Weird Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3907 Haste Makes Waste
Xun Yu's trusted envoy, using his familiarity with the geography of Yingchuan, bypassed Guan Yu's troops and, carrying Xun Yu's personal letter, made contact with the patriarch of the Han clan of Wuyang.

The Han family had been operating in Wuyang for generations, their influence was deep and complex.

Originally, the Han family of Wuyang offered their daughter with the intention of betting on her, but Guan Yu was too arrogant and took a concubine instead of a wife!

This is where Guan Yu's brother fell short of his brother's teachings...

At least Liu Da'er still addressed her as "Madam" in name only, no matter how many wives she was, as long as she was called Madam.

Guan Yu neither performed a formal betrothal ceremony nor treated the Han family with any special status, which was undoubtedly a great humiliation in the eyes of a powerful local clan like the Han family.

They not only felt their family's dignity had been insulted, but also worried that Guan Yu's domineering behavior would lead to further encroachment and exploitation of the Han family's core interests in Wuyang, such as land, population, and commerce.

Although daughters of wealthy families were often commodities in political transactions, it was clear that Guan Lao Er did not follow the rules!

It's just that the Spring and Autumn Annals style of writing is too abbreviated...

Thus, Xun Yu's secret letter arrived.

Xun Yu not only solemnly promised, in the name of the imperial court, that the Han family's status and interests in the entire Yingchuan Commandery would be greatly enhanced after the matter was accomplished, and that they would be granted official titles, land and houses, but he also precisely touched on the sore spot of "taking a concubine," amplifying the Han family's dissatisfaction with Guan Yu.

After all, the Han family wasn't ruled by one person alone; some members were loyal to General Huo Qubing, while others opposed him.

Those who pledged allegiance to General Huo Qubing were met with a cold shoulder from Guan Yu, and they could not suppress the commotion caused by those who opposed Huo Qubing.

These Han clan opponents carefully selected a group of shrewd and capable clan members, prepared generous "gifts," and, following Xun Yu's instructions, went to Guan Yu's camp to reward the troops.

Large quantities of processed pigs and sheep, dozens of jars of locally brewed fine wine, and various exquisite snacks.

The medicine was definitely present, but it wasn't added directly.

After all, they'll check you before you enter the military camp...

The military report that Guan Lao Er had previously sent to report the good news gave them a perfectly legitimate reason!

"Upon learning that General Guan has relieved the people from their dire straits, we, on behalf of the elders of Wuyang, have come to reward the royal army and express our gratitude and support."

This explanation, which balanced flattery and human sentiment, was extremely difficult to fault. Therefore, when the Han family and their entourage arrived, Guan Yu received the Han family envoys in a good mood, accepted the generous rewards with a pleasant expression, and generously allowed some of the "sincere" members of the Han family to stay in the camp to help manage these supplies and take care of the rewards.

So, the fragrant meat and wine were distributed to the various camps.

The soldiers, who had been marching and fighting for days, were starving and thirsty. Upon seeing such a sumptuous feast, they were overjoyed, and the atmosphere in the camp became even more enthusiastic.

The night, like thick ink, gradually seeped into the city of Lin'ying, both inside and out.

In Guan Yu's camp, the embers of the campfire had not yet been completely extinguished.

The embers flickered in the cold wind, and the air was still filled with the aroma of roasted meat and the slightly intoxicating scent of wine, mixed with the heavy snores of soldiers fast asleep.

If Guan Yu had commanded ordinary soldiers, or troops brought by Liu Bei himself, or other teams obtained through deception and trickery, Xun Yu and Han's conspiracy might have succeeded...

Unfortunately, below Guan Yu were the General of the Cavalry!
A cavalry captain in charge of patrolling in the latter half of the night, as was customary, led two personal guards to patrol the rear camp.

Because the cavalry's training manual required junior and middle-ranking officers to personally patrol, check posts, and inspect combat supplies every day, including stables, fodder, and even the soldiers' hygiene...

Even now, under Guan Yu's command, these cavalrymen still maintain their habits.

Then, the Commandant of the Cavalry encountered the Han family members who had come to "help" take care of the warhorses.

These young people who "volunteered to help" bowed respectfully as soon as the captain and his men approached, their eyes inadvertently revealing a barely concealed shiftiness and nervousness.

Zhao, the Commander of the Cavalry, had served in the army for many years, rising step by step from the lowest ranks through his military achievements. He had seen all sorts of people, and he could see through the feigned composure and the underlying unease in this situation almost instantly.

He remained outwardly calm, even casually patting one of the men on the shoulder and asking a few questions like, "How are the horses being taken care of?" and "Is there enough fodder?" while secretly making several subtle hand gestures to his personal guards behind him.

The guards went into the stables and checked the hay and horses, but found nothing unusual...

Commander Zhao didn't say anything and let the Han family members go back. When Commander Zhao returned from his patrol, he felt something was amiss, so he secretly dispatched several more scouts to keep a close watch on the Han family members and several key locations in the rear camp.

In the darkest hour before dawn, all is silent.

Sure enough, a sentry lurking in the shadows spotted a member of the Han family sneaking out of the tent and stealthily approaching the rear camp from the shadows...

Just as the man took something out of his pocket and tried to add it to the water tank in the rear camp, he was captured on the spot by the cavalry scouts.

The perpetrator was caught red-handed, and there was no way to deny it.

Upon hearing the news, Commandant Zhao arrived and immediately began interrogation.

The interrogation process was concise and efficient; the military has its own methods for dealing with spies, and it was by no means gentle.

Faced with intense pain and the fear of death, the young man from the Han family quickly broke down and tearfully revealed the truth...

When Commandant Zhao presented Guan Yu with the confession obtained through overnight interrogation and the packet of medicine powder used as evidence, Guan Yu was immediately enraged!
His dark red face darkened visibly, and the veins on his forehead bulged slightly.

A terrifying rage suddenly erupted from his phoenix eyes, and his proud long beard seemed to be stirred by the invisible anger, moving without wind.

"Those treacherous Han family of Wuyang! How dare they commit such petty theft and deceit! They've gone too far!" Guan Yu's voice was forced out through clenched teeth. "Guards! Slaughter all these Han family scoundrels!"

After ordering the execution of these Han family members, Guan Yu frowned and pondered for a moment in his tent. Suddenly, he narrowed his eyes and sneered, "Hmph! Since they've gone to such lengths and resorted to such a vicious scheme... I will... grant their wish!"

……

……

As dawn broke and the morning mist had not yet completely dissipated, some chaos began to emerge in Guan Yu's military camps inside and outside Lin'ying City.

The soldiers were shouting and yelling, coming and going in a chaotic mess.

Near the camp gate, soldiers began to appear one after another, some clutching their stomachs and staggering as they walked, others being helped back by their comrades...

Interspersed among them were intermittent groans and imitated dry coughs...

The entire camp was filled with an atmosphere of despondency and illness.

Around dawn, a force of about a thousand men, carrying the banners of the vanguard, began to hastily break camp.

Their ranks were loose, their banners were askew, and the soldiers were dejected, their steps heavy, as they retreated in disarray along the official road they had come from, heading towards the Ru River.

From time to time, people would fall behind, slumped down by the roadside panting, or curled up in pain on their horses.

This scene was naturally seen by some people in Linying City, and the news was quickly relayed back to Yingyin City where Xun Yu was located.

Xun Yu, who had been anxiously awaiting news of Lin Ying's movements at home, abruptly stood up upon hearing this report. He was initially delighted, but immediately frowned...

"A rout? So swift?" Xun Yu muttered to himself, "The Han family's medicine is actually so potent?"

Normally, the reaction isn't that quick after medication is administered...

The more he pondered, the stronger his ominous premonition became.

"Did you personally witness any of the cavalrymen suffering from diarrhea?" Xun Yu pressed.

The scouts reported seeing the cavalryman clutching his stomach, but he did not appear to have diarrhea in public...

Xun Yu's unease gradually grew.

As the saying goes, you can walk a thousand steps while holding your urine, but you can hardly walk an inch when you have diarrhea.

If the Han family's medicine were truly so domineering, how could they possibly care about their image and not have diarrhea in public?
This doesn't look like an army that has lost its fighting capacity due to poisoning and is fleeing; it looks more like a retreat with some kind of purposeful "performance"!

"Not good!" A chilling thought flashed through Xun Yu's mind, and he felt a cold sweat break out on his back. "The plan has been seen through! This is a counter-strategy, a feigned retreat due to poisoning, intended to lure us into pursuit! The General of the Cavalry will surely ambush us along the way!"

Upon thinking of this, Xun Yu felt a chill run down his spine.

"Quickly! Send a fast horse to deliver my urgent orders! Inform the vanguard led by Chen and Zhong to immediately slow their advance, cautiously engage the enemy, strengthen scouting on both flanks, and not to be greedy for merit or advance rashly! The enemy is likely using a feint! There may be an ambush ahead! Anyone who disobeys and advances rashly will be punished according to military law!"

The messenger dared not delay and rushed off to carry out the order. Xun Yu watched his departing figure, fine beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead; he was somewhat flustered…

If he is a fierce general capable of fighting on the front lines, then he can immediately command troops, adjust deployments, and regroup at the front.

Unfortunately he is not.

Xun Yu paced anxiously around the hall several times.

His ominous premonition grew stronger. Could those temporarily recruited, arrogant young men from powerful families in Yingchuan, really obey his orders?
His previous encouragement and analysis of "inevitable victory" had already whetted their appetites to an extremely high level. Now that they saw the "rout" enemy army, they were like a pack of wolves that had smelled blood. How could a mere belated order of caution be easily stopped?
The more Xun Yu thought about it, the more uneasy he became...

……

……

Xun Yu's worries have come true.

Led by the Chen and Zhong families, the most powerful and arrogant families in Yingchuan, a group of about two thousand "volunteer soldiers" served as the vanguard of the pursuing force, and they could no longer suppress their surging desire to "make a name for themselves".

They witnessed Guan Yu's army abandoning their camp in a disheveled state!
I witnessed firsthand the cavalrymen fleeing south in a panic!
In addition, there was the abandoned supplies along the way...

Another cavalryman showed signs of being sickly and weak...

This is a golden opportunity bestowed by heaven, one that you absolutely cannot miss!

Pursue the defeated enemy, kill their generals and seize their flags, and you might even be able to recapture Kunyang and Wuyang in one fell swoop, thus becoming famous throughout the world and bringing glory to your ancestors!
Just today!

What kind of "luring the enemy" tactic?
What do you mean by "there might be an ambush"?
I don't believe it!

I believe in this horse beneath my crotch and the knife in my hand!

I'm going to kill, kill, kill!

To these young people, blinded by passion and fantasy, Xun Yu's urgent message was merely a sign that Xun Lingjun, who was in charge at the rear, was getting old and overly cautious...

It's even excessive timidity!

Guan Yu's army was clearly poisoned and lacked fighting spirit. If they did not pursue bravely and expand their gains at this time, wouldn't they be missing a golden opportunity and becoming a laughing stock?

As for why Guan Yu's army retreated in large numbers, in their minds it must be because Guan Yu also ate something poisonous!
Guan Yu is poisoned and on his deathbed, so what is there to fear?!

"Soldiers of Yingchuan! Guan Yu has fallen for my brilliant plan; his men and horses are poisoned! Their will to fight is broken! This is our time to make our mark! Follow me in the charge, slay generals and seize flags, to demonstrate the bravery of the men of Yingchuan and bring glory to our family!"

The leading group of noblemen, dressed in magnificent leather armor and riding tall horses, brandished their jeweled longswords and shouted excitedly.

These men urged their men to quicken their pace and chase after them along the official road.

During the pursuit, the formation gradually crumbled, with everyone scrambling to get ahead, and the entire column unknowingly stretched out...

The infantry and cavalry were mixed together, completely losing their proper discipline and vigilance.

Xun Yu's urgent order to proceed with caution and slow down was either scoffed at or completely ignored when it reached them...

The chase went incredibly smoothly at first.

As the Yingchuan soldiers picked up the dilapidated tents, scattered pots and pans, and even a few insignificant flags discarded by Guan Yu's army, their morale soared. A sense of elation and underestimation of the enemy spread rapidly, further spurring these "local militia" to chase after them with renewed vigor.

They chased faster and faster, and their formation became longer and more scattered, with the front and rear ranks even separated by several miles, rendering the reconnaissance and guard on both sides virtually useless.

They were completely unaware that if a force was truly severely poisoned and had to retreat, why couldn't they catch up with it in half a day, even with their urgent pursuit?

It's not accurate to say that their brains are not fully developed and their cerebellums are completely underdeveloped.

They only believe what they want to see and hear...

Unbeknownst to them, the vanguard of this fanatical pursuing force had reached a fork in the road with a somewhat unusual terrain.

This is the edge of a small hilly area where the official road forks.

One road continues south, leading towards the Rushui ferry crossing; the road is relatively flat and open.

The other road turns southwest, meandering into an area with gradually undulating terrain, flanked by low earthen slopes and sparse, bare trees.

Guan Yu's "defeated army" seemed to have encountered even greater "chaos" and "disagreement" here. One part continued to "flee" along the southern route, while the other part appeared more "panicked" and turned directly towards the southwest fork in the road, "abandoning" more old and broken debris along the way, and the wheel tracks were even more messy.

Faced with this choice, the Yingchuan pursuing troops, blinded by victory, split up almost without hesitation or conducting sufficient reconnaissance!

Some people chased to the left, while others went to the right.

They were completely unaware that the seemingly peaceful earthen slopes and sparse woods on both sides of the fork in the road were eerily quiet at this moment; not even a bird could be heard chirping…

Just as the pursuing troops were rushing into the side road in a chaotic manner, with the front and rear of the troops unable to keep up with each other and their formation in complete disarray, the deep, resonant sound of war drums suddenly rang out from behind the earthen slope on the left without warning!
*Thump! Thump! Thump-thump!*

"Beep, beep beep..."

Immediately afterwards, the distinctive, rapid sound of the cavalry's bronze whistles rang out from the woods!
Behind the seemingly deserted earthen slope, a tricolor flag suddenly stood up!

Amidst the withered bushes, red and black armor was revealed!
In the shadows of the woods, a crimson banner bearing the character "Guan" was raised instantly, as if by magic!
"kill!!!"

A thunderous roar merged into a terrifying sound wave that swept across the entire side road!

On the earthen slope, Guan Yu took the lead and charged out first!

Under the sunlight, Guan Yu's face was as red as a jujube, his divine might was awe-inspiring, his phoenix eyes were wide open, and his killing intent was as real as a physical force. The Green Dragon Crescent Blade in his hand cut through the air, bringing out a shrill shriek and stirring up a rain of blood!
Where is there even a trace of "poisoning and lethargy"?

Closely following behind him were the elite cavalry of the Flying Cavalry, who had been resting and preparing for battle and were full of killing intent. Like a flood bursting its banks, they roared and surged out!

broken!

ambush!

At this moment, these Yingchuan "volunteer army" members suddenly remembered the urgent order that Xun Yu had sent earlier, and realized that there really was an ambush!

But it was too late...

The soldiers from Yingchuan who had rushed into the side road instantly plummeted from the heights of fervor into the depths of despair!

They were utterly terrified and dumbfounded!
They chased too hastily and too haphazardly!

The entire Yingchuan Volunteer Army was suddenly struck by this devastating blow and had no time to make any effective response.

Even more fatally, they lacked rigorous battle formation training and coordination, making them like lambs to the slaughter in the face of elite troops like the Flying Cavalry!

Even worse than a lamb...

At least the flock knows to follow the lead sheep, but once they scatter, they just run around everywhere!
"Hold your ground! Don't panic! Move closer to me! Form a circular formation! Spearmen, advance!"

A few aristocratic youths who still retained a shred of reason and some knowledge of warfare shouted themselves hoarse, trying to rally their men and organize a pitiful resistance.

But they were facing Guan Yu!

It's Guan Yu with reinforced warhorses!

The horse was swift as a soaring dragon, and the blade moved like lightning!
Seeing that some people still dared to rally their troops to resist, Guan Yu narrowed his phoenix eyes, immediately turned his horse around, and headed straight for the few aristocratic youths who were shouting the loudest...

The blade flashed, like a hot knife through solidified oil. Whether it was a person or a horse, armor or weapon, everything was severed in an instant, leaving limbs, heads, and blood flying everywhere!
The cavalry followed closely behind Guan Yu, like sharp wedges, fiercely piercing into the chaotic Yingchuan soldiers. Charging left and right, they cut their already sparse formation into pieces. Like efficient killing machines, they skillfully slashed and thrust with swords and spears, mercilessly reaping lives.

These men from respectable families and powerful clans in Yingchuan, who were not long ago immersed in dreams of making great achievements, saw their courage, supported by vanity and passion, vanish instantly in the face of the fear of death.

They cried and screamed, dropped their weapons, and turned to flee, wishing their parents had given them two more legs. They pushed and trampled each other, creating utter chaos.

Those few aristocratic youths who had some military knowledge and tried to rally together quickly became victims of Guan Yu's blade.

These local militia from Yingchuan, who had been chasing Guan Yu's army for most of the day with great effort, collapsed and scattered in less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. Their roles were suddenly reversed, and they became the prey being hunted...