The Final Clash South of the Yellow River
The relentless pressure was overwhelming. The enemy had built earthen ramparts and fired arrows from watchtowers in a merciless siege. We countered by deploying the Bal-seok-cha, the mobile catapults designed by Liu Ye, to smash through their defenses. But then came a sudden change in the weather—a torrential downpour that left our troops exhausted and drenched. On top of that, traitors within Cao Cao’s army who had been bought by Yuan Shao, along with an assassination attempt, all erupted at once. Even Cao Cao himself looked like he might grab the back of his neck in frustration. If I hadn’t known the original history, I probably would have done the same.
No matter how many times we won, the pressure kept coming in ever more varied forms. Before morale could even rise or fall, the sheer fatigue had reached its peak.
“Xu Chu!”
“Yes, my lord!”
“Since you caught them, you will be the one to behead these bastards! Then hang their heads before the gates so Yuan Shao’s army knows exactly what their little dog tricks have earned them!”
“Yes, my lord!”
Xu Chu led the way with his massive frame, dragging the ringleader Xu Ta and the rest of the rebels and would-be assassins toward the execution ground. Once the matter was settled, Cao Cao headed back to his tent, and the rest of us followed in heavy silence.
The moment we entered, Cao Cao clutched his head, barely enduring the shock from the previous day. After taking a long, steadying breath, he extended his hand toward Xun You.
“My lord, here it is.”
“Mmm.”
Cao Cao read the document without missing a single character. “Mmm… Mmm!” His boiling rage visibly cooled as he absorbed the contents, and then he shared the intelligence with everyone present.
“According to Wenruo’s spy report, the situation in Hebei is dire. And Yuan Benchu has made yet another blunder.”
“Uncle, what is it?”
“Yuan Benchu commands an army more than three times the size of ours, yet no matter what clever tactics he employs, he cannot win. So he’s blaming his strategists and generals, and has taken their families in Yecheng hostage.”
Whoa—Yuan Shao had truly gone off the deep end. Of course, it was historically common for an army to look after the families of generals sent to the front lines. But in a prolonged war, if the leader himself kept losing and then pressured his officers by holding their families hostage, it only made the generals more desperate. Even if they devised better plans, they would be driven into a corner.
“And it’s not just detention. He’s investigating their personal misconduct and corruption as well. If any strategist fails in an operation, he’ll use it as an excuse to eliminate their families one by one.”
If Guo Jia were here, he would have said, “Does that madman even have a brain?” And if Cheng Yu were present, he would have replied, “That is precisely the difference between our lord and Yuan Shao—our lord would never do such a thing.”
Incidentally, there had been a similar figure in the old history: Emperor Wu of Han, who, while waging a great war against the Xiongnu, pressured his frontier generals and used their families as hostages in every conceivable way…
“That’s not all. According to what Zhongde sent from Jiansheng, Yuan Shao’s main supply train has slipped into Baima, and the amount is staggering.”
We were practically reading the enemy’s information with our eyes wide open. Of course, Yuan Shao had his own spies among us, which explained the assassination attempt by Xu Ta. In the end, it all came down to one thing: who could first seize the enemy’s vital information and strike decisively.
“Ziye, what are your thoughts?”
“First, we must sweep away their supply train. Not by plundering it, but by launching a bold raid and burning every last cart to ashes. That will deliver a true shock to Yuan Shao.”
“You mean to order total destruction rather than looting. Good. I was already furious that Yuan Benchu sent assassins after me. It’s time we returned the favor!”
“What the Colonel of the Central Army says is correct. However, one more thing is needed,” Xun You added.
“My lord, even if we burn the supplies at Baima, Yuan Shao will not falter immediately. The real key is that he is currently oppressing the families of his generals and strategists in Yecheng. We must wait for someone who can no longer endure it and brings us their secrets.”
“Do you truly believe someone will defect? Yuan Benchu may be arrogant and a dictator who places everyone beneath his feet, but he still holds them all in his grip.”
“That is exactly why more people will waver and break away. In the end, cracks will form in Yuan Shao’s one-man regime.”
If Xun You was speaking with such certainty, then the situation was essentially decided. The long Battle of Guandu was finally nearing its conclusion.
“Moreover, while General of the Resolute Cavalry Cao Hong is securing the rear by crushing the local warlords who support Yuan Shao, General of the Agile Cavalry Cao Ren is holding the line at Henei. And the Governor of Qiao County, Cao Shun, is bringing a new cavalry force from Qiao. If we continue striking only at the enemy’s vital points with fresh troops, Yuan Shao’s army will eventually collapse.”
“Very well. If Gongda says so, it is trustworthy. Then all that remains is to burn the supplies at Baima?”
“I will go!”
“Allow me, my lord!”
“Please use me!”
Xu Chu, Dian Wei, and Zhang Liao all stepped forward, but Cao Cao’s finger pointed at me and Cao Ang.
“Zisu, Ziye—can the three of you, along with Gongming, raid the supply train at Baima?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Zhongkang will command the defense. Dian Wei will guard me. Wenyuan, prepare a second cavalry harassment against their main camp from here.”
“Yes, my lord!”
And so, taking Cao Ang and Xu Huang with me, I prepared a suicide squad to attack the supply train at Baima.
“Y-you bastards! How dare you—where do you think you’re—!”
Shaaaaaaa—!
We slipped out of Guandu Fortress, made a wide detour, and charged at full speed toward Baima. The supply wagons meant to feed Yuan Shao’s 150,000 troops came into view. I immediately ordered the charge. While Cao Ang and Xu Huang tore into the supply line, I targeted the Colonel in charge of logistics, Han Shun, and took his head.
“That makes three generals.”
Following Wen Chou and Yuan Tan, I had now claimed Han Shun, who had been transporting the supplies.
“Ziye, we’ve completely suppressed the area!”
Cao Ang came running over after securing total control of the supply train.
“General of the Resolute Cavalry, it is a great victory.”
“Haha, ‘General of the Resolute Cavalry’… It really has been a long time since we charged together and crushed the enemy like this.”
Cao Ang smiled brightly—something I hadn’t seen in a while—as he surveyed the burning supplies.
“What should we do now?”
“We must not get greedy. The original order was to burn everything in a show of force. Tell Colonel Xu to set the fires.”
“There are three thousand prisoners. What about them?”
It was the kind of question a general should decide, yet Cao Ang seemed to be subtly guiding me toward my own preferred method.
“How about stripping them of their armor and weapons and sending them away naked? Then throw all the armor and weapons into the burning supply train.”
“Hmm?”
“When they arrive at Baima wondering why supplies haven’t come, they’ll be horrified. Their general is dead, the prisoners are nowhere to be seen, and their weapons, armor, and grain have all burned together. Their imaginations will run wild with terror.”
“…Ah! I’ll carry it out immediately.”
There was no need to kill the prisoners. Simply creating the right misunderstanding was enough. After all, these were conscripted soldiers. Disarm them, send them running naked into the wilderness, and they would scatter in confusion and become deserters. Seeing the burned armor, weapons, and grain, the enemy would assume we had annihilated the entire supply convoy after the raid and grow even more terrified.
“Once everything is set ablaze, we withdraw immediately and return to Guandu. Let’s hurry!”
“Right, let’s go!”
We completed the mission brilliantly and returned. There was no need to bring Han Shun’s head. A rotting corpse would only be a hygiene hazard, and since both Cao Ang and Xu Huang could vouch for the kill, Cao Cao would know without doubt that we had taken an enemy general’s life.
“Governor of Qiao County Cao Shun has arrived at Guandu leading three thousand new cavalry!”
“Gate Colonel Xu Shu has completed reorganization at Puyang and returned!”
“Magistrate of Xu County Man Chong has returned to Guandu after providing support at Henei!”
At last, the other generals of Cao Cao’s army had gathered. This was already an all-star lineup. We were finally ready to move with them.
“My sons put on quite the show at Baima. They lit quite the fire. However…” Cao Cao laughed loudly as he addressed the generals. “Even after burning their supply line, Yuan Shao’s army hasn’t budged an inch.”
Then, with a broad smile, he continued, “But last night I had a very auspicious dream. A great blessing has arrived.”
The moment Cao Cao clapped his hands, a man cautiously entered the tent. His body was bound with ropes, yet his face was beaming with joy, as if he had deliberately allowed himself to be captured.
“This man was once a close friend of mine and Yuan Benchu. His name is Xu You, courtesy name Ziyuan. He has come to surrender to me.”
“Please call me Xu Ziyuan. That traitor Yuan Shao has arrested all the families in Yecheng and sent them here. I have come to offer my surrender.”
Xu You had arrived. So Yuan Shao was truly finished?
“Ziyuan, I will treat you well until the war ends, but you must remain here as a prisoner for now.”
“In that case! Allow me to tell you something that can end this war immediately.”
“Speak before everyone.”
Despite being a defector, Xu You spoke with remarkable composure to Cao Cao’s generals.
“The supply train that crossed the Yellow River and arrived at Baima was merely bait. The real supplies are coming down from Yanjin. The volume is so enormous that they will first gather at a place not far from Yanjin called Wuchao.”
“Did everyone hear that?”
“Chancellor, I hesitate to say this, but I am not sure we can trust this man called Xu You.”
Xiahou Dun spoke formally, addressing Cao Cao as Chancellor rather than Uncle since this was an official setting. I already knew the truth, but the information fit together so perfectly that suspicion was natural. Several people clearly had the look of those wondering, “What if Wuchao is a trap and we get surrounded?”
“I have already abandoned my lord and come this far. Moreover, what I have brought is a top-secret document bearing the Grand General’s official seal. Once Yuan Shao realizes it is missing, he will hunt for me. At that point, the information about Wuchao will become useless.”
“Then how soon must we decide?”
“You must depart tonight. Even if Yuan Shao learns I have disappeared, he will need at least two days to decide whether to attack here or defend Wuchao.”
Xu You spoke without hesitation. Cao Cao was already fully convinced.
“Listen well, everyone. This war began back when we were sowing the seeds, and now the time of harvest has come. I, Cao Mengde, will no longer engage in reckless war of attrition. I have decided to take this gamble. So I ask you—who among you will follow me into what may become a blazing inferno?”
At Cao Cao’s resolute declaration, Xiahou Dun grumbled but stepped forward first.
“If that’s how it is, then I have no choice but to go. Xiahou Dun will go!”
“My lord, this Dian Wei will always remain by your side.”
“Xu Chu will go as well!”
“Magistrate of Xu County Man Chong has come this far solely to support my lord.”
“It seems the time has finally come for Zhang Wenyuan to fight the final battle.”
“This man Xu Huang considers this our chance for victory and will go!”
“Cao Shun, who brought the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry from Qiao County! I will prepare the cavalry immediately!”
Cao Cao’s magnificent speech ignited the will of every general to attack Wuchao. I did not step forward. If Cao Cao led the strike force away, Yuan Shao would launch an all-out assault on Guandu Fortress. Someone had to remain to stop them.
“Zisu, you will defend this place together with Gongda, Ziyang, and Yuanzhi.”
“Yes, Father!”
“And Ziye, you…”
“I will defend Guandu Fortress alongside Zisu.”
“How unexpected. I was certain you would raise your hand to go to Wuchao next after Cao Hong. Besides, the general defending it is called ‘Chunyu Qiong.’ Isn’t he your final enemy?”
Guan Yu had already dealt with Yan Liang. I had ambushed and killed Wen Chou. I had taken Yuan Tan in place of the half-captured Yuan Xi. That man would receive an even greater revenge later. As for Chunyu Qiong, I knew Cao Cao would kill him with his own hands, so I let it pass.
“While you turn Wuchao into scorched earth, I will desperately hold Guandu here. And… there is still a duel left unfinished.”
“Oh? You mean the commander of that black-armored cavalry?”
“This time, I will win. By defeating him, I will ensure Yuan Shao can never again let the sound of horse hooves echo across the Central Plains.”
Hearing this, Cao Cao called both me and Cao Ang over and placed a hand on each of our shoulders.
“Yuan Benchu’s elite forces will strike this place. Even if they learn too late that we are attacking Wuchao, they will believe that simply capturing Guandu Fortress will leave us without a base, and thus claim victory.”
Yes, that is exactly it.
“I leave everything to you…”
Of course we would stop them. And so Cao Cao’s elite strike force of twenty thousand rushed out of Guandu Fortress and charged toward Wuchao.
“Four thousand men are too severely wounded to fight. Another two thousand can be treated but will not be able to fight for a long time. Six thousand are determined to see this through to the end.”
Xun You stepped forward to report on the defensive force remaining at Guandu Fortress. We had begun with an army of one hundred thousand, but after spreading them across Puyang, Baima, Yanjin, Henei, Guandu, and Xuzhou, we had been fighting with a carefully conserved force of roughly forty thousand. Although we had received gradual reinforcements from Xiahou Yuan at Puyang, from the capital, and from Qiao County, this was the number of troops left at Guandu.
“We must first organize the defense commanders for each gate. Master Gongda, please assign me to the most difficult position.”
With Cao Ang, Xun You, Liu Ye, and Xu Shu as colleagues, I would essentially have to shoulder the martial responsibility here. And so the final battle—and what would effectively become Cao Cao’s coronation—had finally reached its climax.
After spending one night, when the morning sun rose, we saw thirty thousand of Yuan Shao’s troops slowly advancing toward Guandu Fortress. The moment we held them off, the victor of Guandu would be decided.
And as expected, the vanguard was the black-armored cavalry led by Zhang He.