Weird Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3754 War War
"A night raid?"

Upon hearing this, Huang Zhong's brows furrowed sharply, and his right hand instinctively tightened its grip on the hilt of his ring-pommel sword.

The hilt of the sword was stained with blood from the previous battle. Even after being cleaned, some semi-congealed blood still slid out from between Huang Zhong's fingers as he gripped it tightly, making Huang Zhong's heart skip a beat. He glanced down and casually wiped the blood onto the battlement...

As soon as he raised his hand, Huang Zhong realized that there was even more blood on the battlements.

His hand froze in mid-air.

It's like holding a chess piece, but not knowing where to place it...

The night wind blew in through the crenellations of the city tower, stirring his gray beard and hair, which fluttered like silver threads in the torchlight.

Huang Zhong looked at his hands, then turned his head and stared intently at Zhang Lie. Seeing that the other man's expression was solemn and not joking, Huang Zhong felt even more tense.

Below the city gate, the groans of wounded soldiers could be faintly heard. The stench of blood from the daytime battle had not yet dissipated, mixing with the night fog to create an unsettling atmosphere.

"A night attack? How could Cao Cao's army be unprepared?" Huang Zhong asked.

Zhang Lie's armor gleamed coldly in the firelight. He raised his arm, pointing towards Cao Cao's army, his voice deep and powerful: "General, Cao Cao's army has come from afar, and has been fighting all day. Their soldiers are exhausted, their weapons worn out; are they not at their last gasp? If we launch a night attack now, we can take advantage of their fatigue and utterly defeat them! This is truly a godsend!"

Zhang Lie's armor was also stained with blood.

His eyes burned with a burning desire to achieve great things.

These words were spoken clearly and logically, and were delivered with conviction.

Huang Zhong suddenly realized that Zhang Lie still harbored unhealed wounds. Not physical wounds, but lingering hatred.

Zhang Lie was defeated by Cao Cao's army back then...

Huang Zhong felt a nameless unease churning within him. He remained silent for a moment, then slowly shook his head, his graying brows furrowing even deeper: "Sun Tzu's Art of War says, 'A ruler should not raise an army in anger, nor should a general wage war in resentment.' General Zhang, Cao Mengde is no ordinary brute; his military tactics are unpredictable and cunning. In the daytime battle, the superior quality of his weaponry and the swiftness of his attack clearly demonstrated his thorough preparation. I have observed the deployment of boats on the Yi River, the numerous patrols, and the interwoven lights… I fear our night raid has fallen into their trap."

Huang Zhong's voice was steady and magnetic, and every word conveyed the caution honed by years of battlefield experience.

He tried to persuade Zhang Lie.

However, the results were not ideal...

"Hey! General, don't boost their morale!" Zhang Lie's voice rang out, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the spot where he had been wounded years ago. Even through the armor, he could still faintly feel the lingering pain. "Have you not heard the saying, 'Attack where they are unprepared'? Cao Cao didn't establish a camp, but instead launched a full-scale attack on the city—this is proof of his army's arrogance! Now they think we've been severely wounded and will surely cower in fear, but I will do the opposite! I will surely catch them off guard and achieve a great victory!"

Zhang Lie paused, then added, "My men are well-trained in night battles! The Cao army along the Yi River consists mostly of craftsmen and laborers; how can they be compared to our elite troops?"

Seemingly to strengthen his argument or to solidify his confidence, Zhang Lie spoke while pointing to the soldiers resting inside the pass—elite troops who had undergone countless night battle drills…

Indeed, these cavalrymen were all fine young men.

But Huang Zhong still had a furrowed brow.

Huang Zhong didn't say anything immediately, but instead turned his gaze toward the distant Cao army camp.

In the darkness of night, the lights of Cao Cao's army stretched out like a galaxy, and the tall outlines of the ships could be vaguely seen, resembling lurking beasts under the moonlight.

Cao Cao's army is only now beginning to set up camp, and it does indeed look somewhat chaotic.

"Moreover," Zhang Lie said, his tone growing increasingly urgent as he saw Huang Zhong hesitate, "if we allow him to leisurely assemble his siege weapons... how will we defend the breached sections of our walls when we fight again tomorrow? Sitting idly by in a deserted city is a dead end! We cannot defend the city to the death!"

Zhang Lie's voice was tinged with anxiety, and he even kicked the crenellation of the city wall.

Huang Zhong took a deep breath, but could not suppress the unease in his heart.

Zhang Lie's words are indeed reasonable. If Cao Cao's craftsmen are allowed to continue building siege weapons on the banks of the Yi River, the pressure on Yique Pass will increase day by day.

He knew this principle all too well.

But Huang Zhong just felt that something was wrong.

His intuition, honed by years of battlefield experience, sounded an alarm in his heart.

How could anyone think that "night raids" are the key to victory? When talking about elite troops, people will inevitably ask why we don't carry out surprise night raids?

Huang Zhong knew this idea was problematic, but he didn't know how to persuade Zhang Lie...

After all, Zhang Lie was a general under the command of the General of the Cavalry, while Huang Zhong was just a guest general and did not have direct command over Zhang Lie.

Are you saying Zhang Lie is wrong?
What went wrong again?

"Though I am unworthy, I am willing to personally lead three hundred brave men to sneak out under cover of night. Even if we cannot burn all their ships, we will at least destroy most of their equipment and disrupt their morale!" Zhang Lie said resolutely, striking the crenellations of the battlements. The stone bricks resonated with a dull thud. "I will leave the defense of the area within the pass to the old general!"

After Zhang Lie finished speaking, he prepared to turn around and leave the city.

Seeing that he was determined, Huang Zhong knew that his blood was boiling and that words could not persuade him.

The old general sighed deeply, reached out and pulled Zhang Lie back, his voice tinged with emotion, "General, you are indeed valiant, possessing the spirit of a warrior. However, you are the commander-in-chief of this pass, bearing the safety of the entire army on your shoulders. How can you lightly venture into such perilous territory? If anything untoward happens, the morale of the army will collapse instantly, and Yique Pass will be reduced to dust."

"Old General, what are you doing..." Zhang Lie frowned and was about to explain when he saw Huang Zhong wave his hand and suddenly straighten up like a pine tree on a high mountain, exuding the majestic aura of a veteran general.

Huang Zhong's voice suddenly boomed: "Though I am old, my archery and horsemanship skills have never waned! Today, I am willing to go in your place!"

Huang Zhong's gaze was as firm as iron, and his white beard fluttered in the night wind, which only added to his majesty.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Lie was taken aback for a moment, then waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "How could I trouble the old general?!"

Huang Zhong, however, insisted on his opinion, saying that if Zhang Lie was determined to launch a night attack, then Huang Zhong would lead the attack while Zhang Lie guarded the pass.

Logically, Huang Zhong, as a guest general, could have simply stood by and watched.

If Zhang Lie succeeds, he can say that he had given him advice beforehand; if Zhang Lie fails, he can stand on high ground and criticize him for not heeding good advice. However, seeing that his attempts to dissuade Zhang Lie were futile and that he was determined to launch a night attack, Huang Zhong decided to take his place in the battle.

This sense of responsibility moved all the soldiers around him.

Zhang Lie refused, saying, "General! This is absolutely unacceptable! You are a distinguished guest of our lord; if anything goes wrong, I would rather die a hundred times than atone for it!"

Huang Zhong laughed loudly, his laughter echoing on the city wall: "Hahaha! A true man should die on the frontier, his body wrapped in a horse's hide for burial. How can I fear swords and spears?"

Zhang Lie was about to offer further advice when Huang Zhong waved his hand to stop him: "You are the commander guarding the pass! You cannot afford to lose it lightly! Enough talk. Quickly give me three hundred elite troops, and prepare plenty of oil and kindling. General, guard the pass carefully. When you see my fire, use it as a signal. If Cao Cao's army is thrown into disarray, you can send out light troops to ambush them. If you see ambushes rising from all sides, do not hesitate to close the city gates immediately and use strong bows and crossbows to protect our retreat!"

Huang Zhong's instructions were clear and concise, demonstrating his rich practical experience.

Zhang Lie remained silent for a long while, then finally bowed and clasped his hands in a fist salute, his voice trembling slightly: "General... take care! I wish you swift success!"

……

……

At the end of Hai hour, all was quiet except for the Yi River, which murmured incessantly, as if weeping and lamenting.

The moonlight, like quicksilver spilling onto the ground, illuminated the open space in front of the pass, casting a cool and serene glow.

The door to Yique was quietly opened a crack, making a slight creaking sound.

Huang Zhong took the lead, stealthily emerging, his iron armor gleaming coldly in the moonlight. He rode a dark brown Hequ horse, its hooves wrapped in thick cloth, making almost no sound as it trod on the ground.

Then followed by three hundred elite soldiers, all gagged and silent, like a group of silent ghosts, they moved swiftly along the shadows of the mountain wall toward the Yi River.

The soldiers' leather armor rustled softly against the bushes, a sound quickly drowned out by the rushing river. Everyone knew the journey was perilous, but no one flinched; their steps were firm and swift.

Under the moonlight, Cao Jun's ships revealed their massive and menacing silhouettes. The tall warships resembled castles on the water, and the oilcloths covering them fluttered in the night wind, sounding like the panting of giant beasts.

Along the riverbank, there were patrol teams of Cao Cao's army, their fires flickering in the night.

The sound of watchtowers could be heard intermittently, sounding particularly clear in the silent night sky, indicating that the defenses were very tight.

Huang Zhong signaled for the troops to halt. He scanned the Cao army's patrols ahead, observing their movements, and made his own plans.

"Cao Cao's patrols are continuous, with very short intervals... it's not easy to get past them..." Huang Zhong's voice was so low it was almost carried away by the wind. Huang Zhong noticed that although the Cao soldiers on patrol seemed tired, their steps were orderly, and they maintained a high level of vigilance regarding their surroundings.

The night breeze, carrying the dampness of the Yi River, caused Huang Zhong's beard to tremble slightly. He gazed at the route taken by Cao Cao's patrols, silently estimating the time. Every two quarters of an hour, the Cao Cao patrols would form a closed loop along the riverbank, one end leading to the other; to force one's way through would be tantamount to walking into a trap. But simply waiting was clearly not a good option either.

The high level of vigilance displayed by Cao Cao's patrols can be interpreted as indicating the importance of the artisans and siege equipment he had stationed at the Yi River.

This could also be interpreted as Cao Cao's army possibly having made preparations in advance...

How to do?
Huang Zhong looked back at Yique Pass and then at the three hundred elite troops behind him.

The three hundred elite soldiers behind him held their breath and waited for orders. Huang Zhong could feel the tension in the soldiers' nerves. He had to make a decision as soon as possible.

After a moment's thought, Huang Zhong beckoned to one of his personal guards: "Take twenty men, circle around to the east, light three flaming torches, and make a commotion towards Cao Cao's rear camp. Only create a show of force; do not engage in prolonged combat."

Huang Zhong ultimately decided to give it a try.

Because Huang Zhong believed in his martial arts skills, even if something unexpected happened, he could still break through the encirclement, just like when he broke out of Wancheng before.

A sudden realization flashed in the eyes of the guard whose name was called. He immediately accepted the order and led twenty men into the forest like cats, quickly disappearing into the darkness.

Time passed slowly, and the sound of the flowing river seemed to grow louder.

Just as the remaining soldiers were starting to get a little impatient, three orange-red flames suddenly lit up in the direction east of Huang Zhong, followed by shouts that pierced the night sky!
In an instant, shouts of battle and the sound of gongs to warn were heard from afar, exceptionally clear in the silent night sky.

As expected, the Cao army patrols along the riverbank became restless.

The Cao army officer in charge immediately turned around and shouted as he led the patrolling soldiers to the southeast!
The torchlight cast a flowing ribbon of light in the night.

Huang Zhong looked out and saw that the Cao army camp seemed to be in some disarray as a result...

A brief gap appeared in the patrol line along the Yi River!

A glint of light flashed in Huang Zhong's eyes, and he shouted in a low voice, "Follow me!"

He took the lead and led his soldiers forward at breakneck speed.

The soldiers crouched low, using the terrain for cover, and moved quickly toward the riverbank.

The sounds of the movement gradually grew louder, but under the cover of the commotion from the east, it seemed that no other Cao army was alerted.

A moment later, Huang Zhong led his men to the vicinity of Cao Cao's ships.

The night wind suddenly picked up, making the Yi River surge and the sound of it crashing against the shore like the beating of war drums.

The tarpaulins covering the boats shook violently in the wind, making a rustling sound.

Just as Huang Zhong led his men to approach Cao Cao's ships and prepared to light torches, a sharp whistle suddenly pierced the night sky!
The whistle was unusually piercing, making Huang Zhong's heart skip a beat!
Looking again, flames suddenly rose on Cao Cao's warships. They were not lit by oil by the cavalry, but by torches raised by Cao Cao's army!
On both sides, Cao Cao's troops also held up torches, illuminating the riverbanks as bright as day.

Behind the cliffs on both sides of the river, in the reeds, and on the decks of the boats, countless Cao soldiers appeared. These Cao soldiers were all in high spirits and showed no signs of fatigue.
"We've fallen into their trap!" Huang Zhong's heart skipped a beat, but he remained calm under pressure, shouting sharply, "Form ranks! Shields facing outwards! Vanguard becomes rear guard, rear guard becomes vanguard, retreat!"

His voice echoed in the night sky, steady and powerful, immediately calming the troops' morale.

The well-trained cavalry immediately changed formation, their shields interlocking to form a defense, and their spears peeking out from the gaps, their cold glints flashing.

The shields had barely been raised when Cao Cao's army unleashed a hail of arrows.

Just as Huang Zhong was preparing to retreat, Cao Cao suddenly appeared on the warship amidst the firelight, standing on a high place, his black cloak fluttering in the wind.

Cao Cao clapped his hands and laughed, "Just as I expected! The General of the Cavalry is known for its night raids, and tonight they've prepared this grand welcome!"

A night breeze blew, ruffling Cao Cao's cloak, instantly showcasing his imposing presence...

Seeing Cao Cao's actions, Cao's army naturally fought bravely.

The war drums thundered, and Cao Cao's soldiers surged toward Huang Zhong like a tidal wave!

Arrows whistled through the air, raining down in dense clusters. The cavalry raised their shields to meet the arrows, the thud of arrowheads striking the shields echoing incessantly, and occasionally a soldier would be struck by an arrow and fall to the ground with a muffled groan.

The wounded's blood stained the ground, appearing particularly glaring in the firelight.

Huang Zhong deflected the arrow with his sword, his eyes sweeping across the battlefield like lightning. He roared, pointing his blade at Cao Cao's warship, "My men! Follow me and break through the enemy!"

The old general took the lead, wielding his long sword like a wheel, pointing directly at Cao Cao's high platform.

Huang Zhong changed his original retreat direction...

Closer!
It's just a shot away!
Where the sword flashed, Cao Cao's soldiers fell to the ground one after another.

Huang Zhong's swordsmanship was sharp and precise, yet also powerful and heavy, seemingly reaching the pinnacle in both dexterity and strength. This allowed Huang Zhong's swordsmanship to be expansive and powerful, each strike carrying immense force, yet also exceptionally agile, often delivering a fatal blow from unbelievable angles.

Cao Cao's military officers attempted to intercept him, but they were no match for Huang Zhong and were cut down as soon as they made contact.

Just as Huang Zhong approached Cao Cao's warship, attempting to take a bow and arrow to kill Cao Cao directly, a thunderous roar suddenly came from the flank!
"You old scoundrel, stop your arrogance!" A giant man leaped out from the shadows, over nine feet tall, with broad shoulders and a muscular build. He wielded two iron halberds and was none other than Dian Wei, Cao Cao's personal bodyguard. His eyes were bloodshot, and he moved like a mad tiger. He strode forward at a speed that was almost as fast as a galloping horse, and not much slower than Huang Zhong on horseback.

In an instant, Dian Wei rushed to Huang Zhong's side, his double halberds whistling through the air as he slashed straight at Huang Zhong's face.

Seeing Dian Wei's fierce approach, Huang Zhong didn't have time to draw his bow and shoot Cao Cao. He could only raise his sword to meet the attack and try to deflect Dian Wei's iron halberd.

As the weapons clashed, dazzling sparks flew!

The sound of metal clashing was deafening!
Dian Wei's burly body involuntarily leaned back slightly and took a step away!
Huang Zhong's warhorse also staggered and went weak. If Huang Zhong hadn't pulled on the reins, it might have fallen to the ground!
The sheer power of the attack from both sides caused onlookers to pale in shock.

"Impressive strength!" Huang Zhong was secretly startled, realizing he had encountered a formidable opponent. "Who goes there?!"

His voice remained steady, but his hand holding the knife felt slightly numb.

"You, Dian Wei!"

Dian Wei laughed heartily, his voice booming like a bell, and attacked again with his twin halberds, his offensive as fierce as a storm. As he wielded his twin halberds, they stirred up gusts of evil wind, and the blades gleamed with a cold, sharp light in the firelight.

Huang Zhong focused intently on the situation, and the clash of swords and halberds created a continuous din of metallic clang.

Dian Wei's double halberds were powerful and heavy, each strike making Huang Zhong's tiger's mouth numb; while Huang Zhong's swordsmanship was even more exquisite, often deflecting Dian Wei's attacks at the last second.

The two men's weapons clashed from time to time, producing dazzling sparks that were particularly conspicuous in the night.

In the blink of an eye, the two had exchanged more than ten blows, with neither gaining the upper hand.

Although Huang Zhong was on horseback and could benefit from the horse's strength, he was less agile than Dian Wei when he stayed in place to fight.

Dian Wei moved with agility and skill, wielding his double halberds with great force, forcing Huang Zhong to defend himself with all his might.

Huang Zhong realized something was wrong and tried to retreat out of Dian Wei's comfort zone of foot combat, but Dian Wei was not about to let Huang Zhong create distance so easily. He pressed forward step by step, with each move being ferocious!

As the two fought fiercely, sand and dust flew everywhere under the torchlight, making the light and shadow appear chaotic and indistinct.

Some soldiers around them tried to help, but the two were so fast and swift that no one else could get involved!
In the blink of an eye, the two had exchanged more than ten blows. Huang Zhong gradually felt his strength waning, and his breathing became heavy. If Huang Zhong were ten years younger, his strength might not be much less than Dian Wei's, but age is unforgiving. After all, the recovery speed of a twenty-year-old's strength and hardness is clearly something a forty-year-old, even with medication, cannot match…

Seeing that Huang Zhong seemed to be showing signs of defeat, Dian Wei fought even more fiercely, each halberd strike faster than the last, his offensive as powerful as the Yangtze River, unstoppable.

His roar was like thunder, and every strike carried the force to split mountains and shatter rocks.

Huang Zhong struggled to hold on, his iron halberd and longsword clashing against each other from time to time, producing loud noises and splattering sparks.

Huang Zhong's warhorse retreated, and retreated again. Suddenly, Dian Wei's eyes flashed, and he seized the opening in Huang Zhong's stance caused by his repeated defenses. With a roar, he swung his iron halberd up and down, slashing vertically and diagonally towards Huang Zhong!

(End of this chapter)