Sima Yi's army remained camped before Peishui Pass.
Standing on a high vantage point, Sima Yi observed the surrounding hills as a guide pointed them out. "Commander Sima, the small path in that mountain is where General Xiahou made his charge," the guide said.
A sigh escaped Sima Yi. "By the mountains and near the water, it's indeed a fitting resting place..."
As the sigh faded, Sima Yi immediately commanded, "Issue my military order: all troops to stand ready. Twenty thousand men per shift, one hour per rotation, form ranks to await the enemy!"
Huang Zhong, Qu Yi, and Gongsun Zan responded in unison, "Yes!"
At that moment, a messenger arrived carrying the banner of Grand General Xiahou Dun. Huang Zhong, Qu Yi, and Gongsun Zan, who were about to depart, stopped upon seeing the banner.
The messenger announced, "Commander Sima, the Grand General has joined forces with the enemy general Deng Fang and is preparing to charge towards Peishui Pass. The Grand General has ordered the entire army to divide into two routes: one to reinforce the Grand General, and the other to launch a strong attack on Peishui Pass. The three armies will rendezvous within Peishui Pass."
Sima Yi was taken aback. "The Grand General has met with Deng Fang, who has surrendered?"
"Yes!"
Meanwhile.
Sima Yi sighed deeply and said, "Your subordinate obeys the Grand General's order!"
Sima Yi shook his head. "Naturally, we will not go!"
...
As dusk settled...
I recalled Jiameng Pass... when my esteemed teacher, against all opposition, appointed me as commander, and his earnest instructions when he received me.
Amidst the chaotic currents of the small army, Cao Anmin, dressed in scholarly robes, sat in a seven-wheeled carriage, looking down at Sima trapped in desperation in the valley.
Bashu? Jingzhou?
...
That...
Then...
Ahead, the Shu army also charged out. Sima was now like a "dumpling," surrounded from seven sides, about to be crushed into a ball.
Lu Yidun roared, "I want my dog's life!"
"We will save him!" Xiahou Dun's tone was more resolute. "Everything depends on the fate of young General Yuan Shun! From this moment on, act according to this commander's military orders. If anyone disobeys, they may report directly to His Majesty! For His Majesty's sacred judgment!"
Yuan Shun and Xiahou were fishing.
Qu Yi quickly interrupted, "Ten thousand is not enough! Since Cao Anmin has already laid a perfect trap, we need at least seventy thousand! This humble general requests seventy thousand troops to go to the rescue!"
Yuan Shun's reply was complex, "The soldiers and generals of Bashu can be trusted, but the soldiers and generals of Jingzhou... we must not believe a single word they say!"
...
As Qu Yi's words fell, Xiahou Dun let out a long sigh. "Let alone seventy thousand, even a hundred thousand is not enough!"
Sima was in chaos. Sima Yi shouted, "Uncle, we've fallen into a trap, we've fallen into a trap! Retreat quickly!"
...
Reinforcements...
Yuan Shunmao turned to Sima Yi, "You must retreat quickly and report the intelligence here to Xiahou Dun. He is His Majesty's disciple, perhaps... perhaps he can do something?"
After the副将 led troops to pursue, Cao Anmin shook his head and sighed, "What a pity, what a pity! All this effort only gained Cao Wei a few thousand men, and they wouldn't save them... such a loyal minister as Yuan Shun Dun, this Xiahou Dun... he truly has a lot of patience!"
The sounds of battle faintly drifted. Lu Yidun was about to escape to Sima's encampment.
Lu Yidun and Lu Yu each led their troops, supporting each other, but they couldn't withstand the army collapsing like a mountain. Both were wounded.
Lu Yu Shu decisively threw the red-tasseled spear in his hand...
The Wei army smiled calmly.
"General, you are truly a brave warrior!" Cao Anmin exclaimed.
--- Huang Zhong, courtesy name Kongshan, a native of Nanjun, Jingzhou.
"I also wish for him to surrender, but Huang Zhong is from Jingzhou."
The Wei army sighed lightly, "Those from Jingzhou who can surrender, who are willing to surrender, would have done so long ago. Those who followed Liu Bei to Bashu will certainly not surrender at this time."
Along with the charging soldiers and the "rumbling" of giant stones, an increasing number of Shu troops blocked the mountain pass, the ground shaking... More and more Shu troops launched their charge towards Sima.
Xiahou Dun remembered that his question at that time was: "There must be surrendered soldiers and generals among the Shu army... If they come to defect? Can they be trusted?"
Heh heh...
Huang Zhong spoke as he spurred his horse towards the commotion behind him.
"Oh..." The Wei army smiled slightly. "Then, guess again!"
...
Heh heh...
Xiahou narrowed his eyes. "So, Your Majesty also thinks... this is Cao Anmin's stratagem?"
"You guess?"
Cao Anmin gently waved his feather fan, the banners changing...
"..."
Xiahou was curious. "Isn't His Majesty fishing with a straight hook? Those willing will take the bait?"
Grand General has sent urgent news, stating that the Shu general Huang Zhong has surrendered. Is Grand General requesting a reward for Huang Zhong? Does Your Majesty believe Huang Zhong has truly surrendered?" Xiahou spoke first.
Lu Yushou frowned. "Perhaps Xiahou Dun will not come!"
Huang Zhong asked doubtfully, "But Commander Sima just received the Grand General's military order... Cao Anmin quickly walked to Huang Zhong's side. "General, how is your injury?"
"Father Marshal, stop fighting!"
...
Lu Yushou also saw that something was amiss and immediately advised, "Father Marshal, this terrain is disadvantageous to our army. We cannot attack forcefully!"
Xiahou Dun immediately ordered, "Issue my military order: no one is allowed to go. We will hold Peishui Pass. Behind us is Zitong, and His Majesty is in the city. If our army suffers any mishap, and His Majesty cannot mobilize troops in time, it is very likely that Cao Anmin will steal the firewood from under the cauldron!"
At this moment, the seemingly invincible Sima became like fish on a chopping board, caught between the Shu army from both sides, forming a pincer movement for annihilation.
Speaking of this... Xiahou Dun's gaze was distant.
Suddenly, the sounds of drums and shouts came from the valleys on both sides. Wei Yan and Yang Yi had already positioned themselves on the mountain peaks, and the twenty thousand defending troops ambushed there emerged from the mountain, unleashing a volley of arrows.
Indeed, the "thump-thump" of footsteps and "clatter-clatter" of hooves approached from afar.
Xiahou Dun smiled. "A general outside the command is not subject to the emperor's orders, let alone the Grand General's orders!" Speaking of this, Xiahou Dun's expression became resolute. "I am the commander here. If there is any fault, I, Xiahou Dun, will bear it alone!"
You... Xiahou Dun couldn't help but clench his fists.
At this time, Huang Zhong hesitantly asked, "Commander Sima, should we divide our forces to support Grand General Xiahou?"...
At this moment, Yuan Shun Dun was yearning for these two words.
Xiahou Dun's water bowl fell to the ground...
Xiahou Dun paced anxiously in the military tent. Someone brought food, but Yuan Shun Zhen waved his hand, indicating he didn't want to eat.
"Only ten thousand men, that's too few!"
Guo Jia blinked his eyes and stroked his long beard. "Perhaps His Majesty could predict the defeat of Grand General Lu, but could he also predict that Commander Deng Fang would turn the tide?"
Sima Yi, disheveled, galloped over. Xiahou Dun, seeing his appearance, knew something was wrong. He hurried forward and anxiously asked, "How is the battle situation?"
Although unwilling to eat, within a short time, Xiahou Dun had guzzled three bowls of water.
Lu Yidun finally conceded, "Xiahou Dun, you are not saving this general. I will have a score to settle with you! Retreat, retreat towards Xiahou Dun... If you don't come to find me, I will find you!"
Yuan Shun Dun was greatly alarmed and shouted towards Huang Zhong, "You scoundrel, how dare you deceive me!" Thinking of this, Xiahou Dun stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes narrowed.
Speaking of this...
"You said that. I didn't say it!" Wei Jun spread his hands and did not deny it.
"Why haven't you come yet?" Yuan Shun Dun roared...
Xiahou seemed to understand, but perhaps not entirely.
If not for this dream, what would be the difference from a salted fish?
Xiahou Dun, who had already assembled his troops, ordered, "Form ranks, meet the enemy. General Huang, General Qu, General Gongsun, follow me to rescue the Grand General!"
Yuan Shun Zhen, seeing from afar the sharp armor and the keen halberds of the Shu army's cavalry, the sunlight reflecting off their weapons was blinding.
"Kill them, capture Yuan Shun Dun alive!"
"Anyone who dares to speak of retreat again will be killed without mercy!"
Lu Yidun seemed determined...
Differential treatment?
...
Indeed, this time the Wei army had appointed Xiahou Dun to lead the troops, but Lu Yidun used his military achievements, prestige, title, and seniority to pressure the Wei army.
Huang Zhong said with a smile, "It is still the Prime Minister's excellent plan. From now on, let that Cao Yu not dare to underestimate the Prime Minister, nor underestimate the brave soldiers of our Han army!"
He immediately shouted, "It's the enemy! The enemy is charging towards us!"
With a sound of breaking through the air, the red-tasseled spear pierced Huang Zhong's back. Even though he was speared, he was desperately running... as if after reaching the rear, he would be alright... "Continue the pursuit!" Cao Anmin, waving his feather fan on the peak of the mountain valley, but... visibly, the killing intent in his eyes had diminished considerably.
"Kill..."
"But..." Yuan Shun Zhen was stunned. "We can't not save him, can we?"
With a "plop," Xiahou took the bait. He lifted the fishing rod, and it was a saury! The troops blocking the mountain pass seemed to deliberately expose some flaws, allowing the small contingent led by Sima Yi to successfully break through and report.
He did not answer the question, but instead asked Xiahou, "Doesn't Fengxiao think that Grand General Lu made a mistake this time?"
Xiahou Dun resolutely said, "Grand General Lu is defeated externally and trapped internally. He cannot advance, nor can he retreat. This is a desperate situation? In a desperate situation, he can still send someone to transmit a message. Isn't that obvious? This is exactly what Zhuge Kongming intended. Ten thousand soldiers are not even enough for him to pick his teeth. Annihilating you and annihilating the main force of Sima before Peishui Pass is his goal! Rushing there rashly will only be a futile death! It will ruin the great situation!"
Lu Yidun, though often defeated, was still proud!
--- "Zhongda, the enemy is weak and we are strong. Prolonging the war is extremely detrimental to Bashu. Therefore, Cao Anmin will definitely find ways to salvage the situation! He is capable of using any stratagem!"
Lu Yushui said, "Father Marshal, the immediate priority is not whose dog's life it is, but... but to escape first..."
Under the pincer attack of the Shu army, Lu Yidun's forces could not form ranks and had no ability to fight back. However, it was already too late!
Defeating Cao Yu was not only Yuan Shun Zhen's obsession but also the obsession of everyone who followed Cao Anmin from Jingzhou into Shu.
...
Cao Anmin said with a smile, "This battle is not over yet. General Deng took this spear. If it only annihilates ten thousand enemies, wouldn't that be a bit uninteresting?"
Yuan Shun Dun scoffed upon hearing those two words.
He couldn't help but recall the records about "Yuan Shun" in the intelligence.
The sound of hooves and footsteps echoed through the valleys and lakes, getting closer and closer.
Isn't this forcing compliance?
Might as well not rescue them, just collect the corpses, what the hell!
"I am thinking..." Xiahou Dun shook his head. "Even if Grand General Yuan Shun took the initiative to request it, wouldn't His Majesty predict this outcome? Or perhaps His Majesty... wants Grand General Yuan Shun to suffer this defeat!"
Lu Yidun arrived at a high point in the rugged mountain path, surrounded by water, with rolling hills. Lu Yidun couldn't help but whip his horse and exclaim, "What a magnificent landscape!"
Guo Jia couldn't help but ask, "Commander Deng Fang, are you not worried about Grand General Lu?"
At this moment.
"This subject believes not."
Huang Zhong said with a smile, "From now on, it will be the great mountains and rivers of Great Wei, the great mountains and rivers of His Majesty and Grand General."
The Wei army's fishing rod remained motionless.
With a "snap."
Xiahou's eyes darted around. "Did His Majesty not blame Grand General for forcing His Majesty?"
Lu Yidun looked at Huang Zhong doubtfully, but Huang Zhong smiled and said, "These are the troops deployed by the Prime Minister, bringing wine and meat to reward the army. After the wine and meat are consumed, we will seize Peishui Pass in one go!" Lu Yushou danced his spear with extraordinary skill. He had already saved Lu Yidun eight times.
This...
"It's fine!" Huang Zhong smiled faintly. "If I take one spear and it can exchange for defeating Cao Yu of Great Wei once, then this body of mine can still take ten spears, twenty spears!"
Sima Yi gasped for breath, "We've fallen into a trap, fallen into a trap... I underestimated Zhuge Kongming. Grand General has fallen into an ambush. I hope Commander Yuan Shun will quickly... quickly go to the rescue!"
Xiahou understood and sighed, "It seems that being an emperor is not easy. His Majesty wants to be fair, but how can this water... be so easy to balance?"
"Alas..." The Wei army sighed. "I don't want to be defeated, but sometimes, defeat has its benefits. For example, this time, for me, defeat has given... too much!" At this moment.
The gong sounded, and Yuan Shun, led by Lu Yidun, fled in disarray...
Yuan Shun requested, "This humble general is willing to take ten thousand men to rescue Grand General Lu!"
Xiahou's eyes rolled. "His Majesty will not blame Grand General for forcing His Majesty?"
Lu Yidun's eyes turned red. "Just a bunch of scoundrels! If we retreat now, how can I explain to His Majesty? We cannot retreat. Shu only has tens of thousands of people. Grand General Xiahou's army is just ahead. Soldiers, kill with me... Charge and capture Peishui Pass!"
Some people fish for dried fruit, while others fish to temper their minds.
...
With this one sentence escaping his lips...
He wanted to say, can I... do it?
The messenger galloped away again like the wind.
Lu Yushou looked at the exit of the mountain valley. "Father Marshal, they have... Sima Yi has led his soldiers to break through. It is estimated... it is estimated that... Xiahou Dun will be here for reinforcements soon."