Chapter 132: Psychological Duel

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As night fell, Cao Cao’s army withdrew quietly. They were not traveling light; a large convoy of supplies and weaponry slowed their pace to less than three kilometers per hour. Shen Chen did not immediately dispatch troops in pursuit but cautiously sent scouts ahead to gather intelligence.

Throughout history, armies retreating without fighting spirit were often vulnerable to devastating enemy pursuit. For instance, during Hengwu’s northern campaign, despite initially overwhelming Fu Jian in Guanzhong, his forces suffered heavy losses when forced to retreat due to depleted supplies. Cao Cao himself was a prime example: two years prior, during his withdrawal from Nanyang, he personally covered the rear to repel Zhang Xiu’s pursuit once, but at another time, without his direct involvement, his army was routed by Zhang Xiu.

Savvy generals often arrange their retreat according to terrain. For example, during Zhuge Liang’s first northern expedition, after losing at Jieting, he assigned Zhao Yun to cover the rear, successfully allowing the defeated Shu forces to withdraw to Hanzhong with minimal casualties.

Cao Cao was well aware of this principle. After nightfall, he assigned Li Tong with three thousand men to cover the rear while the rest hurried back to Xudu, wary of Sun Ce’s potential northern advance or Yuan Shao’s possible southern aggression.

North of Kunyang, except for the Ziyun Mountain region, the land stretched flat for miles. However, the plains contained many forests and small rivers, barely suitable for ambush points to cover a retreat.

Shen Chen sensed an opportunity because the Cao army withdrew in the dead of night on the very day of their siege, after several days of relentless assault, leaving soldiers utterly exhausted. This was a tactical oversight on Cao Cao’s part. Normally, armies rest for several days to regain strength and morale before continuing an attack. Retreating in such a fatigued state was perilous.

Based on this, Shen Chen considered pursuing them. Yet, he had to gauge Cao Cao’s mindset. How could a seasoned commander with years of conquest and battle experience make such a basic mistake? Being cautious by nature, Shen Chen patiently awaited the scouts’ report instead of rushing into pursuit.

Soon, the scouts returned with information: though the darkness obscured details, they saw a long line of torches stretching for miles, winding northward.

This struck Shen Chen as unusual. If Cao Cao intended to retreat, he would not do so with such ostentation but with subtlety. If he were in Cao Cao’s position, after withdrawing from beneath the city walls, he would quietly rest his troops, feigning a ceasefire for the day and a renewed assault later. After a few hours of rest, under the cover of midnight, he would silently break camp and withdraw with minimal torchlight—a stealthy, surprise retreat.

Such brazen, unhidden behavior suggested a bold “I’m leaving openly, what can you do about it?” attitude, leaving Shen Chen perplexed.

Could it be a trap? Shen Chen furrowed his brow. What was Cao Cao’s true intention? Did he underestimate Shen Chen and genuinely retreat? Or was it a ruse to lure Shen Chen into an ambush? Perhaps it was a feigned empty city stratagem, betting that Shen Chen would hesitate to pursue.

The complexity of warfare often lies in anticipating the opponent’s anticipation of your anticipation—a layered psychological game. For example, during the Battle of Nanyang, Cao Cao’s withdrawal was a calculated move, expecting Zhang Xiu’s eagerness to pursue. Cao Cao personally covered the rear, routing Zhang Xiu’s forces. When Zhang Xiu retreated, Jia Xu advised him to pursue nonetheless, knowing Cao Cao would soon withdraw further, leaving his rear vulnerable. Zhang Xiu’s subsequent pursuit led to a crushing defeat of Cao Cao’s rear guard.

If Zhang Xiu had heeded Jia Xu’s advice initially, he would have anticipated Cao Cao’s anticipation, avoided a direct confrontation with Cao Cao’s rear guard, and secured victory. This represents the pinnacle of psychological and tactical warfare.

Now, the situation was similar. Cao Cao’s sudden, counterintuitive retreat was a challenge to Shen Chen, testing whether he dared to engage.

Two scenarios lay ahead. First, if Cao Cao played the empty city stratagem and Shen Chen was cowed into inaction, Cao Cao would succeed. If Shen Chen, reckless or perceptive enough to see through the ruse, pursued and inflicted a crushing defeat on Cao Cao’s forces, then Shen Chen would triumph.

Second, if Cao Cao’s retreat was a feint concealing an ambush, the outcome would resemble Jia Xu’s past stratagem. Cao Cao himself would cover the rear, and a hasty pursuit would lead to disaster. The correct approach would be patience, awaiting Cao Cao’s disengagement, then attacking the rear guard.

Shen Chen could not discern Cao Cao’s true plan.

“Is he playing the empty city stratagem? Setting an ambush? Or feigning retreat to strike back unexpectedly?” Shen Chen stood atop the city wall, gazing into the night sky, brow furrowed.

The summer night was crystal clear, a gentle breeze stirring as the moon hung high amid countless stars, not a cloud in sight. Yet Shen Chen’s mood was grim.

He was no genius of psychological warfare like Guo Jia or Jia Xu. If either were here now, they would surely unravel Cao Cao’s mind and advise accordingly. But neither was present.

“Ah.” Shen Chen sighed. “Playing tactical games with someone like Cao Cao is truly exhausting.”

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Beside him, his cousin Shen Tao noticed his troubled expression and curiously asked, “General, what troubles you?”

Shen Chen replied, “Cao Cao’s ostentatious retreat could mean one of two things: either an ambush or a deliberate ploy to intimidate us into inaction. I’m still undecided.”

Shen Tao pondered. “Then let’s test the waters. If he’s bluffing, we strike and defeat them. If it’s an ambush, proceed cautiously with probes. If it gets too dangerous, retreat.”

“It’s not that simple,” Shen Chen said with a wry smile. Pursuing an enemy deep into the night risks falling into traps. If troops scatter, retreating won’t be enough—their lives would be at stake.

Shen Tao shrugged. “I may not understand warfare well, but sometimes you can’t overthink. If I feared death, I wouldn’t have thought to join the army to avenge my parents. Sometimes, you just have to focus on the goal.”

“You’re right,” Shen Chen acknowledged, recalling words from a great leader. He nodded slowly. “We must try—even if it’s a half-cooked meal, we must force ourselves to eat. If we don’t try, how will we know if we can win?”

“Orders! Assemble the entire army!” Shen Chen commanded.

“Yes, sir!” Shen Tao went to relay the order.

After a while, soldiers resting inside the city began converging at the gates. Gan Ning, Shen Zhen, Deng Zhao, and others hurried over.

Gan Ning didn’t ask questions, while Shen Zhen and Deng Zhao, commanders of the Huangmen Pavilion troops, approached. “Ah Chen, why the sudden assembly?”

“To pursue Cao Cao’s army,” Shen Chen replied.

“Now?” Gan Ning was startled. “The troops are already exhausted.”

Indeed, both armies had fought fiercely for days, and while Cao Cao’s forces were fatigued, most were now resting except for rear guards. Shen Chen explained, “Both sides are weary from siege battles. Now that Cao Cao is retreating with low morale, pursuit could inflict severe damage.”

Gan Ning voiced concern, “Still, our men are fatigued. Pursuing now might...”

Shen Chen shook his head. “No choice. Soldiers are trained for moments like this. I will lead the first group. In half an hour, Uncle Xingba, you lead three thousand men to support.”

“Understood.” Gan Ning respected Shen Chen’s decisiveness and followed orders without question.

Huangmen Pavilion’s soldiers swiftly mobilized.

Though fatigued from campaigns spanning four to five months since last winter, suffering two to three hundred casualties, thanks to Shen Chen’s rigorous training and fair reward systems, morale remained steady.

This method cultivated a select elite; three thousand was the limit, nearly draining the entire Huangmen Pavilion.

Under the starry night, over 2,700 men exited the city, pursuing northward.

Shen Chen chose to march on foot with his soldiers; only messengers rode horses, while commanders including Shen Zhen and Deng Zhao also walked.

Night vision was poor, so torches were lit. Mounted soldiers were easy targets for ambush archers—like what happened to Pang Tong—so marching on foot was safer.

The northern wilderness road was flanked by farmland and villages. Cao Cao’s camp had been nestled about four li away near a village surrounded by a small river and forest.

As the Huangmen Pavilion troops neared the forest, a shout pierced the night: “Enemy attack!”

Scouts sent to recon the forest had engaged the enemy and suffered heavy casualties.

The sound startled countless birds into flight.

Li Tong had concealed his men since afternoon, keeping quiet to avoid disturbing the birds. Now, the uproar sent the birds soaring.

“Set fire!” Shen Chen drew his ring-hilted sword and shouted.

Soldiers surged toward the forest, tossing torches into the dry summer foliage. Flames erupted swiftly.

Arrows rained down from the trees, but as the fire grew, Li Tong’s ambushers were forced to flee, cut down by Shen Chen’s troops before mounting effective counterattacks.

In the darkness, the battle turned into a chase. Li Tong lost many men, retreating northward.

“Pursue!” Shen Chen slew two fleeing soldiers and pressed on.

Victories with favorable conditions can be relentless; even warriors like Dian Wei and Xu Chu once pursued enemies for an entire day and night.

Yet Shen Chen knew Cao Cao’s forces were not a disorganized rabble. Though some covered the rear, others surely remained behind.

He remained cautious, pursuing while dispatching scouts.

After seven or eight more li, another ambush awaited.

Shen Chen fought bravely, scattering the enemy.

Approaching the Ziyun Mountains, he had broken through three enemy detachments.

On the expansive plains south of Ziyun Mountain, the main Cao army’s torch line was visible, winding slowly forward.

In this state, Cao Cao’s forces were combat-ineffective. If caught, their rear would descend into chaos, leading instantly to a rout.

“General, should we send scouts again?” asked the few surviving, bloodied scouts.

These scouts suffered the greatest losses in the three skirmishes, exploring forests and slopes. Ambushes and arrow volleys took a heavy toll; without armor, many would have died in the first wave.

Due to horses being shot, a fifty-man scout squad now numbered fewer than twenty—a casualty rate much higher than regular soldiers.

“No more scouting,” Shen Chen waved dismissively. “Your losses are too severe.”

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Deng Zhao asked, “What now?”

“Pursue directly,” Shen Chen took a deep breath. “Sending scouts will alert them, giving time to regroup.”

“Understood!” Deng Zhao hurried to issue orders.

“Prepare for battle!”

“Silence! No torches! Advance under cover of darkness!”

“Archers spread along the wings!”

“Crossbowmen, ready your bolts!”

“Move out!”

The Huangmen Pavilion troops extinguished their torches, relying on the clear summer moonlight and sparse stars to navigate.

Fortunately, the night was bright and cloudless, providing enough light. None suffered night blindness, enabling them to keep pace with the torch-lit column ahead.

When Shen Chen drew within two li of Cao Cao’s rear guard, he suddenly shouted, “Attack!”

“Charge!”

The resonant bugle call echoed, accompanied by whistles from squad leaders, as they launched a fierce assault on Cao Cao’s rear.

Chaos erupted among the enemy; countless torches flickered like stars, drums thundered, and commanders hastily tried to rally their troops to understand the situation.

But those at the rear had no time to reorganize. Shen Chen led his men through, nearly reaching the enemy’s supply wagons.

“Ambush!” Shen Chen realized grimly.

As he and his guard cut into Cao Cao’s rear formations, he saw a startling sight.

Surrounding each supply wagon were barely any soldiers. Normally, each cart had four or five guards: drivers, escorts, and rear sentries.

Now, only two guards remained—a driver and a torchbearer. Above the wagons, many torches were fixed, creating the illusion of numerous troops.

Next moment, countless men surged from nearby forests with a thunderous roar, while hooves pounded from the eastern plains.

Shen Chen’s face darkened; his game of wits had failed.

“Brother Shen!”

“Hmm!” Shen Changqing walked along the road, greeting acquaintances with nods.

Yet, no one wore more than a neutral expression, as if indifferent to all.

This was normal here.

This was the Demon Suppression Division, an institution maintaining the stability of the Great Qin, primarily tasked with slaying demons and monsters, though it had other duties as well.

Within the Demon Suppression Division, every member’s hands were stained with blood.

When one becomes accustomed to life and death, many things lose their significance.

At first, Shen Changqing struggled to adjust to this world, but over time, he grew used to it.

The division was vast.

Only the strongest or those with potential remained.

Shen Changqing was among the latter.

The division had two classes: Guardians and Exorcists.

All entrants started as low-ranking apprentice Exorcists, gradually ascending ranks, with hopes of becoming Guardians.

Shen Changqing’s former self was just such a trainee Exorcist, the lowest rank.

With memories from his past life, he was very familiar with the division’s environment.

He soon paused before a pavilion. Unlike the grim, bloodstained surroundings typical of the division, this pavilion stood out peacefully.

Its doors were open, with occasional people entering and exiting.

Shen Changqing hesitated briefly, then stepped inside.

The atmosphere transformed immediately.

The faint scent of ink mixed with a subtle metallic tang of blood met his nose, causing a brief frown that quickly eased.

The pervasive blood scent clinging to every member of the division was nearly impossible to wash away.