With Cao Cao by my side, what do I have to fear from the world?

Chapter 195, Xiahou Yuan Dies in Battle
Losing the advantage of charging has greatly weakened the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry's combat power, a situation that, frankly, is not what Liu Xie wanted to see.

This only proves that Zhang He's command skills were extremely high, and he effectively contained the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry.

In fact, Liu Xie hoped that the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry could completely cripple Yuan's army, and ideally kill twice as many enemies.

But some things are difficult to control.

Zhang He's command abilities greatly interested Liu Xie.

Chen Gong guessed almost everything about Liu Xie's objectives in this battle, but there was one thing he overlooked: Zhang He.

Liu Xie wanted to recruit Zhang He to his service.

If Liu Xie had acted earlier, Cao Cao's casualties would not have been too great, and Cao Cao would not have harbored such deep hatred for Zhang He.

Although Cao Cao was a man of great magnanimity, he was often generous and forgiving towards talented people.

However, it depends on the situation. If the price paid was unforgettable enough, would Cao Cao still act as if nothing had happened?

Xu Chu died, and Cao Xiu also died. These two men were of great importance; one was a loyal bodyguard who protected his lord, and the other was an outstanding representative of the younger generation of the Cao family.

Both of them died at the hands of Zhang He.

One cannon shot killed three virtuous men, and Cao Cao only superficially forgave Zhang Xiu because Cao Cao's ambition for hegemony was just beginning, and he had no choice but to do so. But now, Cao Cao could not possibly be indifferent.

"Protect our lord! Protect our lord!"

Dian Wei shouted again and again, and the men snatched shields from the enemy and stood firmly in front of Cao Cao, protecting him in the middle.

Yuan's soldiers surged forward in a dense, swarming mass, countless spears thrusting wildly forward, the clash of weapons echoing incessantly.

Even with the shields tightly secured, there were still gaps that couldn't be covered. Every now and then, spears would pierce through the gaps, striking Cao Cao's soldiers and causing bursts of blood to rain down.

When the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry arrived, they did not carry shields. As cavalry, they had no need for shields under normal circumstances.

However, now surrounded and with extremely limited space to move, they decisively abandoned their warhorses, picked up shields from the ground, and gathered together to fight against Yuan's soldiers by using their collective advantage.

Yuan Bing's swords and spears clashed incessantly against the shield, producing one clanging sound after another.

Yuan's army had a large and powerful force, giving them a clear advantage. Although it was difficult to break through Cao's army's lines, everyone was full of confidence because Cao's army had no way to escape.

Although grouping together could utilize the overall advantage and reduce some casualties, Cao Jun's situation would not change in any way.

Liu Xie estimated that Cao Cao had about four or five hundred soldiers left.

He beckoned, and Gan Ning hurriedly approached. "Your Majesty, shall we begin?"

Liu Xie said, "Find a few agile men and rush back to Guandu to tell Guo Jia to prepare to attack Yuan Shao's camp immediately."

Gan Ning had thought Liu Xie wanted him to lead men to set fire to the place. Turns out, that wasn't the case. He was disappointed.

Chen Gong nodded as well. He had almost overlooked this matter, because soon Yuan Shao's grain supplies would catch fire, which would indeed be a good opportunity to advance.

The messenger probably wouldn't even reach Guandu before the fire at Wuchao would be noticed by Guandu.

Therefore, Liu Xie only needed to have someone remind Guo Jia to advance immediately, because Guo Jia would definitely notice the fire at Wuchao.

The distance from Guandu to Wuchao is not far. With so much grain and fodder, once it is set ablaze, the entire sky will be completely burned red, and Guo Jia will definitely be able to see it.

Gan Ning immediately selected several capable subordinates and rushed back to Guandu as quickly as possible.

One shield after another was torn apart by Yuan's army, like a fortress being uprooted.

Zhang He led the way, directing and urging everyone to advance quickly.

Each time a shield is breached, it signifies that a Cao soldier will be killed.

The ground was covered in blood. Zhang He thrust his spear forward with all his might, using his arm to push aside the obstructing shield and reveal the Cao soldiers behind it.

No fewer than four or five spears quickly followed, thrusting forward simultaneously.

Puff puff!
One of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalrymen, his chest riddled with thorns like a hedgehog's, his eyes bulging out, died on the spot, filled with rage and resentment.

Not far ahead, Zhang He had already spotted Cao Cao, while Xiahou Yuan remained by Cao Cao's side.

Zhang He's eyes flashed with excited killing intent. He continued to thrust his spear forward with force, and the soldiers around him also rushed forward. Everyone brandished their swords and spears, clanging as they advanced and crushed their way forward.

Not far away, Lü Kuang also approached Dian Wei. Lü Kuang was smug and led his men to launch a fierce attack on Dian Wei.

Dian Wei could take on more than a dozen people by himself, and the number of these people would never decrease; as soon as one was killed, another would immediately take its place.

Dian Wei, fearless, stood guard to Cao Cao's side, wildly swinging his two large iron halberds, smashing the approaching Yuan soldiers, causing them to scream in agony and fall to the ground one after another.

Dian Wei was tall and imposing, like a towering mountain, preventing enemies from getting close to Cao Cao. His astonishing performance inspired awe.

He gripped two massive iron halberds tightly in both hands, each weighing eighty pounds, yet they moved like living things in his grasp. He swung them wildly, each swing accompanied by a thunderous whistling sound, sending sprays of blood flying, a sight that chilled the heart.

Although his movements were a bit slower than before, Dian Wei remained fearless and arrogant when facing Lü Kuang and his soldiers, as fierce as a mad beast.

The Yuan soldiers who charged forward were as fragile as paper under Dian Wei's iron halberd. Their weapons shattered or slipped from their hands instantly upon clashing with Dian Wei's halberd.

Dian Wei's eyes were filled with determination and ruthlessness; he seemed to have transformed into a god of war.

Dian Wei and Xiahou Yuan stood on either side of Cao Cao, like two door gods, protecting his safety.

Dian Wei glared angrily at the approaching enemy, his iron halberd swinging violently, smashing forward mercilessly as if he wanted to crush all the enemies into mincemeat.

Those Yuan soldiers fell time and time again under his iron halberd, never to rise again.

Xiahou Yuan was already injured and was not good at foot combat. He preferred to charge on horseback. But now, he could only stand in front of Cao Cao, dragging his injured leg and fighting the enemy to the death.

Xiahou Yuan had no fewer than five or six wounds on his body, including injuries to his legs and chest. Coupled with the repeated fierce battles, his physical strength was also being severely depleted.

Yuan's troops surged forward like a tidal wave, charging towards Cao Cao's side relentlessly, fearless of death.

Wherever Cao Cao is, Yuan Shao's troops will also be attacking, so Dian Wei and Xiahou Yuan will be under the greatest pressure.

If Xu Chu hadn't died, Xiahou Yuan wouldn't have had the chance to stay by Cao Cao's side.

Despite being seriously wounded, Xiahou Yuan persevered through wave after wave of enemy troops, wielding his broadsword and engaging in fierce combat with them.

Not long after Xiahou Yuan had just used his sword to pry aside three enemy soldiers, a spear suddenly thrust at him from the side, adding another wound to his wound, piercing his left rib. Xiahou Yuan roared and swung his broadsword horizontally at the waist, cutting the man in half. The corpse fell to the ground, and Xiahou Yuan himself staggered violently.

Fortunately, the fearless Tiger and Leopard Cavalry came to the rescue in time, blocking a wave of attacks for Xiahou Yuan.

Xiahou Yuan was panting heavily, barely managing to catch his breath. His body was covered in blood, which had already stained his battle robe red, but he had no time to pay attention to his injuries.

Enemy soldiers kept rushing over, and some had already gotten close to Cao Cao. Cao Cao desperately fought back, and his body was slashed again by the enemy's swords.

Xiahou Yuan roared and, disregarding everything, raised his broadsword again, hacking at the enemy with all his might. The blade whistled, and with each strike, a bloody head was severed.

Xiahou Yuan's eyes were exceptionally firm, filled with an indomitable light. He knew his responsibility was immense; he absolutely could not allow the enemy to break through and threaten Cao Cao's safety.

With every swing of his sword and every slash, Xiahou Yuan fought with all his might. He was full of fighting spirit and had long since disregarded life and death.

His bravery and tenacity inspired the soldiers around him. Dian Wei, Yue Jin, and others roared and fought desperately against the enemy.

However, the enemy soldiers were simply too numerous; they surged forward like a tide, wave after wave, leaving the enemy overwhelmed.

Although Xiahou Yuan was incredibly brave, he was ultimately no match for the relentless enemy forces. In one fierce battle, he was surrounded by more than a dozen men and suffered two more gunshot wounds.

Those who besieged him were clearly more powerful than before. They advanced and retreated in an orderly and coordinated manner. While some were launching fierce attacks, others were already prepared. The offensive was continuous, dense, and ruthless.

Several men seized the opportunity to bypass Xiahou Yuan and rush towards Cao Cao. Ignoring his injuries, Xiahou Yuan hurriedly swung his sword and charged forward.

However, not long after he turned around, a row of halberds fiercely thrust at him. Xiahou Yuan hurriedly swung his sword to defend, and the sound of weapons clashing rang out continuously.

Despite blocking many attacks, Xiahou Yuan was still stabbed by someone.

puff!
He was stabbed in the back. Although Xiahou Yuan sensed the danger in advance, his body couldn't keep up and he couldn't react in time.

After such a long and intense battle, my physical strength has been greatly depleted.

Moreover, these people's weapons were clearly different from those of the previous enemies; they were all carrying halberds, which were longer, heavier, and more lethal than spears.

Xiahou Yuan noticed that the soldiers attacking him were all tall, strong, and powerful; they were clearly carefully selected and not ordinary men.

Xiahou Yuan gritted his teeth and swung his sword, barely managing to repel the enemies behind him. But before he could even stand still, countless dark figures approached again, followed by another row of dense and fierce halberds that relentlessly stabbed at him.

Some attacked Xiahou Yuan's upper body, while others attacked his lower body. These enemy soldiers cooperated tacitly, attacking all three sides without letting Xiahou Yuan have a chance to breathe.

Xiahou Yuan's movements slowed down considerably. He staggered backward while swinging his sword to defend himself, but he couldn't possibly block all the halberds. His leg was pierced solidly again, and a large chunk of flesh was torn out.

Xiahou Yuan's body became increasingly uncontrollable, and he once again blocked another wave of attacks for Cao Cao. Not long after, *thud thud thud!* More than a dozen halberds pierced through him simultaneously, mercilessly turning Xiahou Yuan into a bloody hedgehog.

These Yuan soldiers who took action were trained by Zhang He himself. They numbered only a few hundred and had always closely followed Zhang He.

They were Zhang He's most prized subordinates, and they had a resounding name.

Halberdier!
The Three Kingdoms period was a golden age, producing many admirable heroes, brilliant strategists, beautiful women, and powerful armies, all of whom have left their mark on history.

The Halberdiers were one of them. In addition, there were Gao Shun's Trapped Camp, Gongsun Zan's White Horse Cavalry, Cao Cao's Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, Liu Bei's Wudang Flying Army, Dong Zhuo's Flying Bear Army, Ju Yi's Vanguard Death Squad, and so on.

Xiahou Yuan's death was far less complicated than described, and it happened in a very short period of time.

"Brilliant talent!"

Cao Cao was heartbroken and cried out loud.

Cao Cao was heartbroken, shocked, and deeply helpless and uneasy.

Xu Chu is dead, Cao Xiu is dead, the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry is almost wiped out, and now Xiahou Yuan is dead too. So what kind of fate awaits me?

Even a fool could imagine that this desperate situation was far worse than when Xiang Yu, the King of Chu, was trapped at the Wujiang River.

Cao Cao quickly scanned his surroundings and found that only four or five hundred soldiers remained around him.

The number of people has dwindled from the initial five thousand to the current four or five hundred. The extent of the devastation is unimaginable. Moreover, the remaining people are all covered in blood and have suffered serious injuries.

Cao Cao hated Xu You, Yuan Shao, and Zhang He, who was commanding the battle on the other side!

And Gan Ning has already taken action! He only took action now.

Chen Gong had to admire His Majesty's composure; it was truly remarkable!

After Xiahou Yuan's death, Dian Wei was under even greater pressure. Although Cao Cao desperately swung his sword to defend himself, he was also wounded one after another.

Despite the soldiers' continuous efforts to gather around Cao Cao, things didn't go smoothly; some were killed by the enemy before they even got there.

Dian Wei roared repeatedly and fought fiercely, but two fists can't fight four hands. No matter how powerful a person is, he can't provide 360-degree protection without any blind spots.

puff!
Someone seized the opportunity and stabbed Cao Cao's warhorse. The horse neighed in pain, and Cao Cao fell to the ground.

Fortunately, several elite cavalrymen fought desperately to protect Cao Cao, allowing him to dodge several spears that were thrust at him.

But those few Tiger and Leopard Cavalrymen were soon defeated by the halberdiers who attacked.

Seeing that the situation was completely under control, Zhang He sent someone to consult Yuan Shao.

Someone ran up to the top of the earthen slope. "My lord, General Zhang requests instructions: should Cao Cao be killed or spared?"

Yuan Shao was overjoyed. He had already foreseen the battle situation: Cao Cao was at his last gasp, with only a few hundred remaining soldiers by his side. Everything was under his control.

At this moment, Yuan Shao could finally hold his head high; Cao Cao's life was now in his hands.

Yuan Shao thought for a moment and then ordered, "Send word to Zhang He to capture Cao Cao alive!"

Ju Shou frowned immediately and hurriedly stopped him, "My lord, Cao Cao must not be allowed to live! We must kill him as soon as possible to avoid future troubles!"

Ju Shou was very troubled by Yuan Shao's indecisive personality.

Seeing that everything was under control, Yuan Shao clearly became a little arrogant.

As a regional lord, Ju Shou felt this was unacceptable and that he had to be decisive and not miss the opportunity.

Others, lacking opportunities, would rather create them, but Yuan Shao, once given a chance, became complacent and failed to cherish it.

(End of this chapter)