ebookland Chapter 1022: Miaocai dies after refusing to surrender
Chapter 1022: Miaocai dies after refusing to surrender
As Xiahou Yuan led his troops in retreat, he looked back and saw Yuan's army flags fluttering, shouts of war resounding through the air, and a momentum that seemed poised to flatten the earth. He knew the Yuan army was pursuing them furiously, putting his own side under immense pressure and requiring a quick solution.
"General, Yuan's army is chasing us too closely. What should we do?" a deputy general asked anxiously.
Xiahou Yuan gritted his teeth and said with a determined look, "Continue to retreat and find an opportunity to set up another ambush! Brothers, work harder. We must not let Yuan's army catch up easily!"
Although Cao's soldiers were exhausted, they still kept their spirits up and quickened their pace under the encouragement of Xiahou Yuan. However, Yuan Shao's army, relying on its high morale, pursued them relentlessly, showing no signs of slowing down.
After traveling a bit further, Xiahou Yuan spotted a narrow mountain pass ahead, flanked by steep peaks. It was a perfect spot for an ambush. With a sudden impulse, he ordered, "Quick, my brothers, set up an ambush! Prepare your bows and crossbows. When the Yuan army enters the pass, we'll give them a taste of their own medicine!"
Cao's army moved swiftly, hiding on either side of the mountain pass, quietly awaiting the arrival of Yuan's army. Soon, the vanguard of Yuan Shao's army came into view. Yan Liang led the charge, completely unaware of the approaching danger.
When the main force of Yuan's army entered the mountain pass, Xiahou Yuan shouted, "Shoot!" Immediately, arrows rained down from the mountains on both sides, and screams rang out among the Yuan army. Yan Liang and Wen Chou were terrified and hurriedly commanded their troops to counterattack.
However, the narrow mountain pass made it difficult for Yuan Shao's cavalry to maneuver, and their formation was thrown into disarray. Seeing this, Xiahou Yuan led Cao's troops to attack from both sides, engaging Yuan's forces in close combat. Despite Cao's valiant forces, Yuan Shao's superior numbers quickly stabilized their position and launched a counterattack.
Xiahou Yuan stopped ordering a retreat. He gritted his teeth, his cheek muscles bulging, and looked towards Chenliu with a determined look. He knew in his heart that he couldn't retreat any further. If he did, Yan Liang and Wen Chou would surely catch up with Cao Cao's army like hungry wolves.
At this moment, Xiahou Yuan's heart was in a fierce struggle. He thought of Cao Cao's kindness in recognizing him, the bloody battles of Cao's soldiers, and the fact that this mission, covering the rearguard, depended on the survival of the entire army. Each thought hammered at his heart, further solidifying his resolve.
"We must hold them back!" Xiahou Yuan roared inwardly, the sound threatening to burst through his chest. His eyes burned with a fire of determination, revealing a willingness to face death head-on.
"Brothers!" Xiahou Yuan shouted, brandishing his long sword. "We have no way to retreat! Our lord and the army are ahead, and behind us is their retreat! Today, we must fight to the death, delaying Yuan's army and not letting them advance a single step!"
The soldiers of Cao's army were infected by Xiahou Yuan's heroic spirit and ambition. They raised their weapons and shouted in unison: "Fight to the death! Hold back Yuan's army!" The shouts shook the earth and echoed in the valley, as if declaring their indomitable spirit and determination to the world.
Yuan Shao's army gradually approached, with Yan Liang and Wen Chou leading the way, their faces full of arrogance. They thought Xiahou Yuan would continue to flee, but they did not expect Cao's army to prepare for a fight to the death.
"Hmph, this Xiahou Yuan does have some backbone, but today is the day he dies!" Yan Liang said viciously, waving the big knife in his hand.
Yan Liang looked at Wen Chou beside him with a sharp gaze and said in a deep voice: "Second brother, Xiahou Yuan is quite skilled in martial arts, leave him to me. You immediately lead the army to continue chasing Cao Cao, don't let him escape." Wen Chou nodded without hesitation after hearing this, and with a wave of his hand, he was about to detach an army to continue chasing in the direction of Cao Cao's retreating army.
Xiahou Yuan, watching this scene unfold from afar, thought to himself that they were actually splitting up their forces. If Wen Chou were to lead the army in pursuit, Cao Cao's entire army would be in danger. Without giving it time to dwell on it, Xiahou Yuan's eyes widened, burning with determination. With a furious roar, he spurred his horse and thrust his sword, charging straight at Yan Liang with a desperate stance. At the same time, he quickly turned and shouted to his deputy general, "Take a group of men and horses and stop Wen Chou. Don't let him advance a single step!"
Upon receiving the order, the deputy general immediately led a crack team, and like a black torrent, they rushed towards Wen Chou. Seeing that the Cao army was still trying to divide its troops to stop them, Wen Chou could not help but sneer, thinking to himself: "This Xiahou Yuan is really ignorant of his own life. Even in such a desperate situation, he still dares to try to stop a chariot with a mantis arm."
Yan Liang had already urged his horse forward to meet Xiahou Yuan, his sword raised high, and with a whistling sound, he slashed down at him fiercely. Undeterred, Xiahou Yuan held his sword horizontally, resisting with all his might. With a resounding clang, sparks flew as their weapons collided, unleashing a powerful force.
Almost simultaneously, Wen Chou led his troops, charging fiercely towards the Cao army that blocked their path. The scene was like two surging waves crashing together. Shouts of killing and the clash of weapons instantly resounded throughout the valley, and the entire battlefield was plunged into chaos.
On Yan Liang's side, Xiahou Yuan personally led his troops in a desperate resistance, like a resilient barrier, firmly blocking Yan Liang's offensive. Inspired by Xiahou Yuan's words, Cao's soldiers bravely advanced, using their flesh and blood to resist Yan Liang's ferocious attack. Despite Yan Liang's unparalleled bravery, he was unable to break through Xiahou Yuan's defensive line.
However, the situation on Wen Chou's side was quite different. Unable to stop them, Wen Chou's Yuan army surged forward like a rocket, instantly crushing the Cao army that blocked their path. Wen Chou watched Yan Liang and Xiahou Yuan locked in a bitter battle, angered by Xiahou Yuan's apparent formidable opponent. He was further angered by Xiahou Yuan's actions in dividing his forces to stop him. However, he chose not to pursue Cao Cao's main force, instead deciding to tackle this difficult challenge first. With a decisive wave of his hand, Wen Chou led his troops directly to the site of the battle between Yan Liang and Xiahou Yuan.
In the blink of an eye, Yan Liang and Wen Chou's forces formed a closed circle, attacking Xiahou Yuan from both sides. Xiahou Yuan's troops, already battle-hardened, suffered heavy casualties from this double-sided attack. Although Cao's soldiers still put up a tenacious resistance, the situation was precarious.
Immediately afterwards, Wen Chou, spear in hand, charged towards Xiahou Yuan, shouting, "Xiahou Yuan, today is your day!" He thrust his spear forward and lunged. Xiahou Yuan, already inferior to Yan Liang in martial arts, was now overwhelmed by the combined attacks of Yan Liang and Wen Chou. He struggled mightily, wounds mounting, his armor stained red with blood. But Xiahou Yuan gritted his teeth, swallowing the pain, and fought with all his might, his only conviction: to hold them off and buy Cao Cao's army more time.
At this critical moment, there was no fear in Xiahou Yuan's eyes, only determination and resoluteness.
Yan Liang watched Xiahou Yuan, despite such a desperate situation, still lead his troops in a desperate resistance. He was filled with deep emotion, and even more so with admiration and a deep love for Xiahou Yuan's loyalty. He pulled the reins and shouted, "Xiahou Yuan! You and I each serve our own masters. Today, you are trapped. Further resistance is futile. My lord, Yuan Shao, has many soldiers and generals, and is a formidable force. If you surrender, you will surely enjoy wealth and glory. Why sacrifice your life for Cao Cao in vain?"
Upon hearing this, a trace of disdain flashed in Xiahou Yuan's eyes. Although he was covered in wounds and gradually losing strength, his voice was still firm and powerful: "Yan Liang, don't say any more! I, Xiahou Yuan, have received great kindness from Cao Gong, and I can only repay him with my death. It is absolutely impossible for me to betray my lord!" After that, he ignored the pain, waved his long sword, and attacked Yan Liang again.
Seeing that Xiahou Yuan was so ungrateful, Wen Chou shouted angrily, "You don't know how to live or die! Don't blame us for being rude!" After that, he and Yan Liang urged their horses to attack Xiahou Yuan again.
Xiahou Yuan fought hard, but the long, bitter battle had already exhausted his strength. Facing the fierce attacks of Yan Liang and Wen Chou, he gradually became exhausted. Finally, in another fierce battle, Xiahou Yuan was careless, and Yan Liang seized the opportunity and struck down, beheading him.
"General!" Cao's soldiers cried out in grief as they witnessed this scene. Xiahou Yuan's death had severely dampened Cao's morale, but they were also moved by his loyalty and righteousness. Even in the face of Yuan's ferocious attacks, they resisted stubbornly, not a single one retreating. The cries of battle still shook the heavens, but the tragic atmosphere grew even more intense.
After losing their chief general, Xiahou Yuan, this group of Cao's soldiers, responsible for the rearguard, fought desperately, but ultimately, due to the disparity in strength, they were completely annihilated. The battlefield was dead silent, with only the blood flowing, dyeing the ground a deep red.
Yan Liang and Wen Chou rode their horses slowly to Xiahou Yuan's prone form. Xiahou Yuan's eyes were wide open, as if he still had unfinished business. Though his body was cold, it radiated an unyielding spirit. Wen Chou looked at Xiahou Yuan, a fierce glint in his eyes. Without a word, he drew his sword from his waist and slashed straight at Xiahou Yuan's head, muttering, "Hmph, let's see how you can stop our army!"
At this critical moment, Yan Liang, with his quick eyes and hands, stretched out his arm and grabbed Wen Chou's wrist holding the sword, shouting, "Second brother, don't do that!"
Wen Chou was stunned. He turned to look at Yan Liang, his face filled with confusion and resentment. "Brother, why are you stopping me? Xiahou Yuan fought to the death, causing so much trouble for our army. If we take his head, we can first report it to the lord for merit, and secondly, it will deter Cao Cao and let him know the consequences of opposing our army!"
Yan Liang frowned slightly, looking solemnly at Xiahou Yuan's corpse. He said slowly, "Second brother, although Xiahou Yuan was an enemy general, his loyalty and righteousness are witnessed by heaven and earth. Now that he is dead, how can we bear to harm his body?"
Wen Chou frowned and said anxiously, "Brother, on the battlefield, there is no room for mercy! If we don't destroy the head of such a loyal man, how can we demonstrate the prestige of our army?"
Yan Liang shook his head slightly, his expression solemn. "Second brother, true prestige doesn't come from destroying corpses. A loyal and righteous man like Xiahou Yuan deserves our respect. His weapons and banners are proof enough that we've already killed him. Why commit such a cruel act again?"
Although Wen Chou was unwilling, seeing that Yan Liang had made up his mind, he could not insist any longer. He could only put away his sword in dismay and said in a muffled voice, "Well, since you say so, then I will do as you say."
Yan Liang looked around and ordered loudly: "Soldiers, bury General Xiahou Yuan on the spot as a sign of respect." The soldiers took the order and started to bury Xiahou Yuan's body properly.
Afterwards, Yan Liang gave another loud order: "Everyone, clean up the battlefield quickly and collect weapons and supplies. It's getting late, so take a short rest and continue chasing Cao Cao tomorrow morning." The soldiers of Yuan's army immediately got busy, some cleaning up the battlefield, some setting up tents, preparing for tomorrow's pursuit on this battlefield filled with blood.