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Chapter 880: The Decisive Battle 5
🕑 Added 2024-10-22 06:35:50 +0000 UTCShen Pei, after being awakened by Yuan Shao's slap, quickly regained his composure and began doing what needed to be done. He started gathering the elite forces of the Great Halberdiers, along with the main troops of Yan Liang and Ju Shou, while protecting Yuan Shao as they retreated amidst the battle.
The two terrifying moments they had experienced earlier made Shen Pei realize that the enemy had been well-prepared, perhaps even more so than they were. However, at this point, none of that mattered. What was crucial now was unleashing Yuan Shao's army's greatest strength; only by doing so could they honor the sacrifices of Yan Liang and Ju Shou.
"Order Wen Chou and the Lü brothers to each deploy nine units of 500 soldiers for cross-covering maneuvers. We don't need to kill the enemy; just slow down their advance," Shen Pei swiftly commanded. As his orders were carried out, the chaotic central army gradually regained some semblance of order.
Yuan Shao's personal troops were elite soldiers from Hebei, known for their discipline in battle. What they feared most in large-scale engagements was a lack of command. As long as they had leadership, they could reorganize and counterattack instead of fleeing in disarray.
"Guan Yu! I will kill you!" Wen Chou, having just learned that Yan Liang had been slain by Guan Yu, was consumed with rage. His face twisted into a terrifying grimace, and the internal energy hidden within his body broke through the suppression of the battlefield's Qi, surging outwards. His eldest brother had been slain in such a manner!
"Wolf Cavalry, follow me!" Wen Chou roared as he prepared to lead a force of cavalry straight into the central army. He aimed to both protect Yuan Shao and avenge Yan Liang. Blinded by fury, Wen Chou cared for nothing but vengeance and safeguarding Yuan Shao.
"Wen Chou, stop!" Guo Tu leaped from his horse and tackled Wen Chou, holding him tightly. "You can't go! Not now! Just endure it a little longer! Ju Shou is dead too, but if we charge out now, a gap will open in the formation, and the enemy might escape. Think of Lord Yuan's grand cause!"
Though Guo Tu's small stature was no match for Wen Chou's immense strength, his shouts still snapped Wen Chou back to his senses. Furious, Wen Chou drove his spear deep into the ground. "Guo Tu, you handle the strategy. Tell me when it's time for me to strike!"
Despite his fury, Wen Chou's unwavering loyalty to Yuan Shao's cause allowed him to suppress his anger. His eyes bloodshot, he remained on his horse in the formation, and even his warhorse seemed to understand its master's sorrow, letting out a mournful cry.
"Deploy our forces in waves. Block Liu Bei's army!" Guo Tu, seeing that Wen Chou had managed to rein in his rage, kept an eye on him while issuing orders to the messengers. Although he lacked the ability to lead troops directly, he understood when the critical moments of a battle had arrived.
Meanwhile, Feng Ji, though shocked by the death of Ju Shou, was not as deeply affected as Shen Pei. Despite Yuan Shao’s influence, Feng Ji had always held a grudge against Ju Shou, and when he heard of Ju Shou’s fall, he even felt a brief sense of satisfaction.
However, now was not the time to dwell on personal grievances. Ju Shou was dead, and any past enmity had dissolved. Feng Ji refocused on carrying out Yuan Shao’s strategic plans without hesitation.
"Lü Xiang, you're responsible for the cross-blocking maneuvers. Among everyone here, your martial prowess is the strongest. But be careful—don’t provoke Gan Ning or Guan Yu," Feng Ji ordered Lü Xiang, identifying a chaotic point on the battlefield and preparing him to lead a counterstrike to restore order.
"Understood!" Lü Xiang laughed heartily and led his troops directly into the fray, slicing through the chaotic mass of Liu Bei’s and Yuan Shao’s soldiers.
"Damn it! Guo Tu, why did you send him out?" Lü Kuang arrived just in time to see Lü Xiang charging into battle and cursed furiously.
"His martial skills are the strongest, and he can break up the enemy's formation. He can also buy time for Lord Yuan to retreat safely!" Feng Ji said darkly.
"I should have gone! He’s heading to his death!" Lü Kuang shouted in anger, knowing all too well his cousin’s reckless nature.
In the meantime, Lü Xiang had already drawn attention from Liu Bei’s army with his bloody rampage, while Yuan Shao’s central army had gained some distance from Liu Bei’s forces, ensuring a measure of safety for Yuan Shao and Shen Pei.
"Zhou Cang, lead a unit of sabermen and take down that man!" Guan Yu commanded as he caught sight of Lü Xiang, slashing wildly with his twin swords.
"Understood!" Zhou Cang brandished his saber and led a unit of sabermen toward Lü Xiang. In chaotic battles like this, the most dangerous thing was when a powerful enemy commander broke through at a crucial moment.
"Liao Hua, Pei Yuan Shao, you two take your units and sweep away the disorderly troops on the left flank!" Guan Yu coldly ordered Liao Hua and Pei Yuan Shao, noticing the units from Yuan Shao’s left and right flanks pushing forward.
Although this strategy resembled a piecemeal reinforcement tactic, Guan Yu knew it was actually a calculated move to sap the momentum of Liu Bei’s forces. The saying "attack with vigor, weaken with delay, and falter with exhaustion" applied here—if Liu Bei's army was continuously delayed, their charge would lose its sharpness.
"Jiang Gong, Sima Ju, lead your troops and attempt to break through the left side!" After sending Liao Hua and Pei Yuan Shao to the left, Guan Yu issued another order, directing his officers to strike at Yuan Shao’s central army.
Having many capable commanders was one of Guan Yu’s army’s greatest strengths.
Two more units charged toward the left flank. Then, Guan Yu glanced at the fierce battle behind him. "Wang Fu, Jiang Yan, you two attempt to break through the right side. The rest, follow me into the central army!"
What Liu Bei's army needed most now was a decisive push. They could not afford to be bogged down by Yuan Shao's delaying tactics. If they were stalled, their momentum would dwindle, and the opportunity to deliver a crushing blow to Yuan Shao’s army would slip away.
"Clang!" Lü Xiang’s short sword clashed with Zhou Cang’s saber, sending a powerful shockwave through Lü Xiang’s body, forcing him to retreat. He licked his lips, excitement gleaming in his eyes as he stared at Zhou Cang.
"Name yourself!" Lü Xiang demanded, gripping his short sword tightly. He realized that his opponent was a formidable internal energy warrior, yet he felt no fear—on this battlefield, he feared no one.
"I am Zhou Cang, under the command of Lord Guan!" Zhou Cang roared as he charged toward Lü Xiang once more.
Blood spurted from Zhou Cang’s shoulder as Lü Xiang’s blade sliced through it, but Zhou Cang remained unfazed, continuing his assault on Lü Xiang.
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