Choose Liu Bei at the start, I am the only one who knows the plot of the Three Kingdoms.

Ma Chao understood.

"This humble general understands! We are the stick that will poke Cao Cao's most sensitive hornet's nest and see how his swarm of bees will come out in full force!"

"Exactly!"

Gu Rubing said in a deep voice.

"You two must be extremely careful. Cao Cao's camp will surely have fierce generals and elite troops stationed in the vicinity, and the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry may also be deployed. Do not seek victory, but only a safe retreat, and report back in detail on the movements of Cao Cao's army!"

"The last general takes command!"

Zhang Fei and Ma Chao responded in unison, their eyes blazing with fighting spirit.

Before dawn the next day, at the darkest hour, Zhang Fei and Ma Chao's two forces, totaling six thousand men, had quietly assembled in Gu Rubing's camp.

They extinguished the extra torches, and men and horses, gagged and squeaked, stealthily advanced in the predetermined direction. As they approached the outer perimeter of Cao Cao's army, the sky began to lighten.

Zhang Fei suddenly raised his eighteen-foot spear, the sound like thunder.

"My men! Charge with me! Destroy Cao Cao's demonic camp and slay the evil spirits!"

"kill--!"

Six thousand soldiers roared in unison, instantly igniting the numerous torches that had been prepared beforehand, beating war drums, and waving flags. Like a fire dragon that suddenly burst forth, they rushed towards the northeast corner of Cao Cao's camp! The sheer force of their attack shattered the tranquility of dawn and spread far and wide.

Almost at the same moment Zhang Fei's troops began their charge, a piercing alarm blared from within Cao Cao's camp, far more urgent and deafening than when the scouts had triggered the alarm the previous night!
"Enemy attack! Enemy attack from the northeast!"

"It's Gu Jun's main force! The target... the target seems to be the 'Jingfang' area!"

"Quickly! Report to the Prime Minister! All battalions shall proceed according to Plan A!"

Gu Rubing, Zhao Yun, and others stood on high ground, taking in the swift and orderly mobilization of Cao Cao's camp.

The dust kicked up by the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry during their charge was clearly visible even from miles away, a testament to their formidable power.

"Cao Cao's emphasis on this place was indeed extraordinary."

Zhao Yun said in a deep voice, his gaze sharp as a knife.

"Judging from their mobilization, it's not a hasty response, but rather as if they had a pre-planned strategy. The Tiger and Leopard Cavalry have all been deployed."

"Hmph, the more attention they pay, the better!"

Zhang Fei, standing to the side, grinned, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit.

"I'd like to see whether my spear is harder or the armor of his Tiger and Leopard Cavalry is thicker!"

Ma Chao gripped his tiger-headed golden spear tightly and said coldly.

"Proceed according to plan, first break through its outer perimeter, then launch a fierce attack to lure it out."

At this moment, Zhang Fei and Ma Chao's 6,000 troops crashed into the outer defensive line of Cao Cao's northeast corner like a tidal wave. Cao Cao's army had also set up a tight defense here, with trenches, chevaux-de-frise, and palisades layered upon each other, and the archers on the ramparts desperately raining down arrows.

"Charge through!"

Zhang Fei roared and took the lead, swinging his eighteen-foot spear to knock away the barricades blocking his way. Behind him, fierce soldiers raised their large shields, braving a hail of arrows to fill in the trenches, cut open the deer antlers, and fought fiercely with the surging Cao army infantry.

Ma Chao led the Xiliang cavalry to patrol the outer perimeter, using mounted archery to suppress the crossbowmen on the camp, while simultaneously seeking out weak points for attack.

The battle was fierce from the very beginning. The Cao army defending this area was clearly elite, and their resistance was extremely tenacious. Furthermore, their camps supported each other with crossbows, inflicting considerable casualties on the attackers.

Following Gu Rubing's instructions, Zhang Fei and Ma Chao launched a fierce attack, but did not advance recklessly. Instead, after breaking through the first line of defense and engaging Cao Cao's reinforcements, they consciously began to control their pace of advance.

"General! Cao Cao's reinforcements are increasing! In front of us is Yu Jin's infantry square formation, on the left flank is Yue Jin's crossbow battalion suppressing us, and on the right flank... the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry on the right flank are gathering, seemingly preparing to flank our army!"

A captain rushed to Zhang Fei's side to report urgently.

Zhang Fei glanced around and, sure enough, saw that the dust cloud was even larger in the distance, and that the heavily armored cavalry was adjusting their formation.

He spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva and roared.

"Damn it, good timing! Men, give it your all, charge at him again, then on my command, slowly retreat! Don't break formation!"

On the other side, Ma Chao encountered a similar situation. His cavalry was constantly intercepted by Cao Cao's infantry and crossbowmen and entangled by another light cavalry force while maneuvering. Although they made several victories thanks to the bravery of the Xiliang Iron Cavalry, their momentum had been thwarted.

"almost."

Ma Chao assessed the sky and the battlefield situation, and decisively gave his order.

"The vanguard becomes the rearguard, with archers providing cover, and they retreat alternately to the southwest!"

As Zhang Fei and Ma Chao's forces began to rhythmically and covertly retreat their battle lines, the pressure on the previously fiercely contested front lines suddenly eased.

Upon seeing this, Cao's frontline generals immediately judged that Gu's army was exhausted and retreating. How could they let such a good opportunity slip by? Moreover, the orders from the rear command also required them to repel the invading enemy and, if necessary, pursue them to set an example for others.

"The enemy has been routed! Pursue!"

Yu Jin, who was in charge of the frontal defense, saw that Zhang Fei's troops were still well-organized when they retreated. He had some doubts, but seeing that the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry had already pressed up from the flank, he was forced to order the infantry square to advance steadily if he did not move.

The Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, having received clear orders to attack, no longer hesitated. Their heavy armor clanged as they moved like a wall of iron, slowly accelerating and crushing towards the flank and rear of Zhang Fei's seemingly "retreating" troops! The earth trembled beneath their hooves.

Zhang Fei turned around and saw the dark cavalry chasing after him. Far from being afraid, a sinister smile of triumph flashed in his eyes.

"Good chase! Let them get any closer! Archers, fire hard into that iron can formation!"

The pursuing Cao army, especially the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry charging ahead, were excited as they were about to catch up with Zhang Fei's troops, plotting how to completely crush this enemy force that dared to offend "Jingfang".

However, just as they had pursued Cao Cao for about three miles outside the camp and entered an area with slightly undulating terrain, scattered with low hills and withered trees—

Suddenly, a strange change occurred! From behind a low mound on the left, a deep and powerful horn sounded, like the roar of a dragon! Immediately afterward, a blood-red general's flag with the large character "关" (Guan) on it was raised and unfurled in the wind!

Under the banner bearing the character "Guan," a great general in green robes and golden armor, with silkworm eyebrows, phoenix eyes, and a face as red as a jujube, wields the Green Dragon Crescent Blade and rides the Red Hare—who else could it be but Guan Yu?!
"Guan Yu is here! You have fallen into my trap, surrender now!"

Guan Yu's voice boomed like a bell, his phoenix eyes blazed with fury, and he pointed his Green Dragon Crescent Blade forward!
"kill--!!!"

Guan Yu's main force, which had been lying in ambush for a long time, suddenly leaped out from behind the low hills and among the withered forest like a primordial beast that had been dormant for a long time! With swordsmen and shieldmen in front, spearmen behind, and archers occupying the high ground, they instantly cut off Cao Cao's pursuing army, whose formation had been slightly stretched due to the terrain!
Especially the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry that charged ahead, their flanks were completely exposed to the sharpness of Guan Yu's army!

The pursuing Cao army was caught completely off guard! They were convinced they were chasing a defeated army, never expecting to be ambushed by the enemy's main force. Their formation was thrown into chaos! Although the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry were well-equipped, they couldn't turn in time, and their flanks were hit by a fierce attack. Men and horses fell, and their formation was forcibly broken through!
Almost simultaneously, a rapid, rain-like clatter of hooves and the twang of bowstrings came from the right flank! Zhao Yun, leading his White Horse Cavalry, swept in from the other side like a white, ghostly storm!

Instead of engaging Cao Cao's heavily armored troops head-on, they fully utilized their mobility and archery advantages, circling around the perimeter of Cao Cao's formation. Waves of precise and ruthless arrows rained down on Cao Cao's relatively weak infantry ranks and the rear and flanks of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, further exacerbating the chaos.

"We've been ambushed! Form ranks immediately! Move towards the rear!"

Yu Jin shouted hoarsely amidst the chaos of battle, trying to bolster the ranks. The Tiger and Leopard Cavalry commanders roared as well, attempting to regroup their troops and turn to engage Guan Yu's army on the flank.

However, the advantage of the ambush was too obvious. Seeing that the ambush troops had emerged, Zhang Fei and Ma Chao immediately stopped their retreat and roared as they turned back to fight! Zhang Fei went straight for the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry that was trying to turn around, and his eighteen-foot spear, carrying immense force, smashed hard into the helmet of a Tiger and Leopard Cavalry centurion.

He smashed the man and his horse backward, creating an opening for the soldiers behind him. Ma Chao then led his cavalry straight into the weak point where Cao Cao's infantry and cavalry were joined, his tiger-headed golden spear turning into streaks of cold light, invincible in its path.

Guan Yu personally charged into the enemy lines, riding the swift Red Hare and wielding the sharp Green Dragon Crescent Blade, aiming straight for the most prominent banners of Cao Cao's army. Wherever his blade flashed, blood and flesh flew, and no one could withstand a single blow, greatly demoralizing Cao Cao's troops.

A meticulously planned ambush has begun! Cao Cao's pursuing force, including some of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry and the elite infantry led by Yu Jin, is suddenly caught in a fierce battle, surrounded on three sides and unable to defend itself.

The battlefield transformed from a chase into a brutal massacre. Shouts of battle, the clash of weapons, the neighing of warhorses, and the dying screams mingled together, and dust mixed with the stench of blood rose into the sky.

The Tiger and Leopard Cavalry truly lived up to their reputation as the elite of the land; even when surrounded, they still unleashed terrifying combat power.

Their armor was thick and their swords sharp; when they charged, they were unstoppable, causing considerable casualties to the besieging Gu army.

Many of the spears thrown by Guan Yu's soldiers only left shallow marks on their heavy armor, and they were instead cleaved down by Guan Yu's backhand slashes. The encirclement formations organized by Guan Yu's army were temporarily repelled by the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry's fearless counter-charges.

However, Gu Rubing maintained control of the ambush. Cao Cao's army was divided and surrounded, fighting independently and unable to form an effective united force. The presence of the four peerless generals—Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and Ma Chao—acted like anchors, firmly suppressing the generals and counterattack momentum within Cao Cao's army.

Gu Rubing calmly observed the battle from the high ground behind.

He saw the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry's stubborn resistance, and he also saw the price his own soldiers paid during the siege.

"Cao Cao's army is indeed elite, living up to its reputation. Especially the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry; if they were to charge head-on on the plains, the outcome would be uncertain."

He said to his advisors.

"My lord, should we send reinforcements to try and annihilate this force?"

A general asked for instructions.

Gu Rubing slowly shook his head.

"No. The objective of this battle has been achieved. Cao Cao is no ordinary man; his reinforcements must already be on their way. If our army lingers in battle and becomes bogged down, and his main force arrives, we may be attacked from both sides, which could backfire. Order the retreat! All units shall take turns providing cover, disengage from the battle, and return to the main camp!"

"Clang, clang, clang—!"

A crisp, urgent gong sounded across the battlefield. Zhang Fei, caught up in the heat of battle, paused for a moment upon hearing it, then roared.

"The elder brother has given the order! Retreat! Archers provide cover, infantry retreat first, cavalry cover the rear!"

Guan Yu forced back two Tiger and Leopard Cavalrymen with a single slash, reined in Red Hare, and scanned the battlefield with his phoenix eyes. Seeing the smoke and dust rising again from the direction of Cao Cao's camp in the distance, he knew that Cao Cao's reinforcements were about to arrive. Without further hesitation, he swung his Green Dragon Crescent Blade.

"withdraw!"

The well-trained Gu Jun immediately carried out the order. The offensive receded like a tide, but the retreat was not chaotic. Shield bearers and spearmen formed tight formations and slowly moved backward, while archers continuously hurled arrows to slow down the pursuers, and cavalry patrolled the flanks for vigilance.

Cao's pursuing troops suffered heavy casualties at this moment, their formation had been broken, and General Yu Jin had also been hit by several arrows. Although they were not fatal, he was unable to organize an effective pursuit.

They could only watch helplessly as Gu Jun, like a receding tide, quickly broke away and retreated towards their own camp. Although the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry had spare strength, without the support of infantry and seeing the enemy's orderly retreat, they dared not venture too far alone.

Before long, Cao Cao's second batch of reinforcements, led by General Zhang He, arrived at the battlefield. They found the ground in ruins, littered with corpses, and the smoke of battle still lingering. Gu's army had already fled, leaving only their own remaining troops to gather the wounded and clean up the battlefield.

In this battle, Cao Cao's pursuing forces suffered over four thousand casualties, including nearly a thousand losses of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry and over three thousand losses of elite infantry. Yu Jin was also wounded. Gu Rubing's army suffered approximately two thousand casualties, mostly from the initial feint attack and the later siege of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry.

Although the enemy force was not completely annihilated, nor was Cao Cao's foundation shaken, this battle was of great significance.

It successfully dealt a blow to the arrogance that Cao Cao's army had developed over the past few days thanks to their strong fortifications, making them realize that Gu Rubing was by no means a passive and defensive commander; his military tactics were unpredictable and he dared to take risks.

At the same time, through this battle, Gu Rubing gained a clearer understanding of the bottom line of Cao Cao's elite troops' combat effectiveness, their mobilization and reaction speed, and the military styles of some of his generals.

However, just as Gu Rubing had predicted, the feigned attack on the area of ​​evil magic seemed to have truly touched Cao Cao's sore spot, or forced him to use some forces that he had not yet fully controlled or was unwilling to expose too early.

That night, the moon was dark and the wind was strong. Dark clouds obscured the stars and moon, and the wilderness was pitch black, with only the firelight in the camp flickering in the night wind. Gu Rubing's camp was as usual.

With numerous sentry posts and hidden checkpoints, patrols moved back and forth along fixed routes, maintaining a tight security. The fierce battle and victory during the day had greatly boosted the morale of the camp, but the soldiers on night duty did not relax their vigilance in the slightest.

However, in the seemingly peaceful late night, close to the hour of Chou (1-3 AM), a strange change occurred without warning in the northwest corner of the camp, near the outer fence!

The first sounds were a few extremely short, muffled groans, as if someone had been choked—the sounds of the outer sentries being dealt with. Immediately afterward, several piercing screams, so shrill they were inhuman, filled with extreme terror, tore through the night sky!

"Ah—! A monster...a monster!!!"

"What is that?! Fire arrows! Fire arrows now!"

"I can't stop it! Ah—!"

Terrified screams and a cacophony of crashing and tearing sounds shattered the silence of the night! Then came a tremendous roar, as if wooden fences and barricades had been brutally smashed and broken! And a deep, murky, terrifying roar, filled with brutality and inhumanity!

Chaos erupted like cold water poured into boiling oil, spreading rapidly into the camp! Flames suddenly burst forth in the northwest corner of the camp. (End of Chapter)