Chapter Fifty-seven: The Chaotic Battle of Xingyang

When Cao Cao heard what Cao Hong said, he burst out laughing, “Good brother!” Nearby, Cao Ren also nodded and said, “Our uprising this time is not a desperate gamble. We still possess the strength to rise again. Now that the arrow is already on the bowstring, we must press forward with courage.”

Cao Cao replied, “Since this is so, let us rest tonight. Tomorrow, we set out immediately. Once we reach the capital region, we will head south to join forces with Sun Wentai’s troops and make further plans thereafter.”

After Cao Hong and Cao Ren accepted their orders, Cao Cao continued, “These refugees are noisy day and night—more trouble than they’re worth. Let them pass through the gate.”

After Cao Ren agreed and left, Cao Cao turned to Cao Hong and said, “Zilian, when we enter the capital region, you, Zi He’s men, and my personal guards will take the vanguard.”

Cao Hong agreed, and Cao Cao left to reassure his soldiers.

After Cao Cao departed, Pan Zhang, who stood by Cao Hong’s side, said, “Young master, is reputation truly so important? Even knowing there’s a great chance of defeat, you still press forward for the sake of it.”

Cao Hong smiled, “Those in high positions naturally weigh matters further ahead than we do.”

Pan Zhang nodded and said, “Then we must select the new squad leaders and decurions tonight. Young master, I’ll take my leave now.”

Cao Hong nodded, and Pan Zhang left to choose the new officers in the army.

That night, after stripping the prisoners of their gear, the Cao army released them along with the refugees from the east gate of Hulao Pass. Since the enemy’s commander, Yang Ding, had gone missing in action, these foot soldiers were of little value. Besides, the army was to march on the capital region the next day, so everyone needed sleep to restore their spirits—there was no way to guard so many captives.

Yet all the generals lamented this outcome. After all, they had captured over two thousand able-bodied men. If only they could have taken them back and drilled them, the strength of the Cao army would surely have soared. But these were routed soldiers, and with the army’s urgent march, they could not be absorbed—releasing them was the only choice. Xiahou Yuan even thought this would benefit the allied forces at Suanzao, for surely no force along the way would let such a group of able men slip by.

Moreover, the Cao army had routed fifteen thousand Xiliang troops, capturing vast quantities of armor and weapons, yet they could not take them along and had to set them aflame, much to the generals’ pain. Only Cao Cao remained smiling and unconcerned, not caring in the least.

After releasing the prisoners and burning the weapons, Xiahou Dun returned the warhorses of Cao Cao, Cao Hong, Cao Chun, Liao Hua, and Dian Wei, thus concluding the day’s business. The Cao army’s generals and soldiers then returned to their positions to rest.

After a night’s rest, the troops were refreshed. Cao Cao promptly ordered the march toward Xingyang County, ten miles behind Hulao Pass. This county, east of the capital region, also served as the main supply base for the pass. It had been under Yang Ding’s protection, but now, with Yang Ding’s army in disarray and Hulao Pass lost, if he had fled and didn’t know whether the eastern allied forces would advance, he would surely evacuate the county’s populace. So the Cao army raced straight for Xingyang, fearing nothing.

But events rarely play out as smoothly as planned. After the Cao army followed the Bian River for five miles, with the outline of Xingyang County visible in the distance, they saw a great cloud of dust rising ahead, as if a large force was approaching.

Leading the way, Cao Cao was startled and ordered a halt. “Yang Ding was only defeated yesterday. Even if he sought reinforcements, they couldn’t arrive this quickly! Is he planning to pit the populace against us?”

Cao Chun’s face was grave. “Though dust billows ahead, it is clear and not murky, dense but not chaotic. This is the sign of a disciplined army on the march, never mere civilians.”

Cao Hong said, “Yesterday, the refugees said the traitor Dong had dispatched his generals to plunder. Xingyang is the eastern gateway to the capital, a prosperous place. Might it be one of Dong’s generals come to loot?”

Cao Cao said, “Yesterday we heard nothing of enemy troops in Xingyang.”

Cao Chun said, “Perhaps the enemy only arrived today and happened upon Yang Ding’s defeated men.”

As they spoke, Cao Hong glimpsed the enemy’s banners—a large ‘Xu’ character fluttering in the wind. His face changed at once, realizing that Cao Cao’s nemesis had arrived. He said, “Elder brother, prepare for battle! That is the banner of Dong’s Lieutenant Colonel Xu Rong!”

Cao Cao sighed helplessly, “Heaven is truly against me!” He then raised his arm and shouted, “Order the army: charge into the enemy ranks and throw them into disorder! After crossing the Bian River three miles before Xingyang, regroup in the northern Mang Mountains!”

The messengers rushed to deliver his orders. Cao Cao turned to those beside him, “Xu Rong must be well prepared. We are no match for him. If we retreat now, we will be pursued closely, and with the gates of Hulao destroyed, the northern Mang Mountains are a better place to hide. This is a breakout!”

Even if he hadn’t explained, his orders made his intent clear to the other generals. After all, they were all seasoned commanders familiar with the art of war.

Cao Cao drew his short halberd from his belt with one hand, gripped his ring-pommel sword in the other, squeezed his horse’s flanks, and charged at the enemy. Dian Wei and Liao Hua followed close behind, the first wielding twin halberds, the latter a long spear. Cao Hong drew his nameless blade and rushed up as well—his goal was to protect Cao Cao. Cao Chun was not left behind; he leveled his spear and shouted as he charged.

Behind these five riders came the personal guard battalion. After a night of fierce battle, these soldiers had slain many and grown even more fearless, holding hooked swords in one hand, ring-pommel blades in the other, charging into the fray.

Cao Cao, Cao Hong, Cao Chun, Dian Wei, and Liao Hua, upon reaching the front, could see the enemy’s disposition clearly. An endless mass of armored pikemen rushed toward them. Leading the enemy was a general of nearly fifty in bright armor, a commander of the spiritual transformation realm, spear in hand, riding forth with four others to meet Cao Cao’s party.

Cao Hong instantly recognized the prowess of the five—they were all of the spiritual transformation realm or higher. The youngest, about twenty-five or six, held a long spear and had actually achieved the transcendent martial state, the realm beyond spiritual transformation. That young general leveled his spear straight at Cao Cao.

Seeing the fiercest of the enemy charge at Cao Cao, Cao Hong shouted to Dian Wei, “Imperial guard, protect the lord!”

At that moment, only Dian Wei could stand against the young general. With a mighty roar, Dian Wei met the spear-wielding youth with his twin halberds. The two clashed three times in succession before the young general paused and bellowed angrily, “A fine brute you are!” Then he turned his horse to duel Dian Wei in earnest.

Cao Hong, Liao Hua, and Cao Chun each engaged an enemy general, while Cao Cao faced the elderly leader. Cao Cao laughed, “General Xu, it has been a while!”

The old general parried three of Cao Cao’s halberd strikes and a sword blow, laughing, “Mengde, your skills are impressive!”

This old man was none other than Xu Rong, who had repeatedly frustrated Cao Cao. As the commanders battled, the soldiers engaged as well. Thanks to their superior hooked swords and ring-pommel blades, the Cao army gained the upper hand at first contact. In such a sudden melee, tactics meant little; the better-equipped and more numerous side prevailed. Yet Cao Hong knew their advantage was only temporary—the enemy forces were too many, and soon they were engulfed by the Xiliang army’s vast sea of men.

Thus, the two armies plunged into chaotic battle.