Chapter 57
Chapter 57: The Realm of First-Rate (1)
We had camped and waited for days in front of Hangu Pass.
Finally, shadows of Dong Zhuo’s forces began to faintly appear.
Cao Cao, who also spotted them, signaled with short blasts of horns from the left and right flanks.
We raised the boards even higher, making it easier for the enemy to spot us.
The flames we had set deliberately continued to burn fiercely, never ceasing.
Cao Cao’s eyes reflected the firelight.
“They’ve come.”
The black military banners looked familiar.
Yes, Cao Cao could not forget those banners.
The banners of Xu Rong’s army.
As someone who had never suffered a crushing defeat, the battle that took place at Xingyang was a massive shock to her.
Although Xu Rong’s exceptional martial prowess played a part in Cao Cao’s defeat, it was ultimately the vast gap in their experiences that made the difference.
“However, this time, I will not repeat the same mistake.”
Cao Cao raised her command baton.
The left army moved forward.
The right army moved into an ambush position.
The central army signaled for the cavalry to advance.
At that signal, Sima Yi skillfully directed the forces with her precise command.
Though the enemy was the same, the situation was different from before.
The Unryong Army.
Cao Cao smiled faintly, her cloak fluttering behind her.
She took a step forward.
The sound of war cries echoed.
***
Arrows rained down.
This was a reconnaissance battle. Currently, Xu Rong needed to accurately gauge the enemy’s size, while the coalition forces, including Cao Cao’s, aimed to confuse them.
The flames were made to burn larger, the boards were set up haphazardly, and the front-line cavalry made the sound of hooves shake the earth.
In warfare, the most significant psychological factors were sight and sound.
When the enemy’s morale was high, it intimidated their opponents, causing them to falter. This was a tactic that aimed to exploit this.
However, Xu Rong’s army remained relatively composed.
He set up defensive positions around Hangu Pass, using straw and wood to construct walls.
Troops went in and out of the gate, scouting and searching with small numbers.
The psychological warfare dragged on for several days.
It was the coalition forces that finally broke the tense stalemate.
Outnumbered significantly.
However, with Zhao Yun leading the cavalry and swiftly utilizing the rugged terrain to charge, Xu Rong’s frontline infantry crumbled in surprise, and the first wave was defeated.
“Advance, everyone!”
At the center was a general named Zuo Yin. His booming shouts raised the morale of the allied forces, while Zhao Yun, Xiahou Dun, and other generals swiftly cut through the enemy.
While aiming for night attacks, the rear of the army remained hidden, making it difficult for Xu Rong’s forces to chase recklessly.
Finally, Zuo Yin shouted.
“Where is your previous might? Show yourself, Xu Rong!”
He had already been defeated by Xu Rong once.
He had vowed to avenge his lady.
After all, he was the sword and heart of Cao Cao.
And it wasn’t just Zuo Yin.
A man with a dark beard swung a spear as big as himself while advancing.
“Who dares to face Xiahou Dun!”
He had pursued Xu Rong to the brink of death but ultimately failed.
The reason was simple.
Due to Lü Bu’s defeat, Dong Zhuo’s army had been overly vigilant.
Xu Rong, an experienced general, did not miss this opportunity, and Xiahou Dun ended up losing him.
It was a debt of honor for Xiahou Dun.
He had promised to raise Cao Mengde to the highest heights.
The Conqueror.
That was the path of his friend and lord, Mengde.
How foolish it was to have let an enemy threatening his lord live.
He gripped the reins tightly, putting strength into his hands.
“Do not let the enemies live!”
“Oh, they’re really fired up today.”
Meanwhile, Cao Hong looked at the two men with an exasperated expression.
Cao Hong, too, admired and respected her sister, so she never slacked off.
But the problem was that the enemy’s reaction remained indifferent.
Xu Rong continued to wait.
He reformed his infantry, set up ambushes, and bided his time.
One of his subordinates asked,
“General, our cavalry could easily win a frontal battle.”
Xu Rong replied in a blunt tone.
“Wait.”
That was all he said.
He kept his hand on his sword and continued to wait.
Their reluctance to make a move made Cao Cao’s forces anxious.
“They’re more reluctant to show their hand than expected.”
Sima Yi stroked her chin.
The general known as Xu Rong was, as Cao Cao had described, a difficult opponent.
He was extremely cautious, aiming only for a perfect victory.
That was how Xu Rong’s forces viewed warfare.
Siege battles inherently favored the defenders, and even if the coalition surrounded them, they could do nothing if Xu Rong refused to come out.
Their strategy to instill fear had failed.
“Move the formation forward.”
Sima Yi bit her lip slightly as she gave the order.
The moment they advanced, Xu Rong’s forces finally left Hangu Pass and began to pursue them.
In response, the Unryong Army’s vanguard dispersed to the left and right, preparing to join Cao Cao’s left and right flanks to meet them.
The dense trees and foliage obscured their figures, creating the perfect ambush.
But even then, Xu Rong did not chase too far.
“Quite solid.”
Xu Rong stopped his horse and spoke.
“They’ve prepared thoroughly. Do not pursue them rashly.”
Even though he appeared calm, the occasional disruptions by the Unryong Army’s cavalry had taken a toll.
Regardless of how many walls they built, they had no time to rest as attacks struck at irregular intervals—sometimes at dawn, sometimes in the morning.
Both sides continued to anticipate and counter each other’s moves.
The situation was ever-changing.
Sima Yi rapidly placed stones in her mental game board.
That’s when it happened.
Cao Cao drew her sword from her waist and spoke.
“This won’t do. Don’t you agree, young strategist?”
Sima Yi nodded.
“We’re at a disadvantage if this turns into a war of attrition. We have no choice but to engage them head-on.”
Despite her words, there was no sign of distress in Sima Yi’s eyes.
There were far more formidable pieces on the board than she had anticipated.
Xiahou Dun, Zhao Yun, Zuo Yin, Cao Hong, and Xu Chu—these were not warriors whose worth could be measured simply by the number of troops they led.
They were fierce generals.
Now, Sima Yi’s calculations were finally complete.
“Strangely, I feel relieved. This is a battle of who can maneuver their army better. Very well, let’s see how it goes.”
“Hmm.”
Cao Cao nodded in satisfaction.
“Then, full advance.”
Her command baton pointed forward.
“They’re coming.”
Xu Rong, fully armored in black, drew his sword.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment.”
Though he could have shattered them within the forest, there was no need to fight on their terms.
Thus, he waited for them to come out.
This was the advantage of being on the defensive.
Even when the jaws are wide open, prey inevitably reveal themselves.
While this plain area didn’t compare to the vast Guanzhong Plain, luring them out of the forest was enough.
“So it was just a bluff.”
With a glance, Xu Rong estimated there were around ten thousand troops.
Even if there were more hidden on the hills, the number would not be significantly greater.
The first true confrontation between Xu Rong’s forces and the coalition forces began.
Zhao Yun took the lead. She still had a youthful appearance, but the aura she emitted was anything but ordinary.
“Is this all?”
Zhao Yun’s spear skills were not only refined but exceptional.
She had gathered intelligence on the enemy’s movements as skillfully as any seasoned veteran.
Meanwhile, Xu Chu, swinging his giant iron club, resembled a monster.
Cao Hong, Xiahou Dun, and Zuo Yin—there was nothing more to say.
The left and right flanks repeatedly shifted positions, scattering and regrouping, making it increasingly difficult to gauge the battlefield.
This was the signal.
Xu Rong, who had been calm until now, finally leaned forward.
His movements in black armor were as straightforward and unadorned as his nature.
However, every strike was precise.
He calmly and methodically aimed for his opponents’ vital spots.
“From now on, anyone who does not follow Xu Rong will be dealt with according to military law.”
Xu Rong continued his advance, rallying his troops.
The battle intensified.
Even Cao Cao, the commander of the coalition, joined the fight.
“A true warlord must set an example. Follow me and cut down the enemy.”
The ground trembled, and blood continued to spill.
“Repeating the same mistake.”
Xu Rong’s expression remained stoic, but a smile crept up.
He had steadily surrounded the enemy with his forces.
If he could sever Cao Cao’s head, it would all be over.
“This ends here.”
Xu Rong gripped the reins, raised his sword, and charged forward.
***
Not yet, not yet.
More, more, more, more!
Finally, Xu Rong was approaching.
Yes, this was it.
The formation she had envisioned all along.
Every piece falling perfectly into place.
Sima Yi’s strategy was unfolding flawlessly.
Oh, Cao Cao, you are indeed a greater warlord than the rumors suggested.
The other generals were just as impressive.
Each one was a masterful blade in Sima Yi’s grasp.
These sharp swords were leading this unfavorable battle.
Sima Yi tightly gripped the red flag.
‘Now, it’s all up to you, sir.’
A faint smile formed on her lips.
‘Show me just how sharp your blade is. The outcome rests entirely in your hands.’
This was the young strategist’s final gambit.
