Chapter Eighty-Two: A Reminder

Outside Wu Yin city, the sound of clanging gongs echoed across the vast wilderness, reverberating through the Xiliang army. Soldiers fled in panic, casting aside helmets and armor in a desperate bid for survival. It was clear that Zhang Xiu had gravely misjudged both his own strength and that of Cao’s forces, leading to this overwhelming defeat.

The fields were overrun with retreating Xiliang troops, scattered across the hills and plains. From above, one would see countless black dots speeding away toward the rear. Cao’s army pressed in from three directions, encircling and slaughtering the fleeing enemy. Zhang Xiu, astride his horse, galloped swiftly toward the rear, with Cao Hong in relentless pursuit.

“Zhang Xiu, coward! Why run? Come back and fight me!” Cao Hong shouted.

Zhang Xiu ignored him, urging his horse onward, flanked by several dozen cavalrymen providing cover as he retreated. The chase continued for over ten minutes before Cao Hong’s deputy called out, “General, stop the pursuit! The gongs signal from the rear—an order from the Grand Minister to withdraw.”

“Damn it!” Cao Hong, hearing the signal himself, immediately turned back.

Upon returning outside Wu Yin city, he found Cao Cao already reorganizing his troops. The three armies were arrayed swiftly, forming ranks as if preparing for a major battle.

“Zilian,” Cao Cao beckoned as he saw Cao Hong return.

Cao Hong asked, “Brother, why did you sound the withdrawal? I was so close to catching Zhang Xiu.”

Cao Cao frowned, “There’s been no word from Zixiao and Wenqian. I am deeply concerned for them. Zhang Xiu’s forces are routed; pursuing them wastes time. It is better to marshal the army and advance on Wan.”

“We’re going to retake Wan city?” Cao Hong inquired.

Cao Cao nodded, “Yes. First, to support Zixiao and Wenqian, and second, to recover the bodies of Dian Wei, Cao Ang, and Cao Anmin after taking Wan.”

“I understand.” Cao Hong nodded, returning to his division to prepare his men for departure.

Mobilizing the three armies was no simple matter. Had the troops continued their wild chase after Zhang Xiu, the forces would have scattered, making regrouping difficult and time-consuming. Thus, the gongs signaled withdrawal, allowing for proper reorganization before marching on Wan city.

Cao Cao had lingered in Wu Yin for several days. The deaths of Dian Wei, Cao Ang, and Cao Anmin were an unavoidable tragedy. Yet the silence from Cao Ren and Yue Jin troubled him, prompting his decision to regroup and strike at Wan once more.

This battle, in a sense, owed much to Zhang Xiu’s actions. After the defeat at Wan, the morale of Cao’s army had plummeted; soldiers were dejected, the spirit of the troops shaken. But after seeing the Xiliang army so easily routed, morale surged like a rainbow.

After reorganizing his forces, Cao Cao immediately led his main army west toward Wan, while dispatching a separate detachment of two thousand men toward Jiyang to support Yue Jin’s troops.

By afternoon, Zhang Xiu managed to gather some of his scattered soldiers; from over eight thousand, only six thousand remained—a devastating loss. He retreated toward Wan under cover of night.

The distance between Wu Yin and Wan was considerable, roughly equivalent to the modern journey from Nanyang city to Sheqi county—over twenty kilometers further, totaling more than seventy kilometers. Even marching forty kilometers a day, it would take two days to reach Wan.

Thus, Cao’s army set out that day, camping in the wild by night, somewhere in the vicinity of modern Sheqi county. Zhang Xiu, pressured by pursuit, had no choice but to flee through the night. By dawn, he was less than twenty kilometers from Wan, expecting to arrive before noon.

Suddenly, a force appeared on the distant plains, startling Zhang Xiu. Soon, scouts reported it was Gan Ning’s troops, bringing relief.

About half an hour later, Gan Ning arrived hurriedly, accompanied only by officers Lou Fa, Shen Mi, and Shen Chen. Deng Hong had returned to Xiangyang and had not yet returned. After defeating Yue Jin, Gan Ning—following Shen Chen’s advice—headed north to support Zhang Xiu.

They met at a rural pavilion less than twenty kilometers from Wan, quickly closing ranks.

“General Zhang,” Gan Ning greeted.

“General Gan,” Zhang Xiu replied.

He ordered his troops to rest on the spot, bringing some cavalry with him to meet Gan Ning. They were in what would later be known as Hongniwan town—a broad plain dotted with farmland and villages, with a single tributary of the Yu River to the west, rising into a small hill.

Gathering beneath the hill, Gan Ning observed the Xiliang soldiers in the distance, battered and exhausted, and asked, “General, why are you so bedraggled after attacking Wu Yin?”

Zhang Xiu replied awkwardly, “I meant to press the advantage against Cao Cao, but fell into an ambush and suffered a crushing defeat.”

Shen Chen spoke sternly, “General, I warned you before—despite his recent defeat, Cao Cao’s strength is not to be underestimated. Attacking Wu Yin required caution; how could you ignore sound advice?”

Page (1/3)

Zhang Xiu remained silent, feeling the sting of Shen Chen’s words. Yet, Shen Chen was not his subordinate, and being attached to Liu Biao, there was little he could say.

Seeing Zhang Xiu’s silence, Shen Chen continued, “Now Cao’s army is likely preparing to turn and attack us.”

Zhang Xiu complained, “I asked you all to join me in the attack on Wu Yin, but you refused. Now you blame me. Had you been there, such mistakes wouldn’t have happened.”

Gan Ning, displeased by Zhang Xiu’s mood, retorted, “Do you think we were hesitating? Did you not know Yue Jin and Cao Ren were at the rear? If we hadn’t defeated Cao Ren and then destroyed Yue Jin at Jinan, we would have been surrounded by Cao Cao and Yue Jin, and our army wiped out.”

“You destroyed Yue Jin?” Zhang Xiu was stunned.

“Indeed. Half his troops crossed the Yu River to Jiyang, which is only two days from Wu Yin. We defeated him the day before. Without us, your retreat today would have been far worse.”

Gan Ning explained the situation.

“Hmm...” Zhang Xiu fell silent again. He knew about Yue Jin and Cao Ren—they had slipped past him to Anzhong and Huyang. But in the urgency of pursuit after Cao’s defeat, he had forgotten.

Now, thinking it over, he felt a chill—if Gan Ning hadn’t defeated Yue Jin, Yue Jin would have blocked his retreat, and Cao Cao would have attacked from both front and rear, likely costing him his life.

Shen Chen mused, “But it isn’t entirely General’s fault. I’ve heard there’s a wise adviser in your ranks. If even I could see this coming, why didn’t he warn you?”

Zhang Xiu scratched his head, “Uncle didn’t advise caution. He urged me to pursue.”

“Master Wenhe said it was safe to pursue?” Shen Chen’s expression shifted as he quickly considered the implications. Glancing around, he said to Zhang Xiu, “General, may I speak with you privately?”

He dismounted, and though Zhang Xiu was puzzled, he followed. The two stepped aside to the edge of the hill.

“What is it?” Zhang Xiu asked.

Shen Chen replied, “General, if my guess is correct, Master Wenhe was warning you to be wary of Governor Liu.”

Zhang Xiu was startled, “How did you know?”

Shen Chen said, “Because Master Wenhe has always sought to serve the strongest. Previously, your surrender to Cao Cao was his idea.”

Zhang Xiu fell silent. He had only met Shen Chen a few times and didn’t know his abilities, but now he was impressed. Shen Chen had accurately deduced that Jia Xu had spoken ill of Liu Biao.

Shen Chen continued, “Master Wenhe wishes to attach himself to the powerful. With Cao Cao holding the Emperor to command the lords, his future is bright. Master Wenhe needs you to distrust Governor Liu so he can persuade you to surrender to Cao Cao.”

“I am already at odds with Cao Cao. Does he think I can still be swayed? Besides, I killed his favored general and kin; he wouldn’t accept me.” Zhang Xiu laughed bitterly.

It wasn’t that he didn’t wish to surrender; but Cao Cao’s actions left him no choice.

Shen Chen said, “But what if Cao Cao faces a crisis? Yuan Shao is about to unite the north and will inevitably clash with Cao Cao. That will be your best chance to surrender.”

“Really?” Zhang Xiu doubted, “He would accept me then?”

Shen Chen smiled, “Naturally. If Yuan Shao triumphs, you’ll survive and can surrender to him. But if Cao Cao wins, you won’t live. Why? Because once Cao Cao eliminates Yuan Shao, his greatest rival, he will dominate the north, and the vengeance for Dian Wei and his kin will be exacted. To wipe out the Zhang clan would be a simple command.”

Zhang Xiu felt a chill crawl up his spine. Yes. During the war, surrender would add to Cao Cao’s strength and increase his odds. But after victory, would Cao Cao not recall the deaths of Dian Wei and his kin? Would he not destroy the Zhang clan with a word?

“Unless you wish to gamble your life,” Shen Chen added, “betting that Cao Cao won’t kill you afterwards, you may follow Master Wenhe’s advice. But remember, when the Zhang clan is exterminated, Master Wenhe won’t be implicated, as he didn’t kill Dian Wei, Cao Ang, or Cao Anmin.”

Zhang Xiu felt his scalp tingle, unable to resist asking, “How are you so certain Uncle will push me to surrender to Cao Cao?”

“If you doubt me, watch. Master Wenhe will repeatedly urge you to distance yourself from Liu Biao and align with Cao Cao. When war breaks out between Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, that is when Master Wenhe will counsel you to surrender.”

Page (2/3)

Shen Chen said, “I am merely offering friendly advice. You need not believe me; time will reveal the truth. Observe daily whether Master Wenhe disparages Governor Liu and praises Lord Cao. Should the day come when he urges you to surrender, recall my words.”

“Is that so?” Zhang Xiu replied thoughtfully, “I understand.”

He knew deep down that Shen Chen was sowing discord between him and Jia Xu. But knowing it was one thing; what could he do? Shen Chen spoke the truth.

After Jia Xu had spoken ill of Liu Biao, Zhang Xiu had suspected that Jia Xu still wished to surrender to Cao Cao. Yet his own heart was uneasy, so he pretended ignorance.

Now, with Shen Chen revealing what might happen, Zhang Xiu felt oddly relieved, as many things became clear. Still, he could not wholly trust Shen Chen, so he chose to let events unfold.

He would wait and see if Jia Xu would, as Shen Chen predicted, continually urge him to surrender to Cao Cao.

So Zhang Xiu mused.

By afternoon, the Xiliang army returned to Wan city.

The next day, learning that Cao Cao’s forces were approaching again, Zhang Xiu withdrew toward Anzhong and Rang city. After Cao’s army recaptured Wan, they continued south in pursuit.

At this moment, Cao Cao was unaware that his detached force had encountered Yue Jin’s retreating remnants and learned of Yue Jin’s death. The news was speeding toward him.

He himself, leading the main force, had reached Nieyang.

Nieyang sat on the right bank of the Tuan River, which like the Yu River, originated in Mount Funiu and joined the Yu River at Xinye. It was a medium-sized river. Anzhong lay on the left bank, very close to Nieyang—only about twenty kilometers apart upstream.

Cao Cao, mounted, gazed into the distance. The banks of the Tuan River were covered with wheat fields, and it was late February, with the winter wheat nearly ripe, green stalks swaying in the wind and smoke rising from distant villages.

“Report!” A scout arrived, “Grand Minister, Zhang Xiu is marshaling his troops at the bridge on the left bank of the Tuan River, seemingly prepared for a decisive battle.”

“Hmph.” Cao Cao snorted, “Yesterday he left a message, saying he had taken the bodies of Dian Wei, Zixiu, and Anmin, inviting me to retrieve them. So he plans to ambush us at the river, to strike while we’re halfway across.”

Cao Hong stepped forward, “Brother, let me lead the vanguard and break their army.”

Cao Cao waved him aside, asking, “Is there another crossing on this river?”

Yu Jin replied, “I asked the locals; there’s a bridge more than ten li north of Nieyang.”

“Good.” Cao Cao nodded, “Wenze, take three thousand men and cross upstream. We’ll attack from both sides.”

“Understood.” Yu Jin took his orders and departed.

The army continued along the Tuan River toward the lower reaches. After seven or eight li, they found a bridge spanning the river. Opposite the bridge, several hills rose—though calling them hills might be generous, as the tallest was barely over twenty meters, not truly steep.

Below the hills, about three thousand Xiliang troops were assembled in formation. From afar, their numbers seemed fewer than expected.

“Zhang Xiu must have hidden troops in the hills,” Cao Cao said, pointing. “We shall not cross yet. Wait for Yu Jin to cross upstream, then attack from both sides.”

Cao Hong glanced at the departing Yu Jin, “Brother, Yu Jin’s detour will take one or two hours. If we wait that long, won’t they grow suspicious and simply leave, or destroy the bridge?”

Yu Jin’s route was more than ten li north of Nieyang, while this bridge lay seven or eight li south—a total distance of over twenty li, or about ten kilometers. That was one way; round-trip would be twenty kilometers, requiring two to four hours at a brisk march.

If nothing happened during that period, Zhang Xiu might simply withdraw or destroy the bridge, leaving Cao’s troops stranded.

Cao Cao considered this, and agreed, “You’re right, Zilian. Send two thousand men across to seize the bridgehead. We’ll feign a slow crossing to buy time.”

“Understood.” Cao Hong accepted the order.

Page (3/3)