Weird Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3842 Soul Collapse
In the initial battles, the numerical advantage masked the inferior combat strength of Cao Cao's soldiers.

However, as the battle dragged on, the initial three-pronged attack failed to push the cavalry's beach landing force into the river, and the cavalry's resilience gradually became apparent.

A Cao army soldier swung his sword at his opponent, but slipped and the force of his strike was deflected, leaving only a trail of sparks as the blade grazed the opponent's armor. He tried to strike again, but a heavy short axe, accompanied by a fierce gust of wind, slammed into his face!

Thump!

With a muffled thud mixed with the cracking of bone, the soldier's helmet deformed, his facial bones collapsed, and red and white blood splattered out instantly. His head, which was clearly sunken in a piece, swayed and fell to the ground.

At the same time, the superior weaponry of the cavalry was also demonstrated in this damp and chaotic environment.

Although the Cao army soldiers stationed at Mengjin were at least quite well-equipped, and were not the kind where several men shared a single spear, their weaponry was still far inferior to that of the Flying Cavalry.

In addition to primary weapons such as swords and spears, the cavalry were mostly equipped with secondary weapons and spare weapons.

The main weapons are generally the same: swords, spears, halberds, and shields. However, the secondary weapons and spare weapons are different.

Some people will prepare a second sword, while others will choose a weapon they prefer and find more comfortable...

Most Han Chinese preferred short axes, short spears, and short halberds, while the Hu people were not very good at using halberds, so they preferred to use hammers, which they called "gu maces," but were actually just enlarged metal versions of bone clubs.

But whatever they may be, these backup weapons are proving to be more effective and efficient in the present moment.

Rain not only makes the blade slippery and affects grip, but more importantly, it forms a film of water on the enemy's armor, greatly reducing friction. A strike that should be fatal can easily slip off target or have significantly reduced force due to slippage, failing to effectively penetrate the armor.

The thrusting motion of a spear requires the warrior to have both feet firmly planted on the ground, transferring the power of the entire body to the spear tip through the coordinated movement of the waist and stance. Muddy ground makes it impossible to exert force with the feet, drastically reducing the accuracy and penetration of the thrust. It may even cause the warrior to slip and fall, not only failing to effectively kill the enemy but also delivering themselves to the enemy's blade.

On the contrary, these spare weapons shone brightly in this chaotic situation.

Short axes and halberds are advantageous for close-range slashing and pecking. These types of weapons have a forward center of gravity and a short, thick blade. Even if they slip, the enormous momentum generated during a swing is enough to transfer the force solidly to the target. In particular, the hooking and pecking function of the short halberd is not greatly affected by slippage, and can directly hook down enemies or peck at weak points in their armor.

The mace wielded by the Hu people were even more straightforward and brutal. Blunt weapons completely ignored slippage, relying solely on the impact force to injure the enemy's internal organs and bones through armor, causing internal injuries and unconsciousness.

Although some cavalrymen were caught in the chaos and surrounded by Cao Cao's army, they were attacked by multiple Cao Cao soldiers. Even a hero cannot fight against four hands. When shields were smashed open, spears were parried, and several ring-pommel swords came at them from different angles at the same time, it was difficult for ordinary cavalrymen to resist.

The sounds of armor plates shattering, blades piercing flesh, and bones breaking were mixed together.

The cavalryman let out a desperate roar and desperately thrust his broken spear into the chest of an enemy, but his own back and ribs were also pierced at the same time. Finally, he slowly knelt down and collapsed into the mud.

However, on the mudflats, it was still Cao Cao's soldiers who fell more often.

The cavalry force that stormed the beach was like a nail driven into the south bank of the river, allowing Cao Cao's army to launch wave after wave of attacks.

Cao Zheng was indeed brave. He led from the front, wielding his ring-pommel sword and slashing left and right, successively cutting down two cavalrymen. His personal guards also fought desperately around him, engaging in fierce combat with the surging cavalry.

Blood splattered continuously on Cao Zheng's already soaked armor and face, making him look like a demon returned from hell.

"Press it down!"

Cao Zheng roared at the top of his lungs.

Then he lunged toward the next swaying point on the front line.

However, Cao Zheng's efforts were insufficient.

More and more cavalry ships docked, and more and more fresh troops joined the battle. Although they were also soaked to the bone in the cold wind and rain of early winter, they were better equipped, more well-trained, and had a stronger fighting spirit.

Conversely, Cao Cao's army was already outnumbered, demoralized, and equipped with outdated armor and weapons. The longer they fought in the rain, the greater their physical exhaustion became. As a result, Cao Cao's lines began to show signs of being pushed back by the Flying Cavalry, much like an earthen dam being constantly breached by a flood, with more and more gaps appearing, and collapse was only a matter of time.

"Captain! We can't hold out any longer! Let's retreat!"

A blood-covered soldier grabbed Cao Zheng and cried out.

Cao Zheng cleaved the thrusting spear in two with his sword and looked around.

As far as the eye could see, there was only chaotic fighting, fallen corpses, and Cao Cao's soldiers retreating.

Most of the beachhead has been lost, and the cavalry is advancing step by step.

He knew that defeat was inevitable.

A wave of exhaustion and despair washed over me.

Cao Zheng howled and once again slashed down a cavalry officer who tried to approach. Leaning on his sword, he was panting heavily.

The rain washed away the bloodstains on his face, but it couldn't dispel the heavy aura of death.

He turned and looked south, towards the still silent Beiman Mountain, where no smoke of war had risen.

why?
Why were there no beacon fires?
……

……

The cold rain of late autumn and early winter continued to fall, shrouding the open fields between Mengjin Ferry and the road behind in a gray mist.

Cao Shuo led two hundred carefully selected elite cavalrymen of Cao Cao's army, galloping along the muddy road towards the Mengjin camp. They were acting on Cao Cao's strict orders to inspect the defenses of Mengjin, Xiaopingjin, and Beiman Mountain.

Cao Shuo knew that this matter was of great importance, concerning the safety of Luoyang, and dared not be negligent in the slightest. He dispatched one hundred elite soldiers to the Shouyang Mountain camp in Beiman, and then personally led two hundred soldiers to Mengjin first. He would then go to Xiaopingjin to investigate before finally reporting back to Cao Cao what he had seen.

The horses' hooves pounded on the slippery mud, splashing up muddy water and making a teeth-grinding sound.

"Chirp chirp," "Pfft pfft"...

It's like a harbinger of something.

Cao Shuo's heart began to race.

As a result, what you fear most is what most likely to happen...

As the distance closed, the faint sounds of shouts of battle, the clash of weapons, and the chaotic yet intense clamor unique to the battlefield made Cao Shuo's heart sink, as if he had fallen into an ice cave, and his whole body stiffened.

A moment later, Cao Shuo finally reacted and instinctively spurred his horse forward, still harboring a slight sense of luck.

But when they rushed up a loess plateau overlooking the Mengjin ferry crossing and the mudflats in front of them, the scene before them made everyone gasp.

Under the cover of rain, the mudflats in the direction of the ferry crossing had become a huge, bloody whirlpool.

Countless figures fought desperately in the rain.

The cavalry's ships continued to dock, and fresh troops poured into the battlefield like an iron torrent.

Cao Cao's army's lines were clearly crumbling. While not exactly broken, they were clearly in retreat, like a sandcastle crumbling and disintegrating under the rain.

Cao Shuo's anxious gaze swept across the battlefield, and soon he spotted that familiar figure...

Cao Zheng!

Cao Zheng was like a trapped beast, surrounded by enemies.

He was covered in blood, his armor riddled with sword and arrow wounds, the once vibrant plume of his general's helmet long gone, his hair disheveled and plastered to his forehead and cheeks, mingling with blood and rain. He brandished his ring-pommel sword, roaring hoarsely, each swing filled with a desperate madness. His personal guards were few in number, all wounded, yet they still fiercely protected him, fighting the ever-surging cavalry.

Cao Zheng was renowned for his bravery, and even in this desperate situation, he still managed to cut down two cavalrymen who tried to approach. However, his movements had become noticeably slower, his steps unsteady, and each block and strike appeared extremely strenuous, as if he were being sustained solely by an indomitable will.

"That's Commandant Cao!" exclaimed a guard beside Cao Shuo, his face filled with anxiety. "Young Master! Should we... go and meet him?"

Cao Shuo's heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was going to burst out of his chest.

He could clearly see that Cao Zheng's situation was extremely critical, and he could be overwhelmed at any moment. Although his two hundred cavalrymen were few in number, they were like a sharp knife piercing through the flank, and they would surely catch the Flying Cavalry off guard. Even if they could not completely turn the tide of the battle, there was a great chance that they could rescue Cao Zheng and his remaining troops.

However, just before Cao Shuo was about to give the order to charge, he discovered that another group of cavalry soldiers had landed.

Those cavalry soldiers, as if they couldn't see the carnage on the mudflats at all, charged straight up without fear of death!
Cao Shuo hesitated.

He saw that the blood had stained the muddy ground in large patches of dark purple, and severed limbs were scattered everywhere!

He heard dying groans and frantic shouts, interwoven into a chilling symphony of death... And to the north of the ferry, there seemed to be even more cavalrymen preparing to board the ships, densely packed, seemingly endless!
The striking tricolor cavalry battle flag still fluttered stubbornly in the rain, like the banner of death.

Under such a fierce attack from the Flying Cavalry, could he rescue Cao Zheng?
Fear, like vines, instantly coiled around Cao Shuo's heart, suffocating him and making it impossible for him to issue commands...

"We...we only have two hundred people..."

Cao Shuo's voice was hoarse, trembling without his own awareness. "Look over there... the enemy army is formidable; several thousand have already landed! If we charge down now, it's like throwing eggs against rocks! Not only will we fail to save them, but I'm afraid... I'm afraid we'll all be trapped here!"

He seemed to be explaining to the soldiers and guards around him, but it was more like he was trying to convince himself.

"But if we don't go to their rescue..." said the military academy officer beside him, "Lieutenant Cao might..."

"Shut up!" Cao Shuo abruptly interrupted him, his face pale, but his eyes fierce as he struggled internally. "Saving one man at the cost of hundreds—is it worth it?! I cannot use the lives of these two hundred brothers to fill this bottomless pit! Mengjin… Mengjin is no longer defensible! The most urgent matter is to immediately report the military situation here to the Prime Minister! Let the Prime Minister make a decision as soon as possible!"

Cao Shuo gripped the reins tightly; he had found a reason for himself…

That's right, he wasn't ordered to come and guard the area, nor was he ordered to come and rescue!

Cao Shuo's gaze involuntarily avoided that bloody battlefield, that hellish place, and naturally also avoided the blood-soaked figures still fighting their last on the distant battlefield.

With such a disparity in troop strength, it would only increase casualties; therefore, it is crucial to preserve strength and transmit military intelligence.

Every reason sounds so grand and reasonable, in line with the principles of military strategy.

Yet deep within his heart, a faint but sharp voice kept questioning him…

Are you really just acting out of strategic considerations?
Or because...

Are you scared?

You dare not rush into that bloody vortex of death?

Are you afraid to face those fierce and ruthless cavalrymen?

Every question made him feel like he was sitting on pins and needles.

Cao Shuo hesitated, wavered...

……

……

Cao Zheng was covered in wounds, his armor plates were torn and curled up, and a long and deep wound on his thigh was gushing blood.

He had very few personal guards left.

Blood loss caused Cao Zheng's strength to drain away along with the blood.

My vision was also severely affected; everything around me was distorted and shaky...

Screams filled the air, along with violent collisions, battles, and death!
He had completely lost track of the battle situation.

Or rather, Cao Zheng already knew in his heart that he no longer needed to grasp or control anything...

He knew only one thing: this was where he would die!

A dark figure rushed towards Cao Zheng through the misty rain; it was a soldier from the Flying Cavalry.

Cao Zheng twisted his body sharply, dodging the short halberd thrust at him by the cavalry soldier. He tucked it under his right rib and was about to kick the soldier when he felt a sharp pain in his leg. The muscles at the wound site protested strongly, and he couldn't exert any force at all!

Cao Zheng had no choice but to change his kick to an elbow strike, using the armor plate covering his elbow to slam heavily into the face of the cavalryman.

The soldier's nose was broken and twisted on the spot by Cao Zheng!
Unfortunately, Cao Zheng had already exhausted most of his strength; otherwise, this powerful blow, even if it didn't shatter the bridge of the nose or break the skull, would have at least knocked the cavalry soldier unconscious...

However, because Cao Zheng was not strong enough, he was unable to defeat the cavalryman in one strike. Instead, the cavalryman became more aggressive and charged at Cao Zheng with a howl, knocking him to the ground!
Cao Zheng had a leg injury, and when he was rammed by the cavalryman, he couldn't hold on and fell down with him.

In the midst of the muddy struggle, the cavalry soldier loosened his grip on his short halberd, attempting to draw his own short blade to stab Cao Zheng. However, Cao Zheng grabbed the halberd with his own hand, twisting and turning it, not only trapping the cavalry soldier's blade but also stabbing him heavily in the chest with the halberd.

The cavalry soldier screamed and clung tightly to his short halberd.

Cao Zheng struggled and found that the short halberd was stuck. He also had no strength left and could not pull it out no matter what he did. He had no choice but to twist his wrist and twist it hard!
Hot blood splattered onto Cao Zheng's face...

The surroundings were blood red, so dark it was like being in a hellish inferno.

Cao Zheng staggered to his feet, but as soon as he straightened up, he heard a gust of wind rushing past his ears. He instinctively tried to dodge, but his body, weakened by hypothermia and paralysis, was numb as if it were rusted, and his joints and limbs barely obeyed his commands...

Thump!

A heavy hammer slammed down on Cao Zheng!

Cao Zheng coughed up a mouthful of blood on the spot and was knocked to the ground!
……

……

On the loess plateau, Cao Shuo was still hesitating, pondering, and weighing the pros and cons...

The situation on the battlefield below changed drastically.

Several shrill screams rang out. Cao Shuo looked in horror towards the sound and saw that the last few personal guards beside Cao Zheng were also overwhelmed by the cavalry soldiers!

Cao Zheng died in battle!

With the death of their commander, the last vestiges of Cao Cao's army's will to resist completely collapsed. The surviving soldiers let out a shout, abandoned their positions, and scattered in all directions.

The cavalry, like wildfire, quickly swept across the entire ferry crossing and spread towards the Mengjin camp.

"Go! Go quickly!"

Cao Shuo almost immediately roared out the order.

Cao Shuo abruptly turned his horse around, no longer looking at the ferry crossing that had become the stage for the victory of the Flying Cavalry, nor thinking about what Cao Zheng was thinking or hoping for at the last moment...

Cao Shuo squeezed the horse's belly hard, and the warhorse, in pain, reared up and carried him, galloping wildly back towards Luoyang without looking back.

Cao Shuo's two hundred cavalrymen looked at each other in bewilderment, and in the end, they had no choice but to follow.

The military academy student who had originally suggested rescuing Cao Zheng was left behind. He glanced back at the Mengjin battlefield, then at Cao Shuo's somewhat disheveled fleeing figure ahead. A complex and indescribable expression flashed across his face, which ultimately turned into a heavy sigh. He turned his horse around and disappeared into the cold rain and the sound of hooves.

Cao Shuo ran frantically, his heart still pounding, not from the speed, but from the lingering fear and...

A trace of shame that is hard to talk about.

He kept repeating those reasons in his mind, trying to make them more solid and believable.

"I did this for the greater good... to inform Father..."

"I only have two hundred men. If these two hundred men charge in, they'll just be throwing their lives away..."

"It's Cao Zheng's own incompetence that he couldn't guard the ferry crossing; he can't blame me..."

However, no matter how he tried to comfort himself, the image of Cao Zheng fighting to the death, and his own decision to retreat and flee, remained deeply etched in his mind like a brand.

He knew that some things, once lost, could never be found again.

For example, courage, responsibility, and the spirit of soldiers who dare to draw their swords even in dire straits.

The rain lashed Cao Shuo's face, cold and icy, yet it couldn't cool the burning unease churning within him. He simply urged his horse onward, wanting to escape as quickly as possible this land that filled him with such oppression and defeat, to flee the place that had witnessed his ultimate choice of cowardice over courage.

The rain continued to fall coldly, washing over the corpses lying scattered on the riverbank and diluting the blood that flowed freely, but it could not wash away the cruelty and death that had just occurred.

The blood-soaked land was trampled into an even muddier state by countless feet, and the air was filled with a heavy stench of blood and a foul smell of ruptured entrails that lingered for a long time.

Cao's banner fell, while the banner of the Three-Colored Cavalry rose.