In Xu Residence within Yecheng, Jizhou.
A clean boot, black with white soles and embroidered, lightly stepped on fallen leaves.
Xu Yuan, nephew of Xu You, leisurely arrived at the stable entrance and observed Sima Yi pouring beans into the manger. He nodded thoughtfully.
The Xu family was short on servants, often requiring one to perform multiple duties. Sima Yi had to help in the kitchen during mealtimes and feed the horses in his spare moments.
However, after several days of observation, it seemed this individual named "Ma Si" worked quite diligently, which pleased Xu Yuan greatly.
Tread, tread…
Taking two steps, Xu Yuan reached Sima Yi.
"Not bad, you've only been here a few days and you've already earned the trust of my prized steed! How did you manage it?"
The Xu family's stables housed only prized horses.
Similarly, these noble steeds had far more temperamental natures than ordinary horses. Before Sima Yi began feeding them, no one had managed to get these prized horses to accept them without any resistance.
Hearing Xu Yuan's voice, Sima Yi nodded, daring not to make a sound.
He could only use the wooden stick in his hand, dip it in water, and write a line of text on the ground to answer Xu Yuan's question.
— "Good horses are delicate. They only drink pure water and eat dried fodder and beans, two to three troughs daily. Neglect them even slightly, and they'll kick! Therefore, they must be raised with care! It's not just about feeding them, but understanding their temperament and raising them according to it, yet not spoiling them. Otherwise, they will only look down on their feeders. When training them, one must make them both fear and depend on you!"
Hoo…
The words Sima Yi wrote astonished Xu Yuan.
"You understand horse husbandry?"
"I understand a bit!" Sima Yi continued to write on the ground with the wooden stick. "When I was young, my father was in the horse business, and I learned from him, so I understand some things…"
Although he was mute, Xu Yuan's eyes narrowed. It was rare to find a mute who understood horses so well!
Xu Yuan was overjoyed.
"From today onwards, you don't need to do anything else. Just be responsible for tending to the prized horses in my stables! You are literate and have experience in the horse business… Heh, our Xu family is also involved in the horse trade. Tomorrow, I'll have the steward take you to help out there!"
Hearing about the horse business, hearing about helping out…
Sima Yi's eyes snapped open. He had endured being confined to this stable, deliberately trying to please these horses… wasn't it all to await an opportunity to get involved in the Xu family's business?
According to Chief Lu, there were many tricks in the Xu family's business! Every single deal was like that!
If he didn't get involved…
How could he find the Xu family's "black ledgers"?
With this thought…
Sima Yi put on an expression of overwhelming gratitude, cupping his hands repeatedly…
Though he couldn't speak, his body language conveyed nothing more than four words—"Thank you, young master, thank you, young master…"
Xu Yuan smiled, maintaining his graceful demeanor, and walked casually towards his horses.
"I have an appointment with Mr. Cui Yan. Lead one out for me!"
Sima Yi, limping, led out a white horse. Xu Yuan mounted it and gave his instructions.
"Lead it out…"
Sima Yi nodded and, still limping, led the horse out of the stable gate. Xu Yuan watched Sima Yi with great interest, feeling… rather pleased.
After all, for certain special reasons, the Xu family's businesses were always immensely profitable. However, the horse trade alone had never met expectations.
In his opinion, "Ma Si" was a talent.
If used well, he might even become a cash cow!
Like his uncle, Xu Yuan was insatiable when it came to money!
With this in mind, he called out.
"That's far enough! I'm leaving!"
He sharply whipped the prized horse's hindquarters and then rode away!
Sima Yi watched Xu Yuan's retreating back and sighed softly, thinking to himself, "Finally… finally, I see light!"
…
…
South of the Yellow River…
Nanban City. This was a small city, but it was a necessary passage on the official road from Baima City Fort to Yan Jin.
Over twenty thousand Cao troops, along with sixty to seventy thousand civilians, had departed from Baima City Fort. By the time they reached this location, they had traveled for a day and a night, all of them exhausted.
Cao Xiu ordered all armored soldiers to enter the city for rest.
This Nanban City, while called a city, was in reality… not even as formidable as a military camp. The entire city wall was dilapidated. There was no need for siege ladders; even a cavalry charge could likely break through this defense.
The only advantage was that Nanban City was situated on higher ground. Cavalry charging towards this city would be going uphill, inevitably slowing their speed.
At this moment… over twenty thousand Cao soldiers entered the city in an orderly fashion.
However, the tens of thousands of civilians entering the city created a rather chaotic scene.
On the city wall, Zhang Liao and Cao Xiu stood, gazing into the distance.
They were discussing something.
"Is this the 'Nanban City' that Commander Lu mentioned?" Zhang Liao asked at the opportune moment.
In truth…
His heart was quite anxious.
If one disregarded the name "Lu Yu," in his understanding, their current march had committed three major blunders.
Firstly, carrying civilians!
Granted, if Cao's soldiers were all infantry, they could use the civilians as a shield during their escape from cavalry pursuit, slowing the enemy's advance.
But… most of Cao's army consisted of cavalry. Escorting civilians severely hampered their marching speed. Moreover, maintaining order among the civilians consumed immense energy, all detrimental to such an operation.
Secondly, abandoning Baima City Fort to enter Nanban City…
This was abandoning a solid fortress to defend a crumbling stronghold. It could be said that facing fifty thousand Yuan troops, defending such a city was worse than engaging in a pitched battle on open plains!
Thirdly, they should not have brought Yan Liang and his more than ten thousand captives with them. Considering the upcoming battle against Wen Chou's fifty thousand strong army, how much energy could they spare with only twenty thousand men here to guard these ten thousand captives? Even if these ten thousand captives were unarmed, their sheer numbers were enough to collude with Wen Chou's army from the inside, which would be a devastating blow to Cao's army!
Hoo…
Thinking of this, Zhang Liao let out a long sigh, his mood exceptionally heavy. The second battle planned by Commander Lu was far more perilous than the first.
"General Cao, do you think… Commander Lu's plan will succeed?"
Zhang Liao asked.
"I don't know!" Cao Xiu shook his head, then nodded again. "However, ever since I began following Commander Lu, I have experienced battlefields ten times more dangerous than this. And each time, I would have the same doubt that General Wen Yuan is expressing now! But… now…"
He paused.
"I'm accustomed to it. Commander Lu's deployments are never flawed. After this battle, perhaps… General Wen Yuan will also become accustomed to it!"
Ho…
Hearing Cao Xiu's confident words, Zhang Liao's eyes narrowed.
For a moment, he felt a sense that perhaps, just as General Cao Xiu said, the doubts that Cao Wenlie harbored in the past were the same doubts Zhang WenYuan harbored today!
And these doubts would eventually be dispelled by victory after victory, as solid as iron!
With this thought, Zhang Liao's heart inexplicably gained much confidence.
Just then.
"Report… scouts report that several tens of thousands of Yuan cavalry have been discovered fifteen li north of Nanban City! Their banners fly high, bearing a large character 'Wen'!"
"Report… the civilians inside the city have fallen into chaos upon hearing of the approaching Yuan army, with many fleeing the city. The situation is becoming uncontrollable!"
Two reports arrived in quick succession.
Zhang Liao and Cao Xiu's expressions froze instinctively.
They're here…
Wen Chou has arrived!
Indeed, among the entire Yuan army, who else would have a large character "Wen" on their banners but Wen Chou?
"Such speed!" Zhang Liao exclaimed.
"Faster than we anticipated…" Cao Xiu nodded!
Mentioning this… Zhang Liao's gaze turned towards the city outskirts!
He couldn't help but sigh again.
"We have very little time left…" Zhang Liao's expression grew even more serious.
"Haha!" Cao Xiu chuckled, his confidence seemingly growing stronger. "As General Wen Yuan said, but it also means that Wen Chou has very little time left!"
Speaking of which…
Cao Xiu seemed to recall something and immediately issued an order. "All soldiers, dismount and disarm, all stand on the city wall. Remove all battering rams and arrows. No one is allowed to carry any weapons!"
Ah… ah…
Upon hearing Cao Xiu's order, the messenger was stunned.
Before he could inquire, Zhang Liao's military order followed.
— "Transmit an order to the entire army: all supplies transported from Baima City Fort, from the gold and silver trinkets in the carts to the pots and pans carried by the civilians, are to be thrown outside the city gates… Anyone carrying these supplies is forbidden from entering the city!"
This…
This…
This time, not only the messenger but all the armored soldiers on the city wall, all the deputy generals… were dumbfounded!
Wen Chou was charging with fifty thousand cavalry. If they fought head-on, with their fine steel halberds and fine steel armor, they might still have a chance to fight.
But with all soldiers dismounted, even… forbidden to carry weapons while standing on the city wall, with battering rams and arrows removed, acting so carelessly, what were they doing?
Wasn't this utter nonsense?
For a moment…
A clamor arose throughout the city, with discussions everywhere.
— "Governor Liu, quickly persuade the two generals! The enemy cavalry is about to arrive, and in such large numbers, the best strategy is to be prepared and alert! How can they… how can they be so lax? Aren't the two generals fooling around?"
— "Yes, Governor Liu… quickly go and persuade them. The lives of all ten thousand people in Nanban City now depend on the thoughts of the two generals!"
— "Oh my… Governor Liu… Governor Liu, save us!"
While Cao Xiu and Zhang Liao's military orders were absolute…
The deputy generals could only turn to Liu Yan for advice.
After all, Liu Yan was the Governor of Dong Commandery, appointed by Cao Cao, and the commander stationed at Baima City Fort. His seven thousand men followed his lead.
In terms of status, he was above both Zhang Liao and Cao Xiu.
However…
"Persuade, persuade? Can I persuade them?" Liu Yan spread his hands. "Look at the two generals on the city wall? And look at me? What do I have to persuade them with? Why should I persuade them?"
"General Cao Wenlie is not only the nephew of Prime Minister Cao but also a trusted confidant of Minister Lu, a general of the Dragon Mighty Camp, and has followed Minister Lu since very early on! General Zhang WenYuan… was a famous general under the Marquis of Wen, Lu Bu! Now he is highly favored by Minister Lu… Compared to them, what am I, Liu Yan? Now… in command of operations, do I have any say!"
Speaking of which…
Liu Yan waved his hand. "What are you all still gawking at? Didn't you hear the orders of the two generals? Are you expecting this governor to defy a military order?"
Uh…
Liu Yan's words left everyone bewildered.
Everyone paused, and then… they could only obey. According to the military order… all the gold and silver, pots and pans were thrown outside the city!
Actually…
Although there were thousands of people here, it seemed that Liu Yan was the only one who was truly clear-headed.
To achieve the rank of Governor of Dong Commandery, one must be a seasoned veteran in Cao's ranks!
His eyes were sharp. He had long realized that since the arrival of Generals Cao Xiu and Zhang Liao at Baima City Fort, there was only one protagonist on the battlefield, and that was the Dragon Mighty Cavalry!
Whatever the Dragon Mighty Cavalry did, he, Liu Yan, only needed to cooperate!
In this way, if they won, Liu Yan would also gain some merit!
If they lost… Liu Yan could also retreat safely.
Leading troops was not just about fighting and killing; it also involved "human relationships."
Moreover, if these "human relationships" involved Cao Cao, and involved Lu Yu, then one had to be extremely cautious!
…
…
The sound of one horse's hooves is "da da"!
The sound of a hundred horses' hooves is "dong dong"!
Now, from the city wall of Nanban City, the sound of hooves approaching from afar is "hong long hong long"!
This is the sound of tens of thousands of horses galloping across the plains.
In the eyes of Cao Xiu and Zhang Liao, Wen Chou's army of over fifty thousand cavalry was already charging…
This was the elite heavy cavalry of Hebei…
Led by Wen Chou, the foremost warrior of Hebei!
Under Yuan Shao, this heavy cavalry was renowned alongside Zhang He's Great Halberd Guards and Qu Yi's Vanguard Death Warriors, commanding respect throughout the northern frontier!
Seeing the scene of ten thousand horses galloping…
Seeing these heavy cavalry knights, clad in armor and fearless, the faces of most of the defending soldiers on the city wall, except for the Dragon Mighty Cavalry, turned as pale as paper.
After all, heavy cavalry was too rare and too expensive in this era!
In Cao's army, only the Dragon Mighty Camp and Tiger Cavalry were considered heavy cavalry, but… they numbered only a few thousand!
One must understand that in this chaotic world, the military expenditure and financial resources required to equip a hundred heavy cavalry soldiers were immeasurable… not to mention the subsequent maintenance costs!
The consumption of resources by these fifty thousand cavalry before them was equivalent to a golden mountain!
No wonder all of Cao's soldiers' expressions changed.
At this moment, countless eyes converged on Cao Xiu, on Zhang Liao. Everyone was so curious. Facing… facing these fifty thousand heavy cavalry, what countermeasures did these two generals of the Dragon Mighty Camp have?
"How magnificent!" Cao Xiu exclaimed at this moment…
Zhang Liao nodded. "It's comparable to, if not exceeding, the situation when ten thousand barbarian cavalry attacked Yanmen from the south in the past!"
"Hong long hong long!"
The combined sound of fifty thousand horses' hooves shook the heavens. In the twilight alone, this sound gave one the impression of "dark clouds pressing down on the city"!
"Cough cough…"
Cao Xiu cleared his throat, trying his best to calm his mood. He pointed to the pile of gold, silver, and precious items on the city wall below and said loudly, "Why are all the soldiers looking at me? The gold, silver, paintings, and calligraphy below the city wall are much more attractive than your general!"
As these words left his mouth…
"Hahaha…" Zhang Liao burst into laughter. Cao Xiu's remark instantly lifted his spirits considerably.
He muttered to himself—"Victory or defeat hinges on this!"
As for everyone else…
They had no mood to look at the gold, silver, paintings, and calligraphy below the city wall. These things were valuable, but if they lost this battle, they would have no life to spend their money!
However, Guan Yu…
He looked coldly at the city wall below. He vaguely felt that Cao Xiu and Zhang Liao were planning something, or rather… Lu Yu must have instructed them beforehand, otherwise, why would they be so nonchalant?
But precisely what it was, Guan Yu couldn't figure out.
However…
By Guan Yu's nature.
He was not someone who liked to be a turtle hiding its head!
"Wen Yuan? The enemy is far from home and weary, and this city is on high ground. Why not take advantage of the enemy's instability? Let me lead five hundred men; that should be enough to break the enemy formation. Then, you and General Cao Xiu can lead your troops out, and we will surely be able to break through these tens of thousands of enemy cavalry!"
As he spoke, Guan Yu unconsciously tightened his grip on his Green Dragon Crescent Blade…
Of course, while he tightened his grip, Guan Yu's mood was complicated. Ever since capturing Yan Liang, he suddenly felt that his Green Dragon Crescent Blade was no longer as impressive!
Indeed…
Compared to the divine weapons that everyone in the Dragon Mighty Cavalry carried, his Green Dragon Crescent Blade seemed somewhat lacking!
"Yun Chang, no need to rush…" Zhang Liao waved his hand, rejecting Guan Yu's proposal. "Let's wait a while longer and observe the situation!"
This…
Guan Yu frowned unusually. He repeatedly advised, "The enemy is too numerous. If we do not prepare, we will suffer greatly. Moreover… there are no battering rams or arrows prepared on the city wall! Even defending the city will be a great loss!"
"Wen Yuan, why not let the soldiers prepare their weapons and battering rams and arrows, and at least look like we are fighting a battle? That way, even a defensive battle might be possible!"
Hearing this…
"Hahaha…" Zhang Liao laughed. Seeing Guan Yu's eagerness, he stroked his beard with immense composure. "Yun Chang, it's easy to make the army prepare and be alert, but that would be too boring, and it would be a disservice to Commander Lu's painstaking efforts! Now that the Yuan army has taken the bait, it depends on how many enemies Commander Lu's grand net can lure in!"
"Lure?"
Guan Yu asked urgently… now, he didn't understand.
Zhang Liao's eyes looked at the gold and silver treasures below the city wall, then swept around at the soldiers on the city wall who stood weaponless, appearing… as if resigned to fate.
In an instant…
His tone became much more serious.
"Yun Chang! According to Commander Lu's strategy, these gold, silver, paintings, and calligraphy are the bait. The unarmed soldiers on the city wall are also bait! Including you and me, we are bait!"
"Wen Chou and those fifty thousand heavy cavalry are about to take the bait. Yun Chang, open your eyes and watch carefully. A good show is about to begin!"
With this thought…
"Report…"
A young soldier quickly ran up to the city wall and bowed his hands. "General Zhang, General Cao, the fifty thousand enemy cavalry are less than three li from here!"
Ho…
Guan Yu's heart trembled. "Wen Yuan? Can the soldiers mount their horses now?"
In sharp contrast to Guan Yu's impatience, Zhang Liao still waved his hand.
His tone remained exceptionally calm and composed…
"No need to rush, continue to wait patiently!"
Indeed…
Previously, Zhang Liao himself had also harbored doubts about Lu Yu's strategy.
But now, with Wen Chou truly leading fifty thousand troops to attack…
At this very moment…
Zhang Liao, Zhang Wen Yuan, only had one thought in his mind—this battle, it's as stable as a dog!
…
…