Capture Hou Yuan
“Since we've captured Yangping Pass and driven out Cao Hong, shall we now set a trap for Hou Yuan?”
Jin Cheong was calm and quiet. The scenery was so beautiful that it was hard to believe it would soon turn into a battlefield reeking of blood and corpses.
However, Fa Zheng's words reminded everyone of the coming battle.
“Capture Hou Yuan. Do you have any good strategies?”
Zhang Fei was taken aback and retorted.
Hou Yuan. The overall commander of the Han-Zhong front. Even within Cao Cao's army, which had a deep and rich lineup, he was the one holding the position of overall commander. His name carried significant weight.
Even Zhang Fei, a top general under Liu Bei, showed a hint of caution when mentioning his name. His achievements, skill, and reputation were truly outstanding.
However, Fa Zheng did not hide his confident demeanor, and Liu Bei showed a pleased expression.
Probably, Fa Zheng had devised the plan, and Liu Bei had reviewed and approved it. This operation, which would be the biggest variable in the struggle for Han-Zhong, was what he was speaking of now.
Zhang Fei was a bit dazed, but since I had anticipated it, I prepared to listen to his words.
Fa Zheng opened his mouth.
“It is the strategy of feigning an attack on the east to strike the west.”
“Feign the east and strike the west.”
“From the current perspective of the Wei army stationed in Han-Zhong, we can see that Hou Yuan and Guo Hui are the two pillars. If either one falls, it will be difficult to defend Han-Zhong.”
“I roughly get the gist. After attacking Guo Hui first, we wait for Hou Yuan to send reinforcements, and then we strike then?”
“That's right. As expected from General Zhang Fei.”
“But, I'm worried that Hou Yuan might not fall into the trap so easily.”
“In that case, we can use Guo Hui as a sacrifice. Even if Hou Yuan doesn't fall into the trap, by attacking Guo Hui, we'll be cutting off the arm of the Wei army.”
“Yes. And Hou Yuan, unlike Guo Hui, tends to rely on bravery. If we launch a surprise attack, he will definitely lead his troops forward. It will be much easier to deal with him than Guo Hui.”
At these words, Zhang Fei's face lit up. I let out a sigh of relief inwardly as the plan unfolded as I had expected.
“Leave the attack on Guo Hui to you, Brother Zhang Fei.”
“Leave it to me.”
Zhang Fei struck his chest thunderously. Of course, I would follow Zhang Fei.
Probably, if Zhang He hadn't been captured at Tanggu, he would have faced Guo Hui here instead. Currently, he seems to be staying in the rear after the prisoner exchange and hasn't returned to the front line yet.
“And for Hou Yuan, leave it to General Huang Zhong.”
General Huang Zhong lowered his head quietly, and the long white beard that reached his chest swayed.
Subsequently, orders were given to the other generals as well. Their task was to restrain the other units so that they could capture Hou Yuan's head.
After the meeting, Liu Bei, standing in the center, gathered his strength.
“Before Cao Cao's main force arrives, I will take Hou Yuan's head.”
The formal battle at Zhengjun Mountain was about to begin.
***
“It is today. The day to carry out the operation.”
Fa Zheng's quiet murmur signaled the approach of the decisive battle. Until now, there had been sporadic skirmishes around Zhengjun Mountain, but no major battle.
Fa Zheng held his breath, gauging the enemy's momentum and scouting the terrain and weather.
It was a pitch-black night that hid the moon as well. A perfect night for a night raid. Fa Zheng, who had been waiting for the right time, chose today as the day of the final battle.
Liu Bei, who came out to see off Zhang Fei and me for the night raid, expressed concern.
“Brother, and Jin Cheong, be careful. Guo Hui is not someone to be taken lightly.”
Guo Hui, a famous general of the Wei state, but as expected, we would also have to deal with Hou Yuan's reinforcements. Given the disparity in numbers, it was not a plan to be taken lightly.
“Don't worry, I'll make sure to escape with my tail between my legs.”
“I will definitely complete the mission, so please do not worry, my lord.”
“Yes. Including General Huang Zhong, we are all prepared and waiting on our side. I'll look forward to good news.”
After exchanging greetings with Liu Bei, Zhang Fei and I led a group of horses down the quiet mountain. On both sides were officers like O Ban and Yu Eun as well.
Soon, we arrived at the destination. A faint line of moonlight pierced through the clouds and illuminated the stockade that formed the enemy's camp.
“Who goes there?!”
One of the enemy soldiers inside the stockade sensed the presence and shouted.
Without thinking, I shot an arrow in the direction the sound was coming from.
Whoosh~!
“Who are you? Speak quickly, kuh...!”
With a final scream from the darkness, there was a thud as a body collapsed.
“Attack!”
At the same time, Zhang Fei gave the signal, and the soldiers used the hooks, axes, etc. they had brought to smash the stockade.
Crash! Snap!
“Set it on fire!”
“Burn it all!”
Simultaneously, under O Ban's command from behind, the archer unit poured fire arrows. A barrage of arrows with flames shot towards Guo Hui's camp.
The sound of the stockade being smashed and the arrows sticking into the tents alerted the Wei army camp.
“Night raid! Enemies!”
Clang clang clang!
The alarm bells rang, and soldiers appeared hurriedly grabbing their weapons.
“Charge! Slaughter them all!”
Leading the way, Zhang Fei and I plunged into the enemy's camp, and the soldiers followed with cheers.
“More, more! Find places where the fire hasn't reached and set them on fire!”
Meanwhile, O Ban continued to set fire to the enemy's camp.
The command tent burned, and the fire spread to the grain warehouse. Red flames and thick smoke rose towards the black night sea.
He was focusing on setting fires rather than fighting, according to the plan. To make the enemy think that Hou Yuan was in a very critical situation.
“Yah!”
When I was thrusting at the enemies in front, one enemy soldier suddenly jumped out from a nearby tent and aimed at me. I subtly twisted my body to dodge his spear and kicked his head with the force of the galloping horse.
“Kuaak!”
The helmet flew off, and he rolled around until he hit the tent and stopped.
“Who do you think you are, charging in here! Since you've come this far, forget about leaving alive!”
However, the enemy slowly began to counterattack.
Zhang Fei and I, who had dug deep into the enemy's camp, felt the enemy's density increasing gradually.
The Guo Hui army gradually recovered from the initial panic and formed lines to resist. Indeed, a proper counter from a famous general of Wei.
And Zhang Fei responded,
“Where is Guo Hui? Come out without hiding! Are all the generals of the Wei state picked as cowards? Why are there no one coming out? Guo Hui! Guo Hui!”
With his thunderous voice, he was searching for Guo Hui. For now, it would be good if we could take down both Hou Yuan and Guo Hui in this battle.
***
“Guo Hui! Come out!”
However, Guo Hui, always calm, ignored the small provocation.
“Has the request for reinforcements from General Zhang He (Hou Yuan) been sent?”
“Yes, sent immediately. General.”
After hearing the answer, Guo Hui nodded once and continued to command the army.
“As long as the reinforcements come, we can trample this insignificant unit! Hold on a little longer!”
Indeed, Zhang Fei's attacking force was not very large in number. It was just waiting for Hou Yuan's reinforcements.
However, looking at Zhang Fei's martial prowess from afar, it seemed it wouldn't be easy.
In the flames, he swung his Serpent Spear in all directions, spraying blood. And beside him, another general unfolding his martial arts,
'Was it Jin Cheong? I heard Zhang Fei has a deputy, and this woman is here too.'
Zhang Fei was one thing, but this woman's martial arts were not ordinary either.
“Zhang Fei is nothing but to surround and capture him! When the reinforcements come, surround and press them. Until then, hold your position and respond calmly!”
***
'It really isn't easy.'
Even when I heard the strategy explanation, I thought it would be easy to break Guo Hui and Hou Yuan. However, the world doesn't always go as planned. The Guo Hui army was not discouraged by Zhang Fei's provocation and was operating their troops well.
Still, the effect of the night raid remained, so we had the advantage.
As the tents burned and were destroyed everywhere, the enemy's morale dropped sharply, and Zhang Fei and I, leading with bravery, left major wounds on the Guo Hui army.
“The enemy's reinforcements are approaching!”
When the awaited report came flying, I sensed that the plan was working. We were already prepared for Hou Yuan's reinforcements to arrive.
“Yu Eun!”
At the pass where reinforcements were expected, Yu Eun, who was leading a unit, was in ambush. And he dug into the enemy's flank and repaid that expectation.
And how much more fighting had there been. I sensed a commotion from the place where we had fallen.
After sweeping a few enemy soldiers nearby, I turned my gaze to where Hou Yuan's camp was. And a smile formed at the corner of my mouth. The awaited scene came into view.
'It's done!'
The burning camp was visible in the distance. And soldiers fighting chaotically between the flames. The surprise attack had succeeded!
“Hou Yuan is now a dead man! All of you, drop your weapons and surrender!”
“Look at the burning Hou Yuan's camp! Your commander is already finished.”
Zhang Fei and I shouted loudly, and our morale rose further while the enemy's morale fell. However, Guo Hui did not give up.
“Stop the lies. General Zhang He is not someone who will fall so easily! Are you giving up? I can't do that, as it would be shameful in front of the King of Wei! Pull yourself together and don't disrupt the formation!”
Guo Hui chose to fight to the end without giving up. His soldiers, holding spears, surrounded him and fought desperately not to let the defensive line collapse.
However, as the battle continued for a long time, I felt uneasy. Because I hadn't heard the news that Hou Yuan had been captured yet.
'There's no guarantee that things will proceed as I know. There have been unexpected events.'
With an ominous premonition, I had to consider the possibility of not capturing Hou Yuan. If so, what about the other plan,
'Let's capture Guo Hui!'
I dug deep into the enemy's camp to capture Guo Hui.
“Guo Hui! Guo Hui! Where are you!?”
“General Guo Hui! Step back. I will block them. I will face these two men!”
Two Shu blocked my way in front, but I thrust one with a spear and continued chasing Guo Hui. At that moment.
“Reinforcements. Reinforcements have arrived!”
The shout stuck in my ear turned anxiety into certainty.
“Reinforcements?!”
A unit that I hadn't seen before came running from behind the enemy and joined the battlefield. I briefly hoped it might be our support, but looking at the direction the unit was coming from, it didn't seem like allies.
And decisively, a mounted general charging straight at me with hostility. He charged towards me with momentum and thrust his spear at me.
Clang!
I blocked it. Two spears crossed with a cross, trembling. The enemy general I faced with my spear gritted his teeth and spat.
“Finally, finally met...! Do you know how long I've waited to meet you!”
“...?!”
His eyes were burning with hatred.
Who are you? Or is it that Cao Cao's reinforcements have already arrived? Without knowing my feelings, he raised his neck and shouted.
“If you don't know me, do you remember Sun Quan!?”
Sun Quan.... I definitely remember. The general whose head I severed first was Sun Quan.
I could recall the enemy general who shot arrows at me at Red Cliffs.
“Zhang He?”
“Oh. Yes, now you remember me. Know that today will be your sacrificial day! I'll avenge Sun Quan's enemy!”
He flicked sparks from his eyes and continued swinging his spear at me.
And the subordinates he brought also rushed fiercely towards our army. The movements were more about brutality than orderly military discipline.
The subordinates' movements when facing the newly invaded unit were noticeable.
Compared to a regular regular army, the fierce behavior was another clue.
'These guys, are they Qingzhou soldiers?'
Zhang He had definitely led Qingzhou soldiers. Tiger and Leopard Cavalry and Qingzhou soldiers.... Mountains upon mountains.