would have the ideal of achieving great things and establishing a heroic career. Yan Liang was no exception.

  In his past life, he thought himself talented, but because he couldn't get a good opportunity, he could only stay in the office and suffer under his leader's temper.

  Now reborn, he has the opportunity to show off his skills and make a big impact. How can Yan Liang let go of this heaven-sent chance?

  As they were calculating, they saw the large camp flags in the distance ahead.

  Before long, Yan Liang proudly led his victorious troops into the main camp.

  The officers and men in Yuan's camp had long heard the news of Yan Liang's defeat at Baima, where he ambushed Cao's army, and were all inspired by it.

  Everyone heard that Yan Liang had returned and came out of their tents to watch. Wherever Yan Liang passed, the soldiers from Hebei couldn't help but cast admiring glances at him.

  Yan Liang entered the camp under the admiration of everyone, because Yuan Shao was still in Yanzhou and had not returned. Yan Liang handed over his troops and horses, exchanged greetings with a few familiar people, and then returned to his own large tent to rest.

  He had just stepped into his account when he heard footsteps coming from behind him.

  "Congratulations to General Yan for thwarting Cao's treacherous plan."

  Yan Liang turned around, and a middle-aged man had already walked in, bowing his hands in greeting, with a warm smile on his face.

  That man was seven feet tall, with very white skin and a pair of slender arms that were particularly eye-catching.

  At a glance, Yan Liang's mind instinctively jumped out with three words: Liu Xuan De.